Computer-readable storage medium, information processing system, and information processing method for operating objects in a virtual world based on orientation data related to an orientation of a device

An information processing system comprising a portable display device, and an information processing apparatus capable of displaying an image on the portable display device, wherein

• the portable display device is configured to output, to the information processing apparatus, at least attitude data based on an attitude of the portable display device,
• the information processing apparatus including a processing system having at least one processor, the information processing apparatus is configured to:
• calculate an attitude of the portable display device with respect to a predetermined direction in real space;
• determine, based on the calculated attitude of the portable display device, whether or not a direction of a predetermined axis is within a first range which is set with respect to the predetermined direction in the real space, based on the attitude of the portable display device with respect to the predetermined direction in the real space;
• control an action of a first object arranged in a virtual world, with reference to a predetermined direction which is set in the virtual world and corresponds to the predetermined direction in the real space, based on the direction of the predetermined axis with respect to the predetermined direction in the real space, when the result of the determination is that the direction of the predetermined axis is within the first range;
• control at least an action of a second object arranged in the virtual world, with reference to the predetermined direction set in the virtual world, based on the direction of the predetermined axis with respect to the predetermined direction in the real space, when the result of the determination is that the direction of the predetermined axis is outside the first range;
• and
• output, to the portable display device, a first image showing the virtual world including at least the first object and the second object, and
• the portable display device further configured to:
• obtain data of the first image outputted from the information processing apparatus;
• and
• display the first image represented by the obtained image data.

An information processing method executed by one processor included in an information processing system that includes at least one information processing apparatus capable of displaying an image on a portable display device that outputs at least attitude data according to an attitude of a body of the portable display device, or by a plurality of processors included in the information processing system in a cooperative manner, the information processing method comprising:

• calculating an attitude of the portable display device with respect to a predetermined direction in real space;
• determining, based on the calculated attitude of the portable display device, whether or not a direction of a predetermined axis is within a first range which is set with respect to the predetermined direction in the real space, based on the attitude of the portable display device with respect to the predetermined direction in the real space;
• controlling an action of a first object arranged in a virtual world, with reference to a predetermined direction which is set in the virtual world and corresponds to the predetermined direction in the real space, based on the direction of the predetermined axis with respect to the predetermined direction in the real space, when the result of the determination is that the direction of the predetermined axis is within the first range;
• controlling at least an action of a second object arranged in the virtual world, with reference to the predetermined direction set in the virtual world, based on the direction of the predetermined axis with respect to the predetermined direction in the real space, when the result of the determination is that the direction of the predetermined axis is outside the first range;
• and
• displaying, on the portable display device, a first image showing the virtual world including at least the first object and the second object.