Graphics processing device, graphics processing method, game machine, and storage medium

Abstract

In a simulation game machine for play on the basis of images of three-dimensionally constituted terrain features and characters which are represented as if viewed from a prescribed camera within s a virtual space, allows the viewing point to be shifted in three dimensions while looking over a stage, thereby enhancing the interest of the game. Upon entering a topographical mapping data check (ST1), the viewing point is shifted while panning and zooming in movie-like fashion along a predetermined path (ST2), and messages disposed along the path are displayed (ST4).

1 . A graphics processing device for generating a display wherein segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space are viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, comprising: 
 viewing point shifting means for shifting the viewing point over the predetermined three-dimensional paths established within the virtual space.    
     
     
         2 . A graphics processing device according to  claim 1 , wherein display locations for displaying predetermined messages are established along a path, and the viewing point shifting means displays messages at these display locations.  
     
     
         3 . A graphics processing device according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the path is configured such that each of the plurality of segments can be represented from different viewing point positions.  
     
     
         4 . A graphics processing device according to any of claims  1  through  3 , wherein the viewing point shifting means holds a reference point for the viewing point in a predetermined location when shifting the viewing point along a path.  
     
     
         5 . A game machine designed with a plurality of stages, comprising: 
 a graphics processing device according to any of claims  1  through  4 , wherein virtual terrain features are defined three-dimensionally within virtual space for each stage and representations thereof are displayed as viewed from the viewing point.    
     
     
         6 . A graphics processing method for generating representations of segments defined three-dimensionally within virtual space displayed as viewed from the viewing point, comprising: 
 the step of shifting the viewing point over the predetermined three-dimensional paths established within the virtual space.    
     
     
         7 . A graphics processing method according to  claim 6 , wherein display locations for displaying predetermined messages are selected along a path, and the step for shifting the viewing point displays the messages at the display locations.  
     
     
         8 . A graphics processing device for generating representations of segments defined three-dimensionally within virtual space displayed as viewed from the viewing point, comprising: 
 cursor generation means for generating a cursor;    cursor moving means for moving the cursor through operation by the player;    data generating means for acquiring data concerning segments located peripherally around the cursor and generating display data; and    data display means for producing data displays on the basis of the display data.    
     
     
         9 . A graphics processing device according to  claim 8 , wherein the data generating means, on the basis of conditions of motion applied to the cursor and data concerning segments located peripherally thereto, makes decisions as to whether cursor movement should be enabled, computing the load required for movement where movement is enabled, and the data display means displays a “movement not enabled” indicator in directions in which cursor movement is not enabled, as well as displaying a “movement enabled” indicator in directions in which cursor movement is enabled, together with the load required therefor.  
     
     
         10 . A graphics processing device according to  claim 8 , wherein the data generating means acquires attribute data concerning segments located peripherally around the cursor and generates display data, and the data display means displays the display data next to the segment(s) in question.  
     
     
         11 . A graphics processing device according to any of claims  8  through  10 , wherein the cursor generating means changes the cursor display with reference to the attributes of the segments.  
     
     
         12 . A game machine designed with a plurality of stages, comprising: 
 a graphics processing device according to any of claims  8  through  11 , wherein virtual terrain features are defined three-dimensionally within virtual space for each stage, and a cursor is displayed in the display of each stage.    
     
     
         13 . A graphics processing method for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, comprising: 
 a cursor moving step in which the cursor is moved through player control;    a data generation step in which data pertaining to segments located peripherally around the cursor is acquired and display data is generated; and    a data display step in which a data display is produced on the basis of the display data.    
     
     
         14 . A graphics processing device for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, comprising: 
 attribute modification value generating means which, where a segment has moved, computes an attribute modification value for the segment on the basis of its status prior to moving, after moving, or both; and    attribute modifying means for modifying the attributes of the segment on the basis of the attribute modification value.    
     
     
         15 . A graphics processing device according to  claim 14 , wherein the attribute modification value generating means computes the attribute modification value on the basis of the difference in distance of the segment prior to and after moving.  
     
     
         16 . A graphics processing device according to  claim 14 , wherein the attribute modification value generating means computes the attribute modification value on the basis of the status defined for the terrain feature segment located at the current position of a segment which has moved.  
     
     
         17 . A game machine designed with a plurality of stages, comprising: 
 a graphics processing device according to any of claims  14  through  16  for defining virtual terrain features three-dimensionally within a virtual space and modifying segment attributes for each stage.    
     
     
         18 . A graphics processing method for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, comprising: 
 an attribute modification value generating step wherein, where a segment has moved, an attribute modification value is computed for the segment on the basis of its status prior to moving, after moving, or both; and    an attribute modifying step wherein the attributes of the segment are modified on the basis of the attribute modification value.    
     
     
         19 . A graphics processing device for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, comprising: 
 segment moving means for moving prescribed segments through control by the player;    coordinate alignment determining means for determining if the direction in which a designated segment in virtual space is facing is aligned with the direction of the line of sight extending from the viewing point; and    association modifying means for modifying the association of the control direction instructed through player control and the direction of movement of the segment where the coordinate alignment determining means has determined that these are not aligned.    
     
     
         20 . A graphics processing device according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 control input type determining means for determining whether a control input by the player pertains to movement of a segment; and    control direction setting means for setting the direction instructed through control by the player to a predefined direction in the event that it is determined by the control input type determining means that the input does not pertain to movement of a segment.    
     
     
         21 . A graphics processing device according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 control input referent determining means for determining whether a control input by the player is an operation to be performed on the display screen which displays the virtual space; and    control direction setting means for setting the direction instructed through control by the player to a predefined direction in the event that it is determined by the control input referent determining means that the operation is not one to be performed on the display screen which displays the virtual space.    
     
     
         22 . A game machine designed with a plurality of stages, comprising: 
 a graphics processing device according to any of claims  19  through  21  for defining virtual terrain features three-dimensionally within a virtual space for each stage, and for moving the segments.    
     
     
         23 . A graphics processing method for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, comprising: 
 a segment moving step in which a designated segment is moved through control by the player;    a coordinate alignment determining step in which a determination is made as to whether the direction in which the designated segment in virtual space is facing is aligned with the direction of the line of sight extending from the viewing point; and    an association modifying step in which the association of the control direction instructed through player control and the direction of movement of the segment is modified in the event that the coordinate alignment determining means has determined that these are not aligned.    
     
     
         24 . A graphics processing method according to  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 a control input type determining step in which a determination is made as to whether a control input by the player pertains to movement of a segment; and    a control direction setting step in which the direction instructed through control by the player is set to a predefined direction in the event that it is determined by the control input type determining means that the input does not pertain to movement of a segment.    
     
     
         25 . A machine-readable storage medium, provided in a computer, for storing a program which embodies a graphics processing method for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, and which executes a step whereby the viewing point is shifted over predetermined three-dimensional paths established within the virtual space.  
     
     
         26 . A machine-readable storage medium, provided in a computer, for storing a program which embodies a graphics processing method for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, and which executes a cursor movement step wherein the cursor is moved through control by the player, a data generation step wherein data pertaining to segments located peripherally around the cursor is acquired and display data is generated, and a data display step in which a data display is produced on the basis of the display data.  
     
     
         27 . A machine-readable storage medium, provided in a computer, for storing a program which embodies a graphics processing method for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, and which executes an attribute modification value generating step wherein, where a segment has moved, an attribute modification value is computed for the segment on the basis of its status prior to moving, after moving, or both, and an attribute modifying step wherein the attributes of the segment are modified on the basis of the attribute modification value.  
     
     
         28 . A machine-readable storage medium, provided in a computer, for storing a program which embodies a graphics processing method for generating a display of segments defined three-dimensionally within a virtual space and portrayed as viewed from a viewing point located within the virtual space, and which executes a segment moving step in which a designated segment is moved through control by the player, a coordinate alignment determining step in which a determination is made as to whether the direction in which the designated segment in virtual space is facing is aligned with the direction of the line of sight extending from the viewing point, and an association modifying step in which the association of the control direction instructed through player control and the direction of movement of the segment is modified in the event that the coordinate alignment determining means has determined that these are not aligned.