Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Katsuhito Nishimura

Jun Ito

Yusuke Shiraiwa

Kosuke Yabuki

Tetsuya Nakata

Shigetoshi Kitayama

Tokihiko Toyoda

If a random number is larger than a selection coefficient SF, a room unit RU is given a high priority for disposition in a map area. If the random number is not larger than the selection coefficient, no room unit is disposed on the map area. Also, if a selected open door is a door set in a room unit, the selection coefficient is multiplied by a multiplication factor, and then the multiplication result and the random number are compared. As the multiplication factor is larger, a passage unit is given a higher priority for disposition on the map area. By adjusting the selection coefficient and the multiplication factor, it is possible to generate a map in consideration of a ratio of units of two types to be disposed on the map area and an affinity between these units for connection.

Game machine and data storage medium having game program stored therein

Ghost data used for reproducing a game process executed by user operations are transmitted from game apparatuses to a data management apparatus. The data management apparatus stores the received ghost data, according to a definition of a database in which score sections are defined based on a value represented by score data, and a maximum registration allowable number of users for which the ghost data are registered is defined for each of the score sections, or is defined so as to be the same among the score sections. The data management apparatus transmits, when a ghost data distribution request is received, the ghost data for at least one user for which the ghost data is registered so as to be associated with one of the score sections, the scores section being associated with the score data included in the ghost data distribution request, to the one of the game apparatuses.

Data management apparatus and data distribution system

Ghost data used for reproducing a game process having been executed in accordance with operations performed by users are transmitted, as necessary, from a plurality of game apparatuses to a data management apparatus. The data management apparatus stores the ghost data received from the plurality of game apparatuses, in accordance with a definition of a database in which a plurality of score sections are defined based on a value represented by score data, and a maximum registration allowable number of users for which the ghost data are registered is defined for each of the plurality of score sections, or is defined so as to be the same among the plurality of score sections. The data management apparatus transmits, when a ghost data distribution request is received from a one of the plurality of game apparatuses, the ghost data for at least one user for which the ghost data is registered so as to be associated with one of the plurality of score sections, the one of the plurality of scores sections being associated with the score data included in the ghost data distribution request, to the one of the plurality of game apparatuses. Thus, it is possible to limit the total capacity for storing the ghost data in a server to a predetermined range of capacity, and allow each player to obtain the ghost data in accordance with a skill of the player.

A game apparatus includes a CPU. The CPU generates a game image based on an image photographed by a virtual camera arranged in a game space, and displays the game image on a monitor connected to the game apparatus. A character location of a player character is used as a target location, for example, and the virtual camera is moved in such a manner that a location of a point-of-regard (point-of-regard location) of the virtual camera is brought close to this target location at a predetermined ratio. That is, the virtual camera follows the player character from behind after some delay.

Game apparatus, storing medium that stores control program of virtual camera, and control method of virtual camera

In accordance with a level of importance of a character, a weight is provided for the character. For example, a character operated by a player is provided with a weight heavier than those provided for other characters, and other characters are provided with the respective weights lighter than that provided for the character operated by the player. Based on the weights and positions of the characters placed in a predetermined area, a position of a sight point of a virtual camera is determined. Thus, it is possible to generate a display image in which a plurality of characters in a virtual space are placed on a screen in a balanced manner.

Storage medium and game device storing image generating program

By evaluating a distance starting from a start point to a unit on the map, the strength of an enemy character to be encountered, the degree of difficulty for an object to pass through a gate, etc., a unit score is calculated for each route. This unit score can be taken as an index of the degree of difficulty for the object to arrive at a unit from the start point. By using this unit score, the game elements can be appropriately disposed on the map in accordance with the degree of difficulty.

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Kyoto, Japan

Katsuhito Nishimura