KR102463571B1 - Apparatus and method for controlling game - Google Patents

Abstract

A game control apparatus and method are disclosed. A game control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit for receiving a drag operation for a game screen from a user, and setting an area corresponding to the drag operation on the game screen as an automatic play area for the user's character and a play area setting unit and a game control unit for controlling a game operation by the user's character to be performed in the automatic play area when an automatic game mode is set by the user.

Description

Game control device and method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING GAME}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a game control apparatus and method.

Recently, many people use the Internet due to the development of high-speed data communication networks, and various kinds of content services using the Internet, for example, messengers, shopping malls, games, etc., are provided according to the spread of Internet use. Among these various content services, in particular, in the game service field, the development speed and dissemination speed of services are rapidly increasing, and accordingly, many Internet users are using online game services using the Internet. Such online games include massive multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs), role playing games (RPGs), board games, simulation games, and the like.

Among them, most MMORPGs and RPGs take the method of acquiring items and raising the user's character's ability by performing quests provided in the game or by hunting NPCs (Non Player Characters) such as monsters. In order to acquire or increase the ability value of the user character, there is a problem in that the user character must be directly manipulated by spending a long time.

In order to solve this problem, an automatic game mode that allows the game to be played without direct user manipulation has been recently introduced. In the automatic game mode, the user character moves freely within the game, hunting monsters, acquiring items, and performing quests. In such a case, there is a problem that the user character dies.

In addition, if the user has a party with other users in the game and the automatic game mode is set, the game is played regardless of the characters of the other users with whom the user's character is partying. There is a problem that cooperation becomes difficult.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-0895199 (2009. 04. 20. Announcement)

Embodiments of the present invention are to provide a game control apparatus and method.

A game control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit for receiving a drag operation for a game screen from a user, and setting an area corresponding to the drag operation on the game screen as an automatic play area for the user's character and a play area setting unit and a game control unit for controlling a game operation by the user's character to be performed in the automatic play area when an automatic game mode is set by the user.

The play area setting unit receives area information on an automatic play area set by another user from the game server, and assigns one of an area corresponding to the drag operation and an area corresponding to the received area information to the user's character. It can be set as an automatic play area for

The play area setting unit may include, when the received area information is area information on an automatic play area set by a party leader of a party in which the user participated in the game, the area corresponding to the received area information, the area corresponding to the received area information. You can set it as an automatic play area for your character.

The game controller may control to display visual information on the automatic play area on the game screen.

The play area setting unit may be configured to select an area corresponding to the received area information when the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by another user who is not in a party state with the user in the game. It can be set as a party play area.

When the automatic game mode is set, the game controller may control the user's character not to enter the other party play area.

The game controller may control to display visual information on the play area of the other party on the game screen.

The game controller may control the user's character to attack the other user's character when a character of another user who is not in a party state with the user enters the automatic play area.

The play area setting unit may transmit area information corresponding to the automatic play area to the game server.

A game control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: receiving a drag operation for a game screen from a user; setting an area corresponding to the drag operation on the game screen as an automatic play area for the user's character and controlling the game operation to be performed by the user's character in the automatic play area when the automatic game mode is set by the user.

The game control method may further include receiving region information on an automatic play region set by another user from a game server, wherein the setting includes: a region corresponding to the drag operation and the received region information One of the corresponding areas may be set as an automatic play area for the user's character.

In the setting, when the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by a party leader of a party in which the user participated in the game, the area corresponding to the received area information is set as the area information. You can set it as an automatic play area for your character.

The game control method may further include displaying visual information about the automatic play area on the game screen.

In the setting step, when the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by another user who is not in a party state with the user in the game, the area corresponding to the received area information is selected. It can be set as a party play area.

The controlling may include controlling that the user's character does not enter the other party play area when the automatic game mode is set.

The game control method may further include displaying visual information on the play area of the other party on the game screen.

In the controlling, when a character of another user who is not in a party state with the user enters the automatic play area, the user's character may be controlled to attack the character of the other user.

The game control method may further include transmitting area information corresponding to the automatic play area to a game server.

The computer program stored in the computer-readable recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention is combined with hardware to receive an input of a drag operation for a game screen from a user; Setting the automatic play area for the user's character and, when the automatic game mode is set by the user, controlling the game operation by the user's character to be performed in the automatic play area is executed.

According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to set the automatic play area through a simple drag operation, and when the game is progressed in the automatic game mode, the user's It is possible to efficiently limit the movement of the character and at the same time secure the stability of the user's character.

Furthermore, since the automatic play area set by the party leader is set as the automatic play area for the characters of the party members, efficient cooperation between the characters of the party members can be achieved even in the automatic game mode.

1 is a block diagram of a game control device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 to 7 are exemplary views for explaining automatic play area setting corresponding to a drag operation;
8 is a flowchart of a game control method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a flowchart of a game control method according to a further embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a block diagram illustrating and describing a computing environment including a computing device suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention;

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following detailed description is provided to provide a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatus, and/or systems described herein. However, this is merely an example and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. And, the terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to intentions or customs of users and operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the content throughout this specification. The terminology used in the detailed description is for the purpose of describing embodiments of the present invention only, and should in no way be limiting. Unless explicitly used otherwise, expressions in the singular include the meaning of the plural. In this description, expressions such as “comprising” or “comprising” are intended to indicate certain features, numbers, steps, acts, elements, some or a combination thereof, one or more other than those described. It should not be construed to exclude the presence or possibility of other features, numbers, steps, acts, elements, or any part or combination thereof.

Hereinafter, "game" means software that one or more gamers can enjoy using an input device mounted on or connected to a gaming device. Usually, it is performed by directly manipulating the player character or by manipulating the movement of objects in the game. ), adventure games, and arcade games.

Hereinafter, the term "gaming device" refers to hardware that executes game software but performs calculations according to a user's input through an input device and outputs a result through an output device. For example, personal computer (Personal Computer), laptop (Laptop Computer), game console (Game Console), smart phone (Smart Phone), tablet (Tablet) PC, smart band (Smart Band) or smart watch (Smart Watch) It may be in the form of a wearable device. In addition, hardware that satisfies the above definition is interpreted as belonging to a gaming device.

Hereinafter, "online game" means a game that must go through a network in order to play the game. In general, it refers to a game in which two or more gaming devices in a remote location are connected to each other through a network or synchronized through a server. As long as it satisfies the above definition, there is no limitation on the type of gaming device that executes the game. Not only games executed on personal computers or game consoles, but also games executed on mobile devices such as smartphones, or games in which a plurality of different gaming devices (including different types of gaming devices) are linked or executed in the cloud If it satisfies the definition, it is interpreted as belonging to an online game.

Hereinafter, an “input device” refers to a device for inputting data into a gaming device. For example, a joystick, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, a hardware button or a steering wheel, a musical instrument, a gun, a glove, an input device dedicated to game manipulation manufactured in the form of a footrest may be mentioned. In addition, various sensors (temperature sensor, infrared sensor, motion sensor, gyro sensor, acceleration sensor, gravity sensor, etc.) installed or linked to gaming devices, Global Positioning System (GPS), Indoor Positioning System ), etc., may also be used as an example of an input device.

1 is a block diagram of a game control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the game control apparatus 100 provides a user interface for manipulation of a game performed in a gaming device and controls game operations based on user manipulation or user settings for the game, It may be implemented as one configuration included in the device. Meanwhile, hereinafter, the game includes not only the above-described online game but also a game executed only on the gaming device without interworking with other gaming devices or servers through a network.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a game control apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an input unit 110 , a play area setting unit 130 , and a game control unit 150 .

The input unit 110 receives a user input for a game screen from an input device provided in the gaming device. In this case, the user input to the game screen may include a drag operation.

Meanwhile, the game screen may be, for example, one of a mini-map screen and a field screen on which a game operation by a user character is performed.

The game action means, for example, an action of a game object displayed on a game screen, such as an attack on a game object, acquisition of a game object, a conversation between game objects, or an interaction between game objects. In this case, the game object may include, for example, a user's character, another user's character, a monster, an item, and a non-player character (NPC). Meanwhile, the game object and the game action are not limited to the above example, and in addition to the above example, various types of game objects and game motions may be included according to the genre of the game.

When a drag operation for the game screen is input by the user, the play area setting unit 130 sets the area corresponding to the drag operation as an automatic play area for the user's character.

Specifically, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the play area setting unit 130 may set an automatic play area based on a start point, an end point, and a trajectory of the drag operation.

For example, when the trajectory of the input drag operation forms a closed curve, the play area setting unit 130 may set the area surrounded by the closed curve on the game screen as the automatic play area.

As a more specific example, referring to FIG. 2 , when a drag operation in the form of a closed curve 210 is input by the user while a field screen on which a game operation is performed by a user character is displayed, the play area setting unit 130 displays the field An area surrounded by the closed curve 210 on the screen may be set as an automatic play area.

As another example, referring to FIG. 3 , when a drag operation in the form of a closed curve 310 is input by the user while the mini map screen is displayed, the play area setting unit 130 is displayed by the closed curve 310 on the mini map screen. The enclosed area can be set as an automatic play area.

On the other hand, when the trajectory of the input drag operation forms an open curve, the play area setting unit 130 generates a closed curve composed of a straight line connecting the start point and the end point of the drag operation and the trajectory of the drag operation. and an area surrounded by the corresponding closed curve on the game screen can be set as an automatic play area.

For example, referring to FIG. 4 , when a drag operation in the form of an open curve 410 is input while a field screen on which a game operation is performed by a user character is displayed, the play area setting unit 130 is shown in FIG. As shown in the illustrated example, a straight line 440 connecting the start point 420 and the end point 430 of the drag operation may be generated. Also, the play area setting unit 130 may set an area surrounded by a closed curve formed of a straight line 440 and a trajectory 410 of a drag operation on the field screen as an automatic play area.

As another example, referring to FIG. 6 , when a drag operation in the form of an open curve 610 is input while the mini map screen is displayed, the play area setting unit 130 starts the drag operation as shown in the example shown in FIG. 7 . A straight line 640 connecting the point 620 and the end point 630 may be generated. Also, the play area setting unit 130 may set an area surrounded by a closed curve formed of a straight line 640 and a trajectory 610 of a drag operation on the mini map screen as an automatic play area.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the area corresponding to the drag operation is set as the automatic play area, the play area setting unit 130 transmits area information corresponding to the set automatic play area to the game server (not shown). can be sent to In this case, the area information may include in-game coordinate information of a closed curve surrounding the automatic play area. Meanwhile, the area information transmitted to the game server may be transmitted to the gaming devices of other users in the game by the game server.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the play area setting unit 130 may receive area information on an automatic play area set by another user from a game server (not shown).

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the play area setting unit 130 receives area information for an automatic play area set by another user from the game server, through the received area information and the input unit 110 . One of the areas corresponding to the drag operation input by the user may be set as an automatic play area for the user's character.

For example, when the play area setting unit 110 is in a state in which the user has participated in a specific party in the game, and the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by the party leader of the corresponding party, An area corresponding to the received area information may be set as an automatic play area for the user's character. In this case, the party leader is one of the party members participating in the party, and may refer to a party member who has the authority to invite new party members or to force some party members to leave.

As another example, when the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by another user who is not in a party state with the user, the play area setting unit 110 selects an area corresponding to the drag operation input by the user. It can be set as an automatic play area.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by another user who is not in a party state with the user, the play area setting unit 110 receives area information. The area corresponding to can be set as the other party play area.

When the automatic game mode is set by the user, the game controller 150 controls the game operation by the user's character to be performed within the automatic play area set by the play area setting unit 130 .

Specifically, the game control unit 150 controls the user's character so that game operations such as monster attack and item acquisition are performed in the automatic play area by limiting the area in which the user's character can move in the automatic game mode within the automatic play area. can do.

On the other hand, the automatic game mode refers to a mode in which a game operation by a user's character is performed without a user's manipulation for game progress. For example, when an automatic game mode is set by the user, the user's character automatically performs a preset game operation such as attacking a monster, acquiring an item, performing a quest, and the like.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the character of another user who is not in a party state with the user enters the automatic play area in a state in which the automatic game mode is set, the game controller 150 enters the automatic play area. You can control the user's character to attack another user's character.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the other party play area is set by the play area setting unit 130 , the game control unit 150 allows the user's character to enter the other party play area while the automatic game mode is set. You can control it not to enter.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the automatic play area is set by the play area setting unit 130 , the game controller 150 may control to display visual information about the set automatic play area. For example, the game controller 150 may control the automatic play area to be displayed on the game screen in a specific color, or control the boundary line of the automatic play area to be displayed on the game screen in a specific color.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the play area setting unit 130 sets the play area for another party, the game controller 150 may control to display visual information on the set play area for the other party. . For example, the game control unit 150 controls the other party play area to be displayed on the game screen in a specific color distinguished from the automatic play area, or a boundary line of the other party play area is a specific color distinguished from the boundary line of the automatic play area. can be controlled to be displayed on the game screen.

Meanwhile, the visual information on the automatic play area and the other party play area is not necessarily limited to the above-described example, and various types of information that enable the user to visually recognize the automatic play area and the other party play area on the game screen are provided. may include

8 is a flowchart of a game control method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The method illustrated in FIG. 8 may be performed by, for example, the game control device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , first, the game control apparatus 100 receives a drag operation for a game screen from a user ( 810 ).

Thereafter, the game control apparatus 100 sets the area corresponding to the drag operation on the game screen as the automatic play area for the user character ( 820 ).

Thereafter, the game control apparatus 100 determines whether an automatic game mode is set by the user ( 830 ), and when the automatic game mode is set, the game control apparatus 100 performs a game operation by the user's character to control (840).

Specifically, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the game control apparatus 100 may control the user character to perform a game operation by the user character within an automatic play area for the user character.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 8 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, the game control apparatus 100 may transmit area information about the automatic play area set in step 820 to the game server.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the game control apparatus 100 may control the visual information on the automatic play area set in step 820 to be displayed on the game screen.

9 is a flowchart of a game control method according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

The method illustrated in FIG. 9 may be performed, for example, by the game control device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 9 , first, the game control apparatus 100 receives a drag operation for a game screen from a user ( S901 ).

Thereafter, the game control device 100 determines whether there is a party in which the user participated ( S902 ).

When the user is in a state of participating in a specific party, the game control device 100 determines whether or not area information on an automatic play area set by another user is received from the game server ( S903 ).

When the region information received from the game server exists, the game control device 100 determines whether the received region information is region information for an automatic play region set by the party leader of a party in which the user participates ( S904 ).

When the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by the party leader of a party in which the user participates, the game control apparatus 100 sets the area corresponding to the received area information as an automatic play area ( 905 ). .

On the other hand, when the received area information is area information about an automatic play area set by the user and another user who is not in a party state, the game control device 100 sets the area corresponding to the drag operation input in step 901 to the user character. An automatic play area is set for , (906), and an area corresponding to the received area information is set as a play area of another party (907).

On the other hand, if there is no party in which the user participated in step 902 or there is no area information received from the game server in step 903, the game control device 100 assigns the area corresponding to the drag operation input in step 901 to the user character. It is set as an automatic play area for (908).

Thereafter, the game control device 100 determines whether an automatic game mode is set by the user ( 909 ), and when the automatic game mode is set, the game control device 100 performs a game operation by the user's character to control (910).

Specifically, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the game control apparatus 100 may control the user character to perform a game operation by the user character within an automatic play area for the user character.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the other party play area is set in step 907 , the game control apparatus 100 may control the user character not to enter the other party play area.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 9 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, the game control apparatus 100 may transmit area information on the automatic play area set in step 908 to the game server.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the automatic play area for the user character is set, the game control apparatus 100 may control to display visual information on the set automatic play area on the game screen.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when a third party play area is set, the game control apparatus 100 may control to display visual information about the set automatic play area on the game screen.

On the other hand, in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the method has been described by dividing the method into a plurality of steps, but at least some of the steps are performed in a reversed order, are performed in combination with other steps, are performed together, are omitted, or are detailed steps. It may be performed separately, or one or more steps not shown may be added and performed.

10 is a block diagram illustrating and explaining a computing environment including a computing device suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, each component may have different functions and capabilities other than those described below, and may include additional components other than those described below.

The illustrated computing environment 1 includes a computing device 12 . In one embodiment, computing device 12 may be one or more components included in game control device 100 .

Computing device 12 includes at least one processor 14 , computer readable storage medium 16 , and communication bus 18 . The processor 14 may cause the computing device 12 to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments discussed above. For example, the processor 14 may execute one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium 16 . The one or more programs may include one or more computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor 14, configure the computing device 12 to perform operations in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. can be

Computer-readable storage medium 16 is configured to store computer-executable instructions or program code, program data, and/or other suitable form of information. The program 20 stored in the computer readable storage medium 16 includes a set of instructions executable by the processor 14 . In one embodiment, computer-readable storage medium 16 includes memory (volatile memory, such as random access memory, non-volatile memory, or a suitable combination thereof), one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash It may be memory devices, other forms of storage medium that can be accessed by computing device 12 and store desired information, or a suitable combination thereof.

Communication bus 18 interconnects various other components of computing device 12 , including processor 14 and computer readable storage medium 16 .

Computing device 12 may also include one or more input/output interfaces 22 and one or more network communication interfaces 26 that provide interfaces for one or more input/output devices 24 . The input/output interface 22 and the network communication interface 26 are coupled to the communication bus 18 . Input/output device 24 may be coupled to other components of computing device 12 via input/output interface 22 . Exemplary input/output device 24 may include a pointing device (such as a mouse or trackpad), a keyboard, a touch input device (such as a touchpad or touchscreen), a voice or sound input device, various types of sensor devices, and/or imaging devices. input devices and/or output devices such as display devices, printers, speakers and/or network cards. The exemplary input/output device 24 may be included in the computing device 12 as a component constituting the computing device 12 , and may be connected to the computing device 12 as a separate device distinct from the computing device 12 . may be

Although the present invention has been described in detail through representative embodiments above, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. will understand Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and should be defined by the claims described below as well as the claims and equivalents.

1: Computing Environment
12: computing device
14: Processor
16: computer readable storage medium
18: communication bus
20: Program
22: input/output interface
24: input/output device
26: network communication interface
100: game control unit
110: input unit
130: play area setting unit
150: game control

Claims (19)

an input unit for receiving a drag operation for a game screen from a user;
a play area setting unit configured to set an area corresponding to the drag operation on the game screen as an automatic play area for the user's character; and
and a game controller configured to control a game operation performed by the user's character in the automatic play area when the automatic game mode is set by the user.
The method according to claim 1,
The play area setting unit receives area information on an automatic play area set by another user from the game server, and assigns one of an area corresponding to the drag operation and an area corresponding to the received area information to the user's character. A game control device to set as an automatic play area for you.
3. The method according to claim 2,
The play area setting unit may include, when the received area information is area information on an automatic play area set by a party leader of a party in which the user participated in the game, the area corresponding to the received area information, the area corresponding to the received area information. A game control device that sets an automatic play area for the user's character.
3. The method according to claim 2,
The game control unit controls the game screen to display visual information on the automatic play area on the game screen.
3. The method according to claim 2,
The play area setting unit may be configured to select an area corresponding to the received area information when the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by another user who is not in a party state with the user in the game. A game control unit to set as a party play area.
6. The method of claim 5,
When the automatic game mode is set, the game control unit controls the user's character not to enter the other party play area.
6. The method of claim 5,
The game controller may control the game screen to display visual information on the play area of the other party on the game screen.
The method according to claim 1,
The game controller may control the user's character to attack the other user's character when a character of another user who is not in a party state with the user enters the automatic play area.
The method according to claim 1,
The play area setting unit may be configured to transmit area information corresponding to the automatic play area to a game server.
receiving an input of a drag operation for a game screen from a user;
setting an area corresponding to the drag operation on the game screen as an automatic play area for the user's character; and
and controlling a game operation by the user's character to be performed in the automatic play area when the automatic game mode is set by the user.
11. The method of claim 10,
Further comprising the step of receiving area information about the automatic play area set by another user from the game server,
The setting may include setting one of an area corresponding to the drag operation and an area corresponding to the received area information as an automatic play area for the user's character.
12. The method of claim 11,
In the setting, when the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by a party leader of a party in which the user participated in the game, the area corresponding to the received area information is set as the area information. A method of controlling the game to set as an automatic play area for the user's character.
12. The method of claim 11,
The game control method further comprising the step of displaying visual information about the automatic play area on the game screen.
12. The method of claim 11,
In the setting step, when the received area information is area information for an automatic play area set by another user who is not in a party state with the user in the game, the area corresponding to the received area information is selected. How to control the game to set as a party play area.
15. The method of claim 14,
The controlling may include, when the automatic game mode is set, controlling the user's character not to enter the play area of the other party.
15. The method of claim 14,
The game control method further comprising the step of displaying visual information on the play area of the other party on the game screen.
11. The method of claim 10,
The controlling may include controlling the user's character to attack the other user's character when a character of another user who is not in a party state with the user enters the automatic play area.
11. The method of claim 10,
The game control method further comprising the step of transmitting area information corresponding to the automatic play area to a game server.
combined with hardware
receiving an input of a drag operation for a game screen from a user;
setting an area corresponding to the drag operation on the game screen as an automatic play area for the user's character; and
When the automatic game mode is set by the user, a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium for executing the step of controlling the game operation to be performed by the user's character in the automatic play area.

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