Patent ID: 8246455

Claim:
A game machine for showing a picture obtained by viewing a virtual three dimensional space from a virtual camera placed in the virtual three dimensional space, the game machine comprising: a processor and a memory, first virtual camera control means for determining by the processor a change direction in which a posture of the virtual camera is changed, based on a state of operation of operation means, and changing the posture of the virtual camera such that the virtual camera is directed in a direction displaced from a current direction in the change direction by a predetermined angle; second virtual camera control means for determining by the processor a direction in the virtual three dimensional space based on the state of operation of the operation means, and changing the posture of the virtual camera such that the virtual camera is directed in the determined direction; virtual camera control switching means for, by the processor, switching states, according to a predetermined switching operation, between a state in which the first virtual camera control means controls the virtual camera and a state in which the second virtual camera control means controls the virtual camera; and operation value acquisition means for acquiring, by the processor, an operation value in accordance with the state of operation of the operation means, wherein the second virtual camera control means includes means for acquiring content stored in means for storing any of a plurality of directions in the virtual three dimensional space so as to correspond to a respective range of the plurality of operation value ranges which do not overlap; and determination means for determining whether or not the operation value acquired by the operation value acquisition means is contained in any of the plurality of operation value ranges, and changes the posture of the virtual camera, when it is determined that the operation value acquired by the operation value acquisition means is contained in any of the plurality of operation value ranges, such that the virtual camera is directed in a direction corresponding to that operation value range, and the determination means changes the plurality of operation value ranges, when it is determined that the operation value acquired by the operation value acquisition means is contained in any of the plurality of operation value ranges, such that that operation value range is expanded and other operation value ranges are narrowed, and determines whether or not the operation value acquired by the operation value acquisition means is contained in any of the plurality of operation value ranges, based on the plurality of operation value ranges after change.