JP7332827B1 - Information processing method, program, information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to generate and operate an auxiliary character based on character information. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a step (S1) of storing character information at least at one point in time of one or more characters operating within a game application; An information processing method using a computer includes a step of selecting one character information (S2), and a step of generating an auxiliary character based on the selected character information and operating it within the game application (S3, S4). provided. [Selection diagram] Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing method, a program, and an information processing system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a game in which a first character is operated based on an instruction input from a player, and a second character is operated based on the content of the instruction input corrected by a correction unit to proceed with the game. An apparatus is disclosed. The second character acts as a virtual character that modifies the motion of the first character.

According to the game device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, it is possible to select a second character as a cooperative partner or opponent in the same game as the first character that moves based on an instruction input from the player. be. In this case, the second character moves based on the content modified from the instruction input given by the player to the first character. Therefore, the second character does not reproduce the instruction input from the player to the first character as it is. You can enjoy cooperative play and competitive play.

Japanese Patent No. 5346850

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200312, for example, a second character (virtual character) is configured to move by correcting the contents of an instruction input from a player who operates a first character. In an action game (for example, a dance game, a racing game, a fighting game, etc.) in which a character moves, it is possible to perform cooperative play or competitive play with a virtual character. However, Patent Literature 1 does not provide means for making a character move based on character information (for example, character type, attributes, experience value level, owned equipment, etc.). Therefore, according to Patent Document 1, the virtual character cannot be made to act based on that information. Battle play cannot be executed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing method and the like capable of generating and moving an auxiliary character based on character information.

According to one aspect of the present invention, storing character information of a character operating within a game application at at least one point in time; selecting one piece of character information from among the stored character information; and generating an auxiliary character based on the obtained character information to operate within a game application.

Other features and advantages of the invention can be taken from the following description and the attached drawings, given by way of example and non-exhaustively.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing method and the like capable of generating and moving an auxiliary character based on character information.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the server device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration example regarding owned characters according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure for storing character information in a character information storage unit; 2 is a functional block diagram of the player terminal shown in FIG. 1; FIG. It is a flow chart explaining an example of basic operation of the system in this embodiment.

The contents of the embodiments of the present invention are listed and explained. The present invention has the following configurations.
[Item 1]
storing character information at least one point in time for a character running within the game application;
selecting one piece of character information from the stored character information;
generating an auxiliary character based on the selected character information and operating it within the game application;
A method of information processing by a computer, comprising:
[Item 2]
The information processing method according to item 1, wherein the storing step includes limiting the number of pieces of character information that can be stored to a specific number.
[Item 3]
3. The information processing method according to item 1 or 2, wherein the storing step includes storing only character information of the character that has been used more than a predetermined number of times in the game application.
[Item 4]
Items 1 to 1, wherein the step of selecting includes selecting the one piece of character information from the stored character information in accordance with an input operation input to the player terminal.
4. The information processing method according to any one of 3.
[Item 5]
4. The information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the step of selecting includes randomly selecting the one piece of character information from the stored character information by the computer.
[Item 6]
4. The information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the selecting step includes limiting the selectable character information according to conditions occurring within the game application.
[Item 7]
Any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the selecting step includes enabling selection of only character information of the character that has been used a predetermined number of times or more in the game application.
1. Information processing method according to item 1.
[Item 8]
4. The information processing method according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the selecting step includes limiting the selectable character information according to the elapsed time from the date and time when the character information was recorded.
[Item 9]
A program that causes a computer to execute an information processing method,
The information processing method includes:
storing character information at least one point in time for one or more characters operating within the game application;
selecting one piece of character information from the stored character information;
generating an auxiliary character based on the selected character information and operating it within the game application;
program, including
[Item 10]
An information processing system having a control unit and a storage unit,
The control unit
storing in the storage unit character information at least one point in time of one or more characters operating within the game application;
selecting one piece of character information from the character information stored in the storage unit;
generating an auxiliary character based on the selected character information and operating it within the game application;
An information handling system configured to execute

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overview of this embodiment>
In the game system according to the present embodiment, the server device 1 creates an auxiliary character based on character information (for example, character type, attributes, experience value level, equipment possessed, etc.; detailed below) in a game application. It relates to a mechanism that makes it possible to generate and operate An example of the configuration and basic operation of the game system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system provides various game-related services to players (hereinafter also referred to as "users") via a network 3 (for example, the Internet). and a plurality of player terminals 2.

<Configuration of Server Apparatus 1>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server device 1 shown in FIG. The server device 1 is an information processing device used by a system administrator or the like to operate and manage various services. may be logically realized by

The server device 1 has a control section 11 , a storage section 12 , an input section 13 , a display section 14 and a communication section 15 . When the server device 1 receives various commands (requests) from the player terminal 2 via the communication unit 15, the control unit 11 executes processing according to the game program, etc.) is transmitted to the player terminal 2 . A part of the game program may be transmitted to the player terminal 2 and executed on the player terminal 2 .

The control unit 11 exchanges data between units and controls the entire server device 1, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU.
(Graphics Processing Unit) is realized by executing a program stored in a predetermined memory. The control unit 11 is configured to operate so as to realize the processing and functions performed by the server device 1 as will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like. The control unit 11 of the present embodiment includes at least the game execution unit 111 and the operation information reception unit 11.
2. A processing result generation unit 113 and a character information processing unit 114 are provided.

The game execution unit 111 has a function of executing processing for progressing the game according to the game program. The game by the game system in this embodiment may be any kind of game, such as a battle game, a puzzle game, an action game, a baseball game,
It may be a soccer game, other sports games, a quiz game, a pinball game, a card game, a rhythm game, an RPG, or the like.

The operation information receiving section 112 receives operation information transmitted from the player terminal 2 . The received operation information is used as instruction information for the game execution unit 111 to process the game program.

The processing result generation unit 113 has a function of executing processing for generating a processing result of the game program executed by the game execution unit 111 . The generated processing result is transmitted to the player terminal 2 by the processing result generation unit 113 and output by the output unit 24, which will be described later.

The character information processing unit 114 stores character information (hereinafter also referred to as "character information") at a certain point in time of a character used in a game application being executed on the player terminal 2, in the storage unit 12, which will be described later. It is configured to save (store) in unit 124 . The character information processing section 114 may store the character information of the character in the character information storage section 124 at an arbitrary timing while the game program is being executed by the game execution section 111, or when part of the character information is updated. The character information may be stored in the character information storage unit 124 at the timing of occurrence. The arbitrary timing may be, for example, timing corresponding to the progress of the game program, or timing when the user performs a save operation. Character information processing section 114 further causes character information storage section 124 to store in character information storage section 124 a save timing such as time information at the time the character information is stored in character information storage section 124 in association with the character information. A character to be saved may be a specific character, and whether or not it is a target may be managed by character identification information. The number of saves that can be performed may be a predetermined number set in advance, or may be increased depending on the progress of the game program or the use of items to increase the number of saves. Alternatively, the number of characters that can be saved may be set in advance, and the number of save characters increases each time a save operation is performed. The number of save characters may be reduced when a release operation is performed from the state. The number of characters that can be saved may be increased according to the progress of the game program or the use of items for increasing the number of times.

Note that the character information processing unit 114, in addition to the character information of the character associated with the user ID of a certain user, stores the user IDs of one or more other users different from the user.
The character information of the characters respectively associated with D is also stored in the character information storage section 124 of the storage section 12 . In other words, character information is stored in character information processing section 114 in association with each user ID of one or more users.

Further, the character information processing section 114 selects character information used for generating an auxiliary character from character information stored in the character information storage section 124 of the storage section 12 . For example, the character information processing unit 114 selects character information according to a user input via the player terminal 2, automatically selects character information at random, or selects a game program being executed by the game execution unit 111. Character information is automatically selected according to the situation, and the restriction on strong character information with excellent various parameters is lifted (released) to enable selection according to user input. The automatic selection of character information according to the game program situation means, for example, information on the game program situation and character availability conditions (for example, reference game progress, specific item acquisition status, predetermined ( number of companion characters (specified), number of in-game tasks achieved, total number of uses/frequency of use of specified (specified) character, etc.), the more advanced the game progresses, or The more progress is made in acquiring a specific item, the greater the number of specified fellow characters, and the greater the number of achievements of in-game tasks (so-called missions, etc.), the more the cumulative number and frequency of use of the specified (specific) character. At least one of the various parameter values may be configured to automatically select strong character information with a higher value. The same may be applied to the release of restrictions to enable selection according to user input. Selection of character information by the character information processing unit 114 can be performed from character information of characters associated with a certain user's own user ID.
It is also possible to perform this from within the character information of the character associated with the . Excellent values of various parameters include, for example, level, rarity, HP (current value/maximum value),
High attack power (current value/maximum value) and defense power (current value/maximum value).

The storage unit 12 includes a non-volatile storage device that is a read-only storage area in which a system program is stored, and a volatile storage device that is a rewritable storage area used as a work area for arithmetic processing by the control unit 11. have. The non-volatile memory device is, for example, a ROM (Re
Ad Only Memory), flash memory, hard disk, etc., and volatile storage devices include RAM (Random Access Memory) and VR
It is realized by AM (Video Random Access Memory) or the like. The storage unit 12 stores a program that causes the control unit 11 to execute the processing performed by the server device 1, which will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like. The storage unit 12 in this embodiment has at least various storage units such as a game information storage unit 121, a player information storage unit 122, a game medium information storage unit 123, a character information storage unit 124, and the like.

The game information storage unit 121 stores information about games. The game information is appropriately configured according to the type of game. For example, in the case of a game including a quest game, the stage name, enemy character information, consumption stamina information, and the like are included in association with the stage ID.

The player information storage unit 122 stores information about players. Player information is
Information such as player name, player level, current stamina information, upper limit stamina information, play stage information, payment method, various setting information, etc. can be included in association with the player ID, and other information related to the player and game play status can include The current stamina information is information indicating the numerical value of the player's stamina that is currently consumable. The upper limit stamina information is information indicating an upper limit value when stamina recovers every time a predetermined period of time elapses or according to use of an item or use of a character's special ability. The play stage information is information about a stage that the player has played so far among the set stages, and can include the number of times played, clear information, and the like. The various setting information includes, for example, automatic progress setting information, and when the automatic progress setting information is on, the player uses the player terminal 2
It is possible to advance the event described later without operating through .

The game medium information storage unit 123 stores game medium information such as characters and items owned by the player. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of information about possessed characters in the game content information storage unit 123. As shown in FIG. The possessed character information is associated with the ID of each possessed character, and includes date and time of acquisition, character name, nickname (especially those set by the player), skin, equipment (weapon, armor, etc.), level, rarity, HP (current value /maximum value), attributes, skills, attack power (current value/maximum value), defense power (current value/maximum value), cumulative number of uses, frequency of use, and other parameters. Acquisition date and time is information related to the date and time when the character was given to the player as a result of the progress of the game or execution of a lottery. The rarity is information about the winning probability of the character, for example, in a lottery game. The HP, attack power, and defense power can include the "current value", which is the current value, and the "maximum value" when the character is raised to the maximum level. Attributes are settings related to other character classifications, such as classifications that indicate the character's strengths, such as fire, water, or wind attributes for battle games, and classifications that indicate the team or position to which a sports game belongs. Information. A skill is information such as a special ability that a character can use. The cumulative number of uses is information related to the number of times the player has selected or used the character in the past. The usage frequency is information about how often the player has selected or used the character in the past. The frequency of use may be calculated for the entire period since the player started the game, or may be calculated for an arbitrary period such as the most recent predetermined period (for example, several months, several weeks, several days, etc.). . In addition, the game content information may include information about owned items in addition to owned characters. The owned item information can include information such as the number of owned items in association with the ID of the owned item. It should be noted that the server device 1 only needs to store the information included in the game information, player information, and game content information in a predetermined structure as a storage section, and the storage sections 121 to 124 do not necessarily have to store such information in a predetermined structure. It is not necessary to hold the information as

Character information storage unit 124 stores character information saved by character information processing unit 114 . FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure for storing character information in the character information storage unit 124. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the character information storage unit 124 stores one or more pieces of character information for each user ID of each user of the game program executed by the game execution unit 111 . Each character information is stored in the character information storage unit 124 in association with the character ID given by the character information processing unit 114, similarly to the configuration example of the information about the possessed character shown in FIG. The character information is associated with each character ID, and includes save time, character name, and nickname (especially those set by the player).
, skin, equipment (weapons, armor, etc.), level, rarity, HP (current value / maximum value),
It includes the values of various parameters such as attributes, skills, attack power (current value/maximum value), defense power (current value/maximum value), and frequency of use. When the character is saved, the character information processing unit 11
4 (for example, it may be the date, date and time, or the number of days elapsed from the current time) when the character information storage unit 124 saves (stores) the character information. Level, rarity, HP (current value/maximum value), attribute, skill, attack power (current value/maximum value), defense power (
The contents of various parameters such as current value/maximum value) and frequency of use are the same as those described above with reference to FIG.

Of the character information stored in the character information storage unit 124 in association with each character ID, the character name, nickname (especially those set by the player), skin, equipment (weapon, armor, etc.), level, rarity, HP (current value/maximum value), attribute, skill,
At least some of the parameters, such as attack power (current value/maximum value), defense power (current value/maximum value), frequency of use, etc., are stored in the game content information storage unit 123 with respect to the original character saved by the character information processing unit 114. can be stored in the character information storage unit 124 in such a manner as to copy the values of those parameters stored in the . Alternatively, the character information processing unit 114 does not store the parameter values of the save source character itself, but refers to the parameter values of the save source character stored in the game medium information storage unit 123. Reference information (for example, character ID only) may be stored. Further, the character information processing unit 114 stores the parameter values themselves for some of the plurality of parameters of the save source character, and stores the parameter values stored in the game content information storage unit 123 for the other parameters. Reference information for referencing may be stored. More specifically, for example, when used as an auxiliary character, it may be read so as to reflect the parameters as they were at the time of saving, or attributes, skills, rarity, etc. in the parameter,
HP, attack power, defense power, etc. may be read so as to reflect the necessary parameters so as to become the current parameters (or vice versa).

The input unit 13 is used by the system administrator to input various data (for example, game information, etc.) relating to game services, and is realized by, for example, a keyboard and a mouse.

The display unit 14 is for displaying an operation screen for the system administrator based on a command from the control unit 11. For example, the display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display (LCD).
1 Display) or the like.

The communication unit 15 is for communicating with the player terminal 2 via the network 3, and has a function as a receiving unit for receiving various data, signals, and commands transmitted from the player terminal 2, and a control unit. It has a function as a transmission section that transmits various data and signals to the player terminal 2 in accordance with commands from the section 11 . The communication unit 15 uses, for example, HTTP (HyperText
Transfer Protocol), HTTPS, WebSocket, P2P (
Communication with the player terminal 2 is performed by peer-to-peer or the like.

<Player terminal 2>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the player terminal 2 shown in FIG. The player terminal 2 is an information processing device (for example, a computer device such as a smart phone, a mobile phone terminal, a tablet terminal, etc.) that a player can possess and use. The player terminal 2 can output (for example, game screen display, game sound output, etc.) the processing result of the game program transmitted from the server device 1 via a game application or a web browser. The player terminal 2 has a control unit 21 that controls the entire player terminal 2, a storage unit 22 that stores various data and programs, an input unit 23 that allows the player to perform operation input, and outputs game screens, operation screens, and the like. and a communication unit 25 for information communication with the server device 1 .

The control unit 21 controls the overall operation of the player terminal 2 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 22, and is composed of a CPU, a GPU, and the like. The control unit 22 of the present embodiment is configured to operate so as to realize processing and functions performed by the player terminal 2 as will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like.

The storage unit 22 stores programs, input data, and the like for executing various control processes and functions in the control unit 21, and includes RAM, ROM, flash memory, HDD, and SSD.
, other storage, etc., or any combination thereof.
Further, the storage unit 22 temporarily stores the communication contents of the server device 1 . The storage unit 22 of the present embodiment stores a program that causes the control unit 22 to execute processing performed by the player terminal 2, which will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like.

The control unit 21 of this embodiment includes at least an operation information reception unit 211 and a game operation unit 212.
, and a processing result receiving unit 213 . The storage unit 22 also includes at least a game action information storage unit 221 and a layout information storage unit 222 . The layout information storage unit 222 stores information regarding the layout of the configuration arranged on each screen of the game. Each functional unit of the control unit 21 transfers programs stored in the memory and the game operation information storage unit 221 to the CPU and GP.
It can be realized by U's execution.

The operation information receiving unit 211 receives a game-related operation using the input unit 23 by the player. Then, the operation information receiving unit 211 transmits the received operation content to the game operation unit 212.
Or output to the server device 1 .

The game operation unit 212 executes processing for operating the game application.
The game operation unit 212 starts and operates a game based on the game software included in the game operation information stored in the game operation information storage unit 221 and the player's operation details input from the input unit 23 . The game action unit 212 generates a game image from the image data included in the game action information and performs control processing for outputting the generated image to the output unit 24 in accordance with the game action. Similarly, the game operation unit 212 generates game music and sound from the music data and sound data included in the game operation information in accordance with the game operation, and causes the output unit 24 to output the generated music and sound. control processing for Here, the description has been given of the configuration in which the native application partially executes the function of the web application, that is, the game operation unit 212 of the player terminal 2 partially executes the function of the processing result generation unit 113 of the server device 1. , the processing result generation unit 1 without the game operation unit 212 as will be described later.
13 may be configured to generate all game images and sounds as processing results, or the game operation unit 212 may be configured to generate all game images and sounds.

When the game operation unit 212 is provided, the predetermined parameters in the game operated by the game operation unit 212 are managed by the server device 1 . For example, parameters such as stamina in the game and in-game currency are managed by the server device 1 . Therefore, the game operation unit 212 updates the parameters managed by the server device 1 by communicating with the server device 1 when a process involving changes in these predetermined parameters occurs in the game. Then, the game operation unit 212 receives the updated parameters from the server device 1 and continues the operation of the game based on the updated parameters.

When the server device 1 has the processing result generation unit 113, the processing result reception unit 213 receives the processing result generated and transmitted by the processing result generation unit 113, and outputs the processing result to the player via the output unit 24. works.

The layout information storage unit 222 may be provided in the server device 1 instead of the player terminal 2, or may be provided in different hardware configurations (for example, the server device 1 and the player terminal 2).

<Basic operation example>
Next, an example of basic operation of the game system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of basic operation of the system according to this embodiment.

(Step S1)
In step S<b>1 , the character information processing section 114 of the server device 1 causes the character information storage section 124 to store character information at a certain point in time of the character used in the game application being executed on the player terminal 2 .

The character information processing unit 114 saves in the character information storage unit 124 character information related to characters used in the game application that the user is running on the player terminal 2 . Here, the characters used in the game application that the user is running on the player terminal 2 include characters owned by the user who is playing the game application on the player terminal 2, as well as characters that are used in the game application. Characters owned by other users with whom you are playing are also included. In addition, not only a single character, but also a group of multiple character information set by the user may be collectively saved (that is, a deck unit, a squad unit, a team unit, a party unit, etc.). ). Note that the use of a dedicated item may be a condition for storing the character.

The character information saving operation by the character information processing unit 114 can be executed, for example, at the following times (timings).
1) Any one or more times after the user starts using the character in the game application running on the player terminal 2 .
2) When a predetermined time has elapsed after the user started using the character in the game application running on the player terminal 2 . For example, after a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) has passed since the start of use of the character, or every time a predetermined time has passed since the start of use, etc.
or multiple time points.
3) when the user inputs a recording operation instruction via the input unit 23 of the player terminal 2;
4) when the information about the character is updated in the game application that the user is running on the player terminal 2; For example, one or a plurality of points of time, such as when the character's level, HP, usage frequency, etc. reach a predetermined value, or each time a predetermined value range is cleared.

Each of the above timings for saving character information is an example, and the timing for character information processing section 114 to save character information in character information storage section 124 is not limited to these. Also, the mode of the timing for saving the character information is not limited to one of the above examples, and any combination thereof may be used. For example, in addition to saving character information every time a predetermined time elapses as in 2) above, character information may be saved in accordance with a user operation as in 3) above. In addition, when the user discards, sells, or disbands the character after saving the character information, the save information of the character may be deleted from the character information storage unit 124. You can choose not to.

As described with reference to FIG. 4, the character information storage unit 124 stores one or more pieces of character information associated with each user ID of a plurality of users. The character information stored in the character information storage unit 124 may include character information of a plurality of different characters and character information of the same character at a plurality of different points in time. A unique character ID is assigned to each piece of character information by the character information processing section 114 as shown in FIG. Each piece of character information includes “save date and time” information indicating the date and time when the character information was stored in character information storage unit 124 .

The character information processing unit 114 causes the character information storage unit 124 to store character information of all owned characters of each user (all characters associated with the user ID of each user as shown in FIG. 3). can be done.

The character information processing section 114 may be configured to allow the character information storage section 124 to store only character information in which the values of some parameters included in the character information exceed a predetermined value. For example, the character information storage unit 1 stores only character information in which any parameter such as character level, rarity, or frequency of use is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
24 may be stored. In this case, the character information storage unit 124 can store only the character information of characters whose level or rarity is higher than a predetermined value or characters that have been used many times by the user.

Furthermore, the number of pieces of character information that can be stored in association with each user ID may be limited. The number of character information is limited by setting, for example, the number of characters that can be stored by each user (so-called "character frame" or the number of party members in a role-playing game) to a predetermined number in the character information processing unit 114. It can be carried out.

(Step S2)
In step S2, the character information processing section 114 stores the character information storage section 124
Character information to be used in the game application that the user is playing on the player terminal 2 is selected from among the character information stored in the . The selected character information may be a group of character information saved together as described above. Note that the use of a dedicated item may be a condition for selecting a character.

As an example, the character information processing unit 114 of the server device 1 sends the user ID to the player terminal 2 who logs in with a certain user ID and is playing the game application.
D presents one or more character information that can be selected. The character information is transmitted from the communication section 15 of the server device 1 to the communication section 25 of the player terminal 2 and displayed on the output section 24 of the player terminal 2 . A user operating the player terminal 2 performs an input operation of selecting character information through the input unit 23 of the player terminal 2 from among one or more pieces of character information displayed on the output unit 24 . This selection input is transmitted from the player terminal 2 to the server device 1, and the character information processing unit 114, based on the selection input, selects character information to be used in the game application that the user is playing on the player terminal 2. Execute the selected action.

Alternatively, character information processing section 114 may be configured to randomly select character information from which a user ID can be selected from character information stored in character information storage section 124 .

Further, the character information processing section 114 may be configured to select character information suitable for the situation of the game application being executed by the game execution section 111 of the server device 1 . For example, if the scene being played in the game application is a fire stage, the characters suitable for the situation of the game application are characters that have strong skills and attributes against fire, and are composed of a plurality of characters. In the case of a quest-type game application played by a party, the character is, for example, a character having skills, attributes, etc. that reinforce weaknesses of other characters. Character information processing section 114 selects character information that meets predetermined criteria corresponding to such various situations of the game application being executed by game execution section 111 . Character information processing unit 11
4 is stored in the character information storage unit 124 of the storage unit 12, for example, so that the character information processing unit 114 can refer to it when selecting character information. can do.

It should be noted that the aforementioned "character information selectable by a certain user ID" is associated with the own user ID of a certain user (user A) and stored in the character information storage unit 124 as shown in FIG.
In addition to the one or more character information stored in the user A contains one or more character information that is permitted to be used for the user ID of

Taking a more specific example, the former is one or a plurality of character information stored based on characters owned by user A, and the latter is user B, who is different from user A. This is one or a plurality of character information that user A is permitted to use, out of one or a plurality of character information stored based on the owned character. For example, user A and user B are associated with each other as friends in user management by the server device 1, or history information that user A and user B played together in the same game application in competitive play, cooperative play, etc. User A can select character information from one or more character information of user B when they are associated with each other by . The association information between these users is stored in the player information storage unit 1 of the storage unit 12, for example.
22 and the character information processing unit 114 can refer to it. As a result, under the user management by the server device 1, the user IDs of other users
It is possible to select one or more pieces of character information permitted to be used for one's own user ID for a part or all of the one or more pieces of character information stored in the character information storage unit 124 in association with . Note that the character information of other selectable users is the character owned by the user (however, parameters such as rarity and skill may be different).
, or only a predetermined usable period may be selectable even if the user does not own it.

Among the character information stored in the character information storage unit 124 by a certain user, character information that is permitted (or not permitted) to be used by another user can be designated by the user through an operation via the player terminal 2. . Such designation is, for example, by presenting a list of character information stored in the character information storage unit 124 in association with a certain user ID from the server device 1 to the output unit 24 of the player terminal 2 used by the user, The input unit 2 selects character information that is permitted (or not permitted) to be used by other users from among them.
It can be done by specifying by 3. Character information that is permitted (or not permitted) to be used by another user is stored in character information storage unit 124 in association with an identifier such as a flag indicating that fact.

(Step S3)
At step S3, the game execution unit 111 or the character information processing unit 114 generates an auxiliary character based on the character information selected at step S2.

Each character information includes parameter values such as level, rarity, HP, attribute, and skill at the save date and time of the character, as shown in FIG. The game execution unit 111 or the character information processing unit 114 of the control unit 11 reproduces the character at the save date and time based on these parameter values, and generates an auxiliary character for the character. In other words, the generated auxiliary character has the same parameter values as those included in the original character information.

(Step S4)
In step S4, the game execution unit 111 or the character information processing unit 114 causes the auxiliary character generated in step S3 to operate within the game application being executed. For example, in a quest-type game in which the game progresses with a party organized by a plurality of characters, the auxiliary character acts as one character of the party. In the game, the character acts as a character selected and arranged by the player. Here, in general, in RTS games, one's own character (also referred to as a unit or the like) to be dispatched to an enemy's territory or position is appropriately arranged, and the character is assigned an attack target such as an enemy's soldier, battery, or fortress. The goal is to attack and capture enemy territories and positions one after another to acquire resources and expand your own power. In the RTS game, after a character placement operation is performed, the character attacks from the position where the character is placed toward the nearest attack target, and when the attack of the attack target is completed, the character moves toward the next nearest attack target. This is automatically repeated until all attack targets in the enemy's territory or position are attacked.

Auxiliary characters have their own character information (level, rarity, HP, attributes,
Skills, etc.), it operates within the game application, and, for example, executes a battle with an enemy character within the game application. Alternatively, the auxiliary character can act as an opponent of the character currently operated by the user in a game in which characters are matched against each other based on their character information.

As described above, according to the game system according to the present embodiment, one or a plurality of character information stored at a certain point in time regarding the user's own owned character, or information regarding the owned character of another user different from the user. A game application in which an auxiliary character is generated based on character information selected by the user from character information permitted to be used among one or more character information stored at a time, and the user plays the auxiliary character. can be operated within Therefore, for example, in a game application that the user is playing, when it is originally required to play together with other players online, if for some reason other players cannot be expected to participate, the user may selects the character information from the selectable character information as described above, and makes it participate in the game application as an auxiliary character instead of another player, as if playing together with the other player. It is possible to progress the game to This allows the user to continue playing even if he or she cannot find another player to play with.

Furthermore, the user is permitted to use not only one or more character information stored at a certain point in time for his or her own character, but also one or more character information stored at a certain point in time for another user's owned character. By making it possible to select the character information that is already in the game application, it is possible to widen the range of selection for selecting appropriate character information for forming a party or attacking an enemy within the game application.

Further, when the auxiliary character is to act as an opponent of the character currently being operated by the user, the user's past character is played against the current character that has grown more than the user's past character. It is possible to actually check the progress of the character through the contents and results of the battle.

[Example]
Various examples of this embodiment will now be described.

In the basic operation example described above, the character information processing unit 114 selects character information to be used in the game application that the user is playing on the player terminal 2 from among the character information stored in the character information storage unit 124. In the step S2 of selecting , any character information can be selected as long as it is selectable by the user ID of the user. In the game system of this embodiment, in addition to such basic operations,
Alternatively, the selectable character information may be restricted.

(Example 1)
In this embodiment, the usage frequency of the original character of the character information stored in the character information storage unit 124 is a predetermined usage frequency (for example, 100 usage times, or 1 total usage time).
00 hours, etc.), the character information of the character can be stored in the character information storage section 124, or the character information storage section 124 stores character information that does not have such a frequency of use. In this case, it is configured such that character information whose frequency of use is less than a predetermined value cannot be selected.

The character information processing unit 114 in this embodiment stores the character information of the character in the character information storage unit 124 based on the use frequency information of the possessed character shown in FIG. It is determined whether the character can be selected, and if it is determined that the character can be selected, the character information of the character is stored in the character information storage unit 124 or can be selected from the character information storage unit 124 .

As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to motivate the user to use a certain character as an auxiliary character and thus to play the game application more often. .

(Example 2)
When a plurality of pieces of character information of a character at a plurality of points in time are stored in the character information storage unit 124, the greater the number of times the character is used or the longer the length of time the character is used, the more the character's parameters (level, rarity, HP, skill, etc.) etc.), the character information of the character has a higher value for at least some of the parameters in chronological order from the time when the character information was recorded. More specifically,
Level, rarity, HP
, the value of the character, such as strength, becomes higher because the parameter values such as skill become higher. Therefore, the user may be motivated to select and use character information stored as recently as possible for a certain character.

According to an example of the present embodiment, there is provided means for making it possible to select character information stored at a point in time closer to the present according to the number of times the character information stored at a certain point in time has been used and the duration of use.

In this embodiment, character information stored in the character information storage unit 124 (see FIG. 4)
Character information processing unit 114 determines whether or not a user with a certain user ID can select the character information based on usage frequency information, which is related to the number of times the character information has been selected and used or the total usage time, included in configured to determine. Information that serves as the determination criteria is stored in the character information storage unit 124, for example. If the usage frequency information satisfies the criteria, the character information processing section 114 allows the user with the user ID to select newer character information for that character. As an example, for example, when the determination criterion of "50 times of use" is defined for a certain character, if the character information at a certain time point (for example, the level value is 50) is used 50 times, the character information processing unit 114 determines that the character newer character information (for example, the level value is 60) can be selected by the user with the user ID.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, in order to use character information with a higher value such as strength as an auxiliary character, more of the currently selectable character information is used, and thus the game application is played more often. It is possible to motivate the user to do so.

(Example 3)
In the basic operation example described above, it has been described that the character information processing section 114 can be configured to select character information suitable for the situation of the game application being executed by the game execution section 111 of the server device 1 . . In the present embodiment, this is further expanded so that not only the automatic selection by the character information processing unit 114 but also the selection by the user via the player terminal 2 can be performed according to the situation of the game application. Provide a means to limit the selection of information.

According to the present embodiment, for example, the game information stored in the game information storage unit 121 may include attributes of selectable or non-selectable character information in advance so that the character information can be selected according to the situation of the game application. It becomes possible to restrict or permit the selection of character information. For example, in the case of a quest game, the stage name,
Since the game information may include enemy character information, consumption stamina information, etc., by including in the game information in advance attributes of selectable or non-selectable character information linked to the stage ID, the stage A limit can be placed on the character information that can be selected on the stage related to the ID. More specifically, for example, for a wooden stage, it is possible to set character information selection restrictions so that character information having the attribute of “fire” is selectable or unselectable.

Furthermore, by changing the setting of restrictions on character information that can be selected for each stage ID,
For example, as the game progresses (more specifically, the quest progresses or the stage progresses), it is possible to set the character information that is used less frequently to be selectable.

(Example 4)
In the basic operation example described above, character information stored in the character information storage unit 124 can be selected regardless of when it was recorded.
However, in this case, immediately after the character information about the user's owned character is stored in the character information storage unit 124, the character information can be selected to make the auxiliary character act in the game. For example, as a result of being able to use a copy of a strong character that the user is currently using as an auxiliary character in the game, there is a risk that the difficulty level of the game will be substantially lowered. This embodiment provides means for preventing such a situation.

In this embodiment, the character information processing unit 114 is configured to limit selectable character information according to the elapsed time from the date and time (save date and time) when the character information was stored in the character information storage unit 124. . The elapsed time from the save date and time can be set to any period, such as several hours, several days, or several weeks. In this way, by limiting the selectable character information according to the elapsed time from the save date and time,
To prevent a situation in which a copy of a strong character currently used by a user is immediately used as an auxiliary character in a game, and to prevent the difficulty of the game from being substantially lowered in an unplanned manner. becomes possible.

The above-described embodiments and examples are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and that equivalents thereof are included in the present invention. Also, the features shown in the embodiments and examples are applicable to other embodiments and examples as long as they are not mutually contradictory.

Also, the effects described herein are merely illustrative or exemplary, and are not limiting. In other words, the technology according to the present disclosure can produce other effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification in addition to or instead of the above effects.

1 server device 2 player terminal 3 network

Claims (17)

a step of storing a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least two points in time for one character operating in a game application executed by the first player;
a step of selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in association with the first player according to a selection operation by the first player;
a step of generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
including
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
Information processing method by computer. a step of storing a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
a step of selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in association with the first player according to a selection operation by the first player;
a step of generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
including
the storing step includes limiting storage of character information of the character that has been used less than a predetermined number of times in the game application;
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
Information processing method by computer. a step of storing a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
a step of selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in association with the first player according to a selection operation by the first player;
a step of generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
including
The selecting step includes limiting selection of character information of the character that has been used less than a predetermined number of times in the game application;
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
Information processing method by computer. a step of storing a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
a step of selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in association with the first player according to a selection operation by the first player;
a step of generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
including
The selecting step includes limiting the selectable character information according to the elapsed time from the date and time when the character information was recorded in association with the first player,
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
Information processing method by computer. 5. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein said storing step includes limiting the number of said character information that can be stored to a specific number. 5. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1, 3, and 4, wherein said storing step includes limiting storage of character information of said character that has been used less than a predetermined number of times within said game application. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said selecting step includes limiting said selectable character information according to conditions occurring within said game application. 5. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 4, wherein said selecting step includes restricting selection of character information of said character that has been used less than a predetermined number of times within said game application. The step of selecting includes limiting the selectable character information according to the elapsed time from the date and time when the character information was recorded in association with the first player. The information processing method according to the item . A program that causes a computer to execute an information processing method,
The information processing method includes:
a step of storing a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least two points in time for one character operating in a game application executed by the first player;
a step of selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in association with the first player according to a selection operation by the first player;
a step of generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
including
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
program. A program that causes a computer to execute an information processing method,
The information processing method includes:
a step of storing a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
a step of selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in association with the first player according to a selection operation by the first player;
a step of generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
including
the storing step includes limiting storage of character information of the character that has been used less than a predetermined number of times in the game application;
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
program. A program that causes a computer to execute an information processing method,
The information processing method includes:
a step of storing a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
a step of selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in association with the first player according to a selection operation by the first player;
a step of generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
including
The selecting step includes limiting selection of character information of the character that has been used less than a predetermined number of times in the game application;
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
program. A program that causes a computer to execute an information processing method,
The information processing method includes:
a step of storing a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
a step of selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in association with the first player according to a selection operation by the first player;
a step of generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
including
The selecting step includes limiting the selectable character information according to the elapsed time from the date and time when the character information was recorded in association with the first player,
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
program. An information processing system having a control unit and a storage unit,
The control unit
storing in the storage unit a plurality of pieces of character information associated with the first player at least two points in time for one character operating in a game application executed by the first player;
Selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in the storage unit in association with the first player in accordance with a selection operation by the first player;
generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
is configured to run
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
Information processing system. An information processing system having a control unit and a storage unit,
The control unit
storing in the storage unit a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
Selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in the storage unit in association with the first player in accordance with a selection operation by the first player;
generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
is configured to run
the storing includes limiting storage of character information of the character that has been used less than a predetermined number of times in the game application;
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
Information processing system. An information processing system having a control unit and a storage unit,
The control unit
storing in the storage unit a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
Selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in the storage unit in association with the first player in accordance with a selection operation by the first player;
generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
is configured to run
The selecting includes limiting selection of character information of the character that has been used less than a predetermined number of times in the game application;
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
Information processing system. An information processing system having a control unit and a storage unit,
The control unit
storing in the storage unit a plurality of character information associated with the first player at least one point in time for each of a plurality of characters operating in a game application executed by the first player;
Selecting one piece of character information from among the plurality of pieces of character information stored in the storage unit in association with the first player in accordance with a selection operation by the first player;
generating an auxiliary character associated with the first player based on the selected character information and operating the auxiliary character within the game application;
is configured to run
The selecting includes limiting the selectable character information according to the elapsed time from the date and time when the character information was recorded in association with the first player,
The character information stored does not include the player's past operation history,
Information processing system.

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