RU2413997C1 - Method of positioning players in game space of network computer game - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technology. ^ SUBSTANCE: method of positioning players in the game space of a network computer game, comprising a control computer and game devices for players, connected into a network, where on the screen of each game device of each player an image of the game space is created, on which target marks are formed and target selection is enabled, as well as aiming and shooting at the target. The game space is in form of parts of real earth and/or celestial surface covered by a global mobile and/or space communication system. The game space is automatically defined in real time through a global mobile and/or space communication and/or navigation system and is automatically displayed on the display of the game device of each player with possibility of scaling the image. Possibility of generating several versions of the game space as well as distribution of players therein is also provided. ^ EFFECT: positioning a player on the display of a game device depending on the reaction rate of entering data using an input device. ^ 2 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The invention relates to computer games, namely, to network computer games with the participation of many players, involving the movement of objects in the playing space and the action of some objects on others, leading to the win of some players and the loss of others.

A known method of positioning players in the playing space of a network computer game, for example, implemented in games of the 3D-Action type (DOOM, DUKE NUKEM, QUAKE, HALF-LIFE), which reduces to the fact that by means of a computer create a three-dimensional model of the playing space in which each player forms a three-dimensional model of his game character and controls its movement and positioning in the game space.

The above-described games, for all their popularity, have a number of drawbacks, the main of which is the procedure for creating space and positioning players in advance as part of the possible options formed by the player, whose participation is reduced to sorting through the corresponding menus and cannot be significantly individual.

There is also known a method for positioning players in the playing space of a network computer game, in which the control computer and the gaming devices of the game participants remote from it are connected to the network, while on the display screen of the gaming device of each of the game participants, an image of the game space is formed on which marks are formed goals and provide the ability to select a target, aim and shoot at it (see the description of the computer game "Sea Battle" (see, for example, http://games.rambler.ru/game/seabattle/).

The disadvantage of this solution is that the procedure for creating space and positioning targets is predefined in the framework of possible placement options, while in the game the player’s participation is reduced to choosing the firing points on the opponent’s playing space, the location of the targets is static, the playing space is constant, therefore, with the general principles of placement, constancy the number of goals and their parameters, the game algorithm can be easily optimized, which reduces the level of competition when playing with an opponent less experienced.

The objective of the present invention is to provide a method for positioning players in the playing space of a network computer game, in which it is possible to implement games whose game algorithm is poorly optimized for the player’s reaction speed and increases the dependence of the result on a wide range of psychophysical qualities and a wider range of skills.

The achieved result is that the game becomes more attractive from the point of view of the game procedure itself, since information is reflected in the process of positioning players in the game space, which is a reflection of a real situation, the initial parameters and the development of which cannot be fully algorithmized. At the same time, they provide the opportunity to generate an infinite number of options for the game space and the placement of players in it. In addition, it is possible to implement a number of games in the form of a computer network game, including team games, involving the movement of an object (shell), such as golf, tennis, badminton, volleyball, football, etc.

This result is achieved in that the method of positioning players in the playing space of a network computer game, in which the control computer and the gaming devices of the game participants remote from it are connected to the network, while on the display screen of the gaming device of each of the game participants form an image of the game space, on which target marks are formed and provide the ability to select a target, aim and shoot at it, is different in that as a playing space using sections of a real me and / or an unearthly surface covered by a global mobile and / or space communication system, the marks being formed at least by the number of game participants registered on the control computer, reflecting the actual placement and / or movement of the game devices of each of the game participants on gaming space, which is automatically determined in real time, through a system of global mobile and / or space communications and / or navigation and is automatically displayed on the displays of gaming devices each of the game participants with the ability to scale the image, in addition, when forming the game space, the elevation of the positioning section of the game devices of the game participants is fixed, while the control program of the control computer is configured to position and / or move virtual game characters on the game space. In addition, as a gaming device, a device is used that contains electronic spatial orientation means, an electronic three-dimensional accelerometer, and means for communicating the gaming device with the game server via the Internet protocol, a display configured to scale the image, and means for inputting control information.

A comparison of the features of the claimed solution with the features of analogues and prototype indicates its compliance with the criterion of "novelty."

The features of the characterizing part of the claims solve the following functional tasks.

Signs "as the playing space using areas of the real earth and / or unearthly surface" provide the ability to generate an infinite number of options for the game space.

Signs indicating that areas of the real earth and / or non-terrestrial surface should be covered (served) by the "system of global mobile and / or space communications" provide the ability to "link" the locations of the participants in the game into a single game space.

Signs indicating that “the marks form at least the number of game participants registered on the control computer, reflecting the actual placement and / or movement of the gaming devices of each of the game participants in the game space”, provide the ability to generate an infinite number of player placement options in the playing space. In addition, the possibility of the presence on the displays of game devices of the game participants of the number of labels (goals), a greater number of real participants in the game is allowed.

Signs indicating that the actual placement and / or movement of the gaming devices of each of the game participants in the gaming space “are automatically determined in real time by means of a global mobile and / or space communication and / or navigation system”, provide the possibility of constant monitoring of the gaming situation.

Signs indicating that the actual placement and / or movement of the gaming devices of each of the game participants on the game space "automatically displays on the displays of the game devices of each of the game participants", provide a prompt reflection of the game situation on the displays of the game devices of the game participants and, thus, give dynamism of the game.

Signs indicating the possibility of "scaling the image" on the displays, allow you to fully demonstrate the advantages of the method, the implementation of a computer game on a global scale, while providing the ability to accurately aim at significant distances between real points of positioning of players.

Signs indicating that "when forming the playing space, fix the elevation of the positioning area of the game devices of the game participants", can improve the accuracy of aiming when placing players at different altitudes in relation to sea level (or outside the ground).

Signs indicating that "the control program of the control computer is configured to position and / or move virtual game characters on the playing space" can increase the attractiveness of the game.

Signs indicating that "as a gaming device using a device containing electronic means of spatial orientation, an electronic three-dimensional accelerometer, and means for communicating the gaming device with the game server via the Internet Protocol, a display configured to scale the image, the means of inputting control information", provide the possibility of implementing the claimed method while providing the ability to automatically transmit to the server information about the player’s initial part of the trajectory of the virtual projectile, which determines the information calculated further on the trajectory of the virtual projectile to the target, which is used to subsequently determine the virtual location of its fall on the playing space and / or to assess the possible deviation from the target and / or assess the degree of its destruction.

The claimed technical solution is illustrated by drawings on which images of the game space and positioning of player marks on it on the display screen of the gaming device are shown: in Fig. 1, at the “review of the game space” stage; figure 2 - at the stage of "downscaling (enlarging the image)"; figure 3 - at the stage of visualization of the trajectory and direction of movement of the projectile; figure 4 - at the stage of visualization of the point of incidence and the radius of the damaging effects of a virtual projectile.

To implement the claimed method, it is necessary to use a server of known design and a gaming device containing electronic means of spatial orientation, an electronic three-dimensional accelerometer, a display configured to scale the image, a means of inputting control information, and a means of communicating the gaming device with the gaming server via the Internet protocol.

This functional set includes:

- three-dimensional electronic compass (magnetometer), for example, a known device such as ASAHI KASEI AK8973;

- three-dimensional accelerometer, for example, a known device of the type: MEMS motion sensor 3-axis LIS302DL;

- a navigation node, for example, Assisted GPS (a-GPS);

- GSM module standard GSM / EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz;

- color LCD monitor;

- information input tools (keyboard).

Given the need to minimize the weight and size characteristics of the gaming device to ensure that it can be used to simulate throwing movements, the last mentioned nodes should be minimized to the parameters corresponding to the weight and size characteristics of the mobile phones. In fact, as a gaming device, you can use an existing device communicator iPhone 3Gs (a mobile phone with advanced functionality comparable to a pocket PC).

Requirements for the game server - the presence of an Internet access channel with sufficient bandwidth and a powerful processor system to ensure comfortable operation of all connected clients.

When implementing a game on the basis of real space used to form the playing space, players must be on a plot of real earth and / or unearthly surface, and these areas should be covered (served) by the global mobile and / or space communications system, ”including covered by standards wireless global and / or local communication, providing the ability to connect the gaming device to the game server via the Internet Protocol or otherwise. The elevations of the players' positioning points are entered into the game server in a known manner from databases of topographic or other surveys of the earth's surface containing data on the position of this point relative to the sea surface.

When players are positioning above the earth’s surface, for example, on artificial or natural space objects, the trajectory of the projection of this body’s projection onto the earth’s surface is monitored in a known manner, its velocity and corresponding elevations from the real location of the player’s positioning point to the earth’s surface.

When implementing the method, well-known procedures are used for registering participants, paying for playing time and / or game resources, admitting to and exiting from the game, designing the game space, implemented programmatically, using appropriate known software solutions and approaches.

The claimed method is implemented as follows.

The drawings show the game space 1, label 2, showing the location of the player, the orientation indicator of the players in the game space 3 (used as the current possible direction of the throw or the possible path of movement of the corresponding player), marks of the other participants in the game 4 (opponents in the game), aiming points 5 in the marks of the player and participants in the game; 6 projectile trajectory and direction, 7 projectile drop point, 8 projectile damage zone,

Upon completion of the registration procedure for participants in a network computer game on the game server, the coordinates of each of them are automatically determined and transmitted by their gaming devices to the game server.

The latter in a known manner, programmatically processes the received information and forms an image of the game space, on which the location of each of the players (the location of their gaming devices) is displayed as tags 2 or 4. In addition, in a known manner, for example, using well-known databases of topographic results surveying land plots, etc., reveal elevations of the plots on which the gaming devices of the game participants are located. Labels are made with the possibility of their visual identification (the drawings show a variant of color identification of the participant in the game, while the remaining participants in the game are shown in the same color). It is possible to mark the rest of the game participants with different colors or additional inscriptions or pictograms, which is especially important with significant numbers of participants mobile and placed close to each other (this variant of marking is not shown in the drawings). It is also advisable that the tags were equipped with markers - indicators of the current direction of the throw 3 and the aiming point 5, which allows to increase the angular accuracy of aiming on them.

Thus, each of the players on the displays of their gaming devices displays information about the location of each of the participants in the game and shows the location of the player at the current time.

During the game, the player on the screen of his gaming device makes an overview of the gaming space, changing the scale and, if necessary, moving along the coordinate grid, he can examine any area on the surface of the globe used in the playing space.

Next, the player selects the goal (any of the participants in the game). In this case, it is advisable to use the orientation indicator of the players in the playing space 3, showing how the corresponding player is oriented (where he is looking), which is a definite hint in which direction he can throw his virtual projectile i.e. you can evaluate the potential danger of this player or predict the possible path of its movement in the playing space.

After choosing a goal, the player, using the information displayed on the display, orientates himself on a plot of real terrain, with his face facing the goal. At the same time, the player enters the game parameters of the virtual projectile used by him into his gaming device — the type of game actions he produces, their power (radius of destruction), the possibility of adjusting the movement path, etc. These parameters are set in advance in a known manner - by means of the corresponding program stored in the memory of the game server and / or gaming device. In this case, the participant in the game according to the rules adopted in the game can make this choice once or repeatedly. In addition, the game uses the ability to control gravity on the trajectory of the virtual projectile to the target, they are set similar to the game parameters of the projectile.

Having completed the target orientation process, the player imitates the throw of the gaming device towards the target (one of the marks 4), while the speed and direction of the path of the gaming device (in the process of simulating its throw) are automatically determined by the gaming device itself (using its three-dimensional electronic compass (magnetometer) and three-dimensional accelerometer) and are automatically sent to the game server using its GSM module of the gaming device.

The game server uses the information received (as information about the parameters of the initial stage of the motion path 6 of the virtual projectile) in calculating the parameters of its movement to the target, together with the information set by the player on the parameters that determine the dynamics of the virtual projectile's movement to the target, and the elevations of the players' positioning sections. Since players can be at significant distances from each other, significantly exceeding the throwing distance performed by a person, in addition to the ability to specify the sign and magnitude of gravity on the trajectory of the virtual projectile to the target, it is possible to programmatically change the parameters, for example, multiplying the acceleration value recorded during simulation throw a gaming device.

The results of the calculation by the game server of the trajectory of the virtual projectile to the target are automatically transmitted in real time to the gaming device of the player who made the throw of this virtual projectile. In addition, the results of the calculation by the game server of the trajectory 6 of the virtual projectile’s movement to the target are used by him to subsequently determine the virtual location of his fall 7 on the playing space and / or to assess the possible deviation from the target (see impact zone 8) or assess the degree of damage to the target (in the latter If the game server additionally takes into account the parameters of the protective equipment of the target, for example, their explosion resistance, armor, etc.).

Thus, the game server receives data characterizing the movement of objects in the game space and their impact on other objects, leading to a change in their state, processes the received data and transmits updated data characterizing the updated state of the players 'virtual objects over the network to the gamers' devices.

In addition, virtual game characters placed on the playing space and controlled (including moving and / or throwing virtual shells) by the server’s control program are used as targets.

Throws of virtual shells by other participants in the game are performed as described above.

The processes and procedures of the game after fixing the hit of a virtual projectile at the target (updating the player’s “life”, his exit from the game, scoring points and bonuses) can be carried out in a known manner, using known means in accordance with specific rules of the game, which uses the claimed technical solution .

The above examples are used only to illustrate the possibility of carrying out the invention. They do not limit the scope of legal protection presented in the claims, while a person skilled in the art is relatively simple to implement other ways of carrying out the invention.

Claims (2)

1. A method for positioning players in a game space of a network computer game, wherein the control computer and game devices of the game participants remote from it are connected to the network, while on the display screen of the game device of each of the game participants, an image of the game space is formed on which marks are formed goals and provide the ability to select a target, aim and shoot at it, characterized in that as the playing space using areas of real earth and / or unearthly surface, covering defined by the global mobile and / or space communications system, the marks being formed at least by the number of game participants registered on the control computer, with a reflection of the actual placement and / or movement of the game devices of each of the game participants in the game space, which is automatically determined in real-time, through a system of global mobile and / or space communications and / or navigation, and automatically display on the displays of gaming devices of each of the participants in the game, with the possibility image scaling, in addition, when forming the game space, the elevation of the positioning section of the game devices of the game participants is fixed, while the control program of the control computer is configured to position and / or move virtual game characters on the game space. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that as a gaming device using a device containing electronic means of spatial orientation, an electronic three-dimensional accelerometer, and means for communicating the gaming device with the game server via the Internet Protocol, a display configured to scale the image, control information input means.

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