JP6480502B2 - GAME PROGRAM, METHOD, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present disclosure relates to a game program, a method for executing a game, and an information processing apparatus.

  Conventionally, puzzle games are widely known. The puzzle game proceeds by displaying a board surface on which a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on the display unit and changing the arrangement of the puzzle elements in accordance with a predetermined event.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a bubble (puzzle element) is ejected from the lower center of the screen and collided with a group of bubbles arranged on the board surface to connect the bubbles together, and a predetermined number or more of the same color or the same shape. There is disclosed a puzzle game in which when a lump of bubbles is formed, the lump of bubbles that have been lapped are eliminated, and the number of bubbles that have been eliminated is scored.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-197354 (released July 27, 1999)

  In general, how to deal with the problem of users getting bored with games is important. In particular, in puzzle games, it is required to provide a highly interesting game based on a new scheme (for example, a mechanism from when a puzzle game is played until a score is reached).

  An object of one embodiment of the present disclosure is to improve the interest of a game.

  A game program according to the present disclosure is executed in a computer including a processor, a memory, and a display unit. A game based on a game program is similar in that a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on a board including an area where puzzle elements are arranged, the board is displayed on a display unit, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board is changed. When a predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are continuously arranged, at least one of the consecutively arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface, and progress is determined by determining the grade according to the removed puzzle elements To do. The game program accepts a user operation for changing the arrangement of puzzle elements on the board to the processor, and moves a new puzzle element added to the board to change the arrangement toward the board. Determining a first trajectory to be performed according to a user operation, moving a new puzzle element according to the first trajectory, a puzzle element arranged on the board, and a new puzzle element being moved And changing the movement mode of the new puzzle element on the basis of the positional relationship. In the changing step, when a new puzzle element is contacted with a puzzle element, the movement mode after the contact is determined according to whether the touched puzzle element is the same type or different from the new puzzle element.

  The method according to the present disclosure is a method in which a computer including a processor, a memory, and a display unit executes a game program. A game based on a game program is similar in that a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on a board including an area where puzzle elements are arranged, the board is displayed on a display unit, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board is changed. When a predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are continuously arranged, at least one of the consecutively arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface, and progress is determined by determining the grade according to the removed puzzle elements To do. In the method, the processor accepts a user operation for changing the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board, and moves a new puzzle element added to the board to change the arrangement toward the board. Determining a first trajectory to be performed according to a user operation, moving a new puzzle element according to the first trajectory, a puzzle element arranged on the board, and a new puzzle element being moved And changing the movement mode of the new puzzle element based on the positional relationship between In the changing step, when a new puzzle element is contacted with a puzzle element, the movement mode after the contact is determined according to whether the touched puzzle element is the same type or different from the new puzzle element.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a storage unit that stores a game program, a display unit, and a control unit that controls the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing the game program. A game based on a game program is similar in that a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on a board including an area where puzzle elements are arranged, the board is displayed on a display unit, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board is changed. When a predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are continuously arranged, at least one of the consecutively arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface, and progress is determined by determining the grade according to the removed puzzle elements To do. The control unit receives a user operation for changing the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board surface, and moves the new puzzle element added to the board surface to change the arrangement toward the board surface. The trajectory is determined according to the user's operation, the new puzzle element is moved according to the first trajectory, and based on the positional relationship between the puzzle element arranged on the board surface and the new puzzle element being moved, Change the movement of the new puzzle element. In addition, when changing the movement mode, the control unit determines whether the touched puzzle element is the same type or different from the new puzzle element when the new puzzle element is in contact with the puzzle element. Decide according to your needs.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is an effect of improving the interest of the game.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a game system. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a user terminal and a server. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in a game system based on the game program which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in a game system based on the game program which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the condition presentation screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the results presentation screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the other example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the other example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which concerns on the replenishment mode performed in a game system based on the game program which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of character data. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of shared data. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in the game system which concerns on another embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of UI screen for opening a play room displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of UI screen for participating in the existing play room displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a condition presentation screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows the other specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in a game system based on the game program which concerns on another embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the stage selection screen displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of screen specification data. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in the game system which concerns on another embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen specification data after being updated. It is a figure which shows an example of the stage selection screen after the update displayed on a display part. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of gimmick data. It is a figure which shows another specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on a display part.

Embodiment 1
A game system according to the present disclosure is a system for providing a game to a plurality of users. Hereinafter, the game system will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these exemplifications, but is defined by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. The In the following description, the same reference numerals are given to the same elements in the description of the drawings, and repeated description is not repeated.

<Hardware configuration of game system 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the game system 1. The game system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 100 and a server 200 as illustrated. Each user terminal 100 is connected to the server 200 via the network 2. The network 2 includes various mobile communication systems constructed by the Internet and a radio base station (not shown). Examples of the mobile communication system include a so-called 3G and 4G mobile communication system, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and a wireless network (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) that can be connected to the Internet through a predetermined access point. It is done.

  The server 200 (computer, information processing apparatus) may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The server 200 includes a processor 20, a memory 21, a storage 22, a communication IF 23, and an input / output IF 24. These components included in the server 200 are electrically connected to each other via a communication bus.

  The user terminal 100 (computer, information processing apparatus) may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a feature phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a tablet computer. The user terminal 100 may be a game device suitable for game play. As illustrated, the user terminal 100 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a communication interface (IF) 13, an input / output IF 14, a touch screen 15 (display unit), a camera 17, and a distance measuring sensor 18. With. These components included in the user terminal 100 are electrically connected to each other via a communication bus. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 100 may be configured to be able to communicate with one or more controllers 1020. For example, the controller 1020 establishes communication with the user terminal 100 in accordance with a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The controller 1020 may have one or more buttons and the like, and transmits an output value based on a user input operation to the buttons and the like to the user terminal 100. The controller 1020 may include various sensors such as an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor, and transmits output values of the various sensors to the user terminal 100.

  Note that the controller 1020 may include the camera 17 and the distance measuring sensor 18 instead of or in addition to the user terminal 100 including the camera 17 and the distance measuring sensor 18.

  For example, at the start of a game, the user terminal 100 desirably allows a user who uses the controller 1020 to input user identification information such as the user's name or login ID via the controller 1020. As a result, the user terminal 100 can associate the controller 1020 with the user, and identifies which user the output value belongs to based on the transmission source (controller 1020) of the received output value. be able to.

  When the user terminal 100 communicates with a plurality of controllers 1020, each user grasps each controller 1020, so that one user terminal 100 does not communicate with the server 200 or another user terminal 100 via the network 2. Thus, multi-play can be realized locally. Further, each user terminal 100 is connected to each other by a wireless standard such as a wireless local area network (LAN) standard (communication connection is not performed via the server 200), so that a plurality of user terminals 100 can realize multi-play locally. You can also When the above-described multiplay is realized locally by one user terminal 100, the user terminal 100 may further include at least a part of various functions described later included in the server 200. Further, when the above-described multi-play is realized locally by a plurality of user terminals 100, the plurality of user terminals 100 may be provided with various functions described later included in the server 200 in a distributed manner.

  Note that the user terminal 100 may communicate with the server 200 even when the above-described multiplayer is realized locally. For example, information indicating a play result such as a result or win / loss in a certain game may be associated with the user identification information and transmitted to the server 200.

  The controller 1020 may be configured to be detachable from the user terminal 100. In this case, a coupling portion with the controller 1020 may be provided on at least one surface of the housing of the user terminal 100. When the user terminal 100 and the controller 1020 are coupled by wire through the coupling unit, the user terminal 100 and the controller 1020 transmit and receive signals via the wire.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 100 may accept the mounting of a storage medium 1030 such as an external memory card via the input / output IF 14. Accordingly, the user terminal 100 can read the program and data recorded in the storage medium 1030. The program recorded in the storage medium 1030 is a game program, for example.

  The user terminal 100 may store the game program acquired by communicating with an external device such as the server 200 in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100, or store the game program acquired by reading from the storage medium 1030 in the memory 11. May be stored.

  As described above, the user terminal 100 includes the communication IF 13, the input / output IF 14, the touch screen 15, the camera 17, and the distance measuring sensor 18 as an example of a mechanism for inputting information to the user terminal 100. Each of the above-described units serving as an input mechanism can be regarded as an operation unit configured to accept a user input operation.

  For example, when the operation unit is configured by one or both of the camera 17 and the distance measuring sensor 18, the operation unit is an object 1010 in the vicinity of the user terminal 100 (e.g. And the input operation is specified from the detection result of the object (color, shape, movement, type, etc. of the detected object). More specifically, when a user's hand is detected from a captured image of the camera 17, the user terminal 100 performs a user's input operation on a gesture (a series of movements of the user's hand) detected based on the captured image. Identify and accept as Note that the captured image may be a still image or a moving image.

  Alternatively, when the operation unit includes the touch screen 15, the user terminal 100 identifies and accepts a user operation performed on the input unit 151 of the touch screen 15 as a user input operation. Or when an operation part is comprised by communication IF13, the user terminal 100 specifies and receives the signal (for example, output value) transmitted from the controller 1020 as a user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit includes the input / output IF 14, a signal output from an input device (not shown) different from the controller 1020 connected to the input / output IF 14 is specified and accepted as a user input operation.

  As an example, the game system 1 arranges a plurality of types of puzzle elements on a board surface including a region where the puzzle elements are arranged, displays the board surface on the display unit of the user terminal 100, and places the puzzle elements on the board surface. When a predetermined number or more of the same kind of puzzle elements are continuously arranged by being changed, at least one of the continuously arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface, and the results are determined according to the removed puzzle elements. Is a system for executing a puzzle game that progresses by determining. In the present embodiment, a puzzle game (single play type puzzle game) executed on a single user terminal 100 is assumed. In this case, exchange of information necessary for executing the single play type puzzle game on the user terminal 100 is performed between the user terminal 100 and the server 200.

  In another embodiment, the game system 1 may be a system for executing a multiplayer game, for example. A puzzle game as a multiplayer game (multiplayer puzzle game) includes a user terminal 100 (client computer, information processing device as client) operated by a user and one or more other users operated by one or more other users. By sharing at least a part of the data related to the game with the user terminal 100 (computer of another client, information processing apparatus as another client), a plurality of users participate in one puzzle game. It is a puzzle game that can be played in cooperation.

  When the game system 1 is a multi-play type puzzle game, the first user terminal 100, the second user terminal 100, and the third user that communicate via the server 200 (the server computer, the information processing apparatus as the server). In each of the user terminals 100..., A board surface is generated and displayed on each display unit. In another embodiment, for example, the types of puzzle elements arranged on the board, clear conditions, fever gauges, play results, and the like are shared among the plurality of user terminals 100 via the server 200 as the data related to the puzzle game. Is done. The server 200 distributes and shares the information collected from each user terminal 100 and the information generated in its own device to each user terminal 100 that participates in cooperation with one puzzle game. Specifically, puzzle element data D1 indicating the types of puzzle elements arranged on the board, clear condition data D2 indicating clear conditions, supplement gauge data D3 indicating supplement gauge information, and score data D4 indicating play results Are distributed to each user terminal 100 and shared.

  In yet another embodiment, the puzzle game executed in the game system 1 may include a plurality of stages. The user operates the user terminal 100 to select a stage to be played from a plurality of stages, and plays the selected stage.

<Hardware components of each device>
The processor 10 controls the operation of the entire user terminal 100. The processor 20 controls the operation of the entire server 200. The processors 10 and 20 include a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), and a graphics processing unit (GPU).

  The processor 10 reads a program from a storage 12 described later and develops it in a memory 11 described later. The processor 20 reads a program from a storage 22 described later and develops it in a memory 21 described later. The processor 10 and the processor 20 execute the developed program.

  The memories 11 and 21 are main storage devices. The memories 11 and 21 include storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 11 provides a work area to the processor 10 by temporarily storing a program and various data read from the storage 12 described later by the processor 10. The memory 11 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 10 is operating according to the program. The memory 21 provides the work area to the processor 20 by temporarily storing various programs and data read from the storage 22 described later by the processor 20. The memory 21 temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 20 is operating according to the program.

  In the present embodiment, the program may be a game program for realizing the game by the user terminal 100, or a game program for realizing the game by the cooperation of the user terminal 100 and the server 200. There may be a game program for realizing the game by cooperation of a plurality of user terminals 100. The various data includes data related to the game such as user information and game information, and instructions and notifications transmitted and received between the user terminal 100 and the server 200 or between the plurality of user terminals 100.

  The storages 12 and 22 are auxiliary storage devices. The storages 12 and 22 are constituted by a storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Various data relating to the game is stored in the storage 12 and the storage 22.

  The communication IF 13 controls transmission / reception of various data in the user terminal 100. The communication IF 23 controls transmission / reception of various data in the server 200. The communication IFs 13 and 23 control communication using, for example, communication via a wireless local area network (LAN), Internet communication via a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or a cellular phone network, and short-range wireless communication.

  The input / output IF 14 is an interface for the user terminal 100 to accept data input, and is an interface for the user terminal 100 to output data. The input / output IF 14 may input / output data via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The input / output IF 14 may include, for example, a physical button of the user terminal 100, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and the like. The input / output IF 24 of the server 200 is an interface for the server 200 to accept data input, and is an interface for the server 200 to output data. The input / output IF 24 may include, for example, an input unit that is an information input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and a display unit that is a device that displays and outputs an image.

  The touch screen 15 of the user terminal 100 is an electronic component that combines an input unit 151 and a display unit 152. The input unit 151 is a touch-sensitive device, for example, and is configured by a touch pad, for example. The display unit 152 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

  The input unit 151 detects a position where a user operation (physical contact operation such as a touch operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, and a tap operation) is input to the input surface, and inputs information indicating the position. A function of transmitting as a signal is provided. The input unit 151 may include a touch sensing unit (not shown). The touch sensing unit may adopt any method such as a capacitance method or a resistance film method.

  Although not shown, the user terminal 100 may include one or more sensors for specifying the holding posture of the user terminal 100. This sensor may be, for example, an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor. When the user terminal 100 includes a sensor, the processor 10 can specify the holding posture of the user terminal 100 from the output of the sensor and perform processing according to the holding posture. For example, when the user terminal 100 is held in the portrait orientation, the processor 10 may perform a portrait screen display in which a portrait image is displayed on the display unit 152. On the other hand, when the user terminal 100 is held sideways, a horizontal screen display in which a horizontally long image is displayed on the display unit may be used. As described above, the processor 10 may be able to switch between the vertical screen display and the horizontal screen display according to the holding posture of the user terminal 100.

  The camera 17 includes an image sensor and the like, and generates a captured image by converting incident light incident from a lens into an electric signal.

  The distance measuring sensor 18 is a sensor that measures the distance to the measurement object. The distance measuring sensor 18 includes, for example, a light source that emits pulse-converted light and a light receiving element that receives the light. The distance measuring sensor 18 measures the distance to the measurement object based on the light emission timing from the light source and the light reception timing of the reflected light in which the emitted light is reflected by the measurement object. The distance measuring sensor 18 may have a light source that emits light having directivity.

  Here, an example in which the user terminal 100 receives a detection result of detecting an object 1010 in the vicinity of the user terminal 100 using the camera 17 and the distance measuring sensor 18 as an input operation of the user will be further described. The camera 17 and the distance measuring sensor 18 may be provided on the side surface of the housing of the user terminal 100, for example. A distance measuring sensor 18 may be provided in the vicinity of the camera 17. As the camera 17, for example, an infrared camera can be used. In this case, the camera 17 may be provided with an illumination device that emits infrared light, a filter that blocks visible light, and the like. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the detection accuracy of the object based on the captured image of the camera 17 regardless of whether it is outdoors or indoors.

  The processor 10 may perform one or more processes on the captured image of the camera 17, for example, among the processes shown in the following (1) to (5). (1) The processor 10 performs image recognition processing on the captured image of the camera 17 to identify whether the captured image includes a user's hand. The processor 10 may use a technique such as pattern matching as an analysis technique employed in the above-described image recognition processing. (2) Moreover, the processor 10 detects a user's gesture from the shape of a user's hand. For example, the processor 10 specifies the number of the user's fingers (the number of fingers extending) from the shape of the user's hand detected from the captured image. The processor 10 further identifies a gesture made by the user from the number of identified fingers. For example, when the number of fingers is five, it is determined that the user has performed a “par” gesture. When the number of fingers is zero (no finger is detected), the user performs a “go” gesture. If it is determined that the user has performed two fingers, it is determined that the user has performed a “choke” gesture. (3) The processor 10 performs image recognition processing on the image captured by the camera 17 to detect whether the user's finger is in the state where only the index finger is raised or whether the user's finger has moved. . (4) The processor 10 determines an object 1010 (such as a user's hand) in the vicinity of the user terminal 100 based on at least one of the image recognition result of the image captured by the camera 17 and the output value of the distance measuring sensor 18. ) And the user terminal 100 are detected. For example, the processor 10 determines whether the user's hand is near (for example, a distance less than a predetermined value) or far (for example, a predetermined value) depending on the size of the shape of the user's hand specified from the captured image of the camera 17. It is detected whether the distance is above. When the captured image is a moving image, the processor 10 may detect whether the user's hand is approaching or moving away from the user terminal 100. (5) When the distance between the user terminal 100 and the user's hand changes in a state in which the user's hand is detected based on the image recognition result of the captured image of the camera 17 or the like, the processor 10 Is recognized as being swung in the shooting direction of the camera 17. When the distance sensor 18 having higher directivity than the shooting range of the camera 17 detects or does not detect an object, the processor 10 shakes the hand in a direction perpendicular to the shooting direction of the camera. recognize.

  In this manner, the processor 10 determines whether or not the user is grasping his / her hand by image recognition on the captured image of the camera 17 (“Goo” gesture or other gesture (eg “Par”)). ) Is detected. In addition to the shape of the user's hand, the processor 10 detects how the hand is moved and whether the hand is approaching or moving away from the user terminal 100. Such an operation can correspond to, for example, an operation using a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel. For example, the user terminal 100 moves the pointer on the touch screen 15 according to the movement of the user's hand, and detects the user's gesture “goo”. In this case, the user terminal 100 determines that the state is selected by the user (continuation of mouse click, touchdown to touch panel, and continuation of touch). Further, the user terminal 100 can also determine that the movement is a swipe operation (or a drag operation) when the user further moves his / her hand while the user's gesture “goo” is detected. In addition, for example, when the user terminal 100 detects a gesture that repels a finger in the detection result of the user's hand from the image captured by the camera 17, the user terminal 100 performs processing corresponding to a mouse click or a touch panel tap operation. It is good also to do.

<Functional configuration of user terminal 100>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the user terminal 100. The functional configuration necessary for the user terminal 100 to function as a general smartphone or the like, and the functional configuration necessary for realizing known functions in the puzzle game are omitted as appropriate. .

  The user terminal 100 has a function as an input device that receives a user input operation and a function as an output device that outputs a game image and sound. The user terminal 100 functions as the control unit 110 and the storage unit 120 through cooperation of the processor 10, the memory 11, the storage 12, the communication IF 13, the input / output IF 14, and the like.

  The storage unit 120 stores a game program 131, game information 132, and user information 133. The game program 131 is a game program executed on the user terminal 100, and the same data may be held in the server 200. The game information 132 is data referred to when the control unit 110 executes a game program, and includes information similar to the game information held by the server 200. The user information 133 is data related to the user's account, and the same data is also held in the server 200.

  The control unit 110 performs overall control of the user terminal 100 by executing the game program 131 stored in the storage unit 120. For example, the control unit 110 generates a board surface with reference to the information of the objects constituting the board surface of the puzzle game stored in the game information 132 and presents it to the user. Moreover, the control part 110 transmits / receives various data. For example, the control unit 110 receives various data and programs from the server 200. The control unit 110 transmits part or all of the game information or user information to the server 200. The control unit 110 may transmit a multiplay synchronization request to the server 200. The controller 110 may receive data for multiplayer synchronization from the server 200.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 110 functions as an operation reception unit 111, a display control unit 112, an image generation unit 113, a puzzle progression unit 114, and a character management unit 115 according to the description of the game program 131. In another embodiment, the control unit 110 may further function as the sharing control unit 116 in accordance with the description of the game program 131.

  The operation receiving unit 111 detects and receives a user input operation on the input unit 151. The operation reception unit 111 determines what input operation has been performed based on the user's action on the console via the touch screen 15 and other input / output IF 14, and outputs the result to each element of the control unit 110. To do.

  The operation receiving unit 111 receives an input operation on the input unit 151, detects the coordinates of the input position of the input operation, and identifies the type of the input operation. The operation reception unit 111 specifies, for example, a touch operation, a slide operation, a drag operation, a swipe operation, a tap operation, and the like as the types of input operations. In addition, when the input that has been continuously detected is interrupted, the operation reception unit 111 detects that the contact input is canceled from the touch screen 15, that is, a state transition from contact to non-contact.

  The display control unit 112 outputs a game screen in which the processing results executed by the above-described units are reflected on the display unit 152 of the touch screen 15. The display control unit 112 may draw various game screens generated by the image generation unit 113 in accordance with instructions from the puzzle progression unit 114. As various game screens, for example, a stage selection screen for allowing the user to select the stage of the puzzle game, a condition presentation screen for presenting the stage clearing conditions to the user, and a board corresponding to the stage selected by the user are displayed. Then, there are a puzzle screen for playing the stage, a grade presentation screen for presenting the grade of the played stage to the user, and the like.

  The image generation unit 113 generates various game screens in accordance with instructions from the puzzle progression unit 114. The image generation unit 113 may generate animations (movements) of various objects arranged on the game screen in accordance with instructions from the puzzle progression unit 114. For example, animations of various puzzle elements displayed on the puzzle screen may be generated. The image generation unit 113 may generate various objects arranged on the game screen. For example, a user interface (UI) object such as an icon or a button that is displayed on the stage selection screen and allows the user to select a stage may be generated.

  The puzzle progression unit 114 advances the puzzle game. Specifically, each stage included in the puzzle game is advanced. As an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 accepts selection of a stage by the user, generates a board surface corresponding to the selected stage, and starts progression of the stage. The operation of the user's board is accepted and the stage is advanced. The progress of the stage is monitored, and if the end condition is satisfied, the stage is ended. The play result of the stage is fed back to the user.

  The character management unit 115 manages puzzle elements arranged on the board. In the present embodiment, as an example, the puzzle element is a character associated with one or more parameters. In the present embodiment, the character is not only an object to be removed from the board surface, but also has parameters related to the advantageous progression of the stage, and each character proceeds with the progression of the stage based on the parameter. Can have an effect. In the present embodiment, the right to own the character is given by the server 200 when the user satisfies a predetermined condition while playing the puzzle game. Satisfying the predetermined condition includes, for example, exchanging with a paid item, assigning by lottery, and clearing a task.

  The character owned by the user may be managed by the server 200 in association with the user identification information, locally managed by the character management unit 115 of the user terminal 100, or both. The character management unit 115 reads various information such as parameters related to the character and supplies the information to the puzzle progression unit 114 according to the progress of the puzzle game executed by the puzzle progression unit 114, or updates the various information. To do.

  The function of the sharing control unit 116 and the functional configuration of the server 200 will be described in detail in another embodiment.

  Note that the server 200 may include at least some of the functions of the user terminal 100. Further, the user terminal 100 may include at least a part of the functions included in the server 200. Furthermore, a device other than the user terminal 100 and the server 200 may be used as a component of the game system 1, and the other device may be caused to execute part of the processing in the game system 1. That is, in the present embodiment, the game program may be executed by any computer of the user terminal 100, the server 200, and other devices, or a plurality of the user terminals 100, the server 200, and other devices. It may be executed by cooperation of computers.

<Processing flow of user terminal 100>
3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing that the user terminal 100 executes based on the game program 131. FIG. The outline of the processing performed by the user terminal 100 will be described. In the present embodiment, as an example, based on the game program 131, the user terminal 100 receives a user operation for changing the arrangement of puzzle elements on the board surface. (S104 described later) and a step of determining a first trajectory for moving a new puzzle element added to the board for changing the arrangement toward the board according to a user operation (S107 described later) ), A step of moving a new puzzle element in accordance with the first trajectory (S110 described later), and the position relationship between the puzzle element arranged on the board and the new puzzle element being moved, The step of changing the movement mode of the puzzle elements (S112 described later) is executed. In the changing step described above, when a new puzzle element comes into contact with a puzzle element, the movement mode after the contact is determined depending on whether the touched puzzle element is the same or different from the new puzzle element. .

  As an example, the user operation (change operation) received in the above-described receiving step is a drag (slide) operation. The movement based on the first trajectory of the puzzle element in the moving step described above is, for example, a character selected by a drag operation and shifted from the initial position is placed on the board from the current position after being shifted. It happens by being emitted toward the character group. The initial position is, for example, on an injection table installed below the board surface. The current position after being shifted is, for example, the contact position detected last by the drag operation described above. As an example, the injection is started when the user selects a character on the injection table by a drag operation and shifts it, and then performs a drop (release) operation.

  In the following description of the flow of processing, reference is made to the game screens shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the condition presentation screen. 6-17 is a figure which shows an example of a puzzle screen. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result presentation screen. These various game screens are generated by the image generation unit 113 in accordance with instructions from the puzzle progression unit 114. Then, the generated game screen is displayed on the display unit 152 by the display control unit 112 so that the user can visually recognize the game screen.

  Before explaining the flow of processing, first, the basic configuration of the puzzle screen presented to the user in this embodiment and the nature of the character as a puzzle element will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the puzzle screen is configured to include a board surface 511. The board surface 511 includes at least an area for arranging characters. As an example, a large number of five types of characters 512 are randomly arranged in the area. The board surface 511 may include an area different from the area for placing the character 512. The different area includes a ceiling 513, an intermediate obstacle 514, the remaining number of injections 515, a clear condition 516, and a score, which will be described later. A total 517, an injection stand 521, a notice area 522, a score position 563, and the like may be arranged.

  Note that the puzzle progression unit 114 specifies the type of character to be placed on the board by an arbitrary method. The puzzle advancing unit 114 may designate a character associated in advance for each stage, may designate a character selected by the user, or may use a character prepared in advance in the server 200. You may select and specify at random, and you may select and specify from the character linked | related with a user as a character which a user owns. In this embodiment, the puzzle advancing part 114 designates five types of characters from the characters linked | related with the user as an example based on a user's selection. Moreover, the puzzle progress part 114 designates five types of characters predetermined for the stage depending on the stage. The character management unit 115 reads out the character designated by the puzzle progression unit 114 from the game information 132 and supplies it to the puzzle progression unit 114.

  In the present embodiment, the character 512 has two types of forms, a first form and a second form. As an example, the first form is a floating form in which the character is wrapped in a balloon (covered object), and the character in this form is a virtual that tries to pull the character from the top to the bottom of the game screen by the buoyancy of the balloon. Against gravity, it has the property of rising above the game screen. The second form is a drop form in which the character is not wrapped in balloons, and the character in this form has the property of dropping downward in the game screen according to the above-described virtual gravity. Each character 512 shown in FIG. 6 is wrapped in a balloon, and thus is a character in a flying form.

  In the present embodiment, the character has a property of joining adjacent characters of the same type in the flying form when the arrangement on the board surface is changed. In this embodiment, the combined characters are displayed in a floating form in which one character is wrapped with one balloon, but the size of the character wrapped in the balloon depends on the number of combined characters. Become.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the character 512 is displayed in a size corresponding to one character in the minimum unit before combining, that is, the minimum unit character. On the other hand, the character 518 is a combined character in which two minimum unit characters are combined, and is displayed in a size corresponding to two minimum unit characters. That is, the puzzle advancing unit 114 determines the size of the combined character according to the number of minimum unit characters constituting the combined character.

  Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that a combined character in which three or more minimum unit characters are combined is dropped from the board and removed. Therefore, regarding the size of the character that is in the floating state, the size of the minimum unit character 512 and the size of the combined character 518 in which two minimum unit characters are combined are maintained in the state of being placed on the board. There are two types.

  Note that the puzzle progression unit 114 may set the buoyancy of the character in the floating form and the gravity of the character in the falling form to be stronger or the same. Further, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may be set so that the buoyancy or gravity increases as the size of the combined character increases. For example, if the buoyancy is greater, and the fall trajectory of the character in the fall form is blocked by the character in the float form, the character is in the fall form, i.e. is not wrapped in a balloon. However, it may remain on the board surface 511 due to the buoyancy of the rising character blocking the fall trajectory. On the other hand, if the gravity is greater, the fall-type character may fall down the puzzle screen by pushing away the flying-type character even if the fall trajectory is blocked.

  In addition to the character, the board surface 511 may include obstacles such as a ceiling 513 and an intermediate obstacle 514 (clouds in the illustrated example) as objects that hinder the movement of the emitted character. If there is a limit on the number of times the character can be fired on the stage, that is, if the puzzle progression unit 114 sets an upper limit number of times that the character can be added as a clearing condition, the puzzle screen may further include the remaining number of times 515. Good. The puzzle screen further includes a clear condition 516 related to the number of characters to be removed among the clear conditions imposed on the stage, and a score total 517 (total score) indicating the total score acquired in the stage. You may go out.

  In this embodiment, every time a stage is played, a score is determined for the play. The grade may include the total score earned in the stage, may include the number of characters removed, or may include the achievement of the presented clear condition, In addition, arbitrary information for evaluating the user's play may be included. Based on the above, the processing flow will be described below.

  For example, when one stage is selected by the user on the stage selection screen, the puzzle progression unit 114 sets clear conditions for the stage selected by the user and displays them on the display unit 152 in step S101. Specifically, the puzzle advancing unit 114 acquires clear conditions associated with the selected stage from the game information 132 and causes the image generation unit 113 to generate a condition presentation screen. The puzzle progression unit 114 may set the score total acquired at the stage as the clearing condition, or may set the number of characters to be removed at the stage regardless of the specific type or type. Furthermore, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may set an upper limit number of times that a character can be newly added to change the layout of the board as a clear condition. That is, the puzzle advancing unit 114 sets an upper limit on the number of inputs for a user operation (drop operation) for changing the arrangement of characters on the board.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a condition presentation screen including one or more clear conditions 501 is generated. Further, the condition presentation screen may include a stage name 502 of a stage to be played from now on, a character type 503 arranged on the board of the stage, and the like.

  When the start button 504 is selected by the user, the puzzle progression unit 114 generates a board surface of the stage in step S102. The generated board surface is displayed on the display unit 152. In the present embodiment, the puzzle progression unit 114 generates a board surface by randomly arranging the characters specified in the character type 503.

  As an example, the puzzle advancing unit 114 provides a period of predetermined seconds between the time when the puzzle screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed and the time when the puzzle game is actually started, thereby allowing the user to prepare for the start of play. May be given.

  When a predetermined number of seconds elapses after the puzzle screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed in step S102, in step S103, the puzzle progression unit 114 generates an injection stand, arranges it on the puzzle screen, and displays it on the display unit 152. . As shown in FIG. 7, a puzzle screen including the injection table 521 is generated by the image generation unit 113. The user can select a character to be ejected from the ejection characters placed on the ejection stand 521 by a touch operation. In the present embodiment, as an example, the touch operation is a drag operation. Furthermore, the image generation unit 113 may place a character to be filled next in the notice area 522 when the injection table 521 is empty according to the instruction of the puzzle progression unit 114.

  The puzzle advancing unit 114 may install an arbitrary number of one or more injection stands 521 on the puzzle screen. Moreover, the puzzle advancing part 114 may install a predetermined number of injection stands according to the setting predetermined for every stage. According to such a configuration, the strategy for aiming for a high score differs depending on the number of injection stands installed, and the user can enjoy the puzzle game by developing a strategy for each stage.

  In step S104, the operation reception unit 111 detects a drag operation. In this case, in step S105, the puzzle advancing unit 114 identifies the character selected by the drag operation among the characters placed on the ejection stand 521 as the ejection character. The ejection character means a character that the user ejects toward the board surface 511 and a character that moves in the board surface 511 after the ejection. That is, the injection character refers to a character that is newly added to the board surface 511.

  Specifically, the puzzle advancing unit 114 specifies the character displayed at the start position of the drag operation described above as the emission character. The start position refers to a position on the touch screen 15 where a contact related to the above-described drag operation is first detected.

  In step S106, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may highlight a character of the same type as the identified emission character among the characters arranged on the board surface 511 while the drag operation is detected. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present embodiment, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 has a frame for conspicuously making each character of the same type as the firing character 531 out of the characters arranged on the board surface 511. 532 may be given. For example, the frame 532 may be colored with a color that is not used in various characters on the board surface 511 and the background. The frame 532 may be provided with animation such as blinking or moving along the outline of the balloon.

  Further, in step S107, the puzzle progression unit 114 determines the ejection trajectory (first trajectory) of the ejection character 531. For example, the puzzle progression unit 114 may determine the ejection trajectory based on the positional relationship between the initial position of the ejection character 531 and the currently detected contact position. As an example, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may determine, as the ejection trajectory 535, an extension line of a straight line from the currently detected contact position 533 to the initial position 534 of the ejection character 531. The puzzle advancing unit 114 may display the determined ejection trajectory 535 on the display unit 152 during step S108 during NO, that is, while the drag operation is detected. This makes it easier for the user to visually recognize the ejection trajectory 535, determine the aim, and eject the ejection character 531 to a desired position.

  In the case of YES in step S108, in step S109, the puzzle progression unit 114 decrements the remaining number of injections by 1. Specifically, when contact related to the above-described drag operation is not detected, in other words, when the operation reception unit 111 detects a transition from a contact state to a non-contact state with respect to the state of the touch screen 15, The puzzle advancing unit 114 determines that the injection has been instructed by the user, and reduces the number displayed in the remaining number of injections 515 by one.

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 110, the puzzle advancing unit 114 ejects the ejection character 531 and moves it toward the board surface 511. The movement trajectory at this time is an ejection trajectory determined at the time when the transition to the non-contact state is detected in step S108. FIG. 9 shows a puzzle screen showing a scene in which the ejection character 531 is moving along the ejection trajectory 535 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may cause the display unit 152 to display a trajectory that the ejection character 531 has moved by being ejected as an ejection trajectory 541.

  In this embodiment, the puzzle progression unit 114 determines that the answer is NO in step S111, that is, until the ejection character 531 collides with any of the same kind of character on the board surface 511, the intermediate obstacle 514, and the ceiling 513. In the meantime, the movement of the injection character 531 is continued. In the present embodiment, as an example, the moving character 531 may be rendered as if it is moving through different groups of characters on the board 511 and pushing through the balloon balloons of the character.

  On the other hand, if “YES” in the step S111, that is, if the ejecting character 531 collides with the same kind of character or various obstacles due to the movement, the puzzle progression unit 114 in the step S112 at the position The movement of 531 is stopped. FIG. 10 shows a puzzle screen showing a scene in which the injection character 531 moving along the injection trajectory 535 shown in FIG. 8 collides with the intermediate obstacle 514 (cloud) and stops at that position.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are puzzle screens for explaining another example of movement of the ejection character 531. FIG. 11 shows a puzzle screen showing a scene in which the ejection character 531 is moving along another ejection trajectory 536. In the example shown in FIG. 11, when the ejection character 531 is ejected along the ejection trajectory 536 and starts to move, it collides with the left end of the puzzle screen before the obstacle.

  In step S110, in this embodiment, when the moving ejection character 531 reaches the left end or the right end of the puzzle screen, the puzzle advancing unit 114 changes the ejection trajectory. Specifically, when the initial injection trajectory 536 determined at the time of step S108 intersects the end of the puzzle screen (the left end in the example shown in FIG. 11), the puzzle advancing unit 114 determines that the initial injection trajectory 536 is Based on the angle of incidence on the left end, the exit trajectory 537 after reflection is determined. The puzzle advancing unit 114 moves the ejection character 531 along the initial ejection trajectory 536, and after the ejection character 531 reaches the left end, the movement of the ejection character 531 continues along the ejection trajectory 537 after reflection. That is, when the injection character 531 reaches the left end or the right end of the display area in the display unit 152, the puzzle progression unit 114 is based on the angle formed between the left end or the right end of the display area and the above-described initial injection trajectory. Change the injection trajectory after arrival. An ejection locus 541 on the puzzle screen shown in FIG. 11 indicates that the ejection character 531 collides with the left end of the puzzle screen and is reflected, and after the reflection, moves along the changed ejection trajectory 537.

  As a result of the movement along the above-described ejection trajectories 536 and 537, it is the same kind of character 553 that the ejection character 531 first comes into contact with other than the different characters as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the shooting character 531 comes into contact with the same kind of character 553 (YES in step S111), the puzzle progression unit 114 causes the shooting character 531 to be in the position where the shooting character 531 comes into contact with the same kind of character 553. Is stopped (step S112).

  In the case of NO in step S113, that is, as a result of stopping the movement of the ejection character 531, if there is no adjacent similar character in the arrangement on the board surface 511 at that time, the puzzle progression unit 114 proceeds to step S129 (FIG. 4). Transition. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 10, the ejection character 531 collides with the intermediate obstacle 514 and stops, and as a result, it is not adjacent to any of the same type of characters. Therefore, in this case, the puzzle progression unit 114 proceeds to step S129 (FIG. 4).

  If NO in step S129, that is, if the number of injections remains one or more after being reduced in step S109, the process returns to step S103 and the subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, if YES in step S129, that is, if the remaining number of injections has reached 0, the puzzle progression unit 114 determines that no more injections can be made and ends the stage. In step S130, the puzzle progression unit 114 causes the display unit 152 to display the play result relating to the stage, that is, the score. A specific example of the result presentation screen will be described in detail later.

  On the other hand, in the case of YES in step S113, that is, as a result of stopping the movement of the ejection character 531, if there are adjacent similar characters in the layout on the board surface 511 at that time, in step S114, the puzzle progression unit 114 Combine characters of the same type. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, as a result of the stop of the firing character 531, characters that are of the same kind as the firing character 531 and are continuously connected including the firing character 531 are the same kind of characters 551, 552, and 553. It is. Therefore, the puzzle progression unit 114 combines the ejection character 531 and the same kind of characters 551, 552, and 553 as one character.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the puzzle progression unit 114 displays the combined character 561 instead of the combined injection character 531 and the same kind of characters 551, 552, and 553. The size of the character 561 after combining is the size corresponding to four characters of the minimum unit because the number of characters in the minimum unit before combining is four.

  Note that the puzzle progression unit 114 becomes a combination target before combining the characters in order to clearly indicate that the characters to be combined are the same type of characters 551 to 553 and the emission character 531. Each character may be highlighted. As illustrated in FIG. 12, for example, the puzzle progression unit 114 may cause the display unit 152 to display the same type of characters 551 to 553 to be combined and the object 554 that connects the emission character 531.

  If NO in step S115, that is, if the number of characters of the same type combined in step S114 is less than a predetermined number (for example, three), the puzzle progression unit 114 proceeds to step S129 (FIG. 4). The above-described processing is continued.

  On the other hand, in the case of YES in step S115, that is, as in the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, if the number of the same kind of characters combined in step S114 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, The process which removes the character after step S116 shown in this is performed.

  The puzzle game according to the present embodiment is a puzzle game that progresses by removing a character from the board and determining a score according to the removed character. In the present embodiment, the process of removing the character from the board surface, as shown in steps S116 to S125, as an example, moves (specifically drops) the character placed on the board surface 511, and results Is to reach the scoring position for updating.

  The scoring position means a destination location for moving the character placed on the board surface 511 in order to update the score related to the stage being played. The score position is set at a predetermined position on the puzzle screen, and the puzzle progression unit 114 is used to determine whether or not a score is generated by the movement of the character. The score position may define a predetermined area on the puzzle screen, may define a predetermined line, or may define a predetermined point.

  A detailed description of the process of removing the character will be continued. In step S116, the puzzle advancing unit 114 determines a fall trajectory (second trajectory) for dropping the combined character 561 that has shifted to the fall form to the scoring position. The determination of the fall trajectory may be executed at any timing before step S120. Further, the fall trajectory is determined by an arbitrary method. The puzzle advancing unit 114 may determine the fall trajectory based on various parameters associated with the combined character 561, or fall based on the orientation of the face when the combined character 561 is arranged. The trajectory may be determined, or may be determined based on the number of minimum unit characters constituting the combined character 561, or a gimmick set on the stage (detailed in another embodiment). You may decide based on.

  In step S117, the puzzle progression unit 114 may highlight the combined character 561. As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 may add a ring 562 (enclosed object) to the combined character 561 in order to make the combined character 561 stand out. Good. It is preferable that an animation is given to the ring 562 so that the user's line of sight faces the combined character 561. For example, the ring 562 is initially displayed larger than the combined character 561 wrapped in the balloon so as to surround the combined character 561 wrapped in the balloon. The ring 562 gradually contracts so as to approach the outline of the combined character 561 wrapped in the balloon. The contraction may be accompanied by repeated expansion and contraction. Thereby, it is possible to attract the user's attention to the combined character 561. In many cases, the drop of the character 561 after the combination triggers chain removal (so-called combo) in which a high score is obtained. According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to cause the user to visually recognize such a chain removal effect without being overlooked, and thus give the user a sense of achievement or satisfaction with play. Can do.

  Subsequently, in step S118, the puzzle progression unit 114 shifts the combined character 561 from the floating form to the falling form. With the transition of this form, the movement of the character 561 after combining, that is, the fall is started.

  In step S119, the puzzle progression unit 114 may change the display mode of the combined character 561. As illustrated in FIG. 15, in the present embodiment, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 causes the image generation unit 113 to output an animation that bursts the balloon that encloses the combined character 561. Thereby, the display mode of the combined character 561 is changed from the display mode corresponding to the flying mode to the display mode corresponding to the falling mode. As an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 causes the image generation unit 113 to generate an animation that bursts the balloon at the timing when the contracting ring 562 matches the outline of the balloon of the combined character 561. Also good.

  In step S120, the puzzle progression unit 114 causes the combined character 561 to fall along the determined fall trajectory. Thereby, the combined character 561 moves toward the score position. As shown in FIG. 16, in the present embodiment, the score position 563 defines a predetermined line on the puzzle screen. When the falling character reaches the score position 563, the puzzle progression unit 114 determines that the removal of the character is complete. Specifically, the puzzle progression unit 114 determines that the removal is complete when a part of the outline of the character touches a line defined as the score position 563.

  In this embodiment, in step S121, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 may display a trajectory on which the combined character 561 has moved on the display unit 152 as a fall trajectory 564.

  In the case of NO in step S122, that is, in the case where the combined character 561 that has been dropped reaches the scoring position 563 without coming into contact with other characters in the flying form, steps S123 to S125 are omitted. In this case, in step S126, the puzzle progression unit 114 adds a score corresponding to the character only to the combined character 561 that has reached the score position 563 to the score total.

  On the other hand, in the case of YES in step S122, that is, when the combined character 561 that is falling comes into contact with another flying character, in step S123, the puzzle progression unit 114 selects another character that has touched. The transition from the floating form to the falling form is performed.

  Subsequently, in step S124, the puzzle advancing unit 114 changes the display mode for other characters that have been shifted to the falling form. As an example, as shown in FIG. 16, the puzzle advancing unit 114 changes from a mode wrapped in a balloon corresponding to the flying form to a mode not wrapped in a balloon corresponding to the falling form. At this time, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may control the image generating unit 113 to give the other character an animation that causes the balloon to break. Subsequently, in step S125, the puzzle advancing unit 114 drops each character that has been shifted to the drop form in step S123, and moves it to the score position 563.

  In step S126, the puzzle advancing unit 114 adds the score according to the character that is determined to have been removed by reaching the score position 563, and updates the score. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the puzzle progression unit 114 may update the total value of the scores indicated in the score total 517. Further, at the timing when the character reaches the scoring position 563, the puzzle progression unit 114 displays the score 565 obtained according to the character and the combo number 566 representing the number of removed chains that satisfy the predetermined condition. It may be displayed on the part 152.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 may determine that the second and subsequent removals are chain removals when a plurality of characters are removed by one injection. In this case, the puzzle progression unit 114 has more points (for example, by doubling) than the points obtained when the characters removed from the chain are removed alone based on a predetermined rule. To decide.

  In step S127, the puzzle progression unit 114 may count the number of removed characters, that is, the number of characters that have reached the score position 563 for each type. In the present embodiment, as an example, the clear condition is set to remove a specified number of specific types of characters. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the puzzle progression unit 114 may update the achievement progress indicated in the clear condition 516 according to the number of characters of a specific type removed.

  For example, in the stage where it is required to remove 20 characters having the character name “heart”, if the two “heart” characters are successfully removed, the puzzle progression unit 114 indicates the value indicated by the clear condition 516. Is updated from “0/20” to “2/20”. Of the values of the clear condition 516, the denominator indicates the number of removals of a specific type of character imposed as the clearing condition, and the numerator indicates the number of removals of the type of character actually removed at the present time.

  In the case of NO in step S128, that is, when the clear condition is not satisfied even if a series of processes up to step S127 is performed with the firing of the fired character 531 performed in step S110 as a trigger, the puzzle progression unit In step 114, the process proceeds to step S129. Then, as described above, depending on whether the remaining number of injections is 0, whether to end the stage or continue the stage is determined.

  If YES in step S128 or YES in step S129, in step S130, the puzzle progression unit 114 determines the score of the stage that has been played and causes the display unit 152 to display the score.

  Note that the puzzle progression unit 114 may determine YES in step S128 when all of the plurality of clear conditions 501 presented in step S101 or at least one of the clear conditions is satisfied. Alternatively, the puzzle progression unit 114 may determine YES in step S128 when the clear condition 516 related to the number of removed characters presented on the puzzle screen is satisfied.

  In step S130, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 causes the image generation unit 113 to generate a result presentation screen shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the grade may be presented for each character arranged on the board surface 511 on the grade presentation screen. The score 571 for each character includes, for example, a removal number 572 removed at the stage where the character was played, and a score 573 for each character obtained by removing the removal number of characters. Also good.

  Each character is associated with “level” and “scoring unit price” as specific examples of parameters. The level is a parameter indicating the overall strength of the character. The scoring unit price is a parameter indicating the score per character acquired when the character is removed. “Character is strong” means that the character has a high degree of contribution to the advancement of the puzzle game according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the higher the level is, the higher the score unit price is. The grade 571 may further include a level 574 and a scoring unit price 575 associated with the character.

  The calculation of the score 573 for each character can be performed by an arbitrary method. As an example, in the example shown in FIG. 18, the scoring unit price of the character “heart” is “10”. Therefore, if the total number of removed “hearts” is 20 in the played stage, the puzzle progression unit 114 sets the acquired score 573 for the character “heart” to 10 (points) × 20 (pieces). ) = 200 points.

  Furthermore, the grade 571 may include a cumulative score 576 for each character. The cumulative score 576 indicates the sum of all the scores obtained for the character in all stages played by the user so far. The accumulated score 576 is managed by the character management unit 115. As an example, the cumulative score 576 is presented in a gauge manner. In the present embodiment, when the score is acquired until the gauge of the cumulative score 576 is full, the character management unit 115 increases the level of the character by one. The character management unit 115 resets the gauge when the level is raised, and adds the score acquired for the character from the next time onward. Increasing the level means that other various parameters are increased, that is, the character becomes stronger. As described above, the game system 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to strengthen (grow) each character as the stage is played by the user.

  When the user confirms the score of the stage that has been played, the user may select the OK button 577. When the OK button 577 is selected, the puzzle progression unit 114 completes the progression of a series of stages started from step S101.

  According to the above-described method, it is possible to provide a highly interesting game based on a new scheme.

[Modification]
(About supplementing characters)
As described above, in the puzzle game according to the present embodiment, the more the combined character 561 is generated above the board surface 511, the more the combined character 561 falls and the other characters 561 are involved. This is a scheme in which the number of characters to drop is increased and a higher score is expected accordingly.

  Therefore, as the stage progresses, characters on the board surface 511 are combined or dropped, and the number of characters on the board surface 511 decreases. When the number of characters arranged on the board surface 511 is small, it is difficult to entrain and drop many characters. In this case, as the stage progresses, the opportunity for chain removal decreases, which may reduce the interest of the puzzle game.

  Therefore, it is preferable that the puzzle progression unit 114 supplements the character on the board 511 when the progress of the stage satisfies a predetermined condition. As a first replenishment example, the puzzle progression unit 114 activates a replenishment mode in which characters are replenished to the board 511 one after another while the stage proceeds. The puzzle advancing unit 114 activates the replenishment mode when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the progress of the stage, and ends the replenishment mode when a predetermined time elapses, and the normal process described based on FIGS. 3 and 4 Continue on stage.

  Specifically, the puzzle progression unit 114 sets a replenishment gauge when the stage is started. The replenishment gauge is a gauge in which a replenishment gauge value is accumulated every time a character is removed from the board surface 511. When the replenishment gauge becomes full with the replenishment gauge value, the puzzle progression unit 114 activates a replenishment mode. During the replenishment mode, the puzzle progression unit 114 replenishes the board surface 511 with the floating character one after another. As an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 accepts the user's drag-and-drop operation any number of times without reducing the remaining number of injections during the replenishment mode, and injects the injection characters 531 toward the board 511 one after another. You may let them.

  According to the above-described configuration, during the period when the replenishment mode is activated, the user can inject the injection character 531 as many times as necessary to join and drop the character without worrying about the remaining number of injections. it can. For this reason, it becomes easy to achieve a large number of chain removals, and a higher score can be aimed at. As a result, it is possible to further improve the interest of the puzzle game.

  19 and 20 are diagrams showing specific examples of the puzzle screen displayed on the display unit 152 in the puzzle game based on the game program 131 having the function of activating the supplement mode. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing executed by the user terminal 100 based on the game program 131 equipped with a function for activating the supplement mode.

  Each process shown in FIG. 21 is performed in combination with the process related to the progress of the normal stage described based on FIG. 3 and FIG. For example, steps S151 and S152, which will be described later, may be executed at any timing after step S102 and before step S104. Steps S153 to S155 may be executed at any timing after step S125 and before step S128. While steps S156 to S159 are being executed, steps S103 to S127 (except for step S109) may be repeatedly executed. The termination conditions for each process shown in FIG. 21 are the same as the processes related to the progress of the normal stage described with reference to FIGS.

  When the stage is selected by the user, the puzzle progression unit 114 starts the progression of the selected stage. At the same time, in step S151, the puzzle advancing unit 114 initializes and sets a replenishment gauge. The initial state of the replenishment gauge is, for example, an empty state in which no replenishment gauge value is entered. In step S152, the puzzle advancing unit 114 displays the replenishment gauge in the puzzle screen together with the board surface 511 and the injection table 521. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the puzzle progression unit 114 displays a replenishment gauge 581 on the puzzle screen. The replenishment gauge 581 is preferably in a display mode in which the replenishment gauge value when full and the replenishment gauge value accumulated at the present time are clearly shown. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the replenishment gauge 581 is presented as a circle as an example, and indicates the replenishment gauge value when one round of the circle is full of the replenishment gauge 581. Indicates the replenishment gauge value.

  When the character falls to the scoring position in step S125, the puzzle progression unit 114 accumulates the replenishment gauge value corresponding to the dropped character in the replenishment gauge in step S153. Here, the puzzle progression unit 114 updates the display mode of the supplement gauge 581 so as to correspond to the supplement gauge after the addition. In the present embodiment, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 increases the colored portion of the replenishment gauge 581 clockwise every time the replenishment gauge value is accumulated. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the replenishment gauge 581 stores the replenishment gauge values up to half.

  If NO in step S154, the puzzle advancing unit 114 repeats the processes in steps S152 and S153 until the replenishment gauge 581 is full. On the other hand, if YES in step S154, that is, if the replenishment gauge 581 is full, in step S155, the puzzle progression unit 114 starts the replenishment mode.

  Specifically, the puzzle progression unit 114 locks the update of the remaining number of injections so that step S109 for reducing the number of remaining injections is not executed in step S156. That is, the puzzle progression unit 114 releases the restriction on the number of inputs for the user's drop operation for changing the character arrangement. In step S157, the puzzle advancing unit 114 arranges a replenisher on the puzzle screen and replenishes the flying character. In step S158, the puzzle advancing unit 114 reduces the replenishment gauge value of the replenishment gauge 581 that is full by a predetermined amount. The puzzle advancing unit 114 maintains the update lock of the remaining number of injections until the replenishment gauge 581 becomes empty in step S159 (NO in S159), continues to replenish the character, and sets the replenishment gauge value of the replenishment gauge 581 at a predetermined interval. Reduce by a predetermined amount.

  As shown in FIG. 20, as an example, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may arrange the replenishers 582 below the board surface 511 and on both sides of the injection table 521 on the puzzle screen. On the puzzle screen, an animation in which characters are replenished one after another from the replenisher 582 may be added by the image generation unit 113. Thereby, a visually interesting presentation is provided to the user, and the user can visually recognize that the supplement mode is activated and the character is supplemented. On the puzzle screen, the puzzle progression unit 114 may change the display at the remaining number of injections 515 to “∞” during the refill mode, that is, while the update of the remaining number of injections is locked. Thereby, the user can recognize that the character can be ejected without restriction on the number of times. The puzzle advancing unit 114 may reduce the colored portion of the replenishment gauge 581 counterclockwise as the replenishment gauge value of the replenishment gauge 581 is decreased by a predetermined amount at predetermined intervals during the replenishment mode period. In other words, the puzzle progression unit 114 gradually increases the time from the start of the replenishment mode so that the colored portion representing the replenishment gauge value of the replenishment gauge 581 becomes 0 at the end of the predetermined period in which the replenishment mode is activated. Reduce the colored part counterclockwise. Thereby, the user can play while confirming the remaining time of the replenishment mode.

  Further, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may change the display mode of the replenishment gauge 581 from the normal case in order to clearly indicate that the replenishment mode is activated. For example, it is assumed that the outline of the replenishment gauge 581 is changed to an aura, the colored portion of the circle or the center of the circle blinks, or changes to a rainbow color.

  While the replenishment mode is activated as described above, steps S103 to S127 are repeatedly executed except for step S109, and the user performs the chain removal by performing injections many times regardless of the number of times. , Can score high scores.

  When a certain time has elapsed since the start of the replenishment mode and YES in step S159, that is, when the replenishment gauge 581 becomes empty, the puzzle advancing unit 114 ends the replenishment mode in step S160. Specifically, the puzzle progression unit 114 releases the update lock of the remaining number of injections, hides the replenisher 582, stops the replenishment of the character, and returns the display mode of the replenishment gauge 581 to the normal time. The replenishment gauge value of the replenishment gauge 581 is reset to 0.

  The puzzle progression unit 114 returns to the processing of step S128 and step S129, and determines whether or not to end the stage based on the progress of the stage after the replenishment mode. If NO in step S161, the puzzle progression unit 114 returns to step S102 and repeats the subsequent processing. Therefore, the puzzle progression unit 114 returns to step S152 at any timing up to step S104, and performs any processing. repeat. On the other hand, if YES in step S161, the puzzle advancing unit 114 proceeds to step S130, and ends the series of processes related to the replenishment mode shown in FIG.

  As a second replenishment example, the puzzle progression unit 114 may be configured to replenish characters when the number of characters on the board surface 511 is reduced to a certain number. In this case, the puzzle advancing unit 114 monitors the number of characters arranged on the board surface 511, and when the number of characters becomes less than a predetermined number, the adder 582 is arranged to supplement the board surface 511 with a new character. .

  The puzzle progression unit 114 may perform both the first supplementary example and the second supplementary example. As a result, it is possible to further avoid a situation in which there are too few characters and the chance of chain removal decreases.

  Note that the puzzle progression unit 114 may randomly determine the type of character to be supplemented. Alternatively, the puzzle progression unit 114 may determine the type of replenishment based on the ratio of various characters already arranged on the board 511 so that the characters are arranged without being biased to a specific type.

(About binding)
In step S <b> 114, the puzzle progression unit 114 can determine by using an arbitrary method as to where the consecutive characters of the same type are aggregated and set as the initial position of the combined character 561. In the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the puzzle progression unit 114 aggregates four same-type characters at the position of the uppermost character 551 among the same-type characters that are connected. Then, the combined character 561 is placed at the position where the same kind of character 551 has been placed. According to this configuration, the number of other characters to be caught and dropped when the combined character 561 falls is increased. Thereby, the user can acquire a high score, and it becomes easy to obtain a sense of achievement for the player's own play.

  In another example, the puzzle progression unit 114 may randomly determine a position to be aggregated among positions where the same type of characters that are connected are arranged. Depending on the initial position of the combined character 561, that is, the position where the combined character 561 starts to fall, the number of other characters to be caught and dropped and the number thereof change. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to change the score that can be obtained by the fall of the character 561 after the combination even if the same injection is based on the same user operation. In this way, the interest of the puzzle game is further improved by involving the element of luck in the processing process related to the score.

  In the present embodiment, the puzzle progression unit 114 adds an animation in which all the characters to be combined are aggregated to each character to be combined at the position determined by the above-described arbitrary method before combining the characters. The image generation unit 113 may give the image to the image generation unit 113.

[Embodiment 2]
In the present embodiment, the game system 1 is a system for executing a multiplayer puzzle game. In the present embodiment, the multiplayer puzzle game is at least one piece of data related to the game between the user terminal 100 operated by the user and one or more other user terminals 100 operated by one or more other users. By sharing the part, a plurality of users can participate in one puzzle game and play together.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the user terminal 100 communicates with the server 200 and shares data with other user terminals 100 via the server 200. Thereby, the user terminal 100 can advance one puzzle game in cooperation with the other user terminal 100.

  In order to advance one puzzle game in cooperation with a plurality of user terminals 100, in the present embodiment, as an example, first, one user terminal 100 opens a play room in the server 200. In the following, the user terminal 100 that opened the play room is referred to as a host user terminal 100 to be distinguished from other user terminals 100. Other user terminals 100 participate in a play room established in the server 200. In the following, another user terminal 100 that participates in an existing play room is referred to as a guest user terminal 100 to be distinguished from the host user terminal 100. A user who operates the host user terminal 100 is referred to as a host user in distinction from other users. Further, a user who operates the guest user terminal 100 is referred to as a guest user to distinguish it from a host user. As described above, data is shared among a plurality of user terminals 100 that have entered one play room, whereby the plurality of user terminals 100 cooperate to advance one puzzle game.

<Functional configuration of user terminal 100>
The sharing control unit 116 illustrated in FIG. 2 is necessary for the puzzle progression unit 114 to communicate with the other user terminals 100 via the server 200 in order to advance the puzzle game in cooperation with the other user terminals 100. Exchange data. Specifically, sharing control unit 116 transmits to server 200 a request for opening a new play room (hereinafter referred to as cooperative play start request). The sharing control unit 116 transmits a participation request to an existing play room to the server 200. While the puzzle advancing unit 114 advances the stage, the sharing control unit 116 provides the progress of the stage (for example, the current grade) to the server 200 as necessary. When the puzzle control unit 114 receives a notification regarding the progress of the stage from the server 200 while the puzzle progress unit 114 advances the stage, the sharing control unit 116 transmits the notification to the puzzle progress unit 114. In addition, the sharing control unit 116 receives from the server 200 various values that are tabulated in consideration of the stage progress status in the other user terminals 100 and transmits the various values to the puzzle progression unit 114. In addition, when data to be shared with the other user terminals 100 is distributed from the server 200, the sharing control unit 116 transmits the data to the puzzle progression unit 114.

<Functional Configuration of Server 200>
The control unit 210 of the server 200 performs overall control of the server 200 by executing the game program 131 stored in the storage unit 220. In the present embodiment, the control unit 210 functions as the cooperative play control unit 211 according to the description of the game program 131.

  The cooperative play control unit 211 exchanges data necessary for the plurality of user terminals 100 to advance one puzzle game in cooperation with each user terminal 100. Specifically, the cooperative play control unit 211 receives a cooperative play start request from the user terminal 100 and opens a play room. Establishing a play room means generating shared data that each user terminal 100 should share in order to advance one puzzle game in cooperation. The data structure of the shared data will be described in detail later.

  The cooperative play control unit 211 receives a request to join an existing play room from the user terminal 100, and associates the request source user terminal 100 with the play room to participate. Note that the cooperative play control unit 211 may transmit a notification calling for participation in an existing play room in which a participation frame is vacant to any user terminal 100. For example, the notification may be transmitted to the user terminal 100 of the user designated by the host user, or the notification may be transmitted to the user terminal 100 of the user registered in advance as a friend with the host user. Alternatively, the notification may be transmitted to the user terminal 100 selected at random, or selected based on a predetermined rule (for example, a user who is playing online or a user at the same level as the host user). The notification may be transmitted to the user terminal 100.

  The cooperative play control unit 211 receives the stage progress (for example, individual results) provided from each user terminal 100 while each user terminal 100 advances the stage. And various values are totaled based on each received individual result, and the total result is fed back to each user terminal 100. Further, the cooperative play control unit 211 generates a notification related to the progress of the stage according to the counting result, and distributes it to each user terminal 100. In addition, if there is data that each user terminal 100 should share, the server 200 distributes the data to each user terminal 100.

<About character data>
In the present embodiment, the user owns a plurality of different types of characters, and can specify a character to be placed on or ejected from the owned characters. As described above, the character owned by the user is managed by the server 200 in association with the user identification information. The character management unit 115 of the user terminal 100 acquires character data about the character owned by the user of the user terminal from the server 200 and stores it in the storage unit 120 as game information 132. The character management unit 115 manages each character owned by the user by reading or updating the character data stored in the storage unit 120 according to the progress of the puzzle game.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of character data. The character has various parameters related to making the stage proceed advantageously. Examples of parameters include “level”, “scoring unit price”, “type”, “skill”, and “ability”. Furthermore, there may be a “cumulative score”. These various parameters are stored as character data in association with the character name of each character.

  The “level” is a parameter indicating the overall strength of the character as described above. As described above, the “scoring unit price” is a parameter indicating the score per character acquired when the character is removed. As described above, the “cumulative score” is a parameter indicating a sum (all so-called experience values) of the scores acquired for the character in all stages played by the user so far.

  “Type” is a parameter indicating the attribute of the character. For example, there are three types: red, blue, and yellow. The type of character placed on the board matches the attribute of the stage on which the board is configured or the attribute of the boss appearing on the stage. Then, the stage can be advantageously advanced.

  The “skill” is a parameter indicating the contents of a technique that can make the progress of the stage advantageous when the character is activated during the progress of the stage. The character placed on the board transitions to a state where the skill can be activated when a predetermined activation condition is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the skill is activated in accordance with a user operation after a predetermined activation condition is satisfied.

  “Ability” is the ability of a character to have an advantageous effect on the progress of the stage or the result after the progress. Since the character having the ability is arranged on the board surface, the advantageous effect for the progress of the stage related to the ability is exhibited. For example, if the character of “Heart” has the ability of “Score 5% UP”, the score that is added when the heart reaches the scoring position while the stage is in progress is the normal score 5% UP.

  The user can advantageously advance the stage by taking into account the attributes of the stage, the attributes of the boss appearing in the stage, the clearing conditions set for the stage, and the parameters of each character owned by the user. Then you can specify the best character. In this manner, in the scene where the character is designated, the user can devise a strategy to advance the puzzle game advantageously. As a result, it is possible to further improve the interest of the puzzle game.

<About shared data>
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of shared data. In the present embodiment, as an example, in one puzzle game, shared data shared among a plurality of user terminals 100 includes puzzle element data D1, clear condition data D2, supplemental gauge data D3, and score data D4. . As shown in FIG. 23, the shared data is stored in the storage unit 220 of the server 200 as game information 132 in association with the playroom identification information. The shared data is distributed to each user terminal 100 as necessary.

  As an example, the room data may include user identification information of a user who participates in the play room in addition to the room ID as identification information of the play room. In this embodiment, as an example, one puzzle game is advanced by the cooperation of three user terminals 100. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 23, user identification information of three users who respectively operate the three user terminals 100 is associated with the room ID. The room data may include information indicating which of the three users is the host.

  The puzzle element data D1 is information indicating the types of puzzle elements arranged on the board surface. In this embodiment, as an example, six types of characters are randomly arranged on the board as puzzle elements. Therefore, in this embodiment, the puzzle element data D1 is character data including information indicating six types of characters. In the present embodiment, as an example, three participating users each specify two types of characters to be placed on the board from among the characters that they own. Thereby, six types of characters are specified.

  Each of the six types of characters includes user identification information and No. Stored in association with. Thereby, it can be grasped in the game system 1 which user is designated as the first body or the second body. In this embodiment, the server 200 sets the character designated as the first body by the host user as the leader character. The leader character is distinguished from the remaining five bodies, for example, by giving a special ability or being specified as a part of the clear condition. The character data may include various parameters associated with the character (see FIG. 22) in addition to the name of each character.

  The clear condition data D2 is information indicating the clear condition of the stage played in cooperation. By sharing the clear condition, each user of each user terminal 100 plays in cooperation with sharing a goal. The clear condition may be a condition in which it is determined that the clear condition is achieved by imposing a quota on the total score obtained by combining the individual scores of all the participating users and achieving the quota for the total score. . For example, it may be a condition imposed on the total score obtained by the participating users. The clear condition may be a condition in which it is determined that the clear condition is achieved by imposing a quota on each of the participating users and all the participating users achieving the respective quotas. The clear condition may be a condition in which it is determined that the clear condition is achieved by at least one of the participating users achieving the quota. One or more clear conditions as described above may be set.

  The replenishment gauge data D3 is information indicating a replenishment gauge (for example, the above-described replenishment gauge 581) for controlling the activation condition of the replenishment mode. The replenishment gauge includes, for example, a fraction having a replenishment gauge value (MAX value) necessary to fill the gauge as a denominator and a current stored replenishment gauge value (current value) as a numerator. The replenishment gauge may include, for example, a percentage that indicates the percentage that the replenishment gauge value is stored. By sharing the replenishment gauge 581, the user terminals 100 participating in one puzzle game work together to satisfy the activation condition. When the activation condition is satisfied, the replenishment mode is activated simultaneously between the user terminals 100.

  The grade data D4 indicates the grade for the stage generated after the stage is cleared and the grades of the participating user terminals 100 are aggregated. The score data D4 may include a total score total (total score) obtained by adding all the score totals acquired in the stage for each of the participating user terminals 100. In this embodiment, the server 200 determines the score for each character acquired for each character for each of the participating user terminals 100 as a breakdown of the total score. Therefore, the results data D4 may include a total character-specific score obtained by adding up the character-specific scores for all the participating user terminals 100. In each user terminal 100, the number of removed characters is counted for each character. And the server 200 determines the removal number according to character for every user terminal 100 which participated. Therefore, the grade data D4 may include a total removal number by character (total removal number by type) obtained by adding up the removal numbers by character for all the participating user terminals 100. In addition, the achievement data D4 may include the degree of achievement of the presented clear condition, or may include arbitrary information for evaluating each user's play.

<Processing flow of game system 1>
FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by each device included in the game system 1 based on the game program 131. The outline of the processing performed by the game system 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, as an example, based on the game program 131, the game system 1 specifies a plurality of types of characters arranged on the board (S202 described later). Alternatively, S203) and a step (S206 or S207 described later) of arranging a plurality of specified types of characters and generating a board surface displayed on the display unit 152 are executed. In the specifying step described above, the character arranged on the board is specified from among characters associated with each of a plurality of users participating in one puzzle game. In this embodiment, a series of processing steps executed by the server 200 may be executed by one user terminal 100 in another embodiment, or in a plurality of user terminals in another embodiment. 100 may be shared and executed. Alternatively, the server 200 may execute part of a series of processing steps executed by the user terminal 100.

  In Step S <b> 201, the sharing control unit 116 of the user terminal 100 transmits a cooperative play start request for newly opening a play room to the server 200. The cooperative play start request includes information on the first character and the second character specified by the user of the user terminal 100 (for example, a character name or character identification information).

  In step S202, the cooperative play control unit 211 of the server 200 receives the cooperative play start request, and establishes a play room in which the requesting user terminal 100 is the host user terminal 100 as a response to the start request. That is, shared data is generated.

  At this point, the cooperative play control unit 211 embeds the user identification information of the host user in the room data column and the character data specified by the host user in the character data column of the shared data. Specifically, the cooperative play control unit 211 assigns characters to be assigned to the first frame and the second frame of the six frames of character data based on the character information included in the start request, respectively, by the host user. The specified first character and second character are identified. Thereby, two types of six types of characters arranged on the board are specified. The cooperative play control unit 211 fills the initial values in the clear condition data column and the supplemental gauge data column. Further, the cooperative play control unit 211 may leave the stage data column empty because no stage has been played yet.

  In step S203, the cooperative play control unit 211 executes a cooperative play matching process. Specifically, by selecting a guest user to participate in the established play room, a guest user terminal 100 is notified of participation, or a guest room request from the guest user terminal 100 is accepted, Identify the remaining characters placed on the board.

  In step S204, the sharing control unit 116 of the guest user terminal 100 transmits a cooperative play participation request. The participation request includes information on the first character and the second character specified by the guest user of the guest user terminal 100. Note that the sharing control unit 116 may transmit the participation request in response to a notification calling for participation from the server 200. Alternatively, the sharing control unit 116 may communicate with the server 200 in accordance with the operation of the guest user, search for play rooms that can be participated, and transmit a participation request.

  In step S203, the cooperative play control unit 211 of the server 200 continues the cooperative play matching process. Specifically, the cooperative play control unit 211 assigns characters assigned to the third frame and the fourth frame of the six frames of the character data to the guest user based on the character information included in the participation request. The first character and the second character specified by are identified. Similarly, the characters assigned to the fifth frame and the sixth frame are specified according to the participation request received from the guest user terminal 100 of the second guest user. At this point, all six types of characters arranged on the board are specified. Therefore, the cooperative play control unit 211 can fill in all information other than the column of the result data in the shared data.

  In step S205, the cooperative play control unit 211 distributes the shared data in which information other than the column of the result data is embedded to all the user terminals 100 that participate. Thereby, the puzzle element data (character data) D1, the clear condition data D2, and the replenishment gauge data D3 are shared among all the user terminals 100 participating in the play room opened in step S202.

  That is, the user can play a stage where characters owned by other users but not owned by the user are arranged on the board. The user can use the skills or abilities of characters owned by other users during the stage play. The score of the dropped character is calculated based on the unit price of the score associated with the character. Therefore, even if the character is not owned by the user, if the scoring unit price of the character owned by another user is high, the user can obtain a high score by dropping the character. In this way, the stage can be advantageously advanced while benefiting the characters owned by other users. This is one of the advantages of playing one puzzle game with a plurality of users. As a result, the interest of the multiplayer puzzle game can be further improved.

  In step S206, the sharing control unit 116 of the user terminal 100 transmits the distributed shared data to the puzzle progression unit 114. The puzzle progression unit 114 advances the stage based on the shared data. Since the stage progress process has been described in detail in the first embodiment based on FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the description thereof will not be repeated here. The difference from the first embodiment is that the puzzle progression unit 114 generates a board surface based on six types of characters specified by the character data included in the shared data. Further, the puzzle advancing unit 114 is different from the first embodiment in that the character placed on the ejection stand 521 and the character displayed in the notice area 522 are also selected from the above-described six types of characters. Moreover, the puzzle progression part 114 may activate the skill of the character arrange | positioned on the board surface. Further, the puzzle progression unit 114 may correct various values processed during the progression of the stage based on the ability of the character placed on the board. Note that in step S207, the same processing as in step S206 is executed in the other user terminals 100 participating in the same play room.

  In step S <b> 208, the cooperative play control unit 211 of the server 200 communicates with each user terminal 100 and executes processing for causing each user terminal 100 to share the progress of the stage. Specifically, the cooperative play control unit 211 participates in various values that change as the stage progresses (replenishment gauge value of supplementary gauge, total score, character-specific score, character-specific removal number, etc.). These are received from each of the terminals 100 and totalized. The cooperative play control unit 211 feeds back the counting results to each user terminal 100. In addition, the cooperative play control unit 211 transmits a notification related to the progress to each user terminal 100 when the progress changes according to the counting result.

  In step S209, the sharing control unit 116 of the user terminal 100 receives, from the server 200, a stage end notification that notifies the end of the stage as a notification related to the above-described progress. In this case, the puzzle progression unit 114 ends the progression of the stage, determines the individual score based on the play result of the user of the own terminal, and provides the individual score to the server 200. Note that in step S210, the same processing as in step S209 is also executed in the other user terminals 100.

  In step S <b> 211, the cooperative play control unit 211 of the server 200 aggregates the individual results received from each participating user terminal 100 and determines the overall results. Basically, the cooperative play control unit 211 calculates the total score by adding the individual scores.

  In step S212, the cooperative play control unit 211 may determine a reward distributed to all the participating users based on the overall score. For example, an item that improves the parameters of characters owned by all users who participate in one play room may be determined as a reward. Further, when a team is configured by all users who participate in one play room, a reward to be given to the team may be determined. The reward given to a team may be, for example, any item that is a merit for all users belonging to the team. Therefore, a user who contributes to the team is likely to get a sense of achievement about playing the game by being thanked or praised by other users belonging to the team. Note that the cooperative play control unit 211 may determine a reward distributed individually to the user based on the individual results.

  In step S213, the cooperative play control unit 211 notifies each user terminal 100 of the determined overall score and reward. Furthermore, you may notify an individual reward for every user.

  The reward acquired in the cooperative play is preferably a limited reward that can be acquired only in the cooperative play, for example, cannot be acquired in the single play. Or it is preferred that at least one of quantity and quality is superior to the reward acquired by single play. For example, it is preferable that the reward acquired by cooperative play is larger, higher quality, higher grade, higher value, or higher in rarity than the reward acquired by single play. Thereby, a user's motivation of playing a multiplayer type puzzle game can be strengthened.

  In step S <b> 214, the sharing control unit 116 of the user terminal 100 acquires, from the server 200, the overall score and the common reward for the participants, and individual rewards, if any. In step S215, the puzzle progression unit 114 updates the game information 132 managed in the storage unit 120 so that the acquired reward is reflected. In particular, the character management unit 115 updates the character information based on the acquired reward. Specifically, the cumulative score of each character is added, the level is increased, the scoring unit price is increased, or the ability is further strengthened. In step S216 and step S217, processing similar to that in step S214 and step S215 is also executed in other user terminals 100.

  In step S218, finally, the cooperative play control unit 211 of the server 200 closes the play room. Specifically, the shared data generated in step S202 is deleted. Note that the cooperative play control unit 211 may leave a part of shared data (for example, results data) for the purpose of managing the history of cooperative play.

<Game screen example>
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a UI screen displayed on the display unit 152 of the user terminal 100 for opening a play room. The UI screen is generated by the image generation unit 113 and displayed by the display control unit 112 in step S201.

  The UI screen includes a deck 601, a character list 605, and an opening instruction button 606. The deck 601 is a UI object for the user to organize characters placed on the board. Specifically, the deck 601 includes a first sub-deck 602 for a host user to form a character, a second sub-deck 603 for a first guest user to form a character, and a second guest user to form a character. And a third sub-deck 604. In the example shown in FIG. 25, the guest user has already been determined, and the guest user identification information is displayed. However, if the guest user has not been determined, the guest user identification information may be blank.

  The character list 605 is a UI object for displaying a list of characters owned by the user. The character management unit 115 reads information on each character from the character data stored in the storage unit 120 as the game information 132 and reflects the information on the character list 605. As an example, the character list 605 displays character icons, levels, and character names.

  For example, a host user who wants to newly open a play room selects an icon of a character to be placed on the board from the character list 605, drags the icon, and drops it within the frame of the first sub deck 602. With such a simple operation, the host user can form the first sub deck 602. As an example, a character dropped in the first frame of the first sub deck 602 is set as a leader character.

  When the desired character has been organized into the first sub-deck 602, the host user selects the opening instruction button 606. In response, the sharing control unit 116 transmits a cooperative play start request including information on the first and second characters designated by the host user to the server 200.

  FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a UI screen for participating in an existing play room. The UI screen is generated by the image generation unit 113 and displayed by the display control unit 112 in step S204. For example, the UI screen is displayed on the display unit 152 of another user terminal 100 operated by the first guest user.

  The UI screen includes a deck 601, a character list 605, and a participation instruction button 607. The deck 601 is different from the deck 601 shown in FIG. 25 in that the second sub-deck 603 is shown as a deck that can be organized by the first guest user. The first sub-deck 602 indicates that it is organized by the host user (Mr. A). The third sub-deck 604 indicates that it is scheduled to be organized by the second guest user (Mr. C). Information on the first sub-deck 602 is supplied by the server 200 to the sharing control unit 116 of another user terminal 100.

  The first guest user, like the host user, selects a character to be placed on the board from the character list 605 in which the characters owned by the first user are displayed, and organizes it into two frames of the second sub deck 603. .

  When the desired character has been organized into the second sub-deck 603, the first guest user selects the participation instruction button 607. In response to this, the sharing control unit 116 transmits a cooperative play participation request including information on the first and second characters designated by the guest user to the server 200.

  Similarly, the second guest user can participate in the same play room by organizing the third sub-deck 604 and selecting the participation instruction button 607.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the game system 1 has a configuration that does not allow the same kind of characters to be duplicated and organized in the deck 601. For example, when the user terminal 100 of the guest user selects a character of the same type as that previously organized in the deck 601 and transmits a participation request, the cooperative play control unit 211 of the server 200 generates a composition error. A message for prompting reorganization may be returned to the user terminal 100. Alternatively, the sharing control unit 116 of the user terminal 100 of the guest user may make it impossible to select an icon of the same type of character that is previously organized in the deck 601 in the character list 605 so that the composition does not overlap. When selected, an error message may be displayed.

  FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a condition presentation screen displayed on the display unit 152 of each user terminal 100 participating in one play room. The condition presentation screen is generated by the image generation unit 113 of each user terminal 100 under the control of the puzzle progression unit 114 in step S206 and step S207, and is displayed by the display control unit 112, for example, immediately before the start of the stage. The The shared data necessary to generate the condition presentation screen is distributed from the server 200 in step S205.

  The condition presentation screen includes a clear condition 501, a stage name 502, and a character type 503. The clear condition 501 may be one or plural. The clear condition 501 is commonly imposed on all participating users. For example, the first clearing condition in the clearing condition 501 is that a total of three leader characters (in this case, a star) are 50 by three participating users before each of the ejecting characters 531 is ejected 10 times. This is achieved if more than one can be dropped. For example, the second clear condition in the clear condition 501 is achieved when the total score total obtained by adding up the total score of each user is 9999 or more. For example, the third clear condition in the clear condition 501 is achieved when any of three participating users joins eight or more characters. In this way, since the clear condition 501 is shared by all participating users, it is possible to improve the interest of the multiplayer puzzle game.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on the display unit 152 of the user terminal 100. In step S206 and step S207, the puzzle screen is generated by the image generation unit 113 of each user terminal 100 under the control of the puzzle progression unit 114, and is displayed by the display control unit 112, for example, immediately after the start of the stage. .

  The difference from FIG. 6 according to the first embodiment is that six types of characters shown as character types 503 in FIG. 27 are arranged on the board 511. As described above, these six types of characters are characters brought by two users each from three users who participate in one play room.

  In the present embodiment, the arrangement of each character on the board 511 is not shared by the three user terminals 100. The character type 503 is shared. Therefore, three board surfaces having exactly the same arrangement as shown in FIG. 28 are not generated. Each puzzle progression unit 114 in the three user terminals 100 generates each board surface 511 based on the shared character type 503. Further, the character placed on the injection table 521 and the character placed in the notice area 522 are not shared and are determined by the respective puzzle progression units 114.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating another specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on the display unit 152 of the user terminal 100. The puzzle screen is generated by the image generation unit 113 of each user terminal 100 under the control of the puzzle progression unit 114 in step S206 and step S207, and is displayed by the display control unit 112 at a predetermined timing during the stage progression. The

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the skill of the character placed on the injection table 521 can be activated when the score satisfies a predetermined condition while the stage is in progress. As an example, the skill activation condition is “the number of characters removed by character reaches a predetermined number”. Therefore, in this embodiment, the puzzle progression unit 114 sets a skill gauge 523 for each character. The skill gauge is a gauge in which a skill gauge value is accumulated every time a character is removed from the board surface 511. When the skill gauge is filled with the skill gauge value, the puzzle progression unit 114 is placed on the injection table 521. The character is moved to a state where the skill can be activated.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 activates the skill according to the user's operation. Specifically, it is assumed that the skill gauge 523 of the character 524 becomes full because a certain number of characters (for example, the character 524 having the character name “Luna”) has fallen a predetermined number or more. At this time, the puzzle progression unit 114 changes the character 524 to a state where the skill can be activated. At the same time, the puzzle progression unit 114 emphasizes the skill gauge 523 of the character 524 with a display form different from that of the other skill gauges 523 in order to make the user visually recognize that the state has shifted to a state where the skill can be activated. Also good.

  When the user wants to activate the skill of the character 524, the user taps the character 524 before ejecting it from the ejection stand 521. When the operation accepting unit 111 accepts a tap operation on the character that has transitioned to a state where the skill can be activated, the puzzle advancing unit 114 determines to activate the skill of the character (character 524). At the same time, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may emphasize the character 524 whose skill is to be activated, with a display mode different from that of the character placed on the other injection table 521.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the timing at which the puzzle progression unit 114 actually activates the skill is when the character is ejected based on a user operation (description drag and drop operation) for ejecting the character. It is. The puzzle progression unit 114 activates the skill of the character 524 when the character 524 is dragged and dropped after being tapped. The puzzle advancing unit 114 gives the action based on the skill associated with the character 524 to the progress of the stage or the board surface 511. For example, the skill of the character 524 (Luna) is “increase the balloon” from FIG. Therefore, the puzzle progression unit 114 changes all or some of the Luna characters, which are the smallest units, of the characters arranged on the board 511 to the size of two characters. In this way, the user can advantageously advance the stage using the skills of characters owned by other users during play of the stage.

<Details of data sharing process>
Processing for causing each user terminal 100 to share data related to one puzzle game in steps S206 to S207 described above will be described in more detail. FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for sharing the above-described data. Although not shown, it is assumed that the same processing as that performed by the user terminal 100 is performed in the other user terminals 100 as well.

  In step S251, the puzzle progression unit 114 starts the progression of the stage based on the shared data distributed in step S205. Similar to the first embodiment, the puzzle progression unit 114 performs the injection, combination, and transition from the floating form to the falling form of the character.

  In step S252, the puzzle progression unit 114 drops the character to a score position (for example, the score position 563 in FIG. 17). In step S <b> 253, the sharing control unit 116 acquires the score acquired according to the character that has reached the score position from the puzzle progression unit 114. In step S254, the sharing control unit 116 acquires the gauge value acquired according to the character that has reached the score position from the puzzle progression unit 114. The gauge value is a value stored in the replenishment gauge 581 in order to fill the replenishment gauge 581 (FIG. 19). In step S255, the sharing control unit 116 acquires the number of characters that have reached the score position, that is, the number of characters removed from the puzzle progression unit 114 for each character type.

  In step S <b> 256, the sharing control unit 116 provides the acquired score, gauge value, and character removal count to the server 200. In the present embodiment, the score may be calculated for each character. The score calculated for each character may be provided to the server 200 as a score for each character.

  For example, in step S252, if one star with a scoring unit price of 50, two snows with a scoring unit price of 30, and one tier with a scoring unit price of 100 fall, the total score obtained is 50 × 1 + 30 × 2 + 100 × 1 = 210 points. In this case, the sharing control unit 116 provides “210 points” as the total score to the server 200, and “Star: 50 points”, “Snow: 60 points”, and “Tier: 100 points ”may be provided to the server 200.

  Further, the sharing control unit 116 may acquire the remaining number of injections from the puzzle advancing unit 114 and provide the remaining number of injections to the server 200. Further, the sharing control unit 116 may acquire the minimum number of characters combined at a time from the puzzle progression unit 114 and provide the number to the server 200 as the combined number.

  In step S257, the cooperative play control unit 211 of the server 200 receives the score, the gauge value, the number of removals by character, and the number of remaining injections from each participating user terminal 100.

  In step S258, the cooperative play control unit 211 counts the received contents. Specifically, the cooperative play control unit 211 calculates the total score total by adding up the total scores of the user terminals 100. Moreover, the score according to character of each user terminal 100 is added up for every character, and the total score according to character is calculated. Further, the total number of removals per character is calculated by adding the number of removals per character of each user terminal 100. Further, the cooperative play control unit 211 adds the gauge value of each user terminal 100 to the current value of the supplementary gauge data shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the cooperative play control unit 211 is configured to grasp the remaining number of injections and the number of connections for each user without adding up the remaining number of injections and the number of connections.

  In step S259, the cooperative play control unit 211 monitors the progress of the stage. Specifically, if the counting result does not satisfy the predetermined condition, that is, if NO in step S259, the cooperative play control unit 211 determines that there is no change in the progress of the stage, and does not execute step S260. Then, the process proceeds to step S261.

  On the other hand, if the counting result satisfies a predetermined condition, that is, if YES in step S259, the cooperative play control unit 211 determines that there is a change in the progress of the stage, and notifies the progress in step S260. Generate. Specifically, the progress notification includes a stage end notification and a replenishment mode start notification. More specifically, the stage end notification includes a clear condition achievement notification and a game over notification.

  The cooperative play control unit 211 generates a stage end notification for notifying the end of the stage when the counting result satisfies a condition for ending the stage.

  As a condition for ending the stage, for example, it is assumed that a clear condition is achieved. In such a case, the cooperative play control unit 211 generates a clear condition achievement notification for notifying that the clear condition has been achieved. For example, at least one of the total score total obtained as a result of the summation, the total number of removed characters by character and the number of combinations obtained as a result of the summation, or all of these are shown in the clear condition data D2 shown in FIG. When the played condition is satisfied, the cooperative play control unit 211 may generate a clear condition achievement notification.

  As other conditions for ending the stage, it is assumed that the clear condition is not achieved and all users consume the remaining number of injections given to each user. In such a case, the cooperative play control unit 211 may generate a game over notification for notifying that the number of remaining injections of all members becomes zero and the game is over.

  The cooperative play control unit 211 generates a supplement mode start notification for notifying the start of the supplement mode when the current value of the supplement gauge data obtained as a result of the summation is full.

  In step S261, the cooperative play control unit 211 transmits, to each user terminal 100, the counting result obtained in step S258 and the notification generated there when step S260 is executed.

  In step S262, when the sharing control unit 116 of the user terminal 100 receives the counting result, the puzzle progressing unit 114 reflects the received counting result on the progress of the stage. For example, the score total 517, the replenishment gauge 581, the clear condition 516, etc. shown in FIG. 28 are updated.

  In the case of YES in step S263, that is, when the sharing control unit 116 receives a stage end notification as a notification related to progress, the puzzle progress unit 114 ends the stage in step S264 according to the notification.

  If NO in step S263 and YES in step S265, that is, if the sharing control unit 116 receives a supplement mode start notification as a notification related to progress, the puzzle progress unit 114 follows the notification in step S266. Activate refill mode. Since the replenishment mode has been described in detail with reference to FIG. 21, the description will not be repeated here. Since the supplement mode start notification is also transmitted to the other user terminals 100, all the users who participate in one play room can experience the supplement mode almost simultaneously.

  If NO in step S265, that is, if the sharing control unit 116 has not received a notification relating to the progress, or if the replenishment mode activation period has ended, the puzzle progression unit 114 continues the progression of the stage. Specifically, the process returns to step S252 and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  According to the above-described method, it is possible to improve the interest of the multiplayer puzzle game, and the motivation of the user to play the multiplayer puzzle game can be enhanced.

[Modification]
The number of users who can participate in one play room may be more or less than three. There may be more or less than six types of characters organized in the deck 601.

  The number of characters that each user brings to form the deck 601 may not be fixed, or may not be equal. For example, it may be determined who and what body to bring by consultation between users. The deck 601 may be organized in bias to characters owned by a specific user. Alternatively, the user terminal 100 and the server 200 may be configured to identify at least one character to be organized in the deck 601 from all participating users. As a result, it is possible to give satisfaction to all users participating in cooperative play that they are participating in the multiplayer puzzle game, and as a result, motivate the user to play the multiplayer puzzle game. Can be strengthened.

  The user terminal 100 and the server 200 may employ a stronger character instead of the first-come-first-served basis when the character types overlap in the deck 601. Alternatively, the characters to be organized may be narrowed down to one by consultation or voting between users.

[Embodiment 3]
In the present embodiment, the game system 1 is a system for executing a game including a plurality of stages. The user can select a desired stage and play a puzzle game developed in the stage.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, the user terminal 100 communicates with the server 200 and acquires information on a plurality of stages from the server 200. The user terminal 100 processes the acquired information on each stage and executes the puzzle game. In another embodiment, the user terminal 100 may be configured to hold and process all information related to a plurality of stages and execute the puzzle game.

<Functional Configuration of Server 200>
In the present embodiment, the control unit 210 functions as the stage management unit 212 according to the description of the game program 131. The stage management unit 212 manages one or more stages supplied to each user terminal 100. Specifically, various information related to the stage is processed. Specifically, the stage management unit 212 generates a new stage, deletes a stage whose expiration date has expired, and updates the stage status (whether or not the user can play).

  In the present embodiment, as an example, each stage is provided with a gimmick. The stage management unit 212 generates gimmick data that defines a unique gimmick for each stage, and stores the generated gimmick data in the storage unit 220 in association with the stage. The puzzle progression unit 114 advances the stage based on the gimmick data associated with each stage. As a result, each stage has an appearance of the puzzle screen displayed on the display unit (such as the appearance of the board surface 511) and one or more actions related to the progress of the stage (injecting characters from the injection table 521, moving At least one of the functioning, combining, dropping, etc.) is provided to the user so as to be different from each other. As a result, the user can select and enjoy a plurality of types of stages that are completely different in appearance and operation in one puzzle game. The data structure of the gimmick data for making the appearance and operation of each stage different will be described in detail later.

  When the information related to the stage is updated, the stage management unit 212 distributes the latest information to each user terminal 100. The information related to the stage may be, for example, screen specification data necessary for the user terminal 100 to generate a stage selection screen described later. Further, for example, it may be gimmick data necessary for the user terminal 100 to realize a gimmick unique to the stage and advance the stage or generate a puzzle screen.

<Functional configuration of user terminal 100>
In the present embodiment, the puzzle progression unit 114 causes the display unit 152 to display a stage selection screen for selecting a stage to be played based on the screen specification data distributed from the server 200. The puzzle progression unit 114 forms a stage selection screen, causes the image generation unit 113 to generate an image of the stage selection screen, and causes the display control unit 112 to display the generated stage selection screen.

<Stage selection screen>
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a stage selection screen displayed on the display unit 152 of the user terminal 100. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, the stage selection screen is designed with the world of the puzzle game as a leisure facility (an amusement park as an example). Thereby, the user can select a stage with the feeling of visiting each attraction in the amusement park. Thus, a visually attractive stage selection screen is provided to the user. In this embodiment, one stage corresponds to one attraction in the amusement park.

  The stage selection screen includes a plurality of icons 701 to 705 for the user to select a stage to play. One icon is associated with one stage (attraction). In the present embodiment, the puzzle progression unit 114 arranges all icons to be presented to the user on the stage selection screen so as to fit on one screen. Thereby, the user can list all the stages without performing an operation of scrolling the screen. Thereby, even a user who is unfamiliar with the operation can easily select the stage.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 arranges five icons on one screen. More specifically, icons 701, 702, 703, and 704 are arranged at the four corners of the stage selection screen, that is, at the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right, respectively. Further, an icon 705 is arranged at the center of the stage selection screen. Accordingly, the user can select one stage to be played from the five stages in the puzzle game.

  In this embodiment, each icon is displayed in a display form that shows an outline of the associated stage and indicates whether or not the stage can be played. As an example, in order to show the outline of a stage, the icon may be displayed in a display mode that reproduces the appearance of a stage (attraction), or may be displayed in a display mode with the name of the stage. Thereby, the user can grasp the outline of the stage and select a desired stage.

  In this embodiment, as an example, a special stage provided to the user irregularly is associated with the icon 705 (first object) arranged in the center. As the special stage, for example, a stage with the theme of a special event in accordance with the season, or a stage with the theme of a special event realized in cooperation with another content provider is assumed. A special stage with a different theme is associated with the icon 705 at irregular intervals.

  On the other hand, the four icons 701 to 704 (second objects) arranged at the four corners are associated with stages provided to the user on a regular basis. In the present embodiment, as an example, at least one of the four regular stages is in an unplayable state. Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one of the four stages described above is in a playable state. In this embodiment, as an example, one of the four stages is always unplayable and the remaining three are playable. That is, if a stage that is not playable transitions to playable, a stage that is not playable is associated with one of the remaining three icons. In this embodiment, the status management of each stage is performed by the server 200. The puzzle progression unit 114 controls the progression of each stage in accordance with instructions from the server 200.

  In order to reflect the management contents of the above status on the stage selection screen, the puzzle progression unit 114 causes the display unit 152 to display each icon 701 to 705 in a display mode indicating whether or not the corresponding stage can be played. As an example, the puzzle progression unit 114 may indicate that the stage associated with the icon is not playable by displaying the appearance of the stage in the icon as an outline (for example, displaying it as a silhouette). . On the other hand, for an icon corresponding to a stage that can be played, the appearance of the stage may be displayed with a color to indicate that the stage is playable.

  The puzzle advancing unit 114 may give a balloon 706 for notifying that the stage is not playable to the icon of the stage that is not playable. The balloon 706 may include a message such as “not ready to play”, “in preparation”, “under construction”, or “coming soon”.

  In the present embodiment, the server 200 sets an end deadline for each stage. That is, the effective period during which each stage maintains a playable status is predetermined and is finite. Therefore, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may give a balloon 707 for notifying an effective period during which the stage is playable to an icon corresponding to a stage where play is possible. The balloon 707 may include a message such as “to today”, “to what month and day”, or “to what day”. Moreover, the puzzle progress part 114 does not need to give the balloon 707 to the icon corresponding to all the playable stages. For example, the balloon 707 may be assigned only to the icon of the stage whose end deadline arrives earliest.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the operation reception unit 111 receives a tap operation on a user's icon as a stage selection operation. When one of the icons is tapped by the user, the puzzle progression unit 114 starts the progression of the stage when the stage associated with the tapped icon is in a playable status. The puzzle progression unit 114 does not advance a stage that cannot be played even if a user's selection operation is performed. Specifically, even if the stage icon that cannot be played is tapped, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may regard the tap operation as not accepted and ignore it. Or the puzzle progress part 114 may display the error message which shows that a play is impossible on the display part 152, when the icon of the stage which cannot be played is tapped.

<About screen specification data>
FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the screen specification data. The stage management unit 212 of the server 200 stores and manages screen specification data in the storage unit 220 for each of the five stages represented by icons on the stage selection screen. Furthermore, in addition to the five stages represented by icons, the storage unit 220 stores screen specification data regarding stages previously provided to the user and stages scheduled to be provided in the future. Also good.

  In the present embodiment, screen specification data is provided from the stage management unit 212 to the user terminal 100 for five stages represented by icons. The puzzle progression unit 114 of the user terminal 100 stores the screen specification data provided from the server 200 in the storage unit 120, and configures a stage selection screen according to the screen specification data.

  As shown in FIG. 32, the screen specification data includes, for example, each item of a map ID, a stage ID, a stage name, a status, an end deadline, a contour icon, and a color icon for each stage.

  The map ID is information for identifying an arrangement position on the stage selection screen for the icon associated with the stage. In the example shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the map ID “C” indicates the center of the stage selection screen (the position where the icon 705 is arranged in FIG. 31). “UL” indicates the upper left (position where the icon 701 is arranged). “UR” indicates the upper right (position where the icon 702 is disposed). “LL” indicates the lower left (position where the icon 703 is disposed). “LR” indicates the lower right (position where the icon 704 is arranged).

  The stage ID is information for identifying the stage. The stage name indicates the name of the stage. The name is preferably information that allows the user to recognize the outline of the stage. The status is information indicating whether the stage is playable or not playable. The end deadline indicates the last day of the valid period of the stage. In another embodiment, the screen specification data may further include an item of “start date” indicating the first day of the stage validity period. This makes it possible to manage the validity period for each stage. For example, on the day of the start date of an unplayable stage, under the control of the stage management unit 212, the status of the stage transitions to playable. Based on this status transition, the puzzle progression unit 114 can update the stage selection screen.

  The contour icon is an image representing the appearance of a stage (attraction) with a contour (silhouette). The outline icon is arranged on the stage selection screen when the stage is not playable. The color icon is an image obtained by copying the appearance of the stage with color. The color icon is arranged on the stage selection screen when the stage is playable.

  For example, the stage with the stage ID “P0002” is playable. Accordingly, the puzzle progression unit 114 arranges the color icon (icon 702) associated with the stage at the UR position (upper right) on the stage selection screen together with the stage name (“stage of seabed exploration”).

  The stage with the stage ID “P0003” cannot be played. Therefore, the puzzle advancing unit 114 arranges the outline icon (icon 703) associated with the stage at the LL position (lower left) together with the stage name (“ghostly stage”). Further, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may add a balloon 706 indicating that play is not possible to the icon 703.

  Further, the puzzle advancing unit 114 may add a balloon 707 indicating the end time limit to the icon 704 associated with the “coffee cup stage” with the closest end time limit.

<Processing flow of game system 1>
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by each device included in the game system 1 based on the game program 131. The outline of the processing performed by the user terminal 100 will be described. In the present embodiment, as an example, based on the game program 131, the user terminal 100 displays a plurality of icons (objects) for selecting a stage to be played by the user. Then, the step of displaying on the display unit 152 (S310 described later) is executed. In the displaying step, each icon is displayed in a display form that shows an outline of the associated stage and indicates whether or not the stage can be played. In the displaying step, at least one of the stages associated with each icon is not playable. Furthermore, the user terminal 100 advances the playable stage associated with the icon selected by the user's selection operation (YES in step S311 described later and step S312), while the selection operation is performed. Even if the stage that cannot be played is not advanced (NO in step S311 described later and step S310), a step for controlling the progress of each stage is executed. In the step of displaying described above, when the playability status of the associated stage is changed in at least one of the icons, the user terminal 100 can play from the play disabled state without changing the display position of the plurality of icons. The display mode of the icon associated with the stage that has transitioned to “OK” is updated to the display mode that indicates that the stage is playable. On the other hand, the user terminal 100 shows the display mode of the icon whose association has been changed from the stage where play is possible to another stage where play is impossible, the outline of the other stage, and Update to the display mode shown.

  In the present embodiment, screen specification data is updated as appropriate in the server 200, and the latest screen specification data is provided to the user terminal 100. Specifically, in the case of YES in step S301, that is, when a predetermined event for updating the screen specification data occurs, the stage management unit 212 of the server 200 starts updating the screen specification data. As the predetermined event, for example, “the time to replace with a new special stage has come” or “the validity period of one of the regular stages has ended” is assumed.

  Specifically, in step S302, the stage management unit 212 identifies an end stage whose valid period has ended. For example, when the date determined in step S301 is April 14, 2017, in the example illustrated in FIG. 32, the stage management unit 212 identifies the stage with the stage ID “P0004” as the end stage.

  In step S303, the stage management unit 212 determines whether or not the stage can be played. First, the stage management unit 212 determines that the existing stages “P0001” and “P0002” whose end time limit has not expired can be continuously played.

  Next, with the completion of the stage “P0004”, the stage management unit 212 determines that the stage “P0003” that has not been played so far is playable. Furthermore, the stage management unit 212 may determine an end deadline for the stage “P0003” newly determined to be playable according to a predetermined rule. For example, the stage management unit 212 may determine “May 5, 2017”, which is three weeks after the date of the above determination, as the end deadline.

  In step S304, the stage management unit 212 may identify the stage whose end deadline arrives earliest among the above-described three stages determined to be playable. According to FIG. 32 and the example described above, the stage management unit 212 identifies the stage “P0002” as a stage that is nearing the end deadline.

  In step S <b> 305, the stage management unit 212 newly specifies a stage that cannot be played in accordance with the transition of the stage that has not been played so far to playable. For example, the stage management unit 212 may identify one stage from among the stages scheduled to be provided in the future. Based on the screen specification data shown in FIG. 32, for example, the stage management unit 212 may identify the stage “P0005” as a new stage that cannot be played. It should be noted that the stage management unit 212 may again select a stage that is not playable from the stages that have been provided to the user so that play is possible.

  In step S306, the stage management unit 212 updates the screen specification data according to the series of processing results in steps S302 to S305. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the screen specification data after being updated in step S306.

  The stage management unit 212 changes the status of the stage “P0003” from not playable to playable. In addition, an end deadline (May 5, 2017) determined as described above is set. Note that the color icon (icon 711) of the stage may be associated with the stage from when the play is not possible, or may be associated with the transition to play possible.

  The stage management unit 212 releases the association between the map ID “LR” and the stage “P0004” that is the end stage. Instead, the stage “P0005” newly specified in step S305 is associated with the map ID “LR”. The stage management unit 212 sets the status of the stage to “impossible to play”, and at this point of time, the end deadline need not be set. Further, the outline icon (icon 712) of the stage may be associated with the stage from the time when the screen specification data of the stage is created, or may be associated with the transition to the non-playable state.

  In step S <b> 307, the stage management unit 212 transmits the updated screen specification data to each user terminal 100. The stage management unit 212 may transmit all the items of the five stages associated with the map ID, or may transmit only the difference from the screen specification data before the update.

  In step S308, the puzzle progression unit 114 receives the updated screen specification data via the communication IF 13. Here, the puzzle progression unit 114 may update the configuration of the stage selection screen based on the above-described difference in advance.

  If YES in step S309, that is, if a user operation instructing to display the stage selection screen is accepted, the puzzle progression unit 114 displays the updated stage selection screen on the display unit 152 in step S310. Let Generation of the stage selection screen is performed by the image generation unit 113, and display of the generated stage selection screen is performed by the display control unit 112 under the control of the puzzle progression unit 114, respectively.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of the updated stage selection screen displayed on the display unit 152 in step S310. The points updated from the stage selection screen shown in FIG. 31 are as follows. The “ghost stage” stage that was not playable has been changed from a display form icon 703 that indicates that play is not possible to a display form icon 711 that indicates that play is possible. The “coffee cup stage” whose validity period has expired is not displayed, and instead of the stage where the stage icon 704 is displayed, a newly specified unplayable stage (“space swimming stage”) is displayed instead. ) Icon 712 is displayed. The icon 712 is displayed in a display mode indicating that the stage is not playable. A balloon 707 may be added to the “seabed exploration stage” icon 702 having the closest end time limit. A balloon 706 may be given to the icon 712 of the stage that cannot be played.

  According to the above-described method, in at least one of a plurality of icons already displayed, when the playable / non-playable state of the associated stage transitions, the stage transitioned from not playable to playable is associated. The display mode of the displayed icon is updated to a display mode indicating that play is possible. The update is performed without changing the display positions of the plurality of icons that are already displayed. Therefore, the user intuitively understands that the stage (attraction), which has been known only as an overview and has been impossible to play until now, is now playable, and he / she wants to play the stage. The selection operation can be performed without any problem. On the other hand, the display mode of the icon whose association has been changed from the playable stage to another stage that cannot be played is changed to a display mode that shows the outline of the other stage and indicates that the other stage cannot be played. Update. Therefore, the user can grasp that a new stage (attraction) can be played in the future in place of the stage that has ended after the end deadline. In addition, an overview of the new stage can be grasped. This provides the user with a stage selection screen that can greatly enhance the expectation.

<About Gimmick Data>
As described above, each stage has a gimmick. The gimmick data defining the gimmick may include a parameter that specifies a specific value for various items related to the appearance and action of the puzzle game. Alternatively, the gimmick data may include a parameter for instructing to correct a value referred to by the puzzle progression unit 114 when the puzzle game proceeds. The gimmick data may further include parameters related to various objects constituting the board surface. The gimmick data may include a parameter that specifies an attribute of the stage itself (referred to as “type” in the present embodiment). In addition, the gimmick data may include an item that defines the appearance design of the puzzle screen.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of gimmick data. The stage management unit 212 of the server 200 stores and manages gimmick data in the storage unit 220 for each stage managed in the screen specification data. In the present embodiment, as an example, the gimmick data includes the following 12 items. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the gimmick data may include various items related to the appearance and operation of the puzzle game.

  “Type” is a parameter indicating an attribute of the stage. Similar to the character, there are three types of red, blue, and yellow as an example. When the type of the character arranged on the board of the stage matches the type of the stage, the stage can be advantageously advanced.

  The “buoyancy correction” is a parameter indicating how to correct the buoyancy of the character in the flying form on the stage. “Gravity correction” is a parameter that indicates how to correct the gravity related to the character in the fall form on the stage. These parameters may specify values such as “what% up” and “what% down” with respect to the standard buoyancy (gravity), or the buoyancy (gravity) of the stage. The value according to may be directly specified.

  “Number of injections (number of new puzzle elements)” is a parameter for designating the number of injection tables 521 arranged on the puzzle screen of the stage. For example, when the parameter is “3 units”, as shown in FIG. 7, three injection tables 521 are arranged on the puzzle screen.

  “Ejection table position (display position)” is a parameter for designating the arrangement position of the injection table 521. For example, when the parameter is “down”, as shown in FIG. 8, as shown in FIG. 8, on the puzzle screen, the injection table 521 is installed below the board surface 511, and the injection character 531 basically emits from the bottom upward. Is done. For example, when the parameter is “left and right”, the injection tables 521 are installed on the left and right sides of the board surface 511. In this case, the firing character 531 is ejected laterally from left to right or from right to left. Further, a parameter for designating the injection direction of the injection table 521 may be included in the gimmick data. For example, even when two injection tables 521 are arranged at the same “lower”, one is designated “upper right” in the parameter “injection direction (movement direction)”, and the other is “Upper left” may be designated.

  The “score position” is a parameter that specifies the arrangement position of the score position 563. For example, when the parameter is “down”, as shown in FIG. 16, the score position 563 is arranged below the board surface 511 on the puzzle screen, and the character to be removed falls from the top to the bottom. Thus, the score position 563 is reached.

  “Injection trajectory correction” is a parameter indicating how the injection trajectory is corrected when the injection character 531 is ejected on the stage. The parameter may, for example, instruct to correct the straight rectilinear ejection trajectory 535 (see FIG. 8) to a meandering ejection trajectory (not shown). Alternatively, the parameter may indicate that the injection trajectory 535 is corrected to be a trajectory that deviates to the right (or left) as the distance from the injection table 521 increases. According to this parameter, for example, it is possible to represent an ejection character 531 that is blown by a crosswind and deviates left and right.

  “Combine” is a parameter indicating how many characters of the minimum unit must be combined in order to burst the balloon of the combined character 561 on the stage. That is, it is a parameter indicating the minimum number of bonds. For example, when the parameter is “three or more”, the puzzle progression unit 114 advances the stage so that the balloon bursts when three or more minimum unit characters are combined. The higher the minimum number of bonds, the harder the balloons break, and the more difficult the puzzle game is.

  The “explosion range” is a parameter for designating a range in which the balloon of another character is broken by the influence of the explosion when the balloon of the combined character 561 is exploded. For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, when the balloon of the combined character 561 ruptures, a spark that appears as a small black star appears around the combined character 561. A character that touches the spark also breaks the balloon. The parameter of “rupture range” designates the distance at which the spark scatters, specifically, the distance from the center of the combined character 561 of the spark. When the flight distance of the spark shown in FIG. 15 is defined as “ordinary” in the parameter, the flight distance farther than the flight distance shown in FIG. 15 is defined as “large”, and the farther flight distance is defined as “extra large”. To do. The longer the sparks travel and the greater the burst range, the more characters that are involved and fall, and the stage advances more advantageously.

  “Drop trajectory correction” is a parameter indicating how to correct the fall trajectory when the combined character 561 falls. The parameter may instruct, for example, to correct a reference fall trajectory that defines falling straight down to a fall trajectory that is defined to fall with a large parabola.

  The “obstacle” is a parameter that defines an obstacle (for example, an intermediate obstacle 514 shown in FIG. 6) arranged on the board surface 511. For example, the parameter may define an intermediate obstacle 514 that allows only a specific character to pass.

  The “special object” is a parameter that defines a special object arranged on the board surface 511. For example, the parameter may specify a boss character that is very difficult to remove. Alternatively, the parameter may define an almighty ally character that can be combined with any kind of character.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram showing another specific example of the puzzle screen displayed on the display unit. Specifically, the puzzle screen shown in FIG. 37 is a puzzle screen displayed during the progress of the seabed exploration stage associated with the icon 702 shown in FIG. The puzzle screen shown in FIG. 37 is different in gimmick from the puzzle screen (for example, FIG. 7) displayed during the progress of the ghostly stage associated with the icon 711. Therefore, the appearance of the puzzle screen and the operation during the progress of the puzzle game are different from those of the ghostly stage.

  As shown in FIG. 37, the puzzle screen has a board surface 511, a ceiling 513, a clear condition 516, a total score 517, an injection table 521, a notice area 522, a remaining number of injections 515, a score position 563, a skill gauge 523, and a supplement gauge 581. Is included. Further, this stage-specific intermediate obstacle 514 may be disposed on the board surface 511. Each above-mentioned constituent which constitutes a puzzle screen may be displayed in a display mode different from each constituent which constitutes a puzzle screen of another stage shown in FIG.

  According to the above-described configuration, not only the appearance of the stage (attraction) board surface but also the operations related to the progress of the puzzle game can be made different for each stage based on the gimmick data. Thereby, it is possible to realize an interest that is comparable to having the user play a plurality of different types of puzzle games in one puzzle game (for example, one application in a smartphone). Specific examples of the appearance and operation of the stage that can be varied depending on the gimmick include, for example, the configuration of the board surface displayed on the display unit 152, the arrangement of the character, the mode of changing the arrangement, the mode of removing the character, and All items related to the progress of the puzzle game, such as the difficulty of the stage, are assumed. By setting these as stage specific, the user can always enjoy the fun of playing a completely different new puzzle game, and can play one puzzle game for a long time with a fresh feeling without getting bored. can do. As a result, it is possible to enhance the user's motivation for playing the game and realize a game that can be played continuously by the user.

[Example of software implementation]
Control blocks of control unit 210 (particularly, cooperative play control unit 211 and stage management unit 212), and control blocks of control unit 110 (particularly, operation reception unit 111, display control unit 112, image generation unit 113, puzzle progression unit) 114, the character management unit 115 and the sharing control unit 116) may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). It may be realized.

  In the latter case, the information processing apparatus including the control unit 210 and / or the control unit 110 is a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function, and the program and various data are read by a computer (or CPU). A ROM (Read Only Memory) or a storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) in which the program is expanded, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. Note that one embodiment of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Additional Notes]
The contents according to one aspect of the present invention are listed as follows.

  (Item 1) The game program (131) has been described. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the game program is executed in a computer (user terminal 100) including a processor (10), a memory (11), and a display unit (152). In addition, a game based on the game program arranges a plurality of types of puzzle elements on a board surface (511) including an area on which puzzle elements (character 512, combined character 518) are arranged, and displays the board surface on a display unit. When a predetermined number or more of the same number of puzzle elements are continuously arranged by changing the arrangement of puzzle elements on the board surface, at least one of the continuously arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface and removed. Proceed by determining the grade according to the puzzle elements made. The game program receives a user operation for changing the arrangement of puzzle elements on the board to the processor (S104, S108), and a new puzzle element (injected character) added to the board for changing the arrangement. 531) is determined according to the user's operation (S107), and a new puzzle element is moved according to the first trajectory (S110). And a step of changing the movement mode of the new puzzle element based on the positional relationship between the puzzle element arranged on the board and the new puzzle element being moved (S111, S112). . In the changing step, when a new puzzle element is contacted with a puzzle element, the movement mode after the contact is determined according to whether the touched puzzle element is the same type or different from the new puzzle element. Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 2) In (Item 1), the changing step stops the movement of the new puzzle element when the new puzzle element comes into contact with the same type of puzzle element arranged on the board (YES in S111). , S112) and continuing the movement even if the new puzzle element comes into contact with the different puzzle element arranged on the board (NO in S111, S110). Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 3) In (Item 2), the game program is arranged in the processor in succession with the stopped new puzzle element, and one or more puzzle elements of the same type as the new puzzle element (the same type of characters 551 to 551). 553) and the step of generating a new combined puzzle element (character 561 after combining) by combining the new puzzle elements (S114). Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 4) In (Item 3), the game program causes the processor to remove the combined puzzle elements from the board (S116 to S125) when the number of combined puzzle elements is a predetermined number or more. The step of updating the score according to the number of puzzle elements before joining that constitute the removed puzzle elements after joining (S126 to S127) is executed. Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 5) In (Item 4), the removing step is a step of removing the puzzle element by moving the puzzle element arranged on the board to a predetermined position (score position 563) for updating the score. The removing step determines a second trajectory (falling trajectory) for moving the combined puzzle elements to a predetermined position when a predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are combined (S116), Starting the movement of the combined puzzle element based on the second trajectory (S118), and when the moved combined puzzle element comes into contact with another puzzle element, the other puzzle touched This includes starting movement of the element to a predetermined position (YES in S122, S123). Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 6) In (Item 5), the predetermined position is set below the board surface, and the puzzle element includes a first form (floating form) having a property of moving upward on the board surface, and the board surface. There is a second form (falling form) having the property of moving downward, and the step of removing includes a combined puzzle element in which a predetermined number or more of the puzzle elements are combined, and a combined puzzle that is being moved The other puzzle elements that are in contact with the element are shifted from the first form to the second form (S118, S123), and the display form of the puzzle element that has been moved to the second form is the first corresponding to the first form. Changing from one display mode (a state wrapped in a balloon) to a second display mode (a state not wrapped in a balloon) corresponding to the second mode (S119, S124), and from the first mode Transition to the second form And the comprises starts moving to a predetermined position set below the board (S120, S125). Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 7) In (Item 6), the removing step highlights the combined puzzle elements in which a predetermined number or more of the puzzle elements are combined prior to the change to the second display mode (S119) ( S117). This makes it easier for the user to visually recognize the puzzle element to be removed.

  (Item 8) In (Item 7), in the removing step, when the display mode of the combined puzzle elements in which a predetermined number or more of the puzzle elements are combined is highlighted and changed (S117 to S119), The transition of the display mode is displayed by assigning an object (ring 562, balloon) with movement to the puzzle element. This makes it easier for the user to visually recognize the puzzle element to be removed.

  (Item 9) In (Item 8), in the removing step, the combined puzzle elements in which a predetermined number or more of the puzzle elements are combined are surrounded by the combined puzzle elements rather than the combined puzzle elements. A large surrounding object (ring 562) is given, and a highlighting display is realized by giving the surrounding object a movement that gradually contracts to match the outline of the combined puzzle element. This makes it easier for the user to visually recognize the puzzle element to be removed.

  (Item 10) In (Item 9), in the removing step, when the surrounding object coincides with the outline or approaches the predetermined range, the covering object (balloon) enclosing the combined puzzle element is applied. By giving the movement to burst, the change from the first display mode in which the combined puzzle elements are wrapped in the covering object to the second display mode in which the covering object is not displayed is realized (S119). This makes it easier for the user to visually recognize the puzzle element to be removed.

  (Item 11) In any one item from (Item 5) to (Item 10), the removing step displays a trajectory (falling trajectory 564) in which the combined puzzle elements have moved based on the second trajectory ( S121). Thereby, it becomes easy to make a user visually recognize the range from which a puzzle element is removed.

  (Item 12) In any one of the items from (Item 3) to (Item 11), in the generating step, the size of the puzzle element after combination is set to the size of the puzzle element before combination constituting the puzzle element after combination. Decide according to the number. As a result, the user can intuitively recognize how many puzzle elements in the minimum unit correspond to the combined puzzle elements.

  (Item 13) In any one item from (Item 3) to (Item 12), the generating step highlights each puzzle element to be combined prior to combining each puzzle element. (Display object 554). Thereby, the user can intuitively recognize the puzzle element to be combined.

  (Item 14) In any one item from (Item 3) to (Item 13), the generating step includes one of the puzzle elements to be combined prior to combining the puzzle elements. Including the step of generating, for each puzzle element, a movement in which each puzzle element to be combined is aggregated at the position where the two are arranged, and generating one combined puzzle element at the position To do. This makes it possible for the user to intuitively recognize which puzzle element is to be combined and which puzzle element has been combined as a result of the combination.

  (Item 15) In any one item from (Item 1) to (Item 14), the computer (user terminal 100) includes an input unit (151) that receives a user operation and a display unit (152). (15), the game program causes the processor to execute a step (S103) of displaying a new puzzle element outside the area on the touch screen, and the user operation accepted in the accepting step is the displayed new The drag operation to select and shift the puzzle element. In the step of determining, the position on the touch screen where the new puzzle element was displayed in the step of displaying the puzzle element is the initial position, and the drag operation is currently When the position on the touch screen where contact is detected is the contact position, the contact position In the step of determining and moving the straight line extending from the initial position to the initial position and its extension line as the first trajectory, when the contact related to the drag operation is no longer detected, it is determined based on the last detected contact position. The movement of the new puzzle element is started according to the first trajectory (YES in S108, S110). Thereby, the user can intuitively perform an operation for changing the layout of the board surface.

  (Item 16) In (Item 15), the game program accepts the drag operation to the processor (step S105) for specifying a new puzzle element selected by the drag operation accepted in the accepting step. Meanwhile, a step of highlighting a puzzle element of the same type as the identified new puzzle element among the puzzle elements arranged on the board (S106) is executed. Thereby, the user can intuitively perform an operation for changing the layout of the board surface.

  (Item 17) In (Item 15) or (Item 16), the step of determining includes displaying the first trajectory while the drag operation is accepted (S107). Thereby, the user can intuitively perform an operation for changing the layout of the board surface.

  (Item 18) In any one item from (Item 1) to (Item 17), the moving step (S110) displays a trajectory (injection trajectory 541) in which the new puzzle element has moved based on the first trajectory. Including doing. Thereby, the user can visually recognize the locus | trajectory which the new puzzle element moved in order to change arrangement | positioning of a board surface.

  (Item 19) In any one item from (Item 1) to (Item 18), the step of changing is to contact a new puzzle element with an obstacle (ceiling 513, intermediate obstacle 514) placed on the board surface. The movement of the new puzzle element is stopped (YES in S111, S112), and when the new puzzle element reaches the end of the region, the first trajectory after the arrival (injection trajectory 537) ) Is further changed from that before arrival (injection trajectory 536). Thereby, the user can intuitively understand the movement mode when the new puzzle element moves to change the layout of the board.

  (Item 20) In any one item from (Item 4) to (Item 11), in the step of updating the score, the score obtained according to the number of removed puzzle elements is calculated as a total score (score total 517). (S126). Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 21) In (Item 20), the step of updating the grade is based on the score obtained when the second and subsequent puzzle elements removed based on a single user operation are removed alone. Many, including determining the score earned. Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 22) In any one of the items (Item 4) to (Item 11), (Item 20), and (Item 21), the step of updating the grade includes the number of puzzle elements removed for each type. (S127). Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 23) In any one item from (Item 4) to (Item 11) and (Item 20) to (Item 22), the game program removes the puzzle element at the step of removing to the processor. In a predetermined period after at least any one of the board surface and the grade after fulfilling a predetermined condition (YES in S154), steps (S155 to S160) for newly adding the puzzle elements to the board surface are executed. Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 24) In (Item 23), the game program causes the processor to store a value in a gauge (replenishment gauge 581) indicating the progress of achievement of the predetermined condition based on the removal of the puzzle element (S153). ) And the step of replenishing starts refilling the puzzle element (S155) when the gauge is filled with the value (YES in S154), and the gauge value is 0 at the end of the predetermined period. So that the value is decreased from the time when the replenishment is started (S158). Thereby, the user can recognize intuitively the period when a puzzle element is replenished.

  (Item 25) In (Item 23), when the number of puzzle elements arranged on the board becomes less than a predetermined number, replenishment of puzzle elements is started. Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 26) In any one item from (Item 23) to (Item 25), the replenishment step is limited in the number of inputs for a user operation for changing the placement of puzzle elements on the board in the game. In the predetermined period, the restriction is released (S156). Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 27) In any one item from (Item 1) to (Item 26), the game program causes the processor to execute a step (S101) of setting a game clearing condition. The set clear condition is displayed on the display unit. Thereby, the user can confirm the purpose of the puzzle game in order to actually start playing the puzzle game.

  (Item 28) In (Item 27), the setting step includes setting an upper limit on the number of inputs for the user's operation for changing the layout of the puzzle elements on the board as the clearing condition. Thereby, there exists an effect of improving the interest property of a game.

  (Item 29) A method for executing a game program has been described. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the game program (131) is executed by a computer including a processor (10), a memory (11), and a display unit (152). Also, in a game based on a game program, a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on a board surface including an area where puzzle elements are arranged, the board surface is displayed on a display unit, and the arrangement of puzzle elements on the board surface is changed. Therefore, when a predetermined number or more of the same kind of puzzle elements are continuously arranged, at least one of the continuously arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface and the grade is determined according to the removed puzzle elements. Proceed by. In the method, the processor accepts a user operation for changing the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board, and moves a new puzzle element added to the board to change the arrangement toward the board. Determining a first trajectory to be performed according to a user operation, moving a new puzzle element according to the first trajectory, a puzzle element arranged on the board, and a new puzzle element being moved And changing the movement mode of the new puzzle element based on the positional relationship between In the changing step, when a new puzzle element is contacted with a puzzle element, the movement mode after the contact is determined according to whether the touched puzzle element is the same type or different from the new puzzle element. The method according to (Item 29) has the same effects as the game program according to (Item 1).

  (Item 30) The information processing apparatus (user terminal 100) has been described. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing apparatus controls the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing the storage unit (120) that stores the game program (131), the display unit (152), and the game program. A control unit (110). A game based on a game program is similar in that a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on a board including an area where puzzle elements are arranged, the board is displayed on a display unit, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board is changed. When a predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are continuously arranged, at least one of the consecutively arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface, and progress is determined by determining the grade according to the removed puzzle elements To do. The control unit receives a user operation for changing the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board surface, and moves the new puzzle element added to the board surface to change the arrangement toward the board surface. The trajectory is determined according to the user's operation, the new puzzle element is moved according to the first trajectory, and based on the positional relationship between the puzzle element arranged on the board surface and the new puzzle element being moved, Change the movement of the new puzzle element. In addition, when changing the movement mode, the control unit determines whether the touched puzzle element is the same type or different from the new puzzle element when the new puzzle element is in contact with the puzzle element. Decide according to your needs. The information processing apparatus according to (Item 30) has the same effects as the game program according to (Item 1).

1 game system, 2 networks, 10,20 processor, 11,21 memory, 12,22 storage, 13,23 communication IF, 14,24 input / output IF, 15 touch screen, 17 camera, 18 distance sensor, 100 user terminal (Information processing apparatus, client computer), 110, 210 control unit, 111 operation reception unit, 112 display control unit, 113 image generation unit, 114 puzzle progression unit, 115 character management unit, 116 sharing control unit, 120 storage unit, 131 game program, 132 game information, 133 user information, 151 input unit, 152 display unit, 200 server (information processing apparatus, server computer), 211 cooperative play control unit, 212 stage management unit, 511 board surface, 1010 object, 1020 Con Rollers, 1030 storage medium

Claims (29)

A game program,
The game program is executed by a computer including a processor, a memory, and a display unit,
In the game based on the game program, a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on a board surface including an area where puzzle elements are arranged, the board surface is displayed on the display unit, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board surface is changed. Therefore, when a predetermined number or more of the same kind of puzzle elements are continuously arranged, at least one of the continuously arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface and the grade is determined according to the removed puzzle elements. Proceed by
The game program is stored in the processor.
Receiving a user operation for changing the arrangement of puzzle elements on the board; and
Determining a first trajectory for moving a new puzzle element added to the board for changing the arrangement toward the board according to the operation of the user;
Moving the new puzzle element according to the first trajectory;
Changing a movement mode of the new puzzle element based on a positional relationship between the puzzle element arranged on the board surface and the new puzzle element being moved, and
In the changing step, when the new puzzle element comes into contact with the arranged puzzle element, the movement mode after the contact is determined depending on whether the touched puzzle element is the same or different from the new puzzle element. determined,
The step of changing comprises:
Stopping the movement of the new puzzle element when the new puzzle element contacts the same kind of puzzle element arranged on the board; and
A game program comprising: continuing the movement even when the new puzzle element comes into contact with a different kind of puzzle element arranged on the board surface . The game program is stored in the processor.
One or more puzzle elements of the same kind as the new puzzle element, which are continuously arranged with the stopped new puzzle element, and the new puzzle element are combined to generate one combined puzzle element The game program according to claim 1 , wherein the game program is executed. The game program is stored in the processor.
Removing the combined puzzle elements from the board when the number of combined puzzle elements is a predetermined number or more;
The game program according to claim 2 , wherein the step of updating the score in accordance with the number of puzzle elements before combination constituting the removed puzzle element after combination is executed. The removing step is a step of removing the puzzle element by moving the puzzle element arranged on the board surface to a predetermined position for updating the score,
The removing step includes
When the predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are combined, a second trajectory for moving the combined puzzle elements to the predetermined position is determined, and the combined puzzle elements are based on the second trajectory Initiating the movement of, and
4. The game according to claim 3 , further comprising: starting the movement of the other puzzle element that has been touched to the predetermined position when the joined puzzle element that is being moved contacts another puzzle element. 5. program. The predetermined position is set below the board surface,
The puzzle element has a first form having a property of moving upwards on the board surface and a second form having a property of moving downwards on the board surface,
The removing step includes
The combined puzzle element in which the predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are combined, and the other puzzle element in contact with the combined puzzle element being moved are moved from the first form to the second form. Letting
Changing the display mode of the puzzle element shifted to the second mode from the first display mode corresponding to the first mode to the second display mode corresponding to the second mode; and
5. The game program according to claim 4 , comprising starting to move to the predetermined position set below the board surface by shifting from the first form to the second form. The removing step includes
The game program according to claim 5 , comprising: highlighting the combined puzzle elements in which the predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are combined prior to the change to the second display mode. In the step of removing, when the display mode of the combined puzzle element in which the predetermined number or more of puzzle elements are combined is highlighted and changed, an object with movement is added to the combined puzzle element. The game program according to claim 6 , wherein a transition of the display mode is displayed by giving. In the removing step, an encircling object that surrounds the combined puzzle element and that is larger than the combined puzzle element is attached to the combined puzzle element in which the predetermined number or more of the puzzle elements are combined, The game program according to claim 7 , wherein the emphasis display is realized by giving the surrounding object a movement that gradually contracts so as to match the outline of the combined puzzle element. In the removing step, when the surrounding object coincides with the outline or approaches a predetermined range, the covering object enclosing the combined puzzle element is given a bursting movement. The game program according to claim 8 , wherein the first display mode in which the combined puzzle elements are wrapped in a covering object is changed to the second display mode in which the covering object is not displayed. The removing step includes
The game program according to any one of claims 4 to 9 , comprising displaying a trajectory of movement of the combined puzzle elements based on the second trajectory. In the step of generating, the size of the puzzle element after the coupling is determined depending on the number of bonds before the puzzle elements constituting the puzzle element after the coupling, according to any one of claims 2 10 Game program. The generating step includes
The game program according to any one of claims 2 to 11 , comprising highlighting each puzzle element to be combined prior to combining each puzzle element. The generating step includes
Prior to combining the puzzle elements, the movement of the puzzle elements to be combined at the position where one of the puzzle elements to be combined has been arranged, Including granting to elements,
The game program according to claim 2 , wherein in the generating step, one combined puzzle element is generated at the position. The computer includes a touch screen including an input unit that receives an operation of the user and the display unit,
The game program is stored in the processor.
Displaying the new puzzle element outside the area on the touch screen;
The user operation accepted in the accepting step is a drag operation for selecting and shifting the displayed new puzzle element,
In the determining step, the position on the touch screen where the new puzzle element is displayed in the step of displaying the puzzle element is set as an initial position, and the touch on the touch screen where a current contact is detected for the drag operation. When the position is a contact position, a straight line connecting the contact position to the initial position and its extension line are determined as the first trajectory,
In the moving step, the movement of the new puzzle element is started according to the first trajectory determined based on the last detected contact position when the contact related to the drag operation is not detected. The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 13 . The game program is stored in the processor.
Identifying the new puzzle element selected by the drag operation received in the receiving step;
While the drag operation is accepted, of puzzle elements which are arranged on the board, and a step of highlighting the puzzle elements of the puzzle elements of the same type as specified above novel claim 14 Game program. The determining step includes:
The game program according to claim 14 , comprising displaying the first trajectory while the drag operation is accepted. The moving step includes:
The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 16 , comprising displaying a trajectory of the movement of the new puzzle element based on the first trajectory. The step of changing comprises:
Stopping the movement of the new puzzle element when the new puzzle element contacts an obstacle placed on the board; and
The new puzzle elements, when reaching the end of the region, the first track after arrival, further comprising modifying the one before arrival, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 Game program. The step of updating the grade includes
The game program according to any one of claims 3 to 10 , comprising adding a score acquired according to the number of puzzle elements removed to a total score. The step of updating the grade includes
The method includes determining a score obtained for a second and subsequent puzzle elements removed based on one operation of the user more than a score obtained when the puzzle element is removed alone. 19. A game program according to 19 . The step of updating the grade includes
The game program according to any one of claims 3 to 10, 19 and 20 , comprising counting the number of puzzle elements removed for each type. The game program is stored in the processor.
In a predetermined period after at least one of the board and the score after the puzzle element is removed in the removing step satisfies a predetermined condition, a step of newly supplementing the board with a puzzle element The game program according to any one of claims 3 to 10 and claims 19 to 21 , which is executed. The game program is stored in the processor.
Storing a value in a gauge indicating the achievement progress of the predetermined condition based on the removal of the puzzle element;
The replenishing step includes
Initiating replenishment of the puzzle element when the gauge is filled with the value; and
23. The game program according to claim 22 , comprising reducing the value from the time when the replenishment is started so that the value of the gauge becomes 0 at the end of the predetermined period. The replenishing step includes
The game program according to claim 22 , comprising starting replenishment of the puzzle elements when the number of puzzle elements arranged on the board surface is less than a predetermined number. The replenishing step includes
In the game, when the input number is limited for manipulation of the user for changing the arrangement of the puzzle elements in the board, in the predetermined period, comprising releasing the restriction, it claims 22 to 24 The game program according to any one of the above. The game program is stored in the processor.
Executing a step of setting a clear condition of the game;
The game program according to any one of claims 1 to 25 , wherein the set clear condition is displayed on the display unit. The setting step includes:
27. The game program according to claim 26 , wherein the clear condition includes setting an upper limit on the number of times of input by the user's operation for changing the arrangement of puzzle elements on the board. A method for executing a game program,
The game program is executed by a computer including a processor, a memory, and a display unit,
In the game based on the game program, a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on a board surface including an area where puzzle elements are arranged, the board surface is displayed on the display unit, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board surface is changed. Therefore, when a predetermined number or more of the same kind of puzzle elements are continuously arranged, at least one of the continuously arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface and the grade is determined according to the removed puzzle elements. Proceed by
In the method, the processor comprises:
Receiving a user operation for changing the arrangement of puzzle elements on the board; and
Determining a first trajectory for moving a new puzzle element added to the board for changing the arrangement toward the board according to the operation of the user;
Moving the new puzzle element according to the first trajectory;
Changing a movement mode of the new puzzle element based on a positional relationship between the puzzle element arranged on the board and the new puzzle element being moved,
In the changing step, when the new puzzle element comes into contact with the arranged puzzle element, the movement mode after the contact is determined depending on whether the touched puzzle element is the same or different from the new puzzle element. Decide
The step of changing comprises:
Stopping the movement of the new puzzle element when the new puzzle element contacts the same kind of puzzle element arranged on the board; and
Continuing the movement even if the new puzzle element contacts a different kind of puzzle element arranged on the board surface . An information processing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A storage unit for storing game programs;
A display unit;
A controller that controls the operation of the information processing apparatus by executing the game program;
In the game based on the game program, a plurality of types of puzzle elements are arranged on a board surface including an area where puzzle elements are arranged, the board surface is displayed on the display unit, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements on the board surface is changed. Therefore, when a predetermined number or more of the same kind of puzzle elements are continuously arranged, at least one of the continuously arranged puzzle elements is removed from the board surface and the grade is determined according to the removed puzzle elements. Proceed by
The controller is
Accepting user operations to change the placement of puzzle elements on the board;
Determining a first trajectory for moving a new puzzle element added to the board to change the arrangement toward the board according to the operation of the user;
Moving the new puzzle element according to the first trajectory;
Based on the positional relationship between the puzzle elements arranged on the board and the new puzzle element being moved, the movement mode of the new puzzle element is changed,
When the control unit changes the movement mode, when the new puzzle element comes into contact with the arranged puzzle element, the control unit changes the movement mode after the contact with the new puzzle element. Depending on whether it is the same or different,
The control unit changing the movement mode,
Stopping the movement of the new puzzle element when the new puzzle element contacts the same kind of puzzle element arranged on the board; and
An information processing apparatus comprising: continuing the movement even when the new puzzle element contacts a different kind of puzzle element arranged on the board surface .

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