Abstract: It is an object to provide an image generating system and program which can generate such an image as in the real world with reduced processing load. The alpha-value for each pixel in the original image is set to a value corresponding to its Z-value. The set alpha-value is used to perform alpha-blending between the original image and a defocused image. As the difference between the Z-value of the focus and the depth value increases, the synthesis ratio of the defocused image is increased. The range of depth of field and defocusing effect are controlled by varying the corresponding relationship between the Z-value and the alpha-value. The alpha-value is set such that the alpha-value for an pixel located in an area AR1 between Z1 and Z2 will be set to ?1, the alpha-value for an pixel located in an area AR2 between Z2 and Z3 will be set to ?2 and so forth. The alpha-value is set by updating the alpha-value of a pixel located farther from an object when the object is drawn in a frame buffer.

Abstract: In order to provide an information supply system and a program for a multi-player game that are capable of giving dramatic development to a game story based on selections input by the players, a system is provided with a game information generation section which generates game information and a transfer section which supplies the generated game information to a portable telephone and acquires selection input information of the players. The game information generation section is used to generate game information allowing selection inputs by first and second players and response information corresponding to selection inputs by the first and second players, and the transfer section is used to supply the game information and response information to the portable telephones operated by the first and second players.

Abstract: A game performing method for executing a game by arranging a plurality of objects comprising a plurality of objects to be stuck and an operation object, in a virtual space, controlling rolling and movement of the operation object according to a player's input, and rolling and moving the operation object while sticking the objects which the operation object comes in contact with, comprises: setting a plurality of first displacement points capable of displacing only in predetermined radial directions different from each other, from a reference point respectively; displacing the first displacement point adjacent to a contact position, in the predetermined radial direction when the operation object comes in contact with the object to be stuck; setting a second displacement point in a position which meets a predetermined distance condition; and controlling the rolling of the operation object based on rolling surface reference points comprising the first and second displacement points.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image generation system and program that apply shading for producing a cel animation type of image, with a reduced processing load. Brightness information is set for each pixel of a two-dimensional image that is obtained by perspective transformation of a three-dimensional object, based on brightness information set for that three-dimensional object, the two-dimensional image is divided into a plurality of areas based on the thus-set brightness information, and stepped shading is applied in units of the thus-divided plurality of areas. This brightness information could be set beforehand or it could be calculated in real-time, based on a given condition. The system could also comprise means for determining the pixels to be rendered by comparing the brightness information of each pixel with a given threshold value, then performing adjustment processing on the color information of the pixels to be rendered, based on color information that acts as a reference.

Abstract: There is provided a received-light pattern detection apparatus capable of reading received-light pattern data within a period of time shorter than a read interval of a video game, including a transfer time. A received-light pattern detection apparatus for detecting a received-light pattern representing the position of an object on the front surface of a monitor includes a detection section having photo-couplers arranged around the periphery of the monitor and a plane detection surface formed from the photo-couplers; timing control circuits for controlling a driving timing of the detection section; a read control circuit formed by means of connecting the timing control circuits in the form of a cascade; and an input/output interface for converting the received-light pattern data read from the read control circuit into a switch packet and transmitting the switch packet.

Abstract: A special relation is formed between an owner and a virtual pet and a sense for feeling a pet more similar to a true pet is produced. Voice inputted from a microphone 22 is recognized by a recognizing part 20. Then, a speaker data base 12 is referred to to identify a speaking individual. In the data base 12, prescribed words and phrases are registered and events corresponding to the words and phrases are stored in an event list 31. If the words and phrases spoken by the individual to a pet satisfy an event generating condition, events (crying, swinging a tail, etc.) corresponding to the recognized words and phrases will be performed.

Abstract: An objective is to provide a game system and program which can simply and easily execute a game operation command having a complicated operation procedure. A command list (14) showing techniques each of which is executed normally by manipulating buttons of a game controller with a given operation procedure, is displayed to a player. When a player selects a technique and presses a button B, a key record of that technique is assigned to a game button L. By pressing the button L, the technique of the assigned key record can be performed by a game character (20). The assignment information of key-record is stored in a memory card, enabling the assignment to be effective when the game system is powered on next time. By reading data of a command list externally through an information storage medium or communication line, a secret technique can be obtained. During a game, a command list (14) is displayed and a key record can be assigned to the button L.

Abstract: An object display method and apparatus is disclosed which can easily display changeover of an entity, and an amusement apparatus is disclosed which can display a simulated burst having reality and punch. The method and apparatus first displays only one of the objects and hides other objects from the field of view. Then, the method and apparatus displays the previously hidden objects and at the same time hides the previously displayed object.

Abstract: A client computer, server computer, network ranking system, network ranking method, task processing method and recording medium is provided allowing even experienced players to keep a feeling of tension and allowing even beginners to have chances to be ranked high. It is possible to set to only one the number of times the play result of a computer game issued as a task from the server computer 14 to each client computer 10, etc. can be registered for one day. This allows even experienced players to experience a feeling of tension that no retry is possible. On the other hand, this also allows beginners to maintain their interest in the computer game because their play results, however low they may be, also have chances to be ranked high.

Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide a game system and program that enable a greater variety of replay images, removing any monotony from such replay images. If an enemy object (16) is “locked-on” during a game, virtual camera change data is stored as replay data and virtual cameras for replay CA to CE are changed to a virtual camera CP pointing towards the enemy object (16) from the player object (10) or a virtual camera CQ disposed in close proximity to the enemy object (16). When an action occurs between first and second objects (or when such an action becomes possible), or when it is determined that first and second objects are in a given positional relationship, based on position data, the virtual camera for replay changes. The system determines a packet necessary for the replay processing of the current frame (a packet comprising virtual camera change data), and stores it as replay data.

Abstract: There is provided a game system which perceives a sign intended by a game player from the motion of a finger or hand of the player and controls the motions of game characters or the situation of a game in accordance with the sign. A game machine includes a received-light pattern detection apparatus for detecting the motion of a hand of a game player as a received-light pattern; a sign perception system for perceiving a sign from the received-light pattern input from the received-light pattern detection apparatus, and a main CPU for controlling a game in accordance with the sign perceived by the sign perception system.

Abstract: A game device in which a game can be started in accordance with the intention of a player is provided. The game device comprises sensors 15 for detecting whether or not a gun type input member 11 is in a stand-by state and a sensor for detecting whether or not targets 3, 4 and 5 are hit, and a time required until the targets 3, 4 and 5 are hit after the gun type input member 11 gets out of a stand-by state is counted.

Abstract: There is provided a game apparatus which can display an advice data appropriate to the sate of game development and player's operation so that the player can master a high-level and complicated game while playing the game. The game apparatus has a control section through which the player plays the game and a game computing section for computing the game and displaying a game image on a display, based on an operation signal from the control section. The game computing section computes and outputs advice data depending on the state of game on the display.

Abstract: A section deriving unit (10) derives a section to which a digital input value DIN belongs and outputs a section number IVN, and a computation parameter output unit (20) outputs a computation Parameter CPA corresponding to IVN. A computation unit (30) performs a given computation based on DIN and CPA and outputs the result of the computation as a digital output value DOUT. Any DIN-DOUT conversion characteristic that the user requires can be obtained by setting a delimiter information storage unit (12) and a computation parameter storage unit (22) as appropriate. The computation unit (30) could, for example, perform a calculation DOUT=amXm+am−1Xm−1+ . . . a1X+a0, based on computation parameters am to a0. This look-up table device can be used for gamma compensation or depth cueing conversions.

Abstract: A game system for providing players with a higher sense of presence, a virtual reality environment and real-life simulations. A forward lean position of a player is detected by a forward lean position detector to carry out game computation to control a moving object on a screen according to operation information supplied by the player, including information indicative of the detected forward lean position. A force to rotate the moving object, a speed of the moving object and a motion of a cartoon character on the screen are controlled according to the forward lean position information. An information storage medium applicable to such a game system is also provided.

Abstract: An object display method and apparatus is disclosed which can easily display changeover of an entity, and an amusement apparatus is disclosed which can display a simulated burst having reality and punch. The method and apparatus first displays only one of the objects and hides other objects from the field of view. Then, the method and apparatus displays the previously hidden objects and at the same time hides the previously displayed object.

Abstract: A game machine having a plurality of play patterns for a game, the play patterns being different from each other in the numbers of moving-body objects entering the game, for providing images of a highest quality for each play pattern in real time, and an information storage medium suitable for use in such a game machine. The game machine can be used to play a game having a plurality of play patterns which are different from each other in the number of moving-body objects entering the game. In order to generate a more accurate images of moving-body objects for a play pattern having a reduced number of moving-body objects entering the game, the game machine comprises an accuracy setting section for setting the accuracy of moving-body objects for each play pattern and an image generation section for generating images of the moving-body objects based on the accuracy.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a game machine and information storage medium that make it possible to encourage players who have selected multi-player mode to continue playing. The maximum number of game stages that can be cleared by players in multi-player mode is set to be greater than the maximum number of game stages that can be cleared by a player in single-player mode. In single-player mode, the game is over at the point at which each course is cleared. In multi-player mode, a continuation privilege in the next course (a course that is more difficult) is granted when the current course is cleared. The privilege to continue playing the next course is granted to the player with the higher score, and is also given at a certain probability to the player with the lower score.

Abstract: An image photographed by a CCD camera is captured, and this captured image is mapped onto a marker object. The perspective of the captured image is modified in accordance with whether the marker object is far away or near. When the marker object is far away, the perspective is modified to give the impression that it is nearer to the viewer than its actual position. The perspective is modified by varying the scaling factor S of the marker object. When the marker object is behind an obscuring object, an image is generated to make it appear as if the marker object is in front of the marker object. The marker object can be made to appear as if in front of the obscuring object, by increasing the priority that is assigned to the marker object for hidden-surface removal.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a general purpose controller for a game machine by which a car game of a fishing game can be more enjoyed. A controller for a game machine comprises a jog dial 5 rotatably mounted on a controller main body 1 as a part of an input operating part, a data input system 20 driven according to and connected to the jog dial 5 to input data in accordance with the rotation of the jog dial and a counterforce urging means having a driving motor 17 or the like driving connected to the jog dial 5 for urging a counterforce opposite to the rotation thereof.