Abstract: This communication game system comprises a client system 1 and a game server system 2 for communicating with the client system 1. The game server system 2 comprises a database 21 for storing group information which relates a plurality of client systems to each other as a battle group. The game server system 2 is structured to decide a battle combination among the client systems 1 belonging to the same battle group, to perform a battle by managing the sending and receiving of data between the client systems determined by the above-mentioned combination, and to decide the next combination in accordance with the results of the battle. Each client system 1 has its own character select function and chat function when watching games.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus which can provide an experience of vibrations similar to a real experience. The game apparatus relating to the present invention executes a game program to display displayed bodies on a screen and comprises means for simulating vibrations generated by the displayed bodies in a state of motion for the player operating the game apparatus.

Abstract: In the present invention, the appearance frequency of all image information items to be encoded is determined, short code words are allocated from predetermined code words in accordance with leaves of a bifurcating scheme to image information items having an appearance frequency up to a predetermined ranking, in sequential fashion starting from the image information item having the highest appearance frequency, and a predetermined identifier is appended to the beginning of each of the remaining image information items, the resulting codes being taken as the respective code words allocated to said remaining image information items. Thereby, it is possible to provide an image information encoding method whereby decoding by hardware can be performed readily.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention assist a user's ability to control a game such that the user's proficiency is largely independent of prior experience with the game. Disparities between users arising from differences in experience or unfavorable viewing perspective can be compensated by appropriately modifying the speed of the movement of actions taking place within the game. Additional embodiments are also provided which enhance the realism of the game display by improving the presentation of shadows.

Abstract: An image processing device for realizing more realistic pictures of explosions in video game devices and the like. Objects displaying such pictures of explosions are formed of spherical polygons (R1, R2, R3, . . . ) and planar polygons (S1, S2, S3, . . . ). Pictures of explosions are realized by alternately arranging these spherical polygons and planar polygons with the lapse in time. Preferably, pictures of polygons are realized by arranging the spherical polygons in layers on the boundary of the planar polygons.

Abstract: An input device comprises a board 14B whereon a player stands with both feet, and supporting the board such that it can oscillate, and it supplies oscillatory information when the player causes the board to oscillate to the game machine. In the supporting mechanism, the central axis of oscillation is positioned on the lower portion of, or below the board. The center of rotation of swinging movement in the supporting mechanism is positioned below the board 14B. The object is to make the swinging movement of the board, when the player is standing on the board, such as skis, skateboard, or the like, and playing the game, as close as possible to a swinging movement in real life, thereby increasing realism and improving the player's interest in the game.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and image processing method capable of reducing a load for drawing, diversifying image representation and smoothing character motion. An image processing means (2) synthesizes background image data (3d) composed of movie image with character data (4d) composed of solid image of polygon data and supplies to a display (6). An image (60) produced by synthesizing the background image (3) with the character (4) is displayed on the display (6). A simple model (5d) composed of three dimensional data for determining the precedence in erasing a negative face between the background image data (3d) and character data (4d) is set in part of the background image data. The image processing means (2) determines a portion in which the character (4) is hidden by the background (3) based on the simple model and erase a corresponding portion. This erase processing enables a screen to be represented three-dimensionally.

Abstract: In an image processing device composed such that it can display a prescribed object whilst changing the shape of said object, there are provided: a first memory for recording information for first polygons 201 which form said object, and a second memory for recording information for second polygons 202, which form said object and are linked to said first polygons; and when the shape of said object is changed, the shapes of said second polygons are changed such that no gaps are produced between said first polygons 201 and said second polygons 202. Using computer graphics in a video game, or the like, it is possible to achieve a more realistic object representation, wherein joint regions move in a natural manner.

Abstract: To achieve a more realistic and richer shifting field, such as water surface over which a jet-ski or other object travels, thereby heightening the interest and ambiance of the game. An image processing device for processing image data for moving an object such as a watercraft over a water surface in three-dimensional space. Comprises means for cyclically shifting the height at given positions of the water surface over time (CPU 101) and means for moving the watercraft while contacting the water (CPU 101). Determination of contact between watercraft and water surface, watercraft tilt correction, boat wake drawing processing, and the like are performed by the CPU 101.

Abstract: When a car turns, a visual point position CP and a sight line direction T are moved (from CP′ to CP and from T′ to T) in accordance with a turning angle of the car, and a displacement u of the visual point position (CP″) is made different from a displacement v of the sight line direction (T″). A ratio of the visual point position displacement u to the sight line direction displacement v is about 1:5.

Abstract: The gun-shaped controller comprises a controller 1 in the shape of a gun and a trigger lever 7, and a cross-shaped directional key 9 to be operated with a player's finger is arranged in the upper part of a grip 4. By comprising the cross-shaped directional key 9, it is possible to move the character on the screen or the character's visual field with this cross-shaped directional key 9 in addition to the conventional action of shooting targets on the screen. Thus, the gun-shaped controller is compatible with roll-playing games and adventure games.

Abstract: The brightness of the image of a character displayed on a screen is consistently kept optimum even if the view point of a camera is changed, and the image of the character is appropriately shaded and three-dimensional since such shading is characteristic of a game program. The position of a virtual light source is changed with a change of the position of the view point of the camera. The image processing device includes a feature which changes the position of the view point of the camera, a feature which changes the position of the virtual light source with a change of the position of the view point of the camera, and a feature which subjects the image data of when an object is viewed from the view point of the camera to shading of when the virtual light from the light source is projected to the object.

Abstract: An image processing device for realizing more realistic pictures of explosions in video game devices and the like. Objects displaying such pictures of explosions are formed of spherical polygons (R1, R2, R3, . . . ) and planar polygons (S1, S2, S3, . . . ). Pictures of explosions are realized by alternately arranging these spherical polygons and planar polygons with the lapse in time. Preferably, pictures of polygons are realized by arranging the spherical polygons in layers on the boundary of the planar polygons.

Abstract: The invention comprises establishing means for establishing the state of impact between a vehicle and a road surface specified by polygons in a virtual space, and generating means for generating image data representing a state where a vehicle moves along the road surface whilst maintaining the aforementioned state of impact. The establishing means comprises means for determining impact establishing data at an impact position of the vehicle by interpolation from vertex for the road surface polygons, correcting means for correcting this interpolated impact establishing data in accordance with indentations in the road surface, and specifying means for specifying the impact of the vehicle on the road surface in accordance with the corrected impact establishing data.

Abstract: A driving game, wherein players having various driving skills—from beginners to those advanced—may enjoy both aspects of amusement and simulation in consistency. The game device of the present invention has an element for providing to a player a plurality of different movement modes upon moving the vehicle along a traveling line. Upon selection of a desired movement mode, a vehicle-driving game relating to the driving mode selected by the player is executed. Included in this plurality of driving modes are an assist mode in which auto-brake control is performed and a training mode in which various indications, such as the timing of the braking point, are given.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing device. Particularly, it relates to a video game device which alternately performs a shooting game and a role-playing game. The aim of the present invention is to provide an image processing device to make the operation of a character easier by limiting the movement range of the character to a certain field in a shooting game. The image processing device of the present invention places virtual objects in a virtual space formed within a computer system, proceeds a game while controlling the movement of said virtual objects according to input operations and certain rules, and displays the state within said virtual space as a screen seen from a certain viewpoint, wherein said image processing device sets a movement field of a certain shape 202 surrounding at least one of said virtual objects 100A and limits the movement range of other virtual objects 100A based on this movement field.

Abstract: Provides a game machine with exceptional interactivity capable of ascertaining players' psychological states from player's voices and actions. It is a game device for executing a prescribed game program in response to information input by players. Comprises a device for recognizing voices or actions made by players, and a processing board for ascertaining the condition of recognized voices and actions, and, for a given voice or given action, modifying the game device response processing operations to the voice or action in response to the condition of the voice or action.

Abstract: An object is to provide a free-entry type of race game apparatus wherewith a player can join at any time. This is a race game that simulates an endurance race in which many vehicles run for a long period of time. The vehicles are continually running on the track. (ST 1), from which number a player selects any vehicle at will (ST 3) and joins the race in progress (ST 4, 5). The game is terminated on the basis either of a pass count indicating the number of cars passed (or passed by) (ST 6), or a limiting time (ST 7).