JP2001137537A - Entertainment system, entertainment device, recording medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To visually teach where major objects are located and the timing of occurrence of events in one scene to a user. SOLUTION: A character index 220 for indicating the position of a master 200 moved by the action of the user is displayed in red, for example, and an entrance index 230 for indicating the position of an entrance 226 in one scene displayed on a monitor is displayed in green, for example. An entrance index 234 for indicating the position of the entrance 228 of a shop 206 related to one scene is displayed in blue, for example, and an entrance index 236 for indicating the position of the entrance 230 of an inn 208 for changing the parameters of the master 200, e.g. to recover the physical strength of the master 200, is displayed in green, for example.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an entertainment system for displaying an index capable of visually assisting a user playing a game or the like, an entertainment apparatus for executing various programs, and the like. The present invention also relates to a recording medium on which a program or data used in the entertainment system is recorded, and the program itself.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an information device (entertainment system) such as an entertainment device including a video game machine, for example, a game content stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM is displayed on a screen of a television receiver. There are devices that operate the operation device to advance the game.

[0003] In the entertainment system, the entertainment device and the operating device are usually connected by a serial interface. When a clock is sent from the entertainment device, a key switch corresponding to a user operation from the operating device is synchronized with the clock. Information is sent.

Further, recently, a vibration generating means for giving a vibration to a user in response to a request from the outside (for example, an entertainment device) is provided in the operating device so that the device responds to the user's operation during a game, for example. As a result, a system for giving various vibrations to a user has been developed and has been put to practical use.

[0005]

By the way, there are various games played using a video game machine, such as a role playing game, a shooting game, a driving game, a fighting game, and the like.

In a shooting game, a driving game, a fighting game, and the like, the purpose is simple, so that if the user is proficient in the input operation, he can quickly cope with various situations. In one scene, various events are performed, and in addition, there are many dark scenes such as walking in a maze or dungeon.

In such a game, it is necessary to visually judge what kind of thing exists in the scene, rather than the skill of the input operation. If you are playing a role-playing game for the first time, when the scene changes, you can find out where the protagonist is in the scene, from where, and where to go to get out of this scene. We have to find out where the inns are.

[0008] In a dark scene or the like, it is difficult to identify such a position, and there is a problem that it takes a long time to end an event in one scene.

[0009] Some users prefer to search for one scene thoroughly, but usually, the time for playing a game is limited, so that it is difficult to search for all of one scene. It takes time, and there is a possibility that a problem of getting bored may occur.

[0010] Further, in one scene, in order to cause a certain event, it may be necessary to perform processing such as moving the hero to a predetermined place and performing a predetermined operation. In addition, there are cases in which a mechanism is provided such that the user cannot escape from the scene unless the event occurs.

Normally, such processing is not described in the instruction manual, and the user has no choice but to find it. However, a user who does not even know that the event occurs has to look at one scene for a long time. Of which
You will lose interest in the game.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and in one scene, the position of a main thing, the timing of occurrence of an event, and the like are visually recognized by a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide an entertainment system, an entertainment device, a recording medium, and a program that can be taught in a specific manner and can maintain interest in the game when applied to the game.

[0013]

An entertainment system according to the present invention comprises: an entertainment device for executing various programs; at least one operating device for inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device; and an output from the entertainment device. A display device for displaying the selected image, and index display means for displaying an index for visually assisting the user on the display device.

An entertainment device according to the present invention is an entertainment device in which at least an operation device for outputting an operation request from a user and a display device for displaying an image are connectable. And an index display means for displaying an index for performing visual support on the display device.

[0015] Further, a recording medium according to the present invention includes an entertainment device for executing various programs, at least one operating device for inputting an operation request from a user to the entertainment device, and an image output from the entertainment device. In a recording medium on which a program or data used in an entertainment system having a display device for displaying is recorded, an index display step of displaying an index for visually assisting the user on the display device is provided. It is characterized by including.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an entertainment device for executing various programs, at least one operating device connected to the entertainment device, and for inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device, An index display for displaying an index for visually assisting the user on the display device in a computer-readable and executable program used in an entertainment system having a display device for displaying an object. It is characterized by including a step.

Thus, for example, when this entertainment system is applied to a system for playing a role-playing game, a user (user) can visually determine which position is the main one in each scene. It is also possible to predict what kind of event will occur.

Therefore, the user does not need to turn the hero right and left in one scene, and can move the hero exactly in search of the occurrence of an event that will be performed in that scene.

In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the visual erroneous operation of merely moving the hero right and left in one scene and looking at one scene, thereby maintaining the user's interest in the role playing game and the like. Can be done. This can contribute to the spread of role playing games and the like.

[0020] The index display means may display an index displayed on the display device for notifying at least a position of a character moving by operation of the user. In this case, the game can be further interesting by changing the display color of the indicator as the character approaches the event occurrence point.

For example, when the hero is moving for the purpose of generating an event (for example, fighting a monster), by looking at the change in the color of the indicator, for example, the expectation that the event will be generated soon. You can have. Also, when avoiding the occurrence of an event, for example, when going to an inn to recover the hero's physical strength, move the hero while watching the color change of the indicator, so that the occurrence of the event can be anticipated You can carry the hero for another purpose while avoiding it.

In the role-playing game up to now, the passive element is strong, the progress of achievement of the objective by the user is largely influenced by the development of the scenario, and the objective is often not achieved even after a long time. This is one of the factors that cause the user to lose interest in the role playing game.

However, according to the present invention, since it is possible to incorporate active elements by the user, the degree of achievement of the objective changes according to the user's instruction.
Eliminates the need to spend a long time reaching the goal. This makes it possible to easily achieve the purpose intended by the user, for example, to win loot by fighting a monster, or to quickly move to the next town without encountering a monster. Never lose interest.

The indicator display means (step)
Indices for notifying the position of the main part in the displayed scene may be displayed. The main parts are the entrance and exit of the scene displayed on the display device, the entrance and exit of an object (such as a store) related to the scene displayed on the display device, or a place where the parameters of the character can be changed. (Such as an inn).

Further, the index display means (step) comprises:
An indicator for visually notifying that a special operation by the user is possible may be displayed.
Specifically, an index indicating that a branch to another event is performed by a user's determination operation is displayed.

In this case, for example, in a role playing game, when the hero is moving in one scene in accordance with an input operation by the user, an index is displayed at a place where an event occurs. Thus, the user can make a prediction that an event will occur at the place where the index is displayed, and will be more interested in the occurrence of the event.

The indicator display means (step)
May be displayed by color-coding indicators having different purposes. Thus, an index for informing the position of the character, an index for informing the entrance of the displayed scene, an index for informing the entrance of an object (such as a store) related to the displayed scene, and parameters of the character Can be displayed in different colors, for example, an indicator for notifying a place (an inn or the like) where can be changed, an index indicating that the user branches to another event by a determination operation.

Therefore, the user can determine the meaning of the displayed index at a glance, and can avoid confusion due to the display of various indexes.

Further, the index display means (step) comprises:
An index indicating the character displayed on the display device may be displayed, and the display color of the index may be changed according to a change in the parameter of the character.

For example, in a battle scene with a monster, it is possible to know the physical strength of the monster to be attacked by the indicator display color,
The attack pattern can be appropriately selected according to the degree of wear. In addition, when surrounded by a large number of monsters, it is possible to work out which monster to attack by referring to the display color of the indicator, and even a user who is not good at fighting monsters can perform with interest. .

[0031]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment in which an entertainment system and an entertainment apparatus according to the present invention are applied to a video game apparatus, a recording medium and a program according to the present invention, FIGS. 1 to 35 show a recording medium on which data is recorded and an embodiment applied to a program.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment is basically configured as shown in FIG.
Entertainment device 1 for executing various programs
2, a memory card 14 detachable from the entertainment device 12, an operation device (controller) 16 detachable from the entertainment device 12 by a connector 62, and video / audio from the entertainment device 12. A monitor (display) 18 which is a display device such as a television receiver to which a signal is supplied is provided.

The entertainment device 12 includes, for example,
This is for reading a program recorded on a large-capacity storage medium such as an optical disk 20 such as a CD-ROM and executing a game or the like in response to an instruction from a user (user: a game player or the like). The execution of the game mainly means that an input from the operation device 16 is transmitted to the connector 6.
2 to control the progress of the game while controlling the display and sound on the monitor 18.

The entertainment device 12 has a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a central portion in which application programs and data for a video game or the like are stored, and a disk on which an optical disk 20 for supplying these is mounted. The mounting unit 22, a reset switch 24 for arbitrarily resetting the currently running program, a disk operation switch 26 for operating the mounting of the optical disk 20, a power switch 28, and, for example, two slot units 30, 32 It is comprised including.

The recording medium for supplying the application program is not limited to the optical disk 20, but the application program may be supplied via a communication line.

The slots 30 and 32 are respectively composed of upper slots 30B and 32B and lower slots 30A and 30B.
32A, and the lower slot portions 30A, 32A.
A can be connected to the operation device 16 respectively.
A memory card 14 capable of storing a flag indicating an intermediate state of a game or the like and a portable information terminal (not shown) functioning also as the memory card 14 are mounted in the upper slot portions 30B and 32B, respectively. You can do it. The slot 30 (30A, 30A)
B) and 32 (32A, 32B) have asymmetric shapes to avoid erroneous insertion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operating device 16
And the second operation units 34 and 36, the L button 38L and the R button 38R, the start button 40, the selection button 4
2, the left and right rotary operators 44 and 46 capable of analog operation, a mode selection switch 48 for selecting the operation mode of these rotary operators 44 and 46, and the selected operation mode is displayed. And a display unit 50. The display unit 50 is configured by a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operating device 16 has an operating device main body 104 in which an upper half 100 and a lower half 102 abut against each other and are connected using fixing means such as screws.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, from one side of each end of the operating device main body 104, when the operating device 16 is connected to the entertainment device 12, for example, when searching for information or executing a game. Left and right grips 106 and 108 which are gripped so as to be included by the left and right palms are protrudingly provided.

The left and right grips 106 and 108 are
As shown in FIG. 3, the projections are spaced apart from each other toward the distal end and project downward toward the operation device main body 104.

As shown in FIG. 3, the left and right grip portions 106 and 108 are tapered from the connecting portion to the operating device main body 104 toward the distal end, as shown in FIG. , The peripheral surface has an arc surface, and the tip side is formed in an arc shape.

FIG. 2 shows one end of the operating device main body 104.
As shown in FIG. 3, four operators 110 a to 110 d (an upward operator 110 a, a right operator 110 b, a lower operator 110 c, and a left operator 110 c) protruding from the upper surface side of the operating device main body 104. The first operation unit 34 in which the operation elements 110d) are arranged to be orthogonal to each other is provided.

The first operating section 34 includes four operating elements 11
Switch elements as signal input elements are provided corresponding to 0a to 110d, respectively. The first operation unit 34 functions as, for example, a direction instruction control unit that controls the movement of the display character, selectively presses the operation elements 110a to 110d, and turns on the switch elements corresponding to the operation elements 110a to 110d. By turning on / off, each operating element 110a on which a display character on the screen is pressed, for example.
Ｄ110d in the arrangement direction.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, four operating elements 112a to 112d (△) protruding toward the upper surface of the operating device main body 104 are provided at the other end of the operating device main body 104.
Mark operator 112a, mark operator 112b,
X mark operator 112c and ○ mark operator 112
d) a second operation unit 36 in which d) are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other
Are arranged.

These four operators 112a to 112d
Are formed as independent members, respectively.
Switch elements as signal input elements are provided corresponding to 2a to 112d.

The second operation unit 36 sets, for example, the functions of the display characters assigned to the respective operators 112a to 112d by turning on the switches corresponding to the four operators 112a to 112d, for example. Alternatively, it is used as a function setting execution unit that executes a function of the display character.

The L button 38 is located at each of the left and right ends on the front side opposite to the rear side, which is one side where the left and right grips 106 and 108 of the operating device main body 104 protrude.
L and R buttons 38R are provided. 2 and 4
As shown in the figure, the L button 38L is
1 key) 114a and left second operation element (L2 key) 11
4b, and the R button 38R is operated by the right first operation element (R1
Key) 116a and the right-hand second operation element (R2 key) 116
b.

The L1 key 114a and the L2 key 11
Switch elements are provided on the 4b, the R1 key 116a, and the R2 key 116b in correspondence with the respective operating elements.

For example, the L button 38L and the R button 38R correspond to the L1 key 114a, the L2 key 114b, and the R button, respectively.
By turning on the switches corresponding to the 1 key 116a and the R2 key 116b, for example, the L1 key 114
a and L2 keys 114b and R1 keys 116a and R
It is used as a function setting execution unit for setting the function of the display character assigned to the 2 key 116b or executing the function of the display character.

The operation device 16 is similar to that shown in FIGS.
As shown in the figure, the left and right analog operating units 118 and 12 are located at opposing positions of the corners on the side of the connecting unit to the operating device main body 104, which are the base ends of the left and right grips 106 and 108.
0 is provided.

The left and right analog operation units 118 and 1
Reference numeral 20 includes left and right rotary operators 44 and 46 rotatable in a 360 ° direction about an operation axis, and signal input elements such as variable resistance elements operated by the left and right rotary operators 44 and 46. . That is, the left and right rotary operators 44 and 46 are attached to the distal end side of the operation shaft mounted to return to the neutral position by the biasing member, and are operated to rotate in the 360 ° direction around the rotation fulcrum of the operation shaft. Is done.

The left and right analog operation units 118 and 1
Reference numeral 20 denotes an analog movement such as moving the display character while rotating or moving the display character while changing the speed, and further changing the form by rotating the left and right rotary operators 44 and 46. It is used as an operation unit capable of inputting a command signal enabling the operation.

Then, the switching operation of the mode selection switch 48 causes, for example, the left and right analog operation sections 118.
And an operation mode in which the input of command signals from the analog operation units 118 and 120 is prohibited.

The switching operation of the mode selection switch 48 further causes the left and right analog operation units 118 and 1 to operate.
20, the function of each of the operators 112a to 112d of the second operation unit 36, the L1 key 114a and the L2 key 114b of the L button 38L and the R button 38R, and the R1 keys 116a and R2 The operation mode in which the function of the key 116b is switched is selected. In accordance with the state of these operation modes, the display unit 5
0 blinks, and the display light is further switched.

As described above, the operating device 16 having the left and right grips 106 and 108 protruding from the operating device main body 104.
As shown in FIG. 4, the left and right grips 106 and 108
Is grasped so as to be wrapped in the palms of both hands, so that it is not necessary to support the operation device main body 104 with fingers, and it is possible to grasp up to 10 fingers of both hands and at least 6 fingers in a freely movable state. .

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the left and right grips 106 and 108 are grasped so as to be wrapped in the palms of both hands, the thumbs Rf1 and Lf1 of the left and right hands Rf and Lf are respectively moved to the left and right analog operation sections. 118 and 12
0 on the left and right rotary operators 44 and 46, the first operation unit 3
4 on the first to fourth operators 110a to 110d and the second
First to fourth operators 112a to 112d of the operation unit 36
It can be extended upward to selectively press these rotary operators 44 and 46 and the operators 110a to 110d and 112a to 112d.

In particular, the left and right analog operation units 118 and 1
The left and right grips 106 and 10 are gripped so as to be wrapped in the palms of both hands.
8 are disposed opposite to each other on the base end side, which is the connection side to the operating device main body 104, so that when the left and right grips 106 and 108 are gripped by the left and right hands, the left and right hands R
f and Lf are extended to the positions closest to the thumbs Rf1 and Lf1. Therefore, the rotary operators 44 and 46 can be easily rotated by the thumbs Rf1 and Lf1 of the left and right hands Rf and Lf.

Further, as shown in FIG.
When the hands 06 and 108 are grasped so as to be wrapped in the palms of both hands, the index fingers Rf2 and Lf2 and the middle fingers Rf3 and Lf3 of the left and right hands Rf and Lf are held at the R1 key 116a and the R2 key 11 of the R button 38R and the L button 38L.
6b and the L1 key 114a and the L2 key 114b can be extended to positions where they can be selectively pressed.

Further, as shown in FIG.
6 includes two vibration applying mechanisms 12 for applying vibration to the user so that the game can be executed with a more realistic feeling.
8R and 128L are provided.

Each of the vibration applying mechanisms 128R and 128L
As shown in FIG. 5, the operation device 16 is disposed on the base end side of the left and right grip portions 106 and 108 which are gripped by fingers when gripping the operation device 16.

Typically, the right vibration applying mechanism 128R is
The drive motor 130R is driven by a vibration generation command supplied from the entertainment apparatus 12, and includes an eccentric member 134R attached to a drive shaft of the drive motor 130R. Left vibration applying mechanism 128
L also has a similar configuration.

Each of the eccentric members 134R and 134L is formed of a heavy metal member, is eccentrically attached to a fitting hole which is fitted to a drive shaft and serves as a center of rotation, and is formed as a semicircular weight. I have.

The vibration applying mechanism 128 configured as described above
The drive motors 130R and 130L are driven by the drive motors 130R and 130L, and the eccentric members 134R and 134L are rotated, so that the drive motors 130R and 130L vibrate, and the vibration is generated by the left grip 106 and the right grip 10.
The vibration is transmitted to the fingers holding the left grip 106 and the right grip 108.

Here, the vibration applying mechanisms 128R and 128L disposed on the left and right grips 106 and 108, respectively.
Are configured to have different vibration characteristics.

For example, the drive motor 130L in the left vibration applying mechanism 128L is replaced with the right drive motor 130R.
The rotation speed changes according to the vibration value included in the vibration generation command transmitted from the entertainment device 12, and the frequency of the generated vibration changes according to the vibration value. . In this example,
The frequency of the vibration is set to increase in proportion to the vibration value.

On the other hand, the drive motor 130R of the right vibration imparting mechanism 128R "drives" or "stops" according to the logical value "1" or "0" of the vibration value included in the vibration generation command. Unlike the vibration applying mechanism 128L on the left side, either a certain vibration is applied or no vibration is applied.

As described above, in order to drive the drive motors 130R and 130L to vibrate the entire operation device 16, a structure having a two-way communication function between the operation device 16 and the entertainment device 12 is required. Is required, and this function will be described later.

Next, the circuit configuration of the entertainment device 12 and the operation device 16 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the entertainment apparatus 12 has a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit).
Processing Unit) 80 and a control system 82 composed of peripheral devices and the like, and an image processing device (G) that includes a frame buffer (not shown) and performs drawing in the frame buffer.
PU: Graphic Processing Unit (GPU), etc., a sound system 86, such as a sound processing unit (SPU: Sound Processing Unit) for generating musical sounds and sound effects, and an optical disk on which application programs and data are recorded An optical disk control unit 88 for performing read control of the device 20, a communication control unit 90 for performing input and output of data and the like with respect to the operating device 16 and the memory card 14, and a system bus 92 to which these units are connected
It has.

In this case, the video signal and the audio signal output from the graphic system 84 and the sound system 86 constituting the entertainment apparatus 12 are transmitted to the monitor 18.
The video is displayed on the screen of the monitor 18 and the sound is output from the speaker of the monitor 18.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the operating device 16 includes a communication control unit 150, a CPU 152, a program memory 154, an operation RAM 156, a digital input block 158, an analog input block 160, a left motor driver 170L, and a left motor driver 170L. A driving motor 130L, a right motor driver 170R, and a right driving motor 130R are provided. These components are connected to a bus 162.

The digital input block 158 has, for example, a function as an input operation unit for each of the operators 110a to 110d and 112a to 112d constituting the first operation unit 34 and the second operation unit 36. And
The analog input block 160 has a function as an input operation section for the left and right rotary operators 44 and 46. Therefore, the digital input block 158
The analog input block 160 allows the user to input various information.

The communication control section 150 has a function of performing serial communication with an external device. The communication control unit 150 can be electrically connected to, for example, the communication control unit 90 (see FIG. 6) of the entertainment device 12, whereby the entertainment device 12
And data communication processing can be performed.

On the other hand, the bidirectional communication function between the entertainment device 12 and the operation device 16 is achieved by connecting a connector 62 for performing bidirectional serial communication with the operation device 16 to the entertainment device 12 as shown in FIG. It can be carried out.

The operation device 16 performs the bidirectional communication function by a serial I / O interface SIO for performing serial communication with the entertainment device 12 and a parallel I / O interface PIO for inputting operation data from a plurality of operation buttons. , A CPU, a RAM and a ROM, a one-chip microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a microcomputer), and motor drivers 170R and 170L for rotatingly driving the driving motors 130R and 130L of the vibration applying mechanisms 128R and 128L. The motors 130R and 130L are the corresponding motor drivers 1
It is driven to rotate by the supply voltage and current from 70R and 170L.

The entertainment device 12 has a structure in which a serial I / O interface SIO for performing serial communication between the operation devices 16 is provided. When a connector 62 of the operation device 16 is connected, the connector 62 is connected thereto. It is connected to the serial I / O interface SIO on the operation device 16 side, and has a configuration capable of performing bidirectional communication means, that is, bidirectional serial communication.
The other detailed configuration of the entertainment device 12 is omitted.

A signal line and a control line for performing bidirectional serial communication are connected from the entertainment device 12 to the operation device 16.
Data transmission signal line TXD (Tr
ansmit X 'for Data), a data transmission signal line RXD (Received X' for Data) for transmitting data from the operation device 16 to the entertainment device 12, and data from the data transmission signal lines TXD and RXD. A signal line SCK (Serial Clock) for a serial synchronous clock to be extracted,
A control line DTR (Data Terminal Ready) for establishing and interrupting communication with the operating device 16 on the terminal side.
And a control line DSR (Data Set Ready) for flow control for transferring a large amount of data.

As shown in FIG. 8, an entertainment device 1 includes a signal line and a control line for performing bidirectional serial communication, in addition to the signal line and the control line.
Power cable 172 directly taken from the power supply on the 2 side
The power cable 172 is connected to the motor drivers 170R and 170L on the operation device 16 side and supplies power for rotating the drive motors 130R and 130L.

The bidirectional serial communication procedure having such a configuration is performed in such a manner that, for example, the entertainment device 12 communicates with the operation device 16 and takes in operation data from the digital input block 158 and the analog input block 160. , The entertainment device 12 outputs the selected data to the control line DTR. As a result, the operating device 16 confirms that it has been selected by the control line DTR, and waits for reception of the subsequent signal line TXD. Subsequently, the entertainment device 12 sends an identification code indicating the operation device 16 to the data transmission signal line TXD. Thereby, the operating device 16 receives this identification code from the signal line TXD.

After the operation device 16 recognizes the identification code, the communication with the entertainment device 12 is started thereafter. That is, control data and the like are transmitted from the entertainment device 12 to the operation device 16 via a data transmission signal line TXD, and conversely, the operation device 16 transmits a digital input block 158 and an analog input block 16.
The operation data or the like operated at 0 is transmitted to the signal line R for data transmission.
It is transmitted to the entertainment device 12 via the XD. In this way, bidirectional serial communication is performed between the entertainment device 12 and the operation device 16, and this communication ends when the entertainment device 12 outputs the selection stop data through the control line DTR.

With the bidirectional serial communication function as described above, the operation data of the digital input block 158 and the analog input block 160 from the operation device 16 can be mainly transmitted to the entertainment device 12. From the entertainment device 12 side, the drive motors 130R and 13R of the respective vibration imparting mechanisms 128R and 128L are transmitted via the data transmission signal line TXD.
Operation device 1 transmits a vibration generation command for rotating 0L.
6 can be sent out.

The vibration generation command for rotating each of the drive motors 130R and 130L includes a command set in advance by the optical disc 20 set in the entertainment device 12 and a command newly created by the entertainment device 12. For example, according to an operation target of a user who plays a game, the entertainment device 12
Thus, feedback by vibration transmission for a certain period of time is performed on the operation device 16 itself.

Next, the characteristic functions of the entertainment system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

This function is to display an index on the monitor 18 for visually assisting the user.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, assume that the hero 200 is climbing the stairs of a building 202 at night. Outside the building 202, there are a private house 204, a store 206, an inn 208, and the like. Dim and
Because there are many buildings, the presence of the inn 208 and the store 206 is difficult to understand.

The image shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the graphic system 8 in the entertainment device 12.
4 (see FIG. 6) shows an image drawn on the frame memory, and a frame 210 at the center shows a display range actually displayed on the monitor 18. The frame 210 is
It is set to move according to the movement of the hero 200.

There are four such functions. The first function is to display an index (hereinafter, referred to as a character index 220 for convenience) for notifying the position of the hero 200 that moves by the user's operation. is there.

City where no monsters appear (see FIG. 9)
For example, in a scene in a building or the like, the character index 220 is displayed in red, and as shown in FIG. 10, the character index 220 is displayed in blue on a field where a monster appears.

In particular, on the field, the color of the character index 220 changes according to the distance between the hero 200 and the appearance position of the monster. For example, as the main character 200 approaches the appearance position of the monster, the color changes from “blue” → “light blue” → “yellow” → “red”, and further, when the main character 200 approaches the appearance position of the monster, a monster appears and the main character 200 The battle with monsters (battle mode) will be started. In addition, the color of the character index 220 is changed from “blue” to “yellow”
You may make it change in three steps like "red".

According to the first function, when the user moves the hero 200 for the purpose of generating an event (for example, fighting a monster), the character index 2
Looking at the 20 color changes can give you the hope that, for example, a battle with monsters will soon begin.

Also, in the case of going to the inn 208 (see FIG. 9) in order to avoid the battle with the monster for another purpose, for example, to restore the physical strength of the hero 200, see the color change of the character index 220. By moving the hero 200, the hero 200 can be carried for another purpose while avoiding a battle with a monster.

The role-playing game so far has a strong passive element, and the progress of the user's achievement of the objective largely depends on the development of the scenario, and the objective is often not achieved even for a long time. This is one of the factors that cause the user to lose interest in the role playing game.

However, in the first function, it is possible to take in an active element by the user, so that the progress of the achievement of the objective also changes according to the instruction of the user, and it takes a long time to achieve the objective. There is no need to call.
This makes it possible to easily achieve the purpose intended by the user, for example, to win loot by fighting a monster, or to quickly move to the next town without encountering a monster. Never lose interest.

Next, the second function is a process in the battle mode. As shown in FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D, an index (hereinafter referred to as “convenient”) is provided near the attack target monster 222 selected by the hero 200 side. And the physical fitness index 224 is displayed.
22 is displayed in a color corresponding to the physical strength (AP).

The display color of the physical fitness index 224 changes in four stages, and is "blue" when the physical fitness is consumed by 0% to 25%, and "light blue" when the physical fitness is consumed by 26% to 50%. 51
% To 75% wasting is "yellow", health is 76% to 9
If the consumption is 9%, the color changes to "red". Note that the display color may be changed in three stages. In this case, for example, "blue" when the physical strength is worn from 0% to 50%, "yellow" when the physical strength is worn from 51% to 75%, and "red" when the physical strength is worn from 76% to 99%. May be changed.

According to the second function, for example, in a battle scene with the monster 222, it is possible to know how much the physical strength of the monster 222 to be attacked has been consumed by the display color of the physical fitness index 224. The attack pattern can be appropriately selected according to the degree of wear. In addition, when surrounded by a large number of monsters 222, it is possible to knead which monster 222 should be attacked by referring to the display color of the physical fitness index 224, and users who are not good at fighting the monsters 222 are also interested. Can be done.

Next, the third function is to display an index for notifying the position of the main part in the displayed scene. As shown in FIG. 9, the main part is an entrance 226 of one scene displayed on the monitor 18, an entrance 228 of the store 206, an entrance 230 of the inn 208, and the like. Indices (hereinafter, for convenience, the entrance index 232,
234 and 236) are the entrances 226, 2
28 and 230 will be displayed. These entrance indicators 232, 234 and 236 have a substantially inverted triangular shape.

Further, the third function is that the entrance index 23
2, 234 and 236 are displayed in different colors. The entrance index 232 of the scene is green, the entrance index 234 of the store 206 is blue, and the entrance index 236 of the inn 208 is yellow.

Here, for example, when a role playing game is performed using the entertainment system 10, the entrance 226 of the scene is such that the scene is switched when the hero 200 enters and exits the entrance 226, and the hero 200 It is a necessary place to lead to another scene.

The entrance 228 of the store 206 is the main character 200
Is a place to replenish or redeem medicines, weapons, etc. carried by the hero 200 when the hero 200 enters one scene,
This is a place you definitely want to stop by once.

The inn 208 is an important place for restoring the physical strength of the hero 200 used in battles and travels, and is a place where the hero 200 who has entered one scene must always check.

According to this third function, the above-mentioned important places are color-coded entrance indicators 232, 234 and 23.
6, the user can visually determine the position of the main thing in each scene, and there is no need to make the hero 200 go right and left in one scene.

The first function and the third function are operated by operating the L1 key 114a and the R1 key 116a, and the character index 220 and the entrance index 2 are operated.
32, 234 and 236 can be switched.

As the display mode, the character index 22
A display continuation mode for maintaining the display of 0 and the entrance indicators 232, 234, and 236, and the character index 220 and the entrance indicators 232, 234 for 3 seconds each time the scene is switched.
And 236, and a non-display mode in which the character index 220 and the entrance / exit indexes 232, 234, and 236 are not displayed.

In the first and third functions, the non-display mode is initially set to the non-display mode.
Every time the 1 key 114a is operated, the display switches in the order of non-display mode → 3 seconds display mode → display continuous mode → non-display mode, and each time the R1 key 116a is operated, non-display mode → display continuous mode → 3 seconds The display mode is switched from a display mode to a non-display mode.

Next, a fourth function is to display an index for visually notifying that a special operation by the user is possible. Specifically, an index (for convenience, referred to as an event branch index 240) indicating that the event branches to another event by the user's determination operation is displayed.

In this case, for example, in a role playing game, the main character 200 is set to 1 according to the input operation of the user.
When one scene is moving, the event branch index 240 is displayed at the place where the event occurs.
As a result, the user may experience some event at the location where the event branch index 240 is displayed.
You will be more interested in the event occurrence.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, it is assumed that when the main character 200 is walking on one road 250, a large box 252 for several people is placed in front. Then, as shown in FIG.
When 00 arrives in front of the box 252, an approximately diamond-shaped event branch indicator 240 including, for example, an exclamation mark (exclamation mark) is displayed above the head of the main character 200. At this stage, the user can predict that something will happen.

At the stage when the event branch index 240 is displayed, an event is generated by operating, for example, the enter key 112d. For example, as shown in FIG.
Suddenly, the door 254 of the box 252 opens, and the hero 200 enters the box 252, and further, as shown in FIG.
The door 254 of the box 252 is closed again, and moves upward in that state, so that another scene is switched.

As another scene, as shown in FIG. 14A,
It is assumed that the main character 200 stands on one floating disk 260 and another floating disk 262 is approaching the disk 260. Then, as shown in FIG. 14B, when the hero 200 walks toward another disk 260, an event branch index 240 is displayed above the head of the hero 200.

When the event branch index 240 is displayed, an event is generated by, for example, operating the enter key 112d, and the hero 200 jumps to another disk 262, for example, as shown in FIG. 15A. , FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5B, it quickly moves to the far side together with the disk 262.

Next, an example of software (index display means 300) for achieving the above-described first to fourth functions will be described with reference to FIGS.

The index display means 300 is, for example, a CD-ROM.
It is provided to the entertainment system 10 via a randomly accessible recording medium such as a ROM or a memory card, or via a network. Here, the description will be made on the assumption that the entertainment apparatus 12 operates by being read from the optical disc 20 such as a CD-ROM.

That is, the index display means 300 is controlled by being downloaded to a main memory in the control system 82 of the entertainment apparatus 12 through a predetermined process from a specific optical disc 20 reproduced in advance by the entertainment apparatus 12, for example. CPU 8 of system 82
0.

[0115] The index display means 300 operates as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, a scene display means 3 for reading out image data of a scene to be displayed on the monitor 18 and outputting it to the monitor 18
02 and the main character 200 in the scene on the monitor 18
A main character display means 304 for displaying the main character 200 at the initial coordinates, a table reading means 306 for reading various tables, an operation input determining means 308 for determining whether or not operation data has been input from the operating device 16, Key input-specific processing means 310 for performing processing according to the contents
Character index display means 312 for displaying a character index 220 for notifying the position of the hero 200
Entrances 226, 2 of scenes, stores 206, inns 208, etc.
Doorway indicator 23 for indicating the positions of 28 and 230
2, 234 and 236 are displayed.

The index display means 300 includes a character index 220 and entrance / exit indexes 232, 234 and 236.
Mode determining means 316 for determining the display mode, a program activating means 320 for activating a necessary program (here, a three-second display means 318), and a character index 220 based on a mode in which no index is displayed (non-display mode).
Is displayed, character index erasing means 322 for erasing the event, entrance index erasing means 324 for erasing the entrance indexes 232, 234, and 236 based on the non-display mode, and an event branch index 240 for notifying a branch to another event are displayed. It has an event branch index display unit 326 and an end determination unit 328 that determines whether or not there is an end request to the index display unit 300.

Further, the key input-specific processing means 310
As shown in FIG. 7, operation data discriminating means 340 for discriminating the contents of the input operation data, and direction keys 110a to 110a.
A hero movement processing means 342 for moving and displaying the hero 200 based on the input of 10d, and L1 and R1 keys 114a
Mode switching means 344 for switching the display mode of the index (display continuous mode, 3 second display mode, non-display mode) based on the input of the input and 116a, and a display for determining whether or not the event branch index 240 is currently displayed. It has a determination unit 346 and an event branch processing unit 348 that starts a program for generating a predetermined event.

In the hero movement processing means 342, the coordinates of the hero 200 and the appearance coordinates of the monster are compared, and the battle mode processing means 350 is activated when the distance between them falls within a predetermined range. ing.

The appearance coordinates of the monster are created through the index display means 300 and the appearance information creating means 352 which operates in a multitasking manner.

Then, in the index display means 300, the scene information table 360, the scene switching flag 362, the first
Index information table 364, second index information table 3
66, a monster information table 368 and an appearance information table 370 are used.

As shown in FIG. 18, in the scene information table 360, for example, a storage start address of an area on the optical disc 20 in which background image data corresponding to each scene is stored is registered in each record. In addition, in each record, in addition to the storage start address, a monster presence / absence bit indicating whether or not a monster appears, and an access pointer of the monster information table 368 when the monster appears, are registered. It is supposed to be.

As shown in FIG. 19, the scene switching flag 362 is used by a program started by an event branch, and includes a switching bit set through the program when a scene is switched, and an ID number of a scene to be switched. Is stored.

The first index information table 364 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the number of scenes is prepared, and each record of one first index information table 364 includes the coordinates of the position where the entrance index 232, 234, and 236 should be displayed, and the entrance index 232, 234, and 236 type codes are registered.

The second index information table 366 is also shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the number of scenes is prepared, and in each record of one second index information table 366, the coordinates of the position where the event branch index 240 is to be displayed and the number of the program that generates the event are registered. It is supposed to be.

The monster information table 368 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the number of scenes in which a monster appears is prepared, and the number of the appearing monster is registered in each record of one monster information table 368.

In the appearance information table 370, as shown in FIG. 23, the number of the monster to appear and the coordinates indicating the appearance position of the monster are registered in each record.

Next, the processing operation of the index display means 300 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

The index display means 300 first operates as shown in FIG.
In step S1, the initial value "0" (a value indicating the non-display mode) is stored in the index register m used for switching the display mode, and the index register m
Is further stored in an index register i used for scene search, and the index register i is initialized.

Next, in step S2, the three-second display flag is reset to, for example, "0". This 3 second display flag is used for interlock in the 3 second display mode.

Next, in step S3, the image data of the i-th scene is read out through the scene display means 302. In this process, first, the storage start address of the image data is read from the i record of the scene information table 360,
The image data of the current scene is read from the storage start address in the storage area of the optical disk 20 where the image data is stored.

Next, in step S4, image data falling within the display range of the frame 210 (see FIG. 9) is displayed through the scene display means 302. In this case, the display range (initial state) of the frame 210 is read from the i record of the scene information table 360, stored in a predetermined storage area (display range storage area), and image data that falls within the display range is displayed.

Next, in step S5, the main character 200 is displayed through the main character display means 304. The initial coordinates of the main character 200 are read from the i record of the scene information table 360, and the main character 200 is displayed at the position of the initial coordinates. The image data of the hero 200 is stored on the optical disk 2
Taken from 0.

Next, in step S6, the ith first index information table 364 is read out through the table reading means 306, and then in step S7, the ith second index information table is also read out through the table reading means 306. The table 366 is read.

Next, in step S8, it is determined through the operation input determining means 308 whether or not operation data has been input from the operating device 16.

When the operation data has been input, the flow advances to the next step S 9, where the processing by the key input processing means 310 is started. This description will be described later.

Next, in step S10 of FIG.
Through the mode determination means 316, it is determined whether or not the current display mode is the display continuation mode. This determination is
This is performed based on the value of the index register m.

If the value of the index register m is "2", that is, if the display sustain mode, the flow advances to the next step S11 to start the processing by the character index display means 312.

Before describing the processing in the character index display means 312, the processing operation of the appearance information creation means 352 for creating appearance information of monsters will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

The appearance information creating means 352 first secures information on the currently displayed scene in step S101 in FIG. Specifically, a record corresponding to the currently displayed scene is read out of each record of the scene information table 360.

Next, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the currently displayed scene is a scene where a monster appears. This determination is made based on whether or not “1” is set in the monster presence bit in the record of the read scene information table 360.

If it is a scene in which a monster appears, the flow advances to the next step S103, and the monster information table 3 is read from the corresponding record of the read scene information table 360.
The access pointer 68 is read, and the monster information table 368 corresponding to the pointer is read.

Next, in step S104, an initial value “0” is stored in an index register n used for searching a record in the monster information table 368, and the index register n is initialized.

Next, in step S105, the monster number is read from the n record of the read monster information table 368, and the next step S106
In the E, the read monster number indicates the end.
It is determined whether it is OF. If it is not EOF, the process proceeds to the next step S107, and a random number for generating coordinates is generated.

Next, in step S108, the monster number read out in the n-th record of the appearance information table 370 and the coordinates generated by random number generation are stored.

Thereafter, in step S109, the value of the index register n is updated by +1. Thereafter, the flow returns to step S105, where the next record in the monster information table 368 is read, and the same processing is performed.

In step S106,
If it is determined that the EOF indicates the end, or if it is determined in step S102 that the scene does not include a monster, the process proceeds to step S110.
It is determined whether or not there is a program termination request to the appearance information creating means 352. If there is no end request, the process returns to step S101, and the processing from step S101 onward is repeated. If there is an end request, the processing by the appearance information creating means 352 ends.

Next, the processing in the character index display means 312 will be described.
First, in step S201 of FIG. 27, the coordinates of the character index 220 to be displayed near the hero 200 are calculated based on the coordinates of the hero 200.

Next, in step S202, it is determined whether the currently displayed scene is a scene where a monster appears. This discrimination is based on i in the scene information table 360
This is performed based on whether or not “1” is set in the monster presence bit in the record.

If the scene is a scene where a monster appears, the flow advances to the next step S203, and the coordinates closest to the coordinates of the main character 200 among the coordinates registered in the appearance information table 370 created through the appearance information creating means 352. (Appearance coordinates).

Next, in step S204, the distance between the appearance position of the monster and the hero 200 is calculated from the searched appearance coordinates and the coordinates of the hero 200.

Next, in step S205, the character index 2 is added to the coordinates calculated in step S201.
20 is displayed in a color corresponding to the distance obtained in step S204. At this time, as the hero 200 approaches the appearance position of the monster, the character index 220 becomes
"Blue"->"Lightblue"->"Yellow"->"Red" is displayed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S202 that the scene does not include a monster,
Proceeding to step S206, the character index 220 is displayed, for example, in red at the coordinates calculated in step S201.

When the processing in step S205 or the processing in step S206 ends, the processing in the character index display means 312 ends.

Returning to the main routine of FIG. 25, in the next step S12, the processing by the entrance index display means 314 is started.

In the processing by the entrance index display means 314, first, in step S301 of FIG. 28, an initial value "0" is stored in an index register k used for a record search of the first index information table 364. , The index register k is initialized.

Next, in step S302, the coordinates and the type code of the entrance index (232, 234 or 236) are read from the k records of the read first index information table 364.

Next, in step S303, it is determined whether or not the read record is an EOF indicating the end. If it is not EOF, the process proceeds to the next step S304, and the current entrance index (232, 234 or 236)
Are determined to be within the display range of the frame 210. If yes, the next step S305
To the entrance index (232, 234 or 2
36) is displayed in a color corresponding to the type code.

If the type code indicates the entrance 226 of the scene, for example, the entrance index 232 of the scene
Is displayed in green, for example, and the type code is
If it indicates the entrance 228 of the store, the store 20
For example, if the entrance index 234 of No. 6 is displayed in blue and the type code indicates the entrance 230 of the inn 208, for example, the entrance index 236 of the inn 208 is displayed in yellow at the coordinates.

Next, when it is determined that the coordinates are not within the display range of the frame 210 at the stage when the processing at the step 305 is completed, or at the step 304, at the next step S306, the index register k is stored in the index register k. After updating the value by +1, the step S302 is performed.
And displays the entrance index (232, 234 or 236) based on the information stored in the next record.

Then, in step S303,
If it is determined that the read information is the EOF and the last record, the processing at the entrance index display means 314 ends.

Returning to the main routine of FIG. 25, if it is determined in step S10 that the current mode is not the display continuation mode, the process proceeds to step S13, and the mode determining means 31
Through 6, it is determined whether or not the display mode is the three-second display mode.

If the value of the index register m is "1", that is, if the display mode is the three-second display mode, the flow advances to the next step S14, where the character index 220 and the entrance index 232, 2
It is determined whether or not the display of 34 and 236 for 3 seconds is necessary. This determination is made based on whether the 3-second display flag is in the reset state.

When the three-second display flag is in the reset state,
If it is determined that the display for three seconds is necessary, the process proceeds to the next step S15, and for example, "1" is set to the three-second display flag. If the display for three seconds is performed once by this processing, the display is not performed for three seconds in the same scene.

Next, at step S16, the processing by the character index display means 312 is started, and at step S17, the processing by the entrance index display means 314 is started. Through the processing by the character index display means 312 and the entrance index display means 314, the character index 220 is displayed near the hero 200, the green entrance index 232 is displayed near the entrance 226 of the scene, and the entrance 228 of the store 206 is displayed. Is displayed near the entrance 230 of the inn 208, and a yellow entrance index 236 is displayed near the entrance 230 of the inn 208.

Next, in step S18, the three-second display means 318 is activated through the program activation means 320. The three-second display means 318
00 and operates in a multitasking manner.

Here, the processing operation of the three-second display means 318 will be described with reference to FIG. This three-second display means 31
8, first, a timer is set in step S401, and after elapse of 3 seconds in step S402, the character index 220 being displayed is erased through the character index erasing means 322 in step S403. Through the index erasing means 324, all of the displayed entrance index 232,
Erase 234 and 236.

When the processing in step S404 ends, the processing in the three-second display means 318 ends.

Returning to the main routine of FIG. 25, if it is determined in step S13 that the mode is not the three-second display mode, that is, if it is determined that the mode is the non-display mode, the process proceeds to step S19, where the character index is set. 22
If 0 is displayed, the index 220 is erased through the character index erasing means 322.
At present, the entrance indicators 232, 234 and 236
Is displayed, all of the displayed entrance indicators 232, 234 are displayed through the entrance indicator erasing means 324.
And 236 are erased.

Then, step S12 and step S12 are executed.
18 or at the stage where the processing in step 20 is completed, or when it is determined in step S14 that the display for 3 seconds is unnecessary, the process proceeds to the next step S21, and the processing in the event branch index display means 326 is started.

In the processing by the event branch index display means 326, first, in step S501 of FIG. 30, the coordinates of the current hero 200 are retrieved from the coordinates arranged in the read second index information table 366. .

In step S502, it is determined whether coordinates have been searched. If found, the process proceeds to the next step S503, where the event branch index 24
Displays 0.

Thereafter, in step S504, for example, “1” is set in the display flag of the event branch index 240, and in step S505, the program number registered in the searched record is secured.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that the coordinates have not been retrieved, the process proceeds to step S502.
Proceeding to 506, if the event branch index 240 is currently displayed, the index 240 is deleted, and then the display flag of the event branch index 240 is reset to “0” in step S507.

When the processing in step S505 or the processing in step S507 ends, the processing in the event branch index display means 326 ends.

Next, the processing operation of the key input-specific processing means 310 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The key input-specific processing means 310 first
In step S601 in FIG. 31, it is determined through the operation data determination unit 340 whether the operation data input this time is a direction key. If it is a direction key, the flow advances to the next step S602 to enter processing in the main character movement processing means 342.

In the processing by the hero movement processing means 342, first, in step S701 in FIG. 32, the movement coordinates of the hero 200 are calculated based on the current operation data. Thereafter, in step S702, the main character 200
It is determined whether or not the moving coordinates of are within the display range of the frame 210.

If not in the display range, the next step S70
Proceeding to 3, the main character 200 is moved and displayed to the current moving coordinates, and at the same time, the frame 210 is moved according to the main character's moving coordinates.

Next, in step S704, the display range of the frame 210 stored in the display range storage area is rewritten to the current display range.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the moving coordinates of the main character 200 are within the display range of the frame 210, the flow advances to step S705 to move and display the main character 200 to the current moving coordinates.

When the processing in step S704 or the processing in step S705 is completed, the flow advances to the next step S706 to determine whether or not the currently displayed scene is a scene where a monster appears. This determination is
This is performed based on whether or not “1” is set in the monster presence bit in the i record of the scene information table 360.

If the scene is a scene where a monster appears, the flow advances to the next step S707, and among the coordinates registered in the appearance information table 370 created through the appearance information creation means 352, the coordinates closest to the hero 200 coordinates. Search for coordinates (appearance coordinates).

Next, in step S708, the distance between the appearance position of the monster and the hero 200 is calculated from the searched appearance coordinates and the coordinates of the hero 200.

Next, in step S709, it is determined whether or not the distance is within a predetermined range. If it is within the predetermined range, the process proceeds to the next step S710 to activate the battle mode processing means 350. The processing in the battle mode processing means 350 will be described later.

Next, in step S711, the process waits until the processing in the battle mode processing means 350 ends. When the processing by the battle mode processing means 350 is normally completed (ie, when the game is not over),
If it is determined in step 709 that the distance is out of the predetermined range, the process returns to step S2 in the main routine of the index display means 300 shown in FIG. 24 to switch the scene and display various indexes according to the display mode. Perform processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S706 that the scene does not include a monster,
The processing in the main character movement processing means 342 ends.

Here, the processing operation of the battle mode processing means 350 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The battle mode processing means 350 first determines the attacking side in step S801 in FIG. This decision is based on random numbers or the hero →
It is determined by a predetermined order, such as monster → hero.

Next, in step S802, it is determined whether or not the main character 200 is attacking. If it is the attack of the main character 200, the process proceeds to the next step S803, and a monster is selected. This selection is performed by, for example, an input operation from the user.

Next, in step S804, the physical strength (AP) of the selected monster is read, and then, in step S805, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D, the physical strength index 224 is set near the selected monster 222.
Is displayed. At this time, the color is displayed in accordance with the physical strength of the monster 222. For example, the monster 222 has a physical strength of 0
% To 25% exhaustion is "blue", physical strength is 26% to 5
The display is "light blue" if the wear is 0%, "yellow" if the health is 51% to 75%, and "red" if the health is 76% to 99%.

Next, in step S806, the main character 200 starts attacking the monster 222.
Thereafter, in step S807, it is determined whether or not the protagonist 200 has chosen to leave the battle mode. If it is a withdrawal, the processing in the battle mode processing means 350 ends.

If it is determined in step S802 that the attack is a monster 222 attack, the process proceeds to step S802.
Proceeding to 808, an attack on the hero 200 by the monster 222 is started.

Then, in the above step S807,
If it is determined that it is not a withdrawal, or step S80
At the stage where the process in 8 is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S809, and it is determined whether or not the physical strength of the hero 200 has become “0”.

[0194] When the stamina of the hero 200 becomes "0", in the next step S810, a game over process is performed, and the process in the battle mode processing means 350 ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S809 that the physical strength of the main character 200 is not “0”,
In the next step S811, it is determined whether or not the physical strengths of all the monsters 222 have become “0”.

If the stamina of all the monsters 222 is not "0", the process returns to the step S801, and the hero 200
If the attack by the monster 222 or the attack by the monster 222 is performed, and it is determined that the physical strength of all the monsters 222 is “0”, in the next step S812, the hero 200 performs a process of acquiring loot, and The processing in the battle mode processing means 350 ends.

Returning to the routine of FIG.
If it is determined in 601 that the key is not a direction key,
Proceeding to step S603, the current operation data is L1, R
It is determined whether it is related to the 1 key 114a or 116a.

If it is related to the L1 or R1 key 114a or 116a, the flow advances to the next step S604 to enter the processing by the mode switching means 344.

The processing by the mode switching means 344 is as follows.
First, in step S901 in FIG. 34, it is determined whether or not the current operation data is the L1 key 114a.

If it is the L1 key 114a, step S9
Proceeding to 02, the value of the index register m is updated by +1. Thereafter, in step S903, it is determined whether or not the value of the index register is “3”. m =
If it is 3, the process proceeds to step S904, and the value of the index register m is initialized to “0”. That is, the value of the index register m is circulated in the order of “0” → “1” → “2” → “0”.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S901 that the key is not the L1 key 114a but the R1 key 116a, the flow advances to step S905 to update the value of the index register m by -1.

Next, in step S906, it is determined whether or not the value of the index register m is "-1". If m = −1, the process proceeds to step S907, and the value of the index register m is set to “2”. That is, the value of the index register m is changed from “0” → “2” → “1” →
Circulate as "0".

When the processing in step S904 or the processing in step S907 is completed, or when it is determined in step S903 that m is not equal to 3,
Alternatively, when it is determined in step S906 that m is not −1, the processing by the mode switching unit 344 ends.

Returning to the routine of FIG.
At 603, the L1, R1 key 114a or 116a
If it is determined that it is not related to step S6,
The process proceeds to 05, and it is determined whether or not the operation data is the enter key 112d.

If it is the enter key 112d, the flow advances to the next step S606, and the current
It is determined whether or not the event branch index 240 is displayed. This determination is made based on whether "1" is set in the display flag of the event branch index 240.

If the event branch index 240 is being displayed, the flow advances to the next step S607 to start processing by the event branch processing means 348.

In the processing by the event branch processing means 348, first, in step SA01 in FIG. 35, the processing in the event index display means 326, in particular, the program corresponding to the program number secured in step S505 in FIG. to start.

As a program to be started, for example, as shown in FIG. 13A, the door 254 of the box 252 is opened, the hero 200 is moved into the box 252, and further, as shown in FIG. Closing 254 and the main character 200
15A is moved upward together with the box 252, and as shown in FIG.
15B, and further, as shown in FIG. 15B, an indication is displayed that the another disk 262 is moved far along with the hero 200.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, for example, when the box 252 moves upward and it is necessary to switch the scene, the program sets “1” to the switch bit of the scene switch flag 362 and further sets , The ID number of the scene to be switched is stored in the scene switching flag 362.

Next, in step SA02, the process waits for the end of the program. At the end of the program, the flow advances to the next Step SA03 to determine whether or not a scene change is necessary. This determination is made based on whether "1" is set in the switching bit of the scene switching flag 362.

If scene switching is required, the flow advances to the next step SA04, where the ID number stored in the scene switching flag 362 is stored in the index register i, and the switching bit of the scene switching flag 362 is set to "0". Reset to.

When the processing in step SA05 is completed, the flow returns to step S2 in the main routine of the index display means 300 shown in FIG. 24 to switch the scene and perform the display processing of various indices according to the display mode. Do.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step SA03 in FIG. 35 that the scene switching is unnecessary, the process returns to step S8 in the main routine of the index display means 300 shown in FIG. 24, and waits for the next input.

As described above, in the entertainment system 10 according to the present embodiment, when the entertainment system 10 is applied to, for example, a system for performing a role-playing game, the user can find the main position in each scene. It is possible to visually determine whether there is an event, and it is also possible to predict what kind of event will occur.

[0215] Therefore, the user does not need to make the hero 200 go back and forth in one scene, and can move the hero 200 accurately in search of the occurrence of an event that will be performed in that scene.

That is, in this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the visual erroneous operation of moving the hero 200 right and left in one scene and looking at one scene for a long time. You can keep your interest in and so on. this is,
It can contribute to the spread of role playing games and the like.

In the present embodiment, an event branch index 240 indicating that a branch is made to another event by the user's decision operation is displayed. In this case, for example, in a role playing game, when the main character 200 is moving in one scene according to a user's input operation, the event branch index 240 is displayed at a location where an event occurs. Thus, the user can make a prediction that an event will occur at the location where the event branch index 240 is displayed, and will be more interested in the occurrence of the event.

In this embodiment, indices having different purposes are displayed in different colors.
Thus, the user can determine the meaning of the displayed index at a glance, and can avoid confusion due to the display of various indexes.

The entertainment system, the entertainment device, the recording medium, and the program according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may adopt various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention. is there.

[0220]

As described above, according to the entertainment system, the entertainment apparatus, the recording medium, and the program according to the present invention, in one scene,
It is possible to visually teach the user where the main thing is, the timing of the occurrence of the event, and the like, and when applied to a game, interest in the game can be maintained. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an entertainment system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an operation device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the operation device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a use state of the operating device.

FIG. 5 is a partially broken bottom view showing a state in which a vibration imparting mechanism is provided in left and right grips.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the entertainment device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operating device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main part for performing bidirectional serial communication between the operating device and the entertainment device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing one scene of a role playing game.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the display color of the character index changes as approaching the appearance position of the monster.

FIGS. 11A to 11D are explanatory diagrams showing how the display color of a physical strength index of a monster to be attacked changes according to a change in physical strength of the monster.

FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the main character is moving on the road, and FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an event branching index is displayed above the main character.

FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a box door is opened and a hero enters the box. FIG. 13B is a state in which the box itself moves upward after the box door is closed. FIG.

FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which another disk approaches one disk on which the hero stands, and FIG. 14B
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an event branching index is displayed in a portion above the hero.

15A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the hero has moved to another disk, and FIG. 15B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which another disk has moved farther with the hero on.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an index display unit according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a key input processing unit in the index display unit.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a scene information table.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a scene switching flag.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a first index information table.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a second index information table.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing details of a monster information table.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing details of an appearance information table.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart (1) showing a processing operation of the index display means.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart (2) showing a processing operation of the index display means.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of an appearance information creating unit.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of character index display means.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of an entrance indicator display means.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a three-second display means.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of an event branch index display means.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a key input-specific processing means.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the main character movement processing means.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a battle mode processing means.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of a mode switching means.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of an event branch processing means.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Entertainment system 12 ... Entertainment device 16 ... Operating device 18 ... Monitor 20 ... Optical disk 200 ... Protagonist 220 ... Character index 222 ... Monster 224 ... Physical fitness index 232 ... Scene entrance index 234 ... Store entrance index 236 ... Inn entrance index 240: event branch index 300: index display means 312: character index display means 314: doorway index display means 326: event branch index display means 348: event branch processing means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Shimura 7-1-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (72) Katsunori Yoshimatsu 7-1-1, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Claims (24)

[Claims] An entertainment device for executing various programs; at least one operation device for inputting an operation request from a user to the entertainment device; a display device for displaying an image output from the entertainment device; An index display means for displaying an index for visually assisting the user on the display device. 2. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein said indicator display means displays an indicator for notifying at least a position of a character moved by an operation of said user displayed on said display device. Entertainment system. 3. The entertainment system according to claim 2, wherein the indicator display means changes the display color of the indicator as the character approaches an event occurrence point. 4. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein said index display means displays an index for notifying a position of a main part in a displayed scene. 5. The entertainment system according to claim 4, wherein said index display means displays an index for notifying a position of a doorway of a scene displayed on said display device. 6. The entertainment system according to claim 4, wherein said index display means displays an index for notifying a position of an entrance of an object related to a scene displayed on said display device. Entertainment system. 7. The entertainment system according to claim 4, wherein said index display means displays an index for notifying a place where a parameter of said character can be changed. 8. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein said index display means displays an index for visually indicating that a special operation by said user is possible. . 9. The entertainment system according to claim 8, wherein said index display means displays an index indicating that the user branches to another event by a decision operation by the user. 10. An entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein said index display means displays indices having different purposes in different colors. 11. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein the index display means displays an index indicating a character displayed on the display device, and displays the index in accordance with a change in a parameter of the character. Entertainment system characterized by changing. 12. An entertainment device in which at least an operation device for outputting an operation request from a user and a display device for displaying an image can be connected, for providing visual support to the user. An entertainment device comprising an index display unit for displaying the index on the display device. 13. An entertainment device comprising: an entertainment device for executing various programs; at least one operating device for inputting an operation request from a user to the entertainment device; and a display device for displaying an image output from the entertainment device. A recording medium on which a program or data used in the system is recorded, the recording medium comprising: an index display step of displaying an index for visually assisting the user on the display device. . 14. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein said index displaying step displays an index displayed on said display device for informing at least a position of a character moving by operation of said user. Recording medium. 15. The recording medium according to claim 14, wherein the index display step changes the display color of the index as the character approaches an event occurrence point. 16. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the step of displaying the index includes:
A recording medium for displaying an index for notifying the position of a main part. 17. The recording medium according to claim 16, wherein said index display step displays an index for notifying a position of an entrance of a scene displayed on said display device. 18. The recording medium according to claim 16, wherein said index displaying step displays an index for notifying a position of an entrance of an object related to a scene displayed on said display device. recoding media. 19. The recording medium according to claim 16, wherein said index display step displays an index for notifying a place where a parameter of said character can be changed. 20. A recording medium according to claim 13, wherein said index display step displays an index for visually notifying that a special operation by said user is possible. . 21. A recording medium according to claim 20, wherein said index display step displays an index indicating that the user branches to another event by a decision operation by said user. 22. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein said index display step displays indices having different purposes in different colors. 23. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein the index displaying step displays an index indicating a character displayed on the display device, and displays the index in accordance with a change in a parameter of the character. The recording medium characterized by changing. 24. An entertainment device for executing various programs, at least one operating device connected to the entertainment device for inputting a user's operation request to the entertainment device, and a display device for displaying at least one object. A computer-readable and executable program used in an entertainment system having an index display step of displaying an index for visually assisting the user on the display device. Program to do.