JP4632531B2 - GAME SYSTEM, INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM, AND GAME SYSTEM CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game system, a program, and an information storage medium.
[0002]
[Background Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
Generally, a home or business game device has a certain screen update cycle determined according to the performance of its hardware, and an image signal is sent to the display according to the screen update cycle. For example, a normal game system is known that updates the screen every 1/60 seconds.
[0003]
As described above, in a game system having a constant screen update cycle, image generation is performed in a constant drawing cycle synchronized with the screen update cycle in order to generate an image having no defect. In other words, since the image quality of the generated game screen is limited to that it can be drawn during the screen update interval, a game image lacking precision is often generated to speed up the drawing process. .
[0004]
However, for example, when the screen is displayed slowly or stopped due to game effects, for example, when the player presses the pause button or slow button during replay, the replay screen is displayed in slow motion, or temporarily stopped. There is a case to do.
[0005]
However, in such a case, there has been a problem that the lack of image density caused by speeding up the drawing process becomes noticeable.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and the object of the present invention is to provide a fine screen when a slow display or a stop display is performed in a game system having a certain screen update cycle. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system, a program, and an information storage medium capable of preventing the lack of the game from being noticeable.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(1) The present invention is a game system having a constant screen update cycle, and changes a model to be used, whether or not an object is drawn, and the content of rendering according to a change in the drawing cycle; And means for generating an image with the changed contents.
[0008]
A program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer (a program embodied in an information storage medium or a carrier wave), and causes the computer to realize the above means. An information storage medium according to the present invention includes an information storage medium usable by a computer and a program for causing the computer to realize the above means.
[0009]
Here, the screen update cycle is a cycle in which an image signal is sent to the display, and the game system having a certain screen update cycle is, for example, a game system that updates the screen every 1/60 seconds.
[0010]
The drawing cycle is a cycle for generating an image for one frame. For example, an object is placed in the game space, and an image of the game space viewed from a given viewpoint is rendered and drawn in the frame buffer. It is. Usually, in a game system having a fixed screen update cycle, image generation is performed in a fixed drawing cycle synchronized with the update cycle.
[0011]
However, for example, when the drawing cycle changes due to the screen slowing or stopping due to input from the player or game effects, the present invention changes at least one of the model to be used, whether or not the object is drawn, and the content of the rendering. can do.
[0012]
For this reason, for example, in the case of a normal drawing cycle, high-speed drawing processing is performed even with low image quality so that drawing can be performed reliably at the update interval of the screen. Even if applied, a high-quality image can be drawn.
[0013]
Here, the high-quality drawing processing means, for example, using a highly accurate model, increasing the number of objects to be drawn, or performing high-precision rendering processing.
[0014]
Therefore, according to the present invention, the image quality can be adjusted in accordance with the change in the drawing cycle, and it is possible to prevent the image from being conspicuous during a pause or the like.
[0015]
(2) A game system, a program, and an information storage medium according to the present invention include a drawing cycle changing unit that changes a drawing cycle in accordance with a given event.
[0016]
(3) The game system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention are characterized in that the drawing cycle changing means changes the drawing cycle by at least one of a pause input, a slow input, and a release input thereof. Here, a pause or slow effect by input occurs, for example, when the player presses a pause button or a slow button.
[0017]
(4) The game system, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention are characterized in that the drawing cycle changing means changes a drawing cycle as a game effect. Also, a pose or slow effect due to a game effect occurs when the game state becomes a predetermined situation rather than an explicit input such as a pose or slow.
[0018]
(5) Further, the present invention is a game system having a certain screen update cycle, and at least one of a model to be used, whether or not an object is drawn, and the content of rendering when at least one of a pause effect and a slow effect occurs. And means for changing one and means for generating an image with the changed contents.
[0019]
A program according to the present invention is a program that can be used by a computer (a program embodied in an information storage medium or a carrier wave), and causes the computer to realize the above means. An information storage medium according to the present invention includes an information storage medium usable by a computer and a program for causing the computer to realize the above means.
[0020]
The pose or slow effect may be generated by either input or game effect. Here, a pause or slow effect by input occurs, for example, when the player presses a pause button or a slow button. Also, a pose or slow effect due to a game effect occurs when the game state becomes a predetermined situation rather than an explicit input such as a pose or slow.
[0021]
Here, the screen update cycle is a cycle in which an image signal is sent to the display, and the game system having a certain screen update cycle is, for example, a game system that updates the screen every 1/60 seconds.
[0022]
According to the present invention, when a drawing cycle changes due to a screen slowing or stopping due to input from a player or game effect, at least one of a model to be used, whether or not an object is drawn, and the content of rendering is changed. can do.
[0023]
For this reason, for example, normally, high-speed drawing processing is performed even with low image quality so that drawing can be performed reliably at screen update intervals. If at least one of a pause effect and a slow effect occurs, it may take some processing time. An image with high image quality can be drawn.
[0024]
Here, the high-quality drawing processing means, for example, using a highly accurate model, increasing the number of objects to be drawn, or performing high-precision rendering processing.
[0025]
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the image from being noticeable when at least one of the pause effect and the slow effect occurs.
[0026]
(6) Further, the game system, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention are characterized in that when the drawing cycle becomes long, an image of the object is generated using a model with higher accuracy than when the drawing cycle is short.
[0027]
In the present invention, even when an image of the same object is generated, a model with higher accuracy than that in the normal state can be employed when the drawing cycle is longer than that in the slow or paused state or the normal time. Therefore, an image can be generated at high speed during normal times, and a game image with higher image quality can be generated when slow or paused or when the drawing cycle becomes longer.
[0028]
(7) Further, the game system, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention are characterized in that the degree of 2D filtering processing is changed in accordance with a change in a drawing cycle.
[0029]
The degree of 2D filtering processing includes, for example, the number of times of filtering processing and whether or not to change. Here, the filtering process is, for example, an α blending process.
[0030]
The degree of 2D filtering processing means, for example, the degree of blurring and the strength of blurring when performing filtering processing for blurring.
[0031]
When the drawing cycle becomes longer, it is preferable to increase the degree of 2D filtering processing.
[0032]
According to the present invention, even when the same image is generated, the 2D filtering process is omitted or performed at a low level in the normal state, and the degree of the 2D filtering process is performed when the drawing cycle is longer than that at the slow or pause time or the normal time. Make it stronger.
[0033]
Therefore, an image can be generated at high speed during normal times, and an image with higher rendering effect can be generated by performing a strong 2D filtering process when slow or paused or when the drawing cycle becomes long.
[0034]
(8) The game system, the program, and the information storage medium according to the present invention are characterized in that the precision of the texture at the time of automatically generating the texture image is changed according to the change of the drawing cycle.
[0035]
In the present invention, it is possible to generate a low-resolution automatically generated texture in normal times, and to generate a high-resolution automatically generated texture in the case of a slow or paused or longer drawing cycle than normal.
[0036]
Therefore, a texture image is generated at high speed during normal times, and a real texture with high resolution can be automatically generated when slow or paused or when the drawing cycle becomes long.
[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0038]
1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a block diagram of this embodiment. In this figure, the present embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100, and the other blocks can be arbitrary constituent elements.
[0039]
Here, the processing unit 100 performs various processes such as control of the entire system, instruction instruction to each block in the system, game processing, image processing, sound processing, and the like. , DSP, etc.) or ASIC (gate array, etc.) or a given program (game program).
[0040]
The operation unit 160 is for a player to input operation data, and the function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, and a housing.
[0041]
The storage unit 170 serves as a work area for the processing unit 100, the communication unit 196, and the like. The storage unit 170 functions as a main memory 172 and a frame buffer 174 (first frame buffer and second frame buffer), and includes hardware such as a RAM. Can be realized.
[0042]
An information storage medium (storage medium usable by a computer) 180 stores information such as programs and data, and functions thereof are an optical disk (CD, DVD), a magneto-optical disk (MO), a magnetic disk, and a hard disk. It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic tape or a memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (this embodiment) based on information stored in the information storage medium 180. That is, the information storage medium 180 stores information (program or data) for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100).
[0043]
Part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 180 is transferred to the storage unit 170 when the system is powered on. Information stored in the information storage medium 180 includes program code, image data, sound data, display object shape data, table data, list data, and data for instructing the processing of the present invention. It includes at least one of information, information for performing processing according to the instruction, and the like.
[0044]
The display unit 190 outputs an image generated according to the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a CRT, LCD, or HMD (head mounted display).
[0045]
The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated by the present embodiment, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a speaker.
[0046]
The save information storage device 194 stores player's personal data (save data), and the save information storage device 194 may be a memory card or a portable game device.
[0047]
The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (for example, a host device or other game system), and functions thereof are various processors, hardware such as a communication ASIC, It can be realized by a program.
[0048]
The program or data for executing the means of the present invention (this embodiment) may be distributed from the information storage medium of the host device (server) to the information storage medium 180 via the network and the communication unit 196. Good. Use of such an information storage medium of the host device (server) is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0049]
The processing unit 100 includes a game processing unit 110, an image generation unit 130, and a sound generation unit 150.
[0050]
Here, the game processing unit 110 receives a coin (price) reception process, various mode setting processes, a game progress process, a selection screen setting process, the position and rotation angle (X, Processing to obtain the rotation angle around the Y or Z axis), processing to move the object (motion processing), processing to obtain the viewpoint position (virtual camera position) and line-of-sight angle (virtual camera rotation angle), objects such as map objects Various games such as processing for placing a game in the object space, hit check processing, processing for calculating game results (results, results), processing for multiple players to play in a common game space, or game over processing The processing includes operation data from the operation unit 160, personal data from the save information storage device 194, Carried out on the basis of such as the over-time program.
[0051]
The image generation unit 130 performs various types of image processing in accordance with instructions from the game processing unit 110, for example, generates an image that can be seen from a virtual camera (viewpoint) in the object space, and outputs the generated image to the display unit 190. In addition, the sound generation unit 150 performs various types of sound processing in accordance with instructions from the game processing unit 110, generates sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and voices, and outputs them to the sound output unit 192.
[0052]
Note that all of the functions of the game processing unit 110, the image generation unit 130, and the sound generation unit 150 may be realized by hardware, or all of them may be realized by a program. Alternatively, it may be realized by both hardware and a program.
[0053]
The game processing unit 110 includes a movement / motion calculation unit 112 and an image quality adjustment processing unit 114.
[0054]
Here, the movement / motion calculation unit 112 calculates movement information (position data, rotation angle data) and movement information (position data of each part of the object, rotation angle data) of an object such as a character car. Then, based on operation data input by the player through the operation unit 160, a game program, or the like, a process of moving or moving the object is performed.
[0055]
More specifically, the movement / motion calculation unit 112 performs processing for obtaining the position and rotation angle of the object every frame (1/60 seconds), for example. For example, the position of the object in the (k-1) frame is PMk-1, the speed is VMk-1, the acceleration is AMk-1, and the time of one frame is Δt. Then, the position PMk and speed VMk of the object in the k frame are obtained, for example, by the following equations (1) and (2).
[0056]
PMk = PMk-1 + VMk-1 * .DELTA.t (1)
VMk = VMk-1 + AMk-1 * .DELTA.t (2)
The image quality adjustment processing unit 114 performs processing for changing at least one of a model to be used, whether or not an object is drawn, and the content of rendering according to a change in the drawing cycle.
[0057]
Further, a drawing cycle changing process for changing the drawing cycle in accordance with a given event may be performed. For example, the drawing cycle may be changed by at least one of a pause input, a slow input, and a release input thereof, or the drawing cycle may be changed as a game effect.
[0058]
Further, when at least one of a pose effect and a slow effect occurs, a process of changing at least one of a model to be used, whether an object is drawn, and the contents of rendering may be performed.
[0059]
Further, when the drawing cycle becomes long, an object image may be generated using a model with higher accuracy than when the drawing cycle is short.
[0060]
Further, the degree of 2D filtering processing may be changed according to the change of the drawing cycle.
[0061]
Further, the precision of the texture at the time of automatically generating the texture image may be changed according to the change of the drawing cycle.
[0062]
The image generation unit 130 includes a geometry processing unit 132 and a drawing unit 140.
[0063]
Here, the geometry processing unit 132 performs various types of geometry processing (three-dimensional calculation) such as coordinate transformation, clipping processing, perspective transformation, or light source calculation. Then, the object data (shape data such as vertex coordinates of the object, vertex texture coordinates, luminance data, etc.) after geometry processing (after perspective transformation) is stored in the main memory 172 of the storage unit 170.
[0064]
The drawing unit 140 performs processing for drawing the object (model) after the geometry processing in the frame buffer 174.
[0065]
Note that the game system according to the present embodiment may be a system dedicated to the single player mode in which only one player can play, and not only such a single player mode but also a multiplayer mode in which a plurality of players can play. A system may be provided.
[0066]
Further, when a plurality of players play, game images and game sounds to be provided to the plurality of players may be generated using one terminal, or connected via a network (transmission line, communication line) or the like. Alternatively, it may be generated using a plurality of terminals.
[0067]
2. Features of this embodiment Features of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0068]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the drawing cycle and the image update cycle.
[0069]
b1, b2, b3... represent the timing at which an image signal is sent to the display in the screen update cycle 220. A normal home or business game device has a fixed screen update cycle 220 determined according to the performance of the hardware, and an image signal is sent to the display according to the screen update cycle 220.
[0070]
Further, a1, a2, a3,... Represent the drawing start timing of each frame in the drawing cycle 210. In this embodiment, the normal time 230 has a fixed drawing cycle synchronized with the screen update cycle, and image generation is performed according to the cycle (see the normal time in FIG. 2).
[0071]
For example, by generating an interrupt according to a drawing cycle and starting drawing of a time frame by the interrupt signal, it is possible to generate an image in a fixed drawing cycle.
[0072]
Here, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that images generated in the drawing cycle 210 of a1, a2, a3... Are normally sent to the display as image signals at the timings of b1, b2, b3.
[0073]
In the present embodiment, when the screen update speed may be slower than the normal time as in the case of slow or pause 240, a drawing cycle longer than the normal time 230 is employed. For example, if a drawing cycle twice as long as usual is adopted, the image of the next drawing cycle is not completed at the time of b7, b9, and b11, so the image generated in the previous drawing cycle is displayed. It will be. However, at the time of slow or pause 240, the screen update speed may be slower than normal, so this does not cause a problem.
[0074]
If the drawing cycle is lengthened as in the case of slow or pause in this way, a longer time than usual can be required for the image generation processing. Therefore, in this embodiment, a high-speed drawing process is adopted even when the image quality is low, and when the drawing cycle becomes long as in slow or pause, the model to be used, whether or not the object is drawn, the rendering By changing at least one of the contents, a high-quality drawing process is adopted even at a low speed to generate an image.
[0075]
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining an example in which a model to be used is changed according to a drawing cycle. FIG. 3A shows a model used in a normal time, and FIG. 3B shows a model used in a case where a drawing cycle is longer than a normal time, such as in a slow or paused state.
[0076]
In this embodiment, even in the case of generating an image of the same car object, a car model with a medium detail is adopted in normal times (see FIG. 3A), and the drawing cycle is longer than usual, such as in slow or pause. A high-detail model is adopted for (see FIG. 3B). In this way, an image can be generated at high speed during normal times, and a high-quality image can be generated when the drawing cycle becomes longer as during slow or pause.
[0077]
FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an example in which images generated according to a drawing cycle are different. FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining an image of a bullet generated at the normal time, and FIG. 4B is an illustration of a bullet generated when the drawing cycle is longer than the normal time, such as at the time of slow or pause. It is a figure for demonstrating an image.
[0078]
In the present embodiment, even when image generation of the same bullet object is performed, the number of flares attached to the bullet is reduced during normal operation (see FIG. 4A), and the drawing cycle is longer than normal during slow or pause. If it is long, the number of flares attached to the bullet is increased (see FIG. 4B). In this way, an image can be generated at a high speed in normal times, and a powerful bullet image with a large number of flares can be generated when the drawing cycle becomes long as in slow or pause. .
[0079]
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example of changing the state of the 2D filtering process according to the drawing cycle. FIG. 5A is an image that does not perform 2D filtering processing that is generated during normal time, and FIG. 5B illustrates 2D filtering processing that is generated when the drawing cycle is longer than normal time, such as during slow or pause. It is the image which went.
[0080]
In the present embodiment, even when the same image is generated, the 2D filtering process is omitted or the 2D filtering process with a low degree is performed in the normal state (see FIG. 5A), and the drawing cycle is started from the normal state as in the slow or paused state. Is longer, the degree of 2D filtering processing is increased (see FIG. 5B). By doing this, an image is generated at high speed in normal times, and when the drawing cycle becomes long as in slow or pause, an image with higher rendering effect can be obtained by performing a strong 2D filtering process. Can be generated.
[0081]
6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining an example in which the precision of the automatically generated texture is changed according to the drawing cycle. FIG. 6A is an example of an automatically generated texture that is generated at normal time, and FIG. 6B is an example of an automatically generated texture that is generated when the drawing cycle is longer than the normal time, such as at slow or pause. Represents.
[0082]
In this embodiment, a low-resolution automatically generated texture is generated during normal operation (see FIG. 6A), and a high-resolution automatically generated texture is generated when the drawing cycle is longer than normal during slow or pause (See FIG. 6B). In this way, a texture image can be generated at high speed during normal times, and a real texture with a high resolution can be automatically generated when the drawing cycle becomes long as during slow or pause.
[0083]
3. Processing of this Embodiment FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the processing flow of this embodiment.
[0084]
If the pause or slow process is being performed, a high-speed drawing process is performed even with low image quality (steps S10 and S20).
[0085]
If the pause or slow process is not in progress, a high-quality drawing process is performed even at a low speed (steps S10 and S30).
[0086]
When the next frame image is generated, the processing from step S10 to step S40 is repeated (step S40).
[0087]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the processing flow of the present embodiment. Here, a case will be described as an example where the drawing cycle is set and the processing content is changed according to the drawing cycle.
[0088]
If pause or slow processing is in progress, a drawing cycle longer than normal is employed (steps S10 and S20). Here, when a drawing cycle longer than normal is adopted, for example, drawing processing is usually performed for every interrupt that occurs every 1/60 seconds, and drawing processing is performed for every other interrupt or every other interrupt that occurs. Is the case.
[0089]
If the pause or slow process is not in progress, a normal drawing cycle is adopted (steps S10 and S30).
[0090]
When an interrupt notifying the drawing start timing occurs, if the drawing cycle has not changed from the previous time, the same type of drawing processing as the previous time is adopted (steps S150 and S160).
[0091]
If the drawing cycle becomes longer than the previous time, the drawing process is changed to a high-quality drawing process even at a low speed (steps S170 and S180).
[0092]
If the drawing cycle is shorter than the previous time, high-speed drawing processing is adopted even with low image quality (steps S170 and S190).
[0093]
When generating the next frame image, the processing from step S110 to step S200 is repeated (step S200).
[0094]
3. Hardware Configuration Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0095]
The main processor 900 operates based on a program stored in the CD 982 (information storage medium), a program transferred via the communication interface 990, or a program stored in the ROM 950 (one of information storage media). Various processes such as processing, image processing, and sound processing are executed.
[0096]
The coprocessor 902 assists the processing of the main processor 900, has a product-sum calculator and a divider capable of high-speed parallel calculation, and executes matrix calculation (vector calculation) at high speed. For example, if a physical simulation for moving or moving an object requires processing such as matrix operation, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs (requests) the processing to the coprocessor 902. )
[0097]
The geometry processor 904 performs geometry processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, light source calculation, and curved surface generation, has a product-sum calculator and a divider capable of high-speed parallel computation, and performs matrix computation (vector computation). Run fast. For example, when processing such as coordinate transformation, perspective transformation, and light source calculation is performed, a program operating on the main processor 900 instructs the geometry processor 904 to perform the processing.
[0098]
The data decompression processor 906 performs a decoding process for decompressing the compressed image data and sound data, and a process for accelerating the decoding process of the main processor 900. As a result, a moving image compressed by a given image compression method can be displayed on an opening screen, an intermission screen, an ending screen, a game screen, or the like. Note that the image data and sound data to be decoded are stored in the ROM 950 and the CD 982 or transferred from the outside via the communication interface 990.
[0099]
The drawing processor 910 performs drawing (rendering) processing of an object composed of primitive surfaces such as polygons and curved surfaces at high speed. When drawing an object, the main processor 900 uses the function of the DMA controller 970 to pass the object data to the drawing processor 910 and transfer the texture to the texture storage unit 924 if necessary. Then, the rendering processor 910 renders the object in the frame buffer 922 at high speed while performing hidden surface removal using a Z buffer or the like based on the object data and texture. The drawing processor 910 can also perform α blending (translucent processing), depth cueing, mip mapping, fog processing, bilinear filtering, trilinear filtering, anti-aliasing, shading processing, and the like. When an image for one frame is written in the frame buffer 922, the image is displayed on the display 912.
[0100]
The sound processor 930 includes a multi-channel ADPCM sound source and the like, and generates high-quality game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, and sounds. The generated game sound is output from the speaker 932.
[0101]
Operation data from the game controller 942, save data from the memory card 944, and personal data are transferred via the serial interface 940.
[0102]
The ROM 950 stores system programs and the like. In the case of an arcade game system, the ROM 950 functions as an information storage medium, and various programs are stored in the ROM 950. A hard disk may be used instead of the ROM 950.
[0103]
The RAM 960 is used as a work area for various processors.
[0104]
The DMA controller 970 controls DMA transfer between the processor and memory (RAM, VRAM, ROM, etc.).
[0105]
The CD drive 980 drives a CD 982 (information storage medium) in which programs, image data, sound data, and the like are stored, and enables access to these programs and data.
[0106]
The communication interface 990 is an interface for transferring data to and from the outside via a network. In this case, as a network connected to the communication interface 990, a communication line (analog telephone line, ISDN), a high-speed serial bus, or the like can be considered. By using a communication line, data transfer via the Internet becomes possible. Also, by using the high-speed serial bus, data transfer between other game systems and other game systems becomes possible.
[0107]
All of the means of the present invention may be executed by hardware alone, or may be executed only by a program stored in an information storage medium or a program distributed via a communication interface. Alternatively, it may be executed by both hardware and a program.
[0108]
When each means of the present invention is executed by both hardware and a program, a program for executing each means of the present invention using hardware is stored in the information storage medium. Become. More specifically, the program instructs each processor 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc., which is hardware, and passes data if necessary. Each processor 902, 904, 906, 910, 930, etc. executes each means of the present invention based on the instruction and the passed data.
[0109]
FIG. 10A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the lever 1102, the button 1104, and the like while viewing the game image displayed on the display 1100. Various processors and various memories are mounted on the built-in system board (circuit board) 1106. Information (program or data) for executing each means of the present invention is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium on the system board 1106. Hereinafter, this information is referred to as storage information.
[0110]
FIG. 10B shows an example in which this embodiment is applied to a home game system. The player enjoys the game by operating the game controllers 1202 and 1204 while viewing the game image displayed on the display 1200. In this case, the stored information is stored in the CD 1206, which is an information storage medium that is detachable from the main system, or in the memory cards 1208, 1209, and the like.
[0111]
FIG. 10C shows a host apparatus 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected to the host apparatus 1300 via a network 1302 (a small-scale network such as a LAN or a wide area network such as the Internet). An example of applying this embodiment to a system including In this case, the stored information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300, for example. When the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n can generate game images and game sounds stand-alone, the host device 1300 receives a game program and the like for generating game images and game sounds from the terminal 1304-. 1 to 1304-n. On the other hand, if it cannot be generated stand-alone, the host device 1300 generates a game image and a game sound, which is transmitted to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.
[0112]
In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 10C, each unit of the present invention may be executed in a distributed manner between the host device (server) and the terminal. The storage information for executing each means of the present invention may be distributed and stored in the information storage medium of the host device (server) and the information storage medium of the terminal.
[0113]
The terminal connected to the network may be a home game system or an arcade game system. When the arcade game system is connected to the network, the save information storage device can exchange information with the arcade game system and exchange information with the home game system. It is desirable to use (memory card, portable game device).
[0114]
The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
[0115]
For example, in the invention according to the dependent claims of the present invention, a part of the constituent features of the dependent claims can be omitted. Moreover, the principal part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention can be made dependent on another independent claim.
[0116]
In this embodiment, the case where the model to be used is changed according to the change of the drawing cycle has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the presence or absence of LOD (level of detail) processing may be changed in accordance with a change in the drawing cycle. It is preferable to adopt a high-definition model for all objects without performing the LOD process during the pause or slow process.
[0117]
In the present embodiment, the description has been given by taking as an example the case of changing the state of the filtering process with respect to the contents of rendering, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the presence or absence of the anti-aliasing process may be changed according to the change in the drawing cycle. During pause or slow processing, it is preferable to make anti-aliasing inconspicuous.
[0118]
Further, for example, the state of light source processing or shading processing may be changed or other cases may be used.
[0119]
Also, in the present embodiment, the presence / absence of drawing of an object has been described by taking the case attached to a bullet object as an example. For example, the range of the object to be drawn may be changed.
[0120]
The present invention can be applied to various games (such as fighting games, shooting games, robot fighting games, sports games, competitive games, role playing games, music playing games, dance games, etc.).
[0121]
Further, the present invention can be applied to various game systems such as a business game system, a home game system, a large attraction system in which a large number of players participate, a simulator, a multimedia terminal, and a system board for generating game images.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an example of a block diagram of a game system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a relationship between a drawing cycle and an image update cycle.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining an example of changing a model to be used in accordance with a drawing cycle. FIGS.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams for describing an example in which images generated according to a drawing cycle are different.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example in which the degree of 2D filtering processing is changed in accordance with a drawing cycle.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining an example in which the precision of an automatically generated texture is changed according to a drawing cycle.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a processing flow of the present embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the processing flow of the present embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.
FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are diagrams showing examples of various forms of systems to which the present embodiment is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 processing unit 110 game processing unit 112 movement / motion calculation unit 114 image quality adjustment processing unit 130 image generation unit 132 geometry processing unit 140 drawing unit 150 sound generation unit 160 operation unit 170 storage unit 172 main memory 174 frame buffer 180 information storage medium 190 Display unit 192 Sound output unit 194 Save information storage device 196 Communication unit

Claims (13)

A game system having a constant screen update cycle,
A drawing cycle changing means for changing the drawing cycle in response to a given event;
A means for changing at least one of the model to be used, whether or not the object is drawn, and the content of the rendering in response to a change in the drawing cycle;
Image generating means for generating an image with the changed content, and
The drawing cycle changing means is
The drawing cycle is configured to be changed by at least one of a pause input, a slow input, and a release input thereof,
When pause input or slow input occurs, change the drawing cycle to be longer than the fixed screen update cycle,
The image generating means
A game system , wherein an image is generated in a drawing cycle longer than the predetermined screen update cycle during a pause effect or a slow effect by a pause input or a slow input . In claim 1,
  The image generating means
  A game system characterized in that image generation is performed in a fixed drawing cycle synchronized with a fixed screen update cycle when the pause effect and the slow effect are not being performed or during normal operation. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The drawing cycle changing means is
A game system characterized by changing a drawing cycle as a game effect. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 ,
A game system that generates an image of an object using a model with higher accuracy when the drawing cycle becomes longer than when the drawing cycle is shorter. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4 ,
A game system, wherein the number of 2D filtering processes or the presence or absence of 2D filtering processes is changed according to a change in a drawing cycle. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5 ,
A game system characterized by changing the resolution of a texture when a texture image is automatically generated according to a change in a drawing cycle. A game system computer having a constant screen update cycle,
A drawing cycle changing means for changing the drawing cycle in response to a given event;
A means for changing at least one of the model to be used, whether or not the object is drawn, and the content of the rendering in response to a change in the drawing cycle;
Function as an image generation means for generating an image with the changed content,
The drawing cycle changing means is
The drawing cycle is configured to be changed by at least one of a pause input, a slow input, and a release input thereof,
When pause input or slow input occurs, change the drawing cycle to be longer than the fixed screen update cycle,
The image generating means
A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for generating an image in a drawing cycle longer than the predetermined screen update cycle during a pause effect or a slow effect by a pause input or a slow input. In claim 7,
  The image generating means
  An information storage medium characterized by performing image generation in a fixed drawing cycle synchronized with a fixed screen update cycle when not in a pause effect and a slow effect or in a normal time. In any of claims 7 to 8 ,
The drawing cycle changing means is
An information storage medium characterized by changing a drawing cycle as a game effect. In any one of Claims 7 thru | or 9 ,
An information storage medium for generating an image of an object using a model with higher accuracy when the drawing cycle becomes longer than when the drawing cycle is shorter. In any of claims 7 to 10 ,
An information storage medium, wherein the number of 2D filtering processes or the presence or absence of 2D filtering processes is changed according to a change in a drawing cycle. In any of claims 7 to 11 ,
A game system characterized by changing the resolution of a texture when a texture image is automatically generated according to a change in a drawing cycle. A control method of a game system having a constant screen update cycle,
A drawing cycle change step for changing the drawing cycle in response to a given event;
Changing at least one of the model to be used, whether or not the object is drawn, and the content of the rendering in response to changes in the drawing cycle;
An image generation step for generating an image with the changed content, and
In the drawing cycle changing step,
The drawing cycle is configured to be changed by at least one of a pause input, a slow input, and a release input thereof,
When pause input or slow input occurs, change the drawing cycle to be longer than the fixed screen update cycle,
In the image generation step,
A control method for a game system, wherein an image is generated in a drawing cycle longer than the certain screen update cycle during a pause effect or a slow effect by a pause input or a slow input .

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