JP2023140650A - Computer program for game, game system, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game in which a new mechanism for estimating a character who is given a specific role is introduced.SOLUTION: In a game in which a player on a first side is not informed of which of a first character and a second character to which first and second roles are set, and a player on a second side is not informed, whether or not the first character and the second character are located within a predetermined distance in the field is determined during an information opportunity that arises during play, and information indicating the results of the discrimination and the facts derived from the results of the discrimination is provided to the players on the first side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 23

Description

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act 1. Publication by conducting a test (publication by conducting a closed beta test) Publication date (1) Program distribution start date June 25, 2021 (2) Test period June 26, 2021 to July 12, 2021 (3) Patch distribution date Distribution 1: June 27, 2021 (Ver1.01) Distribution 2: June 28, 2021 (Ver.1.02 and Ver.1.03) Distribution 3 : June 29, 2021 (Ver. 1.04) Distribution 4: June 30, 2021 (Ver. 1.05) Distribution 5: July 2, 2021 (Ver. 1.05) 06) Distribution 6: July 6, 2021 (Ver. 1.1.0) Distribution 7: July 9, 2021 (Ver. 1.2.0) Publication location (implementation target area) Certification 221 countries or regions listed in the book

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act 2. Publication through telecommunications lines Website publication date June 25, 2021 Website address (Japanese) https://www. konami. com/games/crimesight/jp/ja/ (US English) https://www. konami. com/games/crimesight/us/en/ (British English) https://www. konami. com/games/crimesight/eu/eu/ Website updated July 9, 2021, December 24, 2021

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act 3. Publication through telecommunications lines Website publication date June 25, 2021 Website address (Japanese) https://:twitter. com/crimesight_jp (English) https//:twitter. com/crimesight_en Website additional posting date Post 1: June 25, 2021 Post 2: June 26, 2021 Post 3: June 27, 2021 Post 4: June 2021 Post 5: June 29, 2021 Post 6: June 30, 2021 Post 7: July 1, 2021 Post 8: July 2, 2021 Post 9: July 3, 2021 Post 10: July 5, 2021 Post 11: July 6, 2021 Post 12: July 9, 2021 Post 13: July 2021 11th Post 14: July 12, 2021 Post 15: July 16, 2021 Post 16: August 4, 2021 Post 17: September 17, 2021 Post 18: Rei October 8, 2021 Post 19: November 2, 2021 Post 20: December 24, 2021

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act 4. Publication through telecommunication lines Website publication date June 25, 2021 Website address Address 1 https://discord. com/channels/849164884926005278/ Address 2 https://discord. gg/btVcWzFxQS Address 3 https://discord. com/invite/btVcWzFxQS Address 4 https://discord. gg/vnB5HMYzBB Address 5 https://discord. com/invite/vnB5HMYzBB Website additional posting date Post 1: June 25, 2021 Post 2: June 26, 2021 Post 3: June 27, 2021 Post 4: Reiwa 3 June 28, 2020 Post 5: June 29, 2021 Post 6: June 30, 2021 Post 7: July 1, 2021 Post 8: July 2, 2021 Post 9: July 3, 2021 Post 10: July 8, 2021 Post 11: July 9, 2021 Post 12: July 11, 2021 Post 13: 2021 July 12 Post 14: July 16, 2021 Post 15: August 5, 2021 Post 16: September 17, 2021 Post 17: October 19, 2021 Post 18 : November 2, 2021 Post 19: December 24, 2021

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act 5. Publication through telecommunication lines Website publication date June 25, 2021 Website address Address 1 https://store. steam powered. com/app/1491710/CRIMESIGHT/ Address 2 https://steamcommunity. com/app/1491710 Website update date (address 1) Update 1: July 9, 2021 Update 2: September 30, 2021 Update 3: October 26, 2021 Update 4: November 5, 2021 Update 5: November 9, 2021 Update 6: December 6, 2021 Update 7: December 13, 2021 Update 8: December 2021 24th Update 9: January 24, 2020 Update 10: January 31, 2020 (Address 2) Update 1: July 9, 2021 Update 2: October 26, 2021 Update 3: November 5, 2021 Update 4: November 9, 2021 Update 5: December 6, 2021 Update 6: December 13, 2021 Update 7: Reiwa 3 December 24, 2020 Update 8: January 24, 2020 Update 9: January 31, 2020

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act 6. Publication through telecommunication lines Website publication date Publication 1: June 25, 2021 Publication 2: July 9, 2021 Publication 3: December 24, 2021 Website address (1) ) Posting 1 (Japanese) Address 1 https://www. youtube. com/embed/QmFQe8N9lLU/ Address 2 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=QmFQe8N9lLU (US English) Address 1 https://www. youtube. com/embed/eHLDWkCzLZg/ Address 2 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=eHLDWkCzLZg (British English) Address 1 https://www. youtube. com/embed/VzXXqHop6rQ/ Address 2 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=VzXXqHop6rQ (2) Posting 2 (Japanese only) Address 1 https://www. youtube. com/embed/dCLdfkGMq48/ Address 2 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=dCLdfkGMq48 (3) Posting 3 (Japanese) Address 1 https://www. youtube. com/embed/7P1V8SolvJ0 Address 2 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=7P1V8SolvJ0 (English, no distinction between US and UK) Address 1 https://www. youtube. com/embed/6DdtAuIaBXU Address 2 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=6DdtAuIaBXU

The present invention relates to a computer program and the like for providing a game including an element for a player to estimate a character who has played a specific role.

2. Description of the Related Art Game systems that provide games that require players to make deductions are known. For example, some of the multiple characters that appear in the game are assigned a specific role (for example, the role of the culprit in a murder case, etc.), and at least some of the characters in that role are unknown to the player. There is known a game system that allows a player to infer a character playing a specific role by instructing the character's actions and appropriately disclosing clue information through the character's actions (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-142587

Conventional game systems prepare various types of information necessary to estimate a character in a specific role, and adjust the game progress procedure (e.g. , story, scenario, etc.) must be constructed in advance. Such a mechanism is suitable for a type of game where the player plays alone. However, in games where multiple players are divided into different sides and each side instructs the actions of a group of characters to advance the battle, the actions of the characters change in a wide variety of ways, so the game is played according to a predetermined procedure. It is difficult or impossible to progress. For this type of game, it is necessary to introduce a new mechanism in order to estimate a character assigned a specific role.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer program for a game, etc. that can introduce a new mechanism for estimating a character that should play a specific role.

A computer program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first character and a second character each having a first and a second role to be played in a predetermined event, and one of the first and second roles. A computer program for a game that causes a computer to function to provide a game in which a group of characters including a third character who is not set also acts in a field, wherein the computer is operated by a plurality of players who a first side that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence conditions associated with each action of the second character are not met; and a first side that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence conditions are met and a second side that instructs actions, and the first side is not informed which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is, and the second side a game setting means for playing the game by setting a state in which each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is informed as a basic state; and the first side and a behavior control means that acquires instructions given from each player on the second side and controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on the obtained instructions, and when the event occurrence condition is satisfied, the first and an event control means for generating an event corresponding to the role of and the second role, and an event control means that causes the first character and the second character to be within a predetermined distance range at an information provision opportunity that occurs during play of the game. The first side is configured to function as an information providing means for determining whether the first side is located within the first side and providing information indicating the determination result to the first side.

A game system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first character and a second character each having a first and a second role to be played in a predetermined event, and one of the first and second roles. A game system including a computer that functions to provide a game in which a group of characters including a third character who is not set as a third character acts in a field, wherein the computer is controlled by a plurality of players who play the first character and the third character. a first side that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that an event occurrence condition associated with each action of the second character is not satisfied; and a first side that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence condition is satisfied. The first side is not informed which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character are, and the second side is not informed of which character each of the first character, second character, and third character is. a game setting means for playing the game by setting a state in which each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is informed as a basic state; the first side; a behavior control means that acquires instructions given from each player on the second side and controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on the obtained instructions; when the event occurrence condition is satisfied, the first an event control means for generating an event corresponding to a role and the second role; and an information provision opportunity that occurs during play of the game, the first character and the second character are within a predetermined distance range. The device functions as an information providing means for determining whether or not the vehicle is located at the first side and providing information indicating the determination result to the first side.

A control method for a game system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first character and a second character set with first and second roles to be played in a predetermined event, and A control method for a game system that causes a computer to function to provide a game in which a group of characters including a third character for which no role is set acts in a field, the computer being controlled by a plurality of players a first side that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence conditions associated with the actions of the first character and the second character are not satisfied; and at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence conditions are satisfied. and a second side that instructs the actions of the characters, and the first side is not informed which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character are. The second side includes game setting means for playing the game by setting a state in which each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is informed as a basic state to play the game; a behavior control means that acquires instructions given from each player of the first side and the second side, and controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on the obtained instructions, when the event occurrence condition is satisfied; an event control means for generating an event corresponding to the first role and the second role; and an event control means for generating an event corresponding to the first role and the second role; It functions as an information providing means that determines whether or not it is located within a distance range and provides information indicating the determination result to the first side.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing an example of fields. The figure which shows an example of arrangement|positioning of the search object set in a field. The figure which shows an example of a game screen. The figure which shows the example of a structure of a character group. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed when instructing the movement destination of a character. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed when instructing a search. A diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the number of players and the number of operable characters for each side. The figure which shows an example of a turn structure. The figure which shows an example of abnormal state of a character. The figure which shows an example of the character information part included in a game screen. The figure which shows an example of the correspondence between the type of a character and the side of a player. The figure which shows an example of the restriction|limiting set according to the instruction|indication relationship between the character type and the player's side. The figure which shows the modification of the restriction set according to the instruction|indication relationship between the character type and the player's side. The figure which shows the example of a display of a character information part when it turns out that some characters are out of target. The figure which shows an example of the position of the character whose positional relationship is discriminate|determined in an information provision opportunity. 17 is a diagram showing other characters located within three areas for each character in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 16. FIG. The figure which shows the fact derived from the correspondence of FIG. 17 regarding the presence or absence of the possibility of falling under the relationship between a target and a killer. 17 is a diagram showing other characters located outside three areas with respect to each character in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 16. FIG. The figure which shows the fact derived from the correspondence of FIG. 19 regarding the presence or absence of a possibility corresponding to the relationship between a target and a killer. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the fact that it has already been determined that the relationship is outside the target is reflected in the relationship shown in FIG. 18; FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example in which the fact that the possibility of the relationship between the target and the killer has already been denied is further reflected in the relationship shown in FIG. 21; FIG. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed for information provision. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed when notifying a player of the factual relationship shown in FIG. 18; FIG. The figure which shows the example of a screen display when notifying a player of the fact derived from a kill check. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of a user device. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of game control processing by a game control unit. Flowchart following FIG. 27. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of command phase processing executed as a subroutine processing in game control processing. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of action phase processing executed as a subroutine processing in game control processing. Flowchart following FIG. 30. Flowchart following FIG. 31. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of an information providing process executed as a subroutine process in the game control process. The figure which shows the further modification of the restriction set according to the instruction|indication relationship between the character type and the player's side.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, an example of the overall configuration of a game system configured using a computer program according to this embodiment will be described. The game system 1 includes a game server 2 and a plurality of user devices 3 that function as client devices for the game server 2 by being connected to the game server 2 via a predetermined network NT. The game server 2 may be configured by a single physical computer device, or may be provided as a logical server device that functions by combining a plurality of physical computer devices, for example, a cloud-type server device. Good too. The user device 3 is also a computer device, and includes various computers configured for users, such as a PC (abbreviation for personal computer), a tablet terminal device, a stationary or portable game device, and an information communication terminal such as a smartphone. The device may be used as a user device 3. Note that a user is a concept meaning a person who operates the user device 3, and becomes a player when the user of the user device 3 plays a game. Network NT is typically the Internet. The game server 2, the user device 3, and the user device 3 can communicate with each other via the network NT. The user device 3 functions as a game device that allows a user to play a predetermined game by implementing a game computer program according to the present embodiment.

Next, a specific example of a game provided by the game system 1 of this embodiment will be explained.

1. Outline of the game The outline of the game according to this embodiment is as follows.
- A plurality of characters forming a character group act within a predetermined field based on instructions from the player.
- Among the character group, one character is set to play the role of target, and the other character is set to play the role of killer. The remaining characters are classified as normal characters in which neither a target role nor a killer role is set.
- A murder occurrence condition is set as an example of an event occurrence condition. The murder occurrence condition is set in association with the character's behavior. When the murder occurrence condition is satisfied, an event in which the killer kills the target occurs, as an example of an event corresponding to the roles of the target and the killer.
- A plurality of players are divided into a first side that instructs the character's actions so that the murder occurrence condition is not met, and a second side that instructs the character's behavior so that the murder occurrence condition is met.
-The game progresses in a turn system. The player is given an opportunity to instruct the character's actions every turn, and the character acts in accordance with the given instructions.
- Each character can be instructed to act from either the first side or the second side, but there are exceptions for some characters. Note that an operation in which the player gives an instruction to cause the character to act may be hereinafter referred to as a character operation.
- At the start of play of the game, the player on the first side is not informed of which characters are the target and killer, and the player on the second side is informed of the characters of the target and killer. Therefore, the player on the first side proceeds with the game while estimating which characters are the target and the killer so as not to kill the characters.
- In order to give the player on the first side at least a clue for estimating the target, different restrictions will now be applied when making a character act from the first side and when making a character act from the second side. Control is differentiated.
- An information provision opportunity is provided to provide at least the first side player with information that will help estimate the target and killer.
- If the killing condition is met and a killing occurs before the end of the last turn, the second side wins. If the murder occurrence condition is not met and the last turn ends without any murder occurring, the player on the first side is given the opportunity to specify which character is the killer, and if the designation is correct, the player on the first side The player on the side wins, and if the player answers incorrectly, the first and second sides end up in a draw.
Each item will be explained below with specific examples.

2. Field (1) Field Configuration FIG. 2 is an example of a field set as a virtual place where a character acts. The field 10 is set to simulate the interior of a building. The plurality of characters 11 can take various actions within the field 10, such as moving and exploring the field 10. The field 10 is partitioned into a plurality of rooms 13 by walls 12 (indicated by thick solid lines). The wall 12 is provided with at least one door 14. The character 11 can open the door 14 and go back and forth between the rooms 13. It is not possible to move between the rooms 13 by passing through the wall 12 at any point other than the door 14. A plurality of fields 10 are prepared in which the number and arrangement of rooms 13 and doors 14 are different. The player selects one of the fields 10 and plays the game.

Field 10 is further divided into a plurality of areas 15. In FIG. 2, the area 15 is shown differentiated by a broken line. The area 15 is set as a unit in which the character 11 moves. Each room 13 includes at least one area 15. The area 15 has a square shape as an example, but it may be set in any suitable shape such as a rectangular shape or a hexagonal shape. Each area 15 does not necessarily have to have the same shape and size. A plurality of types of areas 15 having different shapes and sizes may be set within one field 10.

(2) Search object A plurality of types of search objects are prepared in the field 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a weapon 16A as a first type of search object, food 16B as a second type of search object, and a third type of search object 16C are set at appropriate positions in the field 10. . Hereinafter, various search objects 16A to 16C will be referred to as search objects 16 when there is no need to distinguish between them. The murder weapon 16A is a virtual item in the game that affects the success or failure of the murder occurrence condition. The food 16B is a virtual item in the game that affects the behavior of the character 11. The third type of search object 16C includes multiple types of items such as items and gimmicks that have a different influence on the game than the weapon 16A and the food 16B, and stray items that have no influence. The character 11 can move within the field 10, access the search object 16, and acquire the search object 16 by searching for it. However, regarding the missing item included in the third type of search object 16C, the character 11 cannot obtain anything even if this is searched. The number and arrangement of search objects 16 differ depending on the type of field 10. The search object 16 is uniquely set for the field 10, and the search object 16 is not differentiated between players or characters 11 in the same field 10. On the other hand, even in the same field 10, the number, arrangement, etc. of the search objects 16 may be dynamically changed each time the game is played, or every one or an appropriate number of turns.

The display of the search object 16 on the game screen is differentiated between the first side and the second side. For example, for the player on the second side, all weapons 16A, all food 16B, and all third type search objects 16C are displayed in a manner that allows the types of search objects 16A to 16C to be identified. . However, the contents of the third type of search object 16C are unknown unless the character 11 accesses it. In other words, the further specific type of the third type of search object 16C is not clearly shown to the player on the second side. On the other hand, for the player on the first side, the positions of all the weapons 16A, all the food 16B, and all the third type search objects 16C are shown. The type of is not indicated. In other words, the player on the first side can immediately determine from the game screen whether the search object 16 is a weapon 16A, food 16B, or a third type search object 16C, except for the food 16B that is exceptionally specified. I can't. The player on the first side cannot know what the search object 16 is, except for some food 16B, unless the character 11 moves to the position of the search object 16 and searches for it.

3. Game Screen FIG. 4 is an example of a game screen displayed on the user device 3. On the game screen 100, the field 10 described above is displayed as a three-dimensional image from an appropriate viewpoint. Note that the field 10 is a logical field or space set as a virtual field or space in the game. Although the field as a display element in the game screen 100 should be strictly distinguished from the field 10 shown in FIG. There isn't. Therefore, hereinafter, the terms and reference numerals used in the explanation of FIG. 2 and the like will be used as they are with respect to the game screen 100. The same applies to the character 11 and the like.

In the game screen 100, the character 11 is displayed in the field 10 with a circle mark attached thereto so that the character 11 can easily understand where the character 11 is located in the field 10. Further, the door 14 and the search object 16 are also displayed within the field 10, but these display targets may be displayed within the field 10 in an emphasized state so that their positions can be easily understood. The distinction between areas 15 in the field 10 is displayed under certain conditions, such as when instructing the destination of the character 11.

The game screen 100 includes a player information section 102 that shows the names of players participating in the game in a list format, a role mark 103 that shows the role of the player, a progress information section 104 that shows the current progress status, and information about the character 11. an operation information section 106 that displays the number of characters that can be operated by the player and the remaining time for which instructions can be given; and instructions that the player operates to indicate that he or she has finished instructing actions. An end button 107 is included. In the player information section 102, whether each player belongs to the first side or the second side is indicated by differentiating display modes such as colors and patterns. Different role marks 103 are displayed depending on whether the user of the user device 3 on which the game screen 100 is displayed is participating in the game as a player on the first side or the second side. The progress information section 104 displays information related to turn progress, such as the number of the current turn and the number of remaining turns. The character information section 105 will be described later.

4. Character (1) Structure of Character Group FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of a character group that appears in the game. At least three characters appear in the game: a target, a killer, and a normal character. Targets, killers, and normals have different roles to play regarding the killing event. The target is the first role, and the character who plays this is an example of the first character.The killer is the second role, and the character who plays this is an example of the second character.Normal is the third role. The characters responsible for this can be classified as examples of third characters.

In the example of FIG. 5, a total of six characters 11 are set as characters. The characters 11 are given different appearances and different character names for identification purposes. As an example, in Figure 5, from left to right, "Agatha", "Berkeley", "Catherine", "Dorothy", "Ellery", and "Freeman" ” (Freeman) character name is set. These character names can be distinguished from each other by the initial letters A to F. In the game screen 100 of FIG. 4, the characters 11 are displayed with initials A to F as a reference for distinguishing each character 11.

As described above, one of the plurality of characters 11 is set as a target, and the other character 11 is set as a killer. The remaining four characters are normal. These settings are set appropriately, for example randomly, at the time when play of the game is started. The target and killer do not change until the end of a single game. On the other hand, targets and killers are set each time the game is played. Therefore, at least one of the target and killer in one game may match at least one of the target and killer in the next game, or may not match.

(2) Relationship with the player's side When play of the game starts, the player on the first side is not informed which characters are the target and the killer. On the other hand, the player on the second side is informed which characters are the target and the killer. In other words, if the players are divided into the first side and the second side, and the first side is not informed of which character the target and killer are, the second side is informed. Play begins. Such a state is an example of a basic state of the game. However, the basic state does not necessarily need to be set at the start of play. A basic state is set at an appropriate point during game play, and the progress of the game is controlled so that a battle begins between the first side and the second side over the occurrence of a murder. may be done.

5. Character Actions Within the field, each character can take various actions. Actions that the player can instruct include actions such as moving within the field 10, opening and closing the door 14, searching for the search object 16, and using the acquired search object 16 on the game screen 100 in FIG. Killing by a killer, ingesting food 16B, etc. are also types of actions, but these actions are not actions directly instructed by the player, and are different from actions such as movement that are directly instructed by the player. It can be said to be an indirect or incidental action. However, actions such as ingesting the food 16B also occur under certain conditions in relation to actions that reflect the player's instructions, and in this respect, the actions of the character 11 based on the player's instructions or the actions that reflect the player's instructions. It is a type of action associated with instructions.

In principle, the movement of the character 11 is limited to within three areas from the current area 15 in one turn. That is, if one area 15 is used as a unit of movement, the upper limit of the movement distance of the character 11 in one turn is three areas. However, there are exceptions to this upper limit. This point will be discussed later. Movement across rooms 13 is possible only by opening the door 14 and passing through, and movement between rooms 13 by passing through the wall 12 is not possible at any location other than the door 14. Therefore, the movement distance of the character 11 is a concept specified by the number of areas 15 that exist on the path that the character 11 can move while avoiding the walls 12. The number of areas 15 and the movement distance when the movement source and movement destination are connected by a straight line do not necessarily match.

6. Action Instruction Method FIG. 6 shows an example of the display mode of the game screen 100 when the player instructs the character 11 to move. When instructing the movement of the character 11, select the area 15 where the character 11 to be instructed (in the example of FIG. 6, "Berkeley") is located and the area within which the character 11 can move The area 15 is clearly indicated by, for example, a frame line 110. The third area 15, which is the upper limit of the movement distance from the current position, and the other areas 15 are displayed in different ways, for example, by changing the color or pattern of the frame line 110. Thereby, the player can distinguish the upper limit area 15 from other areas 15 and understand it. The player can instruct the destination of the character 11 by selecting the area 15 to which the character 11 should move next, for example, by operating the pointing device of the user device 3 or the like.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the display mode of the game screen 100 when instructing to search for the search object 16. If a search object 16 is set in the area 15 to which the character 11 has moved, a menu 111 for specifying whether or not to search for the search object 16 is displayed. When the player selects "Search" from the menu 111, the character 11 to be moved searches for the search object 16. Through the search, the character 11 acquires a weapon 16A, food 16B, and the like. If the search object 16 is a missed item, nothing is obtained. Whether each character 11 possesses (obtains) a search object 16 or not, and if so, what the search object 16 is is equally known to the players on the first side and the second side. Note that movement instructions and search instructions in one turn are not exclusive. The player can select an action target character 11 and a destination, instruct the character to move, and instruct a search in the area 15 of the destination. However, different restrictions are set between the first side and the second side regarding instructions for the behavior of the character 11. Details of the restrictions will be described later.

7. Classification of Players Players play the game belonging to either the first side or the second side. The number of players on each of the first side and the second side and the upper limit on the number of characters that can instruct actions from each side in one turn are differentiated between the first side and the second side. An example is shown in FIG. In the example in the figure, the number of players on the first side and the second side when the number of players participating in the same game (referred to as the total number of players) is 2, 3, and 4, and The upper limit of the number of characters that can be operated, that is, the actions of which can be instructed, is differentiated. Regarding the number of players, regardless of the total number of players, one player is on the second side and the rest are on the first side. Further, the upper limit of the number of characters that can be operated in one turn is set to two on the second side, regardless of the total number of players. On the other hand, on the first side, when the total number of players is 2, the maximum is 3, when the total number of players is 3, the maximum is 4 (maximum is 2 per player), and when the total number of players is 4, the maximum is 4. The upper limit is set to 3 bodies (upper limit is 1 body per player).

The second side has a known target and killer and is in an advantageous position from the standpoint of causing a kill. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 8, the number of players on the second side is set to be relatively small, and the upper limit on the number of characters that can be operated on the second side is also smaller than the upper limit on the number of characters that can be operated on the first side as a whole. It is set. However, FIG. 8 is an example, and the total number of players participating in the game and the number of players on each side may be changed as appropriate depending on the difficulty level of the game, etc.

At least one player may be an actual user who operates the user device 3. Some of the players may be virtual players generated by a computer such as the user device 3. The computer is the main entity that controls the progress of the game and can identify both the target and the killer, but it virtually generates a player on the first side who plays the game without knowing the target or the killer, and plays the same role as a real player. , it is possible to have a virtual player instruct the behavior of the character 11. A virtual player may participate as a second side player. Therefore, it is also possible for one real player to become a player on either the first side or the second side and compete one-on-one with a virtual player.

Note that the information as to which side, the first side or the second side, each player participating in the game is classified into does not necessarily need to be shared among the players at the start of the game match. It is sufficient for each player to at least be able to understand which side he or she will play on. It may be unclear whether the other player is on the first side or the second side. In that case, the player information section 102 of the game screen 100 shown in FIG. 4 does not show information indicating which side the other players are on.

8. Turn System (1) Turn Structure FIG. 9 shows an example of a turn structure in the game. In the example of FIG. 9, the first to fourth days are set as the game time. For the first to third days, one turn is set each in the morning, evening, and night, and for the fourth day, one turn is set only in the morning. As a result, one play of the game progresses by being divided into turns 1 to 10. If no kills occur by the final turn 10, a deduction phase may occur following the final turn. The reasoning phase is a phase in which the player on the first side is asked to specify the character determined to be the killer in order to determine the play result.

Each turn is divided into a command phase and a subsequent action phase. In the command phase, each player is given an opportunity to instruct the character's actions within a predetermined time limit (for example, within 180 seconds). Therefore, the command phase corresponds to an example of an instruction opportunity. It is optional whether or not to give an instruction, and it is also possible to choose not to give an instruction. It is not essential that all characters be instructed to act in one command phase, and it is also permissible for only some characters to be instructed to act. In the command phase, each player on the first side and the second side is simultaneously given an opportunity to instruct their actions. Although the timing at which each player instructs an action may vary within the time limit of the command phase, there is a time difference between the opportunity for the first side to instruct an action and the opportunity for the second side to instruct an action. There is no prior or subsequent relationship established. The action phase is a phase in which each character is made to act based on instructions given in the command phase. Therefore, the action phase corresponds to an example of an action opportunity. In the command phase, a character whose action is not instructed by either the first side or the second side may be caused to act by the computer according to a certain rule, or may be treated as not to act.

(2) Opportunity to provide information As shown in FIG. 9, opportunities to provide information are set between some turns. In the example of FIG. 9, information provision opportunities are provided between the night turns of the first to third days and the morning turns of the second to fourth days. However, the opportunity to provide information is not limited to the time shown in FIG. 9, but may be set at any appropriate time after the start of playing the game and until the end of the game. For example, an opportunity to provide information may occur at an appropriate time in response to a request from a player on the first side. If the player satisfies a certain condition, for example, if the player has acquired a specific item within a predetermined upper limit number of times, an opportunity to provide information may be generated in response to the player's request. Opportunities to provide information may be provided at random times determined using a computer-generated lottery or the like.

The information provision opportunity is provided as an opportunity for a virtual character set to support the player on the first side to provide at least the player on the first side with information that will help narrow down the target and killer. A character that provides this type of information is a character that is different from any of the targets, killers, and normal characters that act on the field, and hereinafter may be referred to as a support character to distinguish it from the character that is the object of action. A specific example of information provision by the support character will be described later. In principle, the progress of the turn is as shown in FIG. 9, but if a murder occurs, the game ends at that point. Furthermore, if a situation occurs in which a player on the first side can uniquely identify the killer's target before a murder has occurred, exceptional handling is performed regarding the progress of the turn. Exceptions to turn progression will be discussed later.

9. Abnormal Status of Characters Abnormal status of characters may occur as a result of their actions. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, abnormal states such as "fatigue,""hungry," and "dying" may occur in the character. "Fatigue" is a status abnormality that occurs in association with the movement of the character. For example, when a character moves through three areas according to instructions from the first side, the character becomes in an abnormal state of "fatigue". A character that becomes "fatigued" can only move up to two areas from the first side in the next turn. In other words, the upper limit of the moving distance of the character in response to an instruction from the first side is limited to two areas. In the turn following the turn in which the upper limit was restricted, "fatigue" is resolved and the upper limit of movement distance is restored to 3 areas.

On the other hand, from the second side, the character can be moved to three areas continuously over two turns. If you move 3 areas in a row in 2 turns, in the next turn, the limit of 2 areas may be applied as "fatigue", or the upper limit of the movement distance may be applied without causing "fatigue". may be maintained in three areas. In this way, there is a difference in the upper limit of the character's movement distance between the first side and the second side, so if the same character moves to three areas in two consecutive turns, the character It turns out that they moved in accordance with instructions from the second side. This fact, in combination with behavior control to be described later, produces an effect that allows the player on the first side to specify a character for which a target role is not set (non-target character).

"Hunger" and "dying" are status abnormalities that occur in association with whether or not the character has food. If the character does not have food at the start of each morning turn (turns 4, 7, and 10) during a predetermined meal period during the game, for example, from the 2nd to 4th day, the "hunger" status abnormality will occur. Occur. A character who becomes "hungry" has a maximum movement distance of one area in the next turn. The restriction occurs equally whether the action is instructed from the first side or the second side. "Dying" is a status abnormality that occurs when a character in the "hungry" status abnormality does not have food even at the next meal period. A ``dying'' character is restricted in its actions in the same way as a ``hungry'' character in that the upper limit of its movement distance in the next turn is limited to one area. In addition, for normal characters, whether or not they are "near death" affects whether the murder occurrence condition is successful or not. In this regard, the "dying" status ailment has a different effect on the game than the "hungry" status ailment. If a "hungry" or "dying" character explores the field and acquires food by the next meal period, it is assumed that the character has eaten at the next meal period, and whether the character is "hungry" or "dying" Also resolves abnormal status. However, the abnormal state of "dying" may be changed to "hunger" by ingesting a single meal.

10. Killing Occurrence Conditions Killing occurrence conditions are set in association with the character's actions. As an example, the murder occurrence condition is configured to be satisfied when all of the following three requirements A to C are satisfied. The murder occurrence conditions are made known to all players as game rules.
Requirement A: The killer possesses murder weapon 16A (see Figure 3).
Requirement B: In the field 10, the target and the killer are located in the same area 15.
Requirement C: There is no normal character 11 in the same room 13 as the area where the target and killer are located. However, the normal character 11 who is in the abnormal state of "dying" is considered to be absent even if the character 11 is in the same room 13 as the target and the killer.

Requirement A is a requirement whose success or failure changes in relation to the search behavior of the killer character. That is, if the killer acquires a deadly weapon through searching, requirement A is met, and if the killer has not acquired a deadly weapon, requirement A is not met. Requirement B is a requirement whose success or failure changes in relation to the respective actions of the target and the killer, and is an example of a first positional requirement whose success or failure changes depending on the positional relationship between the target and the killer. Requirement B is satisfied when the target and killer act so that they are located in the same area, and is not satisfied otherwise. Requirement C is a requirement whose success or failure changes in relation to the normal character's actions, and is an example of a second positional requirement whose success or failure changes depending on the positional relationship between the target and killer and the normal character. . The abnormal state of "dying" affects the success or failure of requirement C, but whether or not the abnormal state of "dying" occurs depends on whether the normal character acquires food through exploration behavior. Therefore, requirement C is a type of requirement whose success or failure changes in relation to the behavior of the normal character.

As described above, each of the murder occurrence conditions is determined so that success or failure changes in relation to the character's actions. Therefore, the player on the first side is required to estimate which characters are the target and the killer, and to make the characters behave so that the murder occurrence condition is not satisfied. On the other hand, the player on the second side is required to cause the character to act so that the murder occurrence condition is satisfied. Moreover, the character group includes a first character and a second character who are supposed to play the roles of the parties involved in the murder, that is, the victim and perpetrator, the target and the killer, as well as a normal third character who is not assigned any of these roles. Contains characters. In addition to requirements A and B associated with the actions of the target and killer, the murder occurrence conditions also include requirement C associated with the actions of a normal character. Therefore, the player considers not only the actions of the target and killer characters, but also how the normal character should act, or how the normal character acted, and gives action instructions to the character. need to be considered. This increases the strategic nature of the game and improves the interest of the game.

Requirements A to C described above are examples. The murder occurrence condition can be set as appropriate as long as it is associated with the character's actions in response to instructions from the player. In other words, as long as the settings are such that what instructions each player on the first side and the second side give and how the character acts affects success or failure, the conditions for the occurrence of murder can be configured as appropriate. It's okay to be. The presence or absence of the killer's possession of a deadly weapon, the positional relationship between the target and the killer, the positional relationship of normal characters, and the occurrence of the "near death" status abnormality indicate the state or situation of each character, These items are items that appear depending on the character's actions. Therefore, the requirements related to the state or situation of each character are positioned as a type of requirements whose success or failure changes in relation to the character's actions.

11. Character action order (1) Action order setting The character's actions in the action phase of each turn are executed in a predetermined order. FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view of the character information section 105 displayed at the upper center of the game screen 100 in FIG. In the character information section 105, enlarged images of each character 11 are displayed side by side from left to right in the order of their actions. The action order is set to a predetermined initial state, for example, an order following the initials A to F of the character's name. The order of the initial states is sequentially changed depending on the state of each character 11 at the start of each turn. The action order of the character 11 in which the abnormal state has occurred is slower than that of the character 11 in which the abnormal state has not occurred. Furthermore, among the characters 11 in which a status abnormality has occurred, the higher the degree of the abnormality, the later the action order is set. For example, a character 11 that is "fatigued,""hungry," or "dying" is changed to a later order than a character 11 that does not have any of these abnormal conditions. Furthermore, since the character 11 who is "hungry" or "dying" has a smaller upper limit of movement distance than the character 11 who is "fatigued", the character 11 who is "dying" has a slower action order as a character with a higher degree of status abnormality. It is assumed that the character 11 has a higher degree of abnormal status than the character 11 who is "hungry", and therefore has a slower action order. In the character information section 105, changes in the arrangement order of the characters 11 are reflected at the start of the command phase of each turn.

(2) Relationship with murder occurrence conditions In the action phase, the game screen 100 displays how each character 11 acts in accordance with the order indicated in the character information section 105. On the other hand, the success or failure of the murder occurrence condition is determined based on the state in which all characters have acted based on the instructions given in the command phase of one turn, that is, the state in which all characters have completed their actions. Ru. Therefore, even if a situation occurs in which the murder occurrence condition is temporarily met during the action phase, if the murder occurrence condition is not satisfied when all actions are completed, no murder will occur. For example, even if a situation arises in which all of the above-mentioned requirements A to C are met during the action phase, if some characters subsequently act in such a way that at least some of the requirements A to C are not met, for example, , if the target moves to a different area than the killer, no killing will occur that turn.

(3) Exceptions to action order There are exceptions to changing the action order of characters. An exception to this occurs when the second side instructs the killer character to "attack" as an example of a specific action. In this case, the action order of the character instructed to "attack" is changed to the last (right end of the character information section 105), and this change is reflected in the display of the character information section 105 at the start of the action phase of the same turn. The arrangement order in the character information section 105 is changed at the start of the command phase of each turn, as described above. Therefore, if the order of arrangement in the character information section 105 is changed at the start of the action phase, the player on the first side will know that an "attack" instruction has been given and that the character targeted by that instruction is a killer. can be understood. A specific example of "attack" will be described later.

12. Controlling the character's actions (1) Player's side and character type The character's actions are not controlled equally when giving instructions from the first side and when giving instructions from the second side. At least some of the instructional relationships between the two are differentially controlled. The instructional relationship here means the correspondence relationship between the side that instructs the action and the character to whom the instruction is directed. FIG. 12 shows an example of differentiation according to instruction relationships. In addition, in FIG. 12, a target character is indicated by a reference numeral 11T, a killer character is indicated by a reference numeral 11K, and a normal character is indicated by a reference numeral 11N. In the example of FIG. 12, the target character 11T is classified as the first type C1, and the killer and normal characters 11K and 11N are classified as the second type C2. Regarding the type C2, control is differentiated so that the player PL on the second side S2 has an advantage.

In other words, it is possible to give instructions to the character 11T of the first type C1 and make it act from the first side S1, but it is not possible to give instructions and make it act from the second side S2. is applied. In other words, regarding the behavior of the character 11T of the first type C1, there is a restriction (predetermined restriction on instructions) that does not allow instructions to be given to the second side S2, and the first side S1 is not allowed to act. No such restrictions occur. Therefore, the first side S1 has exclusive authority to cause the character 11T of the first type C1 to act. When viewed from the second side S2, the target character 11T cannot be made to act according to instructions from the own side. This point acts as a constraint when the second side S2 causes each character 11 to act in order to satisfy the murder occurrence condition. Regarding the actions of the character 11T of the first type C1, the restrictions applied to the second side S2 are such that the instructions themselves are restricted so that the actions cannot be instructed from the second side S2, or the second side Even if an instruction can be given from S2, the instruction may be invalidated in any manner, such as the character 11T not acting in accordance with the instruction. In either aspect, there is no difference in that restrictions are imposed on instructions from the second side S2.

On the other hand, the characters 11K and 11N of the second type C2 can be instructed to act from either the first side S1 or the second side S2. In this respect, there is no difference between the first side S1 and the second side S2. However, if an instruction from the first side S1 and an instruction from the second side S2 overlap with respect to the same character 11, the instruction from the second side S2 takes priority. Control is differentiated in this respect. In other words, for the first side S1, there is a restriction that it is possible to make the characters 11K and 11N act on the condition that the instructions from the second side S2 do not overlap, and for the second side S2, the Regardless of whether the instructions from one side S1 overlap, it is possible to cause the characters 11K and 11N to act according to instructions from their own side S2. Regarding the second type C2, the restriction in the first side S1 does not occur on the second side S2. Therefore, regarding the authority to cause the characters 11K and 11N of the second type C2 to act, the second side S2 has priority. The above relationships are summarized as shown in the table of FIG. 13. In the table, 〇 indicates a case where the restriction is not applied, × indicates a case where it is impossible to make the action take place, and △ indicates a case where instructions from the second side are given priority over instructions from the first side. ing.

In order to satisfy the murder occurrence condition, the player on the second side S2 acquires the murder weapon 16A for the killer character 11K, causes it to act to approach the target character 11T, and makes the normal character 11N (however, An exception is the case of "dying"), it is necessary to make the character behave so that the character is located in a different room 13 from the killer character 11K. In creating such a situation, the above-described restrictions regarding the characters 11K and 11N of the second type C2 work advantageously for the player on the second side S2.

On the other hand, from the standpoint of the first side S1, there is another character 11 who tends to act close to one of the characters 11, and who moves to a different room 13 from those characters 11. There is a possibility that it can be recognized that there is a character 11 who tends to behave as follows. If the player on the first side S1 can sense such a difference in behavior tendency, a clue for distinguishing and estimating the character 11 acting as a target or killer from the character 11 acting normally can be obtained. Based on the estimation, on the first side S1, it is possible to instruct the actions of the characters 11 so as not to create a situation where only two characters 11 are located in the same room 13, thereby preventing the murder occurrence condition from being satisfied. becomes. Regarding such operations, handling in which the first side S1 causes the target character 11T to act exclusively has an advantageous effect on the first side S1.

(2) Relationship with estimation of targets, etc. The character 11T of the first type C1 can be made to act by giving instructions only from the first side S1, and the characters 11K and 11N of the second type C2 can be made to act on both sides. When instructions from sides S1 and S2 overlap, the instruction from second side S2 takes priority. By combining these restrictions, the first side S1 can generate further clues for distinguishing between the characters 11 of the first type C1 and the second type C2. That is, when viewed from the first side S1, it is possible to make the character 11 of the first type C1 always act according to the instructions from the own side S1, while the character 11 of the second type C2 can always act according to the instructions from the second side S2. If it overlaps with , it cannot be activated. Therefore, if there is a character 11 who does not act according to the instructions given by the character 11, it is possible to estimate that the character 11 is not a target, in other words, is at least a killer or a normal character. By accumulating such estimates, it may become possible to gradually narrow down the target characters 11T and eventually to definitively identify the target characters 11T. On the other hand, there is a behavior tendency of the character 11 estimated to be outside the target, for example, a behavior tendency to approach one of the characters 11, or a tendency to move to a different room 13 from other characters 11. It becomes possible to narrow down the killer characters 11K by using the difference in behavioral tendencies such as whether or not the killer character 11K.

In order for the first side S1 to understand whether or not the above-mentioned restrictions regarding the second type C2 have been applied, at least a restriction that does not allow the target character 11T to act from the second side S2, and a restriction regarding the second type C2 are required. Regarding the characters 11K and 11N, the player PL on the first side S1 needs to be aware that there is a restriction that the instructions on the second side S2 are given priority. For example, the differentiation of control, that is, the application of restrictions, may be notified to each player PL in advance as a rule of the game. Also, during game play, the player PL on the first side S1 needs to know that instructions from both sides S1 and S2 actually overlap, and as a result, instructions from the second side S2 are prioritized. There is. To this end, a process may be performed in which the player PL on the first side S1 is notified of the occurrence of an action in which the instruction from the second side S2 takes priority. However, if the character does not act according to the instructions even if instructions are given from the first side S1, and this occurs only when the instruction overlaps with the instructions from the second side S2, special cases may occur. Even without giving a notification or the like, the first side S1 can recognize the duplication of instructions when an action different from the instructions occurs.

As described above, the restrictions applied to the second side S2 with respect to the character 11T of the first type C1 and the restrictions applied to the first side S1 with respect to the characters 11K and 11N of the second type C2 are the same as those of the first side S1. It functions to give the player PL a clue to determine whether each character corresponds to a target, to narrow down the target character 11T, and further to give a clue to estimate the killer character 11K.

Differentiation of control or differentiation of restrictions for providing clues for narrowing down targets etc. is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 13. Some modified examples are listed below.

FIG. 14(a) shows a modified example. In this example, only the second side restrictions are applied to the first type of character (target character 11T in the example of FIG. 13). Regarding the second type of characters (killer and normal characters 11K and 11N in the example of Fig. 13), it is possible to make them act from either the first side or the second side, and instructions from both sides overlap. In this case, for example, by using a lottery, etc., fairness is maintained for both sides, and the characters are made to act by adopting instructions from either side (indicated by ◇ in the table). ). Even in that case, characters of the first type act according to instructions from the first side and do not act according to instructions from the second side, while characters of the second type act according to instructions from either side. The difference is that . Through the difference, the first side can provide a clue for estimating the target character.

FIG. 14(b) shows another modification. In this example, priority is given to instructions from the first side regarding the first type of character (character 11T in the example of FIG. 13), and the second side causes the character to act as long as the instructions do not overlap with the instructions from the first side. It is considered possible. Regarding the second type of characters (characters 11K and 11N in the example of FIG. 13), it is possible to make them act from either the first side or the second side, and if instructions from both sides overlap, The character 11 acts by adopting instructions from one side while maintaining fairness to both sides. This example differs from the examples in FIGS. 13 and 14(a) in that the second side also has the possibility of instructing the actions of the target character 11T. In the example of FIG. 14(b), for the first type character 11T, if an instruction is given from the first side, the instruction is always given priority, and for the second type characters 11K and 11N, the first side Even if you instruct a person to behave, there may be cases where the desired behavior does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to give the first side a clue for estimating whether the character is the target or not.

Among the above restrictions, the preferential handling portion indicated by △ in the table is not limited to the mode in which an instruction from one side is always selected when instructions from both sides overlap. For example, in the modified example of FIG. 14(c), if instructions from both sides overlap regarding the actions of the second type characters 11K and 11N, the probability that the instructions from the first side will be adopted will increase from the second side. The limit may be set to be significantly smaller than the probability that the instruction will be adopted. Even in that case, when viewed from the first side, the frequency with which the action instructed to the first type character 11T appears as specified, and the frequency with which the action instructed to the second type characters 11K and 11N appears as specified. There is a significant difference between Therefore, it is possible to estimate which character is a non-target character and narrow down the target characters 11T accordingly. In other examples as well, restrictions may be similarly set when instructions from both sides overlap.

In both examples, instructions are not given to the first side for the character 11T of the first type C1 and the characters 11 of any type, ie, the characters 11K and 11N of the second type C2. It is necessary to ensure the possibility of action. The "collateral" here means that the possibility of selecting any type of character as the subject of instructions and having them act is not completely excluded, but remains at least on some occasions. This means that it is not impossible to give and act upon. For example, it is possible for the first type of character on the first side to act without restriction, and this possibility is not excluded in any way. Regarding the second type of character, as long as the instructions from the second side do not overlap, there is still a possibility that the first side can give instructions to the character and make him act, and this possibility has not been completely excluded. In other words, "collateral" means guaranteeing the authority to give instructions and act on at least some occasions. If a restriction is set so that it is impossible for the first side to give an instruction to either type C1 or C2 to make it act, then the character 11 will be able to move as soon as the character 11 who cannot instruct the action is specified. It is determined whether the character is of the first type C1 or the second type C2, thereby making it possible to definitively identify at least the target character 11T. In this case, there is a problem in that the premise of the game, in which the target character 11T and the killer character 11K are unknown and the player on the first side gradually narrows them down, cannot be maintained.

As is clear from the example of FIG. 8, there may be multiple players on at least the first side. In that case, it is assumed that overlapping instructions for the same character occur not only between sides but also within the same side. Even if instructions on the first side overlap, it is necessary to adopt one of the instructions to determine the character's actions, but from the perspective of each player on the first side, the instructions given by themselves are the same. The character will take different actions. There is a possibility that it may not be possible to determine whether such behavior is caused by duplication of instructions from the second side or duplication of instructions from the same side. In order to eliminate such a fear, it is effective to give the above-mentioned notification to the first side, that is, a notification that the instruction from the second side has been given priority.

If information about whether each player is on the first side or the second side is shared among the players, in addition to or in place of the above notification, each player may be on the first side and which character is on the first side. Information indicating whether an action has been instructed may be displayed on the game screen, or the information may be shared by players on the first side through chat or other mechanisms. In that case, each player on the first side can identify whether the action is a result of the instruction from the second side being prioritized. Alternatively, a process may be applied in which each player in the first side exclusively controls the character to be instructed so as to eliminate duplication of instructions within the first side. However, if there is only one player on the first side and one player on the second side, if a character to which the player on the first side has not given instructions has acted, that character is considered to be non-target characters 11K and 11N. It may be possible to determine that. However, if the computer automatically causes a character for which no instructions have been given from either the first side or the second side (hereinafter sometimes referred to as non-instruction characters) to act, such actions It is necessary to distinguish between actions that correspond to instructions from the second side.

In other words, if there is a non-designated character in the command phase of one turn, as long as control is executed so that the non-designated character does not act in the action phase of the same turn, the player on the first side will not be able to see the character. Then, a character who takes some kind of action despite not being instructed to do so from the first side is determined to be a character who acted in accordance with instructions from the second side, and is determined to be outside the target. be able to. However, when a computer automatically causes a non-instructed character to act according to some control rule (this is different from when a computer-generated virtual player gives instructions and causes the character to act), the action is caused by the second side. It is not possible to determine from the first side whether the error is caused by an instruction from the user or automatically generated by computer control. If such behavior occurs, there is a possibility that identification of the first type or the second type on the first side may be hindered. In order to avoid such inconveniences, the first side must be able to distinguish whether the action is based on instructions from the second side, or whether the action is computer-controlled by a character who is not instructed to do so. It is necessary to give information. Notification that instructions from the second side take precedence serves as a type of such information; however, in addition to or in place of that, it may be necessary to clearly indicate to the first side that the action is computer-controlled; The computer may cause the character to behave in such a way that a unique tendency that is distinguishable from the behavior based on instructions from the first side or the second side appears.

In addition, when the computer causes a character not to be instructed to act, the tendency of the control is, for example, a tendency that should appear in response to an instruction from the player on the first side or the second side, that is, preventing the establishment of a murder occurrence condition. The setting may be made so that a tendency towards the above or the tendency towards the realization of the above appears, or the setting may be set so that the above-mentioned unique tendency appears. As a specific tendency, it is possible to set, for example, that a killer character tends to act in a manner that approaches the target character, and that characters other than the killer tend to act in a manner that gives priority to exploration.

As explained above, in the game of this embodiment, the control of the character's actions is differentiated according to the instruction relationship between the player's side and the character type, so that the instructions given from the first side are Differences can be made between the first type and the second type regarding how this is reflected in the behavior of the person. Through the difference, the player on the first side is given a clue to determine whether or not each character is likely to be the target, and furthermore, the player on the first side narrows down the target character and killer character, and in turn, It is possible to provide a basis for estimating the character.

In the above example, the conditions that make it possible for the character to act were differentiated according to the instructional relationship between the player's side and the character's type, but differentiation of control is based on such conditions. Not limited to differentiation. Due to the difference between the actions that appear in response to instructions from one side and the actions that appear in response to instructions from the other side, the player on the first side can distinguish between the first type of character and the second type of character. Control may be differentiated in any appropriate manner as long as clues for differentiation can be obtained. For example, the above-described differentiation regarding the upper limit of the moving distance of the character 11 provides a clue to distinguish between the first type and the second type. That is, in the relationship shown in FIG. 13, the player PL on the second side S2 cannot make the character 11T of the first type C1 act, and the characters 11K and 11N of the second type C2 cannot act for at least two consecutive turns. You can move it to 3 areas by doing this. Therefore, for the characters 11K and 11N of the second type C2, even if the instructions from the first side S1 and the instructions from the second side S2 do not overlap, the characters move to three areas continuously over two turns. 11 appears, the player PL on the first side S1 can understand that the character 11 is of the second type C2, that is, that it is not the target character 11T.

(3) Regarding the "attack" action As mentioned in the explanation of the action order in FIG. 11, the player on the second side can instruct "attack" as a specific action. The targets of the "attack" instruction are limited to the killer character who possesses the deadly weapon 16A, and the destination area does not need to be specified. When the player on the second side instructs "attack" in the command phase, the killer character's action order in the subsequent action phase is changed last, and the killer character takes the "attack" action as a specific action. A "raid" action is characterized as an action in which the killer character automatically moves towards the area where the target character is located. However, the upper limit of the moving distance is the same as the upper limit of the moving distance applied to the second side.

Even if the target character is located within 3 areas of the killer character in the command phase where "attack" is specified, the character moves in the subsequent action phase and the killer character is in the same area. cannot be reached and the above condition B of the murder occurrence condition does not hold, or if a normal character (excluding the case of "dying") moves into the same room as the killer and target and condition C does not hold. , even if an "attack" occurs, no killing occurs. On the other hand, the player on the first side can uniquely identify which character is the killer by changing the arrangement order of the character information section 105 (FIG. 11) at the start of the action phase.

(4) Presentation of facts revealed from actions As described above, it may become clear through the character's actions that the character is not a target, or even the killer character may become clear. Therefore, when such a fact is found out, the fact is presented to the first side player via the character information section 105 in FIG. 11. The character information section 105 is provided with an identification section 120 in one-to-one correspondence with the image of the character 11 for presenting the possibility that each character 11 corresponds to either a target or a killer. The identification unit 120 further includes a first identification unit 120a that indicates whether there is a possibility that the target corresponds to the target, and a second identification unit 120b that indicates whether or not there is a possibility that the target corresponds to the killer. The display mode of each of the first identification section 120a and the second identification section 120b changes between a case where there is a possibility of matching and a case where there is no possibility. FIG. 11 is an example of a display mode when there remains a possibility that all characters 11 correspond to either the target or the killer. By displaying a mark symbolizing a target on the first identification section 120a and a mark symbolizing a killer on the second identification section 120b, it is possible to determine whether the possibility of being the target or the possibility of being a killer is displayed. It has been shown that this has not been denied. At the start of the game, the target and killer of the players on the first side are unknown, so the display of their identification sections 120a and 120b is as shown in FIG. 11.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the character 11 is not the target, the display of the first identification unit 120a changes to a state where the mark is not visible, for example, a state where the mark is blacked out. FIG. 15 shows an example where the display changes in this way. In the example of FIG. 15, as a result of an action that prioritizes instructions from the second side regarding the character 11 of "Agatha", it turns out that "Agatha" is not a target, and the character 11 corresponding to "Agatha" 1 shows a case where a mark symbolizing a target changes from display to non-display in the 1 identification unit 120a. When an "attack" is instructed and a killer is identified, this fact can be indicated by changing the display mode of the second identification part 120b of the killer's character 11 to a state where the killer's mark is not visible. It is. In this way, the character information unit 105 also has a function of presenting that fact to the first side player when the possibility of the character 11 falling under the target or the possibility of falling under the killer is denied according to the behavior of the character 11. I am in charge. The fact that the character is outside the target can be grasped through the actions of the character 11, and it is not essential that it be presented in the character information section 105. However, by providing a function to present such facts, the player on the first side can avoid overlooking or forgetting the facts obtained through the actions of the character 11, and in addition to the information provided by the support character, the player on the first side can easily identify the target and killer. You can steadily narrow down your search.

13. Information Provision by Support Character (1) Matters Determined by Support Character As mentioned above, by differentiating control according to the instruction relationship between the player's side and the character type, It is possible to give clues to narrow down the target and killer. In addition to this, in order to provide additional clues, certain information is provided by the support character at information provision opportunities during the game (see FIG. 9).

The information provision of the support character includes information provision associated with the positional relationship of the character 11 within the field 10 of FIG. That is, the support character determines whether the target character 11 and the killer character 11 are located within a predetermined distance range, and provides the determination result to the first side player. The computer, which is the main body that controls the information provision of the support characters, naturally knows which characters 11 are the target and the killer. However, if that information is disclosed to the first side, the game will not be successful. Therefore, the support character determines whether or not the target and the killer are located within a predetermined distance range, and notifies at least the first side player of the determination result. Hereinafter, this determination may be referred to as positional relationship determination.

A specific example of positional relationship determination is as follows. First, it is assumed that each character 11 is located within the field 10 as shown in FIG. 16 at the time when the support character should perform the discrimination. In addition, in FIG. 16, each character 11 is shown distinguished by initial letters A to F. In the example of FIG. 16, if the distance range to be determined is set to the distance within 3 areas from one character 11, characters located within a predetermined distance range (within 3 areas) with respect to each character 11 11 is as shown in FIG. 17 (in the figure, characters are represented by initials A to F). Note that, similar to the concept of the moving distance of the character 11 described above, the distance range here is a concept that is specified by the number of areas 15 that exist on the route that can be moved while avoiding the walls 12, and It is assumed that the number of areas 15 when the source and destination are connected by a straight line does not necessarily match. Naturally, a case where two characters are located in the same area is also an aspect of being within a distance range.

In the case of the relationships shown in Figures 16 and 17, if "Dorothy" (D in the diagram) is the target and "Berkeley" (B in the diagram) is the killer, those characters 11 will be within 3 areas. Since the support character is not located in the area, the determination result of the support character is "not present". On the other hand, if "Dorothy" (D in the figure) is the target and "Freeman" (F in the figure) is the killer, those characters 11 are located within 3 areas, so the support characters The determination result is "Yes." The support character thus determines whether or not the killer is located within the three areas with respect to the target, and notifies at least the player on the first side of the determination result.

(2) Facts Derived from the Discrimination Results The above-mentioned positional relationship discrimination results are new information for narrowing down the targets and killers, and act as other information that cannot be obtained by the above-mentioned control differentiation. For example, if the positional relationship of the character 11 is as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 and the determination result is "not present", all the correspondence relationships shown in FIG. 17 are relationships that do not establish the relationship between the target and the killer. It turns out that. In the example of FIG. 17, establishment of a correspondence relationship between target and killer is denied between "Agatha", "Dorothy", and "Freeman". Similarly, the establishment of a correspondence relationship between target and killer between "Berkeley" and "Ellery" is denied. Therefore, when it is determined that there is no support character, it is possible to derive the facts shown in FIG. 18 as to whether or not the correspondence between the characters corresponds to the target and the killer. FIG. 18 shows characters 11 arranged vertically as temporary targets and characters 11 arranged horizontally as temporary killers, where the possibility of corresponding relationship between targets and killers is denied. is indicated by an x mark. The unmarked portion is a portion where it cannot be determined from the determination result of the support character whether or not it corresponds to the correspondence relationship between the target and the killer.

On the other hand, in the examples of FIGS. 16 and 17, if the determination result based on the support character is "there", it is possible that one of the correspondence relationships shown in FIG. 17 is a relationship that establishes the relationship between the target and the killer. Prove. In that case, the relationship is an exclusive event with respect to FIG. 17, that is, the correspondence relationship between the target and the killer does not hold between one character and another character located outside the three areas from the viewpoint of that character. It turns out. In the example of FIG. 16, the characters 11 that are not located within three areas for each character 11 are as shown in FIG. 19, and the relationship is shown in FIG. 20 by the success or failure of the correspondence between characters as in FIG. 18. It is.

In this way, if the support character determines whether the target and killer are located within a predetermined distance range, the combination of characters that does not establish a relationship between the target and killer can be determined from the determination result. do. If this revealed fact is provided as additional information to the player on the first side in addition to the determination result of the positional relationship, the player on the first side can accurately narrow down the combination of characters that establishes the relationship between the target and the killer. Therefore, it becomes possible to correctly estimate the target and the killer. Note that the mode of providing the player with the result of determining the support character and the facts derived from the result will be described later.

The distance range used by the support character as a criterion for determining positional relationships is not necessarily limited to three areas. If the distance range is excessively large, the number of cases in which it is determined that "there is" increases significantly, and there is a possibility that information suitable for narrowing down the search cannot be provided. On the other hand, if the distance range is too small, the number of cases in which characters are determined to be "not present" increases significantly, and when it is determined that "they are present," the combination of two characters located within the distance range is This creates the possibility that the target and killer may be identified more easily than necessary. It is desirable to determine the distance range in consideration of such balance.

Further, the distance range does not necessarily have to match the upper limit of the moving distance of the character 11 in one turn. However, if the upper limit of the movement distance matches the distance range used by the support character for determination, the determination result of "Is there" is close to the fulfillment of the murder occurrence condition, and specifically, the following This means that there is a relatively high possibility that requirement B of the murder occurrence condition will be satisfied in the turn. Therefore, favorable effects such as increasing the sense of tension in the game or increasing predictability can occur. Furthermore, when relating the distance range to the upper limit of the movement distance, if the killer is "hungry" or "dying" and the upper limit of the movement distance is changed to a smaller value, then the upper limit of the movement distance after the change is changed. The distance range may also be reduced. However, since the reduction in the distance range can be a clue to infer that a ``hungry'' or ``dying'' character is a killer, it is up to the game whether to inform the first side player of the reduction or not. It is desirable to determine this in consideration of the difficulty level, balance, etc.

The distance range described above does not necessarily need to be determined by the number of areas along the character's movement route. For example, a distance range may be set within a circle with a constant radius centered on each character, and it may be determined whether or not a relationship exists that is a combination of a target and a killer within that range.

(3) Synthesis with the facts revealed from the character's actions The facts derived from the positional relationship determination results can be integrated with the facts revealed as a result of the above-mentioned control differentiation. In the examples shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the killer and normal characters 11K and 11N classified into the second type C2 are not targets because they acted with priority given to instructions from the second side. becomes clear. If such a fact is found, the player on the first side is notified via the character information section 105 as illustrated in FIG. In combination, additional information indicating the success or failure of the correspondence between the target and the killer may be presented to the player.

For example, if it turns out that "Agatha" is not the target because the character "Agatha" acted according to instructions from the second side, then "Agatha" can be temporarily changed from among the correspondences shown in Figure 18. Any character can deny the correspondence with respect to the targeted part. If such a fact is reflected, the correspondence shown in FIG. 18 can be modified as shown in FIG. 21. Note that in FIG. 21, the correspondence relationships for which the applicability of the target is denied based on the actions of "Agatha" are shown in gray to distinguish them from the x marks of the correspondence relationships whose establishment is denied by the determination of the support character. In this case, it is already known that "Agatha" is not the target, so even if the support character determines whether or not there is a killer within a predetermined distance range based on "Agatha", the determination No new facts emerge from the results. Therefore, the determination using "Agatha" as a temporary target may be omitted.

(4) Kill Check In addition to the above-mentioned determination of positional relationships by the support character and provision of facts derived from this, information indicating facts derived from the kill check is also provided as a form of information provision by the support character. . A kill check is a situation in which a murder does not occur even though the conditions for the occurrence of a murder appear to be satisfied. The support character provides at least the first side player with information indicating the facts derived from the kill check.

Since the player on the first side does not know the target or the killer, suppose that two characters 11 are located in the same area 15 in the field 10 of FIG. If there are no other characters 11 in the same room 13 as those characters 11, or if there is an abnormal state of "dying", all of the requirements A to C of the murder occurrence conditions are apparently satisfied.

However, if at least one of the two characters 11 located in the same area 15 is neither the target nor the killer, requirement B does not hold. Even if two characters 11 located in the same area 15 are a target and a killer, if only the target character 11 has the deadly weapon 16A and the killer does not have the deadly weapon 16A, requirement A does not hold. Such a situation is a kill check. From the fact that a kill check occurred, the following facts can be further derived.

- If no murder occurs even though both of the two characters 11 possess the murder weapon 16A, the correspondence between the target and the killer is not established between the two characters 11. . The possibility that one of the characters 11 corresponds to the target or the killer is not denied, and the possibility that each of the two characters 11 does not correspond to either the target or the killer is not denied.
- If one of the two characters 11 possesses the murder weapon 16A and the other character does not possess the murder weapon 16A and no murder occurs, the character 11 who possesses the murder weapon 16A becomes the killer and the murder weapon 16A A correspondence relationship that targets the other character 11 that does not possess the character 11 does not hold. In that case, at least one of the possibility that the character 11 in possession of the deadly weapon 16A corresponds to the target and the possibility that the character 11 not in possession of the deadly weapon 16A corresponds to the killer cannot be denied. The possibility that each of these two characters 11 does not correspond to either a target or a killer cannot be denied.

When a kill check occurs in this way, certain facts can be derived that will help narrow down the correspondence between the target and the killer. Therefore, the support character provides the first side player with information indicating the facts derived from the kill check as reference information. For example, information can be provided by suggesting a combination that negates the correspondence between the target and the killer, such as notifying that a character in possession of a deadly weapon has no murderous intent toward characters located in the same area. is provided.

(5) Reflection of facts derived from the kill check The facts derived from the kill check can be reflected in the correspondence between the temporary target and the temporary killer illustrated in FIGS. 18, 20, and 21. For example, as a kill check, "Ellery" and "Agatha" are located in the same area, "Agatha" has a weapon, and other characters who are not "dying" are the same as "Ellery" and "Agatha". If the murder does not occur in a situation where no one is in the room, it becomes clear that "Ellery" is the target and "Agatha" is the killer. If this fact is reflected, the correspondence shown in FIG. 21 can be further modified as shown in FIG. 22. Note that in FIG. 22 as well, the correspondence relationships that are denied by the kill check are shown in gray to distinguish them from the x marks of the correspondence relationships that are denied to be established by the determination of the support character.

(6) Specific example of information provision FIG. 23 shows an example of an information provision screen for notifying the player of the above-mentioned positional relationship determination results and facts derived from the determination results and already known facts. ing. The information provision screen 130 in FIG. 23 includes a first information section 131 that shows how the support character notifies information, and a second information section 132 that shows facts found regarding the success or failure of the correspondence between the target and the killer between the characters 11. including.

The first information section 131 is provided with an image of the support character 133 as well as a dialogue section 134 expressing information to be provided from the support character 133 in a sentence format. For example, if the determination result of the positional relationship is "not present", the dialogue part 134 contains a sentence such as "There is no killer within 3 areas of the target", and if the determination result is "there is", " There is a killer within 3 areas of the target.''

In the dialogue section 134, the additional information mentioned above is also displayed in text format. That is, a sentence indicating that the correspondence between the target and the killer is denied between the characters, or that there remains a possibility that it will be established, is displayed in the dialogue section 134. For example, if a combination for which the establishment of a correspondence relationship is denied is known as shown in Figure 22, the text indicating the above-mentioned positional relationship determination result is followed by the following statement: ``In other words, the following cases are possible.'' As shown in Figure 24, if we assume that any one character is the target, as shown in Figure 24, ``There are four killer candidates who can target Berkeley: Agatha, Catherine, Dorothy, and Freeman.'' A text will be displayed informing you of characters whose potential as killers has not yet been ruled out. The sentences displayed in the dialogue section 134 in FIG. 24 are as follows: In FIG. 22, when "Berkley" is a tentative target, characters whose possibility of being a killer has not been denied (characters with blank spaces) are The notification shall be made by name.

The provision of information in text format in the dialogue section 134 of FIG. 24 is continued for each character after "Catherine" by sequentially indicating the names of characters that could be killers if they are assumed to be targets. In the example of FIG. 24, the sentences in the dialogue section 134 are configured to clearly indicate combinations of characters that have a possibility of corresponding to the target and the killer. Therefore, combinations whose possibility has already been denied are not displayed in the dialogue section 134. In the example of FIG. 22, if "Agatha" is the temporary target, there is no character that could possibly be a killer. Therefore, the text assuming that "Agatha" is the target will not be displayed. Combinations whose possibility of corresponding relationship between the target and the killer is denied by the killer check are also not displayed in the dialogue section 134.

The text in the dialogue section 134 may be configured to notify the player of combinations for which the possibility of matching the target and killer is denied. In that case, the gray part in the example of Figure 22, that is, the correspondence with all other characters when "Agatha" is a temporary target, and the correspondence with "Agatha" when "Ellery" is a temporary target. , may be included in the objects to be notified by the dialogue section 134, or may be omitted.

Returning to FIG. 23, the second information section 132 visualizes and shows the correspondence between the characters illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. That is, in the second information section 132, six character rows 135A to 135F (see ) is provided. The subscripts A to F of the character strings 135A to 135F correspond to the initial letters of the names of the characters 11 placed at the left end. One character string 135 corresponds to one row in the table of FIG. 21 or 22. For example, a row tentatively targeting "Berkeley" may correspond to character column 135B. Then, in each character row 135, characters 11 whose possibility of falling under the combination of target and killer has been denied are marked with an X mark, and the display mode is changed using methods such as graying out so as not to be noticeable. Ru. Furthermore, for characters 11 for which the possibility of being a killer is denied based on the behavior of the character 11 or the kill check, the display mode is changed using a method such as graying out so as not to be noticeable, but an x mark is not attached. Their display modes correspond to the expressions in the tables of FIGS. 21 and 22.

By displaying the second information section 132 as described above, the player can assume that the factual relationships illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, that is, that each character 11 is a target, can become a killer. It is possible to identify the characters 11 whose gender has already been denied and narrow down the targets and killers by assuming that a combination of the target and the killer exists in any of the parts left as bright areas in each character row 135. It is possible. Note that the relationship left as a bright part in the second information section 132 matches the relationship revealed in the text displayed in the dialogue section 134 of the first information section 131.

The information providing screen 130 shown above is displayed as at least part of the information provided by the support character 133 at the information providing opportunity illustrated in FIG. However, in addition to providing information, for example, by making it possible to display the information providing screen 130 at an appropriate time such as in response to a request from a player on the first side, the player can display the information providing screen 130 as needed. It may be possible to refer to it. If the opportunity to provide information is not limited to the time shown in FIG. 9 but occurs at an appropriate time according to the request of the player on the first side, it is necessary to determine the positional relationship of the support character 133 at that time and its position. The information providing screen 130 may be displayed to show the facts derived from the determination results and the facts known so far. Furthermore, the information providing screen 130 may be able to be referred to again at an appropriate time thereafter.

FIG. 25 shows an example of an information providing screen 140 that is displayed when a support character provides the player with facts derived from the fact that a kill check has occurred. The information providing screen 140 is similar to the first information section 131 in the information providing screen 130 in that it includes an image of the support character 133 and a dialogue section 141. However, in the dialogue section 141, information describing facts derived from the kill check is displayed in text format. For example, in the example given in the kill check explanation, where "Ellery" and "Agatha" are located in the same area, "Agatha" has a deadly weapon, and other characters who are not "dying" are "Ellery" and "Agatha". If the murder does not occur in a situation where "Agatha" is not in the same room, "Ellery" is the target by displaying a sentence such as "Agatha has no murderous intent against Ellery" in the dialogue section 141. It may also be possible to show the player that it has been found that the relationship between "Agatha" and the killer does not hold true (corresponding to the gray area in FIG. 22).

Kill checks, unlike the information provision opportunities shown in FIG. 9, can occur during the action phase of each turn. Therefore, it is desirable that the information providing screen 140 corresponding to the kill check be displayed in the action phase in which the kill check occurs. However, similarly to the information providing screen 130, the already displayed information providing screen 140 may be made available for reference again at a time or the like in response to a request from the player. Further, the facts derived from the kill check are also reflected on the information provision screen 130 shown in FIG. 23, so that they can be positioned as part of the information provided at the information provision opportunity. Furthermore, the display of the suitability of targets and killers in the identification section 120 of the character information section 105 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the aspect.

The information providing screen 130 shows whether there is a possibility that another character is the killer when all characters are tentatively targeted, but it is not necessary that the display targets all characters. do not. For example, the player on the first side may specify a temporary target, and the information providing screen 130 may display only whether or not there is a possibility that the specified temporary target will become a killer. In that case, the determination based on the support character may target all characters, or it may only determine whether there is a killer within 3 areas based on the character designated as a temporary target. There may be. Such measures can be taken when the first side player has narrowed down the targets and killers to a certain extent and wants to confirm whether or not there is a possibility that the relationship between the target and killer falls under only a suspicious combination, or when there is a large number of When characters are in the field, if the information provision screen 130 is displayed for all characters, the amount of information obtained is too large and there is a risk of confusion in narrowing down. Limiting the number of players to the first side may work advantageously for the player on the first side.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, multiple opportunities to provide information may occur in one game. In this case, since the positional relationship of each character in the field and the presence or absence of status abnormalities differ between information provision opportunities, the relationship that did not deny the possibility of matching the target and killer combination in the previous information provision opportunity (see Figure 21, the relationship shown in the blank part in Figure 22) is excluded from the possibility that it corresponds to the combination of the target and killer in this information provision opportunity, and as a result, new information that can help narrow down the target and killer is obtained. There are things you can get. On the other hand, the relationships for which the possibility of falling under the combination of target and killer was denied in the previous information provision opportunity (relationships marked with an x in Figures 21 and 22) will be considered in the current information provision opportunity. There may be cases where the possibility cannot be denied that the combination of target and killer applies. For this reason, when displaying only facts that can be obtained independently at each information provision opportunity on the information provision screen 130, there is a possibility that the previously obtained facts, that is, the combination of the target and the killer. There is a risk that the player may forget the fact that this is denied. In order to avoid such inconvenience, the information provision screen 130 should be generated to add the newly obtained facts at this information provision opportunity to the previously obtained facts. is desirable. However, the information provision screen 130 shall show the facts obtained at each information provision opportunity, and the facts obtained before the previous time may be separately referred to as the past information provision screen 130, or may only be stored in the player's memory. It may be left to the

From the viewpoint of assisting in narrowing down targets and killers, the targets of information provision through the information provision screens 130 and 140 may be at least the players on the first side. As for the players on the second side, since both the target and the killer are known, it is not necessarily necessary to display the information providing screens 130 and 140. On the other hand, at least a portion of the information providing screens 130 and 140 may also be displayed to the player on the second side. For players on the second side, the information obtained from the information providing screens 130 and 140 can be used as clues to understand how far the first side has progressed in narrowing down targets and killers. Therefore, the player on the second side can consider the actions of the killer and normal characters in consideration of the degree of narrowing down by the first side, which increases the strategic and entertainment value of the game for the second side as well.

Among the information provided through the information providing screens 130 and 140, all information other than the determination result of the positional relationship of the support character, that is, the determination result of "present" or "not present" is determined in relation to the character's actions. This is a fact or a fact that is definitively derived by comparing known facts, and can be understood by the player even if it is not provided through the information providing screens 130 and 140. However, the fact that can be determined from a single event, for example, when a character takes action in response to instructions from the second side, it is relatively easy and clear to grasp the fact that the character is not the target. As more and more facts accumulate, the difficulty of synthesizing these facts to derive new facts gradually increases, which may eventually lead to a loss of interest in the game. By appropriately providing information through the information providing screens 130 and 140, it is possible to appropriately adjust the difficulty level of the game and appropriately maintain the interest of the game. Note that as the player becomes more proficient with the game, even if at least part of the information provided by the information providing screens 130 and 140 is omitted, the player will acquire the skill to accurately narrow down the targets and killers, and the difficulty of the game will increase accordingly. There is also a risk that there will be a relative decline. Therefore, the degree of information provision, such as the number of information provision opportunities, the range of characters to whom information is provided in one information provision opportunity, etc., may be changed as appropriate depending on the game difficulty setting, the player's wishes, etc. You can.

14. Exceptions to Turn Progress As mentioned above, the outcome of the game is determined by whether or not a killing occurs, and whether the first side succeeds in identifying the killer if no killing occurs. Therefore, if a situation arises in which the first side can uniquely identify the killer, the subsequent progress of the game may be different from the progress when the killer is unknown. For example, if the first side can identify the killer character, the character will act so that there are no other characters in the same area as that character, or so that there are characters other than "dying" in the same room as the killer character. If you do so, it will be possible to prevent murder from occurring, and the difficulty of the game will obviously decrease.

Which character is the killer is not known to the player on the first side at the start of play of the game. However, depending on the progress of the game, it may be possible to uniquely identify the killer character. For example, if an "attack" occurs, the killer will be identified. Alternatively, if 5 of the 6 characters take action with priority given to instructions from the second side, or move to 3 areas consecutively over 2 turns, the remaining 1 character The target is confirmed. Then, based on the determination result of the positional relationship by the support character and the facts derived from the determination result or the facts derived from the kill check, the number of combinations in which the possibility of corresponding relationship between the target and the killer is denied increases. For example, the possibility of a correspondence between a target and a killer will eventually be narrowed down, and the killer may be uniquely identified logically by comparing it with facts that are known to be other than the target.

Therefore, if a situation occurs in which a killer is identified, the next turn is set as a one-time special turn as an exception to the turn structure shown in FIG. For example, if such a situation occurs in a turn before turn 10, any unused turn may be set as a special turn, regardless of what turn it is at that point. . If such a situation occurs in turn 10, then turn 11 may be added as a special turn, as an exception. Such special turns provide the second side with a one-time, final opportunity to direct action toward the occurrence of a kill. The player on the first side only has to cause other characters to act so that the murder occurrence condition does not hold against the identified killer.

15. Determining the play result The play result in one game is determined at different times depending on whether or not a murder has occurred. If a killing occurs before the end of the final turn, the game ends in the turn in which the killing occurs, and the play result is determined as a victory for the player on the second side and a defeat for the player on the first side. In this case, even if a plurality of players are divided into the first side, a defeat result is determined collectively for all of these players. Note that the final turn is turn 10 in FIG. 9, but if an "attack" occurs as described above, the special turn becomes the final turn.

On the other hand, if no killing occurs by the end of the final turn, the game advances to the deduction phase shown in FIG. In the deduction phase, the player on the first side is provided with an opportunity to designate one character determined to be the killer from among the six characters. This opportunity is realized, for example, by displaying a list of six characters on the screen and having the player select one character determined to be the killer. If there are multiple players on the first side, each player is individually given the opportunity to designate a killer. The first player who correctly designated the killer wins against the player on the second side, and the play result is determined. The first player who erroneously designated the killer will have a draw against the player on the second side, and the play result will be determined. If there are multiple players on the first side, the play result is determined for each player on the first side. Therefore, within the first side, there may be a mix of players who will win and players who will draw. If there are multiple players on the second side, the play results of those players are collectively determined for each player on the first side. Note that if an "attack" occurs and no killing occurs in the final turn, the killer character is revealed on the first side as described above. In that case, the player on the first side may designate the killer during the deduction phase, but the deduction phase may be omitted and the play result determined as a victory for all players on the first side at the end of the final turn. .

Next, the control system of the user device 3 and its processing for realizing the above-described game will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 33.
1. Configuration of Control System FIG. 26 shows a schematic configuration of a control system in the user device 3 for realizing the above-described game. The user device 3 is provided with a control unit 30 and a storage unit 31. The control unit 30 is configured as a computer including a CPU and internal storage devices necessary for its operation, such as a cache memory, RAM, and frame memory. The storage unit 31 is a storage device that functions as an external storage device for the control unit 30 and uses a nonvolatile storage medium such as a magnetic storage medium or a flash memory. Connected to the control unit 30 are an input device 32 that detects a user's operation and outputs an operation signal according to the detection result, and a display device 33 that displays a game screen or the like. In addition, a speaker unit for outputting sound, a communication control unit for controlling communication with the game server 2, etc. are also connected to the control unit 30, but illustration thereof is omitted.

The storage unit 31 records a game program Pg, game data Dg, and play data Dp. The game program Pg is an application program for causing the control unit 30 to perform arithmetic processing and operation control necessary for the game in cooperation with the operating system that controls the basic operations of the control unit 30. The game program Pg describes various information necessary to control the above-mentioned game, such as turn structure, killing occurrence conditions, and restriction settings according to the instruction relationship between the player's side and the character type. be done.

The game data Dg is data that should be appropriately referenced in controlling the game. The game data Dg includes, for example, field data Dg1 that describes the configuration of various fields. The play data Dp is data for each user associated with the game play by the user of the user device 3. For example, information such as the user's play history and status is written in the play data Dp.

The above-mentioned program Pg and game data Dg are appropriately distributed from the game server 2 to the user device 3 and stored in the storage unit 31. The play data Dp is updated as appropriate according to the play of the game on the user device 3, and is stored in the game server 2 at an appropriate timing in association with the user's identification information. Further, when a user completes authentication with the game server 2 when playing a game, play data Dp corresponding to the user is provided from the game server 2 to the user device 3 and stored in the storage unit 31.

The control unit 30 is provided with a game control section 35 by executing the game program Pg. The game control section 35 is a logical device realized by the cooperation of the computer hardware of the control unit 30 and the game program Pg as software. The game control unit 35 performs various processes necessary for the above-mentioned game to proceed according to a predetermined procedure, such as setting the basic state of the battle, controlling the character's behavior in response to instructions from the player, and determining the success or failure of the murder occurrence condition. Performs various calculation processes such as discrimination and generation of information to be provided using support characters. The game control section 35 generates status data Ds for determining the progress of the game, stores this in the internal storage device of the control unit 30, and updates the status data Ds as appropriate as the game progresses. The status data Ds includes, for example, the position of each character 11 in the field 10 in FIG. Contains various information such as reference information).

2. Control System Processing Next, with reference to FIGS. 27 to 33, various processes executed by the game control unit 35 to play the above-described game will be described. Note that the following processing is an example in which restrictions are set according to the example of FIG. 13 regarding control of the character's behavior. The main computer that controls the game is not necessarily limited to the control unit 30 of the user device 3, and at least part of the processing may be executed by the game server 2, or the computer that controls the game is not limited to the control unit 30 of the user device 3. The user device 3 may perform the task as appropriate, or it may be executed by an appropriate computer. In the following, a case will be described as an example in which the respective user devices 3 of players participating in the same game control the game in parallel with each other while exchanging operation information of each player.

(1) Processing up to the start of turn FIG. 27 shows an example of the procedure of the game control process executed by the game control unit 35 to control the overall progress of the game. When the game process is started according to the game program Pg, the game control unit 35 executes processes such as predetermined environment settings and user authentication, and then becomes ready to accept game play. When the user (player) of the user device 3 instructs to start playing the game, the game control unit 35 starts the game control process shown in FIG. 27 . In the game control process, the game control unit 35 first allows the player to select whether to play on the first side or the second side (step S101). The player's wishes may also be obtained regarding options such as the difficulty level of the game and the field in which he or she wishes to play. However, the game control unit 35 may independently decide which side to play on without having the player select which side to play on, or while taking the player's selection into consideration.

Subsequently, the game control unit 35 requests matching to the game server 2, and obtains the matching result (step S102). Regarding matching, it may be the same as in a general game. Upon receiving the matching result, the game control unit 35 establishes communication with the user devices 3 of all players participating in the same play, and enables information sharing between the user devices 3. Note that the communication between the user devices 3 may be via the game server 2, or may be direct communication not via the game server 2. Note that depending on the number of matched players, a virtual player may be generated using the user device 3 of one of the players participating in the same game, and the operation information of the virtual player may be generated using the same user device 3. The user device 3 may be notified. If the real user of the user device 3 does not wish to play against a real user of another user device 3, instead of the matching process in step S102, the user device 3 generates a virtual player as an opponent. You may.

Next, the game control unit 35 sets a character to play the role of target and killer in the current game (step S103). The target and killer characters are matters that should be decided upon by the players participating in the same game. Therefore, when a game is played between a plurality of user devices 3, the game control unit 35 of one of the user devices 3 determines the target and the killer, and the information is transmitted. Other user devices 3 may also be notified.

Once the target and killer are set, the game control unit 35 notifies the second side player of the characters set as the target and killer (step S104). However, if the side selected by the player operating the user device 3 in step S101 is the first side, the process in step S104 is omitted. After that, the game control unit 35 designates 1 as the current turn number (step S105). Subsequently, the game control unit 35 sequentially executes the command phase process and the action phase process in the current turn (steps S106 and S107), and when the action phase process is completed, the process moves to the process shown in FIG. 28. FIG. 28 shows processing for the result of the action phase in one turn. Below, prior to the process in FIG. 28, the command phase and action phase processes will be explained in order.

(2) Command Phase Processing FIG. 29 shows an example of a command phase processing procedure executed as a subroutine process of step S106 in FIG. 27. The command phase process is a process of obtaining instructions for the character's actions from each player. When the command phase processing is started, the game control unit 35 first updates the display regarding the position, state, etc. of the character 11 according to the information recorded in the status data Ds (FIG. 26) (step S201). In this process, the arrangement order of the characters 11 in the character information section 105 (FIGS. 11 and 15) is also updated according to the action order in the current turn.

Subsequently, the game control unit 35 starts measuring the time limit for the command phase (step S202), and then determines whether or not the command phase has ended (step S203). In this process, if the time limit has passed or if all players have operated the instruction end button 107 (FIG. 4), the command phase is determined to have ended; otherwise, it is determined that the command phase has not ended. be done.

If it is determined that the command phase has not ended, the game control unit 35 determines whether or not the player's own player has operated the instruction end button 107 to instruct the end (step S204). If termination has not been instructed, the game control unit 35 determines whether or not the number of characters whose actions have been instructed by the player's own player is within the upper limit (step S205), and if it is within the upper limit, the game control unit 35 determines whether or not the number of characters whose actions have been instructed by the player's own player is within the upper limit, and if it is within the upper limit, The user is prompted to select a character (step S206). However, if the player is on the second side, the selection range is limited so that the target character cannot be selected. No such restriction occurs for players on the first side. Therefore, it is impossible for the player on the second side to give instructions to the target character to make it act, while the player on the first side is able to make the target character act. Subsequently, the game control unit 35 displays an area within which the character selected by the player can move, as shown in FIG. 6, for example (step S207). Note that in the case of a character whose movement range is limited due to a status abnormality such as "fatigue," "hunger," or "near death," a range that conforms to the limitations is displayed.

Subsequently, the game control unit 35 causes the player to specify the area to which to move (step S208). It may also be possible to specify the same area as a destination, that is, to select not to move. Further, the game control unit 35 determines whether an additional action is possible for the character selected by the player as an instruction target (step S209), and if possible, instructs the player to take an action and obtains this action. (Step S210). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a menu 111 may be displayed to allow additional instructions for actions such as searching. After the processing in step S210, the processing returns to step S203, and the processing from step S204 onwards is repeated until it is determined that the command phase has ended.

If it is determined in step S204 that termination has been instructed, the game control unit 35 skips the processes from step S205 onwards and returns to step S203. Note that when an instruction to end is given, the game control unit 35 also notifies the user devices 3 of other players participating in the same game. This is because it is necessary for the process of step S203 in other user devices 3. If it is determined in step S205 that the number of characters is at the upper limit, the game control unit 35 notifies the player that the number of characters that can be instructed has reached the upper limit (step S221). Subsequently, the game control unit 35 gives the player an opportunity to cancel the instruction to one of the characters and enable the instruction to another character (step S222), and then returns to step S203.

If it is determined in step S203 that the command phase has ended, the game control unit 35 exchanges information on instructions given by each player with the game control units 35 of other user devices 3, and thereby The instructions given by all players in the command phase are acquired (step S231). With the above steps, the game control unit 35 completes the processing of the command phase. Note that the player's instructions may be shared between the user devices 3 at any time during the process of FIG. 29 . For example, when instructions are shared between players on the same side during the command phase, information may be exchanged between the user devices 3 each time an instruction is given from each player.

(3) Action phase processing FIGS. 30 to 32 show an example of the action phase processing procedure executed as the subroutine processing of step S107 in FIG. 27. The action phase process is a process of calculating the actions of the characters based on the character instructions from each player obtained in the command phase, and displaying the progress of the game on the game screen 100 according to the calculation results. . 30 and 31 mainly show the procedure of arithmetic processing by the game control section 35, and FIG. 32 mainly shows the procedure of reflecting the processing result on the game screen 100. The processes shown in FIG. 30 and subsequent steps may be started immediately as internal processes of the game control unit 35 after the process shown in FIG. 29 ends. The game image in the action phase is shown to the player through the process shown in FIG.

When the processing of the action phase in FIG. 30 is started, the game control unit 35 first determines whether or not the second side player has instructed to "attack" (step S301), and if so, flags the raid flag. is set to 1 (step S302). Subsequently, the game control unit 35 changes the action order held in the status data Ds so that the character for which the "attack" is instructed (that is, the killer) becomes the last character (step S303). Thereafter, the game control unit 35 proceeds to step S304. If a negative determination is made in step S301, the game control unit 35 skips steps S302 and S303 and proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, the game control unit 35 determines whether instructions from multiple players overlap for the same character. If the instructions overlap, the game control unit 35 determines whether the overlap occurs between the first side and the second side (step S305). If the instructions on the first side and the second side overlap, the game control unit 35 selects the instruction on the second side as the instruction to be prioritized (step S306). Subsequently, the game control unit 35 records in the status data Ds that the character for which the instruction from the second side was selected in step S306 is the character of priority action in this turn (step S307).

On the other hand, in step S305, if the overlap is not between the first side and the second side, that is, if the instructions are overlapped within the same side, the game control unit 35 selects one of the instructions from the overlapped instructions. is selected (step S308). If one instruction is selected in step S307 or S308, or if there is no overlap in step S304, the game control unit 35 proceeds to step S309, and selects the character other than the instruction, that is, the first side or the second side. The instructions to be given to the character to which no instructions have been given are determined. The instructions from the virtual player have already been generated in the command phase process of FIG. 29, and the instructions in step S309 are for the computer to automatically operate the character other than the instruction. Note that if there is no non-designated character, or if the non-designated character is not caused to act, the process of step S309 may be skipped.

Through the processing up to step S309, action instructions for each character are finalized. Thereafter, the game control unit 35 calculates the actions of each character so that the determined instructions are reflected (step S310). The calculation order is performed according to the action order held in the status data Ds. When the calculation of the action is completed, the game control unit 35 records the calculation result in the status data Ds (step S311), and then proceeds to the process of FIG. 31. Note that the calculation result recorded in step S311 describes the action of each character and also describes the state of the field and character at the time of completion of the action. In the calculation in step S310, the presence or absence of a state that occurs as a result of the character's actions, for example, an abnormal state such as "fatigue" is also determined by the calculation.

Proceeding to FIG. 31, the game control unit 35 determines whether or not the murder occurrence condition is satisfied at the end of the current action phase, according to the calculation result recorded in the status data Ds (step S321), and The flag is set to 1 (step S322). On the other hand, if the killing occurrence condition is not satisfied in step S321, the game control unit 35 determines whether a kill check has occurred based on the calculation result held in the status data Ds (step S323), If it has occurred, the kill check flag is set to 1 (step S324). If the flag is set in step S322 or step S324, or if a negative determination is made in step S323, the game control unit 35 proceeds to step S325, and records information indicating the fact found in the current action phase in the status data Ds. (Step S325). The revealed facts include, for example, the fact that the character whose second side instruction was given priority in step S306 is outside the target, the fact that the character who moved to three areas in two consecutive turns is outside the target, or When it is determined in S323 that a kill check has occurred, there is the above-mentioned fact derived from the kill check, that is, the relationship between the characters whose possibility of falling under the target and killer is denied.

Next, the game control unit 35 determines whether the game has progressed to a state where the killer can be identified, based on the information already recorded in the status data Ds (including the information recorded in step S325). (Step S326). The information referred to here includes facts derived from the determination results of the positional relationships by the support characters, as will be described later, and combinations of characters that deny the correspondence between the target and the killer in association with the determination results. . As described above, by accumulating these facts, the combination of characters that correspond to the relationship between the target and the killer is gradually narrowed down, and as a result, the killer may be uniquely identifiable. Alternatively, if an "attack" occurs, the killer will also be able to be identified. In step S326, it is determined whether such a state has occurred. If an affirmative determination is made in step S326, the game control unit 35 sets the killer identification flag to 1 (step S327), and then proceeds to the process of FIG. 32. The killer identification flag is a flag for determining whether or not the killer is uniquely identified. If step S326 is negative, step S327 is skipped.

Proceeding to FIG. 32, the game control unit 35 determines whether or not the attack flag is set to 1 (step S341), and if it is set, the character in the character information unit 105 of FIGS. The action order (order) of No. 11 is updated to match the latest action order held in the status data Ds (step S342). As a result, the killer character 11, who has been instructed to perform the "attack" action, moves to the right end, and the player is shown that the character is a killer. When the display of the action order is updated in step S342, or when a negative determination is made in step S341, the game control unit 35 specifies 1 as the action order of the character whose actions are to be displayed (step S343), and It is determined whether or not the character to be displayed is a priority action character that takes action with priority given to instructions from the second side (step S344). If the character to be displayed is the character recorded in step S307 of FIG. 30, an affirmative determination is made in step S344.

If it is determined in step S344 that the character is not a priority action character, the game control unit 35 displays how the character to be displayed behaves according to the calculation results (actions recorded in the status data Ds) in the current turn (step S344). S345). This action may be displayed as a normal action to distinguish it from an action in which the second side instruction is prioritized. On the other hand, if step S344 is determined to be affirmative, the game control unit 35 can determine that the behavior of the character to be displayed in accordance with the calculation result in this turn is a priority behavior in which the instructions from the second side are prioritized. (Step S346). That is, unlike the display of the action in step S345, the character's action is displayed in such a way that it can be determined that the action is the result of the second side instruction being selected with priority in step S306 of FIG. . This display allows the player on the first side to know that the character to be displayed is not the target. Thereafter, the game control unit 35 updates the display of the first identification unit 120a in the identification unit 120 of FIG. 15 so that it can be seen that the character who took the priority action is determined to be outside the target (step S347). FIG. 15 is a display example when "Agatha" is not a target.

After the processing in step S345 or S347, the game control unit 35 determines whether or not the display of the actions of all characters has been completed (step S348). If it has not ended, the game control unit 35 adds 1 to the action order (step S349), and then returns to the process of step S344. By repeating the processes from step S344 to step S349, the behavior of each character is displayed in accordance with the action order. If "attack" is instructed, the "attack" action is displayed last.

When the determination in step S348 is affirmative, the game control unit 35 determines whether the kill check flag is set to 1 (step S350). If set, the game control unit 35 displays the fact revealed from the current kill check, for example, in the manner shown in FIG. 25 (step S351). Thereby, the player on the first side can clearly understand the combination of characters that do not correspond to the relationship between the target and the killer through the kill check. Note that when the process of step S351 is performed, the kill check flag is reset in preparation for the next turn. When the process of step S351 is completed or a negative determination is made in step S350, the action phase process of FIGS. 30 to 32 is completed, and the game control unit 35 proceeds to step S111 of FIG. 28.

(4) Processing after the action phase Step S111 and subsequent steps are processes for ending the turn and advancing the game according to the action results of each character in one turn. In step S111, the game control unit 35 determines whether the kill flag is set to 1 (step S111). If the murder occurrence condition is satisfied in the action phase processing of the current turn, the murder flag is set to 1, and if it is not satisfied, it is not set (steps S321 and S322 in FIG. 31). If the flag is not set, the game control unit 35 determines whether an opportunity to provide information has arrived (step S112). For example, in the example of FIG. 9, if the current turn is "night", it is determined that the opportunity to provide information has arrived. When an opportunity to provide information has arrived, the game control unit 35 executes information provision processing by the support character (step S113). When the process of step S113 is completed, the game control unit 35 proceeds to step S114. If a negative determination is made in step S112, step S113 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S114.

In step S114, the game control unit 35 determines whether the killer identification flag is set to 1 or not. The killer identification flag is set, for example, in step S327 of FIG. 31, but may also be set in the information provision process of step S113. This point will be discussed later. If a negative determination is made in step S114, the game control unit 35 determines whether the current turn is turn 10 (the tenth turn) set as the final turn (step S115). If it is not turn 10, the game control unit 35 adds 1 to the turn number (step S116), and determines whether the turn after the addition is a morning turn on any of the second to fourth days. (Step S117). If it is the morning turn, the game control unit 35 determines that it is time to eat, updates the status of each character depending on whether or not each character has food, and stores the updated status as status data Ds. (Step S118). This may result in a character having abnormal status such as "hungry" or "dying". After the process in step S118 or after a negative determination is made in step S117, the game control unit 35 returns to step S106 in FIG. 27. This starts the next turn.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S115 that it is turn 10, the game control unit 35 determines that the game has progressed to turn 10 with no killer identified, and executes the process of the deduction phase (step S115). S121). In this process, as described above, the first side player is presented with six characters, has the first side player specify which character is judged to be the killer, and depending on whether the designation is correct or not, the first side player wins or This is a process of determining the play result as a draw. If the player's own player is on the second side, that player is not given the opportunity to specify. In this case, the designation made by the player on the first side may be presented to the player on the second side.

On the other hand, if the killer identification flag is set to 1 in step S114, the game control unit 35 determines whether the current turn is a special turn or not (step S131). A special turn is a one-time, final turn given after the turn in which the situation that uniquely identifies the killer occurs. If the current turn is not a special turn, that is, if the killer can be identified in this turn, the game control unit 35 sets the next turn as a special turn (step S132), and then proceeds to step S107 in FIG. return. On the other hand, if step S131 is affirmatively determined, that is, if the current turn is a special turn, the game control unit 35 determines that the killing occurrence condition is not satisfied in the special turn (step S111 is ), the play result is determined to be a victory for the player on the first side (step S133).

If the murder flag is set to 1 in step S111, the game control unit 35 determines that a murder has occurred, and displays a predetermined video depicting a killer killing a target (step S141). Subsequently, the game control unit 35 determines the play result as a victory for the player on the second side (step S142). When the play result is determined in step S121, S133, or S142, the game control unit 35 proceeds to step S151 and executes certain processing to end the game. For example, processes similar to end processes in various games may be executed, such as displaying play results and updating play data Dp of each player according to play results. When the process of step S151 is completed, the game control process ends.

(5) Information Providing Opportunity Processing FIG. 33 shows an example of the procedure of the information providing process executed as the subroutine process of step S113 in FIG. 28. When the information provision process is started, the game control unit 35 acquires the field and character states recorded in the status data Ds (step S401). In this case, at least the position of each character in the field is obtained. Next, the game control unit 35 determines whether or not the target character and the killer character are located within a distance range that serves as a reference for positional relationship determination, for example, within three areas (step S402). . Furthermore, the game control unit 35 acquires facts already known in previous turns from the status data Ds (step S403). For example, the fact recorded in step S325 of FIG. 31 and updated in the previous process of FIG. 33 is acquired.

After that, the game control unit 35 integrates the determination result in step S402 and the fact acquired in step S403, and updates the derived fact regarding the possibility of the relationship between the target and the killer (step S404). As illustrated in FIG. 22, in this process, when each character is assumed to be a target, it is determined based on the determination result in step S402 whether or not another character can be established as a killer. By integrating the fact that the character is known to be a non-target character and the fact derived from the kill check, it is determined whether or not there is a possibility that there is a relationship between the target and the killer, as illustrated in Figure 22. This corresponds to the process of deriving correspondence. In the status data Ds, data corresponding to the correspondence table in FIG. 22 is recorded, and each time the fact that the target is found to be outside the target or the fact that the possibility of the relationship between the target and the killer is denied occurs. The data can be updated to reflect newly discovered facts.

Next, the game control unit 35 determines whether the situation is such that the killer can be uniquely identified (step S405), and if it is possible to identify the killer, sets the killer identification flag to 1 (step S406). If the situation is not such that the killer can be identified, step S406 is skipped. These processes are similar to steps S325 and S326 in FIG. 31, but are to cope with the possibility that a killer may be identified due to the determination of the positional relationship in step S402. . That is, by adding a new determination result in step S402, a combination of characters may be created in which the possibility of the relationship between the target and the killer is newly denied. As a result of this negation, combinations that still have a possibility of being the target and the killer may be narrowed down, and the killer may be identified. Steps S405 and S406 are processes for reflecting such a state in the killer identification flag.

After the process of step S406 is completed or a negative determination is made in step S405, the game control unit 35 transmits the determination result of step S402 in the current information provision process and the facts found from the determination result to the first side. is displayed to the player (step S407). The display may use, for example, the first information section 131 and the second information section 132 of the information providing screen 130 shown in FIG. 23. When the display in step S407 ends, the game control unit 35 finishes the information providing process in FIG. 33 and proceeds to step S114 in FIG. 28.

In the above embodiment, the game control unit 35 functions as an example of the game setting means by executing the processes of steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 27, and the command phase process in FIG. 29 and the action phase process in FIGS. 30 to 32. It functions as an example of a behavior control means by executing steps S321 and S322 in FIG. 31 and as an example of an event control means by executing steps S141 in FIG. By executing the information providing process of S401 to S407 and the process of step S351 of FIG. 32, it functions as an example of an information providing means, and by executing the process of step S121, S133, or S142 of FIG. functions as

The present invention is not limited to the form described above, and may be implemented in forms with various modifications or changes. For example, in the above embodiment, the target character is classified into the first type, and the killer and normal characters are classified into the second type, but the classification may be changed as appropriate. It is also possible to classify killer characters into a first type and target and normal characters into a second type. In that case, for setting restrictions according to the instruction relationship between the character type and the player's side, the relationship shown in FIG. 34 may be set, for example, instead of the relationship shown in FIG. 13 or 14. can. In the example of FIG. 34, a restriction is applied to the first side that allows the first type of killer to act as long as the instructions do not overlap with instructions from the second side, and the second side prioritizes the killer. Has the authority to act. On the other hand, regarding the second type of target and normal, action authority is set equally for the first side and the second side. In this example, when the first side tries to make the killer act, there are restrictions compared to other cases, so it is possible to narrow down the killer based on the difference. In the example of FIG. 34, contrary to the above embodiment, the play result may be determined depending on whether or not the first side can identify the target, and the provision of information by the support character can be realized using a similar mechanism.

In the above embodiment, the event is set in which the killer kills the target, but the content of the event may be changed as appropriate, and the role set for the character may also be changed as appropriate depending on the content of the event. The event occurrence condition may be set in association with the behavior of a character to which at least a first role and a second role are respectively set, and the behavior of a character to which a further role is set, such as the above-mentioned normal character. Settings associated with this are not necessarily required. Furthermore, it is not essential that roles other than the first and second roles be set. On the other hand, the character group may include characters that are set with additional roles in addition to the target, killer, and normal roles described above.

The game play result is not limited to the example that is determined depending on whether an event occurs or not, and the success or failure of identifying a character assigned any role. The play result does not necessarily have to be determined as the final result of a single game. For example, a modification is possible in which a game is divided into multiple stages and the play results in one division are determined as in the above format.

The information provided by the information providing means is sufficient as long as it shows at least the determination result of the positional relationship, and it indicates the information that indicates the fact derived from the determination result, or the fact that is derived by further integrating the facts derived from the actions of the character. Provision of information may be omitted as appropriate. However, for the purpose of providing the above-mentioned additional information and reference information for the purpose of reducing or eliminating the possibility that the player will overlook or forget various facts that become clear as the game progresses, it is for the convenience of the player. may be executed as appropriate.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the embodiments and modifications described above will be described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, corresponding components illustrated in the accompanying drawings will be added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated form. It's not something you can do.

A computer program (Pg) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first character (11T) and a second character (11K) each having a first and second role to be played in a predetermined event, A computer program for a game that causes a computer (30) to function to provide a game in which a group of characters including 1 and a third character (11N) in which neither of the second roles is set acts in a field (10). A first computer in which a plurality of players instruct the computer to act on at least some of the characters so that an event occurrence condition associated with each of the actions of the first character and the second character does not hold. It is divided into a side (S1) and a second side (S2) that instructs the actions of at least some characters so that the event occurrence condition is satisfied, and the first side includes the first character, the second side, and the second side (S2). It is not known which characters each of the character and the third character are, and the second side is not informed which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. A game setting means (35, S101 to S104) that sets the notified state as a basic state to play the game, obtains instructions given from each player of the first side and the second side, and a behavior control means (35, S201 to S231, S301 to S351) that controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on instructions given to the character group, and when the event occurrence condition is satisfied, the first role and the second role event control means (35, S321, S322, S141) that generates an event corresponding to It is configured to function as an information providing means (35, S401 to S407, S351) that determines whether or not the object is located within the range and provides information indicating the determination result to the first side. .

A game system (1) according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first character (11T) and a second character (11K) each having a first and a second role to play in a predetermined event, and a second character (11K), 1 and a third character (11N) in which neither of the second roles is set. and a first side in which a plurality of players instruct the computer to take actions of at least some of the characters so that event occurrence conditions associated with actions of the first character and the second character do not hold. (S1) and a second side (S2) that instructs the actions of at least some characters so that the event occurrence condition is satisfied, and the first side has the first character, the second character and the second side is not informed which character each of the third characters is, and the second side is not informed which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. a game setting means (35, S101 to S104) that sets the state as a basic state and plays the game; obtains instructions given from each player of the first side and the second side; A behavior control means (35, S201 to S231, S301 to S351) that controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on an instruction, and when the event occurrence condition is satisfied, the first role and the second role are changed. An event control means (35, S321, S322, S141) that generates a corresponding event and an information provision opportunity that occurs during play of the game, the first character and the second character are arranged within a predetermined distance range. The device functions as an information providing means (35, S401 to S407, S351) that determines whether or not it is located within the range and provides information indicating the determination result to the first side.

A control method for a game system according to one aspect of the present invention provides a first character (11T) and a second character (11K) each having a first and second role to play in a predetermined event, A game system (1) in which a computer (30) functions to provide a game in which a group of characters including a third character (11N) and a third character (11N) to which neither of the second roles is set acts in a field (10). In the control method, a plurality of players instruct the computer to perform actions of at least some of the characters so that event occurrence conditions associated with actions of the first character and the second character do not hold. The first side (S1) is divided into a first side (S1) that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence condition is satisfied, and the first side includes the first character, It is not known which character each of the second character and the third character is, and the second side is not informed which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. a game setting means (35, S101 to S104) for playing the game by setting the state in which the existence of the information has been informed as a basic state, and acquiring instructions given from each player of the first side and the second side; , a behavior control means (35, S201 to S231, S301 to S351) that controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on the obtained instructions, and when the event occurrence condition is satisfied, the first role and the first An event control means (35, S321, S322, S141) that generates an event corresponding to the role of 2, and an information provision opportunity that occurs during play of the game, the first character and the second character The device functions as an information providing means (35, S401 to S407, S351) that determines whether or not the vehicle is located within a distance range of , and provides information indicating the determination result to the first side.

According to the above aspect, if it is determined whether or not the first character and the second character are located within a predetermined distance range, the determination result and each character in the field at the information provision occasion where the determination was made are By comparing the positional relationships of the characters, it is possible to narrow down character combinations that may or may not correspond to the relationship between the first character and the second character. For example, if a determination result indicating that they are not located is obtained, the possibility that the relationship between the first character and the second character corresponds to the characters located within a predetermined distance range in the field is denied. be done. On the other hand, if a determination result indicating that they are located is obtained, it is possible that the relationship between characters that are not located within a predetermined distance range in the field corresponds to the relationship between the first character and the second character. Gender is denied. Therefore, the player on the first side is able to narrow down the characters that are likely to be the first character and the second character and estimate those characters using the determination result of the information providing means as a clue.

In the above aspect, the instruction from the player may include a movement instruction to move the character within a predetermined upper limit, and the event occurrence condition may include the first character as a requirement for establishment. and the second character are in a predetermined positional relationship, and the distance range includes a positional requirement that is satisfied when the second character and It may be set as a range in which there is a possibility that the positional requirement will be satisfied. According to this, when the determination result regarding the distance range is positive, that is, the determination result that the first character and the second character are located within the distance range, depending on the subsequent movement instruction for the character, The player on the first side recognizes that there is a possibility that the positional requirement will be met and, by extension, the event occurrence condition will be met. Therefore, regarding the discrimination by the information providing means, it is possible to produce desirable effects such as increasing the tension in the game or increasing predictability.

The information providing means may provide the first character with additional information indicating a fact that can be derived from the determination result regarding the distance range regarding the possibility that the first character and the second character correspond to each other. You may also provide more for the sides. As mentioned above, from the determination result of whether or not the first character and the second character are located within a predetermined distance range, the possibility that the relationship between the first character and the second character corresponds is denied, or It is possible to narrow down character combinations whose possibilities cannot be denied. Such a fact can be logically derived from the determination result and the positional relationship of the characters on the field, but if information indicating such a fact is provided as additional information, the player on the first side can It is possible to prevent the risk of overlooking or forgetting the facts derived from the discrimination results, and to steadily proceed with the estimation of the first character and the second character.

Regarding the control of the behavior of the character, the behavior control means may include the possibility of giving the instructions from the first side to each of the first character, the second character, and the third character to cause them to act; While ensuring the possibility of moving the second character and the third character from the second side, the first side provides a clue for determining whether or not the second character corresponds to the first character. The control of the behavior is differentiated and executed according to the instruction relationship between the character and the player's side, and the information providing means may correspond to the correspondence relationship between the first character and the second character. The additional information may be provided to indicate a fact that can be derived from the fact obtained through the differentiation of behavioral control and the determination result regarding the distance range. When behavior control is differentiated according to the command relationship between the character and the player's side, a difference will occur in the character's behavior due to the differentiation, and this difference will be used as a clue to control the behavior of the first character and the second character. In some cases, it may be possible to derive facts regarding whether the character or the third character corresponds to the character or the third character. If such facts and facts derived from determining the distance range are provided as additional information, the player on the first side can more steadily narrow down the characters that may correspond to the first and second characters. be able to.

The information providing means may provide the additional information so as to indicate whether there is a possibility that another character corresponds to the second character when each character is assumed to be the first character. By providing additional information in this manner, the first side player can more clearly narrow down the characters that may correspond to the first character and the second character.

The event occurrence condition may be set so that success or failure changes in association with the action of the third character. According to this, each player needs to give instructions to the character while also being aware of the actions of the third character, and for the player on the first side, while estimating the first and second characters, It becomes necessary to also estimate the character and take its actions into consideration. Therefore, the strategic nature of the game can be enhanced, and the game can be made more interesting.

The action control means changes the state of at least one of the first character, the second character, and the third character according to the action of the character, and the event occurrence condition is the state of the character. The success or failure may be set to change depending on whether or not the is in a specific state. In this case, it becomes necessary to take the character's state into consideration when causing the character to act. Therefore, it is possible to further enhance the strategic nature of the game and further improve the interest of the game.

The information providing means is configured to provide information to the first character when a situation occurs in which the event occurrence condition is not satisfied despite the fact that the event occurrence condition is apparently satisfied due to the actions of each character. and the second character, the first side may further be provided with reference information indicating a fact that can be derived from a situation in which the event occurrence condition is not satisfied. good. Since the player on the first side is not informed of which of the first to third characters are, even if the event occurrence conditions appear to be true, the event occurrence conditions may not be true due to differences in the correspondence between the characters. arise. In that case, certain facts regarding the correspondence between characters can be derived from the fact that the event did not occur. If such facts are provided as reference information, it is possible to prevent the first side player from overlooking or forgetting the facts, and it is possible to reliably provide the first side player with further clues to narrow down the first and second characters. It is.

The action control means includes an instruction opportunity for each of the first side and the second side to instruct the action, and an action opportunity for causing each character to act based on the instruction given in the instruction opportunity. The game may be advanced by repeating turns. In this case, by repeating the turns in which the characters act based on instructions given by each player, the game progresses so that the player on the first side gradually acquires clues to narrow down the first and second characters. can be done.

If the event occurs, the second side is considered to have won and the play result of the game is determined, and if the event does not occur and the game progresses to a predetermined end time, the first side Confirmation means (35, S121) for causing a side to specify which character the second character is, and for determining the play result as a victory for the first side if the second character is correctly specified; , S133, S142), the computer may further function. In order for the player on the first side to win, it is necessary not only to make the event occurrence condition fail, but also to correctly estimate the second character. Therefore, it is possible to increase the interest of the game by making the narrowing down of characters who play a role function as a factor in determining the outcome of the game.

Note that the computer program according to each aspect of the present invention may be provided in a state stored in a storage medium. If this storage medium is used, the system of the present invention can be realized using the computer, for example, by installing and executing the computer program according to the present invention on the computer. The storage medium storing the computer program may be a non-transitory storage medium such as a CDROM.

1 Game system 10 Field 11 Character 11T Target character (first character)
11K Killer character (second character)
11N Normal character (3rd character)
30 Control unit (computer)
35 Game control section 100 Game screen 105 Character information section 120 Identification section 130, 140 Information provision screen C1 First type C2 Second type Pg Game program S1 First side S2 Second side

Claims (12)

A character group including a first character and a second character each having a first and second role to play in a predetermined event, and a third character having neither the first nor second role. A gaming computer program that causes a computer to function to provide a game in which players act in a field,
The computer,
A first side in which a plurality of players instruct the actions of at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence conditions associated with the actions of each of the first character and the second character do not hold; and a second side that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that the action is established, and the first side includes which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. The game is played by setting as a basic state a state in which the second side is informed of which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. Game setting means for playing;
Behavior control means that acquires instructions given from each player of the first side and the second side, and controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on the obtained instructions;
an event control means for generating an event corresponding to the first role and the second role when the event generation condition is satisfied;
At an information provision opportunity that occurs while playing the game, it is determined whether or not the first character and the second character are located within a predetermined distance range, and information indicating the determination result is transmitted to the first character. A computer program configured to function as a means for providing information to a user. The instruction from the player may include a movement instruction to move the character within a predetermined upper limit,
The event occurrence condition includes a positional requirement that is satisfied when the first character and the second character are in a predetermined positional relationship, as requirements necessary for the event to occur,
2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the distance range is set as a range in which the positional requirement may be satisfied if the character moves in response to an instruction given after the information provision opportunity. program. The information providing means may provide the first character with additional information indicating a fact that can be derived from the determination result regarding the distance range regarding the possibility that the first character and the second character correspond to each other. The computer program according to claim 1 or 2, further provided for a side. Regarding the control of the behavior of the character, the behavior control means may include the possibility of giving the instructions from the first side to each of the first character, the second character, and the third character to cause them to act; While ensuring the possibility of moving the second character and the third character from the second side, the first side provides a clue for determining whether or not the second character corresponds to the first character. Differentiating and executing the control of the action according to the instruction relationship between the character and the player's side,
The information providing means derives the possibility that the first character and the second character correspond to each other based on the fact obtained through the differentiation of the behavioral control and the determination result regarding the distance range. 4. The computer program product according to claim 3, wherein the additional information is provided to indicate a fact that a possible event is possible. 5. The information providing means provides the additional information in a manner that indicates whether or not there is a possibility that another character corresponds to the second character when each character is assumed to be the first character. The computer program described. 6. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the event occurrence condition is set so that success or failure changes in association with the action of the third character. The behavior control means changes the state of at least one of the first character, the second character, or the third character according to the behavior of the character,
7. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the event occurrence condition is set such that success or failure changes depending on whether or not the character is in a specific state. The information providing means is configured to provide information to the first character when a situation occurs in which the event occurrence condition is not satisfied despite the fact that the event occurrence condition is apparently satisfied due to the actions of each character. 1. Further providing reference information to the first side regarding the possibility that the corresponding relationship between the character and the second character corresponds to the fact that can be derived from the situation where the event occurrence condition is not satisfied. 7. The computer program according to any one of 7. The action control means includes an instruction opportunity for each of the first side and the second side to instruct the action, and an action opportunity for causing each character to act based on the instruction given in the instruction opportunity. 9. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the game progresses by repeating turns. If the event occurs, the second side is considered to have won and the play result of the game is determined, and if the event does not occur and the game progresses to a predetermined end time, the first side The computer is used as a confirmation means for causing a side to specify which character the second character is, and determining the play result as a victory for the first side when the second character is correctly specified. Computer program according to any one of claims 1 to 9, configured to perform further functions. A character group including a first character and a second character each having a first and second role to play in a predetermined event, and a third character having neither the first nor second role. A game system comprising a computer operative to provide a game in which a person acts in a field, the game system comprising:
The computer,
A first side in which a plurality of players instruct the actions of at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence conditions associated with the actions of each of the first character and the second character do not hold; and a second side that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that the action is established, and the first side includes which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. The game is played by setting as a basic state a state in which the second side is informed of which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. Game setting means for playing;
Behavior control means that acquires instructions given from each player of the first side and the second side, and controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on the obtained instructions;
an event control means for generating an event corresponding to the first role and the second role when the event generation condition is satisfied;
At an information provision opportunity that occurs while playing the game, it is determined whether or not the first character and the second character are located within a predetermined distance range, and information indicating the determination result is transmitted to the first character. A game system that functions as a means of providing information to the side. A character group including a first character and a second character each having a first and second role to play in a predetermined event, and a third character having neither the first nor second role. A method for controlling a game system that causes a computer to function to provide a game in which players act in a field, the method comprising:
The computer,
A first side in which a plurality of players instruct the actions of at least some of the characters so that the event occurrence conditions associated with the actions of each of the first character and the second character do not hold; and a second side that instructs the actions of at least some of the characters so that the action is established, and the first side includes which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. The game is played by setting as a basic state a state in which the second side is informed of which character each of the first character, the second character, and the third character is. Game setting means for playing;
Behavior control means that acquires instructions given from each player of the first side and the second side, and controls the behavior of each character of the character group based on the obtained instructions;
an event control means for generating an event corresponding to the first role and the second role when the event generation condition is satisfied;
At an information provision opportunity that occurs while playing the game, it is determined whether or not the first character and the second character are located within a predetermined distance range, and information indicating the determination result is transmitted to the first character. A method of controlling a game system that functions as a means of providing information to a side.

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