JP4512652B2 - GAME DEVICE, GAME CONTROL METHOD, AND GAME CONTROL PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game control technique, and more particularly to a game device, a game control method, and a game control program for controlling sound in a three-dimensional space in which a plurality of objects are arranged.

Many games that simulate a virtual three-dimensional space are provided. In such a game, the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction are set in the virtual three-dimensional space, an image of the virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the set viewpoint position in the line of sight is displayed, and the set viewpoint position The sound of the virtual three-dimensional space that can be heard at is output.
JP 2002-258842 A

  If there are a relatively small number of objects placed in the virtual three-dimensional space, the shape data of each object is rendered to generate an image, and the sound field is simulated from the sound data of each object. Can be generated. However, when the number of objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space becomes large, the necessary calculation load increases dramatically. Even if the number of objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space is large, there is a need for a technique that enhances the entertainment of the game by reproducing highly realistic sound while suppressing the calculation load.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a game control technique with higher entertainment.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a program. This program has a function of reading out the coordinate data or the audio data from a parameter holding unit that stores coordinate data of objects arranged in the three-dimensional space and a plurality of types of audio data as audio data of the object group. A function of changing the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space, a function of generating an image of the three-dimensional space when viewed from the viewpoint position in a predetermined gaze direction, and determining the number of objects in the vicinity of the viewpoint position A range is set, the number of objects existing in the object number determination range is calculated with reference to the parameter holding unit, and the audio of the object group is selected from the plurality of types of audio data according to the number of objects. Audio data to be applied as data is determined, and the determined audio data is read from the parameter holding unit, And generating a sound of the three-dimensional space at the viewpoint position, characterized in that to realize the computer.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation of the present invention converted between a method, an apparatus, a system, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a more entertaining game control technique can be provided.

  The game device according to the embodiment arranges a plurality of objects in a three-dimensional space virtually constructed in the game device, and provides the video and audio to the user. For example, by simulating a school of fish swimming in the sea, the world under the sea that is difficult to experience is expressed and provided to the user. The user can freely move in the virtual three-dimensional space by operating the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction. Thereby, the user can experience, for example, a feeling that the user can freely swim in the sea where the school of fish swims.

  When the number of objects placed in the virtual three-dimensional space is relatively small, the sound of each object is simulated using the position of each object as a sound source to calculate the three-dimensional sound field and generate the sound of the game world can do. However, for example, when simulating a school of fish in the sea, it is computationally intensive to individually simulate speech for each of tens of thousands of fish. Therefore, the present embodiment proposes a technique for expressing highly realistic speech with a smaller load when a large number of objects are arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a game apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. The game apparatus 10 includes a controller 20, an input receiving unit 30, a control unit 40, a parameter holding unit 60, a display device 68, and a speaker 69. In terms of hardware components, these configurations are realized by a CPU of a computer, a memory, a program loaded in the memory, and the like, but here, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are illustrated. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The input receiving unit 30 receives a control signal input from the controller 20 operated by the user. The control unit 40 generates the image and sound of the game by simulating the image and sound in the virtual three-dimensional space while changing the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction based on the operation input from the user received by the input receiving unit 30. To do. The parameter holding unit 60 holds data of a virtual three-dimensional space constructed in the game device and data of objects arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. The display device 68 displays a game screen generated by the control unit 40. The speaker 69 outputs the game sound generated by the control unit 40.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a virtual three-dimensional space constructed in the game device. In the virtual three-dimensional space 70, a plurality of subspaces 71 are provided. The object 72 is arranged in the sub space 71, and movement of the object 72 is controlled in the arranged sub space 71. In the virtual three-dimensional space 70, a viewpoint position 73 and a line-of-sight direction 74 for generating an image and sound of the game world are set. The viewpoint position 73 and the line-of-sight direction 74 are controlled by the movement control unit 41. The parameter holding unit 60 includes shape data such as center coordinates, width, depth, and height of the sub space 71, coordinates and shape data of the object 72, coordinates of the viewpoint position 73, vector components of the line-of-sight direction 74, Data necessary for generating game images and sound, such as sound data of objects arranged in the space 71, is stored.

  The movement control unit 41 changes the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction in accordance with an operation instruction input from the controller 20. When the viewpoint position or the line-of-sight direction is changed, the movement control unit 41 stores data such as coordinates of the viewpoint position and a vector component indicating the line-of-sight direction in the parameter holding unit 60.

  The object control unit 42 controls the movement of the object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space. The object control unit 42 sets a subspace indicating the range in which the object is arranged for each type of object, and moves the object within the set subspace. The object control unit 42 may individually control the movement of each object, or may control several objects in groups. For example, when simulating a school of fish in the sea, the object control unit 42 sets a subspace for each type of fish, such as tuna, sardine, mackerel, and defines a range for swimming, and swims the fish in the subspace. . For example, the object control unit 42 controls the movement so that the leading fish in the group is moved by determining the moving direction and the moving speed with a random number, and other fish belonging to the group are allowed to follow other preceding fish. May be. Moreover, you may control to escape away from a flock when another fish that becomes a natural enemy approaches. The object control unit 42 calculates the coordinates of the object after movement, and stores the coordinates in the parameter holding unit 60 if the coordinates are in the subspace. If it is out of the subspace, the coordinates are corrected to the coordinates in the subspace near the position and stored in the parameter holding unit 60. The object control unit may move the subspace, or may change the shape of the subspace.

  The image generation unit 43 reads the currently set viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction from the parameter holding unit 60, and objects that exist within a predetermined angle of view when viewed from the viewpoint position in the line-of-sight direction are read from the parameter holding unit 60. A search is performed to read the coordinates and shape data of the searched object. The image generation unit 43 generates an image of the virtual three-dimensional space when viewed in the line-of-sight direction from the viewpoint position by rendering the read object.

  The sound generation unit 44 reads the currently set viewpoint position and line-of-sight direction from the parameter holding unit 60 and generates sound in the virtual three-dimensional space that can be heard at the viewpoint position. As described above, in this embodiment, not all sounds emitted from individual objects are simulated, but sounds are simulated in units of objects arranged in the subspace. When the distance between the viewpoint position and the sub space is long, the long distance sound generation unit 45 simulates the sound of the object group arranged in the sub space. When the distance between the viewpoint position and the sub space is short, the short distance sound generation unit 46 simulates the sound of the object group arranged in the sub space.

  The parameter holding unit 60 stores long-distance audio data and short-distance audio data of each object group in accordance with the distance between the viewpoint position and the subspace. Far-distance audio data is expressed as 2-channel stereo audio. The audio data for short distance is expressed as surround sound of 3 channels or more, for example, 5.1 channels. As the short-distance audio data, a plurality of types of audio data are further stored in the parameter holding unit 60 in accordance with the number of objects existing in the vicinity of the viewpoint position. For example, audio data when a large number of fish are swimming and audio data when a small number of fish are swimming are prepared separately.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a sound generation method when the viewpoint position is at a long distance from the subspace. When the distance between the viewpoint position 73 and the sub space 71 is longer than the first threshold, the long distance sound generation unit 45 uses the sound data for long distance as the sound of the object group arranged in the sub space 71. Apply. Since the long-distance audio data is expressed as two-channel stereo audio, the long-distance sound generation unit 45 uses two positions 75a and 75b that are symmetrical with respect to the center of the subspace 71 as sound sources. Applies audio data of left and right channels.

  FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a sound generation method when the viewpoint position is at a long distance from the subspace. As shown in FIG. 4A, the long-distance sound generating unit 45 uses the left front position 77a and the right front position 77b as sound source positions, and the left and right channel audio data included in the long-distance audio data. Apply. Here, when the user rotates the line-of-sight direction clockwise as shown in FIG. 4B, the long-distance sound generation unit 45 rotates the sound source position counterclockwise by the same angle. That is, the sound source position moves to positions 78a and 78b. Thereby, sound source localization can be realized.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a sound generation method when the viewpoint position is at a short distance from the subspace. When the distance between the viewpoint position 73 and the sub space 71 is closer than the second threshold, the short distance sound generation unit 46 uses the short distance sound data as the sound of the object group arranged in the sub space 71. Apply. Since a plurality of types of short-distance audio data are prepared according to the number of objects near the viewpoint position, the short-range sound generation unit 46 responds to the number of objects existing near the viewpoint position. , Which audio data is to be applied as a short distance sound is determined. In the present embodiment, an object number determination range 76 of a predetermined size is set in front of the viewpoint position, and the number of objects existing in the object number determination range 76 is calculated with reference to the parameter holding unit 60. The short distance sound generation unit 46 determines sound data to be applied from the sound data for short distance according to the calculated number of objects. The short-range sound generation unit 46 applies the audio data read from the parameter holding unit 60 in accordance with the surround audio standard such as 5.1 channel. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the object number determination range 76 is set such that the viewpoint position 73 is a position that is moved a predetermined distance rearward with respect to the line-of-sight direction from the gravity center position of the rectangular parallelepiped that defines the object number determination range 76. Is set. As a result, the sound ahead of the viewpoint position can be emphasized and output. The object number determination range 76 may be set so that the viewpoint position 73 is the center or the center of gravity position of the object number determination range 76, or may be set so as not to include the viewpoint position 73.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a sound generation method when the viewpoint position is at a short distance from the subspace. As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the short-range sound generating unit 46 uses the five positions of front, left front, right front, left rear, and right rear as sound source positions according to the standard, and uses short-distance audio data. The audio data of five channels included in is applied. Here, when the user rotates the line-of-sight direction clockwise as shown in FIG. 6B, the short-range sound generation unit 46 rotates the sound source position counterclockwise by the same angle. Thereby, sound source localization can be realized. At this time, the short-range sound generation unit 46 not only simply rotates the sound source position but also sets the object number determination range 76 near the viewpoint position again to calculate the object number, and exists within the object number determination range 76 The audio data to be applied may be determined according to the number of objects to be applied.

  FIG. 7 shows a ratio of synthesizing the short-distance sound data applied by the short-distance sound generation unit 46. Data indicating the composition ratio shown in FIG. 7 is stored in the parameter holding unit 60. In the example shown in FIG. 7, three types of audio data 80, 81, and 82 are prepared according to the number of objects. When the number of objects is less than N1, the synthesizer 47 applies only the audio data 80 at the level shown in FIG. 7, and when the number of objects is N1 or more and less than N2, the synthesizing unit 47 Is synthesized at the ratio shown in FIG. In a region where the audio data (for example, audio data 81) when the number of objects is large and the audio data (for example, audio data 80) when the number of objects is small (in this case, the number of objects is N1 or more and less than N2). The synthesis ratio of the audio data 81 is reduced as the number of objects decreases from N2, and the synthesis ratio of the audio data 80 is increased as the number of objects increases from N1. As shown in FIG. 7, the composition ratio may be linearly increased or decreased according to the number of objects, or may be changed nonlinearly. Also, α may be a function of the number N of objects, and the combination ratio of both may be α: 1−α (0 ≦ α ≦ 1).

  FIG. 8 shows a ratio of synthesizing the short-distance sound data applied by the short-distance sound generating unit 46 and synthesized by the synthesizing unit 47 and the long-distance sound data applied by the long-distance sound generating unit 45. Indicates. Data indicating the composition ratio shown in FIG. 8 is also stored in the parameter holding unit 60. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the synthesis ratio of the short-distance audio data 83 and the long-distance audio data 84 is shown according to the distance between the viewpoint position and the subspace. When the distance between the viewpoint position and the subspace is closer than L1, the synthesizer 47 applies only the short-distance audio data 83 at the level shown in FIG. 8, and the distance is not less than L1 and less than L2. In this case, the short distance audio data 83 and the long distance audio data 84 are synthesized at the ratio shown in FIG. 8, and when the distance is L2 or more, only the long distance audio data 84 is illustrated. Apply at the level shown in 8. In a region where the long-distance audio data 84 and the short-distance audio data 83 are synthesized (in this case, the distance is greater than or equal to L1 and less than L2), the synthesis ratio of the audio data 84 increases as the distance decreases from L2. The synthesis ratio of the audio data 83 is increased so that the distance increases from L1. As shown in FIG. 8, the composition ratio may be linearly increased or decreased according to the distance, or may be changed nonlinearly. Further, α may be a function of the distance L, and the combination ratio of both may be α: 1−α (0 ≦ α ≦ 1).

  The synthesizing unit 47 calculates the sound to be output from each speaker 69 according to the number and position of the speakers 69 from the sound field in which the plurality of sound data are combined as described above, and outputs the sound to each speaker 69.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the game control method according to the present embodiment. The sound generation unit 44 reads the coordinates of the viewpoint position and the center coordinates of the subspace from the parameter holding unit 60, and calculates the distance between the viewpoint position and the subspace (S10). When the distance is equal to or greater than L1 shown in FIG. 8 (Y in S12), the long-distance sound generation unit 45 reads out the long-distance sound data 84 from the parameter holding unit 60 and applies it (S14). If the distance is less than L1 (N in S12), the long-distance audio data 84 is not applied, so S14 is skipped.

  When the distance is less than L2 (Y in S16), the short distance sound generating unit 46 refers to the parameter holding unit 60, calculates the number of objects in the object number determination range 76 (S18), and sets the number of objects. Accordingly, audio data for short distance is applied (S20). Specifically, audio data 80 is applied when the number of objects is smaller than N2 shown in FIG. 7, audio data 81 is applied when N1 is less than N4, and audio data 82 is applied when N3 or more. Applies. The synthesizer 47 synthesizes the applied short-distance audio data at the ratio shown in FIG. 7 (S22). In S16, when the distance is equal to or greater than L2 (N in S16), the audio data for short distance is not applied, so S18 to S22 are skipped.

  The synthesizer 47 synthesizes the short-distance audio data and the long-distance audio data at the ratio shown in FIG. 8 (S24). When a plurality of subspaces are provided, the above procedure is repeated for all subspaces. The synthesizing unit 47 finally synthesizes all the audio data synthesized for the respective subspaces, and calculates and outputs the audio to be output to each speaker 69.

  According to the technique of the present embodiment, even when a large number of objects are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space, the audio data is applied to each object group, so that the calculation load can be reduced. In addition, since the audio data to be applied is changed according to the number of objects existing in the vicinity of the viewpoint position, highly realistic audio can be output.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to each component and combination of processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the game device which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the virtual three-dimensional space constructed | assembled in the game device. It is a figure for demonstrating the audio | voice production | generation method when a viewpoint position exists in a long distance from subspace. It is a figure for demonstrating the audio | voice production | generation method when a viewpoint position exists in a long distance from subspace. It is a figure for demonstrating the audio | voice production | generation method when a viewpoint position exists in a short distance from subspace. It is a figure for demonstrating the audio | voice production | generation method when a viewpoint position exists in a short distance from subspace. It is a figure which shows the ratio which synthesize | combines the audio | voice data for short distances applied by the short distance sound production | generation part. It is a figure which shows the ratio which synthesize | combines the audio | voice data for short distances applied by the short-distance sound production | generation part and synthesize | combined by the synthetic | combination part, and the audio | voice data for long distances applied by the long-distance sound production | generation part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the game control method which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  10 game devices, 20 controllers, 30 input reception units, 40 control units, 41 movement control units, 42 object control units, 43 image generation units, 44 audio generation units, 45 long-distance sound generation units, 46 short-distance sound generation units, 47 synthesis unit, 60 parameter holding unit, 68 display device, 69 speaker, 76 object number determination range.

Claims (6)

A function of reading out the coordinate data or the audio data from a parameter holding unit that stores the coordinate data of the objects arranged in the three-dimensional space and a plurality of types of audio data as the audio data of the object group;
A function of changing a viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space;
A function of generating an image of the three-dimensional space when viewed in a predetermined viewing direction from the viewpoint position;
An object number determination range is set in the vicinity of the viewpoint position, the number of objects existing in the object number determination range is calculated with reference to the parameter holding unit, and the plurality of types of sounds are determined according to the number of objects. A function of determining sound data to be applied as sound data of the object group from the data, reading the determined sound data from the parameter holding unit, and generating sound of the three-dimensional space at the viewpoint position;
A program characterized by causing a computer to realize. The parameter holding unit is a plurality of types of audio data according to the distance between the viewpoint position and the subspace, as audio data of an object group arranged in the subspace set in the three-dimensional space. And as a voice data when the distance is shorter than a predetermined threshold, a plurality of types of voice data are further stored according to the number of objects existing in the object number determination range,
When the sound generating function determines sound data to be applied to the object group, first, the sound data to be applied is determined according to the distance between the viewpoint position and the subspace to which the object group belongs. When applying audio data when the distance is shorter than a predetermined threshold, audio data to be applied is further determined according to the number of objects existing in the object number determination range. The program according to claim 1. The parameter holding unit synthesizes a plurality of audio data when the distance between the viewpoint position and the subspace is shorter than a predetermined threshold according to the number of objects existing in the object number determination range. Further storing a ratio and a ratio of combining the voice data when the distance is shorter than a predetermined threshold and the voice data when the distance is longer according to the distance between the viewpoint position and the subspace,
According to the number of objects existing in the object number determination range, a plurality of audio data when the distance is shorter than a predetermined threshold is synthesized according to a ratio stored in the parameter holding unit, and the viewpoint A function of synthesizing voice data when the distance is shorter than a predetermined threshold and voice data when the distance is longer than a predetermined threshold according to a ratio stored in the parameter holding unit according to a distance between the position and the subspace. The program according to claim 2, further comprising a computer. A parameter holding unit for storing a plurality of types of audio data as the coordinate data of the objects arranged in the three-dimensional space and the audio data of the object group;
A movement control unit for changing a viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space;
An image generation unit that generates an image of the three-dimensional space when viewed in a predetermined line-of-sight direction from the viewpoint position;
An object number determination range is set in the vicinity of the viewpoint position, the number of objects existing in the object number determination range is calculated with reference to the parameter holding unit, and the plurality of types of sounds are determined according to the number of objects. Audio data to be applied as audio data of the object group from among the data, reading the determined audio data from the parameter holding unit, and generating an audio of the three-dimensional space at the viewpoint position;
A game apparatus comprising: Reading the coordinate data or the audio data from a parameter holding unit that stores the coordinate data of the objects arranged in the three-dimensional space, and a plurality of types of audio data as the audio data of the object group;
Changing the viewpoint position in the three-dimensional space;
Generating an image of the three-dimensional space when viewed in a predetermined viewing direction from the viewpoint position;
An object number determination range is set in the vicinity of the viewpoint position, the number of objects existing in the object number determination range is calculated with reference to the parameter holding unit, and the plurality of types of sounds are determined according to the number of objects. Determining audio data to be applied as audio data of the object group from the data, reading the determined audio data from the parameter holding unit, and generating audio in the three-dimensional space at the viewpoint position;
A game control method comprising:   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program in any one of Claim 1 to 3.

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