JP2012016630A - Game device, game device control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device or the like in which a player is allowed to set an appropriate game play time.SOLUTION: In the game device 201, scenes to be displayed for the player correspond to durations, a time receiving unit 205 receives the input of limit duration from the player, an operation receiving unit 206 receives the input of game operation from a player, an extraction unit 207 extracts candidates of a next scene to be presented based on the game operation and a current presentation scene, a selection unit 208 selects, as the next scene to be presented, any of the extracted candidates having a corresponding duration having a value not more than a value obtained by subtracting a current time from a limit time as a time after the limit duration from a time at which limit duration is received, and a presentation unit 209 presents the selected next scene to be presented to a player as substitute for the current presentation scene, when the next scene to be presented is selected.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus suitable for allowing a player to appropriately set a game play time, a control method for the game apparatus, and a program for realizing these on a computer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a technique related to a game device that allows a player to set a limit on a time for playing a game. For example, in Patent Document 1 listed below, the player inputs the time limit of the race game and sets the number of laps of the race game so that the play time is within the time limit or limits the play time of the fighting battle When time is set or the time limit is approaching, RPG (Roll Playing Game) prevents characters from moving out of town, prompts the user to save the game, and notifies them that the game will be terminated It is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 3712478

  However, by moving the character in the virtual space based on the command entered by the player, the RPG that advances the game by causing the character to interact, investigate, battle, etc., and the game story by selecting various options In the AVG (AdVenture Game) and the like developed by, there are no parameters that can be adjusted on the game corresponding to the round of the course in the racing game or the play time of the battle. Therefore, there is a need for a technique that can naturally limit the time during which a game can be played based on the time limit set by the player, even in a game where it is not possible to directly limit the parameters directly related to the play time. .

  Moreover, in the said invention, when the time limit is reached, the aspect that subsequent play becomes virtually impossible is proposed. However, there is a desire to leave the player with some judgment as to whether or not to play, rather than forcibly ending the game, even if it is just before the time limit or exceeds the time limit. .

  In addition, there is a case where it is desired to voluntarily set a time limit that each player can play in MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online RPG) in which a plurality of players cooperate to advance the game.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described problems, and implements a game device suitable for enabling a player to appropriately set a game play time, a game device control method, and a computer. The purpose is to provide a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

  A game device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a time length storage unit, a time reception unit, an operation reception unit, an extraction unit, a selection unit, and a presentation unit, and is configured as follows.

  Here, for each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to the player, the time length storage unit stores an estimated value of the length of time for which the scene is presented to the player.

  For example, in RPG, the types of enemy characters are roughly divided into two types. The first type of enemy character is intended to improve the ability and experience value of the player character through the battle with the player character operated by the player, and is sometimes called a “small fish character”. The second type of enemy character is intended to greatly advance the story of the entire RPG and achieve the purpose of the game given to the player character, and is sometimes called a “boss character”.

  In general, a battle with a small fish character ends in a short time, and a battle with a boss character takes a long time. In the RPG world, the player character searches for the location of the boss character while defeating a small fish character, discovers and defeats the boss character, and then typically takes the next challenge (defeating a new boss character). Is given.)

  The situation where a boss character appears and a situation where a small fish character appear are different, and the small character often appears in common scenes such as grasslands, villages, roads, etc., whereas the boss character is a cave or castle. It is often placed in a specific scene.

  Therefore, when the present invention is applied to RPG, a map having a certain spread as a scene is assumed. Then, the time length required for the battle in the map is assumed according to the type of enemy character that is supposed to appear in the map. The assumed time length is typically “estimated time length during which a scene is presented”.

  In a scene where a small fish character appears, even if it is in the middle of a battle, even if the situation of the game is immediately saved and the game is ended, the player is rarely dissatisfied. Therefore, in such a case, the “estimated value of the time length during which the scene is presented” may be set to zero.

  On the other hand, in a scene where a boss character appears, if the game is interrupted in the middle of a battle with the boss character, the player is often dissatisfied. Many games are set so that the game cannot be saved during the battle with the boss character. Therefore, in such a case, the “estimated value of the time length during which the scene is presented” is set to be somewhat long with reference to statistical information such as test play.

  On the other hand, the time reception unit receives an input of a time limit or a time limit from the player.

  Here, the time limit is the time at which the player thinks that he will stop playing the game. The time limit can be entered by directly entering a time number such as “XX hours XX minutes”, or a relative value from the current time, such as “XX minutes after now”. It is good also as inputting.

  Furthermore, the operation reception unit receives game operation input from the player.

  In the above RPG example, the input of the game operation means that the player character is moved in a certain situation, what kind of attack is performed in the battle with the enemy character, what kind of defense is performed, etc. Means an input that specifies.

  Further, the extraction unit extracts a candidate of a scene to be presented next from the received game operation and the scene currently presented to the player.

  In the case of RPG, the player character can move within the map currently displayed on the screen. The map also has an entrance to a specific place, such as a cave entrance or a bridge entrance to a castle.

  When a game operation is entered to advance the player character to the entrance, “inside the cave” or “inside the castle” is set as one of the candidate scenes to be presented next.

  There may be one or more candidate scenes extracted here. Typically, a scene where a player character currently exists is also extracted as one of scene candidates to be presented next.

  Then, the selection unit, if there is a candidate having a time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate that is equal to or less than a value obtained by subtracting the current time from the accepted time limit among the extracted candidates. Any one of the candidates is selected as a scene to be presented next.

  Here, “the value obtained by subtracting the current time from the accepted time limit” corresponds to the remaining time during which the player can play the game. Therefore, of the scenes extracted as candidates, any scene that can be played to the extent that the player can be satisfied with the remaining time is set as the scene to be presented next.

  On the other hand, when the scene to be presented next is selected, the presenting unit presents the scene selected as the scene to be presented next to the player instead of the scene currently presented to the player.

  In the case of RPG, the player gives a game operation input to the player character displayed on the presented map and advances the game. When the display is switched from a certain map to a new map, the time assumed to be played in the new map as described above is taken into consideration. Therefore, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the time limit is reached in the middle of the battle with the boss character and the game must be interrupted without being satisfied.

  According to the present invention, in order to select a scene to be presented to the player by inputting the time limit and comparing the length of time set for the scene candidate presented to the player and the remaining play time, Players will be able to save and interrupt the game at a “cut off” point, increasing player satisfaction.

  A game apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is a modification of the above-described invention for MMORPG in which a plurality of players cooperate to advance a game.

  That is, the game device includes a time length storage unit, a time reception unit, an operation reception unit, an extraction unit, a selection unit, and a presentation unit, and is configured as follows.

  Here, for each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to a plurality of players, the time length storage unit stores an estimated value of a time length at which the scenes are presented to the plurality of players. This is the same as the above-described invention.

  On the other hand, the time reception unit receives an input of a time limit or a time limit from at least one of the plurality of players.

  In other words, input is accepted only from players who have a limited time to play, and for players who do not have any restrictions, no input may be accepted, or an input of “no time limit” may be accepted. good.

  Furthermore, the operation reception unit receives an input of a game operation from each of the plurality of players. This is also similar to the above invention, except that a plurality of players cooperate to advance the game.

  Then, the extraction unit extracts a candidate of a scene to be presented next from the received game operation and the scene currently presented to a plurality of players. This is also the same as the above-described invention.

  On the other hand, in the extracted candidates, the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate is less than or equal to the value obtained by subtracting the current time from the earliest time limit among the accepted time limits. If there is a candidate, one of the candidates is selected as a scene to be presented next.

  That is, the time limit that arrives earliest among the time limits input from each player is adopted as the time limit corresponding to the above-described invention.

  Furthermore, when the next scene to be presented is selected, the presenting unit presents the scene selected as the next scene to be presented to the plurality of players instead of the scene currently presented to the plurality of players. To do.

  Therefore, when the game is advanced cooperatively as in MMORPG, the same map is presented to a plurality of players.

  According to the present invention, even in a game in which a plurality of players advance in cooperation, it is possible to end or interrupt the play at a good point according to the time convenience of each player, It will be possible to reduce the possibility of damage.

  The game device of the present invention further includes a time length update unit, and the scene presented by the presentation unit changes, and is stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit. When the time length is positive, the time length update unit updates the time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit by the presented time length. Can be configured.

  In other words, the statistical information when the player actually plays the game is used to appropriately set the “time length during which a certain scene is presented”. Average, decay average, etc. can be applied.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately estimate the length of time to present each scene according to the actual play situation of the player.

  In the game device of the present invention, the scene to be presented next is not selected, and the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the currently presented scene is currently presented from the accepted time limit. When the value obtained by subtracting the time at which the presentation of the current scene is started is exceeded, a warning that prompts the user to save or end the game can be presented.

  As described above, whether or not the player character can move from one map to another map is determined by whether or not the other map can be cleared by the time limit.

  On the other hand, in the configuration according to the present invention, it is possible to continue playing the game even if the time limit is exceeded.

  Therefore, if it is impossible to move to another map and the current map cannot be cleared, the player is warned to that effect.

  According to the present invention, it becomes possible for the player to know whether or not there is a high possibility that the player is not able to play to the point where the cut is good by the time limit for the scene currently being played. Depending on the judgment, the game can be saved and ended.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a game device, wherein for each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to a player, an estimated time length for which the scene is presented to the player is stored. Controls a game device having a storage unit, a time reception unit, an operation reception unit, an extraction unit, a selection unit, and a presentation unit, and includes a time reception process, an operation reception process, an extraction process, a selection process, and a presentation process, as follows Constitute.

  That is, in the time reception process, the time reception unit receives an input of the time limit or the time limit from the player.

  On the other hand, in the operation reception process, the operation reception unit receives an input of a game operation from the player.

  Further, in the extraction process, the extraction unit extracts a candidate for a scene to be presented next from the accepted game operation and the scene currently presented to the player.

  Then, in the selection step, the candidate whose selection unit has a time length stored in the time length storage unit with respect to the candidate among the extracted candidates is equal to or less than a value obtained by subtracting the current time from the accepted time limit If any exists, one of the candidates is selected as a scene to be presented next.

  On the other hand, in the presentation process, when the next scene to be presented is selected, the presenter presents the scene selected as the next scene to be presented to the player instead of the scene currently presented to the player. To do.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a game device, wherein for each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to a plurality of players, an estimated value of a length of time that the scenes are presented to the plurality of players is stored. A game device having a time length storage unit, a time reception unit, an operation reception unit, an extraction unit, a selection unit, a presentation unit, and includes a time reception process, an operation reception process, an extraction process, a selection process, a presentation process, The configuration is as follows.

  Here, in the time reception process, the time reception unit receives an input of a time limit or a time limit from at least one of the plurality of players.

  On the other hand, in the operation reception process, the operation reception unit receives an input of a game operation from each of a plurality of players.

  Further, in the extraction step, the extraction unit extracts a candidate for a scene to be presented next from the received game operation and the scene currently presented to a plurality of players.

  Then, in the selection step, the selection unit subtracts the current time from the earliest time limit among the accepted time limits, among the extracted candidates, the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate. If there is a candidate that is less than or equal to the value, one of the candidates is selected as a scene to be presented next.

  On the other hand, in the presenting process, when the next scene to be presented is selected, the presenting unit replaces the scene currently presented to a plurality of players with a plurality of scenes selected as the next scene to be presented. Present to players.

  A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each unit of the game device.

  The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information storage 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 storage medium can be distributed and sold independently from the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device suitable for allowing the player to appropriately set the game play time, a method for controlling the game device, and a program for realizing these on a computer.

It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a typical information processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the game device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the game process performed with the game device which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the mode of the various information defined about one map. It is explanatory drawing explaining a mode that the input of a time limit is requested | required of a player. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image which should be shown to a player about the remaining time of a certain map. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image which should be shown to a player about the other remaining time of a certain map.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using a game information processing device will be described. However, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and the present invention is described. It does not limit the range.

  In the following, the case where the principle of the present invention is applied to an RPG with one player and a plurality of MMORPGs will be mainly described. However, other games such as a novel game, an adventure game, an action game, etc. In addition, the present invention can be applied.

  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 illustrating a schematic configuration of a typical information processing apparatus that can function as the game apparatus of the present embodiment by executing a program. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an interface 104, a controller 105, an external memory 106, an image processing unit 107, and a DVD-ROM. A (Digital Versatile Disc ROM) drive 108, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 109, an audio processing unit 110, and a microphone 111 can be provided. Various input / output devices can be omitted as appropriate.

  When a DVD-ROM storing a game program and data is loaded into the DVD-ROM drive 108 and the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on, the program is executed, and the game apparatus of this embodiment is realized. The

  Further, in order to make the portable game device portable, it is also possible to use a ROM cassette slot instead of using the DVD-ROM drive 108. In this case, the game apparatus of this embodiment is realized by inserting a ROM cassette in which the program is recorded and executing the program.

  In addition, in a system in which a game is advanced by connecting the terminal device to the server device, the terminal device and the server device work together to function as a game device. The server device typically has a configuration similar to that of the information processing device 100, although there is a slight difference in calculation capability and device configuration.

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. Further, the CPU 101 uses arithmetic operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division, logical sum, logical product, etc. using an ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) (not shown) for a storage area called a register (not shown) that can be accessed at high speed. , Logic operations such as logical negation, bit operations such as bit sum, bit product, bit inversion, bit shift, and bit rotation can be performed. In addition, the CPU 101 itself is configured so that saturation operations such as addition / subtraction / multiplication / division for multimedia processing, vector operations such as trigonometric functions, etc. can be performed at a high speed, and those provided with a coprocessor. There is.

  The ROM 102 records an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on, and when this is executed, the program recorded on the DVD-ROM is read out to the RAM 103 and execution by the CPU 101 is started. The The ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the DVD-ROM and other data necessary for game progress and chat communication. Further, the CPU 101 provides a variable area in the RAM 103 and performs an operation by directly operating the ALU on the value stored in the variable, or temporarily stores the value stored in the RAM 103 in the register. Perform operations such as performing operations on registers and writing back the operation results to memory.

  The controller 105 connected via the interface 104 receives an operation input performed when the user executes the game.

  The controller 105 does not necessarily have to be externally attached to the information processing apparatus 100, and may be formed integrally.

  The controller 105 of the portable terminal device includes various buttons and switches, and handles these pressing operations as operation inputs. In addition, in the information processing apparatus 100 using the touch screen, the user traces the trace of the touch screen using a pen or a finger as an operation input.

  The external memory 106 detachably connected via the interface 104 stores data indicating game play status (past results, etc.), data indicating the progress of the game, and log of chat communication in a network battle ( Data) is stored in a rewritable manner. The user can record these data in the external memory 106 as appropriate by inputting an instruction via the controller 105.

  A DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108 stores a program for realizing the game and image data and audio data associated with the game. Under the control of the CPU 101, the DVD-ROM drive 108 performs a reading process on the DVD-ROM loaded therein, reads out necessary programs and data, and these are temporarily stored in the RAM 103 or the like.

  The image processing unit 107 processes the data read from the DVD-ROM by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) included in the CPU 101 or the image processing unit 107, and then processes the processed data on a frame memory ( (Not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing and output to a monitor (not shown) connected to the image processing unit 107. Thereby, various image displays are possible.

  As a monitor of a portable game device, a small liquid crystal display is typically used. When a touch screen is used as the controller 105, the display panel of the touch screen functions as a monitor. A display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a plasma display can be used as a monitor for a game device or a server device for playing at home.

  The image calculation processor can execute a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed.

  Also, polygon information arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space and added with various texture information is rendered by the Z buffer method, and the polygon arranged in the virtual three-dimensional space from the predetermined viewpoint position is determined in the direction of the predetermined line of sight It is also possible to perform high-speed execution of operations for obtaining rendered images.

  Further, the CPU 101 and the image arithmetic processor operate in a coordinated manner, so that a character string can be drawn as a two-dimensional image in a frame memory or drawn on the surface of each polygon according to font information that defines the character shape. is there.

  The NIC 109 is used to connect the information processing apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet, and conforms to the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN. An analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, a cable modem for connecting to the Internet using a cable television line, etc. These are configured by an interface (not shown) that mediates between these and the CPU 101.

  The audio processing unit 110 converts audio data read from the DVD-ROM into an analog audio signal and outputs the analog audio signal from a speaker (not shown) connected thereto. Further, under the control of the CPU 101, sound effects and music data to be generated during the progress of the game are generated, and the corresponding sound is output from a speaker, headphones (not shown), and earphones (not shown). Output.

  When the audio data recorded on the DVD-ROM is MIDI data, the audio processing unit 110 refers to the sound source data included in the audio data and converts the MIDI data into PCM data. If the compressed audio data is in ADPCM format or Ogg Vorbis format, it is expanded and converted to PCM data. The PCM data can be output by performing D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion at a timing corresponding to the sampling frequency and outputting it to a speaker.

  Furthermore, a microphone 111 can be connected to the information processing apparatus 100 via the interface 104. In this case, the analog signal from the microphone 111 is subjected to A / D conversion at an appropriate sampling frequency so that processing such as mixing in the sound processing unit 110 can be performed as a PCM format digital signal.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 uses a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk so as to perform the same function as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the external memory 106, the DVD-ROM mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108, and the like. You may comprise.

  Further, it is possible to adopt a form in which a keyboard for accepting a character string editing input from a user, a mouse for accepting various position designations and selection inputs, and the like are connected. In addition, a general-purpose personal computer can be used instead of the information processing apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 100 described above corresponds to a so-called consumer game apparatus, but the game of the present invention is performed on various computers such as a mobile phone, a portable game device, a karaoke apparatus, and a general business computer. An apparatus can be realized.

  For example, a general computer, like the information processing apparatus 100, includes an image processing unit that includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, DVD-ROM drive, and NIC and has simpler functions than the information processing apparatus 100. In addition to having a hard disk as an external storage device, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, and the like can be used. Further, not the controller 105 but a keyboard or a mouse is used as an input device.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the game device according to the present embodiment. The outline of each part of the game apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawing.

  The game device 201 according to the present embodiment includes a scene storage unit 202, a situation storage unit 203, a time length storage unit 204, a time reception unit 205, an operation reception unit 206, an extraction unit 207, a selection unit 208, a presentation unit 209, and a time length. An update unit 210 is provided.

  The scene storage unit 202 stores the definition of a map in which a player character moves or an enemy character appears in the RPG, and can move from one map to another map or terrain or building. Whether or not, the appearance of enemy characters and their appearance probabilities are defined.

  The situation storage unit 203 stores the current situation of the game. In the case of a MMORPG, which player character operates which player character in the map where the player character is currently located, the position of the player character. Or the correspondence relationship, various parameters of the player character, etc. are stored.

  The time length storage unit 204 stores, for each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to the player, an estimated value of the time length at which the scene is presented to the player. In the present embodiment, a map is used as a scene unit.

  That is, the length of time required to defeat a boss character placed in a map and clear the map is stored. The time length stored here corresponds to the length of time required to advance the play to a good place when entering the map and starting play.

  If there is a player character on a map where no boss character is placed and only a small fish character appears, the game can be saved and finished at any time. Therefore, the time length for this map is typically “0”.

  The scene storage unit 202 is typically realized by a storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or a hard disk mounted on the DVD-ROM drive 108. The status storage unit 203 and the time length storage unit 204 are typically realized by a readable / writable storage medium such as the RAM 103 or the external memory 106.

  The time accepting unit 205 accepts an input of a time limit or a time limit indicating the time at which the game is scheduled to end from the player, and may input an absolute time or “after 30 minutes from now” In this way, a relatively specified time may be input. These inputs are performed via the controller 105, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

  The operation accepting unit 206 accepts an instruction given to the player character by the player, specifies the moving direction of the player character with the arrow keys, displays a menu with various buttons, and selects an item from the menu. The type of attack or defense can be selected by. The input of these game operations is performed via the controller 105, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like.

  The presentation unit 209 uses the monitor screen to present information such as the current map state, the position of the player character placed in the map, and the appearance of enemy characters when they appear. is there. The image displayed on the screen is generated by driving the image processing unit 107 with reference to information stored in the RAM 103 or DVD-ROM under the control of the CPU 101.

  The extraction unit 207 extracts candidates for scenes that can be presented to the player next based on information stored in the scene storage unit 202 and game operation instructions received by the operation reception unit 206. This is realized by cooperating with the RAM 103 and the DVD-ROM.

  The selection unit 208 selects a scene that can be cleared by the time limit from the extracted scene candidates, and the presentation unit 209 presents the selected scene. The selection unit 208 is realized by the CPU 101 cooperating with the RAM 103, the DVD-ROM, or the like.

  The time length update unit 210 updates the clear time for each scene based on the actual game play state of the player, and the CPU 101 cooperates with the RAM 103, the real-time clock provided in the information processing apparatus 100, and the like. Is realized.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of game processing executed in the game device according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. In the following, the case where there is only one player will be described first.

  When the game processing in the game device 201 is started, the CPU 101 stores various programs, various game data, save data, and the like from the DVD-ROM, the external memory 106, the hard disk, and the like that are loaded into the DVD-ROM drive 108. The data is read to 103, and various initializations are performed (step S301).

  By this initialization, the current game situation is set in the situation storage unit 203.

  The time length storage unit 204 stores the time that is assumed to be necessary for clearing each of the scenes, but the time length storage unit 204 reads all information at the time of initialization. Instead, it may be read out as needed. Further, a storage medium itself such as a hard disk may be used as the time length storage unit 204.

  In this embodiment, a map of each place in RPG is adopted as a scene. One map definition includes the following information, and is typically read from a DVD-ROM or the like as necessary.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the state of various types of information defined for one map. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, the following information is associated with one map 401.
(1) A horizontal size 402 and a vertical size 403 of the map 401. Typically, it is defined in units of pixels of an image displayed on the screen.
(2) A connection area 404 that allows movement to another map in the map 401. Typically, the periphery of a certain map 401 is a connection region to another map 411 arranged on the top, bottom, left, and right of the map 401. In addition, a connection area 404 to a map representing a castle or a cave where a boss character is arranged is arranged in a map of a grassland. For example, a connection area 404 to another map 412 is arranged inside a certain map 401. It is sometimes done.
(3) Texture information 405 pasted in the map 401. Typically, the map 401 is partitioned in a grid pattern, and a texture is pasted on each grid to complete an image of the entire map.
(4) Appearance area 406 where an enemy character appears in the map 401 and the probability of appearance. When the enemy character is a boss character, it is typically set so that the boss character always appears when the player character reaches the appearance area 406. On the other hand, when the enemy character is a small fish character, a random number is generated when the player character reaches the appearance area 406, and the random number is compared with a threshold value to determine whether or not the small fish character appears. In this case, the probability of appearance is expressed by the threshold value.
(5) Estimated time length required to clear the map 401, that is, an estimated value of the time length required for clearing. This information is read into the time length storage unit 204. In this figure, the time length is added to the corners of each map 401, 411, 412.

  The information (1) to (4) is typically read into the RAM 103 with respect to the map 401 where the player character is currently arranged, but the information (5) is the map 401 In addition, other maps connected to the map 401 are also read into the RAM 103.

  In general, a battle with a small fish character ends in a short time, and a battle with a boss character takes a long time. In the RPG world, the player character searches for the location of the boss character while defeating a small fish character, discovers and defeats the boss character, and then typically takes the next challenge (defeating a new boss character). Is given.)

  The situation where a boss character appears and a situation where a small fish character appear are different, and the small character often appears in common scenes such as grasslands, villages, roads, etc., whereas the boss character is a cave or castle. It is often placed in a specific scene.

  Even in the middle of a battle, even if a small fish character appears, even if the game situation is immediately saved and the game is ended, the player is rarely dissatisfied. On the other hand, in a scene where a boss character appears, if the game is interrupted in the middle of a battle with the boss character, the player is often dissatisfied. Many games are set so that the game cannot be saved during the battle with the boss character.

  Therefore, in this figure, for the map 411 in which only the small fish character appears, the time length is set to 0 minutes, which means that it can be interrupted at any time. For the map 412 in which the boss character appears, if the time length is set to 20 minutes and the map 412 is entered, it will often indicate an unsatisfactory result unless the game is continued for 20 minutes.

  Note that the time length may be set to 0 minutes if only a small fish character appears on the map 401 where the player character is present.

  Of the maps 411 in which only the small fish characters appear, the time length is set to 10 minutes and can be cleared in a shorter time than the map 412 in which the boss characters appear.

  The time length information is typically determined in advance based on a test play or the like, but may be updated as appropriate according to the actual player's play situation, as will be described later.

  In this way, when various types of initialization are completed, the CPU 101 controls the image processing unit 107 and the controller 105 to request the player to input the time limit, and stores the input time limit in the RAM 103. (Step S302).

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining how the player is requested to input the time limit. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The screen 501 includes an area 502 for displaying the current time, an area 503 for displaying the length of time for playing the game, an area 504 for displaying the time for playing the game (time limit), and the areas 503 and 504. On the other hand, a cursor 505 indicating whether the player performs input is displayed.

  In the area 502, the time acquired from the real-time clock included in the information processing apparatus 100 is displayed.

  Since the region 503 and the region 504 are displayed side by side on the left and right, pressing the left key and the right key of the arrow keys of the controller 105 allows the region 503 to be input in time or the region 504 to be input in time. Or the player can choose the one that is convenient.

  After the player selects one of the areas 503 and 504, if the upper key of the controller 105 is pressed, the time for playing the game is extended, and if the lower key is pressed, the game can be played. Time is shortened.

  When the player selects the area 503 and changes the length of time that the player can play, the time display in the area 504 is updated accordingly. The reverse is also true.

  In this way, when the input of the desired time limit is completed, when the determination button of the controller 105 is pressed, the time limit is stored in the RAM 103.

  For the processing of generating an image to be displayed on the screen 501 when inputting the time limit, handling for vertical synchronization, and acquiring the pressing operation state of the controller 105, the same technique as the processing of the main game described below is applied.

  When the time limit is input in this way, the CPU 101 starts the process of the game main part. That is, the CPU 101 refers to the real time clock and acquires the current time (step S303).

  Next, the current time is subtracted from the time limit, and the remaining time indicating how much can be played is calculated (step S304).

  Further, the CPU 101 refers to the scene storage unit 202 and the situation storage unit 203 to determine the time length associated with the other maps 411 and 412 connected to the map 401 where the player character is currently arranged. Obtain (step S305).

  Then, each of the time lengths acquired in step S305 is compared with the remaining time calculated in step S304, and it is checked which is the longer remaining time (step S306).

  Next, referring to the comparison result in step S306 and the information stored in the scene storage unit 202 and the situation storage unit 203, an image to be displayed on the screen and presented to the player is generated (step S307).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an image to be presented to the player when there is a player character in the map shown in FIG. 4 and the remaining time is 35 minutes under the above-described game situation. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In this case, the time lengths “0 minutes” and “10 minutes” associated with other maps 411 connected to the top, bottom, left, and right of the map 401 (corresponding to a map in which only a small fish character appears) are also from the middle of the map 401. The time length “20 minutes” associated with another map 412 to be connected (corresponding to a map in which a boss character appears) is also shorter than the remaining time “35 minutes”.

  In the display image 601, a map 401 is displayed in an area 602, and a player character image 604 is arranged in the display image 601. An image drawn in the area 602 is configured by pasting an image based on the texture information 405.

  Among the connection areas 404 to other maps, the position of the connection area 404 to the map 412 in which the boss character arranged in the middle of the map 401 is arranged is clearly indicated by an image 605 in which the cave opens its mouth. . The position of the connection area 404 to the map 411 arranged on the top, bottom, left, and right is clearly indicated by a sign image 606 indicating that it can pass. In addition, a small fish character image 607 is also arranged in the display image 601 to notify the player of the presence of an enemy character. Furthermore, in the upper part of the display image 601, an area 603 where the remaining playable time is presented is prepared, and the remaining time “35 minutes” is displayed.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an image to be presented to the player when there is a player character on the map shown in FIG. 4 and the remaining time is 5 minutes under the above-described game situation. Hereinafter, with reference to this figure, it demonstrates centering on difference with FIG.

  In this case, the time length “0 minutes” associated with three of the other maps 411 connected to the top, bottom, left, and right of the map 401 (corresponding to a map in which only a small fish character appears) is from the remaining time “15 minutes”. Although it is short, the time length “10 minutes” associated with one of the other maps 411 is longer than the remaining time “15 minutes”.

  The time length “20 minutes” associated with another map 412 (corresponding to a map in which a boss character appears) connected from the middle of the map 401 is longer than the remaining time “15 minutes”.

  Under this circumstance, if the player proceeds to the map 411 of 10 minutes in length or the map 412 where the boss character appears, the game will be interrupted in a poorly cut state, and the satisfaction of the player will be reduced. .

  Therefore, in the display image 601 shown in FIG. 7, an image 609 indicating prohibition of passage is arranged at the position of the connection area 404 to the map 412 where the boss character is arranged, instead of the image 605 where the cave opens its mouth. And the player is told that it should not go further.

  In addition, in the display image 601 shown in FIG. 7, the remaining time “5 minutes” is displayed in the region 603 where the remaining time is presented.

  In this figure, as in FIG. 6, the sign image 606 indicates that movement is possible on the top, bottom, left, and right maps 411, but the time length is set to “0 minutes” on the map 411 where only small fish characters appear. There is a value other than "", in this example, 10 minutes. In such a case, in order to show that it is not possible to move to the map 411, an image 610 indicating that traffic is prohibited is arranged instead of the sign image 606.

  After the display image 601 is generated, after waiting for vertical synchronization to occur (step S308), the image is transferred and displayed on the monitor (step S309). The player is shown whether the current map 401, the remaining play time, and the maps 411 and 412 connected to the current map 401 can be cleared in the remaining play time.

  During the standby in step S308, another process can be performed in a coroutine manner. Further, the image may be transferred / displayed by using the vertical synchronization interrupt.

  Thereafter, the CPU 101 checks the input type of the game operation given by the player based on the pressed state of the key of the controller 105 (step S310), and by the game operation, a new player character in the map 401 is checked. The position is calculated (step S311). For example, when the arrow key of the controller 105 is pressed, the position of the player character is moved by a certain distance in that direction.

  Then, it is checked whether or not the position of the player character after the movement overlaps any of the connection areas 404 to other maps 411 and 412 (step S312). If they do not overlap (step S312; No), the process returns to step S303.

  On the other hand, if they overlap (step S312; Yes), a map connected via the overlapping connection region 404 is extracted as a map candidate to be presented next (step S314).

  In this embodiment, since one map is associated with one connected area 404, one map is extracted in step S314. However, a plurality of maps are associated with one connected area 404, and In the case where the destination changes randomly from inside, a plurality of maps may be extracted in step S314.

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the time length associated with the extracted map is shorter than the remaining time (step S315). If a plurality of maps have been extracted in step S314, the same determination is made for each of them.

  If it is short (step S315; Yes), it can be estimated that the map can be cleared in the remaining time, so the map extracted in step S314 is selected as the map to be presented next (step S316).

  If a plurality of maps are extracted in step S314, there may be a plurality of maps that satisfy the condition in step S315. In this case, it is good also as selecting randomly from the map which satisfy | fills conditions using a random number, and good also as selecting the map with the shortest time length.

  Then, referring to the real-time clock, calculate the time it took until the player character entered the map currently presented to the player, that is, the player character's stay time on the map currently presented to the player. (Step S317). The time when the player character enters a certain map is set in step S321 described later.

  Also, when the player starts the game for the first time, the current time at the time of initialization in step S301 is set as the time at which the first map presentation is started, and the game is restarted from where it was previously saved. When saving, save the time required so far so that the required time can be calculated.

  Next, the time length storage unit 204 checks whether or not the time length stored in association with the map currently presented to the player is 0 (step S318). When the time length is 0 (step S318; Yes), the current map is a map in which only a small fish character exists, and the player may interrupt at any time, so the process returns to step S303 as it is.

  On the other hand, if the time length is not 0 (step S318; No), the average, weighted average, attenuation average, etc. of the value calculated in step S317 and the time length stored in the time length storage unit 204 are calculated. (Step S319), the time length stored in the time length storage unit 204 is updated with the calculation result (step S320).

  That is, the clear time is updated for each map where the boss character appears according to the actual play situation of the player.

  When the update is completed, the map selected in step S316 is set as the map where the player character is arranged (step S321), and the current time is set as the time when the player character enters the map (step S322). ), The process returns to step S303.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S315 that the time length associated with any of the extracted maps is equal to or longer than the remaining time (step S315; No), the player character moves from the current map 401 to another one. Since it cannot move to a map, it returns to step S303.

  At this time, according to the world view of the game, present a message such as `` The cave entrance is closed with a big rock '' `` The bridge to go to the castle is jumped up and can not cross '' Then, the process may return to step S303.

  Although not described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the game system menu is displayed according to the state of the pressing operation of the controller 105 in step S310, the game state is saved, and the main game is stored. It is typical to execute an interrupted save process or the like.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the game state is presented to the player, the remaining time is taken into consideration to indicate whether or not the player can move to another map. When the player character is actually moved, However, it is decided whether or not to move to another map in consideration of the remaining time.

  In the above embodiment, one player is assumed. However, the present invention can also be applied to MMORPG in which a plurality of players form a party and advance the game jointly. In this case, each player plays a game by connecting his own game terminal to the server device.

  Since the time limit is generally different for each player, the earliest time among the time limits input in the party is adopted as the “time limit” in the above embodiment.

  In addition, various inputs are performed via a controller of a game terminal operated by each player, and the input is transmitted to the server device, while image information to be presented to each player or the image is generated. Parameter information is transmitted from the server device to the game terminal, whereby the same scene is provided to a plurality of players.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since it is considered that there is a difference between the skill level of the player who performs the test play and the skill level of the player who actually plays the game, the clear time of a certain map is set to the actual play situation of the player. It will be updated accordingly. This method is suitable not only for MMORPG but also for a network-compatible game in which the server device provides a game to each player independently.

  In addition, after the process of step S304, as in step S317, the stay time of the player character on the map currently presented to the player is calculated, and this time is associated with the map currently presented to the player. If it is determined whether or not the stay time is less than the time length associated with the map, that is, if it can be estimated that the time limit will arrive without clearing the map, the game It is also possible to display a warning prompting the user to save or interrupt.

  In the above embodiment, whether or not it is possible to move from one map to another map is determined based on whether or not another map can be cleared by the time limit.

  For this reason, the player character may not be able to move to another map. On the other hand, in this embodiment, even if the time limit is exceeded, it is possible for the player to continue playing with his own intention.

  Therefore, when the player advances the play, it is important information whether or not clearing in the map where the player character is present can be done by the time limit.

  In this aspect, the warning is presented to the player separately from the remaining time information. Therefore, the player can save the game based on his / her intention and interrupt the game or end the game at the place where he / she can judge that it is good even in the map he / she is currently playing. become.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a game device suitable for allowing the player to appropriately set the game play time, a control method for the game device, and a program for realizing these on a computer are provided. Can be provided.

100 Information processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface 105 Controller 106 External Memory 107 Image Processing Unit 108 DVD-ROM Drive 109 NIC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Sound processing part 111 Microphone 201 Game device 202 Scene memory | storage part 203 Situation memory | storage part 204 Time length memory | storage part 205 Time reception part 206 Operation reception part 207 Extraction part 208 Selection part 209 Presentation part 210 Time length update part 401 Map 402 Horizontal size 403 Vertical size 404 Connection area 405 Texture information 406 Appearance area 411 Other map in which a small fish character appears 412 Other map in which a boss character appears 501 Screen 502 Area for displaying the current time 503 Area for displaying the length of time a game can be played 504 game 505 Cursor 601 Display image 602 Map display area 603 Remaining time display area 604 Player character image 605 Open cave image 606 Sign image 6 Image that represents the image 610 traffic ban that represents the image 609 traffic prohibition of 7 small fish character

Claims (8)

For each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to the player, a time length storage unit that stores an estimated value of the length of time that the scene is presented to the player,
A time reception unit for receiving an input of the time limit from the player;
An operation receiving unit for receiving an input of a game operation from the player;
An extraction unit for extracting a candidate of a scene to be presented next from the accepted game operation and the scene currently presented to the player;
Among the extracted candidates, the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate is the current time from a time limit that is a time after the time limit time is received from the time when the time limit time is accepted. If there is a candidate that is equal to or less than the value obtained by subtracting the time, a selection unit that selects one of the candidates as a scene to be presented next,
When the scene to be presented next is selected, a presentation unit that presents the player with the scene selected as the scene to be presented next instead of the scene currently presented to the player;
If the scene presented by the presentation unit changes and the time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit is positive, the presented time length Thus, the game apparatus comprising: a time length update unit that updates a time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit. For each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to a plurality of players, a time length storage unit that stores an estimated value of the length of time that the scenes are presented to the plurality of players,
A time reception unit that receives an input of a time limit from at least one of the plurality of players;
An operation receiving unit for receiving an input of a game operation from each of the plurality of players;
An extraction unit for extracting a candidate of a scene to be presented next from the accepted game operation and the scene currently presented to the plurality of players;
Among the extracted candidates, the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate is a time after each of the time limit times from the time when each time limit time is accepted. A selection unit that selects any of the candidates as a scene to be presented next if there is a candidate that is equal to or less than a value obtained by subtracting the current time from the previous restriction time among the restriction times;
When the scene to be presented next is selected, the presentation that presents the scene selected as the scene to be presented next to the plurality of players instead of the scene currently presented to the plurality of players. A game device comprising: a unit. The game device according to claim 2,
If the scene presented by the presentation unit changes and the time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit is positive, the presented time length Thus, the game apparatus comprising: a time length update unit that updates a time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The next scene to be presented is not selected, and the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the currently presented scene starts to present the currently presented scene from the time limit A game device characterized by presenting a warning prompting the user to save or end the game when the value obtained by subtracting the time is reduced. For each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to a player, a time length storage unit, a time reception unit, an operation reception unit, an extraction unit, a selection for storing an estimated value of the length of time that the scene is presented to the player A game device control method for controlling a game device having a display unit, a presentation unit, and a time length update unit,
A time receiving step in which the time receiving unit receives an input of a time limit from the player;
An operation receiving step in which the operation receiving unit receives an input of a game operation from the player;
An extraction step in which the extraction unit extracts a candidate of a scene to be presented next from the accepted game operation and a scene currently presented to the player;
Of the extracted candidates, the selection unit stores a time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate at a time after the time limit is received from the time when the time limit is accepted. If there is a candidate that is less than or equal to a value obtained by subtracting the current time from a certain time limit, a selection step of selecting one of the candidates as a scene to be presented next,
When the next scene to be presented is selected, the presenting unit presents the scene selected as the next scene to be presented to the player instead of the scene currently presented to the player. Presentation step When the scene presented by the presentation unit changes and the time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit is positive, the time length update unit Is provided with a time length update step of updating the time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit according to the presented time length. Control method of the device. For each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to a plurality of players, a time length storage unit, a time reception unit, an operation reception unit in which an estimated value of the time length for which the scene is presented to the plurality of players is stored, A game device control method for controlling a game device having an extraction unit, a selection unit, and a presentation unit,
A time reception step in which the time reception unit receives an input of a time limit from at least one of the plurality of players;
An operation receiving step in which the operation receiving unit receives an input of a game operation from each of the plurality of players;
An extraction step in which the extraction unit extracts a candidate of a scene to be presented next from the accepted game operation and a scene currently presented to the plurality of players;
Of the extracted candidates, the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate is only each of the time limit from the time when each of the time limit is accepted. If there is a candidate that is equal to or less than the value obtained by subtracting the current time from the earliest time limit among the time limits that are later, a selection step of selecting any of the candidates as a scene to be presented next,
When the next scene to be presented is selected, the presenting unit replaces the scene currently presented to the plurality of players with the scene selected as the next scene to be presented as the plurality of scenes. A game device control method comprising: a presentation step of presenting to a player. Computer
For each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to the player, a time length storage unit that stores an estimated value of the length of time that the scene is presented to the player,
A time reception unit for receiving an input of the time limit from the player;
An operation receiving unit for receiving an input of a game operation from the player;
An extraction unit for extracting a candidate of a scene to be presented next from the accepted game operation and the scene currently presented to the player;
Among the extracted candidates, the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate is the current time from a time limit that is a time after the time limit time is received from the time when the time limit time is accepted. If there is a candidate that is equal to or less than the value obtained by subtracting the time, a selection unit that selects one of the candidates as a scene to be presented next,
When the scene to be presented next is selected, a presentation unit that presents the player with the scene selected as the scene to be presented next instead of the scene currently presented to the player;
If the scene presented by the presentation unit changes and the time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit is positive, the presented time length Thus, the program is made to function as a time length update unit that updates the time length stored for the scene presented before the change in the time length storage unit. Computer
For each of a plurality of scenes to be presented to a plurality of players, a time length storage unit that stores an estimated value of the length of time that the scenes are presented to the plurality of players,
A time reception unit that receives an input of a time limit from at least one of the plurality of players;
An operation receiving unit for receiving an input of a game operation from each of the plurality of players;
An extraction unit for extracting a candidate of a scene to be presented next from the accepted game operation and the scene currently presented to the plurality of players;
Among the extracted candidates, the time length stored in the time length storage unit for the candidate is a time after each of the time limit times from the time when each time limit time is accepted. A selection unit that selects any of the candidates as a scene to be presented next if there is a candidate that is equal to or less than a value obtained by subtracting the current time from the previous restriction time among the restriction times;
When the scene to be presented next is selected, the presentation that presents the scene selected as the scene to be presented next to the plurality of players instead of the scene currently presented to the plurality of players. A program characterized by functioning as a part.

Images