JP2013123489A - Game device, game control method, and game control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly amusing game control technique.SOLUTION: The game device 10 includes: a communication part 230 for controlling the communication with other game devices; a game control part 249 for executing a game; and another PC control part 245 for displaying an icon or object corresponding to another game device preferentially to an object to be displayed on a game screen generated by the game control part 249 when information representing that the other game device succeeds in the game before the game device of the control part is obtained via the communication part 230.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game control technique, and more particularly to a game device, a game control method, and a game control program for controlling a game executed between a plurality of game devices.

  With the spread of communicable game devices and the development of communication infrastructure, games executed between a plurality of game devices have become widespread. By accessing the matching server, the user can easily find a partner who plays the game together.

  The present applicant has come up with a new game that can be executed with a game device of another user using a matching server or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a game control technique with higher entertainment.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a game control program. The game control program includes a computer, a communication unit that controls communication with another game device, a game control unit that executes a game, and the other game device via the communication unit. When the information indicating that the game is successful is acquired first, the other device object control unit displays the icon or object corresponding to the game device in preference to the display target of the game screen generated by the game control unit. To function as.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation of the present invention converted between a method, an apparatus, a system, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a more entertaining game control technique can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the game system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of a management server. It is a figure which shows the example of the internal data of a user database. It is a figure which shows the example of the internal data of a group database. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen shown to a game device by the observer participation reception part. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a front surface of the game apparatus, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a rear surface of the game apparatus 10. FIG. 7A is a diagram showing the upper surface of the game device, FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the lower surface of the game device, and FIG. 7C is a diagram showing the left side surface of the game device. is there. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of a game device. It is a figure which shows the structure of the game device which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a game screen. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the game control method which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of S120 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed procedure of S144 of FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a game system according to the embodiment. In the game system 1, a plurality of game devices 10 and a management server 100 that manages a game executed between the plurality of game devices 10 are connected via the Internet 6.

  In order to notify the user that the time set by the user has arrived, the game device 10 according to the embodiment sounds an alarm sound at that time and starts the game. This function is primarily intended to be used as an alarm clock. By letting the user not only notify the arrival of the time but also challenge a simple game, the user can be sure to wake up from sleep, but once woke up, he will fall asleep again The situation can be reduced.

  When the management server 100 receives the time set by the user from the game apparatus 10, the management server 100 groups it with a plurality of other users who set the same time. When the time set by the user arrives, the game apparatus 10 executes the game in cooperation with the game apparatuses 10 of other users belonging to the group generated by the management server 100. When the user succeeds in the game, the user can support the awakening of the other user by, for example, outputting sound to the game device 10 of another user who has not yet succeeded in the game. If all the users belonging to the group do not succeed in the game, the game is not successful as a group. Therefore, in order not to bother other users belonging to the same group, the user can play the game alone. It is thought that the game will be tackled seriously with more tension than you would. Thereby, a user's awakening can be promoted more reliably. By succeeding in the game as a group, a greater sense of accomplishment can be given to the user, and a refreshing awakening can be provided. Also, by challenging the game in cooperation with other users, a sense of solidarity with other users is born, and an opportunity to get acquainted with new users can be provided.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the management server. The management server 100 includes a communication unit 130, a control unit 140, a user database 160, and a group database 162. The control unit 140 includes a matching request reception unit 141, a group generation unit 142, a group assignment unit 143, an observer participation reception unit 144, a group information transmission unit 145, and a history information management unit 146. In terms of hardware components, these configurations are realized by a CPU of a computer, a memory, a program loaded in the memory, and the like, but here, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are illustrated. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of internal data of the user database 160. The user database 160 stores information about users. The user database 160 includes a user ID column 111, a device ID column 112, an IP address column 113, a set time column 114, a group ID column 115, a usage count column 116, a failure count column 117, a success count column 118, and a shortest time column 119. The longest time column 120 and the average time column 121 are provided. The user ID column 111 stores an ID that uniquely identifies the user. The device ID column 112 stores the ID of the game device used by the user. The IP address column 113 stores an IP address assigned to the game device. The set time column 114 stores the time set by the user. The group ID column 115 stores the ID of the group to which the user is assigned. The number-of-uses column 116 stores the number of times the user has used the system according to the present embodiment. The number-of-failures column 117 stores the number of times that the user has failed in the game, that is, the number of times the user has not been woken up by the alarm function. The success count column 118 stores the number of times that all of the groups to which the user belongs succeeded in the game. The shortest time column 119, the longest time column 120, and the average time column 121 are respectively the shortest time, the longest time, and the average of the time required until the user succeeds in the game after the game is started, that is, until the user wakes up. Store time. The user database 160 may store other history information, for example, the number of times that other users are supported, the number of times that other users are supported, the number of times that support from other users is ignored, and the like.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of internal data of the group database 162. The group database 162 includes a group ID column 131, a setting time column 132, a device ID column 133, a user ID column 134, an IP address column 135, and a status column 136. The group ID column 131 stores an ID that uniquely identifies a group. The set time column 132 stores the time set in the game devices belonging to the group. As described above, in the present embodiment, game devices having the same time or a time within a predetermined range are grouped, so the time or time range set in the game devices belonging to the group is common. It is. The device ID column 133 stores the IDs of game devices belonging to the group. The user ID column 134 stores IDs of users belonging to the group. The IP address column 135 stores the IP addresses of game devices belonging to the group. The status column 136 indicates that the user is a normal user who participates in the game by setting the time to start the game, or does not set the time to start the game and participates in the game as an observer described later. Information indicating whether the user is a user is stored. The device ID column 133, the user ID column 134, the IP address column 135, and the status column 136 are provided as many as the number of users belonging to the group. In this embodiment, since one group includes a maximum of 12 users, the device ID column 133, the user ID column 134, the IP address column 135, and the status column 136 are provided for 12 people.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the communication unit 130 controls communication with other devices via the Internet 6. The matching request reception unit 141 receives a time set by the user from the game apparatus 10 and receives a request for matching with another user who has set the same time or a time within a predetermined range. The matching request reception unit 141 may authenticate the user using a user ID and a password when receiving the set time from the user. When receiving a matching request from the game apparatus 10, the matching request receiving unit 141 generates a new group and receives a selection as to whether it is a host or whether it belongs to a matched group by searching for an existing group. Hereinafter, the former is referred to as “create request” and the latter is referred to as “scan request”. As will be described later, when the game apparatus 10 requests matching to the management server 100, the game apparatus 10 issues a create request with a probability of the reciprocal of the number of groups, that is, a probability of 1/12 in the present embodiment. A scan request is issued with the remaining 11/12 probability.

  When the matching request receiving unit 141 receives a create request from the game apparatus 10, the group generating unit 142 newly generates a group of users who have set the same time or a time within a predetermined range. When the group is newly generated, the group generation unit 142 assigns an ID to the new group and registers it in the group database 162 together with the set time. Further, the group generation unit 142 registers the information of the game device 10 that has received the set time in the first device ID column 133, the user ID column 134, the IP address column 135, and the status column 136 as group host information. To do. In a game that is activated when the set time has arrived, if the presence of the game device 10 serving as a host is required in the group, a status field 136 is displayed to indicate that the game device 10 is a host. May also store information indicating that it is a host.

  When the matching request receiving unit 141 receives a scan request from the game apparatus 10, the group allocating unit 143 refers to the group database 162 and searches for an existing group that has the same set time or is still vacant within a predetermined range. Search for. When a set time is the same or within a predetermined range and a group that has not reached the capacity is found, the group assignment unit 143 assigns the game device 10 to the group, and stores the device ID and user in the group database 162. ID, IP address, and status are registered. When the set time is the same or within the predetermined range and the group that has not reached the capacity is not found, the group assignment unit 143 repeats the search a predetermined number of times, and when the group is still not found, the group generation unit 142 A new group is generated and the game apparatus 10 is assigned to the group.

  The observer participation reception unit 144 refers to the group database 162, presents a list of groups to the game apparatus 10, and receives participation in the group. As described above, in the game system according to the present embodiment, among users belonging to the same group, an interaction is performed for a user who has already occurred to wake up a user who has not yet occurred, and all users belonging to the group are predetermined. Run a game that aims to happen in time. The observer participation acceptance unit 144 accepts participation of a user who is not intended to wake him up only for the purpose of waking up another user in the game. This user is hereinafter referred to as an “observer”.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen presented to the game apparatus 10 by the observer participation receiving unit 144. The screen 300 displays a list of currently generated groups. The group 151 has 12 users already assigned and has reached the capacity, so observers cannot participate, but the other groups 152, 153, 154 have not yet reached capacity, so Can participate. When accepting participation as an observer for the group from the user, the observer participation receiving unit 144 registers the information of the observer in the record of the corresponding group in the group database 162.

  As described above, since the group generation unit 142 generates a new group with a probability corresponding to the reciprocal of the number of groups, the possibility that a new group will be generated before all the existing groups reach the capacity is high. . Thereby, it is possible to maintain a state where there is a group that has not reached the capacity, and it is possible to leave room for the observer to join the group.

  When a new group is generated by the group generation unit 142 or a new user is assigned to a group by the group assignment unit 143 and the group database 162 is updated, the observer participation reception unit 144 updates the list of groups. Update the display.

  When a user is added to the group generated by the group generation unit 142 by the group assignment unit 143 and the observer participation reception unit 144, and the number of users in the group is reached, the addition of the user to the group is closed. Even if the group has not reached the capacity, the group assignment unit 143 and the observer participation reception unit 144 end the assignment of a new user and the participation of the new observer at the second predetermined time before the set time. Confirm users belonging to. As will be described later, in the game apparatus 10, a non-player character is added to the group that has been closed without reaching the capacity until it reaches the capacity.

  The group information transmission unit 145 transmits to the game device 10 information on the group to which the user of the game device 10 is assigned. The group information transmission unit 145 is configured so that the game apparatus 10 can directly communicate with the game apparatuses 10 of other users belonging to the same group in a peer-to-peer connection. Send. When the game device 10 is assigned to a group by the group assignment unit 143, the group information transmission unit 145 reads the information of the other game devices 10 already assigned to the group from the group database 162 and transmits the information. Each time a game device 10 is newly assigned to the group, information on the newly assigned game device 10 may be transmitted. Alternatively, when the addition of the user to the group is closed and the user belonging to the group is confirmed, the information of the other game apparatuses 10 assigned to the group may be transmitted in a lump. In the former case, each game device 10 can wait in advance by establishing a peer-to-peer connection with the game device 10 each time the game device 10 is added to the group. In the latter case, the amount of communication can be reduced.

  When the set time arrives, each game device 10 outputs an alarm sound, starts a game, and advances the game while communicating with other game devices 10 belonging to the same group. The management server 100 is not directly involved in the progress of the game.

  The history information management unit 146 acquires a game result from each game apparatus 10 and registers it in the user database 160. When requested to present history information from each game device 10, the history information management unit 146 reads out and presents the history information of the user of the game device 10 from the user database 160.

  Next, the external configuration and circuit configuration of game device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. The game device 10 shown below is a portable game machine, but may be another type of portable terminal device.

[Configuration of the front part]
FIG. 6A shows the front surface of the game apparatus 10. The game apparatus 10 is formed by a horizontally long case, and the left and right areas gripped by the user have an arcuate outline. A rectangular touch panel 50 is provided on the front surface of the game apparatus 10. The touch panel 50 includes a display device 20 and a transparent front touch pad 21 that covers the surface of the display device 20. The display device 20 is an organic EL (Electro-Liminescence) panel and displays an image. The display device 20 may be a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel. The front touch pad 21 is a multi-touch pad having a function of detecting a plurality of points touched at the same time, and the touch panel 50 is configured as a multi-touch screen.

  On the right side of the touch panel 50, a triangle button 22a, a circle button 22b, a x button 22c, and a square button 22d (hereinafter collectively referred to as “operation buttons 22”) are provided on the right side of the rhombus. On the left side of 50, an upper key 23a, a left key 23b, a lower key 23c, and a right key 23d (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “direction key 23”) are provided. The user can input the eight directions of up / down / left / right and diagonal by operating the direction key 23. A left stick 24 a is provided below the direction key 23, and a right stick 24 b is provided below the operation button 22. The user tilts the left stick 24a or the right stick 24b (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “analog stick 24”), and inputs a direction and a tilt amount. An L button 26a and an R button 26b are provided on the left and right tops of the housing. The operation button 22, the direction key 23, the analog stick 24, the L button 26a, and the R button 26b constitute operation means operated by the user.

  A front camera 30 is provided in the vicinity of the operation button 22. On the left side of the left stick 24a and the right side of the right stick 24b, a left speaker 25a and a right speaker 25b (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “speaker 25”) that output sound are provided, respectively. A HOME button 27 is provided below the left stick 24a, and a START button 28 and a SELECT button 29 are provided below the right stick 24b.

[Configuration of back side]
FIG. 6B shows the back surface of the game apparatus 10. A rear camera 31 and a rear touch pad 32 are provided on the back of the game apparatus 10. The rear touch pad 32 is configured as a multi-touch pad, like the front touch pad 21. The game apparatus 10 is equipped with two cameras and a touchpad on the front surface and the back surface.

[Configuration of top surface]
FIG. 7A shows the upper surface of the game apparatus 10. As described above, the L button 26a and the R button 26b are provided on the left and right ends of the upper surface of the game apparatus 10, respectively. A power button 33 is provided on the right side of the L button 26 a, and the user turns the power on or off by pressing the power button 33. Note that the game apparatus 10 has a power control function of transitioning to a suspend state when a time during which the operation means is not operated (no operation time) continues for a predetermined time. When the game apparatus 10 enters the suspend state, the user can return the game apparatus 10 from the suspend state to the awake state by pressing the power button 33.

  The game card slot 34 is an insertion slot for inserting a game card. In this figure, the game card slot 34 is covered with a slot cover. An LED lamp that blinks when the game card is being accessed may be provided in the vicinity of the game card slot 34. The accessory terminal 35 is a terminal for connecting a peripheral device (accessory), and this figure shows a state where the accessory terminal 35 is covered with a terminal cover. Between the accessory terminal 35 and the R button 26b, a-button 36a and a + button 36b for adjusting the volume are provided.

[Configuration of bottom surface]
FIG. 7B shows the lower surface of the game apparatus 10. The memory card slot 37 is an insertion slot for inserting a memory card, and this figure shows a state in which the memory card slot 37 is covered with a slot cover. On the lower surface of the game apparatus 10, a voice input / output terminal 38, a microphone 39, and a multi-use terminal 40 are provided. The multi-use terminal 40 corresponds to USB (Universal Serial Bus) and can be connected to other devices via a USB cable.

[Configuration of left side]
FIG. 7C shows the left side surface of the game apparatus 10. On the left side of the game apparatus 10, a SIM card slot 41, which is a SIM card insertion slot, is provided.

[Circuit configuration of game device]
FIG. 8 shows a circuit configuration of the game apparatus 10. Each component is connected to each other by a bus 92. The wireless communication module 71 is configured by a wireless LAN module compliant with a communication standard such as IEEE802.11b / g, and is connected to an external network via the AP2. The wireless communication module 71 may have a Bluetooth (registered trademark) protocol communication function. The mobile phone module 72 corresponds to the 3rd generation digital mobile phone system conforming to the IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication 2000) standard defined by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) and is portable. Connect to the telephone network 4. Into the SIM card slot 41, a SIM card 74 in which a unique ID number for specifying the telephone number of the mobile phone is recorded is inserted. By inserting the SIM card 74 into the SIM card slot 41, the mobile phone module 72 can communicate with the mobile phone network 4.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 60 executes a program loaded in the main memory 64. A GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 62 performs calculations necessary for image processing. The main memory 64 is configured by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores programs and data used by the CPU 60. The storage 66 is configured by a NAND-type flash memory or the like, and is used as a built-in auxiliary storage device.

  The motion sensor 67 detects the movement of the game apparatus 10, and the geomagnetic sensor 68 detects triaxial geomagnetism. The GPS control unit 69 receives a signal from a GPS satellite and calculates a current position. The front camera 30 and the rear camera 31 capture an image and input image data. The front camera 30 and the rear camera 31 are constituted by CMOS image sensors (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensors).

  The display device 20 is an organic EL display device and includes a light emitting element that emits light by applying a voltage to a cathode and an anode. In the power saving mode, the voltage applied between the electrodes is made lower than usual, so that the display device 20 can be dimmed and power consumption can be suppressed. The display device 20 may be a liquid crystal panel display device provided with a backlight. In the power saving mode, by reducing the amount of light from the backlight, the liquid crystal panel display device can be in a dimmed state and power consumption can be suppressed.

  In the interface 90, the operation unit 70 includes various operation means in the game apparatus 10. Specifically, the operation button 22, the direction key 23, the analog stick 24, the L button 26a, the R button 26b, the HOME button 27, and the START button. 28, a SELECT button 29, a power button 33, a-button 36a, and a + button 36b. The front touchpad 21 and the rear touchpad 32 are multi-touchpads, and the front touchpad 21 is disposed on the surface of the display device 20. The speaker 25 outputs sound generated by each function of the game apparatus 10, and the microphone 39 inputs sound around the game apparatus 10. The audio input / output terminal 38 inputs stereo sound from an external microphone and outputs stereo sound to external headphones or the like.

  A game card 76 in which a game file is recorded is inserted into the game card slot 34. The game card 76 has a recording area in which data can be written. When the game card 76 is inserted into the game card slot 34, data is written / read by the media drive. A memory card 78 is inserted into the memory card slot 37. When the memory card 78 is inserted into the memory card slot 37, it is used as an external auxiliary storage device. The multi-use terminal 40 can be used as a USB terminal, and is connected to a USB cable 80 to transmit / receive data to / from another USB device. A peripheral device is connected to the accessory terminal 35.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration of the game apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. The game apparatus 10 includes a communication unit 230, a control unit 240, a game data holding unit 260, an NPC data holding unit 262, and a screen generation unit 266. These configurations can also be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The control unit 240 reads and executes the program from a recording medium or the like in which the game program is stored, and advances the game based on the operation input from the user received by the interface 90. The game data holding unit 260 holds information necessary for the progress of the game. The NPC data holding unit 262 holds information related to non-player characters. The screen generation unit 266 generates a game screen controlled by the control unit 240 and causes the display device 20 to display the game screen.

  The control unit 240 includes a time setting unit 241, a matching request transmission unit 242, a group information acquisition unit 243, a local PC control unit 244, another PC control unit 245, an NPC control unit 246, an interaction reception unit 247, an interaction transmission unit 248, a game A control unit 249 is included.

  The time setting unit 241 accepts the setting of the time at which the arrival should be notified from the user. The matching request transmission unit 242 requests the management server 100 to perform matching with another user who performs the game executed at the set time in cooperation with each other. The group information acquisition unit 243 acquires information of other game devices 10 belonging to the group to which the game device 10 is assigned as a result of matching from the management server 100. The game control unit 249 starts the game at the set time and controls the progress of the game. The game control unit 249 also has a function of a notification unit, and outputs an alarm sound from the speaker 25 at a set time.

  Since it is necessary to execute matching in the management server 100 before the game is started at the set time, the matching request transmission unit 242 needs to start processing before the set time. However, since the application that provides the function according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “wake-up application”) is usually used to set the wake-up time before the user sleeps and leave it as it is, In some cases, the game apparatus 10 is suspended when the time to start the preprocessing has arrived. In such a case, for example, the game is started in the following procedure.

  After the alarm application is activated and the time is set by the time setting unit 241, the matching request transmission unit 242 is reached when a time before the first time arrives with the alarm application being activated. Transmits a matching request to the management server 100. The group information acquisition unit 243 acquires information on other game devices 10 of the same group from the set time to a time before the second time, and at the set time, an alarm sound is output and game control is performed. Part 249 starts the game.

  When the time is set by the time setting unit 241, the alarm application should return the time before the first time from the set time to the system timer (not shown) of the game apparatus 10 from the suspended state. Set as time. At this time, information on the application that sets the time to return from the suspended state is recorded in the system area of the system controller or main memory 64. After the time is set by the alarm application, the CPU 60 is turned off when the game apparatus 10 shifts to the suspended state by operating the power button or when a predetermined time elapses without any operation. The memory 64 is held in an energized state. When the system timer determines that the set time has arrived, the game apparatus 10 returns to the state immediately before entering the suspended state by the resume function. If the wake-up application has been activated and has transitioned to the suspended state, the wake-up application returns to the activated state, so that the matching request transmission unit 242 transmits the matching request to the management server 100 as described above. Thus, preprocessing is started. When the wake-up application is terminated or inactivated, the resume function shifts to the suspend state, and the resume function stores information indicating what the application has set the time to return from the suspend state in the system controller or the main memory 64. Read from the system area and start the alarm application. When the alarm application is activated, the matching request transmission unit 242 transmits a matching request to the management server 100, and pre-processing is started. After the time is set by the wake-up application, if the wake-up application is terminated and the other application is running, the system resumes to the state in which the other application was started by the resume function. To do. In this case, another application may be terminated and the alarm application may be activated, or the alarm condition may not be activated while the other application is activated. In the latter case, the game of this embodiment is not started, but an alarm sound may be output at a set time.

  As described above, the matching request transmission unit 242 transmits a “create request” or a “scan request” to the management server 100 with a predetermined probability. The matching request transmission unit 242 issues a create request with a probability of the reciprocal of the group capacity, that is, with a probability of 1/12 in this embodiment, and issues a scan request with the remaining 11/12 probability. Thereby, the situation where the number of groups becomes too large or too small can be reduced. In a time zone in which the user is concentrated, such as early morning, a create request may be transmitted with a higher probability than other time zones in order to newly generate more groups than in other time zones. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a situation where a new group cannot be generated in time and the group allocating unit 143 of the management server 100 has to search for a free group many times. Conversely, after the create request is transmitted, if another member does not participate during a certain period, the create request may be canceled once and the scan request may be transmitted again.

  The group information acquisition unit 243 acquires information regarding the group to which the game apparatus 10 is assigned from the management server 100. The group information acquisition unit 243 acquires the IP addresses of other game devices 10 assigned to the same group and transmits them to the communication unit 230. The communication unit 230 establishes a peer-to-peer connection with another game apparatus 10 based on the IP address.

  When the time set by the user arrives, the game control unit 249 outputs an alarm sound from the speaker 25 and starts the game. When the user succeeds in the game, the game control unit 249 stops outputting the alarm sound. The own PC control unit 244, the other PC control unit 245, and the NPC control unit 246 respectively control the own PC icon, the other PC icon, and the NPC icon displayed on the game screen, as will be described later. The interaction receiving unit 247 receives interactions from other game devices 10 belonging to the same group and reflects them in the game. The interaction transmission unit 248 transmits the interaction to other game devices 10 belonging to the same group in response to a user operation input.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the game screen. The game screen 300 displays an icon 301 on which the user's avatar or player character (PC) is displayed. Hereinafter, this icon 301 is referred to as the own PC icon 301. The own PC control unit 244 moves the own PC icon 301 at random within the screen 300. When the user taps the own PC icon 301 a predetermined number of times, the game control unit 249 determines that the game is successful. The number of times that the user should tap the own PC icon 301 may be one or a plurality of times, or may be determined randomly by the game control unit 249 at the start of the game.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the game screen. When a user of another game apparatus 10 belonging to the same group succeeds in the game before the user of the own apparatus, icons 302 and 304 on which the avatar or player's character of the user of the game apparatus 10 is displayed are displayed on the game screen 300. Is displayed. The icons 302 and 304 are hereinafter referred to as other PC icons 302 and 304. Other PC icons 302 and 304 are accompanied by objects 303 and 305 on the outside thereof. The other PC control unit 245 moves the other PC icons 302 and 304 and the objects 303 and 305 at random within the game screen 300.

  Since the other PC icons 302 and 304 and the objects 303 and 305 are displayed above the own PC icon 301, when the other PC icon 302 and the object 303 are displayed overlapping the own PC icon 301, the own PC icon 301 is hidden under the other PC icon 302 and the object 303. Even if the portion hidden behind the other PC icon 302 or the object 303 in the own PC icon 301 is tapped, the game control unit 249 does not determine that the game is successful. Therefore, as the user of the other game apparatus 10 succeeds in the game, more other PC icons and objects are displayed on the game screen 300, and it becomes difficult to tap the own PC icon 301 and succeed in the game.

  Other PC control unit 245 outputs sound corresponding to other PC icons 302 and 304 displayed on game screen 310 to speaker 25. This sound may be stored in advance in the game data holding unit 260 or may be acquired from another game device 10 by the group information acquisition unit 243 or the interaction reception unit 247. This voice may be, for example, an encouragement or a jealous voice to wake up the user. When the user performs an operation input such as a tap on the other PC icon 302 or 304, the other PC control unit 245 changes the volume or pitch of the sound corresponding to the other PC icon 302 or 304.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the game screen. When the user inputs an operation such as dragging or flicking to the other PC icon 302 or the object 303, the other PC control unit 245 moves the other PC icon 302 and the object 303 in the dragged or flicked direction. Let As a result, the user can easily tap the own PC icon 301 to make the game successful. The other PC control unit 245 may move the other PC icon 302 and the object 303 to the outside of the game screen 310 when the user inputs an operation such as flicking to the other PC icon 302 or the object 303. . At this time, the other PC control unit 245 may stop outputting the sound corresponding to the other PC icon 302 moved to the outside of the game screen 310. The other PC control unit 245 detects that the user has performed the operation of shaking the game apparatus 10 up and down or left and right based on information acquired from the motion sensor 67, the geomagnetic sensor 68, the GPS control unit 69, and the like. Sometimes, the other PC icon 302 and the object 303 may be moved in the shake direction. At this time, the other PC icon 302 and the object 303 may be moved to the outside of the game screen 310.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of the game screen. When the user taps the own PC icon 301, the game control unit 249 determines that the game has been successful, stops outputting the alarm sound to the speaker 25, and applies to all other game devices 10 belonging to the same group. On the other hand, it broadcasts that the game was successful. At this time, in the other game devices 10 belonging to the same group, if the user has not yet succeeded in the game, the game device 10 that has succeeded in the game is displayed on the game screen 310 of the game device 10 by the other PC control unit 245. Other PC icons are displayed. When the user has already succeeded in the game, as will be described later, in the game screen 320 of the game apparatus 10, the object attached to the other PC icon of the game apparatus 10 that has succeeded in the game is deleted. The game control unit 249 presents to the user that the game was successful, and then shifts to the game screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of the game screen. On the game screen 320, other PC icons 322a and 322b of other game apparatuses 10 belonging to the same group are displayed. Of the other PC icons, the icon displayed together with the object 324 indicates that the user of the game apparatus 10 corresponding to the icon has not yet succeeded in the game. The game control unit 249 attaches the object 324 to the other PC icon 322a corresponding to the game apparatus 10 that has not yet received information indicating that the game was successful, and corresponds to the game apparatus 10 that has already been received. The PC icon 322b is displayed without the object 324 attached. By fixing the number of groups in a predetermined number, the layout of the game screen 320 can be made the same. As a result, a simple and easy-to-understand user interface can be obtained, and a necessary amount of data can be reduced.

  When the user performs an operation input such as a tap on another PC icon corresponding to the game device 10 that has not been successfully played on the game screen 320, the interaction transmitting unit 248 causes the user to interact with the game device 10. Unicast to the effect. In the game device 10 of the transmission destination, the interaction receiving unit 247 receives the interaction and reflects the interaction on the game screen 310 shown in FIG. 11 according to the content. For example, in the game screen 310 shown in FIG. 11, the other PC icon 302 or the object 303 may be enlarged or reduced, moved, a corresponding sound may be output, or a corresponding sound may be output. The volume or pitch may be changed. Thereby, the user can perform an interaction that promotes the success of the game to other users who have not yet succeeded in the game.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of the game screen. When the game control unit 249 receives information indicating that the game was successful from all the game devices 10 belonging to the same group, or from any one of the game devices 10, all the game devices 10 belonging to the same group When the information indicating that the game has been successful is received, a game screen 330 indicating that the entire group has successfully played the game is displayed. When the game control unit 249 receives information indicating that the game has succeeded from all the game devices 10 belonging to the same group, the game control unit 249 displays information indicating that all the game devices 10 belonging to the same group have successfully played the game. Broadcast to all the game devices 10 belonging to. As a result, even if information indicating that the game has been successful cannot be received from any of the game apparatuses 10 due to poor communication, it is possible to finally know that the entire group has succeeded in the game. When the game ends, the game control unit 249 transmits the game result to the management server 100.

  When the constituent members of the group to which the game apparatus 10 is assigned do not reach the capacity, the NPC control unit 246 adds the non-player characters (NPCs) for the insufficient number to the group and controls the added NPC. . As described above, when a predetermined second time before the set time arrives, the management server 100 closes the addition of a new user to the group and determines the members of the group. If the number of members of the group for which the group information acquisition unit 243 has acquired information from the management server 100 has not reached the group capacity, the NPC control unit 246 determines the NPC before the game control unit 249 starts the game. Of the NPCs whose data is stored in the data holding unit 262, which NPC is to be added to the group is determined based on a predetermined condition, and the NPC data determined to be added is determined from the NPC data holding unit 262. read out. Since the NPC icon may not be displayed immediately on the game screen 310 at the start of the game, the NPC control unit 246 may add the NPC immediately after the game control unit 249 starts the game.

  The NPC control unit 246 simulates the behavior of the NPC with reference to parameters such as various attributes set for the NPC. The NPC control unit 246 may simulate the behavior of the NPC using a technique such as artificial intelligence. The NPC control unit 246 determines the time when the NPC succeeds in the game, that is, the time when the NPC occurs based on the attribute of the NPC. If it is determined that the NPC will occur earlier than the user, as shown in FIG. 11, the icon of the NPC that has occurred first (hereinafter referred to as “NPC icon”) is displayed on the game screen 310 together with the object. The NPC control unit 246 moves the NPC icon within the game screen 310. Further, the NPC control unit 246 changes the size and display mode of the NPC icon, and changes the volume and pitch of the corresponding sound, assuming that the NPC has transmitted the interaction to the game device 10 of the user.

  When the user wakes up earlier than the time determined to cause NPC and taps the own PC icon 301 to succeed in the game, the NPC icon is not displayed on the game screen 310, and the game shown in FIG. On the screen 320, an NPC icon is displayed with the object. When the user performs an interaction with the NPC icon, the NPC control unit 246 determines again the time when the NPC will occur based on the interaction. For example, every time a user interacts with an NPC, the time at which the NPC occurs may be advanced by a predetermined time.

  Since the NPC added to the group is individually controlled in each game apparatus 10, the time when the NPC occurs is not unified within the group. Therefore, even if all of the game devices 10 are successful in the game, the other game device 10 may have a situation in which the NPC has not yet succeeded in the game. When the game control unit 249 acquires information indicating that the game has been successful from all of the game devices 10 that are members of a group other than the NPC, the game control unit 249 broadcasts to the other game devices 10 that the entire group has been successfully played. However, in the determination in the own device, when all the players including the NPC succeed in the game, it is determined that the entire group succeeds in the game. For example, if 9 out of 12 users and 3 are NPCs, and all 9 users and 3 NPCs succeed in the game, the game succeeds in a group of 9 people. If any of the nine users and three NPCs fails in the game, the entire group determines that the game has failed. In another example, whether or not the NPC succeeds in the game may not be considered when determining whether or not the entire group has succeeded in the game. In this case, when the game control unit 249 acquires information indicating that the game has been successful from all of the game devices 10 that are members of a group other than the NPC, whether or not the NPC of the own device has occurred at that time. First, it is determined that the entire group has succeeded in the game. Thereby, it can prevent that the success or failure of the game of the whole group differs in each game device 10 by adding NPC.

  Parameters such as NPC attributes may be randomly generated each time an NPC is added to a group, or may be held in the game data holding unit 260. NPC data including avatars and parameters such as celebrities and characters may be given to the user as some privilege. For example, NPC data may be downloaded as additional content from the management server 100 or the like and stored in the NPC data holding unit 262. Of the plurality of NPCs stored in the NPC data holding unit 262, the user may be allowed to designate an NPC to be preferentially selected. In this case, when the number of members of the group whose information is acquired from the management server 100 by the group information acquisition unit 243 has not reached the group capacity, the NPC control unit 246 first assigns the NPC designated by the user to the group. If the group capacity is still not reached, an NPC is further selected and added according to a predetermined condition. In order to ensure that the NPC selected by the user is always included in the group, for example, the matching request transmission unit 242 includes the group capacity that is obtained by subtracting the number of NPCs selected by the user from the group capacity. Generation may be requested to the management server 100. As a result, the user can enjoy the pleasure caused by a favorite person or character. The NPC parameters may be changed based on the interaction with the user when added to the group, and held in the game data holding unit 260. The NPC icon may be displayed on the game screen in a display mode different from that of the other PC icon so that it can be visually recognized as an NPC, or the other PC icon cannot be visually distinguished from the other PC icon. It may be displayed on the game screen in the same display mode as the icon.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the game control method according to the present embodiment. When the time setting unit 241 receives time setting from the user (S100), the matching request transmission unit 242 waits until the time before the first time comes from the setting time (N in S102), and when that time comes (Y in S102), it is determined whether to send a create request or a scan request (S104), and the set time is sent to the management server 100 (S106). When the group information acquisition unit 243 acquires information on the game devices 10 of the group members from the management server 100 (Y in S108), the communication unit 230 establishes a peer-to-peer connection with the game devices 10 ( S110). When the information of the game devices 10 of the group members is not acquired (N in S108), S110 is skipped. The group information acquisition unit 243 repeats S108 and S110 until the second time before the set time arrives (N in S112). When the time arrives (Y in S112), does the group reach the capacity? Determine (S114). When the capacity is not reached (N in S114), the NPC control unit 246 adds NPCs until the capacity is reached (S116). When the capacity is reached (Y in S114), S116 is skipped. The game control unit 249 waits until the set time arrives (N in S118), and when the set time comes (Y in S118), the game is executed (S120).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of S120 of FIG. The own PC control unit 244 displays the own PC icon on the game screen and moves the own PC icon within the game screen (S130). When the user taps the own PC icon (Y in S132), the game control unit 249 determines that the game is successful, broadcasts the fact to other game devices 10 (S142), and displays the icon of the group member. A list is displayed (S144). While the user does not tap the own PC icon (N in S132), when the group information acquisition unit 243 acquires information indicating that another member has woken up (Y in S134), the other PC control unit 245 displays the game screen. The other PC icon is displayed on the screen, and the other PC icon is moved in the game screen (S136). When the interaction receiving unit 247 receives an interaction from another member who has already woken up (Y in S138), the game control unit 249 changes the display mode of the other PC icon in accordance with the content of the interaction. Or change the corresponding voice to execute the interaction (S140). When no other member has woken up (N in S134), when no interaction is received (N in S138), the process returns to S130. Until the user taps the own PC icon, the procedure from S130 to S140 is repeated.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of S144 of FIG. The game control unit 249 displays a list of other PC icons of other members belonging to the same group on the game screen (S150). At this time, an object is attached to the other PC icon of the member who has not yet woken up. When the user performs an operation input for transmitting an interaction to a member who has not yet woken up (Y in S152), the interaction transmitting unit 248 transmits the interaction to the game device 10 of the member (S154). When the interaction is not transmitted (N in S152), S154 is skipped. When the group information acquisition unit 243 acquires information indicating that another constituent member has woken up (Y in S156), the other PC control unit 245 deletes the object attached to the other PC icon of the constituent member ( S158). When information indicating that the user has woken up is obtained from all the constituent members except for the NPC (Y in S160), information indicating that the entire group has succeeded in the game is broadcast (S162). If all the constituent members including the NPC have woken up, the fact that the entire group has successfully played the game is displayed on the game screen (S164). When information indicating that another member has woken up is not acquired (N in S156), and there is a member who has not yet woken up (N in S160), the process returns to S150.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to each component and combination of processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment, the matching request transmission unit 242 of the game apparatus 10 determines whether to transmit a create request or a scan request. However, in another example, the game apparatus 10 side generates a create request and a scan request. A matching request may be transmitted to the management server 100 without distinction, and the matching request reception unit 141 of the management server 100 may determine whether to generate a new group or to belong to an existing group.

  10 game devices, 100 management server, 141 matching request reception unit, 142 group generation unit, 143 group assignment unit, 144 observer participation reception unit, 145 group information transmission unit, 146 history information management unit, 160 user database, 162 group database, 241, time setting unit, 242 matching request transmission unit, 243 group information acquisition unit, 244 own PC control unit, 245 other PC control unit, 246 NPC control unit, 247 interaction reception unit, 248 interaction transmission unit, 249 game control unit, 260 Game data holding unit, 262 NPC data holding unit, 266 screen generation unit.

Claims (7)

Computer
A communication unit for controlling communication with other game devices;
A game control unit for executing the game,
When the other game device acquires information indicating that the game has been successful prior to its own device via the communication unit, an icon or object corresponding to the game device is generated by the game control unit. Other device object control unit that displays in preference to the display object of the game screen
Game control program to function as. Computer
A time setting unit for receiving a setting of a time at which arrival should be notified,
The time set by the time setting unit is transmitted to a management server that manages the generation of a group composed of a plurality of game devices in which a time within a predetermined range from the time is set, and the assignment to the group is performed. Matching request transmitter to request,
Further function as a group information acquisition unit for acquiring information of other game devices belonging to the group from the management server,
The game control program according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit controls communication with another game device belonging to the group based on information acquired by the group information acquisition unit. Computer
Further function as an own device object control unit for displaying an icon or object corresponding to the own device on the game screen,
When the game control unit receives an operation input for an icon or object corresponding to the device through the input device, the game control unit determines that the game is successful,
The game control according to claim 1, wherein the other device object control unit displays an icon or object corresponding to the other device in preference to an icon or object corresponding to the own device. program.   The said other apparatus object control part moves the icon or object corresponding to the said other apparatus, if the operation input with respect to the icon or object corresponding to the said other apparatus is received via an input device. 4. The game control program according to any one of 3 to 3. A communication unit for controlling communication with other game devices;
A game control unit for executing a game;
When the other game device acquires information indicating that the game has been successful prior to its own device via the communication unit, an icon or object corresponding to the game device is generated by the game control unit. Another device object control unit for displaying the game screen with priority over the display target of the game screen;
A game apparatus comprising: A communication unit controlling communication with other game devices;
A step of executing a game by a game control unit;
When the other game device acquires information indicating that the game has been successful prior to its own device via the communication unit, the other device object control unit displays an icon or object corresponding to the game device, Displaying with priority over the display target of the game screen generated by the game control unit;
A game control method comprising:   A computer-readable recording medium on which the game control program according to claim 1 is recorded.

Images