JP2009136411A - Program, information storage medium, and game device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a player to easily have attachment to characters by adding human ambiguity to the actions of non-player characters (NPC) in a game in which a player character controlled by the player and at least one allied NPCs appear. <P>SOLUTION: A basic action whose content can be set by the player and first-fifth preferential actions are set for respective allied NPCs. A friendliness value as an index of the sense of friendliness for the player character is set for each allied NPC as the parameter value to be increase/decreased in association with the actions of the player character. The friendliness value is increased by the actions of the player character to the allied NPC when the actions are preferable to the allied NPC, but decreased when the actions are not preferable. In determining the actions of the allied NPC, preferential actions in the number corresponding to the friendliness value of the allied NPC are extracted, and actual actions are selected from the extracted preferential actions and the basic action. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a program, an information storage medium, and a game device.

There is a video game genre in which a plurality of characters form a team to fight an enemy. For example, RPG (Role Playing Game) is one of them.
As a typical example of RPG, for example, a plurality of characters that can be operated by a player form a party and engage in an enemy who travels and encounters in a map of the game world. As the battle is repeated, the player character, etc. gains experience and gradually grows to be able to use techniques with high attack power. Sometimes, if the party members are injured, they will help each other by applying recovery magic. Finally, for example, a boss character is searched for and destroyed to achieve the purpose. The player can enjoy the feeling of achievement that achieves the purpose by overcoming hardships with friends while empathizing with the player character.

In recent years, some of the characters that form a party are ally NPCs (non-player characters), and if the player sets action details during a battle of the ally NPC in advance, the ally NPC automatically follows the setting. A game that fights has also appeared (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-75446 A

  By the way, the enjoyment of a game based on such a team organization is influenced by how the player can empathize with the player characters. However, in the above prior art, it becomes possible to freely set the action of the ally NPC, but there is no consideration of human ambiguity that does not necessarily take the determined action, It was a little unsatisfactory to have an ally NPC as a human companion.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to take action of a friend NPC in a game in which a player character operated by the player and one or more friendly NPCs appearing on the player character appear. It is to make it easier for the player to have attachment to the character with human ambiguity.

A first invention for solving the above-described problem is to cause a computer to execute a game in which a PC (player character) operated by a player and one or more ally NPCs (non-player characters) that are PC ally appear. The program of
Application action selection means for selecting action reference data to be applied to each of the teammate NPCs from among a plurality of action reference data of the teammate NPC (for example, priority action option data 590 in FIG. 11) under computer control. (For example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 5, the application behavior selection unit 212, the behavior set setting data 550 in FIG. 8, the set behavior ID 556, step S14 in FIG. 13),
Parameter value setting means for setting parameter values relating to the relative relationship between the PC and the friend NPC (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 5, the friendly value setting unit 216, the friendly value 544 in FIG. 8, and the Friendly value variable condition setting data 610, friendly value variable processing of FIG. 15),
Usable reference data for selecting usable action reference data among the action reference data selected by the application action selecting means of the ally NPC for each ally NPC based on the parameter value of the ally NPC. Selection means (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 5, the usable reference data selection unit 220, step S102 in FIG. 19),
For each of the teammate NPCs, the teammate NPC control means (for example, the processing section 200 of FIG. 5, the game calculation section) that controls the behavior of the teammate NPC based on the behavior standard data selected by the usable standard data selection means. 210 is a program for causing the computer to function as step S104) of FIG.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a game device for executing a game in which a PC operated by a player and one or more ally NPCs that are PC ally appear,
Application behavior selection means for selecting behavior standard data to be applied to each of the teammate NPCs according to a player's selection operation from among a plurality of behavior standard data for the teammate NPC under computer control;
Parameter value setting means for setting a parameter value related to the relative relationship between the PC and the ally NPC;
Usable reference data for selecting usable action reference data among the action reference data selected by the application action selecting means of the ally NPC for each ally NPC based on the parameter value of the ally NPC. A selection means;
For each of the teammate NPCs, the game apparatus may include a teammate NPC control unit that performs computer control on the behavior of the teammate NPC based on the behavior standard data selected by the usable standard data selection unit.

  The behavior reference data is data for determining conditions for activating the target behavior and the content of the behavior when automatically controlling the behavior of the NPC. For example, flag information such as the parameter values of characters appearing in the game (for example, experience values, hit points, possession money, possession items, etc.), the current position in the game world, the event triggered, and the town passed in the game space The number of enemies in front, the number of enemies defeated in the past, the elapsed time, etc. can be set as parameters. Further, the data related to the action content may be data specifying an action target, an action level, an action algorithm, or the like, or a function name or a file name for causing such action.

According to the first aspect, the player can set the action reference data for each team member NPC. On the other hand, for each team member NPC, a parameter value related to the relative relationship with the player character is automatically set as the game progresses. For the behavior of the ally NPC, usable behavior criterion data is selected from the behavior criterion data previously set by the player based on the parameter value relating to the relevance set for the ally NPC, and the selected behavior is selected. It is automatically controlled based on the reference data. With relevance, for example, factors that affect emotions held in human society, such as love and hate, teachers, grace and resentment, jealousy, class differences, and trust, can be appropriately set.
That is, unlike the prior art, the action setting set by the player is not necessarily reflected in the action of the ally NPC, and the actual place changes depending on the degree of association between the player character and the ally NPC. It will be. Therefore, the actions of these ally NPCs have a more human-like ambiguity, and the player can easily become attached.

The second invention is a method for variably determining the usable number of the behavior standard data that can be selected by the usable standard data selecting means (for example, the priority behavior usable number 562 in FIG. 8) for each of the team NPCs. While making the computer function as possible number determining means (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 5, the usable number determining unit 218, and step S120 in FIG. 20),
The action reference data selected by the applied action selection means, wherein the usable reference data selection means makes it possible to use as many action reference data as determined by the available number determination means for each of the team NPCs. Select from
The ally NPC control means selects, for each of the ally NPCs, action reference data used for action control of the ally NPC from action reference data selected by the usable reference data selection means. The program according to the first aspect of the invention for functioning.

  According to the second invention, the same effect as that of the first invention can be obtained, and an element that cannot be operated by the player is added by changing the number of usable action reference data, so that the human NPC has more actions. It can have changes such as ambiguity.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the usable number determining means functions the computer so that the usable number of the behavior reference data is variably determined based on the parameter value of the friendly NPC for each friendly NPC. This is a program according to the second aspect of the invention.

  According to the third invention, the same effect as the second invention can be obtained, and the usable number of behavior reference data can be varied based on the parameter value set for each friend NPC. Uncertainty in NPC behavior can be related to the association between a PC and a friend NPC. Thus, for example, if a PC is regarded as a party leader, the more friendly the NPC is with the PC, the more the player will select and set the action (listen to what the leader says). The behavior of the ally NPC can be made more human, such as not acting as much as set (not listening to what the leader says).

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the usable number determining means determines, for each of the friend NPCs, a predetermined compatibility relationship between an attribute set in the PC and an attribute set in the friend NPC (for example, FIG. According to 10 application conditions 584), the program according to the second or third invention for causing the computer to function so as to variably determine the usable number of the behavior reference data corresponding to the friend NPC.

  According to the fourth invention, the same effects as those of the second or third invention are achieved, and compatibility relationships associated with the respective attributes of the player character and the friend NPC (for example, sex, race, class, kinship relationship, It is possible to change the number of behavior standard data that can be used according to the master-slave, victims and their enemies. In other words, by associating factors such as relationships between humans and ties with the selection of the behavior of the ally NPC, the behavior of the ally NPC can be made more human.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the usable number determining means can use the behavior reference data corresponding to the ally NPC based on the status information of the ally NPC that is varied during the game for each of the ally NPCs. The program according to any one of the second to fourth inventions for causing the computer to function so that the number is variably determined (for example, steps S186 to S188 in FIG. 22).

  According to the fifth invention, the same effect as any of the second to fourth inventions can be obtained, and the usable number can be further varied based on the status information of the friend NPC. The status information is information indicating the state of the character. For example, states such as “injury”, “weakness”, “unconsciousness”, “numbness”, “sleep”, and “confused” can be set. Then, by changing the usable number based on those states, it is possible to change the behavior according to the mental and physical conditions of the so-called ally NPC, so it is possible to realize a more human-like behavior.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, for each of the teammate NPCs, the number of selectable behavior reference data (for example, the number of selectable priority behaviors 560 in FIG. 8) that can be selected by the applied behavior selecting means according to the player's selection operation is variable. The computer is caused to function as selection operation possible number determination means to be determined (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 5, the selection operation possible number determination unit 214, the priority action selectable number setting data 570 in FIG. 9, step S110 in FIG. 19). With
The applied action selecting means causes the computer to function so as to select action standard data corresponding to the selectable number determined by the selectable operation number determining means for each of the team NPCs according to a player's selection operation. A program according to any one of the first to fifth inventions.

  According to the sixth invention, the same effect as any one of the first to fifth inventions can be obtained, and the selectable number of action reference data that can be selected and operated by the player can be varied.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a growth degree parameter variable means (for example, the processing section of FIG. 5) for changing a growth degree parameter value (for example, level 536 in FIG. 8) indicating the growth degree of each ally NPC according to the progress of the game. 200, the game calculation unit 210, and step S108 in FIG.
The selection operation possible number determining means causes the computer to function so as to variably determine the selectable number of the behavior reference data for each of the teammate NPCs based on the value of the growth degree parameter of the teammate NPC. It is a program of 6th invention.

  According to the seventh invention, the same effects as in the sixth invention can be obtained, and the selectable number of action reference data can be changed according to the degree of growth of the ally NPC. As the number of characters increases, the growth of the character is reflected in the freedom of action, and the humanity of the action of the ally NPC can be further enhanced.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the parameter value setting means causes the computer to function so as to change the parameter value applied to the friend NPC when the action performed by the PC is a predetermined action. A program according to any one of the first to seventh inventions.

  According to the eighth invention, the same effect as any of the first to seventh inventions can be obtained, and the parameter value can be changed according to the action performed by the player character (PC).

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a conversation control means for executing a conversation between the PC and the NPC including reply options that can be selected by the player (for example, the processing unit 200, the game calculation unit 210 in FIG. 5, and the conversation setting data in FIG. 6). 516, and making the computer function as steps S8 to S10) of FIG.
The parameter value setting means collates a response option selected by the player in the conversation with a predetermined model response (for example, a suitable response 524 in FIG. 6), and the parameter applied to the friend NPC according to the suitability. A program according to any one of the first to eighth inventions for causing the computer to function so as to change a value (for example, step S100 in FIG. 19).

  According to the ninth invention, the same effect as any of the first to eighth inventions can be obtained, and the parameter applied to the friend NPC according to the suitability / non-suitability of the response selection in the conversation between the player character and the friend NPC. You can change the value. That is, it is possible to bring the humanity that the evaluation of the person is changed by the conversation to the action of the ally NPC.

In a tenth aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the current parameter value set by the parameter value setting means has reached a predetermined reaching reference value at a predetermined timing during the progress of the game. Sub-game execution control means (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 23, the sub-game execution control unit 222, steps S200 to S206 in FIG. 26),
When the game result of the sub game satisfies a predetermined clear condition, correction means (for example, the processing unit 200 of FIG. 23, the friendly value setting unit 216, and FIG. Steps S208 to S210) are the programs of any one of the first to ninth inventions for causing the computer to function.

  According to the tenth invention, the same effect as any one of the first to ninth inventions can be obtained, and the parameter value related to the relevance can not be improved well because the player is unfamiliar with the game, Even if the behavior reference data cannot be selected and set as desired, this can be detected and relieved, and even a beginner player can enjoy the game.

In an eleventh aspect of the invention, the computer functions as PC selection means for selecting a character to be used as a PC from a plurality of teammate characters in accordance with a player switching instruction operation.
The ally NPC control means computer-controls characters other than the selected PC among the plurality of ally characters as NPCs,
The application action selection means selects action reference data to be applied to the teammate character for each of the plurality of teammate characters according to a player's selection operation,
The program according to any one of the first to tenth aspects of the invention for causing the computer to function so that the parameter value setting means sets a parameter value relating to the relative relevance of each of the plurality of teammate characters. is there.

  According to the eleventh invention, the same effect as any of the first to tenth inventions can be obtained, and any character forming the party can be freely changed to a player character, and various characters are used as leaders. You will be able to enjoy the game in different situations.

  A twelfth invention is a computer-readable information storage medium storing any one of the programs of the first to eleventh inventions. The “information storage medium” mentioned here includes, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, an IC memory, and the like. According to the twelfth invention, by causing a computer to read and execute the program of any of the first to eleventh inventions, causing the computer to exert the same effect as any of the first to eleventh inventions. Can do.

  According to the present invention, the player can set the action reference data for each ally NPC. On the other hand, for each team member NPC, a parameter value related to the relative relationship with the player character is automatically set as the game progresses. For the behavior of the ally NPC, usable behavior criterion data is selected from the behavior criterion data previously set by the player based on the parameter value relating to the relevance set for the ally NPC, and the selected behavior is selected. It is automatically controlled based on the reference data. That is, unlike the prior art, the action setting set by the player is not necessarily reflected in the action of the ally NPC, and the actual place changes depending on the degree of association between the player character and the ally NPC. It will be. Therefore, the actions of these ally NPCs have a more human-like ambiguity, and the player can easily become attached.

[First Embodiment]
Next, as a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, a case where an RPG (role playing game) is executed in a portable game device will be described as an example.
FIG. 1 is an external view illustrating a configuration example of a portable game device. A portable game device 1400 according to this embodiment includes a direction input key 1402 and a button switch 1404 for a player to input a game operation, a first liquid crystal display 1406, a second liquid crystal display 1408, a speaker 1410, and a wireless communication module. 1412 and a control unit 1450 are provided integrally with a flip-flop type game device main body 1401 that can be opened and closed by a hinge 1414. Furthermore, touch panels 1407 and 1409 that can input arbitrary positions within the display range by touching with a stylus pen 1416 or the like are mounted on the surfaces of the first liquid crystal display 1406 and the second liquid crystal display 1408.

  Further, the game apparatus main body 1401 is provided with a reading device 1418 of a memory card 1440 that is a computer-readable information storage medium. The memory card 1440 stores programs and various setting data necessary for the control unit 1450 of the portable game apparatus 1400 to execute various arithmetic processes. In addition, a built-in battery, a power button, a volume control button, and the like (not shown) are provided.

  The control unit 1450 includes various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an IC memory, a driver circuit for a liquid crystal display, and a sound output. For example. Then, based on the program and data stored in the memory card 1440 read by the reading device 1418, the control unit 1450 executes various arithmetic processes. Then, each unit of the apparatus is controlled in accordance with operation inputs from the direction input key 1402, the button switch 1404, and the touch panels 1407 and 1409.

In addition, the portable game device 1400 includes a microphone 1420 and a triaxial acceleration sensor 1422.
The microphone 1420 collects sounds and voices made by the player during play and outputs the collected sound signals to the control unit 1450. It is good also as a structure provided with the connecting terminal which can connect an external microphone not only to an integrated microphone like the figure.
The triaxial acceleration sensor 1422 detects the acceleration in the three axis directions of the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis that intersect perpendicularly in order to detect the posture change and the position change of the portable game apparatus 1400, and sends the detection signal to the control unit 1450. Output. In addition, it is good also as a structure provided with a gyro sensor as a function addition instead of an acceleration sensor. Alternatively, if a change in position or orientation is detected with reference to geomagnetism, it can be replaced by a magnetic sensor.

  In the present embodiment, the portable game device 1400 is configured to read out necessary programs, various setting data, and data related to contents from the memory card 1440, but via the wireless communication module 1412, the Internet or LAN (Local Area) Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) may be connected to a communication line 1 and acquired from an external device by data communication.

[Overview of the game]
2 and 3 are diagrams showing an example of a game screen in the present embodiment. As in the field screen W2 in FIG. 2 (sometimes referred to as a map screen), in the RPG in the present embodiment, the player character 10 to which the player inputs the action and the ally NPCs 12, 14, 16, 18 and a party to travel the game world to defeat the enemy boss character. Incidentally, the player character 10 and the ally NPCs 14, 16, and 18 are men. Only friendly NPC 12 is a female character.
When the player inputs a moving operation by a sliding operation to the touch panels 1407 and 1409 with the direction input key 1402 or the stylus pen 1416, the party moves in the input operation direction with the player character 10 as the head, and the screen background moves in the moving direction. Automatically generated and displayed. Further, it is set so that a conversation event exchanged between the player character 10 and the teammate NPC occurs when a predetermined progress condition is satisfied.
In the example shown in the figure, a conversation event has occurred between the ally NPC 12 and the player character 10, and a dialog box 20 is displayed at the bottom of the screen, in which an identification display 22 for characters that emit speech. And text 24 indicating the contents of the conversation are displayed. In a conversation event, similarly to a known RPG, for example, a predetermined conversation progress operation is performed by touching the touch panels 1407 and 1409 with a button switch 1404 or a stylus pen 1416 (in the example of FIG. Is entered), the conversation progresses and the dialog box 20 switches and displays the text of the next conversation.

  Further, in the RPG in the present embodiment, when a monster is encountered while moving in the game world, the battle screen W4 in FIG. 3 is switched and a battle event with the enemy NPCs 26 and 28 occurs. The player character 10 selects an enemy NPC to be attacked in response to an operation input by the player and launches an attack technique. The computer automatically controls the actions of the teammate NPCs 12, 14, 16, and 18.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the automatic behavior control of the ally NPC in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, each RPG ally NPC in this embodiment has an automatic behavior set defined by the player, and the computer automatically controls the behavior of the ally NPC according to the defined automatic behavior set.
In one automatic action set, a first priority action to a fifth priority action and a basic action can be defined in order of priority. The first priority action to the fifth priority action are configured such that the user can arbitrarily set action options in which the activation condition and the action when the activation condition is satisfied are set. For example, an action such as “when an enemy NPC exists in front (activation condition) → attack by selecting the enemy with the smallest HP (hit point; parameter value indicating the durability of the character)” or “the item is falling (Activation condition) → Pick up item ”can be set. The basic action defines an action to be selected when no priority action is activated. For example, it is possible to define a basic style during the battle such as “attack without any means”, “battle without using magic”, “defense”, “assistance of allies”. This makes it possible to fight the enemy in the style that the player thinks while flexibly responding to various situations while leaving the actions of the ally NPC to the computer.

However, in the present embodiment, the number of first to fifth priority actions that can be set varies depending on the degree of growth of each ally NPC. In this embodiment, it is set so as to gradually increase in accordance with the so-called “level”. Therefore, at the beginning of the game, only one of the five setting frames can be set as a priority action, but if the experience value of an ally NPC increases as a result of repeated battles, the priority action setting can be selected. The number is controlled to increase automatically.
This realizes an RPG that enjoys growth as a team, such as being able to handle more advanced team tactics with the growth of friendly NPCs.

  Also, in the present embodiment, among the selectable priority actions, the number of priority actions that can be used by the computer as the action of the ally NPC during the battle, that is, the usable number is variable. That is, even if the selectable number is “4” among the five setting frames for the priority action, the activation condition is determined for all the four priority actions, and if the activation condition is satisfied, the ally NPC can determine the priority action. Rather than automatically acting according to the settings, only priority actions for the number of usable actions out of the four priority actions are actually subject to trigger conditions, and priority actions that were not made available are substantially invalid. Become.

  The usable number of priority actions is set based on the relevance parameter value between the player character 10 and each ally NPC 12, 14, 16, 18. In the present embodiment, each friend NPC 12, 14, 16, 18 is associated with a “friendship value” that includes friendly elements such as trust, personal affection, and closeness as a party leader to the player character 10. Held as a parameter value. The friendship value is increased or decreased when a predetermined condition is met from the viewpoint of interest for each team NPC during the game play. For example, when the player character 10 supports or recovers a friendly NPC injured during a battle, the friendly value is automatically increased, and the player selects a response that damages the opponent's friendly NPC during a conversation event. The friendly value is automatically reduced.

The usable number of priority actions is set so as to increase as the “friendly value” increases. That is, if the friendly NPC has a high friendly value and trusts the player character 10 as a leader, more priority actions among the priority actions set by the player can be selected. Become a target. As a result, this ally NPC acts tactically as the player character 10 (that is, the player) pre-determines (in a pseudo-instruction manner). On the other hand, if the friendship value is low, even if there is a priority action that can actually be selected and the action content is set, the number of effective priority actions that reach the determination of the activation condition during the battle is limited. It will be. As a result, this allied NPC is in a so-called “not ordered but acted as ordered” state.

  In FIG. 4, the usable number is displayed by a handshake mark having a size corresponding to the magnitude of the numerical value. For example, in the example of the figure, in the automatic action set B of the ally NPC 12, up to five of the priority action setting frames 30b that can be set up to 5 can be selected, so the player can select five patterns of priority actions. Can be defined. The ally NPC 12 has a relatively large friendly value, indicating that the ally NPC 12 has a very friendly feeling for the player character 10. Therefore, up to four of the five priority actions that can be selected are usable. The shaded display of the fifth priority action indicates an invalid priority action that can be selected but is not practical.

  On the other hand, in the automatic action set C of the ally NPC 14, up to five of the five priority action setting frames 30c are similarly permitted to be selected, but have a small friendly value. For this reason, it is determined that the player character 10 does not have a very friendly feeling and is not trusted as a leader, and only one priority action can be used. In the figure, only the top one of the setting frames 30 is shown as a white frame, and the remaining four are shown as shaded display.

  In addition, in the automatic action set D of the ally NPC 16, only four of the maximum priority action setting frames 30d can be selected, and since the friendly value is small, the usable number is also small and selected. Only one of four possible priority actions is in effect. In the figure, a white frame is displayed indicating that only the uppermost level of the setting frame 30d can be used, and a shaded display indicating that the second to fourth levels can be selected but cannot be used. The eyes are displayed in black to indicate that they cannot be selected in the first place.

  Further, in the ally NPC 18, as in the ally NPC 16, up to four of the priority action setting frames 30e that can be selected are still selectable (in the figure, the fifth step from the top of the setting frame 30e). Since the friendship value is medium, up to two priority actions can be used, that is, enabled (in the figure, the first and second steps from the top of the setting frame 30e are white frames, The fourth row is shaded).

According to the example shown in the figure, the ally NPCs 12 and 18 are not only the actions set as basic actions but also the priority actions as well as the actions set relatively by the player, although they are automatically controlled by a computer. , 16 said that the preferential behavior does not act as much as expected, and the human-smelling behavior that said to respond to expectations or against it according to the magnitude of the reciprocal relationship between human beings I will take it.
If the player wants to act as expected for all friendly NPCs, it is necessary to increase the friendly value of each friendly NPC. To that end, it is necessary to pay attention to the action selection so that the player character 10 as the party leader can help the friendly NPC or have a favor. Therefore, it is possible to make the player behave like a human being by the friendly NPC, and to make the player easy to attach, and to bring the elements such as maintaining human relations when acting with a large number of people into the game, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the game.

[Description of functional blocks]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the portable game device 1400 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment includes an operation input unit 100, a processing unit 200, a sound output unit 350, an image display unit 360, a communication unit 370, and a storage unit 500.

  The operation input unit 100 is realized by input devices and sensors such as a push button, a lever, a touch pad, a dial, a keyboard, a mouse, various pointers, an acceleration sensor, and a tilt sensor, and is used for various operation inputs made by a player. In response, an operation input signal is output to the processing unit 200. This corresponds to the direction input key 1402, the button switch 1404, and the touch panels 1407 and 1409 in FIG.

The processing unit 200 is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), and an IC memory, for example. The processing unit 200 inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit, and inputs a predetermined program, data, and operation input. Various arithmetic processes are executed based on the operation input signal from the unit 100 to control the operation of the portable game apparatus 1400. In FIG. 1, the control unit 1450 corresponds to the processing unit 200.
The processing unit 200 in the present embodiment includes a game calculation unit 210, a sound generation unit 250, an image generation unit 260, and a communication control unit 270.

The game calculation unit 210 executes processing related to the progress of the game. For example, processing for forming a game space in a virtual three-dimensional space, placement control processing for objects such as characters placed in the game space, physics calculation, hit determination of an attack in a battle event, calculation of damage due to a hit attack And HP (hit points) increase / decrease in attacked characters and characters that have received recovery spells, increase / decrease in experience value according to battle results, increase / decrease in MP (magic points; points consumed to use magic), players The execution target includes conversation control between the character and the friend NPC.
In the present embodiment, the game calculation unit 210 includes an applied action selection unit 212, a selection operation possible number determination unit 214, a friendly value setting unit 216, a usable number determination unit 218, and a usable reference data selection unit 220. Including.

  The applied action selection unit 212 selects and sets action reference data that defines action patterns to be applied to each of the teammate NPCs 12, 14, 16, and 18 from a plurality of options according to the player's selection operation performed on the operation input unit 100. To do. The selectable number is determined by the selectable operation number determination unit 214 in accordance with the growth degree of each character of the teammate NPCs 12, 14, 16, and 18.

  The friendly value setting unit 216 sets a friendly value as a parameter value related to the relative relationship between the player character 10 and each ally NPC based on the action of the player character 10 and the like. Particularly in the present embodiment, the player character 10 responds to the appropriateness / inappropriateness of the response of the player character 10 in the conversation between the player character 10 and the ally NPCs 12, 14, 16, 18 as well as the action of the player character 10 during the battle. For example, the friendship value is increased or decreased, and the value is varied based on the interest of whether or not the player character 10 has favor for the player character 10.

  The usable number determining unit 218 determines the usable number to be used as an option when the action of the teammate NPC is actually determined among the priority actions that the player can select and set. In the present embodiment, the higher the friendship value set for the ally NPC, the higher the usable number.

  Based on the parameter value set in each ally NPC (friendly value in this embodiment), the usable reference data selection unit 220 actually uses the ally NPC from the action reference data of the action pattern selected and set in the ally NPC. The behavior standard data used as an option when the behavior is determined is selected. More specifically, choices are extracted from the action reference data of the priority actions selected and set by the application action selection unit 212 by the usable number determined by the usable number determination unit 218. Then, the game calculation unit 210 automatically determines the action condition of each action based on the action reference data extracted by the usable reference data selection part 220, and automatically takes the action of the ally NPC so as to take the action if the action condition is satisfied. Control.

  The sound generation unit 250 is realized by a known technique such as a sound generation LSI, a digital signal processor (DSP), or a control program thereof, and based on the processing result of the game calculation unit 210, sound effects, BGM, Sound signals of game sounds such as various operation sounds are generated and output to the sound output unit 350.

  The sound output unit 350 is realized by a device that emits sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal output from the sound generation unit 250. The speaker 1410 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The image generation unit 260 is realized by a known technique such as an LSI such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a digital signal processor (DSP), a control program, a drawing frame IC memory such as a frame buffer, or the like. The image generation unit 260 generates a two-dimensional image based on the processing result by the game calculation unit 210 or renders an image obtained by photographing an object arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space with a virtual camera. Then, a game image as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 is generated at intervals of one frame time (for example, 1/60 seconds), and the image signal is output to the image display unit 360.

  The image display unit 360 displays a game screen based on the image signal output from the image generation unit 260. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head mounted display. In FIG. 1, the first liquid crystal display 1406 and the second liquid crystal display 1408 correspond to this.

  The communication control unit 270 executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with other external devices via the communication unit 370.

  The communication unit 370 is connected to a communication line to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a cable communication cable jack, a control circuit, and the like, and the wireless communication module 1412 corresponds to this in FIG.

  The storage unit 500 stores pre-defined programs and data, and is also used as a work area of the processing unit 200 to store calculation results executed by the processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation unit 100, and the like. Memorize temporarily. This function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM and a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM and DVD.

  The storage unit 500 in this embodiment includes a system program 501 for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 200 to control the game apparatus 1200 in an integrated manner, a game program 502 and various data necessary for causing the game to be executed. Memorize etc. When the processing unit 200 reads out and executes the game program 502, the processing unit 200 can realize the function as the game calculation unit 210.

  Further, the game program 502 includes an NPC control program 504 for automatically controlling the behavior of an NPC (non-player character). The NPC control program 504 can be realized using a known technique called “AI”. In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the player can set a set of automatic actions of teammate NPCs from a plurality of action pattern options. Therefore, the NPC control program 504 is defined so that it can be called as a function corresponding to these action patterns, for example.

The storage unit 500 stores map data 510, battle screen background data 512, character initial setting data 514, and conversation setting data 516 as data prepared in advance.
The map data 510 includes data necessary for building a game world in which the player character 10 or the like travels. More specifically, model data, text data, motion data, and the like for setting the earth, sea, mountain, river, forest, town, dungeon, and the like are included. In the field screen of FIG. 2, the game space around the player character 10 is the background.

The battle screen background data 512 stores the background image of the battle screen as shown in FIG.
The character initial setting data 514 stores various initial setting data relating to the player character 10 appearing in the game, the ally NPCs 12, 14, 16, 18 and enemy NPCs. Basically, it is the same as the known RPG. For example, model data, texture data, motion data, initial values and maximum values of HP and MP, level-up conditions such as the player character 10 and ally NPC 12, and techniques that can be used. A table (TBL) data of conditions that can be used is included.

  The conversation setting data 516 stores data related to the contents of the conversation used in the conversation event. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in correspondence with the event occurrence condition 518, a conversation character 520 that stores identification information of a friend NPC that has a conversation with the player character 10, dialogue dialogue data 522 exchanged in the event, A suitable response 524 for storing an operation input identification of an appropriate response (exemplary response) among responses of the player character 10 is stored, and an inappropriate response 526 for storing an operation input identification of an inappropriate response is stored.

In the example shown in the figure, when the player character 10 arrives at “Zawazawa Forest”, a conversation event occurs between the player character 10 (character identification “CH-A”) and a friend NPC with the character identification “CH-B”. To do. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, dialog sets 528a to 528d... In which a speaker name and a text of the conversation content are set are stored in the order of reading. For a dialog that requires a response, for example, a dialog set 528d includes a predetermined character string “<selection”, and response options are set in association with a response operation input method. At least one of the response operation input methods here is assigned to either the preferred response 524 or the inappropriate response 526 described above.
The occurrence / non-occurrence of the conversation event set in the conversation setting data 516 is associated with the identification information of the dialog data 522 by setting the conversation occurrence flag 529 in the storage unit 500, for example, as in the known technology. Duplicates are prevented by storing and managing them by flag operations.

  The storage unit 500 also includes character parameter data 530, priority action selectable number setting data 570, priority action usable number setting data 580, priority action option data 590, basic action option data 600, and friendly value variable. The condition setting data 610 is stored.

  The character parameter data 530 is data that is generated and managed as the game progresses, and stores information related to the state of the player character 10, the ally NPC, and the enemy NPC in battle.

For example, FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the character parameter data 530 related to the player character 10 and the friend NPC in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, a character ID 532 that stores identification information of the corresponding character, a PC (player character) flag 534 that is set to indicate that the character is a player character, and a level that indicates the degree of character growth 536, experience value 538 acquired so far, HP (hit point) 540, MP (magic point) 542, friendly value 544, and abnormal status flag 546 are included.
In the example of the figure, the HP 540 of the character “CH-D” corresponding to the ally NPC 16 indicates that the current value is “155” with respect to the maximum value “200” at the level “3”. The friendship value 544 indicates that the current value is “90” with respect to the maximum value “1000”.
The abnormality status flag 546 includes a plurality of flags indicating that the character is in an abnormal state such as “poisoned state”, “sleeping state”, “state where a magic spell cannot be cast”, “numbness state”, “confused state”, etc. Is set.

  The character parameter data 530 includes action set setting data 550, priority action selectable number 560, priority action usable number 562, and usable attack technique information 564 that stores identification information of attack techniques that can be used by the corresponding character. And usable magic information 566 for storing identification information of magic techniques that can be used by the corresponding character, and possessed item information 568 for storing identification information and the number of items possessed by the corresponding character.

  The action set setting data 550 stores the content set in each setting frame of the character's automatic action set corresponding to the data set. More specifically, for example, an action type 554 and a set action ID 556 for storing action pattern identification information set by the player are stored in association with the priority order 552, and each is set in a setting frame for each action. Equivalent to. In the example of the figure, the first to fourth priority actions can be selected, and action pattern identification information of “ACT003”, “ACT101”, “ACT023”, and “ACT245” is set, respectively. Yes, “NULL” is stored, which indicates that the selection is not possible yet and is not set.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the priority action selectable number setting data 570 associates the selectable condition 572 with the selectable number 574 of priority actions that can be selected as action pattern options (in other words, the action contents can be set). Store. For example, since the level 536 is “16” in the example of FIG. 8, the selectable number 560 is “4” in light of the priority action selectable number setting data 570 of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the priority action usable number setting data 580 stores the number of usable priority actions in association with the matrix of friendly value conditions 582 and application conditions 584, and the matching conditions intersect. The maximum value among the usable numbers set in the position is the usable number of the character. In the example of FIG. 8, since the friendly value 544 of the character “CH-D” is “90” and the character and the player character 10 are the same, “1” set in the upper left column of the matrix is applied. Will be.

The priority action option data 590 stores information related to action pattern options that can be set as priority actions. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, an action ID 592 for storing action pattern identification information, a selectable condition 594, an activation condition 596, and action content 598 are stored in association with each other.
The action ID 592 stores identification information applied to calling the NPC control program 504. The selectable condition 594 stores various conditions that enable the action pattern to be selected. The activation condition 596 stores a condition for executing the action pattern. The action content 598 stores a description of the action pattern shown to the player when setting the action pattern. The activation condition 596 and the action content 598 are so-called data regarding the action criteria of the action pattern.

  Similar to the priority action option data 590, the basic action option data 600 stores information related to action pattern options that can be set as basic actions. The action patterns that can be set do not have the detailed activation conditions like the priority action options. For example, simple action contents such as “attack with any attack method”, “attack with magic”, “defense”, and “avoidance” Is set.

  The friendly value variable condition setting data 610 defines a condition for changing the friendly value and a change amount. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the friendly value variable condition 612, the variable target character 616, and the friendly value variable amount 618 are stored in association with each other. In the friendly value variable condition 612, the action of the player character 10 is set. In the variable target character 616, the condition of the character that is the target of the action is set, and only the friendly value variable amount 618 corresponding to the content of the action is set. It defines that it will be changed. In the example shown in the figure, the action of the player character 10 in a battle event or a conversation event is a variable condition. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and “a predetermined dungeon capture” “a predetermined enemy character capture” “an appearance of a predetermined item” It can be included in the conditions as appropriate according to the content of the game, such as “added a specific character to the party”. In that case, it is preferable that the matter relates to the physical and mental interests of the ally NPC.

[Description of process flow]
Next, the flow of processing in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of main processing. As shown in the figure, first, the processing unit 200 controls display of the field screen (step S2). That is, with reference to the map data 510 and the character initial setting data 514, as shown in FIG. 2 (however, excluding the dialog box 20), the player character 10 and the ally NPCs 12, 14, 16, 18 are organized. An image in which the party is in the game world is generated and displayed on the image display unit 360.
If a party movement operation is performed on the operation input unit 100 (YES in step S4), the processing unit 200 performs display processing so that the party moves in the game world in the same manner as a known RPG (step S6). This allows the player to move the party to various locations in the game world.

  Next, the processing unit 200 refers to the conversation setting data 516 and determines whether or not the event occurrence condition 518 is satisfied (step S8). And when it determines with satisfy | filling (YES of step S8), a conversation control process is performed (step S10).

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the conversation control process in the present embodiment. The processing unit 200 displays a conversation event screen between the conversation character 520 and the player character 10 corresponding to the event generation condition 518 that satisfies the condition. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the dialog box 20 is displayed at a predetermined position on the screen, and the display of the text 24 is controlled while displaying the character in conversation on the identification display 22 in accordance with the setting of the corresponding dialog data 522. Then, when there is an input of a predetermined progress operation (YES in step S32), control is performed so that the next dialogue setting is displayed in the dialog box 20 by the dialog data 522, similarly to the conversation event in the known RPG. The conversation is advanced (step S34).

  Here, it is determined whether or not a response is selected for the content of the conversation (step S36). In the present embodiment, when a predetermined character string “<Select>” is included in the dialog data 522 (dialog set 528) corresponding to the text 24 currently displayed in the dialog box 20, it is determined that there is a response selection. (YES in step S36), the response result operated by the player is temporarily stored in the storage unit 500 (step S38).

  Next, the processing unit 200 determines whether or not the conversation has ended (step S40). If the conversation is ongoing (NO in step S40), the process returns to step S32. If the conversation is ended (YES in step S40), the friendly value variable process is subsequently executed (step S42).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of friendly value variable processing in the present embodiment. In the friendly value variable process, the processing unit 200 executes the process of loop A for all allies NPC (steps S50 to S60). For the friend NPC to be processed, loop B processing is executed for all friendly value variable conditions 612 with reference to friendly value variable condition setting data 610 (see FIG. 12) (steps S52 to S58). In the process of loop B, it is determined whether or not the friendly value variable condition to be processed is satisfied (step S54).

  Since the friendly value variable process this time is read from the conversation event and executed, in the example of FIG. 12, the friendly value variable condition 612 illustrated in FIG. "Or" I selected an inappropriate response in a conversation event "is the target of determination. In step S38 (see FIG. 14), the conversation response selection operation result temporarily stored in the storage unit 500 and the conversation setting data 516 (see FIG. 6) are being executed in the current conversation control process. By comparing the favorable response 524 and the inappropriate response 526 corresponding to the conversation event, it is determined whether or not the friendly value variable condition to be processed is satisfied.

  If it is determined that the friendly value variable condition 612 to be processed is satisfied (YES in step S54), the processing unit 200 changes the friendly character associated with the friendly value variable condition 612 in the friendly value variable condition setting data 610. The friendly value 544 of the character parameter data 530 of 616 is increased or decreased by the friendly value variable amount 618 (step S56). Therefore, if the player character 10 responds to the friendly NPC with whom the player character 10 is conversing as a friend, the friendship value of the friend NPC is increased, and conversely, if the player character 10 responds inappropriately, the friendship value is increased. Will be lowered.

If the processing unit 200 executes the process of loop A for all the friendly NPCs, the processing unit 200 ends the friendly value variable process and ends the conversation control process.
Returning to FIG. 13, when there is an operation for setting an automatic action set for a team NPC (YES in step S12), an automatic action set setting process is executed (step S14). The setting operation of the automatic action set is, for example, selecting one of the ally NPCs included in the party and pressing a predetermined button switch.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the automatic action set setting process in the present embodiment. In the automatic action set setting process, first, referring to the action set setting data 550 of the character parameter data 530 of the ally NPC selected as the setting target, the setting contents of the automatic action at the present time are read out, for example, as shown in FIG. The screen W6 is displayed. (Step S70).

  In the setting screen W6 of the present embodiment, the identification display unit 40 of the current friend NPC, the parameter display unit 42 that displays various parameter values such as the character name and the level value, and the automatic that can select each action column And an action set display field 44. Further, the automatic action set display field 44 includes a priority order display part 46, an action type display part 48, and a content display part 50 for displaying an explanation of the contents of the set action pattern. One row of these parts is set as one action setting field (setting frame). The display content of the content display unit 50 is acquired and displayed by referring to the action content 598 corresponding to the set action ID 556 of the current action set setting data 550 from the priority action option data 590.

If there is an action setting field selection operation in the state in which the setting screen W6 is displayed (YES in step S72), the processing unit 200 responds to the selection operation in the same manner as a known setting screen control (action setting field (automatic) The selection position of the action set display field is changed (step S74).
For example, the example in FIG. 17 shows a state in which the “basic action” field in the automatic action set display field 44 is selected, but when the direction input key 1402 is used to move up and down, the selected position of the field changes up and down. Is done. However, the action setting column that can be selected from the first priority action to the fifth priority action depends on the number 560 (see FIG. 8) of priority action selectable numbers set in the ally NPC. In other words, if the set value of the number 560 of priority action selectable is “n”, only the action setting field for basic actions and the action setting field for first to nth priority actions can be selected.

Next, when there is a predetermined setting change operation (YES in step S76), the processing unit 200 displays selectable action patterns in the action setting field that is currently selected (step S78). For example, when a predetermined button switch 1404 is operated in a state where any of the columns is selected, the priority action option data 590 or the basic action option data 600 is referred to, as shown in the setting screen W8 in FIG. A selection list 54 of action patterns that can be set is displayed in the field. Then, in the same manner as the known selection screen control, an action pattern is selected according to a predetermined selection operation, and the setting action ID 556 of the action set setting data 550 (see FIG. 8) of the teammate NPC to be processed is selected. The action ID of the action pattern is changed (step S80).
Therefore, the player can select the desired team NPC and freely change the contents of the automatic action set of the character within the range of the number 560 of priority action selectable.
If there is a predetermined setting end operation (YES in step S82), the processing unit 200 ends the automatic action set setting process.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 13, the processing unit 200 determines whether or not the battle has started (step S <b> 16). When the party reaches a predetermined position in the game space or a randomly set position, it is determined that the battle has started by encountering an enemy NPC. If it is determined that the battle has started, the processing unit 200 executes battle event processing (step S18).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of battle event processing in the present embodiment. In the battle event process, first, the processing unit 200 generates a battle screen where the player character 10 or the like and the enemy NPC face each other as shown in FIG. 3, and displays the battle screen on the image display unit 360 (step S90).
At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the status display section 50 of the player character 10 and the ally NPCs 12, 14, 16, and 18 is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
The status display unit 50 according to the present embodiment is a set of a character identification display unit 52 that displays a character's face and symbol for each character, an HP remaining amount display unit 54, and an MP remaining amount display unit 56. To do. In addition, the priority action effectiveness display section 58 is displayed together for a friend NPC (corresponding to the second and following from the left in the example in the figure).

The priority action effectiveness display section 58 is formed by displaying the same number of symbols 560 as the priority action selectable number 560 at the start of the battle of the ally NPC in a display form that is different from the priority action usable number 562.
For example, in the example of FIG. 3, four symbols with numbers are displayed in the rightmost display set, and three of them are displayed in a white display form. Therefore, the number of selectable priority actions of the corresponding team NPC is “4”. The usable number can be determined as “3”. The symbol is not limited to be displayed in a color indicating the number of priority actions that can be used, but may be expressed in a fraction notation such as “number of priority actions that can be used / number of priority actions that can be selected”. The total number of symbols and the number of symbols displayed in different display forms are obtained by referring to the priority action selectable number 560 and the priority action usable number 562 of the character parameter data 530 of the corresponding ally NPC. be able to.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 19, the processing unit 200 next executes an enemy NPC action determination process in the same manner as a known RPG (step S92), and also determines the determined enemy in the same manner as the known RPG. Processing for calculating and reflecting the game result according to the NPC action and action display control such as the enemy NPC attacking the player character 10 and the like are executed (step S94).
For example, if the action of the enemy NPC is “attack”, attack target character selection, attack hit determination, hit damage calculation, damage reflected in the parameters of the attacked character, attack action display, status display unit 50 Various processes such as display change and experience value change are executed.

  Next, the processing unit 200 determines the action of the player character 10 in accordance with the operation input from the operation input unit 100 in the same manner as the known RPG (step S96), and is determined in the same manner as the known RPG. A game result calculation and reflection process according to the action of the player character 10 and action display control are executed (step S98). Then, the friendly value changing process is executed to change the friendly value based on the action of the player character 10 (step S100).

  In the example of the friendly value variable condition setting data 610 in FIG. 12, “use recovery magic”, “use resuscitation magic”, “use defense magic”, “use recovery item”, etc. Is a judgment target. If the friendly value variable condition 612 is satisfied, the friendly value 544 of the character parameter data 530 of the ally NPC that satisfies the condition of the variable target character 616 is changed by the friendly value variable amount 618.

Next, the processing unit 200 executes a teammate NPC behavior determination process (step S102).
FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the ally NPC action determination process in the present embodiment. In the ally NPC action determination process, first, a priority action usable number determination process is executed (step S120).

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the priority action usable number determination process in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the processing unit 200 executes the process of loop E for all allies NPC (steps S180 to S190). In the loop E, first, referring to the character parameter data 530 and priority action usable number setting data 580 (see FIG. 10) of the friendly NPC to be processed, in the friendly value condition 582 that the friendly value 544 of the friendly NPC matches. Then, the maximum value of the usable numbers set in the application condition 584 to which the ally NPC is suitable is obtained, and this is stored in the priority action usable number 562 of the character parameter data 530 as the usable number of the ally NPC. S182).

Next, the processing unit 200 refers to the abnormal status flag 546 of the character parameter data 530 of the ally NPC to be processed, and an abnormal state (for example, numbness state, sleep state, coma state) in which the ally NPC has a reduced action power , Poisoning state, confusion state, etc.) (step S186). If it is determined that the state is abnormal (YES in step S186), the priority action usable number 562 in the character parameter data 530 is decreased by "1" (step S188). As a result, it is possible to simulate a state in which the ally NPC is in a state in which the action power is reduced and cannot move sufficiently as the player character 10 thinks.
If the process of loop E is executed for all allied NPCs, the priority action usable number determination process is terminated.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 20, the processing unit 200 next selects a method for extracting as many priority actions as possible from the selectable priority actions (step S <b> 122). In the present embodiment, either the “order selection method” for selecting the usable number in order from the top of the priority order or the “slope specific gravity selection method” for weighting selection so that the higher the priority order is, the easier it is to select. Select The random selection method may be set as appropriate, such as selecting whether the generated random number or the value of the internal counter is odd or even.

  When the rank selection method is selected (YES in step S124), the processing unit 200 executes the process of loop C for all allies NPC (steps S126 to S142). In the loop C, it is determined whether or not the combat action is possible with reference to the abnormality status flag 546 of the friend NPC to be processed (step S128). For example, when the ally NPC is in a coma or a dead state, it is determined that the battle action is impossible.

If the battle action is possible (YES in step S128), the processing unit 200 sets the counter n = 1 (step S130), and satisfies whether the activation condition for the n-th priority action set in the teammate NPC to be processed is satisfied. Is determined (step S132). Specifically, the activation condition 596 corresponding to the action ID set in the action ID setting 556 of the nth priority action in the action set setting data 550 of the ally NPC is determined by referring to the priority action option data 590.
If the activation condition is satisfied (YES in step S132), the processing unit 200 determines the nth priority action as the action of the processing target ally NPC (step S134), and ends the loop C.

If it is determined that the activation condition is not satisfied (NO in step S132), the counter n is incremented by "1" (step S136), and the priority set for the counter n and the friend NPC to be processed is obtained. The action usable number 562 is compared (step S138). If the counter n does not reach the priority action usable number 562 (NO in step S138), the process proceeds to step S132 to determine the trigger condition for the priority action of the next priority. If the counter n exceeds the priority action usable number 562 (YES in step S138), the processing unit 200 determines the basic action and the action of the friend NPC to be processed and ends the loop C.
And if the loop D is performed about all the friend NPCs, the friend NPC action determination process is terminated.

On the other hand, when the gradient specific gravity selection method is selected in step S122 (NO in step S124), as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21, the process of loop D is executed for all allies NPC (steps S150 to S162). With reference to the abnormal status flag 546 of the teammate NPC to be processed, it is determined whether or not the battle action is possible (step S152).
When it is determined that the fighting action is possible (YES in step S152), the processing unit 200 is extracted from the priority actions that are set as the processing target ally NPC and can be selected with higher probability as the priority order is higher. As a result, priority actions are extracted by the usable number (step S154).

  Specifically, for example, when the priority action selectable number 560 is “3” and the priority action usable number 562 is set to “2”, the winning probability in one lottery is set to 3 for the first priority action. / 6, the second priority action is 2/6, the third priority action is 1/6, and two of the three priority actions are extracted. More specifically, a random number is generated between 1 to 6, and if a value from 1 to 3 is generated, the first priority action is extracted. If the value is from 4 to 5, the second priority action is extracted. If the value is 6, the lottery may be repeated until two different priority actions are extracted.

Next, the processing unit 200 determines whether there is any of the extracted priority actions satisfying the activation condition 596 (step S156). If there is one that satisfies the activation condition 596 (YES in step S156), among the priority actions that satisfy the activation condition 596, the higher priority priority action is determined to be the action of the friendly NPC to be processed (step S158). End loop D.
On the other hand, if none of the triggering conditions 596 for the priority action extracted in step S154 is satisfied (NO in step S156), the processing unit 200 determines the basic action as the action of the friendly NPC to be processed (step S156). S160), loop D is terminated.
And if the loop D is performed about all the friend NPCs, the friend NPC action determination process is terminated.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 19, the processing unit 200 next calculates a game result according to the action of each ally NPC and displays the action of each ally NPC according to the action pattern determined in the ally NPC action determining process ( Step S104).
Next, it is determined whether or not a battle end condition is satisfied (step S106). For example, the annihilation of the enemy NPC or the annihilation of the party may be used as the battle end condition. If the battle end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S106), the process returns to step S92 to perform an action determination process related to the next turn attack of the enemy NPC.

  On the other hand, if the battle end condition is satisfied (NO in step S106), since the experience values of the player character 10 and the ally NPC have been changed with the current battle, the processing unit 200 is similar to the known RPG. Update processing of level 536 (see FIG. 8) indicating the growth degree display of each character is performed (step S108). Next, since there is a possibility that the value of level 536 has been changed in step S108, the processing unit 200 selects all ally NPCs that match the value of the current level 536 with reference to the priority action selectable number setting data 570. The possible number 574 is determined and stored in the priority action selectable number 562 of the character parameter data 530 (step S110), and the battle event process is terminated.

When the battle event process is completed, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 13 and the processing unit 200 determines whether or not the game end condition is satisfied (step S20). For example, it may be determined that the game end condition is satisfied when all characters of the party are dead or when a predetermined enemy NPC is defeated.
If the game end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S20), the process returns to step S2, and if the game end condition is satisfied (YES in step S20), a predetermined game end process such as displaying an ending video is performed. This is executed (step S22), and a series of processing is terminated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the player can not only enjoy the tactical battle by freely combining the action patterns of the friendly NPCs that act together with the player character 10, but also can select the player character 10 by selecting the action of the player character 10. 10 and the ally NPCs 12, 14, and 16.18 can be changed to change the effectiveness of the action pattern during the battle set in advance. Thus, for example, a friendly NPC having a friendly relationship with the player character 10 will act according to the behavior pattern set by the player, but if the friendship degree display is low, it will act according to the behavior pattern set. It is possible to realize more human-friendly behavior of NPC and enhance the taste of the game.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. This embodiment basically has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but (1) whether or not the friendly value has reached a predetermined reaching reference value at a predetermined timing during the progress of the game. And if the game result of the sub game satisfies the predetermined clear condition, the friendship value is increased and corrected. (2) The player character is not fixed, The difference is that the player can freely select a player character from among the characters constituting the party. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided about the component which has the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and description shall be abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 23 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of functional blocks in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the game calculation unit 210 extracts a friend NPC whose current friendship value 544 has not reached a predetermined arrival reference value at a predetermined timing during the progress of the game. And a sub-game execution control unit 222 that executes a sub-game participating with the player character and the extracted ally NPC at that time. Further, the friendly value setting unit 216 has a function of increasing and correcting the friendly value of a friendly NPC that has not reached the reaching reference value when the game result of the sub game satisfies a predetermined clear condition.
Therefore, as a sub game executed by the sub game execution control unit 222, for example, if the extracted ally NPC shoots left and right with fruit from the top of the palm tree, and the player character moves it to the left and right to accept it It is preferable to set a game based on the theme of cooperation as if the points were entered.

In connection with this, the friendship value reaching reference data 630 is stored in the storage unit 500 in advance.
As shown in FIG. 24, for example, the friendly value arrival criterion data 630 stores application conditions 632 and arrival criterion values 634 in association with each other. As applicable conditions, for example, conditions indicating milestones in game progress such as the current position in the party game world, the current level of the ally NPC, and the current status of the ally NPC can be appropriately set as conditions. The sub game execution control unit 222 determines whether the application condition 632 is appropriate, and executes the sub game when it is determined that the application condition 632 is applied.

  Further, the game calculation unit 210 includes a player character selection unit 224. When a predetermined PC selection operation is input while the field screen is displayed, the player character selection unit 224 sets one of the selected characters as a player character and sets the other characters as teammate NPCs. To do. Specifically, “1” is stored in the PC flag 534 of the character parameter data 530 of the character selected by the PC selection operation and set as the player character, and “0” is stored in the PC flag 534 of the other characters. Set to friendly NPC.

  Along with this, in the storage unit 500, for example, character parameter data 530B as shown in FIG. 25 is similarly stored for all characters constituting the party. In the character parameter 530B, the friendly value TBL 545 stores the friendly value for each target character 547. When the target character is a player character, the friendly value TBL 545 indicates the friendly value between the character and the player character.

Next, the flow of processing in this embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, friendly value up event processing is executed after step S18 (see FIG. 13). FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of friendly value up event processing. The processing unit 200 refers to the friendship value arrival criterion data 630 and determines whether or not there is an application condition 632 to which a parameter relating to the current game progress is applicable (step S200). If it matches (YES in step S200), for all ally NPCs at that time, the reaching reference value 634 associated with the applicable application condition 632 and the player character at that time of each ally NPC. Is compared with the friendly value for the character set to, and the presence / absence of a friend NPC that has not reached the arrival reference value 634 is determined (step S202).
Then, one ally NPC whose friendship value does not reach the reaching reference value 634 is extracted (step S204), and a sub game in which the ally NPC and the player character participate is executed (step S206).

If the sub game is executed, the processing unit 200 increases and corrects the friendly value for the player character of the ally NPC extracted in step S202 when the game result of the sub game satisfies a predetermined success condition (YES in step S208). (Step S210), the friendly value up event process is terminated, and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 13 to execute Step S20.
The friendship value increase correction may be, for example, a predetermined amount added or may be added according to the points of the sub game.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if a player unfamiliar with game play cannot successfully increase the friendly value of the ally NPC during normal game play, it can be remedied. In addition, since the player character can be changed during the game, various characters can be enjoyed as a party leader.

[Modification]
The first and second embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described above. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and components can be added, omitted, deleted, and changed as appropriate. .

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, execution on a portable game device is assumed, but it may be executed on an arcade game device as shown in FIG. The arcade game apparatus 1300 includes an image display device 1302 corresponding to the image display unit 360, a speaker 1304 corresponding to the sound output unit 350, a joystick 1306 and a button switch 1308 corresponding to the operation input unit 100.

  A control board 1320 corresponding to the control unit 1450 in the first embodiment is mounted in the housing. The control board 1320 is a means for controlling the operation of the arcade game apparatus 1300 as a whole, including a CPU for executing game calculations, an LSI such as a sound generation LSI, a GPU, and an IC memory such as a RAM and a ROM. It corresponds to the processing unit 200 and the storage unit 500. A system program, a game program, and various data may be stored in advance in an IC memory, and a wireless communication module corresponding to the communication unit 370 is installed as in the first embodiment, via a communication line. It may be configured to be downloaded from an external device and used.

The player enjoys the game by operating the joystick 1306 and the button switch 1308 while listening to the sound effect emitted from the speaker 1304 while watching the game image displayed on the image display device 1302.
Of course, the game execution hardware may be configured to use other home game devices, personal computers, mobile phones, PDAs, and the like.

  In the above embodiment, RPG is taken as an example, but the genre of the game is not limited to this. For example, if the game is a type of game in which a team is formed by a plurality of characters, a platoon is formed by a plurality of fighters The same applies to flight shooting games, adventure games, romance games, sports games such as soccer, and simulation games based on company management. In that case, the relationship between characters is not limited to friendship values, but a relationship that will be connected between characters based on the world view of the game, such as trust, hatred, rivalry, affection, ideological differences, and class. Should be set as appropriate parameters.

The external view which shows the structural example of a portable game device. The figure which shows the example of a screen of a field screen. The figure which shows the example of a screen of a battle screen. The figure for demonstrating the concept about the automatic action control of friend NPC. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the portable game device in 1st Embodiment. The data block diagram which shows the structural example of conversation setting data. The figure which shows the example of dialog data. The data block diagram which shows the structural example of character parameter data. The data block diagram which shows the structural example of priority action selectable number setting data. The data block diagram which shows the structural example of priority action usable number setting data. The data block diagram which shows the structural example of priority action choice data. The data block diagram which shows the structural example of friendly value variable condition setting data. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the main processes in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a conversation control process. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of friendship value variable processing. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of an automatic action set setting process. The figure which shows the example of a setting screen of action set. The figure which shows the example of a setting screen of action set. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a battle event process. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a friend NPC action determination process. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a friend NPC action determination process. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of priority action usable number determination processing. The functional block diagram which shows the structural example of the functional block in 2nd Embodiment. The data block diagram which shows the structural example of friendship value arrival reference | standard data. The data block diagram which shows the structural example of the character parameter data in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of friendship value up event processing. The perspective external view which shows the structural example of an arcade game device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Operation input part 200 Processing part 210 Game operation part 212 Application action selection part 214 Selection operation possible number determination part 216 Friendly value setting part 218 Usable number determination part 220 Usable reference data selection part 500 Storage part 502 Game program 504 NPC control Program 530 Character parameter data 544 Friendly value 550 Action set setting data 560 Priority action selectable number 562 Priority action usable number 570 Priority action selectable number setting data 580 Priority action usable number setting data 610 Friendly value variable condition setting data

Claims (13)

A program for causing a computer to execute a game in which a PC (player character) operated by a player and one or more ally NPCs (non-player characters) that are PC ally appear,
An application action selection means for selecting action reference data to be applied to each of the teammate NPCs from among a plurality of action reference data of the teammate NPC under computer control,
A parameter value setting means for setting a parameter value related to the relative relationship between the PC and the ally NPC;
Usable reference data for selecting usable action reference data among the action reference data selected by the application action selecting means of the ally NPC for each ally NPC based on the parameter value of the ally NPC. Selection means,
For each of the teammate NPCs, the teammate NPC control means for computer-controlling the behavior of the teammate NPC based on the behavior standard data selected by the usable standard data selection means,
A program for causing the computer to function as For each of the teammate NPCs, the computer functions as usable number determining means for variably determining the usable number of the behavior reference data that can be selected by the usable reference data selecting means,
The action reference data selected by the applied action selection means, wherein the usable reference data selection means makes it possible to use as many action reference data as determined by the available number determination means for each of the team NPCs. Select from
The ally NPC control means selects, for each ally NPC, action reference data used for action control of the ally NPC from the action reference data selected by the usable reference data selection means.
The program according to claim 1 for causing the computer to function. The usable number determining means variably determines the usable number of the behavior reference data based on the parameter value of the friendly NPC for each friendly NPC.
The program according to claim 2 for causing the computer to function. The usable number determining means, for each friend NPC, the action corresponding to the friend NPC according to a predetermined compatibility relationship between the attribute set in the PC and the attribute set in the friend NPC. Variablely determines the number of usable reference data,
The program according to claim 2 or 3, for causing the computer to function as described above. The usable number determining means variably determines the usable number of the action reference data corresponding to the ally NPC based on the status information of the ally NPC that is varied during the game for each of the ally NPCs. ,
The program as described in any one of Claims 2-4 for making the said computer function like this. For each of the allies NPC, the application behavior selecting means functions as the selection operation possible number determining means for variably determining the selectable number of the behavior reference data that can be selected according to the player's selection operation,
The application action selecting means causes the computer to function according to a player's selection operation for the selectable number of action reference data determined by the selection operation possible number determination means for each of the friendly NPCs;
The program as described in any one of Claims 1-5 for. While causing the computer to function as a growth degree parameter variable means for changing the value of the growth degree parameter indicating the growth degree of each of the teammate NPCs according to the progress of the game,
The selectable operation number determining means causes the computer to function so as to variably determine the selectable number of the behavior standard data for each of the teammate NPCs based on the value of the growth degree parameter of the teammate NPC.
A program according to claim 6 for.   8. The parameter value setting unit according to claim 1, wherein when the action performed by the PC is a predetermined action, the computer is caused to function so as to change the parameter value applied to the friend NPC. The program as described in any one. Causing the computer to function as a conversation control means for executing a conversation between the PC and the NPC including response options that can be selected by the player;
The parameter value setting means checks the response option selected by the player in the conversation with a predetermined model response, and functions the computer to change the parameter value for the friend NPC according to suitability. Let
The program as described in any one of Claims 1-8 for. It is determined whether or not the current parameter value set by the parameter value setting means has reached a predetermined reaching reference value at a predetermined timing during the progress of the game. Sub-game execution control means for executing
Correction means for increasing and correcting a parameter value that has not reached the reaching reference value when the game result of the sub game satisfies a predetermined clear condition;
The program as described in any one of Claims 1-9 for functioning the said computer as. In accordance with a player switching instruction operation, the computer is caused to function as PC selection means for selecting a character to be used as a PC from among a plurality of teammate characters,
The ally NPC control means computer-controls characters other than the selected PC among the plurality of ally characters as NPCs,
The application action selection means selects action reference data to be applied to the teammate character for each of the plurality of teammate characters according to a player's selection operation,
The parameter value setting means sets a parameter value related to the relative relevance of each of the plurality of teammate characters;
The program according to claim 1 for causing the computer to function as described above.   The computer-readable information storage medium which memorize | stored the program as described in any one of Claims 1-11. A game device for executing a game in which a PC operated by a player and one or more friendly NPCs that are PC friends appear.
Application behavior selection means for selecting behavior standard data to be applied to each of the teammate NPCs according to a player's selection operation from among a plurality of behavior standard data of the teammate NPC under computer control;
Parameter value setting means for setting a parameter value related to the relative relationship between the PC and the ally NPC;
Usable reference data for selecting usable action reference data among the action reference data selected by the application action selecting means of the ally NPC for each ally NPC based on the parameter value of the ally NPC. A selection means;
For each of the teammate NPCs, the teammate NPC control means for computer-controlling the behavior of the teammate NPC based on the action standard data selected by the usable standard data selection means;
A game device comprising:

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