JP2011056049A - Game device, game control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a progress controller or the like capable of appropriately reducing the errors of selections by a player at a branching point in a game. <P>SOLUTION: A game data storage part 110 stores the branching point of progress in a multi-story game, respective choices selectable at the branching point, and respective scenario data corresponding to the respective choices. A parallel control part 141 displays the game images of stories based on the respective scenario data corresponding to the respective choices in parallel respectively when the progress of the game reaches the branching point. An operation receiving part 120 receives the selection of one of the respective choices corresponding to the respective stories displayed in parallel. Then, a progress control part 142 leaves only the game image of the selected choice, and advances the story as it its. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device, a game control method, and a program that can appropriately reduce selection errors by a player at a branch point in a game.

Conventionally, various games (software or the like) that are executed on a business or home game device have been developed. Among them, multi-story games (multi-scenario games) represented by sound novel games and simulation games are deeply popular and are supported by players of a wide range of ages.
This multi-story game is a type of game in which the story branches one after another according to the action (selection etc.) of the player.

  Specifically, in an example, in a multi-story game, options (for example, some items) are presented at a branch point in the game, and the player is requested to make any selection. When the player selects an arbitrary item, a story (scenario) corresponding to the item proceeds. A number of such branch points are set during the game, and the contents of the ending differ depending on the combination of items selected by the player at each branch point.

  Therefore, the player plays such a multi-story game repeatedly, and while enjoying various story developments while appropriately changing the item to be selected at the branch point, aims at a desired ending and the like.

  In the prior art of such a multi-story game, an invention of a game device (multi-scenario selection execution game program) capable of incorporating many elements as options is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-344499 A (page 6-13, FIG. 1)

  In the above-described multi-story game, when an option is presented at a branch point, the player often selects a desired item by predicting the further development. For example, a story corresponding to each item presented as an option is predicted, and an item that seems to be more preferable is selected from them.

However, the story actually progressed according to the selected item is often far from the player's expectation. Then, even if the player plays to some extent along the progress of the story, the player determines that the selected item is an error when there is no sign of improvement.
Note that even if the story to be progressed is far from what is expected, if the development is more favorable or if there is hope for the subsequent development, the player will first determine that the selected item is correct. The game will continue as the story progresses.

  A player who determines that the selected item is wrong returns to the wrong branch point by, for example, resuming play from the previous save point. Then, the selection at the branch point is performed again (by selecting an item different from the previous one), and another story is played. When it is determined that the item selected this time is correct, the player continues to play, but when it is determined that the item selected this time is also an error, the player returns to the branch point again as described above. Then, the selection will be redone.

  Such repeated redoing of the selection is cumbersome for the player, and therefore it is desirable that the selection should not be mistaken as much as possible. Nevertheless, since the story after the branch point is not clarified until after the item is actually selected, an error in selection is likely to occur at present.

  For this reason, in a multi-story game, there has been a demand for the development of a game device that can reduce selection errors at branch points and avoid re-selection as much as possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a game device, a game control method, and a program capable of appropriately reducing a selection error by a player at a branch point in a game. To do.

  A game device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a game device in which game content changes in accordance with an option selected by a player, and includes a data storage unit, a parallel control unit, a selection receiving unit, and a control unit. It is prepared for.

First, the data storage unit stores a branch point in the game, a plurality of options (for example, a plurality of selection items and selection conditions) that can be selected at the branch point, and a plurality of game data ( For example, map data, setting data, scenario data, etc.) are stored. The parallel control unit causes a plurality of games based on game data corresponding to each option of the branch point to be executed in parallel when the game being executed reaches the branch point. That is, the game having different contents is executed according to the map data, the setting data, etc., and for example, the game screens are displayed in parallel (simultaneously).
The selection accepting unit accepts selection of any of the options corresponding to the games being executed in parallel, for example, according to the operation of the player. Then, the control unit causes only the game corresponding to the selected option to be executed as it is. For example, the execution and display of the game screen are finished for the game of the option that has not been selected, and the execution and display of the game screen are continued as they are for the game of the selected option.

Thus, at the branch point, each game corresponding to each option is executed in parallel (simultaneously) before selection. For this reason, it becomes easy for a player to grasp the development of each game, and it becomes easy to specify a game that seems to be more preferable by comparing the contents of each game.
As a result, since the player can select options by carefully examining them, it is possible to appropriately reduce selection errors.

  A game device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a game device in which a story of a game branches according to an option selected by a player, and includes a data storage unit, a parallel control unit, a selection receiving unit, and progress control. It is configured with a part.

First, the data storage unit includes a branch point in the game, a plurality of options (for example, a plurality of selection items and selection conditions) that can be selected at the branch point, and a plurality of scenario data corresponding to each option. It is remembered. When the ongoing story reaches the branch point, the parallel control unit advances a plurality of stories based on each scenario data corresponding to each option of the branch point in parallel. For example, the game screen of each story corresponding to each option is displayed in parallel (simultaneously).
The selection accepting unit accepts a selection of any of the options corresponding to the stories progressing in parallel, for example, according to the operation of the player. Then, the progress control unit advances only the story corresponding to the selected option as it is. For example, the display of the game screen of the story of the option that has not been selected is terminated, and only the game screen of the story of the story of the selected option is displayed as it is.

Thus, at the branch point, each story corresponding to each option proceeds in parallel (simultaneously) before selection. For this reason, it becomes easy for a player to grasp the development of each story, and it becomes easy to specify a story that seems to be more preferable by comparing the contents of each story.
As a result, since the player can select options by carefully examining them, it is possible to appropriately reduce selection errors.

The game apparatus further includes a restart management unit that manages a story corresponding to an option that has not been selected in a resumable manner,
The progress control unit may end the progress of the story corresponding to the option that has not been selected, and may register the option corresponding to the ended story in the restart management unit.
In this case, by selecting an option, the parallel progression of each story at the branch point (parallel display of each game screen) ends, and only the story of the selected option is advanced. In other words, the selection at the branch point is confirmed, and thereafter, the player plays a story according to his / her selection. In addition, since the story corresponding to the option that was not selected is managed by the restart management unit so that it can be restarted, the story of the one that was not selected can be played without having to redo from a save point, etc. Can do.

The game apparatus further includes a restart instruction unit that specifies any of the options registered in the restart management unit and instructs the restart of the story corresponding to the specified option,
In response to an instruction from the resumption instruction unit, the resumption management unit may advance the story instructed to be resumed by the resumption instruction unit instead of the story currently being advanced by the progress control unit.
In this case, an option that the player has not selected at the branch point can be specified, and the story corresponding to the option can be immediately resumed. In other words, when the story of the selected option is not expected to be expanded, the story of the option that was not selected can be immediately restarted by specifying the option and instructing the restart.

The parallel control unit may advance each story corresponding to each option in parallel only until a predetermined elapsed time or a predetermined scene.
In this case, since each story corresponding to the option is clarified only in the early stage, selection by the player can be prevented from being simplified more than necessary.

The game device includes a plurality of display units,
The parallel control unit may individually assign the display of each story corresponding to each option to each display unit and advance each of them in parallel.
In this case, since the display of each story is assigned to each display unit, the player can easily compare the contents of each story.

A game control method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a game control method executed in a game device, in which game content changes according to options selected by a player, and includes a parallel control step, a selection receiving step, And it comprises a control step.
Note that the game device includes a data storage unit, a parallel control unit, a selection receiving unit, and a control unit. The data storage unit includes a branch point in the game and a plurality of options that can be selected at the branch point ( For example, a plurality of selection items, selection conditions, etc.) and a plurality of game data (for example, map data, setting data, scenario data, etc.) corresponding to the respective options are stored.

First, in the parallel control step, when a story being executed reaches a branch point, a plurality of games based on the game data corresponding to each option at the branch point are executed in parallel. That is, the game having different contents is executed according to the map data, the setting data, etc., and for example, the game screens of the respective games are displayed in parallel (simultaneously).
In the selection reception step, selection of any of the options corresponding to the games being executed in parallel is received, for example, according to the operation of the player. In the control step, only the game corresponding to the selected option is executed as it is. For example, the execution and display of the game screen are finished for the game of the option that has not been selected, and the execution and display of the game screen are continued as they are for the game of the selected option.

Thus, at the branch point, each game corresponding to each option is executed in parallel (simultaneously) before selection. For this reason, it becomes easy for a player to grasp the development of each game, and it becomes easy to specify a game that seems to be more preferable by comparing the contents of each game.
As a result, since the player can select options by carefully examining them, it is possible to appropriately reduce selection errors.

  A program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer (including an electronic device) whose game content changes according to an option selected by the player to function as the above-described game device.

  This program can be recorded on a computer-readable information recording medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory.

  The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information recording medium can be distributed and sold independently of the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately reduce the selection error by the player at the branch point in the game.

It is a mimetic diagram showing appearance of a game device concerning this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the game device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the progress control apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the data memorize | stored in a data storage part, (b), (c) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a story structure. (A)-(c) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the screen produced | generated by the image generation part. (A), (b) is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the game screen simultaneously displayed on a some display part. (A) is a schematic diagram for explaining selection at a branch point, and (b) and (c) are schematic diagrams for explaining that a selection request screen is switched without selection at a branch point. FIG. (A) is an example of a game screen including a restart instruction image, (b) is a schematic diagram for explaining how the game screen is switched to another story, and (c) is a state until the restart. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the progress control process which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the progress control apparatus which concerns on other embodiment. (A), (b) is a block diagram for demonstrating a mode that the game screen displayed in parallel is processed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable game machine (game machine) will be described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to information processing apparatuses such as various computers, PDAs, and mobile phones. The invention can be applied. That is, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a typical game device in which the progress control device according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized. As an example, the game apparatus 1 is a portable game machine, and includes a first display unit 18 and a second display unit 19 as shown in the figure. It can be displayed. A touch panel 20 is disposed on the front surface of the second display unit 19.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the game apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the game apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The game apparatus 1 includes a processing control unit 10, a connector 11, a cartridge 12, a wireless communication unit 13, a communication controller 14, a sound amplifier 15, a speaker 16, an operation key 17, and a first display unit 18. And a second display unit 19 and a touch panel 20.

  The processing control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) core 10a, an image processing unit 10b, a clock circuit 10c, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 10d, a WRAM (Work RAM) 10e, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). ) A controller 10f and a touch panel controller 10g are provided.

  The CPU core 10a controls the overall operation of the game apparatus 1 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. Specifically, a program and data stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a in the cartridge 12 are read out with the cartridge 12 mounted in the connector 11, and predetermined processing is executed.

  The image processing unit 10b processes the data read from the ROM 12a in the cartridge 12 and the data processed by the CPU core 10a, and stores the processed data in the VRAM 10d.

  The clock circuit 10c is a circuit for measuring various times (time), and measures the current time set in the game apparatus 1, the elapsed time required during the game, and the like.

The VRAM 10d is a memory for storing information for display, and stores image information processed by the image processing unit 10b and the like.
The WRAM 10e stores work data and the like necessary when the CPU core 10a executes various processes according to the program.

  The LCD controller 10f controls the first display unit 18 and the second display unit 19 to display a predetermined display image. For example, the LCD controller 10 f converts the image information stored in the VRAM 10 d into a display signal at a predetermined synchronization timing, and outputs it to the first display unit 18. Similarly, the LCD controller 10 f displays a predetermined display image on the second display unit 19.

  When the touch panel 20 is pressed with a touch pen or a player's finger, the touch panel controller 10g acquires the coordinates (input coordinates).

  The connector 11 is a terminal that can be detachably connected to the cartridge 12, and transmits / receives predetermined data to / from the cartridge 12 when the cartridge 12 is connected.

The cartridge 12 includes a ROM 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b.
The ROM 12a stores a program for realizing the game and image data, sound data, and the like accompanying the game.
The RAM 12b stores various data indicating the progress of the game.

The wireless communication unit 13 is a unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 13 of another game apparatus 1 and transmits / receives predetermined data via an antenna (not shown) (built-in antenna or the like).
The wireless communication unit 13 can also perform wireless communication with a predetermined wireless access point. The wireless communication unit 13 is assigned a unique MAC (Media Access Control) address.

The communication controller 14 controls the wireless communication unit 13 and mediates wireless communication performed between the process control unit 10 and the process control unit 10 of another game device 1 in accordance with a predetermined protocol.
Further, when the game apparatus 1 connects to the Internet via a nearby wireless access point or the like, wireless communication performed between the processing control unit 10 and the wireless access point or the like is performed according to a protocol compliant with the wireless LAN. Intermediary communication.

The sound amplifier 15 amplifies the audio signal generated by the processing control unit 10 and supplies it to the speaker 16.
The speaker 16 is composed of, for example, a stereo speaker, and outputs predetermined music sound, sound effect, and the like according to the audio signal amplified by the sound amplifier 15.

  The operation key 17 includes a plurality of key switches and the like appropriately arranged on the game apparatus 1 and receives a predetermined instruction input according to a user operation.

The 1st display part 18 and the 2nd display part 19 consist of LCD etc., are controlled by LCD controller 10f, and display a game image etc. suitably.
The second display unit 19 displays a predetermined target image (enemy object or the like) that is a target for input (pressing) to the touch panel 20.

The touch panel 20 is arranged so as to be superimposed on the front surface of the second display unit 19 and detects an input by a touch pen or a player's finger.
For example, the touch panel 20 includes a resistive film type touch sensor panel and the like, detects a press (pressing) with a touch pen or the like, and outputs information (signal or the like) according to the coordinates.

(Outline of the progress control device)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the progress control device 100 of the present invention realized by the game device 1 described above. As an example, the progress control device 100 executes a multi-story game, and presents the contents of each of the branched stories so that they can be compared. It is assumed that the game proceeds along any story selected by the player. Hereinafter, the progress control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The progress control device 100 includes a game data storage unit 110, an operation reception unit 120, a history data storage unit 130, a processing control unit 140, and an image generation unit 150.

First, the game data storage unit 110 stores various data necessary for executing the multi-story game.
For example, the game data storage unit 110 stores branch points, options, stories (scenario data), and the like as shown in FIG. That is, the game data storage unit 110 stores data including a game progress branch point, options selectable at the branch point, and story scenario data corresponding to these options. Although the story is based on scenario data, it will be described below as being equivalent to the scenario data in order to facilitate understanding of the invention.

More specifically, in the case of a scenario-structured game as shown in FIG. 4B, the game data storage unit 110 stores data of each branch point BN, data of each option SN, and Data of each story ST is stored in association with each other. The content of the scenario configuration is arbitrary, and is not limited to the scenario configuration as shown in FIG. In addition, for example, a scenario configuration in which branched stories merge as shown in FIG. Also in this case, the game data storage unit 110 stores the data of each branch point BN, the data of each option SN, and the data of each story ST in association with each other.
In addition to such information, the game data storage unit 110 stores image data, music data, and the like necessary for the game.
Note that the game data storage unit 110 may store data such as map data and setting data instead of such scenario data. That is, it is assumed that necessary data is appropriately stored according to the game genre (such as a novel game or an action game).
The ROM 12 a of the cartridge 12 described above can function as such a game data storage unit 110.

Returning to FIG. 3, the operation reception unit 120 receives various operations performed by the player during the game play.
For example, the operation accepting unit 120 selects a selection instruction (any one) input from the player in a state where a plurality of story game screens are displayed in parallel at a branch point of the game progress, as will be described later. Accept selection).
In addition, the operation receiving unit 120 is a story (game screen) in which an option (an option that has not been selected) managed by the processing control unit 140 (a restart management unit 143 to be described later) is specified after selection at a branch point. A resumption instruction is accepted.
The operation keys 17 and the touch panel 20 described above can function as such an operation receiving unit 120.

The history data storage unit 130 stores history data when a game is played.
For example, the history data storage unit 130 stores history data such as the reached branch point, the item selected / not selected at the branch point, and the progress position of the played story. In addition to this, the history data storage unit 130 also stores data such as various point values (experience value, likability, money, physical strength, etc.) and acquired items that need to be managed in the game.
The RAM 12b of the cartridge 12 described above can function as such a history data storage unit 130.

The process control unit 140 controls the entire progress control device 100.
For example, the process control unit 140 controls the image generation unit 150 to generate a game screen or the like, and advances the game. Then, when the progress of the game reaches a branch point, after the options are presented, the game screen of each story that branches according to each option is generated in parallel with the image generation unit 150, and the respective game screens are displayed simultaneously. . In this state, when any option is selected by the player, the process control unit 140 leaves only the story game screen corresponding to the selected option, and ends the display of the other game screens. That is, the story of the option selected by the player is confirmed, and the game screen can be played continuously. Further, when the display of the other game screens that have not been selected is terminated, the process control unit 140 stores the data of the options that have not been selected in the history data storage unit 130, and can resume the stories corresponding thereto. To manage. In other words, when the selected story is not expected to be developed, it is possible to immediately resume the story game of the option that was not selected by specifying the option stored in the history data storage unit 130 and instructing the restart. it can.
Details of the processing control unit 140 will be described again after the related image generation unit 150 is described.
The above-described CPU core 10a and the like can function as such a processing control unit 140.

The image generation unit 150 is controlled by the processing control unit 140 and generates a display image of the game.
For example, the image generation unit 150 generates a game screen of a game that is currently in progress. Thereafter, when the progress of the game reaches the branch point, an option notification screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed. This option notification screen is a screen for notifying the player of each item to be selected at the reached branch point.
Subsequent to the display of the option notification screen, a game screen corresponding to each of the notified options is generated in parallel. For example, the image generation unit 150 reads out stories (scenario data) corresponding to each option from the game data storage unit 110, and generates game screens of different stories as shown in FIG. FIG. 5B shows an example in which there are two options. If the number of options is greater than 2, the number of game screens to be generated may be increased as appropriate. For example, when there are four options, the image generation unit 150 generates four game screens in parallel. As will be described later, the game screen generated in parallel is processed by the processing control unit 140 (parallel control unit 141) by a plurality of display units (the first display unit 18 and the second display unit described above). 19) is displayed at the same time.
In addition, the image generation unit 150 interrupts generation of each game screen when a predetermined time has elapsed without starting selection of the player after starting to generate such a plurality of game screens in parallel at the branch point. Then, a selection request screen as shown in FIG.
Note that the above-described image processing unit 10b and the like can function as such an image generation unit 150.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the description of the processing control unit 140 is resumed. In more detail, the process control unit 140 includes a parallel control unit 141, a progress control unit 142, and a restart management unit 143.

The parallel control unit 141 performs in parallel each story that branches in accordance with the option after the progress of the game reaches the branch point and the option notification screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed. Make it progress. That is, the parallel control unit 141 controls the image generation unit 150 to generate the game screens of different stories as shown in FIG. 5B described above in parallel, and simultaneously displays them on a plurality of display units. .
Specifically, when two game screens as shown in FIG. 5B are generated in parallel, the parallel control unit 141, as shown in FIG. And each game screen is allocated to the 2nd display part 19, and it displays simultaneously.
In addition to this, for example, when four game screens are generated in parallel, the parallel control unit 141 divides the screen as shown in FIG. And each reduced game screen is allocated to the 2nd display part 19, and it displays simultaneously. Note that the number of screen divisions and the reduction of the game screen are appropriately changed according to the number of game screens generated in parallel.

Returning to FIG. 3, when one of the options is selected by the player in a state where the plurality of game screens are displayed in parallel, the progress control unit 142 stores the story corresponding to the selected option. Only proceed with the game screen. For example, the progress control unit 142 controls the image generation unit 150 to continuously generate a game screen corresponding to the selected option, and displays other game screens (game screens corresponding to the unselected options). End generation.
The progress control unit 142 controls the image generation unit 150 when the game screen corresponding to the selected option is not displayed on the main display unit (for example, the first display unit 18). The game screen is displayed on the main display unit.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, the progress of the game (story ST01) reaches the branch point BN01, and the games of the story ST02 and the story ST05 are progressing in parallel (each game screen is displayed). When the option of the story ST02 is selected at the time T in the state where each is displayed), the progress control unit 142 advances only the game screen of the story ST02 as it is. That is, the progress of the story ST05 that has not been selected is terminated, and the display of the game screen is terminated. Therefore, the player continues to play the game screen of the story ST02 selected by the player.

The progress control unit 142 controls the image generation unit 150 to interrupt the generation of each game screen when the predetermined time has passed without such selection being made by the player, and the above-described FIG. A selection request screen such as c) is displayed.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the progress control unit 142, after the progress of the game reaches the branch point BN01 and starts to display a plurality of game screens in parallel at time T1, When time T2 elapses, generation of each game screen is interrupted and a selection request screen is displayed on the main screen.
Note that the timing for interrupting each game screen and displaying the selection request screen is not limited to the predetermined time but is arbitrary. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7C, the progress control unit 142 displays each game screen when any one of the game screens generated in parallel reaches a predetermined scene (scene n). May be interrupted and a selection request screen may be displayed on the main screen.

Returning to FIG. 3, the restart management unit 143 stores the options not selected in the history data storage unit 130 and manages the stories corresponding to the options not selected at the branch point so that the options can be restarted.
For example, when any option is selected by the player at the branch point, the restart management unit 143 registers the unselected option in the history data storage unit 130 in association with the branch point. Thereafter, when a predetermined key operation is performed while continuing to play the game screen selected by the player, the restart management unit 143 displays a restart instruction image SS as shown in FIG. Enables a resumption instruction specifying an option that was not selected. Note that the restart instruction image SS in FIG. 8A is an example of an image in the case where restart is instructed for the most recent branch point, but the restart instruction is not limited to such an immediate branch point. It may also be possible to instruct resumption of a branch point (a branch point before that).
Then, when a restart instruction specifying any option is received from the player via the operation receiving unit 120 for such a restart instruction image SS, the restart management unit 143, as shown in FIG. Instead of the story game screen G1 currently in progress, the story game screen G2 corresponding to the option instructed to resume is displayed.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the player selects the game screen of the story ST02 at time T3 in the selection at the branch point BN01, the resume management unit 143 selects the story that has not been selected. The option of ST05 is registered in the history data storage unit 130 in association with the branch point BN01. Thereafter, when the player who has played the game screen of the story ST02 determines that the selection of the branch point BN01 is wrong, the player performs a predetermined key operation to display the restart instruction image SS as shown in FIG. At time T4, when an option for the story ST05 that has not been selected at the branch point BN01 is selected and a restart is instructed, the progress of the story ST02 is terminated, and instead the progress of the story ST05 is resumed. At this time, the process restarts from the beginning regardless of the progress of the story ST05 at the branch point BN01. Note that the restart position is not limited to the beginning, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the process may be resumed after the progress of the story ST02.
In this way, the restart management unit 143 controls the progress control unit 142 to read a story (scenario data) of an option instructed to restart, and to restart the story. Therefore, the progress control unit 142 causes the image generation unit 150 to generate a story game screen instructed to resume, instead of the game screen that has been used so far.
Thereby, the player can play the story of the one that was not selected without redoing from a save point or the like as in the prior art.

(Outline of operation of the progress control device)
Hereinafter, the operation of the progress control apparatus 100 having such a configuration will be described. As an example, the operation of the progress control device 100 that executes a multi-story game will be described with reference to the drawings. More specifically, the operation of the progress control apparatus 100 that presents the contents of stories that are branch destinations at branch points in the game in a comparable manner will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of progress control processing executed by the progress control device 100.

First, the progress control device 100 displays a game screen along the current story (step S201).
That is, the process control unit 140 reads the scenario data of the story that is currently in progress from the game data storage unit 110, and advances the game while controlling the image generation unit 150 to generate a game screen.

Progress control device 100 determines whether or not a branch point has been reached (step S202).
That is, the process control unit 140 determines whether or not the progress of the game has reached the branch point while referring to the branch point data stored in the game data storage unit 110.
If it is determined that the branch point has not been reached (step S202; No), the progress control device 100 advances the process to step S210 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the branch point has been reached (step S202; Yes), the progress control device 100 presents a selection notification screen (step S203).
That is, the process control unit 140 controls the image generation unit 150 to generate a selection notification screen as shown in FIG. That is, the option at the branch point is presented to notify the player that any item can be selected.
In this state, when any item is immediately selected by the player, the processing in step S204 described later may be omitted and the processing may proceed to step S209 described later.

After presenting the selection notification screen, the progress control device 100 displays a game screen along each story that branches according to each option (step S204).
That is, when the process control unit 140 reaches the branch point as shown in FIG. 7A, the process control unit 140 controls the image generation unit 150 to display the selection notification screen as shown in FIG. 5A. After that, game screens of different stories (story corresponding to options) as shown in FIG. 5B are generated in parallel, and as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B described above, It assigns to each display part (the 1st display part 18 and the 2nd display part 19), respectively, and displays simultaneously.

The progress control device 100 determines whether or not a selection instruction has been given by the player (step S205).
That is, the process control unit 140 determines whether or not the operation accepting unit 120 has received a selection instruction. For example, it is determined whether or not a player presses a button corresponding to a game image displayed in parallel (a button corresponding to a selection item).
When determining that the selection instruction has been made (step S205; Yes), the progress control device 100 advances the process to step S209 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the selection instruction has not been made (step S205; No), the progress control device 100 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the parallel game image was started (step S205; No). Step S206).
That is, as shown in FIG. 7B described above, the process control unit 140 determines whether or not a predetermined time Z has elapsed after starting to display a plurality of game screens in parallel at time T1. Note that the process control unit 140 may determine whether or not the game has progressed to a predetermined scene (scene n), as shown in FIG. 7C described above, instead of the elapsed time.
If the process control unit 140 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S206; No), the process control unit 140 returns the process to the above-described step S204 and continues displaying the parallel game screen.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of parallel display (step S206; Yes), the progress control device 100 presents a selection request screen (step S207).
That is, the process control unit 140 controls the image generation unit 150 to interrupt the generation of each game screen and display the selection request screen as shown in FIG.

Progress control device 100 stands by until a selection instruction is accepted (step S208).
That is, the process control unit 140 stops executing the subsequent process while the selection instruction is not received by the operation receiving unit 120 (step S208; No).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the selection instruction has been received (step S208; Yes), or when it is determined that the selection instruction has been received in step S205 described above (step S205; Yes), the progress control device 100 is selected. The story is confirmed as a story to continue playing, and the story that has not been selected is managed so as to be restartable (step S209).
That is, only the story game screen corresponding to the selected option is advanced as it is. In other words, as shown in FIG. 7A described above, when one of the game screen (story) options is selected, the processing control unit 140 controls the image generation unit 150 to select the selected option. The corresponding game screen (in this case, the game screen of the story ST02) is continuously generated, and the generation of other game screens (in this case, the game screen of the story ST05 that has not been selected) is terminated.
Then, the process control unit 140 controls the image generation unit 150 when the game screen corresponding to the selected option is not displayed on the main display unit (for example, the first display unit 18). The game screen is displayed on the main display unit.
In addition, the process control unit 140 stores the unselected options in the history data storage unit 130 and manages the stories corresponding to the unselected options so that the options can be resumed. For example, the restart management unit 143 registers the unselected options in the history data storage unit 130 in association with the branch points.
And the progress control apparatus 100 returns a process to step S201 mentioned above.

If it is determined in step S202 described above that the branch point has not been reached (step S202: No), the progress control device 100 determines whether or not a restart instruction has been issued (step S210).
That is, in the above-described step S209, it is determined whether or not a restart instruction specifying a non-selected option has been given by a predetermined key operation by the player in a state where the non-selected option (story) is managed. . For example, as shown in FIG. 8C described above, when the player who has made the selection at the branch point BN01 at time T3 determines that the selection of the branch point BN01 is incorrect, the player performs a predetermined key operation, The restart instruction image SS as shown in FIG. 8A is displayed. Then, when any option is specified in such a restart instruction image SS, it is determined that a restart instruction has been made.
When determining that the restart instruction has not been issued (step S210; No), the progress control device 100 returns the process to step S201 described above and continues displaying the game screen.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a restart instruction has been made (step S210; Yes), the progress control device 100 reads scenario data of the restarted option (step S211).
That is, the restart management unit 143 controls the progress control unit 142 to read the scenario data of the option instructed to restart, and to restart the story. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8C described above, when the option of the story ST05 that has not been selected at the branch point BN01 is selected and the restart is instructed at the time T4, the restart management unit 143 stores the story ST02. The progress is terminated, and instead, the progress of the story ST05 is resumed. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 8B described above, the progress control unit 142 causes the image generation unit 150 to generate a story game screen G2 instructed to resume instead of the game screen G1 thus far.
Then, the progress control device 100 returns the process to step S201 described above, and continues displaying the game screen.

  In this way, when the progress of the game reaches the end, the progress control device 100 ends the progress control process by displaying a corresponding predetermined ending screen and storing necessary information.

  In such a progress control process, a story (game screen) that branches according to the options is displayed in parallel (simultaneously) before the player selects it. For this reason, it becomes easy for the player to predict the subsequent development, and by comparing each game screen, it becomes easy to specify a story that can be a more preferable development. In this state, it is possible to select options after careful examination, so that selection errors can be reduced.

  As a result, the selection error by the player at the branch point in the game can be appropriately reduced.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the case where each game image corresponding to the option is displayed as it is at the branch point has been described. However, by processing and displaying the game image, the number of stories to be branched to can be reduced. Good.
Hereinafter, a progress control device characterized in that the number of stories to be branched to is reduced will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a progress control device 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the progress control device 300 includes a game data storage unit 110, an operation reception unit 120, a history data storage unit 130, a processing control unit 140, and an image generation unit 350.
That is, the image generation unit 150 in the above-described progress control device 100 in FIG. 3 is replaced with an image generation unit 350 that performs processing during parallel display. Therefore, the configuration of the game data storage unit 110 to the process control unit 140 is the same as that of the above-described progress control device 100.

The image generation unit 350 includes an image processing unit 351.
The image processing unit 351 processes each game image so that it is difficult to visually recognize at the branch point when the game images of different stories corresponding to the options are generated in parallel.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the image processing unit 351 processes the generated game image by adding noise to reduce the visibility by the player. Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, the image processing unit 351 may process the generated game screen by reducing the brightness so as to reduce the visibility of the player.
Note that these processing methods are merely examples, and the visibility of the game screen may be lowered by adding a mosaic process. Further, the visibility of the game screen may be lowered by appropriately combining these methods.

In this way, each game screen generated in parallel at the branch point is processed and displayed so as not to be visually recognized, so that the content of each story as a branch destination can be presented in a small amount.
As a result, selection of options at the branch point can be prevented from being made easier than necessary.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the portable game apparatus 1 having two display units has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such a game apparatus 1 and can be appropriately applied to other apparatuses. is there.
For example, each game screen may be displayed in parallel (simultaneously) by dividing the screen on one display unit. Also in a personal computer or the like, a game screen may be assigned to each of a plurality of windows and displayed simultaneously.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device, a game control method, and a program that can appropriately reduce selection errors by a player at a branch point in a game.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game device 10 Processing control part 11 Connector 12 Cartridge 13 Wireless communication part 14 Communication controller 15 Sound amplifier 16 Speaker 17 Operation key 18 1st display part 19 2nd display part 20 Touch panel 100,300 Progress control apparatus 110 Game data storage Unit 120 Operation accepting unit 130 History data storage unit 140 Processing control unit 150, 350 Image generation unit

Claims (8)

A game device in which game content changes according to options selected by a player,
A data storage unit storing a branch point in the game, a plurality of options that can be selected at the branch point, and a plurality of game data corresponding to the options;
A parallel control unit that executes a plurality of games based on game data corresponding to each option of the branch point in parallel when the game being executed reaches the branch point;
A selection accepting unit that accepts a selection of any of the options corresponding to the games being executed in parallel;
A control unit that executes only the game corresponding to the selected option as it is,
A game device characterized by that. A game device in which a story of a game branches according to an option selected by a player,
A data storage unit storing a branch point in the game, a plurality of options that can be selected at the branch point, and a plurality of scenario data corresponding to each option;
A parallel control unit that allows a plurality of stories based on scenario data corresponding to each option of the branch point to proceed in parallel when the ongoing story reaches the branch point;
A selection accepting unit that accepts a selection of each of the options corresponding to the stories that are proceeding in parallel;
A progress control unit that advances only the story corresponding to the selected option as it is,
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 2,
A resumption management unit for resumably managing the story corresponding to the option that has not been selected;
The progress control unit terminates the progress of the story corresponding to the option that has not been selected, and registers the option of the story that has been terminated in the restart management unit.
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to claim 3,
Further comprising a restart instruction unit that specifies any of the options registered in the restart management unit and instructs the restart of the story corresponding to the specified option;
In response to an instruction from the restart instruction unit, the restart management unit advances the story that has been instructed to be restarted by the restart instruction unit, instead of the story that the progress control unit is currently advancing.
A game device characterized by that. The game device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The parallel control unit advances the stories corresponding to the options in parallel only until a predetermined elapsed time,
A game device characterized by that. A game device according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The game device includes a plurality of display units,
The parallel control unit assigns the display of each story corresponding to each option individually to each display unit, and advances each in parallel.
A game device characterized by that. A game control method executed by a game device in which game content changes according to an option selected by a player,
The game device includes a data storage unit, a parallel control unit, a selection receiving unit, and a control unit. The data storage unit includes a branch point in the game, a plurality of options that can be selected at the branch point, and , A plurality of game data corresponding to each option is stored,
A parallel control step in which, when the game being executed reaches a branch point, the parallel control unit concurrently executes a plurality of games based on each game data corresponding to each option of the branch point;
A selection receiving step in which the selection receiving unit receives a selection of any of the options corresponding to the games being executed in parallel;
The control unit includes a control step for executing only the game corresponding to the selected option as it is,
A game control method characterized by the above. A computer whose game content changes according to the choice selected by the player,
A data storage unit in which a branch point in the game, a plurality of options selectable at the branch point, and a plurality of game data corresponding to each option are stored;
A parallel control unit for executing a plurality of games based on game data corresponding to each option of the branch point in parallel when the game being executed reaches the branch point;
A selection accepting unit for accepting selection of any of the options corresponding to the games being executed in parallel;
A control unit that directly executes only the game corresponding to the selected option;
A program characterized by functioning as

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