JP2022138642A - Game system, computer program used for the same and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game system which can evaluate the performance by a plurality of characters from the view point of a performer of the performance.SOLUTION: An HMD-type game machine 4 provides a music game including a playing performance executed by a plurality of character images 54 including a third character image 54C operated by a user. The HMD-type game machine 4, when a pressing operation or the like for executing thumb-up or the like as an evaluation action executed so as to be added to the playing performance to a second character image 54B from the third character image 54C is executed with a touch button TB or the like of an operation stick OS connected to the HMD-type game machine 4, evaluates the playing performance by the second character image 54B on the basis of the operation of the thumb-up or the like corresponding to the pressing operation or the like, and provides the evaluation result to each user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention is connected to an input device for inputting a play action of each user and a display device for displaying a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play action are displayed. The present invention relates to a game system that provides a game including performances executed by a plurality of characters through the game screen.

It is connected to an input device for inputting the play action of each user and a display device for displaying a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play action are displayed, and the game Gaming systems exist that provide games that include performances performed by multiple characters through a screen. A head-mounted device (HMD) that provides a virtual space that uses multiple characters and performances such as a large number of avatars operated by each user, and performances such as one-shot tricks performed by specific avatars. ) type user terminal is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-36239 A

In the virtual space of Patent Document 1, a performance by a specific avatar is viewed by a plurality of users (spectators viewing the performance) via other avatars, and the number of spectators who laugh is calculated as an evaluation value of the performance. be. In other words, the performance by a particular avatar is evaluated by the audience, a user other than the performer of the performance.

On the other hand, when a performance is performed by multiple characters, there are elements that can only be evaluated by the performer performing the performance. For example, elements such as whether the part of the performance by another character has an affinity with one's own performance or whether there is synchronicity may be important for the performer, but these are the executions performing the performance together. can only be evaluated by However, the virtual space of Patent Literature 1 is not a configuration in which performers performing performance together evaluate the performance portion of other performers in the performance. In the first place, it is not clear whether the action performed by the executor for the purpose of evaluation as a separate action from the performance is permissible or not. At least in the virtual space of Patent Document 1, there is no need to have those configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game system or the like capable of evaluating the performance of a plurality of characters from the viewpoint of the performer of the performance.

A game system of the present invention displays an input device for inputting a play action of each user, and a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play action are displayed. A game system that is connected to a display device and provides a game including performances performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen, wherein the performance is added from the user character to other characters of the plurality of characters. an instruction evaluation for evaluating the performance by the other character based on the additional instruction action for causing the user character to perform the additional action executed as the play action, when the additional instruction action is executed as the play action means, and result providing means for providing each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character.

On the other hand, a computer program of the present invention is configured to cause a computer connected to the input device and the display device to function as each means of the game system described above.

Further, the control method of the present invention includes an input device for inputting a play action of each user, and a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play action are displayed. A computer that is connected to a display device for displaying and incorporated in a game system that provides a game including performances executed by the plurality of characters through the game screen, from the user character to another character among the plurality of characters. When an additional instructive action for causing the user character to perform an additional action to be executed in addition to the performance is executed as the play action, the performance by the other character is performed based on the additional instructive action. An instruction evaluation procedure for evaluation and a result providing procedure for providing each user with the evaluation result of the performance by the other character are executed.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the essential parts of the control system of the game system; The figure which shows an example of a game screen typically. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship of each character in the virtual three-dimensional space; FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a game screen when the visual field range has moved to the right tilt range in the example of FIG. 4; Explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of performance evaluation. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of a cooperation action. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of a response action. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of performance performance evaluation results based on evaluation actions; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of performance performance evaluation results based on evaluation actions; The figure which shows an example of a structure of performance data. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of performance selection processing; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for cooperation response processing; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of performance evaluation processing; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of performance data generation processing;

An example of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, referring to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device. Note that the center server 2 may be configured as one logical server device by combining server units as a plurality of computer devices. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

An appropriate number of one or a plurality of game devices are connected to the center server 2 as client devices connectable via the network 3 . Game devices include arcade game machines (commercial game machines installed in facilities such as amusement stores that allow users to play games within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined consideration). , where user terminal 4 is shown in the example of FIG. Specifically, a plurality of user terminal devices 4 are connected to the center server 2 via the network 3 as an example of a game device.

The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for personal use by the user. The user terminal device 4 can allow users to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by installing various computer software. Such computer software (applications) includes game applications for providing paid or free games. The user terminal device 4 functions as a game machine through the execution of such game applications. Such a user terminal device 4 is, for example, a stationary or book-type personal computer, a stationary home-use game machine, or various mobile terminal devices such as a portable tablet terminal device and a mobile phone (including a smart phone). contains. As the user terminal device 4, these may be used as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 1, an HMD (head mounted display or head mounted device) type game machine is used.

The HMD type game machine is a well-known game machine worn on the head so that the display surface of the display occupies most of the user's field of view. The HMD type game machine includes, for example, a dedicated HMD type game device, a game composed of a combination of an appropriate mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, and a case accommodating it so that the user's field of vision is directed toward the display surface. It includes a device and a glasses-type projector (so-called smart glasses) that projects an image so that the image is focused on the back of the eyeball. The HMD-type dedicated game device also includes an interlocking game device that is connected to a tablet terminal device, a smartphone, or the like and functions as a game machine through the application of the tablet terminal device. Any of these various HMD type game machines may be used as the user terminal device 4 . Hereinafter, an HMD-type game machine functioning as the user terminal device 4 may be denoted by the same reference numerals as the user terminal device 4 and may be referred to as an HMD-type game machine 4 .

The HMD-type game machine 4 is appropriately provided with various input devices for inputting user's play actions. For example, the HMD-type game machine 4 may incorporate a sensor that detects the movement of the head as a play action, and the sensor may function as an input device. Alternatively, a device other than the HMD type game machine 4 may be connected to the HMD type game machine 4 by an appropriate method, and the other device may function as an input device. As described above, the HMD type game machine 4 may be appropriately provided with various input devices, and in the example of FIG. 1, an operation stick OS is provided as such an input device. The operation stick OS is a well-known input device connected to the HMD-type game machine 4 through a predetermined wireless communication standard. The operation stick OS may be used for inputting various operations (play actions), and an appropriate number of operation stick OS may be connected to each HMD type game machine 4 accordingly. Two operation sticks OS (only one of them is shown in FIG. 1) are connected to each HMD type game machine 4 so as to be operated respectively. The HMD-type game machine 4 provides a game that progresses through play actions input via such an operation stick OS.

Each operation stick OS may be appropriately provided with various operation units on which an operation as a kind of play action is to be executed, and in the example of FIG. 1, a touch button TB is provided. The touch button TB is an operation unit on which a user's pressing operation or a touch operation of touching (contacting) a finger is performed. That is, a pressing operation or a touch operation is executed via the touch button TB as a kind of play action.

The HMD-type game machine 4 may appropriately provide various games, such as an action game, a simulation game, and a role-playing game, and provides a music game as an example. A music game is a kind of timing game. A timing game is a type of game that evaluates when to perform appropriate play actions. In the case of a music game, the execution time when the appropriate play action should be performed is provided with the music. Also, in the music game, the timing that matches the rhythm of the music is used as the execution timing. In other words, the music game is a type of game that guides the user when to perform appropriate play actions in accordance with the rhythm of music, and evaluates when the play action is actually performed. Also, for example, a music game is prepared with a plurality of songs for play, and a song selected therefrom is used for actual play. Such a music game may be appropriately provided via various output devices, but is provided through a game screen displayed on the display of the HMD type game machine 4 as an example.

The game provided by the HMD type game machine 4 includes a plurality of characters (including various objects such as cars and animals) and performances executed by these characters. A plurality of characters may appropriately perform various performances according to the type of action game or the like. In the case of a music game, for example, a performance of playing a musical instrument (hereinafter referred to as performance performance) is performed. Therefore, a game screen may include multiple characters performing such musical performances. Details of such a game screen will be described later.

The network 3 may be configured appropriately as long as the HMD type game machine 4 can be connected to the center server 2 . As an example, the network 3 is configured to implement network communication using the TCP/IP protocol. Typically, the network 3 is configured by combining the Internet as a WAN and an intranet as a LAN. In the example of FIG. 1, the center server 2 is connected to the network 3 via the router 3a, and the HMD type game machine 4 is connected to the network 3 via the access point 3b. Note that the network 3 is not limited to a form using the TCP/IP protocol. As the network 3, various forms using a wired line for communication or a wireless line (including infrared communication, short-range wireless communication, etc.) may be used.

The center server 2 provides various web services to the user of the HMD type game machine 4 via the network 3 . The Web service includes a distribution service for distributing various data or software (including updating data, etc.) to each HMD type game machine 4 . The Web service is a matching service that matches users (competitors or cooperators) of other HMD-type game machines 4 via the network 3 when the music game is played as a competitive or cooperative game. Various services such as a service and a service of assigning a user ID for identifying each user may be included as appropriate.

Next, the main part of the control system of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the center server 2 is provided with a control unit 21 and a storage section 22 as storage means. The control unit 21 is configured as a computer that combines a CPU as an example of a processor that executes various arithmetic processing and operation control according to a predetermined computer program, and an internal memory and other peripheral devices required for the operation.

The storage unit 22 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 22 may be configured to hold all data in one storage unit, or may be configured to store data in a distributed manner in a plurality of storage units. A program PG1 is recorded in the storage unit 22 as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 21 to execute various processes necessary for providing various services to the user. The storage unit 22 also stores server data necessary for providing various services. Such server data includes various data for services, and in the example of FIG. 2, music data MD, sequence data QD, play data PD, and performance data OD is shown.

The music data MD is data for reproducing each music. The music data MD is used, for example, to reproduce each music in a music game. The sequence data QD is data describing each execution time at which appropriate play actions should be executed in the music game. The sequence data QD is used to guide the user about each execution time. Further, when the user actually performs a play action, the play action is evaluated based on the execution timing of the sequence data QD. That is, the sequence data QD is used for guidance and evaluation of each execution timing. For this reason, the sequence data QD is described so as to associate each execution time and appropriate play action information to be executed at that execution time. Also, in a music game, when a plurality of songs or a plurality of difficulty levels are prepared, the sequence data QD is prepared for each song or difficulty level. Furthermore, when a plurality of characters are included in the play target, each execution time and appropriate play action may differ depending on the selected character (or different musical instruments for each character as described later). In such a case, sequence data QD is also prepared for each such character (or musical instrument). The play data PD is data describing information about the past play performance of each user. The play data PD is used to hand over the play results (past achievements) up to the previous time to the next and subsequent times, or to hand over the setting specific to each user. The musical performance data OD is data for realizing musical performance. Details of the performance data OD will be described later.

In addition, the server data may include various data for realizing various services. For example, such data may include image data, ID management data, or the like. The image data is data for displaying various images such as game screens on the display device. The ID management data is data for managing various IDs such as user IDs. However, illustration of them is omitted.

The control unit 21 is provided with a web service management section 24 as a logical device implemented by a combination of the hardware resources of the control unit 21 and the program PG1 as software resources. The web service management unit 24 executes various processes for providing the above web services to the HMD type game machine 4 .

On the other hand, the HMD type game machine 4 is provided with a control unit 41 and a storage section 42 as storage means. The computer is configured by combining a CPU as an example of a processor that executes various kinds of arithmetic processing and operation control according to a predetermined computer program, and an internal memory and other peripheral devices necessary for the operation.

The storage unit 42 is an external storage device implemented by a storage unit including a nonvolatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. A program PG2 is recorded in the storage unit 42 as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 41 to execute various processes necessary for providing various services to the user. The storage unit 42 also records game data necessary for providing the music game. Such game data includes various data for music games, and the example in FIG. 2 shows music data MD, sequence data QD, play data PD, and performance data OD as examples.

The music data MD, sequence data QD, play data PD, and performance data OD may be provided to the storage unit 42 by various methods such as initial installation and provision through various storage media. provided from 2. Note that the game data may include various data for the game, such as audio data for reproducing various sounds when there are other sounds different from the music. Such data may appropriately include image data provided through a distribution service or the like, or ID management data or the like, similar to the music data MD or the like. However, illustration of these is omitted.

Various logical devices are configured in the control unit 41 by combining the hardware resources of the control unit 41 and the program PG2 as a software resource. Various processes necessary for providing the music game (including processes necessary for enjoying the web services provided by the web service management unit 24 of the center server 2) are executed through these logical devices. In the example of FIG. 2, a progress control section 43 and a data management section 44 are shown as logical devices related to the music game.

The progress control unit 43 is a logical device that performs various processes necessary for progressing the game. Such processing includes, for example, processing for executing various preparations for play, processing for guiding the user when to perform each play act, and processing for evaluating the play act performed by the user. Preparations for play include appropriate elements such as various settings, and include, for example, provision of selection opportunities and determination of play start time. Specifically, the progress control unit 43 executes performance selection processing, cooperation response processing, and performance evaluation processing as examples of such various types of processing. On the other hand, the data management unit 44 is a logical device that performs various processes related to management of game data recorded in the storage unit 42 . For example, the data management unit 44 acquires game data provided from the center server 2 and stores the game data in the storage unit 42 . For example, the data management unit 44 executes performance data generation processing as an example of such various processing. The details of the performance selection process, the cooperation response process, the performance evaluation process, and the performance data generation process will be described later.

Various output devices and input devices can be appropriately provided in the HMD type game machine 4. In the example of FIG. are provided respectively. The display 47 is a well-known display device for displaying game screens and the like. The speaker SP is a well-known audio reproduction device for reproducing various sounds including music. The sensor SMA is a well-known detection device (detection means) for detecting various states of the HMD type game machine 4 . The sensor SMA may appropriately include various detection devices according to the state of the object to be detected, and may include, for example, an eye-tracking sensor for tracking the line of sight of the user. An acceleration sensor SM1, a gyro sensor SM2, and a position detection sensor SM3 are shown as examples of such various sensors.

The acceleration sensor SM1 is a well-known detection device for detecting acceleration (for example, acceleration in three axial directions) generated in the HMD type game machine 4 . The acceleration sensor SM1 may be used as appropriate through such detection of acceleration, but as an example, it is used to detect a state such as a horizontal state, inclination of the HMD type game machine 4, or orientation. Similarly, the gyro sensor SM2 is a well-known detection device for detecting changes in angle with respect to reference axes (three axes as an example). The gyro sensor SM2 may be used appropriately through such angle detection, but as an example, it is used to detect the state of rotation, tilt, or orientation of the HMD-type game machine 4 . Further, the detection results of these acceleration sensor SM1 and gyro sensor SM2 may be used individually (when used alone, one of them may be omitted). It is used in combination with detection of various states such as the orientation of the game machine 4 .

The position detection sensor SM3 is a detection device for detecting the position of the operation stick OS and its change. Various sensors may be used as the position detection sensor SM3 as long as the position of the operation stick OS can be detected, and a camera is used as an example. Further, the position detection sensor SM3 (camera) may detect the position of the operation stick OS by various methods. The position is used as the position of the operation stick OS.

Various other output devices or input devices can be connected to the HMD type game machine 4 as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 2, the above-described operation stick OS is connected. As described above, the operation stick OS is connected to the control unit 41 and outputs various input signals to the control unit 41 according to the play action. Various output devices including the tracker described above, or various input devices such as the touch button TB described above can be appropriately provided on the operation stick OS, but the sensor SMB is shown in the example of FIG.

The sensor SMB is a sensor for detecting the state (movement) of the operation stick OS, in other words, various play actions executed by the operation stick OS. Such a sensor SMB may appropriately include various detection devices according to the state of the object to be detected. sensor, and gyro sensor. These acceleration sensors and gyro sensors (sensor SMB) are used to detect various states such as the orientation of the operation stick OS, similarly to the acceleration sensor SM1 and gyro sensor SM2 of the HMD game machine 4. used in combination with

Next, an example of a game screen for playing a music game will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a game screen displayed on the display 47 of the HMD type game machine 4. As shown in FIG. A music game can include various game screens, but the example of FIG. 3 shows a game screen for guiding each execution time when a play act should be executed. Also, the music game may be configured as appropriate, and in many cases, musical instrument performance sounds are reproduced along with the playing action so as to produce the performance of the musical instrument. In such a case, in order to improve the sense of realism, a character performing an action of playing a musical instrument may appear on the game screen along with the action of playing. Other users (collaborators or opponents) or similar characters may appear, each corresponding to a computer. The example in FIG. 3 shows a game screen including these characters. More specifically, a character that performs a performance action of playing a musical instrument, such as a drum, in accordance with the user's play action, and a character that performs a performance action of playing another musical instrument in accordance with another user's play action. A game screen including both is shown. Such a game screen may be configured as appropriate, but the example of FIG. 3 shows a case where the game screen is configured to produce a virtual three-dimensional space. Furthermore, such a virtual three-dimensional space may be appropriately cut out as a result of photographing by a virtual camera and displayed as a game screen. ) is cropped (taken by a virtual camera set approximately at the position of the character's eyes) and displayed as a game screen. In this case, the game screen 50 includes an instruction object 51 , a score display area 52 , a stage area 53 , a character image 54 and a drum set image 55 .

The drum set image 55 is an image imitating a drum set of musical instruments. The drum set image 55 may correspond to any drum set, but in the example of FIG. 3 includes two drum images 55a and four cymbal images 55b. Each drum image 55a and each cymbal image 55b are images corresponding to the drums and cymbals in the drum set, respectively. These are displayed in an arrangement similar to that of a real drum set. Specifically, the two drum images 55a are arranged near the center of the drum set image 55 so as to be aligned horizontally. On the other hand, the four cymbal images 55b are arranged two by two on the left and right sides of the drum set image 55 so as to sandwich the two drum images 55a. Also, the two cymbal images 55b on the left side and the two cymbal images 55b on the right side are arranged so as to be separated vertically.

The score display area 52 is an area for displaying scores (acquired points). The score display area 52 may be configured as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 3, it is formed in a square shape and displayed so as to be located on the back side (the user side is on the front side) in the virtual three-dimensional space. The instruction object 51 is an image corresponding to each execution time (in other words, an indicator image indicating each execution time). The instruction object 51 appears at an appropriate position on the back side in the virtual three-dimensional space at an appropriate time, and moves along a predetermined movement path so as to approach the near side, that is, the user. Although such a moving path may be set as appropriate, it is set so as to pass through either each drum image 55a or each cymbal image 55b. In each movement route, each drum image 55a and each cymbal image 55b functions as a marker image indicating the reference of the current time. For this reason, each instruction object 51 moves along such a movement path so as to coincide with either each drum image 55a or each cymbal image 55b at the corresponding execution time. Although the route of travel may be displayed, the route of travel is not shown in the example of FIG. Each execution time may be appropriately guided through relative displacement between the instruction object 51 (instruction indicator image) and each drum image 55a (current time indicator image). The movement of the object 51 to each drum image 55a etc. is guided.

Also, the instruction object 51 may be classified into various types, but in the example of FIG. 3, it includes two types of a first instruction object 51A and a second instruction object 51B. The first instructing object 51A and the second instructing object 51B are instructing objects 51 that request different play actions in each execution period. Specifically, both the first instruction object 51A and the second instruction object 51B require the user to hit the cymbal image 55b on the lower side as a play action, but the first instruction object 51A asks the user to hit the cymbal image 55b on the left side. The second instruction object 51B corresponds to a request for a hitting action on the cymbal image 55b, and a request for a hitting action on the right cymbal image 55b. For this reason, after the first instruction object 51A and the second instruction object 51B appear at appropriate positions, they are moved to the front side so as to match the positions of the left and right lower cymbal images 55b, respectively, at each execution time. move towards

A tapping motion requested by the user is input through the operation stick OS. Specifically, for example, when the first pointing object 51A and the cymbal image 55b located on the lower right side match, the user is asked to perform a tapping action on the position of the cymbal image 55b in the virtual three-dimensional space. A motion of swinging the operation stick OS is required. For this reason, the sequence data QD includes the movement path of each instruction object 51 or the motion on the movement path so that the action of hitting each cymbal image 55b or the like functions as an appropriate play action at each execution time. Information such as each cymbal image 55b is described as appropriate play action information. Then, the smaller the deviation time between the actual execution timing of the hitting action and the actual coincidence timing (execution timing described in the sequence data QD), the higher the evaluation. The same applies to the second instruction object 51B.

Determination of the action of hitting each drum image 55a or the like may be realized as appropriate, but as an example, it is realized as follows. First, each drum image 55a and each cymbal image 55b are arranged at a predetermined position defined by spatial coordinates in a virtual three-dimensional space, and each pointing object 51 is directed toward each drum image 55a and the like at the predetermined position (spatial coordinates). moves. An evaluation range (the same range as or slightly larger than each drum image 55a, etc.) is set for each drum image 55a, etc. with reference to a predetermined position. The stick image 56 moves in the virtual three-dimensional space according to the operation of the operation stick OS. It is determined whether or not a tapping action has been performed. Then, the timing between when the stick image 56 enters the evaluation range (the timing of the actual play action) and when the instruction object 51 should reach each drum image 55a (timing of executing the sequence data QD) is determined. A lag time is calculated, and an evaluation is determined according to the lag time. This evaluation may be carried out as appropriate, but as an example, it is realized through criteria indicating evaluation results such as perfect, great, good, or bad. Also, if the hitting action is not executed within a predetermined period of time based on each execution time, it is determined as a mistake operation (evaluation result corresponding to a mistake). Similarly, if the hitting action is performed earlier or later than the period belonging to the bad, it is determined to be a miss. It should be noted that if the hitting action is performed at a time that does not belong to any of these, the action is not used for anything and may be ignored.

The instruction object 51 also includes other types such as a type corresponding to the cymbal image 55b located on the left and right upper side and a type corresponding to each drum image 55a. An action of hitting the drum image 55a or the like can be requested as appropriate, but the display thereof is omitted in the example of FIG. Various instruction objects 51 such as the first instruction object 51A may be displayed in an appropriate form. is displayed in the shape of Similarly, various instruction objects 51 such as the first instruction object 51A may be appropriately displayed in a distinguishable manner from each other, but as an example, the first instruction object 51A and the second instruction object 51B are different displayed in color scheme. The same applies to each drum image 55a in the drum set image 55 and the like. For example, each drum image 55a may be displayed in a different color scheme. In this case, each instruction object 51 may be displayed in the same color as each corresponding drum image 55a or the like so that the user can easily identify the play target.

The stage area 53 is an area corresponding to a stage formed in the virtual three-dimensional space. Each character in the virtual three-dimensional space performs a performance action on its stage. Therefore, a character image 54 and a drum set image 55 corresponding to each character are arranged in the stage area 53 . An appropriate number of character images 54 may be arranged in the stage area 53, and three character images 54 are displayed in the example of FIG. Specifically, the character image 54 includes a first character image 54A playing a keyboard, a second character image 54B playing a guitar, and a third character image 54C playing a drum. These character images 54A, 54B, and 54C respectively correspond to three characters forming one performance unit for playing a keyboard, a guitar, and a drum (all examples of musical instruments) in the virtual three-dimensional space. there is These three characters may appropriately correspond to the user and collaborators (including computers), and may perform performance actions based on any of these play actions. The image 54A and the second character image 54B correspond to the computer, and the third character image 54C corresponds to the user. In this example, the first character image 54A to the third character image 54C function as a plurality of characters of the invention. Also, the third character image 54C functions as a user character of the present invention.

The first character image 54A to the third character image 54C may be displayed as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. The entire body of the second character image 54B is displayed, and both hands (part of the body) are displayed of the third character image 54C (user character). Also, two stick images 56 are displayed on both left and right hands of the third character image 54C, respectively, so as to show a situation in which the user character is holding a stick for hitting the drum in the virtual three-dimensional space. In this case, as the user performs the hitting action, the third character image 54C also operates to reproduce the hitting action. More specifically, when the hitting action is performed, the third character image 54C performs the action of hitting the target cymbal image 55b or the like on the stick image 56 (playing action). The same applies to the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B. In other words, the act of playing by a collaborator (including a computer) (which may be appropriate depending on the type of target instrument or input device, for example, the action of plucking the keys in the case of a keyboard, or the action of plucking the strings in the case of a guitar) Along with this, the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B also perform the same playing motion on the game screen 50. FIG.

The game screen 50 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship of each character in the virtual three-dimensional space. The example of FIG. 4 schematically shows a stage in a virtual three-dimensional space and each character viewed from above. Since the stage and the like in the virtual three-dimensional space correspond to the stage area 53 and the like in the game screen 50, in the example of FIG. The same reference numerals as those of the image 54 and the like are attached.

As shown in FIG. 4, each character image 54 (each character in the virtual three-dimensional space) is arranged at a predetermined interval in a stage area 53 (stage in the virtual three-dimensional space). The position or interval of each character image 54 may be arbitrary or variable, but is fixed as an example. That is, each character image 54 is fixedly arranged at a predetermined position in the stage area 53 . However, each character image 54 may be appropriately moved according to the play situation or the like during play.

Also, the third character image 54C corresponds to the user character. Therefore, the field of view range IA is set for the third character image 54C. The field of view range IA corresponds to the imaging range of the virtual camera for rendering the game screen 50 . The field of view range IA may be set as an appropriate range, but the example of FIG. 4 shows the field of view range IA set when the third character image 54C faces the front. Also, the field of view range IA moves according to the action of the third character image 54C, in other words, the user's action. Specifically, the HMD-type game machine 4 is worn on the user's head and played, and the head of the third character image 54C moves along with the movement of the user's head. For example, when the user's head (HMD-type game machine 4) is adjusted so that the state in which the user's head (the HMD-type game machine 4) faces the front is the visual field range IA in the virtual space, when the user faces the front, the third Since the head of the character image 54C also faces the same direction in the virtual three-dimensional space, the field of view range IA is set to the front side (the range indicated by solid lines) in the example of FIG.

On the other hand, when the user turns to the right from the frontal state, the movement of the head is detected by the sensor SMA of the HMD type game machine 4 and reflected in the movement of the third character image 54C. That is, in accordance with such movement of the head, the head of the third character image 54C similarly moves to face right in the virtual three-dimensional space. In this case, the viewing range IA changes its angle to the right according to the movement of the head. Specifically, as the user's head moves to the right, the visual field range IA moves to the right tilt range IA1 indicated by the dashed-dotted line. A virtual three-dimensional space included in the right tilt range IA1 is displayed as the game screen 50. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the game screen 50 when the field of view range IA has moved to the right tilt range IA1 in the example of FIG. The example of FIG. 5 also corresponds to the game screen 50 when the user faces diagonally upward to the right from the example of FIG. Such a change in the head in the vertical direction is also detected by the sensor SMA and reflected on the game screen 50 . Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 5, as compared with the example of FIG. Then, the display of the first character image 54A disappears. Also, the stage area 53, the score display area 52, and the drum set image 55 are similarly changed.

Next, the performance evaluation will be described. As described above, in accordance with the user's play action (hitting action), the character image 54 on the game screen 50 also performs a similar hitting action, ie, a playing action. For this reason, each character performs a performance motion when a play (performance) is started. A character image 54 other than the user character also performs a similar performance action at the start of play. A musical performance is formed by a combination of these musical performance movements, in other words, musical performance movements by one performance unit as a whole.

On the other hand, part of the musical performance may be performed by computer-controlled so-called NPCs (Non-Player Characters). The musical performance (playing motion) by the NPC may be realized appropriately, for example, by a motion set (prepared) in advance. performance) is implemented to execute (trace). In this case, only one past performance motion (for example, the most recent performance motion) for each instrument may be applied to the NPC, but as an example, a performance motion selected by the user from a plurality of candidates is applied to the NPC. When a plurality of candidates are prepared, a selection opportunity (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a performance selection opportunity) for selecting a performance action for play from them requires index information as an index for selection. For this reason, performance performances (playing motions, including not only performance performance results in the past, but also motions prepared in advance by the manufacturer, for example) of other characters (including both NPCs and other user characters) are User rated.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of performance evaluation. The evaluation of the musical performance may be performed at an appropriate time, including during the musical performance, but in the example of FIG. It shows the case where it is executed during the evaluation period. Also, the example of FIG. 6 shows a case where the performance performance of a second character image 54B (NPC) controlled by a computer is evaluated as an example of another character (character to be evaluated). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, an evaluation action executed by a user (hereinafter, a user who evaluates another character may be referred to as an evaluator) via a third character image 54C (evaluation character) during the evaluation period. The playing performance of the second character image 54B is evaluated based on.

Specifically, the evaluation action is evaluated as various operations that are not reflected in the behavior of the third character image 54C (for example, an operation to an operation section dedicated to the evaluation action that is not associated with the behavior of the third character image 54C). However, as an example, it is performed by the evaluator as an action reflected in the action of the third character image 54C. An evaluation action is an action that is arbitrarily executed by the third character image 54C (evaluator) (there are cases where it is not executed). In other words, evaluation actions are actions that are performed in addition to musical performances. An NPC may act during an evaluation period to trace its actions in past evaluation periods, in which case the evaluation actions may also be traced, or the evaluation actions may be excluded from the traced behavior, but an example In the evaluation period, a predetermined operation is executed without tracing past operations. In any case, the evaluation actions are performed separately and additionally from the performance performance, which includes the actions during the evaluation period. In this example the evaluation action functions as an additional action of the present invention.

Also, the evaluation action may be unilaterally executed by the third character image 54C regardless of the state of the second character image 54B. is executed on the condition that an association state is formed between Therefore, during the evaluation period, two types of states are formed in the second character image 54B and the third character image 54C: the linked state and the standby state in which the linked state is not formed.

The cooperation state is a state formed between the evaluation character and the evaluated character as a state of accepting the evaluation by the evaluator. The cooperation state is appropriately formed by various actions between the second character image 54B and the third character image 54C. However, as an example, it is formed by a cooperative action by the third character image 54C and a response action by the second character image 54B. The order of the cooperative action and the response action may be arbitrary. For example, the cooperative state may be formed when the cooperative action is executed after the response action. A federated state is formed when a response action is performed on

When the character to be evaluated is a user character, free action based on user's operation may be allowed in both the cooperation state and the standby state. In this case, if the response action is not executed within a certain period of time after the cooperative action, even if the evaluator switches to a one-sided evaluation (evaluation that does not require the formation of a cooperative state), the cooperative action will be canceled and the cooperative state will be changed. Formation of may require another coordinated action. In this way, the performance performance may or may not be evaluated according to the user's operation corresponding to the character to be evaluated. It is switched to control, and performs a predetermined action in both the cooperation state and the standby state. Other characters actively act to form a cooperative state.

Specifically, the second character image 54B appropriately executes various predetermined actions such as an action set in advance in the standby state (the same applies to the cooperation state) or an action of tracing the performance of the action during the evaluation period. That's fine, but after the cooperative action, it is controlled to execute the response action with that as a trigger (opportunity). In other words, the second character image 54B positively executes the response action so as to promote the formation of the cooperative state along with the cooperative action. As an example, a cooperative state is formed when an action of accepting an evaluation (awareness of each other) is performed between the second character image 54B and the third character image 54C. Then, when the third character image 54C executes an evaluation action in such a cooperative state, the playing performance of the second character image 54B is evaluated based on the evaluation action. In this example, the second character image 54B functions as another character of the invention. Note that when the first character image 54A to the third character image 54C are each operated by three users, the first character image 54A to the third character image 54C function as the plurality of user characters of the present invention. , the second character image 54B of them functions as another user character of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a cooperative action. A collaborative action may be any suitable action. For example, a motion of a drummer hitting a specific cymbal or the like may be adopted as a cooperative action, or a call (vocalization) may be adopted as a cooperative action. As described above, various actions may be appropriately adopted as the cooperative action, and as an example, an action of directing the line of sight to the target character to be evaluated is adopted. In addition, such an action of directing the line of sight may be appropriately determined. For example, when only one character image 54 is included in the visual range IA as in the example of FIG. In this case, the visibility range IA may be used to determine the gaze turning action. In this way, the action of directing the line of sight may be appropriately determined. As an example, a visual field range is set as a part of the visual field range IA, and the presence or absence of the motion of directing the line of sight is determined based on the visual field range. Therefore, the game screen 50 (or virtual three-dimensional space) is set with a visual field range for determining the line of sight of the user (the line of sight of the user character). The example of FIG. 7 schematically shows the visual field range set on the game screen 50 of the example of FIG. 5 as such a visual field range.

As shown in FIG. 7, the viewing range IR includes a central viewing range IR1 and a peripheral viewing range IR2. The visual field range IR may be formed at an appropriate position on the game screen 50, and its position may be variable. Further, when the position of the visual field range IR is variably set on the game screen 50, the position may be appropriately set through various detection results such as tracking of the line of sight by eye tracking. Although the visual field range IR may be appropriately set on the game screen 50 in this way, as an example, it is fixedly formed near the center of the game screen 50 (visual field range). Also, the visual field range IR may be visible, but is set to be invisible as an example. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, the central visual field range IR1 is displayed with a dot pattern, and the peripheral visual field range IR2 is displayed with right diagonal lines, respectively, for the sake of convenience. Range IR is not displayed.

The central visual field range IR1 is a range used for determining the action of directing the line of sight. Although the central visual field range IR1 may be formed in an appropriate shape, as an example, it is formed in a circular shape with a predetermined size. In addition, the determination of the action of directing the line of sight may be appropriately realized using the central visual field range IR1, and for example, it may be determined that the line of sight is directing when the main part such as the head is included. However, as an example, when the character image 54 is included (contained) at a certain rate or more in the central visual field range IR1, it is determined that the line of sight is directed to the character image 54 . Also, such a fixed ratio may be set as appropriate, but as an example, an area of half or more of the target character image 54 is used. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, more than half of the second character image 54B is within the central visual field range IR1. In this case, it is determined that the user character (third character image 54C) is looking at the second character image 54B.

On the other hand, the peripheral vision range IR2 is an area formed around the central vision range IR1 so as to include it. The shape of the peripheral visual field range IR2 may also be formed as appropriate, but as an example, it is formed in an elliptical shape of a predetermined size including the central visual field range IR1 in the vicinity of the center. The peripheral vision range IR2 may be used as appropriate, or may be omitted, but as an example, it is used to prepare for determining cooperative actions. Specifically, when the character image 54 enters the peripheral visual field range IR2, the computer determines that there is a possibility that the line of sight is directed to the character image 54, and determines whether the character image 54 is included in the central visual field range IR1. start to judge whether As an example, such a visual field range IR is set on the game screen 50 to determine whether or not a cooperative action is executed, that is, whether or not the user's character image 54 is looking at another character image 54 . In this example, the action of directing the line of sight (collaborative action) functions as the user action of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a response action. As the response action, various actions (reactions) may be appropriately adopted according to the cooperative action or independently of the cooperative action. Various motions that indicate recognition of an action may be employed, and an example of this type of motion is the motion of turning one's gaze. In other words, after the user character (evaluation character) performs a motion of directing the line of sight to another character (character to be evaluated) as a cooperative action, the other character performs a similar motion pointing action) is used as a response action. The example of FIG. 8 schematically shows an example of another character image 54 (NPC) that performs such a gaze turning action as a response action. 8A shows the character image 54 before the response action, and FIG. 8B shows the character image 54 during the response action.

As shown in FIG. 8A, another character image 54 (a character controlled by a computer) is directed to the front side, that is, the direction of the character image 54 (user) to which the line of sight is directed as a cooperative action before the response action. Not suitable. Before the response action, the other character image 54 may be oriented in an appropriate direction, for example, it may be oriented such that the back is turned, but in the example of FIG. facing left. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the other character image 54 turns its head to the front side during the response action, and also turns the line of sight to the front side as well. That is, when the user (evaluator) performs a motion of directing the line of sight as a cooperative action (when a certain proportion or more of the character image 54 is included in the central visual field range IR1), the user (evaluator) responds to the motion of directing the line of sight. The other character image 54 performs a similar action of directing the line of sight toward the user so as to return the line of sight. This is the same even if the other character image 54 has its back turned toward the user (front side) (even if it faces the direction in which the back is turned). In other words, regardless of the orientation before the response action, the other character image 54 executes the motion of turning its gaze toward the user as the response action. During the evaluation period, other character images 54 are controlled so that the user (evaluator) can easily turn his or her line of sight to the other character image 54, for example, to avoid turning his or her back to the user (evaluator). may be executed.

The line-of-sight direction of the other character image 54 may be appropriately determined, but as an example, a visual field range IR similar to that of the user character is set for the other character image 54, and whether or not it is within the visual field range IR is determined. Specifically, determination is made according to whether or not a certain percentage or more of the user character is included in the central visual field range IR1 in the visual field range IR. Further, such an action of directing the line of sight (the action of returning the line of sight) may be performed at an appropriate timing, and may be performed with a time lag from the cooperative action, for example. That is, the action of returning the line of sight to the action of directing the line of sight may be performed after the user removes the line of sight. The action of returning the line of sight in this way may be performed at an appropriate timing, but as an example, it is performed while the user is directing the line of sight so that eye contact is realized by both parties. In this case, if the user removes the line of sight before the other character image 54 turns the line of sight, it may be determined that the response action is incomplete (in this case, execution of the cooperative action is requested again for the response action). However, as an example, the action of removing the user's line of sight is permitted after the other character image 54 starts to turn the line of sight. As an example, the character image 54 that is the target of the cooperative action (to which the line of sight is directed) executes such a response action. In this example, the action of turning the line of sight (response action) functions as the corresponding action of the present invention.

Note that the formation of the cooperative state is not limited to the action of directing the line of sight to each other, that is, the action of directing the line of sight of another character (response action) to the action of directing the user character's line of sight (collaborative action). The federation state may be formed accordingly. For example, actions of playing musical instruments, actions of executing predetermined actions such as thumbs-up (which may be the same or different between the two), or various cooperative actions such as actions of talking to each other, and with the response action, a federated state may be formed. Alternatively, when the user character (virtual camera) and another character approach each other, in other words, when the distance between the user character and the other character falls within a predetermined range, the cooperative state may be formed. A cooperative state may be formed when the user character faces another character.

Similarly, various actions that can be input via the operation stick OS or the HMD-type game machine 4 can be adopted as evaluation actions, and as an example, actions such as thumbs up, nodding, banging, or head shaking are adopted. . Specifically, for example, thumb-up is realized by pressing the touch button TB of the operation stick OS. The nodding and head shaking are detected and input by the HMD-type game machine 4, which operates in the same manner as the user nods (action) or shakes the head (action). The banzai is input by the HMD type game machine 4 that detects the left and right operation sticks OS that move upward in accordance with the user's banzai action (movement of raising both hands). When these motions are executed and the evaluation character executes the evaluation action corresponding to the motion in the cooperative state, the performance performance of the character to be evaluated is evaluated based on the executed evaluation action. be. In this example, each action (action) such as an operation of pressing the touch button TB or a nodding action functions as an additional instruction action of the present invention, and a plurality of types of these actions function as a plurality of additional instruction actions of the present invention. do.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of performance performance evaluation results based on evaluation actions. Performance performance evaluation results may influence play evaluation results such as scores, for example, and may be used for other purposes as appropriate, but the example in FIG. It shows the case where Also, any one action such as the above-mentioned thumb-up operation may function as the evaluation action, but in the example of FIG. Indicates when it is available. Furthermore, these evaluation actions may be evaluated by an appropriate method, but the example in FIG. 9 shows a case where the type of action executed as the evaluation action and the number of executions thereof are used as evaluation results. Specifically, the example of FIG. 9 schematically shows an example of data for managing the types of evaluation actions in such a case and performance performance evaluation results based thereon.

As shown in FIG. 9, the performance evaluation result is associated with music information for each user who performed the performance (in the case of a performance by NPC, the user who performed the play on which the performance was based). managed. More specifically, performance performance evaluation results are managed in association with “user” and “music” information as “evaluation” information.

"User" is information indicating the user who executed the performance performance (hereafter, sometimes referred to as the executing user). Various types of information indicating the execution user can be appropriately used as the "user" information, but in the example of FIG. 9, "A user" information is shown. "A user" is information indicating that the execution user is the A user.

"Music" is information about music used in the musical performance. The "music" may appropriately include various types of information related to the music, but in the example of FIG. 9, it includes "ID" and "difficulty" information. "ID" is information unique to each song to identify each song. Appropriate information that can identify each song may be used as the “ID” information, but in the example of FIG. 9, information with names such as “A song” and “B song” is shown for convenience of explanation. . "Difficulty" is information indicating the difficulty of the song. One or a plurality of difficulty levels may be appropriately set for each song as information indicating the difficulty of playing each song. There are three types of difficulty for each song: hard difficulty (higher difficulty than hard difficulty) and S difficulty (super hard difficulty, higher difficulty than hard difficulty). In this case, appropriate information indicating these difficulty levels may be used as "difficulty level" information, but in the example of FIG. It is

"Evaluation" is information about performance performance evaluation results. The "evaluation" can appropriately include various types of information related to performance performance evaluation results, and in the example of FIG. 9, includes "type" and "result" information. “Type” is information indicating the type of evaluation action. Appropriate information indicating the type of evaluation action may be used as the “type” information, but in the example of FIG. ”, the name of each evaluation action is shown. It is also assumed that the performance performance evaluation by the evaluator may not be executed. In that case, the information indicating that the evaluation is not executed may not be managed, but in the example of FIG. is managed as information of “Result” is information indicating the evaluation result. Various types of information indicating the evaluation results may be used as appropriate as the “result” information, but in the example of FIG. It is shown.

In a music game, evaluation of one's performance performance (evaluation of performance performance by an evaluator serving as an execution user) may be permitted, but as an example, performance performances by other users are evaluated. For this reason, for example, when an evaluator (a user other than user A) causes another character to trace user A's past performance performance in a play using music piece A with difficulty level N, the evaluation result is "user A is reflected in the "evaluation" associated with the "N difficulty level" of the "A song" corresponding to ". Specifically, when the evaluator performs a thumbs-up as an evaluation action, the number of executions (cumulative value) associated with "thums-up" of the "type" increases by one as the evaluation result. That is, the "result" corresponding to the "thumb up" is updated so that it is counted up from "2" indicating two times in the example of FIG. 9 to "3" indicating three times. The same is true when “nod”, “banzai”, and “head shake” are executed as evaluation actions. That is, the number of executions corresponding to the nod or the like is similarly counted up as the evaluation result. On the other hand, if the evaluation action was not executed during the evaluation period (including the case where it could not be detected), the number of times associated with "no evaluation" of the "type" is similarly counted up by one as the evaluation result. In the evaluation period, when the evaluation action is not executed within a predetermined time, various announcements may be made to prompt the evaluation action through display or voice at an appropriate timing.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of performance performance evaluation results based on evaluation actions. As described above, evaluation actions may be evaluated by an appropriate method, and the number of executions for each type of evaluation action may be obtained as an evaluation result as in the example of FIG. is 4 points, nodding is 3 points, banzai is 2 points, and head shaking is 1 point. Also, when a different evaluation value is set for each type of evaluation action (weighting is set for the value of each evaluation action), the type of evaluation action executed by the evaluator is omitted from the information to be managed. good too. The example of FIG. 10 schematically shows an example of data for managing performance performance evaluation results based on evaluation actions in such a case.

As shown in FIG. 10, when a different evaluation value is set for each type of evaluation action and the type of executed evaluation action is omitted from the management target, instead of the information of "type" and "result", " As the information of "evaluation", the information of the accumulated evaluation value (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the accumulated evaluation value) is described. In other words, the performance performance evaluation results are managed so as to be associated with each piece of music used in the performance and each degree of difficulty as a cumulative evaluation value.

More specifically, an appropriate evaluation value may be set for each evaluation action. For example, when the above-mentioned 4 points or the like are set for thumb-up or the like, in the example of FIG. The evaluation results associated with the performance performance of the N difficulty level used were 8 points for thumb-up (4 points x 2 times) and 3 points for head shaking (1 point x 3 times), for a total of 11 points (nodding, bangzai, and no evaluation are calculated as zero points). Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, information of "11" indicating an accumulated evaluation value of 11 points is described in the "evaluation" as the evaluation result of the performance performance of user A using song A with N difficulty levels. ing. Then, when the evaluator performs a thumb-up as an evaluation action in the current evaluation period, the evaluation value (4 points) set for the thumb-up is added to the cumulative evaluation value, that is, the cumulative evaluation value becomes "11". ” is updated to “15” indicating 15 points. The same is true for other difficulty levels, other songs, and other evaluation actions such as nodding.

Also, the evaluation results of the example of FIG. 9 and the example of FIG. 10 are presented as index information at the performance selection opportunity as described above. Specifically, in the case of the example of FIG. 9, when user A's performance action (performance performance) is presented as a selection candidate at the performance selection opportunity when playing music A with difficulty level N, the user nods twice with a thumbs-up. Information indicating the types of evaluation actions such as 0 times, 0 times of bangzai, 0 times of head shaking, and 3 times of no evaluation, and the number of times of execution thereof is presented as index information. The same is true for other users, songs, and difficulty levels.

On the other hand, in the case of the example of FIG. 10 , when playing music A with difficulty level N, when user A's playing motion (playing performance) is presented as a selection candidate at the performance selection opportunity, the information of the cumulative evaluation value of 11 points is displayed. Presented as index information. The performance motions presented as selection candidates in the performance selection opportunity may be limited to the past performance motions of the user himself/herself, but as an example, the performance motions of other users can also be used. As an example, in the performance selection opportunity, the various information corresponding to the evaluation results as described above functions as index information for selecting performance motions for play, so that other users' performance motions are included as candidates. presented with

Next, the details of the performance data OD will be described. When the computer controls the performance action (performance performance) by the other character image 54 such as the first character image 54A or the second character image 54B, as described above, if the user (including other users) has performed other The actions of the other character images 54 are controlled so as to trace (copy) actions similar to the performance actions (play results) performed by the user when playing through the character images 54 . The musical performance data OD is data for causing other characters to perform such performance actions of the user. For example, when the user plays through the second character image 54B (selected as a user character at the character selection opportunity to select a character for play), the play content (guitar through the second character image 54B) in the play ) are recorded in the performance data OD and managed. The same applies to the results when the user plays through the first character image 54A.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of performance data OD. Data for managing performance performance evaluation results, such as the example of FIG. 9 or the example of FIG. be. In other words, the performance data OD includes data for managing performance evaluation results. The example of FIG. 11 mainly shows a portion functioning as data for managing performance performance evaluation results.

As shown in FIG. 11, the performance data OD includes a moving image data section OD1 and an information management section OD2. The moving image data portion OD1 is a portion configured as moving image data for causing another character image 54 to perform a performance action. Such a moving image data portion may be appropriately configured as various kinds of moving image data. As an example, since the motion of each character image 54 is configured as motion capture data, the moving image data portion is similarly configured as motion capture data. be. This motion capture data may be generated as appropriate. For example, the user's motion may be detected from a camera that captures the user's whole body and converted into data, or the movement may be detected from markers attached to the user's body. may be converted into data. In this way, the motion capture data (video data part OD1) may be generated as appropriate. are generated by recording and replacing them with motions. In addition, the moving image data section OD1 may appropriately include various kinds of information for causing the other character image 54 to perform a performance action. For example, the moving image data part OD1 includes the timing at which the operation of the touch button TB of the operation stick OS was operated, the type of operation unit operated, and the sensor SMA such as the acceleration sensor SM1 when the operation stick OS was shaken or otherwise moved. Various operational information such as detection information may be included. Further, the detection information of the sensor SMA may include various kinds of information according to the type of the sensor. Detection information includes such pressure information. Furthermore, for example, when a microphone for recording (inputting) the voice uttered by the user (singing voice, etc.) is provided in the HMD type game machine 4 or the like, the moving image data section OD1 includes information on the voice. good too. Such moving image data section OD1 is prepared for each performance operation.

On the other hand, the information management part OD2 is a part in which information for managing each moving image data part is described. The information management section OD2 can appropriately include various types of information necessary for managing each moving picture data section, but in the example of FIG. I'm in. The performance record ODR includes information of "performance ID", "character", "user", "music", "evaluation", "evaluator", and "date and time" for such management. These pieces of information are recorded in the performance record ODR so as to be associated with each other.

“Performance ID” is information indicating a unique performance ID for each performance motion in order to manage each performance motion (moving image data portion). "Character" is information for specifying a character corresponding to the performance action. Appropriate information that can specify each character may be used as such information, but as an example, information of a character ID unique to each character is used. Specifically, for example, in the case of a performance action corresponding to a track record played through the third character image 54C, information of the character ID corresponding to the third character image 54C is described in "character". The same applies to the first character image 54A and the like. Also, each character is associated with a musical instrument to be played. Therefore, the "character" information also functions as information about the musical instrument to be played. Instead of "character", "musical instrument" information (for example, musical instrument ID) may be described.

“User”, “song”, and “evaluation” correspond to the information of “user”, “song”, and “evaluation” in the examples of FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively. For this reason, for example, "music" information may include information such as "ID" or "difficulty", and "evaluation" information may include information such as "type" or "result". However, in the example of FIG. 9 and the example of FIG. 10, user names such as "user A", "music A", "difficulty N", and "thumb up" are shown as each information for convenience of explanation. However, as an example, the performance data OD instead describes information that can identify each user, such as a user ID, a music ID, a difficulty level identification symbol, or an action ID. The user ID is a unique ID for each user to identify each user, and the song ID is a unique ID for each song to identify each song. The difficulty level identification symbol is a symbol (including numbers) given to each difficulty level to identify each difficulty level. Similarly, the action ID is a unique ID for each evaluation action to identify the type of each evaluation action such as thumbs up.

On the other hand, "evaluator" is information indicating the evaluator (user) who performed the evaluation corresponding to "evaluation". Various types of information that can identify the evaluator may be appropriately described in the “evaluator” (the same applies to other information such as “user”). be. “Date and time” is information indicating the date and time when the evaluation corresponding to “evaluation” was performed. The information of "evaluator" and "date and time" may be omitted as appropriate. For example, both of them may be omitted and only the evaluation result may be managed as "evaluation". includes both. The performance data OD is not limited to these pieces of information. For example, the performance data OD may appropriately manage information necessary for realizing a performance or managing its evaluation. Alternatively, not only the information such as the “evaluator”, but also some of the various information described above may be omitted as appropriate.

Next, procedures for performance selection processing, linkage response processing, performance evaluation processing, and performance data generation processing will be described. The performance selection process is a process for providing a performance selection opportunity for selecting a performance action to be executed by a character other than the user character. For example, when the user plays a music game through the third character image 54C, the performance actions to be executed by the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B are selected at the performance selection opportunity. Specifically, when there are a plurality of records of performance motions for the same character, the performance data OD includes a plurality of moving image data portions OD1 (a plurality of performance motions) for the same character. In this case, a performance motion to be executed by another character is selected at the performance selection opportunity from the plurality of performance motion candidates. The example of FIG. 12 shows an example of a procedure for providing such performance selection opportunities. In this case, the progress control section 43 starts the performance selection process of FIG. A selection result is obtained (step S101).

Subsequently, the progress control unit 43 provides a performance selection opportunity for selecting a performance action to be performed by a character other than the character selected at the character selection opportunity (step S102). Specifically, the progress control unit 43 refers to the performance data OD, and selects a plurality of candidates of performance motions for each target character (including the performance results of other users and a plurality of predetermined motions prepared in advance). provide a performance selection opportunity so that one performance action can be selected from the In addition, such performance selection opportunities may be implemented as appropriate, but as an example, they are implemented through a selection screen (not shown) for performance selection opportunities that includes information necessary for selecting performance actions. Options in the performance selection opportunity are presented corresponding to the music piece and musical instrument selected by the user. For example, the performance data OD that is the same as the song selected by the user and generated by an instrument different from the one selected by the user is presented to the user as an option in the performance selection opportunity. In addition to this, the selection condition may appropriately include, for example, the period during which the performance data OD was created.

Information necessary for selecting a performance action includes, for example, various types of information such as the user corresponding to the performance action record (whose performance action is), or information on various results such as the user's level and score. may be included as appropriate, but index information is included as an example. More specifically, on the selection screen for the performance selection opportunity, the evaluation result of the performance performance (playing action) by the evaluator, such as the number of times the thumbs-up is executed twice or the cumulative evaluation value of 11 points, as described above, is index information. are presented for each option. In addition, the selection screen for the performance selection opportunity may present each option (candidates of performance actions) in an appropriate manner. ), but when the cumulative evaluation value is presented as index information, it is presented in a ranking format based on the cumulative evaluation value as an example. The progress control unit 43 presents a selection screen including such options and index information in step S102, thereby providing a performance selection opportunity. In addition to the cumulative evaluation value, the index information may be, for example, a score indicating the skill of the player, or information indicating whether the performance was exciting (for example, information based on the reactions of viewers watching the performance). (which may be obtained by an appropriate algorithm) may be included as appropriate to serve as a reference (assistant) for selection.

Next, the progress control unit 43 determines the performance motion of another character based on the selection result of the performance selection opportunity (step S103). After this determination, the progress control unit 43 terminates the current performance selection process. This realizes a performance selection opportunity for selecting a performance action to be executed by a character other than the user character. In addition, at the performance selection opportunity, a plurality of records of performance motions including the performance records of other users are presented as candidates for such performance motions. Furthermore, in the performance selection opportunity, the evaluation result by the evaluator is presented as index information for each option candidate (results of performance actions) so as to assist the selection. Then, based on the selection result of the performance selection opportunity, actions corresponding to actual performance performance results are traced to other characters in the performance performance.

The cooperation response process is a process for forming a cooperation state for each character. Each character may be operated by another user, in which case it is determined whether or not a response action has been performed by the other user, and a cooperative state is formed if the response action has been performed. The example shows a case where the motion of each character is controlled by the computer (progress control unit 43). 13 each time the user character (for example, the third character image 54C in the example of FIG. 3) is operated by the user (in a situation where another character is included in the peripheral vision range IR2). Response processing is started, and first, it is determined whether or not the user's operation corresponds to a cooperative action (step S201). As an example, if the user's operation corresponds to an action of directing the line of sight so as to include at least a certain percentage of another character in the central visual field range IR1, the operation (action) corresponds to a cooperative action. For this reason, the progress control unit 43 determines whether or not the user's operation corresponds to an action of including at least a certain percentage of other characters in the central visual field range IR1. If the user's operation does not correspond to the action of including at least a certain percentage of other characters in the central visual field range IR1 (the action of directing the line of sight), that is, if the user's operation does not correspond to the cooperative action, the progress control unit 43 performs subsequent processing. is skipped and the current linkage response process is terminated.

On the other hand, if the user's operation corresponds to an action to include another character at a certain rate or more in the central visual field range IR1 (movement to turn the line of sight), that is, if the user's operation corresponds to a cooperative action, the progress control unit 43 The character to be the target of the cooperative action, that is, the character included in the central visual field range IR1 at a certain rate or more is made to perform the response action (step S202). Specifically, for example, when an action of directing the line of sight toward the user character (aligning the line of sight with the virtual camera; returning the line of sight) is adopted as the response action, the target controls the character's behavior. When the action of directing the line of sight is executed, the line of sight is in a state where the line of sight is met.

Subsequently, the progress control unit 43 forms a cooperative state between the user character and the character that has performed the response action in step S202 (step S203). Formation of the cooperation state may be realized as appropriate. For example, when the cooperation state is expressed by a dedicated operation, it may be realized by executing such an operation. is realized by updating the flag of Specifically, each character is set with a parameter for managing the presence or absence of a cooperative state. Therefore, the progress control unit 43 implements formation of the cooperation state by updating this flag to a state indicating the formation of the cooperation state. Then, after forming the cooperation state, the progress control unit 43 ends the current cooperation response process. As a result, the actions of the other characters are controlled so as to execute the response action in accordance with the cooperative action. In other words, the actions of the other characters are controlled so that a cooperative state is positively formed between the user character and the other characters. Then, when a cooperation state is formed, the state is managed by a flag.

Performance evaluation processing is processing for evaluating performance performances of other characters. Performance performance evaluation may be implemented as appropriate, but the example of FIG. 14 shows a case where evaluation is performed based on evaluation actions by an evaluation character (user character corresponding to the evaluator). In the example of FIG. 14, when the performance performance is evaluated based on the evaluation actions in the cooperation state, more specifically, the evaluation after the state of mutual awareness between the character to be evaluated and the evaluation character is formed. It shows the case where performance is evaluated based on actions. In this case, the progress control unit 43 starts the performance evaluation process of FIG. 14 each time the evaluation character executes an action in the cooperation state, on the condition that the cooperation state is formed during the evaluation period. Determine (step S301). The evaluation condition is a condition for determining whether or not performance evaluation is to be executed. The evaluation condition may be satisfied as appropriate, but as an example, it is satisfied when the action performed by the evaluation character corresponds to the evaluation action. That is, the evaluation condition is satisfied when the action performed by the evaluation character corresponds to the action set as the evaluation action such as thumbs up, nodding, banging, or shaking the head. Then, if the evaluation condition is not satisfied, that is, if the action performed by the evaluation character does not correspond to the evaluation action, the progress control unit 43 skips subsequent processes and terminates the current performance evaluation process.

On the other hand, if the evaluation condition is satisfied, that is, if the action performed by the evaluation character corresponds to the evaluation action, the progress control unit 43 determines the target character (evaluated character) (step S302). The character to be evaluated is a character forming a cooperative state with the evaluation character. For this reason, the progress control unit 43 determines a character forming a cooperative state with the evaluation character as the target character.

Subsequently, the progress control unit 43 determines the type of evaluation action performed by the evaluation character (step S303). Specifically, the progress control unit 43 determines whether the evaluation action performed by the evaluation character corresponds to any of the types such as thumbs up, nodding, bangzai, or head shaking.

Next, the progress control unit 43 evaluates the performance performance of the target character determined in step S302 (step S304). Performance performance evaluation is implemented as shown in the example of FIG. 9 or the example of FIG. 10, for example. For example, in the case of FIG. 9, the progress control unit 43 realizes performance performance evaluation by counting the number of executions for each type of evaluation action determined in step S303. Specifically, the progress control unit 43 updates the “result” information of the performance data OD so that the number of executions associated with the “type” corresponding to the evaluation action type determined in step S303 increases. , to realize the performance evaluation. Similarly, in the case of the example of FIG. 10, the progress control unit 43 realizes performance performance evaluation by adding the evaluation value set for the evaluation action type determined in step S303 to the accumulated evaluation value. After such evaluation, the progress control unit 43 ends the current performance evaluation process. As a result, the performance performance of the other character is evaluated based on the evaluation action during the evaluation period on the condition that the cooperative state is formed. If the evaluation in step S304 is not executed (no evaluation action is detected) within the evaluation period, the progress control unit 43 evaluates the evaluation result of the performance performance this time as no evaluation, and similarly updates the performance data OD. do.

The performance data generation process is a process for generating performance data OD based on the results of each user's play (performance operation). The performance data OD may be generated as appropriate. For example, it may be generated uniformly based on the results of all plays by all users, or may be generated based on the best score (evaluation of notes processing or non-notes processing) for each user, each song, and each musical instrument. However, as an example, it is generated when the user desires to generate performance data OD. In this case, when the musical performance is started in the play of the user who wishes to generate the musical performance data OD (the user may be appropriately given an opportunity to confirm the necessity of the generation separately), the data management unit 44 The musical performance data generating process of FIG. 15 is started, and first, the user's operation in the musical performance, that is, the motion of the user character is recorded (step S401). Subsequently, the data management unit 44 generates performance data OD based on the recording result of step S401 (step S402). Specifically, the data management section 44 generates a moving image data section OD1 for reproducing the action of the user character and an information management section OD2 for recording various information corresponding thereto. After generating the performance data OD, the data management unit 44 terminates the current performance data generation process. As a result, the performance data OD for reproducing the performance operation corresponding to the play record of each user is generated. Note that the performance data OD may be uniformly generated and stored when a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as when the user desires or when the best score is calculated.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the user character (evaluation character) performs a thumb-up motion or the like for causing the user character (evaluation character) to perform the evaluation action in the cooperation state during the evaluation period, the target of the evaluation action is selected. Performances by other characters (with whom they form an alliance) are evaluated based on their evaluation actions. In other words, the user character is allowed to perform an evaluation action separately from the musical performance, and with the evaluation action as a trigger, the performance performance of the other character is transferred to the user (playing performance) corresponding to the user character through the action for the evaluation action. performance performers). Therefore, by using such actions, it is possible to evaluate the musical performance of a plurality of characters from the perspective of the performer of the performance.

The musical performance is performed by a user other than the performer of the musical performance, such as a user as a spectator who watches the musical performance through characters around the stage area 53, or a user who simply watches the musical performance through a video. , and the results may be appropriately utilized as index information or the like, but there are elements in the musical performance that can only be evaluated by the performer. For example, it is affinity with one's musical performance. When the user character's evaluation action is used for evaluation, even if the evaluation is performed by the audience, etc., evaluate the performance performance of other characters based on the performer's own criteria from a different viewpoint (criteria). can be made As a result, performance by other characters can be evaluated based on factors only the performer can evaluate.

In particular, when an action such as a thumbs-up or a nod that does not feel strange even if it is executed as part of the musical performance is used as an evaluation action, it can be performed relatively naturally as an extension of the musical performance, or as an additional production. Character performance can be evaluated. Furthermore, when the evaluation result is presented as index information at the performance selection opportunity, the performance performance evaluation result based on the evaluation action can be used to promote the selection of a more preferable performance action at the performance selection opportunity. As a result, it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

In the above embodiment, the progress control section 43 of the HMD type game machine 4 functions as the instruction evaluation means of the present invention by executing step S304 in FIG. Further, the progress control unit 43 of the HMD type game machine 4 functions as result providing means of the present invention by executing step S102 of FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the forms described above, and may be implemented in forms with appropriate modifications or changes. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the HMD type game machine 4 or the operation stick OS detects various user actions (play actions) through the sensors SMA and SMB. However, the present invention is not limited to such forms. For example, the sensor SMA and the like may not be mounted on the HMD type game machine 4 . Specifically, for example, when a game is played in a dedicated playroom, the playroom may be provided with an appropriate number of various sensors, such as cameras, for detecting the user's play actions as necessary. .

In the form described above, only one other character (eg, the second character image 54B) is included in the field of view IR of the user character (eg, the third character image 54C). However, the visual field range IR of the user character (evaluation character) may include an appropriate number of other characters depending on the situation. For example, in the above-described mode, the position of each character is fixed in the stage area 53, but each character may move as appropriate according to the play situation. They may be positioned adjacent to each other. In this case, both the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B may be included in the field of view range IR of the third character image 54C. In this case, the target of the cooperative action may be determined appropriately. That is, the character may be determined as the character to be evaluated. On the other hand, if a plurality of other characters are within the field of view IR, the cooperative action may be determined to be invalid.

In the above-described form, evaluation actions such as Banzai are implemented by similar actions by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to such forms. For example, in addition to the thumb-up touch button TB, the operation stick OS may be provided with a plurality of touch buttons TB for realizing each evaluation action such as nodding, banging, or shaking the head.

12 to 15 are executed by the HMD type game machine 4 in the above embodiment. As a result, the single HMD type game machine 4 functions as the game system of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to such forms. For example, various game devices (computers) connected to the HMD-type game machine 4 via a network such as short-range wireless communication may execute all or part of the processing shown in FIGS. When a game device connected to the HMD type game machine 4 executes all of the processes shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, this game device may function as the game system of the present invention. Alternatively, such a game device may function as the center server 2 of the present invention. Similarly, for example, all or part of the processing of FIGS. 12 to 15 may be executed by the center server 2. FIG. For example, when the center server 2 executes all of the processes of FIGS. 12 to 15, the center server 2 alone (may include a plurality of server devices) may function as the game system of the present invention. On the other hand, when the HMD type game machine 4 alone or a game device (including a combination thereof) connected to the HMD type game machine 4 functions as the game system of the present invention, the center server 2 is appropriately omitted. may be

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the embodiments and modifications described above are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, the corresponding members illustrated in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is thereby limited to the illustrated form. not a thing

The game system of the present invention includes an input device (SMA, SMB) for inputting the play action of each user, and a plurality of characters including at least one user character (54C) operated by each user through the play action. 54) is connected to a display device (47) that displays a game screen (50) on which the game screen (50) is displayed, and provides a game including performances performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen (4), An additional instructing action for causing the user character to perform an additional action that is executed from the user character to another character (54B) of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance is executed as the play action. instruction evaluation means (43) for evaluating the performance by the other character based on the additional instruction action, and result providing means (43) for providing each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character. ) and

According to the present invention, when an additional instructive act for causing a user character to perform an additional action is executed, the performance of another character targeted for the additional action is evaluated based on the additional instructive act. In other words, the user character is permitted to perform additional actions, and the performance of other characters is evaluated by the user (performer of the performance) corresponding to the user character through the additional instruction actions, triggered by the additional actions. Then, the evaluation result is provided to each user. Therefore, by using such an additional instruction action, the performance of a plurality of characters can be evaluated from the viewpoint of the performer of the performance. As a result, performance by other characters can be evaluated based on factors only the performer can evaluate.

The additional instruction action may be executed regardless of the state of the other character (evaluated character to be evaluated), or the additional action may be performed between the user character (evaluation character for executing evaluation) and the other character. It may be executed after a predetermined state for accepting (additional instruction action) is formed. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the instruction evaluation means includes a user action executed by the user character toward the other character, and a corresponding action by the other character corresponding to the user action. The performance by the other character may be evaluated when the additional instruction action is executed in the state of cooperation on the condition that a state of cooperation is formed between the user character and the other character by good.

The additional instruction action may be executed at an appropriate time, for example, during the performance or after the performance. For example, in a mode in which performance evaluation is performed in a coordinated state, if an evaluation period for evaluating the performance is provided after the performance, the instruction evaluation means may perform the instruction in the cooperative state during the evaluation period. The performance by the other character may be evaluated when the additional instructive action is performed.

Various actions (behaviors) may be performed as appropriate as user actions and corresponding actions. For example, the user action may be an action of performing a predetermined performance on a musical instrument, or an action of appropriately moving various parts such as arms. Alternatively, it may be an action of calling out to another character. Corresponding actions are similar. For this reason, for example, a user action and an action of looking at each other (making eye contact) may be adopted as a corresponding action. Specifically, for example, in a mode in which performance evaluation is performed in a coordinated state, the coordinated state is such that an action of putting the other character into the field of view (IR) set for the user character is the user action. , so that an action of putting the user character into the field of view range (IR) set for the other character functions as the corresponding action, respectively. may be formed when the user character is placed in the field of view of the character.

Performance evaluation results may be used as appropriate, and may be reflected in scores that function as evaluations of game play (determination of winning or losing, or values for competing with other users for ranking or the like), for example. Alternatively, when the actions of other characters are controlled by a computer and actions to be used in the performance are selected from a plurality of candidates, the performance evaluation result may function as an index for selecting the action. . Specifically, for example, the result providing means controls the motion of the other character in the performance so that the user character performs the same motion as the performance performed in the past play, and the When a selection opportunity is provided for selecting an action to be actually performed by the other character from a plurality of actions in the user character's past play, it serves as an index for selecting each action at the selection opportunity. Each user may be provided with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character so as to function as index information. In this case, performance evaluation results can be used to facilitate the selection of more favorable actions at selection opportunities.

Performance evaluation based on the additional instructive action may be realized by an appropriate method. For example, only one type of action that is executed only in the case of favorable performance or vice versa may be prepared as an additional instructive action. Alternatively, a plurality of types of additional instruction actions may be prepared that are respectively associated with evaluation results such as OK and NG. Further, when a plurality of types of additional instruction actions are prepared, each additional instruction action may be treated as the same evaluation, or the evaluation of each additional instruction action may be appropriately weighted. For example, in a mode in which the evaluation results function as index information, the instruction evaluation means, in the case where a plurality of types of additional instruction actions are prepared as the additional instruction actions, determines the actual additional instruction actions executed by each user. The performance by the other character may be evaluated by determining the type of the actual pointing action so that the type of pointing action functions as the index information.

Various games may be appropriately provided as games. Similarly, in such games, various performances by multiple characters may be performed as appropriate depending on the type of game. For example, a game play in a sports game such as a soccer game or a baseball game may be used as a performance. Alternatively, a dance, performance, or the like in a music game may be used as a performance. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, as the game, the execution time of the play action is guided in accordance with the rhythm of music, and the user character plays the music along with the play action. A music game may be provided in which performance motions of playing are performed, and the performance motions may be performed by each character of the plurality of characters in the music game as the performance.

Other characters may be user characters or non-player characters whose actions are controlled by a computer (so-called NPCs). For example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the game is played such that a plurality of user characters respectively corresponding to a plurality of users are included in the plurality of characters, and the instruction evaluation means is adapted to: When the additional action is performed on a user character different from the user character, the performance by the different user character is performed so that the different user character functions as the other character You may evaluate based on additional instruction|indication action.

On the other hand, the computer program (PG2) of the present invention is configured to cause the computer (41) connected to the input device and the display device to function as each means of the game system described above.

In addition, the control method of the present invention includes an input device (SMA, SMB) for inputting a play action of each user, and a plurality of user characters (54C) including at least one user character (54C) operated by each user through the play action. A game system (4) connected to a display device (47) for displaying a game screen (50) on which a character (54) is displayed and providing a game including performances executed by the plurality of characters through the game screen (4). A computer (41) provided with an additional instruction action for causing the user character to perform an additional action to be added to the performance from the user character to the other characters of the plurality of characters is the play an instruction evaluation procedure for evaluating the performance by the other character based on the additional instruction action when executed as an action; and a result providing procedure for providing each user with the evaluation result of the performance by the other character. , is executed. The game system of the present invention can be realized through the computer program or control method of the present invention.

1 game system 2 center server 4 HMD type game machine (game system)
41 control unit (computer)
43 progress control unit (instruction evaluation means, result provision means)
47 display (display device)
50 Game screen 54 Character image (character)
54B second character image (other character, another user character)
54C third character image (user character)
IR field of view SMA sensor (input device)
SMB sensor (input device)

Claims (10)

connected to an input device for inputting a play action of each user and a display device for displaying a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play action are displayed; A game system that provides a game including performances performed by the plurality of characters through a game screen,
When an additional instructing action for causing the user character to perform an additional action that is executed from the user character to another character of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance is performed as the play action , instruction evaluation means for evaluating the performance by the other character based on the additional instruction action;
a result providing means for providing each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character;
A game system with The instruction evaluation means is configured to determine the difference between the user character and the other character by a user action executed by the user character on the other character and a corresponding action by the other character corresponding to the user action. 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein said performance by said other character is evaluated when said additional instructive action is executed in said linked state on the condition that said linked state is formed in said linked state. In the case where an evaluation period for evaluating the performance is provided after the performance, the instruction evaluation means performs the additional instruction action by the other character when the additional instruction action is executed in the cooperative state during the evaluation period. 3. The gaming system of claim 2, which evaluates performance. In the cooperative state, an action of moving the other character into the field of view set for the user character is the user action, and an action of moving the user character into the field of view set for the other character is the corresponding action. 4. A game according to claim 2 or 3, formed when said other character included in said user character's viewing range brings said user character into said other character's viewing range, respectively. system. The result providing means controls the motion of the other character in the performance so that the user character performs the same motion as the performance performed by the user character in the past play, and When a selection opportunity is provided for the other character to select an action that the other character should actually perform from a plurality of actions, it functions as index information serving as an index for selecting each action in the selection opportunity. 5. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein evaluation results of said performance by said other character are provided to each user. When a plurality of types of additional instructional actions are prepared as the additional instructional actions, the instruction evaluation means is configured so that the type of the actual instructional action as the additional instructional action executed by each user functions as the index information. 6. The game system of claim 5, wherein said performance by said other character is evaluated by determining the type of said actual pointing action. As the game, a music game is provided in which the user character performs a performance action of playing the music along with guidance of the execution time of the play act in accordance with the rhythm of the music,
7. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said performance is performed by each of said plurality of characters in said music game. The game is played such that the plurality of characters includes a plurality of user characters respectively corresponding to a plurality of users,
When the additional action is performed on a user character different from the user character among the plurality of user characters, the instruction evaluation means causes the other user character to function as the other character. , evaluating said performance by said another user character based on said additional instruction action. A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to the input device and the display device to function as each means of the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. connected to an input device for inputting a play action of each user and a display device for displaying a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play action are displayed; A computer incorporated in a game system that provides a game including performances executed by the plurality of characters through a game screen,
When an additional instructing action for causing the user character to perform an additional action that is executed from the user character to another character of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance is performed as the play action , an instruction evaluation procedure for evaluating the performance by the other character based on the additional instruction action;
a result providing procedure for providing each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character;
A control method that causes the

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