JP2015100481A - Game machine, and control method and computer program used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of appropriately controlling drawing of an instruction mark by taking account of a change in appearance of three-dimensional objects.SOLUTION: The game machine generates an image generated by observing, from a prescribed point of view, a situation where a plurality of three-dimensional objects corresponding to instruction marks for instructing a user to execute each of a plurality of postures, move along a prescribed route in a virtual three-dimensional space, while holding a time interval of a time when each posture should be executed. The game machine includes: determination means that determines, according to prescribed conditions, by which of a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects KO1 and KO2, where at least any of the shape and size thereof are mutually different, the instruction mark should be drawn; and selection control means that controls a selection of the three-dimensional objects such that each instruction mark is drawn by one type of three-dimensional object selected from the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects in compliance with the determination result of the determination means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine or the like that guides each operation to the user by moving a plurality of instruction signs corresponding to each of the plurality of operations to be performed by the user in a predetermined direction on the game screen.

  Music games that require a user to perform a predetermined action at a predetermined time during music performance are well known. As one of such music games, a plurality of instruction signs corresponding to each of a plurality of actions to be performed by the user are displayed along a predetermined route, and a predetermined reference sign is displayed at a time corresponding to each instruction sign. There is known a music game in which each instruction sign is moved toward a reference sign so as to coincide with each other, thereby guiding a user to each work (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-96061 A

  In the field of game machines, drawing game screens using so-called three-dimensional computer graphics technology is often performed. However, as exemplified by the above-described music game, in a timing game or the like in which a user guides the time when an action should be performed with an instruction sign, a plurality of three-dimensional objects are observed to move while maintaining appropriate time intervals. When an instruction sign is drawn by generating an image according to a three-dimensional computer graphics technique, the appearance of the instruction sign changes depending on in which direction the three-dimensional object is observed. Due to such a property, the indication sign may be displayed in an unintended manner. For example, when the interval between the three-dimensional objects is narrow, the overlap between the three-dimensional objects becomes large at the peripheral edge of the game screen, for example, the vertical edge or the horizontal edge. Of these, most of the three-dimensional objects behind are hidden by the front three-dimensional object. In that case, there is a possibility that the user cannot sufficiently determine the indicator sign corresponding to the three-dimensional object behind. Alternatively, if the direction of observing the three-dimensional object changes, even if it is intended to increase the difficulty of the user's discrimination regarding some indication signs by concealing the three-dimensional object behind it with the front three-dimensional object, It may not look like this.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine or the like that can appropriately control the drawing of the instruction sign in consideration of the change in the appearance of the three-dimensional object.

  In the game machine according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of three-dimensional objects corresponding to instruction signs for instructing each of a plurality of actions to be performed by the user at different times during the game are performed. Generating an image observed from a predetermined viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space and presenting it to the user, the state of moving along a predetermined path in the virtual three-dimensional space in a state arranged according to the time intervals of powers Thus, in the game machine including the guide unit that guides the user to each operation, the guide unit is drawn by any of a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects having at least one of shape and size different from each other. A discriminating unit that discriminates according to a predetermined condition, and each indicator sign follows the discrimination result of the discriminating unit from the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects. In which and a selection control means for controlling the selection of the three-dimensional object to be placed in a virtual three-dimensional space as rendered by one type of three-dimensional object selected.

  Further, in the game machine control method according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of three-dimensional objects corresponding to instruction signs that indicate to the user each of a plurality of actions to be performed by the user at different times during the game include: An image obtained by observing the state of moving along a predetermined path in the virtual three-dimensional space in a state arranged according to the time interval of each operation to be performed from a predetermined viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space is generated. A game machine control method including a procedure for guiding a user to each operation by presenting to the user, wherein the instruction sign has at least one of a shape and a size different from each other. A procedure for determining which of a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects should be drawn according to a predetermined condition; And a procedure for controlling selection of a three-dimensional object to be arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space so as to be drawn by one type of three-dimensional object selected according to a determination result in another procedure. Is.

  Furthermore, the computer program according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of three-dimensional objects corresponding to instruction signs that indicate to the user each of the plurality of actions to be performed by the user at different times during the game. An image observed from a predetermined viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space is generated and presented to the user as it moves along a predetermined path in the virtual three-dimensional space in a state arranged according to the time interval of time to be performed. By doing so, a computer program for causing the computer of the game machine to function as a guide means for guiding each operation to the user, wherein the indication sign includes a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects having at least one of shape and size different from each other. A discriminating means for discriminating which should be drawn according to a predetermined condition; and Selection control means for controlling selection of a three-dimensional object to be arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space so as to be drawn by one kind of three-dimensional object selected according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means from a kind of three-dimensional object The guide means is further configured to function.

The functional block diagram of the principal part of the game machine which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which showed typically an example of the game screen used for a music game. The figure which shows an example of the virtual three-dimensional space which a game control part produces | generates logically on memory. The schematic diagram at the time of seeing a mode that the virtual object on a virtual lane is image | photographed with a virtual camera from the horizontal direction of a virtual three-dimensional space. The figure which shows a mode that the state where the 2nd object was pinched | interposed between a pair of 1st object was observed from the viewpoint of virtual three-dimensional space. The figure which shows the whole 2nd object of FIG. The figure which shows the modification of a 2nd object. The figure which shows the other modification of a 2nd object. The figure which shows the further another modification of a 2nd object. The figure which shows the modification of the 2nd object which provided the deformation | transformation part limited to a part of outer periphery. The figure which shows a mode that the state where the 2nd object of FIG. 10 was pinched | interposed into the 1st object was observed from the viewpoint of virtual three-dimensional space. The functional block diagram of the sequence process part for displaying AR image. The figure which shows an example of the content of the sequence data in a 1st form. The flowchart which shows the procedure of a sequence processing routine. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the virtual object arrangement | positioning process in a 1st form. The flowchart which shows the procedure of an operation evaluation process routine. The figure which shows an example of the content of the sequence data in a 2nd form. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the virtual object arrangement | positioning process in a 2nd form. The figure which shows an example of the content of the sequence data in a 3rd form. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the virtual object arrangement | positioning process in a 3rd form.

(First form)
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the game machine according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a main part of a game machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, the game machine 1 is configured as a business game machine that provides a music game. That is, the game machine 1 provides a predetermined range of music game play in exchange for consumption of a predetermined value. As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine 1 is provided with a control unit 2 and an external storage device 3 as a computer. The control unit 2 is connected to an input device 4, a monitor 5 as a display device, a speaker 6 as an audio output device, and a camera 7 as a photographing means.

  The camera 7 is arranged so that the input device 4 and a user who uses the input device 4 can be photographed. A user as a game player uses the input device 4 while looking at the monitor 5. That is, the input device 4 is disposed between the user and the monitor 5. Therefore, the camera 7 is disposed on the monitor 5 side so as to face the input device 4 and the user. Further, as the input device, for example, a device imitating a musical instrument used in a music game may be used. As such an input device, for example, a drum type controller imitating a drum set may be used. As an example, the drum-type controller includes four drums. The four drums are used, for example, as a detection unit that detects a user's work, here, an operation of the user hitting. Then, a result of an operation on the input device 4 such as a tapping operation is output to the control unit 2. In addition, the game machine 1 is provided with various input devices and output devices included in a commercial game machine such as a push button switch and a cross key, but these are not shown. Here, a user's tapping operation will be described as an example of an action to be performed by the user during the game. However, the user's action is not limited to such tapping operation, and the user's action to be detected by the input device of the game machine Includes various acts. The user's action is not limited to an action that should be detected when the user physically touches the game machine, but may be an action that the user detects without touching the game machine. For example, an action to be detected by the camera 7 is also an example of the work.

  The control unit 2 includes a game control unit 11 as a control subject, and a display control unit 12 and an audio output control unit 14 that operate according to an output from the game control unit 11. The game control unit 11 is configured as a unit in which a microprocessor and various peripheral devices such as an internal storage device (for example, ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor are combined. The display control unit 12 draws an image corresponding to the drawing data supplied from the game control unit 11 in the frame buffer, and outputs a video signal corresponding to the drawn image to the monitor 5, whereby a predetermined signal is displayed on the monitor 5. Display an image. The audio output control unit 14 reproduces predetermined music (including sound effects) from the speaker 6 by generating an audio reproduction signal corresponding to the audio reproduction data given from the game control unit 11 and outputting it to the speaker 6. Let

  The external storage device 3 is connected to the control unit 2. The external storage device 3 is a memory that can hold the memory without power supply, such as a magnetic storage medium such as a hard disk, an optical storage medium such as a DVDROM or a CDROM, or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as an EEPROM. Medium is used.

A game program 21 and game data 22 are stored in the external storage device 3.
The game program 21 is a computer program necessary for the game machine 1 to execute a music game according to a predetermined procedure. The game program 21 includes a sequence control module 23 and an evaluation module 24. When the game machine 1 is activated, the game control unit 11 executes various processes necessary to operate as the game machine 1 by executing an operation program stored in the internal storage device. Subsequently, the game control unit 11 reads the game program 21 from the external storage device 3 and executes it to set an environment for executing the music game according to the game program 21.

  When the game control unit 11 executes the sequence control module 23 of the game program 21, a sequence processing unit 15 is generated in the game control unit 11. In addition, when the game control unit 11 executes the evaluation module 24 of the game program 21, an operation evaluation unit 16 is generated in the game control unit 11. The sequence processing unit 15 is music such as processing for instructing the user of the operation time in accordance with reproduction of music (music) selected by the user, or processing for generating effects such as sound effects according to the user's operation. Execute game processing. The operation evaluation unit 16 executes a process for evaluating a user operation. The sequence processing unit 15 and the operation evaluation unit 16 are logical devices realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program. In addition to the modules 23 and 24 described above, the game program 21 includes various program modules necessary for executing a music game, and the game control unit 11 includes logic devices corresponding to these modules. Generated. However, those illustrations are omitted.

  The game data 22 includes various data to be referred to when the game program 21 is executed. For example, the game data 22 includes music data 25, sound effect data 26, and image data 27. The music data 25 is data necessary to reproduce and output music to be played from the speaker 6. Although one type of music data 25 is shown in FIG. 1, in practice, the user can select music to play from a plurality of music. In the game data 22, a plurality of pieces of music data 25 are recorded with information for identifying each music piece. The sound effect data 26 is data in which a plurality of types of sound effects to be output from the speaker 6 in response to a user operation are recorded in association with a unique code for each sound effect. Sound effects include musical instruments and various other types of sounds. The sound effect data may be prepared for a predetermined number of octaves by changing the pitch for each type. The image data 27 is data for causing the monitor 5 to display a background image, various objects, icons, and the like in the game screen.

  The game data 22 further includes sequence data 28. The sequence data 28 is data defining the contents of each operation to be instructed to the user, the time during the game in which those operations are to be performed, and the like. At least one sequence data 28 is prepared for one piece of music data 25. The sequence data 28 corresponds to an example of instruction data of the present invention, and details thereof will be described later.

  Next, an outline of a music game provided by the game machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a game screen used for a music game. As shown in FIG. 2, the game screen 30 as a guidance screen includes a real space image 31 and an AR image 32 as photographed images. In the real space image 31, an image taken by the camera 7 is displayed. That is, the real space image 31 displays the input device 4 and the user image captured by the camera 7. More specifically, the real space image 31 includes four drum images DI and user images PI.

  The four drum images DI are images corresponding to the input device 4. Specifically, the four drum images DI are images respectively corresponding to the four drums of the drum-type controller that functions as the input device 4. On the other hand, the user image PI is an image corresponding to the user. The user is located farther away from the input device 4 when viewed from the camera 7 side. Accordingly, the user image PI is displayed behind the drum image DI.

  On the other hand, the AR image 32 includes four reference position images RI as reference signs and an object image OI as an instruction sign. The reference position image RI and the object image OI are displayed as a stereoscopic image having a width, a depth, and a height (thickness) so that the depth of the game space can be expressed. The four reference position images RI correspond to the four drum images DI, respectively. Accordingly, each reference position image RI is arranged at a position corresponding to each drum image DI. In addition, each reference position image RI has a shape corresponding to the shape of the upper surface portion of each drum, that is, the portion on which an operation of tapping by the user is to be executed. Then, the reference position image RI functions as an object of an extended space obtained by extending the real space by fusing the real space and the virtual space. That is, each reference position image RI functions as a virtual drum in the expansion space.

  From each reference position image RI, a virtual lane as a predetermined route extends upward. However, the virtual lane is not displayed on the game screen 30. The virtual lane extends linearly in the vertical direction in the virtual space. That is, the virtual lane extends straight from above to the reference position image GI in the virtual space. In the virtual lane, the object image OI is arranged at an appropriate time of the music played during the game. The object image OI appears on the upper side of the virtual lane. The object image OI moves to each reference position image RI along the virtual lane while decreasing the distance from each reference position image RI as the music progresses. That is, each reference position image RI also functions as the arrival position of the object image OI.

  The object image OI is an image of an object virtually arranged in the expansion space. The object image OI has the same shape as the reference position image RI. Specifically, the object image OI has a shape corresponding to the upper surface portion of the drum image DI. The object image OI moves straight along the virtual lane in the vertical direction. However, since the object is observed obliquely from below in the upper part of the virtual lane, the object image OI is displayed on the game screen 30 in a state where the back surface OIo is visible and the front surface OIs is not visible.

  As the display position of the object image OI approaches the center of the game screen 30 in the vertical direction, the object image OI gradually becomes thinner. At the center of the game screen 30 in the vertical direction, the object image OI has its side ( It is displayed in a state where only the outer peripheral surface is visible. At this time, the direction of the thickness H of the object image OI matches the moving direction TD of the object image OI. Then, after the thickness direction of the object image OI coincides with the moving direction TD, the object image OI is displayed on the game screen 30 with its front surface OIs directed. This is because the object is observed from obliquely above in the virtual space.

  Thus, the object image OI corresponds to an image of an object that moves straight from the top to the bottom on the virtual lane in the virtual space. Therefore, the object image OI is changed from the top because the direction in which the object is observed changes. It is displayed so that the form gradually changes as it moves downward. While the object image OI is positioned at the upper part of the game screen 30, the depth D on the display of the object image OI gradually decreases as the object image OI descends, and the depth near the center of the game screen 30 in the vertical direction. D coincides with the height (thickness) H of the object image OI. Thereafter, the depth D on the display of the object image OI gradually increases as the object image OI descends. Then, the object image OI reaches the reference position image RI in an orientation that matches the shape of the reference position image RI.

  The user is required to perform a predetermined operation in accordance with the arrival of the object image OI to the reference position image RI, that is, in accordance with the coincidence of the position of the object image OI and the position of the reference position image RI. Specifically, an operation of hitting a drum as the input device 4 is required. That is, when the object image OI and the reference position image RI coincide with each other, the user is required to perform an operation of hitting the drum corresponding to the reference position image RI reached by the object image OI. Further, a time difference between the time when the object image OI reaches the reference position image RI and the time when the user performs an appropriate operation is detected. And the user's operation is highly evaluated as the deviation time is small. Further, a sound effect corresponding to the drum on which the hit operation has been executed is reproduced from the speaker 6.

  In the example of FIG. 2, four drum images DI whose upper surface portion is approximately circular are displayed. A plurality of object images OI are displayed on a virtual lane extending from the reference position image RI corresponding to the left two drum images DI. Each object image OI moves toward the reference position image RI while changing its direction. Specifically, each upper object image OI is displayed so that the back surface OIo faces. Then, the direction changes so that the magnitude of the moving direction TD of the object image OI becomes smaller toward the reference position image RI. Further, as the size of the moving direction TD changes, the display range of the user image PI located on the other side of the object image OI is expanded. In the state where the movement direction TD and the thickness direction coincide with each other, that is, in the minimum state SP in which the movement direction TD is the smallest, the object image OI becomes thin and becomes as close to a straight line as possible.

  The object image OI is displayed so as to be positioned on the user image PI. Therefore, in the minimum state SP, the display of the object image OI hardly blocks the display of the user image PI. As a result, the user image PI is mainly displayed on the virtual lane at positions before and after the minimum state SP. In this way, the user is instructed when to strike the drum using the three-dimensional object image OI including the display of the back surface OIo, the thickness H, and the like. On the other hand, by changing the direction of the three-dimensional object image OI, display of a background image such as the user image PI is also ensured.

  Next, drawing of the AR image 32 will be described. As described above, the AR image 32 is displayed as a stereoscopic image on the game screen 30 in order to produce an extended space. Such an AR image 32 is generated by drawing the reference position image RI and the object image OI according to a processing procedure of a so-called three-dimensional computer graphics technique. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual three-dimensional space GW that is logically generated on a memory. The virtual three-dimensional space GW is a virtual representation of the shooting space of the camera 7 as a three-dimensional model.

  Various objects corresponding to the AR image 32 are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space GW. For example, as one of such objects, four virtual drums KD as reference objects respectively corresponding to four reference position images RI are arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space GW. Further, a virtual lane KL extending toward each virtual drum KD is set for each virtual drum KD. Furthermore, a virtual camera KC is set in the virtual three-dimensional space GW.

  The positions of various objects such as the virtual drum KD and the position of the virtual camera KC in the virtual three-dimensional space GW are defined by three-dimensional coordinates according to a three-axis orthogonal coordinate system (world coordinates) of the XYZ axes. The shooting range of the virtual camera KC is set based on the viewing angle, the viewpoint position, and the shooting direction. Furthermore, the virtual camera KC is set with a field plane for projecting a space within the shooting range at a position away from the virtual camera KC in the shooting direction by a certain distance.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the virtual camera KC is set at a position corresponding to the camera 7 in the real space. That is, the shooting range SR of the virtual camera KC is set so that the virtual drum KD is arranged at the drum position of the input device 4 included in the shooting range of the camera 7. More specifically, the virtual camera KC is arranged so as to photograph the virtual three-dimensional space GW from a direction substantially parallel to the upper surface (surface to be hit by the user) of the virtual drum KD. The virtual camera KC is disposed near the center of the virtual three-dimensional space GW. The shooting range SR of the virtual camera KC is set so as to include the four virtual drums KD and the virtual lane KL. Further, a visual field surface SH is set at a position away from the virtual camera KC by a certain distance. An object such as a virtual drum KD within the imaging range SR is projected onto the field plane SH.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the virtual lane KL will be further described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram when the virtual lane KL is viewed from the side. As shown in FIG. 4, the virtual lane KL extends straight in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the virtual drum KD. If the upper surface of the virtual drum KD is installed parallel to the horizontal direction in the virtual three-dimensional space GW, the virtual lane KL is linearly provided along the vertical direction in the virtual three-dimensional space GW. Note that the shooting direction SD in the example of FIG. 4 is a direction extending so as to pass through the center of the field surface SH. That is, when the direction of a straight line connecting the viewpoint of the virtual camera KC and the center point of the field of view SH is defined as the center line of the field of view of the virtual camera KC, the shooting direction coincides with the direction of the center line of the field of view. In other words, the center line of the visual field corresponds to the direction of the lens axis of the virtual camera KC. Note that the viewpoint of the virtual camera KC is the center of the image plane of the virtual camera KC, but in FIG. 4, the lens center point of the virtual camera KC is illustrated as the viewpoint for convenience. The relationship between the shooting direction SD of the virtual camera KC and the direction of the virtual drum KD is an example, and the relationship may be changed as appropriate. For example, the virtual drum KD may be arranged such that the upper surface of the virtual drum KD is somewhat inclined toward the front side with respect to the shooting direction SD of the virtual camera KC. The relationship between the direction of the virtual drum KD and the direction of the virtual lane KL in FIG. 4 is also an example, and the relationship may be changed as appropriate. For example, the virtual lane KL may be somewhat inclined with respect to the upper surface of the virtual drum KD.

  In the virtual three-dimensional space GW, a virtual object KO as an instruction object corresponding to the object image OI is also arranged as one of various objects corresponding to the AR image 32. The virtual object KO is a three-dimensional object that is arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space GW corresponding to an instruction sign that instructs an operation to be performed by the user. The virtual object KO has a disk-like configuration in which the front surface KOs and the back surface KOo are parallel to each other and the thickness is small. Note that there are a plurality of types of virtual objects having different shapes as the virtual object KO, but FIG. 4 shows only one type of virtual object KO in a disk shape. In the following, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the virtual object KO is denoted as KO1, KO2,. However, when a plurality of types of virtual objects KO1, KO2,... Are collectively referred to as a virtual object KO. The type of the virtual object KO will be described later in detail, and the description will be continued below with reference to FIG. 4 as an example of the case where the virtual object KO has a disk shape.

  The virtual object KO is arranged in a certain direction on the virtual lane KL corresponding to the operation to be instructed by the object image OI. That is, each virtual object KO has a normal direction of its front surface (upper surface)) KOs and rear surface (lower surface) KOo so as to coincide with a direction in which the virtual lane KL extends, in this case, a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the virtual drum KD. Be placed. Thereby, the virtual object KO is arranged so that the virtual lane KL penetrates the center while the front surface KOs is directed to the opposite side (upper side) of the traveling direction and the back surface KOo is directed to the side of the traveling direction (lower side). . The virtual object KO assumes that the upper surface of the virtual drum KD is the current time during the game, and the virtual lane corresponding to the operation time to be indicated in the object image OI when the upper portion of the virtual lane KL is set as the future time. It is arranged at a position on KL. Then, the virtual object KO moves gradually from top to bottom on the virtual lane KL as the game time progresses. Therefore, the interval between the virtual objects KO on each virtual lane KL corresponds to the time interval of the operation time to be instructed by the object image OI.

  The direction in which the virtual object KO is arranged is constant with respect to the virtual lane KL. On the other hand, the direction in which the virtual object KO is observed from the viewpoint of the virtual camera KC changes as the position of the virtual object KO on the virtual lane KL changes. As a result, the virtual object KO is observed to gradually change its direction from the virtual camera KC as it moves along the virtual lane KL. That is, the virtual object KO is observed using the angle θ formed by the center line of the visual field of the virtual camera KC (line SD in FIG. 4) and the line Lx connecting the viewpoint of the virtual camera KC and the central point of the virtual object KO. When the direction (which may be expressed as an azimuth) is expressed, the direction of the virtual object KO viewed from the virtual camera KC changes according to the observation direction θ. However, the change in the appearance of the virtual object KO does not occur only when the virtual lane KL is linearly extended, even when a curved portion exists in at least a part of the virtual lane KL. Occur. That is, the orientation of the virtual object KO when viewed from the virtual camera KC is continuously changed according to the observation direction θ of the virtual object KO as long as the virtual lane KL extends in the direction crossing the visual field of the virtual camera KC. It does not matter whether the lane KL is linear or has at least a curved portion. In the following, the clockwise direction is defined as the positive direction of the observation direction θ with respect to the line indicating the imaging direction SD.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the virtual object KO is positioned above the shooting direction SD of the virtual camera KC, the virtual object KO is observed from the virtual camera KC in a direction that looks up obliquely upward. When the virtual object KO coincides with the shooting direction SD, only the side surface (outer peripheral surface) of the virtual object KO can be seen from the virtual camera KC. At this time, the direction of the depth D of the virtual object KO matches the shooting direction SD. At this time, the virtual object KO is observed to be the thinnest when viewed from the virtual camera KC, and the height thereof matches the thickness H of the virtual object KO. Thereafter, the virtual object KO is observed from the virtual camera KC in such a direction as to look down obliquely downward. Then, in the virtual object KO, the virtual object KO back surface KOo is in contact with the upper surface portion of the virtual drum KD at the position of the virtual drum KD.

  In this way, when viewed from the virtual camera KC, the virtual object KO first moves while the rear surface KOo side is directed toward the virtual camera KC, and after passing through the shooting direction SD of the virtual camera KC, the front surface KOs side is moved to the virtual camera KC. Move while aiming. Therefore, when a plurality of virtual objects KO move at a relatively small interval on the same virtual lane KL, as the observation direction θ increases, the degree of overlap between adjacent virtual objects KO increases, and the viewpoint from the viewpoint of the virtual camera KC increases. The heel side virtual object KO is hidden by the near side virtual object KO and becomes difficult to see. In the example of FIG. 4, such a tendency is particularly remarkable in the upper end region RU and the lower end region RL of the virtual lane KL. Then, the virtual drum KD is located in the lower end region RL, and the reference position image RI (see FIG. 2) is displayed there. Therefore, for the user, it is determined whether or not the virtual object KO has reached the virtual drum KD. It is difficult to do so, and there is a risk of causing operational mistakes.

  In order to eliminate or reduce the above inconveniences, the game machine 1 prepares a plurality of types of virtual objects KO having different shapes as the virtual objects KO, and uses these virtual objects KO properly according to a predetermined condition. . FIG. 5 shows an example. The example of FIG. 5 shows a state in which three virtual objects KO that are arranged at such a narrow interval as to have almost no gap and reach the lower end region RL (see FIG. 4) are observed from the viewpoint of the virtual camera KC. In this example, the disk-shaped first object KO1 is used on the upper side and the lower side, while the second object KO2 is used between the first objects KO1. As shown in more detail in FIG. 6, the second object KO2 has a shape in which the concave portions Pr and the convex portions Pp are alternately formed at a constant pitch over the entire outer periphery. The diameter db of the circle Cb connecting the bottoms of the recesses Pr is smaller than the diameter dr of the first object KO1, and the diameter da of the circle Ca connecting the vertices of the protrusions Pp is larger than the diameter dr of the first object KO1. The inner wall surface of the concave portion Pr (in other words, the side wall surface of the convex portion Pp) is curved so as to draw an arc that swells inside the second object KO2. Therefore, in the second object KO2 shown in FIG. 6, each of the concave portion Pr and the convex portion Pp functions as an example of a deformed portion in which the periphery of the first object KO1 is deformed inward and outward, respectively.

  Returning to FIG. 5, since the shape of the second object KO2 is determined as described above, even if the first object KO1 overlaps behind the second object KO2, the first object through the recess Pr. You can see the outer periphery of KO1. On the other hand, even if the first object KO1 overlaps before the second object KO2, the convex portion Pp of the second object KO2 protrudes from the outer periphery of the first object KO1. As described above, by using the first object KO1 and the second object KO2 properly, the visibility of the virtual object KO behind can be improved even when the virtual objects KO overlap each other at a narrow interval.

  The shape of the second object KO2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is an example, and the shape may be changed as appropriate. For example, the second object KO2 may be deformed as shown in FIGS. The second object KO2 shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which the inner wall surface of the recess Pr is curved toward the outside of the virtual object KO. The second object KO2 shown in FIG. 8 is an example in which the inner wall surface of the recess Pr is set to be substantially flat and some roundness is given to the bottom of the recess Pr. The second object KO2 shown in FIG. 9 is an example in which the protruding amount of the convex portion Pp to the outer side in the radial direction is changed in magnitude alternately with respect to the second object KO2 of FIG. That is, in the example of FIG. 9, a first circle Ca1 having a diameter da1 and a second circle Ca2 having a diameter da2 (<da1) are defined as circles connecting the apexes of the protrusions Pp. However, the smaller diameter da2 is larger than the diameter dr of the first object KO1. The modification shown in FIG. 9 can be applied to the modification examples shown in FIGS.

  In the second object KO2 of FIGS. 6 to 9, the concave portions Pr and the convex portions Pp as the deforming portions are alternately formed over the entire outer periphery, but these deforming portions Pr and Pp are formed by the virtual camera KC. May be limited to the range that can be observed. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the concave portion Pr and the convex portion Pp may be provided only in a range of a half circumference located on the near side when viewed from the virtual camera KC. Even when the deformed portion such as the concave portion Pr is provided as described above, when the first object KO1 overlaps with the first object KO1 as shown in FIG. 11, the first object KO1 behind the concave portion Pr as in the example of FIG. And the convex portion Pp of the second object KO2 protrudes from the outer periphery of the first object KO1 on the near side, and the second object KO2 can be determined. When the deformed portion such as the concave portion Pr is limited to a part of the virtual object KO, the range does not have to be limited to the half circumference of the virtual object KO. For example, a deformed portion such as the concave portion Pr may be provided only in the range of 1/3 and 1/4 with respect to the entire circumference. Furthermore, the examples shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 can be appropriately combined. For example, regarding the shape of the inner wall surface of the recess Pr, the shapes shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 may be appropriately combined. In the example of FIG. 10, the shape of the inner wall surface of the concave portion Pr may be set to the shape of FIG. 7 or FIG. 8, and the protruding amount of the convex portion Pp may be appropriately changed according to the example of FIG. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 9, the retreat amount of the concave portion Pr toward the inside in the radial direction may be appropriately changed instead of or in addition to the protrusion amount of the convex portion Pp.

  The virtual drum KD and the virtual object KO are photographed at a predetermined viewing angle from a predetermined viewpoint by the virtual camera KC. Then, a two-dimensional image obtained by projecting the photographed virtual three-dimensional space GW on the visual field surface SH is calculated according to the photographing result. Such a calculation is executed by, for example, the game control unit 11. More specifically, the game control unit 11 obtains an object image OI as a two-dimensional image corresponding to the virtual object KO and an operation for acquiring the drum image DI as a two-dimensional image corresponding to the virtual drum KD. Each operation is executed. Furthermore, the game control part 11 produces | generates the drawing data for drawing the two-dimensional image obtained based on a calculation result. And the game control part 11 gives the produced | generated drawing data to the display control part 12 so that the two-dimensional image projected on the visual field surface SH is displayed on the real space image 31 of the game screen 30 as the AR image 32. . Thereby, an expansion space is realized in which various objects of the virtual three-dimensional space GW are arranged in the real space image 31 photographed by the camera 7. A series of processing such as arrangement of various objects in the virtual three-dimensional space GW, control of the virtual camera KC such as a shooting direction, or shooting by the virtual camera KC is well-known as modeling processing and rendering processing based on 3D computer graphics technology. This process may be realized. The drawing of the AR image 32 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined frame rate. As the drawing is repeated, the position of the virtual object KO gradually changes along the virtual lane KL. Thereby, the monitor 5 displays a moving image in which a plurality of virtual objects KO are observed to move on the virtual lane KL in a state where the virtual objects KO are arranged in accordance with the time intervals at which the operations corresponding to the virtual objects KO should be performed. Is done.

  Next, the configuration of the game control unit 11 for displaying the AR image 32 will be described. The game control unit 11 performs processing for displaying the above-described AR image 32 through the sequence processing unit 15. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the sequence processing unit 15 for displaying the AR image 32. As shown in FIG. 12, the sequence processing unit 15 includes a three-dimensional space construction unit 15a, an image calculation unit 15b, and a drawing data generation unit 15c.

  The three-dimensional space construction unit 15 a constructs the virtual three-dimensional space GW by arranging various objects such as the virtual drum KD and the virtual object KO in the virtual three-dimensional space GW based on the sequence data 28. In addition, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a arranges the virtual camera KC so that the photographing range SR corresponding to the photographing range of the camera 7 is set in the constructed virtual three-dimensional space GW. In order to properly use the above-described multiple types of virtual objects KO, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a is provided with an object type determination unit 15d and an object selection arrangement unit 15e as further logical devices. The object type determination unit 15d determines, based on the sequence data 28, whether to use the first object KO1 or the second object KO2 as the virtual object KO to be placed in the virtual three-dimensional space GW according to a predetermined condition. . The object selection placement unit 15e selectively places the first object KO1 or KO2 on the virtual lane KL according to the determination result of the object type determination unit 15d. Details of the processing of the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a will be described later.

  The image calculation unit 15b controls the virtual camera KC. For example, the image calculation unit 15b photographs the virtual three-dimensional space GW constructed by the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a through the virtual camera KC. Then, the image calculation unit 15b executes a coordinate conversion calculation for realizing a two-dimensional image corresponding to various objects in the virtual three-dimensional space of the shooting range SR according to the shooting result. The drawing data generation unit 15c generates drawing data describing two-dimensional images corresponding to various objects such as the drum image DI and the virtual object KO, based on the calculation result of the image calculation unit 15b. Then, the drawing data generation unit 15 c gives the generated drawing data to the display control unit 12. Thereby, the AR image 32 is displayed on the game screen 30.

  Next, the details of the sequence data 28 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the sequence data 28. The sequence data 28 includes a condition definition unit 28a and an operation sequence unit 28b. In the condition definition unit 28a, information for specifying various conditions for executing the game, such as information for specifying music tempo, beat, track, and the like, and information for specifying different game execution conditions for each music, is described. The

  On the other hand, in the operation sequence part 28b, the time when an appropriate operation should be performed is described in association with the time in the music. That is, as shown in part in FIG. 13, the operation sequence unit 28 b specifies information that designates one of the four drums of the input device 4 and the reference time (operation time) when the operation should be performed in the music. And a set of a plurality of records in which the information specifying the type of the virtual object KO to be used for rendering the object image OI is associated. The operation time is described by separating values specifying the bar portion, the number of beats, and the time in the beat with a comma. The time during a beat is the elapsed time from the beginning of one beat, and is expressed by the number of units from the beginning by equally dividing the time length of one beat into n unit times. For example, when specifying the operation time as the fourth beat of the first measure of the music and 12/100 from the beginning of the beat, “01, 4, 012” is described.

The information specifying the drum of the input device 4 is described so as to specify the drum number.
It is specified by information corresponding to each drum. For example, when the four drum numbers of the input device 4 are defined in order from the left as the first drum, the second drum,..., The information specifying the drum number is described as “drum 1”, “drum 2”, etc. Is done. In the example of FIG. 13, the first drum corresponding to “drum 1” is designated as the operation target at the start time (000) of the fourth beat of the first measure. In this case, the user is required to tap the first drum at the left end at the start time (000) of the fourth beat of the first measure. That is, at the time when the object image Oi reaches the drum image DI corresponding to the leftmost first drum, the user is requested to tap the upper surface of the first drum. As described above, the sequence data 28 describes the drum to be operated and the operation time in association with each other.

  Further, information specifying the type of the virtual object KO (hereinafter referred to as object specifying information) is “obj 1” when specifying the first object KO1, and “obj 2” when specifying the second object KO2. Is described. Which virtual object KO is specified may be determined according to an appropriate standard, but as an example, the object specification information is determined in consideration of the time interval of virtual objects KO to be placed on the same virtual lane KL. It is done. For example, the first object KO1 is designated when the overlap between the virtual objects KO does not matter. On the other hand, as illustrated in part A of FIG. 13, three records that specify operations on the same drum, here the first drum (drum 1), are recorded in a short time (for example, at time intervals in the beat). 5/100), if the sequence data 28 includes a continuous operation unit that is continuous, “obj 2” that designates the second object KO2 is specified for the record located in the middle of the continuous operation unit A. In the preceding and succeeding records, “obj 1” for specifying the first object KO1 is described. By appropriately using the types of virtual objects KO according to these object designation information, when the virtual objects KO overlap as shown in FIG. 5, the second object KO2 is appropriately arranged and the object image corresponding to the continuous operation unit A The visibility of OI can be improved. Note that the continuous operation unit A in FIG. 13 is merely an example. For example, the time interval between the operation times specified in the record in which the second object KO2 is specified and the record existing before or after the second object KO2 is the degree of overlap between the virtual objects KO, that is, between the virtual objects KO. The time interval and the observation direction θ from the viewpoint of the virtual object KO may be set as appropriate.

  In the game machine 1, the sequence processing unit 15 of the game control unit 11 causes the virtual object KO in the virtual three-dimensional space GW so that the virtual object KO reaches the virtual drum KD at the operation time designated by the sequence data 28 described above. Control the position of the. Furthermore, the sequence processing unit 15 displays the game screen 30 on the monitor 5 so that the object image OI reaches the reference position image RI according to the virtual object KO and the virtual drum KD in the virtual three-dimensional space GW. On the other hand, the operation evaluation unit 16 of the game control unit 11 refers to the sequence data 28 and executes an operation evaluation process for evaluating a user operation result. The game control unit 11 executes various other well-known processes necessary for realizing the music game, but detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the sequence processing procedure executed by the sequence processing unit 15 to display the game screen 30 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a sequence processing routine. The routine of FIG. 14 is repeatedly executed according to a frame rate determined for drawing of the game screen 30. When the sequence processing routine of FIG. 14 is started, the sequence processing unit 15 of the game control unit 11 first acquires the current time on the music in step S1. As an example, the current time is measured by the internal clock of the game control unit 11 with the music reproduction start time as a reference. In subsequent step S <b> 2, the sequence processing unit 15 acquires, from the sequence data 28, data of a time length (display range) to be arranged in the imaging range SR of the virtual three-dimensional space GW. For example, the display range is set to a time length corresponding to two measures of the music from the current time.

  In the next step S3, the sequence processing unit 15 calculates the coordinates in the virtual three-dimensional space GW of all the virtual objects KO to be arranged in each virtual lane KL. The calculation is executed as follows as an example. First, the sequence processing unit 15 determines the virtual lane KL where the virtual object KO is to be placed based on the designation of the drum in the sequence data 28. Specifically, this is realized by specifying the virtual lane KL corresponding to the drum number designated by the sequence data 28. That is, the identified virtual lane KL is determined as the virtual lane KL where the virtual object KO is to be placed. For each virtual object KO, the position on the virtual lane KL in the time axis direction from the virtual drum KD (that is, the moving direction of the virtual object KO) is determined according to the time difference between each operation time and the current time. Thereby, it is possible to acquire the coordinates for arranging the virtual objects KO along the time axis from the virtual drum KD on the virtual lane KL corresponding to the drum specified by the sequence data 28.

  In subsequent step S4, the sequence processing unit 15 arranges various objects in the virtual three-dimensional space GW. At this time, the virtual drum KD is arranged at the designated position, and the virtual object KO is arranged at the coordinates calculated in step S3. However, when placing the virtual object KO, the type of the virtual object KO to be placed at each coordinate is determined according to the object specification information specified by the sequence data 28, and the first object KO1 or the second object KO2 is determined according to the determination result. Is selected and placed in the virtual lane KL. This process will be described in detail later.

  When the arrangement of the objects is completed, in the next step S5, the sequence processing unit 15 moves the virtual object KO and the virtual drum KD arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space GW from a predetermined viewpoint to a predetermined field of view in a predetermined imaging direction SD. An operation is performed to convert the three-dimensional coordinates (world coordinates) of various objects into two-dimensional coordinates on the field plane SH so that the state observed at the corners is projected onto the field plane SH. In subsequent step S6, the sequence processing unit 15 generates drawing data describing a two-dimensional image on the visual field SH in accordance with the calculation result in step S5. In this way, the sequence processing unit 15 generates drawing data. In subsequent step S6, the sequence processing unit 15 outputs the image data generated in step S5 to the display control unit 12. Thereby, the game screen 30 in which the AR image 32 is arranged in the real space image 31 is displayed on the monitor 5. The object image OI on the game screen 30 moves on the virtual lane while changing the direction so as to reach the reference position image RI at the operation time designated by the sequence data 28. In the processing of FIG. 14, the processing of steps S1 to S4 is handled by the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a of the sequence processing unit 15, the processing of step S5 is handled by the image calculation unit 15b, and the processing of steps S6 and S7. Is handled by the drawing data generation unit 15c.

  FIG. 15 shows a procedure of processing executed by the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a of the sequence processing unit 15 to arrange the virtual object KO when executing step S4 of FIG. In the virtual object arrangement process of FIG. 15, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a first gives priority to one record to be processed from the sequence data 28 acquired in step S2 of FIG. Select one as described. In subsequent step S102, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a determines whether or not the first object KO1 is designated by the object designation information included in the processing target record. When the first object KO1 is specified, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S103, and the virtual object KO corresponding to the record is arranged as the virtual object KO corresponding to the target record. Place in power coordinates. The coordinates are the coordinates calculated in step S3 in FIG. On the other hand, when the first object KO1 is not specified in step S102, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S104, and the virtual object KO corresponding to the target record is set as the virtual object KO corresponding to the target record. The object KO is arranged at the coordinates to be arranged. After arranging the virtual object KO in step S103 or S104, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S105, and all the records included in the sequence data 28 acquired in step S2 of FIG. 14 include steps S101 to S104. It is discriminated whether or not it has been processed. If there is an unprocessed record, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a returns to step S101, and if all the records have been processed, the process of FIG. In the processing of FIG. 15, the processing of step S102 is handled by the object type determination unit 15d of the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a, and the processing of steps S103 and S104 is handled by the object selection placement unit 15e.

  FIG. 16 shows a procedure of an operation evaluation processing routine for the operation evaluation unit 16 of the game control unit 11 to evaluate a user operation result. The routine of FIG. 16 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle. When the routine of FIG. 16 is started, the operation evaluation unit 16 first determines the presence / absence of an operation on each drum with reference to the output signal of the input device 4 in step S11. When the determination result is a negative result, that is, when the operation is not executed, the operation evaluation unit 16 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current routine.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S11 is a positive result, that is, if an operation is being performed, the operation evaluation unit 16 proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the operation evaluation unit 16 determines the drum on which the operation has been performed and the timing at which the operation has been performed. In the following step S13, the operation evaluation unit 16 specifies the latest operation time described in the sequence data 28, that is, the operation time closest in time on the sequence data 28 for the operated drum. A time difference between the operation time and the time when the operation output signal is output is acquired.

  In the next step S14, the operation evaluation unit 16 determines whether or not the user's operation is appropriate by determining whether or not the deviation time is within the evaluation range. The evaluation range is set within a predetermined time range before and after the operation time to be compared. Further, as an example, the predetermined time range is classified into a plurality of levels with higher evaluation as it is closer to the center. When this result is a negative result, that is, when the shift time is out of the evaluation range, the operation evaluation unit 16 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current routine.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S14 is a positive result, that is, if the shift time is within the evaluation range, the operation evaluation unit 16 proceeds to step S15. In step S <b> 15, the operation evaluation unit 16 determines an evaluation on the operation result of the user by determining which of the plurality of levels in the predetermined time range the deviation time acquired in step S <b> 13 belongs to. Thereafter, the operation evaluation unit 16 proceeds to step S16, and controls the output to the display control unit 12 so that the evaluation result is displayed on the monitor 5 in step S16. When the process of step S16 is completed, the operation evaluation unit 16 ends the current routine.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the first object KO1 and the second object KO2 having different shapes are prepared as the virtual object KO to be drawn as the instruction sign, and the same path in the virtual three-dimensional space GW is prepared. That is, since the first object KO1 is used as a part of a plurality of virtual objects KO arranged at a relatively narrow time interval on the same virtual lane KL, and the second object KO2 is used as another part, the virtual object Even when the overlapping degree of the virtual objects KO is large in the regions RU and RL where the observation direction θ of KO is relatively large, the visibility of the virtual objects KO can be appropriately ensured. In particular, even when the virtual object KO is in the vicinity of the operation time when it reaches the virtual drum KD, such an effect is exhibited. The user can easily and accurately determine the instruction.

  In the first embodiment described above, the sequence processing unit 15 functions as an example of the guiding means of the present invention by executing the processing of FIG. Further, the object type determination unit 15d provided in the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a of the sequence processing unit 15 functions as an example of the determination unit of the present invention by executing the processing of step S102 in FIG. The unit 15e functions as an example of the selection control unit of the present invention by executing the processing of step S103 or S104 in FIG. Further, the object designation information in the sequence data 28 functions as an example of the drawing determination information in the present invention.

(Second form)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the second form is a modification of the method for determining the proper use of the first objects KO1 and KO2 in the first form described above. Therefore, in the following, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the first embodiment will be used as it is for the common points.

  FIG. 17 shows sequence data 28 used in the second embodiment. As is clear from comparison with FIG. 13, the sequence data 28 to be used in this embodiment omits information specifying the type of the virtual object KO. On the other hand, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a of the sequence processing unit 15 executes the virtual object arrangement process of FIG. 18 instead of the virtual object arrangement process of FIG. Is realized.

  In the virtual object arrangement process of FIG. 18, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a first selects one record to be processed from the sequence data 28 acquired in step S2 of FIG. 14 in step S201. This process is the same as step S101 in FIG. In subsequent step S202, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a temporally precedes the operation time specified in the target record among the records having the same number as the drum number specified in the record to be processed. And the record with the closest operation time is specified, and the time interval between the operation time specified in the record and the operation time specified in the target record is calculated. In the next step S203, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a determines whether or not the time interval calculated in step S202 is less than a predetermined reference value. The reference value in this case is determined as a measure of a time interval at which it is recognized that the degree of overlap of the virtual objects KO exceeds the allowable range and it is difficult to visually recognize the virtual object KO behind. The degree of overlap may be determined as appropriate in accordance with the intention of the game creator.

  If it is determined in step S203 that the reference value is equal to or greater than the reference value, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S204, and calculates the observation direction θ for the virtual object KO to be arranged corresponding to the target record. The observation direction θ can be obtained from the coordinates of the viewpoint of the virtual camera KC determined in advance in the virtual three-dimensional space GW and the coordinates of the virtual object KO calculated in step S3 in FIG. Further, as described above, the observation direction θ is defined as a positive direction that is clockwise from the photographing direction SD. Note that the observation direction θ may be obtained for the virtual object KO corresponding to the temporally preceding record specified in step S202, instead of the virtual object KO corresponding to the target record.

  In subsequent step S205, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a determines whether or not the observation direction θ is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. The reference value in this case is determined as a reference value for identifying whether or not the virtual object KO based on the target record is contained in the lower end region RL in FIG. That is, when the virtual object KO approaches the virtual drum KD and it is difficult to determine the operation time to be indicated by the virtual object KO behind the virtual object KO, the reference value is set so that step S205 is affirmed. That's fine.

  When it is determined in step S205 that the observation direction θ is greater than or equal to the reference value, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S206, and on the virtual lane KL with respect to the virtual object KO to be arranged corresponding to the target record. It is determined whether or not the preceding virtual object KO is the second object KO2. That is, it is determined from the processing history of FIG. 18 whether or not the second object KO2 has already been designated as the virtual object KO corresponding to the preceding record specified in step S202. If a negative determination is made in step S206, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S207, and the second object KO2 is a coordinate where the virtual object KO corresponding to the record is to be arranged as the virtual object KO corresponding to the target record. To place. The coordinates are the coordinates calculated in step S3 in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the time interval is greater than or equal to the reference value, if it is determined in step S205 that the observation direction θ is less than the reference value, or if it is determined in step S206 that the preceding object is not the second object KO2. If so, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S208, and arranges the first object KO1 as the virtual object KO corresponding to the target record at the coordinates where the virtual object KO corresponding to the record is to be arranged.

  After arranging the virtual object KO in step S207 or S208, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S209, and all the records included in the sequence data 28 acquired in step S2 of FIG. 14 include steps S201 to S208. It is discriminated whether or not it has been processed. Then, if there is an unprocessed record, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a returns to step S201, and if all the records have been processed, ends the processing in FIG. In the processing of FIG. 18, the processing of steps S202 to S206 is handled by the object type determination unit 15d of the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a, and the processing of steps S207 and S208 is handled by the object selection placement unit 15e.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, a group of a plurality of virtual objects KO arranged at a relatively narrow time interval on the same path of the virtual three-dimensional space GW, that is, the same virtual lane KL is a virtual drum KD. 2 is used as the virtual object KO to be arranged so as to cover the first object KO1. Therefore, even when a situation occurs in which some virtual objects KO are hidden by other virtual objects KO near the operation time when the virtual objects KO reach the virtual drum KD, the visibility of these virtual objects KO is improved. It can be secured moderately. Therefore, even in a situation where the user is required to continuously operate the same drum in a short time, the user can easily and accurately determine the instruction.

  In the second embodiment, by providing steps S204 and S205 in FIG. 18, the second object KO2 is used only within a predetermined range (lower end region RL) where the virtual object KO approaches the virtual drum KD. However, those steps S204 and S205 may be omitted. In this case, the second object KO2 is used over the entire length of the virtual lane KL for the virtual object KO that may hide most of the first object KO1 behind.

  In the second embodiment described above, the sequence processing unit 15 functions as an example of the guiding means of the present invention by executing the processing of FIG. Further, the object type determination unit 15d provided in the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a of the sequence processing unit 15 executes the processing of steps S202 to S206 in FIG. The selection placement unit 15e functions as an example of the selection control unit of the present invention by executing the processing of step S207 or S208 in FIG.

(Third form)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the third form is obtained by changing the determination conditions regarding the proper use of the first objects KO1 and KO2 in the first form described above. Therefore, in the following, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the description of the first embodiment will be used as it is for the common points.

  FIG. 19 shows sequence data 28 used in the third embodiment. As is clear from comparison with FIG. 13, the sequence data 28 to be used in the present embodiment is information specifying the type of operation requested to the user (hereinafter referred to as operation) instead of information specifying the type of virtual object KO. Called type information) is specified in each record. That is, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the drum provided as the input device 4 has a function of detecting the strength with which the drum is hit, and in addition to the instruction of which drum to hit at which time to the user. Thus, it is further specified as the type of operation how much strength to strike. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, description will be continued assuming that there are two types of operations for hitting the drum: a normal operation for hitting the drum with a normal strength and a strong operation for hitting the drum with a stronger force than the normal operation.

  In each record of the sequence data 28 shown in FIG. 19, “act_type 1” is described as the operation type information when the operation requested by the user is a normal operation, and “act_type 2” is described when the operation is a strong operation. The For example, the operation specified by the record “01, 4,000, drum 1” is a normal operation, and the operation specified by the record “01, 4, 024, drug 2” is a strong operation. On the other hand, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a of the sequence processing unit 15 executes the virtual object arrangement process of FIG. 20 instead of the virtual object arrangement process of FIG.

  In the virtual object placement process of FIG. 20, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a first gives priority to one record to be processed from the sequence data 28 acquired in step S2 of FIG. Select one as described. This process is the same as step S101 in FIG. In subsequent step S302, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a determines whether or not a normal operation is designated for the record to be processed according to the operation type information. When the normal operation is designated, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S303, and the first object KO1 is the coordinate where the virtual object KO corresponding to the record is to be arranged as the virtual object KO corresponding to the target record. To place. The coordinates are the coordinates calculated in step S3 in FIG. On the other hand, when the normal operation is not specified in step S302 (that is, when the strong operation is specified), the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S304, and the virtual object KO corresponding to the target record is the first virtual object KO. The two objects KO2 are arranged at the coordinates where the virtual object KO corresponding to the record is to be arranged. After arranging the virtual object KO in step S303 or S304, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a proceeds to step S305, and all the records included in the sequence data 28 acquired in step S2 of FIG. 14 include steps S301 to S304. It is discriminated whether or not it has been processed. If there is an unprocessed record, the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a returns to step S301, and if all the records have been processed, the process of FIG. In the process of FIG. 20, the object type determination unit 15d of the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a is in charge of the process of step S302, and the object selection / placement unit 15e is in charge of the processes of steps S303 and S304.

  In the third embodiment, since the strength of hitting the drum is specified, the operation evaluation unit 16 of the game control unit 11 acquires the strength of hitting the drum by the user from the input device 4, and the sequence data 28. It is necessary to evaluate the user's operation in comparison with the strength specified in. For this purpose, for example, in the operation evaluation process shown in FIG. 16, the evaluation may be determined in step S15 in consideration of the degree of coincidence between the strength of the operation and the operation type specified by the sequence data 28. The evaluation may be high when the degree of coincidence of strength is high, and low when the degree of coincidence is low, or may be evaluated as if the designated operation has not been performed. In addition, when the strong operation is appropriately performed, the determination of the appropriateness of the operation and the determination result are made such that the score obtained by the user is increased as compared with the case where the normal operation is appropriately performed. The correspondence relationship with the evaluation value given to the user may be changed according to the type of operation.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the first object KO1 and the second object KO2 are selectively used according to the type of operation specified in the sequence data 28 (in this case, the strength of the operation). It is done. Therefore, a plurality of virtual objects KO instructing different operations are arranged on the same virtual lane KL at a relatively narrow time interval, and the virtual objects KO are positioned in the regions RU and RL where the observation direction θ is relatively large. Even in such a situation, the visibility of each virtual object KO can be appropriately secured. As a result, the user can easily and accurately determine the type of operation instructed.

  In the 3rd form mentioned above, when the sequence process part 15 performs the process of FIG. 14, it functions as an example of the guidance means of this invention. Further, the object type determination unit 15d provided in the three-dimensional space construction unit 15a of the sequence processing unit 15 functions as an example of the determination unit of the present invention by executing the process of step S302 in FIG. The unit 15e functions as an example of the selection control unit of the present invention by executing the processing of step S303 or S304 in FIG. Further, the operation type information in the sequence data 28 functions as an example of the drawing determination information in the present invention.

  This invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, It can implement with a suitable form. Hereinafter, various modifications to the above embodiment will be further described. In the first form and the third form, which of the first object KO1 and the second object KO2 should be used based on the object designation information as the drawing discrimination information described in the sequence data 28 or the operation type information. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the first data is not included in the sequence data 28 according to the time interval and the observation direction θ of the virtual object KO calculated based on the sequence data 28 without including such drawing determination information. Although it has been determined whether the object KO1 or the second object KO2 should be used, these forms may be combined as appropriate.

  For example, in the process of FIG. 15 according to the first form or the process of FIG. 20 according to the third form, the second object KO2 is designated by adding the processes of steps S204 and S205 of FIG. Even in a record in which a strong operation is designated, only when the virtual object KO corresponding to the operation time reaches a predetermined area on the virtual lane KL (for example, the lower end area RL), the second object KO2 It may be selected. Alternatively, the object designation information in the first form and the operation type information in the third form shall be included in each record of the sequence data 28, and a virtual object KO instructing a specific kind of operation (a strong operation as an example). Object designation information so that the second object KO2 is designated only in the record that is determined to be drawn by the second object KO2 when viewed from the time interval with the virtual object KO that precedes or follows the virtual object KO. May be described. Further, when determining the selection of the virtual object KO, additional elements other than the information described above may be considered. For example, a process of permitting the use of the second object KO2 may be added on the condition that it is evaluated that appropriate operations have been continuously performed a predetermined number of times or more.

  In each embodiment described above, two types of three-dimensional objects, ie, the first object KO1 and the second object KO2, are illustrated as the virtual object KO. These three-dimensional objects may be properly used for drawing the indicator signs. For example, when three or more virtual objects KO are continuous at a narrow interval, three or more types of three-dimensional objects may be selectively used as the virtual objects KO. Furthermore, the multiple types of virtual objects KO are not limited to the example distinguished by the shape, but may be distinguished by the size instead of or in addition to the shape. Furthermore, in addition to the distinction by shape or size, elements that can be visually discriminated such as colors and patterns may be used for distinguishing the types of virtual objects KO.

  In the above embodiment, as the deforming portion of the second object KO2, the concave portion Pr that retreats inward from the outer periphery of the first object KO1 and the convex portion Pp that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the first object KO1 are provided alternately. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the outer diameter of the second object KO2 may be matched with the outer diameter of the first object KO1, and only the concave portion Pr may be provided on the outer periphery of the second object KO2. On the contrary, the minimum diameter of the second object KO2 may be matched with the outer diameter of the first object KO1, and only the convex portion Pp may be provided on the outer periphery of the second object KO2. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the visibility of the virtual object KO behind the first object KO1 is improved by exposing a part of the first object KO1 behind the concave portion Pr of the second object KO2. When a virtual object KO that is intended to be difficult to see is provided, the virtual object KO positioned in front of the virtual object KO is enlarged from the viewpoint, thereby degrading the visibility of the virtual object KO behind it. You may do it.

  The predetermined path to be set in the virtual three-dimensional space may be linear as described above, or may have a shape having a curved portion at least partially. Regardless of the path, the observation direction θ of the virtual object KO from the viewpoint changes, thereby changing the degree of overlap between the virtual objects KO. Therefore, the visibility of the virtual object KO can be improved by applying the present invention. Improvements can be made. The path having the curved portion is not limited to the path having a single curved portion, and various shapes of paths such as a wavy path having a plurality of curved portions and a circular path may be employed. . Further, the bending portion is not limited to the form arranged in the depth direction with respect to the virtual camera KC. For example, the bending portion may be arranged to bend in a direction intersecting with the virtual camera KC. The moving direction of the virtual object KO is not limited to downward, and may be upward. Furthermore, the route is not limited to the example extending in the up-down direction, and may be extended in the left-right direction or the diagonal direction.

  In the present invention, the three-dimensional object to be used for drawing the indicator sign is not limited to a flat plate shape. The shape of the three-dimensional object may be changed as appropriate as long as it is relatively thin in the moving direction along the path and has a substantially flat shape with the front and back surfaces directed forward and backward in the moving direction, respectively. For example, a shape in which the thickness in the moving direction is large in the central part and gradually decreases toward the outer periphery, and a shape in which the thickness in the moving direction is small in the central part and gradually increases toward the outer periphery is appropriately adopted. Good. Further, the group of a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects to be selectively used in the present invention does not necessarily include a three-dimensional object having a circular outer periphery like the first object KO1. A plurality of types of three-dimensional objects having different polygonal shapes may be selectively used.

  The present invention is not limited to a form in which the real space image 31 and the AR image 32 are displayed in a superimposed manner. For example, instead of the real space image 31, a background image prepared in advance may be displayed on the background of the game screen 30. In addition, the configuration of the game screen is such that a plurality of three-dimensional objects as instruction signs move along a predetermined route in the virtual three-dimensional space in a state in which the three-dimensional objects are arranged according to the time interval of each operation. As long as the image observed from the viewpoint is presented to the user, the configuration of the game screen displayed to the user may be changed as appropriate. The present invention is not limited to a form in which the user is guided to the time during the game in which the operation is to be performed by moving the instruction marker toward the reference marker. For example, the reference sign is omitted, and the user is presented with a state in which a plurality of indicator signs move along a predetermined route while maintaining an appropriate time interval, and the user performs a predetermined action according to the order of the indicator signs and the time interval. The present invention can also be applied to a game machine configured to evaluate whether or not the game is being performed. In other words, the “time” of an action to be indicated by the indication sign is not limited to an example defined as the elapsed time from a predetermined reference time on the game, such as the time when the performance of the music is disclosed. It may be defined as a relative time such as time.

  In the present invention, the input device is not limited to a drum-type controller and can be appropriately selected. For example, a controller imitating various musical instruments such as a guitar-type controller may be employed as the input device. Alternatively, an input device formed simply by direction designation or a push button may be employed.

  The game provided by the game machine according to the present invention is not limited to the music game described above, and can be appropriately changed. For example, the game machine 1 may provide various games, such as a flag raising game that requires an operation of raising a flag to a predetermined position at a predetermined time. Furthermore, the game machine of the present invention is in an appropriate form such as an arcade game machine installed in a commercial facility, a home-use game machine, a portable game machine, or a game machine that provides a game using a network. May be realized. The present invention can also be applied to a game machine that is logically configured by cooperating a plurality of computers such as a server and a client.

  Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

  A game machine (1) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of three-dimensional objects (OI) corresponding to instruction signs (OI) that indicate a plurality of actions to be performed by a user at different times during the game. KO) moves along a predetermined path (KL) in the virtual three-dimensional space (GW) in a state arranged according to the time interval of the time when each operation is to be performed. In the game machine (1) provided with the guide means (15, S1 to S7) for guiding each work to the user by generating the image (32) observed from the viewpoint and presenting it to the user, the guide means Determines which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects (KO1, KO2) in which at least one of the shape and the size is different from each other according to a predetermined condition. The discriminating means (15d, S102; S202 to S206; S302), and the indicator signs are drawn by one type of three-dimensional object selected according to the discrimination result of the discriminating means from the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects. Selection control means (15d, S103, S104; S207, S208; S303, S304) for controlling selection of a three-dimensional object to be arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space.

  In addition, the game machine control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of three-dimensional corresponding to an instruction sign (OI) that instructs each of a plurality of actions to be performed by the user at different times during the game. A state in which the object (KO) moves along a predetermined path (KL) in the virtual three-dimensional space (GW) in a state where the objects (KO) are arranged according to the time interval of each operation should be shown in the virtual three-dimensional space. A method for controlling a game machine comprising a procedure (S1 to S7) for guiding each operation to the user by generating an image (32) observed from a predetermined viewpoint and presenting the image to the user. A procedure for discriminating according to a predetermined condition which of a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects (KO1, KO2) having at least one of shape and size different from each other (S1) 2; S202 to S206; S302) and the virtual three-dimensional space so that each indicator is drawn by one type of three-dimensional object selected according to the determination result in the determination procedure from the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects. And a procedure (S103, S104; S207, S208; S303, S304) for controlling the selection of the three-dimensional object to be arranged in the screen.

  Furthermore, the computer program (23) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of three-dimensional corresponding to an instruction mark (OI) that instructs each of a plurality of actions to be performed by the user at different times during the game. A state in which the object (KO) moves along a predetermined path (KL) in the virtual three-dimensional space (GW) in a state where the objects (KO) are arranged according to the time interval of each operation should be shown in the virtual three-dimensional space. A computer program that causes a computer (2) of a game machine to function as guide means (15, S1 to S7) that guides each user to an action by generating an image observed from a predetermined viewpoint and presenting the image to the user. And the indication sign is attached to any of a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects (KO1, KO2) having at least one of shape and size different from each other. Discriminating means (15d, S102; S202 to S206; S302) for discriminating whether or not to be drawn according to a predetermined condition, and each indicator is selected from the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects according to the discrimination result of the discriminating means Selection control means (15d, S103, S104; S207, S208; S303, S304) for controlling selection of a three-dimensional object to be arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space so as to be drawn by one type of three-dimensional object; As described above, the guiding means is further configured to function.

  According to the above aspect of the present invention, each indication sign can be drawn while properly using a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects according to predetermined conditions. Each type of 3D object is different in shape or size, so when you observe a 3D object such that multiple 3D objects are observed in an overlapping state beyond the allowable limit When a state peculiar to the situation occurs, the type of the three-dimensional object on the near side and the three-dimensional object on the near side as viewed from the viewpoint are made different so that the three-dimensional objects are the same. In comparison, the visibility of the back three-dimensional object can be appropriately secured, or the visibility of the back three-dimensional object can be deliberately reduced. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately control the drawing of the instruction sign so as to follow the intention of the game creator in consideration of the change in the appearance of the three-dimensional object.

  In one aspect of the present invention, when any one type of three-dimensional object (KO1) is used as a reference among the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects, the at least one other type of three-dimensional object (KO2) The deformed portion (Pr, Pp) obtained by deforming at least a part of the periphery of the reference three-dimensional object inward or outward may have a shape provided at a position where it can be observed from the viewpoint. In this case, if a 3D object having a deformed portion deformed inside is placed in front of the reference 3D object, the back 3D object can be seen through the deformed portion, and the 3D object behind The visibility of the object is improved. On the other hand, if a three-dimensional object having a deformed portion deformed outward is placed behind the reference three-dimensional object, the visibility of the three-dimensional object behind is improved by the protrusion of the deformed portion. On the other hand, a three-dimensional object having a deformed portion deformed inward is placed behind the reference three-dimensional object, or a three-dimensional object having a deformed portion deformed outward is used as a reference three-dimensional object. If it is arranged in front, the three-dimensional object behind becomes more difficult to see, and the visibility can be intentionally reduced.

  In one aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is relatively thin in the movement direction along the path, and has a front surface (KOs) and a back surface (KOo) at the front and rear in the movement direction, respectively. ) May be a substantially flat shape. When the three-dimensional objects having a substantially flat shape are arranged at a relatively narrow interval and observed from an oblique direction, the three-dimensional objects overlap each other, so that the operational effect of the present invention is more sure and effective. Can be demonstrated.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the guide means is configured to draw each indication sign based on instruction data (28) describing a time when each of the plurality of actions should be performed, and the determination means includes: The determination according to the predetermined condition may be executed by determining which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is to be used to draw each instruction marker based on the instruction data. The instruction data describes at least the time when each operation should be performed. Therefore, if the time interval of each three-dimensional object is specified based on the instruction data, a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects can be properly used according to the result.

  In the above aspect, in the indication data, the drawing discrimination information for discriminating which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is to be used for drawing each indication marker is distinguished from the information describing the time. The discriminating means may discriminate which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects should be used for drawing each indication marker based on the drawing discriminating information. According to this, the type of the three-dimensional object can be easily and reliably determined using the drawing determination information included in the instruction data.

  Furthermore, as the drawing determination information, object designation information (for example, obj 1 and obj 2 in FIG. 13) that designates which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects should be used for drawing each indication marker is the indication data. And the determining means may determine which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects each indicator is to be drawn according to the object specifying information. According to this, since it is possible to specify in advance in the instruction data which kind of three-dimensional object should be used in drawing of the indicator signs corresponding to each operation, the determination by the determination means is easier and more reliable. Can be realized.

  On the other hand, as the drawing determination information, operation type information (act_type 1, act_type 2 in FIG. 19 as an example) that specifies the type of operation to be instructed by each instruction indicator is included in the instruction data. According to the type of operation specified by the operation type information, it may be determined which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects each indicator mark is to be drawn. According to this, since a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects can be properly used according to the type of operation, the user can easily determine the type of operation even when the three-dimensional objects are observed in an overlapping manner. Alternatively, it is also possible to control the drawing of the instruction sign so that the instruction sign corresponding to a specific type of operation is intentionally difficult to see.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined condition may be set in association with a time interval at which an operation corresponding to each of three-dimensional objects adjacent to each other on the route is to be performed. According to this, it is possible to properly use a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects in accordance with the width of the interval on the route.

  In the above aspect, when the time interval at which the operation corresponding to each of the adjacent three-dimensional objects should be performed is less than a predetermined value, the types of the adjacent three-dimensional objects are different from each other. A predetermined condition may be set. According to this, when the three-dimensional objects are adjacent to each other at a relatively small interval, the visibility of the back three-dimensional object is improved by utilizing the difference between the types, or the visibility of the back three-dimensional object is increased. Can be deliberately lowered.

  Furthermore, the predetermined condition may be set in further association with a direction in which the three-dimensional object can be seen from the viewpoint (for example, a direction defined by θ in FIG. 5). According to this, by referring to the direction in which the three-dimensional object can be seen, the degree of overlap of the three-dimensional objects is specified, and when the degree exceeds the allowable limit, the visibility of the background three-dimensional object changes. The selection of the three-dimensional object can be controlled.

  In the above aspect, the direction of the center line of the visual field when observing each of the adjacent three-dimensional objects (for example, the shooting direction SD in FIG. 5) and the direction in which one of the adjacent three-dimensional objects can be seen. When the angle formed by (θ in FIG. 5) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the time interval of the time when the operation corresponding to each of the adjacent three-dimensional objects is to be performed is less than the predetermined value. The predetermined condition may be set so that the types of the adjacent three-dimensional objects are different from each other. When the interval between adjacent three-dimensional objects is relatively narrow and the direction in which one of the three-dimensional objects is visible is relatively large with respect to the direction of the center line of the field of view, the three-dimensional objects overlap. Become prominent. In such a case, if the selection of the type of the three-dimensional object is changed, the operational effects of the present invention can be exhibited more reliably and effectively.

  Note that the computer program according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing the computer program according to the present invention in a computer, the game system of the present invention can be realized using the computer. The storage medium storing the computer program may be a non-transitory storage medium such as a CDROM.

1 game machine 2 control unit (computer)
4 Input device 5 Monitor (display device)
7 Camera (photographing means)
15 Sequence processing unit (guidance means)
15a 3D space construction unit 15d Object type discrimination unit (discrimination means)
15e Object selection arrangement part (selection control means)
28 Sequence data (instruction data)
30 Game screen (guidance screen)
OI object image (indicator sign)
RI reference position image (reference sign)
GW Virtual 3D space KD Virtual drum KO Virtual object (3D object)
KO1 First object KO2 Second object KL Virtual lane (predetermined route)
Pp Convex part (deformation part)
Pr recess (deformed part)
SD shooting direction

Claims (13)

In a state where a plurality of three-dimensional objects corresponding to instruction signs for instructing the user each of the plurality of actions to be performed by the user at different times in the game are arranged according to the time intervals of the times at which the actions should be performed A guide that guides the user to each action by generating an image observed from a predetermined viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space and presenting it to the user how it moves along the predetermined route in the virtual three-dimensional space. In a game machine equipped with means,
The guiding means includes
A discriminating means for discriminating, according to a predetermined condition, which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects having at least one of a shape and a size different from each other,
Selection of a three-dimensional object to be arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space so that each indicator is drawn by one type of three-dimensional object selected from the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means Selection control means for controlling,
Game machine equipped with.   When any one of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is used as a reference, the other at least one type of three-dimensional object has at least a part of the periphery of the reference three-dimensional object inside. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the deformed portion deformed outward has a shape provided at a position where the deformable portion can be observed from the viewpoint.   Each of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is relatively thin in the moving direction along the path, and has a substantially flat shape with a front surface and a back surface directed forward and rearward in the moving direction, respectively. The game machine according to claim 1 or 2. The guide means is configured to draw each indication sign based on indication data describing a time when each of the plurality of actions should be performed,
The determination means performs determination according to the predetermined condition by determining which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is to be used to indicate each instruction sign based on the instruction data. The game machine as described in any one of 1-3. The indication data includes drawing discrimination information for discriminating which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects should be used for drawing each indication marker as information distinguished from information describing the time. ,
The game machine according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit determines which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects should be used for drawing each indication mark based on the drawing determination information. As the drawing discriminating information, the instruction data includes object designation information for designating which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is to be used for indicating each indication sign.
The game machine according to claim 5, wherein the determination unit determines which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is to be used for drawing each indication sign according to the object designation information. As the drawing discriminating information, operation type information for specifying the type of operation to be instructed by each instruction sign is included in the instruction data,
The game machine according to claim 5, wherein the determination unit determines which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects is to be used to draw each instruction sign according to the type of operation specified by the operation type information.   The said predetermined condition is linked | related with the time interval of the time when the operation | movement corresponding to each of the three-dimensional object which mutually adjoins on the said path | route should be performed, The setting as described in any one of Claims 1-7 game machine.   The predetermined condition is set so that the types of the adjacent three-dimensional objects are different from each other when the time interval at which the operation corresponding to each of the adjacent three-dimensional objects is to be performed is less than a predetermined value. The game machine according to claim 8.   The game machine according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the predetermined condition is set in association with a direction in which the three-dimensional object is seen from the viewpoint.   The angle between the direction of the center line of the field of view when observing each of the adjacent three-dimensional objects and the direction in which one of the adjacent three-dimensional objects can be seen is a predetermined value or more, and The predetermined condition is set so that the types of the adjacent three-dimensional objects are different from each other when the time interval at which the operation corresponding to each of the adjacent three-dimensional objects is to be performed is less than the predetermined value. The game machine according to claim 10. In a state where a plurality of three-dimensional objects corresponding to instruction signs for instructing the user each of the plurality of actions to be performed by the user at different times in the game are arranged according to the time intervals of the times at which the actions should be performed A procedure for guiding each user to each action by generating an image observed from a predetermined viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space and presenting it to the user how to move along the predetermined route in the virtual three-dimensional space. A method for controlling a game machine comprising:
The guiding procedure includes:
A procedure for determining, according to a predetermined condition, which of the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects in which at least one of the shape and the size is different from each other,
A three-dimensional object to be arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space so that each indicator is drawn by one type of three-dimensional object selected according to the determination result in the determination procedure from the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects. A procedure to control the selection;
A game machine control method that further includes: In a state where a plurality of three-dimensional objects corresponding to instruction signs for instructing the user each of the plurality of actions to be performed by the user at different times in the game are arranged according to the time intervals of the times at which the actions should be performed A guide that guides the user to each action by generating an image observed from a predetermined viewpoint in the virtual three-dimensional space and presenting it to the user how it moves along the predetermined route in the virtual three-dimensional space. A computer program for causing a game machine computer to function as a means,
A discriminating means for discriminating according to a predetermined condition which one of a plurality of types of three-dimensional objects having at least one of shape and size different from each other,
Selection of a three-dimensional object to be arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space so that each indicator is drawn by one type of three-dimensional object selected from the plurality of types of three-dimensional objects according to the discrimination result of the discrimination means Selection control means for controlling,
A computer program configured such that the guiding means further functions as:

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