JP2003260267A - Game device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device full of attraction for selecting a key word which a player wants to emphasize among key words included in the player's one utterance and proceeding the game based on the selection. <P>SOLUTION: In the game device 10, the contents of a player's intention are obtained, and the progress of the game is controlled based on the obtained contents of the player's intention. The game deice 10 comprises an uttered sentence memory part 60 for storing the uttered sentence, a key word memory part 58 for storing key words included in the uttered sentence, an uttered sentence display part 62 for displaying the uttered sentence stored in the uttered sentence memory part 60, a key word selecting part 64 for selecting a key word included in the uttered sentence displayed by the uttered sentence display part 62 based on the player's command, and a game progress control part 50 for controlling the progress of the game based on the selection by the key word selecting part 64. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

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 program distribution method, and more particularly to a technique for inputting a player's intention.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various interactive games, such as a role playing game, an adventure game, and a conversation simulation game, in which a player game character advances a game while talking with another game character (non-player game character) in a game space, are known. ing.

In such an interactive game, when the utterance of the non-player game character is displayed, a plurality of utterance candidates prepared in advance are successively displayed, and the player selects and designates one of the utterance candidates, whereby the player game is selected. Many of the characters can now decide what they say.

[0004]

However, in the conventional interactive game, only one of a plurality of utterance candidates prepared in advance can be designated, and in a utterance, which word among them can be particularly specified by the player. I can't decide if I want to emphasize.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to select, for a single statement, a keyword included in the statement that the player wants to emphasize, and a game based on the selection result. Controlled progress,
An object is to provide a game device, a program, and a program distribution method which are rich in interest.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a game device according to the present invention is a game device which acquires a player's intention content and controls the game progress based on the intention content. And a keyword included in the statement text, a statement text display means for displaying the statement text stored in the storage means, and a keyword included in the statement text displayed by the statement text display means. The present invention is characterized by including keyword selection means for selecting according to an instruction from the player, and game progress control means for controlling the game progress based on the selection result by the keyword selection means.

Further, the program according to the present invention is a storage means for storing a statement and a keyword included in the statement, a statement display for displaying the statement stored in the storage, and a statement display. As a keyword selection means for selecting a keyword included in a statement displayed by the means according to an instruction from the player, and a game progress control means for controlling the game progress based on the selection result by the keyword selection means, for example, a personal computer, a home Game machine, arcade game machine, portable game machine,
It is a program for operating a computer such as a mobile information terminal or a mobile phone.

Further, the program distribution method according to the present invention includes a storage unit for storing a statement and a keyword included in the statement, a statement display unit for displaying the statement stored in the storage, and the statement. A personal computer, for example, as keyword selection means for selecting a keyword included in the statement displayed by the statement display means according to an instruction from the player, and game progress control means for controlling the game progress based on the selection result by the keyword selection means. A program for operating a computer such as a home-use game machine, an arcade game machine, a portable game machine, a portable information terminal, and a mobile phone is distributed in a batch or in a divided manner.

According to the present invention, with respect to one utterance, a keyword that the player wants to emphasize can be selected from among the keywords included in the utterance, and the game progress can be controlled based on the selection result. As a result, it is possible to realize an entertaining game in which detailed intention contents can be input.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, the game progress control means controls the game progress based on a combination of keywords selected by the keyword selection means. In this way, the game progress can be diversified.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the keyword selecting means includes a statement statement instructing section for sequentially instructing a part of the statement displayed by the statement displaying section, and when there is an instruction from the player, At that timing, a keyword corresponding to a part of the utterance sentence instructed by the utterance sentence instructing means is selected. By doing this, it becomes possible to quickly select keywords.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the keyword selection means acquires the emphasis degree of the selected keyword, and the game progress control means controls the game progress based on the acquired emphasis degree. By doing so, it becomes possible to input more detailed will contents and to diversify the game progress.

In this aspect, the keyword selection means is based on the number of times each player has designated each keyword.
You may make it acquire the emphasis degree of each keyword. By doing so, it becomes possible to promptly input the degree of emphasis of the keyword.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game apparatus 10 shown in the figure is a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk; trademark) -ROM which is an information storage medium in the home-use game machine 46.
25 and the memory card 42 are mounted, and the monitor 1
8 is a computer game system realized by connecting the speaker 22. A home television receiver is used for the monitor 18, and its built-in speaker is used for the speaker 22. Further, although the DVD-ROM 25 is used here to supply the program and the game data to the home-use game machine 46, the CD-ROM or the ROM is used.
Any other information storage medium such as a card may be used. Further, the program or game data may be supplied to the home-use game machine 46 via a data communication network such as the Internet.

The home-use game machine 46 includes a microprocessor 14, an image processing section 16, a main memory 26, and an input / output processing section 3.
0, audio processor 20, controller 32, and DVD-R
The OM reproducing unit 24 is included. The microprocessor 14, the image processing unit 16, the main memory 26, and the input / output processing unit 30 are connected to each other via the bus 12 so that mutual data communication is possible.
2, the audio processor 20, the DVD-ROM player 24, and the memory card 42 are connected. Each component of the home-use game machine 46 other than the controller 32 is housed in a housing.

The microprocessor 14 is an R (not shown).
Operating system, DVD-stored in OM
Based on the program read from the ROM 25 and the save data read from the memory card 42, each unit of the home-use game machine 46 is controlled to provide the game to the player. The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data between the respective units of the home-use game machine 46. Further, the main memory 26 is configured to include a RAM, and a program read from the DVD-ROM 25 and save data read from the memory card 42 are written therein as needed. The image processing unit 16 is a VRAM
(Video Random Access Memory), it receives image data sent from the microprocessor 14 and draws a game screen on the VRAM, and converts the content into a video signal and outputs it to the monitor 18.

In the input / output processing unit 30, the microprocessor 14 controls the controller 32, the audio processing unit 20, the DVD-
This is an interface for accessing the ROM reproducing section 24 and the memory card 42. The audio processing unit 20 is configured to include a sound buffer, and the DVD-ROM 2
The data such as the game music, the game sound effects, and the voice message which are read from the sound buffer 5 and stored in the sound buffer are reproduced and output from the speaker 22. The DVD-ROM reproducing unit 24 reads the program recorded in the DVD-ROM 25 according to the instruction from the microprocessor 14. The controller 32 is a general-purpose operation input means for the player to input various game operations. The memory card 42 is a non-volatile memory (for example, EEPROM).
Etc.) and is configured to be attachable to and detachable from the home-use game machine 46. Saved data of various games are stored in the memory card 42.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the controller 32. The controller 32 shown in the figure is a general-purpose game controller, and as shown in the figure, a direction key 34, a start button 36, buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, 38.
It has B. The direction key 34 has a cross shape and is normally used to specify the moving direction of the character or the cursor. The start button 36 is a small push button having a triangular shape, and is usually used for starting a game or forcibly ending a game. Button 38X, 3
8Y, 38A, and 38B are used for other game operations. In the interactive game described below, the button 38B is used to input the keyword and the emphasis level.

The technique for realizing an interactive game with such a hardware configuration will be described more specifically below.

FIG. 3 shows a game device 10 according to this embodiment.
It is a figure which shows an example of the game screen displayed on the monitor 18 of FIG. As shown in the figure, in this game device 10, a non-player game character or the like is displayed on the game screen, and a message window is displayed in front of it. In the message window, the statement of the player game character (or the player himself; the same applies below) and the statement of the player game character are displayed together with the statement of the non-player game character. A triangular cursor (▲) is displayed below the statement of the player game character. This cursor moves with time so as to sequentially indicate from the beginning to the end of the utterance sentence. In the game device 10, the player can specify a keyword by pressing the button 38B while relying on the display position of the cursor. Then, the keyword designated by the player is identified and displayed by changing the character color, for example.

Although the entire statement of the player game character is displayed in the same color in advance and only the keyword designated by the player is identified and displayed here, the portion of the statement of the player game character that can be designated as a keyword is displayed. Alternatively, the character color may be changed and displayed in advance, and the keyword specified by the player may be changed and displayed in the different color.

Further, here, the entire utterance sentence of the player game character is displayed in advance, and a part of the utterance sentence is instructed in order from the beginning by the triangular cursor so that the player can guide the keyword designation. However, it is also possible to display the utterance sentence in order from the head portion and select the keyword corresponding to the utterance sentence portion displayed at the timing when the button 38B is pressed by the player, as the designated keyword by the player.

The functions realized by the game device 10 will be described below. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram mainly showing a portion related to the present invention among the functions realized by the game device 10. As shown in the figure, the functions realized by the game device 10 include the game progress control unit 50.
The storage unit 52, the statement display unit 62, and the keyword selection unit 64 are included. Here, the storage unit 52 mainly includes the main memory 26 and the DVD-ROM 25, and includes the statement sentence storage unit 60 and the keyword storage unit 5.
8, a control table storage unit 56, and a selection result storage unit 54
And, are included. Further, the keyword selection unit 64 includes a statement sentence instruction unit 66. These functions are realized by executing a predetermined program on the home-use game machine 46.

Here, the game apparatus 10 acquires the intention content of the player and controls the game progress based on the intention content, and the statement storage unit 60 stores the statement (eg text) of the player game character. Data and the like; the same applies hereinafter) and the statement of the non-player game character. The keyword storage unit 58 also stores keywords included in each statement of the player game character. The utterance sentence display unit 62 is mainly configured by the monitor 18, and displays the utterance sentence stored in the utterance sentence storage unit 60.

The keyword selection section 64 is mainly composed of the microprocessor 14, and selects the keywords included in the statement displayed by the statement display section 62 in accordance with the player's instruction given by the controller 32. To do. In addition, the game progress control unit 50
Controls the game progress based on the result of keyword selection by the keyword selection unit 64. In particular, the game progress control unit 50 controls the game progress based on the combination of keywords selected by the keyword selection unit 64.

Further, the utterance sentence instructing unit 66 included in the keyword selecting unit 64 sequentially instructs a part of the utterance sentence displayed by the utterance sentence displaying unit 62 with a cursor. Then, when there is a player's instruction given by the controller 32 (button 38B), the keyword selection unit 64 selects a keyword corresponding to a part of the utterance sentence instructed by the utterance sentence instruction unit 66 at that timing. .

Further, the keyword selection unit 64 acquires the emphasis degree of the keywords selected based on the number of times each player has designated each keyword, and the game progress control unit 50
The game progress is controlled based on the obtained emphasis degree.

Here, the contents stored in the storage unit 52 will be described in more detail.

First, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the storage contents of the utterance sentence storage unit 60. As shown in FIG.
In 0, the scene ID, the statement text of the non-player game character, and the statement text of the player game character are stored in association with each other.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the stored contents of the keyword storage unit 58. The keyword storage unit 58 stores a keyword list in association with each utterance sentence of the player game character stored in the utterance sentence storage unit 60, and one keyword list is illustrated in FIG. The keyword list shown in FIG.
1 ”specifies the keyword included in the statement“ Well ... the heroine was cute, the story was good, and the set was good. ”By the player game character in“ 1. The keyword positions are stored in association with each other.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the stored contents of the selection result storage unit 54. The selection result storage unit 54 is, for example, secured in the main memory 26 in correspondence with the utterance sentence currently displayed on the monitor 18 and read from the utterance sentence storage unit 60, and the utterance sentence currently being displayed. For each keyword included in, the keyword number and its emphasis degree are stored in association with each other. Regarding the degree of emphasis, when the utterance sentence is displayed, all are set to "0", and when the player presses the button 38B while the cursor is pointing to a keyword, it corresponds to that keyword. 1 is added to the emphasis level.

Further, FIG. 8 shows a control table storage unit 56.
It is a figure which shows the memory content of. Control table storage unit 56
Stores a plurality of control tables prepared in association with each utterance sentence of the player character stored in the utterance sentence storage unit 60. Each control table stores a keyword selection result condition and a process number in association with each other. The keyword selection result condition indicates the minimum value of the emphasis degree corresponding to each keyword number. Further, in the figure, "x" indicates that the minimum value of the emphasis degree is not set. Note that the control table shown in the figure corresponds to the sentence "Yeah ... the heroine was cute, the story was good, and the set was good." By the player game character in the scene ID "01". Is.

The processing of the game device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below.

9 to 10 are flow charts for explaining the statement message display processing by the game apparatus 10. This process is realized by the home-use game machine 46 executing a program stored in the DVD-ROM 25. The statement text display process is executed in a dialogue scene between the player game character and the non-player game character. Through this process, the statement of the player game character is displayed on the monitor 18, and the cursor is displayed below it. Then, the player depresses the button 38B of the controller 32 to select the keyword pointed by the cursor as a keyword to be emphasized by the player, and to determine the next process (game development) based on the selection result. There is.

In this utterance sentence display process, the utterance sentence display unit 62 first selects a utterance sentence (S101). The statement sentence is selected, for example, according to the game progress (scene ID). Alternatively, the player may be presented with the option of the utterance sentence in the same manner as in the conventional technique, and the player may be allowed to select the utterance sentence by the player game character. The keyword selection unit 64 reads the keyword table corresponding to the statement selected in S101 from the keyword storage unit 58 (S102). Further, the selection result storage unit 54 is initialized (S103). Then, the utterance sentence display unit 62 reads the utterance sentence selected in S101 from the utterance sentence storage unit 60 and displays it on the monitor 18 (S104).

Next, the utterance statement designating section 66 displays a cursor at the beginning of the utterance statement (S105). Then, the keyword selection unit 64 determines whether or not the button 38B (emphasis button) of the controller 32 has been pressed (S106).
If it is determined that the button 38B has not been pressed, it is determined whether the cursor is displayed at the end of the utterance sentence (S111). Then, when it is determined that the cursor is not displayed at the end of the utterance sentence, the cursor position is moved to the end side of the utterance sentence by a predetermined distance, and the cursor is displayed again (S105).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the button 38B is pressed (S106), then it is determined whether or not the cursor is displayed below the keyword position stored in the keyword table (S107). When it is determined that the cursor is not displayed below the keyword position, it is determined whether the cursor is displayed at the end of the utterance sentence (S111). Then, when it is determined that the cursor is not displayed at the end of the utterance sentence, the cursor position is moved to the end side of the utterance sentence by a predetermined distance, and the cursor is displayed again (S105).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the cursor is displayed below the keyword position (S107), the keyword indicated by the cursor (keyword immediately above the cursor)
The keyword number of is acquired (S108). Then, the selection result storage unit 54 is accessed to increase the emphasis degree corresponding to the keyword number by 1 (S109). The statement is
The display mode of the keyword instructed (selected) by the player is changed, for example, by changing the color or blinking the keyword (S110).

The above steps S105 to S111 are repeated until the cursor indicates the end of the utterance sentence. When the cursor reaches the end of the statement (S111), the game progress control unit 50 then displays the keyword selection result stored in the selection result storage unit 54 and the current display stored in the control table storage unit 56. It is compared with the control table corresponding to the message in the middle (S112). Then, of the keyword selection result conditions set in the control table,
Those that satisfy the keyword selection result stored in the selection result storage unit 54 are extracted, and the process number corresponding to the condition is read from the control table. Then, of the process numbers read in this way, the maximum value is determined to correspond to the next game development (game progress), and that value is passed to the main routine (S113). In a main routine (not shown), the next game development (game progress) is determined based on this processing number.

In the game device 10 described above, the utterance sentence is displayed in the message window, and a part of the utterance sentence is sequentially pointed by the cursor from the beginning to the end. Then, the player presses button 3
When 8B is pressed, the keyword (previously registered in the keyword storage unit) designated by the cursor at that time is selected. Then, when the cursor reaches the end, the processing number is determined by comparing the selection result of the keyword with the control table. Then, the process specified by this process number is executed next. In this way, in the game device 10, the progress of the game is controlled according to the keyword designation by the player.
According to this game device 10, the player selects a keyword to be emphasized from among the keywords included in the statement and controls the game progress based on the selection result, so that detailed intention content can be input. , An unprecedented interesting interactive game will be realized.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above description, the program is supplied from the DVD-ROM 25, which is an information storage medium, to the home-use game machine 11, but the program can also be delivered to homes via a communication network.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a program distribution system using a communication network. A program distribution method according to the present invention will be described based on FIG.
As shown in the figure, this program distribution system 100
Is a game database 102, a server 104, a communication network 106, a personal computer 108, a home-use game machine 1.
10, a PDA (personal digital assistant) 112 is included. Of these, the game database 102 and the server 104 constitute a program distribution device 114. The communication network 106 is configured to include, for example, the Internet or a cable television network. In this system, the game database 102 contains a DVD-ROM.
A program similar to the stored content of 25 is stored.
Then, the personal computer 108, the home-use game machine 110 or P
When the consumer makes a game distribution request using the DA 112 or the like, this is transmitted to the server 104 via the communication network 106. Then, the server 104 reads the program from the game database 102 in response to the game distribution request, and transmits the program to the game distribution request source such as the personal computer 108, the home-use game machine 110, the PDA 112, or the like.

Although the game is distributed here in response to the game distribution request, it may be unilaterally transmitted from the server 104. In addition, it is not always necessary to distribute all the programs necessary for realizing the game at once (collective distribution), and necessary parts may be distributed (divided distribution) according to the aspect of the game. If the game is distributed via the communication network 106 in this way, the consumer can easily obtain the program.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
With regard to one statement, the player selects keywords to be emphasized from among the keywords included in the statement, and the game progress is controlled based on the selection result, so it is possible to input detailed intention content and it is entertaining The game can be realized.

[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 the appearance of a controller.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing stored contents of a statement sentence storage unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing stored contents of a keyword storage unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing stored contents of a (keyword) selection result storage unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing stored contents of a control table storage unit.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a keyword selection process of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a keyword selection process of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a program distribution system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 (interactive) game machine, 12 bus, 14 microprocessor, 16 image processing section, 18 monitor, 20
Audio processing unit, 22 speakers, 24 DVD-ROM
Playback unit, 25 DVD-ROM, 26 Main memory, 30
Input / output processing unit, 32 controller, 34 direction keys,
36 Start Button, 38A, 38B, 38X, 38
Y button, 42 memory card, 46, 110 home game machine, 50 game progress control section, 52 storage section,
54 selection result storage unit, 56 control table storage unit, 58
Keyword storage unit, 60 utterance sentence storage unit, 62 utterance sentence display unit, 64 keyword selection unit, 66 utterance sentence instruction unit, 100 program distribution system, 102 game database, 104 server, 106 communication network, 108 personal computer, 112 portable information terminal (PD
A), 114 program distribution device.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 6, 2003 (2003.5.6)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Title of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Title of the Invention] The game apparatus and program

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A game device for acquiring a player's intention content and controlling a game progress based on the intention content, a storage unit for storing a statement sentence and a keyword included in the statement sentence, and the storage unit. Based on a selection result by the keyword selection means, a keyword selection means for displaying the stored statement text, a keyword selection means for selecting a keyword included in the statement text displayed by the statement text display means according to an instruction from the player, And a game progress control means for controlling the progress of the game by means of a game device. 2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game progress control means controls the game progress based on a combination of keywords selected by the keyword selection means. 3. The game device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the keyword selection means includes a statement text instruction means for sequentially indicating a part of the statement text displayed by the statement text display means, and an instruction by the player. If there is, a game device is characterized in that, at that timing, a keyword corresponding to a part of the utterance sentence instructed by the utterance sentence instructing means is selected. 4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the keyword selection means acquires the emphasis degree of the selected keyword, and the game progress control means uses the acquired emphasis degree. A game device that controls the progress of the game based on the game device. 5. The game device according to claim 4, wherein the keyword selection means acquires the degree of emphasis of each keyword based on the number of times the player has instructed each keyword. 6. Storage means for storing a statement and keywords included in the statement, statement display for displaying the statement stored in the storage, statement displayed by the statement display A program for causing a computer to function as a keyword selection means for selecting a keyword included in a keyword according to an instruction from a player, and a game progress control means for controlling a game progress based on a selection result by the keyword selection means. 7. Storage means for storing a statement and keywords included in the statement, statement display for displaying the statement stored in the storage, statement displayed by the statement display A program for causing a computer to function as a keyword selecting means for selecting a keyword included in the following in accordance with a player's instruction, and a game progress control means for controlling a game progress based on a selection result by the keyword selecting means, or A program distribution method that divides the distribution.