JP7638105B2 - GAME PROGRAM, GAME DEVICE, AND GAME CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a game program, a game device, and a game control method, and in particular to a game program, a game device, and a game control method for instructing the movement of a moving object, for example.

An example of background technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the golf game disclosed in Patent Document 1, a game image is displayed showing a screen showing a shot made by a player object controlled by the player, as viewed from behind, and the player is prompted to select a golf club and perform a hitting operation to have the player character hit the golf ball.

Patent No. 4213011

In the golf game described in Patent Document 1, when performing a hitting operation in the above game image, a power gauge is used to perform a shot start operation, a power determination operation, and an impact position operation. However, if the appropriate timing for the power determination operation and the impact position operation is memorized, it is possible to move the ball with the maximum flight distance and on the desired trajectory, for example, so there is a risk that memorizing the timing will reduce interest. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the interface.

Therefore, the main object of this invention is to provide a novel game program, game device, and game control method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game program, a game device, and a game control method that can prevent loss of interest in the game as much as possible.

The first invention is a game program for making a computer execute a virtual golf game, which causes a processor of the computer to execute a direction determination step for determining a starting direction of a ball object based on the progress of the golf game or a user operation, a power index advancement step for advancing a power index from one end of a gauge that is displayed and has a width extending from one side to the other or along the gauge, a power index stop step for stopping the advancement of the power index based on a user operation, a position determination step for randomly determining a position of a blurring indicator displayed corresponding to the width direction of the gauge at the stop position of the power index stopped in the power index stop step, and a movement execution step for executing a movement process for moving the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power index is to the other end side of the gauge, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes, and the gauge includes a risk area in which the length in the width direction or the rate in the width direction becomes larger the closer it is to the other end side, and the movement execution step changes the starting direction of the movement of the ball object or the movement direction after the start of the movement when the position of the blurring indicator determined in the position determination step is within the risk area, compared to when it is outside the risk area.

According to the first invention, as the moving distance of the ball object becomes longer, the possibility of changing the starting direction of the ball object's movement or the direction of movement after it has started to move increases, so that a strategy of prioritizing the moving distance or the directionality arises. Therefore, in a hitting operation using a power gauge, as in a conventional golf game, it is possible to prevent as much as possible a loss of interest in the golf game due to having to remember the operation timing.

The second invention is based on the first invention, and the line at the other end of the gauge is tilted relative to the line at one end, and the power indicator is tilted in the same direction as the line at the other end as it approaches the other end, and the movement execution step changes the movement distance of the ball object depending on the position of the blur indicator within the width of the gauge determined in the position determination step.

According to the second invention, the moving distance of the ball object can be changed in response to the determination of the blur index.

The third invention is dependent on the first or second invention, and the size of the risk area relative to the overall size of the gauge varies depending on the state of the point where the ball object is located.

According to the third invention, the degree of difficulty of hitting the ball can be expressed by changing the size of the risk area relative to the overall size of the gauge depending on the lie of the ball.

The fourth invention is dependent on any one of the first to third inventions, and the risk area is set outside the basic area of the gauge, which has a certain width.

According to the fourth invention, a risk area is provided outside the basic area, so that the user can intuitively recognize that the longer the movement distance, the more shaking there will be or the greater the shaking will be.

The fifth invention is dependent on the fourth invention, and further causes the processor to execute a color control step in which the color of the basic area is changed as the power index progresses, and the color of the risk area is not changed.

According to the fifth invention, it is possible to improve the distinguishability or visibility of the basic area and the risk area.

The sixth invention is dependent on the fourth or fifth invention, and further causes the processor to execute a target image display step of displaying a target image corresponding to at least one of the green object, pin object, bunker object, hazard object, and rough object that are within the movable range of the ball object, in a position within the basic area of the gauge according to the distance from the ball object.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, an image corresponding to a predetermined display target is displayed in a position within the gauge that corresponds to the distance from the ball object, which can be used as a guide when determining the striking force. In other words, a user-friendly interface can be provided.

The seventh invention is dependent on any one of the first to sixth inventions, and further causes the processor to execute a lottery display step of displaying the state in which the position of the blurring indicator is randomly determined, between the time when the progress of the power indicator is stopped in the power indicator stopping step and the time when the movement process is started in the movement execution step.

According to the seventh invention, the state in which the position of the blurring indicator is randomly determined is displayed, so that the user can be interested in the game even during the period from when the progress of the power indicator is stopped to when the ball object starts moving.

The eighth invention is dependent on any one of the first to seventh inventions, and the gauge bends in accordance with the movement start direction determined in the direction determination step and the inclination of the point where the ball object is located with respect to the movement start direction. In other words, the gauge bends in the direction in which the ball object is expected to bend.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the gauge bends in the direction in which the ball object is expected to curve, allowing the player to intuitively know the trajectory of the ball object as it moves.

The ninth invention is dependent on any one of the first to eighth inventions, and further causes the processor to execute a trajectory prediction image display step of displaying a trajectory prediction image predictably showing a predicted trajectory, which is a trajectory of the ball object when it moves in the movement start direction determined in the direction determination step, and the trajectory prediction image is a strip-shaped image that extends linearly in the movement start direction or extends along the predicted trajectory, and the degree of curvature of the ball object's predicted trajectory is expressed by the shape or inclination of the strip-shaped image or components of the strip-shaped image.

The ninth invention expresses the degree of curvature of the ball object using a strip-shaped predicted trajectory image, allowing the user to intuitively know the trajectory of the ball object as it moves.

The tenth invention is dependent on the ninth invention, and the components are images of multiple quadrilaterals, and the degree of curvature is expressed by changing the shapes of the multiple quadrilaterals.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the shape of the components of the trajectory prediction image allows the user to intuitively know the trajectory of the ball object when it moves.

The eleventh invention is dependent on the tenth invention, and each of the multiple quadrangles is displayed moving in the movement start direction determined in the direction determination step.

In the eleventh invention, as in the tenth invention, the trajectory of the ball object as it moves can be intuitively known.

The twelfth invention is dependent on any one of the first to eleventh inventions, and further causes the processor to execute a three-dimensional display step of expressing the gauge with a three-dimensional depth.

The thirteenth invention is dependent on the twelfth invention, and when the movement start direction is determined in the direction determination step, the processor further executes a height information display step of displaying height information of an obstacle object that is an obstacle to the movement of the ball object along a gauge in the forward direction in which the ball object moves.

According to the thirteenth invention, height information is displayed along the gauge, so the movement start direction can be strategically changed based on the height information.

The fourteenth invention is dependent on the twelfth or thirteenth invention, and further causes the processor to execute a two-dimensional display step of expressing the gauge in a two-dimensional display, and a switching step of switching between the execution of the two-dimensional display step and the three-dimensional display step based on a user operation.

According to the fourteenth invention, the gauge can be switched between a two-dimensional display and a three-dimensional display according to the user's preference.

The fifteenth invention is a game program for making a computer execute a virtual golf game, which causes a processor of the computer to execute a direction determination step for determining a starting direction of a ball object based on the progress of the golf game or a user operation, a power index advancement step for advancing a power index displayed at an initial position, which is an arbitrary position, in a predetermined direction to a predetermined movable length, a power index stop step for stopping the advancement of the power index based on a user operation, a position determination step for randomly determining a position of a blurring indicator displayed corresponding to the width direction of a gauge determined based on the stop position and the initial position at the stop position of the power index stopped in the power index stop step, and a movement execution step for executing a movement process for moving the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power index is to the movable length, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes, and the gauge includes a risk area in which the length in the width direction or the rate in the width direction becomes larger the closer it is to the movable length, and the movement execution step changes the starting direction of the movement of the ball object or the movement direction after the start of movement when the position of the blurring indicator determined in the position determination step is within the risk area, compared to when it is outside the risk area.

The sixteenth invention is a game device that executes a virtual golf game, in which a processor of the game device determines the start direction of a ball object based on the progress of the golf game or a user operation, advances a power indicator from one end of a displayed gauge that extends from one side to the other and has a width, or along the gauge, stops the advancement of the power indicator based on a user operation, randomly determines the position of a blur indicator that is displayed corresponding to the width direction of the gauge at the stopping position of the stopped power indicator, and executes a movement process that moves the ball object so that the moving distance of the ball object becomes longer as the stopping position of the power indicator becomes closer to the other end side of the gauge, the gauge includes a risk area in which the length in the width direction or the rate in the width direction becomes larger as the gauge becomes closer to the other end side, and when the determined position of the blur indicator is within the risk area, the start direction of the ball object or the moving direction after the start of the movement is changed compared to when it is outside the risk area.

The seventeenth invention is a game device that executes a virtual golf game, and causes a processor of the game device to determine a starting direction of a ball object based on the progress of the golf game or a user operation, to advance a power index displayed at an initial position, which is an arbitrary position, in a predetermined direction to a predetermined movable length, to stop the advancement of the power index based on a user operation, to randomly determine a position of a blurring indicator displayed corresponding to the width direction of a gauge determined based on the stop position and the initial position at the stop position of the stopped power index, and to execute a movement process to move the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power index is to the movable length, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes, and the gauge includes a risk area in which the length in the width direction or the rate in the width direction becomes larger the closer it is to the movable length, and when the determined position of the blurring indicator is within the risk area, the start direction of the movement of the ball object or the movement direction after the start of the movement is changed compared to when it is outside the risk area.

The eighteenth invention is a game control method for a game device that executes a virtual golf game, the game control method including: (a) a step of determining a movement start direction of a ball object based on the progress of the golf game or a user operation; (b) a step of advancing a power index from one end of a gauge that is displayed and has a width extending from one side to the other or along the gauge from one end of the gauge to the other end; (c) a step of stopping the progress of the power index based on a user operation; (d) a step of randomly determining a position of a blurring indicator that is displayed corresponding to the width direction of the gauge at the stop position of the power index stopped in step (c); and (e) a step of executing a movement process for moving the ball object such that the movement distance of the ball object becomes longer as the stop position of the power index becomes closer to the other end side of the gauge, the gauge includes a risk area in which the length in the width direction or the rate in the width direction becomes larger as the stop position becomes closer to the other end side, and step (e) is a game control method that changes the movement start direction or the movement direction after the start of the movement of the ball object when the position of the blurring indicator determined in step (d) is within the risk area, compared to when it is outside the risk area.

The nineteenth invention is a game control method for a game device that executes a virtual golf game, comprising the steps of: (a) determining a starting direction of a ball object based on the progress of the golf game or a user operation; (b) advancing a power index displayed at an initial position, which is an arbitrary position, in a predetermined direction to a predetermined movable length; (c) stopping the progress of the power index based on a user operation; (d) randomly determining a position of a blurring indicator displayed corresponding to the width direction of a gauge determined based on the stop position and the initial position of the power index stopped in step (c); and (e) executing a movement process to move the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power index is to the movable length, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes; the gauge includes a risk area in which the length in the width direction or the rate in the width direction becomes larger the closer it is to the movable length; and step (e) changes the starting direction of the movement of the ball object or the movement direction after the start of the movement when the position of the blurring indicator determined in step (d) is within the risk area, compared to when it is outside the risk area.

In the fifteenth to nineteenth inventions, as in the first invention, it is possible to prevent a decline in interest in golf games as much as possible.

This invention makes it possible to prevent loss of interest in golf games as much as possible.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a left controller and a right controller attached to a main unit device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting example of the state in which the left controller and the right controller are removed from the main unit. FIG. 3 is a six-view diagram showing a non-limiting example of the main unit shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a six-view diagram showing a non-limiting example of the left controller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a six-sided view showing a non-limiting example of the right controller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internal configuration of the main unit shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a non-limiting example of the internal configuration of the main unit, left controller, and right controller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first non-limiting example of a parameter determination screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 11A is a diagram showing one non-limiting example of a moving gauge, and FIG. 11B is a diagram showing another non-limiting example of a moving gauge. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a fourth non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fifth non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a sixth non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a seventh non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an eighth non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a ninth non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 18A is a diagram for explaining one example in which the range in which the blur is determined is not limited, and FIG. 18B is a diagram for explaining another example in which the range in which the blur is determined is not limited. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a non-limiting tenth example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 20A is a table showing a non-limiting example of a directional input for each frame, and FIG. 20B is a table showing a non-limiting example of a directional input averaged for each operation section. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a correspondence table between travel time and horizontal distance on a reference trajectory. FIG. 22 illustrates one non-limiting example of a method for determining directional inputs that affect the trajectory of a ball at a given time. FIG. 23(A) is a diagram for explaining a non-limiting example of a method for rotating the ball's velocity vector in a rightward direction, and FIG. 23(B) is a diagram for explaining a non-limiting example of a method for rotating the ball's velocity vector in an upward direction. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an eleventh non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a non-limiting twelfth example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a non-limiting thirteenth example of the parameter determination screen. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a memory map of the DRAM of the main unit shown in FIG. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the data storage area shown in FIG. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the specific content of the character data shown in FIG. FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing a non-limiting example of the overall game processing of the processor of the main unit shown in FIG. FIG. 31 is a flow diagram showing a portion of a non-limiting example of the game control process shown in FIG. FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing another part of a non-limiting example of the game control process shown in FIG. 30, which follows FIG. FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing a part of a non-limiting example of the first parameter determination process shown in FIG. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing another non-limiting example of the first parameter determination process shown in FIG. 31, and follows FIG. 33. FIG. 35 is a flow diagram showing a part of a non-limiting example of the second parameter determination process shown in FIG. FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing another non-limiting example of the second parameter determination process shown in FIG. 31, and follows FIG. 35. FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing another part of a non-limiting example of the second parameter determination process shown in FIG. 31, which follows FIG. FIG. 38 is a flow diagram showing a portion of a non-limiting example of the ball movement process shown in FIG. FIG. 39 is a flow chart showing another part of a non-limiting example of the ball movement processing shown in FIG. 31, which follows FIG. FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing a part of another non-limiting example of the ball movement processing shown in FIG. 31, which follows FIG. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a parameter determination screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a first non-limiting example of a distance-altitude measurement screen. FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a second non-limiting example of a distance/altitude measurement screen. FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a third non-limiting example of a distance/altitude measurement screen. FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a fourth non-limiting example of the distance-altitude measurement screen. FIG. 46 shows a non-limiting example of an relief display screen. FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a parameter determination screen in the third embodiment. FIG. 48 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of a moving screen. FIG. 49 is a diagram showing another example of a non-limiting moving screen.

[First embodiment]
A non-limiting example of a game system according to the first embodiment will be described below. An example of the game system 1 in the first embodiment includes a main unit (information processing device; in the first embodiment, it functions as a game device main unit) 2, a left controller 3, and a right controller 4. The main unit 2 is detachable from the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. In other words, the game system 1 can be used as an integrated device by attaching the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 to the main unit 2. The game system 1 can also be used as a separate device from the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4 (see FIG. 2). The hardware configuration of the game system 1 in the first embodiment will be described below, and then the control of the game system 1 in the first embodiment will be described.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a left controller 3 and a right controller 4 are attached to a main unit 2. As shown in Figure 1, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are each attached to the main unit 2 and integrated together. The main unit 2 is a device that executes various processes (e.g., game processes) in the game system 1. The main unit 2 includes a display 12. The left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are devices that include an operation unit that allows the user to perform input.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the state in which the left controller 3 and right controller 4 have been removed from the main unit 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the left controller 3 and right controller 4 are detachable from the main unit 2. In the following, the left controller 3 and right controller 4 may be collectively referred to as "controller."

Figure 3 is a six-sided view showing an example of the main unit 2. As shown in Figure 3, the main unit 2 has a generally plate-shaped housing 11. In this first embodiment, the main surface of the housing 11 (in other words, the front surface, i.e., the surface on which the display 12 is provided) is generally rectangular in shape.

The shape and size of the housing 11 are arbitrary. As an example, the housing 11 may be of a size that is portable. Furthermore, the main unit 2 alone or an integrated device in which the left controller 3 and right controller 4 are attached to the main unit 2 may be a portable device. Furthermore, the main unit 2 or the integrated device may be a handheld device. Furthermore, the main unit 2 or the integrated device may be a portable device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a display 12 provided on the main surface of the housing 11. The display 12 displays images generated by the main unit 2. In this first embodiment, the display 12 is a liquid crystal display (LCD). However, the display 12 may be any type of display device.

The main unit 2 also has a touch panel 13 on the screen of the display 12. In this first embodiment, the touch panel 13 is of a type that allows multi-touch input (e.g., a capacitive type). However, the touch panel 13 may be of any type, and may be of a type that allows single-touch input (e.g., a resistive film type).

The main unit 2 is provided with a speaker (i.e., speaker 88 shown in FIG. 6) inside the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, speaker holes 11a and 11b are formed on the main surface of the housing 11. The output sound of the speaker 88 is output from these speaker holes 11a and 11b, respectively.

The main unit 2 also includes a left side terminal 17, which is a terminal for the main unit 2 to communicate with the left controller 3 via a wired connection, and a right side terminal 21, which is a terminal for the main unit 2 to communicate with the right controller 4 via a wired connection.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a slot 23. The slot 23 is provided on the upper side of the housing 11. The slot 23 has a shape that allows a predetermined type of storage medium to be attached thereto. The predetermined type of storage medium is, for example, a storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) dedicated to the game system 1 and the same type of information processing device. The predetermined type of storage medium is used, for example, to store data used by the main unit 2 (e.g., application save data, etc.) and/or programs executed by the main unit 2 (e.g., application programs, etc.). The main unit 2 also includes a power button 28.

The main unit 2 has a lower terminal 27. The lower terminal 27 is a terminal through which the main unit 2 communicates with the cradle. In this first embodiment, the lower terminal 27 is a USB connector (more specifically, a female connector). When the all-in-one device or the main unit 2 alone is placed on the cradle, the game system 1 can display images generated and output by the main unit 2 on a stationary monitor. In addition, in this first embodiment, the cradle has a function of charging the all-in-one device or the main unit 2 alone that is placed on it. The cradle also has a function of a hub device (more specifically, a USB hub).

Figure 4 is a six-sided view showing an example of the left controller 3. As shown in Figure 4, the left controller 3 includes a housing 31. In this first embodiment, the housing 31 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the up-down direction (i.e., the y-axis direction shown in Figures 1 and 4). The left controller 3 can also be held in a vertically long orientation when removed from the main unit 2. The housing 31 has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand, particularly the left hand, when held in a vertically long orientation. The left controller 3 can also be held in a horizontally long orientation. When the left controller 3 is held in a horizontally long orientation, it may be held with both hands.

The left controller 3 is equipped with an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the analog stick 32 is provided on the main surface of the housing 31. The analog stick 32 can be used as a direction input unit capable of inputting a direction. By tilting the analog stick 32, the user can input a direction according to the tilt direction (and input a magnitude according to the tilt angle). Note that instead of an analog stick, the left controller 3 may be equipped with a cross key or a slide stick capable of slide input as the direction input unit. Also, in this first embodiment, input is possible by pressing the analog stick 32.

The left controller 3 is equipped with various operation buttons. The left controller 3 is equipped with four operation buttons 33 to 36 (specifically, a right button 33, a down button 34, an up button 35, and a left button 36) on the main surface of the housing 31. Furthermore, the left controller 3 is equipped with a record button 37 and a - (minus) button 47. The left controller 3 is equipped with an L button 38 and a ZL button 39 on the upper left of the side of the housing 31. The left controller 3 is also equipped with an SL button 43 and an SR button 44 on the side of the housing 31 that is attached when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2. These operation buttons are used to give instructions according to various programs (for example, OS programs and application programs) executed on the main unit 2.

The left controller 3 also includes a terminal 42 that enables the left controller 3 to communicate with the main unit 2 via a wired connection.

Figure 5 is a six-sided view showing an example of the right controller 4. As shown in Figure 5, the right controller 4 has a housing 51. In this first embodiment, the housing 51 has a vertically long shape, that is, a shape that is long in the up-down direction. The right controller 4 can also be held in a vertically long orientation when removed from the main unit 2. When held in a vertically long orientation, the housing 51 has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand, particularly the right hand. The right controller 4 can also be held in a horizontally long orientation. When the right controller 4 is held in a horizontally long orientation, it may be held with both hands.

The right controller 4, like the left controller 3, has an analog stick 52 as a direction input section. In this first embodiment, the analog stick 52 has the same configuration as the analog stick 32 of the left controller 3. The right controller 4 may also have a cross key or a slide stick capable of slide input, instead of an analog stick. The right controller 4, like the left controller 3, has four operation buttons 53 to 56 (specifically, an A button 53, a B button 54, an X button 55, and a Y button 56) on the main surface of the housing 51. The right controller 4 further has a + (plus) button 57 and a home button 58. The right controller 4 also has an R button 60 and a ZR button 61 on the top right of the side of the housing 51. The right controller 4 also has an SL button 65 and a SR button 66, like the left controller 3.

The right controller 4 also includes a terminal 64 for wired communication between the right controller 4 and the main unit 2.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 2. In addition to the configuration shown in Figure 3, the main unit 2 includes components 81-91, 97, and 98 shown in Figure 6. Some of these components 81-91, 97, and 98 may be mounted on an electronic circuit board as electronic components and stored in the housing 11.

The main unit 2 includes a processor 81. The processor 81 is an information processing unit that executes various information processing executed in the main unit 2, and may be composed of only a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example, 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 81 executes various information processing by executing an information processing program (for example, a game program) stored in a storage unit (specifically, an internal storage medium such as a flash memory 84, or an external storage medium inserted in the slot 23, etc.).

The main unit 2 includes a flash memory 84 and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) 85 as examples of internal storage media built into the main unit 2. The flash memory 84 and the DRAM 85 are connected to the processor 81. The flash memory 84 is a memory used primarily to store various data (which may be programs) saved in the main unit 2. The DRAM 85 is a memory used to temporarily store various data used in information processing.

The main unit 2 includes a slot interface (hereinafter abbreviated as "I/F") 91. The slot I/F 91 is connected to the processor 81. The slot I/F 91 is connected to the slot 23, and reads and writes data from a specific type of storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) inserted in the slot 23 in response to instructions from the processor 81.

The processor 81 reads and writes data from and to the flash memory 84, DRAM 85, and each of the above storage media as appropriate to perform the above information processing.

The main unit 2 includes a network communication unit 82. The network communication unit 82 is connected to the processor 81. The network communication unit 82 communicates with an external device via a network (specifically, wireless communication). In this first embodiment, the network communication unit 82 connects to a wireless LAN and communicates with an external device using a method conforming to the Wi-Fi standard as a first communication mode. The network communication unit 82 also performs wireless communication with other main units 2 of the same type using a predetermined communication method (e.g., communication using a unique protocol or infrared communication) as a second communication mode. Note that the wireless communication using the second communication mode enables wireless communication with other main units 2 located within a closed local network area, and realizes a function that enables so-called "local communication" in which data is transmitted and received by directly communicating between multiple main units 2.

The main unit 2 includes a controller communication unit 83. The controller communication unit 83 is connected to the processor 81. The controller communication unit 83 performs wireless communication with the left controller 3 and/or right controller 4. Any communication method may be used between the main unit 2 and the left controller 3 and right controller 4, but in this first embodiment, the controller communication unit 83 performs communication with the left controller 3 and right controller 4 according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

The processor 81 is connected to the left terminal 17, the right terminal 21, and the lower terminal 27. When the processor 81 performs wired communication with the left controller 3, it transmits data to the left controller 3 via the left terminal 17 and receives (or acquires) operation data from the left controller 3 via the left terminal 17. When the processor 81 performs wired communication with the right controller 4, it transmits data to the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21 and receives (or acquires) operation data from the right controller 4 via the right terminal 21. When the processor 81 performs communication with the cradle, it transmits data to the cradle via the lower terminal 27. In this way, in this first embodiment, the main unit 2 can perform both wired communication and wireless communication with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. When the integrated device with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 attached to the main unit 2 or the main unit 2 alone is attached to the cradle, the main unit 2 can output data (for example, display image data and audio data) to a stationary monitor or the like via the cradle.

Here, the main unit 2 can communicate with multiple left controllers 3 simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). The main unit 2 can also communicate with multiple right controllers 4 simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). Therefore, multiple users can simultaneously input to the main unit 2 using each set of left controllers 3 and right controllers 4. As an example, a first user can input to the main unit 2 using a first set of left controllers 3 and right controllers 4, while a second user can input to the main unit 2 using a second set of left controllers 3 and right controllers 4.

The main unit 2 includes a touch panel controller 86, which is a circuit that controls the touch panel 13. The touch panel controller 86 is connected between the touch panel 13 and the processor 81. Based on a signal from the touch panel 13, the touch panel controller 86 generates data indicating, for example, the position where a touch input was performed, and outputs the data to the processor 81.

The display 12 is also connected to the processor 81. The processor 81 displays images generated (e.g., by executing the above-mentioned information processing) and/or images acquired from the outside on the display 12.

The main unit 2 includes a codec circuit 87 and speakers (specifically, a left speaker and a right speaker) 88. The codec circuit 87 is connected to the speaker 88 and the audio input/output terminal 25, and is also connected to the processor 81. The codec circuit 87 is a circuit that controls the input and output of audio data to the speaker 88 and the audio input/output terminal 25.

The main unit 2 includes a power control unit 97 and a battery 98. The power control unit 97 is connected to the battery 98 and the processor 81. Although not shown, the power control unit 97 is also connected to each part of the main unit 2 (specifically, each part that receives power from the battery 98, the left terminal 17, and the right terminal 21). The power control unit 97 controls the power supply from the battery 98 to each of the above-mentioned parts based on instructions from the processor 81.

The battery 98 is also connected to the lower terminal 27. When an external charging device (e.g., a cradle) is connected to the lower terminal 27 and power is supplied to the main unit 2 via the lower terminal 27, the supplied power is charged into the battery 98.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4. Note that details of the internal configuration of the main unit 2 are omitted in Figure 7 because they are shown in Figure 6.

The left controller 3 is equipped with a communication control unit 101 that communicates with the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication control unit 101 is connected to each component including the terminal 42. In this first embodiment, the communication control unit 101 can communicate with the main unit 2 both by wired communication via the terminal 42 and by wireless communication not via the terminal 42. The communication control unit 101 controls the communication method that the left controller 3 uses with the main unit 2. That is, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 communicates with the main unit 2 via the terminal 42. Also, when the left controller 3 is removed from the main unit 2, the communication control unit 101 performs wireless communication with the main unit 2 (specifically, the controller communication unit 83). The wireless communication between the controller communication unit 83 and the communication control unit 101 is performed according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, for example.

The left controller 3 also includes a memory 102, such as a flash memory. The communication control unit 101 is configured, for example, by a microcomputer (also called a microprocessor), and executes firmware stored in the memory 102 to perform various processes.

The left controller 3 is equipped with buttons 103 (specifically, buttons 33 to 39, 43, 44, and 47). The left controller 3 also has an analog stick (written as "stick" in FIG. 7) 32. Each button 103 and analog stick 32 repeatedly outputs information relating to operations performed on them to the communication control unit 101 at appropriate timing.

The communication control unit 101 acquires information related to the input (specifically, information related to the operation, or the detection results by the sensors) from each input unit (specifically, each button 103, analog stick 32, each sensor 104 and 105). The communication control unit 101 transmits operation data including the acquired information (or information obtained by performing a specified process on the acquired information) to the main unit 2. Note that the operation data is repeatedly transmitted once every specified time. Note that the interval at which the information related to the input is transmitted to the main unit 2 may or may not be the same for each input unit.

By transmitting the above operation data to the main unit 2, the main unit 2 can obtain the input made to the left controller 3. In other words, the main unit 2 can determine the operation of each button 103 and analog stick 32 based on the operation data.

The left controller 3 is equipped with a power supply unit 108. In this first embodiment, the power supply unit 108 has a battery and a power control circuit. Although not shown, the power control circuit is connected to the battery and to each part of the left controller 3 (specifically, each part that receives power from the battery).

As shown in FIG. 7, the right controller 4 includes a communication control unit 111 that communicates with the main unit 2. The right controller 4 also includes a memory 112 that is connected to the communication control unit 111. The communication control unit 111 is connected to each component including the terminal 64. The communication control unit 111 and the memory 112 have the same functions as the communication control unit 101 and the memory 102 of the left controller 3. Therefore, the communication control unit 111 can communicate with the main unit 2 both by wired communication via the terminal 64 and by wireless communication (specifically, communication according to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard) that does not go through the terminal 64, and controls the method of communication that the right controller 4 uses with the main unit 2.

The right controller 4 has input sections similar to those of the left controller 3. Specifically, it has buttons 113 and an analog stick 52. Each of these input sections has the same function as the input sections of the left controller 3, and operates in the same way.

The right controller 4 is equipped with a power supply unit 118. The power supply unit 118 has the same functions as the power supply unit 108 of the left controller 3 and operates in the same manner.

Next, referring to Figures 8-26, an overview of the game processing of the virtual golf game executed in the game system 1 of this first embodiment will be described. Although a detailed description will be omitted, in the virtual golf game, a user or player (hereinafter simply referred to as "player") can play strokes alone or with other players (human or computer players). However, other golf games such as match play can also be played. Below, a case will be described in which a player plays a golf game using a player character, and since other players are similar to the player, overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

In this first embodiment, when a golf game application is executed, the type of golf game to be played (e.g., stroke play or match play), the golf course to be played on, and the character to be used by the player are selected from among a plurality of characters. Once these selections have been completed, the golf game begins according to the player's operation or automatically.

A detailed explanation will be omitted, but in this first embodiment, each of the multiple characters has a different appearance from the other characters, and each is assigned a maximum distance for each club.

The main unit 2 also functions as an image processing device, generating and outputting (or displaying) display image data corresponding to various screens such as game images. The processor 81 places various objects and characters in a three-dimensional virtual space to generate a certain scene or scene. An image of this scene or scene captured by a virtual camera (i.e., as seen from a viewpoint) is displayed on the display 12 as a game image.

In this specification, the hole on the green into which the golf ball is placed is called the "cup," and the playing area or region on the golf course from the teeing area to the green (i.e., the area in which the character can move) is called the "hole." In this specification, "in the cup" means that the golf ball goes into the cup.

When a golf game is started, a game image including a teeing area for the first hole of a selected golf course and an image of a portion of the hole that can be seen from the teeing area (background image) is displayed on the display 12. For example, the first hole of the golf course is generated in a game space or game field, and the position and orientation of a virtual camera are set so that the player character faces the direction in which he will hit the ball from a predetermined position behind the teeing area. As a non-limiting example of a game image, a parameter determination screen 300 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on a display device (e.g., display 12).

As shown in FIG. 8, the parameter determination screen 300 displays a player character 302, who is holding a virtual golf club (hereinafter simply referred to as "club") 304. As can be seen from FIG. 8, the player character 302 is displayed in an address position, and a teed-up virtual golf ball (hereinafter simply referred to as "ball") 306 is placed in a predetermined position. As described above, the parameter determination screen 300 displays a background image 308. In the example shown in FIG. 8, virtual objects such as a teeing area, left and right tee markers, a fairway, trees, sky, and clouds are displayed as the background image 308.

8, a virtual pin 310 is displayed at approximately the center of the parameter determination screen 300. Furthermore, a trajectory prediction image 312 is displayed from the position of the ball 306 toward the virtual pin 310. This trajectory prediction image 312 is an image that predictably shows the trajectory of the ball 306 when the ball 306 is hit in a predetermined launch direction, and in this first embodiment, it is a band-shaped image that visualizes a part of the reference trajectory. In this first embodiment, the part of the reference trajectory from the current position of the ball 306 to the highest point is displayed as the trajectory prediction image 312. However, the reference trajectory for displaying the trajectory prediction image 312 is an ideal parabola when the ball 306 is hit in a predetermined launch direction, and in this first embodiment, it is a parabola when the ball 306 is hit with 100% hitting force using the club 304 to be used (see FIG. 22). The ideal parabola means a parabola when there are no influences other than gravity in the virtual space.

As shown in FIG. 8, the trajectory prediction image 312 includes a plurality of quadrilateral images 312a, which are its constituent elements. The plurality of quadrilateral images 312a are displayed in animation as if moving in the direction in which the ball 306 is launched. For example, each of the plurality of quadrilateral images 312a moves from the current position of the ball 306 toward the highest point position, and when it reaches the highest point position, it resumes moving from the current position of the ball 306 and continues moving until the player starts a second parameter determination operation, which will be described later.

In this first embodiment, the trajectory prediction image 312 is an image using a reference trajectory, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the trajectory prediction image 312 may be a strip-shaped image of a predetermined length extending in the direction in which the ball 306 moves linearly forward (hereinafter referred to as the "front direction"). In this case, at least one of the size and position of the trajectory prediction image 312 may be set or corrected based on at least one of the information of the club 304 used and the information of the player character 302. However, the front direction of the ball 306 is the direction in which the ball 306 moves among the directions directly to the side of the player character 302 in the address state. Specifically, for a right-handed player character 302, the front direction of the ball 306 is the left direction, and for a left-handed player character 302, the front direction of the ball 306 is the right direction.

However, when the second parameter determination operation is started, the trajectory prediction image 312 is erased (or hidden) from the parameter determination screen 300. This is just one example, and the trajectory prediction image 312 may be erased at any time before the player character 302 hits the ball 306.

The quadrilateral image 312a indicates the predicted direction of movement of the ball 306. If the ball 306 is predicted to move along a reference trajectory, the image 312a is a vertically long rectangle. If the ball 306 is predicted to curve, the quadrilateral image 312a indicates the direction and magnitude of the curve (hereinafter, these are referred to as "curve information"). The curve information is determined based on the slope of the ground at the current position of the ball 306 and the launch direction. The direction in which the ball 306 curves is the same as in general real golf; if the slope is toe-up, the ball 306 curves to the left, and if the slope is toe-down, the ball 306 curves to the right, and the magnitude of the curve increases in conjunction with the magnitude of the slope.

However, the launch direction of the ball 306 includes the left and right directions and the up and down directions at the start of the movement of the ball 306. The left and right launch directions of the ball 306 are determined in advance by a straight line connecting the current position of the ball 106 and the pin 310 (cup). However, if the current position of the ball 106 is far from the pin 310, the left and right launch directions of the ball 306 are set to a fairway or the like close to the current position of the ball 106. If the current position of the ball 106 is far from the pin 310, not only the case where the straight line distance from the ball 106 to the pin 310 is long, but also the case where the actual distance from the ball 306 to the pin 310 along the shape of the hole is long, such as in a dogleg hole. In addition, the left and right launch directions of the ball 306 can be set (changed) by the player. The up and down launch directions of the ball 306 are determined according to the club 304 used (specifically, the launch angle).

Figure 9 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 when the ball 306 is predicted to curve to the right. In the example shown in Figure 9, the ball 306 is on a slope with the toes pointing down. Therefore, the ball 306 is predicted to curve to the right, and the amount of curve is determined by the angle of the slope with respect to the horizontal plane.

If the ball 306 is expected to curve to the right, the image 312a is made into a parallelogram with the upper left corner protruding upward beyond the upper right corner. In other words, by displaying the image 312a in the shape of a quadrangle with the right side sagging downward on the parameter determination screen 300, it is expressed that the ball 306 will curve to the right. Also, the amount by which the upper left corner protrudes relative to the upper right corner is changed depending on the degree to which the ball 306 will curve.

Although not shown, when the ball 306 is on a toe-up slope, it is expected that the ball 306 will curve to the left, and the image 312a is made into a parallelogram with the top right corner protruding upward beyond the top left corner. In other words, by displaying the image 312a of a quadrilateral with the left side sagging downward on the parameter determination screen 300, it is expressed that the ball 306 will curve to the left. Also, the amount by which the top right corner protrudes relative to the top left corner is determined according to the degree to which the ball 306 will curve.

As described above, in this first embodiment, the multiple images 312a are displayed in animation as they move in the direction in which the ball 306 is launched. For this reason, data for displaying the multiple images 312a in animation, each having a shape corresponding to the direction and magnitude of the curve, is prepared in advance and used as appropriate. However, data for displaying the animation may not be prepared in advance, but may be generated each time it is displayed.

In this first embodiment, the multiple images 312a are displayed in an animated manner so as to move in the direction of movement of the ball 306, but the multiple images 312a may remain stationary because they are displayed in a shape that represents the direction and magnitude of the curve of the ball 306. In other words, the multiple images 312a do not need to move.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the direction and magnitude of the curve of the ball 306 are expressed by the shape of the image 312a constituting the predicted trajectory image 312, but this does not have to be limited to this. In another example, it may be expressed by the tilt at which the image 312a is displayed. In such a case, the image 312a is rotated around a vertical axis that passes through the center of the image 312a in the left-right direction and is parallel to the image 312a by an angle that corresponds to the direction and magnitude of the curve of the ball 306.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the trajectory prediction image 312 is composed of multiple images 312a, and the shape of the images 312a is changed, but the direction and amount of curvature of the ball 306 may be expressed by the shape or tilt of a single trajectory prediction image 312 itself. For example, the trajectory prediction image 312 may be composed of a single vertically long rectangle, and the direction (or tilt) and amount (or tilt) of twisting the trajectory prediction image 312 may be changed according to the direction and amount of curvature of the ball 306.

In addition, when the direction of movement of the ball 306 is expected to be above or below the reference trajectory, the color of the image 312a can be changed to notify the player of this. For example, when the height of the ball 306 in the direction of movement does not change or changes little from the reference trajectory, the image 312a is made translucent white. In addition, when the height of the ball 306 in the direction of movement is expected to be above the reference trajectory, the image 312a is made blue. In addition, when the height of the ball 306 in the direction of movement is expected to be below the reference trajectory, the image 312a is made red. In addition, when the height of the ball 306 in the direction of movement is expected to be above or below the reference trajectory, the intensity of the blue or red (i.e., saturation) may be changed according to the amount of change in height.

However, the movement direction of the ball 306 being above or below the reference trajectory may be represented by a difference in color intensity or shape of the image 312a, rather than a difference in color of the image 312a.

As described above, the direction in which the ball 306 curves is the same as in typical real-life golf, so if the player character 302 is right-handed and the left foot is up, the height of the ball 306 in the direction of movement will be higher than the reference trajectory, and if the left foot is down, the height of the ball 306 in the direction of movement will be lower than the reference trajectory, with the change in height increasing in conjunction with the magnitude of the incline.

In this way, the trajectory prediction image 312 itself is displayed linearly, and the moving direction of the ball 306 is expressed by the shapes of the multiple images 312a that make up the trajectory prediction image 312, so the difficulty of predicting the trajectory of the ball 306 after it has moved is maintained, while the curve information is expressed abstractly by the shapes of the images 312a, ensuring game playability. In other words, the interest in the golf game can be increased.

If the trajectory prediction image 312 itself were to be displayed for a long period of time along the predicted trajectory of the ball 306, interest in predicting the trajectory of the ball 306 after it has moved would diminish, and interest in the golf game would likely decrease.

However, the trajectory prediction image 312 may be displayed based on the predicted trajectory of the ball 306. In this case, the predicted trajectory is displayed for a short period of time (for example, a quarter of the time until the horizontal reach) after the ball 306 is launched. This is because, if the predicted trajectory image 312 is displayed using a predicted trajectory for a long period of time as described above, interest in predicting the trajectory of the ball 306 after it moves decreases. In other words, by displaying the predicted trajectory image 312 using a predicted trajectory for a short period of time, the influence of the magnitude of the curve when the trajectory of the ball 306 curves after it moves is reduced as much as possible. Therefore, even when the predicted trajectory is displayed, the predicted trajectory image 312 can be displayed linearly. However, even in such a case, the shape of the image 312a is changed according to the direction and magnitude of the curve, so that the difficulty of predicting the trajectory of the ball 306 after it moves is maintained, and the game playability is ensured by expressing the curve information abstractly using the shape of the image 312a.

In addition, in the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 9, the movement gauge 320 is deformed according to the curve information of the ball 306. Details of the movement gauge 320 will be described later. As described above, in the case shown in FIG. 9, the ball 306 is expected to curve to the right, so the movement gauge 320 is also curved to the right. The degree to which the movement gauge 320 is curved increases as the ball 306 curves. In other words, the direction and the amount of curve of the movement gauge 320 are also determined based on the inclination of the current position of the ball 306 and the launch direction.

In this way, the movement gauge 320 also bends based on the inclination of the current position of the ball 306 and the launch direction, so the player can intuitively know the direction of movement of the ball 306 from the direction and magnitude of the bend of the movement gauge 320. Therefore, while maintaining the difficulty of predicting the trajectory of the ball 306 after it has moved, game play is ensured by abstractly expressing the bending information through the shape of the movement gauge 320. In other words, the interest in the golf game can be increased.

However, as described above, in the trajectory prediction image 312, the trajectory prediction image 312 itself is displayed linearly, and the moving direction of the ball 306 is represented by the shape of the multiple images 312a that make up the trajectory prediction image 312, so the movement gauge 320 may not be deformed. Also, the movement gauge 320 may be deformed so as not to deform the shape of the multiple images 312a.

8 and 9, a display area 314 is provided in the lower right corner of the parameter determination screen 300 to display the type of club 304 used by the player character 302 for hitting. When the type of club 304 is changed on the parameter determination screen 300, the image of the club 304 held by the player character 302 is changed to the image of the club 304 of the changed type. At this time, the type of club 304 displayed in the display area 314 is also changed. In this first embodiment, the type of club 304 can be changed by pressing the L button 38 or the R button 60. When the L button 38 is pressed, the club 304 is changed to a club 304 that is longer than the current club 304, and when the R button 60 is pressed, the club 304 is changed to a club 304 that is shorter than the current club 304. The flight distance of the ball 306 when the ball 306 is hit with 100% of the hitting force is determined according to the type of club 304. However, the flight distance may be changed according to the type of the player character 302.

Also, above the display area 314, a star-shaped ability gauge 316 is displayed. The ability gauge 316 displays the size (or the accumulated amount) of a parameter (hereinafter referred to as the "ability increase parameter") for determining whether the ability of the club 304 to be used can be increased. When the ability increase parameter is accumulated, the color inside the star-shaped ability gauge 316 changes according to the accumulated amount. When the ability gauge 316 is full, that is, when the ability increase parameter reaches a maximum value (for example, 100), the ability of the club 304 to be used can be increased according to the player's operation. For example, the player presses the Y button 56 to select increasing the ability of the club 304. By pressing the Y button 56 again or the B button 54, the increase in the ability of the club 304 can be canceled. Also, when the player character 302 hits the ball 306 with the ability of the club 304 increased, the ability increase parameter is set to a minimum value (for example, 0).

In this first embodiment, when a predetermined condition is met, an ability increase parameter is accumulated. As an example, the predetermined condition is that the ball 306 is struck with a striking force that is less than 75% of the maximum value (100%). In another embodiment, the predetermined condition may be that a predetermined item is obtained or used, and/or a predetermined quota is achieved. The amount of the ability increase parameter that is accumulated may be a fixed value or a variable value. For example, if the striking force is less than 75%, a predetermined accumulation amount (e.g., 20) is added to the ability increase parameter. However, the accumulation amount may be increased as the striking force decreases from 75%.

The operation (hereinafter referred to as the "first parameter determination operation") for changing the type of club 304 and increasing the ability of club 304, i.e., determining some parameters (hereinafter referred to as the "first parameters") related to the movement of ball 306, is performed before the operation (hereinafter referred to as the "second parameter determination operation") for determining the second parameters (hereinafter referred to as the "second parameters") related to the movement of ball 306 using movement gauge 320. Although detailed explanation is omitted, it is performed before the second parameter determination operation. Although detailed explanation is omitted, before the second parameter determination operation, not only the selection of club 304 and the selection of whether to increase the ability, but also the left and right launch direction of ball 306, i.e., the left and right direction at the start of the movement of ball 306, can be changed according to the operation of the player. This left and right launch direction is also the first parameter related to the movement of ball 306. For example, the left and right launch direction of ball 306 can be changed by tilting analog stick 32 left or right.

Furthermore, to the right of the center of the parameter determination screen 300, to the left of the display area 314 and the ability gauge 316, a movement gauge 320 for determining a second parameter related to the movement of the ball 306 is displayed. In this first embodiment, the second parameter related to the movement of the ball 306 is the striking force of the ball 306, the change in the trajectory of the ball 306, and the deviation of the trajectory of the ball 306.

In this first embodiment, the change in trajectory refers to the direction of change up and down and left and right and the amount of change (or the strength of the change) from the reference trajectory. As described above, the reference trajectory refers to a parabola determined by the type of club 304 used (specifically, the vertical launch angle) and the impact force (specifically, the initial velocity of the ball 306). Also, in this first embodiment, the deviation of the trajectory refers to the direction of deviation of the launch direction of the ball 306 (in this first embodiment, the left and right direction) and the amount of deviation.

The parabola can be calculated according to Equation 1 using general physical calculations of oblique projection. The position of the ball 306 at time t can be calculated according to Equation 2. It is assumed, however, that a predetermined gravitational acceleration g is set in the virtual game space. Furthermore, θ is the vertical launch angle of the ball 306, and v ₀ is the initial velocity of the ball 306. The vertical launch angle θ of the ball 306 is set in advance for each club 304. Furthermore, the initial velocity v ₀ of the ball 306 is set according to the impact force and the maximum flight distance of the club 304 used. Furthermore, t is time (frame). A frame is a unit time for updating the screen, and is, for example, 1/60 seconds.

When calculating the reference trajectory, local coordinates are set. Specifically, the current position of the ball 106 is set as the reference (origin), the axis extending horizontally from the current position of the ball 106 toward the virtual impact point is set as the x-axis, and the axis perpendicular to this x-axis and extending in the height direction of the virtual space is set as the y-axis. Furthermore, a z-axis perpendicular to both the x-axis and y-axis is set. The direction extending horizontally from the current position of the ball 106 toward the virtual impact point is set as the positive direction of the x-axis, the direction toward the top of the virtual space is set as the positive direction of the y-axis, and the direction toward the right when looking in the positive direction of the x-axis is set as the positive direction of the z-axis.

However, when calculating the reference trajectory, it is assumed that the terrain (or the ground) has no slope. Therefore, the reference trajectory is calculated as a parabola from the current position of the ball 306 in the game space to a position at the same height as the current position (i.e., the position in the horizontal reach).

[Equation 1]
Reference trajectory y=tanθ・x−(gx ² )/(2v ₀ ² cos ² θ)
[Equation 2]
In this first embodiment, the reference trajectory is a parabola calculated by general physical calculations, but it may also be determined based on a simulation process that takes into account the effects of air resistance in virtual space and lift caused by ball spin.

Position x=v ₀ cosθ・t y=v ₀ sinθ−(gt ² )/2
Here, the movement gauge 320 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 8, the movement gauge 320 includes a rectangular area (hereinafter referred to as a "basic area") 322 formed in a vertically long bar shape (or band shape), and the basic area 322 is divided into four sections (or regions). In this first embodiment, the four divided sections are called a first operation section 322a, a second operation section 322b, a third operation section 322c, and a fourth operation section 322d, in order from the bottom on the parameter determination screen 300. As an example, the movement gauge 320 is displayed with white lines, and the inside of the basic area 322 is colored black before the second parameter determination operation.

The moving gauge 320 also includes an area (hereinafter referred to as a "risk area") 324 whose size and shape are set variably outside the basic area 322. The risk area 324 is an area for determining the left or right directional deviation of the ball 306 beyond the range of the basic area 322, as will be described in detail later. The size and shape of this risk area 324 are variably determined based on the club 304 used and the state of the lie. To put it simply, as in the case of general real golf, the size of the risk area 324 is increased as the difficulty of the hit increases. In other words, when the club 304 used is the same, the size of the risk area 324 relative to the overall size of the moving gauge 320 differs depending on the state of the lie. As an example, the inside of the risk area 324 is colored red. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the risk area 324 is triangular in shape, and the width from left to right is gradually increased toward the top of the moving gauge 320. Therefore, the longer the travel distance, the greater the likelihood of the shaking becoming greater, and the image of the ball 306's arrival point spreading out allows the user to intuitively recognize that the longer the travel distance, the greater the shaking or the greater the shaking will be.

In this first embodiment, the basic area 322 and the risk area 324 are shown in different colors to make the risk area 324 easier to understand, but they may be shown together without being color-coded. For example, the risk area 324 may be formed by a part of the basic area 322 deforming and expanding in the left and right directions.

In addition, within the basic area 322 of the movement gauge 320, an image (hereinafter referred to as a "target image") 3220 is displayed that corresponds to a predetermined object (hereinafter referred to as a "display target object") such as the green, pin 310, bunker, water hazard, and rough that exists between the current position of the ball 306 and a position within the horizontal reach when the ball 306 moves on the reference trajectory.

However, the target image 3220 is displayed in the basic area 322 at a position corresponding to the straight-line distance from the current position of the ball 306 to the object to be displayed, so that the distance (or positional relationship) to the ball 306 can be seen.

The position corresponding to the straight-line distance means a position that is a length away from the bottom end of the movement gauge 320 that corresponds to the straight-line distance, assuming that the length of the movement gauge 320 corresponds to the horizontal reach of the ball 306 when the ball 306 is hit with 100% striking force using the selected club 304.

Therefore, when the parameter determination screen 300 is displayed (or updated), the presence or absence of a display target object existing between the current position of the ball 306 and a position within the horizontal reach distance is detected, and the straight-line distance to the display target object is detected.

Figure 10 shows an example of a parameter determination screen 300 including a target image 3220. In the parameter determination screen 300 shown in Figure 10, target images 3220 for the green and pin 310 are displayed in the fourth operation section 322d of the basic area 322. However, the target image 3220 for the green is shown as a rectangle with vertical stripes, and the target image 3220 for the pin 310 is displayed superimposed on the green. Although not shown, if a portion of the green is displayed and the pin 310 is not standing on that portion of the green, the target image 3220 for the pin 310 is not displayed. The same applies below.

FIGS. 11(A) and 11(B) show other non-limiting examples of the movement gauge 320. In the example shown in FIG. 11(A), in the fourth operation section 322d of the basic area 322, target images 3220 for the green and the pin 310 are displayed, as well as a target image 3220 for a bunker in front of the green. In FIG. 11(A), the target image 3220 for the bunker is shown as a square with multiple dots randomly added.

In the example shown in FIG. 11(B), target images 3220 for the green and pin 310 are displayed in the fourth operation section 322d of the basic area 322, and a target image 3220 for the rough is displayed in front of the green in the third operation section 322c. In FIG. 11(B), the target image 3220 for the rough is shown as a square with four W's attached.

In this first embodiment, the target image 3220 is erased (or hidden) when the second parameter determination operation is started. However, this is just one example, and the target image 3220 may be erased when the striking force is determined.

As described above, it is assumed that the length of the movement gauge 320 corresponds to the horizontal reach of the ball 306 when the ball 306 is hit with 100% striking force using the selected club 304, and therefore, as described below, the position where the target image 3220 was displayed can be taken into consideration when determining the striking force. In addition, since the horizontal reach changes depending on the type of club 304, the display/non-display of the target image 3220 changes, and the position where the target image 3220 is displayed changes, which can be used as a basis for selection of the club 304 to be used. In other words, it is possible to provide a user-friendly movement gauge 320. The same can be said even if the risk area 324 is not provided in the movement gauge 320.

Furthermore, on the parameter determination screen 300 shown in Figures 8-10, the movement gauge 320 is displayed two-dimensionally (hereinafter referred to as "2D display"), but when a specific button (in this first embodiment, the ZR button 61) is pressed, it is displayed three-dimensionally (hereinafter referred to as "3D display"). However, when the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 3D, pressing a specific button (in this first embodiment, the ZL button 39) returns it to 2D display. The player can select whether the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 2D or 3D.

Figure 12 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 when the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 3D. Figure 13 shows another non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 when the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 3D.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 3D, the movement gauge 320 is displayed at an angle, and the auxiliary frame 350 is displayed with the movement gauge 320 at the center. The auxiliary frame 350 defines a range of several tens of meters to the left and right and several tens of meters to the top and bottom, based on the current position of the ball 306, and is divided into operation sections 322a-322d. However, the position of the auxiliary frame 350 that overlaps with the center of the bottom end of the movement gauge 320 corresponds to the current position of the ball 306. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the lower part of the auxiliary frame 350 is shown as a rectangular parallelepiped divided into operation sections 322a-322d, based on the movement gauge 320. On the other hand, the upper part of the auxiliary frame 350, based on the movement gauge 320, shows only the surface on the top end side of the movement gauge 320 and the right surface perpendicular to this surface. In the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the left and right range indicated by the auxiliary frame 350 is set to be larger than the top and bottom range, but this is just one example and does not need to be limited.

Furthermore, on the right end face constituting the auxiliary frame 350, broken lines (i.e., height information) 352 are displayed that indicate the change in height of ground objects, objects placed on the ground (hereinafter referred to as "ground objects"), and objects placed in the air (hereinafter referred to as "air objects") in the direction in front of the ball 306. However, the broken lines 352 are displayed in the range on a straight line from the current position of the ball 306 to the position of the horizontal reach. In this way, the broken lines 352 are displayed along the movement gauge 320. Furthermore, the ground objects, ground objects, and air objects in the direction in front of the ball 306 are objects (i.e., obstacle objects) that become an obstacle to the movement of the ball 306 when it moves.

In this first embodiment, a virtual line parallel to the line from the current position of the ball 306 to the horizontal reach position is set at a position higher than the objects placed on the ground and in the air in the three-dimensional game space. For example, the virtual line is set to a height of 100 m in the three-dimensional game space. The position where a line object drawn vertically from this virtual line first hits a polygon constituting a ground object, a ground object, or an air object is determined as the height at that point. By performing this at intervals of several centimeters to several tens of centimeters in the virtual space, the change in height from the current position of the ball 306 to the horizontal reach position is detected. However, the line object is a cylindrical or capsule-shaped object with a certain thickness so as not to slip through ground objects or air objects. Furthermore, when detecting the height, the virtual line and line object do not need to be drawn, and only calculation processing is performed.

As described above, the launch direction is changed by the player's operation, so when the launch direction is changed, a process for detecting the height is executed, and on the parameter determination screen 300, the background image 308 as seen by the player character 302 is changed, and the broken line 352 is also changed according to the results of the process for detecting the height. Also, when the ball 306 is on a slope, as described above, the shapes of the multiple images 312a in the trajectory prediction image 312 and the shape of the movement gauge 320 are also changed.

Figure 13 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 when the launch direction is rotated approximately 30 degrees to the left from the state shown in Figure 12. As shown in Figure 13, a tree object is placed in the launch direction. Also, as described above, a process for detecting height is executed, and the broken line 352 is changed. The portion of the broken line 352 that protrudes upward relative to the surface of the movement gauge 320 indicates the height of the tree object placed in the launch direction.

In this way, when the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 3D, it is possible to know information about the height in the launch direction. In addition, because the auxiliary frame 350 is divided into operation sections 322a-322d, it is possible to know the change in the broken line 352 for each operation section 322a-322d, which can be used as a guide when performing directional input, which will be described later.

Next, the second parameter determination operation will be explained, and the movement of the ball 306 will be explained. However, in FIG. 14 and subsequent figures, the case where the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 2D will be explained, but the parameter determination screen 300 will change in the same way even if the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 3D.

In the first embodiment, the broken line 352 is displayed along the movement gauge 320, but the movement gauge 320 may be displayed with a thickness, and the broken line 352 may be displayed on its cross section or side.

The broken line 352 is just one example, and height information may be expressed as a bar graph every few centimeters or tens of centimeters.

When an instruction to start the second parameter determination operation is given on the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 8 etc., in this first embodiment, when the A button 53 is pressed, the first indicator image 326 starts moving from the initial position (i.e., the bottom end of the movement gauge 320) toward one end (i.e., the top end of the movement gauge 320). The first indicator image 326 is an indicator for determining the striking force, and moves at a movement speed V1.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the first indicator image 326 moves, the color of the portion of the moving gauge 320 to which the first indicator image 326 has moved is changed. As an example, when the first indicator image 326 moves within the moving gauge 320, the color of the moved portion is changed to yellow. In this first embodiment, the color of the basic area 322 is changed, but the color of the risk area 324 is not changed. Therefore, the distinguishability or visibility of the basic area 322 and the risk area 324 is improved. However, because the first indicator image 326 moves within the moving gauge 320, the width of the portion where the risk area 324 is provided is increased.

In this first embodiment, the color of the portion to which the first index image 326 has moved is changed, but instead of the movement of the first index image 326, the color within the movement gauge 320 may be gradually changed from the bottom end to the top end of the movement gauge 320. In this case, the speed at which the color is changed is the movement speed V1.

The striking force is determined according to the position where the first indicator image 326 is stopped, and is determined to be greater than the minimum value (0%) and equal to or less than the maximum value (100%). However, when the first indicator image 326 is located at the bottom end of the movement gauge 320, the striking force is minimum, and when the first indicator image 326 is located at the top end of the movement gauge 320, the striking force is maximum. The first indicator image 326 stops moving when there is an instruction to stop it, in this first embodiment, when the A button 53 is pressed. The striking force is determined by the ratio of the length from the bottom end of the movement gauge 320 to the stopped first indicator image 326 to the total length of the movement gauge 320. Strictly speaking, the first indicator image 326 gradually tilts diagonally according to the deformation of each operation section 322a-322d as it moves from the bottom end to the top end of the movement gauge 320, so the striking force is determined by the length from the bottom end of the movement gauge 320 to the center position of the first indicator image 326. In other words, the closer the first indicator image 326 is to the top end of the movement gauge 320, the greater the impact force. As described above, the initial velocity _v0 of the ball 306 is determined based on the impact force, so the closer the first indicator image 326 is to the top end of the movement gauge 320, the longer the moving distance of the ball 306.

If there is no instruction to stop, when the first indicator image 326 reaches the top end of the movement gauge 320, it reverses its movement direction and moves toward the bottom end of the movement gauge 320. When the first indicator image 326 reaches the bottom end of the movement gauge 320, the first indicator image 326 stops moving, and the second parameter determination operation must be redone, or a miss shot or whiff occurs.

Note that even if the first indicator image 326 is moving toward the bottom end of the movement gauge 320, the player can stop the movement of the first indicator image 326.

In another embodiment, when the first indicator image 326 reaches the top end of the movement gauge 320, it may move from the bottom end to the top end again.

Figure 15 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 when the movement of the first indicator image 326 is stopped. As shown in Figure 15, the first indicator image 326 is stopped at a position from the center to the upper end of the fourth operation section 322d. When the first indicator image 326 stops, the second indicator image 330 starts moving from the lower end to the upper end of the movement gauge 320 at a movement speed V2. The second indicator image 330 is an indicator that indicates a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as a "direction input period") during which the direction and the amount of change (i.e., the amount of change) in which the trajectory of the ball 306 is changed can be input, and a part (or section) in which the trajectory of the ball 306 is changed. As an example, the movement speed V2 is the same as the movement speed V1, but may be a different speed.

The second indicator image 330 moves from the bottom end of the movement gauge 320 to the position of the stopped first indicator image 326. This period is the direction input period. Therefore, when the first indicator image 326 is stopped in the middle of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d, the direction input period is shorter than when the first indicator image 326 is stopped at the end of the same operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d. When the player designates the striking force by stopping the movement of the first indicator image 326, the player can perform a direction input over time during the direction input period. This direction input over time can change the trajectory of the ball 306 after striking from the reference trajectory. In other words, the ball 306 can be moved while reflecting the direction input over time on the trajectory over time. As described above, the second indicator image 330 moves at the moving speed V2, so the direction input period is variably set according to the position of the first indicator image 326.

As a result, the player can stop the first indicator image 326 taking into account not only the striking force but also the directional input period, improving the interest and strategy of the game.

However, a directional input over time is a directional input that is detected during a directional input period, and the player is not necessarily always making directional inputs during this directional input period.

The player can input directions by tilting the analog stick 32. The analog stick 32 can be tilted in any direction of 360 degrees, and therefore 360-degree directional input is possible. Furthermore, the magnitude (or strength) of the change in the trajectory of the ball 306 in the direction of the tilt (hereinafter referred to as the "tilt direction") is determined according to the angle at which the analog stick 32 is tilted, i.e., the amount of tilt. In other words, the player can decide not only the direction in which the trajectory of the ball 306 is changed, but also the degree of change. This makes the directional input itself interesting.

Figure 16 shows a non-limiting example of a parameter determination screen 300 when the second index image 330 is moving. As shown in Figure 16, when the second index image 330 moves, the color of the part of the movement gauge 320 to which the second index image 330 has moved is changed to orange. However, the color of the risk area 324 is not changed. In addition, in Figure 16, in order to easily show the color changed due to the movement of the first index image 326 and the color changed due to the movement of the second index image 330, the direction of the diagonal lines and the width between adjacent diagonal lines are changed from those of the parameter determination screen 300 shown in Figures 14 and 15, and further, the diagonal lines indicating the color changed due to the movement of the first index image 326 are omitted. In addition, instead of the movement of the second index image 330, the color in the movement gauge 320 may be gradually changed from the bottom end of the movement gauge 320 to the position of the stopped first index image 326. In this case, the speed at which the color is changed is the movement speed V2.

Also, as shown in FIG. 16, an image (hereinafter referred to as an "arrow image") 332 indicating a directional input is displayed in the center of the first operation section 322a. The arrow image 332 is an image indicating a directional input (hereinafter referred to as an "interval directional input") that combines multiple directional inputs detected for each frame in the displayed operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d. As described above, the directional input is the amount of tilt of the analog stick 32 in each of the up/down and left/right directions, and therefore the interval directional input is a two-dimensional vector in which the up/down and left/right input values are added together. In other words, the average value of the multiple directional inputs detected for each frame in each of the operation sections 322a-322d is calculated as the interval directional input.

In this first embodiment, the arrow image 332 is an image that indicates one section direction input that combines multiple direction inputs, so a smaller number of section direction inputs are displayed than the detected direction inputs. Therefore, the section direction inputs are easy to understand.

The timing at which the arrow image 332 is displayed is, for example, the timing at which a predetermined number of directional inputs (for example, 10-12) are detected. Therefore, when a predetermined number of directional inputs are detected, a section direction input is calculated, and an arrow image 332 indicating the section input direction is displayed in the corresponding operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d. Therefore, even if the second indicator image 330 is moving in the middle of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d, at the time when the predetermined number of directional inputs are detected, the section direction input is calculated, and an arrow image 332 indicating the calculated section direction input is displayed in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d.

In another example, when the second indicator image 330 reaches the center of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d, a section direction input may be calculated, and an arrow image 332 indicating the calculated section direction input may be displayed in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d.

However, in either case, ultimately, an arrow image 332 corresponding to the section direction input calculated from all direction inputs detected in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d is displayed in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d. In other words, the arrow image 332 displayed midway through the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d in which the second indicator image 330 is moving is updated when the second indicator image 330 moves to the end of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d.

Therefore, when looking at the arrow image 332 displayed while the second indicator image 330 is moving through the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d, if the section direction input indicated by the arrow image 332 is not the desired direction and size (or strength), the direction input can be corrected so that the section direction input becomes the desired direction and size. For this reason, the arrow image 332 not only indicates the section direction input, but can also be said to be an indicator for correcting the section direction input.

In this first embodiment, the strength of the change in the trajectory of the ball 306 varies depending on the tilt amount of the directional input, and the arrow image 332 is displayed or hidden so that the strength can be seen, and the content is changed according to the strength level. In this first embodiment, the strength of the change in the trajectory of the ball 306 includes the case where the tilt amount is 0, and when the tilt amount is greater than 0, it is classified into three levels (for example, strong, medium, and weak). The tilt amount of the analog stick 32 changes in increments of 0.1 between 0 and 1.0, the tilt amount when there is no tilt is 0, and the tilt amount when tilted to the maximum is 1.0. In addition, when the tilt amount is greater than 0 and is 0.3 or less, the strength level is determined to be weak, when the tilt amount is greater than 0.3 and is 0.7 or less, the strength level is determined to be medium (i.e., between strong and weak), and when the tilt amount is greater than 0.7 and is 1.0 or less, the strength level is determined to be strong.

Therefore, in this first embodiment, when the trajectory of the ball 306 is changed, an arrow image 332 expressing the strength of the change in the trajectory of the ball 306 in three stages is displayed, and when the trajectory of the ball 306 is not changed, the arrow image 332 is not displayed. The arrow image 332 shown in FIG. 16 is an arrow image 332 when the strength of the change in the trajectory of the ball 306 is strong, and three arrows (arrowheads) are displayed side by side. Although not shown, when the strength of the change in the trajectory of the ball 306 is weak, an arrow image 332 with one arrow is displayed. When the strength of the change in the trajectory of the ball 306 is medium, an arrow image 332 with two arrows is displayed.

However, the above strength classification is performed only to display or hide the arrow image 332, and is not used when actually changing the trajectory. In other embodiments, this classification may be used when actually changing the trajectory. The method of changing the trajectory of the ball 306 will be explained later.

In this first embodiment, when the tilt amount of the analog stick 32 is greater than 0, the strength of the change in the trajectory of the ball 306 is classified into three stages, but this is just one example, and it is also possible to classify into two or more stages, or into four or more stages.

Figure 17 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 when the second indicator image 330 has moved to the position where the first indicator image 326 has stopped. As shown in Figure 17, the second indicator image 330 is hidden, and the color from the initial position of the movement gauge 320 to the position where the first indicator image 326 has stopped has been changed to orange. Additionally, in the parameter determination screen 300 shown in Figure 17, an arrow image 332 is displayed in each of the operation sections 322a-322d. The trajectory of the ball 306 is changed in the direction indicated by the arrow image 332. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 17, when the player character 302 hits the ball 306, the ball 306 moves along a trajectory in which the reference trajectory is changed to the right in the portion corresponding to the first operation section 322a, changed to the left in the portion corresponding to the second operation section 322b, changed diagonally upward to the right in the portion corresponding to the third operation section 322c, and changed diagonally upward to the left in the portion corresponding to the fourth operation section 322d.

Furthermore, on the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 17, an image (hereinafter referred to as a "blur indication image") 328 is displayed in contact with the lower side of the first indicator image 326. The blur indication image 328 is an image that indicates the blur of the trajectory of the ball 306. In this first embodiment, the striking force is determined by the player's operation, and further, when the change in trajectory is determined, the trajectory deviation is determined by lottery.

The position where the blur instruction image 328 is displayed is determined by lottery within the range of the width of the movement gauge 320 (or the first indicator image 326). In this first embodiment, a lottery period (hereinafter referred to as the "blur lottery period") of a predetermined length (for example, about 0.5 seconds (30 frames)) is set. The blur is automatically determined at the end of the lottery period. During the blur lottery period, the display position of the instruction image 328 is randomly changed along with the first indicator image 326, and this state is displayed on the parameter determination screen 300 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "lottery display"). Since the lottery display is performed in this manner, it is possible to keep the player interested in the golf game even during the period from when the striking force is determined to when the movement of the ball 306 begins.

When the blur indication image 328 is located in the center of the width of the movement gauge 320, there is no blur and the amount of left-right blur is 0. When the blur indication image 328 is located to the left of the center of the movement gauge 320, the trajectory of the ball 306 blurs to the left. When the blur indication image 328 is located to the right of the center of the movement gauge 320, the trajectory of the ball 306 blurs to the right. In either case, when the ball 206 blurs to the left or right, the amount of blur increases as the blur indication image 328 moves away from the center of the width of the movement gauge 320.

18(A) is a diagram for explaining an example in which the range in which the blur is determined is not limited, and FIG. 18(B) is a diagram for explaining another example in which the range in which the blur is determined is not limited. In FIG. 18(A), the first index image 326 is stopped at a position in the moving gauge 320 where the risk area 324 is not provided. Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 18(A), the blur is determined within the range of the basic area 322. On the other hand, in FIG. 18(B), the first index image 326 is stopped at a position in the moving gauge 20 where the risk area 324 is provided. Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 18(B), the blur is determined within the range of the basic area 322 and the risk area 324. Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 18(B), the impact force is greater than in the case shown in FIG. 18(A), so the movement distance of the ball 306 is longer, but the amount of blur may also be greater. As described above, the amount of blur is increased as the blur indication image 328 moves away from the center of the width of the movement gauge 320. Therefore, when the blur indication image 328 is inside the risk area 324, the amount of blur is increased compared to when it is outside the risk area 324. Furthermore, the player can play the golf game by considering the selection of the club 304 and the magnitude of the impact force depending on whether they place importance on the movement distance or the directionality.

In addition, since the magnitude of the impact force is proportional to the directional input period, the amount of shaking may also increase if the period during which the moving direction of the ball 306 is changed by the player's operation is lengthened. In other words, since the length of the directional input period changes depending on the position at which the first indicator image 326 is stopped, it is possible to play a golf game by considering the selection of the club 304 and the magnitude of the impact force, depending on whether the emphasis is on lengthening the directional input period or on not increasing the amount of shaking.

In this first embodiment, if there is shaking, the launch direction of the ball 306 to the left or right is changed. The amount of change in the launch direction of the ball 306 is increased in proportion to the amount of shaking. However, in other examples, if there is shaking, part or all of the trajectory may be changed (or moved) in the direction of the shaking by an amount corresponding to the amount of shaking. In other examples, if there is shaking, both the launch direction and trajectory of the ball 306 may be changed. These may be adopted individually depending on the type of the player character 302 and/or the club 304.

In addition, the lines at the end (or upper end) of each of the first operation section 322a, the second operation section 322b, the third operation section 322c, and the fourth operation section 322d are set at an angle. The degree of inclination of the lines at the end of each operation section 322a-322d is increased from the first operation section 322a to the fourth operation section 322d. This degree of inclination is related to the amount of left-right deviation of the ball 306. In general, the distance traveled by a draw ball is longer than that of a fade ball. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in the case of a right-handed character, the lines at the end are inclined downward from left to right on the parameter determination screen 300. In other words, in the case of a right-handed character, the distance traveled is longer when the ball deviates to the left than when it deviates to the right. However, it is not only the lines at the end that are inclined, but each operation section 322a-322d is deformed so that the change becomes greater as the ball moves from the bottom to the top of the movement gauge 320.

Although not shown in the figure, for a left-handed character, the inclination of the boundary line at the end of each operation section 322a-322d is opposite to that for a right-handed character.

Although detailed explanations are omitted, when there is shaking, the movement distance changed by the shaking affects the distance the ball 306 rolls after landing. If the shaking indication image 328 is closer to the top of the movement gauge 320 than the position where the impact force was determined, the rolling distance of the ball 306 is increased, and conversely, if the shaking indication image 328 is farther from the top of the movement gauge 320 than the position where the impact force was determined, the rolling distance of the ball 306 is decreased. However, if the terrain is inclined or the landing point is a bunker, rough, or hazard, the ball 306 rolls according to the inclination of the terrain, and also moves or stops according to the landing point. As described above, since the shape of each section 322a-322d is deformed, the moving distance is changed even if the determined position of the shaking indication image 328 is within the basic area 322.

When the direction input period ends, the selection of the shake lottery is started, and in parallel with this, the player character 302 starts a swing motion and hits the ball 306. However, the swing motion of the player character 302 may also be started when the direction input period ends and further when the selection of the shake lottery is finished.

Figure 19 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 immediately after the player character 302 hits the ball 306. In the example shown in Figure 19, the blurring instruction image 328 is located near the center of the width of the basic area 322, so there is no blurring or it is slightly shifted to the right. Therefore, the ball 306 starts to move in the predetermined launch direction or slightly to the right from the predetermined launch direction.

When ball 306 starts to move, although not shown in the figure, the virtual camera is moved to a position behind ball 306 so as to capture an overhead shot from diagonally above. However, although a detailed explanation is omitted, the virtual camera is moved so as to follow the imaginary ball when it is assumed that ball 306 is moving on a reference trajectory. This is to show the player the changes in the trajectory of ball 306 through the game screen image. Therefore, the angle of view of the virtual camera is adjusted appropriately so that ball 306 fits within the game screen image.

In addition, when the ball 306 starts moving, the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 306 is identifiably displayed in the movement gauge 320 on the parameter determination screen 300 and on the game screen from when the ball 306 lands until it stops, and an arrow image 332 of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d is displayed. The operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 306 is displayed in a color (e.g., yellow) different from the color of the other operation sections (orange in this first embodiment). However, each of the arrow images 332 of the operation sections 322a-322d displayed during the direction input period may be temporarily turned white when the direction input period ends and the player character 302 starts a swing operation, and the arrow image 332 of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 306 may be displayed in a color (e.g., black) different from that of the other operation sections. In other words, the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 306 and its arrow image 332 are made to stand out (or are highlighted). Therefore, the player can know that the trajectory of the ball 306 is changing in a direction that conforms to his or her own direction input.

However, in this specification, the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c or 322d corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 306 means the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c or 322d including the position on the moving gauge 320 that corresponds to the horizontal movement distance (hereinafter referred to as "horizontal distance") of the reference trajectory at time t from the start of the movement of the ball 306, assuming that the length from the initial position of the moving gauge 320 to the stopping position of the first indicator image 326 when the striking force is determined corresponds to the horizontal reach distance of the reference trajectory.

When the player character 302 hits the ball 306, the color in the movement gauge 320 temporarily returns to the color (yellow) that was present when the striking force was determined, and the arrow images 332 in each operation section 322a-322d are hidden. However, the arrow images 332 may be displayed in a semi-transparent white color.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the entire operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 306 is displayed in an identifiable manner, but this is not necessary to be limited to this. A predetermined indicator image such as a dot or line may be displayed at the position of the movement gauge 320 corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 306. Also, it is possible to simply display the arrow image 332 of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 306. In this case, the arrow image 332 may be displayed in each operation section 322a-322d, and the color of the arrow image 332 of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d corresponding to the position of the currently moving ball 3306 may be changed.

The parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 19 shows the state immediately after the player character 302 hits the ball 306, so the first operation section 322a is displayed in an identifiable manner, and an arrow image 332 for the first operation section 322a is displayed. When displaying each operation section 322a-322d in an identifiable manner, a predetermined color (orange in this first embodiment) is applied to each operation section 322a-322d.

Next, a method of changing the trajectory of the ball 306 using a directional input will be described. As described above, when the player wishes to change the trajectory of the ball 306 from the reference trajectory, the player tilts the analog stick 32 in the direction of the desired change. The player's operation input is detected every frame, so when the analog stick 32 is tilted, the tilt direction and amount are detected every frame.

In this first embodiment, the trajectory of the ball 306 is changed using a directional input (hereinafter referred to as a "section directional input") in each operation section 322a-322d of the movement gauge 320. After the striking force is determined, the directional input is detected every frame during the directional input period from the initial position of the second indicator image 330 to the position where the first indicator image 326 is stopped. In this first embodiment, the ball 306 is moved while the directional input over time (i.e., the section directional input) is reflected in the trajectory over time. However, the player may not make a directional input during all or part of the directional input period. For example, only one directional input may be detected during the directional input period. Also, as described below, a section directional input is calculated by averaging the directional input detected every frame for each operation section 322a-322d. Therefore, the section direction input over time is a section direction input for each operation section that is consecutive in time in two or more operation sections (322a-322d in this first embodiment), and affects the trajectory of the ball 306 in a chronological order.

As described later, when changing the trajectory of the ball 306, the calculation is performed separately for the up-down direction and the left-right direction, so the directional input is stored separately as the amount of tilt in the up-down direction and the amount of tilt in the left-right direction. However, in this specification, the direction in which the analog stick 32 is tilted means the up-down, left-right, and right-left directions when the left controller 3 is viewed from the front. In other words, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, when a predetermined three axes (x, y, and z axes) are set for the game system 1 and its components (i.e., the main unit 2, the left controller 3, and the right controller 4), the left-right direction corresponds to the x-axis direction, and the up-down direction corresponds to the y-axis direction. Also, the trajectory of the ball 306 is changed in the up-down, left-right, and right-left directions when the reference trajectory of the ball 306 is viewed in the positive direction of the X-axis from the origin of the local coordinates based on the directional input of the player (see Figure 22). However, the origin of the local coordinates is the movement start position of the ball 306. The movement start position is the position of the ball 306 before it is hit.

Figure 20 (A) shows a non-limiting example of a table of directional inputs detected for each frame during a directional input period. To distinguish it from the number of frames of the reference trajectory described below, the number of frames in the directional input table will be written as the number of operation frames. This is also true for the table of averaged directional inputs shown in Figure 20 (B).

In the directional input table, for up and down directions, an upward tilt is represented by a positive number, and a downward tilt is represented by a negative number. For left and right directions, a rightward tilt is represented by a positive number, and a leftward tilt is represented by a negative number. As stated above, the size of the number indicates the amount of tilt, and is expressed as a number between 0 and 1.0.

In this first embodiment, in order to move the ball 306 in the direction indicated by the arrow image 332, multiple directional inputs are averaged for each operation section 322a-322d. That is, a section directional input is calculated for each operation section 322a-322d. When the section directional input is calculated, it is written back as the directional input detected in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d in which the section directional input was calculated. That is, in each operation section 322a-322d, a directional input of the same value (i.e., the section directional input) is written. FIG. 20(B) shows a non-limiting example of a table of directional inputs averaged for each operation section 322a-322d. In this way, the trajectory of the ball 306 is changed using the written back directional input, i.e., the section directional input.

In order to determine which section direction input is reflected in which part of the trajectory of the ball 30, in this first embodiment, a correspondence table is created that lists the horizontal distance for each movement time (i.e., each frame) for the reference trajectory. FIG. 21 shows a non-limiting example of the correspondence table. As shown in FIG. 21, the correspondence table lists the horizontal distance d _n (n is an integer of 1 or more) after the start of movement when the ball 306 moves on the reference trajectory, corresponding to the number of frames (hereinafter referred to as the "number of movement frames"). However, as described above, the reference trajectory is calculated by Equation 1 using the initial velocity v ₀ and launch angle θ of the ball 306 when the ball 306 is hit, and the horizontal distance d _n is the position x calculated according to Equation 2.

Figure 22 shows an example of the movement gauge 320 when the striking force is determined to be 100%, the direction input for each operation section 322a-322d detected in this case, and the reference trajectory based on the striking force. As shown in Figure 22, since the striking force is 100%, the time during which the second indicator image 330 moves through the operation sections 322a-322d is the direction input period. Also, in Figure 22, the movement gauge 320 is drawn horizontally, and the reference trajectory is drawn corresponding to the movement gauge 320.

Note that Figure 22 shows the case where the impact force is 100%, and the method of changing the trajectory of the ball 306 will be explained using this Figure 22, but the same applies when the impact force is less than 100%.

As an example, it is possible to obtain the horizontal distance _dn of the reference trajectory at a certain time t (frame) from a correspondence table, identify one section direction input at a position corresponding to this horizontal distance _dn , and use the identified one section direction input to change the trajectory of the ball 306. The horizontal distance _dn of the reference trajectory at a certain time t is the horizontal distance _dn corresponding to the number of movement frames from the start of movement to time t.

As described above, this single section direction input is a combination of multiple direction inputs for each operation section 322a-322d, so there is a possibility that the trajectory of ball 306 will not change smoothly, especially when crossing operation sections 322a-322d.

In this first embodiment, as shown by the dotted frame in Figure 22, the average of multiple section direction inputs for several to a dozen frames before and after the section direction input at a position corresponding to horizontal distance dn at a certain time t is calculated, and the position of ball 306 in the next frame is calculated using the averaged section direction input. This allows the trajectory of ball 306 to change more smoothly even when crossing operation sections 322a-322d.

In this first embodiment, when the directional input period ends, a range of operation frame numbers p that affect the trajectory of ball 306 (hereinafter referred to as the "corresponding range") is determined for each horizontal distance d _n (or number of movement frames n) in the correspondence table. Then, when calculating the position of ball 306 in the next frame, the average value of a plurality of section directional inputs included in the corresponding range that corresponds to the horizontal distance d _n of the reference trajectory in the current frame is calculated.

However, the above method is an example and does not need to be limited. In another embodiment, the position of the ball 306 in the next frame is calculated using a section direction input at a position corresponding to the horizontal distance d _n at a certain time t, and only when the effect of one frame spans sections, such as when the start time of one frame corresponds to the vicinity of the end of the operation section 322a, 322b or 322c and the end time of the one frame corresponds to the vicinity of the start of the next operation section 322b, 322c or 322d, the position of the next ball 306 may be calculated using a section direction input obtained by combining the section direction inputs of two adjacent sections according to the time ratio in one frame.

When calculating the position of ball 306 in the next frame, the velocity vector of ball 306 in the current frame is combined with a two-dimensional vector representing the average value obtained by averaging multiple section direction inputs included in the correspondence table corresponding to the horizontal distance d _n of the reference trajectory in the current frame.

However, the velocity vector of the ball 306 is the moving direction and the moving amount of the ball 306 in the current frame. The moving direction is the launch direction of the ball 306 as the initial direction, and is gradually changed according to the physical calculation of the oblique projection, and is also changed by the influence of the section direction input. Moreover, the moving amount is a value obtained by subtracting the horizontal distance _dn to the current frame from the horizontal distance dn ₊₁ to the next frame. The horizontal distance can be obtained from the correspondence table shown in FIG. 21.

In addition, in this first embodiment, as shown in Figures 23(A) and 23(B), the velocity vector is rotated for each of the left-right and up-down components of the two-dimensional vector indicating the averaged section direction input.

However, the movement of ball 306 is calculated using the local coordinates described above, with FIG. 23(A) showing the virtual space of the local coordinates as viewed from directly above, and FIG. 23(B) showing the virtual space of the local coordinates as viewed from directly to the side.

As shown in Figures 23(A) and 23(B), just before frame N, i.e., in frame N-1, the velocity vector is parallel to the x-axis of the local coordinate system and perpendicular to each of the y-axis and z-axis of the local coordinate system.

In addition, in Figures 23(A) and 23(B), for simplicity, the magnitude of the velocity vector in each frame is set to be the same. In reality, the amount of tilt of the analog stick 32, i.e., the strength of the directional input, is also taken into consideration.

Furthermore, the up-down input rotation axis shown in FIG. 23(A) corresponds to the rotation axis when the analog stick 32 is tilted in the up-down direction, and the left-right input rotation axis shown in FIG. 23(B) corresponds to the rotation axis when the analog stick 32 is tilted in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 23(A), the velocity vector of frame N is rotated around the left-right input rotation axis perpendicular to the up-down input rotation axis in frame N in response to the left-right directional input, relative to the velocity vector of the previous frame (frame N-1). In the example shown in FIG. 23(A), it is rotated about 30 degrees to the right around the left-right input rotation axis. Also, as shown in FIG. 23(A), when the orientation of the movement vector of frame N+1 is determined by the averaged section direction input, the left-right input rotation axis is parallel to the Y axis of the local coordinate system. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, the velocity vector of the next frame N+1 is rotated about 30 degrees to the right around the left-right input rotation axis, relative to the orientation of the velocity vector of frame N.

As shown in FIG. 23B, the velocity vector of frame N is rotated around the up-down input rotation axis perpendicular to the left-right input rotation axis in frame N in response to the up-down directional input, relative to the previous velocity vector. In the example shown in FIG. 23B, the velocity vector is rotated approximately 30 degrees upward around the up-down input rotation axis. As shown in FIG. 23B, when the orientation of the movement vector of frame N+1 is determined by the up-down component of the averaged section directional input, the up-down input rotation axis is parallel to the Z axis of the local coordinates. Although a detailed explanation is omitted, the velocity vector of the next frame N+1 is rotated approximately 30 degrees upward around the up-down input rotation axis, relative to the orientation of the velocity vector of frame N.

In this way, the movement vector is rotated around each of the left/right input rotation axis and the up/down input rotation axis using the two-dimensional vector for the averaged section direction input, and the position of the ball 306 in the next frame N+1 in local coordinates is calculated.

When displaying a game image, the position of the ball 306 calculated in local coordinates is converted to the position of the ball 306 in the world coordinate system.

Moreover, the change in the trajectory due to the directional input is performed up to the horizontal arrival position on the reference trajectory, that is, up to the maximum value (n _max ) of the number of movement frames in the correspondence table.

However, if the ball 306 goes into the cup, hits a ground object (e.g., a fairway, bunker, rough, water hazard, or out-of-bounds (OB) object), hits a ground object (e.g., a tree, building, or wall object), or hits an airborne object (e.g., an airship, balloon, or a block object suspended in the air) before proceeding to the maximum number of movement frames in the correspondence table, the change in trajectory due to directional input is terminated.

In addition, even if the number of movement frames reaches the maximum value in the correspondence table, if the ball 306 does not go into the cup, hit an object on the ground, hit an object on the ground, or hit an object in the air, the ball 306 moves in the direction of the last calculated velocity vector while being influenced by gravity in the virtual space until it hits an object.

However, the effects of air resistance in virtual space and lift caused by ball spin may also be taken into account.

When the ball 306 hits an object on the fairway or rough, the ball 306 bounces off the object on the fairway or rough, then rolls, and stops. However, the bouncing and rolling processes change depending on the state of the lie. When the ball 306 hits an object on the water hazard or OB, the ball 306 stops when it hits the water hazard or OB zone, and the ball 306 automatically moves to a position where it will be hit after the penalty is added. When the ball 306 hits an object on the bunker, the ball 306 may sink into the sand and stop, or it may bounce, roll, and stop. When the ball 306 hits an object placed on the ground, it may bounce, change direction, or fall to the spot. When the ball 306 bounces or changes direction, it may then hit the ground or a water hazard object, as described above. Hereinafter, these processes will be collectively referred to as "movement stop process".

Furthermore, until the ball 306 goes into the cup, the player character 302 is automatically moved to the position where the ball 306 will next be hit (hereinafter referred to as the "next hit position") and is in an addressed state. In other words, a parameter determination screen 300 for the next movement of the ball 306 is displayed on the display 12. However, the player character 302 may also be moved to the next hit position in accordance with the player's operation. In this case, it may be possible to obtain items during the movement.

When the ball 306 goes into the cup, the score for the hole on which the ball 306 goes into the cup is calculated and recorded. If there is a next hole, the player character 302 automatically moves to the teeing area of the next hole. If there is no next hole, the total score of the player character 302 is calculated and recorded, and the golf game for the golf course that has just been played ends.

When playing with other players, the above process is also carried out for each player. However, the order of hitting is determined according to the rules of golf, and the golf game proceeds.

Also, FIG. 24 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 when hitting a ball 306 in a bunker. In the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 24, the length of the movement gauge 320 is set shorter than when hitting a ball 306 on the fairway. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the length is set to 80% of the length of the movement gauge 320 in the other parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 8, etc. This is because in the general sport of golf, a bunker shot has a shorter flight distance than hitting a ball 306 on the fairway. Therefore, although not shown, in the case of a so-called eyeball, the movement gauge 320 is set to 50% of the length of the movement gauge 320 in the other parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 8, etc.

However, when shortening the length of the movement gauge 320, the entire movement gauge 320 is reduced, and accordingly, the movement speed V1 of the first indicator image 326 and the movement speed V2 of the second indicator image 330 are reduced in proportion to the length of the movement gauge 320. Therefore, the direction input period is not shortened due to the shortening of the movement gauge 320. Although not shown, when hitting the ball 306 in the rough, the length of the movement gauge 320 is shortened according to the depth of the rough. In other embodiments, the length of the movement gauge 320 is also shortened when the weight of the ball 306 used by the player character 302 is increased or the gravitational acceleration g in the virtual space is increased due to the operation of the player or another player or the occurrence of a predetermined event.

However, in other embodiments, when hitting the ball 306 from a position where the difficulty of hitting is relatively high, such as a bunker or rough, the length of the movement gauge 320 may be shortened but the moving speed V1 of the first indicator image 326 and the moving speed V2 of the second indicator image 330 may not be changed. In such cases, the period during which the hitting force can be determined and the period during which a direction can be input are shortened, thereby increasing the difficulty of the operation in accordance with the high difficulty of the hit.

Furthermore, if the weight of the ball 306 used by the player character 302 is reduced or the gravitational acceleration g in the virtual space is reduced due to the operation of the player or another player or the occurrence of a specified event, the length of the movement gauge 320 is increased. Therefore, even if the striking force is the same as when the length of the movement gauge 320 is not increased, the flight distance of the ball 306 is increased. In this case, the length of the movement gauge 320 is increased, but as in the case where the length is shortened, the entire movement gauge 320 is enlarged, and accordingly, the movement speed V1 of the first indicator image 326 and the movement speed V2 of the second indicator image 330 are increased in proportion to the length of the movement gauge 320. Therefore, the directional input period is not lengthened.

In this way, the length of the moving gauge 320 is changed, but the same is true when the moving gauge 320 is displayed in 3D. Similarly, the length of the moving gauge 320 is changed when the moving gauge 320 is displayed in a curved manner.

In real golf, bunker shots are generally prone to mishits. In other words, because the difficulty of hitting is high, the risk area 324 is made relatively large even if the club 304 used is an iron or a wedge. In the example shown in FIG. 24, the club 304 is a sand wedge (SW), and the risk area 324 is set from about 85% of the hitting force. In other words, compared to hitting from the fairway, for example, the risk area 324 is set from a portion of the movement gauge 320 that corresponds to a lower hitting force. Note that in other embodiments, instead of or in addition to setting the risk area 324 in this way, the width of the risk area 324 may be made wider.

Figure 25 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 when the club 304 is changed to a 1W in the same situation as the parameter determination screen 300 shown in Figure 24. In a bunker shot, the risk area 324 is made even larger than in the example shown in Figure 24 because the difficulty of hitting with a 1W is higher than when an iron or wedge is used. In the example shown in Figure 25, the risk area 324 is set from approximately 50% of the impact force, and becomes larger as the impact force increases, and the degree of increase becomes even greater from approximately 85% of the impact force.

Figure 26 shows a non-limiting example of the parameter determination screen 300 in a state similar to that of the parameter determination screen 300 shown in Figure 24, in which it is selected to increase the ability of the club 304 to be used when the ability increase parameter reaches its maximum value. When the ability increase parameter reaches its maximum value, the player presses the Y button 56 to select increasing the ability of the club 304 to be used. Then, as shown in Figure 26, the risk area 324 is reduced. As an example, the vertical length and horizontal length of the risk area 324 are each halved. In this way, when the ability of the club 304 to be used is increased, the risk area 324 is reduced, and the ball 306 does not wobble significantly. In other words, the amount of wobble is reduced, and the directionality of the ball 306 when it moves is improved.

Although not shown in the figure, as described above, when the player character 302 hits the ball 306 with the ability of the club 304 being used increased, the hit increase parameter is set to the minimum value and the color in the star-shaped ability gauge 316 is erased.

In this first embodiment, the amount of wobble is reduced as the performance of the club 304 used increases, but this does not have to be limited to this. In other examples, the flight distance of the club 304 used may be increased. Alternatively, the flight distance may be increased or the amount of wobble may be reduced depending on the type of club 304 used.

In addition, in this first embodiment, it is described that "the ability of the club 304 used is improved," but since the flight distance is increased and the amount of deviation is reduced, it can also be said that the hitting skill of the player character 302 is improved. Therefore, the flight distance may be increased and the amount of deviation may be reduced depending on the type of player character 302 used.

27 is a diagram showing a non-limiting example of the memory map 850 of the DRAM 85 shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 27, the DRAM 85 includes a program memory area 852 and a data memory area 854. The program memory area 852 stores a game application program (i.e., the game program of the golf game). As shown in FIG. 27, the game program includes a main processing program 852a, an image generation program 852b, an operation detection program 852c, a first parameter determination program 852d, a second parameter determination program 852e, an omnidirectional input storage program 852f, a section direction input determination program 852g, a movement control program 852h, and an image display program 852i. However, the function of displaying images such as game images is a function provided by the main unit 2. Therefore, the image display program 852i is not included in the game program.

Although detailed explanations will be omitted, each program 852a-852i is read in part or in whole from the flash memory 84 and/or a storage medium inserted in the slot 23 at an appropriate timing after the main unit 2 is powered on, and stored in the DRAM 85. However, each program 852a-852i may be obtained in part or in whole from another computer capable of communicating with the main unit 2.

The main processing program 852a is a program for executing the overall game processing of the virtual golf game of this first embodiment. The image generation program 852b is a program for generating display image data corresponding to various images such as game images, using image generation data 854b described later. The operation detection program 852c is a program for acquiring (or receiving) operation data 854a from the left controller 3 and/or right controller 4 and operation data 854a from other controllers, and storing them in an identifiable manner in the data memory area 854. Here, the other controllers are controllers equivalent to the left controller 3 or right controller 4, or controllers equivalent to a combination of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4.

The first parameter determination program 852d is a program for changing the club 304 to be used, changing the left/right launch direction of the ball 306, changing the display method of the movement gauge 320, and increasing the capabilities of the club 304 to be used, based on the player's operation before the second parameter determination operation. However, it is also possible to cancel the increase in the capabilities of the club 304 to be used before the second parameter determination operation. The second parameter determination program 852e is a program for determining the striking force of the ball 306, determining the direction of change of the ball 306 relative to the reference trajectory, and determining the deviation of the ball 306 regardless of the player's operation, based on the player's operation.

The all-directional input storage program 852f is a program for storing the directional inputs detected during the directional input period for each frame, and for writing back the section directional inputs that are the directional inputs detected for each frame for each operation section 322a-322d according to the section directional input determination program 852g described below as the directional inputs for the corresponding operation sections 322a-322d for each operation frame.

The section direction input determination program 852g is a program for determining a single section direction input when a predetermined number of direction inputs are detected per frame for each operation section 322a-322d and when the second indicator image 330 reaches the end of each operation section 322a-322d.

The movement control program 852h is a program for controlling the movement of the ball 306. Using a reference trajectory determined based on the type of club 304 and the impact force, the trajectory of the ball 306 affected by shaking and directional input over time is determined, and the ball 306 is moved according to the determined trajectory. However, in this first embodiment, the position of the ball 306 after movement is calculated for each frame. In another example, the entire trajectory may be calculated before the ball 306 starts to move, and the ball 306 may be moved according to the calculated trajectory.

The image display program 852i is a program for outputting the display image data generated according to the image generation program 852b to a display device. Therefore, an image corresponding to the display image data (i.e., the parameter determination screen 300, etc.) is displayed on a display device such as the display 12.

The program storage area 852 also stores a sound output program for outputting sounds such as background music, a communication program for communicating with other devices, and a backup program for storing data in a non-volatile storage medium such as the flash memory 84.

28, data storage area 854 stores operation data 854a, image generation data 854b, character data 854c, game data 854d, launch direction data 854e, curve information data 854f, display target object data 854g, height information data 854h, impact force data 854i, reference trajectory data 854j, blur data 854k, direction input data 854m, strength data 854n, correspondence table data 854p, correspondence range data 854q, ball position data 854r, and highlight target data 854s. Data storage area 854 also stores 3D flag 854t, first parameter determination flag 854u, second parameter determination flag 854v, and ball movement flag 854w.

The operation data 854a is operation data received from the left controller 3 and/or right controller 4, and operation data received from other controllers. In this first embodiment, when the main unit 2 receives operation data from two or more of the left controller 3, right controller 4, and other controllers, the main unit 2 classifies the operation data 854a into the respective controllers and stores them.

When multiple human players play a golf game, the controllers used by each player are associated with multiple players or multiple player characters, and the operation data 854a is stored in the data storage area 854 in such a way that the players or player characters can be identified.

Furthermore, for the opponent character operated by the computer (processor 81), as an example, operation data 854a generated by the computer (processor 81) is stored in the data memory area 854.

Image generation data 854b is data necessary for generating display image data, such as polygon data and texture data. Character data 854c is data about the characters who play the golf game of this first embodiment (see FIG. 29). Character data 854c will be described in detail later. Game data 854d is data about the progress or results of the golf game of this first embodiment, and includes play data 900c, which will be described later.

The launch direction data 854e is data regarding the launch direction of the ball 306. As described above, the launch direction of the ball 306 includes the left-right direction and the up-down direction. When the parameter determination screen 300 is initially displayed, the straight line connecting the current position of the ball 306 and the pin 310 (cup) or a fairway closer than the pin 310 is determined as the left-right launch direction, and the player can change this launch direction according to strategy. However, the launch direction does not have to be changed.

The curve information data 854f is data on the direction and magnitude of the curve of the ball 306 (i.e., curve information) that is determined based on the inclination of the current position of the ball 306 and the launch direction. The display target object data 854g is data on the identification information of each display target object that exists between the current position of the ball 306 and the horizontal reach position, and the linear distance from the current position of the ball 306 to each display target object. The height information data 854h is data on the change in height (i.e., height information) between the current position of the ball 306 and the position of the horizontal reach in the launch direction when the movement gauge 320 is displayed in 3D.

The impact force data 854i is data on the value (%) of the impact force determined by the player's operation. The reference trajectory data 854j is data on the reference trajectory of the ball 306, and the reference trajectory is determined based on the current position of the ball 306, the launch direction, the launch angle of the selected club 304, and the initial velocity _v0 of the ball 306 according to the determined impact force. However, when the trajectory prediction image 312 is displayed before the second parameter determination operation, the impact force is set to 100% when the reference trajectory is calculated. The blur data 854k is data on the blur direction and amount that are randomly determined.

The directional input data 854m is data on the directional input detected for each frame during the directional input period in the second parameter determination operation, and after the section directional input is calculated, the data on the directional input detected for each frame is rewritten with the calculated section directional input data for each operation section 322a-322d. However, each directional input and each section directional input indicates the tilt direction and tilt amount of the analog stick 32. The strength data 854n is data on the strength of the section directional input for each operation section 322a-322d. As described above, the strength of the section directional input is classified into four levels depending on the magnitude of the tilt amount of the section directional input.

The correspondence table data 854p is data for a correspondence table such as that shown in Fig. 21. As described above, in the correspondence table, for a reference trajectory, a horizontal distance _dn is recorded corresponding to the number of movement frames n. The correspondence range data 854q is data for the correspondence range (i.e., the range of the number of operation frames p) determined for each horizontal distance _dn in the correspondence table.

The ball position data 854r is coordinate data of the current position of the ball 306 in virtual space (a three-dimensional position in this first embodiment). The highlight target data 854s is data indicating the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d to be highlighted and its arrow image 332 in the movement gauge 320.

The 3D flag 854t is a flag for determining whether or not the movement gauge 320 is to be displayed in 3D. When the movement gauge 320 is to be displayed in 3D, the 3D flag 854t is turned on, and when the movement gauge 320 is to be displayed in 2D, the 3D flag 854t is turned on.

The first parameter determination flag 854u is a flag for determining whether or not to determine the first parameter. When the first parameter determination operation is performed, the first parameter determination flag 854u is turned on, and when the second parameter determination operation is started, the first parameter determination flag 854u is turned off.

The second parameter determination flag 854v is a flag for determining whether or not to determine the second parameter. When the second parameter determination operation is performed, the second parameter determination flag 854v is turned on, and when the second parameter determination operation is completed and the blur is determined, the second parameter determination flag 854v is turned off.

The ball movement flag 854w is a flag for determining whether or not to move the ball 306. When the ball 306 is hit, the ball movement flag 854w is turned on, and when the movement of the ball 306 stops, the ball movement flag 854w is turned off.

Although not shown in the figure, the data memory area 854 stores other data necessary for executing the golf game, and other flags and timers (or counters) necessary for executing the golf game are provided.

Figure 29 is a diagram showing the specific contents of the character data 854c shown in Figure 28. As shown in Figure 29, the character data 854c is data about the player character 302 and the opponent character. In this first embodiment, to explain the case where there is no opponent character, in Figure 29, the character data 854c includes player character data 900.

The content of the character data for one or more opponents is the same as the player character data 900.

As shown in FIG. 29, the player character data 900 includes type data 900a, current position data 900b, play data 900c, and ability improvement parameter data 900d. The player character data 900 also includes a cup-in flag 900e.

The type data 900a is the type of the player character 302, and is data on the identification information that identifies the character selected by the player. The current position data 900b is coordinate data of the current position (three-dimensional position in this first embodiment) of the player character 302 in the virtual space.

The play data 900c is data about the player character 302 when playing a golf game. As an example, in the case of stroke play, data on the number of strokes from the tee shot to the cup-in and the total number of strokes up to the current hole are stored as the play data 900c for each hole.

The ability improvement parameter data 900d is numerical data of the ability improvement parameters of the player character 302. The cup-in flag 900e is a flag for determining whether the ball 306 of the player character 302 has gone in the cup. In this first embodiment, the cup-in flag 900e is turned on when the ball 306 goes in the cup, and the cup-in flag 900e is turned off when the ball moves to the next hitting position.

Figure 30 is a flow diagram showing a non-limiting example of the processing of the game program by the processor 81 (or computer) of the main unit 2 (i.e., "overall game processing"). Figures 31 and 32 are flow diagrams showing a non-limiting example of the game control processing by the processor 81 (or computer) of the main unit 2. Furthermore, Figures 33 and 34 are flow diagrams showing a non-limiting example of the first parameter determination processing by the processor 81 (or computer) of the main unit 2. Furthermore, Figures 35 to 37 are flow diagrams showing a non-limiting example of the second parameter determination processing of the ball by the processor 81 (or computer) of the main unit 2. Furthermore, Figures 38 and 39 are flow diagrams showing a non-limiting example of the ball movement processing by the processor 81 (or computer) of the main unit 2.

However, in each process in Figures 30 to 39, the process for other players will be omitted and only the process for the player will be explained. The process for other players is the same as the process for the player, and is executed so that the balls are hit in an order that follows the same rules as the common sport of golf.

Below, the overall game processing, game control processing, first parameter determination processing, second parameter determination processing, and ball movement processing will be explained using Figures 30 to 39, but duplicate explanations of steps that perform the same processing will be omitted.

However, the processing of each step in the flow diagrams shown in Figures 30 to 39 is merely an example, and the processing order of each step may be changed if similar results are obtained. Also, in this first embodiment, the processing of each step in the flow diagrams shown in Figures 30 to 39 is basically described as being executed by processor 81, but some steps may be executed by a processor other than processor 81 or a dedicated circuit.

When the main unit 2 is powered on, prior to executing the overall game processing, the processor 81 executes a startup program stored in a boot ROM (not shown), which initializes each unit such as the DRAM 85. When the player instructs the main unit 2 to execute the game program of this first embodiment, the main unit 2 starts the overall game processing.

As shown in FIG. 30, when the processor 81 starts the overall game processing, it executes initial settings in step S1. In this first embodiment, a game selection screen for selecting a stroke play golf game or a match play golf game is displayed, and the type of golf game to be played is determined according to the player's selection operation. The following describes the case where one player selects stroke play, but when multiple players play stroke play, the balls are hit in order of the farthest distance from the ball to the cup according to the general rules of real golf, and the golf game proceeds. Also, when match play is selected, the golf game proceeds according to the rules of match play.

In the next step S3, the operation data 854a transmitted from the left controller 3 and/or the right controller 4 is acquired, and in step S5, a game control process (see Figures 31 and 32) is executed, which will be described in detail later. However, in step S3, the acquired operation data 854a is stored in the data memory area 854.

In the next step S7, a game image is generated. Here, the processor 81 generates game image data corresponding to the game image (i.e., various screens such as the parameter determination screen 300) based on the result of the game control processing in step S5. When generating game image data corresponding to the parameter determination screen 300, the size of the movement gauge 320 (including the risk area 324) is appropriately changed depending on the type of club 304 and the lie of the ball 306. Furthermore, when processing of the swing motion of the player character 302 is being executed in parallel with the game control processing, game image data is generated based on the result of the game control processing and the result of the swing motion.

In step S9, game sound is generated. Here, the processor 81 generates sound data corresponding to game sound according to the result of the game control process in step S5.

Next, in step S11, a game image is displayed. Here, the processor 81 outputs the game image data generated in step S7 to the display 12. Furthermore, in step S13, game sound is output. Here, the processor 81 outputs the game sound data generated in step S9 to the speaker 88 via the codec circuit 87.

Then, in step S15, it is determined whether or not to end the game. The determination in step S15 is made based on whether or not the player has instructed to end the game, etc. If step S15 is "NO", that is, if the game is not to be ended, the process returns to step S3. On the other hand, if step S15 is "YES", that is, if the game is to be ended, the overall game processing ends.

As shown in FIG. 31, when processor 81 starts the game control process shown in step S5, in step S21, it determines whether or not a golf game is being played. If step S21 is "YES", that is, if a golf game is being played, it proceeds to step S31. On the other hand, if step S21 is "NO", that is, if a golf game is not being played, it determines in step S23 whether or not a golf game has started. Here, processor 81 determines whether or not the start of a golf game has been instructed by the player.

If step S23 is "NO," i.e., if the golf game is not about to start, various selection processes are executed in step S25, the game control process ends, and the process returns to the overall game process shown in FIG. 30.

The various selection processes are a selection process for a player character and a selection process for a golf course. When playing a stroke play golf game, a selection process for the number of other players and the type of each of the other players (i.e., human or computer) and a selection process for the number of holes are further executed. When playing a match play golf game, a selection process for the type of other opponent players is executed. Although not shown in the figures, when the various selection processes are completed, the processor 81 starts the golf game in response to the player's operation.

On the other hand, if step S23 is "YES", that is, if the golf game is starting, then in step S27 the player character 302 is placed at the hitting position in the teeing area of the starting hole, and in step S29 the first parameter determination flag 854u is turned on, and the process returns to the overall game processing. Also, if step S21 is "YES", that is, if the golf game is being played, then in step S31 it is determined whether or not to determine the first parameter. Here, the processor 81 determines whether or not the first parameter determination flag 854u is on. If step S31 is "NO", that is, if the first parameter is not to be determined, the process proceeds to step S41.

On the other hand, if the answer is "YES" in step S31, that is, if the first parameter is to be determined, then in step S33, the first parameter determination process (see FIG. 33 and FIG. 34) described later is executed, and in step S35, it is determined whether or not the second parameter determination operation is to be started. Here, the processor 81 determines whether or not the A button 53 is pressed when the parameter determination screen 300 is displayed with the first indicator image 326 stopped at the initial position. However, when the first parameter determination process is executed in step S33, the processor 81 generates game image data for the parameter determination screen 300 as shown in FIG. 8-FIG. 10, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. 24-FIG. 26 in the overall game processing, and outputs it to the display 12. At this time, in the front direction of the ball 306, a display target object between the current position of the ball 306 and the horizontal reach distance is detected, and the linear distance to the display target object is detected, and the detected display target object is displayed at a corresponding position in the basic area 322 of the movement gauge 320.

If step S35 is "NO", that is, if the second parameter determination operation is not starting, the process returns to the overall game processing. On the other hand, if step S35 is "YES", that is, if the second parameter determination operation is starting, the second parameter determination flag 854v is turned on in step S37, and the first parameter determination flag 854u is turned off in step S39, and the process returns to the overall game processing.

In step S41, it is determined whether or not to determine a second parameter. Here, the processor 81 determines whether the second parameter determination flag 854v is on. If the answer is "YES" in step S41, that is, if the second parameter is to be determined, then in step S43, a second parameter determination process (see Figures 35-37) described below is executed, and the process returns to the overall game processing. However, if the second parameter determination process is executed in step S43, the processor 81 generates a game image of a parameter determination screen 300 such as that shown in Figures 14-17 in the overall game processing, and outputs it to the display 12.

On the other hand, if step S41 is "NO", that is, if the second parameter is not determined, then in step S45 shown in FIG. 32, it is determined whether or not to move the ball 306. Here, the processor 81 determines whether the ball movement flag 854w is on.

If step S45 is "YES", that is, if the ball 306 is to be moved, then in step S47, a ball movement process (see Figures 38 and 39) described below is executed, and the process returns to the overall game process. On the other hand, if step S45 is "NO", that is, if the ball 306 is not to be moved, then in step S49, it is determined whether or not the player character 302 has hit the ball 306.

If step S49 is "YES", that is, if the player character 302 has hit the ball 306, then in step S51 the ball movement flag 854w is turned on and the process returns to the overall game processing. On the other hand, if step S49 is "NO", that is, if the player character 302 has not hit the ball 306, then in step S52 it is determined whether or not a swing motion is being processed.

If step S52 is "YES", and if a swing motion is being processed, it is determined that the player character 302 has started a swing motion but has not yet struck the ball 306, and the process returns to the overall game process. On the other hand, if step S52 is "NO", and if a swing motion is not being processed, then in step S53 it is determined whether the cup-in flag 900e is on.

If the answer is "NO" in step S53, that is, if the cup-in flag 900e is off, then in step S55 the player character 302 is moved to the next hitting position, and in step S57 the first parameter determination flag 854u is turned on, and the process returns to the overall game processing. On the other hand, if the answer is "YES" in step S53, that is, if the cup-in flag 900e is on, then in step S59 the score is calculated. Here, the processor 81 calculates the score for the hole where the ball went in and the total score up to the current hole.

In the following step S61, it is determined whether there is a next hole to be played. If the answer is "YES" in step S61, that is, if there is a next hole to be played, then in step S63, the player character 302 is moved to a hitting position in the teeing area of the next hole, in step S65, the first parameter determination flag 854u is turned on, and in step S67, the cup-in flag 900e is turned off, and the process returns to the overall game processing.

On the other hand, if step S61 returns "NO," meaning there is no next hole to play, play on the current golf course ends in step S69, and the process returns to the overall game processing.

Although not shown, as described below, after the swing motion of the player character 302 is started, processing of the swing motion of the player character 302 is executed in parallel with the game control processing shown in Figures 31 and 32. In processing of the swing motion of the player character 302, the animation frames of the swing motion of the player character 302 are advanced frame by frame until the final animation frame.

As shown in FIG. 33, when the processor 81 starts the first parameter determination process shown in step S33, in step S101, it determines whether or not a club has been selected. Here, the processor 81 determines whether the L button 38 or the R button 60 has been pressed. If the result is "YES" in step S101, that is, if a club has been selected, in step S103, the club 304 to be used is changed in accordance with the player's operation, and the process proceeds to step S131 shown in FIG. 34. On the other hand, if the result is "NO" in step S101, that is, if a club has not been selected, in step S105, it determines whether or not the launch direction has been changed. Here, the processor 81 determines whether the analog stick 32 has been tilted left or right.

If step S105 is "YES", that is, if the launch direction is to be changed, then in step S107, the launch direction is changed in accordance with the player's operation, and in step S109, curve information for the ball 306 is calculated based on the slope of the ground at the current position of the ball 306 and the launch direction. However, the processor 81 stores curve information data 854f corresponding to the calculated curve information in the data storage area 854 of the DRAM 85.

Next, in step S111, objects to be displayed that exist in the horizontal reach distance from the current position of the ball 306 in the launch direction are detected. However, the processor 81 stores or updates the detection result, i.e., the object data 854g to be displayed, in the data storage area 854 of the DRAM 85.

Next, in step S113, it is determined whether the movement gauge 320 is being displayed in 3D. Here, the processor 81 refers to the 3D flag 854t to determine whether the 3D flag is on. If the answer is "NO" in step S113, that is, if the movement gauge 320 is being displayed in 2D, the process proceeds to step S131. On the other hand, if the answer is "YES" in step S113, that is, if the movement gauge 320 is being displayed in 3D, the process calculates height information from the current position of the ball 306 to a position of the horizontal reach in the launch direction in step S115, and proceeds to step S131. However, the processor 81 stores or updates height information data 854h corresponding to the calculated height information in the data storage area 854 of the DRAM 85. This is also the same as in step S121, which will be described later.

Also, if the answer is "NO" in step S105, that is, if the launch direction is not changed, then in step S117 shown in FIG. 34, it is determined whether or not the instruction is to display the movement gauge 320 in 3D. Here, the processor 81 determines whether or not the ZR button 61 has been pressed. However, if the 3D flag 854t is on, even if the ZR button 61 is pressed, the operation is invalidated.

If step S117 is "YES", that is, if the instruction is to display the movement gauge 320 in 3D, then in step S119, the 3D flag 854t is turned on, and in step S121, height information from the current position of the ball 306 to the position of the horizontal reach in the launch direction is calculated, and then the process proceeds to step S131.

On the other hand, if the answer is "NO" in step S117, that is, if the instruction is not to display the movement gauge 320 in 3D, then in step S123 it is determined whether the instruction is to display the movement gauge 320 in 2D. Here, the processor 81 determines whether the ZL button 39 has been pressed. However, if the 3D flag 854t is off, even if the ZL button 39 is pressed, the operation is invalidated.

If the answer is "YES" in step S123, that is, if the instruction is to display the movement gauge 320 in 2D, the 3D flag 854t is turned off in step S125, and the process proceeds to step S131. At this time, the height information data 854h may be erased.

On the other hand, if step S123 is "NO", that is, if there is no instruction to display the movement gauge 320 in 2D, then in step S127 it is determined whether or not to increase the ability of the club 304 to be used. Here, the processor 81 determines whether the Y button 56 has been pressed. However, if the ability increase parameter does not reach the maximum value (100), even if the Y button 56 is pressed, the operation is invalid.

If step S127 is "YES", that is, if the ability of the club 304 to be used is to be increased, the risk area 324 is reduced in step S129, and the process proceeds to step S131. On the other hand, if step S127 is "NO", that is, if the ability of the club 304 to be used is not to be increased, the process proceeds to step S131.

In step S131, the animation of the trajectory prediction image 132 advances by one frame, and the process returns to the game control process. Therefore, the multiple images 132a move one frame along the reference trajectory.

As shown in FIG. 35, when the processor 81 starts the second parameter determination process shown in step S43, in step S201, the processor 81 determines whether the impact force has been determined. The processor 81 determines whether the impact force data 854i is stored in the data storage area 854 of the DRAM 85. If the result of step S201 is "YES", that is, if the impact force has been determined, the process proceeds to step 217 shown in FIG. 36. On the other hand, if the result of step S201 is "NO", that is, if the impact force has not been determined, in step S203, the processor 81 determines whether an impact force determination operation has been performed. Here, the processor 81 determines whether the A button 53 has been pressed when the first indicator image 326 is moving on the parameter determination screen 300.

If step S203 is "NO", that is, if there is no operation to determine the striking force, then in step S205 the first indicator image 326 is moved by one frame, and the process returns to the game control process. As described above, the first indicator image 326 moves from the initial position toward the top of the movement gauge 320, and when it reaches the top of the movement gauge 320, it moves back toward the initial position. On the other hand, if step S203 is "YES", that is, if there is an operation to determine the striking force, then in step S207 the first indicator image 326 is stopped, and in step S209 the striking force is stored. That is, the processor 81 stores striking force data 854i corresponding to the determined striking force in the data memory area 854.

In the next step S211, it is determined whether the determined impact force is less than 75%. If the answer is "YES" in step S211, that is, if the determined impact force is less than 75%, the ability increase parameter is increased by a predetermined value (e.g., 20) in step S213, and the process proceeds to step S215. On the other hand, if the answer is "NO" in step S211, that is, if the determined impact force is 75% or more, the process proceeds to step S215.

In step S215, a correspondence table such as that shown in FIG. 21 is generated, and the process returns to the game control process. However, the processor 81 stores correspondence table data 854p corresponding to the generated correspondence table in the data memory area 854.

As shown in FIG. 36, in step S217, it is determined whether the directional input period has ended. In other words, it is determined whether the second index image 330 has reached the position where the first index image 326 is stopped. If the answer is "NO" in step S217, that is, if the directional input period has not ended, in step S219, the second index image 330 is moved by one frame, and in step S221, the directional input detected this time is stored. As described above, the directional input is the tilt direction and tilt amount of the analog stick 32, and in this first embodiment, it is divided into the tilt amount in the up/down direction and the tilt amount in the left/right direction.

Then, in step S223, it is determined whether the second indicator image 330 has reached the end of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d during its movement. If the answer is "YES" in step S223, that is, if the second indicator image 330 has reached the end of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d during its movement, in step S225, all directional inputs in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d are combined to determine one directional input, i.e., a section directional input, in step S227, the strength level of the determined section directional input is classified, and in step S229, the determined one directional input is written back as each directional input in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d, and the process returns to the game control process.

Note that for the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d for which the processing of step S229 has been performed, the determined section direction input and classified strength are not changed in the subsequent second parameter determination processing.

The processor 81 rewrites the direction input data corresponding to each direction input detected in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d with the section direction input data corresponding to the one section direction input determined in step S225, and updates the direction input data 854m.

The one section direction input determined in step S225 is used to display an arrow image 332 in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d after the second indicator image 330 has moved to the end of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d and before the player character 302 hits the ball 306. The arrow image 332 is an image corresponding to the strength level classified in step S227. The same applies to step S235, which will be described later.

On the other hand, if step S223 is "NO", that is, if the second indicator image 330 has not reached the end of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d through which it is moving, then in step S231 it is determined whether the number of directional inputs detected in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d through which the second indicator image 330 is moving has reached a predetermined number (for example, 10). If step S231 is "NO", that is, if the number of directional inputs detected in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d through which the second indicator image 330 is moving has not reached the predetermined number, then the process returns to the game control process. On the other hand, if step S231 is "YES", that is, if the number of directional inputs detected in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d in which the second indicator image 330 is moving has reached a predetermined number, then in step S233, one section directional input is determined by combining the predetermined number of directional inputs detected in that operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d, and in step S235, the strength level of the determined one section directional input is classified, and the process returns to the game control process.

If step S217 is "YES", that is, the direction input period has ended, then in step S237 shown in FIG. 31, it is determined whether or not the blur lottery period is in progress. If step S237 is "YES", that is, if the blur lottery period is in progress, then in step S239, the position of the blur instruction image 328 is changed randomly, and the process returns to the game control process.

On the other hand, if step S237 is "NO", that is, if the blur lottery period is not in progress, then in step S241 it is determined whether the blur lottery period has ended. If step S241 is "NO", that is, if the blur lottery period has not ended, then it is determined that the blur lottery has not started, and in step S243 the blur lottery is started. In the next step S245, for each movement frame in the correspondence table, the correspondence range that affects the trajectory of the ball 306 is determined, and in step S247 the swing motion of the player character 302 is started, and the process returns to the game control process.

Also, if step S241 is "YES", that is, if the blur selection period has ended, the blur is determined in step S249, and the second parameter determination flag 854v is turned off in step S251, and the process returns to the game control process. In step S249, the processor 81 stores the blur data 854k corresponding to the determined blur in the data memory area 854.

The one section direction input determined in step S233 shown in FIG. 36 is used to display an arrow image 332 in the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d while the second indicator image 330 moves to the end of the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d.

As shown in FIG. 38, when the processor 81 starts the ball movement process shown in step S47, in step S301, it determines whether the ball 306 is moving. If the result in step S301 is "YES", that is, if the ball 306 is moving, it determines in step S303 whether the ball 306 has hit a background object. In other words, the processor 81 determines whether the ball 306 has landed on a ground object such as a fairway, rough, or bunker, hit a water hazard or an object in an OB zone, hit a ground object such as a tree or building, or an air object such as an airship, balloon, or block.

If step S303 is "NO", that is, if the ball 306 has not hit a background object, the process proceeds to step S317 shown in FIG. 39. On the other hand, if step S303 is "YES", that is, if the ball 306 has hit a background object, the movement stop process described above is executed in step S305, and the process returns to the game control process.

If step S301 is "NO", that is, if the ball 306 is not moving, then in step S307 it is determined whether the ball 306 has not yet started moving. If step S307 is "NO", that is, if the ball 306 has not yet started moving, then it is determined that the ball 306 has stopped, and in step S309 it is determined whether the ball 306 has gone into the cup.

If step S309 is "NO", that is, if the ball 306 has not gone in, the process proceeds to step S313. On the other hand, if step S309 is "YES", that is, if the ball 306 has gone in, the cup-in flag 900e is turned on in step S311, and the process proceeds to step S313. In step S313, the ball movement process ends, and the process returns to the game control process.

Note that by executing the processing of step S313, the ball 306 is no longer moving.

Also, if step S307 is "YES", that is, if the ball 306 has not yet started moving, then in step S315, the variable n is set to 1 (n=1), and the process proceeds to step S321 shown in FIG. 39. The variable n indicates the number of frames of movement in the correspondence table.

As shown in Fig. 39, in step S317, it is determined whether or not the variable n exceeds the maximum value _nmax . If "NO" in step S317, that is, if the variable n does not exceed the maximum value _nmax , the process proceeds to step S325. On the other hand, if "YES" in step S317, that is, if the variable n exceeds the maximum value _nmax , in step S319, the position of the ball 306 after moving one frame is calculated using the velocity vector calculated when the variable n was the maximum value _nmax , and the process returns to the game control process.

In step S321, it is determined whether or not there is shaking. If the answer is "NO" in step S321, that is, if there is no shaking, the process proceeds to step S325. On the other hand, if the answer is "YES" in step S321, that is, if there is shaking, the launch direction of ball 306 is changed in accordance with the shaking in step S323, and the process proceeds to step S325.

In step S325, the operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d in which a directional input of operation frame number p at a position corresponding to movement frame number n was detected and the arrow image 332 of said operation section 322a, 322b, 322c, or 322d are determined to be the subject of highlighting. In the next step S327, the position of the ball 306 after moving one frame is calculated by reflecting the direction obtained by averaging the multiple section directional inputs in the corresponding range corresponding to movement frame number n. Then, in step S329, the variable n is incremented by 1 (n = n + 1), and the process returns to the game control process.

Figure 40 is a flow diagram showing a part of the ball movement process of another embodiment. In the ball movement process of another embodiment, if there is shaking, the shaking affects the trajectory of the ball 306 after it has moved. Therefore, steps S321 and S323 shown in Figure 39 are deleted, and after the processing of step S315 shown in Figure 38 is executed, the process proceeds to step S325. Also, as shown in Figure 40, steps S341 and S343 are provided between steps S327 and S329.

Specifically, after executing the process of step S327, in step S341 it is determined whether or not there is shaking. If step S341 is "NO", that is, if there is no shaking, the process proceeds to step S329. On the other hand, if step S341 is "YES", that is, if there is shaking, in step S343 the ball position calculated in step S327 is changed according to the shaking, and the process proceeds to step S329. The other processes are the same as those described using FIG. 39.

Note that if there is shaking and both the launch direction of ball 306 and the trajectory of ball 306 after movement are to be changed, steps S341 and S343 shown in FIG. 40 may be further executed between steps S327 and S329 shown in FIG. 39.

According to this first embodiment, the longer the ball's flight distance, the higher the chance of the ball deviating, which creates a strategic requirement as to whether to prioritize flight distance or directionality. Therefore, unlike conventional golf games, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the loss of interest in golf games caused by having to memorize the timing of the shot operation using a power gauge.

In addition, according to this first embodiment, the amount of blur is represented by the width of the moving gauge, so that the risk of blur can be recognized when determining the striking force, and after the striking force is determined, the blur indication image is displayed along with the first indicator image that determined the striking force, so that the user can smoothly grasp the force without moving their line of sight.

In this first embodiment, the striking force when striking the ball is determined according to the position where the first indicator image is stopped, but the initial velocity of the ball, the horizontal reach of the ball, or the distance traveled by the ball may also be determined. In other words, either the distance traveled by the ball or a parameter related to the distance traveled is determined according to the position where the first indicator image is stopped.

In the first embodiment, the moving gauge is displayed at a predetermined position, and the first and second indicator images move within the moving gauge, but this is not necessarily limited to this. The first and second indicator images may move along the moving gauge. Alternatively, the moving gauge may not be displayed in advance, but may simply be displayed so that the gauge (or bar) gradually extends from the initial position to the other end, and the extension of the gauge may be stopped in response to the player's operation to determine the striking force, and an indicator corresponding to the second indicator image may be moved from the initial position to the top end of the gauge within or along the gauge displayed to determine the striking force, and the trajectory of the ball may be changed based on the directional input detected during that time.

In addition, in this first embodiment, an arrow image is displayed and the entire or part of the trajectory is changed using a section directional input that is a collection of directional inputs detected during a directional input period for each section, but this is not limited to the above. In other embodiments, the calculation method of the section directional input may be different when displaying an arrow image and when changing the trajectory. As an example, when displaying an arrow image, the average value of multiple directional inputs in the operation section is calculated as described in the first embodiment, but when changing the trajectory, the directional input that is the maximum tilt amount is calculated (or extracted) from the multiple directional inputs in the operation section. Also, even when the same average value is calculated, the number of directional inputs used to calculate the average value may be different when displaying an arrow image and when changing the trajectory.

Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the second index image moves from the bottom end of the moving gauge to the position of the stopped first index image, but it may also move from the bottom end to the top end of the moving gauge. Even in this case, the direction input period is the time it takes for the second index image to move from the bottom end of the moving gauge to the position of the stopped first index image. However, the direction input period may also be the time it takes for the second index image to move from the bottom end to the top end of the moving gauge. In other words, a fixed direction input period may be set regardless of the position where the first index image is stopped.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the average value of all directional inputs in each operation section is calculated, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, for each section, the directional input detected at a predetermined timing within the section may be determined as the directional input for that section.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the movement gauge is divided evenly, but it does not have to be divided evenly. For example, the movement gauge may be set to get longer from the first operation section to the fourth operation section.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the movement gauge is divided into four operation sections, but if there are two or more operation sections, the movement gauge can be divided into five or more sections. However, since the number of operations required to change the trajectory of the ball in one shot increases as the operation sections increase, the number of divisions into which the movement gauge is divided may increase as the game difficulty or player level increases. In this case, the movement gauge may not be divided at the beginning of the game, and when the game difficulty or player level becomes high to a certain extent, it may be divided into two, and the number of divisions may gradually increase as the game difficulty or player level increases. The number of divisions into which the movement gauge is divided may also be set according to the type of character used by the player, the character's level, and other abilities. Furthermore, the number into which the movement gauge is divided may be set by the player or the player character using a specified item. The player may also be able to set the desired number of divisions.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the moving gauge has a width and extends vertically, but this does not have to be limited to this. The moving gauge may extend horizontally, or may be formed in an L-shape with rounded corners. In other words, any shape may be used as long as the first index image and the second index image can be moved from one end to the other.

Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the moving gauge is displayed at a fixed position, but this is not necessary. In other embodiments, when the second parameter determination operation is started, the first indicator may be displayed at an arbitrary position that does not interfere with the background image, and the position where the first indicator is initially displayed may be set as the initial position and moved in a predetermined direction (for example, upward). In other words, the first indicator image moves from the initial position, and the moving gauge is displayed so as to extend from the initial position. However, the movable range (length) of the first indicator image is predetermined in the same manner as the moving gauge shown in the first embodiment. Also, the first indicator image is stopped in response to the player's stopping operation, and the striking force is determined in response to the distance between the initial position and the stopping position. In the width direction of the first indicator image at this stopping position, the position of the blurring instruction image is determined by lottery. However, the size and shape of the basic area and the risk area are determined in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. Therefore, as the first indicator image moves, it is inclined relative to the first indicator image at the initial position, and the width of the first indicator image is lengthened at the position where the risk area is set. Also, similar to the first embodiment described above, during the directional input period in which the second index image is moved from the initial position of the first index image to the stopping position of the first index image, the directional input of the player is detected, and the trajectory of the ball is influenced based on the detected directional input.

Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the lines on the end side of each area of the movement gauge are inclined, but they do not have to be inclined. In this case, the movement distance may or may not change depending on the shaking.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the first index image and the indication image are separate images, but this is not necessary to be limited to this. For example, a dot image that functions as the first index image and the indication image may be displayed, and when determining the striking force, the image may move in the longitudinal direction of the moving gauge, and when determining the shaking, the image may move in the lateral direction of the moving gauge.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the risk area is set outside the basic area of the movement gauge, but it may be set inside the basic area. In such a case, the risk area is enlarged so that the rate and amount of shaking increases as the impact force increases. For example, the risk area is set at the center (or middle) of the width of the basic area of the movement gauge, and the shaking increases as the shaking indication image shifts widthwise from the center within the risk area. Also, for example, in the basic area of the movement gauge, the shaking may increase as the shaking indication image shifts widthwise from the center. In this case, any point other than the center point of the width of the basic area can be considered to be the risk area. However, the point at which the risk area is set vertically within the basic area can be determined based on the difficulty of the impact.

Furthermore, in this first embodiment, there is wobble even within the basic area of the movement gauge, but in other embodiments, there may be no wobble within the basic area, but wobble within the risk area.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the deviation is determined when the directional input period ends, but it can be determined at any time after the striking force has been determined and before the ball starts to move.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the blur is determined by lottery, but this does not have to be the only option. The movement of the blur instruction image may be stopped in response to a player's operation, and the position of the blur instruction image, i.e., the blur, may be determined.

Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the striking force is determined according to the position where the first indicator image is stopped, but the striking force may also be determined according to the position of the blurring indication image when the blurring is determined. As described above, the first indicator image is tilted toward the end of the movement gauge, so the magnitude of the striking force changes according to the blurring, and the horizontal reach of the reference trajectory is changed. Even in this way, the movement distance can be changed depending on whether it is a draw ball or a fade ball.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the blur is determined regardless of the position where the first index image is stopped, so the blur is also determined within the basic area in front of the risk area, but if the position where the first index image is stopped is in front of the risk area, the blur may not be determined.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the first and second index images move within the moving gauge, and the color of the moved portion changes accordingly, but the color does not have to change.

Furthermore, in this first embodiment, the operation input is performed by operating the operation buttons and analog stick of the controller, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the controller may be provided with a motion sensor such as a two-axis or three-axis gyro sensor, and the player may grip and swing the controller (either the left controller 3 or the right controller 4) removed from the main unit 2 to input the operation. In other words, the striking force and the trajectory of the ball are determined at once by the action of the player moving the controller. In this case, the gyro sensor detects the magnitude of the swing when the player swings up the controller from the address state, and the gyro sensor detects the rotation angle of the wrist from the position where the controller is swung up to the position where the controller is swung down and returned to the address state position. As an example, the striking force is determined by the magnitude of the swing up of the controller. In addition, the change over time in the rotation angle of the wrist when swinging correctly (hereinafter, the "reference rotation angle") is stored in advance, and the type of trajectory of the ball (for example, draw, fade, hook, slice) is determined based on the difference between the reference rotation angle and the rotation angle of the wrist when the player moves the controller. According to the result of this determination, an arrow image that is predetermined according to the type of trajectory of the ball is displayed in the movement gauge, and the ball is moved according to the determined trajectory. However, the launch angle of the ball is determined by the selected club. Also, by providing an acceleration sensor, the acceleration of the controller when it is swung down and returned to the address state position can be detected and converted into impact force.

In addition, although the golf game has been described in this first embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to other sports games. Examples of other sports include soccer, baseball, tennis, volleyball, bowling, and badminton. In soccer, the trajectory of the kicked ball can be changed in accordance with directional input over time during a shoot or free kick. In baseball, the trajectory of the ball pitched by the pitcher or hit by the batter can be changed in accordance with directional input over time. Furthermore, in tennis and volleyball, the trajectory of the ball hit with a hand or racket can be changed in accordance with directional input over time. In bowling, the trajectory of the pitched ball can be changed in accordance with directional input over time, just like a baseball pitcher. And in badminton, the trajectory of the shuttlecock hit with a racket can be changed in accordance with directional input over time, just like tennis.

In the first embodiment described above, the game system 1 is shown as an example of an information processing system, but the configuration is not limited thereto, and other configurations can be adopted. For example, the "computer" is one computer (specifically, processor 81) in the first embodiment described above, but in other embodiments, it may be multiple computers. The "computer" may be (multiple) computers provided in multiple devices, for example, and more specifically, the "computer" may be composed of the processor 81 of the main unit 2 and communication control units (microprocessors) 101, 111 provided in the controller.

Furthermore, in another embodiment, part of the overall game processing (S5-S9) may be executed on a server on a network such as the Internet. In such a case, the processor 81 of the main unit 2 transmits operation data acquired from the left controller 3 and right controller 4 to the server via the network communication unit 82 and the network, receives the results of the execution of that part of the overall game processing by the server (i.e., game image data and game sound data), and displays the game images on the display 12 and outputs the game sound from the speaker 88. In other words, it is also possible to configure an information processing system that includes the game system 1 shown in the first embodiment above and a server on a network.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the case where the game image is displayed on the display 12 has been described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. By connecting the main unit 2 to a stationary monitor (e.g., a television monitor) via a cradle, the game image can also be displayed on the stationary monitor. In such a case, an information processing system including the game system 1 and the stationary monitor can be configured.

In addition, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, a case has been described where a game system 1 is used in which the left controller 3 and right controller 4 are detachably attached to the main unit 2, but this is not necessarily limited to this. For example, it is also possible to use an information processing device such as a game device in which an operation unit having operation buttons and analog sticks similar to those of the left controller 3 and right controller 4 is integrally provided on the main unit 2, or other electronic device capable of executing a game program. Examples of other electronic devices include smartphones and tablet PCs. In such cases, the operation unit can be configured with software keys.

Furthermore, the specific numerical values and image configurations shown in the first embodiment above are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate depending on the actual product.

For example, the determination of the shaking may be performed after the striking force has been determined and before the detection of the directional input is completed, or after the player character starts a swing motion and before striking the ball.

The second parameter determination process is broadly divided into a process for determining striking force (S203-S209), a process for detecting a directional input by the player (S217-S221), and a process for determining shaking (S237-S243, S249), but may include only a process for detecting a directional input by the player. In such a case, for example, the process for determining striking force and the process for determining shaking are executed as another (e.g., third) parameter determination process before the second parameter determination process.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, the change in height of the obstacle object in the forward direction of the ball is displayed as a broken line to the right (or side) of the 3D-displayed movement gauge, but this is not necessarily limited to this. In this second embodiment, the distance to the position indicated by the player and the change in height of the obstacle object may be displayed (hereinafter referred to as a "distance altimeter display") separately from the movement gauge. However, this distance altimeter display is implemented instead of or in addition to the display of the broken line horizontally of the movement gauge. The distance altimeter display will be specifically described below. However, here, the distance altimeter display will be illustrated and described, and the display of the broken line horizontally of the movement gauge will be omitted.

Figure 41 shows another example of the parameter determination screen 300, and Figure 42 shows an example of the distance-altitude measurement screen 400.

The parameter determination screen 300 in FIG. 41 is for a different hole than the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 8, and has a different background image 308. Note that the dotted frame R shown in FIG. 41 only indicates the range of some of the obstacle objects, and is not displayed in the actual game image.

When a parameter determination screen 300 such as that shown in FIG. 41 is displayed on the display 12, if a specific button (for example, the ZR button 61) is pressed before an instruction to start the second parameter determination operation is given, a distance-altitude measurement screen 400 such as that shown in FIG. 42 is displayed on the display 12. The distance-altitude measurement screen 400 and the relief display screen 450 shown in FIGS. 42-45 will be described below, with the background image 308 and pins 310 being given the same reference numerals as those in the parameter determination screen 300.

The distance-altitude measurement screen 400 includes a pointer image 402, a graph image 404, and a line object 406 in addition to the background image 308 and the pin 310. The player character 302 and the movement gauge 320 are not displayed on the distance-altitude measurement screen 400. As an example, the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 is an image captured by a virtual camera when the position of the virtual camera (i.e., the viewpoint) is set a predetermined distance (for example, about the height of the player character 302) above the current position of the ball 306. However, this is only an example, and the position of the virtual camera when displaying the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 may be set to the current position of the ball 306 or the position of the head (or eyes) of the player character 302. In addition, the virtual camera is zoomed in, and the situation of obstacle objects and the like around the position indicated by the pointer image 402 described later can be viewed. By setting up a virtual camera in this way, it is possible to display on the display 12 a distance/altitude measurement screen 400 showing a scene similar to the scene (or content) seen by a golf player looking through a laser rangefinder used in real golf.

In addition, when the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 is initially displayed, the gaze point of the virtual camera is set to a predetermined position. The predetermined position is determined based on the current position of the ball 306. For example, it is set to the center of the fairway or the position of the cup, within the horizontal reach of the club 304 currently in use. However, this is just one example, and the predetermined position may be specified by the player. In the example shown in FIG. 42, the predetermined position is set to the center of the fairway, within the horizontal reach of the club 304 currently in use.

The pointer image 402 is always displayed in the center of the distance-altitude measurement screen 400. In other words, the pointer image 402 is positioned so that its center overlaps with the position of the virtual camera's gaze point.

However, the pointer image 402 may be positioned so that its center does not overlap with the position of the virtual camera's gaze point.

In addition, when the distance/altitude measurement screen 400 is displayed, if the player tilts the analog stick 52, the virtual camera's gaze point moves in the direction of the tilt. In other words, the orientation of the virtual camera changes, and the distance/altitude measurement screen 400 changes. Therefore, the pointer image 402 moves in accordance with the movement of the virtual camera's gaze point.

However, the virtual camera's gaze point is set at a fixed distance from the virtual camera, is between the near and far clipping planes, and is moved within a plane parallel to the near and far clipping planes.

When a virtual straight line extending from the viewpoint and passing through the gaze point hits an obstacle object, the pointer image 402 indicates the position where the virtual straight line hits the obstacle object. However, when this virtual straight line hits two or more obstacle objects, the pointer image 402 indicates the position where the virtual straight line hits the obstacle object closest to the viewpoint (see Figures 44 and 45).

When the virtual straight line does not hit an obstacle object, the pointer image 402 points to a position that is a predetermined distance away from the viewpoint (for example, the horizontal reach of the club 304 being used). However, the position pointed to by the pointer image 402 means the position pointed to by the center of the pointer image 402 (hereinafter referred to as the "pointed position").

When the pointer image 402 points to an obstacle object, the distance and altitude are measured based on the current position of the ball 306, and the measured distance and altitude are displayed. The distance is displayed below the pointer image 402, and the altitude is displayed in the upper right corner of the pointer image 402. The distance is the horizontal distance from the current position of the ball 306 to the position pointed to by the pointer image 402 in the virtual space, not including the height component. However, the distance may be the straight-line distance (three-dimensional distance) from the current position of the ball 306 to the pointed position. Furthermore, the altitude is the difference in height of the position pointed to by the pointer image 402 when the height of the current position of the ball 306 in the virtual space is used as the reference. However, when the position pointed to by the pointer image 402 is above the height of the current position of the ball 306, the altitude is displayed as a positive number, and when the position pointed to by the pointer image 402 is below the height of the current position of the ball 306, the altitude is displayed as a negative number.

Therefore, by pointing to an obstacle object with the pointer image 402, the player can know the horizontal distance from the current position of the ball 306 to the obstacle object and the height (i.e., altitude) relative to the current position of the ball 306. In addition, knowing the horizontal distance and altitude to the obstacle object can be used as a reference when selecting the type of club 304 to use and when determining the direction and amount of change in the trajectory.

The graph image 404 includes a rectangular frame 404a of a predetermined size, and within this frame 404a, a broken line 4040 is drawn that indicates the change in height of the obstacle object that exists between the current position of the ball 306 and the designated position, with the height of the current position of the ball 306 as the reference. However, in FIG. 42, since there is almost no undulation of the obstacle object from the current position of the ball 306 to the designated position, the broken line 4040 is a gentle straight line (the same is true for FIG. 43). In the frame 404a, the current position of the ball 306 is set at the left end, and the designated position is set at the right end. In the graph image 404, a square point is drawn at the height of the designated position. However, the dashed line that extends horizontally in the center of the vertical direction within the frame 404a is a reference line 4042 that indicates the height of the current position of the ball 306. In addition, the method of detecting the height of the obstacle object is the same as the method described in the first embodiment above, but may be a different method.

The graph image 404 is displayed semi-transparently so that images behind it, such as the background image 308, can be seen (see Figures 44 and 45).

The size of frame 404a is fixed, and the horizontal distance between the current position of ball 306 and the position indicated by pointer image 402 is set (e.g., scaled) to correspond to the width of frame 404a.

The height of the obstacle object is set (for example, scaled) to correspond to the vertical length of the frame 404a. However, in order to clearly show the height of the obstacle object, the vertical scale is set smaller than the horizontal scale. As an example, the aspect ratio of the length of the frame 404a is 1:2, but the aspect ratio of the scale is 3:5. However, the aspect ratio of the scale does not need to be fixed, and if the indicated position is relatively far from the current position of the ball 306, the height of the obstacle object will be low and will be difficult to see by the broken line 4040, so the vertical scale may be set even smaller.

Furthermore, on the distance-altitude measurement screen 400, a line object 406 is displayed at a position that is the horizontal reach distance of the club 304 in use from the current position of the ball 306, providing an indication of the position that the ball 306 will reach. As an example, the line object 406 is a bright, thick line object. Therefore, it is easy to predict the position that the ball 306 will reach when it is hit with the club 304 in use.

In addition, an image (hereinafter referred to as a "marker image") 406a is displayed on the line object 406 as a marker at the impact point of the ball 306. However, the impact point of the ball 306 is the position where the ball 306 is expected to land if the player character 302 hits the ball 306 in the current launch direction and the hit ball 306 flies straight. Therefore, the expected impact position can be easily known.

Although omitted in the first embodiment and FIG. 41 described above, the line object 406 and the mark image 406a may be displayed on the parameter determination screen 300.

As described above, the orientation of the virtual camera, i.e., the distance-altitude measurement screen 400, can be changed. Figure 43 shows an example of the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 displayed on the display 12 when the player operates to move the orientation of the virtual camera diagonally downward to the right while the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 shown in Figure 42 is displayed.

In FIG. 43, the pointer image 402 points to a ground object that is closer to the line object 406, so the distance from the ball 306 to the pointed position is shorter than in the case shown in FIG. 42. Also, in the graph image 404, the horizontal distance from the current position of the ball 306 to the pointed position is set relative to the width of the frame 404a.

In addition, when one looks at the height displayed near the pointer image 402 and graph image 404 shown in Figures 42 and 43, one can see that the height is slightly higher on the near side of the line object 406, and therefore there is a slight downward slope as one moves forward from the position indicated by the pointer image 402 shown in Figure 43.

When the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 shown in FIG. 42 or FIG. 43 is displayed, the player can operate the virtual camera to move diagonally downward to the right, thereby allowing the pointer image 42 to point to the area of the dotted frame R in FIG. 41. FIGS. 44 and 45 show other examples of the distance-altitude measurement screen 400.

The distance-altitude measurement screen 400 in FIG. 44 is displayed on the display 12 when the virtual camera is moved as described above to point the virtual camera at the ground object for the tree in the back of the two trees that are arranged side by side, one in the foreground and one in the background, within the dotted frame R in FIG. 41. The distance-altitude measurement screen 400 in FIG. 45 is displayed on the display 12 when the virtual camera is moved as described above to point the virtual camera at the ground object for the tree in the front of the two trees that are arranged side by side, one in the foreground and one in the background, within the dotted frame R in FIG. 41.

As shown in FIG. 44, when the virtual camera is pointed at a tree in the background, the horizontal distance from the current position of ball 306 to the designated position of the tree in the background is displayed near pointer image 402 and is set to correspond to the width of frame 404a. Also, as can be seen from graph image 404, when the virtual camera is pointed at a tree in the background, a tree in the foreground is placed between ball 306 and the tree in the background, so the change in height between the current position of ball 306 and the designated position due to the tree in the foreground appears in broken line 4040.

As shown in FIG. 45, when the virtual camera is pointed at a tree in the foreground, the horizontal distance from the current position of ball 306 to the indicated position of the tree in the foreground is displayed near pointer image 402 and is set to correspond to the width of frame 404a. As can be seen from graph image 404, when the virtual camera is pointed at a tree in the foreground, no ground object is positioned between ball 306 and the tree in the foreground, so only the undulations of the ground object appear in broken line 4040 between the current position of ball 306 and the indicated position.

Although not shown, as described above, when the distance/altitude measurement screen 400 is displayed on the display 12, the direction of the virtual camera is changed according to the player's operation, so that the pointer image 402 may point to an obstacle object beyond the line object 406. In other words, it is possible to measure a distance that exceeds the horizontal reach of the club 304 being used. This can therefore be used as a reference when deciding whether to increase the number of the club 304 being used.

Figure 46 shows an example of an elevation display screen 450. The elevation display screen 450 is displayed on the display 12 when a specified button (here, the ZR button 61) is operated while the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 is displayed. The elevation display screen 450 shown in Figure 46 is displayed on the display 12 when a specified button is operated while the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 shown in Figure 43 is displayed.

As shown in FIG. 46, in addition to the background image 308, the relief display screen 450 displays the pointer image 402, line object 406, and marker image 406a, as well as a grid image 460. The graph image 404 is also erased (or hidden) on the relief display screen 450. This is because the relief display screen 450 visually displays the relief within a predetermined range centered on the position indicated by the pointer image 402. As an example, the predetermined range is a range determined by a square with the length and width of 40 yards centered on the pointer image 402 when the center is viewed from directly above the virtual space. However, this is just an example, and the predetermined range may be set variably depending on the position indicated by the pointer image 402.

In addition, in the undulations display screen 450, in order to make it easier to see the undulations of obstacle objects (ground objects in FIG. 46), the position of the virtual camera is set higher to provide a slightly more bird's-eye view than when the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 is displayed. Note that the center position of the pointer image 402 remains overlapping the position of the virtual camera's gaze point.

As can be seen from FIG. 46, the grid image 460 is an image of guide lines (i.e., grid lines) displayed on an obstacle object such as a ground object, and the undulations of the ground object are represented by changes in the shape of the grid lines.

By looking at the relief display screen 450, the player can see the terrain around the position indicated by the pointer image 402, and can, for example, determine the location where the ball 306 will land.

Furthermore, when the undulation display screen 450 is displayed, pressing a specific button (in this second embodiment, the ZL button 39) returns the screen to the distance-altitude measurement screen 400. Furthermore, when the distance-altitude measurement screen 400 is displayed, pressing a specific button (i.e., the ZL button 39) returns the screen to the parameter determination screen 300. However, when the undulation display screen 450 is displayed, pressing another specific button (in this second embodiment, the B button 54) may return the screen to the parameter determination screen 300 instead of returning to the distance-altitude measurement screen 400.

In the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the user can know the distance to the position indicated by the pointer image and the altitude or undulations of the ground.

[Third Example]
In the third embodiment, the game image displayed on the display 12 after the ball 306 starts moving indicates whether the ball 306 is in flight or rolling on the ground, i.e., whether it is a carry or a run, in an easily understandable manner. The third embodiment is the same as the first and second embodiments, and therefore a duplicated explanation will be omitted.

Below, we will explain the game images that are displayed from when the ball 306 starts moving until it stops moving, but since the parameter settings are the same as in the first embodiment, we will omit the explanation. Also, for the same reason, we will explain the game images when the ball 306 is moving, assuming that no operation has been performed to change the trajectory of the ball 306.

Figure 47 shows an example of the parameter determination screen 300 shown in Figure 41 immediately after an operation such as parameter determination is performed, the player character 302 hits the ball 306, and the ball 306 starts moving.

As shown in FIG. 47, in the third embodiment, when the ball 306 starts to move, an image (hereinafter referred to as a "movement indication image") 510 is displayed simultaneously or almost simultaneously with the start of the movement of the ball 306, indicating whether the ball 306 is flying or rolling on the ground, together with the distance traveled.

The movement instruction image 510 is displayed at the bottom center of the game image (here, the parameter determination screen 300). As an example, this movement instruction image 510 is composed of a black horizontal bar 510a, a white horizontal bar 510b overlapping the front of the horizontal bar 510a, and a line 510c displayed above the horizontal bars 510a and 510b. In addition, the horizontal distance of the ball 306 to the current frame is displayed above the movement instruction image 510.

The horizontal bar 510a indicates the maximum flight distance of the ball 306 and is fixed at a predetermined length, which corresponds to the maximum flight distance of the club 304 being used by the player character 302. The horizontal bar 510b indicates the calculated flight distance of the struck ball 306 and is set to a length corresponding to the flight distance of the ball 306 according to the determined striking force.

However, in the movement instruction image 510, the left end corresponds to the current position of the ball 306. Therefore, in the horizontal bars 510a and 510b, the left end is distance 0, and the distance increases toward the right. In the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 47, it can be seen that the striking force has been determined to be about 50%, also from the length of the horizontal bar 510b relative to the horizontal bar 510a.

Also, the line 510c shows the trajectory of the ball 306 in the virtual space in two dimensions as it changes over time when viewed from the side. Therefore, when the ball 306 moves through the air, the line 510c is drawn in the shape of a parabola. When the ball 306 moves through the air, the line 510c is drawn as a parabola (trajectory) according to the position of the ball 306 before the movement, the horizontal distance between the current position of the ball 306, and the height from the ground to the current position of the ball 306. The line 510c is drawn so that the height of the ball 306 at the start of its movement and the height of the point of impact are equal, but it may be drawn to reflect the difference in height. Also, the method of drawing the parabola is not limited to this. For example, a prepared parabola image may be appropriately deformed according to the impact force and the current position of the ball 306, and gradually drawn from the left over time.

When the ball 306 rolls on the ground, the height of the ball 306 from the ground is 0 yards, so the line 510c is drawn as a straight horizontal line. As described later, when the ball 306 rolls on the ground, the line 510c is shown as a dotted straight line (see FIG. 49). This is to make it easier to understand whether the ball 306 is moving in the air or rolling on the ground. However, this is only an example, and the line 510c may be shown as a solid parabola and a solid straight line, and may be colored differently. The line 510c may also be colored in a single color. In the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 47, it can be seen that the ball 306 moves 22 yards in the horizontal direction, and the altitude gradually increases according to the vertical launch direction. Note that even when the ball 306 bounces after impact, the line 510c may be shown as a straight line, assuming that the ball is rolling on the ground.

Once the ball 306 has moved a certain amount, that is, once a predetermined time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) has elapsed since the ball 306 started to move, a game image showing the ball 306 moving (hereinafter referred to as the "ball movement screen 500") is displayed on the display 12. As explained in the first embodiment, after the ball 306 starts to move, the virtual camera is moved to a position behind the ball 306 so as to take an overhead shot from diagonally above. However, although a detailed explanation is omitted, the virtual camera is moved so as to follow the imaginary ball when it is assumed that the ball 306 has moved on a reference trajectory. In addition, the angle of view of the virtual camera is appropriately adjusted so that the ball 306 fits within the game image (i.e.,

Figure 48 shows an example of the ball movement screen 500 when the ball 306 is in flight. Figure 49 shows an example of the ball movement screen 500 when the ball 306 is rolling on the ground after landing.

In the ball movement screen 500 shown in FIG. 48, the ball 306 has moved further than in the parameter determination screen 300 shown in FIG. 47, with a horizontal distance of 61 yards, and it can be seen that the altitude is even higher in accordance with the vertical launch direction. In the ball movement screen 500 shown in FIG. 49, the ball 306 has moved further than in the ball movement screen 500 shown in FIG. 48, and after reaching its highest point, it gradually loses altitude before landing on the ground and rolling along the ground. In the ball movement screen 500 shown in FIG. 49, the horizontal distance is 111 + 42 (= 153) yards. As can be seen from FIG. 49, the display of the travel distance is divided into the distance traveled in the air and the distance traveled rolling along the ground.

Although not shown, after the ball 306 hits the ground, it may move in the opposite direction due to backspin or the inclination of the ground. In this case, the straight portion (dotted portion) of the line 510c may be drawn to extend to the left, or the straight portion that extends to the right may be drawn to be shorter. Also, when the ball 306 moves back from the point of impact, the distance traveled by the straight portion may be displayed as a negative value. For example, in the ball movement screen 500 shown in FIG. 49, the horizontal distance may be displayed as "111y - 42y".

Although not shown, if the ball 306 moving through the air hits a ground object or an aerial object and falls to the ground, the parabolic line 510c is transformed into a vertical line extending downward from the point where the ball 306 hits the ground object or the aerial object, and if the ball 306 then rolls on the ground, a dotted horizontal line is drawn following the solid vertical line. Note that instead of being transformed into a vertical line extending downward, the parabolic line 510c may be compressed or scaled while maintaining its parabolic shape, so that the ball 306 appears to have landed when it hits the ground object or the aerial object.

Although not shown, when there is a tailwind and/or the altitude of the impact point is low (so-called downwind), the travel distance increases, so the parabola is drawn to a position beyond horizontal bar 510b. Conversely, when there is a headwind and/or the altitude of the impact point is high (so-called upwind), the travel distance decreases, so the parabola is drawn so that the horizontal reach is shorter than the length of horizontal bar 510b.

Furthermore, although not shown, when the horizontal distance from the current position of the ball 306 to the pin 310 is shorter than the maximum distance of the club 304 being used, an image showing the pin 310 may be displayed above the horizontal bar 510a at a position equivalent to the horizontal distance. However, even when the horizontal distance from the current position of the ball 306 to the pin 310 is longer than the maximum distance of the club 304 being used, an image showing the pin 310 may be displayed at a position equivalent to the horizontal distance to the pin 310. However, the image showing the pin 310 is displayed only when the player character 302 hits the ball 306 toward the pin 310 to a certain extent, and when, for example, the ball is hit in the opposite direction to the pin 310, an image showing the pin 310 does not need to be displayed.

Furthermore, although not shown, when the striking force is determined, a band-shaped image indicating that the ball 306 will roll may be drawn on the movement gauge 320 so as to extend upward from the position where the first indicator image 326 is stopped. The band-shaped image is given a predetermined color, and its width is set to be the same or approximately the same as the width of the movement gauge 320. However, since the purpose of the band-shaped image is to inform the player that the ball 306 will roll, the length of the band is fixed at a predetermined length. Also, as described above, when the line 510c in the movement instruction image 510 is represented by a solid parabola and a solid straight line and is given a different color, the predetermined color given to the band-shaped image can be set to the same color as the color of the line 510c drawn by the solid straight line, thereby impressing on the player that the color indicates that the ball 306 will roll.

Note that since the strip-shaped image extends upward from the position where the first indicator image 326 stops, if the striking force is at or near the maximum value, it may be displayed beyond the top of the movement gauge 320.

In the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, when the ball moves, it is possible to tell at a glance whether it is moving through the air or rolling on the ground.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 game system 2 main unit 3 left controller 4 right controller 32, 52 analog stick 39 ZL button 60 R button 61 ZR button 81 processor

Claims (19)

A game program for causing a computer to execute a virtual golf game, comprising:
a processor of the computer,
a direction determination step of determining a movement start direction of a ball object based on a progress of the golf game or a user operation;
a power indicator advancement step of advancing the power indicator within or along a displayed gauge having a width extending from one end to the other of the gauge;
a power index stopping step of stopping the progress of the power index based on a user operation;
a position determination step of randomly determining a position of a blurring indicator to be displayed corresponding to a stop position of the power indicator stopped in the power indicator stopping step in a width direction of the gauge; and a movement execution step of executing a movement process of moving the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power indicator is to the other end side of the gauge, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes,
The gauge includes a risk area in which the length or the ratio in the width direction is increased toward the other end side,
The movement execution step changes the movement start direction or the movement direction after the start of movement of the ball object when the position of the blurring indicator determined in the position determination step is within the risk area, compared to when the position is outside the risk area. the line at the other end of the gauge is inclined relative to the line at the one end;
the power index is inclined in the same direction as the line at the other end as it approaches the other end,
2 . The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1 , wherein the movement executing step changes a distance moved by the ball object depending on a position within the width of the gauge of the deviation indicator determined in the position determining step. The game program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the size of the risk area relative to the overall size of the gauge varies depending on the state of the point where the ball object is located. The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the risk area is set outside a basic area of a certain width of the gauge. The game program according to claim 4, further comprising a color control step in which the color of the basic area is changed and the color of the risk area is not changed as the power index progresses. The game program according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a step of causing the processor to execute a target image display step of displaying a target image corresponding to at least one of a green object, a pin object, a bunker object, a hazard object, and a rough object that are within a movable range of the ball object, in a position within the basic area of the gauge according to the distance from the ball object. The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising causing the processor to execute a lottery display step of displaying a state in which the position of the deviation indicator is randomly determined, between the time when the progress of the power indicator is stopped in the power indicator stopping step and the time when the movement process is started in the movement execution step. The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the gauge bends according to the movement start direction determined in the direction determination step and the inclination of the ball object relative to the movement start direction at the point where the ball object is located. a trajectory prediction image display step of displaying a trajectory prediction image predictably showing a predicted trajectory, which is a trajectory when the ball object moves in the movement start direction determined in the direction determination step;
the trajectory prediction image is a strip-shaped image extending linearly in the movement start direction or extending along the predicted trajectory,
9. The game program according to claim 1, wherein the degree of curvature of the predicted trajectory of the ball object is expressed by a shape or a tilt of the strip-shaped image or a component of the strip-shaped image. the components are images of a plurality of quadrilaterals;
10. The game program according to claim 9, wherein the degree of curvature is expressed by changing a shape of the plurality of quadrilaterals. The game program according to claim 10, wherein each of the multiple quadrilaterals is displayed to move in the movement start direction determined in the direction determination step. The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising causing the processor to execute a three-dimensional display step of expressing the gauge with a three-dimensional depth. The game program according to claim 12, further comprising a height information display step of displaying, in a forward direction along the gauge, height information of an obstacle object that is an obstacle to the movement of the ball object when the movement start direction is determined in the direction determination step. 14. The game program according to claim 12, further comprising: a two-dimensional display step of expressing the gauge in a two-dimensional display; and a switching step of switching between the execution of the two-dimensional display step and the three-dimensional display step based on the user operation. A game program for causing a computer to execute a virtual golf game, comprising:
a processor of the computer,
a direction determination step of determining a movement start direction of a ball object based on a progress of the golf game or a user operation;
a power index advancement step of advancing the power index displayed at an initial position, which is an arbitrary position, in a predetermined direction up to a predetermined movable length;
a power index stopping step of stopping the progress of the power index based on a user operation;
a position determination step of randomly determining a position of a vibration index to be displayed corresponding to a stop position of the power index stopped in the power index stopping step in a width direction of the gauge determined based on the stop position and the initial position; and a movement execution step of executing a movement process of moving the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power index is to the movable length, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes,
The gauge includes a risk area whose widthwise length or widthwise rate increases as the gauge approaches the movable length,
The movement execution step changes the movement start direction or the movement direction after the start of movement of the ball object when the position of the blurring indicator determined in the position determination step is within the risk area, compared to when the position is outside the risk area. A gaming device for executing a virtual golf game, comprising:
The processor of the gaming device
determining a movement start direction of a ball object based on a progress of the golf game or a user operation;
advancing a power indicator through or along a gauge having a width extending from one end to the other as indicated, from one end of the gauge to the other;
Stopping the progression of the power index based on a user action;
randomly determining a position of a vibration indicator to be displayed corresponding to a width direction of the gauge at a stop position of the stopped power indicator; and executing a movement process to move the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power indicator is to the other end side of the gauge, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes;
The gauge includes a risk area in which the length or the ratio in the width direction is increased toward the other end side,
When the determined position of the deviation indicator is within the risk area, the direction in which the ball object starts moving or the direction in which the ball object moves after starting moving is changed compared to when the determined position of the deviation indicator is outside the risk area. A gaming device for executing a virtual golf game, comprising:
A processor of the gaming device
determining a movement start direction of a ball object based on a progress of the golf game or a user operation;
advancing a power indicator displayed at an initial position, which is an arbitrary position, in a predetermined direction to a predetermined movable length;
Stopping the progression of the power index based on a user action;
randomly determining a position of a vibration indicator to be displayed corresponding to a width direction of the gauge determined based on the stop position of the stopped power indicator and the initial position; and executing a movement process to move the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power indicator is to the movable length, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes;
The gauge includes a risk area whose widthwise length or widthwise rate increases as the gauge approaches the movable length,
When the determined position of the deviation indicator is within the risk area, the direction in which the ball object starts moving or the direction in which the ball object moves after starting moving is changed compared to when the determined position of the deviation indicator is outside the risk area. A game control method for a game device that executes a virtual golf game, comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a movement start direction of a ball object based on a progress of the golf game or a user operation;
(b) advancing a power indicator through or along a gauge having a width extending from one end to the other as indicated, from one end of the gauge to the other;
(c) stopping the progression of the power index based on a user action;
(d) a step of randomly determining a position of a blurring indicator to be displayed corresponding to a width direction of the gauge at a stop position of the power indicator stopped in the step (c); and (e) a step of executing a movement process of moving the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power indicator is to the other end side of the gauge, the longer the movement distance of the ball object,
The gauge includes a risk area in which the length or the ratio in the width direction is increased toward the other end side,
The step (e) changes the direction in which the ball object starts moving or the direction in which the ball object moves after starting to move when the position of the blurring indicator determined in the step (d) is within the risk area, compared to when the position is outside the risk area. A game control method for a game device that executes a virtual golf game, comprising the steps of:
(a) determining a movement start direction of a ball object based on a progress of the golf game or a user operation;
(b) moving the power index displayed at an initial position, which is an arbitrary position, in a predetermined direction up to a predetermined movable length;
(c) stopping the progression of the power index based on a user action;
(d) a step of randomly determining a position of a vibration indicator to be displayed corresponding to the stop position of the power indicator stopped in the step (c) in the width direction of the gauge determined based on the stop position and the initial position; and (e) a movement process is executed to move the ball object such that the closer the stop position of the power indicator is to the movable length, the longer the movement distance of the ball object becomes.
The gauge includes a risk area whose widthwise length or widthwise rate increases as the gauge approaches the movable length,
The step (e) changes the direction in which the ball object starts moving or the direction in which the ball object moves after starting to move when the position of the blurring indicator determined in the step (d) is within the risk area, compared to when the position is outside the risk area.

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