Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a game requiring an element of a participants physical...
Reexamination Certificate
1997-10-28
2001-11-20
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a game requiring an element of a participants physical...
C463S007000, C463S030000, C463S031000, C463S032000, C463S036000, C463S037000, C463S043000, C463S044000, C273S14800B, C273S14800B, C273S460000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319121
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an image synthesis method, a games machine, and an information storage medium.
BACKGROUND OF ART
In a fighting game or the like, a game character manipulated by a player is made to fight a game character manipulated by an opposing player (or computer) on a screen, so that the player can enjoy the game. Such a fighting game is highly popular as a game that enables players to experience the feeling of actually fighting each other.
However, the quality of the manipulation skills of each player have a huge effect on the game result in a fighting game. Particularly in a fighting game, manipulating a cross-shaped key and operating buttons of a game controller in a given sequence (a sequence in which, for instance, a left portion of the cross-shaped key is pressed before buttons A and B are pressed in sequence) usually causes the game character to perform a special technique (special action). If this special technique is successful, it is possible to inflict a great deal of damage to the opponent, so that the success or otherwise of the special technique has a large effect on the game result. Therefore, the quality of the player's manipulation skills depends on whether a special technique is smoothly performed or not.
However, the operating sequence for producing this special technique, or another action such as a counterattack or guarding, is generally complicated and it is an extremely difficult task for the player to learn this operating sequence. It is particularly difficult to memorize such operating sequences during combat with another player in normal combat mode, which is one reason why players who lack confidence in their manipulation skills are put off by this type of game.
This invention was devised in order to solve the above described technical problems, and has as its objective the provision of an image synthesis method, games machine, and information storage medium that makes it possible for a player to easily learn operating sequences for causing a game character to perform various different actions.
Disclosure of the Invention
In order to solve the above problems, this invention relates to an image synthesis method for synthesizing a game image: displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer, when a training mode is selected in order to enable the player to practice manipulations with a game controller, and displaying an image indicating a hit mark at a hit location, when an attack by one of the game characters hits the other game character.
With this aspect of the invention, a hit mark is displayed at the hit location of an attack, during a training mode in which a player can practice manipulations. The player can therefore practice game manipulations while confirming the positions of the player's own attacks or the enemy's attacks, by observing these hit marks. This makes it possible for the player to learn techniques such as attacking and defense against special techniques, both easily and quickly, enabling an increase in the interest of the game in combat mode.
The hit mark may comprise a symbol for identifying the hit location. This enables the player to perceive the hit location even quicker and more accurately.
Moreover, a guard mark may be displayed when the other game character defends against the attack. If the game character manipulated by the player is this other game character, for example, this makes it easy for the player to confirm whether or not the player's defending action has been successful. This is designed to improve the player's defensive techniques.
When the attack hits an upper area, middle area, or lower area of the other game character, a hit mark specifying that upper area, middle area, or lower area may be displayed. This makes it easy for the player to confirm whether an attack has hit the upper area, middle area, or lower area.
This invention also relates to an image synthesis method for synthesizing a game image: displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer, when a training mode is selected in order to enable the player to practice manipulations with a game controller; and displaying a replay image relating to an attack by the game character manipulated by the player against the game character manipulated by the computer, when the player selects a replay mode while in the training mode and when the attack by the game character manipulated by the player against the game character manipulated by the computer satisfies a given replay creation condition.
With this aspect of the invention, if an attack performed in training mode satisfies a given replay creation condition, a replay image relating to that attack is displayed. This enables the use of replays as a means of allowing the player to experience the results of practice.
This replay creation condition may be satisfied when the number of sequential attacks of the game character manipulated by the player exceeds a given number of times. This makes it possible to further increase the feeling of satisfaction of a player whose sequence of attacks has been successful a given number of times.
This replay creation condition may also be satisfied when an operating sequence specified by at least one input operation input by the player matches a given reference sequence. This makes it possible to further increase the feeling of satisfaction of a player whose unleashing of a special technique, or the like, has been successful.
This invention further relates to an image synthesis method for synthesizing a game image: displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer, when a training mode is selected in order to enable the player to practice manipulations with a game controller; and displaying a replay image relating to actions performed by the game character manipulated by the player and the game character manipulated by the computer before a given manipulation, when the player selects a replay mode while in this training mode and the player performs the given manipulation.
This aspect of the invention makes it possible to see a replay image of actions performed beforehand, at any time while in training mode. This makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom of replay mode, by enabling the player to enjoy a replay mode manually.
This invention further relates to an image synthesis method for synthesizing a game image: displaying an image of combat between a game character manipulated by a player and a game character manipulated by a computer, when a training mode is selected in order to enable the player to practice manipulations with a game controller; and displaying an image of an attack action performed by the game character manipulated by the computer, when the player selects a counterattack mode while in the training mode.
With this aspect of the invention, the game character manipulated by the computer initiates attacks in counterattack mode, making it possible to acquire counterattack technique efficiently.
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Abe Masamichi
Ito Naoki
Kimoto Masahiro
Yamada Masanori
Harrison Jessica J.
Namco Ltd.
Nguyen Binh-An D.
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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