JP2017047088A - Game program and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game program and game system allowing users to further easily communicate with each other in a game.SOLUTION: A game program causes a computer to be functioned as: virtual space creation means for creating a virtual space of a game in which a plurality of users can participate; team formation means for forming teams such that the plurality of users cooperatively progress the game in the virtual space; communication means for transmitting/receiving data so as to synchronously progress the game among other computers operated by other users belonging to the respective teams; and symbol display means allowing each user operating the computer to select at least one first symbol out of a plurality of first symbols, respectively representing a course of action of the user, and displaying the first symbol selected by each user belonging to the same team on a display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a game program and a game system for controlling character movement 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 response to a user operation. In such a game, a plurality of player characters that can be operated by a plurality of users appear during the game, and there is a game in which so-called multiplayer is possible in which a plurality of player characters cooperate to advance the game in the same game space. . In such multiplayer, a plurality of computers operated by a plurality of users are connected to each other via a communication network, so that a plurality of users who are remote from each other can participate in the same game. There is an online multiplayer mode.

  In the online multiplayer mode, there is a case where it is desired to communicate with other users when the game is advanced in cooperation. For this reason, in such a mode, for example, a mode is known in which a text chat can be performed in which text input by each user is displayed on a game screen common to a plurality of users (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, since the user needs to perform an operation such as causing the player character to act while the game is in progress, it is difficult to input text in parallel with the operation of the player character or the like. Also, even if you want to communicate with other users during the waiting time before starting the game (game data loading time, etc.), users who are not used to text input cannot input enough during a short waiting time. In some cases, communication cannot be achieved. Therefore, text chat is not always easy to use because each user communicates with each other during the game or in the waiting time before the game starts.

  Instead, for example, the user's computer acquires voice information uttered by the user via a microphone, etc., transmits the voice information to the other user's computer, and reproduces it with the speaker of the other user's computer. A mode in which voice chat can be performed is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In voice chat, communication with other users can be achieved even when the user is operating the player character.

JP 2007-183811 A JP 2004-336292 A

  However, in voice chat, you can't communicate with other people who use different languages. In addition, there are users who are reluctant to let other users hear their own voice, and it may be difficult to communicate easily.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game program and a game system that can more easily communicate in a game.

  A game program according to an aspect of the present invention includes a display unit that displays an image captured by a virtual camera arranged in a virtual space as a game screen, an operation unit that operates a player character that acts in the virtual space, and the operation A game program that is executed by a computer in a game system including a computer that advances a game in response to a user operation on the unit, and that generates the virtual space of the game in which a plurality of users can participate. Between the virtual space generating means, the team forming means for forming a team for the plurality of users to collaborate in the virtual space, and other computers operated by other users belonging to the team, A communication means for transmitting and receiving data to synchronize the game, and The first symbol selected by each user belonging to the same team, wherein at least one first symbol can be selected by a user operating the computer from among a plurality of types of first symbols each representing the user's action policy As a symbol display means for displaying on the display section.

  When the character photographed by the virtual camera includes a character operated by the other user, the symbol display means displays the first symbol selected by the other user in the vicinity of the character. May be.

  The symbol display means starts displaying the first symbol on the display unit from the start of the game main part that allows the user to operate the player character until a predetermined period elapses from the start of the game main part. The display of the first symbol on the display unit may be continued.

  The symbol display means, after the start of the main game that allows the user to operate the player character, in the vicinity of the character operated by the other user included in the image of the virtual camera. You may display the 2nd symbol showing the state which originated.

  After the start of the main game, the computer can select a third symbol to be displayed in the vicinity of its own character from a plurality of third symbols different from the first symbol based on a user operation. When the other user selects the third symbol, the symbol display means operates the third symbol selected by the other user for a predetermined period by the other user. You may display in the vicinity of the character to do.

  When the character operated by the other user is not included in the image of the virtual camera, the symbol display means displays the first symbol of the character near the end of the game screen close to the character. May be.

  A game system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a program storage unit that stores the above-described 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 system which can aim at communication more easily in a game can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the game device in this Embodiment. It is an external view which shows the controller of the game device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the game device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the game start screen in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the game start screen after a short time progress from the game start screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the game screen after the game start in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the game screen after the game start in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the symbol switching process after the game start in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the upper viewpoint screen in this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a game program and a game system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Game Overview]
In the following description, an action game executed in a home game device will be described as an example. The action game according to the present embodiment achieves a predetermined goal such as operating a player character acting in a virtual game space to annihilate the enemy character or reach a predetermined position in the game space. Therefore, it progresses by fighting an enemy character. In particular, in this game, multiplayer is possible in which a plurality of player characters corresponding to a plurality of users cooperate with each other as one team to advance the main game while fighting against enemy characters. In multiplayer, in order to make the main game progress more preferentially, a plurality of users who are in the same team are required to act in an organized and tactical manner.

  Before the game main part starts, a matching process is performed in which another user participates in a session created by one user (host user). When another user participates, the other user forms a team with the host user as a guest user, and cooperates to advance the main game.

  Enemy characters that block the progress of the player character appear at each stage of the main game. The enemy character may be a non-player character or one or more player characters belonging to another team.

[Hardware configuration]
A configuration of a game device that realizes the above-described game will be described. The game system according to the present embodiment includes the following game device 2 and external devices such as a monitor (display unit) 19, a speaker 22, and a controller (operation unit) 24 connected to the game device 2. A game can be played based on the game program 30a and the game data 30b read from the type storage medium 30. However, in the following, in order to simplify the description, the game device 2 may be simply referred to.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of game device 2 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 2 can communicate with another game apparatus 2 and the server apparatus 3 via 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.

  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 a game space and each character 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. Therefore, 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.

  Furthermore, the audio synthesizing unit 20 converts the user's voice or the like input from the microphone 26 provided in the headset or the controller 24 connected to the game apparatus 2 into the digital format by the audio converting unit 21. It can be acquired. The audio synthesizing unit 20 can transmit the acquired data to the CPU 10 as input information.

  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 operator (described later) such as a button provided on the controller 24, and can control the movement of the player character displayed on the monitor 19. It has become. 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 can be displayed synchronously in the same game space.

  FIG. 2 is an external view showing the controller 24 of the game apparatus 2 shown in FIG. The controller 24 is substantially U-shaped and is operated by the user holding the handles 201L and 201R of both wings with both left and right hands. Operation button groups 210 and 220 and analog sticks 212 and 222 are provided on the left and right upper surfaces of the controller 24. An R1 button 211 is provided on the right front surface of the controller 24, and an L1 button 221 is provided on the left front surface. The operation button group 210 and the analog stick 212 are operated with the user's right thumb, and the operation button group 220 and the analog stick 222 are operated with the user's left thumb. The R1 button 211 and the L1 button 221 are operated by the user's right hand index finger and left hand index finger, respectively.

  Further, the controller 24 includes a touch pad 230 between the operation button group 210 and the operation button group 220. The touch pad 230 has a horizontally long rectangular shape, and, as is well known, when the user brings a fingertip or the like into contact with or close to the surface of the touch pad 230, positional information (contact point or input point) ( The coordinates are output to a CPU (CPU 10 in FIG. 1) described later. Furthermore, the touch pad 230 also functions as an operation button by pushing in the entirety.

[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. 1, the game apparatus 2 includes a control unit 4 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. Act as a computer. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 4 of the game apparatus 2 executes the game program 30a of the present invention, so that the virtual space generation means 41, the team formation means 42, the communication means 43, the symbol display means 44, The functions of the game start screen display means 45, the third symbol selection means 46, the character control means 47, etc. are exhibited.

  Among these, the virtual space generation means 41 generates a virtual game space of a game in which a plurality of users can participate. The virtual space generation unit 41 generates a virtual game space in which the character moves and each character that moves in the game space, and displays the character on the monitor 19. For example, the virtual space generation means 41 reads data such as objects and textures included in the game data 30b as the player character moves, and generates a three-dimensional virtual game space. Further, the virtual space generation unit 41 generates a two-dimensional image when the image is taken with a predetermined virtual camera arranged in the generated game space in order to display the game space on the monitor 19 of the game apparatus 2. Display as a game screen.

  The character control means 47 controls at least the action of the character corresponding to the user operating the computer according to the operation input of the controller 24 by the user or the progress of the game. Furthermore, the character control means 47 controls the motion of the non-player character acting in the game space.

  The team formation means 42 forms a team for a plurality of users to cooperate and advance the game in the game space. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which five users (users 1 to 5 including user 1 who operates controller 24 of the computer) form one team (team A).

  The communication means 43 transmits / receives data to / from other computers operated by other users participating in the game so that the game proceeds in synchronization. When the computers of the plurality of game apparatuses 2 communicate with each other, each computer may be configured as an online game that connects to a predetermined server and manages the game progress in the server. The matching server may be configured as a P2P (peer-to-peer) communication game in which a matching server matches a plurality of computers in response to a request to the matching server, and a plurality of matched computers communicate with each other to advance the game.

  For example, in a P2P communication system game, a computer of one user (being a host user) first transmits a session creation request signal to the matching server. A computer or matching server operated by the host user forms a session based on the session creation request signal. The formed session information is incorporated into a list of sessions and temporarily stored in the matching server. On the other hand, when another user (being a guest user) wants to participate in a session formed by any host user, the guest user's computer requests a session information from the matching server based on a predetermined operation of the guest user. Send a signal. The matching server transmits the stored list of sessions to the guest user's computer, and the guest user's computer displays it on the game screen. When the guest user selects one session from the list of sessions, the guest user's computer transmits a session participation signal to the matching server. The matching server transmits information necessary for P2P communication (for example, game data and character data of other users participating in the session) to each computer of the user participating in the session. Thereafter, P2P communication is performed between user computers participating in the session, and the session is established.

  After the session is established, the character corresponding to the other user is controlled by the character control means 47 of the other computer, the control information is sent to the user's computer through the communication means 43, and the computer receives the control information. Based on the above, a character corresponding to another user is operated in the same game space.

  The session may be formed in a network server (for example, the matching server) provided in a communication path between one user's computer and another user's computer, or one user's computer and another user. It may be formed in any of the computers. In the present embodiment, when a user (guest user) participates in a session created by one user (host user) among a plurality of users, a plurality of users are created at the stage where the session is formed. Can advance the game in the same game space.

  In this game, a team is formed by which a plurality of users cooperate in the game space to advance the game from among a plurality of users who form a session as described above. A plurality of users who form one session may belong to one team. In this case, the enemy character is a non-player character. Alternatively, a plurality of users who form one session may belong to any of a plurality of teams. In this case, it is possible to play between a plurality of teams. In other words, the enemy character that is the opponent with which the player character of the user belonging to one team battles is controlled based on the operation of the user belonging to another team.

  In this way, the communication unit 43 transmits and receives data to and from another computer operated by another user belonging to one session and one team so as to advance the game in synchronization. Further, the communication means 43 transmits and receives data to and from other computers operated by other users belonging to the same session and other teams so as to advance the game synchronously.

  After the session is formed, a game space in which the player character of the user belonging to the session acts and reading of data of the game space are set, and initial positions of the player characters participating in the session are set, and the game space is set on the game space. Deploy. In this way, the preparation (loading of game data and initial setting) before the start of the main game that enables the user to operate the player character is performed in the same and at the same time on a plurality of synchronized computers. For this reason, it is generally necessary to take some time for preparation before starting the main game. For this reason, a waiting time arises for the user in a predetermined period before the game main part starts.

  In this game, for example, the game title screen is displayed after the game apparatus 2 is turned on. When an input for loading the past game data of the user is performed on the game title screen or the like, the game data is read and an initial setting screen based on the game data is displayed. After various setting operations on the initial setting screen, a play mode selection screen is displayed, a single play mode in which characters other than the player character operated by the user become non-player characters, and a plurality of player characters corresponding to a plurality of users, It is possible to select a plurality of play modes such as a multi-play mode in which the main game is advanced while cooperating as a team while fighting against enemy characters. When multi play is selected on the play mode selection screen, a session formation screen is displayed, and a session is formed between a plurality of computers based on a predetermined operation. After the session is formed, game data is loaded and initialized between a plurality of computers in which the session is formed, and the game main part is started after the completion. In the main game, the user can operate the player character, and the main game progresses accordingly. The predetermined period before the game main part starts means a part or all of the period from when the game apparatus 2 is turned on and the game title screen is displayed until the game main part is started.

  In the game start screen display means 45, characters operated by other users belonging to the team are arranged in the virtual game space during a predetermined period (the waiting time) before the start of the main game by a plurality of users belonging to the same team. In the state, the image of the virtual camera is displayed as a game screen. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the game start screen in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the game screen 50 displays an image around the initial placement position in the game space of the player character C1 operated by the user 1 who performs an operation input to the computer. The game screen 50 includes a virtual space display unit 51 that displays an image obtained by capturing the game space from a virtual camera arranged behind the player character C1. The virtual space display unit 51 includes a player character C1 operated by the user 1, other player characters C2 to C5 operated by other users 2 to 5 belonging to the same team as the user 1, enemy characters, other objects, etc. If they are located within the field of view, they are displayed at that position.

  Also on the game start screen in a predetermined period before the game starts, the virtual space display unit 51 displays the player characters C1 to C4 existing in the field of view of the virtual camera in the game space. At this time, the positions of the player characters C1 to C5 are fixed at preset initial positions. In addition, on the upper part of the virtual space display unit 51, a time until the game starts (the remaining time of the waiting time) is displayed.

  The initial positions of the other player characters C2 to C5 on the game space are arranged near the initial position of the player character C1. Therefore, other player characters C2 to C5 belonging to the same team are easily displayed at a time on the game start screen imaged by the virtual camera arranged behind the player character C1. It is not always necessary to display all the other player characters C2 to C5 on the game start screen.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the player character C5 operated by the user 5 is not displayed, but the arrow A5 indicating that the player character C5 is in the game space to the right of the right end portion in the virtual space display unit 51. It is displayed at the right end of the virtual space display unit 51. Thus, among the other player characters C2 to C5 belonging to the same team, the player character located outside the game space displayed on the game screen is one of the four sides on the game screen 50 (virtual space display unit 51). May be displayed together with the direction in which the player character is positioned with reference to the position of the player character C1 (virtual camera) at the end of the screen (the end of the game screen close to the position of the other player character).

  In addition to this, or instead of this, on the game start screen, the direction of the virtual camera may be moved left and right without changing the position (reference position) of the virtual camera based on the user's operation. Further, a mini map that displays at least the game space around the position of the player character C1 on the game screen 50 in a two-dimensional manner may be displayed. In this case, the position of the player characters C1 to C5 belonging to at least the same team may be displayed on the mini map.

  The symbol display means 44 enables a user operating the computer to select at least one first symbol from among a plurality of types of first symbols each representing a user's action policy. The symbol display means 44 makes it possible to select the first symbol in a predetermined period before the start of the main game. More specifically, the first symbol selection screen 52 is displayed on the virtual space display unit 51 during display of the game start screen. On the first symbol selection screen 52, a plurality of first symbols 53 to 58 are displayed so as to be selectable. The user operates the controller 24 to select a desired first symbol from among the plurality of first symbols 53 to 58 displayed on the first symbol selection screen 52. In the example of FIG. 4, a selection frame 59 is displayed around the selected first symbol 56.

  Furthermore, the symbol display means 44 displays on the monitor 19 the first symbol selected by each user belonging to the same team. In the present embodiment, if the symbol display means 44 includes characters (C2 to C5) operated by other users who are photographed by the virtual camera displayed as the game start screen, in the vicinity of the character, The first symbol selected by another user is displayed. Similarly, the symbol display means 44 displays the first symbol selected by the user on the player character C1 operated by the user (user 1) operating the computer. In the example of FIG. 4, the first symbol is displayed on the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 located above the player characters C1 to C5. Furthermore, ID names of users who operate the player characters C1 to C5 are displayed on the player characters C1 to C5 and / or the arrow A5.

  The symbol display means 44 displays the first symbol of the character in the vicinity of the end of the game screen 50 close to the position of the character when another character operated by another user is not included in the virtual camera image. . In the example of FIG. 4, regarding the player character C5 that is not displayed in the virtual space display unit 51, the symbol display unit SY5 is displayed at the end of the virtual space display unit 51 near the position of the player character C5. Provided on top. The first symbol display part SY5 of the player character C5 located outside the virtual space display part 51 may be located inside the virtual space display part 51 or may be located outside.

  Note that the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 may not be provided overhead as long as they are in the vicinity of the player characters C1 to C5. For example, the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 may be provided on the back and / or chest of the player characters C1 to C5.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, the game screen 50 is provided with a user list display unit 60 that displays a list of users belonging to the same team, and the user list display unit 60 includes IDs of users belonging to the same team. At the same time, the first symbols selected by the user may be displayed.

  In the first symbols 53 to 58, “pinching” 53, “ambush” 54, “collective battle” 55, and “fast attack” 56, which indicate a tactical policy, are intention indications indicating that no tactics are determined. ”57”, “follow” 58, which is an indication of intention to follow other users' policies, and the like. In the example of FIG. 4, all the first symbols are represented by pictograms, but like the symbol 67 (see FIG. 6) indicating “thank you” of the third symbol described later, the first symbol (and second, The third symbol) may include characters.

  According to the above configuration, by simply selecting a symbol (first symbol) during the waiting time before the game starts, it is possible to express an intention about the action policy of the entire team to other users belonging to the same team. Since symbols prepared in advance are used, it is possible to communicate with each other in different languages regardless of the language used. In addition, because of the simple operation of selecting a symbol, even a user who is not good at text input can display his intention in a short time before the game starts. Moreover, there is no shame like voice chat, it is possible to easily communicate with other users, and communication can be facilitated in the game. In addition, since the action policies are categorized into several in advance, it is easy to understand the intention display of other users, and it is possible to easily unify the action policies of the entire team.

  Further, the first symbol is displayed on each of the player characters C2 to C5 in a state where the other player characters C2 to C5 are initially arranged on the game start screen, and how each of the other player characters C2 to C5 is displayed. This makes it easy to understand whether or not the intention is being displayed. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a chat screen or the like separately from the game start screen, it is possible to reduce the burden imposed on the computer during the above preparation for starting the game, and to prevent the waiting time from being extended. it can. However, depending on the game, a separate voice chat or text chat may be possible.

  Note that the first symbol selected by the user can be changed if the game start screen is being displayed (within a predetermined period before the start of the main game). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game start screen after a short time has elapsed from the game start screen shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the user can move the selection frame 59 by operating the controller 24 while the game start screen is being displayed. The first symbol (“Follow” 58 in FIG. 5) in which the selection frame 59 is displayed is displayed on the virtual space display unit 51 and the user list display unit 60 so as to be visible to other users.

  For this reason, the user can change the 1st symbol which he selects according to the intention display by the 1st symbol of another user. For example, when user 1 claims haste as shown in FIG. 4 and user 2 and user 3 claim ambush, user 1 “follows” 58 or “ambush as shown in FIG. By reselecting “54”, it is possible to display the intention to accept the claims of the user 2 and the user 3. As a result, it is possible to communicate that the entire team A is performing an ambush operation. Of course, it is not always necessary to change the first symbol selected by the user 1 himself. Each user can advance the game without being restricted by the first symbol selected by the user and the first symbol selected by another user.

  When the predetermined period before the start of the main game is over, the main game is started. Specifically, the main game is started when the waiting time displayed on the game start screen becomes zero. After the game main part is started, the character control means 47 controls the movement of the corresponding player characters C1 to C5 based on the operations of the users 1 to 5. The symbol display means 44 continues to display the first symbol on the monitor 19 until a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the main game. Thereby, even after the start of the main game, it is possible to confirm each user's intention display regarding the team action policy for a while. In the present embodiment, the virtual space display unit 51 displays the game space from the same virtual camera position even after the main game is started, and the other player characters C2 to C5 belonging to the same team are captured by the virtual camera. In such a case, the first symbol selected immediately before the start of the game is displayed on the symbol display portions SY2 to SY5 located above the other player characters C2 to C5. Similarly, the first symbol may be displayed on the player character C1.

  Further, after the game main part is started, it is possible to display on the monitor 19 the second symbol representing the state resulting from the actions of the player characters C1 to C5 or the third symbol that can be displayed based on the user's selection operation. is there. That is, the symbol display means 44 displays the second symbol representing the state resulting from the action of the character in the vicinity of the character operated by another user included in the virtual camera image after the start of the main game. Can do. Further, the third symbol selection means 46 can select a third symbol to be displayed in the vicinity of its own character from a plurality of third symbols different from the first symbol and the second symbol based on a user operation. . Further, when another user selects the third symbol, the symbol display unit 44 displays the third symbol selected by the other user for a predetermined period in the vicinity of the character operated by the other user.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the game screen after the start of the main game in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, after the start of the main game, the virtual space display unit 51 of the game screen 50 displays the remaining time and the content displayed on the game start screen except that the first symbol selection screen 52 disappears. The same content as is displayed. Similarly to the first symbol, the second symbol and the third symbol are also displayed on the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5. The state of the player character C1 may be displayed in another area of the game screen so that the second symbol is not displayed on the symbol display unit SY1.

  The content (image) and display conditions of the second symbol are set in advance as a symbol representing a state resulting from the action of each player character. Therefore, the symbol display means 44 displays the corresponding second symbol when one player character satisfies a predetermined condition due to the action after the main game is started. The action condition of the player character displayed as the second symbol is set based on, for example, the special movement state of the player character, the change of the player character's equipment, the situation around the player character, the remaining physical strength of the player character, and the like. . If none of the action conditions is applicable, the current player character's equipment symbol may be displayed.

  For example, for the second symbol, a dash symbol displayed by continuously performing a sprint (high speed movement) for a predetermined time, a ladder up / down symbol displayed while the ladder is raised / lowered, and a baile which is a close weapon are displayed for a predetermined time. The bile battle symbol (displayed in the symbol display part SY4 of the user 4 in FIG. 6) displayed by wearing the above is displayed by placing one enemy character within a predetermined field of view for a predetermined time or more. The number of enemies is 1 symbol, and the number of enemies is 2 symbols (displayed on the symbol display portion SY3 of the user 3 in FIG. 6) displayed when two enemy characters are placed within a predetermined field of view for a predetermined time or more. The drowning symbol displayed when the physical strength of the child falls below 10% (displayed on the symbol display portion SY5 of the user 5 in FIG. 6) And the remaining stamina include death symbols or the like which is displayed when an 0 dead state.

  By displaying such second symbols resulting from the actions of the other player characters C2 to C5 during the game, the situation of the other player characters C2 to C5 can be easily grasped visually. The execution of play can be aroused more.

  The background of the second symbol may be displayed in a different color according to the remaining physical strength of the other player characters C2 to C5 on which the second symbol is displayed. For example, the symbol display means 44 may display the second symbol so that the background color changes in order (stepwise) to green, red (dead), and black (dead) as the remaining physical strength decreases. . An intermediate color between the two may be set between green and red. As a result, the remaining physical strength of the other player characters C2 to C5 can be grasped, and it can be more easily determined whether or not assistance or support is required together with the second symbol.

  In addition, when each display condition is satisfy | filled simultaneously about several 2nd symbol, the symbol display means 44 determines the 2nd symbol displayed on the symbol display parts SY2-SY5 according to a predetermined priority. May be. For example, when the ladder is in a moribund state and the ladder is being lifted, a ladder raising / lowering symbol is displayed. In addition to or instead of this, a plurality of second symbols that satisfy the display conditions may be alternately displayed, or a plurality of second symbols may be displayed simultaneously.

  The third symbol is a symbol that can be arbitrarily selected by each user and displayed on the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 of the player characters C1 to C5 operated by the user. The third symbol is a symbol that can be used by each user in advance when starting the game for the first time, and can be added and used by satisfying predetermined conditions (leveling up, reaching a predetermined position, etc.) after the main game starts. And symbols that can be used by downloading from the server device 3 and the game device 2 of another user. In this way, the third symbol can also be used as a collection target (that is, a game interaction element) by the user. The second symbol and the third symbol are also displayed on the user list display unit 60 of the game screen 50.

  For example, the third symbol includes “thank you”, “yes”, “no”, “right”, “left”, “thank you”, “follow me”, “wait”, “go”, “find zombies!” , “Enemy Discovery!”, “Help” symbols for simple conversations, answer symbols, guts poses, victory dances, provocations, crying and other emotional expressions, conversations not directly related to the main game, Various symbols can be included, such as symbols for representation and the like.

  The third symbol can be displayed at any time based on the user's operation after the start of the main game. For example, the third symbol selection means 46 displays the third symbol selection screen 61 in the game screen 50 by a predetermined operation in the controller 24, and performs a predetermined operation in the controller 24 (for example, input of the left and right direction keys in the operation button group 220). ) To select the third symbol. In the example of FIG. 6, the third symbol selection screen 61 displays a symbol 63 indicating “Yes” as a symbol being selected at the center, and a symbol 64 indicating “No” on the right side, “Left” , A symbol 66 indicating “right”, a symbol 67 indicating “thank you”, a symbol 68 indicating “follow me”, and a symbol 69 indicating “wait” are displayed on the left side of the symbol 63. ing. A display period is predetermined for the third symbol. Different display periods may be defined for each of the plurality of third symbols.

  In addition to or instead of the key input operation of the controller 24, the third symbol may be selectable based on the user's flick operation on the touch pad 230 of the controller 24. At this time, the user may be able to set and input the third symbol selected according to the direction of the flick operation before starting the main game. Further, in an aspect in which the game apparatus 2 and a portable information terminal (not shown) such as a smartphone can communicate via a predetermined application, the portable information terminal is caused to function as the third symbol selection unit 46 by the application, The third symbol may be selectively input from the portable information terminal.

  As described above, in the game main part of this game, a large number of users can be divided into at least two teams and can play against each other. At this time, the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol are not displayed on the game screen 50 of the user of the other team. Symbol display portions SY2 to SY5 are provided for user player characters C2 to C5 belonging to the same team as the team to which the user belongs, and a symbol display portion is provided to a player character E1 belonging to another team displayed as an enemy character. It is not provided.

  In addition, the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 after the start of the main game may have a function indicating whether or not a predetermined game condition is satisfied. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 after the start of the main game are provided with an outer frame portion 62, and predetermined game conditions are determined depending on whether or not the outer frame portion 62 is displayed. Whether it is satisfied is shown. As the predetermined game condition, for example, predetermined equipment such as a back jammer device may be destroyed. For example, in a game in which a plurality of teams battle each other, the outer frame portion 62 is displayed on the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 of the player characters C1 to C5 in which the back jammer device is functioning. In this case, it is difficult to receive an attack from a third force (for example, a zombie) that is a non-player character. On the other hand, the outer frame portion 62 is not displayed on the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 of the player characters C1 to C5 that are attacked on the back and whose jammer device is destroyed. In this case, it becomes easy to receive the attack from 3rd power. In the example of FIG. 6, in the team A, the users 1, 2 and 4 are not attacked by the third power, but the users 3 and 5 do not have the outer frame portion 62 displayed on the symbol display portion SY5. Can receive attacks from the 3rd power. When such a display is performed, when other player characters C2 to C5 belonging to the same team encounter the third force, a determination material for determining whether or not to support the other player characters C2 to C5. It can be.

  The third symbol includes a symbol with motion associated with character motion data corresponding to the content of the symbol. The character control means 47 causes the character for which the symbol with motion is selected from the third symbols to execute the motion associated with the selected symbol with motion. For example, the symbols with motion include symbols used for emotional expressions such as guts pose, victory dance, provocation, and cry among the above-described third symbol examples. Also, a motion such as a hand sign may be added to a symbol related to strategy cooperation with other characters such as “follow me” and “wait”. In addition, the third symbol may include a symbol with a sound for reproducing sound such as a sound effect when selected.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another example of the game screen after the start of the game in the present embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the player character C2 operated by the user 2 belonging to the same team as the user 1 immediately after defeating the enemy character E1 belonging to the opponent team is shown. The character control means 47 causes the enemy character E1 to execute a motion at the time of death. When the user 2 operates the controller 24 of the game device 2 of the user 2 and selects a guts pose which is a symbol with motion among the third symbols, the symbol display means 44 displays “symbol” on the symbol display portion SY2 of the player character C2. In addition to displaying a symbol indicating “gut pose”, the character control means 47 reads the corresponding motion data and causes the player character C2 to perform gut pose motion.

  As described above, by selecting the symbol with motion, the player characters C1 to C5 perform an unusual movement, so that the intention can be visually displayed by other users belonging to the same team. Further, since the player character C1 can execute various motions by collecting the symbols with motion, it is possible to enhance the pleasure of collecting the third symbols. Furthermore, when a large number of users play between a plurality of teams, users belonging to one team cannot see the third symbol of the characters of other teams that are enemy characters, but the enemy character is a symbol with motion. When a motion is executed, it can be seen. For this reason, users belonging to other teams can predict the behavior of other teams by looking at the motions of the characters of the other teams. Moreover, by showing a motion such as a guts pose to a defeated opponent as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to give impatience and regret to other teams, or to increase the morale of the team to which they belong.

  The symbol with motion can be executed when the player characters C1 to C5 are not performing other specific actions such as when the ladder is moving up and down. The character control means 47 preferentially executes the motion associated with the specific action of the player characters C1 to C5, cancels the motion associated with the third symbol, or executes it after the specific action. To do. Note that the symbol display means 44 may display the third symbol itself on the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5 of the player characters C1 to C5 even when the motion associated with the third symbol is canceled.

  Note that, when the third symbol is selected, the symbol display unit 44 preferentially displays the third symbol for a predetermined period in which the third symbol is displayed. That is, the symbol display unit 44 deletes the second symbol that has been displayed so far, and then displays the selected third symbol on the corresponding symbol display units SY1 to SY5. Instead of this, a plurality of symbols including the second symbol and the third symbol may be displayed simultaneously. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the symbol switching process after the game starts in this embodiment.

  As described above, the first symbol is displayed for a certain period after the start of the main game. After a certain period of time, the symbol display unit 44 represents a state caused by the actions of the player characters C2 to C5 on the symbol display units SY2 to SY5 of the player characters C2 to C5 other than the player character C1 operated by the user himself / herself. A second symbol is displayed (step S1).

  The third symbol selection means 46 monitors whether the user has selected a third symbol (step S2). The third symbol selection means 46 determines whether or not there has been a third symbol selection operation from the controller 24 (the controller 24 for operating the player character C1) of the same game apparatus 2 as the third symbol selection means 46. Further, the third symbol selection means 46 determines whether or not there has been a third symbol selection operation from the controller 24 (the controller 24 for operating other player characters C2 to C5) of the other game apparatus 2 via the communication means 43. Determine whether.

  If there is no third symbol selection operation (No in step S2), the symbol display means 44 further determines whether or not there is a state change related to the second symbol in the player characters C1 to C5 (step S3). More specifically, the symbol display means 44 determines whether or not each player character C1 to C5 does not satisfy the display condition of the second symbol currently displayed on the symbol display portions SY1 to SY5, and newly It is determined whether there is a second symbol that satisfies the display condition. When it is determined that there is a state change related to the second symbol (Yes in step S3), the symbol display unit 44 updates the second symbol displayed on the symbol display units SY1 to SY5 (step S4).

  When there is an operation for selecting the third symbol (Yes in step S2), the third symbol selecting unit 46 selects the third symbol in accordance with the selection operation. The symbol display unit 44 displays the selected third symbol on the symbol display units SY1 to SY5 of the corresponding player characters C1 to C5 (step S5). At this time, the symbol display unit 44 erases the second symbols displayed on the symbol display units SY2 to SY5 of the other player characters C2 to C5. When the selected third symbol is a symbol with motion, the character control unit 47 determines whether or not the motion associated with the symbol can be executed (whether or not a specific action is being executed) and can be executed. If so, the motion associated with the symbol is executed by the corresponding player characters C1 to C5.

  The symbol display means 44 determines whether or not the display period set for the third symbol has elapsed after the third symbol display (step S6). When the display period has elapsed (Yes in step S6), the symbol display unit 44 deletes the corresponding third symbol (step S7). When the player character from which the third symbol is deleted is the other player characters C2 to C5, the symbol display means 44, after erasing the third symbol, the second symbol resulting from the action of the corresponding player character C2 to C5. Are displayed on the symbol display portions C2 to C5.

  By the way, in the main game, a user whose own player character C1 has died (the remaining stamina has become 0) while the main game is in progress may rejoin the main game until the main game is completed. Can not. Instead, the user can watch the game from an upper viewpoint (planar image), a predetermined camera position, or a viewpoint of another user's character belonging to the same team that still survives. Also in this case, the teammate's team symbol is displayed on the character.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the upper viewpoint screen in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper viewpoint screen 70 displays each character expressed in three dimensions acting in the game space on a simple two-dimensional map image that can understand the two-dimensional shape of the game space. Displayed as a two-dimensional image that is a combination of two-dimensional images viewed from the above. A two-dimensional map image that can understand the two-dimensional shape of the game space is a two-dimensional map image mainly composed of line drawings, such as displaying only the boundary line between the area where the character can move and the area where the character cannot enter. Means. The boundary line itself may be drawn in a simplified manner compared to the game space in which each character moves. For example, even if the game space where each character moves includes a complicated curve, in a two-dimensional map image, it is displayed by approximating a straight boundary line combining straight lines orthogonal to each other. Also good. In addition, the two-dimensional map image may be subjected to simple color coding of the ground in order to distinguish the difference between indoors and outdoors, for example. The upper viewpoint screen 70 may display an entire map in which the character can move in the game, or a part of the map may be displayed so that screen switching and / or enlargement / reduction can be executed.

  In a game in which a three-dimensional character is acted in a three-dimensional virtual game space, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, a three-dimensional character is arranged in the three-dimensional virtual game space, and a virtual camera at a predetermined position is used. The three-dimensional virtual game space and the three-dimensional character are simultaneously captured and displayed on the virtual space display unit 51 of the game screen 50. However, when a wider area is displayed from an upper viewpoint, there is a problem that if a three-dimensional virtual game space and a three-dimensional character are imaged as they are with a virtual camera positioned above, the load required for image processing increases. Alternatively, when a mini map is separately prepared to simply display the position of each character in the game space, the mini map can be used as the upper viewpoint screen. However, when the mini map is displayed as it is, each character has a simplified display of dots and the like, and it is difficult to understand what action each character is performing.

  In order to deal with such problems, as described above, by combining a simple two-dimensional image space map and each character expressed in three dimensions, the behavior of each character in the main game can be easily understood. Can do. Further, by simplifying the map image, it is possible to reduce the load on the computer due to the drawing of the map image, and it is possible to prevent the processing speed from being lowered even when a large number of characters act simultaneously. In addition, about the inside of a building etc., the two-dimensional image of the state which removed the roof is displayed.

  Alternatively, the upper viewpoint screen 70 may simply be displayed as a two-dimensional image of the game space displayed on the virtual space display unit 51 of the game screen 50 as viewed from above.

  On such an upper viewpoint screen 70, the remaining player characters C2 to C4 are projected to act in the game space based on the operation of each user. Further, enemy characters E1, E2 belonging to other teams and acting in the game space are also displayed on the upper viewpoint screen 70. At this time, symbol display portions SY <b> 2 to SY <b> 4 are provided in the vicinity of the other player characters C <b> 2 to C <b> 4, and the second symbol or the third symbol is displayed in the same manner as displayed on the virtual space display portion 51. The symbols relating to the characters E1 and E2 of the other teams are not displayed on the upper viewpoint screen 70, but when the motion associated with the symbol with motion is executed, the motion being executed by the characters of the other team can be seen. it can.

  In the upper viewpoint screen 70, it is also possible to watch a team battle (execute the watching mode) without belonging to any team. In this case, however, no symbol is displayed.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements, changes, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the player characters C1 to C5 are humanoid (human) is exemplified, but the player character may be a robot, a vehicle, an animal, or the like. In the above embodiment, the description is based on an example applied to a game in which an enemy character is attacked. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as the game acts as a team. For example, the speed at which a predetermined object is achieved. It can be applied to various games such as games competing with other teams, group sports games such as soccer.

  Further, in the above embodiment, a mode has been described in which a game start screen for selecting and displaying the first symbol is displayed using a waiting time for loading game data or the like as a predetermined period before the start of the main game. . However, instead of this, regardless of the waiting time, a period for selecting and displaying the first symbol may be set before starting the main game, and the game start screen may be displayed.

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

  The present invention is useful for easier communication in a game.

2 Game device 30a Game program 30b Game data 41 Virtual space generation means 42 Team formation means 43 Communication means 44 Symbol display means 46 Third symbol selection means

Claims (7)

A display unit that displays an image captured by a virtual camera arranged in a virtual space as a game screen, an operation unit that operates a player character that moves in the virtual space, and a game that proceeds according to a user operation on the operation unit A game program to be executed by the computer in a game system including the computer,
The computer,
Virtual space generation means for generating the virtual space of a game in which a plurality of users can participate;
Team forming means for forming a team for the plurality of users to cooperate and advance the game in the virtual space;
Communication means for transmitting and receiving data to synchronize the game with other computers operated by other users belonging to the team, and a plurality of types of first means each representing the user's action policy A user operating the computer can select at least one first symbol from one symbol, and functions as symbol display means for displaying the first symbol selected by each user belonging to the same team on the display unit. , Game program.   The symbol display means displays the first symbol selected by the other user in the vicinity of the character when the character operated by the other user is included in the image captured by the virtual camera. The game program according to claim 1.   The symbol display means starts displaying the first symbol on the display unit from the start of the game main part that allows the user to operate the player character until a predetermined period elapses from the start of the game main part. The game program according to claim 1, wherein the display of the first symbol on the display unit is continued.   The symbol display means, after the start of the main game that allows the user to operate the player character, in the vicinity of the character operated by the other user included in the image of the virtual camera. The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a second symbol representing a state caused is displayed. The computer,
Third symbol selection means for selecting a third symbol to be displayed in the vicinity of the player's character from a plurality of third symbols different from the first symbol based on a user operation after the start of the main game. Function as
The symbol display means, when another user selects the third symbol, displays the third symbol selected by the other user for a predetermined period in the vicinity of the character operated by the other user. The game program in any one of Claim 1 to 4.   When the character operated by the other user is not included in the image of the virtual camera, the symbol display means displays the first symbol of the character near the end of the game screen close to the character. The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A program storage unit storing the game program according to any one of claims 1 to 6;
A game system comprising: a computer that executes a program stored in the program storage unit.

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