Image processing device

An image processing device comprising:

• means for controlling the actions of a plurality of virtual objects placed within a virtual space formed within a computer system;
• image displaying means for displaying the virtual objects as an image from a certain viewpoint on a screen;
• first processing means for controlling the actions of said virtual objects based on a software of a role-playing game;
• second processing means for setting a movement field of a certain shape around at least one of said virtual objects and performing a shooting game program while limiting a movement range of other virtual objects to only a boundary portion of said movement field;
• third processing means for outputting encounter information when a certain event occurs during processing of said first means;
• and
• fourth processing means for obtaining this encounter information to make action controlling processing of said virtual objects proceed from said first processing means to said second processing means.

An image processing device comprising:

• means for placing virtual objects in a virtual space formed within a computer system and proceeding with a game while controlling the movement of said virtual objects according to input operations and the predetermined rules;
• image displaying means for displaying the state within said virtual space as a screen seen from a certain viewpoint;
• and
• means for alternately switching between a role-playing game and a shooting game and performing processing, which enables a player to set a movement field having a certain shape surrounding at least one of said virtual objects at one's discretion during processing of a role-playing game program and limits a movement range of other virtual objects to only a boundary portion of said movement field during processing of a shooting game program.

An image processing method comprising the steps of:

• placing virtual objects in a virtual space formed within a computer system and proceeding a game while controlling the movement of said virtual objects according to input operations and predetermined rules;
• displaying an image of the state within said virtual space as a screen seen from a certain viewpoint;
• and
• setting a movement field of a certain shape surrounding at least one of said virtual objects and limiting the movement range of other virtual objects to only a boundary portion of the movement field.

An image processing method comprising the steps of:

• controlling the actions of a plurality of virtual objects placed within a virtual space formed within a computer system;
• displaying an image of the virtual objects as an image from a certain viewpoint on a screen;
• controlling the actions of said virtual objects based on a software of a role-playing game;
• setting a movement field of a certain shape around at least one of said virtual objects and performing a shooting game program while limiting a movement range of other virtual objects to only a boundary portion of said movement field;
• outputting encounter information when a certain event occurs during the step of controlling the action of said virtual objects;
• and
• obtaining this encounter information to make action controlling processing of said virtual object proceed from the step of controlling the actions of said virtual objects to the step of setting the movement field of the certain shape.

An image processing method comprising:

• placing virtual objects in a virtual space formed within a computer system and proceeding with a game while controlling the movement of said virtual objects according to input operations and the predetermined rules;
• displaying an image of the state within said virtual space as a screen seen from a certain viewpoint;
• and
• alternately switching between a role-playing game and a shooting game and performing processing, which enables a player to set a movement field of a certain shape surrounding at least one of said virtual objects at one's discretion during processing of a role-playing game program and limits a movement range of other virtual objects to only a boundary portion of said movement field during processing of a shooting game program.