JP2024062815A - Game program and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To promote voice chat in a game using a computer. [Solution] A computer is made to function as a character control unit 562 that operates a plurality of characters in a virtual space in response to operations by a plurality of users, and a chat control unit 233 that controls voice chat between users. In a predetermined game situation, the chat control unit 233 outputs a message to a predetermined user encouraging him or her to make a statement by voice chat. [Selected Figure] Figure 4

Description

This disclosure relates to a game program and a game system.

Some computer-based games allow multiple players to chat with each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the example of Patent Document 1, players in the same game situation are allowed to chat with each other.

JP 2012-40055 A

Even if the game situation is the same, some players may not participate in chat (make no comments).

This disclosure aims to promote voice chat in computer-based games.

A first aspect includes a computer comprising:
a character control unit that causes a plurality of characters to move in a virtual space in response to respective operations by a plurality of users;
a chat control unit that controls a voice chat between the users;
The chat control unit is a game program that outputs a message encouraging a predetermined user to make a comment through the voice chat in a predetermined game situation.

In the above aspect,
The chat control unit may select a user based on a predetermined priority, and output the message to the selected user.

In the above aspect,
The priority may be determined for each user based on the usage time of the virtual space for each user.

In the above aspect,
The priority may be determined for each user based on the number of virtual media related to the message owned by each user.

In the above aspect,
The priority may be determined for each user based on the number of comments made by each user in the voice chat.

In the above aspect,
The priority may be determined for each user depending on the user's current or past role in the virtual space.

In the above aspect,
The chat control unit may output a message to the user prompting the user to explain game content.

In the above aspect,
the plurality of users includes a first user and a second user;
The chat control unit may, when a role of the first user in the virtual space is changed, output the message to the second user prompting the second user to explain the role.

In the above aspect,
the plurality of users includes a first user and a second user;
The chat control unit may, when the first user acquires a virtual medium in the virtual space for the first time, output a message to the second user prompting the second user to explain the virtual medium.

A second aspect includes a storage unit that stores the virtual space control program of the above aspect,
A control unit that executes the virtual space control program;
It is a game system equipped with

This disclosure makes it possible to promote voice chat in computer-based games.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the game device. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the game system.

[Embodiment]
As an embodiment of the game program and the game system, a game system 1 that executes the game program will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game system 1 in the embodiment.

Games played by game system 1 are played in a virtual space (three-dimensional). There are no limitations on the type of game. For example, the game can be a competitive action game in which a player character attacks and defeats enemy characters (e.g., monsters). In this embodiment, the following is assumed as an example of a game.

In this game, player characters may be organized into groups. In this game, players can take on quests (tasks to be accomplished in the game) as a group. Of course, in this game, player characters can also act independently in the virtual space.

In this game, users can chat with each other using voice (hereafter referred to as voice chat). Each user can enable or disable the voice chat function.

In this game, each user (player character) is assigned a role within the virtual space. Roles can be, for example, a position in the virtual space such as host, leader, guild master, etc., or an occupation in the virtual space such as hunter, merchant, etc. When certain conditions are met, a user can change his or her role. The conditions for changing roles can be determined arbitrarily by the game developer.

In this game, the player character has a set stamina value. When certain conditions are met, the stamina value increases or decreases depending on the conditions.

Hardware Configuration
<overview>
The game system 1 includes a server device 2. The server device 2 is configured so that a plurality of game devices 5 can communicate with each other via a communication network 6 (e.g., the Internet). Although two game devices 5 are shown in Fig. 1, a greater number of game devices 5 may be connected to the game system 1. In the game system 1, a game is played while these game devices 5 and the server device 2 communicate with each other.

<Configuration of Server Device 2>
The server device 2 matches users (players) with each other, manages the progress of the game, etc. For example, the server device 2 manages game data of the game device 5. The server device 2 stores various programs and data for managing the progress of the game, etc.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 2. The server device 2 includes a network interface 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The network interface 21 and the storage unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via a bus 29.

The network interface 21 is communicatively connected to the game device 5 via a communication network 6 (communication network) such as the Internet or a LAN.

The storage unit 22 is composed of a HDD, SSD, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including game data and parts of the game program.

The control unit 23 controls the operation of the server device 2. The control unit 23 includes a CPU (microcomputer) and a semiconductor memory (not shown). The semiconductor memory stores programs for operating the CPU, etc.

<Configuration of Game Device 5>
The game device 5 executes a game based on the operation of a player. The game device 5 may be, for example, a personal computer, a PlayStation (registered trademark), an Xbox (registered trademark), a PlayStation Vita (registered trademark), a Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or other commercially available device.

The game device 5 may receive (download) a game program and game data from the server device 2 via the communication network 6. Upon receiving the game program, etc., the game device 5 installs the received game program, etc.

The game device 5 starts the game based on the operation of each player. The game device 5 progresses the game while outputting game images and sounds to the display 61 and speaker 62 (both described below) based on the operation of each user. As described above, users can use the game device 5 to engage in voice chat.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the game device 5. The game device 5 has a display 61, a speaker 62, and a controller 63 either externally connected or built-in.

The game device 5 has a network interface 51, a graphics processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a memory unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface 51, the graphics processing unit 52, the audio processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, and the memory unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via a bus 59.

The network interface 51 is communicatively connected to the communication network 6. The network interface 51 realizes the transmission and reception of various data between the game device 5 and the server device 2 via the communication network 6.

The graphics processing unit 52 is connected to the display 61. The display 61 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The graphics processing unit 52 renders game images including various objects related to the virtual space in a moving image format according to the game image information output from the control unit 56. The game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the display 61 as a game screen.

The audio processing unit 53 is connected to the speaker 62. The audio processing unit 53 plays and synthesizes game sounds according to the instructions of the control unit 56, and outputs them from the speaker 62.

The audio processing unit 53 accepts audio input from the user via a microphone (not shown) connected to the game device 5. The audio processing unit 53 outputs audio data to the server device 2 according to the control of the control unit 56.

The operation unit 54 is connected to the controller 63. The operation unit 54 transmits and receives data related to operation inputs to and from the controller 63. Each user inputs operation signals to the game device 5 by operating various controls such as buttons on the controller 63.

The storage unit 55 is composed of a HDD, SSD, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 55 stores game data downloaded from the server device 2, various programs including parts of the game program, etc.

The control unit 56 controls the operation of the game device 5. The control unit 56 includes a CPU (microcomputer) and a semiconductor memory (not shown). The semiconductor memory stores programs for operating the CPU, etc.

<Functional configuration of the control unit 56 in the game device 5>
The control unit 56 functions as a matching request unit 561, a character control unit 562, a chat switching unit 563, and a voice transmission/reception unit 564 as a result of the CPU executing various programs (see FIG. 3).

Matching request unit 561
The matching request unit 561 transmits a signal (matching request) requesting matching (joining a group in this game) to the server device 2 in response to a user operation. At that time, the matching request is transmitted to the server device 2 via the network interface 51. The matching request includes information indicating an intention to join a group, a user ID, a user level, and other information.

The matching request unit 561 waits for a matching notification to be sent from the server device 2. The matching notification is information (signal) indicating the success or failure of matching. The matching notification may include information on the members of the group (e.g., information such as the user's level and user ID).

If matching is successful, the matching request unit 561 writes predetermined information (hereinafter, matching information) to the semiconductor memory of the control unit 56. The matching information includes, for example, information that identifies the group to which the user belongs. The matching information is used to control voice chat, record game results, and so on. If matching is unsuccessful, the matching request unit 561 notifies the user of that fact.

-Character control section 562-
The character control unit 562 operates the player character in the virtual space in response to the user's operation. The character control unit 562 also operates the non-player characters and predetermined objects in the virtual space. The character control unit 562 controls the actions of the non-player characters and predetermined objects by, for example, AI (artificial intelligence).

--Chat switching section 563--
The chat switching unit 563 switches the voice chat function of the user on and off in response to the user's operation. In this embodiment, the user switches the voice chat on and off by operating a user interface such as a button displayed on the display 61 with the controller 63. The chat switching unit 563 transmits information on whether the chat function is on or off to the server device 2.

- Audio transmission/reception unit 564 -
The audio transmission/reception unit 564 transmits and receives audio in audio chat. For example, when audio chat is on, the audio transmission/reception unit 564 transmits the user's voice input to the audio processing unit 53 as digital data (hereinafter referred to as chat signal) to the server device 2. When audio chat is set to off, the audio transmission/reception unit 564 does not transmit chat signals.

When the audio transmission/reception unit 564 receives a chat signal from the server device 2, it outputs the chat signal to the audio processing unit 53. The audio processing unit 53 converts the chat signal received from the audio transmission/reception unit 564 into an analog signal and outputs it to the speaker 62.

<Functional configuration of the control unit 23 in the server device 2>
The control unit 23 functions as a matching unit 231, a game status monitoring unit 232, and a chat control unit 233 as a result of the CPU executing various programs (see FIG. 2).

--Matching section 231--
The matching unit 231 accepts and processes a matching request received from the game device 5. Specifically, the matching unit 231 determines (matches) members to form a group from among a plurality of users who have transmitted a matching request, using information contained in the matching request. Matching criteria may be determined arbitrarily by the developer of the game. The matching unit 231 transmits a matching notification to each member (user) of the group.

-Game status monitoring unit 232-
The game status monitoring unit 232 monitors the game status, and in the case of a predetermined game status, generates a signal indicating the status (hereinafter referred to as a status signal). The game status monitoring unit 232 outputs the generated status signal to the chat control unit 233. Examples of situations in which the game status monitoring unit 232 outputs a status signal are given below.

(Situation 1) A user who is participating in the game for the first time logs in. (Situation 2) The user's role (occupation, etc.) is changed. (Situation 3) The user obtains a virtual medium for the first time. (Situation 4) The player character's vitality value decreases. (Situation 5) Combat with an enemy is started. (Situation 6) The player character reaches a fork in the road. Of course, these situations are merely examples, and the game status monitoring unit 232 may detect even more types of game statuses and output status signals.

--Chat control unit 233--
The chat control unit 233 relays chat signals. Specifically, the chat control unit 233 transmits chat signals received by the server device 2 from a user to users in the same group as the user. The chat control unit 233 may also transmit chat signals received from a user to users who do not belong to the user's group.

The chat control unit 233 outputs a voice message to a specific user in a specific game situation, encouraging the user to make a comment via voice chat. The "specific game situation" is the game situation detected by the game situation monitoring unit 232.

Messages can be output in a variety of ways (presentations). For example, messages can be output as utterances from a non-player character accompanying the player character, or from a game item such as a walkie-talkie carried by the player character.

The chat control unit 233 selects a "predetermined user" to which the message is to be output based on a predetermined priority. In the game system 1, the chat control unit 233 selects a priority calculation method (described below) depending on the game situation. Once the priority has been calculated, the chat control unit 233 selects the user with the highest priority in the group as the message output destination.

The chat control unit 233 manages messages to be output in a database. This database can be configured so that the message to be output and the method of calculating the priority can be searched for, for example, using the game situation as a key. In this case, it is recommended to use an ID number (numeric value) representing the game situation as the key (game situation).

Below are examples of messages associated with game situations (examples are given as situation 1, situation 2, etc.) and how to calculate the priority of those messages.

(Situation 1: When a user logs in to play the game for the first time)
In situation 1, the chat control unit 233 outputs, for example, the following message example 1.

Message example 1: "Mr./Ms. XX, please explain the rules of the game to the first-time players!"
Message example 1 is a message that prompts an explanation of the game content to users other than those participating in the game for the first time.

Regarding message example 1, it is conceivable to use play time (in other words, time spent using the virtual space) as the priority. This is because it is believed that the longer a person plays the game, the more familiar they are with the game's rules. For example, the chat control unit 233 sets a higher priority for people in a group who have been playing for longer periods of time.

Depending on the content of the message, when determining priority based on play time, it may be calculated so that the shorter the play time, the higher the priority.

(Situation 2: When the role of a user (assumed to be the first user) is changed)
In situation 2, the chat control unit 233 outputs, for example, the following message example 2.

Message example 2: "Mr. XX, please give me some advice about role △△!"
Message example 2 is a message that, when the role of a first user in a virtual space is changed, prompts another user (second user) to explain that role.

The priority for message example 2 may be determined for each user depending on the user's current or past role in the virtual space. Specifically, the chat control unit 233 sets the priority of a user who currently or previously has the same role as the first user higher than that of a user who has a different role from the first user.

(Situation 3: When a user (first user) acquires a virtual medium for the first time)
In situation 3, the chat control unit 233 outputs, for example, the following message example 3.

Message example 3: "Mr. XX, please teach me how to use △△!"
Message example 3 is a message that prompts a first user to explain a virtual medium (game medium such as an in-game item) in a virtual space to another user (second user) when the first user acquires the virtual medium for the first time.

The priority of message example 3 may be determined for each user based on the number of virtual media related to the message owned by each user. More specifically, the priority of message example 3 may be set higher the more virtual media owned by the user.

(Situation 4: When the player character's physical strength value decreases)
In situation 4, the chat control unit 233 outputs, for example, the following message example 4.

Message example 4: "Are you physically fit? ..."
Message example 4 is a message suggesting an action to recover a vitality value when there is a player character whose vitality value is decreasing or whose vitality value has fallen below a threshold value. The priority of message example 4 can use the vitality value of the player character.

Specifically, for message example 4, the lower the stamina value of the character being handled, the higher the priority is set. In a game that has an item (game medium) that restores stamina value, it is also conceivable to give a higher priority to users who have a lot of that item.

(Situation 5: When combat with the enemy begins)
In situation 5, the chat control unit 233 outputs, for example, the following message example 5.

Message example 5: "The enemy is attacking. Do you want to fight back? ..."
Message example 5 is a message that prompts the player to decide how to deal with the enemy. The priority of message example 5 may be determined, for example, using the play time. Specifically, the longer the play time of message example 5, the higher the priority may be set.

(Situation 6: When the player character reaches a fork in the road)
In situation 6, the chat control unit 233 outputs, for example, the following message example 6.

Message example 6 is a message that prompts the player to decide on a course of action. The priority for message example 6 could be determined, for example, using play time. Specifically, for message example 5, the longer the game play time, the higher the priority could be set. Also, the longer the play time in the area where the fork in the road is, the higher the priority could be set.

These methods for setting priorities are merely examples. Priorities could also be determined for each user based on, for example, the number of comments made by each user in voice chat.

The number of comments made by a user can be counted in a variety of ways. For example, you can find the average number of comments made per unit time, count the total number of comments made by each user since the group was formed, or count the total number of comments made by each user since voice chat was enabled.

For example, if you set a higher priority for users who make fewer comments, you can expect more users to participate in the voice chat. If you set a higher priority for users who make more comments, you can expect to prevent chat interruptions.

In addition, in games where you defeat enemy characters (monsters, etc.), you might want to give higher priority to members who have a high enemy defeat rate or survival rate, or members who have a lot of remaining vitality.

Example of operation
4 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the game system 1. In this example, two players (user U1, user U2) participate in the game. Each of users U1 and U2 wishes to participate in a quest with multiple people (group activity).

Each of the users U1 and U2 operates the game device 5 to send a matching request to the server device 2 (steps S01 and S02). In the server device 2, the matching unit 231 accepts the matching request (step S03).

The matching unit 231 uses the information included in the matching request to match the members who will make up the group. In this example, it is assumed that users U1 and U2 have been matched to form one group. The matching unit 231 sends a matching notification to users U1 and U2 (step S04).

In the game device 5 of each user U1, U2, the matching request unit 561 receives the matching notification (steps S05, S06). The matching request unit 561 writes the necessary information to a semiconductor memory or the like.

Here, it is assumed that users U1 and U2 have both performed an operation to turn on voice chat. In response to the operations of users U1 and U2, the chat switching unit 563 sets the voice chat of users U1 and U2 to on.

Once user matching is complete, the server device 2 waits for the game to start. When the game starts, the character control unit 562 of each game device 5 operates the player characters in the virtual space in response to operations by users U1 and U2. The character control unit 562 also operates non-player characters and specified objects in the virtual space.

In the server device 2, the game status monitoring unit 232 monitors the game status (steps S07 and S08). When the game reaches a predetermined status, the game status monitoring unit 232 generates a status signal and outputs it to the chat control unit 233 (step S08).

The chat control unit 233 determines the message to be output depending on the game situation (step S09). The chat control unit 233 also determines the user to which the message will be output (step S09). Here, it is assumed that user U1 has been determined as the message output destination.

Once the message and user have been determined, the chat control unit 233 outputs the message (here, voice) to that user (step S10). In the example of FIG. 4, the chat control unit 233 outputs the message to user U1.

When the chat control unit 233 outputs the message, the game status monitoring unit 232 resumes monitoring the game status. Meanwhile, in the game device 5 of user U1, the audio processing unit 53 receives the message sent by the server device 2 and outputs the message as sound from the speaker 62 (step S11).

A user may reply to a message from the chat control unit 233 (server device 2). Here, it is assumed that user U1 has replied to this message via voice chat.

Specifically, user U1 inputs a reply to the game device 5 through the microphone. Note that even if the player makes a statement in response to a message from the chat control unit 233, the chat control unit 233 will not show any reaction to the statement (such as outputting a message).

In the game device 5, the voice transmission/reception unit 564 transmits the voice input by user U1 as a chat signal to the server device 2 (step S12). In the server device 2, the chat control unit 233 relays the chat signal (step S13). In this example, the chat control unit 233 transmits the chat signal from user U1 to the game device 5 of user U2.

On the game device 5 of user U2, the audio transmission/reception unit 564 receives the chat signal (step S14). On the game device 5 of user U2, the audio transmitted by user U1 is played back.

By the above operations, in the game system 1, a voice chat is established triggered by the message output by the chat control unit 233.

In summary, this aspect is a game program that causes a computer to function as a character control unit 562 that operates multiple characters in a virtual space in response to operations by multiple users, and a chat control unit 233 that controls voice chat between the users, and the chat control unit 233 outputs a message to a specific user encouraging the user to make a comment via the voice chat when a specific game situation occurs.

Effects of this embodiment
As described above, according to this embodiment, a message according to the game situation is output to a predetermined user. This message can be a starting point for chatting. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to promote voice chat in a computer-based game.

[Other embodiments]
If the user has not enabled voice chat, the message may be output and the voice chat may be automatically enabled for the user. If the user has not enabled voice chat, the user may be prompted to enable voice chat. For example, the user may be allowed to select whether or not to enable voice chat.

If a user makes a comment in voice chat after the message is output, the user may be given a reward. An example of the reward may be a game medium, etc.

The message output to the user may be a text message. The message output to the user may be a combination of an audio message and a text message.

Messages from the chat control unit may be output to multiple users simultaneously.

The amount and frequency of messages output from the chat control unit may be adjusted depending on the amount of voice chat conversation during the game. For example, if there is a lot of conversation, the number of messages from the server device 2 may be reduced, and if there is little conversation, the number of messages may be increased.

The function of implementing voice chat may utilize an external program (external system) of the game system 1.

The processing that was previously performed by the game device 5 may be performed by the server instead, or may be shared between the server device 2 and the game device 5.

Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the effects of the present embodiment are achieved. In addition, this embodiment can be combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate.

1. Game System
22 Memory section
23 Control unit (computer)
55 Memory section
56 Control Unit (Computer)
233 Chat Control Unit
562 Character Control Unit
U1 User
U2 User

Claims (10)

Computer,
a character control unit that causes a plurality of characters to move in a virtual space in response to respective operations by a plurality of users;
a chat control unit that controls a voice chat between the users;
The chat control unit outputs a message encouraging a predetermined user to make a comment through the voice chat in a predetermined game situation. In the game program of claim 1,
The chat control unit selects a user based on a predetermined priority and outputs the message to the selected user. In the game program of claim 2,
A game program, wherein the priority is determined for each user based on the usage time of the virtual space for each user. In the game program of claim 2,
A game program, comprising: a game program for playing a game on a computer; a game device for playing a game on a computer; In the game program of claim 2,
A game program, comprising: a game program for playing a game with a user; In the program of claim 2,
A game program in which the priority is determined for each user depending on the user's current or past role in the virtual space. 3. The virtual space control program according to claim 1,
The chat control unit outputs a message to the user prompting the user to explain game content. 3. The virtual space control program according to claim 1,
the plurality of users includes a first user and a second user;
The chat control unit outputs the message prompting the second user to explain a role when the role of the first user in the virtual space is changed. 3. The virtual space control program according to claim 1,
the plurality of users includes a first user and a second user;
The chat control unit outputs a message prompting the second user to explain a virtual medium when the first user acquires the virtual medium in the virtual space for the first time. A storage unit that stores the virtual space control program according to claim 1 or 2;
A control unit that executes the virtual space control program;
A game system equipped with