JP2002200362A - Video game device, its control method, video game program, and computer-readable storage medium recording its program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network response type video game allowing a player to chat without anxiety even during a game play. SOLUTION: A first computer 1a and a second computer 1b are connected to a serve 16 via a network 100. The second computer displays the character of a first player on a display device 61b connected to the second computer. The first computer activates a chat function in response to an input of the first player and reports this activation to the server. After receiving this activation report from the server, the second computer prevents the character of the first player from being damaged. the second computer changes the display mode of the character of the first player on the display device. Since no damage is applied during a chat, the player can concentrate on the chat without anxiety.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video game apparatus and a control method therefor, a video game system and a control method therefor, a video game program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded. The present invention relates to a network-enabled video game in which a player can participate via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a network-compatible video game in which a plurality of players simultaneously participate in a network to play a game or cooperate has increased. In such a video game, a chat function is usually provided for players to communicate with each other during the game.

[0003]

In many cases, during a chat, the player's operation concentrates on inputting a message, so that the player cannot perform operations such as moving or defending a character, and thus is vulnerable. . Many players are attacked by other players or enemy characters during a chat, and are unilaterally attacked and defeated. In such a case, not only the defeated player but also the player who made the attack without knowing that the chat is being performed may be dissatisfied. In some games, a mark is displayed in the vicinity of the character to inform the player that they are chatting, but this is a factor that creates a player who attacks the player who is chatting.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides a video game apparatus and a control method thereof, a video game system and a control method thereof, and a video game program and a video game program that allow a player to chat with confidence even during game play. It is an object to provide a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a video game in which a plurality of players can participate via a network is displayed on a display device. First and second computers respectively operated by the first and second players are connected to a server via a network.
The second computer communicates with the server,
The first player character is displayed on a display device connected to the second computer. The first computer is the first computer
The chat function is started in response to the player's input, and the start is notified to the server. The first computer is
The first player character is prevented from being damaged by another character. The second computer receives, from the server, a notification of the activation of the chat function of the first player. Thereafter, the second computer prevents the character of the first player from being damaged by another character. The second computer changes the display format of the character of the first player.

[0006] As described above, when the player enters the chat mode, the character of the player stops accepting attacks from other characters, so that the player can concentrate on chatting without worrying about attacks. Further, by changing the display format, it is possible to indicate to another player that the player is chatting and that the player's character cannot be damaged.

[0007] At least one of the first computer and the second computer may wait for a predetermined time before preventing the character of the first player from being damaged by another character. This makes it difficult to exploit the activation of the chat function to avoid attacks.

[0008] The display format of the character may be changed by displaying the character translucently.
This makes it possible to indicate to the other player that the player is chatting while minimizing the degree of the character of the chatting player obstructing the view of the other player.

Further, parameters set so as to change in accordance with the damage received by the character of the first player are stored in the server, and when the server receives the activation notification of the chat function of the first player, The parameter may be set so as not to be changed by an attack from another player. At this time, the second computer receives the parameter from the server so that the character of the first player is not damaged by another character.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the video game device according to the present embodiment. The video game device 1 includes, as an example, a control device 2 that controls the video game device 1, and an input device (for example, a keypad) 3 and an output device (for example, a television set) 6 connected to the control device 2. ing.
The game device 1 further includes a memory card 5 for storing game data such as game progress data and environment setting data.

The control device 2 is one computer. In this example, the control device 2 is a home game machine. However, it is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 2 includes a main control unit 11, a RAM (Random A
ccess Memory (random access memory) 12, interface unit 13, sound processing unit 14, graphic processing unit 15, CD-ROM drive 16, communication interface 17, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18, and these components A bus 19 is provided for connection to. The CD-ROM drive 16 is a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read), which is a recording medium that stores a program, image data, sound data, and the like for realizing processing related to a game described later.
Only Memory) 4 is configured to be removably mounted.

The main control unit 11 has a CPU (Central Processes).
sing Unit; central processing unit), ROM (Read Only M)
emory; read-only memory) and the like, and the CPU controls each part of the control device 2 according to a program stored in the RAM 12 (or ROM in some cases). In the ROM, the boot program of the control device 2 and the O
A basic program such as S (Operating System) is stored. The main control unit 11 includes an oscillator and a timer counter (both not shown), generates a clock signal based on a timing signal output from the oscillator at predetermined intervals, and converts the clock signal into a timer counter. The time is measured by counting according to.

The RAM 12 is a main storage device used by the CPU of the main control unit 11 to execute a program.
A program to be executed by the CPU and data necessary for the execution are stored. The RAM 12 is also used as a work area when executing a program.

The interface section 13 is configured so that the input device 3 and the memory card 5 can be detachably connected. This interface unit 13
Are the units connected to the bus 19 (mainly the main control unit 11)
And data transfer between the input device 3 and the memory card 5.

The sound processing unit 14 is a game BGM.
This is a circuit that performs processing for reproducing audio data such as (Back Ground Music) and sound effects. The sound processing unit 14 is controlled by the RAM 12 according to a command from the main control unit 11.
An audio signal is generated based on the data stored in the.

The graphic processing unit 15 has a frame buffer (not shown), and draws an image according to a command from the main control unit 11 on the frame buffer. Further, the graphic processing unit 15 generates a video signal by adding a predetermined synchronization signal to the image data drawn in the frame buffer, and supplies the video signal to the output device 6.

The CD-ROM drive 16 is a reading device for reading data stored on a CD-ROM 4 as a recording medium. The game device 1 sends a CD-R to the control device 2.
By executing the control according to the game program recorded in the OM 4, the control regarding the game described later is realized.

The communication interface 17 is a circuit for controlling communication when performing various data exchanges with other devices on the network 100, and is connected to the network 100 via a communication line 99 as required. The communication interface 17 controls the exchange of information (programs and data) between the control device 2 and the communication network 100.
Game programs and data downloaded from the external communication network 100 via the communication interface 17 and the communication line 99 can be stored in the HDD 18.

The HDD 18 is an auxiliary storage device used by the CPU of the main control unit 11 to execute a program. The HDD 18 can store various data and programs, such as information downloaded using the communication interface 17 and information read from the CD-ROM 4.

The CD-ROM 4 stores game software. The game software includes a game program for causing the main control unit to perform a process required for executing a computer game, and necessary data. The game program includes a program that causes the game device 1 to execute the method according to the present embodiment. CD
-The game software stored in the ROM 4 is a CD-
The data can be read by operating the ROM drive 16.

Note that the game device 1 can also store game software in the HDD 18. This game software may be preinstalled on the HDD 18, installed from the CD-ROM 4,
As described above, it can also be downloaded from another device on the communication network 100.

The input device 3 includes a plurality of operating tools operated by a player to input various instructions relating to the game to the control device 2. When the operating tool is operated, the input device 3 sends a command signal corresponding to the operating tool to the control device 2 via the interface unit 13. In the present embodiment, as an example, a keypad 30 generally attached to a consumer game machine is prepared as the input device 3.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the keypad 30, and FIG. 2B is a rear view showing the keypad 30. As shown in FIG. 2A, the keypad 30 includes a cross key 31 for inputting a direction instruction and operation keys (for example, an operation key for inputting various commands to the control device 2).
○ button 32, Δ button 33, □ button 34, × button 35, start button 36, select button 42) and the like are provided as operating tools. The keypad 30
Is also provided with a joystick 37 as an operating tool. As shown in FIG. 2B, a plurality of operation keys (R1 button 38, R2 button 3
9, L1 button 40 and L2 button 41) are provided as operating tools. Further, the keypad 30 has a vibration (vibration) function. That is, the keypad 30 has a built-in motor, and the motor operates by receiving a predetermined control signal from the control device 2, and the keypad 30
Can be vibrated as a whole.

The memory card 5 is an auxiliary storage device which is composed of a flash memory and is controlled by the control device 2 to store game data. Writing of data to the memory card 5 and reading of data from the memory card 5 are performed by the main control unit 11 via the interface unit 13.
Controls.

The output device 6 displays a game image based on a video signal and an audio signal from the control device 2 and outputs audio. In the present embodiment, a television (TV) set is prepared as the output device 6. This television set includes a display screen 61 for displaying images and a speaker 62 for outputting sounds. The television set displays an image on the display screen 61 in response to a video signal from the graphic processing unit 15,
The sound is output from the speaker 62 in response to the sound signal from the speaker 4. Therefore, the television set functions as both a display device and an audio output device.

The main controller 11 controls the operation of the controller 2 based on basic software stored in the ROM and game software read from the CD-ROM 4 by the CD-ROM drive 16 and stored in the RAM 12. . For example, the main control unit 11 reads the graphic data from the CD-ROM 4 and
5 and instruct the graphic processing unit 15 to generate an image. In response to this instruction, the graphic processing unit 15
Generates a video signal using graphic data. This video signal is sent to the output device 6. Thereby, an image is displayed on the display screen of the output device 6.

In the present embodiment, a video game in which a plurality of players can participate via a network is displayed on a screen 61 of the display device 6. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a network game system that provides such a network-compatible video game service. In this system, video game apparatuses 1a, 1b, etc. having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 are connected to a server group 102 via the Internet 100.

The server group 102 includes an authentication server group 111 for managing accounts for user authentication, and the game apparatus 1.
And a server for providing content browsing services such as audio and video, a message server group 113 for providing a chat and messenger environment, and an e-mail service. Mail server group 11 for
4. It includes a group of profile servers 115 for managing a user's profile and a group of game servers 116 for providing a game environment. These server groups 111 to 116 are mutually connected via a LAN 117.

The game server group 116 includes a server to which a plurality of game apparatuses 1 are connected in order to search for an opponent to play with. This server is sometimes called a lobby server because it provides a virtual lobby for players to gather and communicate. When the game device 1 is connected to the lobby server, a screen representing a virtual “lobby” is displayed on the display device 6. On this lobby screen, the player's own character and the characters of other players connected to the lobby server are displayed. Players can chat, thereby interacting with other players and searching for a partner to play the game with. When "start game" is selected from the menu displayed on the lobby screen, the game device 1 is connected to any one of the game servers in the game server 116, the game screen is displayed on the display device 6, and the game is started. Is done. If there is another player participating in the game, in addition to the player character of the player, the character of that player is also displayed on the game screen.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a login process for connecting the game device 1 to the game server. First, a CD-ROM on which a game program is recorded
By setting the ROM 4, the basic processing including the display of the initial screen (such as a maker logo), the check of the memory card 5, the display of the title screen, the loading of data, and the like are performed as in the normal game (step S102). .

Next, an initial menu is displayed on the display device 6 (step S104), and when the player selects "Internet connection" (step S106), the game device 1 sends the Internet to one server in the content server group 112. 100 (step S1).
08).

Next, an authentication procedure for the player is executed (step S110). When the game device 1 is connected to the content server, an authentication request screen is displayed on the display device 6. The player inputs information necessary for authentication in the displayed authentication request screen. The input information is transmitted from the game apparatus 1 to the authentication server group 111 via the content server.
Where it is authenticated.

When the authentication is obtained, a service menu is displayed on the display device 6 (step S112). When the player selects “game” from the service names displayed on the service menu (step S114), the game device 1 is connected to the lobby servers included in the game server group 116 (step S116), and the lobby screen is displayed on the display device 6
It is displayed above (step S118). When "start game" is selected from the menu displayed on the lobby screen (step S120), game device 1 is connected to one of the game servers in game server group 116 (step S120).
122), a game screen is displayed on the display device 6 (step S124). Thereby, the game is started.

The features of the video game according to the present embodiment are as follows.
When another player activates the chat function, after a predetermined time has elapsed, (1) the display format of the character of the player on the game screen is changed, and (2) the character does not accept an attack.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a change in the display format of a character. FIG. 5A shows a display format in a normal battle mode, and FIG. 5B shows a display format in a chat mode. As shown in (b), when the player activates the chat function, the character 200 of the player is activated.
Is displayed translucently. Above the character 200,
The player name or character name 202 and the characters "chatting" are displayed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the character of the player who has entered the chat mode is displayed translucently, so that the fact that the player is chatting can be determined without greatly restricting the field of view of another player. Can be shown to the player. In addition, since a sign indicating that the player is chatting is also displayed, other players can surely know that the player is chatting.

Next, a control procedure of the video game apparatus 1 for realizing the above-described features of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. The game program and necessary data are sequentially stored on a CD-ROM according to the progress of the processing.
Read from the ROM 4 and transferred to the RAM 12,
In the following description, reading from the CD-ROM 4 and RA
Detailed description of transfer to M12 may be omitted.

In the following, game devices 1a and 1b connected to the same game server by the first and second players
Is assumed to be playing the same game by operating respectively. For clear distinction, components of the first game device 1a operated by the first player are given a suffix a, and components of the second game device 1b operated by the second player are given a suffix b. I will.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control process of the video game device 1a operated by the first player. This process is performed by the control device 2a executing a game program stored in the CD-ROM 4a.

The player presses the o button 3 on the keypad 30a.
2a and the X button 35a are pressed simultaneously (step S
132), the chat function is activated, and the player can input a chat message (step S134).
Thereafter, the video game device 1a communicates with the game server, and notifies the game server of the activation of the chat function (step S136). Note that the order of the activation of the chat function and the notification to the game server may be reversed.

Next, after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S138: YES route), the HP (Hit Point) of the character of the first player is fixed (step S140). HP is a winning / losing parameter used to determine the outcome of the game or the life or death of the character. The winning and losing parameters are called with different names according to the game content, such as life and energy. H
When P is fixed, the scale of the HP bar displayed in the game screen does not change. By fixing the winning / losing parameter, the character of the first player is not damaged by an attack from another player character or an enemy character. Since a fixed time is required to fix the HP, it is difficult to abuse such as activating a chat function to avoid an attack.

Thereafter, the display format of the character on the display device 6a is changed, the character is displayed translucently on the display device 6a, and the character "chatting" is displayed above the head of the character ( Step S142). The order of fixing the HP and changing the character display format may be reversed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control process of the video game device 1b operated by the second player. This processing is performed by the control device 2b executing a game program stored in the CD-ROM 4b.

The second game device 1b is the first game device 1
is received from the game server via the game server (step S15)
2) After a predetermined time has elapsed (step S154: Y
(ES route), the HP of the character of the first player is fixed (step S156). When the HP is fixed, the scale of the HP bar displayed in the game screen does not change. As a result, the first game device 1b
The player character is no longer damaged by attacks by other characters. However, since a fixed time is required for fixing the HP, until the time has elapsed,
Even the character of the player who is chatting can cause damage.

Thereafter, the display format of the character of the first player on the display device 6b is changed, the character is displayed translucently, and the character "chatting" is displayed above the character (step S158). Thus, the second player can easily know that the first player is chatting. The order of fixing the HP and changing the character display format may be reversed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the character of the first player who has activated the chat function is not damaged even if attacked by another character, so that the safety of the first player during the chat is ensured. Since the HP is not fixed until a predetermined time (for example, about 3 seconds) has elapsed from the activation of the chat function, the activation of the chat function is less likely to be abused for the purpose of avoiding an attack. Further, since the character of the first player that has activated the chat function is displayed translucently, the degree of the character of the first player restricting the field of view of the second player is small.

As described above, the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the steps of a method according to the present invention can be rearranged without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, since the HP of the character of the player who has entered the chat mode is fixed, such a character is not damaged even by his own attack. However, the user's own attack may be distinguished from the attack from another character so that only the attack from the other character is not received, and the own attack may be damaged.

In the above embodiment, each of the game devices determines whether the player character has won or lost parameters (in the above embodiment, H
P) is fixed, but in another embodiment, the winning / losing parameters of the character are stored on the server, and when the server receives the activation notification of the chat function of the player, the winning / losing parameter of the character of the player is fixed. It may be.

In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described in relation to a home game machine, but the present invention can also be applied to a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, an arcade game machine and the like.

In the above embodiment, the display device, the input device, and the control device are separated, but the present invention can be applied to a video game device in which the display device, the input device, and the control device are integrated. is there.

In the above embodiment, a CD-ROM is used as a computer-readable recording medium for recording a game program and data. However, the recording medium is not limited to a CD-ROM, but may be a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a ROM.
Other magnetic or optical recording media such as a card, which can be read by a computer, or a semiconductor memory may be used. Furthermore, a program or data for realizing the present invention may be provided by a method preinstalled in a storage device of a game machine or a computer in advance.

Programs and data for realizing the present invention are transmitted by the communication interface 17 shown in FIG.
It may be downloaded from another device on the network 100 connected via the communication line 99 to the HDD 18 and used. Also, programs and data are recorded in the memory of another device on the communication line 99, and the programs and data are stored in the RAM 12 via the communication line 99 as necessary.
It is also possible to read and use them sequentially.

The form of providing programs and data for implementing the present invention may be provided as a computer data signal superimposed on a carrier wave from another device on the network 100. For example, the control device 2
Requests the transmission of a computer data signal from the communication interface 17 to another device on the communication network 100 via the communication line 99, receives the transmitted computer data signal, and stores the received computer data signal in the RAM 12. It may be realized.

[0056]

According to the present invention, when the player activates the chat function, the character of the player is not damaged by other characters, so that the player can chat with confidence even during game play. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a video game device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a keypad;
(B) is a top view showing a keypad.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game system using a network.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the game device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the game device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for controlling the game device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 video game device, 2 control device, 3 input device,
4 ... CD-ROM, 5 ... memory card, 6 ... output device,
11: Main control unit, 12: RAM, 13: Interface unit, 14: Sound processing unit, 15: Graphic processing unit, 16: CD-ROM drive, 17: Communication interface, 18: Hard disk drive, 19: Bus,
99: communication line, 100: communication network.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 BA00 BA06 BB00 BB04 BB08 BC00 BC05 BC06 BD00 BD07 CB01 CB08 CC02 CC08 DA00 DA04

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A computer-readable recording medium on which a video game program in which a plurality of players can participate via a network is recorded, wherein the video game program includes a first player and a second player. Connect to a server via a network when read by first and second computers respectively operating the first computer.
And causing the second computer to execute communication with the server and displaying the character of the first player on a display device connected to the second computer. Causing the first computer to activate a chat function in response to an input of a first player; causing the first computer to execute notifying the server of activation of the chat function of the first player to the server; The second computer causes the first computer to receive the activation notification of the chat function of the first player from the server, and causes the first computer to prevent the character of the first player from being damaged by another character. So that the character of the first player is not damaged by other characters. It is executed by the second computer that, to perform the changing the display format of the first player character to the second computer, the recording medium. 2. The program causes at least one of the first computer and the second computer to wait for a predetermined period of time before preventing the character from being damaged by another character. Item 2. The recording medium according to Item 1. 3. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the change of the display format is to display the character of the first player translucently. 4. The server stores parameters set so as to change in accordance with the damage received by the character of the first player, and the server activates a chat function of the first player. Upon receiving the notification, the parameter is set so as not to be changed by an attack from another player, and the program causes the second computer to execute the reception of the parameter from the server, whereby the first player 2. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the second computer is configured to prevent the character from being damaged by another character. 5. A video game program in which a plurality of players can participate through a network, wherein the programs are read by first and second computers operated by first and second players, respectively. Connecting to a server via a network,
And causing the second computer to execute communication with the server and displaying the character of the first player on a display device connected to the second computer. Causing the first computer to activate a chat function in response to an input of a first player; causing the first computer to execute notifying the server of activation of the chat function of the first player to the server; The second computer causes the first computer to receive the notification of the activation of the chat function of the first player from the server, and causes the first computer to prevent the character of the first player from being damaged by another character. So that the character of the first player is not damaged by other characters. Wherein by executing the second computer, video game program to be executed to change the display format of the first player character to the second computer that. 6. The video according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the first computer and the second computer causes the character to wait for a predetermined time before preventing the character from being damaged by another character. Game program. 7. The change of the display format is to display the character of the first player translucently.
The video game program described. 8. The server has stored therein parameters set so as to change according to the damage received by the character of the first player, and the server notifies the start of the chat function of the first player. Is received, the parameter is set so as not to be changed by an attack from another player. By causing the second computer to receive the parameter from the server, the character of the first player can be changed to another character. The video game program according to claim 5, wherein the program causes the second computer to prevent the character from being damaged. 9. A computer-readable recording medium storing a video game program in which a plurality of players can participate via a network, each being operated by a first and a second player,
First and second computers that read and execute the program from the recording medium, first and second display devices connected to the first and second computers, respectively, and the first and second computers are: A server connected via a network, wherein the video game program comprises the first and second programs.
When read by the computer, the first and second computers execute the connection to the server, communicate with the server, and display the character of the first player on the second display device. The first computer to execute the chat function in response to the input of the first player, and notifies the server of the activation of the chat function of the first player. Causing the first computer to execute, and causing the second computer to execute receiving the activation notification of the chat function of the first player from the server, wherein the character of the first player is damaged by another character. The first computer causes the first computer to execute a process of preventing A video game in which the second computer causes the second computer to execute a process of preventing the player from being damaged, and causes the second computer to execute a change in a display format of the character of the first player on the second display device. system. 10. First and second computers, first and second computers respectively connected to the second computer.
A display device, and a server to which the first and second computers are connected via a network, wherein a video game in which a plurality of players can participate via the network is displayed on the first and second display devices. A method of controlling a video game system, wherein the first and second computers execute a connection to the server, perform communication with the server, and display the character of the first player in the second computer. Causing the second computer to execute displaying on a display device; causing the first computer to execute activating a chat function in response to an input of the first player; activating the chat function of the first player And causing the first computer to execute the notification of the chat function of the first player. Causing the second computer to execute the receiving from the server; and causing the first computer to execute so that the character of the first player is not damaged by another character; A video that causes the second computer to execute to prevent damage from another character, and causes the second computer to execute changing the display format of the character of the first player on the second display device. Game system control method. 11. A computer-readable recording medium on which a video game program in which a plurality of players can participate via a network is recorded, a computer that reads and executes the program from the recording medium, and the computer And a display device connected to the computer, wherein the computer reads the program from the recording medium, connects to a server via a network, and performs communication with the server. Displaying the character of the other player on the display device, receiving a notification of the activation of the chat function of the other player from the server, preventing the character of the other player from being damaged by the other character, Change the display format of the other player's character in To, to run it, the video game device. 12. A method for controlling a video game device, comprising a computer and a display device connected to the computer, wherein the video game device displays a video game in which a plurality of players can participate via a network on the display device. Connecting to a server via a network, communicating with the server, displaying a character of another player on the display device, receiving a start notification of a chat function of the other player from the server, A video game device control method for causing the computer to execute a process of preventing a character of another player from being damaged by another character and changing a display format of the character of the other player on the display device.