JP2007006953A - Game system and its control method, game apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce an unpleasantness felt by a player by avoiding a contradiction generated due to the communication delay in a game which is required to extremely shorten the response time. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 511 of a game apparatus 5 generates the trajectory information when the player launches a bullet to the other character by operating a gun unit 56 and transmits the same to a specific echo server. When the CPU 511 receives the trajectory information from the echo server, it generates the information to indicate the judgment result whether the bullet hits a target or not on the basis of the positional information of the own character and the received trajectory information. When the gun unit 56 is operated to launch the bullet to the other character, the CPU 511 makes a display apparatus 52 display a figure to show the indeterminacy whether the bullet hits the other character or not in a period from the sensing of an operational signal until the acquisition of the information showing the judgment result from the other game apparatus 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system that performs communication via a relay device, a control method thereof, a game device, and a program.

  There is a game system capable of executing a game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space among a plurality of game devices. In this system, it takes a considerable amount of time to communicate between a plurality of game devices. That is, there is a communication delay. Therefore, if each game device makes a determination based on the action of the character independently, there is a possibility that a contradiction occurs in the determination result. To avoid this contradiction, the system must be configured so that there is only one device that determines the same event.

As a system having such a configuration, as described in Patent Document 1, a specific device (server) other than the game device performs all determinations based on the motion of the character, and each game device displays an image to be displayed. Some update only when information from a specific device is received. In this system, the above contradiction does not occur, and the images displayed on each game device also correspond to the determination result on a specific device.
JP 2003-047774 A

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, since all operations are collected on a specific device and then reflected on the screen of each game device, an image corresponding to the operation is displayed on the game device from the player's operation. The response time until it is also increased due to communication delay. For this reason, it is not suitable for execution of a game in which a plurality of players operate each character and move in the virtual space to shoot each other and require a very short response time.

  As a method for shortening the response time, it is conceivable that an image to be displayed in each game device can be updated immediately in response to an operation of the player without receiving information from a specific device. In this way, the player can visually recognize the influence of his / her operation on the virtual space with a sufficiently short response time. However, even if this is done, a phenomenon may occur where the player feels uncomfortable due to communication delay. This phenomenon will be specifically described with reference to an example in which the above shooting game is executed.

  First, assume that a player performs an operation of shooting a gun. Then, an image of a bullet fired from this gun is immediately displayed on the game device of this player. Then, it is assumed that an image indicating that the bullet has advanced through the virtual space and penetrated one character is displayed on the game device. As a matter of course, the player who visually recognizes this image recognizes that his bullet has hit the character. However, in reality, there is a possibility that the character is not in the position indicated by the image at this time. This is because there is a communication delay, and more specifically, an image corresponding to the operation is not immediately displayed on the game device even if another player operates. Therefore, it is determined that the game has not been hit, and there may be a discrepancy between the determination result and the player's recognition based on the image. This contradiction causes a sense of incongruity.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is a game system capable of executing a game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space among a plurality of game devices. An object of the present invention is to provide a game system, a control method therefor, a game device, and a program capable of avoiding a contradiction caused by communication delay in a game that requires a very short response time.

  The present invention will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a game system (100) according to the present invention includes a relay device (5 (A1)) and a plurality of game devices (5), and a plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space. Can be executed among a predetermined number of grouped game devices (5 (A1, A2, B1, B2)), and the plurality of game devices (5) Each of the display means (52) for displaying an image of the game and input means (54, 56) used for inputting an instruction to operate the player's character and outputting an operation signal in accordance with the operation of the player. When the input means (54, 56) performs an operation that may affect the other character belonging to the other game device (5), the operation signal When the cause information generating means (511, SE4) for generating the cause information indicating the content causing the action on the other character based on the cause information from the other game device (5) is received, the cause Result information generating means (511, SF7, SF8) for generating result information indicating an effect on the self character based on the information and state information indicating the state of the self character; The communication means (514) for communicating game information relating to the progress of the game including the result information with the relay device (5 (A1)) and the input so as to possibly affect the other character When the means (54, 56) is operated, the other key is detected during a period from when the operation signal is detected until the result information of the other game device (5) is acquired. First display control means (511, 52, SG3, SG8) for causing the display means (52) to display an image in which the action received by the tractor is uncertain, and the game device (5) of the other character When the result information is acquired, second display control means (511, 52, SG5, SG8) for causing the display means (52) to display an image corresponding to the action received by the other character indicated by the result information. The relay device (5 (A1)) is the grouped game device in the order of receiving the game information received from the grouped game devices (5 (A1, A2, B1, B2)) (5 (A1, A2, B1, B2)) is transmitted to a part or the whole.

  In this game system (100), one virtual space is shared by a plurality of game devices (5), and each player operates the input means (54, 56) of each game device (5), so that a plurality of game devices (5) are operated. Each character operates. The movement of a certain character in the virtual space includes a movement that causes an action on another character and a movement that does not affect the other character only in relation to the movement of its own character. For example, the action of the player's own character firing a bullet to another character is an action that may cause damage to the other character. On the other hand, the movement of one's character from one point to another is an operation that does not affect other characters. This game device (5) generates cause information indicating the contents that cause the action on the other character, and performs the action on the own character based on the cause information acquired from the other game device (5). The result information shown is generated. For example, if your character shoots a bullet at another character, and the other character has moved from its original position before the bullet arrives, it will hit you ignoring the current position. There is a contradiction. When causality such as cause and result is a game element, it is not preferable to display contradictory images. According to the present invention, it is the opponent game device (5) that generates the result information based on the cause information. When the result information is generated by the opponent game device (5) as described above, the result information can be generated in consideration of the state of the opponent character at the time when the cause information is received, for example, the position. On the other hand, in the game device (5) that has transmitted the cause information, the effect on other characters is unknown until the result information is received from the opponent game device (5). For this reason, the first display control means (511, 52, SG3, SG8) receives other characters in the period from when the operation signal is detected until the result information of the other game device (5) is acquired. An image whose action is uncertain is displayed on the display means (52). Thereby, in the game system (100) with communication delay, a game can be advanced without violating causality.

  In the game system (100) of the present invention, during the period in which an image in which the action received by another character is indefinite is displayed, the result information of the other game device (5) is acquired after detecting the operation signal. It may be a part of the period until. For example, in the period from when the operation signal is detected in the game apparatus (5) until the bullet passes through another character, an image in which the action received by the other character is uncertain is displayed on the display means (52). You may do it. According to this aspect, even if a bullet passes through another character, it is possible to eliminate the unnaturalness (uncomfortable feeling) that an image in which the action received by the other character is uncertain continues to be displayed.

  In the game executed by the game system (100) of the present invention, the player operates the individual game devices (5) to operate a plurality of characters in the virtual space, and the characters influence each other. As long as it is a thing, the content of the game may be anything. For example, a game in which characters with swords or weapons fight, a game in which baseball pickers and batters appear, a game in which soccer keeper and enemy forward appear, and an American football quarterback as a receiver A game such as throwing a pass corresponds to a game executed by the game system (100) of the present invention.

  More specifically, if the game is an attack between the plurality of characters, the cause information generating means (511, SE4) is configured such that the own character is the other game device (5). When the input means (54, 56) is operated so as to attack another character belonging to, attack information indicating the content of the attack is generated as the cause information based on the operation signal, and the result When the information generation means (511, SF7, SF8) receives the attack information from the other game device (5), the information generation means (511, SF7, SF8), based on the attack information and the state information indicating the state of the self character, The result information indicating the result of the attack that is an action on the character is generated, and the first display control means (511, 52, SG3, SG8) attacks the other character. As described above, when the input means (54, 56) is operated, the other character receives in a period from when the operation signal is detected until the result information of the other game device (5) is acquired. The display means (52) displays an image in which the result of the attack that is an action is indeterminate, and the second display control means (511, 52, SG5, SG8) displays the game device (5 When the result information is acquired from (), it is preferable that an image corresponding to the result of the attack indicated by the result information is displayed on the display means (52) as an image corresponding to the action received by the other character. In this case, since an image in which the attack result is indefinite is displayed on the display means (52) until the attack result is acquired, an image having no contradiction is displayed even if there is a communication delay. Can do.

  Further, when an attack is shooting between the plurality of characters, each of the plurality of game devices (5) uses the operation signal as state information indicating the state of the own character. A position information management means (511, SA3) for generating and managing position information indicating the position of the character in the virtual space; and the position information of the character and the position information of the other character. Based on the third display control means (511, SG8) for causing the display means (52) to display an image of the other character viewed from the viewpoint of the own character in the virtual space. The information generating means (511, SE4) is configured to fire a bullet from the own character toward another character belonging to the other game device (5). When the input means (54, 56) is operated, ballistic information indicating the trajectory of a bullet is generated as the attack information based on the operation signal, and the result information generating means (511, SF7, SF8) When the ballistic information is received from the game device (5), it is determined whether or not the player has hit based on the ballistic information and the position information of the player's own character. In the case where a hit is not made, the determination means (511, SF5 to SF8) is generated as the result information, and the communication means (514) When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the game information including the position information is transmitted to the relay device (5 (A1)), and the first display control means (511, 52, SG3, SG8) other When the input means (54, 56) is operated so as to fire a bullet toward the character, a period from when the operation signal is detected until the determination information is acquired from the other game device (5) The second display control means (511, 52, SG5, SG8) is configured to display on the display means (52) an image in which it is uncertain whether or not a bullet has hit the other character. When the determination information is acquired from the game device (5) of another character, if the determination information indicates a hit, an image in which the other character is damaged is displayed on the display means (52), and the determination is performed. When the information indicates that no hit has occurred, it is preferable to display on the display means (52) an image in which the other character is not damaged.

  In this case, when the ballistic information is acquired from the other game device (5), it is determined whether or not the player has hit based on the ballistic information and the position information of the own character. However, it is possible to determine whether or not the game device is hit when the game device (5) knows that. Therefore, if the character moves during the communication delay time, it can be lost even if it hits at the time of shooting. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the contradiction that the bullets flying in the direction of losing on the screen are damaged by the player's own character. Even if it is determined whether or not the attacked game device (5) is hit, the attacked game device (5) displays an image that makes it unclear whether or not the attack has occurred. No contradiction occurs between the game devices (5).

  More specifically, the determination means (511, SF5 to SF8) specifies a predetermined range centered on the position information of the own character, and the bullet moves the predetermined range based on the ballistic information. It is preferable to execute a process for determining whether or not to pass. In this case, whether or not the shot is hit can be determined based on whether or not the bullet has passed through the predetermined range.

  In addition, the first display control means (511, 52, SG3, SG8) may determine whether or not the bullet has hit the other character with an image in which the other character shakes within the trajectory of the bullet and a range outside the bullet trajectory. It is preferable to display as a definite image. In this case, since the character displayed in the period from the attack to the acquisition of the result information swings between the hit position and the off position, it is possible that the player may hit or miss You can tell at a glance.

  The first display control means (511, 52, SG3, SG8) is configured to display the operation signal in parallel with a process of displaying an image in which it is uncertain whether or not a bullet has hit the other character. It is preferable to measure the time since the detection, and to display a predetermined image as to whether or not the other character is damaged when the measured time exceeds a predetermined time. When a game is progressed between a plurality of game devices (5) by communication, a game device (5) may be unable to communicate due to a communication failure. Waiting for result information from the game device (5) that has become unable to communicate hinders the progress of the game. Therefore, when the predetermined time is exceeded, it is possible to smoothly advance the game by displaying a predetermined image.

  Further, the position information management means (511, SA3) stores storage means for storing a plurality of reference positions set in the virtual space, and when the position of the character exceeds a predetermined range centered on the reference position, Moving means (511, SA6, SB2) for moving the position of the character to another adjacent reference position, and the communication means (514) indicates that there has been a movement between the reference positions. As a condition, it is preferable that designation information for designating the reference position of the movement destination is transmitted as the position information. The position information is usually given by coordinates in the virtual space. If the position information is transmitted in response to a slight movement of the character, the amount of communication increases. However, according to the present invention, communication is performed when there is a movement between the reference positions, and the designation information is transmitted instead of the position information itself of the movement destination, so the communication amount is greatly reduced. can do.

  In addition, when the game system (100) receives a participation request to participate in a game from the game device (5), the game device (5) joins the predetermined number of game devices (5) to one game. ) And grouping means (11-15) for grouping, and specifying means (11) for specifying one game device (5) as the specified game device (5 (A1)) from the grouped game devices (5). To 15), and the game identified as the specific game device (5 (A1)) among the grouped game devices (5 (A1, A2, B1, B2)) The device (5) is the relay device (5 (A1)) as the relay device (5 (A1)) in the order in which the game information received from the grouped game devices (5 (A1, A2, B1, B2)) is received. Looped gaming device (5 (A1, A2, B1, B2)) preferably transmits some or all of the. According to the present invention, since the function of the relay device (5 (A1)) can be incorporated into one of the plurality of game devices (5), the specific relay device (5 (A1)) can be eliminated.

  Further, the relay device (5 (A1)) is a grouped game device in the order in which the game information received from the grouped game devices (5 (A1, A2, B1, B2)) is received. It is preferable to transmit to (5 (A1, A2, B1, B2)) to the game apparatus (5) excluding the transmission-source game apparatus (5). Since the transmission source game device (5) has the game information, the communication resource can be reduced by removing the game information from the transmission destination.

  Next, the game apparatus (5) according to the present invention is capable of executing a game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space with another game apparatus (5). (5) a display means (52) for displaying an image of the game and an input means (54) used for inputting an instruction to operate the player's own character and outputting an operation signal according to the player's operation. 56), and when the input means (54, 56) performs an operation that may affect the other character belonging to the other game device (5). Cause information generating means (511, SE4) for generating cause information indicating the content causing the action on the other character based on the signal, and the original from the other game device (5) When the information is received, result information generating means (511, SF7, SF8) for generating result information indicating the action on the self character based on the cause information and the state information indicating the state of the self character. Communication means (514) for communicating game information relating to the progress of the game including the cause information and the result information, and the input means (54, 56) so as to possibly affect the other characters. When an operation is performed, an image in which the action received by the other character is uncertain in a period from when the operation signal is detected until the result information of the other game device (5) is acquired is displayed. The first display control means (511, 52, SG3, SG8) to be displayed on the means (52) and the result information from the game device (5) of the other character are acquired. And second display control means (511, 52, SG5, SG8) for causing the display means (52) to display an image corresponding to the action received by the other character indicated by the result information. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is the opponent game device (5) that generates the result information based on the cause information. When the result information is generated by the opponent game device (5) as described above, the result information can be generated in consideration of the state of the opponent character at the time when the cause information is received, for example, the position. On the other hand, in the game device (5) that has transmitted the cause information, the effect on other characters is unknown until the result information is received from the opponent game device (5). For this reason, the first display control means (511, 52, SG3, SG8) receives other characters in the period from when the operation signal is detected until the result information of the other game device (5) is acquired. An image whose action is uncertain is displayed on the display means (52). Thereby, when there is a communication delay, the game can be advanced without violating causality.

  Next, the program of the game device (5) according to the present invention can execute a game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in the virtual space with another game device (5). And a display means (52) for displaying an image of the game, an input means (54, 56) used for inputting an instruction for operating the player's own character and outputting an operation signal in accordance with the operation of the player, The game device (5) includes a communication means (514) for communicating and an execution means (511) for executing a program. The execution means (511) is used when the character of the player is the other game device ( 5) When an operation that may act on another character belonging to 5) is performed by the input means (54, 56), the other character is controlled based on the operation signal. A means for generating cause information indicating the cause of the action to be performed (SE4), and the cause information from the other game device (5); Means (SF7, SF8) for generating result information indicating an effect on the character based on the information, and game information relating to the progress of the game including the cause information and the result information as the communication means ( 514), the operation signal is detected when the input means (54, 56) is operated so that there is a possibility of acting on the other character (SE5, SF7, SF8). The display means (52) displays an image in which the action received by the other character is uncertain during the period from the acquisition of the result information of the other game device (5). When the means (SG3, SG8) for displaying and the result information from the game device (5) of the other character are acquired, an image corresponding to the action received by the other character indicated by the result information is displayed on the display means. It is made to function as a means (SG5, SG7, SG8) displayed on (52).

  According to the present invention, it is the execution means (511) of the opponent game device (5) that generates the result information based on the cause information. When the result information is generated by the opponent game device (5) as described above, the result information can be generated in consideration of the state of the opponent character at the time when the cause information is received, for example, the position. On the other hand, in the game device (5) that has transmitted the cause information, the effect on other characters is unknown until the result information is received from the opponent game device (5). For this reason, the program execution means (511) displays an image in which the action received by the other character is uncertain during the period from the detection of the operation signal to the acquisition of the result information of the other game device (5). Displayed on the display means (52). Thereby, when there is a communication delay, the game can be advanced without violating causality.

  Next, according to the control method of the game apparatus (5) according to the present invention, a game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in the virtual space can be executed with another game apparatus (5). Display means (52) for displaying an image of the game, and input means (54, 56) used for inputting an instruction to operate the player's character and outputting an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the player. , A method of controlling a game device (5) having communication means (514) for communication, wherein the player's own character can act on other characters belonging to the other game device (5) When a peculiar operation is performed by the input means (54, 56), a step of generating cause information indicating contents that cause an action on the other character based on the operation signal When the cause information from SE4) and the other game device (5) is received, the action on the own character is shown based on the cause information and the state information indicating the state of the own character. A step (SF7, SF8) for generating result information, and a step (SE5, SF7, SF8) for transmitting and receiving game information relating to the progress of the game including the cause information and the result information using the communication means (514); When the input means (54, 56) is operated so as to possibly affect the other character, the result information of the other game device (5) is detected after the operation signal is detected. A step (SG3, SG8) of displaying on the display means (52) an image in which the action received by the other character is uncertain during the period until acquisition; When the result information from the game device (5) of the character is acquired, the display means (52) displays an image corresponding to the action received by the other character indicated by the result information (SG5, SG7, SG8).

  According to the present invention, it is the opponent game device (5) that generates the result information based on the cause information. When the result information is generated by the opponent game device (5) as described above, the result information can be generated in consideration of the state of the opponent character at the time when the cause information is received, for example, the position. On the other hand, in the game device (5) that has transmitted the cause information, the effect on other characters is unknown until the result information is received from the opponent game device (5). For this reason, in the period from when the operation signal is detected until the result information of the other game device (5) is acquired, an image in which the action received by the other character is uncertain is displayed on the display means (52). Thereby, when there is a communication delay, the game can be advanced without violating causality.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce incongruity that a player learns by avoiding inconsistencies caused by communication delay in a game that requires a very short response time.

[1. Game system]
FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a game system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The game system 100 includes a plurality of game devices, and a predetermined number of grouped game devices in which a plurality of players operate a plurality of characters arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space to shoot each other. Is feasible between.

  The game system 100 includes a lobby server 1. The lobby server 1 is for grouping a predetermined number of game devices, and is connected to the Internet 3 via a router 2. Also connected to the Internet 1 are routers 4, 4,... Provided in a plurality of stores A, B,. A plurality of game devices A1, A2,..., B1, B2,. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish each game device, each game device is referred to as “game device 5”. Each game device 5 can communicate with the lobby server 1 and other game devices 5 via the router 4. If these communications can be realized, another communication network can be used instead of the Internet 3.

[2. Game device]
[2-1. appearance]
FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the game apparatus 5.
A display device 52 that displays a game image by scanning a rectangular screen every vertical scanning period is provided on an upper portion of the housing 51 of the game device 5. As the display device 52, for example, a monitor or a set of a screen and a video projector can be used. The game image is an image of the player in the game device 5 as seen from the viewpoint of the player character, that is, the player's own character. The characters displayed on the screen are limited to other characters.

  An acoustic device 53 is provided at the center of the casing 51. The sound device 53 has an amplifier and a speaker and emits sound generated during the game. In addition, a coin insertion slot 541 into which a predetermined coin is inserted and a start button 542 used for inputting a game start operation are provided at the center of the housing 51.

  In addition, a gun unit 56 having a shape similar to a gun is connected to the center of the casing 51 via a cable. The gun unit 56 is operated by the player of the game apparatus 5 in order to fire a bullet on his / her character or to change the direction or posture of the character. The gun unit 56 is operated by the player and includes a trigger 561 and an option button 562. And 563. The trigger 561 is used to input a bullet firing operation. The option button 562 is used to input an operation for switching the attention character. The attention character is a character that the player's character is paying attention to. Usually, when the attention character is switched, the orientation of the player's character changes and the image displayed on the screen also changes. The option button 563 is used to input an operation for changing the posture (standing position / sitting position) of the player.

  A base 57 is provided at the bottom of the casing 51. The stand 57 is stepped on by a player who plays a shooting game, and the player plays a game while standing on the stand 57. Therefore, the stand 57 is arranged in front of the screen so that the player can properly see the screen. Further, the upper surface of the table 57 is easy to reflect infrared light. In addition, a foot pedal 546 is provided on the screen side of the base 57 at the lower part of the casing 51. The foot pedal 546 is used to input an operation for moving the player character forward.

  A frame 58 is fixed to the casing 51. The upper portion of the frame 58 projects toward the front of the screen, and the horizontal upper end of the frame 58 is arranged to face the table 57 with the player on the table 57 interposed therebetween. Position sensors 543 to 545 for detecting the position of the player on the table 57 are installed at the upper end of the frame 58. The position sensor 543 is located at the center, the position sensor 544 is located on the left side, and the position sensor 545 is located on the right side. Each position sensor is an optical sensor, which irradiates infrared light downward in the vertical direction. When this light is reflected from the upper surface of the table 57 and reaches from the lower side in the vertical direction, the light is received and a signal indicating the level of the received light is output. To do. Further, the position sensors 543 to 545 are arranged so that the optical paths of the respective received light beams pass behind, left and right sides of the player standing at a predetermined position. If the output signals of the position sensors 543 to 545 are used, the inclination of the player's body can be detected. As will be described in detail later, when the player tilts his / her body to the right, an instruction to advance his / her character to the right is input, and when the player tilts his / her body to the left, his / her character moves to the left. Instructions are entered.

[2-2. Electrical configuration]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the game apparatus 5. As shown in this figure, the game apparatus 5 has a CPU 511. A ROM 512 and a RAM 513 are connected to the CPU 511. The CPU 511 functions as a control center of the game apparatus 5 by executing the program P stored in the ROM 512 and using the RAM 13 as a work area.

  A display device 52 is connected to the CPU 511. The CPU 511 generates an image and supplies an image signal corresponding to the generated image to the display device 52 to display the image on the screen of the display device 52. Further, the CPU 511 forcibly generates a level control signal that maximizes the luminance as necessary and supplies the level control signal to the display device 52. Upon receiving the level control signal, the display device 52 forcibly maximizes the luminance of the pixel being scanned.

  In addition, an audio device 53 is connected to the CPU 511. The CPU 511 generates an acoustic signal representing the sound, and supplies the generated acoustic signal to the acoustic device 53, thereby releasing the sound from the acoustic device 53. In addition, a communication interface 514 is connected to the CPU 511. The CPU 511 communicates with the lobby server 1 and other game devices 5 via the communication interface 514.

  An input device 54 is connected to the CPU 511. The input device 54 includes a coin insertion slot 541, a start button 542, position sensors 543 to 545, and a foot pedal 546. When a predetermined coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 541, the input device 54 outputs a signal indicating that and starts When the button 542 is operated, a signal indicating that is output, each signal from the position sensors 543 to 545 is output, and a signal indicating whether or not the foot pedal 546 is depressed is output. CPU31 detects the signal from the input device 54, and performs the process according to the content of the detected signal.

  For example, when a signal indicating that a predetermined coin has been inserted into the coin insertion slot 541 is detected and then a signal indicating that the start button 542 has been operated is detected, another game device 5 and Communication with the lobby server 1 starts device side grouping processing for grouping a predetermined number of game devices 5. Further, for example, a signal from the position sensors 543 to 545 and a signal indicating whether or not the foot pedal 546 is depressed are detected, and the position of the character is calculated. That is, each of the position sensors 543 to 545 and the foot pedal 546 is used to input an instruction to operate the player's character, and functions as an input unit that outputs a signal (operation signal) corresponding to the operation of the player.

  A gun unit 56 is connected to the CPU 511. The gun unit 56 includes a trigger sensor 564, option button sensors 565 and 566, and an optical sensor 567 in addition to the trigger 561 and option buttons 562 and 563. The trigger sensor 564 detects that the trigger 561 of the gun unit 30 has been drawn and outputs a trigger signal TG1. The option button sensors 565 and 566 detect that the corresponding option buttons 562 and 563 are pressed down, and output option signals OP1 and OP2, respectively. The optical sensor 567 is provided inside the barrel of the gun unit 56 and can receive light from the muzzle. The optical sensor 567 detects that the light receiving level has changed from less than a predetermined threshold value to more than the threshold value and detects the aiming signal. D1 is output. The CPU 511 detects a signal from the gun unit 56 and performs processing according to the content of the detected signal.

  For example, when the option signal OP1 is detected, the attention character is switched. That is, it changes the direction of its own character. Further, for example, when the option signal OP2 is detected, the posture of its own character is changed. That is, if the character's posture is standing, the sitting position is set, and if the character is sitting, the standing position is set. Further, for example, when the trigger signal TG1 is detected, the bullet is fired on the character. As is clear from the above, the gun unit 56 is used to input an instruction to move its own character, and functions as an input unit that outputs a signal (operation signal) according to the operation of the player.

  In this game system 100, when a bullet hits a character, the character dies. That is, the bullet firing operation is an operation in which the player's character may exert an aggressive action on another character belonging to another game device. When this operation is performed, the CPU 511 fires a bullet on its own character. At that time, first, ballistic calculation described later is performed to generate ballistic information indicating the trajectory of the bullet. One of the information necessary for ballistic calculation is the aiming position. The aiming position is a coordinate on the screen of the pixel through which the center line passes when the barrel center line of the gun unit 56 is extended to the screen. A method for specifying the aiming position will be described.

[2-3. How to identify the aiming position]
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for specifying the aiming position. As shown in this figure, when the CPU 511 detects the trigger signal TG1 in a certain vertical scanning period (V), not only the image signal but also the level control signal is supplied to the display device 52 during the next vertical scanning period (V). Supply. Therefore, during this period, the screen is filled with white (maximum luminance). In this process, the region including the pixel through which the barrel center line of the gun unit 56 passes is also painted in white. Then, the aiming signal D1 is output from the optical sensor 567 and detected by the CPU 511. When detecting the aiming signal D1, the CPU 511 specifies the aiming position based on the elapsed time (T) from the start time of the vertical scanning period. The gun unit 56 is designed so that the above-described region is sufficiently narrow.

[3. Lobby server]
FIG. 5 shows an electrical configuration of the lobby server 1.
The lobby server 1 performs server-side grouping processing for grouping a predetermined number of game devices 5 in response to a request from the game device 5, and includes a CPU 11, a hard disk 12, a ROM 13, a communication interface 14, and a RAM 15. . The CPU 11 reads out and executes a boot program from the ROM 13 and further executes a control program from the hard disk 12 to perform server-side grouping processing. The RAM 15 functions as a work area for the CPU 11 and stores an entry list EL. The entry list EL is for registering the communication address of the game apparatus 5 and is empty in the initial state.

[4. Grouping process]
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example in the grouping process of the game system 100. This operation example is for the case where two game devices 5 are grouped. The reason why the number of game devices 5 to be grouped is set to two is to avoid complicated explanation. In reality, more game devices 5 (for example, four game devices 5) are grouped. Is done.

  In this operation example, first, in the game device A1 of the store A, after a predetermined coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 541, the start button 542 is operated, and a signal indicating this is output from the input device 54. When CPU 511 of game device A1 detects this signal, it starts device-side grouping processing. Specifically, an entry list request for requesting grouping is transmitted to the lobby server 1 (S1). The entry list request is also a request for requesting a reply of the entry list EL. When receiving the entry list request, the CPU 11 of the lobby server 1 reads the entry list EL from the RAM 15 and sends it back (S2). At this point in time, there is no other game device 5 requesting grouping, so the entry list to be returned is empty.

  When receiving the entry list EL, the CPU 511 of the game apparatus A1 determines whether or not the entry list EL is empty. Since the entry list EL is empty, the determination result is affirmative. Therefore, the CPU 511 transmits a registration request for requesting registration of the communication address to the entry list EL, including its own communication address, to the lobby server 1 (S3). When the CPU 11 of the lobby server 1 receives this registration request, it sends back an ACK (acknowledgment response) (S4), while registering it in the entry list EL by writing the communication address included in this registration request in the RAM 15 ( S5). On the other hand, when receiving the ACK, the CPU 511 of the game apparatus A1 enters a waiting state (S6).

  In this operation example, next, the CPU 511 of the game apparatus B1 transmits an entry list request to the lobby server 1 (S7). On the other hand, the CPU 11 of the lobby server 1 reads the entry list EL from the RAM 15 and sends it back (S8). Since the communication address of the game apparatus A1 is registered in the entry list EL, the CPU 511 of the game apparatus B1 that has received the entry list EL wants to join the game apparatus A1 in the same group with reference to the communication address. A participation request to that effect is transmitted (S9).

  When the CPU 511 of the game apparatus A1 receives this participation request, it returns an ACK (S10), confirms that the number of game apparatuses 5 belonging to the same group has reached a predetermined number (2 in this example), and the grouping is completed. A grouping completion notice indicating completion is transmitted to game device 5 belonging to the same group as itself, that is, game device B1 (S11). When receiving the grouping completion notification, the CPU 511 of the game apparatus B1 returns an ACK (S12). Thus, the grouping of the game devices A1 and B1 is completed (S13, S14).

  Next, the CPU 511 of the game apparatus A1 transmits a deletion request to the lobby server 1 for requesting deletion of its own communication address from the entry list EL (S15). When receiving the deletion request, the CPU 11 of the lobby server 1 returns an ACK (S16), and deletes the communication address from the entry list EL (S17). Thus, the device-side grouping process ends.

  In the grouping process described above, the CPU 11 of the server device 1 receives an entry list request from the game devices A1 and B1 (S1, S7). This entry list request is a request for grouping, and is not transmitted when a single game is executed on the individual game devices A1 and B1. Therefore, the entry list request functions as a participation request for participating in one game. Here, the CPU 11 of the server device 1 transmits a predetermined number of games by transmitting an empty entry list or a registered entry list during a period until the entry list is deleted (S5 to S17). It functions as a grouping means for grouping the devices 5 as game devices 5 participating in one game. In addition, when there is a registration request, the CPU 11 registers a communication address in the entry list, thereby functioning as a specifying unit that specifies one game device as a specific game device from the grouped game devices.

  When the predetermined number is 3 or more, even if the participation request is received, the game devices 5 belonging to the same group may not reach the predetermined number. At this time, not a grouping completion notification but a permission notification for permitting participation in the group is transmitted. Both the game device 5 that has transmitted the permission notice and the game device 5 that has received the notification are in a waiting state. That is, the grouping completion notification is transmitted only when the game devices 5 belonging to the same group reach a predetermined number.

[5. Game processing and relay processing]
[5-1. Overview]
The predetermined number of game devices 5 that have finished the device-side grouping process and belong to the same group each start a game client that performs the game processing. Of these game apparatuses 5, the game apparatus 5 whose communication address is registered in the entry list EL activates an echo server that performs relay processing. That is, one of these game devices 5 functions as a game client and an echo server, and the rest functions as a game client.

  The game client transmits / receives game information to / from an echo server related to the group to which the game client belongs to advance the game. The game information is information necessary for the progress of the game that occurred in the shooting game. State information indicating the character state such as the character's position, viewpoint, orientation, and posture, and whether or not a bullet has hit the character. This is a concept including result information indicating the result of the determination (hereinafter also referred to as “hit determination”) and ballistic information.

  The echo server receives game information from game clients belonging to its own group, and performs only relay processing to transmit to all game clients belonging to its own group in the order received. Note that the present embodiment may be modified to exclude the game information transmission source from the game information transmission destination by the echo server.

[5-2. Relationship]
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the game apparatus 5, the game client, and the echo server. In the example shown in this figure, game devices A1, A2, B1, and B2 are grouped. The game apparatus A1 functions as an echo server, and the game apparatuses A2, B1, and B2 each communicate only with the game apparatus A1. Therefore, game devices A2, B1, and B2 need only manage the communication address of game device A1.

  If the communication between the game apparatuses 5 is grasped in a higher layer, each game client and the echo server are communicating. Therefore, the game apparatus A1 that functions as a game client communicates with itself that functions as an echo server. Unlike other communications, this communication is performed without using the communication interface 514 and is completed within the game apparatus A1.

  In addition, the game client makes a hit determination for a character belonging to the game client. Thus, since the hit determination for the character is performed by the game device 5 to which the character belongs (the game device 5 on the side where the character is shot), the result of this determination is inconsistent among the plurality of game devices 5. Absent. Further, the game client can immediately update the image to be displayed on the screen according to the operation of the player. Therefore, the player can visually recognize the influence of his / her operation on the virtual space with a sufficiently short response time.

  In addition, since communication between game clients is performed via an echo server, inconsistencies in the progress of the game between the game apparatuses 5 hardly occur. This will be described in comparison with a system that does not use an echo server. As a system that does not use an echo server, a so-called center / terminal system or master / slave system, and a system in which a plurality of game devices communicate with each other without using an echo server can be considered. However, since the former makes all the determinations related to the progress of the game at the center or the master, it is difficult to apply to a shooting game that requires an extremely short response time. Therefore, here, the latter is used as a comparison target.

[5-3. Contrast]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a contradiction caused in the progress of a game in a system in which a plurality of game devices communicate with each other without going through an echo server. In the system shown in this figure, A, B, C and D game devices communicate directly. Also, the communication delay time between A and B is T1, the communication delay time between B and D is T2, the communication delay time between C and D is T3, the communication delay time between A and C is T4, and between A and D T1 <T2 <T3 <T4 <T5 <T6, where T5 is the communication delay time and T6 is the communication delay time between B and C.

  In this system, it is assumed that an event occurs simultaneously in all game devices, and each game device notifies the other game devices of the occurrence of the event. In this case, the time required for the occurrence of an event in one game device to be detected in another game device is as shown in the figure. For example, the time required for the occurrence of an event in C to be detected in A is T4, and the time required to be detected in B is T6. Further, for example, the time required until the occurrence of the event at D is detected at A is T5, and the time required until it is detected at B is T2.

  Here, focusing on the detection order, A detects the occurrence of an event at C after detecting the occurrence of an event at C, and B detects the occurrence of an event at D after detecting the occurrence of an event at D. Will be detected. That is, between A and B, the detection order of the occurrence of an event at C and the occurrence of an event at D are in reverse order and do not match. Such a shift causes a contradiction in the progress of the game among the plurality of game devices.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, game information from the game client is always transmitted to the echo server, and the echo server transmits the received game information to all game clients belonging to the same group in the order of reception. For example, when the game devices A1 and B1 transmit game information to the echo server, the echo server transmits the game information to the game devices A1, A2, B1, and B2 in the order in which the game information is received. Therefore, the reception order of the game information in the game apparatus A2 always matches the reception order of the game information in the game apparatus B2. Therefore, it is difficult for the game devices 5 to have inconsistencies in the progress of the game.

[5-4. Various processing by game client]
Next, various processes performed by the game client in the game process will be specifically described. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 7, game devices A1, A2, B1, and B2 are grouped, and game device A1 functions as an echo server. Various processes described below are executed in parallel by the CPU 511 of the game apparatus 5, and the game client also operates in parallel with the echo server.

[5-4-1. Location information generation management process]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of position information generation management processing for generating and managing position information indicating the position of the character. In the position information generation management process, first, initial values are set as the reference point and offset of the own character (SA1). The reference point is a point that serves as a reference for character movement in the virtual space. A plurality of reference points are set in the virtual space, and are specified by X, Y, and Z coordinates. Note that each lattice point when the virtual space is divided into a lattice along the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis may be set as a reference point. Specifically, in the ROM 512 of the game apparatus 5, the reference point identifier (for example, “P001”) and the coordinates (reference position) of the reference point are stored in association with each reference point. The ROM 512 also stores map information indicating the arrangement of objects in the virtual space.

  The offset indicates the amount of displacement from the coordinates of the reference point, and its initial value is zero in any of the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis directions. On the other hand, the initial value of the reference point of its own character is different for each game client. The method of determining the initial value is arbitrary. For example, the initial value may be determined in the grouping process.

  Next, the position of the own character is specified based on the reference point and the offset of the own character (SA2). The position of the character is represented by coordinates in the virtual space, and is specified by adding the offset of the character to the coordinates of the reference point of the character. Next, position information indicating the specified position is generated, and the position information of its own character is updated by writing this position information in a predetermined area on the RAM 513 (SA3).

  Next, it is determined whether a signal corresponding to the player's operation for changing the position of the player's character has been detected (SA4). If the result of this determination is “NO”, the determination is repeated until the signal is output. If the result of this determination is “YES”, the offset is updated based on the signal (SA5). Specifically, this update is performed as listed below.

  When a signal indicating a low light reception level from the position sensor 543 is detected, it is determined that the player is tilting the body backward, and the position of the player's character is shifted to the rear of the character by a predetermined amount. Update the offset. If a signal indicating a low light reception level from the position sensor 544 is detected, it is determined that the player is tilting the body to the left side, and the position of the player character is a predetermined amount in the left direction of the character. Update the offset to make the transition. If a signal indicating a low light reception level from the position sensor 545 is detected, it is determined that the player is tilting the body to the right, and the position of the player's character is a predetermined amount in the right direction of the character. Update the offset to make the transition.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the offset exceeds a predetermined threshold (SA6). This threshold is set to prevent the player's character from moving to an adjacent reference point without changing the reference point. The threshold and the reference point indicate that the character offset exceeds the threshold. In this case, it is determined that another reference point always exists near the character rather than the reference point of the character. If the result of this determination is “NO”, the process returns to step SA2. Conversely, in the case of “YES”, a point-to-point movement process for changing the reference point of the own character is performed.

[5-4-2. Point-to-point movement processing]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the point-to-point movement process.
In the inter-point movement process, first, a new reference point is specified (SB1). Specifically, based on the reference point and offset of the own character, the position of the own character is specified, and the reference point closest to this position is specified as a new reference point. Next, the specified reference point is set as the reference point of the own character, and the offset is initialized (SB2). Next, the identifier of its own reference point is transmitted to the echo server (game device A1) (SB3). Thereafter, the process returns to the position information generation management process of FIG. 9, and then returns to the process of step SA2.

  The identifier transmitted in step SB3 is received by the echo server, and is transmitted to all game clients (game devices A1, A2, B1, and B2) belonging to the same group as game information together with the communication address of the game device 5 that is the transmission source. Is done. This game information is received by each game client. Then, the other game client uses the position information indicating the coordinates of the reference point according to the identifier included in the received game information to indicate the position of the character belonging to the game device 5 having the communication address included in the game information. Store as position information.

[5-4-3. Direction information generation management process]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the direction information generation management process for generating and managing the direction information indicating the direction of the own character. In the direction information generation management process, first, an initial value is set as direction information of its own character (SC1). Specifically, this initial value is written in the RAM 513 as the orientation information of its own character. This initial value and how to determine it are arbitrary.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a signal corresponding to the player's operation for changing the direction of the player's character has been detected, specifically, whether or not the option signal OP1 has been detected (SC2). If the result of this determination is “NO”, the determination is repeated until the signal is output. If the result of this determination is “YES”, the direction information is updated based on the signal (SC3). Thereafter, the process returns to step SC2.

In the above update, the following process is performed.
When the attention character is not set, one of the other characters is set as the attention character, and the orientation information of the own character is updated so that the attention character is positioned in front of the own character.
When the attention character is set, one of the other characters excluding the attention character is selected as the attention character, and the character of the own character is positioned so that the attention character is located in front of the own character. Update orientation information. However, when the attention character is set and the number of other characters is 1, the above-mentioned selection is not performed, and the orientation information of the own character so that the attention character is positioned in front of the own character. Update.

[5-4-4. Attitude information generation management process]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of posture information generation management processing for generating and managing posture information indicating the posture of its own character. In the posture information generation management process, first, an initial value is set as the posture information of the own character (SD1). Specifically, this initial value is written in the RAM 513 as the posture information of its own character. As this initial value, a value indicating the state in which the character is standing is determined in advance in the present embodiment, but other values may be used as the initial value and how to determine the initial value.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a signal corresponding to the player's operation for changing the posture of the player's character has been detected, specifically, whether or not the option signal OP2 has been detected (SD2). If the result of this determination is “NO”, the determination is repeated until the signal is output. If the result of this determination is “YES”, the posture information is updated based on the signal (SD3). Thereafter, the process returns to step SD2. Specifically, in the above update, the posture information is updated so as to indicate the sitting position when the posture information of the own character indicates the standing position, and the standing position is displayed when the posture information indicates the sitting position. The posture information is updated.

[5-4-5. Relationship between virtual space and screen]
Here, prior to description of other processing, the relationship between the virtual space and the screen will be described.
The game image displayed on the screen is obtained by perspectively projecting an object in the virtual space onto the projection plane of the viewpoint coordinate system. The arrangement of the projection plane in the virtual space is determined according to the position and orientation of the viewpoint of the own character. Since the position of the viewpoint of your character can be obtained from the position, posture and height (or sitting height) of your character, once the position, orientation, posture and height (or sitting height) of your character are determined, The arrangement will also be determined.

  Further, the projection surface is a rectangle, and its aspect ratio matches the aspect ratio of the screen. In addition, the projection plane is orthogonal to a line extending from the position of the own character's viewpoint to the direction of the character at the center point, the distance between this intersection and the position of the viewpoint has a predetermined length, and the vertical plane of the screen The side corresponding to the side extending in the direction is arranged so as to be parallel to a straight line connecting the position of the character and the position of the viewpoint. The predetermined length is determined such that the muzzle is positioned at the center point of the projection plane when the character holds the gun unit with his arms extended along the line of sight ahead of the viewpoint.

  Since the virtual space and the screen have the above-described relationship, if the position on the screen is determined, the position on the projection plane is determined, and consequently the position in the virtual space is determined. The processing described below is performed using such a relationship.

[5-4-6. Ballistic information generation process]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of ballistic information generation management processing for generating and managing the ballistic information of the bullets fired by the player's own character. In the trajectory information generation management process, first, it is determined whether or not a signal corresponding to a player's operation for causing a player to fire a bullet is detected, specifically, whether or not a trigger signal TG1 is detected ( SE1). If the result of this determination is “NO”, the determination is repeated until the signal is output. When the result of this determination is “YES”, it is determined that the player's own character has fired a bullet, and the trajectory is calculated.

  In the ballistic calculation, first, an aiming position is specified for the bullet (SE2). The method for specifying the aiming position is as described above (see FIG. 4). Next, the firing position and landing position of the bullet are specified (SE3). The firing position is the position in the virtual space where the bullet was fired, and is the position of the center point of the projection plane itself. Since the latest arrangement of the projection plane is obtained in the image generation process described later, in this step, the center point of the projection plane is obtained based on the latest arrangement of the projection plane obtained in the image generation process. The landing position is a position in the virtual space where the bullet reaches, and in this step, the landing position is obtained based on the latest arrangement of the projection plane and the aiming position.

  Next, ballistic information is generated based on the firing position and the landing position, and is stored in the RAM 513 as the ballistic information of its own character (SE4). The generated ballistic information indicates a trajectory that goes straight from the firing position and passes through the landing position. This completes the ballistic calculation. The expression format of the ballistic information is arbitrary, and for example, it may indicate a function that uses a variable that passes every moment like an elapsed time as an argument.

  Next, the generated ballistic information is transmitted to the echo server (game device A1) (SE5), and it is determined whether or not there is a character whose trajectory indicated by the ballistic information falls within the hit range (SE6). If this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step SE1. On the other hand, if “YES”, the corresponding character is set as a shaking character (SE7). Specifically, the indefinite position information is written in the RAM 513 in association with the position information of the corresponding character. The indeterminate position information is information indicating a position in the virtual space, and when it is set as the center point of the hit range, indicates a position where the trajectory does not cross the hit range and is closest to the position of the character. . Thereafter, the process returns to step SE1.

  The ballistic information transmitted in step SE5 is received by the echo server, and together with the communication address of the game device 5 that is the transmission source, as game information, all game clients (game devices A1, A2, B1, and B2 belonging to the same group). ). This game information is received by each game client. Then, the other game client stores the ballistic information included in the received game information in the RAM 513 as the ballistic information of the character belonging to the game device 5 having the communication address included in the game information.

[5-4-7. Hit determination process]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the hit determination process. In the hit determination process, first, the hit range is specified using the position information of the own character (SF1). The hit range is a predetermined range centered on the position of its own character and serves as a reference for hit determination. Next, it is determined whether or not unused bullet information has been stored in the RAM 513 since the hit range was specified immediately before (SF2). If this determination is “NO”, the flow returns to step SF 1.

  If the determination result in step SF2 is “YES”, one of the unused ballistic information is selected (SF3), the position of the bullet is specified using this ballistic information (SF4), and the bullet is within the hit range. It is determined whether or not it is located (SF5). If the determination result is “NO”, it is determined whether or not it has been determined that this bullet does not hit the player's own character (SF6). This determination is made, for example, by examining whether or not the distance between the position of the own character and the position of the bullet tends to increase.

  If the result of this determination is “NO”, the process returns to step SF2, and if “YES”, a removal process, which is a process performed when the bullet does not hit the player's own character, is performed (SF7). The process returns to step SF2. In the removal process, result information indicating that the bullet did not hit the player's character is transmitted to the echo server (game device A1), and the bullet information is deleted from the RAM 513.

  If the determination result in step SF5 is “YES”, a bullet process, which is a process when the player's own character hits, is performed (SF8). In the shot processing, the shot flag is turned on, the result information indicating that the bullet fired by another character related to the ballistic information hits his character is transmitted to the echo server (game device A1), and the ballistic information is sent from the RAM 513. delete.

  The result information transmitted in the hit determination process is received by the echo server, and together with the communication address of the game device 5 as the transmission source, as game information, all game clients (game devices A1, A2, B1 belonging to the same group). And B2). All the trajectory information stored in the RAM 513 is deleted when a predetermined time elapses after being written in the RAM 513. Thereby, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the trajectory information of the bullets fired toward the sky in the virtual space remains forever.

[5-4-8. Image generation processing]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow of image generation processing for generating a game image to be displayed on the screen. In the image generation process, first, initial values are set in the position information and bulleted flags of other characters (SG1). The initial value of the hit flag is off, and the initial value of the position information of the other character is determined so as not to contradict the initial value of the position information of the own character in the other game apparatus 5.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the bullet fired by the player's character is within the shaking start range of the shaking character (SG2). The shaking start range is a predetermined range in the virtual space that serves as a reference for determining whether or not to start a rocking process for shaking the character in the virtual space, and extends including the hit range centering on the position of the character. If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step SG4. If “YES”, the swing process is started (SG3), and then the flow proceeds to step SG4.

  In the swing process, the arrangement of the character performed in the image generation process is controlled so that the character swings between the position indicated by the position information of the character and the position indicated by the indeterminate position information of the character.

  In step SG4, it is determined whether or not the bullet fired by the player's character has passed through the swinging character within the player's own process. This determination is made based on, for example, the trajectory information of the bullets fired by the own character and the position information of the swinging character. If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step SG6, and if “YES”, the swing process is terminated (SG5), and then the flow proceeds to step SG4. That is, a character that is shaking in its own processing continues to shake until the bullet fired by its character passes through the character, and does not shake when it passes.

  Note that the present embodiment may be modified by changing the processing content of step SG4. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the result information indicating that the bullet fired by the own character did not hit the swinging character has been received. You may make it complete | finish a process. In this aspect, in the self process, the shaking character continues to shake even if the bullet fired by the own character passes through the character. In other words, it continues to shake unnaturally. Although it is desirable that the time for which the vibration continues unnaturally is short, for that purpose, it is necessary to transmit the result information quickly, so that more communication resources are consumed. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the character stops shaking without receiving the result information, it is possible to avoid the situation where the character continues to shake unnaturally without increasing the communication resources to be consumed.

  In step SG6, it is determined whether or not the result information indicating that the bullet hits the character has been received. This result information can be passed via an echo server from a game client having the character as its own character. If this determination is “NO”, the flow proceeds to step SG8. If “YES”, hit processing that is processing when a bullet hits another character is started (SG7), and then step SG8. Proceed to

  In the hit process, the arrangement of the character performed in the image generation process is controlled so that the character hit by the bullet falls. Also, in the hit process, when all other characters fall down, an image indicating that the character has survived is displayed on the screen, end information indicating that the game is to be ended is transmitted, and the game client (and echo server) ). Thus, the game process and the relay process are completed.

  In step SG8, a game image to be displayed on the screen is generated. In this generation, the character and the bullet are first arranged in the virtual space based on the position information, posture information and orientation information of the own character, position information of other characters, ballistic information, and map information. In this arrangement, priority is given to control by swing processing. Next, using the position information, posture information, orientation information, and height (or sitting height) of the player's own character, the arrangement of the projection plane described above is specified, and an object in the virtual space is perspectively projected onto the projection plane. Get an image.

  The image obtained in step SG8 is displayed on the screen of the display device 52. At this time, if there is another character whose arrangement is controlled by the rocking process, an image of the other character shaking is displayed on the screen. FIG. 16 shows an example of a screen on which another character shakes. In this example, before the bullet 650 has landed, an image in which another character 610 shakes within the predetermined range 600 is displayed. Since it is difficult to read from this image whether or not the bullet 650 has hit another character 610, the player will not predict. If there is no prejudice, there will be no contradiction between the prejudice and the actual determination result. Therefore, even if it is later determined that the bullet 650 has hit another character 610 or has not hit, The sense of incongruity that is memorized is much smaller than when the prediction and the determination result contradict each other.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the bulleted flag is on (SG9). If this determination is “NO”, the process returns to step SG2, and if “YES”, the bullet display process, which is a process when the player's own character hits, is started (SG10), and then the process proceeds to step SG11. . In the bulleted display process, an image indicating that the character has been shot is displayed on the screen for a predetermined time. On the other hand, if it is not hit, for example, an image is displayed so that the landing is at a position that deviates from other characters as shown in the lower part of FIG.

  In step SG11, it is determined whether or not the end information is received. If the determination result is “NO”, the process returns to step SG11. In other words, when the player's own character is hit, it waits until the end information is received. If the determination result in step S11 is “YES”, a termination process for terminating the game client (and the echo server) is performed (SG12). Thus, the game process and the relay process are completed.

[6. Summary]
As described above, in the game system 100, the game client generates ballistic information when the player operates the gun unit 56 to fire bullets from its own character toward another character, and transmits it to the echo server. Further, when ballistic information is received from the echo server, information indicating a determination result of whether or not the hit is generated is generated based on the position information of the own character and the received ballistic information. Further, when the gun unit 56 is operated so as to fire a bullet toward another character, the period from when the operation signal is detected until the result information is obtained from the other game apparatus 5 will be described in more detail. Is an image in which it is uncertain whether or not a bullet has hit another character in the period from when this bullet enters the swing start range of another character until the result information is obtained from the other game device 5; Specifically, an image in which the character shakes is displayed on the display device 52.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, due to a communication delay, it seems that the screen did not hit, although it seemed that it was hit on the screen, or it did not hit on the screen. It is possible to reduce (avoid) the sense of incongruity (contradiction) that was seen but actually hit.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, information transmitted / received between the plurality of game apparatuses 5 regarding the movement of the character is transmitted only when there is a movement between the reference points. Therefore, the amount of communication can be greatly reduced compared to a mode in which position information is transmitted in response to a slight movement of the character. Further, since only the identifier of the reference point is transmitted, the communication amount can be further reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the reference points are set to be sufficiently separated from each other. Therefore, it is easy to ensure a certain distance between the own character and another character. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an image in which another character shakes spreads across the screen and gives the player a sense of incongruity. In addition, as another method of suppressing such a possibility to be low, there is a method of dividing processing according to the distance between the own character and another character. That is, if the distance between the self character and another character is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the swing process is not performed on the other character.

  Further, as described above, in the game system 100, when the player operates the gun unit 56 to fire a bullet from its own character toward another character, the game client generates ballistic information and transmits it to the echo server. To do. Further, when ballistic information is received from the echo server, information indicating a determination result of whether or not the hit is generated is generated based on the position information of the own character and the received ballistic information. When the game device 5 is designated as an echo server, the game information generated by the game device 5 and the game information received from another game device are transmitted to the other game devices 5 in the order of reception.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the time series of the game information is determined by the echo server, it is possible to avoid inconsistencies in the progress of the game caused by communication delay. In addition, since the action of the player's own character is immediately reflected on the screen in the game apparatus 5 to which the character belongs, the time required for the operation to be reflected in the image is greatly increased as compared with the case where all processes are executed in the server apparatus. It can be shortened.

  Various determinations related to the progress of the game, represented by the hit determination, are made by the game client. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load on the device functioning as an echo server, as compared with a mode in which the relay device performs various determinations related to the progress of the game. This means that if the communication is interrupted while communicating with another game device and the communication is interrupted, it is easy to construct a system that can continue the game seamlessly while being restricted in each game device. It also means that.

  In a master / slave game system in which a master game device is not fixed, a master program and a slave program must be created as the game device program. On the other hand, in this embodiment, only the program P should be created as a program for the game apparatus. That is, the game system 100 is easy to develop.

[7. Modified example]
In the above-described embodiment, the communication address of the game device 5 is used as the identifier of the game device 5, but this is modified and a unique ID is written on the card possessed by the player, and the game device receives the ID from this card. May be used as an identifier of the game device.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lobby server 1 and the entry list EL are used for grouping the game apparatuses 5, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as a game system which plays a game between the predetermined number of game devices grouped beforehand.

  Further, the means for inputting the character motion and the operation for moving the character are not limited to those described above. For example, a button for jumping the character may be provided on the game device, and when this button is pressed, the player's own character may be jumped, or an acceleration sensor may be provided to detect the momentum of the player's movement. The user's own character may be moved according to the detected momentum.

  In the above-described embodiment, the game apparatus 5 is functioned as an echo server. However, the game apparatus 5 may be modified so that an apparatus other than the game apparatus functions as the echo server. For example, the router 4 in the store A may function as an echo server related to a group in which the game devices 5 in the store A in FIG. 1 participate. Further, a plurality of echo servers may be activated in the router 4. In this aspect, for example, when the game devices A1 and B1 participate in the first group and the game devices A2 and B2 participate in the second group, the router 4 of the store A is associated with the first group. While functioning as an echo server, it can function as an echo server according to the second group.

It is a figure showing the whole game system 100 composition concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a game device 5 constituting a game system 100. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the game apparatus 5. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the identification method of the aim position in the game device. It is a figure which shows the electric constitution of the lobby server. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example in grouping processing of the game system 100. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the game device 5, a game client, and an echo server. It is a figure for demonstrating the contradiction which arises in the progress of a game in the system which a several game device communicates equally without passing through an echo server. 7 is a flowchart showing position information generation management processing of the game apparatus 5; 4 is a flowchart showing a point-to-point movement process of the game apparatus 5. 6 is a flowchart showing a direction information generation management process of the game apparatus 5; 6 is a flowchart showing a posture information generation management process of the game apparatus 5; 10 is a flowchart showing a trajectory information generation management process of the game apparatus 5. 4 is a flowchart showing a hit determination process of the game apparatus 5. 4 is a flowchart showing an image generation process of the game apparatus 5. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the game apparatus 5.

Explanation of symbols

1 lobby server 100 game system 2, 4 router,
5, A1, A2, B1, B2 Game device 511 CPU
512 ROM
513 RAM
514 Communication interface 53 Display device 543 Position sensor 544 Position sensor 545 Position sensor 546 Foot pedal 56 Gun unit 561 Trigger 562 Option button 563 Option button 564 Trigger sensor 565 Option button sensor 566 Option button sensor 567 Optical sensor P Program

Claims (12)

The game system includes a relay device and a plurality of game devices, and is capable of executing a game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space among a predetermined number of grouped game devices. And
Each of the plurality of game devices includes
Display means for displaying game images;
An input means used for inputting an instruction to move the player's own character and outputting an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the player;
When an operation that may affect the other character belonging to the other game device is performed by the input means, the cause of the action on the other character based on the operation signal Cause information generating means for generating cause information indicating the contents of
When the cause information from the other game device is received, result information for generating result information indicating an action exerted on the self character based on the cause information and state information indicating the state of the self character Generating means;
Communication means for communicating game information relating to the progress of the game including the cause information and the result information with the relay device;
When the input means is operated so that there is a possibility of acting on the other character, in the period from the detection of the operation signal to the acquisition of the result information of the other game device, the other First display control means for causing the display means to display an image in which the action received by the character is uncertain;
When the result information from the game device of the other character is acquired, a second display control unit that causes the display unit to display an image corresponding to the action received by the other character indicated by the result information,
The relay device transmits the game information received from the grouped game devices to a part or all of the grouped game devices in the order of reception.
A game system characterized by that. The game is an attack between the plurality of characters,
The cause information generation means indicates the content of the attack based on the operation signal when the input means is operated so that the character of the self attacks the other character belonging to the other game device. Attack information is generated as the cause information,
When the result information generating means receives the attack information from the other game device, the result information generating means acts on the self character based on the attack information and the state information indicating the state of the self character. Generating the result information indicating the result of an attack;
When the input means is operated so as to attack the other character, the first display control means is a period from when the operation signal is detected until the result information of the other game device is acquired. The display means displays an image in which the result of the attack, which is the action received by the other character, is uncertain,
When the second display control means acquires the result information from the game device of the other character, an image corresponding to the result of the attack indicated by the result information is displayed as an image corresponding to the action received by the other character. Displaying on the display means;
The game system according to claim 1. The attack is shooting between the plurality of characters,
Each of the plurality of game devices generates and manages position information indicating the position of the character in the virtual space based on the operation signal as state information indicating the state of the character. Management means;
Based on the position information of the own character and the position information of the other character, the display means displays an image of the other character viewed from the viewpoint of the own character in the virtual space. 3 display control means,
When the input means is operated so that the cause information generating means fires a bullet from the player character toward another character belonging to the other game device, the cause information generating means determines the trajectory of the bullet based on the operation signal. The ballistic information shown is generated as the attack information,
When receiving the ballistic information from the other game device, the result information generating means determines whether or not the player has hit based on the ballistic information and the position information of the player's own character. In the case where the determination information indicating that the hit has not been generated, the determination information indicating that the hit has not been generated is generated as the result information.
The communication means transmits the game information including the position information to the relay device when a predetermined condition is satisfied,
The first display control means acquires the determination information from the other game device after detecting the operation signal when the input means is operated so as to fire a bullet toward the other character. In the period until it is displayed on the display means an image in which it is uncertain whether or not a bullet has hit the other character,
When the second display control means acquires the determination information from the game device of the other character, if the determination information indicates a hit, an image in which the other character is damaged is displayed on the display means. When the determination information indicates that the hit has not occurred, an image in which the other character is not damaged is displayed on the display means.
The game system according to claim 2.   The determination means executes a process of specifying a predetermined range centered on position information of the character of the user and a process of determining whether the bullet passes the predetermined range based on the ballistic information. The game system according to claim 3.   The first display control means displays a bullet trajectory and an image in which the other character shakes within a range deviating from the trajectory as an image in which it is uncertain whether or not the bullet has hit the other character. The game system according to claim 3 or 4.   The first display control means measures a time after detecting the operation signal in parallel with a process of displaying an image in which it is uncertain whether or not a bullet has hit the other character, The game according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein when the measured time exceeds a predetermined time, an image in which whether or not the other character is damaged is displayed. system. The position information management means includes storage means for storing a plurality of reference positions set in the virtual space, and if the position of the character exceeds a predetermined range centered on the reference position, the position information management means Moving means for moving to the reference position of
The communication means transmits, as the position information, designation information for designating the reference position of the movement destination, with the predetermined condition being that there has been movement between the reference positions.
The game system according to claim 3, wherein the game system is any one of claims 3 to 6. Upon receiving a participation request for participating in a game from the game device, grouping means for grouping the predetermined number of game devices as game devices participating in one game, and one of the grouped game devices A server device having a specifying means for specifying the game device as a specific game device,
Among the grouped game devices, the game device specified as the specific game device is the relay device and the grouped games in the order in which the game information received from the grouped game device is received. Send to some or all of the device,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game system is any one of claims 1 to 7.   The relay device transmits the game information received from the grouped game devices to the game device excluding the transmission source game device from the grouped game devices in the order of reception. Item 9. The game system according to Item 8. A game device capable of executing a game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in a virtual space with another game device,
Display means for displaying game images;
An input means used for inputting an instruction to move the player's own character and outputting an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the player;
When an operation that may affect the other character belonging to the other game device is performed by the input means, the cause of the action on the other character based on the operation signal Cause information generating means for generating cause information indicating the contents of
When the cause information from the other game device is received, result information for generating result information indicating an action exerted on the self character based on the cause information and state information indicating the state of the self character Generating means;
Communication means for communicating game information relating to the progress of the game including the cause information and the result information;
When the input means is operated so that there is a possibility of acting on the other character, in the period from the detection of the operation signal to the acquisition of the result information of the other game device, the other First display control means for causing the display means to display an image in which the action received by the character is uncertain;
When the result information from the game device of the other character is acquired, a second display control unit that causes the display unit to display an image corresponding to the action received by the other character indicated by the result information;
A game apparatus comprising: A game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in the virtual space can be executed with other game devices, and display means for displaying a game image and an instruction to operate the player's own character A game device program comprising: an input means for outputting an operation signal according to a player's operation; a communication means for communicating; and an execution means for executing a program,
The execution means
When an operation that may affect the other character belonging to the other game device is performed by the input means, the cause of the action on the other character based on the operation signal Means for generating cause information indicating the content of
Means for generating, when receiving the cause information from the other game device, result information indicating an effect on the character based on the cause information and state information indicating the state of the character; ,
Means for transmitting and receiving game information relating to the progress of the game including the cause information and the result information using the communication means;
When the input means is operated so that there is a possibility of acting on the other character, in the period from the detection of the operation signal to the acquisition of the result information of the other game device, the other Means for causing the display means to display an image in which the action received by the character is uncertain,
As means for causing the display means to display an image according to the action received by the other character indicated by the result information when the result information from the game device of the other character is acquired.
A game device program characterized by being made to function. A game in which a plurality of players respectively operate a plurality of characters arranged in the virtual space can be executed with other game devices, and display means for displaying a game image and an instruction to operate the player's own character Is a control method for a game device comprising an input means for outputting an operation signal according to a player's operation, and a communication means for communicating,
When an operation that may affect the other character belonging to the other game device is performed by the input means, the cause of the action on the other character based on the operation signal Generating cause information indicating the content of
Receiving the cause information from the other game device, generating result information indicating an effect on the character based on the cause information and state information indicating the state of the character; ,
Transmitting and receiving game information relating to the progress of the game including the cause information and the result information using the communication means;
When the input means is operated so that there is a possibility of acting on the other character, in the period from the detection of the operation signal to the acquisition of the result information of the other game device, the other Displaying on the display means an image in which the action received by the character is uncertain;
Obtaining the result information from the game device of the other character, and causing the display unit to display an image corresponding to the action received by the other character indicated by the result information.
A control method for a game device, comprising:

Images