JP7269501B2 - Game program and game device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a video game that can be time-limited to play.

A video game has a development that arouses the interest of a user (especially a child), and the user may lose track of time and keep playing. However, playing video games for too long can have adverse effects, such as missing study time, delaying meals, and adversely affecting the eyes.

Therefore, there has been a demand to limit the playing time of video games. For example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there have been proposed game machines that forcibly shut down after a predetermined time has passed since the start of play. there is

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-287309

JP 2008-216053 A

As described above, many of the time-restricted users (time-restricted users) are users with low game skills, such as children, and beginners. Many games these days allow multiple users to cooperate and play multiplayer via a network, but in the case of time-limited users, it is difficult to play multiplayer due to the time limit (cannot participate consecutively). In addition, due to the low skill and equipment level, other users tend to avoid multiplayer (rejected, even if recruited, they will not participate), and it is not easy for time-limited users to play multiplayer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game program and a game device that make it easier for even a time-limited user to play multiplayer games with other users.

A first game program of the present invention causes a computer to which an operation unit operated by a user is connected to function as game execution means, time limit means, time limit setting means, and multi-play means. The game execution means creates a player object corresponding to the user in a virtual game space, and causes this player object to act in the game space according to the operation of the operation unit. The time limit means counts a predetermined time limit from the start of processing by the game execution means, and stops the game execution means when the time limit expires. The time limit setting means enables or disables the time limit means for the user. The multi-play means communicates with other computers executing the same game program, and causes other player objects corresponding to other users operating the other computers to act within the game space. Further, the game execution means is adapted to render the contents of the game to the computer and the other computer while the time limit means is disabled for the other user when the time limit means is disabled for the other computer. Change to more advantageous content than if it is set to

A second game program of the present invention causes a computer to which an operation unit operated by a user is connected to function as game execution means, time limit means, time limit setting means and multi-play means. The game execution means creates a player object corresponding to the user in a virtual game space, and causes this player object to act in the game space according to the operation of the operation unit. The time limit means permits the processing of the game execution means only during a permitted time period from a predetermined start time to a predetermined end time, and suspends the processing of the game execution means during other time periods. The time limit setting means enables or disables the time limit means for the user. The multi-play means communicates with other computers executing the same game program, and causes other player objects corresponding to other users operating the other computers to act within the game space. Further, the game execution means is adapted to render the contents of the game to the computer and the other computer while the time limit means is disabled for the other user when the time limit means is disabled for the other computer. Change to more advantageous content than if it is set to

A third game program of the present invention causes a computer to which an operation unit operated by a user is connected to function as game execution means, time limit means, time limit setting means and multi-play means. The game executing means generates a player object corresponding to the user in the virtual game space, executes a game having a plurality of divided games, and causes the player object to act in the game according to the operation of the operation unit. The time limiter counts the number of divided games executed by the game execution means, and stops the game execution means when a preset number of divided games is completed. The time limit setting means enables or disables the time limit means for the user. The multi-play means communicates with other computers executing the same game program, and causes other player objects corresponding to other users operating the other computers to act within the game space. Further, the game execution means is adapted to render the contents of the game to the computer and the other computer while the time limit means is disabled for the other user when the time limit means is disabled for the other computer. Change to more advantageous content than if it is set to

The game execution means may change the contents of the game to advantageous contents even when the time limit means is valid for the user of this computer. In that case, the extent to which the time-limiting measure is in effect for other users on the other computer, and the extent of the change to be advantageous, is the same as when the time-limiting measure is in effect for users of this computer. It should be equivalent to or less than the change to the advantageous content of

When the time limit is activated, the time limit means "increases the appearance probability of an object (item) acquired by the player character during the game" and "rewards when an enemy object (monster) is defeated. One or more of the following changes may be made: "increase", "increase the reward for clearing the classified game", and "lower the difficulty of the game".

According to this invention, when playing multiplayer with a time-limited user, the content of the game is changed to be more advantageous than usual, so that a normal user is allowed to play multiplayer with a time-limited user who is considered to have low game skill. can be done.

1 is a block diagram of a game machine on which a game program is executed; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a player character table; FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a quest table. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine. 4 is a dialog showing a communication procedure between a plurality of game machines and a server device; It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the control unit of the game machine.

A game program and a game machine and an online game system on which the game program is executed will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the structure of this invention is not limited to embodiment. Further, the processing procedure of each flowchart is not limited to the embodiment, and the order is random as long as there is no contradiction. A game is executed by cooperation of the game machine 1, the online game system 10, and the game program 50. FIG.

FIG. 1 shows the configurations of a game machine 1 and an online game system 10. As shown in FIG. An online game system 10 is composed of a server device 4 and a plurality of game machines 1 that can communicate with each other via a network 3 .

The game machine 1 cooperates with the game program 50 to execute the game. The game machine 1 communicates with the server device 4 via a network 3 such as the Internet in parallel. A server device 4 communicates with a plurality of game machines 1 executing the same game via a network 3, and controls multi-play in which a plurality of users (players) play cooperatively for the same goal online. The game machine 1 can be, for example, a stationary dedicated game machine or a personal computer. The dedicated game machine 1 will be described below as an example.

<Description of Game Machine 1>
In FIG. 1, the game machine 1 has a control section 20 , a hard disk drive (HDD) 27 , an operation section 30 , a media drive 31 and a network communication section 32 on a bus 26 . The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21 , ROM 22 , RAM 23 , image processor 24 and audio processor 25 . A video RAM (VRAM) 40 is connected to the image processor 24 . An amplifier 42 including a D/A converter is connected to the audio processor 25 . Video RAM 40 and amplifier 42 are connected to video/audio interface 41 . The audio/video interface 41 is connected to the television receiver (TV) 2 via a cable. As the video/audio interface 41, for example, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI (registered trademark)) is adopted. The television receiver 2 connected to the video/audio interface 41 generally has a liquid crystal display and a speaker, and reproduces game images and game sounds input from the game machine 1 .

The operation unit 30 is composed of a controller connected to the main body of the game machine 1 with a cable, and includes various key switches. Operation of these key switches by the user is converted into a digital signal and transmitted to the CPU 21 .

Media drive 31 includes a media slot into which game media 5 is inserted. The media drive 31 accesses the game media 5 set in the media slot and reads out the game program 50 . The game program 50 contains game data necessary for progress of the game. As the game media 5, for example, a DVD, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, or the like is used. However, the game media 5 is not limited to an optical disc, and may be a semiconductor memory. Also, the game program 50 may be provided in the form of being downloaded from the server device 4 or the like via the network 3 instead of the game media 5 . A game program 50 downloaded via the network 3 is recorded on the hard disk drive 27 . It should be noted that the game program 50 includes various data necessary for executing the game in addition to the execution file.

The RAM 23 has a load area for storing the game program 50 read from the hard disk drive 27 or the game media 5 so that the game program 50 can be executed, and a work area used when the CPU 20 executes the game program 50 . A basic program for starting the game machine 1 is stored in the ROM 22 . Storage areas (tables) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are set in the hard disk 27 and RAM 23 . Details of these tables will be described later.

The image processor 24 is a processor that has a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and generates game images. The image processor 24 generates a game space according to instructions from the CPU 21 , draws an image of the game space captured by a virtual camera on the VRAM 40 as a game image, and outputs the game image to the video/audio interface 41 .

The audio processor 25 is a processor that has a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and generates game audio. The audio processor 25 reproduces audio data of sounds produced by the object in response to the object's activity. The amplifier 42 amplifies this audio signal and outputs it to the video/audio interface 41 .

As described above, the video/audio interface 41 is connected to the television receiver 2, the game image developed on the VRAM 40 is displayed on the display of the television receiver 2, and the audio signal amplified by the amplifier 42 is transmitted to the television receiver. A sound is emitted from the speaker of the machine 2.

The network communication unit 32 is wired or wirelessly connected to the network 3 and communicates with other devices such as the server device 4 via the network 3 . Network 3 is, for example, the Internet. The server device 4 stores a game program 50 used in the game machine 1, and the game machine 1 can download the game program from the network. The downloaded game program is stored in hard disk drive 27 .

Note that the control unit 20 incorporates a clock with a calendar function as a function of the computer system, and time limits and time zone limits, which will be described later, are based on the timing of this clock.

<Overview of the game>
A game executed by the game machine 1 of FIG. 1 will be described. A game executed by the game machine 1 is a so-called hunting action game. A hunting action game is a game in which a player character defeats enemy characters (monsters) in a virtual game space, and strengthens his/her own equipment with the spoils taken from the enemy characters. The game is cleared when the final goal is achieved. Each quest can be fought only by the user operating the game machine 1, but can also be fought online by a plurality of users (operating other game machines 1) in cooperation (multiplayer). In the description of the game below, the user and player character may be used synonymously. Note that this play character corresponds to the player object of the present invention.

In online multiplay, a plurality of game machines 1 each execute a game, and each game machine 1 communicates with a server device 4 via a network 3 to synchronize the games executed by each game machine 1 . Each game machine 1 is operated by a different user, and each individual player character is activated in the game space. The server device 4 manages and distributes each user's (player character's) data received from each game machine 1 so that a plurality of game machines 1 can share necessary data.

The game progresses as the player character operated by the user using the operation unit 30 sequentially accepts and clears a plurality of quests. A quest is, for example, a concrete and short segmented game, such as going out to a field, which is a virtual game space, and defeating (or capturing) a specific enemy character such as a monster. / failure). By completing quests, the player character acquires various items and materials, and by using these items and materials to create new weapons, it is possible to increase its fighting power. Also, if you want to play in a group or if it is difficult to defeat a monster by yourself, you can recruit other users to participate in the quests you have accepted, or participate in other users' quests. You can play (multiplayer) with In addition, there are also divisional games such as searches that do not have a time limit or predetermined conditions (they can be stopped at any time and the party can decide its purpose and act freely). Satisfying a predetermined condition, such as clearing a quest or defeating a monster, corresponds to the "result of a predetermined action" of the present invention.

The game can limit the user's playing time per day. Hereinafter, the operation mode in which the playing time is restricted is called the time-limited mode, and the user who plays in the time-limited mode is called the time-limited user. An operation mode in which the playing time is not limited is called a normal mode, and a user who plays in the normal mode is called a normal user. In normal mode, the user can play without time limit. On the other hand, in the time limit mode, the user can only play for a preset time, and once the time limit has passed, the user cannot play again within the same date. When the date changes, the limit will be reset and you will be able to play again for the set time.

In the game machine 1, each of a plurality of users can set their own player character, and the time limit can be set separately for each user (player character). In the example shown in FIG. 2, no play time limit is set for user 1 (player character 1) (normal mode). A time limit of two hours is set for user 2 (player character 2) (time limit mode 1). A time limit of 9 hours is set for user 3 (player character 3) (time limit mode 2). Here, time limit mode 1/2 is a division according to the length of the time limit, time limit mode 1 is a strict time limit of 3 hours or less, and time limit mode 2 is a loose time longer than 3 hours. Restricted mode.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of data stored in the RAM 23. FIG. The player character table 200 is a table storing game-related data for each of a plurality of player characters (users). This table is stored in the HDD 27 together with the game program 50 and loaded into the RAM 23 together with the game program. The player character table 200 contains the player character name, save data (data storing the progress of the game, the player character's belongings, etc.), a set time limit, a password, and a timer flag for each player character. remembered. The timer flags include a time limit flag 211, a timer 212, an end flag 213 and a leader time limit flag 214, as shown in FIG. 2(B). The time limit flag 211 is a three-state flag of 0/1/2 indicating the user's play mode, where 0 indicates normal mode, 1 indicates time limit mode 1, and 2 indicates time limit mode 2. FIG. A timer 212 is an area for timing the play time in the time limit mode. The end flag 213 is a flag that is set when the play time for today's date ends in the time limit mode. The end flag is reset when the date changes. Also, the leader time limit flag 214 is a flag that stores the leader's play mode when this player character (user) participates in a quest where another user is the leader. As with the time limit flag 211 of the user, the leader time limit flag 214 also indicates 0 for normal mode, 1 for time limit mode 1, and 2 for time limit mode 2. FIG. Also, the reset state of the leader time limit flag 214 (state of not participating in other users' quests) is all bits on (256).

A user 1 is an administrator (for example, a guardian) of the game machine 1, and can set time limits for the player characters 1 to 3 by logging in to the user 1 (player character 1). That is, users 2 and 3 are children of user 1, for example, and cannot set their own time limits.

In the game, various items and virtual currency can be obtained by playing (for example, by clearing quests), and the content and amount thereof are determined for each quest (see FIG. 3). A regular reward is a base amount (quantity) that is usually applied to the user. On the other hand, for the time-limited user, the reward that can be obtained by playing is set larger than usual as compensation for the limited playing time. As a result, it is possible to obtain rewards comparable to long-time play even in short-time play with a limited time, and to increase motivation for short-time play. As shown in FIG. 3, in time limit modes 1 and 2, rewards that can be obtained by playing are set higher than in normal mode, but higher rewards are set in time limit mode 1, which has a stricter time limit.

Furthermore, the same high reward as the time-limited user is set for the normal user who played multiplayer together with the time-limited user. As described above, time-limited users have a limited amount of time to play, and many of them are children with low game skills. High rewards are set for the purpose.

Note that in this embodiment, time-limited users can also participate in other users' quests. In this case, the reward for the time-limited user may be set as follows. When a time-limited user participates in a quest accepted by a normal user, a reward equivalent to that of a normal user is set. When a first time-limited user participates in a quest accepted by a second time-limited user, a reward is set for the first time-limited user according to the time-limited mode of the second time-limited user. . This allows time-limited users to help each other. Note that the reward setting method is not limited to the above. Also, time-limited users may be prevented from participating in other users' quests.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing part of the game data of the quest. A plurality of quests are set in the game, and such data is provided for each quest. Quest game data includes an item table 220 , a clear reward table 230 , and an enemy character reward table 240 . The item table 220 is a table containing a list of items that appear at specific locations in the field of this quest and that can be acquired by the player character, and their appearance probabilities. There are three types of appearance probabilities: normal probability, limit 1 probability, and limit 2 probability. Normal probabilities are the probabilities that apply if the game is played in normal mode. Limit 1 probability is the probability that applies if the game is played in time limit mode 1 with a time limit of 3 hours or less. The limit 2 probability is the probability applied when playing in time limit mode 2, where the time limit is longer than 3 hours. With the limit 1 probability and the limit 2 probability, the appearance probability of each item is set higher than the normal probability. Furthermore, with the limit probability of 1, the appearance probability of rare items is set to be particularly high.

The clear reward table 230 is a table that stores details of the reward given to the user when this quest is cleared. Rewards include items and currency. This reward also includes normal reward, limit 1 reward, and limit 2 reward, and normal reward<limit 2 reward<limit 1 reward. The enemy character reward is a reward given when the player character defeats an enemy character (monster). This reward also includes normal reward, limit 1 reward, and limit 2 reward, and normal reward<limit 2 reward<limit 1 reward.

The operation of the control unit 20 will be described below with reference to flowcharts.
FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing the time limit setting process. When the user 1 (administrator) logs in to the player character (PC) 1 (S11) and selects the time limit setting on the screen displayed after login (S12), the player character 1, as shown in the frame of S13, A screen for setting the time limit for 2 and 3 is displayed on the display of the television receiver 2 (S13). At S13, a pull-down menu for selecting the time limit is displayed under the display of player characters (PC) 1, 2, and 3. FIG. The pull-down menu is a menu as shown in FIG. 4B, and has options of no limit, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 2 hours, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 9 hours. In the example of S13, a time limit of 2 hours is set for player character 2 (time limit mode 1), and a time limit of 9 hours is set for player character 3 (time limit mode 2). No time limit is set for player character 1 (administrator) (normal mode). Of course, it is possible to set the time limit for the player character 1 himself. When the time limit is set in S13, the control unit 20 stores the set content in the time limit column of the player character table 200 (S14).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart at the start of play. When the user logs in to the player character he or she plays (S21) and selects game activation (YES in S22), the process proceeds to time limit mode determination processing in S23. If a process other than game activation (for example, player character setting process in FIG. 4, etc.) is selected (NO in S22), the process proceeds to another selected process.

At S23, the control unit 20 determines whether the motion mode of this player character is the time limit mode (S23). If the time limit mode is not set (NO in S23: normal mode), the game is started. In the case of the time limit mode (YES at S23), the end flag 213 of the player character is determined (S24). If the end flag is set (YES at S24), the game cannot be played any more today, so a message to that effect is displayed (S29) and the process returns to S22.

If the end flag is not set (NO in S24), the time limit timer is started (S25), and the time limit is 3 hours or less (time limit mode 1) or 3 hours or more (time limit mode 2). ) (S26). If the time limit mode is 1 (YES in S26), the time limit mode flag is set to 1 (S27), and the process proceeds to the quest selection process (FIG. 6). start the game. If the time limit mode is 2 (NO in S27), the time limit mode flag is set to 2 (S28), and the process proceeds to the quest selection process (FIG. 6).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the quest selection process. When the user starts the game by the process of FIG. 5, this process is executed next. First, the user selects whether to receive an order for a quest (S31) or participate in another user's quest (S32). If it is selected to accept the quest by oneself (YES at S31), the program and data of the quest selected by the user are loaded and made executable (S33). In parallel with this loading, selection of the play form (multiplayer/single play) of this quest is accepted (S34). If single play is selected (NO in S34), the game is started in single play (S35). If multiplay is selected in S34 (YES in S34), solicitation information such as user information indicating whether the user is a regular user or a time-limited user is sent to the server device 4 to the effect that participants are being recruited. , to recruit participants by publishing this recruiting information. In addition, in the case of a time-limited user, the remaining time may be included in the recruitment information.

Here, the procedure for recruiting participants for the quest will be described with reference to the diagram of FIG. When wanting to invite other users to participate in an ordered quest, the user (hereinafter referred to as user A in this description) performs a participant recruitment operation on the game machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as game machine A in this description) (S201). ). The recruiting operation is, for example, an operation of receiving an order for a quest in a meeting area where player characters gather, and it does not matter whether the quest is accepted before or after the quest is accepted. A message for recruiting participants is sent to the server device 4 via the network 3 (S202). The server device 4 transfers this participant recruitment message to another game machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as game machine B in this description) connected via the network 3 (S203). The message may be forwarded to all game machines B, or may be forwarded only to specific game machines B (where the player characters are in the same gathering area). As a result, on the game machine B, it is displayed that the user A (player character) of the game machine A is recruiting quest participants. The user of the game machine B (hereinafter referred to as the user B in this description) sees the display of the call for participants, and if he/she intends to participate, performs the participation operation (S205). The participation operation is, for example, selecting "participate in quest" in a dialog on the game screen. This participation message is transmitted from the game machine B to the server device 4 via the network 3 (S206). The server device 4 transfers this participation message to the game machine A (S207). Game machine A displays this participation message. When user A permits user B to participate (S208), game machine A changes the number of players (performs multiplayer) and advances to game start processing. Also, a participation permission message is transmitted from the game machine A to the game machine B via the server device 4 (S210, S211). Game machine B, which has received this participation permission message, starts the quest of user A who has participated (S212).

Returning to FIG. 6, after receiving participant information such as a participation message for participation recruitment from the server device 4 and entering a multi-play state (S37), when a quest start operation is performed (S38), this user (player character) as the leader and starts multiplay of quests (S39).

On the other hand, if the user participates in another quest, that is, if the user participates in the quest of user A as user B in FIG. (S41). If the user is a time-limited user (YES at S41), it is determined whether the remaining time of play is 30 minutes or more (S42). Since participation in the quest is not permitted, the participation operation is ignored and the process returns to the standby state of S31-32. If the user is a normal user (NO at S41), or if the user is a time-limited user but the remaining time is 30 minutes or more (YES at S42), a participation message is transmitted to the server device 4 (S43), and participation Participant information including a permission message and a leader is received (S44), and after waiting for reception of a start message based on the start operation of another user (user A) (S45), the quest is started. At this time, the play mode of user A who is the leader is referred to (S46), the leader time limit flag 214 is set to the same play mode (0/1/2) as the leader (S47), and the quest is started (S48). ).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing processing at the start of a quest. This process is executed when a quest is started in the process of FIG. First, the time limit flag of user A is determined (S51). If the time limit flag is set to 1 in S51, the limit 1 probability in the item table 220 is selected (S52). If the time limit flag is set to 2 in S51, the limit 2 probability in the item table 220 is selected (S53). If the time limit flag is not set (set to 0) in S51, the normal probability of the item table 220 is selected (S54). Items are drawn by lottery with the probability of being selected (S55), and the selected items are arranged in various places on the field (S56). and start the quest.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing processing when an enemy character (monster) is defeated or captured. Killing or capturing a monster triggers this action. First, the time limit flag is determined (S61). If the time limit flag is set to 1 in S61, the reward stored in the column for time limit mode 1 of the enemy character reward table 240 is given to the player (S62). If the time limit flag is set to 2 in S61, the reward stored in the column for time limit mode 2 of the enemy character reward table 240 is given to the player (S63). If the time limit flag is not set (set to 0) in S61, the reward stored in the normal mode column of the enemy character reward table 240 is given to the player (S64). Note that the game (quest) is still progressing while this process is being performed.

10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the processing at the end of the quest. This process will be executed when you clear the quest. The control unit 20 determines whether the completed quest was accepted by the user (S70). A quest accepted by the user himself/herself is a quest accepted by the user alone or as a party leader. On the other hand, quests not accepted by the user himself/herself are quests accepted by another user (party leader), and the user of this game machine participates in that party (multiplayer). When the quest that the player himself has accepted has ended (YES in S70), the processing of S71 to S93 is executed. When the quest that the player has not accepted has ended (NO in S70), the process from S95 (FIG. 11) is executed.

When the quest received by the player himself/herself is completed, first, the time limit flag 211 of the player himself/herself is determined (S71). If the time limit flag is set to 1 in S71 (time limit user), the reward stored in the column of time limit mode 1 of the quest reward table 230 is given to the user (S72), and the process proceeds to S74. proceed to When the time limit flag is set to 2 in S71 (time limit user), the reward stored in the column of time limit mode 2 of the quest reward table 230 is given to the user (S73), and the process proceeds to S74. proceed to At S74, it is determined whether multiplay is in progress, that is, whether the user is the leader of the party (multiplay) (S74). If the player is playing multiplayer and is the leader of the party (YES at S74), it is determined whether the party should be dissolved (S75, S76). When the user of this game machine disbands the party, or when another user participating in the party leaves the party to play alone, that is, when the party is disbanded by the user's operation (YES in S75) executes dissolution processing for disbanding the party and shifting to single play (S77). In addition, when the remaining time of the user (time-limited user) of this game machine is less than 30 minutes (NO in S76), in order to prevent the multi-play from ending in the middle and causing trouble to other users, the compulsory The party is officially disbanded (S77). After the dissolution process (S77), the process proceeds to the remaining time determination process (S78 to S86). Also, if the user is playing single play (NO at S74), the process proceeds directly from S74 to the remaining time determination process (S78 to S86).

In S78, S79, and S80, the remaining time of the play time limit is determined. In S78-S80, it is determined whether the remaining time is less than 15 minutes (S78), less than 5 minutes (S79), or whether the play time limit has already expired (S80). If the remaining time is 15 minutes or more (YES in S78), acceptance of all quests that can be accepted at that time is permitted (S81), as in normal mode play. If the remaining time is less than 15 minutes and 5 minutes or longer (NO in S78 and NO in S79), the quests to be accepted are selected (S82), and only the selected quests are allowed to be accepted (S83). In S82, based on the estimated required time of the quest, processing such as making it possible to accept only short required time (for example, within 20 minutes) is performed. If the remaining time is less than 5 minutes (YES in S79 and NO in S80), only actions that do not require clearing (search, etc.) are selected (S84), and acceptance of the order is permitted (S85). Also, if the play time limit has already expired when the quest ends (YES in S80), new quest orders are not permitted, and the game situation data and player character data are saved in the player character table 200, for example. (S86).

Also, if the user's remaining time is 30 minutes or more and the multiplayer continues (YES in S76), then naturally all quests can be accepted because the remaining time is 15 minutes or more (see S78 and S81). Without performing the remaining time determination processing (S78-S86), all quests are targeted and the next quest order is accepted. The quest order reception is, for example, the process of S31→S33 in FIG.

The estimated duration of a quest may be set in advance for each quest, or may be based on the attack power (DPS, etc.) per unit time according to the situation at that time, such as the physical strength of the enemy character, the equipment of the player character, etc. , may be calculated each time.

If the time limit flag is not set in S71 (if it is set to 0), the user is a normal mode user (normal user), so it is stored in the normal mode column of the quest reward table 230 A reward is given to the player (S90). In S91, it is determined whether multiplay is in progress, that is, whether the user is the leader of the party (multiplay) (S91). If the player is playing multiplayer and is the leader of the party (YES in S91), it is determined whether to disband the party (S92). When the user of this game machine disbands the party, or when another user participating in the party leaves the party to play alone, that is, when the party is disbanded by the user's operation (YES in S92) executes dissolution processing for disbanding the party and shifting to single play (S93). However, since he is a normal user, in the case of single play (NO in S91), in the case of disbanding the party (YES in S92), and in the case of maintaining the party without disbanding (NO in S92), all Accepting quests is allowed.

On the other hand, if the user participates in a quest (party) accepted by another user and the quest ends (NO in S70), the party leader's time limit flag 214 is determined (S95). If the leader's time limit flag is set to 1 in S95, that is, if the quest leader is a time limit user, the reward stored in the time limit mode 1 column of the quest reward table 230 is given to the user. It is given (S96), and the process proceeds to S99. If the time limit flag is set to 2 in S95 (in this case also, the leader is a time limit user), the reward stored in the time limit mode 2 column of the quest reward table 230 is given to the user. (S97), and the process proceeds to S99.

If the time limit flag is set to 0 in S95, the leader is a normal user, so the reward stored in the normal mode column of the quest reward table 230 is given to the player (S98), and the process is started. Proceed to S99.

In S99 and S100, it is determined whether or not to leave the participating party. If the user performs an operation to leave the party and shift to single play, or if the leader disbands this party, that is, if the user leaves the party by the user's operation (YES in S99), the leaving process for leaving the party is executed. Execute (S101). In addition, if the user of this game machine is a time-limited user and the remaining time to play is less than 30 minutes (NO in S100), it is possible to prevent other users from being inconvenienced by exiting the multi-play midway. , forcibly leaves the party (S101).

Along with the leaving process (S101), the leader's time limit flag 214 is reset (S102). Resetting the time limit flag 214 sets each bit such that the flag has a value other than 0, 1, or 2, such as turning all bits on (256). Thereafter, it is determined whether the user of the game machine is a time-limited user (S103), and if the user is a time-limited user (YES in S103), the process advances to remaining time determination processing (S78 to S86) in S78. . On the other hand, if the user is not a time-limited user (NO in S103), the next quest is accepted.

If the player is a normal user, a time-limited user, or has 30 minutes or more left to play, and if he/she continues to participate in another user's party (YES in S100), he/she is the leader. Wait until other users accept the quest.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing remaining time determination processing. This process is periodically executed while the game is running. First, in S110, it is determined whether or not the time limit mode is set (whether the time limit flag is set to 1 or 2) (S110). If the time limit mode is not set (NO at S90), the process ends without executing this process. In the case of the time limit mode (YES in S110), it is determined whether or not the time limit set in Galacta has expired (S91). If the time limit has not expired (NO in S111), it is determined whether the remaining time has reached a division of 15 minutes, 10 minutes, or 5 minutes (S112). If it is a break time (YES in S112), a warning such as "the remaining time is XX minutes" is displayed on the screen (S113), and the operation is terminated.

On the other hand, if the time limit has expired (YES in S111), it is determined in S115 whether or not the quest is being executed (S115). If the quest is currently in progress (the user is playing the quest) (YES in S115), the progress of the quest (time to clear) is estimated based on the remaining physical strength of the enemy character (S116). If the predicted time is 10 minutes or less (YES in S116), the game (quest) continues without ending the game.

If the quest is not in progress when the time limit expires (for example, if you are resting at a resting place?: NO in S115), or if the predicted end time of the quest being executed exceeds 10 minutes (S116 NO), the game end processing is performed without user's end operation (S117). If it is in the middle of the quest at this time, return processing from the quest is also performed.

Also, as described above, a user playing a quest can ask for help from another user (player character) during the quest. In this case also, similar to the diagram in FIG. By forwarding this rescue message to machine B), the participation of user B, who is another user, is encouraged.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation when the game machine 1 (game machine B) participates in another quest midway through the operation of the user B. As shown in FIG. When a rescue message is received from another game machine (game machine A) (S121), it is determined whether the received rescue message is from a normal user or a time-limited user (S122). If it is from the time-limited user (YES at S122), a distress signal is displayed on the game screen in a form that makes it clear that it is from the time-limited user (S123). As a display format for understanding the distress signal from the time-limited user, the remaining time of the quest is normally displayed, but instead of this, the user's remaining play time may be displayed.

If the distress signal is from the normal user, the normal form of the distress signal is displayed on the game screen (S124). If the user himself/herself is not operating in the time limit mode (NO in S125), the user's operation to participate halfway through the quest for which the distress signal was issued is accepted (S127). The operation of joining in progress corresponds to S205 in FIG. If the user is in the time limit mode at S125 (YES at S125), it is determined whether or not the remaining play time is 30 minutes or more (S126). If the remaining time is 30 minutes or more (YES in S126), it is possible to participate in the quest midway, so the process proceeds to S127. If the remaining play time is less than 30 minutes (NO in S126), the user is not permitted to participate in other people's quests, so the process ends.

In the above-described embodiment, the time limit mode has two stages of time limit mode 1 of 3 hours or less and time limit mode 2 of more than 3 hours, but the number of stages is not limited to this. Also, the division of time is not limited to three hours.

In the above-described embodiment, as the benefits of the time limit mode, an increase in the appearance probability of rare items and an increase (increase) in rewards for clearing quests and defeating enemy characters are provided, but the benefits are not limited to these. For example, you can change the quest clear conditions (lower the difficulty level), such as lowering the enemy's physical strength and reducing the number of skins to be delivered from 20 to 10.

In the above embodiment, the same limit 1 probability/reward or limit 2 probability/reward as the time-limited user is set for the normal user (user B) who participated in the quest of the time-limited user, but user B's probability/reward can be different from the probability/reward for timed users. In this case, it is preferred that user B's probability/reward should not be higher than the time bound user's probability/reward. This is because the user B, who is a normal user, is considered to have higher game skill than the time-limited user.

In the above embodiment, the time-limited user can participate in other users' quests only when the remaining time of play is 30 minutes or more, and participates in other users' quests when the remaining time is less than 30 minutes. Although it is restricted so that it cannot be done, it may be possible to prevent participation in other users' quests regardless of the remaining time, and the remaining time limit may be set to a time other than 30 minutes. In this case, for example, the conditions for participating in other time-limited users' quests may be looser than the conditions for participating in normal users' quests. Also, when participating in another normal user's quest, the normal user's probability/reward may be changed to be higher.

In the above embodiment, the time limit is cleared in units of one day, and the same time limit is set every day. good. Also, the setting of the time limit is effective only once, and may be set again each time.

In the above embodiment, one time limit can be set for the player character (user), but multiple time limits may be set. For example, different time limits may be set for weekdays, weekends, and holidays, and the game program 50 may use the clock (calendar) function of the game machine 1 to select a time limit suitable for each day.

In the above embodiment, the warning is displayed only when the remaining time is predetermined. The quest may be made easier to clear by, for example, increasing the attack power of the character.

In addition, as for the method of restricting the game play, instead of restricting the play time, it is possible to apply restrictions such as restrictions on the time zone to play and restrictions on the number of quests (stages) that can be played (corresponding to the division game of the present invention). can. In this case as well, benefits such as additional rewards are given in the mode where the play time is limited. In this case, for example, the time limit mode 1 is 3 quests and the time limit mode 2 is 10 quests. The condition for participating in other users' quests or inviting other users to own quests is that the number of remaining quests is 1 or more. Furthermore, both the play time and the number of quests may be limited. For example, time limit mode 1 is the condition that comes first in 2 hours or 3 quests, time limit mode 2 is the condition that comes first in 9 hours or 10 quests, and so on.

1 game machine 20 control unit 23 RAM
27 hard disk 50 game program 200 player character table

Claims (3)

the computer,
game execution means for executing a game based on a user's operation;
multiplayer means for communicating with other computers running the same game program and allowing the game to be run together with other users operating said other computers;
When at least one of the expiration of the game play time limit, the time period outside the game play permitted time period, and the completion of a predetermined number of divided games, the game play is terminated. limiting means to limit,
setting means for enabling or disabling said restriction means;
function as
The game execution means is
When the restricting means is valid for the user, the content of the game executed on the computer is restricted to the user under the condition that the restricting means is valid for the user. Change the content to favorably advance the game play after the game play,
When the restriction means are enabled for the user, but the restriction means are not enabled for the other user at the other computer, the game executed on the other computer The content for allowing the other user to proceed with the game play after the game play under the condition that the restricting means is enabled for the user is advantageous in terms of advantage. make different,
game program. the computer,
game execution means for executing a game based on a user's operation;
multiplayer means for communicating with other computers running the same game program and allowing the game to be run together with other users operating said other computers;
When at least one of the expiration of the game play time limit, the time period outside the game play permitted time period, and the completion of a predetermined number of divided games, the game play is terminated. limiting means to limit,
setting means for enabling or disabling said restriction means;
function as
The game execution means is
When the restricting means is valid for the user, the content of the game executed on the computer is restricted to the user under the condition that the restricting means is valid for the user. Change the content to favorably advance the game play after the game play,
executed on the other computer when the restriction means is enabled for the user, regardless of whether or not the restriction means is enabled for the other user on the other computer The content of the game is changed to the content for allowing the other user to proceed with the game play in an advantageous manner after the game play under the condition that the restricting means is enabled for the user. ,
game program. a storage unit for storing the game program according to claim 1 or 2;
a processor that executes the game program;
A device comprising

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