Game processing method, game program, and game system

Abstract

In the present invention, first control is executed on the basis of data related to movement of a mouse on a work surface based on an output of a mouse sensor, and second control is executed in accordance with the degree of inclination in the roll direction and / or pitch direction of the mouse on the basis of data based on an output of an inertial sensor that outputs in accordance with the posture of the mouse, the speed of a first object in a virtual space being reduced during execution of the second control.

Description

Game processing method, game program, and game system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to information processing for games and the like.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Games that use a mouse as an operating device have been known for some time (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-062145

[0004] There has been a demand for new games that use a mouse as an operating device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game processing method and the like that can realize a novel game in which a mouse is used as an operating device.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the following configuration examples can be given.

[0007] One configuration example is a game processing method in which a computer of an information processing device executes a first control based on first data regarding the movement of a mouse on a work surface that is based on the output of a first sensor that is configured to provide an output in response to incident light through an opening provided on the bottom surface of the mouse, executes a second control in accordance with the degree of tilt of the mouse in the roll direction and / or pitch direction based on second data that is based on the output of a second sensor that is configured to provide an output in response to at least the attitude of the mouse, and executes a third control that slows the speed of a first object in a virtual space while the second control is being executed compared to when the second control is not being executed.

[0008] According to the above configuration example, in a novel game in which a first control is based on a mouse movement operation and a second control is based on a mouse tilt operation, the user can fully concentrate on the mouse tilt operation.

[0009] As another configuration example, a computer may be configured to set parameters related to the movement of a second object in a virtual space based on the first data and the second data, and the second object may move based on the set parameters and assume a predetermined positional relationship with the first object, thereby producing a predetermined in-game effect.

[0010] According to the above configuration example, advantageous in-game effects are more likely to occur or disadvantageous in-game effects are more likely to be avoided when the second object is in a predetermined positional relationship with the first object.

[0011] As another example configuration, the computer may be configured to set a first parameter related to the movement of a second object based on first data, set a second parameter related to the movement of the second object based on second data, and move the second object based on the first parameter and the second parameter.

[0012] According to the above configuration example, the second object can be moved in response to the mouse movement operation and the mouse tilt operation.

[0013] As another configuration example, the first parameter may be a parameter relating to the destination of the second object, and the second parameter may be a parameter that defines the trajectory of the second object when it moves to the destination.

[0014] According to the above configuration example, it is possible to provide an operation of adjusting the destination of the second object based on the movement operation of the mouse, and adjusting the trajectory of the second object based on the tilt operation of the mouse.

[0015] As another configuration example, when a predetermined operation is performed on the computer during the third control, the second object may be moved based on the first parameter and the second parameter.

[0016] According to the above configuration example, it is easy to aim for the second object being moved to have a predetermined positional relationship with the first object whose speed has decreased, or not.

[0017] As another configuration example, when a predetermined operation is performed during the third control, the computer may end the third control.

[0018] According to the above configuration example, since the speed reduction of the first object ends, it is possible to prompt the user to, for example, stop tilting the mouse and perform a mouse movement operation.

[0019] As another configuration example, if the first data indicates that the mouse is moving on the work surface during the third control, the computer may not execute the first control.

[0020] According to the above configuration example, it is possible to prevent the first control from being unintentionally executed when a finger or the like reacts to the first sensor during a mouse tilt operation.

[0021] As another example configuration, if the first data indicates that the mouse is moving on the work surface during the third control, the computer may end the third control and execute the first control.

[0022] According to the above configuration example, when the mouse is placed on a work surface with a different inclination and the mouse is moved, the third control can be ended and the first control can be executed.

[0023] As another configuration example, when the first data indicates that the mouse is moving on the work surface during the third control, the computer may end the third control, execute the first control, and then execute the second control based on the second data and depending on the degree of tilt from the posture at the time the third control was ended.

[0024] According to the above configuration example, even if the mouse is placed on a work surface with a different inclination and the mouse is moved, the second control can be executed appropriately thereafter.

[0025] As another configuration example, the computer may detect that the mouse has been lifted from the work surface, and execute the third control based on the detection result.

[0026] According to the above configuration example, the user can calmly return the mouse to its original position on the work surface, for example.

[0027] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a game processing method and the like that can realize a novel game in a game that uses a mouse as an operating device.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the game device 10; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of a mouse; FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining how to operate the mouse; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen of the game; FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining how to operate the game; FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining how to operate the game; FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining how to reset the reference attitude;

[0029] An embodiment will be described below.

[0030] [Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device] An information processing device (information processing system) for executing information processing according to this embodiment will be described. The information processing device is, for example, a stationary or portable game device, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a wearable terminal, or the like. Note that the information processing device according to this embodiment may be a server, or may be composed of a game device such as the above and a predetermined server. In this embodiment, a stationary game device (sometimes simply referred to as a "game device") will be described as an example of an information processing device.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a game device (game system) 10 according to this embodiment. The game device 10 includes a processor 11. The processor 11 is an information processing unit that executes various information processes executed in the game device 10. For example, the processor 11 may be composed of only a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or may be composed of a SoC (System-on-a-Chip) that includes multiple functions such as a CPU function and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) function. The processor 11 executes various information processes by executing an information processing program (e.g., a game program) stored in a storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 may be an internal storage medium such as a flash memory or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or may be configured to use an external storage medium inserted into a slot (not shown).

[0032] The game device 10 also includes a mouse communication unit 13 for performing wired or wireless communication with the mouse 17 .

[0033] Furthermore, a display unit 15 (e.g., a television or the like) is connected to the game device 10 via an image / audio output unit 14. The processor 11 outputs images and sounds generated (e.g., by executing the above-described information processing) via the image / audio output unit 14 to the display unit 15, which is capable of outputting sounds.

[0034] The game device 10 also includes a network communication unit (not shown) and can communicate with external devices via a network. The network communication unit connects to a wireless LAN using a method that complies with the Wi-Fi standard, for example, and performs Internet communication with external devices (other game devices 10). The network communication unit can also perform short-range wireless communication (for example, infrared communication) with other game devices 10.

[0035] The mouse 17 and the display unit 15 may or may not be considered to be included in the game device 10.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of the mouse 17. As shown in Fig. 2, the mouse 17 has a plate shape with the y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction (a rectangular parallelepiped or a shape similar thereto, in which the thickness in the x-axis direction is smaller than the thickness in the y-axis direction and the z-axis direction, and the thickness in the z-axis direction is smaller than the thickness in the y-axis direction).

[0037] The mouse 17 includes an inertial sensor. Specifically, the mouse 17 includes an acceleration sensor (not shown) and an angular velocity sensor (not shown). The acceleration sensor detects the magnitude of acceleration along three predetermined axes (the x, y, and z axes of the mouse coordinate system shown in FIG. 2). The acceleration sensor may detect acceleration along one or two axes. The angular velocity sensor detects angular velocity around the three predetermined axes (the x, y, and z axes shown in FIG. 2). The angular velocity sensor may detect angular velocity around one or two axes. The detection results of the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor are repeatedly transmitted to the mouse communication unit 13 at appropriate timing. The mouse 17 may include only one of the acceleration sensor and the inertial sensor.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2 , the mouse 17 includes a sensor (sometimes referred to as a “mouse sensor”) 30 on its bottom surface that detects operations such as a user sliding the mouse 17 across a work surface (the work surface that the bottom surface in FIG. 2 contacts). The mouse sensor 30 is, for example, a typical mouse sensor (e.g., an optical or laser sensor) that outputs data (data corresponding to incident light through an opening in the bottom surface) for calculating the movement (movement direction, movement distance, movement speed, etc.) of the mouse 17, which is placed with its bottom surface facing the work surface. Also, as shown in FIG. 2 , the mouse 17 includes buttons 31 and 32. Data indicating the operation status of buttons 31 and 32 is repeatedly transmitted to the mouse communication unit 13 at appropriate times. The mouse 17 also includes a vibration device (not shown) that vibrates the mouse 17.

[0039] 3 is a diagram for explaining how to operate the mouse 17. As shown in FIG. 3, the user holds the mouse 17 in his / her right hand 33. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the user can perform operations such as moving the mouse 17 on the work surface, pressing button 31 with the index finger or middle finger, and pressing button 32 with the thumb. The user can also perform operations such as tilting the mouse 17 or lifting it from the work surface.

[0040] The mouse 17 is a right-handed mouse in which the button 32 is located in a position that is easy to press with the thumb of the right hand. The following description will be given of a case in which the user operates the mouse 17 with the right hand. Note that if the user operates the mouse with the left hand, a left-handed mouse (not shown) may be used instead of the right-handed mouse 17. The left-handed mouse differs from the right-handed mouse 17 in that the button 32 is located in a position that is easy to press with the thumb of the left hand (the position indicated by the reference numeral 32 when FIG. 3 is flipped horizontally).

[0041] [Game Assumed in This Embodiment] Next, an overview of game processing executed by the game device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. The game assumed in this embodiment is, as an example, a game in which a player object (sometimes referred to as a "PO"), which operates in response to a user's operation, throws a disc object (sometimes simply referred to as a "disc") at a moving target object (sometimes simply referred to as a "target") that is hidden behind a moving obstacle object (sometimes simply referred to as an "obstacle") in a virtual space, and a score is awarded when the disc hits the target. Note that, in other embodiments, the obstacle may not be movable but may be fixed to the ground. Furthermore, this game is not limited to this, and other types of games may also be used.

[0042] [Outline of Game Processing of the Present Embodiment] Next, an outline of the operation of the game processing executed by the game device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an example of a game image depicting the virtual space of the game. As shown in FIG. 4, the PO 100 holds a disk 101 and moves so that a target 200 is hidden by an obstacle 201. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the target 200 and the obstacle 201 reciprocate at the same cycle on an arc with a center point (not shown) at a predetermined position in front of the PO 100, with the center point, the obstacle 201, and the target 200 positioned on a straight line. Furthermore, the radius of the arc along which the obstacle 201 reciprocates is smaller than the radius of the arc along which the target 200 reciprocates. As a result, the target 200 is more exposed from the obstacle 201 as viewed from the PO 100 near the end of the arc (see FIG. 4(2)) than near the center of the arc (see FIG. 4(1)). For example, the obstacle 201 may move back and forth at the same period on an arc with a predetermined position behind the PO 100 as its center point, or on an arc with the position of the PO 100 as its center point, with the center point, obstacle 201, and target 200 positioned in a straight line.

[0043] 4, a target position 102 where the thrown disc 101 will reach is displayed on a ground object (sometimes simply referred to as the "ground"), and a trajectory 103 of the disc 101 until it reaches the target position 102 is displayed. If the thrown disc 101 hits an obstacle 201 or a target 200 along the way, it will not reach the target position 102. The target position 102 does not necessarily have to be displayed on the ground, but may be displayed on the obstacle 201 or the target 200. The trajectory 103 does not have to be displayed so that it ends at the target position 102, but may be displayed only partway along the trajectory. For example, if there is an obstacle 201 along the way, the trajectory 103 may be displayed up to the obstacle 201. One or both of the target position 102 and the trajectory 103 do not have to be displayed.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation for moving a target position 102. As shown in FIG. 5(1), when the mouse 17 is moved with its bottom surface in contact with the work surface, the mouse sensor 30 detects the movement. The processor 11 then determines that a "mouse movement operation" has been performed based on the detected movement. As an example, the processor 11 determines that a mouse movement operation has been performed when the amount of movement detected by the mouse sensor 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. When it is determined that a mouse movement operation has been performed, the target position 102 moves on the ground in accordance with the movement of the mouse 17, as shown in FIG. 5(2). Specifically, when it is determined that a mouse movement operation has been performed in which the mouse 17 is moved to the right, left, back, or front on the work surface, the target position 102 moves on the ground in the right, left, back, or front direction, respectively. Furthermore, when it is determined that a mouse movement operation has been performed in which the mouse 17 is moved diagonally on the work surface, the target position 102 moves in a direction corresponding to the movement. The target position 102 moves by an amount corresponding to the amount of movement caused by the mouse movement operation. In addition, in FIG. 5 and subsequent figures, the user's hand operating the mouse 17 is not shown.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation of tilting the trajectory 103. When the mouse 17 is tilted left or right, the inertial sensor detects the tilt. The processor 11 then determines that a "mouse tilt operation" has been performed based on the detected tilt. The mouse tilt operation may be determined using both an angular velocity sensor and an acceleration sensor of the inertial sensor, or may be determined using only one of them. When a mouse tilt operation has been performed, as shown in FIG. 6 , an adjustment (sometimes referred to as a "trajectory tilt adjustment") is performed to tilt the trajectory 103 according to the degree of tilt of the mouse 17. Specifically, when a mouse tilt operation to tilt right is determined to have been performed (see FIG. 6(1a)), the trajectory 103 tilts rightward by the angle at which the mouse 17 is tilted (see FIG. 6(1b)). When a mouse tilt operation to tilt leftward is determined to have been performed (see FIG. 6(2a)), the trajectory 103 tilts leftward by the angle at which the mouse 17 is tilted (see FIG. 6(2b)). When the mouse 17 is not tilted left or right and it is not determined that a mouse tilt operation has been performed, the trajectory 103 is not tilted and is straight.

[0046] A mouse tilt operation may be determined when the mouse 17 is tilted even slightly, or when it is tilted to a certain degree or more. For example, it may be determined when the mouse sensor 30 is tilted to an angle greater than the tilt angle at which mouse movement operation is no longer detected when it is separated from the work surface (e.g., 5 degrees to the left and 5 degrees to the right), or when it is tilted less than that angle (e.g., 2 degrees to the left and 5 degrees to the right). Note that a mouse tilt operation can be determined not only when a part of the bottom surface of the mouse 17 is in contact with the work surface (see Figures 6(1a) and 6(2a)), but also when the bottom surface of the mouse 17 is completely separated from the work surface.

[0047] Trajectory 103 is the trajectory along which the thrown disc 101 moves while rotating and curving, as shown in Figures 6(1b) and (2b). Furthermore, a mouse tilt operation is an operation determined by rotating and tilting the mouse 17 in the roll rotation direction (the direction of rotation around the y-axis), and therefore may also be called an operation determined by tilting in the "roll direction." The tilt angle of the mouse 17 determined as a mouse tilt operation is calculated based on the "reference posture" of the mouse 17, which will be described later with reference to Figure 8.

[0048] As shown in Figures 6(1a) and (2a), when it is determined that the mouse 17 has been tilted and a mouse tilt operation has been performed, the moving speed of the target 200 and the obstacle 201 decreases (Figures 6(1b) and (2b)). This makes it easier for the user to aim at the target 200 by tilting the mouse 17 in order to hit the disk 101 on the curved trajectory 103 while avoiding the obstacle 201.

[0049] In this embodiment, the movement speed of the target 200 and the obstacle 201 is reduced, but this is not limiting, and the speed of anything may be reduced. For example, when the target 200 attacks with a bullet, the speed of the attacking action (e.g., at least one of the action of shooting a bullet and the action of the bullet flying) may be reduced. Furthermore, for example, the speed of the movement (including movement) of objects other than the target 200 and the obstacle 201 may be reduced. Furthermore, for example, the speed of the movement of all (or some) objects other than the trajectory 103, the trajectory inclination of which is adjusted based on the determination of the mouse tilt operation, may be reduced. Furthermore, the speed may be gradually or instantaneously reduced to 0 (zero) to completely stop the objects.

[0050] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of throwing the disc 101. When the button 31 of the mouse 17 is pressed while it is determined that a mouse tilt operation is being performed, as shown in FIG. 7A, the disc 101 begins moving along the trajectory 103 at the time the button 31 was pressed, and the movement speeds of the target 200 and obstacle 201 return to their normal speeds. Once these movement speeds return to their normal speeds, these movement speeds are maintained at their normal speeds even if a mouse tilt operation is detected until the mouse 17 returns to its original posture (reference posture) immediately before the mouse tilt operation is detected. Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, if the disc 101 moving along the trajectory 103 hits the target 200 (without hitting the obstacle 201), a score is awarded. Note that after the mouse 17 returns to its original posture, the trajectory inclination is adjusted and the movement speeds of the target 200 and obstacle 201 are reduced again depending on the determination of the mouse tilt operation. Note that the disc 101 does not have to move along the displayed trajectory 103. For example, the object may move along an invisible trajectory that is offset by a predetermined angle or a random angle from the displayed trajectory 103. Note that, like the displayed trajectory 103, the trajectory of such an invisible trajectory is also adjusted in response to the mouse tilt operation.

[0051] If the disc 101 hits an obstacle 201 or the like along the trajectory 103, it stops moving before reaching the target position 103. The disc 101 may remain stuck in the object it hit (the ground, the target 200, the obstacle 201, etc.). Also, while the disc 101 is flying, it may not be possible to throw the next disc 101. Also, if the PO 100 cannot launch the disc 101 because it has received damage or does not have the disc 101 in its possession, for example, the movement speed of the target 200 or the obstacle 201 may not be reduced even if a mouse tilt operation is detected.

[0052] As described above, when it is determined that a mouse tilt operation is being performed, the mouse sensor 30 is separated from the work surface, making it difficult to adjust the target position 102, except when resetting the reference attitude, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 8 . Therefore, the user may try to minimize the time spent performing the mouse tilt operation in order to shorten the period during which it is difficult to adjust the target position 102 and aim at the target 200. As a result, the user may not have time to adjust the tilt of the trajectory 103, and the thrown disc 101 may hit the obstacle 201, which may reduce the interest in adjusting the tilt of the mouse 17 to aim at the target 200. According to this embodiment, when a mouse tilt operation is detected and the trajectory 103 is tilted, the movement speed of the target 200 and the obstacle 201 decreases. Therefore, the user is less likely to need to shorten the time spent performing the mouse tilt operation, and can concentrate on carefully adjusting the tilt of the mouse 17 and aiming at the target 200. As a result, the user can concentrate on both mouse movement and mouse tilt operations.

[0053] Furthermore, as described above, when a mouse tilt operation is detected and the trajectory 103 is tilted, if the button 31 of the mouse 17 is pressed to throw the disc 101, the reduction in the movement speed of the target 200 and the obstacle 201 will end, and they will move at normal speed until it is determined that the mouse 17 has returned to its original position. This prompts the user to quickly return the mouse 17 to its original position and perform, for example, a mouse movement operation.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the reference posture (sometimes referred to as the "reference posture") used to determine the tilt angle of the mouse 17 due to a mouse tilt operation, and how the reference posture is set. As shown in FIG. 8, the work surface to which the user returns the mouse 17 after tilting it may be tilted differently from the original work surface. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(1), consider a case in which the reference posture is set to a posture in which the bottom surface of the mouse 17 is in contact with a work surface perpendicular to the direction of gravitational acceleration (i.e., the mouse posture in which the direction of gravitational acceleration is perpendicular to the xy plane of the mouse coordinate system). Note that, as an example, the reference posture at the start of the game is set to the posture of the mouse 17 at the time when it is determined that the first mouse movement operation has been performed since the game started.

[0055] In this case, as shown in FIG. 8(2), when a mouse tilt operation is detected in which the mouse 17 is tilted to the right, the trajectory 103 tilts to the right and the movement speed of the target 200 and obstacle 201 decreases according to the angle of tilt from the reference posture (see FIGS. 6(1a) and 6(1b)). Then, as shown in FIG. 8(3), when a mouse movement operation is detected with the bottom surface of the mouse 17 touching down on a work surface that is not perpendicular to the direction of gravitational acceleration, the posture of the mouse 17 at that time is reset as a new reference posture. At the same time, the movement speed of the target 200 and obstacle 201 returns to normal speed. Then, as shown in FIG. 8(4), when a mouse tilt operation is detected in which the mouse 17 is tilted to the left with respect to the reset reference posture, the trajectory 103 tilts to the left and the movement speed of the EO 200 decreases according to the angle of tilt of the mouse 17 from the reset work surface (see FIGS. 6(2a) and 6(2b)). As described above, by resetting the reference attitude of the mouse 17, it is possible to prevent the mouse from being tilted in a manner different from the user's intention when the tilt of the work surface changes.

[0056] [Details of Information Processing in This Embodiment] Next, the information processing in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0057] [Regarding Data Used] Various types of data used in this game processing will now be described. Fig. 9 shows an example of data stored in the storage unit 12 of the game device 10. As shown in Fig. 9, the storage unit 12 is provided with at least a program storage area 301 and a data storage area 302. The program storage area 301 stores a game program 401. The data storage area 302 stores game control data 402, image data 408, virtual camera control data 409, operation data 410, etc. The game control data 402 includes object data 403, reference attitude data 404, target position parameters 405, and trajectory inclination parameters 406.

[0058] The game program 401 is a game program for executing the game processing.

[0059] The object data 403 is data on objects to be placed in the virtual space, such as a player object, a target object, a disc object, a ground object, a trajectory object, a target position object, etc. The object data 403 also includes data on the coordinates, direction, posture, shape, state, etc. of the object.

[0060] The reference attitude data 404 is data indicating a reference attitude that serves as a reference for determining the tilt angle of the mouse 17 due to a mouse tilt operation.

[0061] The target position parameter 405 is a parameter that defines the position of the target position 102 .

[0062] The orbit inclination parameter 406 is a parameter that defines the inclination of the orbit 103 .

[0063] Image data 408 is image data such as background and virtual effects.

[0064] The virtual camera control data 409 is data for controlling the movement of a virtual camera placed in a virtual space.

[0065] The operation data 410 is data indicating the content of operations performed on the mouse 17. The operation data 410 includes, for example, data indicating the movement of the mouse 17 (including movement on the work surface), changes in posture, and input states such as the pressed states of various buttons. The content of the operation data is updated at a predetermined cycle based on signals from the mouse 17.

[0066] In addition, the storage unit 12 stores various types of data used in game processing and drawing processing as needed.

[0067] [Details of Game Processing] Next, the game processing according to this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart. Figures 10 and 11 are examples of flowcharts showing the game processing according to this embodiment. Below, the processing characteristic of this embodiment will be mainly described, and descriptions of other processing such as drawing processing will be omitted.

[0068] When this game processing is started and the game begins, the game progression processing of Figures 10 and 11 begins. This processing is executed at predetermined intervals (for example, every drawing frame). When this game ends, this game processing ends.

[0069] 10, the processor 11 determines whether or not a mouse movement operation has been performed based on the operation data 411 (data output from the mouse sensor 30). If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S101, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG.

[0070] In step S101, the processor 11 sets the target position parameter 405 in accordance with the mouse movement operation determined in step S100 (based on data output from the mouse sensor 30) and moves the target position 102 (see FIG. 5). Note that the trajectory 103 may also be adjusted to match the target position 102. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S102.

[0071] In step S102, the processor 11 determines whether or not the target 200 and the obstacle 201 are being controlled at a low speed, based on the object data 403. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S103, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG.

[0072] In step S103, the processor 11 ends the low-speed control of the target 200 and the obstacle 201 and returns them to the normal speed (see the description of FIG. 8(3)). After that, the process proceeds to step S104.

[0073] In step S104, the processor 11 resets the reference attitude indicated by the reference attitude data 404 (see the description of (3) in FIG. 8). After that, the process proceeds to step S105 in FIG.

[0074] 11, the processor 11 determines whether or not a mouse tilt operation has been performed based on the operation data 411 (data output from the inertial sensor of the mouse 17). If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S106, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0075] In step S109, the processor 11 controls the target 200 and the obstacle 201 at a normal speed. Then, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0076] In step S106, the processor 11 sets the trajectory inclination parameter 406 in accordance with the mouse tilt operation determined in step S105 (based on data output from the inertial sensor of the mouse 17) to adjust the inclination of the trajectory 103 (see FIG. 6 ). Then, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0077] In step S107, processor 11 determines whether the mouse continues to be tilted after the previous processing (see S110 and S111 described later) determined that button 31 was pressed and threw disc 101. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S109, and if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0078] In step S108, the processor 11 controls the target 200 and the obstacle 201 at a low speed (see FIG. 6). After that, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0079] In step S110, the processor 11 determines whether or not the button 31 of the mouse 17 has been pressed, based on the operation data 411. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S111, and if the determination is NO, the process returns to step S100 in FIG.

[0080] In step S111, processor 11 causes PO 100 to throw disc 101 along trajectory 103 formed based on target position parameter 405 and trajectory inclination parameter 406 (see FIG. 7). Thereafter, the process returns to step S100 in FIG. 10. Note that control is performed so that if the thrown disc 101 moves along trajectory 103 at the time of launch and hits EO 200, a score is awarded.

[0081] According to the present embodiment described above, the target position 102 to be reached by the disc 101 is moved based on whether a mouse movement operation has been performed (see FIG. 5 ), and the inclination of the trajectory 103 along which the disc 101 flies is changed based on whether a mouse tilt operation has been performed (see FIG. 6 ). This makes it possible to provide a game in which the player throws the disc 101 while aiming at a moving target 200 hidden behind an obstacle 201 (see FIG. 7 ). Furthermore, changing the inclination of the trajectory 103 along which the disc 101 flies based on whether a mouse tilt operation has been performed reduces the moving speed of the target 200 and the obstacle 201. This allows the user to aim at the target 200 without rushing, avoiding the obstacle 201.

[0082] [Modification] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the tilt of the trajectory 103 was changed in response to a determination that a mouse tilt operation of tilting the mouse 17 in the roll direction had been performed (see FIG. 6 ). However, the trajectory 103 may also be changed in response to a determination that a mouse tilt operation of tilting the mouse 17 in the roll direction and / or pitch direction (the direction of rotation about the x-axis of the mouse coordinate system; see FIG. 2 ). For example, the tilt of the trajectory 103 may be changed in response to the degree of tilt of the mouse 17 in the roll direction, as described with reference to FIG. 6 , and the height of the trajectory 103 (the curvature of the curve drawn by the trajectory 103; see FIG. 7 , etc.) may be changed in response to the degree of tilt of the mouse 17 in the pitch direction.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, a game in which the PO 100 throws the disc 101 and hits the target 200 has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the PO 100 and the obstacle 201 may be omitted, or the disc 101 and the target 200 may be other objects. Another example of the game may be a game in which a PO wielding a weapon swings the weapon down at an enemy or the like. In this case, for example, the position of the PO may be moved in response to a mouse movement operation. The weapon may be swung up at an angle corresponding to the tilt degree (swing-up angle) by tilting the mouse 17 in a pitch direction so that the button 31 faces forward (pointing the mouse forward in FIG. 3 ). The weapon may then be swung down in response to a mouse tilt operation that returns the tilt of the mouse 17 (swinging the mouse down). The weapon may also be swung down with a force corresponding to the swing-up angle, causing damage to the enemy or the like. The enemy may also assume a defensive stance at an appropriate timing. By slowing down the enemy's movement speed while the weapon is being raised, the user can easily swing the weapon down at the exact moment the enemy releases their defensive posture. For example, the tilt of the weapon's swing trajectory may be changed in response to a determination that a mouse tilt operation (see FIG. 6 ) has been performed, tilting the mouse 17 in the roll direction. Furthermore, the controls executed in response to each of the mouse movements and tilts are not limited. For example, various parameters such as speed may be set, or various options such as the action to be executed may be selected, in response to each operation.

[0084] Furthermore, if a mouse tilt is detected while a mouse movement operation of the mouse 17 is being determined, the reference attitude may be reset while moving the target position 102 in accordance with the mouse movement operation. For example, when a user operates the mouse 17 on their thigh, the thigh is curved, so the attitude of the mouse 17 is likely to tilt during the mouse movement operation. In this case, for example, if a mouse tilt operation is determined to have been performed, the trajectory 103 may be tilted and the target 200, etc., may be controlled at a low speed, even though the user does not intend to do so. Therefore, by resetting the reference attitude according to the attitude of the mouse 17 during the period when a mouse movement operation is determined to be performed, unintended low-speed control, etc., can be prevented. Note that such resetting of the reference attitude may be performed when the detected mouse tilt is large enough to determine a mouse tilt operation, or may be performed when a tilt angle smaller than that is detected. For example, the reference attitude may always be reset based on the mouse tilt at that time. Furthermore, in cases where the work surface on which the mouse 17 is placed is tilted from the beginning, the tilted attitude of the mouse 17 may be used as the initial reference attitude.

[0085] Alternatively, the reference attitude may not be reset. For example, the reference attitude may be fixed to an attitude in which the direction of gravitational acceleration is perpendicular to the x-y plane of the mouse coordinate system. If it is determined that a mouse tilt operation is being performed and a mouse movement operation is being performed while the target 200 or the like is being controlled at a low speed, the target position 102 may not be moved. This prevents the target position 102 from moving against the user's will in response to a mouse movement operation, even if the mouse 16 is placed on a work surface that is not perpendicular to the direction of gravitational acceleration, or if the user blocks the opening of the mouse sensor 30 with a finger or the like during a mouse tilt operation, assuming that the mouse movement operation is performed on a work surface that is perpendicular to the direction of gravitational acceleration.

[0086] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that a mouse tilt operation is being performed and the target 200 or the like is being controlled to a low speed, the low speed control may be released based on the establishment of a predetermined in-game condition, such as when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the low speed control or when the PO 100 has received damage during the low speed control. At this time, the tilt of the trajectory based on the mouse tilt operation may also be released.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the inclination of the trajectory 103 is changed in accordance with the inclination of the mouse 17 (see the description of FIG. 6 ). However, for example, it may be possible to determine whether the mouse 17 is lifted from the work surface and then change the inclination of the trajectory 103 in accordance with the inclination of the mouse 17 at that time. Whether the mouse 17 is lifted from the work surface may be determined based on the light conditions detected by the mouse sensor 30, based on the distance from the work surface using a distance sensor provided on the bottom surface of the mouse 17, based on the magnitude of pressure using a pressure sensor provided on the bottom surface of the mouse 17, based on whether a button is provided on the bottom surface of the mouse 17 and is pressed, or by using an inertial sensor. Whether the mouse 17 is lifted from the work surface may be determined by the mouse 17 itself, or by the processor 11 based on data output from the mouse 17. Regardless of whether the mouse 17 is tilted or not, the target 200, etc. may be controlled at a low speed based on determining that the mouse 17 is lifted from the work surface, or the target 200, etc. may be controlled at a low speed based on determining that the mouse 17 is lifted from the work surface and also based on the fact that the mouse 17 is tilted.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined that a mouse tilt operation is being performed and the target 200 or the like is being controlled at a low speed, if it is determined that a mouse movement operation is being performed, the reference attitude is reset, etc. However, instead of determining that a mouse movement operation is being performed, control such as resetting of the reference attitude may be performed based on determining that the mouse 17 has touched the work surface. In other words, the determination of a mouse movement operation may be replaced by the determination of the mouse touching the work surface. Note that the determination of touching may be performed using the various sensors described above.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the disc 101 flies along the trajectory 103 at the time of throwing the disc 101 (see the description of FIG. 7 ). However, for example, the movement pattern of the disc 101 may change in response to mouse movement operations and / or mouse tilt operations while the disc 101 is flying. In other words, the flying disc 101 may be controllable.

[0090] Furthermore, the vibration device provided in the mouse 17 may vibrate according to the situation of the game being executed or the state of the mouse 17. For example, the vibration device may vibrate when a mouse tilt operation is determined, or when a mouse tilt operation is determined and control based on the determination of the mouse tilt operation, such as low-speed control of the target 200, is being executed. For example, the vibration device may vibrate when the determination of the mouse tilt operation is canceled, when the mouse 17 returns to the reference attitude, or when the reference attitude of the mouse 17 is reset. For example, the vibration device may vibrate when a mouse movement operation is determined. For example, the vibration device may vibrate when the disc 101 hits something or when the object that has been hit is hit.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the target 200 and the like are controlled to move at a low speed when a mouse tilt operation is determined, but in other embodiments, the low speed control may not be performed. In this case, for example, as in the present embodiment, the trajectory 103 may be controlled based on the tilt of the mouse 17. Also in this case, if it is determined that a mouse movement operation has been performed while the mouse 17 is tilted, the trajectory 103 may be returned to its original state, or the control based on the mouse tilt operation may be canceled. Furthermore, as an example, the control for resetting the reference attitude described above may be used in a game different from the game in this embodiment or in processing other than a game.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 2 ), the mouse sensor 30 outputs data regarding the light reflected from the work surface, and the game device 10 (processor 11) calculates the direction of movement, amount of movement, and the like based on the data. However, in other embodiments, the mouse 17 or the mouse sensor 30 may calculate and output the direction of movement, amount of movement, and the like. While the present embodiment determines whether the mouse has moved on the work surface, this determination need not be made. Furthermore, the game device 10, the mouse 17, or the mouse sensor 30 may calculate the current position of the mouse 17 in a mouse coordinate system and perform various processes based on the calculated position. For example, the mouse 17 may calculate its current position in the mouse coordinate system and output this position in addition to or instead of the direction of movement and amount of movement. The same applies to the inertial sensor provided in the mouse 17; either the game device 10 or the mouse 17 may calculate the actual attitude, etc.

[0093] The shape of the mouse 17 in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 2 ) is merely an example. For example, the mouse 17 may have a grip that allows the user to easily grasp and lift it. As an example, the mouse 17 may be used like a general game controller. That is, a game controller having a mouse sensor 30 is included in the scope of the mouse 17 of the present disclosure. The mouse 17 may also be detachable from other devices. In another embodiment, the mouse 17 may have a rotatable ball on its surface. In this case, the mouse 17 may output data substantially similar to that obtained when the mouse is moved on the work surface by freely rotating the ball, instead of or in addition to moving the mouse on the work surface. Game processing may then be performed based on such data acquired from the mouse 17.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, a series of processes related to game processing is executed by a single game device 10. In other embodiments, the series of processes may be executed in an information processing system including multiple information processing devices. For example, in an information processing system including a terminal device and a server device capable of communicating with the terminal device via a network, some of the series of processes may be executed by the server device. Furthermore, in an information processing system including a terminal device and a server device capable of communicating with the terminal device via a network, main processes of the series of processes may be executed by the server device, and some processes may be executed by the terminal device. In the above-described information processing system, the server system may be composed of multiple information processing devices, and the processes to be executed on the server side may be shared and executed by the multiple information processing devices. A so-called cloud gaming configuration may also be used. For example, the game device 10 may be configured to send operation data indicating user operations to a predetermined server, and various game processes may be executed on the server, with the execution results being streamed to the game device 10 as video and audio.

[0095] The game processing method, game program, game device, and game system according to the present disclosure can provide novel game processing using a mouse.

[0096] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Game device 11 Processor 12 Storage unit (memory) 15 Display unit 17 Mouse 30 Mouse sensor 31, 32 Button 100 Player object 101 Disc 102 Target position 103 Trajectory 200 Target 201 Obstacle

Claims

1. A game processing method for causing a computer of an information processing apparatus to execute first control based on first data regarding movement of a mouse on a work surface based on an output of a first sensor configured to output in response to incident light passing through an opening provided on a bottom surface of the mouse, and to execute second control according to a degree of inclination in a roll direction and / or a pitch direction of the mouse based on second data based on an output of a second sensor configured to output at least according to the posture of the mouse, and to execute third control for reducing a speed of a first object in a virtual space during execution of the second control as compared to when the second control is not being executed.

2. The game processing method according to claim 1, wherein the computer is caused to set a parameter regarding movement of a second object in the virtual space based on the first data and the second data, and a predetermined in-game effect is caused to occur when the second object that has moved based on the set parameter comes into a predetermined positional relationship with the first object.

3. The game processing method according to claim 2, wherein the computer is caused to set a first parameter regarding movement of the second object based on the first data, to set a second parameter regarding movement of the second object based on the second data, and to move the second object based on the first parameter and the second parameter.

4. The game processing method according to claim 3, wherein the first parameter is a parameter regarding a movement destination of the second object, and the second parameter is a parameter defining a trajectory when the second object moves to the movement destination.

5. The game processing method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein when a predetermined operation is performed during the third control, the computer moves the second object based on the first parameter and the second parameter.

6. The game processing method according to claim 5, wherein when the predetermined operation is performed during the third control, the computer ends the third control.

7. The game processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the computer is caused not to execute the first control when, during the third control, the first data indicates that the mouse is moving on the work surface.

8. The game processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the computer is caused to end the third control and execute the first control when, during the third control, the first data indicates that the mouse is moving on the work surface.

9. The game processing method according to claim 8, wherein, after the computer ends the third control and executes the first control when the first data indicates that the mouse is moving on the work surface during the third control, the computer executes the second control according to the degree of inclination from the posture at the time of ending the third control based on the second data.

10. The game processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the computer is caused to detect that the mouse has been lifted from the work surface, and the third control is executed based on the detection result.

11. A game program for causing a computer of an information processing apparatus to execute a first control based on first data regarding movement of the mouse on a work surface based on an output of a first sensor configured to output in response to incident light passing through an opening provided on the bottom surface of the mouse, execute a second control according to the degree of inclination in the roll direction and / or pitch direction of the mouse based on second data based on an output of a second sensor configured to output at least according to the posture of the mouse, and execute a third control for reducing the speed of a first object in a virtual space during execution of the second control as compared to when the second control is not being executed.

12. A game system including a mouse and a processor, wherein the mouse transmits first data regarding movement of the mouse on a work surface based on an output of a first sensor configured to output in response to incident light passing through an opening provided on a bottom surface of the mouse, and transmits second data based on an output of a second sensor configured to output at least in response to the posture of the mouse; and the processor receives the first data and executes first control based on the first data, receives the second data, and executes second control according to a degree of inclination in a roll direction and / or a pitch direction of the mouse based on the second data, and during execution of the second control, executes third control to reduce a speed of a first object in a virtual space as compared to when the second control is not being executed.

Images