JP2011000324A - Game device, game program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device which does not impart bad impression to a player even in the case a game is given up by another player.SOLUTION: A CPU 20 detects the operation input to an input device such as a handle 29 by the player and controls the movement of a player's car in a game space according to the operation input of the player. The CPU 20 activates giving-up preventing function and changes over to automatic control for controlling the movement of the player's car according to a predetermined algorithm in place of the control according to the operation input of the player in the case of detecting that there is no operation input in a predetermined certain time.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device and a game program for controlling the movement of an object in a game space in accordance with an operation input to an input device by a player.

  Online game systems in which a plurality of game devices are connected via a network and a plurality of players can participate are widely used. In the online game system, a battle game can be played between players at remote locations. For example, in a drive (car race) game, a race is performed by running a car (including a computer-controlled car) controlled by a plurality of players on a course provided in the game space. In recent years, even a business-use drive game device installed in a game center or the like can play a game with a player using a game device installed in another game center via a network.

  In many cases, in a car racing game, a time limit for performing a race is determined, and the order at the time when the time limit is reached competes. Usually, a player participates in a game for a limited time, but abandoning the game, that is, leaving the game device may occur when a situation where it is expected that a good result is not obtained. In this case, since there is no operation input by the player, the player's car on the course is stopped until the time limit has elapsed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a game system that executes a race game in which a player moving body operated by a player and a plurality of non-player moving bodies automatically operated based on predetermined items compete on a course provided in a virtual space. Is described. In this game system, different target ranks are set for a plurality of non-player moving bodies, and driving performance values set in advance for the respective non-player moving bodies are changed according to the target ranks. Each non-player moving body can be automatically controlled according to the running performance value.

JP 2005-137449 A

  As described above, in the conventional commercial car racing game, when the game is abandoned by the player, the player's car that the player has operated until then is stopped until the game time limit is reached. In this case, since a car unrelated to the race is left on the course, the game is hindered, which causes discomfort to other players participating in the game.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a game device and a game program that do not give a bad impression to other players even when the game is abandoned by the player. There is.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a detection unit that detects an operation input to an input device by a player, and a first object in the game space according to the operation input of the player detected by the detection unit. A first control means for controlling the movement of the vehicle, a time detection means for detecting that the operation input is not detected by the detection means for a predetermined time, and the time detection means for detecting that the operation input is not for a predetermined time. In this case, instead of the control by the first control means, the second control means for controlling the movement of the first object according to a predetermined algorithm, and the first control means or the second control means. And display control means for displaying a game screen including the first object to be controlled.

  According to the present invention, even when a game is abandoned by a player, other players can be prevented from giving a bad impression.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the game system in this embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the game device 16 in this embodiment. The flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of the game process of the game device 16. The flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of the abandonment avoidance process of the game device 16. The figure which shows an example of the game screen displayed in the game device 16 during game execution. The figure which shows an example of the game screen displayed in the game device 16 at the time of autopilot transfer. The figure which shows an example of the game screen displayed in the other game device 16. FIG.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game system in the present embodiment. In the game system shown in FIG. 1, a game server 10 is connected to a plurality of game devices 16 (16-1, 16-2,..., 16-n) via a network 12. The game server 10 provides the game device 16 with an online game service for executing a game in which a plurality of players compete through the game device 16. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that a car racing game is executed.

  The game server 10 is connected via a network 12 to a plurality of game devices 16 installed in each of a plurality of game centers provided in various places. The game server 10 receives a game entry request from a plurality of game devices 16, matches the number of players necessary for the battle game, and executes the game.

  The game server 10 is implemented with a computer having a communication function. In addition to the basic program (OS), the game server 10 executes an online game by executing a game control game program for executing game processing to be described later. Implement various functions to provide services. The game server 10 controls the game while recording various data relating to the game program and the game being executed in the memory.

  The game server 10 receives a game entry request from a plurality of game devices 16 by a player by executing a game program for game control, and is necessary for the game execution by the received entry request. Matching processing for aligning various players is executed. In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the players required to execute the game are prepared from the players who have requested entry within a predetermined time after the entry request by the first player. In the matching process, for example, players of the same level are matched so that each player can enjoy the racing game.

  The game device 16 is configured for business use installed in a game center or the like, and is mounted with a computer having a communication function. The game device 16 executes an online game service provided by the game server 10 by executing, with a processor, a game program for playing a game with a player who operates another game device 16 in addition to a basic program (OS). Can be used.

  The game device 16 in the present embodiment is provided with various input devices necessary for executing the game, for example, in the case of the game device 16 for executing a car racing game, a handle, a brake / accelerator / clutch pedal, a lever, a button, and the like. It has been.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the game apparatus 16 in the present embodiment. A car racing game executed by the game device 16 includes a player's car (first object) operated by a player and a plurality of non-players cars (or computers) controlled by a player (or a computer) playing on another game device. The second object) is a game in which a player competes for rank (or time) by running on a course set in a virtual three-dimensional space.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game device includes a CPU 20, a RAM 21, a ROM 22, an HDD (hard disk device) 23, a communication unit 24, a mechanical mechanism control unit 25, a display control unit 26, a sound control unit 27, and an input / output control unit 28. Is provided.

  The CPU 20 implements various functions by executing programs recorded in the RAM 21 or the ROM 22 and controls the entire game device. In the present embodiment, the CPU 20 implements a car racing game by executing a game program. During the game, when the operation input to the input device by the player is detected, the CPU 20 controls the movement of the player's car in the game space according to the detected operation input of the player. The CPU 20 transmits travel data indicating the operation of the player's car to the game server 10. Thereby, the game server 10 can control a car racing game in which a plurality of players' cars participate based on the running data received from each game device 16. Independent of the operation input by the player for controlling the player's car, the CPU 20 shows the operation of the non-player's car controlled by the operation input of the player in the other game device 16 through the game server 10. The driving data is received, and the movement of the non-player's car on the course set in the game space is controlled according to the driving data.

  In the car racing game according to the present embodiment, when the game is abandoned by the player, the CPU 20 performs a process of controlling the operation of the player's car according to a predetermined algorithm instead of the control according to the operation input by the player. Can be migrated.

  Further, when the non-player's car is controlled by the game server 10 and when the abandonment avoidance function is activated in another game device 16, that is, without computer input according to a predetermined algorithm, computer control In such a case, it can be determined by notification from the game server 10, for example. When the game is abandoned by the player, the CPU 20 can end the game if all the non-player cars are controlled by the computer.

  The RAM 21 and ROM 22 record programs and various data. The HDD 23 records various programs and data, and the recorded programs and data are read out as necessary and recorded in the RAM 21.

  The HDD 23 records course data defining the terrain of the course for controlling the game and data about each object for displaying the game screen.

  The communication unit 24 controls communication with the game server 10 or other game devices 16 connected via the network 12 under the control of the CPU 20.

  The mechanical mechanism control unit 25 (reaction control mechanism) reacts to an input device operated by the player during the game under the control of the CPU 20, that is, the handle 29, the accelerator pedal 30, and the brake pedal 31 in response to the player's operation ( This is a mechanism for controlling the reaction force. For example, the mechanical mechanism control unit 25 controls the hardness when the handle 29 is operated (rotated), and controls the hardness (and depth) when the brake pedal 31 and the accelerator pedal 30 are depressed. The mechanical mechanism control unit 25 is controlled in accordance with, for example, the type of car selected by the player used in the game and the running situation on the course.

  The display control unit 26 executes control for displaying a game screen representing a game space (virtual three-dimensional space represented by an XYZ coordinate system) on the display 40 under the control of the CPU 20.

  The sound control unit 27 outputs sound effects, BGM, and the like during game processing from the speaker 41 under the control of the CPU 20.

  The input / output control unit 28 controls data input / output with various devices provided in the game apparatus 16. The input / output control unit 28 is connected with a coin detection sensor 42, various buttons 44, a card reader 43, an operation handle sensor 32, an accelerator pedal sensor 33, a brake pedal sensor 34, a shift lever sensor 35, and the like. .

  The coin detection sensor 42 detects a coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 9 and notifies the CPU 20 through the input / output control unit 28.

  The handle sensor 32, the accelerator pedal sensor 33, the brake pedal sensor 34, and the shift lever sensor 35 are respectively input devices (handle 29, accelerator pedal 30, brake pedal 31, shift lever (not shown) provided in the game device 16. )) For detecting an operation input by the player. Each sensor can detect an operation amount, and data indicating the operation amount is notified to the CPU 20 through the input / output control unit 28.

Next, the operation of the game apparatus 16 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
The CPU 20 starts the game process when coin insertion is detected by the coin detection sensor 42. The CPU 20 transmits a game entry request to the game server 10 when a request for participation in the game is input by an operation of the button 44 or the like by the player.

  The game server 10 receives a game entry request from a plurality of game machines 16 by executing a game control program, and prepares players necessary for the game execution by the received entry request. The matching process is executed. In the present embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the players required to execute the game are prepared from the players who have requested entry within a predetermined time after the entry request by the first player.

  Note that if there is no entry request from the number of players required to execute the game within a predetermined time, for example, the game server 10 replaces the player and the non-player's car is changed according to a predetermined algorithm. The operation shall be controlled.

  At the start of the game process, various setting operations are performed by the player. In this setting operation, selection of the player's car model used for the race is performed through the setting screen. The game server 10 starts a race when various setting operations are completed in each game device 16.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a game screen by a driver's view displayed on the game device 16 during the game execution. As shown in FIG. 5, meters such as a speedometer and a tachometer are displayed on the game screen so that the player can grasp the state of the player's car during the race. Note that FIG. 5 shows only main parts on the game screen, but a part of the player's car body and other vehicles that enter the player's field of view in the game space are displayed on the game screen. Shall.

  During the game, the player instructs the player's car on the course by operating the handle 29, the accelerator pedal 30, the brake pedal 31, or the shift lever. The CPU 20 detects operation inputs to the input devices by the player by the sensors 32, 33, 34, and 35.

  The CPU 20 operates on the course based on the operation input by the player detected by each sensor 32, 33, 34, 35, the terrain data indicated by the course data, the data indicating the performance of the player's car, the collision determination with other vehicles, and the like. Calculate the player's car movement at. CPU20 produces | generates the game screen by the driver's view according to the motion of the calculated player's car, and displays it on the display 40 through the display control unit 26 (step A1).

  Although not displayed in the example of the game screen shown in FIG. 5, there are non-player cars on the course that are controlled by other players participating in the race. The CPU 20 controls the display of the non-player's car based on the running data indicating the movement of the non-player's car input through the game server 10.

  When it is detected that the operation input by the player is continued by the sensors 32, 33, 34, and 35 during the game (step A3, Yes), the CPU 20 performs the operation input as described above. Accordingly, the player's car is controlled to race.

  On the other hand, the CPU 20 measures the time since the last operation input, that is, the abandonment time for determining that the player has abandoned the game (steps A3 and A4). If the CPU 20 determines that the measured abandonment time has passed a predetermined time for determining that the player has abandoned the game (Yes in Step A5), the CPU 20 activates the abandonment avoidance function (Step A5). A6).

  That is, when there is no operation input by the player for a certain time (for example, about 10 seconds), the player's car is stopped on the course. In this state, for other players participating in the game, the player's car (displayed as a non-player's car on other game devices) becomes an obstacle unrelated to the game. Automate the Zukar and make it appear to continue participating in the game.

  The CPU 20 controls the movement of the non-player's car on the course according to the running data for the other non-player's car input through the game server 10 (step A1), and during the operation of the abandonment avoidance function. (Step A2, Yes) Abandonment avoidance processing is executed, and automatic control is executed by control according to a predetermined algorithm instead of control according to the operation input from the player to the player's car (Step A7). ).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the abandonment avoidance process.
First, when the CPU 20 activates the abandonment avoidance function and shifts to the automatic control for the player's car, for example, as shown in FIG. A message for notifying the person is displayed (step B1). In the example of the game screen shown in FIG. 6, a message “Cancel when operation is resumed” is displayed together with the characters “During autopilot”.

  The CPU 20 determines the player's car running data according to a predetermined algorithm based on the non-player's car running data input through the game server 10 in order to determine the operation of the player's car by autopilot. It generates (steps B2 and B3), and controls the movement of the player's car according to the travel data (step B4).

  For example, when auto-controlling a player's car regardless of the driving of a non-player's car, the vehicle can run at a speed that is higher than that of other non-player's cars. There is a risk of driving at a low level that is not competitive. Therefore, the autopilot algorithm controls the running of the player's car so that, for example, the running rank including other non-player's cars fluctuates within a predetermined range. For example, when the total number of player cars and non-player cars is 10, the speed of the players car is adjusted so that the car runs in the range of 3-7. Accordingly, it is possible to cause the other players to run without feeling uncomfortable with the running of the player's car and to participate appropriately in the race.

  In addition, as described above, in the autopilot algorithm, not only the player's car is controlled in accordance with the operation of other non-player's cars, but also the player's car running history before the abandonment regression function is activated ( Time, speed, course taking, etc.) may be recorded, and the player's car may be controlled by running data generated based on this running history. For example, by causing the player's car to travel in the same manner as the travel history, it is possible to prevent other players from feeling uncomfortable before and after the autopilot.

  When the abandonment avoidance function is activated in the game device 16, the game server 10 transmits travel data by autopilot to other game devices 16 participating in the game. Therefore, in the other game devices 16, on the basis of the running data input through the game server 10, the running is controlled so that the non-player car that is actually abandoned by the player is operated by the player. The

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen displayed on another game device 16.
In FIG. 7, it is assumed that, for example, in the game device 16 corresponding to the non-player's car located in the front, the player abandons the game. Since the abandonment avoidance function is activated in the game device 16 in which the game is abandoned, the nonplayers car behaves as if participating in a race in the same manner as other nonplayers cars by autopilot. Therefore, there is no obstacle in the game.

  On the other hand, in the game device 16 in which the game is abandoned by the player, the game screen displaying the message shown in FIG. 6 is continuously displayed within the time limit of the game (steps A8 (No), A1, A2, A7). ). Here, when the player makes an operation input to the input device, the CPU 20 can detect that there is an operation input based on the notifications from the sensors 32, 33, 34, and 35 (step A8, Yes). In this case, the CPU 20 cancels the abandonment avoidance function and shifts to control for the player's car according to the operation input from the normal player (step A9). That is, the player's car status controlled by the autopilot is taken over as it is to return to the game.

  As described above, in the game system according to the present embodiment, even if the player abandons the game in the game device 16, the control for the player's car is switched to the automatic maneuvering by the abandonment avoidance function after a certain time has elapsed, and continues. Can participate in the game. Therefore, the game is progressed without leaving the player's car on the course, and other players are not uncomfortable. Even if the control is transferred to the autopilot, the autopilot is canceled when the player starts the operation input again, and the player can easily return to the game and play.

  In the above description, the abandonment avoidance function is activated when there is no operation input by the player for a certain period of time, and the operation of the player's car is controlled until the end of the game. If all of the non-player's cars are controlled by a computer (automatic control by the game server 10 and the game device 16), the game may be forcibly terminated. Thereby, after the game is abandoned by the player, the game apparatus 16 is not operated in vain until the game expires and is ended, so that the operating rate of the game apparatus 16 can be improved.

  Further, even when all of the other non-player cars are not controlled by the computer, if it is determined that the game has been abandoned by the player, the game processing is forcibly terminated only in the game device 16. good. In this case, the game server 10 deletes the player's car corresponding to the game device 16 for which the game process has been forcibly terminated from the game space (on the course), and continues the game participating in the other game devices 16. Shall. Further, the forced termination of the game process is not executed immediately when it is determined that there is no operation input by the player for a predetermined time, but after the abandonment avoidance function is activated, the game process is forcibly terminated for a predetermined time. It may be executed when elapses. As a result, the operation input can be resumed during the abandonment avoidance process to return to the game.

  In the above description, the game device 16 is described as automatically controlling the player's car corresponding to the game device 16, but the game server 10 automatically controls the player's car in each game device 16. You may do it. The game server 10 monitors the operation status based on the data received from each game device 16, and when it is detected that there is no operation input for a certain time, the game device 16 is replaced with the game device 16. The operation of the player's car corresponding to 16 is controlled, and the running data indicating the operation of the player's car is transmitted to the other game devices 16 participating in the race.

  Further, in the above description, the abandonment avoidance function is activated when there is no operation input by the player for a certain time or more, and the player's car is automatically operated instead of the player. The abandonment avoidance function may be activated accordingly. For example, when there is an operation on a predetermined button 44, the CPU 20 immediately activates the abandonment avoidance function and automatically controls the player's car without determining whether a certain time has elapsed. Thus, when the player wishes to interrupt the operation input during the game being executed in real time, the player can leave the operation input while continuing the game. In addition, when returning to the game, it is only necessary to resume the operation on the input device.

  In the present embodiment, a car racing game in which a plurality of players play a battle is taken as an example, but it is possible to target a game other than the car racing game. In other words, in a game in which the player needs to perform operation input continuously, it is determined that the game has been abandoned when there is no operation input for a certain period of time, and the abandonment avoidance function is activated to respond to the player's operation input. Instead of the control, the computer control shifts to a predetermined algorithm.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  In addition, the method described in the embodiment uses, as a program (software means) that can be executed by a computer, for example, a magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, etc.), and a semiconductor memory. It can also be stored in a recording medium such as (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.), or transmitted and distributed via a communication medium. The program stored on the medium side also includes a setting program that configures in the computer software means (including not only the execution program but also a table and data structure) that is executed by the computer. A computer that implements the present apparatus reads the program recorded on the recording medium, constructs software means by a setting program in some cases, and executes the above-described processing by controlling the operation by the software means. The recording medium referred to in this specification is not limited to distribution, but includes a storage medium such as a magnetic disk or a semiconductor memory provided in a computer or a device connected via a network.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Game server, 12 ... Network, 16 ... Game device, 20 ... CPU, 21 ... RAM, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... HDD, 24 ... Communication unit, 25 ... Mechanical mechanism control unit, 26 ... Display control unit, 27 ... Audio control unit, 28 ... input / output control unit, 29 ... handle, 30 ... accelerator pedal, 31 ... brake pedal, 32 ... handle sensor, 33 ... accelerator pedal sensor, 34 ... brake pedal sensor, 40 ... display, 41 ... speaker, 42 ... coin detection sensor, 43 ... card reader, 43 ... button.

Claims (5)

Detecting means for detecting an operation input to the input device by the player;
First control means for controlling the movement of the first object in the game space in response to a player operation input detected by the detection means;
Time detection means for detecting that the detection of the operation input by the detection means does not occur for a predetermined time; and
Second control means for controlling the movement of the first object according to a predetermined algorithm instead of the control by the first control means when it is detected by the time detection means that there is no operation input for a predetermined time. When,
A game apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying a game screen including the first object controlled by the first control means or the second control means.   When an operation input is detected by the detection means while the movement of the first object is controlled by the second control means, the first control means replaces the control by the second control means. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement of the first object is controlled. Further comprising third control means for controlling the movement of the plurality of second objects in the game space;
3. The game according to claim 2, wherein the second control means controls the movement of the first object in accordance with the movements of the plurality of second objects controlled by the third control means. apparatus. The third control means controls the movement of the second object according to a predetermined algorithm,
When the time detection means detects that there is no operation input for a certain period of time, it further comprises an end control means for ending the game if all of the plurality of second objects are controlled by the third control means. The game device according to claim 3, wherein Computer
Detecting means for detecting an operation input to the input device by the player;
First control means for controlling the movement of the first object in the game space in response to a player operation input detected by the detection means;
Time detection means for detecting that the detection of the operation input by the detection means does not occur for a predetermined time; and
Second control means for controlling the movement of the first object according to a predetermined algorithm instead of the control by the first control means when it is detected by the time detection means that there is no operation input for a predetermined time. When,
A game program for functioning as display control means for displaying a game screen including the first object controlled by the first control means or the second control means.

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