JP2003126546A - Game device, program and game control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device having a means available at the time of an operation failure in a game in which timing is inputted by operating a button. SOLUTION: The game device includes a numeral generation section 58 generating a numeral in accordance with a prescribed numeral generation pattern, an information display section 58 sequentially displaying a current position indication image (forming a part of a timing guide gage image) corresponding with the numeral generated by the numeral generation section 56, a detection section 62 detecting the depression and release of a controller button, a pattern change section 60 changing the numeral generation pattern when the depression of the button is detected, a game parameter determination section 64 determining a game parameter on the basis of a numeral generated by the numeral generation section 58 with timing corresponding with the above depression timing, and a game control section 66 controlling a game on the basis of the game parameters determined by the game parameter determination section 64.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device, a program, and a game control method, and more particularly to a game whose game progress is decided according to the timing of button operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gauge for guiding a reference timing is displayed on a game screen, and when a player operates a controller while looking at the gauge, a game parameter corresponding to the operation timing, for example, a player game character which is a warrior. There is known a game in which the offensive power game parameter, the swing speed game parameter of the player game character who is the golf player, and the like are determined.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a timing guide gauge image displayed on the game screen in such a type of game. Timing guide gauge image 1 shown in the figure
At 00, the gauge image 102 expands and contracts in the left-right direction, and the right end of the gauge image 102 approaches or leaves the reference position image 104 that is fixedly displayed.

Here, the length of the gauge image 102 is generated according to a predetermined pattern. For example, the pattern is set such that when the right end of the gauge image 102 passes the display position of the reference position image and extends to the maximum extent, the length of the gauge image 102 is reduced, and thus the gauge image 102 expands and contracts a predetermined number of times. It is what is done. Then, the timing at which the tip of the gauge image 102 coincides with the reference position image 104 is guided as the ideal controller operation timing, that is, the reference timing.

According to the timing guide gauge image 100, the player can determine an ideal (best) operation timing while watching the distance between the tip of the gauge image 102 and the reference position image 104. Then, when the player operates the controller, the game parameter is determined based on the length of the gauge image 102 corresponding to the operation timing.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional method, the game parameter is determined by one operation by the controller, which may be too severe.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game device, a program, and a game control which can be relieved when an operation is unsuccessful in a game in which a timing is input by operating a button. To provide a method.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, a game device according to the present invention corresponds to a numerical value generating means for sequentially generating a numerical value according to a predetermined pattern, and a numerical value generated by the numerical value generating means. Information display means for sequentially displaying information, detection means for detecting pressing and releasing of a button, pattern changing means for changing the pattern when pressing of the button is detected, and release of pressing of the button And a game parameter determined by the game parameter determination means for determining a game parameter based on the numerical value generated by the numerical value generation means at a timing corresponding to that timing. Game control means for controlling the game on the basis of.

In the present invention, numerical values are sequentially generated according to a predetermined pattern, and information corresponding to the numerical values is sequentially displayed. For example, a numerical value is sequentially generated corresponding to a predetermined pattern, a gauge having a length corresponding to the generated numerical value is sequentially displayed, or a marker is sequentially displayed at a position corresponding to the generated numerical value. Then, when the pressing of the button is detected, the pattern is changed. Therefore, the mode of displaying the information also changes. When the button is released, that is, when the button is returned to its original position, the game parameter is determined based on the numerical value generated at the timing corresponding to the release timing. The determined game parameter is used to control the game.

According to the present invention, when the player presses a button while watching the display of the information, and then immediately releases the button, based on the numerical value generated at the timing corresponding to the release timing. Game parameters are determined. Further, if the button is kept pressed, the information display changes. Then, when the player releases the button press while watching the changed information display, the game parameter is determined based on the numerical value generated at the timing corresponding to the release timing. For this reason, even if the button is not pressed down, the player can continue to press the button to measure the button release timing again while watching the changed information display. Thus, in the game where the timing is input by the button operation, it is possible to save the operation when the operation fails.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the pattern changing means changes the pattern when the button is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or longer, and the game parameter determining means is configured to press the button predeterminedly. When the duration is less than the time, the game parameter is determined based on the numerical value generated by the numerical value generating means at the timing corresponding to the timing when the button is pressed. In this way, the game parameter determination means determines the game parameter based on the numerical value generated at the timing corresponding to the button pressing timing when the button is released before the predetermined time elapses after the button is pressed. Like Further, when the button is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or longer, the pattern for generating a numerical value is changed, and the display of the information is changed accordingly. In this case, the game parameter determining means determines the game parameter based on the numerical value generated at the timing corresponding to the button release timing. Therefore, the player
When it is determined that the timing is unsuccessful when the button is pressed, the timing input can be challenged again by continuing to press the button for a predetermined time or longer.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the detection means further detects the pressing force of the button, and the pattern changing means changes the pattern based on the pressing force of the button. In this way, by adjusting the force with which the button is pressed down (pressing force), it is possible to change the pattern in which numerical values are generated, and it is possible to improve the game.

Further, the program according to the present invention is a numerical value generating means for sequentially generating numerical values according to a predetermined pattern, an information display means for sequentially displaying information corresponding to the numerical values generated by the numerical value generating means, a button press and its Detecting means for detecting the release, pattern changing means for changing the pattern when the pressing of the button is detected, and numerical value generation at a timing corresponding to the release of the pressing of the button is detected As the game parameter determining means for determining the game parameter based on the numerical value generated by the means, and the game control means for controlling the game based on the game parameter determined by the game parameter determining means, for example, a home game Machine, arcade game machine, computer such as personal computer Is a program to function.

According to the present invention, even if the user fails to press the button, the player can continue to press the button to measure the button release timing again while watching the changed information display. Thus, in the game where the timing is input by the button operation, it is possible to save the operation when the operation fails.

In the game control method according to the present invention, a numerical value generating step for sequentially generating numerical values according to a predetermined pattern, and an information display for sequentially displaying information corresponding to the numerical values sequentially generated at the numerical value generating step on the game screen. A step, a detection step of detecting pressing and release of the button, a pattern changing step of changing the pattern when the pressing of the button is detected, and a releasing step of the pressing of the button, A game parameter generation step of determining a game parameter based on the numerical value generated in the numerical value generation step at a timing corresponding to the timing, and a game of controlling the game based on the game parameter determined in the game parameter determination step And a control step.

According to the present invention, even if the user fails to press the button, the player can continue to press the button to measure the button release timing again while watching the changed information display. Thus, in the game where the timing is input by the button operation, it is possible to save the operation when the operation fails.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game apparatus 10 shown in the figure has a monitor 18 and a speaker 22 connected to a home-use game machine 11, and further has a DV function as an information storage medium.
It is configured by mounting a D (Digital Versatile Disk; trademark) 25. Here, a DVD 25 is used to supply a game program and game data to the home-use game machine 11, but a CD-ROM (Compac
t Disk-Read Only Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memo)
ry) Any other information storage medium such as a card can be used. In addition, a game program and game data can be sent from a remote place via a communication network to the home-use game machine 11
May be supplied to.

In the home-use game machine 11, the microprocessor 14, the image processing section 16, the main memory 26 and the input / output processing section 30 are connected by the bus 12 so that mutual data communication is possible.
Further, the input / output processing unit 30 is a known computer game system in which the controller 32, the audio processing unit 20, and the DVD reproducing unit 24 are connected. Each component of the home-use game machine 11 other than the controller 32 is housed in a housing. The monitor 18 is, for example, a home-use television receiver, and the speaker 22 is, for example, its built-in speaker.

The microprocessor 14 is an R (not shown).
Operating system and DVD2 stored in OM
Based on the game program read from 5, each unit of the home-use game machine 11 is controlled. The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data between the respective units of the home-use game machine 11. The main memory 26 has a DVD 25.
It is a volatile memory in which the game program and the game data read from are written as necessary. The main memory 26 also has a work area reserved for various data processing by the microprocessor 14. The image processing unit 16 is configured to include a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), receives image data sent from the microprocessor 14, draws a game screen on the VRAM, and converts the contents into a video signal. It is output to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing.

The input / output processing section 30 is an interface for relaying data communication between the controller 32, the audio processing section 20, the DVD reproducing section 24 and the microprocessor 14. The controller 32 is an input means for the player to operate the game. The input / output processing unit 30 scans the operation states of various buttons of the controller 32 at regular intervals (for example, every 1/60 seconds), and passes operation information indicating the scan result to the microprocessor 14 via the bus 12. The microprocessor 14 determines the operation content of the controller 32 by the player based on the operation information. The audio processing unit 20 is configured to include a sound buffer, reproduces data such as music and game sound effects read from the DVD 25 and stored in the sound buffer, and outputs the data from the speaker 22. DVD playback unit 2
4 is a DV according to an instruction from the microprocessor 14.
The game program and game data recorded in D25 are read.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the controller 32. The controller 32 shown in the figure is a general-purpose game controller and includes direction buttons 40A, 40B, 40.
C, 40D, select button 42, start button 4
4, buttons 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D are provided. Here, the direction button 40 is mainly used for inputting a moving direction for the player game character. The start button 44 is used to start a game or forcibly end the game. The select button 42 is used for menu selection and the like. Buttons 46A, 46B, 46C, 46
D is used for other game operations. Also, direction buttons 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, button 46A,
46B, 46C, 46D are configured as pressure sensitive buttons. Therefore, the direction buttons 40A, 40B, 40C,
A force (pressing force) for pressing the 40D and the buttons 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D is detected by the controller 32 and is input to the home-use game machine 11.

Here, the button 46B is used especially for timing input. That is, the game device 10
Then, the game screen displayed on the monitor 18 includes the timing guide gauge image 54 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 as necessary. When the player operates the button 46B while watching the timing guide gauge image 54, the game parameter is determined based on the operation (pressing or releasing) timing. For example, when the game provided to the player by the game device 10 is a fighting game or a fighting game, the game parameter corresponds to the fighting power of the player game character. In the case of a golf game, the player game character represents the swing speed of the golf club.

As shown in FIG. 3, the timing guide gauge image 54 is a horizontally long strip-shaped image, includes a reference position instruction image 52 on the right side, and further present position instruction image 50.
Is included. The current position indication image 50 is adapted to move to the left and right within the range indicated by the arrow in the figure. This movement is performed according to a predetermined pattern. That is, the current position instruction image 50 is initially located at the left end of the timing guide gauge image 54 and gradually moves to the right. When it reaches the right end, it moves to the left. When it reaches the left end, it moves to the right again. In this way, the current position indication image 50 moves left and right within the display area of the timing guide gauge image 54 over a predetermined number of times.

The timing guide gauge image 54 guides the player when to press the button 46B. That is, the timing at which the current position instruction image 50 overlaps the reference position instruction image 52 is the pressing timing for generating the best game parameter. Therefore, while watching the timing guide gauge image 54, the player measures the timing at which the current position instruction image 50 exactly overlaps the reference position instruction image 52, and then presses the button 46B to set the best game parameter at home. It is possible to cause the game machine 11 to generate and control the subsequent games. Thus, by utilizing the timing guide gauge image 54, the player can advantageously develop the game.

In the game device 10, the button 46 is also used.
Even if the timing of pressing B is deviated from the ideal timing, by continuing to press the button 46B, an opportunity to press the button 46B again is given. For example, in the timing guide gauge image 54 shown in FIG. 3, the player presses the button 4 when the current position instruction image 50 is located in front of the reference position instruction image 52.
When 6B is pressed, the current position indication image 50 stops at that position. Then immediately release your finger from button 46B,
When the button press is released, a game parameter corresponding to the display position of the current position instruction image 50 at the press timing is generated and used for game control. on the other hand,
When the button 46B is pressed and then the button 46B is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or longer, the current position instruction image 50 starts moving from the stop position to the left and right again, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. Then, the current position instruction image 50 at this time
The moving width of is determined based on the pressing force of the button 46B.

Therefore, if the player presses the button 46B while looking at the timing guide gauge image 54 and is convinced by the distance between the stop position of the current position instruction image 50 and the reference position instruction image 52, the player promptly presses the button 46B. By releasing, the subsequent game can be advanced using the game parameter corresponding to the stop position of the current position instruction image 50. If the stop position of the current position instruction image 50 is not convinced to the distance from the reference position instruction image 52, the current position instruction image 50 can be moved again by continuing to press the button 46B. At this time, the movement width of the current position instruction image 50 can be adjusted by adjusting the force of pressing the button 46B. After that, by releasing the finger from the button 46B, using the game parameter corresponding to the display position of the current position instruction image at that time (at the release timing),
Subsequent games can proceed.

Here, the functions realized in the game apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing functions realized in the game device 10. The functions shown in the figure are realized by the home-use game machine 11 executing a game program stored in the DVD 25, and mainly show the functions related to the present invention. As shown in FIG.
The function realized by includes an information display unit 56, a numerical value generation unit 58, a pattern change unit 60, a detection unit 62, a game parameter determination unit 64, and a game control unit 66.

Here, the numerical value generator 58 sequentially generates numerical values according to a predetermined numerical value generation pattern. In this numerical value generation pattern, for example, a numerical value is increased by incrementing from 0 to 1, when 100 is reached, a numerical value is reduced by incrementing by 1, and when it reaches 0, a numerical value is incremented by 1 again to generate a numerical value of 0. A pattern in which a numerical value is cyclically generated between 100 and 100 can be adopted. The information display unit 56 includes the monitor 18, and sequentially displays information corresponding to the numerical value generated by the numerical value generation unit 58, that is, the current position instruction image 50. That is, the display position of the current position instruction image 50 is determined based on the numerical value generated by the numerical value generation unit 56. In addition, the detection unit 62
Detects the pressing of the button 46B and its release (release). The pattern changing unit 60 changes the numerical value generation pattern when the pressing of the button 46B is detected. Specifically, the detection unit 62 also detects the pressing force of the button 46B, and the pattern change unit 60 causes the button 46B to be pressed.
The numerical value generation pattern is changed based on the pressing force of. More specifically, the pattern changing unit 60 determines the numerical amplitude (upper limit value and lower limit value) corresponding to the pressing force of the button 46B, and cyclically generates a numerical value between the upper limit value and the lower limit value. The numerical value generation pattern is changed to Further, when the release of the press of the button 46B is detected, the game parameter determination unit 64 determines that the numeric value generated by the numeric value generation unit 58 at a timing corresponding to the timing, for example, when the push of the button 46B is released. The game parameter is determined based on the numerical value and the like generated last. Further, the game control unit 66 controls the game based on the game parameter determined by the game parameter determination unit 64, and outputs, for example, a game screen based on the game parameter or a game sound.

Further, the pattern changing section 60 has a button 46.
Only when the pressing of B continues for a predetermined time or longer, the numerical value generation pattern is changed. Then, when the button 46B is continuously pressed for less than the predetermined time, the game parameter determination unit 64 presses the numerical value generated by the numerical value generation unit 58 at the timing corresponding to the timing when the button 46B is pressed, for example, the button 46B is pressed. The game parameter is determined based on the numerical value or the like that is finally generated when the game is performed.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the game apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.
First, the pattern changing unit 60 initializes the counter i to 0 (S101). This counter i is a variable for measuring the time when the button 46B is pressed. next,
The numerical value generator 58 generates a numerical value according to a predetermined numerical value generation pattern (S102). Then, the information display unit 56
The current position indication image 50 is displayed at the position corresponding to the numerical value generated by the numerical value generation unit 58 (S103).

Next, the detection section 62 detects whether or not the button 46B has been pressed (S104). Then, if the button 46B is not pressed, the numerical value generator 58 again generates a numerical value according to the predetermined numerical value generation pattern (S10).
2) Based on the numerical value, the information display unit 56 displays the current position indication image 50 (S103).

On the other hand, if the button 46B is pressed,
The pattern changing unit 60 increments the counter i by 1, and the information display unit 56 redisplays the current position instruction image 50 (S1).
06). At this time, the display position of the current position instruction image 50 is the timing when the button 46B is pressed (S104).
In, the value is determined based on the numerical value generated last by the numerical value generation unit 58. Then, the pattern changing unit 60 determines whether or not the counter i is equal to or larger than the predetermined value I (S107). Further, if it is less than the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not the button 46B is released (S108). Then, if the button 46B is not released, S1 is again set.
Returning to 05, the pattern changing unit 60 increments the counter i by 1.

On the other hand, if the button 46B is released,
The game parameter determination unit 64 determines the game parameter based on the numerical value generated last by the numerical value generation unit 58 at the timing when the button 46B is pressed (S114). The game control unit 66 uses the generated game parameters for subsequent game control.

If the counter i becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined value I before the button 46B is released, the detection unit 62 causes the button 4
The pressing force of 6B is detected (S109). Then, the pattern changing unit 60 changes the numerical value generation pattern based on the detected pressing force (S110). Then, the numerical value generation unit 58 generates a numerical value according to the changed numerical value generation pattern (S111), and the information display unit 56 displays the current position instruction image 50 on the monitor 18 based on the numerical value (S11).
2). Then, press button 4 for the processing of S111 and S112.
Continue until 6B is released (S113). And
When the detection unit 62 detects that the button 46B is released, the game parameter determination unit 64 generates a game parameter based on the numerical value generated by the numerical value generation unit 58 at that timing (release timing) ( S114). The game control unit 66 uses the generated game parameters for subsequent game control.

According to the game device 10 described above, even if the pressing of the button 46B fails, the player does not press the button 46B.
By continuing to press B, the release timing of the button 46B is measured again while looking at the current position instruction image 50 according to the changed numeric value generation pattern, and the game based on the numeric value generated by the numeric value generation unit 58 at the release timing. Parameters can be acquired. Further, when the button 46B is kept pressed, the pressing force can determine the amplitude of the current position instruction image 50. Further, when the button 46B is successfully pressed, by releasing the finger from the button 46B within a predetermined time (for example, within 1 second), the game parameter based on the numerical value generated by the numerical value generation unit 58 at the pressing timing. Can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above, the home-use game machine 11
Although the example in which the game apparatus 10 is configured by using is shown, the game apparatus 10 may be configured by using an arcade game machine. Further, the present invention is applicable to all kinds of games in which game parameters are determined by the timing of controller operation.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even if the player fails to press the button, the player can continue to press the button to measure the timing of releasing the button again while watching the changed information display. Thus, in the game where the timing is input by the button operation, it is possible to save the operation when the operation fails.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a controller.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a timing guide gauge image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a timing guide gauge image.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing functions realized by the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a timing guide gauge image according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 game machines, 11 home-use game machines, 12 buses, 14 microprocessors, 16 image processing units, 1
8 monitors, 20 audio processing units, 22 speakers, 24
DVD playback unit, 25 DVD, 26 main memory, 30
Input / output processing unit, 32 controller, 40A, 40B,
40C, 40D direction button, 42 select button,
44 Start Button, 46A, 46B, 46C, 46
D button, 50 current position indication image, 52 reference position indication image, 54, 100 timing guide gauge image,
56 information display section, 58 numerical value generating section, 60 pattern changing section, 62 detecting section, 64 game parameter determining section, 66 game control section, 102 gauge image, 104
Reference position image.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A numerical value generation means for sequentially generating numerical values according to a predetermined pattern, an information display means for sequentially displaying information corresponding to the numerical values generated by the numerical value generation means, and detection for detecting pressing and releasing of buttons. Means, pattern changing means for changing the pattern when the pressing of the button is detected, and generation of the numerical value generating means at a timing corresponding to the timing when the release of the pressing of the button is detected A game parameter deciding means for deciding a game parameter based on a numerical value stored in the game, and a game controlling means for controlling the game based on the game parameter decided by the game parameter deciding means. apparatus. 2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern changing unit changes the pattern when the button is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or longer, and the game parameter determining unit sets the button A game device, wherein when the pressing is continued for less than a predetermined time, the game parameter is determined based on the numerical value generated by the numerical value generating means at a timing corresponding to the timing at which the button is pressed. 3. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit further detects a pressing force of the button, and the pattern changing unit changes the pattern based on the pressing force of the button. A game device characterized by: 4. A numerical value generation means for sequentially generating numerical values according to a predetermined pattern, an information display means for sequentially displaying information corresponding to the numerical values generated by the numerical value generation means, a detection means for detecting pressing and releasing of a button, A pattern changing unit that changes the pattern when pressing of the button is detected, and a numerical value generated by the numerical value generating unit at a timing corresponding to the timing when release of pressing of the button is detected A program for causing a computer to function as game parameter determining means for determining a game parameter based on, and game controlling means for controlling a game based on the game parameter determined by the game parameter determining means. 5. A numerical value generating step of sequentially generating numerical values according to a predetermined pattern, an information displaying step of sequentially displaying information corresponding to the numerical values sequentially generated in the numerical value generating step on a game screen, and pressing and releasing the button. A detection step of detecting the pressing of the button, a pattern changing step of changing the pattern when the pressing of the button is detected, and a release of the pressing of the button, the numerical value at a timing corresponding to the timing. A game parameter generation step of determining a game parameter based on the numerical value generated in the generation step; and a game control step of controlling the game based on the game parameter determined in the game parameter determination step, Characterized game control method.