U.S. Pat. No. 11,426,659

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

1. Configuration of Game System

A game system according to an example of an exemplary embodiment is described below. An example of a game system1according to the exemplary embodiment includes a main body apparatus (an information processing apparatus; which functions as a game apparatus main body in the exemplary embodiment)2, a left controller3, and a right controller4. Each of the left controller3and the right controller4is attachable to and detachable from the main body apparatus2. That is, the game system1can be used as a unified apparatus obtained by attaching each of the left controller3and the right controller4to the main body apparatus2. Further, in the game system1, the main body apparatus2, the left controller3, and the right controller4can also be used as separate bodies (seeFIG. 2). Hereinafter, first, the hardware configuration of the game system1according to the exemplary embodiment is described, and then, the control of the game system1according to the exemplary embodiment is described.

FIG. 1is a diagram showing an example of the state where the left controller3and the right controller4are attached to the main body apparatus2. As shown inFIG. 1, each of the left controller3and the right controller4is attached to and unified with the main body apparatus2. The main body apparatus2is an apparatus for performing various processes (e.g., game processing) in the game system1. The main body apparatus2includes a display12. Each of the left controller3and the right controller4is an apparatus including operation sections with which a user provides inputs.

FIG. 2is a diagram showing an example of the state where each of the left controller3and the right controller4is detached from the main body apparatus2. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the left controller3and the right controller4are attachable to and detachable from the main body apparatus2. It should be noted that hereinafter, the left controller3and the right controller4will occasionally be referred to collectively as a “controller”.

FIG. 3is six orthogonal views showing an example of the main body apparatus2. As shown inFIG. 3, the main body apparatus2includes an approximately plate-shaped housing11. In the exemplary embodiment, a main surface (in other words, a surface on a front side, i.e., a surface on which the display12is provided) of the housing11has a generally rectangular shape.

It should be noted that the shape and the size of the housing11are optional. As an example, the housing11may be of a portable size. Further, the main body apparatus2alone or the unified apparatus obtained by attaching the left controller3and the right controller4to the main body apparatus2may function as a mobile apparatus. The main body apparatus2or the unified apparatus may function as a handheld apparatus or a portable apparatus.

As shown inFIG. 3, the main body apparatus2includes the display12, which is provided on the main surface of the housing11. The display12displays an image generated by the main body apparatus2. In the exemplary embodiment, the display12is a liquid crystal display device (LCD). The display12, however, may be a display device of any type.

Further, the main body apparatus2includes a touch panel13on a screen of the display12. In the exemplary embodiment, the touch panel13is of a type that allows a multi-touch input (e.g., a capacitive type). The touch panel13, however, may be of any type. For example, the touch panel13may be of a type that allows a single-touch input (e.g., a resistive type).

The main body apparatus2includes speakers (i.e., speakers88shown inFIG. 6) within the housing11. As shown inFIG. 3, speaker holes11aand11bare formed on the main surface of the housing11. Then, sounds output from the speakers88are output through the speaker holes11aand11b.

Further, the main body apparatus2includes a left terminal17, which is a terminal for the main body apparatus2to perform wired communication with the left controller3, and a right terminal21, which is a terminal for the main body apparatus2to perform wired communication with the right controller4.

As shown inFIG. 3, the main body apparatus2includes a slot23. The slot23is provided on an upper side surface of the housing11. The slot23is so shaped as to allow a predetermined type of storage medium to be attached to the slot23. The predetermined type of storage medium is, for example, a dedicated storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) for the game system1and an information processing apparatus of the same type as the game system1. The predetermined type of storage medium is used to store, for example, data (e.g., saved data of an application or the like) used by the main body apparatus2and/or a program (e.g., a program for an application or the like) executed by the main body apparatus2. Further, the main body apparatus2includes a power button28.

The main body apparatus2includes a lower terminal27. The lower terminal27is a terminal for the main body apparatus2to communicate with a cradle. In the exemplary embodiment, the lower terminal27is a USB connector (more specifically, a female connector). Further, when the unified apparatus or the main body apparatus2alone is mounted on the cradle, the game system1can display on a stationary monitor an image generated by and output from the main body apparatus2. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, the cradle has the function of charging the unified apparatus or the main body apparatus2alone mounted on the cradle. Further, the cradle has the function of a hub device (specifically, a USB hub).

FIG. 4is six orthogonal views showing an example of the left controller3. As shown inFIG. 4, the left controller3includes a housing31. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing31has a vertically long shape, i.e., is shaped to be long in an up-down direction (i.e., a y-axis direction shown inFIGS. 1 and 4). In the state where the left controller3is detached from the main body apparatus2, the left controller3can also be held in the orientation in which the left controller3is vertically long. The housing31has such a shape and a size that when held in the orientation in which the housing31is vertically long, the housing31can be held with one hand, particularly the left hand. Further, the left controller3can also be held in the orientation in which the left controller3is horizontally long. When held in the orientation in which the left controller3is horizontally long, the left controller3may be held with both hands.

The left controller3includes an analog stick32. As shown inFIG. 4, the analog stick32is provided on a main surface of the housing31. The analog stick32can be used as a direction input section with which a direction can be input. The user tilts the analog stick32and thereby can input a direction corresponding to the direction of the tilt (and input a magnitude corresponding to the angle of the tilt). It should be noted that the left controller3may include a directional pad, a slide stick that allows a slide input, or the like as the direction input section, instead of the analog stick. Further, in the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to provide an input by pressing the analog stick32.

The left controller3includes various operation buttons. The left controller3includes four operation buttons33to36(specifically, a right direction button33, a down direction button34, an up direction button35, and a left direction button36) on the main surface of the housing31. Further, the left controller3includes a record button37and a “−” (minus) button47. The left controller3includes a first L-button38and a ZL-button39in an upper left portion of a side surface of the housing31. Further, the left controller3includes a second L-button43and a second R-button44, on the side surface of the housing31on which the left controller3is attached to the main body apparatus2. These operation buttons are used to give instructions depending on various programs (e.g., an OS program and an application program) executed by the main body apparatus2.

Further, the left controller3includes a terminal42for the left controller3to perform wired communication with the main body apparatus2.

FIG. 5is six orthogonal views showing an example of the right controller4. As shown inFIG. 5, the right controller4includes a housing51. In the exemplary embodiment, the housing51has a vertically long shape, i.e., is shaped to be long in the up-down direction. In the state where the right controller4is detached from the main body apparatus2, the right controller4can also be held in the orientation in which the right controller4is vertically long. The housing51has such a shape and a size that when held in the orientation in which the housing51is vertically long, the housing51can be held with one hand, particularly the right hand. Further, the right controller4can also be held in the orientation in which the right controller4is horizontally long. When held in the orientation in which the right controller4is horizontally long, the right controller4may be held with both hands.

Similarly to the left controller3, the right controller4includes an analog stick52as a direction input section. In the exemplary embodiment, the analog stick52has the same configuration as that of the analog stick32of the left controller3. Further, the right controller4may include a directional pad, a slide stick that allows a slide input, or the like, instead of the analog stick. Further, similarly to the left controller3, the right controller4includes four operation buttons53to56(specifically, an A-button53, a B-button54, an X-button55, and a Y-button56) on a main surface of the housing51. Further, the right controller4includes a “+” (plus) button57and a home button58. Further, the right controller4includes a first R-button60and a ZR-button61in an upper right portion of a side surface of the housing51. Further, similarly to the left controller3, the right controller4includes a second L-button65and a second R-button66.

Further, the right controller4includes a terminal64for the right controller4to perform wired communication with the main body apparatus2.

FIG. 6is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main body apparatus2. The main body apparatus2includes components81to91,97, and98shown inFIG. 6in addition to the components shown inFIG. 3. Some of the components81to91,97, and98may be mounted as electronic components on an electronic circuit board and accommodated in the housing11.

The main body apparatus2includes a processor81. The processor81is an information processing section for executing various types of information processing to be executed by the main body apparatus2. For example, the processor81may be composed only of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or may be composed of a SoC (System-on-a-chip) having a plurality of functions such as a CPU function and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) function. The processor81executes an information processing program (e.g., a game program) stored in a storage section (specifically, an internal storage medium such as a flash memory84, an external storage medium attached to the slot23, or the like), thereby performing the various types of information processing.

The main body apparatus2includes a flash memory84and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)85as examples of internal storage media built into the main body apparatus2. The flash memory84and the DRAM85are connected to the processor81. The flash memory84is a memory mainly used to store various data (or programs) to be saved in the main body apparatus2. The DRAM85is a memory used to temporarily store various data used for information processing.

The main body apparatus2includes a slot interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “I/F”)91. The slot I/F91is connected to the processor81. The slot I/F91is connected to the slot23, and in accordance with an instruction from the processor81, reads and writes data from and to the predetermined type of storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) attached to the slot23.

The processor81appropriately reads and writes data from and to the flash memory84, the DRAM85, and each of the above storage media, thereby performing the above information processing.

The main body apparatus2includes a network communication section82. The network communication section82is connected to the processor81. The network communication section82communicates (specifically, through wireless communication) with an external apparatus via a network. In the exemplary embodiment, as a first communication form, the network communication section82connects to a wireless LAN and communicates with an external apparatus, using a method compliant with the Wi-Fi standard. Further, as a second communication form, the network communication section82wirelessly communicates with another main body apparatus2of the same type, using a predetermined communication method (e.g., communication based on a unique protocol or infrared light communication). It should be noted that the wireless communication in the above second communication form achieves the function of enabling so-called “local communication” in which the main body apparatus2can wirelessly communicate with another main body apparatus2placed in a closed local network area, and the plurality of main body apparatuses2directly communicate with each other to transmit and receive data.

The main body apparatus2includes a controller communication section83. The controller communication section83is connected to the processor81. The controller communication section83wirelessly communicates with the left controller3and/or the right controller4. The communication method between the main body apparatus2and the left controller3and the right controller4is optional. In the exemplary embodiment, the controller communication section83performs communication compliant with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard with the left controller3and with the right controller4.

The processor81is connected to the left terminal17, the right terminal21, and the lower terminal27. When performing wired communication with the left controller3, the processor81transmits data to the left controller3via the left terminal17and also receives operation data from the left controller3via the left terminal17. Further, when performing wired communication with the right controller4, the processor81transmits data to the right controller4via the right terminal21and also receives operation data from the right controller4via the right terminal21. Further, when communicating with the cradle, the processor81transmits data to the cradle via the lower terminal27. As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus2can perform both wired communication and wireless communication with each of the left controller3and the right controller4. Further, when the unified apparatus obtained by attaching the left controller3and the right controller4to the main body apparatus2or the main body apparatus2alone is attached to the cradle, the main body apparatus2can output data (e.g., image data or sound data) to the stationary monitor or the like via the cradle.

Here, the main body apparatus2can communicate with a plurality of left controllers3simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). Further, the main body apparatus2can communicate with a plurality of right controllers4simultaneously (in other words, in parallel). Thus, a plurality of users can simultaneously provide inputs to the main body apparatus2, each using a set of the left controller3and the right controller4. As an example, a first user can provide an input to the main body apparatus2using a first set of the left controller3and the right controller4, and simultaneously, a second user can provide an input to the main body apparatus2using a second set of the left controller3and the right controller4.

Further, the display12is connected to the processor81. The processor81displays a generated image (e.g., an image generated by executing the above information processing) and/or an externally acquired image on the display12.

The main body apparatus2includes a codec circuit87and speakers (specifically, a left speaker and a right speaker)88. The codec circuit87is connected to the speakers88and a sound input/output terminal25and also connected to the processor81. The codec circuit87is a circuit for controlling the input and output of sound data to and from the speakers88and the sound input/output terminal25.

The main body apparatus2includes a power control section97and a battery98. The power control section97is connected to the battery98and the processor81. Further, although not shown inFIG. 6, the power control section97is connected to components of the main body apparatus2(specifically, components that receive power supplied from the battery98, the left terminal17, and the right terminal21). Based on a command from the processor81, the power control section97controls the supply of power from the battery98to the above components.

Further, the battery98is connected to the lower terminal27. When an external charging device (e.g., the cradle) is connected to the lower terminal27, and power is supplied to the main body apparatus2via the lower terminal27, the battery98is charged with the supplied power.

FIG. 7is a block diagram showing examples of the internal configurations of the main body apparatus2, the left controller3, and the right controller4. It should be noted that the details of the internal configuration of the main body apparatus2are shown inFIG. 6and therefore are omitted inFIG. 7.

The left controller3includes a communication control section101, which communicates with the main body apparatus2. As shown inFIG. 7, the communication control section101is connected to components including the terminal42. In the exemplary embodiment, the communication control section101can communicate with the main body apparatus2through both wired communication via the terminal42and wireless communication not via the terminal42. The communication control section101controls the method for communication performed by the left controller3with the main body apparatus2. That is, when the left controller3is attached to the main body apparatus2, the communication control section101communicates with the main body apparatus2via the terminal42. Further, when the left controller3is detached from the main body apparatus2, the communication control section101wirelessly communicates with the main body apparatus2(specifically, the controller communication section83). The wireless communication between the communication control section101and the controller communication section83is performed in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, for example.

Further, the left controller3includes a memory102such as a flash memory. The communication control section101includes, for example, a microcomputer (or a microprocessor) and executes firmware stored in the memory102, thereby performing various processes.

The left controller3includes buttons103(specifically, the buttons33to39,43,44, and47). Further, the left controller3includes the analog stick (“stick” inFIG. 7)32. Each of the buttons103and the analog stick32outputs information regarding an operation performed on itself to the communication control section101repeatedly at appropriate timing.

The communication control section101acquires information regarding an input (specifically, information regarding an operation or the detection result of the sensor) from each of input sections (specifically, the buttons103, and, the analog stick32). The communication control section101transmits operation data including the acquired information (or information obtained by performing predetermined processing on the acquired information) to the main body apparatus2. It should be noted that the operation data is transmitted repeatedly, once every predetermined time. It should be noted that the interval at which the information regarding an input is transmitted from each of the input sections to the main body apparatus2may or may not be the same.

The above operation data is transmitted to the main body apparatus2, whereby the main body apparatus2can obtain inputs provided to the left controller3. That is, the main body apparatus2can determine operations on the buttons103and the analog stick32based on the operation data.

The left controller3includes a power supply section108. In the exemplary embodiment, the power supply section108includes a battery and a power control circuit. Although not shown inFIG. 7, the power control circuit is connected to the battery and also connected to components of the left controller3(specifically, components that receive power supplied from the battery).

As shown inFIG. 7, the right controller4includes a communication control section111, which communicates with the main body apparatus2. Further, the right controller4includes a memory112, which is connected to the communication control section111. The communication control section111is connected to components including the terminal64. The communication control section111and the memory112have functions similar to those of the communication control section101and the memory102, respectively, of the left controller3. Thus, the communication control section111can communicate with the main body apparatus2through both wired communication via the terminal64and wireless communication not via the terminal64(specifically, communication compliant with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard). The communication control section111controls the method for communication performed by the right controller4with the main body apparatus2.

The right controller4includes input sections similar to the input sections of the left controller3. Specifically, the right controller4includes buttons113, and, the analog stick52. These input sections have functions similar to those of the input sections of the left controller3and operate similarly to the input sections of the left controller3.

The right controller4includes a power supply section118. The power supply section118has a function similar to that of the power supply section108of the left controller3and operates similarly to the power supply section108.

2. Outline of Processing in Game System

An outline of game processing performed in a game system1will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 15. In the exemplary embodiment, in a game according to the game processing, a player character operated by a player (in other words, a user) moves in a virtual three-dimensional game space. In the game space, the player character falls in the air when it dives from a height, for example. In the exemplary embodiment, the player can perform several operations to the falling player character. Hereinafter, motion control for the player character that is falling in the air in the game space will be mainly described.

2-1. Posture While Falling

In the exemplary embodiment, the player character can take five falling states as follows.normal fallinglow-velocity fallingdiving fallingbackward fallinghigh-velocity falling

The game system1controls the player character so that the player character takes different postures for the respective falling states (seeFIG. 8).

In this specification, a “posture” of the player character includes a pose and a stance, of the player character, that the player can recognize. That is, the phrase “the posture of the player character varies” means that the pose and/or the stance of the player character varies.

FIG. 8shows an example of the falling states that the player character can take. In the exemplary embodiment, a player character201is able to shoot an arrow by using a bow, and possesses a bow object202. Although described later in detail, the player character201takes a posture of holding a bow when shooting an arrow. On the other hand, when the player character does not hold the bow, the player character201carries the bow object202on its back (seeFIG. 8).

As shown inFIG. 8, the normal falling is a state where the player character201falls with its head upward in the game space while taking a posture as if standing with its arms a little up. In the exemplary embodiment, the player character201firstly takes the posture of normal falling when it falls from a height without performing a jumping action described later. During the normal falling, the player cannot performs an operation of moving the player character201. That is, during the normal falling, the player character201falls downward according to the laws of physics (e.g., the law of motion and the law of gravity) adopted in the game.

The player character201in the state of normal falling transitions to the state of low-velocity falling, according to an item use instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by pressing the X-button55of the right controller4) (seeFIG. 8). Moreover, the player character201in the state of normal falling transitions to the state of diving falling, according to a diving instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by pressing the first R-button of the right controller4, or an input instruction performed by tilting the analog stick32of the left controller3upward) (seeFIG. 8).

As shown inFIG. 8, the low-velocity falling is a state where the player character201falls in a posture of hanging from an item203which imitates a parachute. During the low-velocity falling, the player character201falls with its head upward in the game space, like the normal falling. During the low-velocity falling, the player character201falls at a falling velocity lower than that of the normal falling (specifically, at the lowest falling velocity among the five falling states). During the low-velocity falling, the player character201falls as if gliding while traveling forward. In the exemplary embodiment, during the low-velocity falling, the player character201falls while moving leftward and rightward, according to a left/right movement instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by tilting the analog stick32of the left controller3). Specifically, during the low-velocity falling, the player character201falls as if turning to the left and right (e.g., curving to the left and right while traveling forward), according to the left/right movement instruction. The player character201in the state of low-velocity falling transitions to the state of normal falling, according to an item end instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by pressing the B-button54of the right controller4) (seeFIG. 8).

While the player character201is falling, the position and the direction of a virtual camera for generating a game image are changed according to a camera instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by tilting the analog stick52of the right controller4). For example, the virtual camera moves so as to rotate in the yaw direction according to the camera instruction in the left-right direction, and moves so as to rotate in the pitch direction according to the camera instruction in the up-down direction (seeFIG. 10). Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, when the player character201is falling, the virtual camera is controlled such that the position and the direction thereof allow the player character201to be included in the field of view of the virtual camera.

The player character201in the state of low-velocity falling transitions to the state of diving falling, according to a diving instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by pressing the first R-button60of the right controller4) (seeFIG. 8).

As shown inFIG. 8, the diving falling is a state where the player character201falls with a forward direction thereof (i.e., the forward direction based on the direction of the player character201) being directed downward in the game space, while taking a posture of stretching its arms and legs outward (like sky diving). During the diving falling, the player character201falls at a falling velocity lower than that of the normal falling and higher than that of the low-velocity falling. In the exemplary embodiment, the player character201can transition from the state of normal falling to the state of diving falling as described above. If the player character201falls from a height while performing a jumping action (e.g., an action of jumping from the height), the player character201firstly takes the posture of diving falling.

In this specification, the phrase “a certain direction is directed downward” includes a state where this direction is directed vertically downward, and a state where this direction is directed substantially downward. For example, if the certain direction has an angle of 20° with respect to the vertically downward direction, it can be said this certain direction is directed downward. Likewise, the phrase “a certain direction is directed upward” includes a state where this direction is directed vertically upward, and a state where this direction is directed substantially upward.

FIG. 9shows an example of a game image displayed when the player character is in the state of diving falling. In the exemplary embodiment, when the diving falling has started, the game system1sets the virtual camera at a position above the player character201(specifically, above the player character201in the game space) such that the virtual camera faces downward in the game space. This setting is performed by the game system1automatically (i.e., without a camera instruction by the player). Therefore, as shown inFIG. 9, when the diving falling has started, a game image showing a game space in which the falling direction of the player character201is viewed from a view point behind the player character201, is displayed on the display12. This allows the player to intuitively recognize that the player character201has entered the state of diving falling. Moreover, the virtual camera is directed to the traveling direction of the player character201during the diving falling. This allows the player to easily perform an operation to the player character201during the diving falling.

The game image shown inFIG. 9includes a stamina gauge206indicating stamina of the player character201. In the exemplary embodiment, a parameter indicating stamina is set for the player character201. For example, the stamina of the player character201gradually decreases with the lapse of time while the player character201falls in the state of low-velocity falling. For example, the stamina of the player character201decreases by a predetermined amount when the player character201performs an action of shooting an arrow described later. If the stamina becomes 0 (zero) while the player character201falls, the player character201transitions to the state of normal falling.

In the exemplary embodiment, during the diving falling, according to an up, down, left, or right movement instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by tilting the analog stick32of the left controller3), the player character201falls while moving forward, backward, leftward, or rightward in the game space (components parallel to a horizontal plane in the game space) with respect to the player character201facing downward in the game space (it can be said that the forward direction is substantially the falling direction). Specifically, during the diving falling, the player character201performs a downward falling movement while moving with respect to the horizontal direction in the game space. In the exemplary embodiment, the amount of movement per unit time in the horizontal direction during the diving falling is smaller than the amount of movement per unit time in the horizontal direction during the low-velocity falling. That is, the player can cause the player character201to move more largely with respect to the horizontal direction during the low-velocity falling than during the diving falling.

The player character201in the state of diving falling transitions to the state of normal falling, according to a diving end instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by pressing the B-button54of the right controller4) (seeFIG. 8). The player character201in the state of diving falling transitions to the state of low-velocity falling, according to the item use instruction by the player (seeFIG. 8).

Moreover, the player character201in the state of diving falling transitions to the state of backward falling, according to a turn start instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by pressing the A-button53of the right controller4) (seeFIG. 8).

As shown inFIG. 8, the backward falling is a state where the player character201falls in a posture in which the forward direction of the player character201is directed upward in the game space and the player character201puts its arms down and bends its needs a little (e.g., face-up posture). During the backward falling, the player character201falls at the same falling velocity as that of the diving falling.

In the exemplary embodiment, when the backward falling has started, the game system1sets the virtual camera at a position beneath the player character201(specifically, beneath the player character201in the game space) such that the virtual camera faces upward in the game space. This setting is automatically performed by the game system1. Thus, when the backward falling has started, the virtual camera is set to be directed upward in the game space from behind the player character201.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, while the player character is in the falling state, the game system1turns the virtual camera so that the direction of the virtual camera is directed upward in the game space, based on a direction change operation input by the player (e.g., an input for a turn start instruction). This allows the player to easily perform the operation of turning the virtual camera upward, thereby enhancing operability for the game. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment, the game system1changes the posture of the player character so that the forward direction of the player character is directed upward in the game space, based on the direction change operation input. This allows the player to easily change the posture of the player character, thereby enhancing operability for the player character. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, since the posture of the player character and the direction of the virtual camera are changed based on the direction change operation input, the player can intuitively recognize that the posture of the player character has changed, by the change in the direction of the virtual camera.

In the exemplary embodiment, during the backward falling, like the diving falling, the player character201moves according to an up, down, left, or right movement instruction performed by the player. That is, according to the up, down, left, or right movement instruction, the player character201falls while moving forward, backward, leftward, or rightward in the game space (components parallel to the horizontal plane in the game space) with respect to the player character201. However, in another embodiment, the game system1may inhibit the player to perform a movement control to the player character201in the state of backward falling.

The player character201in the state of backward falling transitions to the state immediately before the backward falling (specifically, the state of diving falling, or the state of high-velocity falling described later), according to a turn end instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by pressing the A-button53of the right controller4) (seeFIG. 8).

The player character201in the state of diving falling transitions to the state of high-velocity falling, according to a high-velocity falling start instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by pressing the first R-button60of the right controller4) (seeFIG. 8). The player character201in the state of high-velocity falling transitions to the state of diving falling, according to a high-velocity falling end instruction by the player (e.g., an input instruction performed by releasing the first R-button60that has been pressed to start the high-velocity falling) (seeFIG. 8).

As shown inFIG. 8, the high-velocity falling is a state where the player character201falls with its head downward in the game space while taking a posture as if standing with its arms down and its head being directed to the traveling direction. During the high-velocity falling, the player character201falls at a falling velocity higher than that of the normal falling (i.e., at the highest falling velocity among the five falling states).

During the high-velocity falling, like the diving falling, according to an up, down, left, or right movement instruction by the player, the player character201falls while moving forward, backward, leftward, or rightward in the game space (components parallel to the horizontal plane in the game space) with respect to the player character201. However, in the exemplary embodiment, the amount of movement per unit time in the horizontal direction during the high-velocity falling is smaller than the amount of movement per unit time in the horizontal direction during the diving falling. That is, the player can cause the player character201to move more largely with respect to the horizontal direction during the diving falling than during the high-velocity falling.

The player character201in the state of high-velocity falling transitions to the state of backward falling, according to the turn start instruction by the player (seeFIG. 8).

As described above, when the diving falling or the backward falling has started, the position and the direction of the virtual camera are automatically controlled. Meanwhile, during the diving falling, the backward falling, or the high-velocity falling, like the normal falling or the low-velocity falling, the position and the direction of the virtual camera are controlled according to a camera instruction by the player. At this time, the virtual camera is controlled such that the position and the direction thereof allow the player character201to be included in the field of view of the virtual camera.

In the exemplary embodiment, when the player character201takes a posture corresponding to any one of four falling states (i.e., the aforementioned falling states excluding the normal state), the direction of the player character201is controlled according to the direction of the virtual camera.

FIG. 10shows the relationship between change in the direction of the virtual camera and change in the direction of the player character. In the exemplary embodiment, when the player character201takes one of the postures corresponding to the four falling states, the direction of the player character201is controlled according to a yaw direction component, in the game space, of the direction of the virtual camera205. The yaw direction is a direction of rotation around a rotation axis perpendicular to the horizontal direction in the game space. In the example shown inFIG. 10, when the virtual camera205is located behind the player character201, the virtual camera205moves to rotate in the yaw direction around the player character201, and moves to a position P1, in response to that an input instruction to the left direction is performed. At this time, the direction of the virtual camera205also changes in the yaw direction (specifically, the virtual cameral205turns right). Thus, according to the change in the direction of the virtual camera25, the player character201turns such that the direction thereof is directed to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual cameral (see an arrow shown inFIG. 10). The direction of the player character201may not necessarily be controlled to always coincide with the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera205, and may be controlled to follow (i.e., with a certain degree of delay) the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera205. Thus, regarding the yaw direction, the direction of the player character201is not significantly shifted from the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera, which enables the player to easily perform an operation of moving the player character201(e.g., an operation using the analog stick32of the left controller3).

When the player character201takes one of the postures corresponding to the four falling states, even if the direction of the virtual camera205changes in the pitch direction in the game space, the direction of the player character201is not changed. The pitch direction is a direction of rotation around a rotation axis that is parallel to the horizontal direction in the game space and is perpendicular to the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera. In the example shown inFIG. 10, when the virtual camera205is located behind the player character201, the virtual camera205moves to rotate in the pitch direction around the player character201, and moves to the position P2, in response to that an input instruction to the down direction is performed. At this time, the direction of the virtual camera205also changes in the pitch direction (specifically, the virtual camera205turns up). The direction of the player character201is not controlled in response to the change in the direction of the virtual camera in the pitch direction. The reason is as follows. Regarding the change in the pitch direction, even if the direction of the player character201is shifted from the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera, the player feels less discomfort regarding an operation of moving the player character201.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the player performs, to the falling player character201, a movement instruction or an instruction to change the falling state, thereby controlling the falling direction and/or the falling velocity of the player character201. In another embodiment, the player may control only one of the falling direction and the falling velocity of the player character201.

In the exemplary embodiment, when the player character is in the falling state, the game system1controls the player character such that the posture of the player character corresponds to at least one of a plurality of postures including: a posture in which an upward direction of the player character (i.e., the upward direction viewed from the player character) is directed downward in the game space (e.g., the posture corresponding to the high-velocity falling); and a posture in which the forward direction of the player character is directed downward in the game space (e.g., the posture corresponding to the diving falling). Moreover, the game system1controls at least one of the falling direction and the falling velocity according to the posture of the player character (e.g., the falling velocity is changed between the high-velocity falling and the diving falling). Thus, the posture of the player character that is falling can be diversified, and the player character can be caused to move in the falling direction and/or at the falling velocity according to the posture of the player character.

As for the aforementioned five falling states, the posture of the player character201, the behavior (e.g., falling velocity) of the player character201, whether or not a movement operation to the player character201is possible, the content of the movement operation, whether or not an operation to the virtual camera is possible, and the content of the operation, are arbitrary, and are not limited to those mentioned above. In another embodiment, the states that the player character201can take while it is falling are not limited to the aforementioned five states. In the other embodiment, the player character201need not be able to take all the five states. Moreover, in the other embodiment, the conditions for changing the falling state of the player character201are arbitrary, and are not limited to the conditions described in the exemplary embodiment.

2-2. Processing in Special Operation Mode

Next, processing in a special operation mode while the player character is falling, will be described. In the exemplary embodiment, the player character201can perform a shooting action (in this embodiment, an action of shooting an arrow with a bow) while it is falling. The special operation mode is a process mode for causing the player character201to perform an action of shooting an arrow, based on an instruction by the player.

In the exemplary embodiment, the player character201takes a ready posture for shooting an arrow (specifically, a posture of holding a bow object202; seeFIG. 13) while it is falling, according to a ready instruction by the player. Moreover, while taking the ready posture, the player character201performs an action of shooting an arrow, according to a shooting instruction by the player. While taking the ready posture, the player character201ends the ready posture and returns to the posture in the falling state, according to a ready posture end instruction by the player. The special operation mode is started with the ready instruction, and ended with the ready posture end instruction.

In the exemplary embodiment, the ready instruction is an input instruction performed by pressing the ZR-button of the right controller4, and the shooting instruction is an input instruction performed by releasing the ZR-button having been pressed for the ready instruction. In the exemplary embodiment, the game system1starts the special operation mode, in response to that a predetermined key input (e.g., an input to the ZR-button61) is started by the player while the player character201is in the falling state. A shooting operation input for causing the player character201to perform the shooting action is an input for ending the predetermined key input that has started the special operation mode. The game system1ends the special operation mode, based on an end operation input by the player (e.g., an input for the ready posture end instruction). Thus, the player can start and end the special operation mode through a series of operations such as performing a predetermined key input and ending the key input (e.g., pressing a predetermined button and releasing the button), whereby operability is enhanced.

FIG. 11shows an example of a game image in the special operation mode. As shown inFIG. 11, when the game system1is in the special operation mode (i.e., when the player character201takes the ready posture), a game image showing a game space in which the player character201holding the bow object202is viewed from behind, is displayed on the display12. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 11, the game image includes an aim marker207. The aim marker207indicates an arrow shooting direction when an arrow is shot in response to a shooting instruction performed by the player. In the exemplary embodiment, the aim marker207is displayed at a predetermined position (e.g., center position) in the game image showing the game space.

In the exemplary embodiment, even during the special operation mode, the game system1receives the camera instruction for operating the virtual camera, as in the case where the game system1is not in the special operation mode. Moreover, in the special operation mode, the direction of shooting an arrow by the player character201changes in response to that the direction of the virtual camera is changed by the camera instruction. In the exemplary embodiment, the shooting direction is set according to the direction of the virtual camera such that the aim marker207is placed at a predetermined position in the game image, regardless of the direction of the virtual camera.

FIG. 12shows the relationship between change in the direction of the virtual camera during the special operation mode and change in the posture of the player character. As shown inFIG. 12, in the exemplary embodiment, the direction to which the player character201points an arrow changes according to change in the direction of the virtual camera. For example, when the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera is changed to be directed downward relative to the horizontal direction in the game space, the player character201points an arrow object209downward relative to the horizontal direction (see (a) ofFIG. 12). When the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera is changed to be directed upward relative to the horizontal direction in the game space, the player character201points the arrow object209upward relative to the horizontal direction (see (b) ofFIG. 12). In the exemplary embodiment, the game system1controls the motion of the player character201such that the line-of-sight direction of the virtual camera coincide with the direction (i.e., shooting direction) of the arrow object209.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, in the special operation mode, the game system1controls the motion of the player character such that the player character takes a posture for a shooting action to a direction according to a component, regarding at least the pitch direction, of the direction of the virtual camera based on a camera operation input (e.g., an input for making a camera instruction). This enables the player character to perform a natural shooting action, and enables the player to easily recognize the shooting direction.

AlthoughFIG. 12shows the case where the direction of the virtual camera changes in the pitch direction in the game space, the relationship shown inFIG. 12is also applicable to the case where the direction of the virtual camera changes in the yaw direction in the game space. That is, in the exemplary embodiment, when the direction of the virtual camera changes in the yaw direction in the game space, the game system1controls the motion of the player character201such that the direction to which the arrow object209is pointed is changed in the yaw direction. Thus, it is possible to control the player character201to take a natural posture according to the shooting direction, for both the change in the pitch direction and the change in the yaw direction of the direction of the virtual camera.

The motion of changing the direction of the arrow may be a motion of the player character201changing its posture (seeFIG. 12), or may be a motion of the player character201changing (without changing its posture) the direction of the entire player character201holding the bow and the arrow (see change from state A to state B shown inFIG. 14). In the exemplary embodiment, when the ready posture of the player character201is the horizontal ready posture or the upward ready posture described later, the player character201changes its posture (e.g., changes the direction of its upper body) to change the direction of the arrow. Meanwhile, when the ready posture of the player character201is a downward ready posture described later, the player character201changes the direction of the entire player character201holding the bow and the arrow to change the direction of the arrow.

In the exemplary embodiment, in the special operation mode, the game system1does not receive a movement instruction for moving the player character201. That is, in the special operation mode, the player cannot perform a movement operation to the player character201. In another embodiment, the game system1may receive a movement instruction even in the special operation mode.

In the exemplary embodiment, in the special operation mode, a slow display in which motions of objects (excluding a shot arrow object) in the game space become slow, is performed. That is, in the special operation mode, passage of time in the game space is expressed slower than usual (e.g., motions of the objects are expressed at a speed one-tenth ( 1/10) the speed in the case where the game system1is not in the special operation mode). Therefore, on the display, the player character201falls slowly, and the other objects, excluding the shot arrow object, also move slowly. This enables the player to easily aim at a target by using the aim marker207while the player character201is falling, and easily perform an operation of causing the player character201to shoot an arrow.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the game system1, in the special operation mode, displays an animation showing the state where the player character201appears to fall at a falling velocity lower than that in the case where the game system1is not in the special operation mode. Thus, operability of the operation of causing the player character201to perform the shooting action can be enhanced.

In the exemplary embodiment, the game system1, in the special operation mode, performs a display process in which the speed of the entire game space is reduced. That is, in the special operation mode, not only the falling velocity of the player character201but also the moving velocities of the other objects present in the game space are reduced. In another embodiment, the game system1, in the special operation mode, may reduce only the falling velocity of the player character201without changing the moving velocities of the other objects present in the game space. Also in this case, operability of the operation of causing the player character201to perform the shooting action can be enhanced as in the exemplary embodiment.

In the exemplary embodiment, the game system1, in the special operation mode, changes the direction to which the player character201points an arrow, according to the direction of the virtual camera, and if a condition is satisfied, changes the ready posture (specifically, the type of the ready posture). In the special operation mode, the player character201can take three types of ready postures as follows.horizontal ready posturedownward ready postureupward ready posture

The game system1determines a posture that the player character201should take from among the three types of ready postures, according to the direction of the virtual camera.

FIG. 13shows an example of the three types of ready postures that the player character can take. As shown inFIG. 13, the horizontal ready posture is a posture that the player character201can take when the shooting direction is substantially horizontal. Specifically, the horizontal ready posture is a posture in which the player character201, in a standing position, holds the bow object202toward the forward direction thereof. When taking the horizontal ready posture, the player character201is directed with its head upward in the game space. In the exemplary embodiment, if the special operation mode is started during the normal falling, the low-velocity falling, or the diving falling described above, the game system1controls the player character201to take the horizontal ready posture.

As shown inFIG. 13, the downward ready posture is a posture that the player character201can take when the shooting direction is substantially downward. Specifically, the downward ready posture is a posture in which the player character201holds the bow object202toward the traveling direction (i.e., falling direction). When taking the downward ready posture, the player character201is directed with its head downward in the game space. In the exemplary embodiment, if the special operation mode is started during the high-velocity falling, the game system1controls the player character201to take the downward ready posture.

As shown inFIG. 13, the upward ready posture is a posture that the player character201can take when the shooting direction is substantially upward. Specifically, the upward ready posture is a posture in which the player character201holds the bow object202toward the forward direction thereof with its knees being bent a little. When the player character201takes the upward ready posture, the forward direction of the player character201is directed upward in the game space (e.g., face-up posture). In the exemplary embodiment, if the special operation mode is started during the backward falling, the game system1controls the player character201to take the upward ready posture.

In the exemplary embodiment, since the player character201can take the three types of ready postures, it is possible to control the motion of the player character201so as to take a natural ready posture regardless of whichever direction in the game space the shooting direction is. Moreover, according to the exemplary embodiment, the range of the shooting direction can be increased while causing the player character201to take a natural ready posture.

In the exemplary embodiment, in the special operation mode, the game system1sets the posture of the player character at the start of the special operation mode, according to the posture immediately before the start of the special operation mode. For example, if the posture of the player character immediately before the start of the special operation mode is the posture in which the upward direction of the player character is directed upward in the game space (e.g., the posture of normal falling or low-velocity falling), the game system1sets the posture at the start of the special operation mode to the posture in which the upward direction of the player character is directed upward in the game space. Meanwhile, if the posture of the player character immediately before the start of the special operation mode is the posture in which the upward direction of the player character is directed downward in the game space (e.g., the posture of high-velocity falling), the game system1sets the posture at the start of the special operation mode to the posture in which the upward direction of the player character is directed downward in the game space. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, the ready posture after the transition to the special operation mode varies depending on the falling state of the player character201immediately before the transition to the special operation mode. Thus, the behavior of the posture change of the player character201at the transition to the special operation mode can be made natural.

In the exemplary embodiment, during the special operation mode, the ready posture of the player character201changes among the aforementioned three types of ready postures. Specifically, during the special operation mode, the game system1may change the ready posture of the player character201from the horizontal ready posture to the downward ready posture or the upward ready posture (seeFIG. 13). Meanwhile, during the special operation mode, the game system1may change the ready posture of the player character201from the downward ready posture or the upward ready posture to the horizontal ready posture (seeFIG. 13). Hereinafter a process of changing the ready posture among the three types of ready postures will be described in detail.

FIG. 14shows an example of a state where the ready posture of the player character changes from the downward ready posture to the horizontal ready posture. InFIG. 14, state A is a state where the player character201takes the downward ready posture, and the virtual camera205faces vertically downward. Therefore, in the state A, the direction to which the player character201points the arrow is vertically downward according to the direction of the virtual camera205.

InFIG. 14, state B is a state where the direction of the virtual camera is changed in the pitch direction (specifically, upward) from the state A. In the state B, the direction to which the player character201points the arrow is also changed according to the direction of the virtual camera205, and is upward relative to that in the state A. In the state B, the direction of the virtual camera205is downward relative to a first reference direction. At this time, the player character201takes the downward ready posture. In the exemplary embodiment, the first reference direction is a direction parallel to the horizontal direction.

InFIG. 14, state C is a state where the direction of the virtual camera is further changed upward from the state B, and is upward relative to the first reference direction. In the state C, the ready posture of the player character201is changed from the downward ready posture to the horizontal ready posture. That is, the game system1changes the ready posture of the player character201from the downward ready posture to the horizontal ready posture, in response to that the direction of the virtual camera205is changed upward relative to the first reference direction. At this time, the direction of the player character201(specifically, the direction of the body of the player character201) viewed from the virtual camera205changes. That is, when the player character201takes the downward ready posture, the lower side of the body of the player character201is directed toward the virtual camera205. Meanwhile, when the player character201takes the horizontal ready posture, the rear side of the body of the player character201is directed toward the virtual camera205. This allows the player to easily recognize that the ready posture is changed.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, in the special operation mode, the game system1changes the posture of the player character201such that the upward direction of the player character201is directed upward in the game space (e.g., the horizontal ready posture) in response to that a component, in the pitch direction, of the direction of the virtual camera205is changed from a state of being downward relative to the first reference direction (e.g., the state B shown inFIG. 14) to a state of being upward relative to the first reference direction (e.g., the state C inFIG. 14). Thus, the game system1can change the arrow shooting direction from the vertically downward direction to the horizontal direction while keeping the posture of the player character201natural. Moreover, the posture of the player character201having been changed enables the player to recognize that the direction of the virtual camera has become upward relative to the reference (i.e., the first reference direction). Thus, the player can easily recognize to which direction the shooting direction is pointed in the game space.

FIG. 15shows an example of a state where the ready posture of the player character changes from the horizontal ready posture to the downward ready posture. The state C inFIG. 15is the same as the state C shown inFIG. 14, in which the player character201takes the horizontal ready posture, and the direction of the virtual camera205is a little upward relative to the horizontal direction.

InFIG. 15, state D is a state where the direction of the virtual camera205is changed downward from the state C. In the state D, the direction to which the player character201points the arrow is also changed according to the direction of the virtual camera205, and is more downward than that in the state C. In the state D, the direction of the virtual camera205is downward relative to a second reference direction. In the state D, the ready posture of the player character201is changed from the horizontal ready posture to the downward ready posture. That is, the game system1changes the ready posture of the player character201from the horizontal ready posture to the downward ready posture in response to that the direction of the virtual camera205is changed downward relative to the second reference direction. For example, when the player character201takes the posture of the state C, it is difficult to cause the player character201to take a posture of directing the arrow vertically downward. However, it is easy to cause the player character201to take a posture of directing the arrow downward by changing the posture thereof to the state D.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, in the special operation mode, the game system1changes the posture of the player character201such that the upward direction of the player character201is directed downward in the game space (e.g., the downward ready posture) in response to that a component, in the pitch direction, of the direction of the virtual camera205is changed from a state of being upward relative to the second reference direction (e.g., the state D inFIG. 14) to a state of being downward relative to the second reference direction (e.g., the state C inFIG. 15). Thus, the game system1can change the arrow shooting direction from the horizontal direction to the downward direction while keeping the ready posture of the player character201natural. Moreover, the posture of the player character201having been changed enables the player to recognize that the direction of the virtual camera has become downward relative to the reference (i.e., the second reference direction). Thus, the player can easily recognize to which direction the shooting direction is pointed in the game space. In another embodiment, the posture having been changed may be a posture in which the forward direction of the player character201is directed downward in the virtual space (e.g., face-down posture).

In the exemplary embodiment, the first reference direction is the horizontal direction while the second reference direction is a little downward relative to the horizontal direction (i.e., the angle of the second reference direction with respect to the horizontal direction is a depression angle). That is, the first reference direction is set to be upward relative to the second reference direction. This reduces the risk of an unnatural motion such that the posture of the player character201is frequently switched between the downward ready posture and the horizontal ready posture due to the direction of the virtual camera being frequently switched across the reference direction.

In another embodiment, the first reference direction and the second reference direction may be the same direction.

As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the game system1, in the special operation mode, changes the ready posture of the player character (i.e., changes the type of ready posture) as a change in the posture of the player character according to a component, regarding at least the pitch direction, of the direction of the virtual camera. This allows the player character to take a natural ready posture according to the shooting direction.

While switching between the horizontal ready posture and the downward ready posture of the player character201in the special operation mode has been described, switching between the horizontal ready posture and the upward ready posture is similarly performed. That is, the game system1changes the posture of the player character201from the horizontal ready posture to the upward ready posture, in response to that a component, in the pitch direction, of the direction of the virtual camera205is changed from a state of being downward relative to a third reference direction to a state of being upward relative to the third reference direction. The third reference direction is, for example, upward relative to the horizontal direction (i.e., the angle of the third reference direction with respect to the horizontal direction is an elevation angle). Moreover, the game system1changes the posture of the player character201from the upward ready posture to the horizontal ready posture, in response to that the component, in the pitch direction, of the direction of the virtual camera205is changed from a state of being upward relative to a fourth reference direction to a state of being downward relative to the fourth reference direction. The fourth reference direction is set to be upward relative to the horizontal direction, and downward relative to the third reference direction. Thus, the same effect as that of the switching between the horizontal ready posture and the downward ready posture can be achieved for the switching between the horizontal ready posture and the upward ready posture. In another embodiment, the first reference direction and the second reference direction may be the same direction.

In the exemplary embodiment, the ready posture of the player character201is also changed by the turn start instruction or the turn end instruction performed by the player. Specifically, when the ready posture of the player character is the horizontal ready posture or the downward ready posture, the ready posture of the player character201is changed to the upward ready posture according to the turn start instruction by the player (seeFIG. 13). Meanwhile, when the ready posture of the player character is the upward ready posture, the ready posture of the player character201is changed to the ready posture (specifically, the horizontal ready posture or the downward ready posture) immediately before the upward ready posture, according to the turn end instruction by the player.

During the special operation mode, the player character201performs the shooting action in response to that the shooting instruction has been performed. That is, the player character201performs an action of shooting an arrow, whereby an arrow object flies (i.e., moves) in the shooting direction. When the shooting action has been performed, the game system1decreases the stamina of the player character201by a predetermined amount. If the stamina becomes 0 in the middle of the special operation mode, the game system1ends the special operation mode, and sets the player character201in the state of normal falling. That is, in the exemplary embodiment, the special operation mode is ended not only by the ready posture end instruction but also by the stamina of the player character201having become 0.

In the exemplary embodiment, if the special operation mode is ended by the ready posture end instruction while the player character201takes the horizontal ready posture in the special operation mode, the player character201enters the state of normal falling. Meanwhile, if the special operation mode is ended by the ready posture end instruction while the player character201takes the downward ready posture in the special operation mode, the player character201enters the state of high-velocity falling. If the special operation mode is ended by the ready posture end instruction while the player character201takes the upward ready posture in the special operation mode, the player character201enters the state of backward falling. Thus, the behavior of the posture change of the player character201before and after the end of the special operation mode can be made natural.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the player character201can take a plurality of types of ready postures in the special operation mode, and the game system1changes the type of the ready posture according to the direction of the virtual camera. Thus, the range of the shooting direction can be increased while causing the player character201to take a natural ready posture.

When the player character201is in the air, the ground may not come into view of the player. In this case, it may be difficult for the player to recognize to which direction the player character201is directed in the game space because, for example, nothing is present around the player character201. Therefore, when the player character201is in the air, the player may lose sight of the direction to which the shooting direction is directed in the game space. In contrast, according to the exemplary embodiment, since the posture (specifically, ready posture) of the player character is changed according to the direction of the virtual camera, the player can roughly recognize the up-down direction of the game space by the posture of the player character. Thus, the possibility that the player loses sight of the shooting direction can be reduced.

3. Specific Example of Processing in Game System

Next, a specific example of information processing in the game system1will be described with reference toFIGS. 16 to 19.

FIG. 16shows an example of various data to be used for the information processing in the game system1. The various data shown inFIG. 16are stored in a storage medium (e.g., the flash memory84, the DRAM85, and/or a memory card attached to the slot23) that is accessible by the main body apparatus2.

As shown inFIG. 16, the game system1stores therein a game program. The game program is a program for executing a game (specifically, game control processing shown inFIG. 17) according to the exemplary embodiment. The game system1stores therein operation data, camera data, and character data.

The operation data is transmitted from the controllers3and4to the main body apparatus2and stored in the main body apparatus2as described above. In the exemplary embodiment, the operation data includes input data indicating inputs to the respective input sections described above. The camera data indicates information regarding a virtual camera set in a virtual game space (e.g., information indicating the position, the direction, etc., of the virtual camera).

The character data indicates information regarding a player character placed in the game space. In the exemplary embodiment, the character data includes position data, direction data, and posture data. The position data indicates the position of the player character in the game space. The direction data indicates the direction of the player character in the game space. The posture data indicates the postures of the player character (specifically, the postures in the falling states, the ready postures, etc.). The character data may include data indicating various parameters (e.g., stamina) set on the player character, in addition to the aforementioned data.

FIG. 17is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of game control processing executed by the game system1. The game control processing shown inFIG. 17is started in response to that the player character201is placed in the game space during execution of the game program. Although not shown inFIG. 17, the game control processing is ended when a menu screen is displayed by an instruction of the user or when the game is ended by an instruction of the user.

In the exemplary embodiment, the processor81of the main body apparatus2executes the game program stored in the game system1, thereby executing processes in steps shown inFIG. 17. However, in another embodiment, a part of the processes in the steps may be executed by a processor (e.g., a dedicated circuit or the like) other than the processor81. If the game system1is communicable with another information processing apparatus (e.g., a server), a part of the processes in the steps shown inFIGS. 17 to 19may be executed by the information processing apparatus. The processes in the steps shown inFIGS. 17 to 19are merely examples, and the processing order of the steps may be changed or other processes may be executed in addition to (or instead of) the processes in the steps, so long as similar results can be obtained.

The processor81executes the processes in the steps shown inFIGS. 17 to 19by using a memory (e.g., the DRAM85). That is, the processor81stores, in the memory, information (in other words, data) obtained in each process step, and reads out the information from the memory when using the information in the subsequent process steps.

In step S1shown inFIG. 17, the processor81determines whether or not the player character is in the falling state. For example, the processor81determines that the player character is in the falling state, when the player character is in the air and is falling toward the ground from a place of a predetermined height or more. Meanwhile, the processor81determines that the player character is not in the falling state, when the player character is in contact with the ground, or when the player character is in the air and is falling toward the ground from a place lower than the predetermined height. When the determination result in step1is negative, the process in step S2is executed. When the determination result in step S1is positive, the process in step S3is executed.

In step S2, the processor81executes a control process for causing the player character to move on a terrain object. For example, the processor81causes the player character to perform a motion of moving (e.g., walking or running) on the terrain object, according to a direction input to the controller (e.g., a direction input to the analog stick32). At this time, the processor81updates the character data stored in the memory so as to indicate the content after the motion control of the player character. Moreover, in step S2, the processor81creates a game image showing a game space after the control process, and displays the game image on the display12. The process in step S2may be the same as the conventional game control process. The game system1may execute a process of controlling the movements of other objects such as a virtual camera, an enemy object, etc., in addition to executing the process of controlling the movement of the player character. Next to step S2, the process in step S1is executed again.

A process loop of steps S1and S2is executed once every predetermined time (e.g., every frame time). That is, in the exemplary embodiment, the processor81performs the determination in step S1once every predetermined time.

In step S3, the processor81determines an initial posture of falling, and controls the motion of the player character so that the player character takes the determined posture. As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, when the player character falls from a height without performing a jumping action, the processor81sets the posture of normal falling as the initial posture. On the other hand, when the player character falls from a height after performing a jumping action, the processor81sets the posture of diving falling as the initial posture. At this time, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the set posture. Next to step S3, the process in step S4is executed.

In step S4, the processor81determines whether or not a ready posture start instruction has been performed by the player. When the determination result in step S4is positive, the process in step S10described later is executed. When the determination result in step S4is negative, the process in step S5is executed.

In step S5, the processor81determines whether or not to change the posture of the falling player character. Specifically, the processor81determines whether or not an instruction to change the posture of the falling player character (e.g., an item use instruction, a diving instruction, etc.) has been performed by the player, and whether or not the stamina of the player character has become 0. When the instruction has been performed or when the stamina of the player character has become 0, the processor81determines to change the posture of the falling player character. On the other hand, when the instruction has not been performed and the stamina of the player character is not 0, the processor81determines not to change the posture of the falling player character. When the determination result in step S5is positive, the process in step S6is executed. When the determination result in step S5is negative, the process in step S6is skipped and the process in step S7is executed.

During the game control processing, the processor81determines whether or not various instructions have been performed by the player, based on the operation data acquired from the controller3or4. Here, the processor81acquires, at an appropriate timing, the operation data received from each controller via the controller communication section83and/or the terminals17and21, and stores the operation data in the memory. Based on the acquired operation data, the processor81determines, at an appropriate timing, whether or not an instruction has been performed by the player. When an instruction has been performed, the processor81specifies the content of the instruction.

In step S6, the processor81changes the posture of the falling player character. The posture after the change is determined according to the method described in the above “[2-1. Posture during falling]”. That is, when it is determined in step S5that the instruction to change the posture has been performed by the player, the processor81controls the player character to take the posture according to the instruction. Alternatively, when it is determined in step S5that the stamina of the player character has become 0, the processor81controls the player character to take the posture of normal falling. At this time, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the posture having been changed. Next to step S6, the process in step S7is executed.

In step S7, the processor81causes the player character to move (here, to fall) in the game space. The movement of the player character is controlled by the method described in the above “[2-1. Posture during falling]”. That is, the processor81causes the player character to move in the gravity direction (i.e., vertical downward direction) in the game space, and when a movement instruction has been performed by the player, causes the player character to move in the direction according to the movement instruction. Moreover, when a movement instruction and/or a camera instruction have been performed by the player, the processor81changes the direction of the player character according to the instructions. At this time, the processor81updates the content of the position data stored in the memory so as to indicate the position of the player character having been moved, and updates the content of the direction data stored in the memory so as to indicate the direction of the player character having been moved. When the player character is in the state of low-velocity falling, the processor81decreases the stamina of the player character by a predetermined amount according to the lapse of time while the player character is falling. Next to step S7, the process in step S8is executed.

In step S7, the processor81may control, according to need, motions of objects (e.g., an enemy object, a shot arrow object, etc.) other than the player character in the game space.

In step S8, the processor81causes the virtual camera in the game space to move. The movement of the virtual camera is controlled by the method described in the above “[2-1. Posture during falling]”. That is, the processor81changes the position and the direction of the virtual camera according to a camera instruction performed by the player. As described above, the virtual camera is controlled such that the position and the direction thereof allow the player character201to be included in the field of view of the virtual camera. Therefore, in step S8, when a camera instruction has not been performed by the player, the processor81changes the position of the virtual camera so as to move downward according to falling of the player character. Meanwhile, when the diving falling or the backward falling has been started, (i.e., when, in step S6, the posture of the player character has been changed to the posture of diving falling or backward falling), the processor81sets the virtual camera to be directed to a predetermined direction. In step S8, the processor81updates the content of the camera data stored in the memory so as to indicate the position and the direction of the virtual camera having been moved. Next to step S8, the process in step S9is executed.

In step S9, the processor81creates a game image showing a game space, and displays the game image on the display12. This game image is creased based on the character data and the camera data updated in steps S6to S8. That is, the processor81creates the game image such that the game space indicating the position, direction, and posture of the player character which are changed in steps S6and S7is viewed in a direction based on the direction of the virtual camera from the position of the virtual camera that is set in step S8. The game image creating process in step S9is repeatedly executed once every predetermined time (e.g., every frame time). That is, the process loop of steps S4to S11is repeatedly executed once every predetermined time, excluding a case where the process of step S10described below is executed. A display device on which the game image is displayed may be the display12of the main body apparatus2, or the stationary monitor connected to the main body apparatus2. Next to step S9, the process in step S11is executed.

Meanwhile, in step S10, the processor81executes a special operation mode process that is a process to be executed in the special operation mode. The special operation mode process will be described later in detail (seeFIG. 18). Next to step S10, the process in step S11is executed.

In step S11, the processor81determines whether or not falling of the player character has ended. For example, the processor81determines whether or not the player character has come into contact with a terrain object such as the ground. When the determination result in step S11is positive, the process in step S1is executed again. When the determination result in step S11is negative, the process in step S4is executed. Thereafter, a series of processes in steps S4to S11is repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S11that falling of the player character has ended.

FIG. 18is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a specific flow of the special operation mode process in step S9shown inFIG. 17. In the special operation mode process, firstly, in step S21, the processor81determines whether or not the falling state of the player character immediately before the start of the special operation mode process was the high-velocity falling, based on the posture data stored in the memory. When the determination result in step S21is positive, the process in step S22is executed. When the determination result in step S21is negative, the process in step S23is executed.

In step S22, the processor81controls the motion of the player character so that the player character takes the downward ready posture. That is, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the downward ready posture. Next to step S22, the process in step S26is executed.

In step S23, the processor81, based on the posture data stored in the memory, determines whether or not the falling state of the player character immediately before the start of the special operation mode process was the backward falling. When the determination result in step S23is positive, the process in step S24is executed. When the determination result in step S23is negative, the process in step S25is executed.

In step S24, the processor81controls the motion of the player character so that the player character takes the upward ready posture. That is, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the upward ready posture. Next to step S24, the process in step S26is executed.

In step S25, the processor81controls the motion of the player character so that the player character takes the horizontal ready posture. Here, the process in step S25is executed when the falling state of the player character immediately before the start of the special operation mode process was the normal falling, the low-velocity falling, or the diving falling. Therefore, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the horizontal ready posture. Next to step S25, the process in step S26is executed.

In step S26, the processor81causes the player character to move (here, to fall) in the game space. That is, the processor81causes the player character to move in the gravity direction (i.e., vertical downward direction) in the game space. At this time, the processor81updates the content of the position data stored in the memory so as to indicate the position of the player character having been moved. Next to step S26, the process in step S27is executed.

In step S26, the processor81may control, according to need, motions of objects (e.g., an enemy object, a shot arrow object, etc.) other than the player character in the game space.

In step S27, the processor81determines whether or not a camera instruction has been performed by the player. When the determination result in step S27is positive, the process in step S28is executed. When the determination result in step S27is negative, the process in step S31is executed.

In step S28, the processor81causes the virtual camera to move in the game space according to the camera instruction by the player. Movement of the virtual camera is controlled according to the method described in the above “[2. Outline of processing in game system]”. Next to step S28, the process in step S29is executed.

In step S29, the processor81executes a posture change process. The posture change process is a process of changing the ready posture (specifically, the type of ready posture) of the player character, according to the direction of the virtual camera. Hereinafter, the posture change process will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 19.

FIG. 19is a sub-flowchart showing an example of a specific flow of the posture change process in step S29shown inFIG. 18. In the posture change process, firstly, in step S40, the processor81determines whether or not the current ready posture of the player character is the downward ready posture, based on the posture data stored in the memory. When the determination result in step S40is positive, the process in step S41is executed. When the determination result in step S40is negative, the process in step S43is executed.

In step S41, the processor81determines whether or not the direction of the virtual camera is upward relative to the first reference direction, based on the camera data stored in the memory. When the determination result in step S41is positive, the process in step S42is executed. When the determination result in step S41is negative, the process in step S50is executed.

In step S42, the processor81changes the ready posture of the player character to the horizontal ready posture. That is, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the horizontal ready posture. Next to step S42, the process in step S50is executed.

In step S43, the processor81determines whether or not the current ready posture of the player character is the upward ready posture, based on the posture data stored in the memory. When the determination result in step S43is positive, the process in step S44is executed. When the determination result in step S43is negative, the process in step S46is executed.

In step S44, the processor81determines whether or not the current direction of the virtual camera is downward relative to the third reference direction, based on the camera data stored in the memory. When the determination result in step S44is positive, the process in step S45is performed. When the determination result in step S44is negative, the process in step S50is executed.

In step S45, the processor81changes the ready posture of the player character to the horizontal ready posture. That is, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the horizontal ready posture. Next to step S45, the process in step S50is executed.

The process in step S46is executed when the current ready posture of the player character is the horizontal ready posture. Therefore, in step S46, the processor81determines whether or not the direction of the virtual camera is downward relative to the second reference direction, based on the camera data stored in the memory. When the determination result in step S46is positive, the process in step S47is executed. When the determination result in step S46is negative, the process in step S48is executed.

In step S47, the processor81changes the ready posture of the player character to the downward ready posture. That is, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the downward ready posture. Next to step S47, the process in step S50is executed.

In step S48, the processor81determines whether or not the direction of the virtual camera is upward relative to the fourth reference direction, based on the camera data stored in the memory. When the determination result in step S48is positive, the process in step S49is executed. When the determination result in step S48is negative, the process in step S50is executed.

In step S49, the processor81changes the ready posture of the player character to the upward ready posture. That is, the processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the upward ready posture. Next to step S49, the process in step S50is executed.

In step S50, the processor81changes the ready posture according to the turn start instruction or the turn end instruction by the player. Specifically, when the turn start instruction is performed by the player while the ready posture of the player character is the horizontal ready posture or the downward ready posture, the processor81changes the ready posture of the player character201to the upward ready posture. When the turn end instruction is performed by the player while the ready posture of the player character is the upward ready posture, the processor81changes the ready posture of the player character201to the ready posture (specifically, the horizontal ready posture or the downward ready posture) immediately before the upward ready posture. The processor81updates the content of the posture data stored in the memory so as to indicate the ready posture having been changed. Moreover, in step S50, when neither the turn start instruction nor the turn end instruction have been performed by the player, the processor81ends the process in step S50without changing the ready posture. After step S50, the processor81ends the posture change process.

Referring back toFIG. 18, after the process in step S29, the process in step S30is executed. In step S30, the processor81sets a shooting direction in which the player character shoots an arrow, based on the direction of the virtual camera. Specifically, the processor81sets the shooting direction so as to coincide with the direction of the virtual camera. Moreover, the processor81controls the posture and/or direction of the player character such that the player character points the arrow to the shooting direction. In step S30, the type of the ready posture of the player character is not changed. Next to step S30, the process in step S32is executed.

In step S31, the processor81moves the virtual camera according to the falling motion of the player character. At this time, the processor81updates the content of the camera data stored in the memory so as to indicate the position and the direction of the virtual camera having been moved. Next to step S31, the process in step S32is executed.

In step S32, the processor81determines whether or not a shooting instruction has been performed by the player. When the determination result in step S32is positive, the process in step S33is executed. When the determination result in step S32is negative, step S33is skipped and the process in step S34is executed.

In step S33, the processor81causes the player character to perform a shooting action of shooting the arrow. Moreover, the processor81causes the arrow object to move to the shooting direction in the game space. In the exemplary embodiment, during the special operation mode, a series of processes in steps S26to S35is executed once every predetermined time (e.g., every frame time). The processor81may control the motion of the player character to perform the shooting action over a plurality of frames. The processor81decreases the stamina of the player character by a predetermined amount according to the shooting of the arrow. Next to step S33, the process in step S34is executed.

In step S34, the processor81creates a game image showing a game space, and displays the game image on the display12. This game image is created based on the character data updated in steps S22, S24to S26, S29, S30and/or S33, and on the camera data updated in step S28or S31. That is, the player character is placed in the game space at the position changed in step S26so as to take the posture updated in step S22, S24to S26, S29, S30and/or S33. Meanwhile, the virtual camera is located at the position and the direction set in step S28or S31such that the player character is included in the field of view of the virtual camera. The processor81creates a game image as viewed in a direction according to the direction of the virtual camera from the position of the virtual camera, and displays the game image on the display12. The game image creating process in step S34is repeatedly executed once every predetermined time (e.g., every frame time) until the special operation mode is ended. That is, a process loop of steps S26to S35is repeatedly executed once every predetermined time until the special operation mode is ended. Next to step S34, the process in step S35is executed.

In step S35, the processor81determines whether or not to end the special operation mode. Various criteria for ending the special operation mode can be set. For example, the processor81determines whether or not a ready posture end instruction has been performed by the player, whether or not the stamina of the player character has become 0, and whether or not falling of the player character has ended because, for example, the player character has come into contact with the ground. The processor81determines to end the special operation mode when the ready posture end instruction has been performed, when the stamina of the player character has become 0, or when falling of the player character has ended. On the other hand, the processor81determines not to end the special operation mode when no ready posture end instruction is performed, the stamina of the player character is not 0, and falling of the player character is not ended yet. When the determination result in step S35is positive, the processor81ends the special operation mode process. When the determination result in step S35is negative, the process in step S26is executed again. Thereafter, a series of processes in steps S26to S35is repeatedly executed until it is determined to end the special operation mode in step S35.

4. Function and Effect of Exemplary Embodiment, and Modifications

As described above, in the above exemplary embodiment, the game program causes a computer (e.g., the processor81) of an information processing apparatus (e.g., the main body apparatus2) to control a player character in a virtual space (e.g., the game space), based on an operation input performed by the player (e.g., an operation input to the controller3or4as one example of an operation device) (step S2).

Moreover, in a falling state in which the player character is falling in the virtual space, the game program causes the computer to perform the following processes.a process of controlling at least one of a falling direction and a falling velocity of the player character that is falling, based on a character operation input performed by the player (step S7)a process of controlling a posture of the player character that is falling, based on a character operation input performed by the player (steps S5, S6)a process of controlling a direction of a virtual camera, based on a camera operation input performed by the player (step S8)a process of controlling a position of the virtual camera such that at least the player character is included in a field of view of the virtual camera, based on a position of the player character and the direction of the virtual camera (step S8)

Moreover, in a special operation mode which receives an operation input for causing the player character that is falling to perform a special action including a shooting action of shooting a predetermined object (e.g., an arrow object), the game program causes the computer to perform the following processes.a process of changing the posture of the player character that is falling, according to a component, regarding at least a pitch direction, of the direction of the virtual camera based on the camera operation input (e.g., changing the posture of the player character such that the direction of the player character as viewed from the virtual camera changes) (step S29)a process of setting a shooting direction of the predetermined object during the shooting action, according to the direction of the virtual camera based on the camera operation input (step S30)a process of controlling the player character to perform the shooting action and controlling the predetermined object to move to the shooting direction, based on a shooting operation input performed by the player (step S33)

According to the above configuration, in the special operation mode, the shooting direction is controlled according to the direction of the virtual camera, and the posture of the player character changes according to the direction of the virtual camera. Thus, the range of the shooting direction can be increased while causing the player character to take a natural posture.

(Modifications Regarding Shooting Action)

In the exemplary embodiment, the player character performs, as the shooting action, an action of shooting an arrow with a bow, and an arrow object is shot as the predetermined object. The content of the shooting action is arbitrary, and the content of the predetermined object shot by the shooting action is also arbitrary. For example, in another embodiment, the player character may perform, as the shooting action, an action of shooting a gun, an action of throwing an object (e.g., a weapon) that the player character grasps, or an action of emitting a fireball by a magic.

In the exemplary embodiment, the player character performs, as the special action, an action of taking a ready posture, and a shooting action. In another embodiment, the special action may include at least the shooting action, and may not necessarily include actions other than the shooting action. The special action may include an action different from the action of taking a ready posture.

In another embodiment, the game system1may not necessarily include a part of the components included in the exemplary embodiment, and may not necessarily perform a part of the processes performed in the exemplary embodiment. For example, in order to achieve a certain specific effect of the exemplary embodiment, the game system1may include a component for producing the effect and perform a process for producing the effect, in other words, the information processing system may not necessarily include the other components and perform the other processes.

The exemplary embodiment is usable as, for example, a game system and a game program for the purpose of, for example, increasing the degree of freedom of the direction in which a player character performs an action while naturally expressing the posture of the player character in midair.

While certain example systems, methods, devices and apparatuses have been described herein, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not to be limited to the systems, methods, devices and apparatuses disclosed, but on the contrary, are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.