JP2023073472A - Computer system, game system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that in a case where a virtual display is arranged in a game space, amusement properties are deteriorated if a video virtually displayed in the virtual display remains common to each player.

SOLUTION: A server system 1100 controls a multi-play game in which each player operates his or her player character while viewing an individual game image, and executes a game play in a shared game space. In the server system 1100, a virtual display arrangement unit 231 arranges a virtual display in the game space. A virtual display setting management unit 233 manages virtual display settings of the virtual display by player. When the virtual display is included in the individual game image, a virtual display individual control unit 235 causes a virtual display image based on the virtual display settings of the player involved in the individual game image to be virtually displayed in the virtual display in the individual game image.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a computer system and the like for controlling a multiplayer game.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, multiplayer games are known in which a plurality of players participate and play simultaneously. In a type of game in which each player shares a game space and enjoys it, the game image for each player is generally a viewpoint image based on that player (so-called first-person viewpoint image or third-person viewpoint image). target. Therefore, an object (for example, an enemy character) placed in the game space can be seen by each player by catching it in their field of view.

JP 2008-228943 A JP 2018-057853 A

If you were to create a game with a display set up in the game space, you would want each player to be able to see the virtual display on the virtual display by catching the virtual display in their field of view. was the conventional common sense.

However, if a virtual display is arranged in the game space, it would be less interesting if the video displayed on the virtual display remains common to all players.

A first invention for solving the above problems is a computer system (for example, , server system 1100 in FIG. 1), which includes placement means (for example, the virtual display placement unit 231 in FIG. 9) for placing a virtual display at a given position in the game space, and virtual display settings for the virtual display. A virtual display setting management means (for example, the virtual display setting management unit 233 in FIG. 9) that manages for each player, and an image to be virtually displayed on the virtual display when the individual game image includes the virtual display. Virtual display individual control means (for example, the 9 virtual display individual control unit 235).

According to the first invention, a virtual display is arranged in a game space shared by a plurality of players in a multiplayer game. When the individual game image generated for each player includes a virtual display, the virtual display image based on the virtual display setting set for the player is virtually displayed on the virtual display of the individual game image. can be done. According to this, the display contents of the same virtual display arranged in the shared game space can be made to correspond to the display destination player. Therefore, the player can view the virtual display image based on his or her own virtual display settings by catching the virtual display in the field of view while moving in the game space. Since the virtual display is adapted to each player, the game becomes more interesting.

In a second aspect of the present invention, the virtual display setting management means sets, for each player, a related player situation image indicating a play situation of a related player associated with the player as the virtual display image, at least in the virtual display settings. The computer system of the first invention comprising:

According to the second invention, when the individual game image includes the virtual display, the related player situation image showing the play status of the related player associated with the player related to the individual game image is displayed in the individual game image. It can be displayed virtually on a virtual display.

In a third aspect of the invention, the multiplayer game is a game in which a plurality of players participate in a group, the related player is a player belonging to the same group as the player, and the virtual display setting management means includes The computer system according to the second invention, wherein the virtual display setting includes at least a setting for setting the related player situation image as the virtual display image when the play situation of the player satisfies a given situation condition.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, the multi-play game is a competitive game, and the situation condition includes a condition indicating that the related player is in a given superiority situation in the competitive game, a given victory situation, and the like. A computer system according to a third aspect of the invention, comprising at least one of a condition indicating that the player is in a given inferior situation, a condition indicating that the player is in a given inferior situation, and a condition indicating that the player is in a given losing situation. is.

According to the third or fourth invention, when the virtual display is included in the individual game image, the condition or given condition indicating that the playing situation of the related player belonging to the same group becomes, for example, a given dominant situation. A relationship that indicates the play situation when the situation conditions such as the condition indicating that the player has reached a victory situation, the condition that indicates that the player has reached a given inferior situation, and the condition that indicates that the player has reached a given defeat situation The player situation image can be virtually displayed on the virtual display in the individual game image.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the virtual display setting management means includes at least a setting in the virtual display setting of setting a common related player situation image as the virtual display image for players belonging to the same group. 4 is a computer system of the invention.

According to the fifth aspect, when an individual game image includes a virtual display, a related player situation image common to individual game images of players belonging to the same group is virtualized on the virtual display in the individual game image. can be displayed.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, the multiplayer game is a competitive game, and the virtual display setting management means switches the virtual display setting of the player to the virtual display setting of an opponent player who is an opponent of the player. The computer system according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, further comprising setting switching means for switching the virtual display setting for the player satisfying the switching condition to the virtual display setting for the opponent player.

According to the sixth aspect, the virtual display setting of the player who has satisfied the setting switching condition can be switched to the virtual display setting of the opponent player. Therefore, when the virtual display is included in the individual game image of the player who has satisfied the setting switching condition, the virtual display image that is virtually displayed on the virtual display when the individual game image of the opponent player includes the virtual display. can be virtually displayed on the virtual display in the individual game image.

A seventh invention is the computer system according to the sixth invention, wherein the setting switching condition is activation of a skill capable of switching the virtual display settings.

According to the seventh invention, the virtual display setting of the player can be switched to the virtual display setting of the opponent player on condition that the skill capable of switching the virtual display setting is activated.

An eighth invention is the computer system according to the sixth invention, wherein the setting switching condition is reaching a game progress state in which the virtual display setting can be switched.

According to the eighth invention, the player's virtual display settings can be switched to the opponent player's virtual display settings on condition that the game progresses to a state where the virtual display settings can be switched.

A ninth aspect of the invention further comprises general image virtual display setting means for causing the same general image to be virtually displayed on the virtual display between the individual game images of each player, wherein the virtual display individual control means controls the virtual display on the virtual display. The image to be displayed is a virtual display image based on the virtual display setting for each player, and when the player-specific display switching condition indicating that the game situation has occurred is not satisfied, the general image is virtually displayed on the virtual display. , the computer system according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the virtual display image based on the virtual display setting for each player is virtually displayed on the virtual display when the display switching condition for each player is satisfied. .

According to the ninth invention, when the individual game image includes the virtual display, if the game situation is not a predetermined game situation and the player-by-player display switching condition for the individual game image is not satisfied, A general image, and when the player-specific display switching condition is satisfied, a virtual display image based on the virtual display setting can be virtually displayed on the virtual display in the individual game image.

A tenth invention is the computer system according to the ninth invention, further comprising notification control means for performing predetermined notification control when the game situation satisfies the player-specific display switching condition.

According to the tenth aspect, for example, it is possible to notify the player who is subject to the player-specific display switching condition that the game situation becomes a predetermined game situation and the player-specific display switching condition is satisfied.

In an eleventh aspect of the invention, the computer system is a server system (eg, server system 1100 in FIG. 1) connected for communication with player terminals of each player (eg, player terminal 1500 in FIG. 1) displaying the individual game images. A computer system according to any one of the first to tenth inventions.

A twelfth invention is a game system (for example, the game system 1000 in FIG. 1) comprising the server system, which is the computer system of the eleventh invention, and player terminals of each player for displaying the individual game images. ).

According to the eleventh or twelfth invention, it is possible to realize a server system having the same effect as any one of the first to tenth inventions.

In a thirteenth invention, a computer system configured by connecting player terminals of each player for communication enables each player to operate his or her player character while viewing an individual game image to play a game in a shared game space. A program for executing a multiplayer game, comprising: arrangement means for arranging a virtual display at a given position in the game space; virtual display setting management means for managing virtual display settings of the virtual display for each player; By setting the image to be virtually displayed on the virtual display when the individual game image includes the virtual display to be a virtual display image based on the virtual display settings of the player related to the individual game image, the virtual display image can be displayed as the virtual display image. It is a program (for example, the game program 504 in FIG. 13) for causing the computer system to function as virtual display individual control means for controlling virtual display on the virtual display in the individual game image.

According to the thirteenth invention, it is possible to realize a program that causes a computer system configured by communication-connecting player terminals to achieve the same effect as any one of the first to tenth inventions.

The figure which shows the whole structural example of a game system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a device configuration example of a player terminal; A diagram showing an example of a game space. The figure which shows an example of an individual game image. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining virtual display on a virtual display; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an individual game image including a virtual display; The figure which shows an example of a virtual display setting. The figure which shows an example of information control. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a server system; The figure which shows the data structural example of competition play data. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a player terminal; 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the server system; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a player terminal in Modification 1;

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited by the embodiments described below, and the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. Moreover, in the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system 1000 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a game system 1000 includes a server system 1100 and a player terminal 1500 possessed by a player 2 of the game of this embodiment, which communicate with each other via a communication line N so as to enable data communication. Connected and configured.

A communication line N means a communication path capable of data communication. That is, the communication line N includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, and a communication network such as the Internet. It does not matter whether the communication method is wired or wireless.

The server system 1100 includes a main unit 1101, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and a storage 1140. The main unit 1101 incorporates a control board 1150 therein.

The control board 1150 includes various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. Equipped with electronic components. Part or all of the control board 1150 may be implemented by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or SoC (System on a Chip).

The server system 1100 provides a user management function related to user registration and data necessary for playing a game on the player terminal 1500 through arithmetic processing by the CPU 1151 or the like based on predetermined programs and data. A game management function for managing game execution control at the player terminal 1500 is realized. In other words, the game in this embodiment is implemented as a kind of client-server online game. In this embodiment, the server system 1100 serves as a computer system in which a plurality of players 2 operate their player characters while viewing individual game images (individual game images) displayed on their respective player terminals 1500. , which controls the execution of multiplayer games that play games in a shared game space. The player 2 accesses the server system 1100 with the player terminal 1500, logs in using the issued account, and enjoys the multiplayer game with other players 2. FIG.

Note that the server system 1100 is not limited to the single configuration shown in FIG. 1, and may have a configuration in which a plurality of blade servers sharing each function are installed and connected to each other via an internal bus so as to enable data communication. . Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of independent servers installed at remote locations are allowed to perform data communication via the communication line N, thereby functioning as the server system 1100 as a whole.

The player terminal 1500 is a computer system that functions as a man-machine interface, and can be connected to a communication line N via a mobile phone base station, a wireless communication base station, etc., and perform data communication with the server system 1100 . The player terminal 1500 may be, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a portable game device, a stationary home game device, a controller for a stationary home game device, an arcade game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, or the like. can take

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a device configuration example of a smartphone, which is an example of the player terminal 1500. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the player terminal 1500 includes a direction input key 1502, a home key 1504, a touch panel 1506 functioning as an image display device and a contact position input device, an internal battery 1509, a speaker 1510, and a microphone 1512. , a control board 1550, and a memory card reader 1542 capable of reading data from and writing data to a memory card 1540, which is a computer-readable storage medium. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, etc. (not shown) are provided.

The control board 1550 includes a CPU 1551, various microprocessors such as GPU and DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and wireless communication with mobile phone base stations and wireless LAN base stations connected to the communication line N. A wireless communication module 1553, an interface circuit 1557, and the like are mounted. The control board 1550 also includes a circuit for receiving signals from the direction input key 1502 and the home key 1504, a driver circuit for the touch panel 1506, an output amplifier circuit for outputting audio signals to the speaker 1510, and audio collected by the microphone 1512. A so-called I/F circuit (interface circuit) 1557 such as an audio signal generation circuit for generating a signal of , and a signal input/output circuit for a memory card reader 1542 are mounted. Each element mounted on the control board 1550 is electrically connected to each other via a bus circuit or the like, and is connected so as to be able to read/write data and transmit/receive signals. Part or all of the control board 1550 may be composed of ASIC, FPGA, or SoC.

In the control board 1550, an IC memory 1552 stores a game client program and various setting data necessary for executing the game client program. A game client program or the like is downloaded from the server system 1100 at an appropriate timing. Note that the data may be read from a storage medium such as the memory card 1540 that is separately obtained. Then, the CPU 1551 or the like executes the game client program to perform arithmetic processing, and controls each unit of the player terminal 1500 according to the operation input to the touch panel 1506, the direction input key 1502, and the home key 1504, so that the game of the player 2 is executed. enable play.

[principle]
The multiplayer game of this embodiment is a battle game in which a team (group) composed of player characters is formed to fight against an enemy. challenge the battle with Although the number of players participating in one game and the number of player characters operated by each player are not particularly limited, three players 2 (assumed to be 2a, 2b, and 2c) each control one player character. It is explained as operating. The opponent is a computer-controlled enemy character (NPC (Non-Playable Character)).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game space. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an individual game image displayed on the player terminal 1500a of the player 2a in the scene of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, players 2 (2a, 2b, 2c) who participate in the game operate their own player characters 3 (3a, 3b, 3c) to create a virtual three-dimensional space shared among the players. to move in the game space. Then, when encountering an enemy character (NPC in this embodiment) 4, the player fights against it.

The game space is formed by arranging background objects such as a stage 5 and buildings 6 and 7 as a stage in addition to the player character 3 and the enemy character 4 . Behind each player character 3 (3a, 3b, 3c), a virtual camera 8 (8a, 8b, 8c) for each player 2 (2a, 2b, 2c) operating them is arranged. Follow the movement of the character 3. Then, the state of the game space seen from the virtual camera 8 for the player 2 is displayed on the player terminal 1500 as an individual game image for the player 2 . For example, as shown in FIG. 4, an image viewed from the virtual camera 8a for the player 2a is displayed on the player terminal 1500a as an individual game image for the player 2a. By changing the position of the player character 3, the position of the virtual camera 8 is changed so as to automatically follow a position a predetermined distance away from the player character 3 on the back side. It is changed by changing the line of sight of the player character 3 .

Now, in this embodiment, a large vision object is arranged as the virtual display 9 in the game space. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the virtual display of the virtual display 9. As shown in FIG. Also, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an individual game image relating to the player 2a and including the virtual display 9. As shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the virtual display 9 is arranged above the stage 5 with each of the four display surfaces facing in four directions so that it can be seen from as far away as possible by directing the line of sight upward. be. When the individual game image includes the virtual display 9, the virtual display image based on the virtual display settings of the player 2 for the individual game image is virtually displayed on the virtual display 9 in the individual game image. The virtual display settings are set and managed for each player 2 based on the setting operations performed by each player 2 participating in the game prior to the start of game play.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the virtual display 9 is caught in the field of view by looking up above the stage 5, a virtual display image corresponding to the user's setting operation is displayed there. In other words, on the player terminal 1500 of each player 2 who shares the same game space and plays the game, if the line of sight is turned to the virtual display 9, the virtual display 9 is displayed within the individual game image. The displayed virtual display image is an image having contents corresponding to the player 2 associated with the individual game image.

Note that the arrangement mode of the virtual display is not limited to the mode illustrated in FIG. 3 and the like. For example, large vision objects may be placed on the walls of the stage. Alternatively, a virtual display may be arranged at a specific location in the game space, and the virtual display image can be viewed by moving the player character 3 to the specific location. Alternatively, a part of the background objects forming the game space may be used as a virtual display, such as displaying a virtual display image on the floor of the stage, the outer wall of the building, windows, etc. as a virtual display.

(1) Regarding Virtual Display Settings FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of virtual display settings 560 for the player 2a. In the following, the explanation of the principle will be given focusing on this player 2a, but in practice, the explanation of the principle will be performed with all the players 2 participating in the game as players of interest. As shown in FIG. 7, virtual display settings 560 include related player settings 563 , situation condition settings 565 and common settings 567 .

In the related player setting 563, the player name of the player 2 who is the related player among the teammates player 2 is set. This related player setting 563 is set by receiving the setting operation of the focused player 2a. The setting operation here can be realized by selecting the player 2 as the related player from among the teammates, and it may be possible to select one of them as the related player, or to select a plurality of players. Alternatively, a player who has been separately registered as a friend by the noted player 2a may be automatically set as an associated player.

A given situation condition is set in the situation condition setting 565 . This situation condition setting 565 is a setting for making the related player situation image showing the play situation of the related player the virtual display image. When the situation condition set in the condition setting 565 is satisfied, the related player situation image related to the play situation is set as the virtual display image.

Therefore, one or more play situations are set in the situation condition setting 565 . For example, a superiority condition indicating that the related player is in a given superiority condition, a winning condition condition that indicates that the related player is in a given winning condition, and a related player is in a given inferiority condition. and a losing situation condition indicating that the relevant player has fallen into a given losing situation. The superiority condition is defined as, for example, ``the related players are in a match and the situation is superior''. Similarly, the inferior situation condition is defined as, for example, ``the related player is in a match and the situation is inferior''. Whether the situation is superior or inferior can be determined based on the relative relationship between the player character's ability parameter values such as physical strength and the enemy character of the opponent the player character is fighting against. On the other hand, the victory condition is set as, for example, "the related player has won the match (for example, defeated the opponent) within a predetermined time period (for example, 10 seconds or 1 minute)". . Also, the defeat status condition is set as, for example, ``that the related player has lost the battle (for example, has been defeated) within a predetermined period of time in the past''. One or two or more of the four illustrated play situations may be set in the situation condition setting 565, or a different play situation may be set. The situation condition setting 565 can also be set by receiving a setting operation of the player of interest 2a. That is, a plurality of situation conditions including the above four conditions may be presented, and the situation condition setting 565 may be set with the play situation selected by the noted player 2a as the situation condition.

The common setting 567 is a setting for using a common related player situation image (hereinafter referred to as "common situation image") in the individual game images of players 2 belonging to the same team as a virtual display image. Display items are set. Specifically, in this embodiment, the common situation image is an image displaying display items such as the progress of the team to which the player belongs, various status values of each player who belongs to the team, and the current position of each player character. The game situation of the team is presented to the player 2. In the common settings 567, display items for common situation images are set. For example, the common setting 567 is set by presenting display item candidates and selecting one of them as a display item by the noted player 2a.

(2) About Virtual Display Image During the game, each player is treated as the player of interest and the virtual display control process is executed. Control to display. In this embodiment, when the play situation of the related player in the related player setting 563 satisfies the situation condition in the situation condition setting 565, the related player situation image showing the play situation is virtual displayed on the virtual display 9 as a virtual display image. to control.

For example, the virtual display on the virtual display 9 illustrated in FIG. 6 is a display example when the playing situation of the related player satisfies the prevailing situation condition, which is one of the situation conditions, and the virtual display image is the display image at that time. This is a related player situation image showing a battle between the player character 3 of the related player (the player character 3b in FIG. 6) and the enemy character 4. FIG. Also, although not shown, when the inferior situation condition is satisfied, similarly, the virtual display image is the related player situation image showing how the related players are competing at that point in time. Then, when the winning situation condition is satisfied, a related player situation image (replay image) showing the state of the winning match is set as a virtual display image. Similarly, when the defeat situation condition is satisfied, the related player situation image showing the state of the losing match is used as the virtual display image.

Further, when a plurality of related players are set, each related player is assigned to a plurality of display surfaces of the virtual display 9, and control is performed to virtually display related player situation images indicating the respective play situations. For example, in the case of FIG. 5, one display screen 991 virtually displays a related player situation image showing the play status of the player character 3b operated by the player 2b who is one of the related players, and another display screen 993 displays , a related player situation image showing the play situation of the player character 3c operated by the player 2c is virtually displayed. Each display surface 993 can also be said to be a separate virtual display.

On the other hand, when none of the situation conditions of the situation condition setting 565 is satisfied, the virtual display on the virtual display 9 is controlled according to the display items of the common setting 567 by using the common situation image related to the belonging team as the virtual display image.

According to this virtual display control process, a virtual display image based on the virtual display settings 560 for each player 2 is virtually displayed on the virtual display 9 . Therefore, even if each player 2 sees the virtual display 9 at the same time, the individual game image of each player 2 will not be displayed on the virtual display 9 even though it is the same large vision object in the shared game space. is not the same image, but a virtual display image based on the virtual display setting 560 of player 2 related to the individual game image is virtually displayed. In this embodiment, when the play situation of the related player satisfies the situation condition, the related player situation image showing the play situation is set as the virtual display image, and if not, the common situation image is set as the virtual display image. Therefore, if the player 2 looks up at the virtual display 9 while moving in the game space, etc., the player character 3 of the related player can be searched for and grasped the play situation without going near it. Alternatively, it is possible to grasp the game situation such as the battle situation of the team to which the player belongs. Therefore, the player 2 can proceed with the game while appropriately viewing the virtual display image based on his/her own virtual display settings 560 without being disturbed by the feeling of being immersed in the game.

Here, when the situation condition of the situation condition setting 565 is not satisfied, the common situation image is set as the virtual display image. On the other hand, the related player situation image related to the already satisfied situation condition may be displayed again without performing the virtual display of the common situation image. In this case, flag information (Yes: ON/No: OFF) may be set as the common setting 567 by receiving the setting operation of the player of interest.

(3) When a New Situation Condition is Satisfied As described above, in the present embodiment, during the game, each player 2 monitors whether the situation condition of the situation condition setting 565 is met, and when the situation condition is met, the virtual display 9 is displayed. Virtually display the player situation image. Therefore, when the situation condition is newly satisfied, control is performed to notify the player 2 related to the virtual display setting 560 that the related player's play situation has satisfied the situation condition.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of notification control. In the example of FIG. 8, an oblique upward arrow-shaped mark M1 prompting the attention player 2 to look at the virtual display 9 is displayed together with a comment C1 of "breaking news". According to this, the attention player can grasp that the related player has satisfied the situation condition, and can visually recognize the new related player situation image of the related player by operating the virtual display 9 so that it is included in the field of view. .

[Function configuration]
1. Server System FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the server system 1100 . As shown in FIG. 9, the server system 1100 includes an operation input section 100s, a server processing section 200s, an image display section 390s, a sound output section 392s, a communication section 394s, and a server storage section 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is for inputting various operations for system management, maintenance, etc., and can be realized by, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or the like. In FIG. 1, the keyboard 1106 and the touch panel 1108 correspond to this.

The server processing unit 200s can be realized by, for example, processors such as CPUs, GPUs, ASICs, and FPFAs, which are arithmetic circuits, and electronic components such as IC memories. Controls data input/output. Based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the player terminal 1500, and the like, various arithmetic processing is performed, and the operation of the server system 1100 is centrally controlled. In FIG. 1, the control board 1150 and its CPU 1151 correspond to this.

The server processing section 200s includes a user management section 210, a game management section 230, a clock section 280s, an image generation section 290s, a sound generation section 292s, and a communication control section 294s.

The user management unit 210 manages user registration processing and data of each registered user (player) linked to an account. For example, it is possible to execute a process of assigning a unique account to a registered user, a registration information management process of registering and managing personal information for each account, a usage history management process of managing log-in and log-out histories, and the like. Of course, management processing of other data linked to accounts other than these can be included as appropriate.

The game management unit 230 performs various processes related to game execution management. The game of the present embodiment is a multiplay-compatible battle game played as a client-server type online game. Therefore, the game management unit 230 performs control to provide data necessary for game play while communicating with the player terminal 1500 . When providing the data, the following processes related to game progress control and play result reflection include: 1) matching of players participating in the game, 2) arranging background objects and the like to form a game space, and 3) game 4) arranging and controlling a virtual camera for each player participating in the game in the game space; 6) Processing for placing enemy characters in the game space and automatically controlling their actions, 6) processing for attack hit determination and damage determination, and processing for reflection thereof, 7) image of the game space as seen from the virtual camera for each player. 8) a process of determining whether or not the end condition of the game is satisfied, and the like can be executed. Further, along with these, various data necessary for controlling the game play can be stored in the server storage unit 500s.

The game management section 230 includes a virtual display arrangement section 231 , a virtual display setting management section 233 , a virtual display individual control section 235 and a notification control section 237 .

The virtual display placement unit 231 places a virtual display at a given position in the game space (the ceiling or the sky in the example of FIG. 3).

The virtual display setting management unit 233 receives setting operations necessary for each player participating in the game, generates virtual display settings 560 for each player including related player settings 563, situation condition settings 565, and common settings 567, and generates virtual display settings 560 for each player. It stores and manages it in the memory|storage part 500s.

The virtual display individual control unit 235 executes virtual display control processing when the individual game image includes a virtual display, and displays the virtual display image based on the player's virtual display settings for the individual game image in the individual game image. Controls virtual display on the virtual display of In this embodiment, when the play situation of the related player in the related player setting 563 satisfies the situation condition in the situation condition setting 565, the related player situation image showing that play situation is used as the virtual display image, and when the situation condition is not satisfied, the common setting is made. A common related player situation image (common situation image) displaying 567 display items is used as a virtual display image, and virtual display on the virtual display is controlled.

The notification control unit 237 repeatedly determines whether or not the situation condition set in the situation condition setting 565 in the virtual display setting 560 of each player is satisfied, and monitors the establishment of the situation condition. The player terminal 1500 of the player with the virtual display setting 560 is controlled to notify that effect.

The clock unit 280s clocks the current date and time, the time limit, and the like using the system clock.

The image generation unit 290s generates an image related to system management of the server system 1100, etc., and outputs the image to the image display unit 390s.

The sound generation unit 292s is implemented by executing an IC or software that generates and decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds and BGM related to system management of the server system 1100 and video distribution. Audio signals related to system management are output to the sound output unit 392s.

The communication control unit 294s performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (for example, the player terminal 1500) via the communication unit 394s, thereby realizing data exchange with the external device.

The image display unit 390s displays various screens for system management and the like based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290s. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 1, the touch panel 1108 corresponds to this.

The sound output unit 392s emits the audio signal input from the sound generation unit 292s. In FIG. 1, a speaker (not shown) included in the main unit 1101 or the touch panel 1108 corresponds to this.

394 s of communication parts connect with the communication line N, and implement|achieve communication. For example, it can be realized by a radio communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a communication cable for wired use, a control circuit, or the like. In FIG. 1, the communication device 1153 corresponds to this.

In the server storage unit 500s, a program for operating the server system 1100 and realizing various functions of the server system 1100, data used during execution of the program, etc. are stored in advance, or stored each time processing is performed. Temporarily stored. For example, it can be realized by IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, and optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. In FIG. 1, the IC memory 1152 and the storage 1140 correspond to this.

Server program 501, game client program for distribution 503, user management data 510, game stage initial setting data 520, enemy character initial setting data 530, and player character initial setting data 540 are stored in the server storage unit 500s. and battle play data 550 are stored. In addition, other necessary data such as timers, counters, and various flags are stored as appropriate.

The server program 501 is a program for causing the server processing section 200 s to function as the user management section 210 and the game management section 230 . It should be noted that a program functioning as the image generation unit 290s, the sound generation unit 292s, and the communication control unit 294s can be included as appropriate.

The distributed game client program 503 is the original of the game client program 502 (see FIG. 11) downloaded to the player terminal 1500 .

The user management data 510 is prepared for each player who has completed user registration, and stores various data for managing the game play of the player in association with the account (player ID). For example, it includes the player name, play history such as play date and time, play time, game save data, and the like.

The game stage initial setting data 520 is prepared for each game stage and stores various initial setting data related to the game stage. For example, one game stage initial setting data 520 includes a game stage ID, map data, appearance settings of enemy characters, and the like.

The enemy character initial setting data 530 is prepared for each type of enemy character, and stores various initial setting data related to the enemy character. For example, one enemy character initial setting data 530 includes enemy character types, ability parameter values, action pattern data defining action patterns, and the like.

The player character initial setting data 540 is prepared for each type of character that can be used as a player character, and stores various initial setting data related to the player character. For example, one player character initial setting data 540 includes the type of player character, initial values of ability parameter values, and the like. It also includes model data of the player character, motion data used for motion control, and the like.

The competitive play data 550 is prepared for each competitive game and stores various data describing the players participating in the competitive game and the progress of the game. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, one battle play data 550 includes a battle ID 551, matching data 552, stage ID 553 indicating the game stage being played, operation input history data 554, and NPC control history data 555. , player character control data 556 , enemy character control data 557 , and virtual display settings 560 .

The matching data 552 stores data of players who participate in the competition game. Specifically, it stores the account of each player, the player name, the device ID of the player terminal 1500 to be used, and the player character settings such as the type of player character and ability parameter values. In this embodiment, a plurality of players form a team and play against an NPC. will be stored. That is, the data of the players belonging to the team is stored in association with the team ID of each team that will compete.

The operation input history data 554 stores information on operation inputs of each player in chronological order. The NPC control history data 555 stores the control information for each NPC automatically controlled by the computer in chronological order.

The player character control data 556 and enemy character control data 557 are prepared for each player character and enemy character, respectively, and store various data describing the latest state of the character in the game stage. For example, it includes the position coordinates, posture, ability parameter values, remaining physical strength values, etc. of each character.

Virtual display settings 560 are prepared for each player in matching data 552 . One virtual display setting 560 stores a related player setting 563, a situation condition setting 565, and a common setting 567 described with reference to FIG. 7 in association with a player name 561. FIG.

2. Player Terminal FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the player terminal 1500. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11 , the player terminal 1500 includes an operation input section 100 , a terminal processing section 200 , an image display section 390 , a sound output section 392 , a communication section 394 and a terminal storage section 500 .

The operation input unit 100 is used by a user to input various operations, and can be realized by, for example, a button switch, joystick, touch pad, trackball, acceleration sensor, angular velocity sensor, CCD module, and the like. In FIG. 2, the direction input key 1502, the home key 1504, and the touch panel 1506 correspond to this.

The terminal processing unit 200 can be realized, for example, by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, or an electronic component such as an IC memory. Controls data input/output. Based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, data received from the server system 1100, and the like, various arithmetic processing is performed, and the operation of the player terminal 1500 is centrally controlled. In FIG. 2, the control board 1550 and its CPU 1551 correspond to this. The terminal processing section 200 in this embodiment includes a player terminal calculation section 270 , a timer section 280 , an image generation section 290 , a sound generation section 292 and a communication control section 294 .

The player terminal calculation unit 270 executes various calculation processes for causing the player terminal 1500 to function as a terminal for the player to play the game. For example, the player terminal calculation section 270 includes an operation signal transmission control section 271 and a game screen display control section 273 .

The operation signal transmission control unit 271 performs processing for transmitting various data and request information to the server system 1100 according to operation input to the operation input unit 100 .

The game screen display control unit 273 performs control for displaying the game screen based on various data received from the server system 1100 . For example, if the online game of the present embodiment is realized as a web game, web technology that actively controls screen display using Java (registered trademark) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) together with HTML based on a web browser. , Adobe (registered trademark) Flash or the like. Of course, other methods may also be used. In the configuration of this embodiment, the server system 10 generates the individual game image for each player, which is the base of the game screen. In that case, the game screen display control section 273 controls the objects arranged in the game space in order to generate the individual game image.

The image generation unit 290 cooperates with the game screen display control unit 273 to generate an image for displaying one game screen in one frame time (for example, 1/60 second) based on various data received from the server system 1100 . A signal is generated, and the generated image signal is output to the image display section 390 . For example, it can be implemented by a processor such as a GPU, a digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a program such as a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, and the like.

The sound generation unit 292 is implemented by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a speech synthesis IC, an audio codec for playing back audio files, etc., and generates audio signals such as game sound effects, BGM, and various operation sounds. is generated and output to the sound output unit 392 .

The communication control unit 294 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (for example, the server system 1100) via the communication unit 394, and implements data exchange with the external device.

The image display unit 390 displays various screens such as game screens based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290 . For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 2, the touch panel 1506 corresponds to this.

The sound output unit 392 emits sound effects, BGM, etc. related to the game based on the audio signal input from the sound generation unit 292 . In FIG. 2, the speaker 1510 corresponds to this.

The communication unit 394 is connected to the communication line N to realize communication. For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA, a jack of a communication cable for wired use, a control circuit, or the like. In FIG. 2, the wireless communication module 1553 corresponds to this.

In the terminal storage unit 500, a program for operating the player terminal 1500 and realizing the functions of the player terminal 1500, data used during the execution of this program, etc. are stored in advance, or temporarily stored each time processing is performed. stored in For example, it can be realized by IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, and optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. In FIG. 2, the IC memory 1552 and memory card 1540 correspond to this.

The terminal storage unit 500 also stores a game client program 502 and a current date and time 801 . The game client program 502 is a program for causing the terminal processing section 200 to function as the player terminal computing section 270 . This game client program 502 may be a dedicated client program according to the technical method for realizing an online game, or may be composed of a web browser program and a plug-in or the like for realizing interactive image display. In this embodiment, it is a copy of the distribution game client program 503 (see FIG. 5) provided by the server system 1100 .

[Process flow]
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing related to virtual display on a virtual display performed for one player of interest participating in one competitive game. During the game, the processing of FIG. 12 is performed for all players participating in the game. The processing described here is realized by reading and executing the server program 501 by the server processing unit 200s. It is assumed that the player terminal 1500 has already performed a separate login procedure and completed the formation of the team through the matching process.

In this process, in order to virtually display the virtual display image on the virtual display included in the individual game image of each player, prior to the start of the game, the virtual display setting management unit 233 generates the virtual display setting 560 for the player of interest. Store in the server storage unit 500s (step SS1). The virtual display setting management unit 233 manages the virtual display settings 560 for each player by executing this process for all players participating in the game.

Once the virtual display settings 560 have been generated and stored for all players, the game is then started. That is, the game management unit 230 arranges background objects to form a game space, and arranges player characters and enemy characters of each player participating in the game. At that time, the virtual display placement unit 231 also places the virtual display in the game space. Then, the game management section 230 starts automatic control of the enemy character and moves the player character according to the operation input of each player. In addition, control that is basically required as progress control of the battle game is also started as appropriate.

After the game is started, the processing of steps S3 to S13 is repeated for each player. That is, focusing on the player of interest, the virtual display individual control unit 235 first determines whether or not the individual game image of the player of interest includes the virtual display. If the virtual display 9 is included (step S3: YES), the play status of the related player in the related player setting 563 matches the situation condition in the situation condition setting 565 according to the virtual display setting 560 of the player of interest set in step S1. Determine whether or not the conditions are met. Then, if the situation condition is satisfied (step S5: YES), the related player situation image showing the play situation of the related player determined to be satisfied is set as the virtual display image, and is virtually displayed on the virtual display in the individual game image of the focused player. control is performed (step S7).

On the other hand, if the situation condition is not satisfied (step S5: NO), the common situation image is used as a virtual display image and is virtually displayed on the virtual display in the individual game image of the player of interest (step S9).

On the other hand, even if the virtual display is not included in the individual game image of the player of interest (step S3: NO), it is determined whether there is a newly satisfied situation condition in the same way as in step S5. Then, if the situation condition is satisfied (step S11: YES), the notification control unit 237 performs notification control to that effect (step S13).

After that, when the battle game ends (step S15: YES), this process ends.

As described above, according to this embodiment, a virtual display can be arranged in a game space shared by a plurality of players participating in the game. Then, when the individual game image for the player displayed on the player terminal 1500 of each player includes a virtual display, the virtual display image based on the player's virtual display settings 560 related to the individual game image is displayed on the individual game image. It can be displayed virtually on a virtual display in the image. Therefore, the player can appropriately view the virtual display image based on the virtual display settings 560 of the player without hindering the sense of immersion in the game. Since the virtual display is adapted to each player, the game becomes more interesting.

It should be noted that the form to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the addition, omission, or change of constituent elements can be applied as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
For example, in the above embodiments, the server system 1100 of the client-server game system 1000 was taken as an example of the computer system to which the present invention is applied, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be implemented in a computer system in which a plurality of player terminals 1500 are connected peer-to-peer. In that case, one of the player terminals 1500 is made to perform the functions of the server system 1100 of the above embodiment. Alternatively, the functions of the game management section 230 may be shared by a plurality of player terminals 1500 .

For example, FIG. 13 shows an example of the functional configuration of a player terminal 1500A that shares the functions of the server system 1100 of the above embodiment. In FIG. 13, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as in the above-described embodiment. Note that the server system 1100 in this case mainly performs user registration, management and matching of information thereof, and provides such information in response to a request from the player terminal 1500A.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the player terminal 1500A of this modified example, the terminal processing section 200 has the game management section 230, and the game screen display control section 273 is omitted. That is, the player terminal 1500A of this modified example does not acquire data for displaying the image of the game screen from the server system 1100, but the game management unit 230 of itself executes processing related to game management to progress the game. to generate the image of the game screen. The storage unit 500 of the player terminal 1500A stores a game program 504 for causing the terminal processing unit 200 to function as the player terminal calculation unit 270 and the game management unit 230, and user management data 510 relating to the player of the player terminal 1500A. Also, battle play data 550 relating to the game play in which the user participates, game stage initial setting data 520, enemy character initial setting data 530, and player character initial setting data 540 are stored.

The processing flow of the player terminal 1500A of this modified example is basically the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. Specifically, in the player terminal 1500A of each player who participates in the game, the virtual display setting management unit 233 manages virtual display settings related to the own player. Also, the virtual display individual control unit 235 and the notification control unit 237 use the operation input history data 554 and the like of related players to execute virtual display control processing and notification control related to the own player.

According to this modified example, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. It should be noted that the player terminal 1500 may not have all the functions of the game management unit 230, but may have a part of them.

[Modification 2]
Also, in the above embodiment, a plurality of players form a team and play against NPCs, but it may be played against other teams formed by other players. In this case, only players (teammates) belonging to the same team as the player of interest may be selected as related players, or players may be selected as related players regardless of friend or foe.

[Modification 3]
Also, while the related players are limited to teammates, the related player situation image of the opponent player may be virtually displayed on the virtual display when the conditions are met during the game. For example, during the game, the game management unit 230 serves as setting switching means to determine whether or not a setting switching condition is satisfied, and monitors whether the setting switching condition is satisfied. Then, when the setting switching condition is satisfied, control is performed to switch the virtual display setting of the satisfied player to the virtual display setting of the opponent player.

First, the setting switching condition is a skill that can be activated when a specific item is used or a learning condition is satisfied. It can be regarded as having been triggered. Then, for example, if the player of interest activates a skill, the player's virtual display settings 560 are switched to the opponent player's virtual display settings 560 . When there are a plurality of opponent players, it is possible to determine which opponent player to switch to, for example, by receiving an operation input from the player of interest.

It should be noted that the switching of the virtual display settings here is temporary, and after a predetermined period of time has passed, the virtual display settings 560 of the target player may be restored, or the virtual display settings 560 of the opponent player may remain unchanged until the end of the game play. You can also use Further, the setting switching condition may be not limited to activation of the skill, but reaching a predetermined state of progress of the game. The predetermined game progress can be appropriately set, for example, by visiting a specific place in the game space, clearing a specific game stage, or the like.

Assuming that the related players are limited to allies, the player of interest can see only the related player situation image showing the playing situation of the friendly player on the virtual display, and the related player situation image showing the playing situation of the opponent player is You can't see it in principle. However, in this modification, when the player of interest activates the peeping skill and then views the virtual display, a virtual display image based on the virtual display settings of the opponent player can be virtually displayed on the virtual display. According to this, it is possible to grasp the play situation of another opponent player, the game situation of the opponent team, etc., by spying on the opponent player's virtual display.

[Modification 4]
On the other hand, in the case of a configuration in which other players can be selected as related players regardless of friend or foe, a virtual display image is displayed on the virtual display 9 by judging during the game whether or not a predetermined condition for switching display by player is satisfied. Display may be controlled. The display switching condition for each player is a condition indicating that the game situation is such that the image to be virtually displayed on the virtual display is set to the virtual display image based on the virtual display setting 560 for each player. For example, it is possible to predetermine that the play situation of the related player in the related player setting 563 satisfies the situation condition in the situation condition setting 565, and when the display switching condition for each player is satisfied, the related player image is displayed as a virtual image. It is possible to display it on a virtual display as a display image.

More specifically, in this modified example, for example, the game management unit 230 performs general setting to virtually display the same general image among the individual game images of all the players participating in the game as general image virtual display setting means. . Then, when the individual game image includes the virtual display, if the player-specific display switching condition is not satisfied, the general image is virtually displayed on the virtual display, and if the condition is satisfied, the virtual display is displayed based on the player's virtual display settings for the individual game image. It controls virtual display of the display image on the virtual display. Further, when the player-by-player display switching condition is newly satisfied, the game management unit 230 performs notification control to that effect in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment as notification control means.

Therefore, in the case of this modification, when the virtual display is included in the individual game image of the player of interest, if the play situation of the relevant player satisfies the situation condition, the related player situation image is displayed. It can be displayed virtually on a virtual display.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1000... Game system 1100... Server system 100s... Operation input part 200s... Server processing part 210... User management part 230... Game management part 231... Virtual display arrangement part 233... Virtual display setting management part 235... Virtual display individual control part 237... Notification control unit 290s Image generation unit 292s Sound generation unit 294s Communication control unit 390s Image display unit 392s Sound output unit 394s Communication unit 500s Server storage unit 501 Server program 503 Delivery game client program 510 User management data 520 Game stage initial setting data 530 Enemy character initial setting data 540 Player character initial setting data 550 Battle play data 552 Matching data 560 Virtual display setting 561 Player name 563 Related player setting 565 Situation Condition setting 567 Common setting 1500 Player terminal 100 Operation input unit 200 Terminal processing unit 270 Player terminal calculation unit 271 Operation signal transmission control unit 273 Game screen display control unit 290 Image generation unit 292 Sound generation unit 294... Communication control unit 390... Image display unit 392... Sound output unit 394... Communication unit 500... Terminal storage unit 502... Game client program 504... Game program 9... Communication line 2... Player 3... Player character 4... Enemy character 9... virtual display

Claims (13)

A computer system for controlling a multiplayer game in which each player operates his or her player character while viewing individual game images to play the game in a shared game space,
placement means for placing a virtual display at a given position in the game space;
virtual display setting management means for managing virtual display settings of the virtual display for each player;
By setting an image to be virtually displayed on the virtual display when the individual game image includes the virtual display to be a virtual display image based on the virtual display settings of the player related to the individual game image, the virtual display image is virtual display individual control means for controlling virtual display on the virtual display in the individual game image;
A computer system with The virtual display setting management means includes, in the virtual display settings, at least a setting for each player to set the virtual display image to be a related player situation image indicating the playing situation of the related player associated with the player.
A computer system according to claim 1. The multiplayer game is a game in which a plurality of players participate in a group,
The related player is a player belonging to the same group as the player,
The virtual display setting management means includes, in the virtual display settings, at least setting the virtual display image to be the related player situation image when the play situation of the related player satisfies a given situation condition.
3. The computer system of claim 2. The multiplayer game is a battle game,
The situation conditions include a condition indicating that the related player is in a given superior situation, a condition indicating that the related player is in a given winning situation, and a given inferior situation in the competitive game. and at least one of a condition indicating that a given losing situation has occurred;
4. The computer system of claim 3. The virtual display setting management means includes, in the virtual display settings, at least a setting in which a common related player situation image is set as the virtual display image for players belonging to the same group.
5. A computer system according to claim 3 or 4. The multiplayer game is a battle game,
The virtual display setting management means changes the virtual display setting for the player who satisfies a setting switching condition for switching the virtual display setting of the player to the virtual display setting of the opponent player who is the opponent of the player. Having a setting switching means for switching to the virtual display setting of the player;
A computer system according to any one of claims 1-5. the setting switching condition is that a skill capable of switching the virtual display setting has been activated;
7. A computer system according to claim 6. The setting switching condition is that the game has reached a state of progress in which the virtual display setting can be switched,
7. A computer system according to claim 6. General image virtual display setting means for virtually displaying the same general image between the individual game images of each player on the virtual display;
further comprising
The virtual display individual control means sets the image to be virtually displayed on the virtual display to a virtual display image based on the virtual display setting for each player when a player-specific display switching condition indicating that the game situation has occurred is not satisfied. virtually displaying the general image on the virtual display, and when the player-specific display switching condition is satisfied, virtually displaying the virtual display image based on the virtual display setting for each player on the virtual display;
A computer system according to any one of claims 1-8. notification control means for performing predetermined notification control when the game situation satisfies the display switching condition for each player;
10. The computer system of claim 9, further comprising: The computer system is a server system connected for communication with a player terminal of each player that displays the individual game image.
A computer system according to any one of claims 1-10. the server system being the computer system of claim 11;
a player terminal of each player displaying the individual game image;
A game system comprising A computer system configured by connecting the player terminals of each player for communication executes a multiplayer game in which each player operates his or her player character while viewing individual game images to play the game in a shared game space. A program for
placement means for placing a virtual display at a given position in the game space;
virtual display setting management means for managing virtual display settings of the virtual display for each player;
By setting an image to be virtually displayed on the virtual display when the individual game image includes the virtual display to be a virtual display image based on the virtual display settings of the player related to the individual game image, the virtual display image is virtual display individual control means for controlling virtual display on the virtual display in the individual game image;
A program for causing the computer system to function as a computer.

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