JP2005034208A - Game apparatus, game control program and recording medium having the program recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the players from estimating the number of characters yet to appear from the size of the display area and the size of the empty area when the status information on all characters is displayed on one of status display screens for the role playing games or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The status information 26 for indicating the state of the characters and the layout information 27 for determining the layout when the status information is displayed on the screen for each of the number of characters per screen are stored into a memory 25. Upon the reception of the input for designating the number of characters from a controller 3, the status information of the characters corresponding to the number of characters and the layout information matched with the number of characters are selectively acquired from the memory 25. Utilizing the status information and the acquired layout information, the image indicating the status display screen whose layout matches the number of characters designated is generated to be outputted onto a display 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game device that realizes a game such as a role playing game, a control program, and a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Specifically, the present invention relates to a function for displaying character status information on the screen.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In character-nurturing games such as role-playing games, as the game progresses, the character level, vitality (HP), experience value, and the like change from moment to moment. For this reason, usually in this type of game, the state of the character is displayed on a predetermined status display screen so that the player can appropriately check the state of the character (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
The status display screen is displayed in such a manner that the status information of all characters operated by the player is displayed within one screen, and the status information is displayed for each character, and the screen is switched or scrolled to display all characters. There is a form in which the status information can be confirmed.
[0004]
In the former display mode, the size of the display area allocated to one character is determined based on the number of characters that the player can operate from the start to the end of the game. For example, if the total number of the main character and fellow characters is six, an area of 1/6 size of the entire display area becomes the status display area of each character.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-239217 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a role-playing game or the like, there are characters that do not appear at the beginning of the game but appear only when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the game and join a friend. In addition, so-called hidden characters that are not introduced in the manual may appear. In this way, incorporating an element that the player cannot predict in the game is effective in increasing the player's expectation.
[0007]
However, if the size of the display area per character of the status display screen is determined by the above conventional method, for example, even if only the status information of the main character is displayed on the status display screen at the beginning of the game, From the size of the display area and the size of the vacant area, the number of characters that will appear and become friends can be predicted. The ability to predict the number of characters is not preferable, because it reduces the enjoyment of the game by one.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to propose a new display method of status information, and to provide a game device, a game control program, and a recording medium that perform such display, thereby solving the above-described problem.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A game apparatus according to the present invention is a game apparatus having a function of displaying status information of characters appearing in a game on a screen, and includes status information storage means, layout information storage means, input reception means, and information selection acquisition described below. Means and an image output means.
[0010]
The status information storage means is means for storing status information including one or more status data representing the character state for each character. The “character state” includes a state that changes stepwise like the character level, a state that changes as needed like the character HP, and a unique state that does not change such as the name of the character.
[0011]
The layout information storage means is means for storing layout information when the status information is displayed on the screen for each number of characters per screen when the status information is displayed on the screen. The layout information includes area size data representing the size of the display area per character, position data representing the display position of each status data in the display area, and display attribute data representing the display attribute of each status data. “Display attribute data” is, for example, an attribute related to the display size of status data. The attribute related to the display size is not limited to the display size itself as long as it is an attribute that determines the display size, and may be a display magnification as seen from a predetermined reference size.
[0012]
The input receiving means is means for receiving input of character number information relating to the number of characters per screen when displaying the status on the screen. The “character number information relating to the number of characters” is not limited to information indicating the number of characters per se, but may be information indicating increase / decrease in the number of characters as long as the number of characters can be specified.
[0013]
The information selection acquisition means selects and acquires layout information corresponding to the number of characters indicated by the number-of-characters information received by the input reception means from the layout information stored in the layout information storage means, and character status information for the number of characters. Is acquired from the status information stored in the status information storage means. For example, if the character number information indicates the number of characters 3, the status information for displaying the status information for three characters and the status information for the three characters is acquired.
[0014]
The image output means includes display areas of the size indicated by the area size data for the number of characters based on the layout information and status information acquired by the information selection acquisition means, and display attribute data at the display positions indicated by the position data of each display area. Is a means for generating an image in which status data having a display attribute represented by is arranged and outputting it to the screen.
[0015]
According to the above configuration, status information of the number of characters designated by the player is always displayed on the status display screen, and no blank portion is generated in the screen. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the number of characters that have not appeared can be estimated from the blank portion.
[0016]
Here, it is preferable that at least a part of the display attribute data included in the layout information corresponding to the number of characters of two or more among the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit is data representing the invisible display attribute. If the number of characters displayed on one screen is large and the size of the display area is limited, the status display screen becomes easier to see by hiding low priority data (invisible). is there. Here, the “invisible display attribute” refers to a display attribute that prevents the player from confirming the content on the screen. For example, the display magnification can be extremely small, the transparency / opaque attribute can be set to transparent, and the color attribute can be set to the same color as the background color. Needless to say, the necessity of display is managed as a display attribute, and it may be invisible by not displaying it.
[0017]
At this time, the game apparatus further includes attribute setting means for receiving an input for setting a value of display attribute data included in the layout information stored in the layout information storage means and rewriting the value of the display attribute data to the set value. It is preferable to provide. This is because the display / non-display criterion, that is, the priority of the status data may differ depending on the player.
[0018]
Further, when the status information for the first number of characters is displayed on the screen, the input accepting unit accepts the input of the number-of-characters information representing the second number of characters different from the first number of characters. The output means reduces the size of the display area from the size represented by the area size data included in the layout information corresponding to the first number of characters to the size represented by the area size data included in the layout information corresponding to the second number of characters. Alternatively, the position data included in the layout information corresponding to the second character number from the display position represented by the position data included in the layout information corresponding to the first character number is expanded and the status data arranged in each display area It is preferable to generate and output a moving image representing the process of moving to the display position represented by. This is because it is possible to enjoy the change of the screen while performing the operation as compared with the mode of switching the screen at a time.
[0019]
The game device can be realized by incorporating a predetermined game control program into a general-purpose computer such as a home game machine, a portable game device, a personal computer, a portable information terminal, or a mobile phone. Therefore, the present invention provides a game control program for realizing such a function. The game control program according to the present invention is a game control program for controlling a game having a function of displaying the status information of characters appearing in the game on the screen. This is a program that functions as storage means, input reception means, information selection acquisition means, and image output means.
[0020]
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.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a game system including a home game machine and its peripheral devices. The home game machine 1 is connected to a home television 2 having a display and a speaker via a cable (not shown).
[0023]
Further, an input device for inputting a control signal for the player to control the game, that is, a controller 3 is connected to the home game device 1. The controller 3 includes a direction instruction button 4 and some other operation buttons 5. The direction indicating button 4 is configured so that different operation signals are generated when the upper, left, lower, and right portions are pressed, and the direction of movement of the player character 6 displayed on the screen is designated. It is also used to move the cursor when selecting menu items. The other operation buttons 5 are also configured to generate different operation signals when they are pressed, and are used for determining a selection item, for example.
[0024]
The role playing game described below is a game realized by causing the consumer game device 1 to execute a role playing game control program. The game control program is provided to the player in a state of being recorded on a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). When the DVD is set in a disc tray (not shown) of the home game device 1 and the power is turned on, a control program for the role playing game is executed by the home game device 1, and the home game device is an embodiment of the present invention. To function as a game device. In this case, the role playing game control program 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.
[0025]
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. The game player instructs the player character to perform actions necessary to achieve the above-described tasks, such as movement in the virtual space, searching for a predetermined place, and collecting information through conversation with other characters.
[0026]
In addition, many enemy characters usually appear in a predetermined area of the virtual space. In this case, the game player instructs the player character to perform a battle with the enemy character.
[0027]
Each player character grows by achieving the above-mentioned problem or by fighting with an enemy character. Alternatively, it may be strengthened by wearing predetermined weapons and armor. In addition, each player character may be temporarily exhausted or poisoned due to a battle with an enemy character, but recovers by resting or using medicine. Furthermore, the player character increases or loses money or items due to achievement of tasks or battle with enemy characters. That is, the state of the player character changes from moment to moment while the game is in progress.
[0028]
The degree of growth of the player character is managed as a parameter representing the level, experience value, attack power, defense power, etc. of the player character. Further, the degree of consumption or recovery of the player character is managed as a parameter representing the vitality (HP), magic power (MP), etc. of the player character. The player character's money is also managed as numerical data representing the money. The change in the state of the player means that a parameter or data value managed by such a game control program changes. Hereinafter, these parameters and data are referred to as “status data”.
[0029]
The role playing game basically proceeds when the player specifies the movement of the character 6 on the screen on which the virtual space is displayed. However, during the progress of the game, the player can call the status display screen by performing a predetermined operation by the controller 3. On the status display screen, the state of the player character 6 is displayed as “status information” of the character. Status data that can be expressed numerically, such as level, experience value, money, etc., is displayed as numerical values, but status data that cannot be expressed numerically, such as abnormal conditions (such as addiction), is displayed with a mark or character indicating the state .
[0030]
The status display screen will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b) and 2 (c). On the status display screen 7, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the cursor 9 for selecting a menu item in a predetermined menu 8 is set to the item “STATUS”. Can be called. When the cursor 9 is set to the status item, status information is displayed on the right side of the screen as shown in the figure. In addition, a cursor 34 for selecting individual areas 10 for displaying character status information is also displayed on the screen. Hereinafter, a case where the player can operate up to six characters will be described as an example.
[0031]
In this role-playing game, the player can select how many characters of status information are displayed at a time on the status display screen.
The selection of the number of characters is based on the status display screen being displayed. When the number of characters is to be increased, the upper part of the direction indicating button 4 is pressed. On the other hand, when the number of characters is to be decreased, the direction indicating button 4 is selected. Press the bottom. Or if it is a controller provided with a joystick, operation which moves a joystick up and down is performed.
[0032]
However, the number of characters that can be selected by the selection operation of the number of characters is limited to the total number of characters that can be operated by the player at the time of performing the selection operation. For example, even in a game in which the player can operate a maximum of 6 characters, if only 4 characters out of 6 still appear at the time of performing the selection operation, 5 or more at that time The number of characters cannot be selected.
[0033]
When a value smaller than the upper limit value of the number of characters that can be selected is selected, the character for displaying the status information is selected so as to include the character on which the cursor 34 is positioned on the status display screen.
[0034]
The operation for selecting the number of characters may be any operation as long as it is an operation for supplying the number of characters itself or a signal meaning increase / decrease of the number of characters from an input device such as a controller to the game device. .
[0035]
FIG. 2A shows a screen on which status information for one character is displayed, FIG. 2B shows a screen for three characters, and FIG. 2C shows a screen on which status information for six characters is displayed.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 2A, on the screen on which the status information for one character is displayed, the entire area where the status information is displayed is the area 10 where the status information of the character is displayed. In the area, character image 11, character name 12, level 13, HP 14, poison, sleep, etc. state abnormality 15, age 16, belonging class 17, attack power 18, defense power 19, experience value 20, equipment 21, etc. All status data relating to the character is displayed.
[0037]
On the other hand, on the screen on which the status information for three characters is displayed, as shown in FIG. 2B, the display area 10 for each character is one third of the entire area where the status information is displayed. Become. Further, the status data to be displayed is only the character image 11, character name 12, level 13, HP 14, poison, sleep, etc., state abnormality 15, affiliation class 17, attack power 18, defense power 19, and experience value 20. Character age and equipment are not displayed.
[0038]
Further, on the screen on which the status information for 6 characters is displayed, as shown in FIG. 2C, the display area 10 per character is 1/6 of the entire area where the status information is displayed. Moreover, the status data to be displayed includes only the character image 11, character name 12, level 13, HP 14, state abnormality 15 such as poison, sleep, and belonging class 17, and the character's age, equipment, attack power, defense power, Experience values are not displayed.
[0039]
That is, the type of status data displayed on the status display screen differs depending on the number of characters that simultaneously display status information on the screen.
[0040]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the display size of the status data that is always displayed (for example, the character image 11 and the character name 12) is the number of characters to be displayed. The smaller it becomes, the smaller it becomes. In addition to the size, for example, the number display font and display color may be different. That is, the display attribute of the status data displayed on the status display screen differs depending on the number of characters that simultaneously display the status information on the screen.
[0041]
Further, in the status display screen of FIG. 2A, the state abnormality 15 is displayed at the left end of the display area, whereas in the status display screen of FIG. 2C, the state abnormality 15 is displayed at the right end of the display area. It is displayed. That is, the display position of status data differs depending on the number of characters that simultaneously display status information on the screen.
[0042]
Thus, on the status display screen 7 of this role-playing game, the layout of the status information display area varies depending on the number of characters that simultaneously display the status information on the screen.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing functions of the game device related to the display of the status display screen. As shown in the figure, the game apparatus 1 has an input reception function 22 for acquiring information on the number of characters by receiving an operation signal from the controller 3. Specifically, the input reception function 22 receives a signal indicating increase / decrease in the number of characters from the controller 3, and acquires information on the number of characters by adding / subtracting the increase / decrease to the number of characters displayed on the screen at that time. It is a function. However, if the received signal represents a number larger than the number of characters that the player can operate at that time, the signal is not accepted. Information on the number of characters that can be operated by the player at that time is stored in the memory, and is compared with the number of characters represented by the received signal to determine whether or not reception is possible.
[0044]
Further, the game apparatus 1 obtains information necessary for generating the status display screen from the status information 26 and layout information 27 stored in the memory 25 based on the information on the number of characters acquired by the input reception function 22. An information selection / acquisition function 23 for selecting and acquiring is provided. The status information 26 is information in which status data such as a character image and a character name is stored as a data set for each character. The layout information 27 is information such as the size of the display area per character, the status data type displayed on the status display screen, the display attributes, and the arrangement position, and is stored as a data set for each number of characters displayed on the screen at the same time. ing. For example, when the information on the number of characters acquired by the input reception function 22 indicates the number of characters 3, the information selection acquisition function 23 causes the status information 26 for three characters and a layout corresponding to the number of characters 3 Information 27 is read from the memory.
[0045]
When the information on the number of characters acquired by the input reception function 22 represents a value smaller than the upper limit value of the number of characters that can be received, the position information of the cursor 34 on the status display screen is referred to, and the cursor The character status information 26 to which the character 34 is combined and the character status information 26 stored adjacent to the character status information 26 are read from the memory.
[0046]
Further, the game apparatus 1 has an image output function 24 that generates an image representing a status display screen by referring to the status information and layout information acquired by the information selection acquisition function 23 and outputs the generated image to the display.
[0047]
4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the details of the layout information and the image generation by the image output function 24. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the layout information is stored as a data set for each number of characters displayed on the screen at the same time, and each data set includes area size data 28 of the display area for each character and the arrangement position of each status data. And data 29 indicating display attributes.
[0048]
The area size data 28 is stored as numerical data representing the width W and the height H of the display area 10 as shown in FIG. The game control program stores the coordinates of the point A0 shown in FIG. 5A as a fixed value. Therefore, if the values of the width W and the height H of the display area are obtained, the uppermost display area can be determined. The position An (n is an integer) in the second and subsequent display areas can be determined by calculation from the Y coordinate and the height H of the point A0. As a result, the status information display area 10 is determined for each character in the second and subsequent stages.
[0049]
Data 29 is numerical data representing coordinates (X, Y) indicating the arrangement position of each status data and the display magnification of each status data. As shown in FIG. 5B, the coordinates of the upper left point B of each status data arrangement area are stored as coordinates. At this time, the coordinates (X, Y) of the point B are expressed as relative position coordinates with the upper left point An of each display area as the base point (0, 0). Further, the display magnification is represented by a magnification when the display magnification on the status screen 7 shown in FIG. The layout in each display area can be determined by the data 29 indicating the coordinates of the arrangement position and the display magnification.
[0050]
For status data not displayed on the status display screen, a display magnification of 1% is stored. This is because by making the display magnification extremely small as compared with others, even if the display magnification is displayed on the screen, it is substantially invisible to the player's eyes. For example, FIG. 4 shows the layout information of the status display screen of FIG. 2B, but the age and equipment status are not displayed on the screen of FIG. The display magnification of 1 is 1%.
[0051]
As described above, the image generation by the image output function 24 determines the image configuration of the status display screen by referring to the layout information, and arranges each status data included in the status information so as to be the determined image configuration. Is done by.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, when the number of characters displayed on the status display screen is changed from the first number to the second number, the display area 10 of the status display screen 7 is enlarged in accordance with the change operation. Or reduce. At this time, each status data in the display area 10 moves from the arrangement position at the first character number to the arrangement position at the second character number. That is, the screen is not switched instantaneously as the number of characters is switched, but the display on the status display screen changes with the operation.
[0053]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining changes in display in each display area of the status display screen. The broken lines in the figure indicate the display area 10a, character image 11a, HP 14a, and attack power when the number of characters to be displayed is three. This shows the arrangement position of the status data 18a. On the other hand, the solid line represents the arrangement position of the status data of the display area 10b, character image 11b, HP 14b, and attack power 18b when the number of characters to be displayed is six. For example, when an operation of changing the number of characters from 3 to 6 is performed by continuously pressing the upper part of the direction instruction button, the display area 10a is reduced to the size of the display area 10b during the operation. Each status data is also reduced as it moves as indicated by the arrows in the figure. When the number of characters is 6, the status data of the attack power 18a is reduced to a magnification of 1% and displayed at an inconspicuous position in the display area as shown in the figure. Thereby, it seems that the status data of the attack power is not displayed to the player's eyes.
[0054]
By using the image output function 24, the game device generates a plurality of intermediate layout images between the layout with the number of characters 3 and the layout with the number of characters 6 to form a moving image by continuously displaying the images. The above screen change is caused. Thereby, the player can enjoy the visual change of the status display screen while performing the operation of changing the number of characters.
[0055]
Here, the layout information can be changed on a predetermined attribute setting screen. Specifically, the type of status data to be displayed can be changed by changing the display magnification. By default, high priority status data is always displayed based on the priority determined by the game creator, and low priority status data is invisible when the number of characters increases and the size of the display area decreases. It is set to be. However, the player can reset the layout based on the priority order of the status data determined by himself by changing the layout information on the attribute setting screen.
[0056]
On the attribute setting screen, layout information corresponding to the number of characters designated by the player is displayed, and the display magnification can be set by increasing or decreasing the numerical value of the display magnification by operating the direction instruction button. Alternatively, a plurality of layout information having different priorities may be stored in a memory so that the layout information to be referred to can be switched on the attribute setting screen.
[0057]
In the above embodiment, the status data is made invisible by reducing the display magnification of the status data. However, the status data is not displayed, is transparent, or is the same color as the background color. Becomes invisible. That is, the above screen specifications can be realized also by managing display necessity, transparent / non-transparent attributes, or color attributes as layout information.
[0058]
In addition, as a display attribute, a flag attribute for character display or mark display is managed. For example, when the size of the display area is large, HP is displayed as both a numerical value and a gauge, and when the area size is small, only the numerical value is displayed. Or the method of using only a gauge is also considered. That is, display attributes managed as layout information are not limited to the display size described above, and can be considered variously.
[0059]
In the above embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the layout of the plurality of display areas 10 displayed on the status display screen is unified. The layout may be different between the combined display area 10 and another display area 10. For example, more detailed status information may be displayed for the character on which the cursor 34 is placed than for other characters.
[0060]
Such a specification can be realized by preparing two types of layout information for each number of characters and using different layout information depending on the position of the cursor 34. Specifically, as the layout information 27 stored in the memory 25 of FIG. 3, two types of layout information, that is, layout information for the character on which the cursor 34 is placed and layout information for other characters are stored. When the number of characters is selected, the two types of layout information are read as layout information corresponding to the number of characters. When generating an image, the image is generated by referring to two types of layout information together with information on the cursor position acquired separately.
[0061]
In a game in which an item can be used while checking status information on the status display screen, when a player selects a predetermined item as a used item, status data related to the item is displayed. May be. For example, when “Poison Disinfection” is selected as a use item, a state abnormality mark indicating whether or not a poisoned state is present may be displayed.
[0062]
Such a specification can be realized by preparing and using two types of layout information for each number of characters. Specifically, as layout information 27 stored in the memory 25 of FIG. 3, two types of layout information, that is, layout information at the time of item use and layout information at the time of normal use are stored, and an item to be used is selected. In this case, the layout information when the item is used is read from the memory 25, and an image is generated.
[0063]
As described above, on the status display screen, the number of characters whose status information is displayed is determined by the player's operation, and the status information of the number of characters determined by the player is always displayed on the status screen. The This eliminates the problem of estimating the number of characters that will appear in the future and join a friend from a blank space.
[0064]
When the number of characters to be displayed increases and the size of the display area per character decreases, the layout of the display area is changed to a layout that matches the area size. For this reason, when the number of characters on which status information is displayed increases, there is no concern that the screen becomes difficult to see.
[0065]
Further, when the size of the display area is small, a part of the status data is displayed in an invisible state and only important status data is displayed, so that the player can efficiently check the status information.
[0066]
In addition, since the number of characters on which status information is displayed can be changed with a simple controller operation, the player can check the status information with a display that is most easily checked according to the purpose of checking the status information. .
[0067]
Finally, FIG. 7 shows a hardware configuration of the game device, that is, the home game machine 1 in the above embodiment. The home game machine 1 includes at least a CPU 33, a memory 25, an input / output control unit 32, an operation device control unit 42, a display output control unit 30, a sound output control unit 31, and a system bus 35 for connecting them. Furthermore, you may provide the communication control part 36 which controls the connection with a network.
[0068]
The input / output control unit 32 controls reading of data from recording media such as a CD-ROM, DVD 37, memory card, game cassette 38, and hard disk 39 and writing of data to those recording media. The operation device control unit 42 controls an operation input from the controller 3 connected to the consumer game device 1. The input received from the controller 3 is transmitted to the CPU 33 via the system bus 35. The display output control unit 30 controls the display on the display 40 of the image output by the game control program. The sound output control unit 31 controls the output of game sound to the speaker 41.
[0069]
A game control program read from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD 37 or a memory card or cassette 38 is stored in the memory 25 via the input / output control unit 32 and the system bus 35. Similarly, status information and layout information are stored in the memory 25. Note that the game control program, status information, and layout information may be downloaded via the network via the communication control unit 36 and stored in the memory 25 in some cases.
[0070]
The CPU 33 generates an image to be output as a game screen in accordance with the game control program stored in the memory 25, or transmits predetermined instruction signals and various kinds of signals to the operation device control unit 42, the display output control unit 30, or the audio output control unit 31. By transferring data, transmission and reception of various signals with the controller 3 and signal output to the display 40 and the speaker 41 are controlled.
[0071]
The home game machine 1 functions as an input receiving unit of the present invention by the CPU 33 interpreting and receiving the signal input from the controller 3 as information meaningful by the game control program, that is, information related to the number of characters. To do. Further, the home game machine 1 is a system in which the CPU 33 receives information necessary for displaying the status display screen from the status information and character information stored in the memory 25 based on the information related to the number of characters received. By selecting and acquiring via the bus 35, it functions as an information selection acquiring means of the present invention. Further, in the consumer game device 1, the CPU 33 generates an image of a status display screen by referring to the acquired information, temporarily stores the generated image in the memory 25 or a frame memory (not shown), and further performs display output control. By controlling the unit 30, the image stored in the memory 25 is output to the display 40, thereby functioning as the image output means of the present invention.
[0072]
Note that the game device of the present invention can be implemented not only as a home game machine as in the above embodiment, but also as a game control program incorporated in another general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. Furthermore, implementation as an arcade game machine is also possible. Further, the type of game is not limited to the role playing game as long as it has a function of displaying the status of the character, and may be another type of game. The present invention is useful regardless of the hardware configuration and the type of game.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
According to the game device, the game control program, and the recording medium of the present invention, the number of characters whose status information is displayed is determined by the player's operation, and the status information of the number of characters determined by the player is always displayed on the status screen. Is displayed. For this reason, the number of characters appearing in the future cannot be estimated from the blank space.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of a game system including a home game machine and its peripheral devices.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a status display screen.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing functions of a game device related to display of a status display screen.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of layout information.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining image generation on a status display screen;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a change in display of a status display screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the game device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Home game device (game device), 2 Home television, 3 Controller, 4 Direction instruction button, 5 Operation button, 6 Player character, 7 Status display screen, 8 Menu, 9,34 cursor, Display for 10 characters Area, 11 character image, 12 character name, 13 level, 14 HP, 15 condition abnormality, 16 age, 17 class, 18 attack power, 19 defense power, 20 experience value, 21 equipment, 35 system bus, 37 DVD, etc. 38 Memory cards, etc. 39 Hard disks.

Claims (11)

A game device having a function for displaying status information of characters appearing in a game on a screen,
Status information storage means for storing status information including one or more status data representing the character state for each character;
Area size data representing the size of the display area per character when the status information is displayed on the screen, position data representing the display position of each status data in the display area, and display representing the display attribute of each status data Layout information storage means for storing layout information including attribute data for each number of characters per screen when the status information is displayed on the screen;
Input receiving means for receiving input of character number information relating to the number of characters per screen when displaying the status on the screen;
The layout information corresponding to the number of characters indicated by the character number information received by the input receiving means is selected and acquired from the layout information stored in the layout information storage means, and the status information of the characters for the number of characters is displayed in the status. Information selection acquisition means for selecting and acquiring from status information stored in the information storage means;
Based on the layout information and status information acquired by the information selection acquisition means, display areas of the size represented by the area size data are provided for the number of characters, and the display attributes are displayed at the display positions represented by the position data of the display areas. An image output means for generating an image in which status data having a display attribute represented by data is arranged and outputting the generated image to a screen. 2. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display attribute data included in the layout information stored in the layout information storage means is an attribute related to a display size of the status data. The layout information stored in the layout information storage means includes at least a part of display attribute data included in layout information corresponding to the number of characters of 2 or more, wherein the display attribute data is data representing an invisible display attribute. Item 3. A game device according to item 1 or 2. The apparatus further comprises attribute setting means for receiving an input for setting a value of display attribute data included in layout information stored in the layout information storage means and rewriting the value of the display attribute data to the set value. The game device according to claim 1. When the status information for the first number of characters is displayed on the screen, the input receiving means receives input of character number information representing a second number of characters different from the first number of characters.
The image output means includes area size data included in the layout information corresponding to the second number of characters from a size represented by area size data included in the layout information corresponding to the number of first characters. The status data arranged in each display area corresponding to the second character number from the display position represented by the position data included in the layout information corresponding to the first character number is reduced or enlarged to the size represented by 5. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a moving image representing a process of moving to a display position represented by position data included in the layout information is generated and output. A program for controlling a game having a function of displaying status information of characters appearing in the game on a screen,
Status information storage means for storing status information consisting of one or more status data representing a character state for each character;
Area size data representing the size of the display area per character when the status information is displayed on the screen, position data representing the display position of each status data in the display area, and display representing the display attribute of each status data Layout information storage means for storing layout information including attribute data for each number of characters per screen when the status information is displayed on the screen;
Input receiving means for receiving input of character number information relating to the number of characters per screen when displaying the status on the screen;
The layout information corresponding to the number of characters indicated by the character number information received by the input receiving means is selected and acquired from the layout information stored in the layout information storage means, and the status information of the characters for the number of characters is displayed in the status. An information selection acquisition unit that selects and acquires status information stored in the information storage unit, and a display area having a size represented by the area size data based on the layout information and status information acquired by the information selection acquisition unit. A number of minutes, and generating an image in which status data having a display attribute represented by the display attribute data is arranged at a display position represented by the position data of each display area and functioning as an image output unit that outputs the generated image to the screen Feature game control program. The game control program according to claim 6, wherein the display attribute data included in the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit is an attribute related to a display size of the status data. The layout information stored in the layout information storage means includes at least a part of display attribute data included in layout information corresponding to the number of characters of 2 or more, wherein the display attribute data is data representing an invisible display attribute. Item 8. A game control program according to item 6 or 7. The computer further
Receiving an input for setting the value of the display attribute data included in the layout information stored in the layout information storage means, and functioning as an attribute setting means for rewriting the value of the display attribute data to the set value. The game control program according to any one of claims 6 to 8. When the status information for the first number of characters is displayed on the screen, the input receiving means receives input of character number information representing a second number of characters different from the first number of characters.
The image output means includes area size data included in the layout information corresponding to the second number of characters from a size represented by area size data included in the layout information corresponding to the number of first characters. The status data arranged in each display area corresponding to the second character number from the display position represented by the position data included in the layout information corresponding to the first character number is reduced or enlarged to the size represented by 10. The game control program according to claim 6, wherein a moving image representing a process of moving to a display position represented by position data included in layout information is generated and output. A computer-readable recording medium on which the game control program according to claim 6 is recorded.

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