JP2020044022A - Computer system and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a computer system capable of reducing a problem attributed to a difference in skills among players in a multi-player game.SOLUTION: In executing a game in which respective players operate their respective characters to cause them to fight each other while the players are viewing a game image based on their operation object characters, and determine a final winner on the basis of the result of fights waged until a given game finishing condition is satisfied, a selection character 8 is selected out of operation object characters 4a and 4c of the respective players on the basis of the play result so far, and control is executed so as to cause an NPC 6 that can affect the play result to appear, and cause it to approach the selection character 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer system and the like for executing a game.

  Each player operates the character while watching the game image based on the character to be operated by the player, fights between the characters, and determines a final winner based on the result of the battle that has been performed until a given game end condition is satisfied. Game genres are known. For example, a game called a racing game or a battle royal game is a good example (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-120755 A

  In such a game, the difference in the skills of the players is apparent in the play results. Therefore, it is easy for a low skill player to have a problem of leaving the game. For example, in a battle royal game, a high-skilled player can overwhelm other players, obtain many play results, and literally enjoy the real thrill of battle royalties. However, low skill players are more likely to be prey to high skill players. Low-skilled players tend not to get satisfactory play results and have poor gaming experience. Therefore, if you play several times, but continue to get poor play results and unsatisfactory game experiences, low-skilled players will hate playing before you can feel the fun of Battle Royale Will not be.

  The ultimate method of eliminating a difference in play results due to a difference in skills of players is to match only players having the same skills. However, matching is required to be performed in as short a time as possible, and it is rare that players of the same skill have the same number of players. For this reason, a method is generally adopted in which matching is performed if there is a difference in skill but an allowable difference. In other words, it can be unavoidable that there is a difference in skill among players in the multiplayer game.

  In addition, various techniques can be considered to support low-skill players depending on the type of game. For example, in a game such as a battle royal game in which the player needs to find the target of the attack, it is important to grasp the knack for finding the target of the attack.However, low-skilled players often do not grasp the knack. It is important how this can be supported.

  The present invention has been devised based on such a background, and has as its object to provide a new technique for reducing a problem caused by a difference in skills among players in a multiplayer game.

A first invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is that each player operates a character while watching the game image based on the character to be operated by the player, fights between the characters, and satisfies a given game end condition. A computer system for executing a game that determines a final winner based on the result of the battle that has been fought,
Character selection means (for example, control board 1150 in FIG. 1, server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, game management unit 210, The character selection unit 222, step S50 in FIG. 18, step S108 in FIG. 19);
NPC control means (for example, a control board 1150 in FIG. 1, a server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, a game management unit 210, an NPC) This is a computer system including a control unit 224, step S42 in FIG. 16, and step S72 in FIG.

  Here, the “computer system” may be implemented by a plurality of computers in cooperation with each other as well as a single computer.

  According to the first invention, it is possible to select a selected character from the characters to be operated by each player based on the play results so far, and to make NPCs that can affect future play results appear. . The player can obtain the play result relatively easily by attacking or competing with the NPC that has appeared, compared to competing with the high-skilled player, and play more than when competing with the high-skilled player. It is more likely that a realistic gaming experience can be obtained. The technology according to the first invention is a new technology that has not been provided before.

  According to a second aspect, the battle is a battle in which the player operates the character to be operated to damage and destroy other characters, and the game has the least number of defeats. A computer system according to the first invention, wherein any one of a character, a character having the least amount of damage, and a character not destroyed until a given game end time is the final winner. It is.

Here, “defeat” means that the character is deemed to have been defeated, destroyed, deleted, invalidated, etc., based on the amount of damage, and the character is deemed to be used in subsequent games. The inability to act.
According to the second aspect, the same effect as that of the first aspect can be suitably exerted, for example, in a battle royal game.

  A third invention is the computer system according to the second invention, wherein the NPC control means sets the NPC as a character having lower combat ability and / or movement ability than the selected character.

  According to the third aspect, by making the NPC a relatively weak character, the selected character can easily defeat the NPC.

  A fourth invention is a play result updating means for updating the play result, wherein an update amount of the play result with respect to the defeat of the NPC is compared with a player whose play result satisfies a given honor condition. A play result updating means (for example, the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, the game management unit 210, the play result update unit 226) for updating the play result by enlarging the player who does not satisfy the honor condition. , A play result point 735 in FIG. 14, and step S22 in FIG. 16) according to the second or third invention.

The “honor condition” here is, for example, a condition regarded as a high-skilled player.
According to the fourth aspect, when calculating the play result, the update amount of the play result corresponding to the same result is made larger for the player who does not satisfy the honor condition than for the update amount of the player who meets the honor condition. This makes it easy for even low-skilled players to obtain play results.

  In a fifth aspect, the character selecting means performs the selection of the selected character a plurality of times during a game, and the NPC control means sets a new NPC every time the selected character is selected by the character selecting means. Is a computer system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, which performs control for causing a computer to appear.

  In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the character selection means performs the selection of the selected character from among the characters that are not defeated among the characters to be operated by each of the players a plurality of times during a game. The control means is the computer system according to any one of the second to fourth inventions, wherein the control means performs control to cause a new NPC to appear each time the selected character is selected by the character selection means.

  According to the fifth or sixth aspect, the NPC can appear each time the selected character is selected a plurality of times during the game. Therefore, the effects of the present invention can be exhibited many times after the start of the game.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the NPC control means controls the new NPC to appear in the game space by newly arranging the new NPC in the game space, and the number of participating players at the start of the game, If the sum of the number of NPCs that have appeared in the game space and the total number of NPCs so far in the current game satisfies a given numerical condition, the appearance of a new NPC in the game space is stopped. And a computer system according to a sixth aspect of the invention.

  According to the seventh invention, the NPC is set so that the total of the number of participating players at the start of the game and the number of NPCs that have appeared in the game space so far in the current game satisfies a given numerical condition. You can manage the number of appearing. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the game balance from being disrupted by the appearance of the NPC, and to make it difficult for the player to notice that the NPC has appeared.

  An eighth invention is a game in which the movable range of the character is narrowed with the lapse of time, and the NPC control means sets a new range when the movable range satisfies a given size condition. The computer system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein stopping the appearance of the NPC is performed.

  According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to appropriately adjust the density per area of the NPC in the movable range and make it difficult for the player to notice that the NPC has appeared.

  In a ninth aspect, the NPC control means causes the NPC to appear within the field of view of the selected character by moving the NPC from outside the field of view of the selected character to the field of view. The computer system of the invention.

  According to the ninth aspect, the NPC can be caused to appear by moving the NPC so as to be within the field of view of the selected character.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the play result is 1) a play result of a past game play, 2) a play result of a previous game play, 3) a play result of a past game play, and The present invention is the computer system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, wherein the total is a total of the play results up to the present.

  According to the tenth aspect, based on past game play results, the selected character can be selected with emphasis on past achievements. Based on the play results so far in the current game play, an appropriate selected character can be selected according to the progress of the game in the current game play. Based on the sum of the past game play results and the current game play results, both benefits can be obtained.

A method of estimating a player with a low skill can be appropriately adopted.
For example, as an eleventh invention, the computer system according to any one of the first to tenth inventions can be configured such that the play result includes at least information on a moving distance of a character to be operated.

  According to the eleventh aspect, since the information on the moving distance of the operation target is included in the play result, the selected character can be selected based on the information on the moving distance. As will be described in detail later, it has been found that a player with a low skill has a shorter distance to move the character to be operated than a player with a high skill. By selecting a selected character based on this knowledge, it is possible to improve the accuracy of selecting a character operated by a low skill player as the selected character.

  According to a twelfth aspect, the character selecting means determines the superiority or inferiority of the player participating in the current game based on the play result, and a) selects a character to be operated by the player satisfying a given inferiority condition. A lottery in which the selection probability of selecting the selected character as the selected character or b) selecting a character to be operated by the player satisfying the inferiority condition is higher than that of a character to be operated by the player not satisfying the inferiority condition. The computer system according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the computer system selects the selected character by performing the selection.

A player who satisfies the inferiority condition is a player who can be regarded as having relatively low skill.
According to the twelfth aspect, selecting the operation target character of the player satisfying the given inferiority condition as the selected character, and setting the selection probability of selecting the operation target character to the operation object of the player who does not satisfy the inferiority condition The selection of the selected character by performing a lottery with a higher probability than that of the character can be realized.

  In a thirteenth aspect, the character selecting means selects the selected character from characters that do not satisfy the non-selection condition, except for a character that satisfies a predetermined non-selection condition. 2 is a computer system of the invention.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, regarding the selection of the selected character, the appearance of the NPC can be appropriately adjusted by appropriately setting a condition that is not selected as the selected character, that is, a non-selection condition.

  A fourteenth invention is the computer system according to any one of the first to thirteenth inventions, wherein the NPC control means changes the NPC to appear based on the selected character.

  According to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to give diversity to NPCs that appear.

  A fifteenth invention is the computer system according to any one of the first to fourteenth inventions, wherein the NPC control means changes control contents of the NPC based on the selected character.

  According to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to impart diversity to the behavior of the appeared NPC.

  A sixteenth invention is a fifteenth invention, wherein the NPC control means changes the control content of the NPC based on the play result of a player operating the selected character and / or the type of the selected character. Computer system.

  According to the sixteenth aspect, diversity can be provided by changing the control content of the NPC according to the play result of the player operating the selected character and the type of the selected character. For example, if the player who operates the selected character has a low play result, the NPC can be controlled according to the skill of the player by controlling the NPC like a relatively weak character.

  A seventeenth invention is the computer system according to any one of the first to sixteenth inventions, wherein the computer system is a server system communicatively connected to a player terminal of the player.

  According to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to realize a server system having the same effects as those of any of the first to sixteenth aspects.

An eighteenth invention provides the server system according to the seventeenth invention,
And a player terminal.

  According to the eighteenth aspect, it is possible to realize a game system having the same effects as those of any one of the first to sixteenth aspects.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of a game system. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a configuration example of a user terminal. The figure for demonstrating the number which arranges NPC in a game space, and the arrangement timing. The figure for demonstrating the important parameter regarding arrangement and control of NPC. The figure for demonstrating the example of the range set to a creation character. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining movement control of an NPC (part 1). FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining movement control of an NPC (part 2). FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining movement control of an NPC (part 3). FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the movement control of the NPC (part 4). The figure for demonstrating the control of the attack action of NPC. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a server system. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of programs and data stored in a server storage unit. The figure which shows the example of a data structure of play data. The figure which shows the data structural example of operation target character management data. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the server system related to one game play. 17 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 16. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of NPC placement control processing. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of an NPC action control process.

  Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described, but it is needless to say that embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a game system according to the present embodiment. The game system 1000 of the present embodiment is a computer system including a server system 1100 capable of mutually communicating data by connecting to the communication line 9 and a plurality of user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b,...). Or a game application).

  The communication line 9 means a communication path through which data communication is possible. That is, the communication line 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet. This means that the communication method may be wired or wireless.

  The server system 1100 includes a main body device 1101, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and a storage 1140. The main body device 1101 has a control board 1150 mounted thereon.

  The control board 1150 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), various microprocessors such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. Have been. Note that part or all of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or an SoC (System on a Chip).

  Then, the server system 1100 performs 1) a user management function related to user registration and the like and 2) a player 2 (2a, 2b, …) Provides data necessary for playing a game on the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b,...) And manages game execution control on the user terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b,...); 3) realizing an online shopping function of selling various items available for a game to a user online. That is, the game in the present embodiment is realized as a kind of client-server type online game.

  Although the server system 1100 is described as a single unit, a configuration may be employed in which a plurality of blade servers sharing functions are mounted and mutually communicable via an internal bus. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of independent servers installed at remote locations are made to perform data communication via the communication line 9 so as to function as the server system 1100 as a whole.

  The user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b,...) Are computer systems that the players 2 (2a, 2b,...) Individually use for game play, and access the server system 1100 via the communication line 9. An electronic device (electronic device) that can execute an online game, and is functionally a game device. The user terminal 1500 of the present embodiment is a device called a so-called smartphone, but may be a portable game device, a game controller, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, a home game device, a business game device, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a configuration example of the user terminal 1500 in the present embodiment.
The user terminal 1500 includes a direction input key 1502, a button switch 1504, a touch panel 1506 functioning as an image display device and a contact position input device, a speaker 1510, a built-in battery 1509, a microphone 1512, an image sensor unit 1520, It comprises a control board 1550 and a memory card reader 1542 which can read and write data from a memory card 1540 which is a computer readable storage medium. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, and the like (not shown) are provided. Further, an IC card reader that can read and write data without contact with an IC card type credit card or a prepaid card that can pay for game play may be provided.

  The control board 1550 is used for wireless communication with a CPU 1551, various microprocessors such as a GPU and a DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as a VRAM, a RAM, and a ROM, and a mobile phone base station or a wireless LAN base station connected to the communication line 9. A wireless communication module 1553, an interface circuit 1557, and the like are mounted.

  The interface circuit 1557 includes a driver circuit of the touch panel 1506, a circuit for receiving signals from the direction input key 1502 and the button switch 1504, an output amplifier circuit for outputting a sound signal to the speaker 1510, and a sound signal collected by the microphone 1512. The circuit includes an input signal generation circuit for generating, a circuit for inputting image data of an image captured by the image sensor unit 1520, a signal input / output circuit for the memory card reader 1542, and the like.

  These components mounted on the control board 1550 are electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and are connected so as to be able to read and write data and transmit and receive signals. Note that a part or all of the control board 1550 may be configured by an ASIC, an FPGA, or an SoC. Then, the control board 1550 stores, in the IC memory 1552, a program and various data for realizing the function as the user terminal of the game of the present embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the user terminal 1500 downloads the client program and various setting data from the server system 1100. However, the user terminal 1500 may read the storage program such as a memory card 1540 obtained separately.

[Game description]
The present embodiment is a multiplayer simultaneous online battle game in which each player operates the characters while watching the game image based on the character to be operated by oneself, fights between the characters, and ends the given game. This is a game in which the final winner is determined based on the result of the battle that has been played until the conditions are met. The battle is a game in which the player can operate the character to be operated to attack and defeat other characters, and the character with the least number of defeats is a final winner.

  Specifically, in the game space configured in one virtual three-dimensional space, the operation target character appears for each player having a maximum number of X players (X is, for example, an integer of 100 or more). This is a so-called battle royal game in which the user obtains weapons or armor that is already arranged in the game space or is newly arranged according to the progress of the game, and fights until he becomes the last player. It is assumed that the operation target character is a game rule that cannot be played until the game ends once the character is destroyed.

  Here, “defeat” means that the character is considered to have been disabled or invalidated in the subsequent game based on the amount of damage received by the character. Therefore, depending on the contents of the game and the expression of the inability to act, it is synonymous with “destruction”, “deletion”, “invalidation”, “return”, “sink”, “course out”, and the like.

Now, in the game space, a “movable range”, which is a range in which all characters including the operation target character can be used for game play, is set.
The “movable range” has its boundary clearly specified in the game space. All characters including the operation target character can move within the movable range, but cannot move out of the movable range. Alternatively, a character outside the range is automatically and forcibly moved into the range, or if the character is outside the range, the character is damaged over time.

  The movable range is used to forcibly collect operation target characters scattered in the game space. That is, the movable range at the beginning of the play is substantially the same size as the game space, but is gradually or stepwise narrowed with time. As a result, the density of the operation target characters whose number decreases as time elapses from the start of play is appropriately adjusted, and an opportunity for engagement is secured. Note that the game space and the movable range are described as separately managed. However, the game space may be gradually or gradually narrowed as time elapses. This is because for the player, the game space and the movable range are considered to be substantially the same concept.

  By the way, in the battle royal game, it is desirable that the participating players can immediately play anytime and anywhere. Another appeal of Battle Royale is that players who have played in the past as well as beginner players can participate in the game together, allowing them to virtually experience survival in chaotic situations. The same mechanism as in the battle royal game of the present embodiment is used.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the skill between the players is not adjusted by the matching processing. However, as the play progresses, the play results between the players tend to differ, and accordingly, the quality of the game experience tends to differ.

  A player whose relative skill is estimated to be relatively low (hereinafter, referred to as a low skill player) becomes a prey of a player whose relative skill is estimated to be relatively high (hereinafter, referred to as a high skill player), and obtains a play result. Often, you will get little or no play. Of course, the resulting game experience tends to be insufficient.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as a character participating in the play, in addition to the operation target character for each player, an NPC (non-playable character) disguised as an operation target character that is easily defeated even by a low skill player is added. As a result, a kind of support is provided for the low-skilled player to increase the chance of obtaining a play result and a game experience.

[NPC placement and automatic control]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the number of NPCs to be arranged in the game space and the timing of the arrangement. Participants are recruited before play starts. The recruiting number is a number obtained by multiplying a nominal maximum number X of participants (X is an integer of 100 or more) by a predetermined ratio (for example, 0.8). Then, for example, when the number of participating players is Y (Y <X) and the operation target character 4 is a Y body, the NPCs 6 are arranged at a maximum (X-Y). In other words, if the sum of the number of participating players at the start of the game and the number of NPCs 6 that have appeared in the game space so far in the current game satisfies a given numerical condition, a new NPC 6 Is stopped in the game space.

  Note that, in order to further enhance the support effect, the NPC 6 actually appears at most (X−Y) + α, and when providing information such as the number of remaining characters provided to the player, the NPC of + α is not included in the first place. It may be.

  The arrangement timing at which NPCs are newly arranged in the game space is set dispersedly after the start of play. After a predetermined time t1 (for example, about 10 minutes) has elapsed from the start of play, a predetermined number (for example, about 2) NPCs 6 are newly arranged in the game space at predetermined intervals (for example, 2 minutes). And Then, after a predetermined time t2 from the start of play corresponding to the latter half of the game, a random number (for example, 1 to 3) of NPCs 6 are newly added at random intervals (for example, 8 to 12 minutes). It shall be arranged in space.

  By dispersing the arrangement timing and changing the interval, it becomes difficult for the player to notice that the NPC 6 is newly arranged in the game space. In addition, by making the interval from the start of the game to the predetermined time t1 shorter than that after the predetermined time t2, a sufficient amount of the operation target characters 4 of the low-skill player at the beginning of the play is sufficient. A number of NPCs 6 can be thrown into the game space.

  Note that, as described above, a movable range is set in the game space, and is automatically narrowed over time after the start of play. Therefore, even if the arrangement timing arrives, if the movable range satisfies a given size condition, the appearance of a new NPC is stopped. This makes it difficult for the player to notice the new arrangement of the NPC 6.

Next, parameters related to the arrangement of NPCs will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining “order” and “attraction”, which are parameters related to how an NPC is newly arranged in the game space and the NPC is controlled after the arrangement. An NPC is newly arranged in the game space, and “order” and “attraction degree” are set as parameters relating to how the NPC is controlled after arrangement.

  The “rank” is an order in which the higher the performance of each player, the higher the rank. Therefore, among the players, the player who has achieved the best play result is ranked first.

  The parameter and the reference period as the “play result” can be set as appropriate, but it is preferable to adopt a content that can accurately estimate the skill of the player. In the present embodiment, among the parameters related to the operation target character 4 of each player, the points given when defeating another character, the total moving distance in the game space, the total amount of damage applied, the total number of defeats, and the total operation amount are set. adopt. Of course, the play results are not limited to these. One or more of these may be narrowed down, or other than these may be added. For example, the number of items obtained in the game space, the type of items, the hit rate, the success rate of attacks, and the like can be added to the parameters of the play result.

  In the present embodiment, the reference period of the play result is a play result so far in the current game play, more specifically, a predetermined time t1 (see FIG. 3) from the start of the play.

  Of course, the reference period of the play result is not limited to this and can be set as appropriate. For example, in a configuration in which the order is updated during play, two reference periods from the start of play to a predetermined time t1 and from the predetermined time t1 to the predetermined time t2 may be provided. Alternatively, the reference period may be a period until the total number of remaining operation target characters 4 decreases to a predetermined number.

  In addition, the play result of the past game play is used instead of the play result of the previous game play, or the total of the play result of the past game play and the previous play result of the current game play is used. It may be.

  The “attraction degree” is a rank given to the operation target character 4 of each player based on a play result. For example, the degree of attraction "1" is given to the operation target character 4 in the first place, and the degree of attraction "2" is given to the operation target characters 4 in the second to fifth places. In the following, the value of the degree of attraction increases each time the rank decreases.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an example of a range set for each operation target character 4.
For each operation target character 4, a viewable range 10 (10c, 10e,...), A field of view 12 (12c, 12e,...), And an attraction range 14 (14c, 14e,...) Are set.

  The visible range 10 is a range in which the operation target character 4 can visually recognize another character. In the present embodiment, since the operation target character 4 is a virtual person, it corresponds to a range in which the operation target character 4 can be viewed in an infinite horizontal space without obstacles. In other words, the viewable range 10 can be regarded as a visually searchable enemy range. Of course, at the time of playing, the effective range as the viewable range 10 is much narrower due to environmental conditions of the game space (for example, terrain undulations, vegetation, presence or absence of obstacles (buildings and the like), presence of fog and smoke, etc.). .

  The field of view 12 is a range within a predetermined viewing angle with respect to the front of the operation target character 4 in the viewable range 10.

  The attraction range 14 is an influence range of the degree of attraction. The attraction range 14 is set wider than the visible range 10.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the visible range 10 and the attraction range 14 are set to a predetermined value common to all characters. Of course, for each character, for example, a configuration in which the viewable range 10 and the attraction range 14 are variable according to the type of the character and the use of the item is also possible.

Next, the arrangement of the new NPC 6 in the game space will be described.
In order to perform the arrangement control for arranging a new NPC 6 in the game space, first, among the characters 4 to be operated by each player, the selected character 8 is selected from the undefeated characters based on the degree of attraction. Specifically, one selected character 8 is randomly selected from the operation target characters 4 having the highest attraction value. In the example of FIG. 5, the operation target character 4e and the operation target character 4f have the same degree of attraction, but the operation target character 4e is selected as the selected character 8 as a result of the random lottery. In other words, the superiority of the player participating in the current game is determined based on the play result, and a character to be operated by the player that satisfies a given inferiority condition is selected as the selected character.

  Alternatively, as a method of selecting the selected character, a lottery is performed by setting the selection probability of selecting the operation target character 4 of the player who satisfies the inferiority condition to be higher than that of the operation target character 4 of the player who does not satisfy the inferiority condition. The selected character may be selected.

  However, the selected character 8 is selected from characters that do not satisfy the non-selection condition, except for characters that satisfy a predetermined “non-selection condition”. Here, the “non-selection condition” is a character in which the operation target character 4 operated by another player exists within the field of view 12, and a play result (an order is also possible) with another player. The character satisfies a given approximation condition.

  In other words, the fact that there is a character operated by another player in the field of view 12 of a certain operation target character 4 means that the player of the operation target character 4 can find the character operated by this another player and engage in battle. Sex is in a high situation. This situation is a spontaneously favorable situation in which even a low-skill player can find an attacking opponent, defeat it, obtain a play result, and obtain a game experience. In the example of FIG. 5, the operation target character 4f is in this favorable situation.

  Therefore, if a new NPC 6 is arranged and brought closer to the operation target character 4f in such a favorable situation as the selected character 8, the favorable situation may be broken. Therefore, the operation target character 4 f in such a favorable situation is not selected as the selected character 8.

Then, every time the selected character 8 is selected, a new NPC 6 is arranged in the game space.
At the time of new arrangement, first, the arrangement position of a new NPC 6 is determined based on the current position of the selected character 8. Specifically, it is set within the attraction range 14 of the selected character 8 but outside the visible range 10. This prevents the player from seeing the moment when the new NPC 6 is placed in the game space. It should be noted that even inside the viewable range 10, a place that cannot be effectively viewed due to environmental conditions, such as being obstructed by an obstacle and not being visible from the selected character 8, can be set as a placement position.

Next, the NPC 6 to be newly arranged is set based on the selected character 8.
Specifically, the selected character 8 is created by customizing several types of base characters. The NPC 6 to be newly arranged is set to have an appearance not similar to the selected character 8. More specifically, a base character different from the base character used for the selected character 8 is randomly selected so that appearance characteristics such as gender, hair color, hairstyle, and skin color are different from those of the base character. Change to and set. Thus, the appearance of the NPC 6 is given a natural appearance difference to provide diversity, and the player of the selected character 8 can easily find the NPC.

  Then, the newly set NPC 6 is arranged at the previously set arrangement position.

Next, automatic control of the placed NPC 6 will be described.
The newly arranged NPC 6 is automatically controlled in the same manner as the other NPCs already arranged. In the automatic control, the attack control for attacking another character existing in the field of view 12 is prioritized, and if there is no other character in the field of view 12, the movement control is performed for an enemy to search.

  In this movement control, the NPC 6 always searches for the operation target character 4 that can be the selected character 8 for the NPC 6 while moving. If so, the movement is controlled so as to approach the selected character 8.

Specifically, for each NPC 6 already placed,
(1) Search for the operation target character 4 whose current position is within the invitation range 14 (the operation target character 4 remaining without being destroyed),
(2) Characters in which the number of NPCs 6 associated with the selected character 8 as the selected character 8 has reached a predetermined upper limit (for example, two to three) are primarily excluded from the retrieved operation target characters 4. (Excluding characters that satisfy the first non-selection condition),
(3) A character operated by another player is a character present in the field of view and is played with another player from among the searched operation target characters 4 remaining without being primarily excluded. Characters whose performance satisfies a given approximation condition are secondarily excluded (characters satisfying a second non-selection condition are excluded),
(4) A character with the highest attraction is extracted from the searched operation target characters 4 remaining without being secondarily excluded,
(5) The closest character among the extracted operation target characters 4 is set as the selected character 8,
(6) Movement control is performed so as to approach the selected character 8.

  In other words, among the operation target characters 4 existing around the arranged NPC 6, the operation target character 4 that is closest and has the highest degree of attraction (larger) (that is, the estimated skill of the player is low) is selected as the selected character. The NPC 6 is assumed to be 8 and is moved from outside the field of view of the selected character 8 to the field of view, thereby causing the NPC 6 to appear within the field of view of the selected character 8.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, in a situation where the arranged NPCs 6 are located within the attraction range 14 (14 a, 14 c) of the plurality of operation target characters 4, the operation target character with a relatively high degree of attraction is provided. The movement is controlled toward 4 (4c). In the example of FIG. 6, the movement is controlled toward the operation target character 4c.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, in a situation where the arranged NPCs 6 are located within the attraction range 14 (14 a, 14 d) of the plurality of operation target characters 4, and In the situation where the degree of attraction is the same, the movement is controlled toward the nearest operation target character 4 (4c). In the example of FIG. 7, the movement is controlled toward the operation target character 4c.

  As shown in FIG. 8, among the operation target characters 4 (4c, 4d) that are candidates for the selected character 8, the number of NPCs 6 associated with the character as the selected character 8 is a predetermined upper limit number (see FIG. 8). When the upper limit number “3” is reached in the example of FIG. 8, the attraction of the character 4 is the highest, and even the nearest operation target character 4 may not be newly selected as the selected character 8. Absent. In the example of FIG. 8, three NPCs 6 (6b, 6c, 6d) whose movement is controlled toward the operation target character 4c are present at the stage of searching for the candidate of the selected character 8 of the NPC 6a to be controlled. Therefore, the NPC 6a to be controlled is controlled to move with the next operation target character 4d as the selected character 8.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 9, the character 4 (4c) operated by another player is the operation target character 4 (4f) existing in the field of view, and a play result is given to another player. The operation target character 4 (4f) that is a character that satisfies the approximation condition is not selected as the selected character 8. In the example of FIG. 9, the selected character 8 of the NPC 6a that is automatically controlled is likely to be the operation target character 4f that is the closest character with the highest degree of attraction, but since another operation target character 4c exists in the field of view 12f, , The next operation target character 4 d is selected as the selected character 8.

  When another character (the character 4d in FIG. 9) enters the field of view 12 of the NPC 6 (the NPC 6a in FIG. 9) while the movement control of the NPC 6 (the NPC 6a in FIG. 9) is performed, the other character becomes an attack target. The control content is changed from the movement control to the attack control, and the NPC 6 (NPC 6a in FIG. 9) is automatically controlled.

  In the attack control, the control contents of the NPC 6 are changed according to the operation target character 4 including the selected character 8 which is set as the attack target. Specifically, when the attack target is the selected character 8, the character is controlled as a character having lower combat ability and / or movement ability than the selected character 8.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a change in the control content related to the attack behavior in the automatic control. A plurality of attacking action patterns (a fixed form of control content related to the attacking action) are prepared in advance according to the difference in the fighting ability and / or the moving ability associated with the applied attraction degree, and the selected character 8 to be the attack target is prepared. Is selected according to the degree of attraction of the operation target character 4 (the parameter value reflecting the play result of the character), and is used for automatic control. Alternatively, after the initial fighting ability and / or the moving ability set in the NPC 6 are increased or decreased according to the degree of attraction of the operation target character 4 including the selected character 8 as the attack target, an automatic attack is performed so as to perform the attacking action. It may be controlled.

  In the example of FIG. 10A, the selected character 8 of the NPC 6 is the operation target character 4a with the degree of attraction of “1”. From the degree of attraction, it is estimated that the player has a high skill. Therefore, a “strong enemy pattern” that can exhibit a fighting ability or a moving ability as a strong enemy is selected and applied to the NPC 6 among the attacking behavior patterns.

On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 10B, the selected character 8 of the NPC 6 is the operation target character 4c with the degree of attraction Am (> 1). Based on the degree of attraction, it is estimated that the player has low skill. Therefore, a “weak enemy pattern” that can exert only a weak enemy's combat ability and movement ability among the attack action patterns is selected and applied to the NPC 6.
Therefore, it is possible to experience a battle response according to the skill of the player who engages with the NPC 6.

  It should be noted that the selection of the attack behavior pattern applied to the NPC 6 is not limited to the one based on the degree of attraction. By setting conditions for the type of the selected character 8 to be applied to each of the attack behavior patterns, the control content of the NPC 6 can be changed according to the type of the selected character 8 in addition to the degree of attraction. Such a configuration is suitable in a case where there are a plurality of types of base characters of the operation target character 4 and the NPC 6, and the settings are such that the relationship between the initial battle abilities set for each of them has an advantage or disadvantage.

  Then, when the operation target character 4 defeats the NPC 6, the play result of the operation target character 4 is updated, and the amount of update is determined by the high skill that the player of the operation target character 4 satisfies the given honor condition. It is set to be larger in the case of a low skill player who does not satisfy the honor condition than in the case of a player. In other words, the NPC 6 can influence the play result, but functions as an entity that more advantageously affects the low skill player than the high skill player.

[Explanation of functional configuration]
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the server system 1100 according to the present embodiment. The server system 1100 according to the present embodiment includes an operation input unit 100s, a server processing unit 200s, a sound output unit 390s, an image display unit 392s, a communication unit 394s, and a server storage unit 500s.

  The operation input unit 100s is a unit for inputting various operations for managing the server. The keyboard 1106 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

  The server processing unit 200s is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU and a GPU, and electronic components such as an ASIC and an IC memory, and inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. Perform control. Then, various types of arithmetic processing are executed based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the user terminal 1500, and the like, to integrally control the operation of the server system 1100. .

  The server processing unit 200s according to the present embodiment includes a user management unit 202, a participant reception unit 204, a game management unit 210, a clock unit 288s, a sound generation unit 290s, an image generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit. Part 294s. Of course, other functional units may be included as appropriate.

The user management unit 202 performs processing related to a user registration procedure and manages data of each user associated with a user account. In the present embodiment, the user management unit 202
(1) Assigning a unique user account to a registered user,
(2) Registration information management for registering and managing personal information for each user account;
(3) account management of electronic payment media consumed by payment of a billing element (eg, play price in this embodiment);
(4) Play history management for managing the history of login and logout for playing a game,
It has each function of. Of course, a function of managing other data linked to the account other than these, for example, data on past play results, etc., can be included as appropriate.

  The participant accepting unit 204 sets a game participant. Specifically, a predetermined reception time is provided, and a user who has performed a predetermined participation procedure within the reception period is set as a player.

  The game management unit 210 performs various processes related to game execution management. Since the game of this embodiment is a client-server type online game, the game management unit 210 of this embodiment performs control to provide data necessary for game play while communicating with the user terminal 1500. Then, the game management unit 210 of the present embodiment includes an operation target character setting unit 212, an order setting unit 214, a range setting unit 218, an arrangement timing determination unit 220, a character selection unit 222, and an NPC control unit 224. , A play result update unit 226. Of course, other functional units may be included as appropriate.

  The operation target character setting unit 212 performs a process related to the setting of the operation target character 4 for each player.

  The order setting unit 214 sets the order for each operation target character 4, that is, for each player, based on the play results played so far. Specifically, parameter values representing the play results (for example, the total moving distance of the operation target character 4 from the start of the play, the total amount of applied damage, the total number of defeats, the total operation amount, and the like) are totaled, and the total value The order is set in descending order (see FIG. 4).

  The range setting unit 218 controls the movable range, sets the visible range 10, the field of view 12, and the attraction range 14 for each operation target character 4 (see FIG. 5), and sets them according to the movement and posture of the operation target character 4. And the control for updating the range of each time. As for the movable range, the movable range is changed so that the movable range of the character becomes narrower with the passage of time.

  The arrangement timing determining unit 220 determines an arrangement timing at which the new NPC 6 is arranged in the game space (see FIG. 3).

  The character selection unit 222 selects the selected character 8 based on the play result played so far. The selection of the selected character 8 is performed each time the arrangement timing arrives and each time the NPC 6 is automatically controlled. That is, it is performed a plurality of times during the game.

  More specifically, the selected character 8 is selected from the characters that have not been destroyed and that do not satisfy the non-selection condition among the characters to be operated by each player. The non-selection condition includes at least that the character operated by another player is a character present in the field of view, and a play result with another player satisfies a given approximate condition. Of course, the non-selection condition can be appropriately changed according to the game content, the game effect, the design of the game system, and the like.

  More specifically, the character selection unit 222 has an attraction degree setting unit 223. The attraction level setting unit 223 sets the attraction level based on the order of the operation target character 4 (see FIG. 4). Then, the character selection unit 222 selects the selected character 8 based on the degree of attraction of each character. In other words, based on the play result, the superiority of the player participating in the current game is determined, and the operation target character 4 of the player that satisfies the given inferiority condition is selected as the selected character 8.

  Of course, in selecting the selected character 8, a selection is performed by performing a lottery in which the selection probability of selecting the operation target character 4 of the player who satisfies the inferiority condition is higher than that of the operation target character 4 of the player who does not satisfy the inferiority condition. The character 8 may be selected.

  The NPC control unit 224 performs various automatic controls related to the NPC 6. In the present embodiment, the automatic control includes (1) an arrangement control for arranging and causing the NPC 6 that can affect the play result in the game space, (2) a movement control for approaching the selected character 8, and (3) an NPC 6 that has appeared. Includes an attack control for attacking another character.

  Specifically, at the time of executing the arrangement control, the NPC control unit 224 causes a new NPC to be newly arranged in the game space and appears in the game space each time the arrangement timing comes and the selected character 8 is selected. . Then, the NPC 6 to appear can be changed based on the selected character 8 selected according to the new arrangement.

  However, if the total of the number of participating players at the start of the game and the number of NPCs 6 that have appeared in the game space so far in the current game satisfies a given numerical condition, a new NPC 6 Stops appearing in the game space. If the movable range satisfies a given size condition, the appearance of a new NPC 6 is stopped.

  When executing the movement control, the NPC control unit 224 moves the NPC 6 from the outside of the field of view of the selected character 8 to the field of view, so that the NPC 6 appears in the field of view of the selected character 8 and gives the selected character 8 Get closer.

  Then, when performing the attack control, the NPC control unit 224 determines the control content based on the play result of the player who operates the selected character 8 targeted for attack and / or the type of the selected character 8, for example, Change the action content or action pattern to act on. At this time, the NPC 6 is controlled as a character having lower combat ability and / or movement ability than the selected character 8.

  The play result updating unit 226 updates the play result according to the progress of the game and the result of the game of the operation target character 4. In particular, as for the update amount of the play result with respect to the defeat of the NPC 6, the play result is updated by making the player who does not satisfy the given honor condition larger than the player whose play result satisfies the given honor condition.

  The timer 288s measures the current date and time, time limit, and the like using the system clock.

  The sound generation unit 290s is realized by executing an IC or software for generating and decoding audio data, and generates or decodes operation management sound relating to system management of the server system 1100, operation sounds relating to game play, and audio data such as BGM. Then, an audio signal relating to system management is output to the sound output unit 390s.

  The sound output unit 390s emits a sound signal. In the example of FIG. 1, a speaker (not shown) provided in the main body device 1101 or the touch panel 1108 corresponds to this.

  The image generation unit 292s can generate an image related to system management of the server system 1100, a game image (or data for displaying the game image on the user terminal 1500), and the like. Then, an image related to system management can be output to the image display unit 392s.

  The image display unit 392s displays various images for system management based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 292s. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, and a head mounted display. In the example of FIG. 1, the touch panel 1108 corresponds to this.

  The communication control unit 294s executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 394s.

  The communication unit 394s connects to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a wired communication cable, a control circuit, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication device 1153 corresponds to this.

  The server storage unit 500s stores programs and various data for realizing various functions for making the server processing unit 200s integrally control the server system 1100. Further, it is used as a work area of the server processing unit 200s, and temporarily stores a calculation result and the like executed by the server processing unit 200s according to various programs. This function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, or an online storage. In the example of FIG. 1, a storage medium such as an IC memory 1152 and a hard disk mounted on the main body device 1101 and a storage 1140 correspond to this.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of programs and data stored in the server storage unit 500s according to the present embodiment. The server storage unit 500s in the present embodiment includes a server program 501, a distribution game client program 502, game space initial setting data 510, base character initial setting data 520, customization option data 522, and attraction degree definition data 524. And the attack behavior pattern definition data 526 and the play result update amount definition data 528 are stored.

  Further, the server storage unit 500s stores the user management data 600, the play data 700, and the current date and time 800 as data sequentially generated and managed in connection with the game. The server storage unit 500s can appropriately store other programs and data (for example, a timer, a counter, and various flags).

  The server program 501 is a program for realizing the functions of the user management unit 202, the participant reception unit 204, and the game management unit 210 by being read and executed by the server processing unit 200s (see FIG. 11). .

  The distribution game client program 502 is an original game client program provided to the user terminal 1500.

  The game space initial setting data 510 stores various initial setting data related to the game space. It includes map data, background object model data, item initial arrangement data 512, and the like. The item initial arrangement data 512 defines position coordinates, arrangement numbers, appearance conditions, and the like for arranging items usable by the operation target character 4 and the NPC 6 in the game space. At the start of the play and during the play, various items are arranged in the game space based on the initial arrangement data.

  The base character initial setting data 520 is prepared for each type of character to be a base of the operation target character 4 and the NPC 6.

  The customization option data 522 includes data for reflecting an option for customizing the base character and a result of the customization on the appearance of the character, for example, model data, texture, a color table, and the like.

  The attraction level definition data 524 is definition data for determining an attraction level based on a play result. In the present embodiment, the rank range and the value of the degree of attraction are stored in association with each other, but may be a function or the like.

  The attack behavior pattern definition data 526 is prepared for each pattern that defines the content of the attack behavior, and stores various data that defines the attack behavior. One attack behavior pattern definition data 526 includes a pattern type, an application condition, a combat ability value, a movement ability value, pattern content data, and the like.

  The application condition is data that defines a requirement to which the definition data is applied. At least the condition regarding the ranking of the operation target character 4 to be attacked by the NPC 6 is included. A condition regarding the type of the operation target character 4 to be attacked by the NPC 6 (in the present embodiment, the type of the base character on which the customization is based) can also be included.

  The play result update amount definition data 528 is data for determining the update amount of the play result. For example, for each of the contents of the play result, the first update amount applied when the target that has increased the play result is the operation target character 4 and the first update amount that is applied when the target that has increased the play result is the NPC 6 2 is stored in association with the update amount.

  The user management data 600 is prepared for each registered user and stores various data associated with an account, which is unique identification information. For example, one piece of user management data 600 includes a unique user account 601 and play history data 610. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate. For example, save data of the operation target character 4 can be included.

  The play history data 610 is data for storing data describing when a game was played, what kind of play was performed, and the like in chronological order of play, and is automatically updated at the timing of login / logout. Is done. The past play results are stored.

  The play data 700 is prepared for each game play, and stores various kinds of data describing the progress of the game and various kinds of information related to display of a game screen, such as control data for each character. Although only one is shown, in a configuration in which a plurality of plays can be managed concurrently, a plurality of play data 700 is stored and managed at the same time.

One play data 700 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
(1) Elapsed time 701 from the start of play,
(2) movable range definition data 703 that defines a movable range that is a substantial playable area in the game space;
(4) an interval counter 705 used for new arrangement control of the NPC 6;
(5) the total number of NPCs 707, which is the total number of NPCs 6 that can be arranged in this play,
(6) NPC arrangement selection character ID 709,
(7) Operation target character management data 710,
(8) NPC management data 750,
including. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The operation target character management data 710 is prepared for each operation target character 4 and stores various data describing the latest state of the character. One operation target character management data 710 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
(1) unique character ID 711,
(2) Player account 712,
(3) Operation target character type 714,
(4) Operation target character model data 716,
(5) position coordinates 720;
(6) attitude control data 721;
(7) Owned item list 722,
(8) 723 remaining hit points,
(9) a fighting ability value 724 that stores various parameter values that define the fighting ability;
(10) a moving ability value 725 for storing various parameter values that define the moving ability;
(11) This time play result data 730,
(12) Rank 740,
(13) Attraction degree 742,
(14) A destroyed date and time 744 that stores the date and time when the character was destroyed in chronological order,
(15) range setting data 746 that defines each range of the viewable range 10, the view 12, and the attraction range 14,
including. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate. For example, user terminal access information for accessing the user terminal 1500 for each player of the operation target character 4 can also be included.

  The current play result data 730 includes, for example, a ranking determining element parameter value list 731, an action log 733, and a play result point 735, and is automatically updated when the game progress is started.

  The rank determining element parameter value list 731 stores parameter values that are referred to for determining the rank of the character to be selected. In the present embodiment, the total moving distance, the total applied damage amount, the total number of defeats, the total operation amount, and the like are stored.

  The action log 733 is a log regarding the action of the operation target character 4. At least, when an attack is performed, the character ID of the character to be attacked and an NPC identification flag set when the character is the NPC 6 are included.

  The play result point 735 is initialized to “0” at the start of play, and each time a character is damaged or destroyed, the update amount defined by the play result update amount definition data 528 (see FIG. 12) is set. Points are added.

  Returning to FIG. 13, the NPC management data 750 is prepared for each NPC 6 arranged in the game space, and stores various data describing the latest state of the character. One NPC management data 750 includes, for example, a unique character ID 751, an impersonation account 752 automatically given when a new NPC 6 is created, character data 753, position coordinates 754, posture control data 755, and possession. It includes an item list 756, remaining hit points 757, range setting data 760, a combat ability value 761, a movement ability value 762, a selected character ID 763, an applied action pattern type 764, and a hit date 768. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

  FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the user terminal 1500 according to the present embodiment. The user terminal 1500 of the present embodiment includes the operation input unit 100, the terminal processing unit 200, the sound output unit 390, the image display unit 392, the communication unit 394, and the terminal storage unit 500.

  The operation input unit 100 outputs operation input signals corresponding to various operation inputs made by the player to the terminal processing unit 200. For example, it can be realized by a push switch, a joystick, a touch pad, a trackball, an acceleration sensor, a gyro, a CCD module, and the like. The direction input key 1502, the button switch 1504, and the touch panel 1506 in FIG.

  The terminal processing unit 200 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or a GPU, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls input / output of data with each functional unit including the operation input unit 100 and the terminal storage unit 500. Do. Then, it executes various arithmetic processes based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, and various data received from the server system 1100, and controls the operation of the user terminal 1500. The control board 1550 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this. The terminal processing unit 200 according to the present embodiment includes a user terminal calculation unit 280, a clock unit 288, a sound generation unit 290, and a communication control unit 294.

  The user terminal calculation unit 280 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 281 and a game screen display control unit 282.

  The operation signal transmission control unit 281 executes a process for transmitting various data and requests to the server system 1100 in accordance with an operation performed on the operation input unit 100.

  The game screen display control unit 282 performs control for displaying a game screen based on various data received from the server system 1100. In the present embodiment, the game space image (for example, a 3DCG image) is generated by the server system 1100, but the game space image may be generated by the user terminal 1500. In that case, the game screen display control unit 282 includes, for example, control of an object arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space for generating 3DCG.

  The sound generation unit 290 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec capable of reproducing a voice file, or the like, and performs a game based on a processing result by the game screen display control unit 282. A sound signal of a sound effect, BGM, and various operation sounds is generated and output to the sound output unit 390.

  The sound output unit 390 is realized by a device that outputs a sound effect, BGM, or the like based on a sound signal input from the sound generation unit 290. The speaker 1510 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

  The image display unit 392 displays various game images based on an image signal input from the game screen display control unit 282. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, and a head mounted display. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

  The communication control unit 294 performs data processing related to data communication, and implements data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 394. The communication unit 394 connects to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a wired communication cable, a control circuit, and the like, and corresponds to the wireless communication module 1553 in FIG.

  The terminal storage unit 500 stores programs for realizing various functions for causing the terminal processing unit 200 to control the user terminal 1500 in an integrated manner, various data, and the like. The terminal processing unit 200 is used as a work area, and temporarily stores a calculation result executed by the terminal processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, and the like. These functions are realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. The IC memory 1552 and the memory card 1540 mounted on the control board 1550 in FIG. 2 correspond to this.

  The terminal storage unit 500 of the present embodiment stores the game client program 504. Of course, programs and data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

  The game client program 504 is application software for realizing the function as the user terminal calculation unit 280 by being read and executed by the terminal processing unit 200. In the present embodiment, the distribution game client program 502 (see FIG. 12) provided from the server system 1100 is a copy.

  Note that the game client program 504 may be a dedicated client program according to a technical method of realizing an online game, or may be configured by a web browser program and a plug-in that realizes interactive image display.

[Description of operation]
Next, the flow of processing in the server system 1100 will be described. The processing flow described here is realized by the server processing unit 200s executing the server program 501.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing in the server system 1100 relating to one game play.
The server system 1100 receives a player who participates in the game, and customizes the operation target character 4 for each player (step S10). Operation target character management data 710 is created for each of the accepted players.

  The reception of the player is closed when the reception time ends or when the number of participants reaches a predetermined number, and the total number of NPCs arranged 707 is set so as to satisfy a predetermined numerical condition according to the number of participants at the deadline (see FIG. 13). Is determined (step S12). For example, as a numerical condition, the maximum number of participants X = 100, the maximum number of reception participants may be 95, and five NPCs 6 may be arranged. In this case, the deadline will be reached if the number of participants reaches 95 even before the reception time ends. At the end of the reception time, if the number of participants is Y less than 95, the maximum of the total number of NPCs 707 is set to (100-Y). In order to further enhance the support effect, the NPC 6 may actually appear up to (X−Y) + α at the maximum, and the information such as the number of remaining characters provided to the player may not include the NPC of + α. .

  Next, the server system 1100 arranges the operation target characters 4 in the game space and starts operation control of each operation target character 4 in response to an operation input from the user terminal 1500 corresponding to each operation target character 4. Then, the game play is started (step S20). Then, the automatic reduction process of the movable range and the update of the play result are also started (step S22).

  Accordingly, in the play data 700 (see FIG. 13), the time measurement of the time elapse 701 is started, and the movable range definition data 703 is set to the same size as the game space, and then reduced in accordance with the elapse of time. Automatically updated to. Also, the definition data relating to the field of view 12 of the range setting data 746 is appropriately changed according to a change in the front direction of each operation target character 4. When an item is obtained in the game space, the possessed item list 722 is changed, and the combat ability value 724 and the movement ability value 725 are changed as appropriate according to the setting of the obtained item.

  Further, the operation target character management data 710 (see FIG. 14) of each operation target character 4 is based on the result of the current play result data 730 initialized at the start of play, for example, according to the process of reflecting damage due to engagement, and the like. Automatically updated. As a result of the engagement, the remaining hit points 723 of the character that has been damaged are subtracted by the amount of damage from a predetermined value set at the start of play, and when the character becomes “0”, the character is certified to be destroyed. The defeated date and time 744 of the defeated character is changed from an initially set undetermined value (for example, NULL) to the current date and time of defeat.

  After the start of the play, the server system 1100 monitors whether or not the ranking can be set (step S30). In the present embodiment, the result of the current game play so far, specifically, the elapse of a predetermined time t1 (see FIG. 3) from the start of the play is monitored.

  Then, when the ranking can be set (YES in step S30), the server system 1100 sets the ranking 740 for each operation target character 4 based on the current play result data 730 (see FIG. 14) at that time. (Step S32) According to the degree-of-attraction definition data 524, the degree of attraction 742 (see FIG. 14) corresponding to the set rank 740 is set (step S34). Then, the server system 1100 starts measuring the timing of the arrangement of the new NPC 6 (see FIG. 3) (step S36).

  Further, the server system 1100 monitors the arrival of the new NPC 6 arrangement timing after the start of the play. In the present embodiment, when the timing of the interval counter 705 is completed, it is determined that the arrangement timing has come. Then, when the arrangement timing has come (YES in step S38) and the new NPC 6 is arranged, it is determined whether the remaining operation target character 4 and the NPC 6 satisfy predetermined numerical conditions (step S40).

  The "numerical condition" here means that the total of the remaining operation target character 4, the newly arranged NPC 6, and the arranged and remaining NPC 6 does not increase more than a certain ratio. The first condition to be set is appropriately set. Also, a second condition is appropriately set so that the NPC density per unit area of the movable range that is automatically reduced with time does not exceed a predetermined reference value. Of course, one or both of these may be omitted, and other conditions may be set as appropriate.

  If step S40 is affirmative (YES in step S40), server system 1100 executes an NPC arrangement control process (step S42).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the NPC placement control process.
In the process, first, the server system 1100 selects one selected character 8 from the operation target characters 4 remaining without being destroyed (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and sets the character ID of the character. It is set to the NPC arrangement selection character ID 709 (see FIG. 13) (step S50).

  Next, the server system 1100 determines an arrangement position of a new NPC 6 outside the viewable range 10 of the selected character 8 for NPC arrangement (step S52). Accordingly, new NPC management data 750 is prepared in the play data 700 (see FIG. 13). The arrangement position determined in this step is set to the position coordinates 754 as an initial position.

  Next, the server system 1100 sets the NPC 6 to be newly arranged based on the selected character 8 for NPC arrangement (step S54). That is, since it is expected that the NPC 6 to be newly arranged is likely to be found by the player of the selected character 8 after the arrangement, the selection of the base character and the selection of the base character are made so that the appearance difference from the selected character 8 is conspicuous. , Determine the content of the customization. For example, if the selected character 8 is blonde, it is red hair, and if it is short hair, it is long hair. In addition, not only the selected character 8 for NPC arrangement but also a predetermined number (for example, two to three) of the operation target characters 4 are selected in the order from the position closest to the arrangement position, and the difference is determined so as to be conspicuous. Good.

  Then, the server system 1100 controls the arrangement of the new NPC 6 at the previously determined arrangement position (step S56), and ends the NPC arrangement control processing.

  Thereafter, similarly to the operation target character 4, the newly placed NPC 6 is a target of reflection control of damage accompanying the engagement and destruction recognition.

  Referring to FIG. 17, after the play starts, the server system 1100 executes the loop A for each of the arranged NPCs 6 and automatically controls the remaining NPCs 6 if they are not destroyed (steps S70 to S74).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of the NPC action control process.
In the process, the server system 1100 first determines whether or not the selected character (the operation target character 4 indicated by the selected character ID 763 in FIG. 13) associated with the NPC 6 to be processed has been destroyed. If it is (YES in step S100), the association is reset (step S102). That is, the selected character ID 763 is updated to a predetermined value having an undetermined meaning (for example, NULL).

  Next, if there is no setting of the selected character 8 associated with the NPC 6 to be processed (NO in step S104), the server system 1100 sets the operation target character in which the NPC 6 to be processed is in the attraction range 14. Search for 4. In other words, a search is made for an inviting character to attract the NPC 6 to be processed. If there is an operation target character 4 corresponding to the attraction character (YES in step S106), the server system 1100 newly selects the selected character 8 from any of the operation target characters 4 corresponding to the attraction character and responds. (Step S108; see FIGS. 6 to 10). However, if there is no operation target character 4 corresponding to the attraction character (NO in step S106), the selected character 8 remains unassociated.

  Next, if there is another character in the field of view 12 of the NPC 6 to be processed (YES in step S120), an attack action pattern is selected (step S122), and an attack action is performed (step S124).

  Specifically, the other character is regarded as an attack target, and when the attack target is the selected character 8, definition data that satisfies the application condition is selected from the attack behavior pattern definition data 526 (see FIG. 12). By setting the battle ability value and the movement ability value, and applying the action pattern defined in the pattern content data, the attack target is automatically controlled to attack.

  If the attack target is not the selected character 8, a predetermined combat ability, movement ability value, and attack behavior pattern common to the NPC 6 may be employed to control the attack behavior. Alternatively, even when the attack target is not the selected character 8, definition data that satisfies the application condition may be selected from the attack behavior pattern definition data 526 (see FIG. 12).

  In the first place, since the arranged NPC 6 is controlled to move so as to enter the field of view 12 of the selected character 8, the “other character” mentioned here is highly likely to be the selected character 8 for the NPC 6 to be processed. Therefore, in steps S122 to S124, the NPC 6 to be controlled is automatically controlled so as to be a character having lower combat ability and / or movement ability than the selected character 8.

  On the other hand, if there is no other character in the field of view 12 of the NPC 6 to be processed (NO in step S120), but there is an association with the selected character 8 (YES in step S126), the server system 1100 searches for the NPC 6 The movement is performed, but the movement is controlled so that the selected character 8 associated with the character 8 moves into the field of view (step S118). That is, by moving the NPC 6 from outside the field of view of the selected character 8 to the field of view, control is performed so that the NPC 6 appears within the field of view of the selected character 8.

  On the other hand, if no other character exists in the field of view 12 of the NPC 6 to be processed (NO in step S120) and if there is no association with the selected character 8 (NO in step S126), the server system 1100 randomly changes the moving direction. After the determination, the movement is controlled so as to move in the direction by a predetermined distance or a predetermined time (step S130).

  Returning to FIG. 17, the server system 1100 repeatedly executes steps S38 to S74 until a predetermined game end condition is satisfied (NO in step S200). The game termination condition of the present embodiment is that the number of characters remaining without being destroyed becomes one, or the number of characters remaining at the same time or almost at the same time becomes zero as a result of strikes.

  Then, if the game end condition is satisfied (YES in step S200), server system 1100 sets the character with the least number of defeats as the final winner (step S202). In the present embodiment, since a single defeat disables play, the number of defeats is zero, that is, a character that has not been defeated is the final winner. Further, based on the defeated date and time 744, the order of play results may be determined by the player so that the later the defeated date and time is, the higher the rank is, and the first place in the order may be the final winner. If the game rule respawns after a certain period of time after being defeated, the order may be determined based on the number of dates and times registered in the defeated date and time 744 (= number of defeats).

  Next, the server system 1100 causes each user terminal 1500 to display the action history of the operation target character 4 during play (step S204), and updates the play history data 610 (see FIG. 12) (step S204). S206), a series of processing ends.

  In displaying the action history, the server system 1100 performs an identification display indicating whether the defeated character is the operation target character 4 or the NPC 6 in the display of the defeat.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a new technology capable of providing a sufficient play result and a game experience even in a low skill player in a multiplayer game.

  Specifically, based on the play result, the operation target character 4 estimated to be operated by the low skill player can be regarded as the selected character 8, and the NPC 6 can be controlled so as to enter the visual field from outside the visual field.

  In games where the player needs to find the target of the attack, it is important to grasp the knack for finding the opponent.However, low-skilled players often have not yet grasped the knack, and how they can support this. It becomes a problem. However, according to the present embodiment, the NPC 6 having lower combat ability and movement ability than the selected character 8 appears in front of the low-skilled player, so that even before grasping the knack, the play result is improved and the game experience is improved. To get the opportunity to

(Modification)
As described above, an example of the embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described. However, the form to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the above-described form, and constituent elements can be appropriately added, omitted, or changed.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the game genre is the battle royal game, but the game genre is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied to a competitive game in which a large number of players simultaneously participate in the damage amount of the participant character (player character). For example, the player character does not become inoperable no matter how much damage is taken, but assuming that the accumulated damage received is managed, the accumulated value of the damage received by each player character at the end of the game play time is calculated. The present invention can be similarly applied to a game whose ranking is determined based on the ranking.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the play result up to now in the current game play is used as the play result, but instead, the configuration using the play result of the past game play, or the play result of the past game play and the current play result are used. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the sum of the results of the previous game play and the play results so far. In this case, the information of the play result stored in the play history data 610 of the user management data 600 (see FIG. 12) of each player may be referred to.

2 ... player 4 (4a, 4b, ...) ... operation target character 6 ... NPC
8 ... Selected Character 10 ... Recognizable Range 12 ... Field of View 14 ... Attraction Range 200s ... Server Processing Unit 210 ... Game Management Unit 212 ... Operation Target Character Setting Unit 214 ... Order Setting Unit 218 ... Range Setting Unit 220 ... Arrangement Timing Determination Unit 222 ... Character selection unit 223 ... Attraction setting unit 224 ... NPC control unit 226 ... Play result update unit 500s ... Server storage unit 501 ... Server program 502 ... Distribution game client program 520 ... Base character initial setting data 522 ... Customization option data 524 ... Attraction level definition data 526 ... Attack action pattern definition data 528 ... Play result update amount definition data 700 ... Play data 703 ... Movable range definition data 707 ... Total NPC arrangement number 709 ... NPC arrangement selection character ID
710: Operation target character management data 724: Combat ability value 725: Movement ability value 730 ... Play result data 731 ... Rank determining element parameter value list 735 ... Play result point 740 ... Rank 742 ... Attraction 744 ... Attack destruction date 746 ... Range Setting data 750 NPC management data 784 Applied action pattern type 1000 Game system 1100 Server system 1150 Control board 1500 User terminal

Claims (18)

Each player operates the character while watching the game image based on the character to be operated by the player, fights between the characters, and determines a final winner based on the result of the battle that has been performed until a given game end condition is satisfied. A computer system for executing a game,
Character selection means for selecting a selected character from the characters to be operated by each player based on the play results so far;
NPC control means for controlling the appearance of NPCs (non-playable characters) that may affect the future play results;
Computer system with The battle is a battle in which the player can operate the character to be operated to damage and destroy other characters,
In the game, any one of a character that has been defeated the least, a character that has the least amount of damage, and a character that has not been defeated until a given game end time is the final winner. Is a game,
The computer system according to claim 1. The NPC control means sets the NPC as a character having lower combat ability and / or movement ability than the selected character.
The computer system according to claim 2. A play result updating means for updating the play result, wherein a player whose play result does not satisfy the honor condition is compared with a player whose play result satisfies a given honor condition. A play result updating means for updating the play result by increasing the
The computer system according to claim 2, further comprising: The character selecting means performs the selection of the selected character a plurality of times during a game,
The NPC control means performs control to cause a new NPC to appear each time the selected character is selected by the character selection means.
The computer system according to claim 1. The character selecting means performs a plurality of times during the game to select the selected character from characters that have not been destroyed among the characters to be operated by each player,
The NPC control means performs control to cause a new NPC to appear each time the selected character is selected by the character selection means.
The computer system according to claim 2. The NPC control means includes:
Controlling the appearance of the new NPC in the game space by newly arranging the NPC in the game space;
If the sum of the number of participating players at the start of the game and the number of NPCs that have appeared in the game space so far in the current game satisfies a given numerical condition, Stopping the NPC from appearing in the game space;
I do,
The computer system according to claim 6. The game is a game in which a movable range of a character is narrowed over time.
The NPC control means includes:
If the movable range satisfies a given size condition, stop appearing a new NPC;
I do,
The computer system according to claim 6. The NPC control means causes the NPC to appear within the field of view of the selected character by moving the NPC from outside the field of view of the selected character into the field of view.
The computer system according to claim 1. The play results are: 1) the play results of the past game play; 2) the play results of the past game play; and 3) the play results of the past game play and the past play results of the current game play. Total,
The computer system according to claim 1. The play result includes at least information on the moving distance of the operation target character,
The computer system according to claim 1. The character selection means determines the superiority or inferiority of the player participating in the current game based on the play result, and a) selects a character to be operated by the player satisfying a given inferiority condition as the selected character. Or b) performing a lottery in which the selection probability of selecting the operation target character of the player satisfying the inferiority condition is higher than that of the operation target character of the player not satisfying the inferiority condition, and performing the lottery. select,
The computer system according to claim 1. The character selecting unit selects the selected character from among characters that do not satisfy the non-selection condition, except for a character that satisfies a predetermined non-selection condition,
The computer system according to claim 1. The NPC control means changes the NPC to appear based on the selected character.
The computer system according to claim 1. The NPC control means changes the control content of the NPC based on the selected character.
The computer system according to claim 1. The NPC control means changes the control content of the NPC based on the play result of a player operating the selected character and / or the type of the selected character.
The computer system according to claim 15. The computer system is a server system that is communicatively connected to a player terminal of the player.
The computer system according to claim 1. The server system being the computer system according to claim 17,
The player terminal;
A game system comprising:

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