JP6827481B2 - Network game systems, game consoles, and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a network game in which a plurality of players participate and the game progresses, and in particular, a network that shifts to event execution after displaying an event preparation image that the player can end at a desired timing in each terminal device. It's about games.

With the progress of network technology in recent years, network games (online games) in which a plurality of players participate and the game progresses have become popular. The system for playing a network game consists of a server device managed by a person who operates the network game and a client device of each player who can connect to this server device via a network such as the Internet. There is.

Among the above network games, in an RPG (Role Playing Game), a large number of players participate at the same time so that the player characters can cooperate in a battle with an enemy character, or the players can play a player character. It is supposed to proceed by letting the battle take place. In particular, recently, MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online RPG) that allows more players to participate has also been performed.

In such a network game in which a plurality of players participate at the same time, the server device centrally transmits the operation of the player character to the client devices operated by all the participating players. It manages the operation of the player character and the timing of processing.

Then, in playing the network game, the server device periodically synchronizes with each client device, and the timing of the processing is unified in the game progress of each common client device. As a result, in the progress of the game executed in cooperation with each client device, the time series information is not processed and the game progress is not inconsistent (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-99906 (paragraph 0008, etc.)

In this way, by synchronizing with each client device, it is possible to execute the processing of the event related to the progress of the cooperative game on each client device, but as a preliminary step, for example, a movie or the like is the process of the game progress. It is also possible to play the movie with and let each player watch the movie at the same time. However, in a network game such as MMORPG in which a large number of players participate, a wide range of advanced players and beginners are mixed among the players, and when the advanced players and beginners proceed with the cooperative game. Even if the playback of the movie executed in the process of progressing the game is the first time for beginners to watch it, if the advanced player has already experienced it, the advanced player will spend a lot of time watching such a movie. It can be annoying to be restrained.

In the case of playing this movie, it is conceivable that the player can be released from restraint for a long time by freely skipping it on his / her own client device as in the case of a stand-alone game progress. However, if an event such as a battle occurs continuously after the end of the movie, considering the possibility that the timing of processing related to the event in each client device in the subsequent game progress may be inconsistent, it is necessary to play a cooperative game. Then, it is not preferable that the player character starts the battle without permission while the other players are not yet ready (watching the movie).

An object of the present invention is to provide a network game system or the like that guarantees that only some players do not perform in-game events that should be performed by a plurality of players together.

From a non-limiting point of view, the program according to the present invention is a program executed in a computer device, and the computer device is played back in response to an input from a user of the computer device without waiting for a certain period of time. The above is described in a plurality of computer devices including a playback function for playing a movie that can be terminated by a display means provided in the computer device, and a computer device of the computer device and another user who has formed a party with the user of the computer device. When a predetermined event including playback of a movie is executed, after the playback of the movie is completed on each computer device, a transition function for shifting to a process for performing the same event on each computer device is realized, and the above-mentioned The reproduction function is for realizing a function of displaying an image indicating the reproduction status or the end of reproduction of the movie on the computer device of the other user on the display means.

From a non-limiting point of view, the computer device according to the present invention is a computer device that constitutes a network system with another computer device, and is reproduced without waiting for a certain period of time in response to an input from a user of the computer device. A plurality of computer devices including a playback means for playing a movie capable of ending the computer device on a display means provided in the computer device, and a computer device of the computer device and another user who has formed a party with the user of the computer device. When a predetermined event including the reproduction of the movie is executed, the transition means for shifting to a process for performing the same event on each computer device after the reproduction of the movie is completed on each computer device is included. The reproduction means is characterized in that the display means displays an image indicating the reproduction status or the end of the reproduction of the movie on the computer device of the other user.

From a non-limiting point of view, the network system according to the present invention is a network system including a computer device and a plurality of computer devices including a computer device of another user who has formed a party with a user of the computer device, and the computer. A playback means for causing a display means provided in the computer device to play a movie capable of ending playback without waiting for a certain period of time in response to an input from a user of the device, and a playback of the movie on the plurality of computer devices. When a predetermined event including the above is executed, the playback means includes a transition means for shifting to a process for performing the same event on each computer device after the playback of the movie is completed on each computer device. It is characterized in that the display means displays an image showing the reproduction status or the end of reproduction of the movie on the computer device of the other user.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video game apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the server apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the table managed in the server apparatus of FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data stored in the video game apparatus of FIG. 1 and FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the progress of the network game which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the flow of data which concerns on it. It is a flowchart which shows the process executed in a server device and a video game device. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the display screen which concerns on the battle of each video game apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the network game according to this embodiment, a plurality of players participating in the network game at the same time cause their player characters to perform a battle with an enemy character existing in the field in a field as a virtual space. It is an MMORPG that progresses by doing so. In this network game, a player can form a party composed of a plurality of player characters by his / her own player character and another player character, and can perform a battle with the party as one unit.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a network system in which a network game according to this embodiment is played. As shown in the figure, this network system is configured by connecting a plurality of video game devices 100 to a server device 200 via the Internet 151.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the video game device 100 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the video game device 100 is constructed around the device main body 101. The device main body 101 includes a control unit 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 105, a hard disk drive (HDD) 107, a sound processing unit 109, a graphic processing unit 111, and a DVD / CD-ROM drive connected to the internal bus 119. Includes 113, a communication interface 115, and an interface unit 117.

The sound processing unit 109 of the device main body 101 is connected to the sound output device 125 which is a speaker, and the graphic processing unit 111 is connected to the display device 121 having the display screen 122. A recording medium (DVD-ROM or CD-ROM in this embodiment) 131 may be mounted on the DVD / CD-ROM drive 113. The communication interface 115 is connected to the network 151. A light emitting unit 160, a receiving unit 161 and a memory card 162 are connected to the interface unit 117.

The control unit 103 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, executes a program stored on the HDD 107 and the recording medium 131, and controls the apparatus main body 101. The control unit 103 includes an internal timer. The RAM 105 is a work area of the control unit 103, and information about the position of the player character, HP (hit point, which will be described later), etc., which will be described later, is temporarily stored in the RAM 105. The HDD 107 is a storage area for storing programs and data. When the program executed by the control unit 103 instructs the sound processing unit 109 to output the sound, the sound processing unit 109 interprets the instruction and outputs the sound signal to the sound output device 125.

The graphic processing unit 111 is in the RAM included in the chip constituting the graphic processing unit 111, although it is drawn outside the graphic processing unit 111 in the figure according to the drawing command output from the control unit 103. The image data is expanded in (provided in), and a video signal for displaying the image is output on the display screen 122 of the display device 121. One frame time of the image included in the video signal output from the graphic processing unit 111 is, for example, 1/30 second. Two sets of frame memories 112 are provided, and data writing and reading can be switched for each frame period.

The DVD / CD-ROM drive 113 reads out programs and data from the recording medium 131. The communication interface 115 is connected to the network 151 and communicates with other computers. The light emitting unit 160 includes a plurality of LEDs having different light irradiation directions, and is installed at a position (upper or lower portion of the display device 121) having a predetermined relationship with the display device 121.

The input device 163 includes a light receiving unit 163a, an acceleration sensor 163b, and a transmitting unit 163c. The light receiving unit 163a receives the light emitted from each LED included in the light emitting unit 160. Depending on the orientation of the input device 163, the number and position of LEDs capable of receiving light by the light receiving unit 163a differ. The acceleration sensor 163b comprises a multi-axis acceleration sensor having three or more axes, and detects the inclination and three-dimensional movement of the input device 163. The input device 163 also includes direction keys and a plurality of operation buttons.

The transmission unit 163c is an infrared signal according to the situation of the input device 163, more specifically, the light receiving state of the light receiving unit 163a, the inclination of the input device 163 detected by the acceleration sensor 163b, and the moving direction and speed of the input device 163. It transmits an infrared signal according to the input from the direction keys and operation buttons. The infrared signal transmitted from the transmission unit 163c is received by the reception unit 161 as input data from the input device 163.

The interface unit 117 outputs the input data received by the receiving unit 161 to the RAM 105, and the control unit 103 interprets the input data and performs arithmetic processing. The interface unit 117 also stores data indicating the progress of the game stored in the RAM 105 in the memory card 162 based on an instruction from the control unit 103, and stores the game at the time of interruption stored in the memory card 162. Data is read out and transferred to the RAM 105. Although not shown, a keyboard is used as an input device for inputting characters in the chat function described later. The keyboard may be input to the interface unit 117 via the input device 163 or may be directly input.

The program, data, data of the movie itself, and the like for playing a game on the video game device 100 are initially stored in, for example, a recording medium 131. The programs, data, data of the movie itself, etc. stored in the recording medium 131 are read out by the DVD / CD-ROM drive 113 at the time of execution and loaded into the RAM 105. The control unit 103 processes the program and data loaded in the RAM 105, outputs a drawing command to the graphic processing unit 111, and outputs a sound output instruction to the sound processing unit 109. Intermediate data while the control unit 103 is performing processing is stored in the RAM 105.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device 200 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the server device 200 is constructed around the server main body 201. The server body 201 includes a control unit 203, a RAM 205, a hard disk drive (HDD) 207, a DVD / CD-ROM drive 213, and a communication interface 215 connected to the internal bus 219. A recording medium (DVD-ROM or CD-ROM) 231 may be mounted on the DVD / CD-ROM drive 213.

The control unit 203 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, executes a program stored on the HDD 207 and the recording medium 231 to control the game server device 200. The control unit 203 includes an internal timer that measures the current time. The RAM 205 is a work area of the control unit 203. The HDD 207 is a storage area for storing programs and data. The communication interface 215 is connected to the network 151 and communicates with each of the video game devices 100.

Programs and data for playing a network game on the game server device 200 are first stored in, for example, a recording medium 231 and installed in the HDD 207 from here. Then, this program and data are read from the HDD 207 at the time of execution and loaded into the RAM 205. The control unit 203 processes the program and data loaded in the RAM 205, and advances the network game based on the data sent from each of the video game devices 100 and the like. Intermediate data while the control unit 203 is performing processing is stored in the RAM 205.

Next, the battle on the field in the network game according to this embodiment will be described. In the field in this network game, there are a plurality of player characters forming a plurality of parties and a plurality of enemy characters, and in particular, a battle between the player character and the enemy character (hereinafter, one battle of this embodiment). The number of enemy characters in (explained as 1) is to be performed in the battlefield. When a party is formed by a plurality of player characters, the battle with the enemy character is performed between the party and the enemy character.

In the battle, the player character and the enemy character attack each other, their HP (hit points, which will be described later) decreases each time the attack is made, and the player character and the enemy character whose HP becomes 0 cannot act. It becomes. If the HP of the enemy character becomes 0 and it becomes incapacitated, the player character wins in that battle, and the next new enemy character can be battled.

In addition, this battle may be performed after playing a movie that is executed for a certain period of time. This movie is related to a battle that is started thereafter, and the player will watch the movie on his / her own video game device 100. After the end of the movie, each player character is placed in the battle field and battles with the enemy character.

On the other hand, such a movie can be ended (skipped) without waiting for a certain period of time by operating the input device 163 by the player himself / herself. At this time, the player character of the player who skipped the movie is placed in the battle field before the player character whose playback of the movie has not been completed. On the other hand, if there is a player character whose movie has not ended, the player character remains placed outside the battle field, and the state is displayed on the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 of the player whose movie has ended earlier. It is supposed to be done.

That is, the player character related to the video game device 100 that has finished playing the movie will appear in the battlefield from outside the battlefield. At this time, the player who finishes the playback of the movie first and moves to the battlefield from outside the battlefield later on the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 related to the player character already placed in the battlefield. The appearance of the character is displayed. The difference in display between the player character in the battle field on the display screen 122 and the player character outside the battle field, and the state of movement will be described in detail in the description of a specific example of the display screen 122 described later.

Next, the arrangement of the player characters on the battle field in the battle (hereinafter referred to as "battle arrangement") will be described. The battle arrangement is determined in the order in which the movie ends in each video game device 100 (specifically, the order in which the server device 200 receives the information (skip input, movie last information) related to the end of the movie described later). It has become a thing. This battle arrangement will be described below in the case of a party formed by three player characters.

In this case, the player character (first) whose movie ends the earliest in the video game device 100 and the player character (third) whose movie ends the latest have a distance from the enemy character. It will be placed in a distant battle arrangement. On the other hand, the player character (second) whose movie ends as the runner-up will be placed in a battle arrangement that is close to the enemy character.

In this way, in battle arrangements where the distance to the enemy character is different, there is a difference in the frequency of attacks from the enemy character and the power of the attack (the amount of decrease in HP for one attack) in the actual battle. The attack frequency and attack power of the enemy character are high for the battle arrangement (2nd) at a short distance, and the attack frequency of the enemy character for the battle arrangement (1st and 3rd) at a long distance. The attack power is low.

In other words, when ending the movie, the player can place his or her player character in a battle arrangement that is advantageous to the enemy character if the movie is ended the earliest or the movie is ended the latest, and the runner-up. If you end the movie with, you will place your player character in a battle arrangement that is disadvantageous compared to other battle arrangements.

However, the advantages and disadvantages in battle may be determined by whether each player character and the enemy character have one of the attributes of fire, water, and wind. With this attribute, for example, an enemy character having a fire attribute has a high attack power against a player character having a water attribute, and an enemy character having a wind attribute has a low attack power. Further, the enemy character having the wind attribute has a high attack power against the player character having the fire attribute, and has a low attack power against the player character having the water attribute. This also applies to the attack power of the player character against the enemy character.

In other words, the attributes of fire, water, and wind have a so-called trilemma relationship (a relationship in which each has one advantageous attribute and one disadvantageous attribute). Therefore, even if the battle arrangement at a short distance is disadvantageous to the enemy character, the player character has an advantageous attribute to the attribute of the enemy character due to the relationship of three freezing (for example, the player character). (When the attribute of is fire and the attribute of the enemy character is water), it does not necessarily mean that the placement in the battle arrangement that is close to the enemy character is disadvantageous for the player character.

The attributes possessed by such an enemy character can be known by actually performing a battle with the enemy character and attacking each enemy character with a player character having a set of attributes when the battle with the enemy character is the first time. Sometimes (depending on the strength of the attack), you can't know until the battle begins. However, in playing a movie executed by each video game device 100 before the battle, the player may be able to visually recognize an image (hint) suggesting which attribute the enemy character has.

In other words, the hints in this movie cannot be visually recognized if the player skips the operation before they are displayed in the middle of the movie. Therefore, for example, in order to obtain an advantageous battle arrangement. An early skip operation to do so can lead to missed hints, and hesitating to skip a hint can miss a favorable battle arrangement. An example of the specific timing at which this hint is displayed will be described in a specific example of the display screen described later.

In addition, the player characters that have finished playing the movie first and are placed in the battlefield have finished playing the movie in the video game device 100 related to all the player characters forming the party, and all the player characters are in the battlefield. It is in a standby state until it is placed in. In this standby state, the player can execute a chat by the chat function of this network game by operating the input device.

In addition, it is possible to change the equipment (for example, weapons and armor) of one's own player character, and to practice the movement of the player character in battle (for example, practice of so-called special moves). By changing the equipment of the player character, it is possible to suppress the amount of decrease in the HP of the enemy character due to one attack and to increase the amount of decrease in the HP of the enemy character. Further, in a party formed of three or more player characters, two player characters may be in a standby state at the same time before the battle is started, but the operation of the other player characters at this time is the end of the movie. The operations other than the movement to the battlefield according to the above are controlled by the own video game device 100, and are not affected by the operation of the player related to the other player characters in the standby state.

Next, in order to advance the network game according to this embodiment, the data managed by the server device 200 and the data stored in the video game device 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a group of tables managed by the server device 200 in order to execute the network game according to this embodiment.

FIG. 4A is a party management table 400 that manages the state of each party existing in the network game according to this embodiment. FIG. 4B is a character management table 410 for managing information related to the position, appearance, and the like of the characters forming the party, which are generated for each party.

First, in the party management table 400 shown in FIG. 4A, a party ID 401, a participating character ID 402, a battle flag 403, and a pre-battle flag 404 are stored for each party. The party ID 401 is identification information for uniquely identifying each party existing in the field. In addition, the participating character ID 402 stores all the character IDs (described later) that form the party. The battle flag 403 indicates whether or not the party is restrained by the processing related to the battle (including the battle itself and the playback of the movie), and is ON (1) during the battle and OFF (0) if it is not during the battle. ).

The pre-battle flag 404 indicates whether or not a player character related to the video game device 100 during movie playback exists among the player characters forming the party, and such a player character exists. If it is, it is turned ON (1), and if it does not exist, it is turned OFF (0). Of course, the playback of the movie is executed as the pre-battle stage, so when the pre-battle flag 404 is ON, the battle flag 403 is always ON and the battle flag 403 is OFF. At that time, the pre-battle flag 404 is never turned ON.

Subsequently, in the character management table 410 shown in FIG. 4B, the character ID 411, the destination address 412, the name information 413, the form information 414, the attribute information 415, and the position are set for each character forming the party. Information 416, HP information 417, equipment information 418, and in-movie flag 419 are stored.

The character ID 411 is identification information for uniquely identifying each player character existing in the field. The destination address 412 stores an IP address assigned to identify the video game device 100 that operates each player character. The name information 413 is used as information for displaying the name of the player character on the display screen 122. The morphological information 414 is information used to represent the appearance (physical constitution, facial appearance, etc.) of the player character on the field.

The attribute information 415 is information indicating whether the attribute of the player character is fire, water, or wind. The position information 416 is information indicating the position of the player character on the field or the battle field. The HP information 417 is information indicating the HP value of the player character.

The equipment information 418 indicates information on the weapons, etc. that the player character is equipped with, and thereby, the player character in a state of wearing the weapons, etc. (a state of holding a sword, a state of wearing a helmet, etc.). The appearance of is visible to the player on the display screen 122. The in-movie flag 419 is information indicating whether or not the movie is being played in the video game device 100 that operates each player character. If the movie is playing, it is ON (1), and if the movie is finished, it is OFF (0).

By transmitting information for playing a movie in each video game device 100, which will be described later, the flag 419 in the movie related to all the video game devices 100 is updated to 1, and there is a skip input from each video game device 100. When the server device 200 receives the information indicating that the movie has been played to the end, the in-movie flag 419 of each of the video game devices 100 is updated to 0.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of data stored in the video game device 100. The video game device 100 includes character ID 501, party ID 502, name information 503, form information 504, attribute information 505, position information 506, HP information 507, equipment information 508, and a flag 509 in the movie. , Other player character information 510 is stored.

The character ID 501 is unique to the player character to be operated in the video game device 100 in which the character ID 501 is stored, and is the same as the character ID 411 stored in the character management table 410. The character ID 501 and the character ID 411 uniquely identify the player character on the field and the battle field, and the video game device 100 that operates the player character.

The party ID 502 is an ID of a party formed by a player character operated by the video game device 100 as a member, and corresponds to the party ID 401 stored in the party management table 400. This correspondence makes it possible to uniquely identify which party the player character of the video game device 100 belongs to. Further, the name information 503, the form information 504, the attribute information 505, the position information 506, the HP information 507, and the equipment information 508 are the same information as those stored in the character management table 410 described above, and the video game device 100, By transmitting and receiving information between the server devices 200, the information is kept consistent in the progress of the game.

The in-movie flag 509 is updated to 1 by receiving the information for playing the movie transmitted from the server device 200, and the information to play the movie is skipped, or the movie is completed. It is updated to 0 because it has been played.

The other player character information 510 stores data necessary for displaying a player character other than the own player character on the display screen 122 in each video game device 100, and is transmitted from the server device 200 to another player. Store character information. The information of other player characters forming the same party is managed by the character management table 410 transmitted from the server device 200 as other player character information 510 for each player character, character ID 411, destination address 412, name information. 413, form information 414, position information 416, equipment information 418, and in-movie flag 419 are included, respectively.

Next, the progress of the network game and the flow of data according to this embodiment will be described. In this network game, a party formed by a plurality of player characters will battle with an enemy character on the battle field. In this battle, the battle may be started after playing a movie on the video game device 100 in which each player character is operated, but the player can skip this movie on each video game device 100. ..

However, even if the player skips the movie on his / her own video game device 100, the movie may still be played on the video game device 100 in which the player characters forming the party are operated. Then, in the video game device 100 of all the player characters forming the party, the battle after the movie is not started until the movie is finished (not limited to skipping or watching to the end), and the battle is not started. The player character of the video game device 100 whose movie has ended is placed in the standby state.

FIG. 6 describes a data flow from the playback of the movie before the battle to the end of the playback of the movie on the video game devices 100 of all the player characters that finally form the party. Here, it is assumed that in a party formed by three player characters, each video game device 100 ends the movie in order (not at the same time).

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, information for executing movie playback in each video game device 100 (hereinafter, movie playback information) is transmitted from the server device 200. As a result, after the movie is played on each video game device 100, as shown in FIG. 6B, in the playback of this movie, the player skips the first movie on the video game device 100. Then, first, the skip input information by the operation (hereinafter, skip input information) is transmitted from the video game device 100 to the server device 200.

Subsequently, when the server device 200 receives the skip input information of the first movie, another player character forming the same party with respect to the video game device 100 that has transmitted the skip input information. Waiting information including character ID 411, destination address 412, name information 413, form information 414, equipment information 418, movie flag 419 (hereinafter, simply waiting information), and the order in which the movie is terminated. The updated position information 416 is also transmitted from the server device 200 to the position information related to the battle arrangement of the player character. In this case, since the video game device 100 is the video game device 100 that has finished playing the movie earliest, the position information 416 updated to the position information of the battle arrangement that is far from the enemy character is received.

After that, as shown in FIG. 6C, in the video game device 100 that operates another player character forming the same party, a second movie skip operation is performed, and the skip input information is the video game. It is transmitted from the device 100 to the server device 200. Then, in the server device 200 in which the skip input information is received, the video game device 100 in which the movie is skipped and the video game device 100 in which the movie was previously terminated are subsequently subjected to the movie. Waiting information including the position information 416 updated with the position information of the battle position according to the order of ending is transmitted. Since the end of this movie is the second after the video game device 100 that ended the movie first, in the video game device 100 that transmitted this skip input information, the position where the distance to the enemy character is short is the battle arrangement. Information is received.

After that, as shown in FIG. 6D, the skip input information related to the skip operation of the last movie or the last movie information due to the movie being watched to the end continues to play the movie until the end. It is transmitted from the video game device 100 to the server device 200. Subsequently, the server device 200 that receives the message transmits standby information including the position information 416 updated with the position information of the battle position according to the order in which the movie ends to all the video game devices 100. Will be done. Here, since it is the end of the last movie, the video game device 100 in which the last movie is finished receives the position information in which the battle arrangement is far from the enemy character.

Since the playback of the movie is completed in the video game device 100 related to all the player characters forming the party, the battle is subsequently started. At the start of the battle, in order to execute the processing related to the battle at the same time in all the video game devices, after a certain period of time has passed since the last waiting information was transmitted, FIG. 6 (e) shows. As described above, the battle start information is transmitted from the server device 200 to all the video game devices 100.

Hereinafter, the processes executed in the server device 200 and the video game device 100 constituting the network system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a battle process executed in each of the server device 200 and the video game device 100.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in the battle process of the server device 200, first, the control unit 203 of the server device 200 has a battle flag stored in the party management table 400 for the party performing the battle related to the battle process. Turn on 403 (update to 1) (step S101). Subsequently, the control unit 203 determines whether or not the reproduction of the movie is executed in the battle (step S102). In the case of a battle in which movie playback is executed, movie playback for simultaneously playing a movie on each video game device 100 for video game devices 100 related to all player characters forming the party performing the battle. Information is transmitted (step S103). Here, the movie reproduction information is not the data of the movie itself, but the information for reproducing the data of the movie stored in the recording medium 131 of each video game device 100.

When the movie playback information is transmitted, the control unit 203 subsequently turns on (updates to 1) the pre-battle flag 404 stored in the party management table 400 for the party performing the battle (step S104). Subsequently, the control unit 203 turns on (updates to 1) the flag 419 in the movie stored in the character management table 410 for all the player characters of the party (step S105).

Subsequently, the control unit 203 performs a battle standby process (step S106). In the battle waiting process, the movie is not finished in all the video game devices 100 yet, and the movie is skipped first until the battle starts (until the movie is finished in all the video game devices 100). The process executed in relation to the video game device 100 in the standby state is performed. For example, when a process related to sending and receiving a message in the chat function or a change in the equipment of the player character is performed, the content of the equipment information 418 stored in the character management table 410 of the server device 200 regarding the change. The data of the changed contents is received and the processing of the change is executed in order to change the.

After the battle standby process in step S106, the control unit 203 determines whether or not the skip input information related to the movie skip operation by the player received from the video game device 100 has been received (step S107). If it is determined that the skip input information has not been received, the control unit 203 receives the movie last information transmitted from the video game device 100 due to the movie being played to the end without being skipped and ending. It is determined whether or not this has been done (step S108). If it is determined that the movie end information has not been received, the control unit 203 returns to the process of step S106 again.

If it is determined in step S107 that the skip input information has been received, or if it is determined in step S108 that the movie last information has been received, the control unit 203 transmits the received information to the video game device 100. For the player character of, the in-movie flag stored in the character management table 410 is turned off (updated to 0) (step S109). Further, the control unit 203 displays the position information 416 stored in the character management table 410 for the player character related to the video game device 100 whose movie is skipped or played to the end in the order in which the movie is ended. Update with the position information of the battle arrangement determined based on.

Subsequently, the control unit 203 transmits the waiting information from the updated character management table 410 to the video game device 100 related to all the player characters in the standby state (step S110). Subsequently, the control unit 203 determines whether or not the flag in the movie stored in the character management table 410 is OFF (updated with 0) for all the player characters forming the party (step S111). .. If it is determined that the flag in the movie is not OFF for all the player characters, the control unit 203 returns to the process of step S106 again.

If it is determined that the flag in the movie is OFF for all the player characters, the control unit 203 turns off the pre-battle flag 404 stored in the party management table 400 (updates with 0) (step S112). .. After that, or in step S102, after it is determined that the playback of the movie is not executed in the battle, after a certain period of time elapses, the control unit 203 connects the video game device 100 related to all the player characters forming the party to perform the battle. On the other hand, at the same time, the battle start information for executing the processing during the battle is transmitted (step S113). Subsequently, the control unit 203 executes the process during the battle (step S114), and ends the process related to the actual battle. Since this process during battle has nothing to do with the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, in the battle processing of the video game device 100, first, whether or not the control unit 103 of the video game device 100 has received the battle start information transmitted from the server device 200. Is determined (step S201). If it is determined that the battle start information has not been received, the control unit 103 subsequently determines whether or not the movie playback information transmitted from the server device 200 has been received (step S202). If it is determined that the movie playback information has not been received, the control unit 103 returns to the process of step S201 again.

If it is determined that the movie playback information has been received, the control unit 103 turns on (updates to 1) the movie flag 509 stored in the video game device 100 (step S203). Subsequently, the control unit 103 starts playing the movie based on the instruction for playing the movie indicated by the received movie playing information (step S204). Subsequently, the control unit 103 determines whether or not there is a skip input of the movie by the skip operation of the player (step S205). If it is determined that there is a skip input, the control unit 103 transmits the skip input information to the server device 200 (step S206).

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no skip input, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the movie has been played to the end (step S207). If it is determined that the movie has not been played to the end, the control unit 103 returns to the process of step S205 again. If it is determined that the movie has been played to the end, the control unit 103 transmits the movie end information to the server device 200 (step S208).

Since the movie has been played to the end, after the movie last information is transmitted or after the skip input information is transmitted in step S206, the control unit 103 sends the movie flag 509 stored in the video game device 100. Is turned off (updated to 0) (step S209). Subsequently, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the standby information transmitted from the server device 200 has been received (step S210). If it is determined that the standby information has been received, the control unit 103 updates the information related to its own player character stored in the video game device 100 and the other player character information 510 in the contents included in the standby information. (Step S211).

Subsequently, the control unit 103 determines whether or not 1/30 second has elapsed from the battle process or the previous 1/30 second elapsed (step S212). If it is determined that 1/30 second has elapsed, the control unit 103 generates a display image to be displayed on the display screen 122 by perspective-transforming the space on the battle field in which the player character exists, and displays the display screen 122. Is displayed in (step S213). After that, or after it is determined in step S212 that 1/30 second has not elapsed, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the battle start information transmitted from the server device 200 has been received (step S214). ..

If it is determined that the battle start information has not been received, the control unit 103 performs the battle waiting process (step S215). In the battle standby process in the video game device 100, for example, when a process related to input and transmission / reception of a message related to the chat function and a change in the equipment of the player character are performed, the equipment information 508 related to the change is performed. In the case of updating, transmitting the changed contents to the server device 200, or practicing the actions of the player character in the battle, the player character corresponding to the input information related to the operation of the player's input device 163. The processing associated with the operation of is executed. After the battle waiting process, the control unit 103 returns to the process of step S210 again.

If it is determined in step S201 or step S214 that the battle start information has been received, the control unit 103 executes the during-battle process (step S216) and ends the battle process. Since this process during battle has nothing to do with the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a specific example of the display image displayed on the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 constituting the network system according to this embodiment will be shown, and the playback of the movie before the battle of the network game, its termination, and its termination will be shown. The mode of waiting will be described. FIG. 8 shows a specific example of the display screen 122 of each video game device 100 at each timing (timing (a) to (e)) of executing the playback of the movie before performing the battle with the enemy character. It is a thing. Here, for convenience, the number of player characters forming a party is set to 3, and the players who operate each video game device 100 are described as player A, player B, and player C.

In this specific example, after the playback of the movie is started, the player B performs the skip operation earliest, so that the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 related to the player B is in the battle standby state, and then continues. Then, the player A performs a skip operation as the runner-up, and the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 related to the player A is in the standby state. In the movie after the player A performs the skip operation and finishes the playback of the movie, the hint related to the attribute of the enemy character who will perform the battle after that is visually recognized. Then, when the movie is played to the end in the video game device 100 related to the player C, the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 of the player C is finally put into the standby state.

First, at the timing (a), the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 related to the player B who performed the skip operation earliest is already in the standby state, and is enemies with the message board 810 used for chat and the battle field 801. Along with the character 822, the player character 821B of the player B is displayed on the display screen 122. On the other hand, the movie continues to be played on the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 related to the other players A and C.

At this time, since the player B finishes the movie earliest, the player character 821B related to the player B is at a distance from the enemy character 822 on the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 operated by the player B. It is placed in a battle arrangement, and a display image of that mode is displayed. Then, the player characters 821A and C of the players A and C who are still playing the movie in each video game device 100 are displayed outside the battle field 801 and smaller than the player characters 821B.

Subsequently, at the timing (b), since the player A skips the operation by (b), the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 related to the player A and the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 of the player B are displayed. Displays a mode in which the player character 821A of the player A is moving from outside the battle field 801 to the battle arrangement in the battle field 801.

At this time, the video game device 100 operated by the player C continues to play the movie, but at the timing of (b), a display image as a hint related to the attribute of the enemy character 822 is displayed, and the player C is displayed. Only this hint could be seen.

Subsequently, in the timing (c), the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 operated by the player A displays the standby state in which the player character 821A of the player A is arranged in the battle arrangement. In this battle arrangement, since the end of the movie by the skip operation of the player A is the second after the player B, the battle arrangement is close to the enemy character 822. Then, the player character C of the player C whose movie playback has not been completed on his / her own video game device 100 is already in the standby state and is displayed smaller than the player characters A and B arranged in the battle arrangement of the battle field 801. It has become what has been done.

In the standby state, the update information of the equipment information 418 stored in the character management table 410 of the server device 200 by changing the equipment of the player character 821 is such that the battle start information immediately before the start of the battle is the video game device 100. It will not be sent until it is sent to. As a result, even if either player A or B changes the equipment of his / her own player character 821 and the form of the player character 821 on the display screen 122 changes accordingly, the other player operates the game. The display screen 122 of the video game device 100 may not display a change in form due to a change in its equipment.

Then, at the timing (d), the movie is played to the end by the video game device 100 operated by the player C by (d), and the movie ends, and the video game devices of the players A and B are displayed on the display screen 122. Similar to the display screen 122 of 100, the mode in which the player character 821C of the player C is moving from outside the battle field 801 to the battle arrangement in the battle field 801 is displayed.

Subsequently, at the timing (e), on the display screen 122 of all the video game devices 100, a display image in which all the player characters 821 including the player character 821C of the player C are arranged in the battle arrangement of the battle field 801 is displayed. To. In this battle arrangement, since the movie is played to the end in the video game device 100 of the player C, the battle arrangement is at a long distance from the enemy character 822.

As described above, in the network game according to this embodiment, the server device 200 manages the progress of the battle between the party formed by its own player character 821 operated by a plurality of players and the enemy character 822. It has become a thing. Then, when the battle involves the reproduction of a movie as the pre-process, the server device 200 transmits the movie reproduction information to each video game device 100 in order to reproduce the movie in the video game device 100 of each player forming the party. Send to.

The video game device 100 that has received the movie playback information displays the movie on the display screen 122, and when the playback of the movie is completed, sends information indicating that fact to the server device 200. The server device 200 battles simultaneously in all the video game devices 100, provided that the server device 200 receives information from the video game devices 100 of all the players forming the party that the movie has finished playing. The battle start information for executing the process is transmitted to all the video game devices 100 all at once.

Here, in each video game device 100, each player can perform a skip operation on the input device 163 to end the playback of the movie in the middle at a desired timing of each player. Then, each video game device 100 is in a standby state until the battle process is executed by each video game device 100. As a result, in the progress of the game by each player, it is possible to ensure that all the players belonging to the same party, who should originally cooperate with each other to proceed with the game, will battle together.

Also, in this standby state, the player can talk with other players using the chat function, so for advanced players of the game who watched the movie many times, until the battle is performed. You can spend the period without getting bored. Further, in the standby state, not only the chat function and the equipment of the player character 821 are changed, but also the player can operate the input device 163 to practice the operation of his / her own player character 821 in the battle. This allows the player character 821 to perform actions that require difficult operations in battle (such as a special move), so that the player can spend the period until the battle is performed without getting tired. it can.

Also, for beginner players of the game, even if they watch the movie to the end, it does not bother advanced players, so even beginner players can actively participate in the game. Will be. In addition, the player can not only chat but also change the equipment of his / her own player character 821 in the standby state, so that he / she can make careful preparations for the battle with the enemy character 822.

Further, the player character 821 forming the party is displayed on the display screen 122 of each video game device 100 in the standby state, and the player character 821 in the standby state is arranged in the battle field 801. The player character 821 whose movie playback has not yet been completed in the video game device 100 is arranged outside the battle field 801 and is displayed smaller than the player character 821 arranged in the battle field 801. When the playback of the movie is completed in the video game device 100, the player character 821 arranged outside the battle field 801 moves in a manner of appearing in the battle field 801 according to the order in which the playback of the movie is completed. It will be placed in the battle arrangement.

Such a state of the standby state is the same as the display screen 122 of any of the video game devices 100 in the standby state (however, the player character reflected by the operation by each player in the standby state). The change in the display due to the practice of the operation of 821 or the change of equipment is not displayed), which of the players forming the party is the player of the video game device 100 in the standby state or the player during movie playback. Will be easily visible through the display device. Conversely, a player character that has not yet been displayed on the screen in the standby state means that the player has not finished watching the movie, so that other players who are still watching the movie can easily recognize it.

Furthermore, if the members of the same party advance the game for a long period of time and perform the above battles many times, each player will always watch the movie until late, the player who finishes the movie early. You will be able to grasp the tendency of being a player. Then, this causes a screen display in which only the player character of the player who has already watched the movie appears, for example, prompting the player who is watching the movie late at all times to skip the movie early. , It will be useful for communicating between players.

In addition, since the player characters 821 appearing in the battle field 801 appear in the order in which the movie playback is completed, the player can obtain a sense of realism for the battle that is about to begin, and waits while waiting for the start of the battle. Even in the state, the fun of the game can be obtained.

Furthermore, depending on the order in which the movie ends, the player characters 821 appearing in the battle feel 801 are placed in a favorable battle arrangement with respect to the enemy character 822 (the end of the movie is the first and third), or a disadvantageous battle. The arrangement is different (the end of the movie is the second). As a result, the timing at which the player ends the movie (whether it is skipped in the middle of the movie or played to the end) becomes strategic, and the interest of the game is improved.

Further, each player character 821 and the enemy character 822 each have an attribute, and the attributes have a so-called trilemma relationship. As a result, depending on the attributes possessed, the relationship between the player character 821 and the enemy character 822 is also advantageous or disadvantageous. As a result, even if the battle arrangement is disadvantageous to the enemy character 822, it may be advantageous in the relationship between the attributes of the player character 821 and the enemy character 822, and the player who determines the above battle arrangement. The timing of the end of the movie will be more strategic, and the fun of the game will be further improved.

Here, in the movie, an image that serves as a hint (attribute possessed by the enemy character 822) regarding the enemy character 822 that performs the subsequent battle may be displayed in the middle of the reproduction. Therefore, the player who sees the hint image may be able to advance the subsequent battle more advantageously than the player who performed the skip operation before the hint image is displayed. Therefore, in terms of strategy at the end timing of the movie, the strategy of whether the player skips the movie before viewing the hint image to end the movie playback or sees the hint image is also added. Therefore, the interest of the game will be further improved.

Here, in each video game device 100, if the player skips the operation, the skip input information is used, and if the movie is played to the end, the movie end information is the information indicating the end of the movie. Will be sent to. In the server device 200, information such as the mode of each player character 821 is transmitted until the battle start information is transmitted, except that the standby information is transmitted to each video game device 100 in the standby state each time it is received. Information such as operation and equipment) is not transmitted to each video game device 100. As a result, while the server device 200 reduces the transmission amount and the number of times of information related to the display in the standby state, it is possible to know whether the player character 821 forming the party in each video game device 100 is playing a movie or in the standby state. , The processing load of the server device 200 can be reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

In the network game according to the above embodiment, the server device 200 receives information related to the end of movie playback from the video game device 100 that has finally finished playing the movie, and the player character 821 of the video game device 100 receives the information related to the end of movie playback. After transmitting the waiting information to the video game devices 100 of all the player characters forming the party, after a certain period of time has elapsed, the battle start information is subsequently transmitted to synchronize the start of the battle. Not limited to this, after receiving the standby information relating to the player character 821 of the video game device 100 that finally ended the movie, each video game device 100 sets a predetermined period from the transmission time included in the received information. The time may be measured and the elapse of the predetermined period may be set as the timing for starting the battle. By doing so, the amount of data transmitted by the server device 200 can be reduced, and the processing load on the server device 200 can be reduced.

In the network game according to the above embodiment, the standby information is transmitted from the server device 200 to each of the video game devices 100 in the standby state as the movie is skipped, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the standby information may be transmitted to the video game device 100 that is playing the movie. At this time, when the video game device 100 playing the movie receives this standby information, it updates various data based on the waiting information and continues playing the movie.

In the network game according to the above embodiment, in order to skip the movie without playing it to the end, the player performs a skip operation using the input device 163. However, such a skip operation is performed by his / her own video. The player may be able to set in advance so that the operation of the movie is automatically executed when the operation of the movie is started in the game device 100. Alternatively, the server device 200 may be able to set in advance that the playback of the movie is not required in the own video game device 100.

In the network game according to the above embodiment, the playback of the movie before the battle is skipped and ended, and when the player character 821 is in the standby state, the equipment of the player character 821 is changed, the operation is practiced, and the like. It was something that could be done. The network game of the present invention is not limited to this, and if there is another player character 821 in the standby state, the player of the player character 821 and the equipment of the player character 821 can be exchanged. Good. Further, in the network game according to the above embodiment, if an item or the like that restores the HP of the player character can be used in addition to the equipment, such an item is used with the player of another player character 821 in the standby state. It may be exchangeable.

In the network game according to the above embodiment, the battle arrangement of the player characters 821 forming the party is determined by the order in which the movie playback of each player character 821 in the video game device 100 ends (skip operation, playback to the end). The player character 821, which has finished playing the movie first, is in the standby state until the playback of the movie is finished in all the video game devices 100. The network game of the present invention is not limited to this, and each player sets the equipment of his / her own player character 821 before the battle, and the order in which the equipment has been set (specifically, the player has completed the setting). The operation may be performed in the input device 163, and the battle arrangement may be determined in the order in which the input information transmitted based on the input information is processed in the server device 200).

In the network game according to the above embodiment, the type of the battle arrangement in the battle is not particularly described, but there may be a plurality of types of the battle arrangement. Further, in the above embodiment, an example is shown only when the number of player characters 821 is 3, but this may be a case of 4 or more, which diversifies the types of battle arrangement modes and allows the player. By increasing the options for the battle arrangement in which the player character 821 is arranged, the interest of the game is improved.

Further, when there are a plurality of types of battle arrangement modes as described above, it may be possible to determine one of the battle arrangement modes before the movie is played on each video game device 100. However, which battle arrangement mode may be used may be randomly determined for each battle. Further, the randomly determined mode of the battle arrangement may be displayed as a hint in the display image during movie playback.

In the network game according to the above embodiment, the number of enemy characters 822 is set to 1 and the battle is performed. The network game of the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of enemy characters 822 when performing a battle can be applied even if there are a plurality of them. At this time, the battle arrangement of the player character 821 may have different advantages and disadvantages in the battle for each enemy character 822 depending on the arrangement of the plurality of enemy characters 822 in the battle field 801.

For example, when a battle is performed in which the number of player characters 821 forming a party is 3 and the number of enemy characters 822 is 2, the player character 821 is a long distance to one enemy character 822, but the other. More complicated battle arrangements such as a short-distance battle arrangement for the enemy character 822, a battle arrangement that is the opposite, or a short-distance or long-distance battle arrangement for both enemy characters can be considered. Become. As a result, the player improves the interest of the game by increasing the strategic nature of which battle arrangement the player character 821 decides on, that is, at what timing the playback of the movie is terminated.

Further, there are a plurality of types of enemy characters 822, and the height of the attack power and the magnitude of the numerical value of HP may be different, and the arrangement of the plurality of types of enemy characters 822 on the battle field 801 is determined. It may be determined according to the combination when performing a battle. Further, such a battle arrangement may be randomly determined for each battle. In this way, the type and arrangement of the enemy character 822 may be displayed as a hint in the display image during movie playback.

In the above embodiment, the plurality of player characters 821 forming the party battle against and defeat the enemy character 822 in the battle, but in addition to or instead of this, a plurality of player characters A battle may be held between parties formed in 821. In this case, the same event (playing a movie, etc.) may be executed for all the player characters 821 participating in the battle, or different events may be executed for each party. At this time, it is assumed that the battle is started when the events related to all the player characters 821 are completed.

As a result, the advantages and disadvantages of the battle arrangement of the player character 821 of the own party differ depending on the arrangement of the player character 821 of the party of the battle opponent, and the interest of the game is further increased.

In the above embodiment, the display screen 122 of the video game device 100 in which the movie is still playing displays images other than the image related to the movie being played (for example, a chat message board 810). However, for example, the number of players who have already skipped the movie may be displayed in the corner of the display screen 122 as long as the visibility of the movie is not reduced. Since the timing at which the player skips the movie is related to the determination of the battle arrangement of his / her player character 821, the number of skipped movies is displayed in this way, so that the skip operation of the movie can be performed more. As a result, the strategic nature of the game will increase, and the interest of the game will improve.

In the network game according to the above embodiment, it is said that there is a battle in which an actual battle is performed after playing a movie before the battle. However, the network game of the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied instead of playing a movie or when conducting a battle tutorial together with playing a movie. As a result, the tutorial is confirmed once for the beginner player of the game, but the player of the player character forming the same party who confirmed it once does not need to confirm it again, and the player can be freed from the hassle of restraining freedom. At the same time, during the period of skipping the tutorial and waiting for another player, the equipment can be changed and the movement can be practiced, so that the period of waiting without getting the player bored can be effectively utilized.

In the network game according to the above embodiment, a plurality of player characters 821 cooperate to advance the game, play a movie, and then battle with an enemy character 822. However, an event such as movie playback is performed. The present invention can be applied to any game that needs to be synchronized for the subsequent progress of the game. For example, in the case of a race (car, horse, etc.), the actual race is performed after the event related to the race, and in the case of sports (soccer, baseball, etc.), the actual race is performed after the event related to the game. It may be a match.

Further, such a race or sport may be carried out as a mini-game in the network game according to the above-described embodiment separately from the battle, and in this case, the above-mentioned tutorial may be performed before this mini-game. You may want to do it. Further, depending on the order in which the events are completed at this time, the arrangement of the start thereof may be determined in the race, and the position or the like may be determined in the sport.

In the above embodiment, the description has been limited to MMORPG as a network game, but this is a large number of network games such as battles and events (movie playback, tutorials, etc.) that are accompanied by changes in game progress. It may be a simulation game in which the above players can participate.

In the above embodiment, the video game device 100, which is a dedicated game machine, is applied as a device serving as a platform for executing a video game. On the other hand, the present invention may be realized by using a general-purpose personal computer or the like as a platform as long as it has the same components as the video game device 100 and has a network connection function. A portable game machine (including a mobile phone having an application execution function) having a configuration in which the display device 121 and the sound output device 125 are housed in the same housing as the video game main body 101 may be applied.

As the recording medium 131, a semiconductor memory card can be applied instead of a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM. A card slot for inserting this memory card can be provided instead of the DVD / CD-ROM drive 113. In the case of a general-purpose personal computer, the program and data according to the present invention may be stored and provided in advance in the HDD 107 instead of being stored and provided in the recording medium 131. As the recording medium for storing and providing the program and data according to the present invention, any recording medium can be applied depending on the physical form and distribution form of the hardware.

In the above embodiment, the program and data of the video game device 100 are stored and distributed in the recording medium 131. On the other hand, these programs and data may be stored in a fixed disk device of a server device existing on the network and distributed to the video game main body 101 via the network. In the video game device 100, the programs and data received by the communication interface 115 from the server device 200 can be stored in the HDD 107 and loaded into the RAM 105 at the time of execution.
[Additional Notes]
The description of the above-described embodiment describes at least the following invention so that a person having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the invention belongs can carry out the invention.
[1]
In order to achieve the above object, the network game system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a server device and a plurality of terminal devices connected to the server device via a network, and the server device provides the server device. A network game system in which players who use each of the plurality of terminal devices jointly perform an event in a game, and the server device is the plurality of terminal devices when a predetermined event occurrence condition is satisfied in the game. The event occurrence information transmitting means for transmitting the event occurrence information to each of the above, the preparation end notification information receiving means for receiving the preparation end notification information transmitted from each of the plurality of terminal devices, and the preparation end notification information receiving means. The plurality of event start information transmitting means for transmitting event start information all at once to all of the plurality of terminal devices on condition that the preparation end notification information is received from all of the plurality of terminal devices. Each of the terminal devices of the above is an event occurrence information receiving means for receiving the event occurrence information transmitted from the event occurrence information transmitting means, and the terminal device when the event occurrence information is received by the event occurrence information receiving means. An event preparation image display means for executing a process of displaying an event preparation image capable of ending the display at a desired timing by a player who uses the above on a display device provided in the terminal device, and the event preparation image. Preparation end notification information transmitting means for transmitting preparation end notification information to the server device when the display of is finished, and event start information receiving means for receiving event start information transmitted from the event start information transmitting means. After the preparation end notification information transmitting means transmits the preparation end notification information, until the event start information receiving means receives the event start information, the standby processing executing means that executes a predetermined waiting process. When the event start information receiving means receives the event start information, it is characterized by including an event transition means that shifts to a process for performing the event.
[2]
In the network game system, when each terminal device receives the event occurrence information transmitted from the server device, the event preparation image is displayed on the display device included in each terminal device. Then, when the display of the event preparation image is completed, each terminal device transmits the preparation completion notification information to the server device. The server device transmits the event start information to all the terminal devices at once on the condition that the preparation end notification information is received from all the terminal devices, and each terminal device that receives the event performs the event. Become.
[3]
Here, in each terminal device, the display of the event preparation image can be ended at a desired timing of the player, but the event is not performed until the event start information is received, and the period until the event is performed. Is to be waited for. Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the players are all playing the game in each terminal device until the event is started by ending the display of the event preparation image early.
[4]
For example, if the event preparation image is displayed as a movie and the chat function can be executed as a standby process until the event is performed, the advanced game of watching the movie many times. Even if the movie is finished early, the player can chat and talk with other players, so that the period until the event is held can be effectively utilized without getting tired. Further, for a player who is a beginner of the game, even if the movie is watched to the end, it does not bother the advanced player. Therefore, in the progress of the game related to this network game system, the beginner player Even so, you will be able to actively participate in the game.
[5]
In the network game system, the game provided by the server device is a game in which each player using the plurality of terminal devices operates his / her own player character by input from an input device included in the terminal device. After transmitting the event occurrence information from the event occurrence information transmitting means, the server device receives the preparation end notification information from all of the plurality of terminal devices until the preparation end notification information receiving means receives the preparation end notification information. A standby image in which a player character of a player who uses the already-received terminal device appears in a already-received terminal device in which the preparation end notification information receiving means has already received the preparation end notification information among the plurality of terminal devices. Is further provided with standby information transmitting means for transmitting standby information for displaying the above on the display device of the already received terminal device, and each of the plurality of terminal devices receives the standby information transmitted from the standby information transmitting means. The standby processing executing means further includes a standby information receiving means, and the standby processing executing means performs a process of displaying the standby image on a display device included in the terminal device based on the standby information received by the standby information receiving means as the standby process. It may include a standby image display means to be executed.
[6]
In this case, the player character of the player who uses each terminal device that has already finished displaying the event preparation image and has finished playing the event preparation image in the terminal device (already received terminal device) in which the standby process is being performed. The standby image in which appears is displayed on the display device. When there are a plurality of terminal devices that have already finished displaying the event preparation image, a standby image in which a plurality of player characters appear is displayed in each terminal device. As a result, among the players who perform this event together, the display of the event preparation image is terminated, and the player of the terminal device involved in the standby process can easily recognize the event through the display device. Considering the opposite, the event preparation is still performed. The player who is viewing the image can easily recognize it.
[7]
If the display of the event preparation image is sequentially terminated at different timings in each terminal device, the event is sequentially displayed on the display screen provided in the terminal device that has previously terminated the display of the event preparation image. The standby image in which the player character related to the terminal device whose display of the preparation image is finished is displayed, the display of the event preparation image of all other terminal devices is finished, and the waiting while waiting for the start of the event is displayed. In the processing as well, the player can further enjoy the game.
[8]
In addition, such an event is repeatedly performed, and the standby process after finishing the display of the event preparation image is repeatedly executed, so that the display of the event preparation image is quickly finished for each player playing the game together. It will be possible to know whether or not there is a tendency, and it will be useful for communicating between players in the game (for example, prompting a player who always finishes displaying the event preparation image late to finish early). ..
[9]
In the network game system, the standby processing execution means waits for the player character included in the standby image displayed on the display device included in the terminal device to operate in the standby image according to the input from the input device. It can include character motion means.
[10]
In this case, the display device of the terminal device used by oneself cannot be displayed while the event preparation image is being displayed, but during the standby process, the display of the event preparation image of all other terminal devices is terminated and the event is displayed. While waiting for the start, the display device can display a standby image in which the player is operating his / her own player character. As a result, the player not only sees the movement of the player character displayed on the display device while waiting for the start of the event, but also obtains a feeling of operation, so that the player does not have to hold it in his hand, and the game It will be interesting [11]
In addition, for example, when the event is a battle, it may be possible to practice for inputting the action of the player character in the battle in the standby image until the battle is started. In this case, the player can effectively utilize the period until the battle is performed without getting tired.
[12]
In the network game system, the standby information is information indicating an already-received terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices, and the preparation end notification information receiving means receives the preparation end notification from any of the plurality of terminal devices. Every time the information is received, it is transmitted to all the received terminal devices, and the standby image display means generates the standby image based on the information indicating the received terminal received as the standby information, and the generated standby image is generated. The standby image can be displayed on the display device included in the terminal device.
[13]
In this case, every time the display of the event preparation image is finished in the terminal device, the standby information for displaying the standby image in which the player character appears is transmitted to the terminal device that has already finished displaying the event preparation image. Based on this, a standby image is generated in each terminal device and displayed on the display device. As a result, even if the server device does not always send the standby information related to the standby image to the terminal device, the standby image is displayed on each terminal device only with the standby information at each end of the display of the event preparation image. This makes it possible to reduce the processing load on the server device.
[14]
In the network game system, the event start information can be information indicating a already-received terminal device in which the preparation end notification information receiving means has finally received the preparation end notification information among the plurality of terminal devices.
[15]
In this case, for example, the standby information transmitted to the terminal device that has already finished displaying the event preparation image each time the display of the event preparation image is finished can be used as the event start information. At this time, a predetermined period (which may be 0) from the transmission indicated in the standby information can be set as the timing for shifting to the process for performing the event. As a result, the amount of data transmitted from the server device can be reduced, so that the processing load on the server device can be reduced.
[16]
In order to achieve the above object, the game device according to the second aspect of the present invention is a game provided by the server device in one of a plurality of game devices connected to the server device via a network. When a player who uses the game device collaborates with a player who uses another game device among the plurality of game devices and a predetermined event occurrence condition is satisfied in the game. In addition, when the event occurrence information receiving means for receiving the event occurrence information transmitted from the server device and the event occurrence information receiving means receive the event occurrence information, the game device is desired by the end instruction from the player. The event preparation image display means for executing the process of displaying the event preparation image capable of ending the display on the display device provided in the game device, and the event preparation image display means when the display of the event preparation image is completed. The preparation end notification information transmitting means for transmitting the preparation end notification information to the server device, and the plurality of terminals from the server device on condition that the server device receives the preparation end notification information from all of the plurality of terminal devices. After the event start information receiving means for receiving the event start information transmitted all at once to all the devices and the preparation end notification information transmitting means transmitting the preparation end notification information, the event start information receiving means said. Until the event start information is received, the process shifts to a standby process execution means that executes a predetermined wait process and a process for performing the event when the event start information receiving means receives the event start information. It is characterized by having an event transition means.
[17]
In order to achieve the above object, the program according to the third aspect of the present invention is executed on each of a plurality of computer devices connected to the server device via a network, and an event in a game provided by the server device is executed. A program for a player who uses the computer device to perform in collaboration with a player who uses another computer device among the plurality of computer devices, and when a predetermined event occurrence condition is satisfied in the game. When the event occurrence information receiving means for receiving the event occurrence information transmitted from the server device and the event occurrence information receiving means receive the event occurrence information, the computer device is instructed to end by the player at a desired timing. An event preparation image display means for executing a process of displaying an event preparation image capable of ending the display on the display device provided in the computer device, and preparing the server device when the display of the event preparation image is completed. The preparation end notification information transmitting means for transmitting the end notification information, provided that the server device has received the preparation end notification information from all of the plurality of terminal devices, the server device to all of the plurality of terminal devices. After the event start information receiving means and the preparation end notification information transmitting means for receiving the event start information transmitted all at once transmit the preparation end notification information, the event start information receiving means receives the event start information. Until then, as an event transition means for executing a predetermined standby process and for shifting to a process for performing the event when the event start information receiving means receives the event start information. It is characterized by operating a computer device.
[18]
The program according to the third aspect can be provided by recording on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be a recording medium that is detachably attached to the computer device and is provided separately from the computer device. This computer-readable recording medium may be a recording medium such as a fixed disk device provided in the computer device and provided together with the computer device. The program according to the third aspect can also superimpose the data signal on the carrier wave from the server device existing on the network and distribute it to the computer device through the network.
[19]
Further, the server device and the terminal device constituting the network game system according to the first aspect are included in the scope of the present invention as a single unit. Further, a method of executing a process executed by each means included in the game device according to the second aspect as a process of each step, and a process executed by each means included in the program according to the third aspect are performed. A method performed as a process of steps is also included in the scope of the present invention.

100 Video game device 101 Video game main unit 103 Control unit 105 RAM
107 HDD
109 Sound processing unit 111 Graphic processing unit 112 Frame memory 113 DVD / CD-ROM drive 115 Communication interface 117 Interface unit 119 Internal bus 121 Display device 122 Display screen 125 Sound output device 131 Recording medium 200 Server device 201 Server main unit 203 Control unit 205 RAM
207 HDD
213 DVD / CD-ROM drive 215 Communication interface 231 Recording medium

Claims (3)

A program that runs on a computer device
In the computer device
A playback function that causes a display means provided in the computer device to play a movie that can be terminated without waiting for a certain period of time in response to an input from the user of the computer device.
When a predetermined event including playback of the movie is executed on the computer device and a plurality of computer devices including the computer devices of other users who have formed a party with the user of the computer device, the playback of the movie is performed on each computer device. After the end of, the migration function that shifts to the process to perform the same event on each computer device,
A notification function for notifying the user of the playback status or the end of playback of the movie on the computer device of the other user by an image , and
A program for realizing a control function for controlling the behavior of a plurality of characters corresponding to each of the plurality of computer devices in at least a part of the event . A computer device that constitutes a network system with other computer devices.
A playback means for causing a display means provided in the computer device to play a movie capable of ending playback without waiting for a certain period of time in response to an input from the user of the computer device.
When a predetermined event including playback of the movie is executed on the computer device and a plurality of computer devices including the computer devices of other users who have formed a party with the user of the computer device, the playback of the movie is performed on each computer device. After the end of, the migration means to shift to the process to perform the same event on each computer device,
A notification means for notifying the user of the playback status or the end of playback of the movie on the computer device of the other user by an image .
A computer device including a control means for controlling the behavior of a plurality of characters corresponding to each of the plurality of computer devices in at least a part of the event . A network system including a computer device and a plurality of computer devices including a computer device of another user who has formed a party with the user of the computer device.
A playback means for causing a display means provided in the computer device to play a movie capable of ending playback without waiting for a certain period of time in response to an input from the user of the computer device.
When a predetermined event including the reproduction of the movie is executed by the plurality of computer devices, after the reproduction of the movie is completed in each computer device, the process shifts to the process for performing the same event in each computer device. Migration method and
A notification means for notifying the user of the playback status or the end of playback of the movie on the computer device of the other user by an image .
A network system including a control means for controlling the behavior of a plurality of characters corresponding to each of the plurality of computer devices in at least a part of the event .

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