Abstract: Displaying is performed based on a map image of an area in a first state including map information or a map image of an area in a second state not including the map information. When a first condition is satisfied at a first location on a ground field of a first ground area, a ground map of the first ground area and an airspace map of a first airspace area above the first location are changed from the second state to the first state. When the first condition is satisfied, a player character is moved from the first location to a second location in an airspace field of the first airspace area, and movement control based on a user's movement operation input is resumed after the movement to the second location.

Abstract: Instead of using an operation inputted by a player, a series of operation data for continuously moving a player character for a predetermined time period of a game is previously stored as automatic operation data. Automatic control means moves the player character based on the automatic operation data. Furthermore, the automatic control means receives a play start operation indicating that the player starts to play the game while the automatic control means moves the player character. A movement of the player character controlled based on the automatic operation data is finished at a time when the play start operation is received, and the movement of the player character starts to be controlled based on an operation of the player.

Abstract: An example of a game apparatus as an image processing apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU controls a movement, etc. of a player object according to an instruction from a player. In a case that a predetermined condition is satisfied, a two-dimensional surface is displayed within a virtual three-dimensional space. When the player moves a first controller, a two-dimensional image is depicted on the two-dimensional surface in response thereto. Then, it is determined whether or not the depicted two-dimensional image is a predetermined image. If it is determined that the two-dimensional image is the predetermined image, a three-dimensional object corresponding to the predetermined image appears, and the two-dimensional surface and the two-dimensional image depicted thereon are erased.

Abstract: Correspondence data representing correspondence between a plurality of selection target objects and the attitude of an input device is stored in an information processing apparatus. In accordance with attitude/motion data acquired from the input device, the attitude of the input device is calculated. In accordance with the correspondence data, a selection target object corresponding to the attitude of the input device is selected thereby to perform a process based on the selection target object having been selected.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus writes a virtual space image obtained by imaging a virtual space in which objects are arranged from a virtual camera to an output area. When a pointer image representing a positional relationship between a referential position and an arrangement position of the object is depicted on the virtual space image stored in the output area, the pointer image to be depicted is changed in correspondence with conditions, such as the height of the virtual camera and the attribute of the object.

Abstract: A first area and a second area are set in a virtual space. Then, based on first configuration information for configuring a first state of a game world, a first object to be placed in the first area is generated. In addition, a second object to be placed in the second area is generated based on second configuration information for configuring a second state different from the first state at a predetermined position in the virtual space to which the first configuration information is applied.

Abstract: One of a plurality of areas is displayed as a display area on a display device, and based on an input from an input section, an object included in the display area is determined as a target to be moved, and when a predetermined movement is detected by a movement sensor, the currently displayed display area is switched to an area different from the currently displayed display area, and the area is displayed on the display device together with the object determined as a target to be moved.

Abstract: A game apparatus acquires operation data from an input device at least including a gyroscope, wherein the operation data at least contains angular rate data from the gyroscope. The game apparatus sets a predetermined reference position in a predetermined plane when a player inputs a predetermined instruction, and then calculates a coordinate point based on the angular rate data, wherein the coordinate point represents a position in the predetermined plane relative to the reference position. A game process is performed based on the coordinate point.

Abstract: Respective orientations (a pitch angle, a roll angle, and a yaw angle) of the input device are detected based on angular velocity data outputted from a gyro sensor unit of an input device. Then, it is determined whether the pitch angle is within a first range or within a second range. When it has been determined that the pitch angle is within the first range, a posture of an object is updated based on the roll angle. When it has been determined that the pitch angle is within the second range, the posture of the object is updated based on the yaw angle. Accordingly, operability can be improved in a game executed in accordance with an orientation of the input device.

Abstract: Instead of using an operation inputted by a player, a series of operation data for continuously moving a player character for a predetermined time period of a game is previously stored as automatic operation data. Automatic control means moves the player character based on the automatic operation data. Furthermore, the automatic control means receives a play start operation indicating that the player starts to play the game while the automatic control means moves the player character. A movement of the player character controlled based on the automatic operation data is finished at a time when the play start operation is received, and the movement of the player character starts to be controlled based on an operation of the player.

Abstract: Instead of using an operation inputted by a player, a series of operation data for continuously moving a player character for a predetermined time period of a game is previously stored as automatic operation data. Automatic control means moves the player character based on the automatic operation data. Furthermore, the automatic control means receives a play start operation indicating that the player starts to play the game while the automatic control means moves the player character. A movement of the player character control led based on the automatic operation data is finished at a time when the play start operation is received, and the movement of the player character starts to be controlled based on an operation of the player.

Abstract: A game apparatus displays on a screen an image of a virtual space as viewed from a predetermined viewing direction. The game apparatus displays a viewing direction map in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, such that the viewing direction is set to a predetermined direction on the screen. Furthermore, the game apparatus displays a fixed direction map in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, such that a direction preset in the virtual space is set to a predetermined direction on the screen. Note that when map images are displayed, the fixed direction map is preferably displayed after the viewing direction map.

Abstract: Action information for controlling a series of at least one action performed by a first object is stored. Then the at least one action of the first object is controlled in accordance with the action information. At this time, an action of a second object is controlled in accordance with an operation signal from a predetermined input device operated by a player. Furthermore, while the action of the second object is being controlled, the information about the at least one action of the first object is displayed on a screen.

Abstract: Angular velocity data for specifying the position and the orientation of the first controller is inputted to a game apparatus. Based on the angular velocity data, the swing direction of the first controller is determined, and whether or not a sword object that acts in a virtual game space will collide with an enemy object is determined. If it has been determined that the sword object will collide with the enemy object, whether or not to perform hitting processing for the enemy object is determined based on the swing direction of the first controller.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus writes a virtual space image obtained by imaging a virtual space in which objects are arranged from a virtual camera to an output area. When a pointer image representing a positional relationship between a referential position and an arrangement position of the object is depicted on the virtual space image stored in the output area, the pointer image to be depicted is changed in correspondence with conditions, such as the height of the virtual camera and the attribute of the object.

Abstract: An example of a game apparatus as an image processing apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU controls a movement, etc. of a player object according to an instruction from a player. In a case that a predetermined condition is satisfied, a two-dimensional surface is displayed within a virtual three-dimensional space. When the player moves a first controller, a two-dimensional image is depicted on the two-dimensional surface in response thereto. Then, it is determined whether or not the depicted two-dimensional image is a predetermined image. If it is determined that the two-dimensional image is the predetermined image, a three-dimensional object corresponding to the predetermined image appears, and the two-dimensional surface and the two-dimensional image depicted thereon are erased.

Abstract: An input device includes a movement and orientation sensor for detecting one of a movement or an orientation of the input device itself. Firstly, information about one of the movement or the orientation of the input device having been detected by this movement and orientation sensor is obtained. Next, a difference between the orientation of the input device having been obtained, and a predetermined reference orientation is calculated. A predetermined sound is produced based on the difference in orientation, thereby executing music performance.

Abstract: Operation data including at least acceleration data and angular speed data is obtained from an input device including at least an acceleration sensor and a gyroscopic sensor. Next, at least one of an attitude and a position of a predetermined object in a virtual space is controlled based on the angular speed data. When at least one of the attitude and the position of the predetermined object is controlled based on the angular speed data, it is determined whether or not the acceleration data satisfies predetermined conditions. As a result, if the acceleration data satisfies the predetermined conditions, the predetermined object is caused to start a predetermined motion.

Abstract: Respective orientations (a pitch angle, a roll angle, and a yaw angle) of the input device are detected based on angular velocity data outputted from a gyro sensor unit of an input device. Then, it is determined whether the pitch angle is within a first range or within a second range. When it has been determined that the pitch angle is within the first range, a posture of an object is updated based on the roll angle. When it has been determined that the pitch angle is within the second range, the posture of the object is updated based on the yaw angle. Accordingly, operability can be improved in a game executed in accordance with an orientation of the input device.

Abstract: A game apparatus displays on a screen an image of a virtual space as viewed from a predetermined viewing direction. The game apparatus displays a viewing direction map in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, such that the viewing direction is set to a predetermined direction on the screen. Furthermore, the game apparatus displays a fixed direction map in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied, such that a direction preset in the virtual space is set to a predetermined direction on the screen. Note that when map images are displayed, the fixed direction map is preferably displayed after the viewing direction map.