JP5763602B2 - GAME DEVICE AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device, a game device control method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game devices that execute games related to competition are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a game apparatus that advances a soccer game in response to a user operation in a soccer game and ends the game when the game end timing comes.

JP 2010-233734 A

  In the game as described above, in addition to the player character, there is a character in a neutral position that supports the progress of the game (for example, a character that passes the ball to the player character). If the character of the neutral position can be operated to change the progress of the game, the user or the opponent becomes advantageous or disadvantageous, so that the strategy of the game can be enhanced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game device, a game device control method, and a program capable of improving the game strategy related to competition.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a game apparatus (10) according to the present invention is a game apparatus (10) that executes a game related to a competition in which a user and an opponent battle each other, and play is stopped in the competition. A determination means (74) for determining whether or not a neutral character that is a character different from a player character and performs an action for resuming the competition when play is stopped in the competition The determination means (76) for determining which of the opponents to operate based on the situation of the game, and the determination means (76) determined while the play is stopped in the competition Action control means (78) for causing the neutral character to act in response to an operation of either the user or the opponent, and play in the competition If stopped, the game is resumed after the neutral character performs a predetermined action for restarting the game in accordance with the operation of either the user or the opponent determined by the determining means (76). And restarting means (80).

  Moreover, the control method of the game device (10) according to the present invention is a control method of the game device (10) that executes a game related to a game in which a user and an opponent battle each other, and play is stopped in the game. A determination step (74) for determining whether or not a play is stopped in the game, and a neutral character that is a character different from the player character and performs an action for resuming the game is selected as the user or The determination step (76) for determining which of the opponents to operate based on the game situation, and the determination step (76) while the play is stopped in the competition In the action control step of causing the neutral character to act in response to an operation of either the user or the opponent, When the ray stops, the neutral character performs a predetermined action for resuming the competition in accordance with the operation of either the user or the opponent determined in the determination step (76), and then the competition And a restarting step (80) for restarting.

  Moreover, the control method of the game device (10) according to the present invention is a determination means for determining whether or not play has been stopped in a game for a computer that executes a game related to a game in which a user and an opponent battle each other ( 74) When the play is stopped in the competition, whether the user or the opponent operates a neutral character that is different from the player character and performs an action for restarting the competition. Deciding means (76) for deciding on the basis of the situation of the game; while the play is stopped in the game, either the user or the opponent determined by the deciding means (76) In response, action control means (78) for causing the neutral character to act, and when the play is stopped in the competition, the decision means ( As a restarting means (80) for restarting the game after the neutral character has performed a predetermined action for restarting the game in response to an operation of either the user or the opponent determined in 6). Make it work.

  An information storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium recording the above program.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the strategy of a game related to competition.

  In one aspect of the present invention, in the game, any one of the user and the opponent is associated with a stadium where the competition is performed, and the determining means (76) Based on which opponent is associated with the stadium, the neutral character is determined to be operated by the user or the opponent.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the determining means (76) determines whether the neutral character is operated by the user or the opponent based on a battle situation when play is stopped in the game. It is characterized by that.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the restarting means (80) includes means (80) for determining whether or not the neutral character is not performing the predetermined movement for a reference time or longer, and the reference time When it is determined that the predetermined action is not performed during the above, the game is resumed.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the action control means (78), when play stops in the game, means (78) for operating the neutral character based on a given action pattern, and the determination. Means (78) for controlling the speed of movement of the neutral character based on the action pattern based on the operation amount of either the user or the opponent determined by the means (76). It is characterized by.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the game apparatus (10) controls the movement of another character with respect to the neutral character based on the game situation when play is stopped in the competition (82). And the like.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the game is a game related to a competition performed using a moving object, and the determination means (74) determines whether the moving object has exited a predetermined area. It is determined whether or not the play is stopped in the competition, and the predetermined action is an action of passing the moving object to the player character, and the competition is performed after the neutral character passes the moving object to the player character. The operation of returning the moving object to the predetermined area is resumed by the player character performing the operation.

  In addition, in the above, although the code | symbol described in drawing is described in parenthesis in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, by this, the game device etc. which concern on this invention are not limited to the aspect of illustration.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the game device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of game space. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function relevant to this invention among the functions implement | achieved with a game device. It is a figure which shows the correlation with the situation of a game, and the information which shows the direction where the operation authority of a ball boy is given among a user or an opponent. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a game device performs. It is a functional block diagram of a modification (4).

[1. Hardware configuration of game device]
Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The game device according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized by, for example, a home game machine (stationary game machine), a portable game machine, a mobile phone (smart phone), a portable information terminal, a personal computer, or the like. Here, a case where the game device according to the embodiment is realized by a consumer game machine will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A game apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a consumer game machine 11, a display unit 32, an audio output unit 34, and an optical disc 36 (information storage medium).

  The display unit 32 and the audio output unit 34 are connected to the consumer game machine 11. The display unit 32 is, for example, a home television receiver or a liquid crystal display. The audio output unit 34 is, for example, a speaker or headphones incorporated in a home television receiver.

  The home game machine 11 is a known computer game system. The home game machine 11 includes a bus 12, a control unit 14, a main memory 16, an image processing unit 18, an input / output processing unit 20, an audio processing unit 22, an optical disk playback unit 24, a hard disk 26, a communication interface 28, and a controller 30. Including.

  The control unit 14 includes one or a plurality of control units (for example, a CPU or the like). The control unit 14 executes processing and information processing for controlling each unit of the consumer game machine 11 based on an operating system stored in a ROM (not shown) and a program read from the optical disc 36. In addition, the control unit 14 includes a real time clock and executes a time measurement process.

  The main memory 16 includes a RAM, for example. The program and data read from the optical disc 36 are written in the main memory 16. The main memory 16 is also used as a working memory for the control unit 14. The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data among the units of the consumer game machine 11.

  The image processing unit 18 includes a VRAM. The image processing unit 18 draws a game screen on the VRAM based on the image data supplied from the control unit 14. The game screen drawn on the VRAM is converted into a video signal and output to the display unit 32 at a predetermined timing.

  The input / output processing unit 20 is an interface for the control unit 14 to access the audio processing unit 22, the optical disc playback unit 24, the hard disk 26, the communication interface 28, and the controller 30.

  The audio processing unit 22 includes a sound buffer. The sound processing unit 22 outputs the sound data read from the optical disc 36 to the sound buffer from the sound output unit 34.

  The communication interface 28 is an interface for connecting the consumer game machine 11 to a communication network such as the Internet by wire or wireless.

  The optical disc playback unit 24 reads programs and data recorded on the optical disc 36. In the present embodiment, the case where the optical disc 36 is used to supply programs and data to the consumer game machine 11 will be described. However, other information storage media such as a memory card are used to store programs and data. You may make it supply with respect to the consumer game machine 11. FIG. In addition, for example, a program or data may be supplied to the consumer game machine 11 from a remote place via a communication network.

  The hard disk 26 is a general hard disk device (auxiliary storage device). Note that programs and data described as being stored in the optical disk 36 in the present embodiment may be stored in the hard disk 26.

  The controller 30 is general-purpose operation means for accepting various game operations by the user. One or more controllers 30 are wired or wirelessly connected to the home game machine 11. The input / output processing unit 20 scans the state of each operation member of the controller 30 at regular intervals (for example, every 1/60 seconds). An operation signal representing the scan result is sent to the control unit 14 via the bus 12. The control unit 14 determines the user's game operation based on the operation signal.

[2. Game executed on game device]
The game apparatus 10 executes a game related to a competition (for example, sports) in which a user and an opponent (computer or other user) play against each other by executing a game program read from the optical disc 36. This embodiment demonstrates the case where the soccer game regarding the competition performed using a moving object (for example, a ball | bowl or a pack) is performed.

  In this soccer game, between a team operated by a user (hereinafter referred to as “user team”) and a team operated by an opponent (hereinafter referred to as “opposition team”) in an imaginary stadium. A soccer game will be held. When the soccer game is started, for example, a game space is constructed in the main memory 16.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game space. The game space 40 shown in FIG. 2 is a virtual three-dimensional space in which three coordinate axes (Xw axis, Yw axis, and Zw axis) orthogonal to each other are set. As shown in FIG. 2, a field 42 that is an object representing a soccer field is arranged in the game space 40.

  On the field 42, two goal lines 44a and 44b, two touch lines 46a and 46b, and a center line 48 are represented. The pitch 50 surrounded by the two goal lines 44a and 44b and the two touch lines 46a and 46b and the periphery of the pitch 50 (a predetermined area outside the pitch 50 in contact with the goal lines 44a and 44b or the touch lines 46a and 46b). In the match.

  On the field 42, a goal 52 which is an object representing a soccer goal, a player character 54 which is an object representing a soccer player belonging to the user team, and a player character which is an object representing a soccer player belonging to the opponent team 56 and a ball 58, which is an object representing a soccer ball (moving object), are arranged. The position of each object is specified by, for example, three-dimensional coordinates in the world coordinate system (Xw-Yw-Zw coordinate system).

  Although omitted in FIG. 2, eleven player characters 54 belonging to the user team and eleven player characters 56 belonging to the opponent team are arranged on the field 42.

  A virtual camera 60 (viewpoint) is set in the game space 40. A game screen representing a state in which the game space 40 is viewed from the virtual camera 60 is displayed on the display unit 32. The game screen is generated by converting the vertex coordinates of each object arranged in the game space 40 from the world coordinate system to the screen coordinate system using a predetermined coordinate conversion calculation.

  In the present embodiment, any one of the player characters 54 belonging to the user team is set as an operation target of the user. The player character 54 set as the user's operation target acts based on the user's operation. For example, the user moves the player character 54 that is the operation target by performing a direction instruction operation using the controller 30. The user uses the controller 30 to instruct the direction in which the player character 54 moves and the direction in which the ball 58 is kicked.

  Among the player characters 54 (56) arranged in the game space 40, those that are not subject to the user's operation act autonomously according to a predetermined behavior algorithm. The action algorithm is described in the game program. That is, the player characters 54 (56) other than the player character 54 to be operated by the user act based on the operation of the computer.

  When the player character 54 (56) dribbles or kicks the ball 58, the ball 58 moves in the game space 40. If the ball 58 goes out of the pitch 50 during the game, the game is temporarily interrupted. This state is called an out-of-play state. When the ball 58 goes out of the pitch 50, a player character 54 (56) of a team other than the team to which the player character 54 (56) who touched the ball 58 immediately before throws the ball 58 into the pitch 50, thereby Resumes. That is, the game is resumed (the out-of-play state is released) by performing a so-called throw-in.

  Outside the pitch 50 on the field 42, a ball boy 62, which is an object representing a character that prepares a situation necessary for restarting the game, is arranged. In FIG. 2, only one ball boy 62 is shown for simplicity of explanation, but a plurality of ball boys 62 may be arranged on the field 42.

  The ball boy 62 has a spare ball 58. The ball boy 62 can be an operation target of the user or the opponent, but the user and the opponent cannot operate the ball boy 62 in an in-play state in which the ball 58 is in the pitch 50 and the game progresses. . In this case, the ball boy 62 waits at a predetermined position around the pitch 50 and picks up the ball 58 that has gone out of the pitch 50 while holding the spare ball 58 in accordance with a predetermined action algorithm.

  On the other hand, in the out-of-play state in which the ball 58 goes out of the pitch 50, either the user or the opponent can operate the ball boy 62. The user or the opponent can pass the spare ball 58 to any of the player characters 54 (56) by operating the ball boy 62, for example.

  The player character 54 (56) who receives the ball 58 from the ball boy 62 performs a throw-in. The player character 54 (56) that performs the throw-in is selected from the teams that have the right to perform the throw-in, so that the player character 54 (56) that is closest to the position where the ball 58 has left the pitch 50 is selected. It may also be specified by the user or the opponent.

  As described above, the game apparatus 10 allows the user or the opponent to operate the ball boy 62, so that the player character 54 (56) who performs the throw-in immediately after being out of play has a spare ball. It is configured to be able to maintain an out-of-play state for a while without passing 58 or passing the ball 58 easily. Hereinafter, the present technology will be described in detail.

[3. Functions realized in game device]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing functions related to the present invention among the functions realized by the game apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the game apparatus 10 executes a game program to thereby execute a game data storage unit 70, a game control unit 72, a stop determination unit 74, a determination unit 76, an action control unit 78, and a resume unit 80. Is realized. The game data storage unit 70 is realized mainly by the main memory 16 and the optical disc 36, and the other functions are realized mainly by the control unit.

[3-1. Game data storage unit]
The game data storage unit 70 stores data necessary for realizing the game. In the present embodiment, the game data storage unit 70 stores game situation data indicating the current situation of the soccer game.

For example, the following data is included in the game situation data. The game situation data is updated as appropriate according to the progress of the game. The data included in the game situation data is not limited to the following. In addition, for example, data for identifying the player character 54 (56) holding the ball 58 may be included.
(1) Data indicating the current state (position, posture, moving direction, moving speed, etc.) of each player character 54 (56) and ball boy 62 (2) Current state (position, moving direction, movement) of the ball 58 (3) Data identifying home team and away team (visitor team) (4) Current state of virtual camera 60 (position and line-of-sight direction) Etc.) (5) Other data indicating the situation of the game (for example, information identifying the scores and elapsed time of both teams)

  The home team is a team based in a stadium where a game is played in the game space 40. Here, a home team is associated with each of a plurality of stadiums prepared in the game. The away team is a team other than the home team and is a team playing against the home team. That is, one of the user team and the opponent team is the home team and the other is the away team.

  The game data storage unit 70 stores data indicating a plurality of types of stadiums. These stadiums are, for example, a stadium simulating a real world stadium, or a fictitious stadium not in the real world. The data includes the name of each stadium, data indicating the shape of each stadium, image data relating to each stadium, and the like.

  Further, the game data storage unit 70 stores data relating to a team that can be used by the user or the opponent. The data indicates the name of each team, the player characters belonging to each team, the stadium where each team is based, and the like.

  The control unit 14 functions as means for acquiring or updating data stored in the game data storage unit 70. Further, the data stored in the game data storage unit 70 is not limited to the above example. In addition, for example, information indicating the position of the pitch 50 (for example, three-dimensional position coordinates indicating the four corners of the pitch 50) and information regarding the position on the field 42 where the ball boy 62 should be stored are stored in the game data storage unit 70. You may be allowed to.

[3-2. Game control unit]
The game control unit 72 executes a game related to competition (for example, sports, here, soccer) based on the player character 54 operated by the user and the player character 56 operated by the opponent.

  The game control unit 72 causes each of the plurality of player characters 54 (56) to move based on the operation of the user or the opponent, or the action pattern defined in the game program (that is, the action pattern defined by the game creator). ). In addition, the game control unit 72 moves the ball 58 in the game space 40. For example, the game control unit 72 moves the ball 58 when the player character 54 (56) touches the ball 58.

  Note that the game control unit 72 may operate the ball boy 62 based on a given action pattern in the in-play state. For example, when the ball boy 62 does not hold the spare ball 58, the game control unit 72 may cause the ball 58 outside the pitch 50 to take action.

  Further, for example, when the ball boy 62 is not in a predetermined position, the game control unit 72 may be caused to act so as to return to the predetermined position. Furthermore, when the ball boy 62 is in a predetermined position and holding the spare ball 58, the game control unit 72 may cause the ball boy 62 to stand by on the spot.

  Moreover, the game control part 72 will complete | finish a game, when the given end timing comes. For example, the game control unit 72 ends the game based on the elapsed time of the game indicated by the game situation data.

[3-3. Stop determination unit]
The stop determination unit 74 determines whether or not the play has stopped in the competition. In the competition, the play is stopped in a state where the competition is interrupted (paused) (a state where the player pauses the play. That is, a state where the player must not play the game), for example, the competition proceeds. To change from an in-play state to an out-of-play state. The conditions for stopping play are determined based on competition rules. The stop determination unit 74 determines whether or not the condition is satisfied based on the game situation data.

  The stop determination unit 74 determines whether or not the situation indicated by the game situation data is a given situation for stopping the play in the competition. Here, the stop determination unit 74 determines whether or not the state of the game space 40 has become a given state. For example, the stop determination unit 74 determines whether or not the play has stopped in the competition by determining whether or not the moving object (for example, the ball 58) has come out of a predetermined area (for example, the pitch 50). The stop determination unit 74 determines whether or not the coordinates indicating the current position of the ball 58 are included in the pitch 50.

[3-4. Decision part]
When play is stopped in the competition, the determination unit 76 selects a neutral character (for example, the ball boy 62) that is different from the player character 54 (56) and performs an action for resuming the competition, or the user or Which of the opponents is to be operated is determined based on the game situation.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an association between the game situation and information indicating which of the user or the opponent is given the operation authority of the ball boy 62. The association shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the game data storage unit 70 and may be in a mathematical expression format or a table format. The determination unit 76 determines whether or not the situation indicated by the game situation data is a given situation shown in the association of FIG. When it is determined that the situation indicated by the game situation data is the given situation, the determination unit 76 gives the operation authority of the ball boy 62 to the user or the opponent who is associated with the given situation. give.

  Here, either the user or the opponent is associated with the stadium where the game is played, and the determination unit 76 determines whether the neutral character is based on which of the user or the opponent is associated with the stadium. It is determined whether the user or the opponent is to operate (for example, the ball boy 62). Note that operating a team based in the stadium is equivalent to being associated with the stadium.

  That is, the determination unit 76 determines which of the user and the opponent to operate the ball boy 62 based on whether the user team or the opponent team is the home team. For example, the determination unit 76 causes the ball boy 62 to be operated by the user or the opponent who operates the home team.

[3-5. Action control unit]
The action control unit 78 causes the neutral character (for example, the ball boy 62) to act in response to an operation of either the user or the opponent determined by the determination unit 76 while the play is stopped in the competition. Here, the operation content from the controller 30 and the action content of the ball boy 62 are associated with each other and stored in the game data storage unit 70. The behavior control unit 78 causes the ball boy 62 to act based on the behavior content associated with the operation performed by either the user or the opponent.

  For example, when either the user or the opponent performs a direction instruction operation, the behavior control unit 78 moves the ball boy 62 in the direction indicated by the direction instruction operation. In addition, when either the user or the opponent performs a given operation (operation to press a predetermined button of the controller 30), the behavior control unit 78 causes the ball boy 62 to perform a situation necessary for resuming the competition. A predetermined operation for preparing is performed.

  The predetermined action is a preliminary action necessary for the player character 54 (56) to perform an action for resuming the competition, or an action serving as a signal (details will be described later) for resuming the competition. The action of the ball boy 62 giving the spare ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) corresponds to a predetermined action for restarting the game.

[3-6. Resume part]
When the play is stopped in the competition, the resuming unit 80 is a predetermined action for the neutral character (for example, the ball boy 62) to resume the competition in accordance with the operation of either the user or the opponent determined by the determining unit 76. After performing, the competition will resume. To resume the competition is to have the player play the interrupted competition again. Here, changing the out-of-play state to the in-play state corresponds to restarting the competition.

  For example, the resuming unit 80 determines whether or not the player character 54 (56) has performed a given action (for example, throw-in), or performs a given action (details will be described later) in which the neutral character signals a restart. It is determined whether or not the given action has been performed, and the competition is resumed.

  Here, after the neutral character (for example, ball boy 62) passes the moving object (for example, ball 58) to the player character 54 (56), the resuming unit 80 moves the moving object within a predetermined area (for example, within the pitch 50). ) Is resumed when the player character 54 (56) performs an action (in this case, a so-called throw-in) to return to (). That is, the resuming unit 80 permits each player character 54 (56) to play soccer using the ball 58 when the player character 54 (56) moves the ball 58 back into the pitch 50.

[4. Processing executed in game device]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the game apparatus 10. The control unit 14 executes the process shown in FIG. 5 according to the program stored on the optical disc 36. Note that when the process shown in FIG. 5 is executed, it is assumed that the user team and the opponent team have been selected and the home team has been determined.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 14 starts a game and constructs a game space 40 in the main memory 16 (S1). The control unit 14 causes the player character 54 (56) to act based on the operation state of the controller 30 or a given behavior pattern (S2). In S2, the control unit 14 updates the state of each player character 54 (56) indicated by the game situation data based on the action result of the player character 54 (56).

  The control unit 14 moves the ball 58 based on the action result of the player character 54 (56) in S2 (S3). In S <b> 3, the control unit 14 updates the state of the ball 58 indicated by the game situation data based on the movement result of the ball 58.

  The control unit 14 determines whether or not the ball 58 has come out of the pitch 50 (S4). In S <b> 4, the control unit 14 determines whether the coordinates indicating the current position of the ball 58 are included inside or outside the pitch 50. That is, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the current situation of the game is in an out-of-play state.

  When it is determined that the ball 58 has moved out of the pitch 50 (S4; Y), the control unit 14 determines whether the user team and the opponent team are based on the player character 54 (56) who touched the ball immediately before. The team to be thrown in is determined (S5).

  The control unit 14 selects a player character 54 (56) to throw in from among the player characters 54 (56) belonging to the team determined in S5 (S6). In S6, the control unit 14 selects the player character 54 (56) closest to the position where the ball 58 has left the pitch 50 among the player characters 54 (56) of the team authorized to throw in. To do.

  The control unit 14 moves the player character 54 (56) selected in S6 toward the position to throw in (S7). In S7, the control unit 14 moves the player character 54 (56) selected in S6 toward the position where the ball 58 comes out of the pitch 50.

  Based on which of the user team and the opponent team is the home team, the control unit 14 determines which of the user and the opponent is to give the operation authority for the ball boy 62 (S8). In S8, the control unit 14 refers to the game situation data and identifies the home team of the stadium where the game is being performed. And the control part 14 gives the operation authority of the ball boy 62 to the direction which operates a home team among a user or an opponent.

  The control unit 14 causes the ball boy 62 to act based on the operation of the user and the opponent to whom the operation authority is granted in S8 (S9). In S <b> 9, when the user or the opponent performs a direction instruction operation, the control unit 14 moves the ball boy 62. Further, when the user or the opponent performs a given operation, the control unit 14 causes the ball boy 62 to perform an operation of passing the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56).

  The control unit 14 determines whether or not the ball boy 62 has passed the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) (S10). In S <b> 10, the control unit 14 performs an operation in which the ball boy 62 passes the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) belonging to the team having the right to make a throw-in among the user team and the opponent team. It is determined whether or not.

  If it is not determined that the ball boy 62 has passed the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) (S10; N), the process returns to S9. In this case, since the player character 54 (56) cannot throw in, the resumption of the game is awaited. During this time as well, the control unit 14 updates the elapsed time of the game. That is, even if the ball boy 62 does not hand the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56), the time until the end timing comes will approach.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the ball boy 62 has passed the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) (S10; Y), the control unit 14 determines whether the player character 54 (56) that has received the ball 58 has thrown in. It is determined whether or not (S11).

  When it determines with having thrown in (S11; Y), the control part 14 restarts a game (S12). In S12, the operation target of the user or the opponent is switched from the ball boy 62 to the player character 54 (56).

  On the other hand, when it is not determined that the ball 58 has moved out of the pitch 50 (S4; N), the control unit 14 determines whether or not the end condition is satisfied (S13). The end condition may be a condition set in advance to end the process. For example, it may be whether or not the end timing has come, or whether or not an end instruction has been input from the user.

  When it is determined that the end condition is satisfied (S13; Y), this process ends. If it is not determined that the end condition is satisfied (S13; N), the process returns to S2, and the game proceeds.

  According to the game apparatus 10 described above, when the ball 58 goes out of the pitch 50, the user or the opponent who operates the home team can operate the ball boy 62. Therefore, it becomes possible to allow the user or the opponent to adjust the time until the soccer game is restarted, and the strategy of the soccer game can be improved.

  For example, when the home team is losing the game, the game 58 can be restarted quickly by passing the ball 58 outside the pitch 50 from the ball boy 62 to the player character 54 (56) relatively quickly. By resuming the game quickly, it is possible to give the home team an advantage by giving them more time to reverse. On the other hand, for example, when the home team has won the game, the ball 58 that has gone out of the pitch 50 is not easily passed from the ball boy 62 to the player character 54 (56), thereby delaying the restart of the game. It is possible to make the home team advantageous by reducing the time for the away team to reverse.

[5. Modified example]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  (1) For example, in the embodiment, the case where the operation authority of the ball boy 62 is given to the user or the opponent who operates the home team has been described, but depending on the game situation, Operation authority may be granted. In addition, for example, the operation authority of the ball boy 62 may be given according to the game situation of the soccer game being executed.

  The determining unit 76 of the modified example (1) determines whether the neutral character (for example, the ball boy 62) is operated by the user or the opponent based on the battle situation when play is stopped in the competition. The battle situation when the play is stopped in the competition is the battle situation at the timing when the play is stopped in the competition or within a predetermined time from the timing. For example, the game situation at the timing when the ball 58 leaves the pitch 50.

  The determination unit 76 refers to the game situation data and identifies the battle situation when play is stopped in the competition. The determination unit 76 determines whether the user or the opponent is dominant or inferior based on the identified battle situation. The determination unit 76 determines superiority or inferiority based on a parameter indicating the battle situation included in the game situation data, and compares the score of the user team with the score of the opponent team here. Of the user team and the opponent team, the determination unit 76 predominates the one with a higher score and inferior the one with a smaller score. In addition, for example, the dominance rate of the ball 58 calculated based on the time that each of the user team and the opponent team held the ball 58 may be used as the battle situation.

  The determination unit 76 determines that the dominant one of the user team and the opponent team operates the ball boy 62. The determination unit 76 may determine that the inferior one of the user team and the opponent team operates the ball boy 62.

  According to the modified example (1), it is possible to determine which person to give the operation authority to the ball boy 62 according to the game situation of the game being executed. For example, if the user or opponent is given the authority to operate the ball boy 62, it will be easier to earn time for the dominant team, so it will not be brought to the end of the game while maintaining the dominant state. It becomes easy. On the other hand, when the operation authority of the ball boy 62 is given to the inferior user or the opponent, it is easy to restart the game relatively quickly, so it is easy to secure time for reversing.

  (2) Also, for example, when the ball boy 62 does not give the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) who throws in, the player character 54 (56) The ball 58 may be forcibly handed over to resume the game.

  The resuming unit 80 of the modified example (2) determines whether or not the neutral character (eg, the ball boy 62) is not performing a predetermined action for a reference time (eg, 10 seconds) or longer. The resuming unit 80 starts timing when it is in an out-of-play state, and determines whether or not the state in which the ball boy 62 does not pass the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) continues for a reference time or longer. That is, the resuming unit 80 determines whether or not the out-of-play state has continued for a reference time or longer. The reference time may be a predetermined length of time or may be variable depending on the game situation.

  The restarting unit 80 restarts the competition when it is determined that the predetermined operation has not been performed for the reference time or longer. The resuming unit 80 causes the ball boy 62 to move the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) without any operation by the user or the opponent. Motion data for causing the ball boy 62 to perform a predetermined operation is stored in advance in the game data storage unit 70. The resuming unit 80 replays the motion data to forcibly pass the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) who throws in and resumes the match.

  According to the modified example (2), when the operation authority of the ball boy 62 is granted among the users or the opponents, the game can be forcibly restarted if the game is unduly delayed. Therefore, it can be prevented that either the user or the opponent becomes too advantageous or disadvantageous.

  (3) Further, for example, in the embodiment, when the operation authority of the ball boy 62 is given, the mode in which the ball boy 62 is operated relatively freely like the player character 54 (56) has been described. The boy 62 may perform the motion of giving the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56) in order based on a predetermined action pattern. In this case, for example, when the user or the opponent hits a given button of the controller 30, the ball boy 62 may move quickly.

  The action control unit 78 of the modification (3) operates a neutral character (for example, the ball boy 62) based on a given action pattern when the play is stopped in the competition. A given action pattern is a series of movements for performing a predetermined action for resuming the competition. Data indicating motion patterns (motion data) is stored in advance in the game data storage unit 70. The behavior control unit 78 controls the operation of the ball boy 62 by reproducing the data when the behavior control unit 78 is out of play.

  The behavior control unit 78 controls the speed of movement of the neutral character (for example, the ball boy 62) based on the behavior pattern based on the operation amount of either the user or the opponent determined by the determination unit 76. The operation amount is the number of times a given operation has been performed, or the strength or magnitude of the given operation. For example, the number of times a given button of the controller 30 is pressed, the pressing force by which the given button of the controller 30 is pressed, or the angle at which the stick of the controller 30 is tilted. The greater the number of times, the pressing force, or the angle, the greater the operation amount.

  For example, the behavior control unit 78 controls the operation of the ball boy 62 based on the association between the condition regarding the operation amount and the speed of the operation. The association is stored in the game data storage unit 70 and may be in a mathematical expression format or a table format. The behavior control unit 78 controls the operation of the ball boy 62 based on the speed associated with the condition that the operation amount of the user or the opponent satisfies. The behavior control unit 78 performs control so that the operation of the ball boy 62 becomes faster as the operation amount is larger. For example, the behavior control unit 78 increases the reproduction speed of motion data as the operation amount increases.

  According to the modification (3), the user or the opponent can adjust the time until the game is restarted by a relatively simple operation.

  (4) For example, when the ball boy 62 does not readily give the ball 58 to the player character 54 (56), the player character 54 (56) may be caused to request the ball 58.

  FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of Modification (4). As shown in FIG. 6, in the modification (4), in addition to the functions of the embodiment, an action control unit 82 is realized. The action control unit 82 is realized mainly by the control unit 14.

  The action control unit 82 controls the movement of another character (for example, the player character 54 (56)) with respect to the neutral character (for example, the ball boy 62) based on the situation of the game when play is stopped in the competition. The action of the player character 54 (56) with respect to the ball boy 62 is an action performed by the player character 54 (56) toward the ball boy 62, and an action performed by the player character 54 (56) facing the ball boy 62. It is.

  It is assumed that motion data indicating the action of the player character 54 (56) with respect to the ball boy 62 is stored in advance in the game data storage unit 70. For example, when the team to which the player character 54 (56) belongs is inferior by reproducing the motion data, the action control unit 82 performs an action to request the ball boy 62 to perform a predetermined action early. The character 54 (56) is caused to execute.

  According to the modified example (4), when the ball boy 62 does not readily pass the ball 58, it is possible to cause the player character 54 (56) to perform an action that requires the ball 58, thereby improving the reality of the game. Can be made.

  (5) For example, in the embodiment, the ball boy 62 has been described as an example of a neutral character. However, the neutral character may be a character that performs an action for resuming the game. In addition, for example, the neutral character may be a referee character with a signal for resuming the game (for example, ringing a whistle or taking a given pose).

  In this case, when a foul occurs in the match, the stop determination unit 74 determines that the play has stopped in the competition. Then, the resuming unit 80 resumes the competition when the referee character performs a predetermined action (for example, making a whistle or taking a predetermined pose). The behavior control unit 78 operates the referee character by the operation of the user or the opponent after an offense occurs and the state is out of play. When the user or the opponent performs a given operation, the referee character performs a predetermined action.

  For example, although the case where the home team is associated with each of a plurality of types of stadiums prepared in advance has been described, the home team may be selected by the user at the start of the game. In this case, the user's selection content is held in the main memory 16, and the home team is specified by referring to the selection content during the execution of the game.

  Further, for example, in the embodiment, the case where the elapsed time of the game is updated is described even in the out-of-play state, but the elapsed time may not be updated while the game is interrupted. Even if the elapsed time is not updated, either the user or the opponent becomes advantageous or disadvantageous by causing the user or the opponent to adjust the timing at which the game resumes.

  For example, when the formation of a certain team is broken, the longer the time until the game is restarted, the easier it is for the team to arrange the formation. On the other hand, the shorter the time it takes for the game to resume, the more disadvantageous the team is because it becomes more difficult to arrange the team. Also, for example, the longer the time until the game restarts, the longer the time for the user or opponent to think about the tactics, but the shorter the time until the game restarts, the more time the user or opponent thinks about the tactics. Becomes shorter, so that the user or the opponent is advantageous or disadvantageous.

  Further, for example, the game space 40 has been described as a three-dimensional space as shown in FIG. 2, but in the game space according to the present invention, the position of the player character 54 (56), the ball 58, and the like are managed by two coordinate elements. Such a two-dimensional game space may be used.

  Further, for example, the present invention can be applied to a game device that executes a game other than a soccer game. The present invention can be applied to games relating to competition. For example, the present invention can be applied to a game device that executes a basketball game, an ice hockey game, an American football game, or the like. In addition, for example, the present invention can be applied to a game device that executes a boxing game, a professional wrestling game, or the like. It is only necessary to determine whether or not the play of the competition has been stopped based on the rules of each competition, and the character imitating a neutral person who supports the progress of each competition is represented by the user or the opponent. The operation may be performed based on the operation.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game device, 11 Home-use game machine, 12 bus | bath, 14 Control part, 16 Main memory, 18 Image processing part, 20 Input / output processing part, 22 Sound processing part, 24 Optical disk reproducing part, 26 Hard disk, 28 Communication interface, 30 Controller, 30a surface, 32 display unit, 34 audio output unit, 36 optical disc, 40 game space, 42 field, 44a, 44b goal line, 46a, 46b touch line, 48 center line, 50 pitch, 52 goal, 54, 56 players Character, 58 ball, 60 virtual camera, 62 ball boy, 70 game data storage unit, 72 game control unit, 74 stop determination unit, 76 determination unit, 78 action control unit, 80 resumption unit, 82 action control unit.

Claims (8)

Each of the first user and the second user is a game device that executes a game related to competition, in which each player character operates and competes.
Determination means for determining whether or not play is stopped in the competition based on the game situation data stored in the storage means for storing game situation data indicating the game situation ;
When play is stopped in the competition, whether the first user or the second user operates a neutral character that is different from the player character and performs an action for resuming the competition and determining means for determining based on the game-like situations data,
While the play is stopped in the competition, an action that causes the neutral character to act in accordance with an operation performed through the operation means by either the first user or the second user determined by the determination means. Control means;
When play is stopped in the competition, the neutral character resumes the competition in response to an operation performed via the operation means by either the first user or the second user determined by the determination means. Resuming means for resuming the competition based on the game situation data after performing a predetermined action for
A game apparatus comprising: In the game, either the first user or the second user is associated with a stadium where the competition is performed,
The determining means includes
Whether the neutral character is operated by the first user or the second user based on the game situation data indicating which of the first user or the second user is associated with the stadium. decide,
The game device according to claim 1. The determining means includes
Determining which of the first user or the second user to operate the neutral character based on the game situation indicated by the game situation data when play is stopped in the competition;
The game device according to claim 1 . The restarting means includes
When it is determined based on the game situation data that the neutral character has not performed the predetermined motion for a reference time or longer, and it is determined that the predetermined motion has been performed within the reference time When the neutral character performs the predetermined action in response to the operation and restarts the game, and it is determined that the predetermined action has not been performed for the reference time or longer, the operation is not performed. Resuming the competition after causing the neutral character to perform the predetermined action ,
The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game device is a game device. The behavior control means includes
Means for operating the neutral character based on the data stored in the storage means for storing data indicating a given action pattern when play is stopped in the game;
Based on the operation amount of the operation performed by the first user or the second user determined by the determining unit via the operation unit, the speed of the neutral character based on the action pattern Means for controlling
Game apparatus according to any one of claim 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a. The game device includes:
The competition based on the game-like situations data when play is stopped in, means for controlling the operation of the other characters for the neutral character,
The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The game is a game related to a competition performed using a moving object,
The determination means determines whether or not the play has stopped in the competition by determining whether or not the moving object has left the predetermined area based on the game situation data ,
The predetermined action is an action of passing the moving object to a player character,
The game is resumed by the player character performing an action of returning the moving object to the predetermined area after the neutral character has passed the moving object to the player character.
The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game device is a game device. The program for functioning a computer as a game device in any one of Claims 1-7.

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