JP2002018122A - Game device and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An object of the present invention is to realize a game device capable of adjusting a processing speed at any time according to the progress of a game or a processing state. SOLUTION: A game calculation unit 210 sets a position, a direction, a visual field range, a position of an object / particle, and the like of a given viewpoint in an object space, and a visible area of the given viewpoint.
Determine objects and particles in the visible region. The priority order determination unit 212 determines the order of priority for objects and particles in the visible region. The processing time measuring unit 214 measures the image generation processing time in the previous frame based on the time input from the clock 240, and sets an object / particle to be reduced according to the priority according to the image generation processing time. . The image generation unit 230 determines in step S5
Generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint, excluding the objects and particles set as reduction targets in.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device for adjusting a processing time for image generation and an information storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a game device, an image of a given number of frames (for example, 60 frames) is displayed every second, that is, a display screen is updated every given time (1/60 second). Thus, a smooth image is provided. However, in order to update every 1/60 second, the object space setting processing and rendering processing for generating an image for one frame must be performed within 1/60 second.

If an image is not generated within 1/60 second, the display screen cannot be updated, that is, a so-called processing failure occurs, and the update speed of the display screen is reduced to half. Only images for 30 frames can be displayed per second. As a result, an unpleasant situation has occurred for the player, such as the movement speed of the character has become slow or the movement has become awkward.

[0004] In order to avoid such a decrease in the image update speed, conventionally, there is a time margin so that processing related to image generation for each frame is completed within a given time (1/60 second). A game program has been created.

[0005]

However, in order to display a more effective and powerful game image or a more realistic game image, objects must be precisely set or various phenomena and effects (for example, fog) ) May increase the processing time for generating an image for one frame. In addition, when a large number of objects are included in the visible region, such as when a given viewpoint is zoomed out, the processing time required for the rendering process increases, and the rendering process cannot be completed within 1/60 second. was there.

Conventionally, it has not been possible to adjust the processing time in real time in accordance with the progress of the game or the change in the processing time required for image generation. Therefore, in order to end the processing for generating an image of each frame within 1/60 second, it is possible to adjust the processing time at any time and more reliably in accordance with the progress of the game and the processing time for generating the image. It was desired.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to realize a game device capable of adjusting the processing speed at any time according to the progress of the game or the processing state in order to solve the above problem.

[0008]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus for executing a given game by generating a game image at a given time. Based on a processing load for generating the game image for one frame, a reduction unit (for example, a reduction target setting unit 216 shown in FIG. 5) for reducing an object or a given particle in the game image is provided. It is characterized by having.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information storage medium for storing information for executing a given game by generating a game image at a given time, wherein one frame of the game is stored. It is characterized by including reduction information for reducing an object or a given particle in the game image based on a processing load for generating the image.

Here, the processing load for generating a game image includes the weight of processing for generating a game image (including the amount of data such as the number of objects or given particles in the game image) and the game. It is intended to include the processing time required to generate an image.

The process for generating an image refers to a process for generating a game image to be displayed on a display or the like, and does not include a process for displaying an image. For example,
In the case of a three-dimensional game, it may refer to both the process of setting an object or a given particle in the object space and the rendering process, or may refer to only the rendering process.

A given particle is a phenomenon (for example,
Fog, smoke, sparks, etc.) and effects. In this case, a model including a plurality of particles as a unit is included.

According to the first or eighth aspect of the present invention, in order to reduce an object or a given particle according to a processing load for generating a game image for one frame, the game is executed for each frame. Processing for generating an image can be reduced, and processing time can be reduced. Therefore, the processing related to image generation can be more reliably completed within a given time.

[0014] As in the second aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to the first aspect, the reducing means may reduce the object or the given particle according to a given priority. good.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information storage medium according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the information storage medium includes information for reducing the object or the given particle according to a given priority. Is also good.

In this case, the reduction means may reduce the processing time stepwise according to the ratio of the processing time to the given time.

According to the second or ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of objects having a higher priority or a given particle. By giving higher priority to objects or given particles that have less effect on the game, the effect on the game execution or the generated image can be minimized.

As in the third aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, priority changing means for changing the given priority according to the progress of the game (for example, FIG. 5 may be provided.

As in the tenth aspect, the ninth aspect
In the information storage medium of the invention described in (1), the given priority may include priority change information for changing the given priority according to the progress of the game.

Here, the change of the priority order according to the progress of the game is to increase the priority order of an object having a small influence on the progress of the game, such as a cloud or fog, or a given particle. . In addition, for example, when the cloud or fog starts to affect the progress of the game as the game progresses, the priority is changed to a lower priority. It should be noted that the higher the priority of an object or a given particle, the easier the reduction is.

According to the third or tenth aspect of the present invention, the priority of an object or a given particle can be changed in accordance with the progress of the game. Can be easily prevented.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to the third aspect, the priority change unit changes the priority of the given priority in accordance with a position of a given viewpoint in an object space. The order may be changed.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, as in the first aspect,
0, the priority change information may include information for changing the given priority according to a position of a given viewpoint in an object space.

According to the fourth or eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change the priority of the reduction in accordance with the position of a given viewpoint in the object space. Even if a given particle is located far from the given viewpoint (when it is displayed small in the generated image, so reducing it will have little effect on the generated image) or near the center of the viewable area of the viewpoint When the position is located, the priority is lowered, and when the position is close to a given viewpoint (when the reduced image has a large effect on the generated image because it is displayed large in the generated image)
If the image is located at the end of the visible area of the camera or the viewpoint and only a part is displayed in the generated image, the priority can be increased. That is, the effect on the image when the object or given particles are reduced can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the given particle is reduced, the reducing means is generated first. It is good also as reducing sequentially.

As in the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the eighth aspect of the present invention provides
In the information storage medium according to any one of Items 1 to 11, when a given particle is reduced, information for reducing the particle generated first may be included.

According to the fifth or twelfth aspect of the present invention, when a given particle is to be reduced, the particles are reduced in order from the one that has occurred first, that is, the particles are reduced in order from the one that is likely to be out of life. Since the particles disappear after the end of the life, even if they are reduced somewhat earlier than the life, the effect on the image is small. Also, usually, the transparency of the particles, as it approaches the life, gradually increases and eventually disappears in many cases, so particles closer to the life are more transparent, so there is little effect on the image even if deleted. . That is, it is possible to minimize the effect on the image when the reduction is performed.

As in the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the object or the given particle once reduced by the reduction means is used for the progress or the progress of the game. A restoration unit (for example, a reduction target setting unit 216 shown in FIG. 5) for restoring based on the processing load may be provided.

[0029] Like the invention of claim 13, claim 8
13. The information storage medium according to any one of claims to 12, further comprising restoration information for restoring an object or a given particle once reduced by the reduction information based on a progress of a game or the processing load. It is good.

Here, the term “restoring” refers to displaying an object or a given particle which has been reduced once and is no longer displayed on the screen.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 6 or claim 13, an object or a given particle that has been reduced once can be restored based on the progress of the game or the processing load. An object or a given particle can be restored if it becomes indispensable for the progress of the game later or if the processing load is reduced. In addition, since the object or the particle is restored based on the processing load, the restoration makes the processing heavy and prevents the processing time from exceeding a given time.

As in the invention according to claim 7, in the game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, display means for displaying the processing load (for example, the processing time measuring unit 214 shown in FIG. 5). ) May be provided.

As in the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the eighth aspect
13. The information storage medium according to any one of the above items 13 to 13, may include display information for displaying the processing load.

According to the seventh or fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display the processing load for generating the game image, so that the weight and processing time of the processing for generating the game image can be displayed to a developer or the like. Can be notified, and can be reflected in the modification and development of the game program.

[0035]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a home game machine. In FIG. 1, a user looks at a game image displayed on a display 1200 while watching game controllers 1202 and 1204.
To enjoy the given game. In this case, information necessary for playing a game, such as a game program, is stored in a CD-ROM 12 which is an information storage medium detachable from the main unit.
06, an IC card 1208, a memory card 1212, and the like.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are views showing an example of an image displayed on the display 1200. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when the processing time for generating an image is short. In the figure, since the number of displayed objects or particles is small, the time required for the rendering process can be reduced. As a result, the processing time for image generation (the total time of the processing time required for setting the object space and the rendering processing time) (hereinafter referred to as the image generation processing time) is also reduced.

A bar graph 2 indicating the image generation processing time is displayed. The bar graph 2 displays the image generation processing time for the display image. For example, if the display screen is updated every 1/60 second, 1/60 second is set to 1
00%, 1/1 / of the actually measured image generation processing time
The ratio for 60 seconds is shown.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a long processing time is required. In this figure, the number of objects to be displayed is much larger than that of the display screen shown in FIG. 2, so that the time required for the rendering process increases and the image generation processing time also increases.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a display screen displayed next to the display screen shown in FIG. 3. Since the image generation processing time of the display screen shown in FIG. 3 is long, objects and particles are reduced. Yes (rendering is omitted). In this case, the cloud rendering process is omitted (the clouds are reduced), and the clouds are not displayed on the display screen. As objects and particles to be reduced,
Images such as clouds, which do not affect the progress of the game, are preferentially omitted. Further, objects / particles to be preferentially omitted are changed according to a change in the position of the viewpoint, the progress of the game, or the like. Further, when the image generation processing time is longer, more objects and particles are reduced.

As described above, when the processing time for image generation increases and is likely to exceed 1/60 seconds, which is the display update time, rendering processing of objects and particles is omitted and the image generation processing time is suppressed. be able to. Also,
Objects and particles for which rendering processing is omitted can be changed according to the degree of the image generation processing time, so that the image generation processing time can be effectively adjusted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of functional blocks according to the present embodiment. The functional blocks according to the present embodiment include an operation unit 10, a processing unit 200, a display unit 30,
And an information storage medium 500.

The operation unit 10 has buttons for inputting instructions for operating an object in the game, and the like, and the input instruction signal is output to the processing unit 200. The controllers 1202 and 1204 shown in FIG. 1 correspond to this.

The processing section 200 mainly includes a game calculation section 210
, An image generation unit 230, and a clock 240. The game calculation unit 210 stores an object or a phenomenon (for example, fog, smoke, or the like) in the object space based on an instruction signal input from the operation unit 10, a game program 510, and the like.
Processing to set particles for expressing sparks and effects, processing to set the position, direction, viewing range, etc. of a given viewpoint in the object space, and setting the viewpoint based on the viewpoint position, direction, viewing range, etc. Processing such as processing (clipping processing) for determining an object or particle in the visible region is performed.

The game calculation section 210 includes a priority determination section 212, a processing time measurement section 214, and a reduction target setting section 216. The priority determination unit 212 determines the priority of the objects in the visible area in consideration of the importance in the progress of the game, the degree of influence on the image when the reduction is performed, and the like, and a priority table shown in FIG. 202
a, 202b are created for each frame.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the priority order tables 202a and 202b created by the priority order determination unit 212 and the reduction target setting unit 216 described later. FIG. 5A shows a priority table 20 for an object.
FIG. 2B shows a priority order table 202b for particles. The priority determining unit 212 determines a priority for objects and particles in the visible region. The setting of the reduction flag is performed by a reduction target setting unit 216 described later. Here, the priority indicates that the lower the numerical value, the higher the priority (the priority is reduced). An object or a particle having a priority of “3” indicates that the object or particle is not reduced. For example, the priority of an object or a particle such as a main character that is indispensable for executing a game is always “3”.

Specifically, an object / particle located far from a given viewpoint is small in the generated image and has little effect on the generated image when the reduction is performed.
The priority is determined to be high. In addition, the priority order of the objects and particles required for the progress of the game is determined to be low. In the priority order table 202a illustrated in FIG. 6A, for example, “1” is determined as the priority order of the object a.

When particles are included in the visible region, a priority order table 202b shown in FIG. 6B is created. In this priority table 202b, the priority is determined according to the time (the number of frames) from the occurrence of each particle to the present and the life. More specifically, the priority is determined to be higher (lower value) for particles whose life is likely to be exhausted.

Since the particles disappear after the end of the life, even if the particles are reduced somewhat earlier than the end of the life, the influence on the image to be generated is small. Also, usually
Because the transparency of the particles gradually increases as it approaches the end of its life, and it often disappears in the end, so particles near the end of life have higher transparency and have less effect on the image when deleted. .

For example, the particle a-1 has a lifetime of 10 frames and a current frame number of 9 frames. In other words, after one frame, the life expires and disappears. Therefore, “1” is determined as the priority. Also, particles b
-2 is a particle b having a life span of 20 frames, and has a frame number of 1 frame from generation to the present. That is, the particle b-2 is a particle that has just been generated, and has a remaining life of 19 frames. Therefore, “3” is determined as the priority.

Further, the fog is represented by a set of countless minute particles. In the present embodiment, a plurality of particles are collectively set as one fog model, and the size and position of each fog model are determined. , Life, etc. are set, and the diffusion, movement, generation, disappearance, etc. of fog are expressed. The above-described particles include a model such as a fog model that considers a plurality of particles as one unit. Further, in the case of fog, since the density is irregular, even if a part of the fog becomes thin by reducing the fog model, the influence on the generated image is small.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce several fog models at once, and it is expected that the image generation processing time can be effectively reduced. Therefore, the priority is often determined to be high.

Note that the object data 520 and the particle data 530 may be stored in advance in association with the priorities. In that case, the priority determination unit 2
Reference numeral 12 denotes object data 520 and particle data 530
, The priorities for the objects and particles in the visible region are acquired, and the priority tables 202a and 202b are created.

The processing time measuring section 214 measures the image generation processing time for each frame based on the time input from the clock 240, and generates the bar graph 2 indicating the measured image generation processing time. Perform here,
The image generation processing time will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of processing from the generation of a one-frame game image to the display of the game image on a screen. As shown in the figure, in general, processing for generating and displaying a game image largely includes object space setting processing, rendering processing,
The display process is divided into three processes.

Here, the object space setting process is a process of setting the position, direction, moving direction, moving speed, and the like of the object in the object space according to an instruction signal input from the game program 510 or the operation unit 10.
This is a process performed by the game calculation unit 210, such as a process of generating particles, a process of setting a given viewpoint, and a process of determining a visible region of the viewpoint. In the present embodiment,
A priority order determination unit 212 included in the game calculation unit 210,
The processing performed by the processing time measuring unit 214 and the reduction target setting unit 216 is also included.

The rendering processing is performed in the visible region (3
Process of converting (dimensional) objects and particles into two dimensions (perspective projection conversion), processing of coloring, shading, mapping, etc. according to the attributes (color, shape, etc.) of each object stored in the object data 520 and the particle data 530 Is a process performed by the image generation unit 230 of FIG.

The display process is a process of sending the generated image as a signal to the display unit 30 at a given timing (for example, every 1/60 second) and updating the display screen.
That is, the time required for this display processing is given time (1 /
60 seconds).

As shown in FIG. 7, first, an object space setting process is performed, and then, a rendering process is performed to generate an image to be displayed on a screen. Then, a display process is performed, and the image generated by the rendering process is displayed at a given timing.

In the display processing, the generated image is
For example, when displayed every 1/60 second, 1/60
Within seconds, the object space setting process and the rendering process must be completed, and an image to be updated next must be generated. That is, the total processing time t of the object space setting processing and the rendering processing must be within 1/60 second. If the total processing time t of the object space setting processing and the rendering processing exceeds 1/60 seconds, the display unit 30 cannot update the display image.

Accordingly, the total processing time t of the object space setting processing and the rendering processing is measured, and the processing time is adjusted by reducing the number of objects and particles so that the total processing time t does not exceed 1/60 second. It is necessary to aim at. That is, the image generation processing time measured by the processing time measurement unit 214 based on the time input from the clock 240 corresponds to the total processing time t.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the bar graph 2 generated by the processing time measuring section 214. In the drawing, the processing time measurement unit 214 shows a case where the maximum processing time (the time required for the display processing) is 1/60 second, for example. As described above, the processing time measuring unit 214
A bar graph 2 indicating the image generation processing time (total processing time t of the object space setting processing and the rendering processing) of each frame when / 60 seconds is set to 100% is generated. FIG. 8 shows a case where, for example, the image generation processing time of the previous frame measured by the game calculation unit 210 is 1/120 seconds, and the generated bar graph 2 is 5
0% is shown.

By displaying the image generation processing time in the previous frame by the processing time measuring section 214, it is possible to inform the developer or the like of the processing time required to generate the game image, and to reflect it in the modification and development of the game program. be able to.

Incidentally, for example, the processing time measuring unit 214
Not limited to the bar graph 2, a pie graph may be generated. Also, for example, the time required for the display processing (1/1)
Only calculating the ratio of the image generation processing time (total processing time t of the object space setting processing and the rendering processing) when 100% is set to 60%), does not generate a graph, and calculates the ratio of the image generation processing time The number shown may be displayed.

The reduction target setting unit 216 includes the game calculation unit 2
A process for setting a reduction target is performed based on the image generation processing time of the previous frame measured by 10. More specifically, the objects / objects set in the priority order tables 202a and 202b created by the priority order determination unit 212
Among the particles, the object / particle reduction flag set as the reduction target is set to “ON”.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a reduction condition based on the image generation processing time of the previous frame. As shown in FIG. 9, when setting the reduction flag, for example, if the processing time is 60% or less of 1/60 second, the reduction target setting unit 216 sets “do not reduce”, that is, newly sets a reduction flag. Not set. Moreover, if it is 60% or more and 80% or less,
“Reduce“ 1 ”or less”, that is, set the reduction flag of the object / particle with priority “1” or less to “ON” in the priority order tables 202a and 202b described above. If it is 80% or more, “Reduce“ 2 ”or less”,
That is, the object / particle reduction flag of the priority order “2” or lower is set to “ON”. The priority tables 202a and 202b shown in FIG. 6 show, for example, a case where the reduction flag of the object / particle with the priority “2” or lower is set to “ON”.

Further, the reduction target setting unit 216 continues to set the object / particle set as the reduction target when generating the image of the previous frame as the reduction target regardless of the image generation processing time and the priority in the previous frame. (The reduction flag is set to “ON” in the priority order tables 202a and 202b). That is, the object / particle set as the reduction target by the reduction target setting unit 216 remains set as the reduction target as long as the object or particle exists in the visible region.

It should be noted that once an object / particle set as a reduction target goes out of the visible range, it is excluded from the reduction target. The reduction flag for the object or the particle is set again by the reduction target setting unit 216 according to the priority determined by the priority determination unit 212 and the reduction condition according to the image generation processing time of the previous frame. Is also good.

In this case, for example, when an object or particle that has been once set as a reduction target and is no longer displayed on the display screen once falls outside the visible region and reenters the visible region, the current If the priority order is low and the image generation processing time of the previous frame is short, the image is not to be reduced and is included in the generated image, and thus appears again on the display screen.

For example, when the image generation processing time in the previous frame is shortened and the priority of the object or the particle becomes higher, the image is set to be reduced in the previous frame and is not displayed on the display screen. However, even those that have been removed may be excluded from the reduction target in the current frame.

The image generating section 230 performs processing (rendering processing) for generating an image viewed from a given viewpoint in the object space and an image for displaying the processing time graph generated by the processing time measuring section 234. . At this time, the above-described reduction target setting unit 216 generates an image by omitting the rendering processing for the reduction target, that is, the object or the particle whose reduction flag is set to “ON”. Then, when the image is generated, a signal notifying the completion of the image generation is output to game operation section 210. With this signal, the processing time measuring unit 214 obtains the time when the rendering processing in the image generating unit 230 ends and the image generation is completed from the clock 240. Also, the image generation unit 2
The image obtained by 30 is output to the display unit 30 at a given timing, and is updated and displayed on the display unit 30 every 1/60 second.

Therefore, if the image generation processing time of the previous frame is long, that is, if the image generation processing time of the current frame may exceed 1/60 seconds, the object / particle set as the reduction target is Since the rendering processing is omitted, the image generation processing time can be reduced before the image generation processing time exceeds 1/60 second.

The clock 240 measures the time and outputs a time signal indicating the current time to the game calculation section 210 as needed.

The function of the processing unit 200 described above is
Type and RISC type CPU, DSP, image capture IC,
It can be realized by hardware such as a clock circuit and a memory.

The display unit 30 displays an image or the like generated by the image generation unit 130, and includes, for example, a CRT,
The display is realized by an LCD, a plasma display, or the like, and corresponds to the display 1200 in FIG. The display unit 30 updates the display image every 1/60 second.

The information storage medium 500 stores object data 520 and particle data 530 in addition to the game program 510. The object data 520 is
The particle data 530 is data on various objects set in the object space, and the particle data 530 is data on particles for expressing various phenomena, effects, and the like occurring in the object space. The function of this information storage medium 500 is as follows: CD-ROM, game cassette, IC card, M
It can be realized by hardware such as O, FD, DVD, hard disk, and memory. As described above, the processing unit 20
0 performs various processes based on programs, data, and the like stored in the information storage medium 500.

Next, the operation related to the image generation processing of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that the operation illustrated in FIG. 10 illustrates an operation related to the image generation processing of one frame.

First, the game calculation section 210 sets the position, direction, and visual field range of a given viewpoint in the object space, and also sets the objects and particles (step S).
1) Set the inside of the visible region of a given viewpoint and determine the objects and particles within the visible region (step S2). Next, the priority determination unit 212 determines the priority of the object / particle in the given visible region (Step S3).

Then, the processing time measuring unit 214
The image generation processing time in the previous frame is measured on the basis of the time input from step 40 (step S4), and the object / particle to be reduced is set according to the priority based on the reduction condition according to the image generation processing time. (Step S5).

Further, the processing time measuring unit 214 calculates the bar graph 2 based on the processing time measured in step S4.
Is generated (step S6). Then, the image generation unit 23
0 generates an image viewed from a given viewpoint, excluding the object / particle set as a reduction target in step S5, and generates an image for displaying the generated bar graph 2 in step S6. Then, the image data is output to the display unit 30 at a given timing (step S7), the image is displayed on the display unit 30 (step S8), and the process ends.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the device shown in the figure, a CPU 1000, a ROM 1002,
RAM 1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC1
008, an image generation IC 1010, a clock 1026, and I / O ports 1012, 1014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be input and output therebetween. The display device 1018 is connected to the image generation IC 1010,
A speaker 1020 is connected to the sound generation IC 1008,
A control device 1022 is connected to the I / O port 1012, and a communication device 1024 is connected to the I / O port 1014.
Is connected.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing a display object, sound data, play data, and the like, and corresponds to the information storage medium 500 in FIG. For example, when the computer that realizes the present embodiment is a computer, a CD-ROM, a D-ROM
When the VD or the like is a home game device, a game cassette or the like is used in addition to the above. In the case of realizing as an arcade game device, a memory such as a ROM or a hard disk is used.
06 becomes the ROM 1002.

The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for inputting a result of a determination made by a user in accordance with the progress of a game to the main body of the device.

The program stored in the information storage medium 1006, the system program (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, the control apparatus 102
The CPU 1000 controls the entire apparatus and performs various data processing according to a signal or the like input from the CPU 2. RAM1004
Is storage means used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000. The information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1002
Is given, or the calculation result of the CPU 1000 is stored.

Further, this apparatus is provided with a sound generation IC 1008 and an image generation IC 1010 so that game sounds and game images can be suitably output. The sound generation IC 1008 includes an information storage medium 1006 and a ROM 100
2 is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and BGM music based on the information stored in the storage device 2, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 includes a RAM 1004, a ROM 100
2. An integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display device 1018 based on image information sent from the information storage medium 1006 or the like. The display device 1018 has a C
It is realized by an RT, LCD, TV, plasma display, liquid crystal plasma display, projector, or the like.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various kinds of information used inside the device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to another device to transmit and receive given information corresponding to a game program and the like, and to perform communication. It is used for transmitting and receiving information such as a game program via a line.

The clock 1026 is a clock circuit for measuring the current time and outputting the measured time.

The various processing described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 includes an information storage medium 1006 storing a program for performing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, a CPU 1000 operating according to the program, and an image generating apparatus. I
C1010, a sound generation IC 1008, and the like. The processing performed by the image generation IC 1010 and the like is C
The processing may be performed by software using the PU 1000 or a general-purpose DSP.

FIG. 12 shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including a host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected to the host device 1300 via a communication line 1302. Is shown.

In this case, the game program 510, the object data 520, and the particle data 530 are stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, and a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300.
Is stored in Terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n
Has a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound generation IC, and can generate a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 outputs a game program 510, object data 520, and particle data 530. And the like via the communication line 1302.
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, and transmits them to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-1.
304-n and output at the terminal.

As described above, according to the present invention, the processing time can be suppressed by reducing the number of objects and particles in the visible region in the current frame according to the image generation processing time of the previous frame. , The image generation processing time can be adjusted at any time so as not to exceed 1/60 second.

The present invention is not limited to those described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the image generation processing time taken in the previous frame is 80% or more,
The priority of the object / particle to be reduced is changed according to the three cases of less than 80% and less than 60%. However, the priority of the object / particle to be reduced is set in more detail. You may do it. Further, for example, the priority order of the object / particle to be reduced when the time exceeds 1/60 second (100%) may be set.

In the above embodiment, the object space setting processing and the image generation processing time
Although the total time t with the rendering process is measured, for example, the time only for the rendering process may be measured. The object / particle in the current frame may be measured in accordance with the time taken for the rendering process in the previous frame. It is also possible to adjust the image generation processing time by reducing the time.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, objects and particles are reduced and restored according to the image generation processing time. However, for example, the data amount such as the number of objects and particles included in the visible region is reduced. Depending on the object
Particles may be reduced.

[0093]

According to the present invention, in order to reduce the number of objects or given particles in accordance with the processing load for generating one frame of game image, a game image is generated for each frame. Processing can be reduced, and processing time can be reduced. Therefore, the processing related to image generation can be more reliably completed within a given time.

In addition, since reduction can be performed from an object or a given particle in accordance with the priority order, for example, when the reduction is performed, priority is given to an object or a given particle that has little effect on the execution of a game or an image generated. By increasing the ranking, the effect on the execution of the game or the generated image can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is applied to a home game device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display 1200.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display 1200.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display 1200.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of priority tables 202a and 202b created by a priority determination unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of a process of generating and displaying a one-frame game image.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a bar graph 2;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reduction condition based on an image generation process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation related to an image generation process according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration that can implement the present embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game terminal connected to a host device via a communication line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 operation unit 30 display unit 200 processing unit 210 game calculation unit 212 priority determination unit 214 processing time measurement unit 216 reduction target setting unit 230 image generation unit 240 clock 500 information storage medium 510 game program 520 object data 530 particle data

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A game device for executing a given game by generating a game image at a given time interval, based on a processing load for generating one frame of the game image. A game apparatus comprising a reduction unit for reducing an object or a given particle in a game image. 2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the reducing unit reduces the object or the given particle according to a given priority. 3. The game device according to claim 2, further comprising a priority changing means for changing the given priority according to the progress of the game. 4. The game device according to claim 3, wherein the priority change unit changes the given priority according to a position of a given viewpoint in an object space. 5. The game device according to claim 1, wherein said reducing means, in the case of reducing a given particle, reduces the given particle in order from the one generated first. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a restoring unit for restoring the object or the given particle once reduced by the reducing unit based on a progress of a game or the processing load. A game device characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying the processing load. 8. An information storage medium storing information for executing a given game by generating a game image at a given time, wherein the information storage medium stores one frame of the game image. An information storage medium comprising reduction information for reducing an object or a given particle in the game image based on a processing load. 9. The information storage medium according to claim 8, including information for reducing the object or the given particle according to a given priority. 10. The information storage medium according to claim 9, further comprising priority change information for changing the given priority according to the progress of the game. 11. The information storage according to claim 10, wherein the priority change information includes information for changing the given priority according to a position of a given viewpoint in an object space. Medium. 12. An information storage medium according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that when reducing a given particle, the information storage medium includes information for sequentially reducing the particle generated first. 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising restoration information for restoring an object or a given particle once reduced by said reduction information based on a progress of a game or said processing load. An information storage medium characterized by the following. 14. An information storage medium according to claim 8, further comprising display information for displaying the processing load.