Virtual camera control method in three-dimensional video game

A three-dimensional video game apparatus that perspective-transforms a virtual three-dimensional space where multiple characters exist onto a virtual screen based upon a virtual camera having a viewpoint position moved in response to positions of the multiple characters, comprising a memory that stores a game program, a processor that executes said game program, and a display device that displays a processing result of said processor, wherein the game program is stored in said memory and causes said processor to execute:

• moving at least one of the characters in the virtual three-dimensional space;
• calculating a central position of the characters in the virtual three-dimensional space;
• setting multiple temporary points in the virtual three-dimensional space with reference to the calculated central position;
• setting a temporary viewpoint position on each straight line, connecting each of the temporary points to the central position, where all of the characters can be projected on the virtual screen with a predetermined visual angle;
• calculating a distance between each of the set temporary viewpoint positions and the calculated central position;
• evaluating each temporary viewpoint position based on each calculated distance;
• selecting a position where the viewpoint of the virtual camera should be moved among the temporary viewpoint positions based on the evaluation result;
• moving the viewpoint position of the virtual camera to the selected position;
• and
• perspective-transforming the three-dimensional space onto the virtual screen based upon the virtual camera where the viewpoint position is moved.

A method for controlling a viewpoint position of a virtual camera based on positions of multiple characters existing in a virtual three-dimensional space in a three-dimensional video game that perspective-transforms the virtual three-dimensional space onto a virtual screen based upon the virtual camera, comprising:

• moving at least one of the characters in the virtual three-dimensional space;
• calculating a central position of the characters in the virtual three-dimensional space;
• setting multiple temporary points in the virtual three-dimensional space with reference to the calculated central position;
• setting a temporary viewpoint position on each straight line, connecting each of the temporary points to the central position, where all of the characters can be projected on the virtual screen with a predetermined visual angle;
• calculating a distance between each of the set temporary viewpoint positions and the calculated central position;
• evaluating each temporary viewpoint position based on each calculated distance;
• selecting a position where the viewpoint of the virtual camera should be moved among the temporary viewpoint positions based on the evaluation result;
• moving the viewpoint position of the virtual camera to the selected position;
• and
• perspective-transforming the three-dimensional space onto the virtual screen based upon the virtual camera where the viewpoint position is moved.

A computer-readable storage medium on which a game program for executing a video game that perspective-transforms a virtual three-dimensional space where multiple characters exist onto a virtual screen based upon a virtual camera having a viewpoint position moved in response to positions of the multiple characters, the game program causing a computer apparatus to execute:

• moving at least one of the characters in the virtual three-dimensional space;
• calculating a central position of the characters in the virtual three-dimensional space;
• setting multiple temporary points in the virtual three-dimensional space with reference to the calculated central position;
• setting a temporary viewpoint position on each straight line, connecting each of the temporary points to the central position, where all of the characters can be projected on the virtual screen with a predetermined visual angle;
• calculating a distance between each of the set temporary viewpoint positions and the calculated central position;
• evaluating each temporary viewpoint position based on each calculated distance;
• selecting a position where the viewpoint of the virtual camera should be moved among the temporary viewpoint positions based on the evaluation result;
• moving the viewpoint position of the virtual camera to the selected position;
• and
• perspective-transforming the three-dimensional space onto the virtual screen based upon the virtual camera where the viewpoint position is moved.

A carrier wave having a data signal of a game program for executing a video game that perspective-transforms a virtual three-dimensional space where multiple characters exist onto a virtual screen based upon a virtual camera having a viewpoint position moved in response to positions of the multiple characters, which is superimposed thereon, wherein said game program causes a computer apparatus to execute:

• moving at least one of the characters in the virtual three-dimensional space;
• calculating a central position of the characters in the virtual three-dimensional space;
• setting multiple temporary points in the virtual three-dimensional space with reference to the calculated central position;
• setting a temporary viewpoint position on each straight line, connecting each of the temporary points to the central position, where all of the characters can be projected on the virtual screen with a predetermined visual angle;
• calculating a distance between each of the set temporary viewpoint positions and the calculated central position;
• evaluating each temporary viewpoint position based on each calculated distance;
• selecting a position where the viewpoint of the virtual camera should be moved among the temporary viewpoint positions based on the evaluation result;
• moving the viewpoint position of the virtual camera to the selected position;
• and
• perspective-transforming the three-dimensional space onto the virtual screen based upon the virtual camera where the viewpoint position is moved.