JP2013121487A - Game program and game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game program and a game apparatus that can enhance the reality by diversifying action contents of a non-player character in a game space.SOLUTION: A character action control means 42 controls an action of the non-player characters C1-C3 based on a basic action information including a basic action that the non-player characters C1-C3 are predetermined to execute according to an intra-game time, controls the action of the non-player characters C1-C3 to executing interrupting action related to a predetermined condition and different from the basic action by interrupting to the basic action when a condition determination means 43 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied. The intra-game time management means 44 advances the intra-game time even when the interrupting action is executed and a character action control means 42 causes the non-player characters C1-C3 to execute the basic action according to the intra-game time after completion of the interrupting action.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game program and a game apparatus that control the movement of a non-player character in a virtual game space.

  Conventionally, there are games such as an action game and a role-playing game that cause a player character to move in a virtual game space in accordance with a player's operation. In this type of game, in addition to the player character, non-player characters such as giving advice and items to the player character also appear. The non-player character is a character that cannot be directly operated by the player, and is set to act in the game space according to a predetermined rule.

  In recent years, various methods have been proposed to make the game more realistic by diversifying the actions of non-player characters. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, it has been proposed to set a non-player character to take a predetermined action according to the elapsed time in the game space. In addition, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 below, it has been proposed to set a degree of attention for each character and control the action of the player character according to the degree of attention of the target non-player character.

JP 2003-325980 A JP 2010-279460 A

  However, the behavior patterns of non-player characters in conventional games are very limited and lack diversity. More specifically, for example, in the configuration as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the non-player character is located at a specific place set in advance in the game space according to the time zone (for example, daytime or nighttime) in the game. Are switched and only perform certain actions there. Therefore, if a player plays such a game for a certain period of time, he / she completely understands which non-player character is there and what is being done there. Also, as in Patent Document 2, even when the movements of other characters are controlled according to the attention level of the character, the relationship between the attention level and the action content of the non-player character is constant. Therefore, even in this case, if the player plays such a game for a certain period of time, it is possible to completely grasp where the non-player character is and what the non-player character is doing. It will end up. As described above, in the conventional game, since the action pattern of the non-player character is monotonous, there is a possibility that it lacks realism and diminishes the player's interest in the game.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game program and a game apparatus that can enhance the reality by diversifying the action contents of non-player characters in the game space.

  A game program according to the present invention comprises a computer, a game space generating means for generating a virtual game space in which a plurality of characters move, a character action control means for controlling the action of each character in the game space, and a non-player. Condition determining means for determining whether a relationship between a character and a character other than the one non-player character or a predetermined object satisfies a predetermined condition, and an in-game time for managing an in-game time that elapses in the game space The character action control means controls the action of the non-player character based on basic action information including a basic action predetermined by the non-player character according to the in-game time; If the condition determining means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied And controlling the action of the non-player character so as to interrupt and execute an interrupting action that is associated with the predetermined condition and is different from the basic action, and the in-game time management means The in-game time is advanced even during execution of the interruption action by the character action control means, and the character action control means makes the non-player character in the in-game time at the end of the interruption action after the interruption action. The basic action is executed.

  The basic action information may include an area for executing the basic action in the game space (hereinafter referred to as a basic action area).

  The character action control means includes hourly basic action area reading means for reading out the basic action area from a storage unit in which the basic action area set in accordance with the in-game time is stored in association with the in-game time. A location-specific operation reading means for reading out the content of the basic action from a storage unit in which the content of the basic action executed by the non-player character in the basic action area is stored in association with the basic action area. The player character is moved to move in the game space toward the basic action area associated with in-game time, and the non-player character that has reached the basic action area is associated with the basic action area. Basic actions may be performed.

  A game device according to the present invention includes a program storage unit that stores the game program and a computer that executes the program stored in the program storage unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the game program and game device which can diversify the action pattern of a non-player character in game space and can heighten reality can be provided.

It is a mimetic diagram showing a virtual game space as a bird's eye view in order to explain the outline of the game according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a game device. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the game device shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the example of a pattern of the basic action according to the time in a game of each non-player character. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the basic action process in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the action selection process in this Embodiment. It is a graph which shows the conditions set to each non player character, and the interruption action corresponding to it.

  Hereinafter, a game program and a game apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a player character operated by a player is made to act in a virtual game space to talk with a non-player character appropriately arranged in the game space, or to be a non-player character (abbreviated as NPC in the drawing). The game will be explained by taking an item as an example. Note that the present invention can be applied to any type of game as long as it is necessary to place a non-player character in the game space.

[Game Overview]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overhead view of a virtual game space in order to explain the outline of a game according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game space of this game is designed as an open world, and the game space that changes as the player character operated by the player moves is displayed seamlessly on the screen of the game device. The game space of FIG. 1 shows a part of this open world game space. However, the application target of the present invention is not limited to an open world game. For example, a game in which the game space is divided into a plurality of fields, and when moving between fields, the data of the destination field is loaded and the field before and after the movement is switched and displayed. can do.

  A game space 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a village 101 located on the left side and a town 102 located on the right side. A hill 103 is provided between the village 101 and the town 102, a forest 104 and a pond 105 are provided on the back side of the hill 103, and a port 106 and a sea 107 are provided on the front side of the hill 103. Each place is connected by a road 108. The player character CP can move between places through the road 108, and can move within each place. Furthermore, the player character CP can move according to the terrain even at places other than the road 108.

  Further, one or more non-player characters C1, C2, and C3, which are non-player characters, exist at various locations in the game space 100. The non-player characters C1, C2, and C3 repeatedly perform a predetermined action at a predetermined place in the game space 100 (basic action) unless a predetermined condition described later is satisfied.

  By the way, in the game according to the present embodiment, a time (in-game time) that elapses in the game space 100 is set. More specifically, instead of switching the rough time zone of day and night, for example, one day is divided into 24 hours, and the passage of time (change in time) is managed every hour. And the environment (virtual sun position, brightness, temperature, wind direction, etc.) in the game space 100 can be changed with the passage of time. Although described later in detail, in this game, the basic action patterns of the non-player characters C1, C2, and C3 are set to change with the passage of time.

[Hardware configuration]
A configuration of a game device that realizes the above-described game will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the game apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the game apparatus 2 can communicate with another game apparatus 2 and the server apparatus 3 through a communication network NW such as the Internet or a LAN. The game apparatus 2 includes a CPU 10 that is a computer for controlling the operation thereof, and a disk drive 12, a memory card slot 13, an HDD 14 that constitutes a program storage unit, a ROM 15, and a RAM 16 are connected to the CPU 10 via a bus 11. Yes.

  The disc drive 12 can be loaded with a disc type recording medium 30 such as a DVD-ROM, and the disc type recording medium 30 will be described in the game program 30a according to the embodiment of the present invention and the present embodiment. Characters CP, C1, C2, C3 appearing in the game and game data 30b such as objects and textures necessary for forming the game space 100 are recorded. In addition, a card-type recording medium 31 can be loaded in the memory card slot 13, and save data indicating a play status such as a game progress can be recorded in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 10.

  The HDD 14 is a large-capacity recording medium built in the game apparatus 2 and records the game program 30a and game data 30b read from the disk-type recording medium 30, save data, and the like. The ROM 15 is a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM or PROM, and stores a start program for starting the game apparatus 2 and a program for controlling an operation when the disk type recording medium 30 is loaded. The RAM 16 is composed of DRAM, SRAM, or the like, and reads a game program 30a to be executed by the CPU 10 or game data 30b necessary for the execution from the disk-type recording medium 30 or the HDD 14 according to the game play status. To record temporarily.

  Further, the graphic processing unit 17, the audio synthesis unit 20, the wireless communication control unit 23, and the network interface 25 are connected to the CPU 10 via the bus 11.

  Among these, the graphic processing unit 17 draws a game image including the game space 100 and the characters CP, C1, C2, C3, etc. in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 10. An external monitor 19 is connected to the graphic processing unit 17 via a video conversion unit 18, and the game image drawn by the graphic processing unit 17 is converted into a moving image format by the video conversion unit 18, and the monitor 19 Is displayed.

  The audio synthesizing unit 20 reproduces and synthesizes digital game sound in accordance with instructions from the CPU 10. An external speaker 22 is connected to the audio synthesis unit 20 via an audio conversion unit 21. Accordingly, the game sound reproduced and synthesized by the audio synthesizing unit 20 is decoded into an analog format by the audio converting unit 21 and further outputted from the speaker 22 to the outside.

  The wireless communication control unit 23 includes a 2.4 GHz band wireless communication module, and is wirelessly connected to the controller 24 attached to the game apparatus 2 so that data can be transmitted and received. The user can input a signal to the game apparatus 2 by operating an operation element (not shown) such as a button provided in the controller 24, and can perform an action of the player character CP displayed on the monitor 19. It is controllable. The network interface 25 connects the game apparatus 2 to a communication network NW such as the Internet or a LAN, and can communicate with another game apparatus 2 or the server apparatus 3. Then, by connecting the game apparatus 2 to another game apparatus 2 via the communication network NW and transmitting / receiving data to / from each other, a plurality of player characters CP can be displayed in synchronization within the same game space 100. it can. Therefore, multiplayer in which a plurality of people work together to advance a game is possible.

[Functional configuration of game device]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game apparatus 2 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the game apparatus 2 operates as a computer including a CPU 10, an HDD 14, a ROM 15, a RAM 16, a graphic processing unit 17, a video conversion unit 18, an audio synthesis unit 20, an audio conversion unit 21, a network interface 25, and the like. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the game apparatus 2 executes the game program of the present invention, so that the game space generation means 41, the character action control means 42, the condition determination means 43, the in-game time management means 44, the game The function of the progress control means 45 etc. is exhibited.

  Among these, the game space generation means 41 generates the game space 100 as described above and the characters CP, C1, C2, and C3 that operate in the game space 100, and displays them on the monitor 19. For example, the game space generation means 41 reads data such as objects and textures included in the game data 30b as the player character CP moves, and generates a three-dimensional virtual game space 100. Furthermore, in order to display the game space 100 on the monitor 19 of the game apparatus 2, the game space generation means 41 generates a two-dimensional image when the generated game space 100 is photographed with a predetermined virtual camera.

  The character action control means 42 controls the actions of the non-player characters C1 to C3 in the game space 100 according to the progress of the game. Specifically, the character motion control means 42 includes a basic action that is determined in advance by the non-player characters C1 to C3 according to the time in the game and an area (basic action area) in which the basic action is executed in the game space 100. The movements of the non-player characters C1 to C3 are controlled based on the included basic action information.

  In the present embodiment, at least one of the HDD 14, ROM 15, and RAM 16 that is a storage unit is the movement target point A as the basic action area of the non-player characters C 1 to C 3 in the game space 100 set according to the game time. ~ J is stored in association with the in-game time. Further, in this storage unit, the contents of basic actions executed by the non-player characters C1 to C3 at the movement target points A to J are stored in association with the movement target points. The character action control means 42 includes a time-basic basic action area reading means 42a, and reads out a basic action area (movement target point) corresponding to the in-game time from the storage unit. Further, the character action control means 42 includes a place-specific action reading means 42b, and reads the content of the basic action according to the movement target point and the in-game time from the storage unit. The character action control means 42 includes a player character action control means 42c, and controls the action of the player character CP in the game space 100 according to the player's operation or the progress of the game.

  The condition determination means 43 determines whether the relationship between one non-player character C1, C2 or C3 and a character other than the one non-player character satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, regarding the non-player character C1, the condition determining means 43 determines whether the relationship between the non-player character C1 and the non-player characters C2, C3 and / or the player character CP satisfies a predetermined condition. In some cases, the condition determining means 43 may determine whether the relationship between the non-player characters C1, C2, C3 and objects such as rocks, play equipment, cars, sea, stores, etc. satisfies a predetermined condition. Good. For example, it is determined whether or not a rock is positioned on the path when the non-player character C1 moves (if there is a rock, the non-player character C1 removes the rock as an interrupting action described later), or the non-player character It may be determined whether or not a play equipment is placed near the path when C2 moves (when there is a play equipment, the non-player character C2 plays with the play equipment as an interrupting action described later).

  The in-game time management means 44 manages the time (time) that elapses (progresses) in the game space 100. For example, as described above, one day is divided into 24 hours, and the passage of time (change in time) is managed every hour. The in-game time management means 44 manages time based on time information set in the game apparatus 2. Note that one hour in the game time may be the same as the actual one hour, or a different time length (for example, 24 hours in the game in the actual 30 minutes). May be. Also, the time managed in the game may be synchronized with the actual time. At this time, the in-game time management unit 44 may communicate with an external server or the like via a network and acquire actual time information at a predetermined timing.

  The game progress control means 45 controls the progress of the game according to the player's operation and the elapsed time in the game. For example, when the player character CP performs a predetermined action by an operation of the player, a predetermined event is generated and a predetermined moving image is reproduced for a certain period. In addition, the environment in the game space 100 is changed according to the passage of time in the game.

  FIG. 4 is a chart showing an example of basic action patterns according to the in-game time of each non-player character. As shown in FIG. 4, the game data 30b includes basic action information (movement target points A to J) determined according to a predetermined time zone for the non-player characters C1 to C3 as basic action information. The basic action pattern in which the content of the action executed in the basic action area is determined in advance is included. That is, the character motion control means 42 causes the non-player characters C1 to C3 to execute basic actions according to the in-game time. For example, three basic action patterns P11 to P13 and P31 to P33 are set for the non-player characters C1 and C3, respectively, and four basic action patterns P21 to P24 are set for the non-player character C2. Thus, for each non-player character, the number of basic action patterns, the time zone to which the basic action pattern is applied, and the like are variously set. By setting a different basic action pattern for each of the non-player characters C1 to C3, individuality is born in the non-player characters C1 to C3, and a sense of reality is improved. In FIG. 4, only three non-player characters are illustrated, but there are more non-player characters, and predetermined basic actions are set for each.

  The basic action pattern is not limited to the case where it is set for each non-player character as in this embodiment. For example, a basic action pattern common to a plurality of non-player characters may be set. Specifically, for example, grouping may be performed by sex, age, occupation, etc., and a common basic action pattern may be set for each group. Further, a basic action pattern common to all non-player characters may be taken. Even in such a case, randomness is born in the action of the non-player character by causing an interruption action to be described later. Also, a plurality of basic action patterns may be prepared for one non-player character in overlapping time zones, and any one of the basic action patterns may be adopted depending on conditions. For example, the basic action pattern may be changed in accordance with a change in environment in the game space 100 (changes in month, season, weather, etc., progress of the game before and after a predetermined event).

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the game space 100, a plurality of movement target points A to J are set as basic action areas when the non-player characters C1, C2, and C3 move. Such movement target points A to J may be set as coordinates of one point in the game space 100, or may be set as a predetermined area. In addition, in the example of FIG. 1, the movement target point A shows the house of the non-player character C1, the movement target point B shows the forest, the movement target point C shows the hill, the movement target point D shows the pond, and the movement target. A point E represents a restaurant, a movement target point F represents a house of a non-player character C2, a movement target point G represents a house of a non-player character C3, a movement target point H represents a port, and a movement target point I represents a sea. The movement target point J indicates a fish shop. Moreover, the movement target point E indicating a restaurant includes a movement target point E1 indicating a passenger seat and a movement target point E2 indicating a kitchen.

  Each basic action pattern includes at least one movement target point A to J, the content of the basic action at the movement target point A to J, and a time zone for executing the basic action pattern. Furthermore, when a plurality of movement target points exist in one basic action pattern, the basic action pattern includes the order of moving the movement target points and the action time at each movement target point. Further, each basic action pattern may include a moving means (walking, running, riding on a vehicle, etc.) between the movement target points. The moving means may be selected at random by performing a lottery or the like every time, or may be determined according to an interrupting action described later. As an example of the case where the moving means is determined according to the interrupting action, for example, an interrupting action is generated by encountering a horse character, and the horse character rides to the movement target point. The game data 30b includes these pieces of information as basic action information. The character action control means 42 reads out such basic action information together with the in-game time at that time, thereby causing the non-player characters C1 to C3 to move in the game space 100. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the non-player character C1 moves to the forest (movement target point B) and collects food for 30 minutes in the time zone between 6:00 and 12:00, and then moves to the hill (movement It is set to repeat the action of moving to the target point C) and resting for 5 minutes, then moving to the pond (moving target point D) and fishing for 15 minutes.

  Below, the flow of processing when a non-player character performs a basic action will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of basic action processing in the present embodiment. This process is a process executed from the start to the end of the game, and may be interrupted (paused) by an action selection process (FIG. 6) described later, and may be resumed when the action selection process ends. In executing this processing, the game space generation means 41 generates the game space 100 and arranges the player character CP and the non-player characters C1 to C3. The game apparatus 2 moves the player character CP by the player character motion control unit 42c in accordance with the player's operation in the game space 100 generated by the game space generation unit 41. At the same time, an image of the game space 100 displayed by the virtual camera set in association with the player character CP is displayed on the monitor 19. On the other hand, when the non-player characters C1 to C3 set in a predetermined area including the position of the game space 100 where the player character CP exists are read for the first time, the non-player characters C1 to C3 are set to a predetermined initial position. Placed in. As described above, the game apparatus 2 functioning as a computer performs the following basic action process for the non-player characters C1 to C3 set in a predetermined area including the position of the game space 100 where the player character CP exists.

  The character motion control means 42 performs the movement to the movement target point and the execution of the basic action at the movement target point in the following procedure for each of the non-player characters C1 to C3. Furthermore, the character action control means 42 acquires the in-game time from the in-game time management means 44, and the acquired in-game time is determined based on the time zone in which the basic action pattern read in step S1 is to be executed. It is determined whether or not the band has been reached (whether or not the last time of the time period has passed). In the present embodiment, the in-game time management means 44 performs a process of reading out and managing the in-game time for each frame in parallel with the basic action process, and the read in-game time is the character action control means 42. Is handed over to If it is determined that the in-game time is out of the time zone, the character motion control means 42 resets the basic action currently being executed, and executes the control flow again from step S1. That is, the character action control means 42 reads the basic action pattern (basic action pattern in a new time zone) again and executes basic action processing based on the basic action pattern.

  First, the character action control means 42 reads a basic action pattern (basic action information) corresponding to the in-game time from the game data 30b, and temporarily records it in the RAM 16 or the like (step S1). In the present embodiment, the total number fm of movement target points included in the basic action pattern is also read in association with the flag f used in the following steps. Further, the character action control means 42 sets the flag f to 0 (step S2). This flag f means the order of the movement target points included in one basic action pattern as will be described later, and the maximum value fm means the total number of movement target points included in the basic action pattern.

  The character action control means 42 adds 1 to the flag f (if it is the first, f is changed from 0 to 1) (step S3). Then, the hourly basic action area reading means 42a acquires the corresponding movement target point from the basic action information (step S4). Specifically, the hourly basic action area reading unit 42a, for example, when the read basic action pattern includes three movement target points, the movement target point (1) corresponding to the current flag f (1 to fm). Read the coordinates of the fm-th moving target point). For example, the coordinates of the first movement target point are read if f = 1, the second movement target point is read if f = 2, and the third movement target point is read if f = 3. At this time, the movement method to the movement target point is also acquired from the basic action information. Then, the character motion control means 42 moves the game space 100 by the movement method read to the movement target point from which the non-player character has been read (that is, the movement target point associated with the current in-game time) (step S5). ). The character motion control means 42 monitors whether or not the non-player character has arrived at the movement target point every time the position display of the player character CP is updated (for example, every frame) (step S6). Whether or not the non-player character has reached the movement target point is determined by the character motion control means 42 determining the current position of the non-player character and positioning the current position within a predetermined coordinate or region defined as the movement target point. It is determined by determining whether or not to do so. When it is determined by the character motion control means 42 that the non-player character has arrived at the movement target point t (Yes in step S6), the location-specific motion reading means 42b reads the content of the corresponding basic action and the action time of the basic action. tm is acquired from the basic action information (step S7).

  The character action control means 42 causes the non-player character to execute the read basic action (that is, the basic action associated with the arrival movement target point) (step S8). In accordance with this, the character motion control means 42 starts measuring the execution time t of the basic action (step S9). The character motion control means 42 monitors whether or not the execution time t is equal to or longer than the action time tm every time the position display of the player character CP is updated (for example, every frame) (step S10). If the time tm is reached (Yes in step S10), the basic action is terminated (step S11).

  After the basic action at the movement target point ends, the character motion control means 42 determines whether or not the flag f is equal to or greater than the maximum value fm of the movement target point included in the basic action pattern (step S12). If the flag f is less than the maximum value fm (No in step S12), the character motion control means 42 returns to step S4, adds 1 to the flag f, and executes steps S5 to S12. That is, the character motion control means 42 moves the non-player character to the next movement target point and executes the corresponding basic action at the movement target point. If the flag f is greater than or equal to the maximum value fm (Yes in step S12), the character motion control means 42 returns to step S2 and resets the flag f to 0, and then executes steps S3 to S11. That is, the character motion control means 42 moves the non-player character to the first movement target point and executes the corresponding basic action at the movement target point.

  Here, the game apparatus 2 also functions as the condition determination unit 43 described above, and in parallel with the basic action process, the non-player characters C1, C2, C3 and characters other than the one non-player character. It is determined whether the relationship satisfies a predetermined condition. Specifically, the condition determining means 43 is a relationship between each non-player character C1, C2 or C3 and the player character CP, a relationship between the non-player character C1 and the non-player character C2 or C3, and a non-player character C2 and a non-player. Whether or not at least one of the relationships with the character C3 satisfies a predetermined condition corresponding to each relationship is determined for each non-player character (non-player character having an interrupting action) to be subjected to the condition determination. When the condition determining unit 43 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the character motion control unit 42 interrupts the basic action with an interrupting action that is associated with the predetermined condition and is different from the basic action. The movement of the non-player character is controlled to execute.

  Hereinafter, an action selection process for selecting whether to perform a basic action process or an interrupt action will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the action selection process in the present embodiment. Here, since the condition of “meeting friends” is satisfied during the time period when the non-player character C1 is executing the basic actions P12 such as “collecting”, “break”, and “fishing”, the basic action P12 is interrupted. The case where the action “speak” is executed will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 6, first, the game apparatus 2 functions as the condition determination unit 43, and reads out the conditions set for each non-player character (step S21). This step is preferably performed when the game is activated. In addition, the condition determination means 43 sets the current state of the non-player character corresponding to the non-player character read out in step S21 at every predetermined timing (for example, every frame) from the game start to the game end. It is determined whether or not the conditions are satisfied (step S22). If the predetermined condition corresponding to the non-player character is not satisfied (No in step S22), the character motion control means 42 continues the basic action process shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the predetermined condition corresponding to the non-player character is satisfied (Yes in step S22), the character motion control means 42 interrupts the basic action process (step S23). Further, the character action control means 42 reads out the interrupt action and starts executing the interrupt action (step S24). Note that the in-game time management means 44 continuously advances the in-game time even when the interruption action is executed (the time is not stopped). The character action control means 42 monitors whether or not the interrupting action has ended (step S25), and if the interrupting action (and an event that occurs after the interrupting action described later) ends (Yes in step S25), the basic action process is performed. It restarts (step S26). Thereafter, step S22 is executed again at every predetermined timing, and steps subsequent to step S23 are executed according to the determination in step S22.

  FIG. 7 is a chart showing the conditions set for each non-player character and the corresponding interrupt action. FIG. 7 shows the conditions under which each non-player character C1 to C3 (denoted as NPC1 to NPC3 in FIG. 7) can cause an interrupting action in relation to other non-player characters, player characters CP, and the like. The interrupting action executed by and the events that can occur after the interrupting action are shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the condition for the non-player character to execute the interrupting action includes meeting with other non-player characters such as friends and enemies and meeting with the player character CP. This is realized by, for example, determining whether one non-player character is located within a predetermined area based on the position of another non-player character or player character CP in the condition determining means 43. Alternatively, it may be a condition that another non-player character or the like sees some kind of action (sees running away, sees fighting, sees talking, etc.). This is realized by determining whether or not another non-player character or player character CP is located within the field-of-view range set for each non-player character in the condition determining means 43, for example. In addition to simply meeting a specific character, for example, the likability of each character (favorability of a non-player character with respect to the player character CP or non-player character) is numerically expressed, The condition that the “favorability between and the first value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value” may be set. This is because, for example, the preference is stored in advance for each character, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the preference is increased and decreased for each character and updated. When it is determined that the player character is located within a predetermined region based on the position of another non-player character or player character CP, the favorable sensitivity of one non-player character to the other non-player character or player character CP is This is realized by determining whether or not the value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  Examples of the interrupting action when the above conditions are satisfied include actions such as talking with the other party, fighting with the other party, and making a voice. Further, as described later, a complicated action such as taking the opponent to a specific place may be an interruption action. Furthermore, the interrupting action does not need to be an action unrelated to the basic action, and may be an action related to the basic action. For example, as described above, an interrupting action is generated by encountering a horse character, and the horse character gets on the horse character and moves to a movement target point (in the basic action). Examples of the interrupting action when the condition based on the relationship between the non-player character and the object is satisfied include moving, destroying, using, riding, swimming in the sea, closing the store, and the like. As a result of such an interrupting action, for example, the player character receives an item or the liking changes. Moreover, the place where the non-player character should be changed by the interruption action, the store is closed, or other conditions are satisfied.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the non-player character C3 meets the non-player character C2, an interrupting action occurs in which the non-player character C2 speaks. On the other hand, when the non-player character C2 meets the non-player character C3, an interrupting action of escaping to the forest (movement target point B) occurs. Further, when the non-player character C1 sees that the non-player character C2 is escaping, an interruption action occurs to hide the non-player character C2 from the house (movement target point A). At this time, when the non-player character C1 and the non-player character C3 meet each other, an interrupting action of fighting with each other occurs. If the non-player character C3 dies as a result of the fight, the fish shop (movement target point J) where the non-player character C3 is the store owner will not open.

  Further, it is possible to cause an interruption action to the non-player characters C1 to C3 according to the action of the player character CP. For example, when the non-player character C1 meets the player character CP, an interruption action occurs in which the non-player character C1 invites the player character CP to the restaurant (movement target point E). During this interruption action, when the non-player character C3 meets the non-player character C2 at another place as in the above example, the interruption action that the non-player character C2 escapes from the non-player character C3 occurs. However, in this case, since the non-player character C1 and the non-player character C2 are in different locations, the condition that the non-player character C1 sees the non-player character C2 is not satisfied. Accordingly, the subsequent states (positions and actions) of the non-player characters C1 to C3 are different from the above-described example.

  In addition, by satisfying the condition that the player character CP meets predetermined non-player characters C1 to C3, for example, it may be set to cause an interrupting action such as talking, attacking, or arbitrating fighting. Good. For example, when the player character CP talks with the non-player character for a long time, and the movement of the non-player character is prevented, it is possible to keep up with an event occurring in another place. Further, for example, when the player character CP attacks and kills a non-player character who is a store owner, it becomes possible to make it impossible to purchase items in the store. Further, for example, when the player character CP mediates the fight between non-player characters, it is possible to prevent the non-player character from being killed and to generate a new event by the non-player character.

  Thus, according to the above configuration, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the non-player characters C1 to C3 execute an interrupting action different from the preset basic action. Change randomly. Since the in-game time continuously progresses even while a certain non-player character is executing an interrupting action, the non-player character and the player character CP not related to the interrupting action continue to move. As a result, there is a time and place shift in the action content between the non-player characters C1 to C3 or between the non-player character and the player character CP in interrupting action. Therefore, the state of each of the non-player characters C1 to C3 in the game space 100 can be richly varied despite the same in-game time. Therefore, the action content of the non-player characters C1 to C3 in the game space 100 can be diversified to enhance the reality. In addition, after the interruption action is completed, it returns to the basic action, but it moves to the first movement target point in the corresponding time zone and performs the corresponding basic action at the movement target point. No, it is possible to change the actions of the non-player characters C1 to C3 even in the same in-game time within the same time zone.

  In addition, there is a possibility that the non-player characters C1 to C3 may be located in places where the basic action is not performed due to the interruption action (eg, “run away to the forest”). It is possible to satisfy non-player characters that cannot be met by themselves alone, and to generate further interruption behavior. Accordingly, as a result of a chain of interrupting actions, events that can occur in the game space 100 change randomly, and various effects can be exerted on the game progress of the player.

  In the present embodiment, the character motion control means 42 performs control so as to appropriately set the optimum route from the current position to the movement target point when the non-player characters C1 to C3 move to the movement target point. Specifically, for example, a mesh composed of a plurality of triangular lattices having a predetermined size is set in a place where the non-player characters C1 to C3 can move (such as the ground surface and the floor surface). The center position of each side or the center point of the triangle is set as a via candidate point for the non-player characters C1 to C3 in setting the movement path. Then, the character motion control means 42 searches for a combination of candidate route points from the current position to the moving target point so that the moving path between the current position and the moving target point is the shortest, and the search The non-player characters C1 to C3 are moved and controlled so as to sequentially follow the route candidate points selected based on the result. Also, when there are obstacles that the non-player character cannot move in the search area, avoid such obstacle areas and move between the current position and the movement target point while passing through the nearby via candidate points. Search for a combination of candidate stores through which the route is the shortest. At this time, the movement route is calculated using, for example, an A * (Aster) algorithm. Therefore, even when the non-player characters C1 to C3 are located at a place where the basic action is not performed due to the interruption action at the end of the interruption action, the movement control of the non-player characters C1 to C3 can be performed without a sense of incongruity.

  Note that it is not necessary to set so as to cause an interrupting action for all the non-player characters existing in the game space 100. That is, a part of the non-player characters is set to execute the interrupting action as described above when the condition is satisfied, and the other non-player characters are always set to the basic action (the basic action corresponding to the in-game time). Alternatively, it may be a basic action that is not related to the in-game time).

  Further, depending on the game content, it may include, in addition to the interrupting action, a predetermined non-player character meeting the player character CP to stop the in-game time and generate an event (acting the non-player character). Good.

  Further, the non-player character may take an additional action other than the interruption action by meeting the player character CP. For example, the non-player character can take actions such as greeting the player character CP, waving hands, laughing, and being surprised. In this case, the non-player character may not interrupt the basic action (perform these actions in parallel with the basic action). Further, an additional action may be taken during the interruption action, and in this case, the interruption action of the non-player character may not be interrupted. The additional action may be selected and executed according to a predetermined character relationship or friendship. Further, the additional action may be set as a predetermined condition for starting the interrupt action determined by the condition determining unit 43. For example, when the friendship degree of the non-player character C1 is increased, the non-player character C1 is set to greet the player character CP, and the player character CP is greeted as a predetermined condition for starting execution of the interrupting action. It is good also as setting to do. In this case, the non-player character C1 becomes more favorable and greets the player character CP. As a result, the non-player character C1 interrupts the basic action (the greeting itself does not interrupt the basic action and the interruption action) The interruption action of is started.

  In the present embodiment, the player character motion control means 42c controls a non-player character moving motion that moves the non-player characters C1 to C3 to another place based on the player's operation. That is, the player character CP can move the non-player characters C1 to C3 to another place (for example, lift and carry the non-player character) by the player's operation.

  For example, when the player character CP is located within a predetermined area based on the positions of the non-player characters C1 to C3, the player character motion control means 42c causes the player character CP to enter the area based on a predetermined operation by the player. Control is performed to lift the positioned non-player characters C1 to C3. When an operation for moving the player character CP is performed in a state where the non-player characters C1 to C3 are lifted, the character motion control means 42 performs control so that the non-player characters C1 to C3 are moved (carried) while being lifted.

  In addition, as a predetermined condition for starting the interrupting action in the lifted non-player characters C1 to C3, it is set in advance that the player character CP is lifted, and the condition determination unit 43 lifts the non-player characters C1 to C3. It is determined whether or not. Specifically, the condition determination means 43 sets a predetermined condition when the player character CP is located in a predetermined area based on the non-player characters C1 to C3 and a predetermined lifting operation input is performed from the controller 24. Judge that it is satisfied. As a result, the character motion control means 42 interrupts the basic actions of the lifted non-player characters C1 to C3 and starts executing the interrupt action. As the interrupting action of the lifted non-player characters C1 to C3, for example, it is possible to keep staring while being lifted and carried, or to flapping limbs while being lifted (if a predetermined condition is satisfied) It is also possible to escape from the player character CP being lifted).

  Therefore, for example, when the conditions shown in FIG. 7 are set, the non-player character C1 in which the player character CP is in the forest (target movement point B) is moved to the port (target movement point H) where the non-player character C3 is located. be able to. As a result, the non-player character C1 meets the non-player character C3 that should not meet in the time zone (6:00 to 12:00) in which the non-player character C1 is in the forest (target movement point B). Uninhibited interrupting behavior can occur. As described above, the interrupting action can be positively generated by the player to generate a new situation (event or the like), so that the game content can be further diversified.

  In addition, instead of the player character CP, a predetermined non-player character may be set to lift another non-player character. In this case, when the condition determining unit 43 determines that the relationship with another non-player character satisfies a predetermined condition, the character motion control unit 42 determines that the non-player character to be lifted determines the other non-player character. Is carried out as an interruption action (set as an interruption action in the non-player character on the lifting side). In this case, the interrupting action (carrying action) creates an opportunity for further interrupting action (such as meeting a non-player character that should not be met only with the basic action). Further, in order for the non-player character moved by carrying around to perform the basic action again, the character motion control means 42 moves the non-player character to the corresponding movement target point (moves in a place where only the basic action does not pass). ) Because of the control, more interrupting action opportunities can be created.

  The position and action of the non-player character may be reset by performing a predetermined operation by the player. Specifically, when the game is resumed after resetting, the positions of all the non-player characters may be positioned at the initial position, and the basic action pattern may be read again (starting from step S1 in the flowchart of FIG. 5). For example, when the game is resumed from the save data saved by the save operation after the player performs the save operation to save the game state, the position and action of the non-player character may be reset. Furthermore, when the non-player character dies, the character motion control means 42 is set so that the non-player character is erased from the game space 100, but is restored after a predetermined game time has elapsed (for example, after 4 to 7 days). May be.

  In addition to the above-mentioned conditions for the non-player character to execute the interrupting action, for example, the non-player character that the player character CP has died (has been erased from the game space because the physical strength is 0) is designated as a specific item (hereinafter referred to as a resurrection item) Revitalization) is also included.

  The resurrection item can be set so that it can be used and revived by the player character CP and all non-player characters. The non-player character is killed by the player character CP or dying due to game progress such as an event. When the resurrection item is not used, the action of another non-player character is determined based on the information that a predetermined non-player character has died, or the occurrence of an event is determined. However, by using the resurrection item, the non-player character that should have died is alive. As a result, a situation different from the state in which the non-player character is dead in the game space is generated, and an opportunity for the non-player character or another non-player character to further interrupt is generated.

  When the non-player character is revitalized, the game is advanced (the other non-player characters are controlled) in the same manner as when the non-player character is alive (turning off the flag that the non-player character is dead). It is good as well. Further, without changing the game progress when the non-player character dies (with the flag indicating that the non-player character has died turned on), other non-player characters are controlled, and the occurrence of events is controlled. May be. For example, when an event occurs depending on whether or not a non-player character has died, both an event when the non-player character dies and an event when the non-player character is alive can occur.

  Specifically, for example, in the example of FIG. 7, in the event that the non-player character C <b> 1 and the non-player character C <b> 3 fight and one of the two non-player characters C <b> 1 and C <b> 3 dies, The character CP may be provided with an option of energizing any of the non-player characters C1 and C3, or watching without activating any of them. If the player character CP is energized to one of the non-player characters C1 and C3 and the opponent wins, the player character CP receives an item from the energized non-player character. However, because there is a negative eye that has been energized, you will not receive a large item. On the other hand, when looking sideways, more important items can be obtained from the winning non-player character. Further, by looking back and revitalizing the defeated non-player character, an important item can be received from the defeated non-player character. When the non-player character is revitalized as described above, a reward may be obtained from the revitalized non-player character. Further, the game progress may be changed by reviving (additional event occurs), or the friendship degree of the non-player character may be increased.

  Note that the winning non-player character will continue to exist in the game space, and may be a condition for causing an interrupting action to the non-player character or another non-player character. In addition, a dead non-player character can also be a condition for causing an interrupting action to other non-player characters because it does not exist in the game space. For example, when the non-player character C1 described above dies, there is no one who cooks in the restaurant (kitchen E2) in the basic action shown in FIG. 4, and the restaurant does not open. As a result, another non-player character cannot eat, and an interrupting action may occur in which the non-player character becomes aggressive. Further, since the restaurant does not open, the non-player character C2 cannot sing at the restaurant (passenger seat E1) and loses work, and does not practice in the morning (does not go to the coast H but is drawn back to the home F). Interrupting behavior can occur.

  In addition, for example, in an event of infiltrating a mysterious sect and making a criminal as a sect member, when a request is made to kill an executive (non-player character) caught by a client, the player character CP kills or escapes the executive. Options are provided. If the executive is killed, an additional request (event) is generated from the client, but if it is released without being killed, the trust from the client is lost and no additional request is generated. Instead, there will be an event where the missing executive will help you later. In addition, if an executive is killed and an additional request is made and the executive is revitalized, the client can get rewards for achieving the additional request and get the executive to help at a later event Can do.

  Also, for example, in an event that fails when a specific non-player character is killed, such as an escort for a non-player character, even if the non-player character is killed, the event can be succeeded by revitalizing the resurrection item. Can do.

  Note that the revived item as described above may be used by a non-player character. For example, when the player character dies, the game over may be avoided by using the resurrection item by the non-player character.

  In addition, as a condition for the non-player character to execute the interrupting action, instead of passing a specific item to the non-player character, it may include passing a counterfeit item (that is, the non-player character possesses the counterfeit item). Good. A counterfeit item means an item that looks the same as a corresponding real item, but at least some of its functionality has been changed or lost. The counterfeit item can be obtained at a shop in the game (hereinafter referred to as a counterfeit shop). In the counterfeit shop, a desired item is copied from items obtained in the past and items currently possessed by the player character CP, and is created as a counterfeit item (by increasing the number of items by paying in-game currency) be able to). General items (items that can be bought in other shops or obtained relatively easily in the game space such as dungeons) among items existing in the game are created as real items (fully copied) However, certain items (precious items) are counterfeit items that have lost some functionality. In addition, it is good also as a predetermined material being required separately for preparation of a counterfeit item.

  For example, the counterfeit item may be in-game currency (ie, a fake currency such as a fake bill). In this case, for example, in the event that the non-player character makes a purchase by passing the in-game currency to the non-player character by the player character CP, if the in-game currency is a fake currency, It will not be possible. Further, since the non-player character uses a fake currency, it is viewed as an enemy by other non-player characters, and at the same time, the player character CP that has passed the fake currency is viewed as an enemy (decrease in likability). As a result, the subsequent behavior of the non-player character changes (interrupt behavior may occur).

  Such a counterfeit item is displayed to the player character as a counterfeit, but may be set so that authenticity cannot be determined by the non-player character in the game. That is, even if a non-player character is handed a counterfeit item, the non-player character cannot be distinguished from the real character. Therefore, for example, in an event in which a specific item is delivered (taken) to a client or a specific non-player character, a counterfeit item is created after acquiring the specific item, and the counterfeit item is assigned to the non-player character. Passing can also clear such an event. However, after that, an event in which the non-player character uses the specific item may be in a different state (a state in which the non-player character causes an interrupting action) from a case where a genuine item is handed over.

  For example, the above-mentioned resurrection item trick can revitalize the player character CP and all non-player characters if it is genuine, while a specific character of the player character CP and non-player characters can be revitalized. (Or only certain characters can be brought back to life). In this case, for example, when the player character CP passes the restoration item to the non-player character C2, when the non-player character C1 dies in a later event, the non-player character C2 uses the restoration item to use the non-player character C1. An event to revive is set. In such a setting, when the fake item is passed to the non-player character C2, an interruption action that the non-player character C1 does not revive occurs. Thereby, the non-player character C2 itself can be caused to perform an interrupting action different from the case where the non-player character C1 is revived on the condition that the non-player character C1 is not revived.

  In addition, for example, after the first event in which the magic book is handed over to the non-player character of the client who has been asked to search for the magic book item, the magic book is used as the second event after the first event ends. It is set to generate an event that uses it to help the player character. In this case, if the magic book handed over in the first event is a counterfeit item, even if the non-player character uses the magic book in the second event, the effect is weakened (or completely lost), and the player character A situation arises in which struggles. Similarly, using the ring as a second event after the end of the first event of handing over the ring to the non-player character in the request form that has been asked to search for the ring item that is the key to the treasure chest It may be set so that an event that rewards the treasure in the treasure box is generated. In this case, if the ring handed over in the first event is a counterfeit item, a situation occurs in which the treasure chest is not opened and no reward is obtained in the second event. At this time, by setting the ring itself so that it can be used as a powerful equipment of the player character CP, the player can clear the first event and advance the second event in order to advance the battle in the future. You can also choose to give up the rewards you can get and keep your ring.

  In addition, for example, an event may be set in which a shop owner who is a non-player character is asked to search for an item that is a material of a product, and when the item is given to the store owner, the number of products handled in that shop increases thereafter. Can do. In this case, if the counterfeit item is handed over to the store owner, the event itself can be cleared, but there may be a situation in which the product handled at the shop does not increase thereafter, or all the merchandise handled at the shop becomes a counterfeit item.

  Further, for example, it is possible to set an event in which the player character is requested to retrieve a single item from a plurality of requesters (non-player characters). Normally, the item can only be given to one of the clients (you can get a reward), but by making a counterfeit item, you can give the item to both clients and get a reward from both .

  In the above example, the case has been described in which a part of the function item is lost with respect to the real item, but the function item may have a different function with respect to the real item. For example, in the key to open the door, if it is a real item, the door will simply open, but if it is a counterfeit item, the door will not open, and a predetermined trap (for example, a pitfall) may occur. Good. Thereby, the non-player character using the counterfeit item can be caused to perform an interrupting action different from the case where the real item is used. Further, for example, in a theft event in which a non-player character steals a predetermined item possessed by a player character or a non-player character, if the item is a counterfeit item, the non-player character that is a thief You may not steal items. For example, when possessing a real item, the flag of the theft event is turned on (interrupt behavior occurs in the thief character), but when possessing a counterfeit item, the flag of the theft event is turned off. It can be realized by doing (not turning on). That is, when the predetermined item possessed by the player character or the non-player character is a counterfeit item, the flag of the theft event is not raised, so that the thief character does not execute the interrupting action, and the basic action or Interruption action (for example, interruption action on condition that no item is held) is executed.

  Depending on the items such as precious items, the produced counterfeit items may not be used at all (when used, a display such as “broken” is displayed).

  In the above example, the case has been described in which the non-player character cannot determine whether the non-player character is true or false, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a specific non-player character may be set so as to distinguish between a real and a trick, and in all or a specific non-player character, it is determined that a trick item is a trick with a predetermined probability. It may be set so that In this case, it is good also as making the action which a non-player character takes differ between the case where an item is a real thing and the case where it is a counterfeit (causing an interruption action).

  In the above description, the case where a single player plays an offline game has been exemplified. However, the present invention provides an online game in which a plurality of players make their player characters appear in the same game space 100 and act in cooperation with each other. It can also be applied to games.

  Further, although the stationary game apparatus has been described in the present embodiment, the present invention can be preferably applied to computers such as portable game apparatuses, mobile phones, and personal computers.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful in game programs and game devices in order to diversify the action content of non-player characters in the game space and enhance the reality.

2 game device 30a game program 30b game data 41 game space generating means 42 character action control means 42a hourly basic action area reading means 42b action reading means 43 by location condition determining means 44 in-game time management means 45 game progress control means 100 game Space CP Player characters C1, C2, C3 Non-player characters

Claims (4)

Computer
Game space generating means for generating a virtual game space in which a plurality of characters move;
Character motion control means for controlling the motion of each character in the game space;
Condition determining means for determining whether the relationship between one non-player character and a character other than the one non-player character or a predetermined object satisfies a predetermined condition, and manages an in-game time that elapses in the game space Function as in-game time management means,
The character motion control means includes
The non-player character controls the action of the non-player character based on basic action information including basic action predetermined according to the in-game time;
When the condition determination means determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the non-interrupt action associated with the predetermined condition and different from the basic action is executed by interrupting the basic action. Control the movement of the player character,
The in-game time management means advances the in-game time during execution of the interruption action by the character action control means,
The game program for causing the non-player character to perform a basic action according to a time in the game at the end of the interrupting action after the interrupting action is ended.   The game program according to claim 1, wherein the basic action information includes an area (hereinafter referred to as a basic action area) for executing the basic action in the game space. The character motion control means includes
Time-basic basic action area reading means for reading out the basic action area from a storage unit in which the basic action area set according to the in-game time is stored in association with the in-game time;
A location-specific operation reading means for reading out the content of the basic action from a storage unit in which the content of the basic action executed by the non-player character in the basic action area is stored in association with the basic action area;
A non-player character is moved to move in the game space toward the basic action area associated with in-game time,
The game program according to claim 2, wherein a non-player character that has reached the basic action area is caused to execute a basic action associated with the basic action area. A program storage unit storing the game program according to claim 1;
A game apparatus comprising: a computer that executes a program stored in the program storage unit.

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