JP2005006913A - Game device, game control program and recording medium recorded with program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the delay of the execution timings of processings in respective client terminals by receiving an influence of communication delay in a network game. <P>SOLUTION: For example, in a network roll playing game, a player inputs information specifying the contents of an action and an action timing in the game device (client terminal) a predetermined time or more earlier than the timing of making the character play. The input information is delivered to other game devices (client terminals) as determined information till a predetermined time or more earlier than the timing of making the characters act at the latest. The respective game devices execute the processing of displaying an image wherein the characters act at the specified timing independent of the time of receiving the delivered information. This constitution can surely execute the processing (control of the action of the character) specified at the specified timing irrelevant to the presence/absence of occurrence of the communication delay or the extent of the delay time 38. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game device that controls a network game, a game control program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A role-playing game is a game in which a game player advances the story by specifying the action of a character appearing in the story. In the story, the character (hereinafter referred to as the player character) is given various problems such as solving a mystery, finding a treasure, and defeating an enemy. In addition, during the story, the player character encounters many enemy characters and fights.
[0003]
In the battle scene, the player character and the enemy character are displayed on the display screen. When there are a plurality of player characters and enemy characters, a plurality of player characters and a plurality of enemy characters are displayed, respectively. The action of the enemy character is defined by the game control program.
[0004]
The game player specifies an action to be performed by each player character by selecting from an action selection menu displayed on the screen. The game control program generates an image including a player character performing an action specified by the game player and an enemy character performing an action specified by the game control program, and displays the image on the screen. Such a character action control method in a battle scene is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2794230
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a battle scene, it is desirable to specify an action so that the player character performs an appropriate action at an appropriate timing. For example, if the enemy character is attacked at the timing when the posture of the enemy character is lost, it is possible to give more damage than when attacking the enemy character of a normal posture. Alternatively, if the player character takes a defense posture at the timing when the enemy character enters preparation for attack technique activation, the damage received by the player character is smaller than when the defense character does not take the defense posture. Furthermore, in the case of a game in which a cooperative technique using a plurality of characters can be used, whether or not the cooperative technique is activated depends on the timing at which each character activates the technique. Therefore, especially in such a game, the timing at which each character acts is important.
[0007]
However, in network role-playing games that have become popular in recent years, the action designation information is once transferred from the game device of the game player who has performed the action designation operation to the server that controls the network game, and then the game of another game player. Delivered to the device. For this reason, when a communication delay occurs, a situation may occur in which the player character does not react immediately even though the game player has performed the action specifying operation. Such a situation can put great stress on the game player.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game device that controls a network game so that a player character behaves at a timing expected by a game player, a game control program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded. However, it is not limited to character action designation in a network role playing game, and aims to solve the same problem that occurs in all games.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is a game device that controls a network game controlled by a plurality of game devices that communicate via a network, and includes a designation input receiving unit and a schedule information sharing unit described below. And a game device including processing execution means.
[0010]
The designation input accepting means is means for accepting input of a signal designating the contents of processing to be executed by a plurality of game devices and the execution timing of the processing until a predetermined time before the execution timing. Here, “timing” may be a period as well as a certain point in time.
[0011]
The schedule information sharing means transmits the process schedule information indicating the contents and execution timing of the process specified by the signal received by the specified input receiving means, at the latest before the predetermined time before the execution timing. On the other hand, the schedule information sharing means receives the process schedule information transmitted from other game devices in the same manner. Thereby, the game device can share the processing schedule information with other game devices.
[0012]
The process execution means executes, for each process schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means, the process having the contents indicated by the process schedule information at the execution timing indicated by the process schedule information.
[0013]
In the above configuration, the player can specify not only the contents of the process to be executed but also the execution timing of the process. Further, since the processing schedule information is distributed to other game devices early, there is a high possibility that the processing schedule information will arrive before the execution timing even if a communication delay occurs. As a result, the chance that the player feels stress without performing the processing as instructed can be greatly reduced. In particular, it is possible to reduce stress that is felt when processing that should be executed simultaneously by a plurality of game devices is not executed simultaneously.
[0014]
In addition, the present invention provides the following game device in order to solve the above-described problem regarding a game in which a player designates a character's action like a network role playing game.
[0015]
This game device is a game device that controls a network game in which a character for each player who uses each game device is placed in a shared virtual space constituted by a plurality of game devices communicating via a network, which will be described below. The apparatus includes a designation input receiving unit, a schedule information sharing unit, and an image display unit.
[0016]
The designation input accepting means is means for accepting an input of a signal designating a content of an action to be performed by a player character using the game apparatus and an execution timing of the action until a predetermined time before the execution timing. Here, the “character” is a player character that the player designates an action or an enemy character whose action is prescribed by the game device. In addition, the “content of action” includes, for example, not only actions with movements such as walking, turning around, and invoking attack techniques, but also actions without movement such as postures and glares.
[0017]
The schedule information sharing means transmits the action schedule information indicating the content and execution timing of the action designated by the signal received by the designation input receiving means at the latest before the predetermined time before the execution timing. On the other hand, the schedule information sharing means receives the action schedule information transmitted from other game devices in the same manner. Thereby, the game device can share action schedule information with other game devices.
[0018]
The image display means displays, for each action schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means, an image of a scene in which the character of the player using the game device that has transmitted the action schedule information performs the action indicated by the action schedule information. It is means for displaying at the execution timing represented by the action schedule information.
[0019]
According to the said structure, action schedule information is shared by all the game devices before the timing which a character should act, and a character will take action reliably at the scheduled timing. Therefore, the character always acts at the timing as expected by the player regardless of the presence or absence of communication delay.
[0020]
The game device preferably further includes schedule information display means for displaying action schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means on the screen. Thus, the player can know the action schedule of the other player's character in advance, and can assemble the action of his / her character while referring to the action schedule of the other character.
[0021]
Each of the above game devices can be realized by incorporating a predetermined game control program into a general-purpose computer having a communication function such as a home game machine, a portable game device, a personal computer, a portable information terminal, and a mobile phone. Therefore, the present invention provides a game control program for realizing such a function. The present invention also provides a recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), a CD-ROM, a memory card, a game cassette, and a hard disk in which such a program is recorded.
[0022]
The game control program of the present invention is a game control program for controlling a network game controlled by a plurality of computers communicating via a network, and details of processing for causing the plurality of computers to execute the computer and execution of the processing A designated input receiving means for receiving an input of a signal for designating a timing until a predetermined time before the execution timing, and processing schedule information indicating the content and execution timing of the process designated by the signal received by the designated input receiving means at the latest execution timing. The schedule information sharing means for sharing the processing schedule information with other computers by receiving the processing schedule information transmitted in a similar manner from other computers, Each processing schedule shared by the schedule information sharing means For distribution, characterized in that function as process execution means for executing the processing of the content processing schedule information represented by the execution timing indicated by the processing schedule information.
[0023]
Another game control program of the present invention is a game control program for controlling a network game in which a character for each player using each computer is placed in a shared virtual space composed of a plurality of computers communicating via a network. A designation input acceptance means for accepting input of a signal designating a content of an action to be performed by a character of a player using the computer and an execution timing of the action until a predetermined time before the execution timing; and a designation While sending the action schedule information indicating the content and execution timing of the action specified by the signal received by the input receiving means at the latest before the predetermined time before the execution timing, the action schedule sent in the same manner from another computer By receiving information The schedule information sharing means for sharing action schedule information with other computers, and for each action schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means, the character of the player who uses the computer that sent the action schedule information It is characterized by functioning as an image display means for displaying an image of a scene where an action having the content represented by the schedule information is performed at an execution timing represented by the schedule information.
[0024]
Each of the game control programs preferably causes the computer to further function as schedule information display means for displaying action schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means on a screen.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0026]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a network game. In general, the network game service is provided by a server computer (server 2) managed by a game company or the like. The server 2 is a system composed of one or more computers connected to the network 1 such as the Internet, and a game control program for controlling a network game is incorporated therein.
[0027]
A player of a network game uses a game service by accessing the server 2 using a client terminal 3 such as a home game machine or a personal computer having a communication function. In the embodiment described below, the client terminal 3 is a personal computer system in which a network game client control program is incorporated. In detail, the client terminal 3 is a system in which a display 5, a keyboard 6, a mouse 7, a speaker (not shown), and the like are connected to a personal computer (main body) 4.
[0028]
However, instead of the keyboard 6 and the mouse 7, other input devices may be connected. As other input devices, for example, a pointing device other than a mouse such as a trackball or a tablet can be considered. Alternatively, a game-dedicated controller equipped with a joystick and various operation buttons can be considered.
[0029]
A game control program that runs on the client terminal is provided to the player in a state of being recorded on a DVD. When the player installs and starts the game control program on the personal computer 4 or directly starts from the DVD, the personal computer 4 functions as the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention. At this time, the game control program operating on the client terminal is an embodiment of the game control program of the present invention, and the DVD is an embodiment of the recording medium of the present invention.
[0030]
In the network game, a client-side game control program incorporated in the personal computer 4 and a server-side game control program operating on the server 2 execute game control processing while exchanging information as necessary. It is realized by. When a plurality of players play a game together, information related to game control is shared by a plurality of client terminals. In this case as well, information exchange between the client terminals is performed via the server 2. Done.
[0031]
Information input by the player to the client terminal 3 (for example, the client terminal 3a) is once transferred from the client terminal 3a to the server 2 as indicated by an arrow 8 in the figure, and then from the server 2 to the client as indicated by an arrow 9 in the figure. Distributed to terminals 3b, 3c and 3d. Alternatively, the server 2 may distribute information to all client terminals including the client terminal 3a. As a result, the client terminals 3a to 3b share the same information.
[0032]
FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the transmission / reception timing of information indicated by the arrows 8 and 9 in FIG. In a general role-playing game, as shown in the figure, the player performs an operation of designating action content at a timing at which the player character wants to act. Specifically, the player moves the cursor to one item in the action selection menu and performs an operation (for example, an operation of pressing a predetermined button of the game controller) that means determination of the selection content aiming at a timing at which the player wants to act. . As shown in the figure, the information input by this operation is once transferred to the server (arrow 8) and then distributed (arrow 9) to each client terminal. When the game control program operating on each client terminal receives the information distributed from the server 2, the game control program controls the screen so that the player character takes a specified action.
[0033]
As shown in the figure, there is a time lag 10 between the timing at which the player using the client terminal 3a specifies the action content and the timing at which the player character actually performs the specified action. In general, a network game is designed so that the time lag 10 is negligible when the game is played in a high-speed communication environment such as ADSL or optical network. However, the time lag 10 may become a size that cannot be ignored temporarily due to fluctuations in traffic volume. In addition, since the network environment is different for each player, the time lag 10 may not be negligible for only some players.
[0034]
However, the amount of network traffic cannot be controlled by players or game service providers. Therefore, it is impossible to eliminate fluctuations in traffic volume.
[0035]
As will be described below, the game device and the game control program according to the present embodiment control the game in consideration of the possibility that the time lag 10 becomes so large that it cannot be ignored. Specifically, first, it is possible to pre-register the action schedule of the player character. Second, the action schedules of the player character and enemy character are displayed on the screen. Thirdly, when the operation input information from the player is received, the movement of the player character is not immediately controlled as in the prior art, but the control is performed after waiting for a designated timing.
[0036]
Hereinafter, the game device and the game control program according to the present embodiment will be described in detail by taking as an example a case where four players respectively using the client terminals 3a to 3d of FIG. 1 play a network role playing game together. To do.
[0037]
FIG. 3 shows the game screen 11 when the battle between the player character and the enemy character is performed. The game screen 11 is composed of two areas: an area 12 in which the state of the battle between the player character and the enemy character is displayed, and an area 13 for designating and displaying the action of the player character. The area 13 is further composed of two areas: an area 17 where a plurality of action designation buttons 19 are arranged, and an area 18 where an action schedule chart showing the action schedules of the player character and the enemy character is displayed.
[0038]
The figure shows an example in which four player characters 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d arranged in the virtual space and two enemy characters 15a and 15b are displayed in the area 12. The action of the player character 14a is specified by the player using the client terminal 3a of FIG. 1, and similarly, the actions of the player characters 14b, 14c and 14d are specified by the player using the client terminals 3b, 3c and 3d, respectively. The On the other hand, the actions of the enemy characters 15a and 15b are defined by a game control program incorporated in the server 2 and a game control program incorporated in each client terminal. In addition, the area 12 displays information 16 regarding the state (life force, magic power, etc.) of each player character.
[0039]
Each of the 16 action designation buttons 19 arranged in the region 17 corresponds to one kind of action, and the action (for example, the name of the technique) is displayed on the screen as a button name. For convenience of explanation, in the figure, the attack technique is represented as AXX (XX is a number), and the defense posture is represented as DXX (XX is a number).
[0040]
At this time, since the types of actions that can be specified differ depending on the player character, the combination of the 16 action specifying buttons 19 arranged in the area 17 differs for each player (each client terminal). For example, if the game screen 11 is a screen displayed on the client terminal 3c of the player who operates the player character 14c, the area 17 has only buttons corresponding to actions (such as techniques that can be used) that the player character 14c can perform. Is displayed.
[0041]
Next, the action schedule chart displayed in the area 18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of only the area 18 of the game screen. As shown in the figure, an action schedule chart 20 indicating the action schedule of the player character and an action schedule chart 21 indicating the action schedule of the enemy character are displayed in the area 18.
[0042]
The action schedule charts 20 and 21 are charts that display a time axis 23 and an action bar 24 that is arranged on the time axis 23. The time axis 23 represents the time from the current time to 6 seconds after the current time. The time indicated by the line 26 corresponds to the current time, the time indicated by the line 25 corresponds to 2 seconds after the current time, and the left end of the time axis corresponds to 6 seconds after the current time. Thus, the action schedule charts 20 and 21 display not a fixed section but a section of time that changes with the passage of time.
[0043]
One time axis 23 is displayed for each character, and is distinguished by an icon 22 displayed at the left end of the time axis 23. In the illustrated example, the time axis corresponding to the player character 14a is indicated as P1, the time axis corresponding to the player character 14b is indicated as P2, the time axis corresponding to the player character 14c is indicated as P3, and the time axis corresponding to the player character 14d is indicated as P4. Has been.
[0044]
Specifically, the action bar 24 arranged on the time axis 23 includes a mark 31 including an action content display (“A13” in the example in the figure) and both sides of the mark 31 as shown in FIG. And two bars 30 and 32 extending in the time axis direction.
[0045]
The length 28 of the mark 31 in the time axis direction represents the time required for the action (A13) indicated by the mark 31. Further, the length 27 of the bar 30 represents the length of time required for the preparation operation necessary to cause the action. Further, the length 29 of the bar 32 represents the length of rest time (hereinafter, this time is referred to as “rigidity time”) required until the next action can be performed after the action is completed.
[0046]
For example, when the action A13 is a sword technique, the length 27 of the bar 30 represents the time until the character swings up the sword, and the length 28 of the mark 31 in the time axis direction indicates the time for the character to swing the sword down. The length 29 of the bar 32 represents the time until the sword is swung down into the sheath.
[0047]
However, depending on the type of action, the preparation operation may not be necessary, and in this case, the bar 30 is not displayed. Further, the bar 32 is not displayed when the next action can be performed immediately after the action ends.
[0048]
FIGS. 5A to 5E are diagrams for explaining the relationship between the position of the action bar on the time axis and the action of the player character. As described above, in the action schedule charts 20 and 21, the position indicated by the line 26 is the current time, and the left end of the time axis corresponds to 6 seconds after the current time. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5E, the action bar 24 arranged on the time axis 23 moves to the right as time passes.
[0049]
FIG. 5A shows a state in which the action bar 24 is arranged on the left side of the central part of the action schedule chart 20. In the action schedule chart 20, the distance from the right end of the bar 30 constituting the action bar 24 to the line 26, that is, the distance 33 shown in the figure indicates how many seconds after the action indicated by the action bar 24 is executed.
[0050]
FIG.5 (b) has shown the display of the action schedule chart after several second progress from the state of Fig.5 (a). As shown in the figure, the right end of the bar 30 constituting the action bar 24 has reached a line 25 representing 2 seconds after the current time. In the game of the present embodiment, the action schedule indicated by the action bar 24 is fixed when the state shown in FIG. At this time, the information indicating that the action schedule indicated by the action bar 24 is confirmed is transmitted from the client terminal 3 to the server 2.
[0051]
FIG.5 (c) has shown the display of the action schedule chart after 2 second passes from the state of FIG.5 (b). As shown in the figure, the right end of the bar 30 constituting the action bar 24 has reached a line 26 representing the current time. At this point, the player character 14a (P1) starts a preparatory action necessary for taking action.
[0052]
FIG. 5D shows the state of the action schedule chart after a little less than 1 second has elapsed from the state of FIG. As shown in the figure, the right end of the mark 31 constituting the action bar 24 has reached a line 26 representing the current time. At this point, the player character 14a (P1) finishes the preparation operation and starts the action displayed by the mark 31.
[0053]
FIG. 5 (e) shows the state of the action schedule chart after more than one second has elapsed from the state of FIG. 5 (d). As shown in the drawing, the right end of the bar 32 constituting the action bar 24 has reached a line 26 representing the current time. At this point, the player character 14a (P1) finishes the action and enters a rigid state.
[0054]
When the time further elapses and the bar 32 in FIG. 5E is no longer displayed on the action schedule chart 20, the player character 14a can be released from the rigid state. That is, the player character 14a is in a state where it can start a preparation action for the next action.
[0055]
As described above, the action schedule of each player character is indicated by the action bar arranged on the time axis of the action schedule chart 20. Similarly, the action schedule of the enemy character is also indicated by an action bar arranged on the time axis of the action schedule chart 21.
[0056]
By checking the action schedule chart 20, the game player can know in advance the action schedule of a player character operated by a player other than himself / herself. Accordingly, it is possible to cause one's own player character to act in accordance with the action timing of another player character. For example, it is easy to cause a player character operated by the player and another player character to attack at the same time, or to activate a cooperative technique by causing an attack immediately after another player character performs an attack. become. That is, the player can enjoy the pleasure of breathing with other players and collaborating to assemble a battle.
[0057]
Further, the player can know in advance the action schedule of the enemy character by checking the action schedule chart 21. As a result, the player character can be attacked at a timing that is inconvenient for the enemy character. Alternatively, it is possible to allow the player character to take a defense posture in advance in consideration of the enemy character's attack schedule.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, two types of action schedule charts, an action schedule chart 20 that displays the action schedule of the player character and an action schedule chart 21 that displays the action schedule of the enemy character, are displayed on the screen. Only one of them may be displayed. Moreover, if the information equivalent to the said action schedule charts 21 and 22 can be confirmed on a screen, the form of a display will not be limited to the said example. For example, marks may be displayed at points on the time axis corresponding to the start of a preparatory action, the start of action, the end of action, etc., and the preparatory action start time, action start time, action end time are displayed as numbers. May be. The display is not limited to the chart format, and may be a list format, for example. That is, the display form is not particularly limited as long as the player can recognize the action schedule of each character.
[0059]
Next, an action schedule registration method will be described. In the present embodiment, an action schedule can be registered by arranging an action bar on the time axis according to the procedure described below. 6A to 6C, the registration procedure will be described with reference to an example in which the player using the client terminal 3c registers the action schedule of the player character 14c (P3).
[0060]
First, by operating the mouse 7, the cursor 34 displayed on the screen is set to the action button corresponding to the action that the player character wants to perform, and the left button of the mouse 7 is pressed. When the left button of the mouse 7 is pressed, a translucent action bar 35 appears on the screen as shown in FIG. The translucent action bar 35 can be moved by a drag operation of the mouse 7. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6B, a drag operation is performed to move the translucent action bar 35 to a desired position on the time axis.
[0061]
When the left button of the mouse 7 is released at a desired position, as shown in FIG. 6C, the action bar is arranged at the position when the left button is released. When the arrangement is completed, an opaque action bar 36 is displayed instead of the translucent action bar 35. A player using the client terminal 3c can register the action schedule of the player character 14c (P3) by the drag-and-drop operation of the mouse 7 described above.
[0062]
The contents registered by the above operation are action contents and action execution timing. The action content is designated by selecting an action designation button. In addition, the action execution timing is designated as the action bar placement position. As described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E, the player character starts the preparatory action when the right end of the action bar reaches the line 26. Therefore, designating the arrangement position of the action bar results in designating the timing for starting the preparation operation.
[0063]
The registered information is stored in the client terminal of the registered player. The action content information is stored as an identification code indicating the type of action, for example. In addition, the action execution timing stores the time from the registration time to the execution time (how many seconds later) or the time when the action is executed (how many minutes and what seconds are executed).
[0064]
Information indicating registered contents is transmitted to the server 2. The server 2 distributes the information to other client terminals.
[0065]
The example in the figure shows a case where the action schedule is registered so that the player character 14c activates the attack technique A06 immediately after the player character 14b activates the attack technique A09. When attack technique A09 and attack technique A06 are techniques that change into a linked technique by being continuously activated, the action bar is arranged as shown in the figure to cause great damage to the enemy character in the battle. Can do.
[0066]
However, there are some restrictions on the registration of action schedules. Hereinafter, this limitation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A shows a place where the action bar is arranged so as to straddle the line 25. However, as described above, in the game according to the present embodiment, when the state shown in FIG. 5B is reached, the action schedule indicated by the action bar 24 is confirmed and the action schedule is confirmed to the server 2. Information to convey is sent. After the information transmission to the server 2 is performed, the action schedule cannot be changed, canceled, or added, so that the arrangement of the action bar across the line 25 is not permitted. In this state, when the player tries to release the left button of the mouse, as shown in the figure, a mark 37 indicating that such registration is not permitted is displayed.
[0067]
FIG. 7B shows a state where an action bar is attempted to be placed on top of another action bar. Since an integrated player character cannot perform two types of actions at the same time, such an arrangement of action bars is not permitted in principle. Therefore, also in this case, if the player attempts to place the action bar at such a position, the mark 37 similar to that in FIG. 7A is displayed.
[0068]
However, in the game of the present embodiment, some actions have a rigid cancellation attribute. The rigid cancellation attribute is an attribute that forcibly releases the rigid state. The action having the rigidity cancellation attribute can be executed without waiting for the end of the rigidity period of the previous action. Therefore, only in such an action, the arrangement of action bars as shown in FIG. 7B is permitted.
[0069]
However, even if an action has a rigid cancellation attribute, as shown in FIG. 7C, if the previous action has already been confirmed, the action bar is superimposed on the action bar representing the previous action. Cannot be placed. This is because the rigid state cannot be canceled for actions that have already been confirmed. Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 7C, the placement of the action bar 35 is not permitted, and a mark 37 indicating that registration is not permitted is displayed.
[0070]
The action schedule can be canceled only before confirmation. Canceling the action schedule is executed by pressing the delete key of the keyboard 6 in accordance with the action bar on which the cursor 34 on the screen is to be canceled. When this operation is performed, the stored action schedule information is deleted, and the corresponding action bar in the action schedule chart is deleted from the screen. When changing the action schedule, after canceling the action schedule, the action schedule may be newly registered by the above operation. Or you may make it the specification which can change the arrangement position of an action bar on a screen by drag and drop operation.
[0071]
In this embodiment, the action bar can be arranged on the time axis by a drag-and-drop operation, but various other methods can be considered as the method of arranging the action bar. For example, when the action designation button is selected, the semi-transparent action bar 35 is automatically displayed on the time axis so that the player operates the cursor key on the keyboard or the direction instruction button on the game controller. Then, the position of the semi-transparent action bar 35 may be moved to the left and right, and the arrangement position may be determined by performing a predetermined determination operation.
[0072]
FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing the timing of transmission / reception of various information from the client terminal to the server and from the server to other client terminals. When the player registers the action schedule of the player character by the drag-and-drop operation described with reference to FIG. 6, the registered action schedule information is transmitted from the client terminal of the player to the server 2, and further from the server 2. To client terminals. As a result, an action schedule chart including an action bar indicating the registered contents, that is, the registered action, is displayed on the screens of both the client terminal of the registered player and the client terminal of the other player.
[0073]
On the client terminal where the action schedule is registered, the action bar is displayed on the screen immediately after the information is input. On the other client terminals, the action bar is displayed for the time that information is transferred via the server. There may be a delay. For this reason, the content of the action schedule chart temporarily displayed on the screen of each client terminal may be shifted. However, even if an action different from the intention is registered due to this deviation, there is no problem because the registration can be canceled and changed before confirmation. However, the registered behavior bars may be displayed on all the client terminals at the same time by delaying the timing at which the behavior bar is displayed in the client terminals where the action schedule is registered.
[0074]
Next, when the right end of the action bar reaches the action schedule chart line 25 over time, the registration is automatically confirmed, and information indicating that the registration is confirmed (hereinafter referred to as confirmation information) is stored in the client terminal. To the server 2. Further, the confirmation information is distributed from the server 2 to other client terminals.
[0075]
When the confirmation information is distributed, the game control program operating on each client terminal performs control so that the player character executes the registered action at the registered timing.
[0076]
In the conventional game, when similar information is delivered from the server to the client terminal, the client terminal immediately controls the player character to execute the action. However, in this embodiment, the game control on the client terminal side is performed. The program does not cause the player character to perform an action until the registered timing is reached.
[0077]
The confirmation information is distributed a predetermined time earlier than the timing when the player character acts. At this time, the predetermined time 39 secures sufficient time to absorb the time lag 38 that may occur due to communication delay. For example, in the present embodiment, the predetermined time is set to 2 seconds. This makes it possible to execute the action specified by the player character at the specified timing regardless of the presence or absence of communication delay, according to the registered action schedule.
[0078]
As described above, in the game device or program according to the present embodiment, the action content and action timing are registered in advance as an action schedule, and the action schedule information and the confirmed information are distributed to other client terminals early. In addition, since the player character is controlled to execute the specified action at the specified timing, if the player character acts at a timing different from the timing expected by the player character, special circumstances such as network disconnection occur. It is lost except.
[0079]
In the game device or program of the present embodiment, the character's action schedule can be registered only up to a predetermined time (2 seconds before) the execution timing. This is because the registration input acceptance is closed early in order to send the registration content information to the server early, but by adopting such a specification, as a result, the execution timing of the registered action will be reduced. In the last two seconds, the battle can be predicted but the behavior cannot be changed.
[0080]
If the player can specify the action content and the execution timing so that the player character is advantageous by 2 seconds before the execution timing, the player can spend the time of 2 seconds while expanding his expectation. On the other hand, for example, when the attack schedule of an attack technique is registered, but the enemy character has registered the schedule of the technique to contain the attack technique immediately before the registered content is confirmed, the player is allowed to perform this 2 The time of the second will be spent regrettable because the action schedule cannot be changed. In the conventional game, such a time does not exist, and it can be said that one of the features of the role-playing game is to enjoy the joy of spending two seconds of this joyful and fun.
[0081]
FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing the functions of the game device or the program. As shown in the figure, each client terminal 3 includes a designation input receiving function 55 that receives a designation input related to the action of the player character as described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Each client terminal 3 includes a schedule information sharing function 56 for exchanging action schedule information of the player character acquired by the designated input reception function 55 via the server 2. The schedule information sharing function 56 displays the action schedule information shared with other client terminals on the screen as an action schedule chart as described with reference to FIGS. Each client terminal 3 includes a process execution function 57 for controlling the action of the character based on the shared action schedule information. An image displayed in the area 12 of the game screen 11 in FIG. 3 is an image generated by the process execution function 57.
[0082]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the designated input reception function of FIG. Each step of the flowchart described below corresponds to the above-described processing from FIGS. 6A to 6C. First, in step S101, the game control program accepts a click operation with the mouse of the action designation button.
[0083]
Next, the game control program displays a translucent action bar in step S102. In detail, the display of the semi-transparent action bar first determines the type of action specified in step S101, and then the length of the marks 31, and bars 30 and 32 constituting the action bar based on the type of action. A translucent action bar image is generated and displayed. The time required for the action, the preparation time, and the rigid time are defined in advance for each action, and the length of the mark 31 and the bars 30 and 32 is determined with reference to the definition information in the process of step S102.
[0084]
Next, in step S103, a drag and drop operation as described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B is accepted. In step S104, it is determined whether or not the position where the action bar is about to be placed by the drop operation is subject to each restriction described with reference to FIG. 7, and it is determined whether or not such action schedule can be registered. To do. If registration is not possible, the mark 37 shown in FIG. 7A or the like is displayed as an error display in step S105. If registration is possible, a designated input is accepted.
[0085]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the schedule information sharing function of FIG. When the game control program detects that information is input in step S201, if the input is an input from a mouse, the game control program acquires the information input by the designated input reception function in step S202 and transmits it to the server. To do. On the other hand, if the input is from the network, the information transferred from the server is received in step S204. In either case, the game control program stores the schedule information input in step S205 and displays the information on the screen as an action bar of the action schedule chart.
[0086]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by the processing execution function of FIG. The game control program confirms the schedule information stored in step S301, and compares the timing registered in the schedule information with the current time in step S302. If it is the registered timing, in step S303, an image in which the corresponding character performs the scheduled action is generated and displayed on the screen.
[0087]
Finally, FIG. 13 shows a hardware configuration of the game apparatus in the above embodiment, that is, the personal computer main body 4 together with a hardware configuration of the server 2.
[0088]
The personal computer main body 4 includes at least a CPU 40, a memory 41, a communication control unit 42, an input / output control unit 44, an input device control unit 43, a display output control unit 45, and a system bus 46 for connecting them.
[0089]
The input / output control unit 44 controls reading of data from recording media such as a CD-ROM, DVD 47, and hard disk 48 and writing of data to those recording media. The input device control unit 43 controls an operation input from the mouse 7 connected to the personal computer body 4. Input received from the mouse 7 is transmitted to the CPU 40 via the system bus 46. The display output control unit 45 controls display on the display 5 of an image output by the game control program.
[0090]
A game control program read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD 47 is temporarily installed in the hard disk 48 and stored in the memory 41 via the system bus 46 at the time of activation. Alternatively, it is directly stored in the memory 41 from the recording medium. Alternatively, the game control program may be downloaded via a network via the communication control unit 42 and stored in the memory 41.
[0091]
The CPU 40 generates an image to be output as a game screen in accordance with the game control program stored in the memory 41, and transfers predetermined instruction signals and various data to the input device control unit 43 and the display output control unit 45. Control the signal input from the mouse 7 and the signal output to the display 5.
[0092]
The server 2 includes at least a CPU 49, a memory 51, a communication control unit 50, an input / output control unit 52, and a system bus 54 for connecting them. The game control program is stored in the hard disk 53 connected to the input / output control unit 52, read into the memory 51 when the program is started, and executed by the CPU 49.
[0093]
The game is controlled by a game control program operating on the personal computer main body 4 and a game control program operating on the server 2 communicating via the communication control unit 42, the network 1, and the communication control unit 50.
[0094]
The game device of the present invention can be implemented not only as a personal computer system as in the above embodiment, but also as a game control program incorporated in a home game device, a portable game device, a portable information terminal, or a mobile phone. It is. Furthermore, implementation as an arcade game machine is also possible.
[0095]
Further, the game device of the present invention is not limited to a device that controls a network game by communicating with another game device via a server as in the above embodiment, but by directly communicating with another game device. It may be a device that controls a network game. Further, the present invention is not limited to a network game, and can also be applied to a case where a plurality of game controllers are connected to one game device and a plurality of players play a game together.
[0096]
Furthermore, the game apparatus of the present invention is useful not only when a game is played by a plurality of people but also when a game is played by one person. This is because the advantage of being able to aim at an advantageous timing for the attack while confirming the action schedule of the enemy character is the same regardless of the number of players.
[0097]
Thus, the present invention is a useful invention regardless of the hardware configuration and the number of game players.
[0098]
【The invention's effect】
The game device or program of the present invention accepts input of processing schedule information until a predetermined time before the execution timing of the processing, and transmits it before the predetermined time of the execution timing at the latest so that it can communicate with other game devices early. Share information with. Since each game device executes the designated process at the designated execution timing, even when a communication delay occurs due to a network trouble, the process is executed at the timing expected by the player. Thereby, the stress of the player resulting from communication delay can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a network game.
FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing information transmission / reception timing between devices in a conventional network game.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of an action schedule chart.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between an arrangement position of an action bar on a time axis and an action of a player character.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an action schedule registration procedure;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining restrictions on registration of an action schedule.
FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing information transmission / reception timing between game devices of the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing functions of a game device or a program according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by a designated input reception function.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by a schedule information sharing function.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing executed by a processing execution function.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the game device according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 network, 2 server, 3 client terminal, 4 PC main body, 5 display, 6 keyboard, 7 mouse, 8, 9 arrows, 10 time lag, 11 game screen, 12, 13, 17, 18 area, 14a-d player character, 15a, b Enemy character, 16 Information on player character status, 19 Action designation button, 20, 21 Action schedule chart, 22 Icon, 23 Time axis, 24 Action bar, 25 Line representing 2 seconds after current time, 26 Current Line representing time, 27 Preparation time, 28 Action time, 29 Stiffness time, 30, 32 bar, 31 mark, 33 Distance representing time until execution timing, 34 Cursor, 35 Translucent action bar, 36 Opaque action bar, 37 Registration not permitted mark, 38 time lag, 39 From confirmation Time to action, 46,54 system bus, 47 CD-ROM or DVD, 48,53 hard disk.

Claims (6)

A game device that controls a network game controlled by a plurality of game devices that communicate via a network,
Designated input receiving means for receiving input of a signal specifying the content of the process to be executed by the plurality of game devices and the execution timing of the process until a predetermined time before the execution timing;
The processing schedule information indicating the contents and execution timing of the process specified by the signal received by the specified input receiving means is transmitted by the predetermined time before the execution timing at the latest, and transmitted in the same manner from other game devices. Schedule information sharing means for sharing process schedule information with other game devices by receiving the process schedule information,
A game apparatus comprising: process execution means for executing processing of the content represented by the process schedule information at an execution timing represented by the process schedule information for each process schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means. The game device for controlling a network game in which characters for each player using each game device are arranged in a shared virtual space constituted by a plurality of game devices communicating via a network,
Designation input receiving means for receiving input of a signal specifying the content of the action to be performed by the player character who uses the game apparatus and the execution timing of the action until a predetermined time before the execution timing;
While transmitting the action schedule information indicating the content and execution timing of the action specified by the signal received by the specified input receiving means at the latest before the predetermined time before the execution timing, it is transmitted in the same manner from other game devices. Schedule information sharing means for sharing the action schedule information with other game devices by receiving the action schedule information.
For each action schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means, the action schedule information is an image of a scene in which a player character who uses the game device that has transmitted the action schedule information performs an action with the content represented by the action schedule information. A game apparatus comprising: an image display means for displaying at an execution timing. 3. The game apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising schedule information display means for displaying action schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means on a screen. A game control program for controlling a network game controlled by a plurality of computers communicating via a network, the computer comprising:
Designated input receiving means for receiving input of a signal for designating the content of the processing to be executed by the plurality of computers and the execution timing of the processing until a predetermined time before the execution timing;
The processing schedule information indicating the content and execution timing of the process specified by the signal received by the specified input receiving means is transmitted by the predetermined time before the execution timing at the latest, but transmitted in the same manner from another computer. Schedule information sharing means for sharing the process schedule information with other computers by receiving the process schedule information;
A game control program for causing each processing schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means to function as a processing execution means for executing a process having a content represented by the processing schedule information at an execution timing represented by the processing schedule information. A game control program for controlling a network game in which a character for each player using each computer is arranged in a shared virtual space constituted by a plurality of computers communicating via a network, the computer comprising:
Designation input receiving means for receiving input of a signal specifying the content of the action to be performed by the character of the player using the computer and the execution timing of the action, up to a predetermined time before the execution timing;
While the action schedule information indicating the content and execution timing of the action specified by the signal received by the specified input receiving means is transmitted at the latest before the predetermined time before the execution timing, it is transmitted in the same manner from another computer. A schedule information sharing means for sharing the schedule information with other computers by receiving the schedule information;
For each action schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means, the action schedule information represents an image of a scene in which a player character who uses the computer that has transmitted the action schedule information performs an action with the content represented by the action schedule information. A game control program which functions as an image display means for displaying at an execution timing. 6. The game control program according to claim 5, further causing the computer to function as schedule information display means for displaying action schedule information shared by the schedule information sharing means on a screen.

Images