Game device and image processing device

Abstract

To provide an image processing device, image processing method, and data processing method for a game device providing novel game features. In a multiple-player game device 1 comprising mutually coupled input mechanisms 31, it is possible for a game to be played by fewer people than the aforementioned number of players, by using a portion of the input mechanisms 31, the coupling of the input mechanisms other than the input mechanisms used by the fewer number of players being disengaged in cases where a game is played by a fewer number of players.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 396,460, filed Mar. 26, 2003, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 422,655, filed Oct. 22, 1999.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a game device and an image processing device. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] (1) Firstly, in the prior art, two-person game devices having input mechanisms for two people, whereby two players aim to score points in a co-operative or competitive fashion are known. A game device of this kind is designed such that it can be used as a one-person game device in cases where there is only one player. [0006] However, in multiple-person game devices of this kind, which are designed in such a manner that the respective input devices are mutually coupled, if the device is used, for example, as a one-person game device, then the in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026] (1) A first object of the present invention is to provide a game device for multiple players which gives a high level of safety in cases where a game device designed in such a manner that respective input devices are mutually coupled is used by fewer people than the aforementioned number of multiple players.

[0029] (4) It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide an image processing device whereby screen images of objects can be displayed on display means in such a manner that the positional relationship between two objects is readily comprehensible.

[0031] (5) It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a game device whereby, even if an input is made when the input conditions for a specified operation are not satisfied, the input can be accepted, within a specified range of error, in such a manner that the player does not experience stress during the game.

[0032] (6) It is a sixth object of the invention to provide a game device whereby obstacles can be avoided, or such avoidance can be made easier, by increasing the relative speed between an obstacle and an object controlled by a player, in certain situations.

[0035] (9) It is a ninth object of the present invention to provide a game device whereby the load on the memory device and processing device can be reduced, by means of a simple design.

[0036] (10) It is a tenth object of the present invention to provide a game device whereby the player can be informed reliably that the game is about to end imminently, thereby reducing the stress on the player.

Problems solved by technology

There are no conventional game devices which take account of the danger of the fact that the input device not being used by the player is coupled to the input device that is being used by the player.

Moreover, if it is attempted to manage with one display means only, then it is necessary to provide the display means at a position other than one in front of the players, therefore making it more difficult for the players to see the display means.

On the other hand, if the position of the display area is made too high, a problem arises in that the device as a whole becomes too large and moreover, the player will have to look upwards at the display means, and hence it becomes more difficult for the player to see the display area.

However, in some cases, depending on the position in which the shadow is formed, the shadow may conceal the object, for example, or it may be formed outside the display area of the screen, thereby making it impossible to depict a sense of three-dimensionality.

However, in some cases, in a game device provided with an image processing device displaying images, wherein objects in a virtual three-dimensional space are viewed from a specified viewpoint, on display means, it may be difficult to comprehend the precise positional relationship between objects.

Therefore, if a player thinks that the moving object has landed and makes an input for causing the moving object to jump, but the moving object has not in fact landed yet, then the game device will not accept the input.

Consequently, since the input made by the player is not accepted by the device, the player will feel increased stress during the game, causing his or her enjoyment of the game to diminish.

Here, since the amount of time the object remains in the air after jumping is limited, the amount of time for which it is able to avoid an obstacle is also limited.

Therefore, if the obstacles become large in size, or the relative speed between the obstacles and the object controlled by the player becomes low, it may become impossible to avoid obstacles, even if the player causes the object to jump at optimum timing.

However, there is a risk that if the time period from the object starting the first action until it performs the second action increases or decreases, then an unnatural image will result.

On the other hand, if the action is performed at a uniform time period, then the position at which the object should start the first action will vary depending on the speed of the object, and the like, and hence it cannot be defined in a universal manner.

However, the time period taken for the third object to reach the second object after being fired from the first object greatly affects the level of difficulty of the game, and by changing this time period, it is possible to make the game more easy or more difficult than necessary.

Here, if the speed of the second object and the distance between the first object and the second object are adjusted in order to match this time period to the level of difficulty of the game, then the image will become unnatural.

This game device is programmed in such a manner that if the player selects the correct course, then this has a beneficial result, and if the player selects the wrong course, then this has a disadvantageous result.

However, if a scene of this kind is created, then a control program for same and further programs and data for depicting the destruction of the vehicle will be required, hence increasing the operational load on the game device, as well as taking up memory in the game device and increasing the information processing load in the game.

However, if a major points deduction event occurs during a game, for example, then a situation may arise where a number of points that is larger than the remaining points total is deducted in one step, thereby causing the game to end suddenly, even though the player thought that he or she had sufficient points remaining.

This type of situation may cause distrust or stress in the player with respect to the game.

In particular, if the loss of points is depicted by pictorial change rather than by a gauge, then in many cases it may be difficult for the player to comprehend accurately the remaining points total in the game and the points reductions corresponding to individual points deduction events.

Consequently, the player may experience distrust or stress if the game ends suddenly.

Images