JP2023065435A - Game processing system, game processing method, and game processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technical improvement to solve or alleviate at least part of the conventional technical problem that since a player's visual field in a real world is blocked by the mounting of an HMD, the place and time that a VR game can be played are limited.

SOLUTION: A game processing system is a game processing system for executing processing of a game in a virtual space, which has a first mode and a second mode. One or a plurality of computer processors execute processing on a game according to first detection information on an action of a player detected by an information processing device not mounted on the head of the player in the first mode, update first mode parameters according to the progress of the game in the first mode, and update second mode parameters when the first mode parameters are updated.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The disclosure herein relates to a game processing system, a game processing method, and a game processing program for processing a game that provides interaction with a virtual character. More specifically, the disclosure in this specification provides a game processing system, game processing method, and game processing program for processing a game capable of providing interaction with a virtual character according to information detected by a head-mounted display. Regarding.

Simulation games are known that provide interaction with virtual characters. Such a simulation game is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-055644 (Patent Document 1).

In games that provide interaction with such virtual characters, a head-mounted display (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "HMD") is sometimes used in order to enhance the sense of immersion in the game. For example, a VR game is known in which a virtual space is displayed on an HMD, and a virtual character appearing in this virtual space can be interacted with using the HMD. As this type of VR game, "Summer Lesson" by BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. is known (see Non-Patent Document 1).

The HMD includes a tracking sensor for detecting the position and orientation of the player's head, as described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2017-058969 (Patent Document 2). In a VR game played using an HMD, a viewpoint in the virtual space is determined based on the detection information detected by the tracking sensor, and an image of the virtual space seen from the thus determined viewpoint is displayed on the HMD. be done.

In the above-mentioned "Summer Lesson", a function is realized in which an interaction with a virtual character is specified according to information detected by the tracking sensor of the HMD, and the player experiences this specified interaction. For example, when the player wearing the HMD nods in response to the movement of the image of the virtual character displayed on the HMD, the movement of the player's head corresponding to the nod is detected. Then, based on the detected movement of the head, an image of the virtual character performing an action corresponding to the nod of the player is displayed on the HMD.

As described above, in a conventional VR game in which an HMD is used to interact with a virtual character, an image of the virtual space is displayed so as to follow the movement of the player's head, and a virtual space image is displayed according to the movement of the player's head. Since the player experiences interaction with the character, the player can obtain a high sense of immersion.

JP 2012-055644 A JP 2017-058969 A

“Summer Lesson”, [online], searched on December 12, 2017, Internet (URL: http://summer-lesson.bn-ent.net/)

In order to play VR games, it is necessary to wear an HMD on the head. Wearing an HMD blocks the player's view of the real world, which limits the places and times when VR games can be played.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide technical improvements that solve or alleviate at least some of the problems in the prior art discussed above.

A game processing system according to one aspect is a game processing system that processes a game having a first mode and a second mode, and includes a storage that stores game parameters related to the game, and one or more computer processors. The one or more computer processors, by executing computer-readable instructions, generate a virtual machine according to first detection information detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head in the first mode. providing interaction with a character, providing interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information detected by a head-mounted display mounted on the head of the player in the second mode; The game parameters are updated according to the progress of the game in the mode and the second mode.

In the game processing system according to one aspect, the behavior of the virtual character in the second mode is determined according to the game parameters.

In the game processing system according to one aspect, the storage stores scene data related to each of a plurality of game scenes forming a game scenario in the second mode, and the one or more computer processors store the game parameters as Accordingly, an execution target scene to be executed in the second mode is selected from among the plurality of game scenes.

In a game processing system according to one aspect, the one or more computer processors update the game parameters when the second mode is abnormally terminated.

In the game processing system according to one aspect, the one or more computer processors are arranged so that the value of the game parameter at the end of the first mode is equal to the value of the game parameter at the start of the second mode. , the transition processing from the first mode to the second mode is performed.

A game processing method according to one aspect is a game processing method for processing a game having a first mode and a second mode by one or more computer processors executing computer readable instructions, wherein the first mode a step of providing interaction with a virtual character according to first detection information detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head; providing interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information detected by the head-mounted display; and updating.

A game processing program according to one aspect executes game processing having a first mode and a second mode by being executed by one or more computer processors. The game processing program causes the one or more computer processors to interact with a virtual character according to first detection information detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head in the first mode. providing, in the second mode, providing interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information detected by a head-mounted display mounted on the player's head; and updating game parameters relating to the game according to the progress of the game in the second mode.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the game can be played in the first mode when the HMD cannot be used.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a game processing system according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a head-mounted display that can be used in the game processing system of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a head-mounted display worn by a game player; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing scenario data; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating mode transitions of a game processed by the game processing system according to one embodiment; It is a flow figure showing a flow of processing in chat mode in one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in chat mode in one embodiment; The screen of FIG. 7a shows message options to be selected by the player. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in chat mode in one embodiment; The screen of Figure 7b shows the message selected by the player. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in chat mode in one embodiment; The screen of FIG. 7c shows a message prompting transition to VR mode, a message for selecting settings in VR mode, and a message for selecting items to be used in VR mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in chat mode in one embodiment; The screen of Figure 7d shows a transition start object. It is a flow figure showing a flow of mode change processing in one embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the display image in the mode transition process in one embodiment. The screen of FIG. 9a shows guidance prompting to attach the display to the attachment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in transition processing in one embodiment; The screen of Figure 9b shows a transition object. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the flow of processing in VR mode in one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display image in VR mode in one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the flow of actions of a virtual character in a scene being executed in VR mode; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a game processing system according to another embodiment; FIG.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with appropriate reference to the drawings. Identical or similar components are provided with the same reference numerals in several drawings.

A game processing system according to one embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a game processing system 1 according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a head-mounted display 10 (hereinafter referred to as "HMD 10") used in the game processing system 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the HMD 10 attached to the player 5. FIG.

A game processing system 1 according to one embodiment realizes various games by executing a game processing program according to one embodiment. A player can use the game system 1 to play various games. The game processing system 1 can realize, for example, a game in which a virtual character and a player interact in a virtual space. A game realized by the game processing system 1 has a first mode and a second mode. Also, the game realized by the game processing system 1 includes transition processing for transitioning to the second mode. A common game medium is used for the first mode and the second mode. Game media is electronic data used in a game, and can be acquired, owned, used, managed, exchanged, synthesized, enhanced, sold, discarded, gifted, etc. by a user in the game. For example, any medium such as cards, items, virtual currency, tickets, characters, avatars, level information, status information, parameter information (physical strength, attack power, etc.), ability information, skills, abilities, spells, jobs, etc. include. The mode of use of the game media is not limited to what is specified in this specification. An example of the first mode is chat mode and an example of the second mode is VR mode. The first mode and second mode will be described later.

A game processing system 1 includes an HMD 10 and a server 50 . The HMD 10 and the server 50 are connected via a network 40 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, the HMD 10 includes an attachment 11 to be worn on the head of a person, and an information processing device 20 attached to the attachment 11 .

The wearing tool 11 has a goggle-shaped housing 11a formed with an opening 11d, a first belt 11b and a second belt 11c attached to the housing 11a, and a lid 11e. The lid 11e is attached to the housing 11a so as to be openable and closable. An opening 11d is formed in front of the housing 11a. In FIG. 2, the lid 11e is open. When the HME 10 is in use, the lid 11e is closed to block the opening 11d.

The information processing device 20 is detachably provided inside the lid 11 e of the HMD 10 . The information processing device 20 has a display 24 . The information processing device 20 is attached to the lid 11e such that the display 24 faces the inside of the housing 11a when the lid 11e is closed. The information processing device 20 is attached to the wearing tool 11 when the HMD 10 is used. The information processing device 20 is removed from the wearing tool 11 when the HMD 10 is not used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the information processing device 20 is a smart phone. The information processing device 20 may be a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, an electronic book reader, a wearable computer, a game console, or various information processing devices other than a smart phone. The information processing device 20 removed from the HMD 10 is operated by the player 5 in the first mode, as will be described later. The information processing device 20 detached from the HMD 10 is used not only for games but also for phone calls and Internet access according to its original purpose.

The information processing device 20 includes the display 24 as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 24 functions as a device for displaying images on the HMD 10 when the information processing device 20 is attached to the wearing tool 11 . Therefore, when playing a game using the HMD 10, the display 24 displays the virtual space of the game, the virtual characters, and other images related to the game.

The shape of the wearing tool 11 is not limited to the illustrated goggle shape. The wearer 11 can include a structure of any shape that can follow the movement of the head of the player wearing it and can place the display 24 in front of the wearer's eyes when worn. The wearing tool 11 may have, for example, a shape that imitates glasses, a shape that imitates a hat, or a shape that imitates a helmet. In order to improve the player's sense of immersion, the HMD 10 may be configured such that the display 24 covers the player's eyes when the wearer 11 is worn on the player's head.

When in use, the HMD 10 is attached to the head of the player 5 via the mounting tool 11, as shown in FIG. An information processing device 20 is attached to the wearing tool 11 worn on the head of the player 5 .

The information processing apparatus 20 will be further described with reference to FIG. 1 again. As illustrated, in one embodiment, the information processing device 20 includes a computer processor 21 , a memory 22 , a communication I/F 23 , a display 24 , a sensor unit 25 , a sound collector 26 and a storage 27 .

The computer processor 21 is an arithmetic device that loads various programs that implement an operating system and game logic from the storage 27 or other storage into the memory 22 and executes instructions contained in the loaded programs. The computer processor 21 is, for example, a CPU, MPU, DSP, GPU, various arithmetic units other than these, or a combination thereof. The processor 21 may be realized by integrated circuits such as ASIC, PLD, FPGA, and MCU. Although computer processor 21 is illustrated as a single component in FIG. 1, computer processor 21 may be a collection of a plurality of physically separate computer processors. In this specification, a program or instructions included in the program described as being executed by the computer processor 21 may be executed by a single computer processor, or may be executed by a plurality of computer processors in a distributed manner. good too. Also, the program executed by the computer processor 21 or the instructions contained in the program may be executed by multiple virtual computer processors.

The memory 22 is used to store instructions executed by the computer processor 21 and various other data. At least part of the game processing program according to one embodiment is loaded into the memory 22 at any time as the game progresses. The memory 22 is, for example, a main storage device (main memory) that can be accessed at high speed by the computer processor 21 . The memory 22 is composed of a RAM such as a DRAM or an SRAM, for example.

The communication I/F 23 is implemented as hardware, firmware, communication software such as a TCP/IP driver or PPP driver, or a combination thereof. The information processing device 20 can transmit and receive data to and from other devices via the communication I/F 23 .

The display 24 has a display panel 24a and a touch panel 24b. For example, the touch panel 24b is laminated on the upper surface or the lower surface of the display panel 24a. The display panel 24a is a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, an inorganic EL panel, or any other display panel capable of displaying an image. The touch panel 24b is configured to be able to detect a player's touch operation (contact operation). The touch panel 24b can detect various touch operations such as tapping, double tapping, and dragging by the player. The touch panel 24b may include a capacitive proximity sensor and be configured to detect non-contact operations by the player.

The sensor unit 25 comprises one or more sensors. Sensor unit 25 includes, for example, at least one of a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor. The sensor unit 25 may include an eye tracking sensor that directly detects the movement of the player's eyeballs. An eye tracking sensor is, for example, a line-of-sight sensor that receives near-infrared light into the iris and detects the reflected light. As will be described later, based on the detection information detected by the sensor unit 25, the position and orientation of the head of the player 5 wearing the HMD 10 are identified.

The sound collector 26 is configured to be able to collect sound. The sound collecting device 26 is, for example, a microphone. The voice of the player 5 is detected based on the voice information collected by the sound collector 26 .

Storage 27 is an external storage device accessed by computer processor 21 . The storage 27 is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or various other storage devices capable of storing data. The storage 27 stores various programs such as a game processing program. The storage 27 also stores various data used in the game. At least part of the programs and various data that can be stored in the storage 27 may be stored in a storage that is physically separate from the information processing device 20 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the storage 27 stores image data 28a, chat data 28b, scenario data 28c, parameter data 28d, game progress data 28e, and various other data necessary for the progress of the game. be.

The image data 28a includes data for drawing the background of the virtual space in which the game is played, data for drawing virtual characters, and data for drawing objects other than the virtual characters used in the game. The image data 28a may include position information of the object in the virtual space.

The chat data 28b includes data for drawing the icon of the virtual character, data for drawing the icon of the player 5, data for specifying a plurality of messages of the virtual character, and each of the plurality of messages of the virtual character. and data used in other chat modes. A plurality of messages of the virtual character may be defined in a tree structure having nodes corresponding to each message and connecting the nodes with arcs. In this tree structure, for example, a plurality of arcs extend from the start message, which is the root node of the highest level, and each arc is connected to a lower node. Arcs also extend from this lower node, and the arcs are connected to further lower nodes. Each of the lower nodes corresponds to a candidate message of the virtual character that can be displayed after the starting message. Also, the chat data 28b may include a mode transition condition, which is a condition for starting transition from the chat mode to the VR mode. Mode transition conditions include, for example, that the elapsed time since the game was started in chat mode is equal to or longer than a predetermined time, that the chat has progressed to the terminal node in the message of the tree structure, and other conditions. be Chat data 28b may include data indicative of messages to be displayed in the resumed chat mode after incomplete selection of transition objects.

Scenario data 28c includes data defining the scenario experienced by player 5 in the second mode of the game (eg, VR mode). If there are multiple scenarios experienced by the player 5 in the game, the scenario data 28c may define scenario data for each of the multiple scenarios.

Scenario data used in the game processing system in one embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 schematically shows scenario data 28c used in the game processing system 1. As shown in FIG. The scenario data 28c is a data set for defining a scenario to be executed in VR mode. In the illustrated embodiment, the scenario data 28c has first scenario data 28c1 to fifth scenario data 28c5 corresponding to the first to fifth scenarios, respectively. The number of scenarios in VR mode may be six or more, or four or less. The data structure of the first scenario data 28c1 corresponding to the first scenario will be described below. The following explanation regarding the first scenario data 28c1 also applies to the second scenario data 28c2 to the fifth scenario data 28c5.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first scenario data 28c1 includes start scene data A1, basic scene data B1-B3, additional scene data C1-C3, and end scene data D1-D2. In one embodiment, each of the data included in the start scene data A1, the basic scene data B1-B3, the additional scene data C1-C3, and the end scene data D1-D2 is data relating to the action of the virtual character in each scene. Data related to moving images used in the scene, data related to actions that the player can take with respect to the virtual character in each scene, and other data necessary for execution of each scene can be included.

In the illustrated embodiment, the start scene data A1 includes data relating to the action of the virtual character in the start scene executed after the start of the first scenario, data relating to the moving image used in the start scene, and data relating to the virtual character in the start scene. It may contain data about actions that can be taken, and other data necessary to perform the opening scene.

The basic scene data B1 to B3 are data relating to the action of the virtual character in the basic scene performed after the start scene, data relating to the moving image used in the basic scene, and data relating to actions that the player can take with respect to the virtual character in the basic scene. , and other data necessary to perform the basic scene. Each of the basic scene data B1 to B3 may include information indicating additional scene transition conditions for determining whether or not to transition to an additional scene. Additional scene transition conditions may be defined for each basic scene. The additional scene transition conditions are, for example, gazing at a predetermined object for a predetermined time or longer, not gazing in a predetermined direction, and taking a predetermined action. In addition to these, the additional scene transition conditions can be appropriately determined according to the story of the scenario, the types of objects that appear in the virtual space, and other factors.

The additional scene data C1 to C3 are data related to actions of the virtual character in the additional scenes, data related to moving images used in the additional scenes, data related to actions that the player can take with respect to the virtual characters in the additional scenes, and other additions. It may contain data necessary for the execution of the scene. The additional scene is executed according to the result of determination whether or not the additional scene transition condition is satisfied during or after the execution of the basic scene.

The end scene data D1-D2 may include data necessary for execution of the end scene executed before the end of the second mode. The end scene data D1 and D2 are data related to actions of the virtual character in the end scene, data related to moving images used in the end scene, data related to actions that the player can take with respect to the virtual character in the end scene, and other end scenes. It may contain data necessary for the execution of the scene.

The parameter data 28 d includes game parameters relating to the game implemented in the game processing system 1 . The game parameters may be player character parameters relating to the player character. This player character parameter may include a parameter representing the favorability of the virtual character, which is a non-player character, toward the user character. The game parameters are updated as needed as the game progresses. The parameters relating to the player character are not limited to parameters representing the favorable impression of the virtual character towards the user character. The parameters relating to the player character are appropriately determined according to the game type, nature, world view, or other factors.

The game progress data 28e includes data used for managing the progress of the game. The game progress data 28e may be updated as the game progresses. The game progress data 28e may include, for example, data relating to points earned by the player in the game, and various other data that may change according to the progress of the game.

The components and functions of the information processing device 20 shown in FIG. 1 are exemplary. The information processing device 20 applicable to the present invention may include various components not shown. For example, the information processing device 20 may include a speaker that outputs game sound effects and virtual character voices.

Next, functions of the HMD 10 will be described. In the illustrated embodiment, various functions of the HMD 10 are implemented by executing computer readable instructions in the computer processor 21 of the information processing device 20 . The instructions executed by computer processor 21 include instructions contained in a game processing program according to one embodiment.

A game having a first mode and a second mode different from the first mode is realized in the game processing system 1 by executing the game processing program according to one embodiment by the computer processor 21 . A game implemented in the game processing system 1 may have modes other than the first mode and the second mode.

In the first mode of the game realized in the game processing system 1, the information processing device 20 performs the A game-related process is performed according to the detected first detection information. The first detection information includes information about the touch operation of the player 5 detected by the touch panel 24b of the information processing device 20, information about the player's voice detected by the sound collector 26, and whether the HMD 10 is attached to the player 5. It may include detection information other than the above that can be detected by the information processing device 20 when it is not present. In the first mode, the player 5 can perform game-related operations using the information processing device 20 removed from the wearing tool 11 . In the first mode, it is assumed that the game progresses when the player 5 is not wearing the HMD 10 , so the display 24 may display an image other than the stereoscopic image.

In the second mode of the game realized by the game processing system 1, the game proceeds using the second detection information detected by the HMD 10 worn on the head of the player 5. FIG. This second detection information is, for example, detection information detected by the sensor unit 25 . Based on this second detection information, head tracking information for specifying the direction of the head of the player 5 is calculated. The head tracking information may be information indicating the position of the head of the player 5 in addition to the direction of the head. The processing for progressing the game in the second mode is executed based on, for example, head tracking information calculated based on the second detection information. The processing for progressing the game in the second mode may be executed using information other than the head tracking information in addition to the head tracking information. In preparation for playing the game in the second mode, the player 5 attaches the information processing device 20 to the wearing tool 11 and wears the wearing tool 11 to which the information processing device 20 is attached on the head. Thus, in the second mode, it is assumed that the game is progressed while the HMD 10 is worn by the player 5. Therefore, in one embodiment, in the second mode, the player 5 stereoscopically views the A stereoscopic image is displayed on the display 24 . A stereoscopic image is displayed on the display 24 by, for example, a parallax barrier method. In the parallax barrier method, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are displayed on the display 24 . Thus, a stereoscopic image is a set of images including a left-eye image and a right-eye image that are configured to be stereoscopically viewed using the parallax of the left and right eyes by being displayed on a display.

The first mode is, for example, chat mode. Chat mode is an example of the first mode. The chat mode implements the ability for the player to chat with the virtual character via text messages. In the first mode, the player can experience interaction with the virtual character by chatting with the virtual character. Specific contents of processing in the chat mode will be described later. Interaction, in a broad sense, means that a virtual character reacts to an action performed by a player. Interaction with a virtual character includes interaction made as communication such as conversation with a virtual character. In this specification, an interaction performed as communication with a virtual character is sometimes called a communicative interaction. Interactions with virtual characters can include, in addition to communicative interactions, battles with virtual characters, cooperative play in which a game is played in cooperation with virtual characters, and interactions with other virtual characters. In this specification, an interaction performed as a battle with a virtual character is sometimes referred to as a battle interaction. In this specification, an interaction performed as cooperative play with a virtual character may be referred to as a cooperative interaction.

The second mode is VR mode, for example. In the VR mode, functions for performing various interactions with a virtual character, which is a non-player character appearing in the virtual space displayed on the display of the information processing device 20, are implemented. Specific contents of processing in the VR mode will be described later. The VR mode is an example of the second mode, and the second mode may include any game mode in which processing for progressing the game is performed using head tracking information.

In one embodiment, the game having the first mode and the second mode realized by the game processing system 1 may be a game in which interactions other than communicative interactions with virtual characters are performed. In the game realized by the game processing system 1, communicative interaction does not have to be performed. In one embodiment, the game is played in a two-dimensional space in a first mode and in a three-dimensional space in a second mode. In one embodiment, the game is played in a three-dimensional space in the first mode, and displayed in a display mode different from the three-dimensional space in the first mode in the second mode (or similar to the three-dimensional space in the first mode). are played in a three-dimensional space (configured in different ways). In one embodiment, the game realized by the game processing system 1 may use common game media in the first mode and the second mode. Media parameters associated with this game media may be carried over between the first mode and the second mode. For example, if the medium parameter of a specific game medium is changed during play in the first mode, and then the mode is shifted to the second mode, the specific game medium set with the changed medium parameter is transferred to the second mode. Used in mode. In one embodiment, medium parameters for a particular game medium may be changed during transitions from the first mode to the second mode and/or during transitions from the second mode to the first mode. This change in the medium parameter of the game medium may be a change that is advantageous for the player 5 in progressing the game, or a change that is disadvantageous. In one embodiment, the result of playing in the first mode may be reflected in the game in the second mode, and the result of playing in the second mode may be reflected in the game in the first mode. For example, the experience value of player 5 acquired in the first mode may be inherited in the second mode.

As described above, the first mode and the second mode of the game implemented in the game processing system 1 are modes that are distinguished from each other. That is, the first mode is a mode different from the second mode. In one embodiment, the HMD 10 is not worn on the head of the player 5 when the game realized in the game processing system 1 is played in the first mode, whereas the game is played in the second mode. In this case, the HMD 10 is attached to the head of the player 5 . In this case, in the first mode, the game is processed according to the first detection information detected by the information processing device 20 not worn on the head of the player 5, and in the second mode, the Game processing is performed according to the second detection information detected by the HMD 10 mounted on the head.

In one embodiment, a stereoscopic image is displayed on the display 24 in the second mode, whereas an image other than the stereoscopic image is displayed on the display 24 in the first mode as described above. In the second mode, at least the virtual character image among the game images is displayed as a stereoscopic image, and in the first mode, the virtual character image is displayed as an image other than the stereoscopic image.

In one embodiment, in the first mode, processing is performed to progress the game without using head tracking information calculated based on the second detection information, whereas in the second mode, the head tracking information is not used. Based on this, processing for advancing the game is performed.

In one embodiment, in the first mode, the game progresses according to the touch operation detected by the touch panel 24b, whereas in the second mode, there is no process according to the touch operation of the touch panel 24b. not.

In one embodiment, when interaction with a virtual character is provided in a game realized by the game processing system 1, in the first mode, the information processing device 20 that is not worn on the head of the player 5 detects Interaction with the virtual character according to the detected first information is provided, and in the second mode, interaction with the virtual character according to the second detected information detected by the HMD 10 mounted on the head of the player 5 is provided. interaction is provided.

After starting the game, it is possible to switch between the first mode and the second mode, which are distinguished as described above. With reference to FIG. 5, an outline of mode transition of the game processed by the game processing system 1 will be described. As shown in the figure, when the game is started in step S1, chat mode S2, which is the first mode, is started in step S2. In this chat mode, when transition processing for transitioning to the VR mode, which is the second mode, is started, the process proceeds to step S3, and transition processing to the second mode is performed. When the transition process is completed, the VR mode, which is the second mode, is started in step S4. When the VR mode ends or is interrupted, processing for returning to the chat mode is performed.

Next, functions realized by the computer processor 21 will be described more specifically. The computer processor 21 functions as a chat mode execution unit 21a, a transition processing unit 21b, a VR mode execution unit 21c, and a parameter management unit 21d by executing computer-readable instructions included in the game processing program. At least part of the functions implemented by computer processor 21 may be implemented by a computer processor other than computer processor 21 of game system 1 . At least part of the functions implemented by the computer processor 21 may be implemented by a computer processor installed in the server 50, for example.

The chat mode execution unit 21a performs processing for providing a game in the chat mode, which is the first mode, by executing the game processing program according to one embodiment. The chat mode execution unit 21a implements a function for chatting between the player 5 (or the character of the player 5) and a virtual character that is a non-player character. After logging in to the chat mode, the chat mode execution unit 21a displays the message from the virtual character and the message input or selected by the player 5 on the display 24, and allows the virtual character and the player 5 to chat. be able to. The chat mode execution unit 21a may display on the display 24, following the message of the virtual character, a plurality of options regarding the player's 5 response to the message. One option is selected from the plurality of options according to the player's 5 operation, and a message corresponding to this selected option is displayed on the display 24 as the player's 5 message. The player 5 can select a desired one of the displayed options by performing a touch operation on the touch panel 24b. The virtual character's message and the player's options for the message can be specified by referring to the chat data 28b according to the game processing program. The message of the virtual character may be displayed together with the image of the virtual character, and the message of the player 5 may be displayed together with the image of the player 5 . The message of the virtual character includes a message prompting the transition to the VR mode, which is the second mode, a message for allowing the player 5 to select settings in the VR mode, and other messages associated with the VR mode. may be

In the chat mode, a transition start object for starting transition to the VR mode, which is the second mode, is displayed according to the progress of the chat. The transition start object is displayed when the mode transition condition is satisfied according to the game processing program. The chat mode execution unit 21a can detect that a transition start object has been selected based on a detection signal from the touch panel 24b or other user interface. When it is detected that the transition start object has been selected, transition processing to the VR mode, which is the second mode, is started.

The transition processing unit 21b performs transition processing for transitioning from the first mode to the second mode. This transition processing includes displaying on the display 24 guidance prompting the user to attach the information processing device 20 to the mounting tool 11, and causing the display 24 to display a transition object that can be selected by the player's gaze. It's okay. After displaying this transitional object, the transition processing unit 21b receives a detection signal from the sensor unit 25 or other sensors, and determines whether or not the transitional object has been selected by gaze based on this detection signal. can be done. For this determination, the transition processing unit 21b calculates the position and orientation of the HMD 10 based on the detection signal from the sensor unit 25, and specifies the gaze position of the player 5 based on the calculated position and orientation of the HMD 10. do. Identification of the gaze position can be performed by various known methods. For example, the gaze position may be specified based on the detection signal of an eye tracking sensor. The transition processing unit 21b measures, for example, the time the gaze position is on the transition start object (gazing time), and determines that the selection of the transition start object has been completed when the gaze time reaches a predetermined time. When the migration processing unit 21b determines that the selection of the migration object is completed, it starts the VR mode, which is the second mode.

The VR mode execution unit 21c displays an image of the virtual character in the virtual space according to the game processing program, and realizes interaction between the virtual character and the player 5. FIG. The VR mode execution unit 21c functions as a scene selection unit 21c1, a detection unit 21c2, an action identification unit 21c3, and an image generation unit 21c4 when the processor 21 executes the game processing program in one embodiment.

The scene selection section 21c1 selects a game scene to be executed based on the scenario data 28c and other information if necessary. The scene selection unit 21c1 selects a start scene after logging into the VR mode. After the execution of the start scene, the scene selection unit 21c1 performs the next operation based on information detected by the HMD 10, information stored in the storage 27 (for example, the parameter data 28d), and other information as necessary. Select the scene to run.

The detection unit 21 c 2 calculates head tracking information for identifying at least one of the orientation and position of the HMD 10 based on the detection signal of the sensor unit 25 of the HMD 10 . The head tracking information is information indicating at least one of the orientation and position of the HMD 10 of the HMD. Head tracking information is identified based on information detected by the sensor unit 25 . Specifically, in the head tracking information, the position and orientation of the HMD 10 worn on the head are calculated as the position and angle around each axis in a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. This three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system is, for example, an orthogonal coordinate system composed of a roll axis along the front-rear direction, a yaw axis along the vertical direction, and a pitch axis along the left-right direction. The detection unit 21 c 2 configures a virtual space corresponding to at least one of the specified position and orientation of the HMD 10 and outputs image information for displaying this virtual space to the display 24 . The detection unit 21c2 can calculate the gaze direction or the gaze position based on at least one of the position and orientation of the HMD 10, for example.

The action specifying unit 21c3 specifies an action using the HMD 10 of the player 5 based on the head tracking information. Also, the action specifying unit 21c3 may determine the action (reaction) of the virtual character in the virtual space according to the specified action of the player 5. FIG. Actions by the player 5 wearing the HMD 10 include nodding, shaking of the head, and other actions involving head movements, as well as movements of the line of sight. The action of player 5 to cause the virtual character to react may include moving the line of sight. Such eye movement can be detected by an eye tracking sensor included in sensor unit 25 .

The image generation unit 21c4 generates image information of a rendering area defined by an angle of view and the like centering on the gaze position or gaze direction specified by the detection unit 21c2 in the entire virtual space. An image of the rendering area of the virtual space is displayed on the display 24 based on the image information generated in this manner. Image data 28a, scenario data 28c, parameter data 28d, game progress data 28e, and other data stored in the storage 27, for example, can be used to generate image information. When a virtual character exists in the drawing area, the image generating unit 21c4 generates image information of the virtual space including the virtual character performing the action specified by the action specifying unit 21c3, and displays the image thus created. The information is output to the display 24 as a stereoscopic image. As a result, the display 24 displays an image of the virtual space including an image of the virtual character performing the action determined according to the action of the player 5 . The image generator 21c4 may generate audio information corresponding to the action of the virtual character and the drawing area of the virtual space. The audio information is output to the speaker of the HMD 10 .

As described above, the VR mode execution unit 21c displays an image in which the virtual character moves in the virtual space on the display 24, and outputs sound corresponding to the movement of the virtual character from the speaker. For example, when the virtual character speaks to the player 5, an image in which the head and mouth of the virtual character move is displayed on the display 24, and the sound corresponding to the speech of the virtual character is output from the speaker. In one embodiment, the virtual character that interacts with player 5 in each of VR mode and chat mode is the same virtual character. For example, a virtual character appearing in the VR mode and a character appearing in the chat mode have the same name, and have similarities in appearance to the extent that they can be recognized as the same character. However, while the virtual character image is displayed as a stereoscopic image in the VR mode, the virtual character image is displayed as an image other than the stereoscopic image in the chat mode. The images are different from each other. However, such a difference in representation does not prevent the identity of the virtual characters.

The parameter management unit 21d updates the parameter data 28d as the game progresses. The parameter management unit 21d updates the parameter data 28d according to the progress of the game in the first mode when the game is provided in the first mode, and updates the parameter data 28d when the game is provided in the second mode. updates the parameter data 28d according to the progress of the game in the second mode.

When the parameter data 28d includes a parameter representing the virtual character's favorable impression of the user character, the parameter management unit 21d may increase or decrease the parameter according to the actions of the player 5 in the first mode and the second mode. good. When the first mode is the chat mode, the amount of change (for example, the amount of increase or decrease) or rate of change (rate of increase or decrease) of favorability for each choice of message provided to player 5 in the chat mode ) may be defined. In this case, the parameter management unit 21d specifies the amount of change or the rate of change in favorability according to the option selected by player 5, and updates the parameter data 28d based on the specified amount of change or rate of change in favorability. do. In the VR mode, the amount or rate of change in favorability may be determined for each action of player 5 . The parameter management unit 21d specifies the amount of change or rate of change in favorability according to the action of player 5, and updates the parameter data 28d based on the specified amount of change or rate of change in favorability.

When the second mode is the VR mode, prohibited actions may be defined for actions of the player 5 in the VR mode. Prohibited actions may include moving the head with acceleration greater than or equal to a predetermined value, directing the line of sight to a prohibited area in the virtual space, and repeating the same action a predetermined number of times or more. In this specification, among actions of player 5, actions other than prohibited actions may be referred to as normal actions. The parameter management unit 21d updates the parameter data 28d so as to decrease the favorability when the player 5 performs the prohibited action. When the player 5 takes a normal action, the parameter management unit 21d updates the parameter data 28d so that the favorable rating increases or decreases according to the normal action.

When a game is being processed in VR mode, the VR mode may end abnormally without going through the end scene prepared in VR mode. For example, the VR mode may be terminated abnormally due to factors such as loss of power to the HMD 10, forced termination of the game processing program by a function of the system program, or the like. When the VR mode is terminated abnormally, the parameter management unit 21d updates the parameter data 28d so as to decrease the favorability.

The game parameters included in the parameter data 28d are changed during at least one of the transition from the first mode to the second mode and the transition from the second mode to the first mode, and the parameter data 28d are changed so as to reflect this change. may be updated. The change of the game parameter at the time of this mode transition may be a change that is advantageous for the player 5 in progressing the game, or a change that is disadvantageous. When a plurality of game parameters are included in the parameter data 28d, at least one of the plurality of game parameters at the time of transition from the first mode to the second mode and at the time of transition from the second mode to the first mode may be changed only in part. When a plurality of game parameters are included in the parameter data 28d, a variation amount or rate of variation is set for each of the plurality of game parameters, and when the first mode transitions to the second mode and from the second mode At least one of the transitions to the first mode, each game parameter may be changed based on the variation amount or variation rate set for the game parameter.

Parameter data 28d may include shared parameters shared by the first and second modes. The player character parameters may be shared parameters. The shared parameter may or may not be changed during transition from the first mode to the second mode and/or during transition from the second mode to the first mode. When a shared parameter is changed, parameter data 28d is updated to reflect the change. The change of the common parameter at the time of this mode transition may be a change that is advantageous to the player 5 in progressing the game, or a change that is disadvantageous.

The parameter data 28d may include a first mode parameter that is used in the first mode but not in the second mode and a second mode parameter that is used in the second mode but not in the first mode. good. Both the first mode parameters and the second mode parameters are included in the game parameters. The first mode parameter and the second mode parameter may be associated with each other. For example, when the first mode parameter fluctuates in the first mode, the second mode parameter associated with the first mode parameter may fluctuate according to the fluctuation of the first mode parameter. Conversely, when the second mode parameter fluctuates in the second mode, the first mode parameter associated with the second mode parameter may fluctuate in accordance with the fluctuation of the second mode parameter. As the first mode parameter and the second mode parameter change, the parameter data 28d may be updated to reflect the change. In one embodiment, an example of the first mode parameter is the likability of the virtual character used in the first mode toward the user character (first mode likability), and an example of the second mode parameter is the likability used in the second mode. This is the likability (second mode likability) of the virtual character to the user character. For example, when the first mode favorability increases in the first mode, the second mode favorability increases accordingly. In another embodiment, an example of the first mode parameter is the likability of the virtual character used in the first mode toward the user character (first mode likability), and an example of the second mode parameter is the It is a game parameter (for example, the attack power of the player character) other than the favorability used. In this way, the first mode parameter and the second mode parameter may be the same type of game parameters or different types of game parameters.

The VR mode execution unit 21c performs termination processing for terminating the VR mode when the termination condition is satisfied. The end conditions are, for example, that a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed since the start of the VR mode, that an end target operation has been detected, and that the last event included in the scenario being executed in the VR mode has ended. , and other conditions. The termination process performed when the termination condition is satisfied includes displaying guidance on the display 24 prompting the user to remove the information processing device 20 from the wearing tool 11, and displaying a login screen for the chat mode, which is the first mode. Displaying may be included.

Next, chat processing in the chat mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7a to 7d. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the flow of processing in chat mode in one embodiment, and FIGS. 7a to 7d show examples of display images in chat mode. It is assumed that the HMD 10 is not attached to the head of the player 5 and the information processing device 20 is removed from the attachment 11 when the chat mode is started.

In the game processing system 1, the game is started in chat mode as described above. In step S<b>11 , a login screen for logging into the chat mode is displayed on the display 24 of the information processing device 20 . When the player 5 performs the login process, the chat process proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, messages are exchanged between the player 5 and the virtual character, whereby a chat is conducted between them. Specifically, after logging into the chat mode, a chat display image is generated for displaying a chat between the player 5 and the virtual character, and the chat display image is displayed on the display 24 . FIG. 7a shows a chat display image 70, which is an example of a chat display image displayed on the display 24. FIG. The chat display image 70 includes a chat display area 71 including an icon 73 corresponding to the player 5, an icon 74 corresponding to the virtual character, a message 75a from the player 5, and messages 76a and 76b from the virtual character. The chat display image 70 also includes a menu area 72 arranged above the chat display area 71 . The virtual character messages 76a and 76b are specified based on the chat data 28b and other data stored in the storage 72 according to the game processing program. For example, virtual character messages are displayed in order from the message at the root node with reference to the chat data 28b defined in the tree structure. At a node branch point, a node is selected according to the branch condition, and a message corresponding to the selected node is displayed.

In step S<b>12 , the parameter set for player 5 may be increased or decreased according to the option selected by player 5 . The parameter increase/decrease amount or increase/decrease rate is determined based on the parameter change amount (e.g., increase or decrease amount) or change rate (increase rate or decrease rate) determined for each message option as described above. be done. When the amount of change or the rate of change of the parameter is specified, the parameter data 28d is updated based on the specified amount of change or the rate of change of the favorability rating.

Chat display image 70 of FIG. 7a includes a display at the bottom of chat display area 71 showing message options 77 for player 5 . Player 5 can select one of the displayed options 77 . This selection is made, for example, by touching with a finger an area in which the desired option is displayed on the display 24 . When this selection is made, a message 75b corresponding to the selected option is newly displayed in the chat display area 71 as a message for the player 5, as shown in FIG. 7b.

As shown in FIG. 7c, during the chat process, messages 76c and 76d prompting selection of settings in the second mode, VR mode, may be displayed as virtual character messages. The message 76c prompts the user to select a scenario in the VR mode, and the message 76d prompts the user to select items used by the virtual character in the VR mode (for example, clothes worn by the virtual character in the virtual space of the VR mode). is the message. That is, the settings in the second mode include the scenario in the VR mode and items used by the virtual character in the VR mode. After the message 76c prompting the user to select a scenario is displayed, the display 24 displays scenario options. For example, scenarios 1 to 5 are displayed as options. Player 5 can select a favorite scenario from these options. After the message 76d prompting the user to select an item is displayed, the display 24 displays item options. Player 5 can select a favorite item from these options. During the chat process, a message prompting the transition to the second mode may be displayed as a message of the virtual character.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the condition for mode transition from the first mode to the second mode is satisfied. As a mode transition condition from the first mode to the second mode, for example, a condition that a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has passed since the start of the chat mode is used. Elapsed time from the start of the chat mode is measured using, for example, the system clock. The process returns to step S12 and the chat process continues until it is determined that the mode transition condition is met. On the other hand, if it is determined that the mode transition condition is satisfied, the chat process proceeds to step S14.

In step S14, the transition start object 78 is displayed on the display 24, and the chat process proceeds to step S15. As shown in FIG. 7d, the transition start object 78 is displayed, for example, in the chat area 71 as an object with a circular outer edge. When the selection of the transition start object 78 is confirmed in step S15, the chat process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the selection of the transition start object 78 is not confirmed even after a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) has passed since the transition start object 78 was displayed, it is determined that the transition start object has not been selected, and the chat process is performed. ends. When it is determined that the transition start object has not been selected, the process may return to step S12 and perform processing for resuming the chat. Whether or not the transition start object 78 has been selected may be determined according to the operation on the touch panel 24b. For example, when it is detected from the detection signal from the touch panel 24b that a touch operation (for example, a tap operation) has been performed on a position overlapping the display area of the transition start object 78, it is determined that the transition start object 78 has been selected. be done. Selection of the transition start object 78 may be made by non-contact operation.

In step S16, processing for shifting to the VR mode, which is the second mode, is started. Once the transition process is started, the chat process ends.

The chat process described above is executed by, for example, the chat mode execution unit 21a. The chat mode execution unit 21a can execute the above-described chat processing independently or appropriately in cooperation with other functions. When executing the chat process, in addition to the data stored in the storage 27, data stored in other storages, detection information detected by various sensors, or data other than these are used as necessary. can be

Next, mode transition processing from the chat mode, which is the first mode, to the VR mode, which is the second mode, will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9a to 9b. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing the flow of mode transition processing in one embodiment.

When the migration process is started, in step 31 , guidance is displayed on the display 24 of the information processing device 20 to prompt the user to wear the HMD 10 . A guidance display image 80, which is an example of a guidance display image including the guidance, is shown in FIG. 9a. Guidance display image 80 includes guidance prompting to attach information processing device 20 to mounting tool 11, guidance prompting to mount HMD 10 on the head, and various other guidance necessary to start the VR mode. can include Guidance display image 80 shown in FIG. 9 a includes guidance 81 prompting attachment of information processing device 20 to wearing tool 11 . This guidance may include instructions on how to attach the information processing device 20 to the attachment 11 . When a predetermined period of time elapses after the guidance is displayed, the mode transition process proceeds to step S32.

At step S32, the transition object is displayed on the display 24. FIG. An example of a transition processed image containing transition objects is shown in FIG. 9b. A transition object 86 is included in the transition processed image 85 shown in FIG. 9b. The transition processed image 85 may be displayed as a stereoscopic image. In one embodiment, the image displayed on the display 24 is switched from a non-stereoscopic image to a stereoscopic image at the start of the mode transition process or at a predetermined timing after the start of the mode transition process. For example, an image displayed in the chat mode is displayed as an image other than a stereoscopic image, and an image displayed after the transition process is started is displayed as a stereoscopic image.

Next, in step S33, it is determined whether or not the selection of the transition object 86 has been completed. The transition object 86 is selected, for example, by the player 5 continuing to gaze at it for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, in order to select the transitional object 86, it is a prerequisite that the player 5 is wearing the HMD 10 . In one embodiment, whether or not the transitional object 86 has been selected is determined by whether or not the gaze position calculated based on the detection signal from the HMD 10 remains on the transitional object 86 for a predetermined period of time or longer. The gaze position can be calculated based on information detected by the sensor unit 25 provided in the HMD 10, as described above. The above determination can be made by measuring the gaze time during which the gaze position exists on the transition object 86 using the system clock, and determining whether or not the measured gaze time has reached a predetermined time. For example, when the fixation time reaches the predetermined time, it is determined that the selection of the transition object 86 has been completed, and the mode transition process proceeds to step S34. On the other hand, if it is not detected that the selection of the transition object 86 has been completed even after a predetermined period of time has passed since the transition object 86 was displayed, it is determined that the selection of the transition object 86 has not been completed, and the mode transition processing is executed. The process proceeds to step S35.

In step S34, the VR mode, which is the second mode, is started. Specific processing in the VR mode will be described later.

In step S35, since transition to the VR mode was not selected, processing for returning to the chat mode is started. When the return processing to the chat mode is completed, the chat mode is resumed. In this resumed chat mode, a message from the virtual character relating to the failure to transition to VR mode may be displayed.

The above mode transition processing is executed by the transition processing unit 21b, for example. The transition processing unit 21b can execute the above-described mode transition processing independently or appropriately in cooperation with other functions.

Next, VR processing in the VR mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the flow of VR processing in VR mode in one embodiment, FIG. 11 shows an example of a display image in VR mode, and FIG. 4 schematically shows the flow of actions of a virtual character. As described above, the player 5 wears the HMD 10 in order to select the transition object 86 in the mode transition process. It is assumed that the HMD 10 is worn on the head of the player 5 at the start of the VR mode. The VR processing will be described below on the assumption that the first scenario is selected. In the VR processing, the parameter data 28d is appropriately referred to. In one embodiment, the value of each game parameter included in the parameter data 28d at the start of the VR process is equal to the value of each game parameter included in the parameter data 28d at the end of the chat process. That is, in one embodiment, the parameter data 28d updated in the chat process is inherited in the VR process.

When the VR mode is started, the start scene is executed in step S41. Specifically, image information of the virtual space is generated according to the start scene, and an image corresponding to the image information is output to the display 24 . In the start scene, the virtual character may perform a predetermined action in the virtual space.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the VR image of the starting scene displayed on the display 24. As shown in FIG. A VR image 90 shown in FIG. 11 includes a virtual character image 91 representing a virtual character, images 92a to 92c representing objects corresponding to the background, and images representing various other objects. The VR image 90 is an image corresponding to a predetermined range of the virtual space for the first scenario. The range of the virtual space corresponding to the VR image 90 can be determined by calculating the gaze position in the virtual space based on the orientation of the HMD 10, and setting the calculated gaze position as the center, for example, by the angle of view. The image data 28a is used for generating the image information. The VR image 90 and other images displayed in the VR mode are displayed as stereoscopic images.

The virtual character image 91 can perform, for example, an action specified by the start scene data A1 within the virtual space. For example, the actions of the virtual character image 91 include talking to the player 5 (toward the position of the player 5 in the virtual space), moving in the virtual space, and picking up an object placed in the virtual space. , and various other actions in the virtual space.

A series of actions performed by the virtual character in the start scene will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the action flow of a virtual character in a scene executed in VR mode. FIG. 12 illustrates the flow of actions in the start scene. As shown, in the start scene, the virtual character first performs an action corresponding to action A11. Action A11 corresponds to an action that the virtual character can perform in the starting scene. For example, action A11 is an action in which a virtual character speaks to a character in the virtual space.

Action A11 is defined as a branchable action. Specifically, action A11 branches into action A21, action A22, and action A23. For example, for action A11, a first transition condition for transitioning to action A21, a second transition condition for transitioning to action A22, and a third transition condition for transitioning to action A23 are set. When the first transition condition is satisfied, the action of the virtual character shifts to action A21, when the second transition condition is satisfied, the virtual character's action shifts to action A22, and when the third transition condition is satisfied, the virtual character's action shifts to action A23. Transition. At least one of the first transition condition, the second transition condition, and the third transition condition may be that the likability of the virtual character to the user character is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

Various conditions can be set as the first transition condition, the second transition condition, and the third transition condition. For example, the first transition condition, the second transition condition, and the third transition condition are that the action defined as the action A11 is completed, and that the player 5 performs a predetermined action on the virtual character (for example, a predetermined action of the virtual character). part gaze), and the player 5 answering questions from the virtual character. The first condition, the second transition condition, and the third transition condition are different from each other. The player 5 can answer questions from the virtual character by nodding, shaking the head, or other head movements. Specifically, when the virtual character asks a question and the player 5 makes an action by moving the head, the sensor unit 25 of the HMD 10 detects the movement of the head, and the detected head movement is detected by the sensor unit 25 of the HMD 10. Player 5's answer corresponding to the movement of is specified. For example, it may be determined that the player 5 has answered affirmatively when a nodding motion is detected, and that the player 5 has given a negative response when a sideways shaking motion is detected. Further, if no movement of the head of the player 5 is detected for a predetermined period of time after the question from the virtual character, it may be determined that the player 5 has not answered the question from the virtual character. The action of the player 5 may be specified by the function of the action specifying section 21c3.

Action A21 branches further into action A31 and action A32. When a predetermined transition condition is satisfied in action A21, transition from action A21 to action A31 or action A32 is performed according to the satisfied transition condition. Only action A33 is associated downstream of action A22. That is, action A22 is not branched. In this case, when action A22 ends, action A33 is started. No lower layer action is set downstream of the action A23. The structure of actions shown in FIG. 12 is an example, and the types and number of actions included in each scene and the structure of those actions can be appropriately set according to the story to be realized in each scene.

The transition from one action to another may be seamless such that the transition is imperceptible to player 5 .

While the actions A11, A21 to A23, A31 to A33 are being executed, the player 5 can perform an action on the virtual character by gazing at a predetermined part of the virtual character or by other methods. can. The virtual character can take a reaction determined based on the start scene data A1 in response to such an action of the player 5 on the virtual character. A virtual character may be controlled to take a reaction according to its favorability. For example, even if the player 5 performs the same action, a favorable reaction may be given if the favorability is high, and a non-favorable reaction may be given if the favorability is low.

When action A31, action A32, action A33, or action A23, which is the downstream action, ends, the start scene ends, and the VR process proceeds to step S42.

In step S42, a basic scene to be executed is selected from a plurality of candidates. The basic scene to be executed is selected from a plurality of candidate basic scenes prepared for the first scenario, for example, according to the parameter data 28d. In the first scenario, three basic scenes corresponding to the basic scene data B1-B3 in FIG. 4 are prepared. In one embodiment, the basic scene to be executed is selected from among these three basic scenes based on the favorability of the virtual character to the player 5 stored as the parameter data 28d. For example, if the favorable impression is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the basic scene corresponding to the basic scene data B1 is selected, and if the favorable impression is less than the second threshold, the basic scene corresponding to the basic scene data B3 is selected. is selected, and if the favorable rating is greater than or equal to the second threshold and less than the first threshold, the basic scene corresponding to the basic scene data B2 is selected. Selection of the base scene may be performed by methods other than the above. For example, the base scene may be randomly selected. The basic scenes are weighted so that the higher the favorability, the higher the probability that some of the basic scenes (for example, the first basic scene corresponding to the basic scene data B1) will be selected, and then randomly selected. may The method of base scene selection is not limited to the methods explicitly described herein. When the basic scene is selected, the VR processing moves to step S43.

At step S43, the basic scene selected at step S42 is executed. Specifically, image information of the virtual space is generated according to the basic scene, and an image corresponding to the image information is output to the display 24 . In the basic scene, the virtual character may perform a predetermined action in the virtual space. The action of the virtual character in the base scene may be defined as a series of branchable actions, similar to the starting scene. A branchable sequence of actions in a basic scene may have a data structure similar to the data structure shown in FIG. When the most downstream action in the series of actions ends, the basic scene ends, and the VR process proceeds to step S44.

In step S44, it is determined whether or not the additional scene transition condition set for the basic scene executed in step S43 is satisfied. This determination reads from the storage 27 the additional scene transition condition included in the basic scene data (for example, basic scene data B1) corresponding to the basic scene executed in step S43, and the transition condition is read in the basic scene executed in step S43. A determination is made as to whether the conditions have been met. For example, if the transition condition is to gaze at an object representing a door in the virtual space for 3 seconds or longer, the time during which the gaze position of the player 5 is positioned on the object representing the door in the virtual space is counted. , when the counted time is 3 seconds or more, it is determined that the transition condition is established. The gaze position of the player 5 in the virtual space is specified based on the calculated orientation of the HMD 10 by calculating the orientation of the HMD 10 based on the detection information of the sensor unit 25 . The additional scene transition condition may or may not be explicitly presented to the player 5 when the basic scene is executed. For example, in the basic scene, the virtual character may speak to player 5 a line corresponding to the additional scene transition condition.

If it is determined that the transition condition is not satisfied, the VR process proceeds to step S45, and if it is determined that the transition condition is satisfied, the VR process proceeds to step S46.

In step S45, the first end scene is executed. Specifically, image information of the virtual space is generated according to the first end scene, and an image corresponding to the image information is output to the display 24 .

In step S46, an additional scene is executed. Specifically, image information of the virtual space is generated according to the first end scene, and an image corresponding to the image information is output to the display 24 . The virtual character's actions in the additional scene may be defined as a series of branchable actions, similar to the starting scene. A branchable series of actions in an additional scene may have a data structure similar to the data structure shown in FIG. When the most downstream action of the additional scene ends, the additional scene ends, and the VR process proceeds to step S47.

In step S47, the second end scene is executed. Specifically, image information of the virtual space is generated according to the second end scene, and an image corresponding to the image information is output to the display 24 . The image displayed in the second end scene may be the same as or different from the image displayed in the first end scene.

When the sensor unit 25 of the HMD 10 detects the movement of the head of the player 5 while the VR image 90 is being displayed on the display 24, the action of the player 5 is specified based on the detected movement of the head. be done. Then, an action (reaction) of the virtual character is determined according to the identified action of the player 5, and image information of the virtual character image 91 performing the determined action is generated. The image information generated in this manner is output to the display 24 . For example, when a nodding motion of the player 5 is detected, image information of the virtual character image 91 that reacts to the nodding motion of the player 5 is generated and displayed on the display 24 . Thus, in the VR mode, an interaction between the player 5 and the virtual character is realized using the stereoscopic image of the virtual character.

In steps S41, S43, S45 to S47 described above, the parameters set for the player 5 may be increased or decreased according to the action of the player 5. FIG. The parameter increase/decrease amount or increase/decrease rate is based on the parameter change amount (for example, increase or decrease amount) or change rate (increase rate or decrease rate) determined for each action of the player 5 as described above. may be defined. When the amount of change or the rate of change of the parameter is specified, the parameter data 28d is updated based on the specified amount of change or the rate of change of the favorability rating.

In step S48, VR mode end processing is performed. This termination process may include displaying on the display 24 guidance prompting the user to remove the information processing device 20 from the wearing tool 11, and displaying a login screen for the chat mode, which is the first mode. .

The above VR processing is executed by the VR mode execution unit 21c. The VR mode execution unit 21c can execute the above-described VR processing independently or appropriately in cooperation with other functions.

Next, a game processing system according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a game processing system 101 according to another embodiment. The game processing system 101 includes an information processing device 20 , an HMD 110 and an HMD 110 . The game processing system 101 differs from the game processing system 1 in that the VR mode can be provided without attaching the information processing device 20 to the HMD 110 . The game processing system 101 will be described below, focusing on the differences from the game processing system 1 .

The HMD 110, the information processing device 20, and the server 50 are connected via a network 40 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The HMD 110 and the information processing apparatus 20 may be communicably connected according to a short-range wireless system such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) without going through the network 40 . The HMD 110 differs from the HMD 10 of the game processing system 1 in that the VR mode can be provided without the information processing device 20 attached.

The HMD 110 includes a computer processor 121, a memory 122, a communication I/F 123, a display 124, a sensor unit 125, a sound collector 126, and a storage 127. The computer processor 121, the memory 122, the communication I/F 123, the display 124, the sensor unit 125, the sound collector 126, and the storage 127 are the computer processor 21, the memory 22, the communication I/F 23, the display 24, and the sensor of the information processing device 20. It is configured similarly to the unit 25 , sound collector 26 and storage 27 . However, the display 124 may not have a touch panel.

The functions of the chat mode execution unit 21a, the transition processing unit 21b, the VR mode execution unit 21c, and the parameter management unit 21d are shared between the information processing device 20 and the HMD 110. FIG. Specifically, the function of the chat mode execution unit 21 a is implemented in the information processing device 20 , and the function of the VR mode execution unit 21 c is implemented in the HMD 110 . A part of the function of the transition processing unit 21 b is realized by the information processing device 20 and the remaining part is realized by the HMD 110 . The function of the parameter management unit 21d is realized by both the information processing device 20 and the HMD 110. FIG.

Image data 28a, chat data 28b, scenario data 28c, parameter data 28d, and game progress data 28e are stored in one or both of storage 27 and storage 127. FIG. These data may be stored in storage other than storage 27 and storage 127 .

When starting the game in the game processing system 101 , the player 5 uses the information processing device 20 to start the chat mode. This chat mode processing is performed by the chat mode execution unit 21 a of the information processing device 20 .

When the mode transition condition is satisfied in the chat mode and the transition start object is selected, mode transition processing to the VR mode is started. This mode transition processing is performed by the step transition processing section 21b. In the mode transition process, the information processing device 20 displays the guidance corresponding to step S31. For example, guidance prompting the user to wear the HMD 110 is displayed on the display 24 of the information processing device 20 . On the other hand, the display of the transitional object 86 corresponding to step S32 and subsequent processing are executed in the HMD 110 .

When the VR mode is started, the VR mode processing is performed by the VR mode execution unit 21 c of the HMD 110 .

According to the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained. According to the game processing systems 1 and 101 described above, the game can be played in the first mode (for example, chat mode) without using the HMD 10 . Also, the game parameters such as favorable rating updated in the first mode are also used in the second mode (for example, VR mode). Thereby, the game can be played in the first mode when the HMD 10 cannot be used, and the game can be played in the second mode when the HMD 10 can be used.

Further, according to the game processing systems 1 and 101 described above, the game parameters stored in the storage 27 are updated according to the progress of the game, and different scenes are executed according to the updated game parameters.

Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, some or all of the functions performed by computer processor 21 and computer processor 121 may be implemented by computer processors not shown in the above embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the game processing system 1 and the game processing system 101 may include a game machine that executes at least part of a game processing program, and part of the functions realized by the processing of the computer processor 21 or the computer processor 121 are It may be realized by processing in the game machine.

Embodiments of the present invention may include various apparatus, devices, and electronic components in addition to those described above. For example, the game processing system 1 and the game processing system 101 may include an operation device for accepting the operation of the player 5 in addition to the information processing device 20 and the HMDs 10 and 110 . The game processing system 1 and the game processing system 101 may detect an operation of the player 5 using the operation device, and perform game processing according to the detected operation.

In the processing procedures described in this specification, especially in the processing procedures described using flow diagrams, some of the steps that make up the processing procedure are omitted, and as a step that makes up the processing procedure It is possible to add unspecified steps and/or change the order of the steps, and the processing procedures in which such omissions, additions, and order changes do not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. Included within the scope of the invention.

The invention described in the scope of claims as originally filed in the original application of the present application will be additionally described below.
[1]
A game processing system for processing a game having a first mode and a second mode,
one or more processors;
a storage accessed by the one or more processors and storing a first mode parameter used in the first mode and a second mode parameter used in the second mode;
an information processing device including at least part of the one or more processors;
the one or more processors, by executing computer readable instructions,
In the first mode, providing interaction with a virtual character according to first detection information regarding the action of the player detected by the information processing device that is not worn on the player's head,
In the second mode, providing interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information regarding the action of the player detected by a head-mounted display worn on the head of the player;
updating the first mode parameter based on the first detection information in the first mode;
updating the second mode parameter in response to updating the first mode parameter;
game processing system.
[2]
updating the second mode parameter so that the second mode parameter increases in response to the increase in the first mode parameter;
The game processing system according to item [1].
[3]
the second mode parameter is further updated based on the second detection information in the second mode;
Item [1] The game processing system according to item [2].
[4]
A game processing system for processing a game having a first mode and a second mode,
one or more processors;
a storage accessed by the one or more processors and storing a first mode parameter used in the first mode and a second mode parameter used in the second mode;
an information processing device including at least part of the one or more processors;
the one or more processors, by executing computer readable instructions,
In the first mode, providing interaction with a virtual character according to first detection information regarding the action of the player detected by the information processing device that is not worn on the player's head,
In the second mode, providing interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information regarding the action of the player detected by a head-mounted display worn on the head of the player;
updating the second mode parameter based on the second detection information in the second mode;
updating the first mode parameter in response to updating the second mode parameter;
game processing system.
[5]
updating the first mode parameter so that the first mode parameter increases in response to the increase in the second mode parameter;
The game processing system according to item [4].
[6]
the first mode parameter is further updated based on the first detection information in the first mode;
The game processing system according to item [4] or item [5].
[7]
The first mode parameter is the favorable sensitivity of the virtual character to the player character used by the player in the first mode.
The game processing system according to any one of items [1] to [6].
[8]
The first mode parameter is the same type of parameter as the second mode parameter,
The game processing system according to any one of items [1] to [7].
[9]
the first mode parameter is the favorable sensitivity of the virtual character to the player character used by the player in the first mode;
wherein the second mode parameter is the likability of the virtual character for the player character in the second mode;
The game processing system according to item [8].
[10]
The first mode parameter is a different type of parameter from the second mode parameter,
The game processing system according to any one of items [1] to [7].
[11]
The second mode parameter is updated when it is determined that the player has performed a predetermined prohibited action based on the second detection information in the second mode.
The game processing system according to any one of items [1] to [10].
[12]
the storage further stores a common parameter commonly used in the first mode and the second mode;
The common parameter is updated based on the first detection information in the first mode, and updated based on the second detection information in the second mode.
The game processing system according to any one of items [1] to [11].
[13]
The common parameter is updated when it is determined that the player has performed a predetermined prohibited action based on the second detection information in the second mode.
The game processing system according to item [12].
[14]
The common parameter is changed at least one of when transitioning from the first mode to the second mode and when transitioning from the second mode to the first mode,
The game processing system according to item [12] or item [13].
[15]
common common items are used in the first mode and the second mode;
The game processing system according to any one of items [1] to [14].
[16]
the common item is used by the virtual character in the second mode;
The game processing system according to item [15].
[17]
Item parameters are set for the common item,
When transitioning from the first mode to the second mode, the common item having the item parameter changed in the first mode is used in the second mode;
The game processing system according to item [15] or item [16].
[18]
Item parameters are set for the common item,
The item parameter is changed during at least one of transition from the first mode to the second mode and transition from the second mode to the first mode,
The game processing system according to item [15] or item [16].
[19]
A game processing method for processing a game having a first mode and a second mode by one or more processors executing computer readable instructions, comprising:
providing, in the first mode, an interaction with a virtual character according to first detection information regarding the action of the player detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head;
providing, in the second mode, interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information regarding the player's action detected by a head-mounted display worn on the player's head;
updating, in the first mode, a first mode parameter used in the first mode based on the first detection information;
updating a second mode parameter used in the second mode in response to the update of the first mode parameter;
A game processing method comprising:
[20]
A game processing method for processing a game having a first mode and a second mode by one or more processors executing computer readable instructions, comprising:
providing, in the first mode, an interaction with a virtual character according to first detection information regarding the action of the player detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head;
providing, in the second mode, interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information regarding the player's action detected by a head-mounted display worn on the player's head;
updating, in the second mode, a second mode parameter used in the second mode based on the second detection information;
updating a first mode parameter used in the first mode in response to updating the second mode parameter;
A game processing method comprising:
[21]
A game processing program for executing game processing having a first mode and a second mode by being executed by one or more processors,
to the one or more processors;
providing, in the first mode, an interaction with a virtual character according to first detection information regarding the action of the player detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head;
providing, in the second mode, interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information regarding the player's action detected by a head-mounted display worn on the player's head;
updating, in the first mode, a first mode parameter used in the first mode based on the first detection information;
updating a second mode parameter used in the second mode in response to the update of the first mode parameter;
A game processing program that runs
[22]
A game processing program for executing game processing having a first mode and a second mode by being executed by one or more processors,
to the one or more processors;
providing, in the first mode, an interaction with a virtual character according to first detection information regarding the action of the player detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head;
providing, in the second mode, interaction with the virtual character according to second detection information regarding the player's action detected by a head-mounted display worn on the player's head;
updating, in the second mode, a second mode parameter used in the second mode based on the second detection information;
updating a first mode parameter used in the first mode in response to updating the second mode parameter;
A game processing program that runs

1,101 game processing system

Claims (14)

A game processing system for processing a game in a virtual space having a first mode and a second mode,
one or more processors;
a storage accessed by the one or more processors and storing a first mode parameter used in the first mode and a second mode parameter used in the second mode;
an information processing device including at least part of the one or more processors;
the one or more processors, by executing computer readable instructions,
In the first mode, executing processing related to the game according to first detection information related to the player's action detected by the information processing device not worn on the player's head,
in the second mode, executing a process related to the game according to second detection information related to the action of the player detected by a head-mounted display mounted on the head of the player;
updating the first mode parameter according to the progress of the game in the first mode;
updating the second mode parameter when the first mode parameter is updated;
the second mode parameter is further updated according to the progress of the game in the second mode;
game processing system. The virtual space includes a virtual character that is a non-player character,
A game processing system according to claim 1. The first mode parameter is the same type of parameter as the second mode parameter,
3. A game processing system according to claim 1 or 2. The first mode parameter is a different type of parameter from the second mode parameter,
3. A game processing system according to claim 1 or 2. The one or more processors update the first mode parameters when the second mode parameters are updated.
A game processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. the second mode parameter is updated to increase when the first mode parameter increases in the first mode;
A game processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. the first mode parameter is updated to increase when the second mode parameter increases in the second mode;
A game processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. At least one of the first mode parameter and the second mode parameter is changed at least one of the transition from the first mode to the second mode and the transition from the second mode to the first mode. do,
A game processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7. common common items are used in the first mode and the second mode;
A game processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A common item is used in the first mode and the second mode,
the common item is used by the virtual character in the second mode;
3. A game processing system according to claim 2. Item parameters are set for the common item,
When transitioning from the first mode to the second mode, the common item having the item parameter changed in the first mode is used in the second mode;
A game processing system according to claim 9 or 10. Item parameters are set for the common item,
The item parameter is changed during at least one of transition from the first mode to the second mode and transition from the second mode to the first mode,
A game processing system according to claim 9 or 10. A game processing method for processing a game in a virtual space having a first mode and a second mode by one or more processors executing computer-readable instructions, comprising:
executing, in the first mode, a process related to the game according to first detection information related to the player's action detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head;
executing, in the second mode, a process relating to the game according to second detection information relating to actions of the player detected by a head-mounted display mounted on the head of the player;
updating a first mode parameter used in the first mode according to the progress of the game in the first mode;
updating second mode parameters used in the second mode when the first mode parameters are updated;
further updating the second mode parameter according to the progress of the game in the second mode;
A game processing method comprising: A game processing method for processing a game in a virtual space having a first mode and a second mode by one or more processors executing computer-readable instructions, comprising:
executing, in the first mode, a process related to the game according to first detection information related to the player's action detected by an information processing device not worn on the player's head;
executing, in the second mode, a process relating to the game according to second detection information relating to actions of the player detected by a head-mounted display mounted on the head of the player;
updating a first mode parameter used in the first mode according to the progress of the game in the first mode;
updating second mode parameters used in the second mode when the first mode parameters are updated;
further updating the second mode parameter according to the progress of the game in the second mode;
A game program with

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