JP6889944B2 - Game controls, game systems and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game control device, a game system and a program for controlling a game.

Conventionally, a game device capable of executing various game programs and allowing a user to enjoy a game by operating an operation unit such as a controller has become widespread. For example, in a baseball game, a user can operate a batter character to perform a batting. In the conventional baseball game, there is a game in which the user who performs the batting operation predicts the pitching course, and if the prediction is correct, the strength of the batting increases. In the touch panel type game device, a configuration has also been proposed in which the expected area can be set by tracing the area on the strike zone with a finger.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-092629

In the case of the configuration of the conventional game device, the predicted area can be set by the operation of tracing the screen with a finger, but it is desired that the predicted area can be set by a simpler operation.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a game in which a prediction area for predicting a moving course of a moving body can be set by a simple operation.

The game control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a game control device that controls a game in which a moving course of a moving body can be predicted, and an action area for setting an action area capable of exerting an action on the moving body on a display unit. When the setting means and an arbitrary position in the working area on the display unit are instructed by the indicator, the region including the indicated position of the indicator and the predicted region smaller than the acting region is defined as described above. It includes a prediction area setting means set in the action area, and an action control means for controlling the action on the moving body in the prediction area so as to be larger than that outside the prediction area.

The program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program for operating the computer as the game control device, and is a program for operating the computer as each means provided by the game control device.

The game system according to another aspect of the present invention is a game system that includes a server and a terminal device and controls a game in which a moving course of a moving body can be predicted, and has an action capable of exerting an action on the moving body. An action area setting means for setting an area on a display unit, and a region including an instruction position of the indicator when an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit is instructed by the indicator, and the action. A prediction region setting means for setting a prediction region smaller than the region within the action region, and an action control means for controlling the action on the moving body in the prediction region so as to be larger than outside the prediction region. Each means is provided by either the server or the terminal device.

It is a top view which shows the appearance of the game apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware structure of the game apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen which the pitching course is not predicted. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for demonstrating the setting operation of the prediction area. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for demonstrating the setting operation of the prediction area. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for demonstrating the movement operation of the prediction area. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen which fixed the position of the prediction area. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for demonstrating the release operation of the prediction area. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen immediately after a pitcher character throws a pitch. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which the arrival point object moves with the movement of a ball. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen when a batting operation is performed. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the basic functional configuration of a game apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information of a fielder character registered in a character database. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information of a pitcher character registered in a character database. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the main configuration of a game apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen which makes a strike zone and the peripheral area around it an action area. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for demonstrating the setting operation of the prediction area using a cursor. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for demonstrating the operation of moving the prediction area using a cursor. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the prediction area before position correction. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the prediction area after position correction. It is a functional block diagram which shows another example of the main configuration of a game apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows another example of the main configuration of a game apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the game apparatus which controls a baseball game which can predict a pitching course. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the game apparatus which controls a baseball game which can predict a pitching course. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for demonstrating the movement operation of the prediction area. It is a functional block diagram which shows another example of the main configuration of a game apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example which the size of the prediction area changes according to the position of the prediction area. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example which the size of a prediction area fluctuates based on a user's operation. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the operation of the game apparatus which controls a baseball game which can predict a pitching course. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the game screen which the pitching course is not predicted. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game screen for demonstrating the setting operation of the prediction area. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting example of the prediction area in a strike zone. It is a block diagram which shows another configuration example (game system) of a game management device.

Hereinafter, a game device (an example of a game control device), a game system (an example of a game control device), and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Game device configuration]
The game device as the game control device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a smartphone, a mobile phone terminal, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) terminal, a mobile information terminal (PDA: Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet computer, and a game. It can be configured by a dedicated machine (stationary type or portable type), a personal computer, a multifunctional television receiver (so-called smart TV), or the like. In the present embodiment, an example in which the game device is a smartphone will be described below.

A smartphone is a mobile terminal that is a fusion of a mobile phone terminal and a mobile information terminal. If a game program downloaded from a game server is installed in the storage device, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) of the smartphone installs the game program. By executing the game, the user can play various games.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the appearance of the game device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Further, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the game device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the game device 10 includes a main body unit 12, a touch panel unit 13 (an example of a display unit), a button operation unit 14 (home button 14a, volume button 14b, sleep button 14c), and a voice input unit. 15 and audio output units 16a and 16b are provided.

The touch panel unit 13 is a contact input type image display unit provided on one surface of the housing of the main body unit 12. The touch panel unit 13 is configured by combining a display unit made of a liquid crystal display or the like and a position input unit provided with a touch interface, and the contact position is reached by touching the screen with a finger or a pen of an operator (user) as an indicator. Is detected, so intuitive input operation is possible. The touch panel unit 13 of the present embodiment is configured as a projection-type capacitive multi-touch screen, and can detect multiple points at the same time. As the touch panel unit 13, other methods such as a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, and a surface type capacitance method can also be adopted.

The button operation unit 14 includes a home button 14a, a volume button 14b, a sleep button 14c, and the like, and enables basic operations other than the operations on the touch panel unit 13 by button operations. The home button 14a is provided, for example, below the touch panel unit 13 in the main body unit 12, and when the button is pressed, the home screen is displayed on the touch panel unit 13. The volume button 14b is provided on the side surface of the main body 12, for example, so that the volume increases when the upper part of the button is pressed and decreases when the lower part thereof is pressed. The sleep button 14c is provided, for example, on the upper part of the main body 12, and when the button is pressed, the game device 10 transitions to the sleep state, while when the button is pressed during the sleep state, the sleep button 14c can wake up from the sleep state. You can do it.

The voice input unit 15 is composed of a microphone built in the main body unit 12, and can collect sound from, for example, a microphone opening provided on the lower surface of the main body unit 12. The voice input unit 15 is used for telephone communication, recording, and the like.

The voice output unit 16a is provided above the touch panel unit 13 in the main body unit 12, for example, and serves as a receiving speaker during telephone communication. Further, the voice output unit 16b is built in the main body unit 12, and for example, a sound effect at the time of executing a game is output from an output port provided on the lower surface of the main body unit 12.

The main body 12 of the game device 10 is also provided with a headset jack, a connector for power supply or connection with a personal computer, a lens for a built-in camera, and the like, but the description thereof will be omitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the game device 10 mainly includes a control unit 17, an auxiliary storage device 18, and a communication control unit 19.

The control unit 17 includes a CPU 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 as main storage devices, an image processing unit 24, a touch input detection unit 25, and a sound processing unit 26. These are connected to each other via a bus line 27 including an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. An interface circuit is interposed between the bus line 27 and each component as needed, but the illustration of the interface circuit is omitted here.

The CPU 21 interprets and executes the instructions of the game program, and controls the entire game device 10. The ROM 22 stores programs, data, and the like necessary for basic operation control of the game device 10. The RAM 23 stores various programs and data, and secures a work area for the CPU 21.

The image processing unit 24 drives the touch panel unit 13 based on an image display command from the CPU 21 to display an image on the screen of the touch panel unit 13. Further, the image processing unit 24 includes a touch input detection unit 25. When an indicator such as a finger or a pen comes into contact with the screen of the touch panel unit 13, the touch input detection unit 25 detects the contact position coordinates on the screen and supplies the coordinate signal to the CPU 21. As a result, the contact position on the screen of the touch panel unit 13 is recognized by the CPU 21. Further, when a finger or the like comes into contact with a predetermined detection target area displayed on the screen of the touch panel unit 13, the image processing unit 24 supplies the CPU 21 with a selection signal indicating that the detection target area has been selected. .. As a result, the CPU 21 recognizes that the detection target area on the screen of the touch panel unit 13 has been selected.

The sound processing unit 26 converts an analog audio signal into a digital audio signal when audio is input from the audio input unit 15, and generates an analog audio signal based on a pronunciation instruction from the CPU 21 to generate an analog audio signal to the audio output unit 16a or Output to 16b.

The auxiliary storage device 18 is a storage device that stores a game program, various data, and the like. As the auxiliary storage device 18, for example, a hard disk drive, a flash memory drive, or the like can be used.

The communication control unit 19 is provided with a communication interface 19a, and has a communication control function for data communication during game execution, a communication control function for transmitting and receiving voice data as a mobile phone, and the like. Here, the communication control function for data communication includes, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) connection function, an Internet connection function via a wireless LAN or a mobile phone network, and a predetermined frequency band (for example, a frequency of 2.4 GHz). Includes short-range wireless communication functions using (band). The communication control unit 19 transmits a connection signal for connecting the game device 10 to a wireless LAN, the Internet, or the like based on a command from the CPU 21, receives information transmitted from the communication partner side, and supplies the information to the CPU 21. To do.

The game device 10 may also be provided with an imaging device (camera) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal receiving circuit, a 3-axis acceleration sensor, and the like.

In the game device 10 having the above configuration, various games can be executed by loading the game program stored in the auxiliary storage device 18 into the RAM 23 and executing the loaded game program in the CPU 21. Further, the game device 10 is connected to another game device 10 by wireless LAN communication, Internet communication, distance wireless communication, wired communication, or the like, and data is exchanged while synchronizing between the two, thereby performing a competitive game. It is also possible to execute.

[Example of game]
Examples of the game managed (controlled) by the game device 10 of the present embodiment include various games such as sports simulation games such as baseball, soccer, tennis, and volleyball, and battle games on the subject of battle. As an example, here, a baseball game in which a batter character hits a ball thrown by a pitcher character will be described.

In the baseball game of the present embodiment, the user who performs the operation related to batting can predict the pitching course as an example of the moving course of the moving body before the pitcher character throws. FIG. 3 shows an example of the game screen G10 for the user to perform an operation related to hitting. The game screen G10 includes a main game screen area G10a and a striking operation area G10b.

In the main game screen area G10a, the batter character C10 to be operated by the user, the pitcher character C20 of the opponent, and the like are displayed. The opponent's pitcher character C20 is automatically controlled by the CPU 21 in the computer battle mode, and is operated by the opponent user in the communication battle mode.

Further, the home base HB, the strike zone SZ, the power gauge G12, and the like are displayed in the main game screen area G10a. Further, in the main game screen area G10a, game progress information (current inning, score, ball count, runner information, etc.) and information on the batter character C10 currently standing in the batting order (player name, batting order, ability parameter, batting average, etc.) , Home run number, etc.), information on pitcher character C20 currently on the mound (player name, ability parameter, ERA, number of wins, etc.) may be displayed.

The power gauge G12 visualizes the magnitude of the striking force (striking strength) when hitting the ball on the screen, and visually approves the magnitude of the acting force (for example, striking force) on the moving body on the screen. This is an example of an action display object to be displayed on. It is shown that the higher the position of the upper end of the power gauge G12, the greater the striking force when striking the ball, and the stronger the striking ball or the longer the flight distance. The upper end of the power gauge G12 fluctuates according to the parameters (for example, long hitting force) of the batter character C10.

Further, the power gauge G12 not only fluctuates according to the parameters of the batter character C10, but also fluctuates depending on whether or not the expected region is set, as will be described later. Further, the power gauge G12 is based on parameters relating to the strengths or weaknesses of the batter character C10 with respect to the moving course of the moving body, both parameters of the batter character C10 and the pitcher character C20, information regarding compatibility of the batter character C10 and the pitcher character C20, and the like. It may fluctuate. Details of these will be described later.

In the baseball game of the present embodiment, the action area in which the ball can be hit as an example of the moving body is defined as the strike zone SZ. Therefore, basically, any ball that has entered the strike zone SZ can be hit (the ball can be hit against the bat), but it cannot be hit in the ball zone outside the strike zone SZ (even if the bat is swung). Missing).

As a variation, as will be described later, not only the strike zone SZ but also a part of the ball zone around the strike zone SZ may be an action region where the ball can be hit.

The strike zone SZ is, for example, translucent (or transparent except for the outer frame) so that the ball thrown by the pitcher character C20 can be visually recognized.

When the user predicts the pitching course, the following operation is performed before the pitcher character C20 releases the ball (or before the pitcher character C20 starts the pitching motion). Whether or not the user predicts the pitching course is optional, and the following operation may be performed only when he / she wants to predict it.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user brings a finger F (or a pen or the like) as an example of the indicator to an arbitrary position of the strike zone SZ on the game screen G10. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a prediction region G11 smaller than the strike zone SZ is set in the strike zone SZ centering on the designated position P (contact position) by the finger F. When such an operation of setting the expected area G11 (an operation of touching an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ with the finger F) is performed, an effect display in which the frame of the strike zone SZ is contracted is performed, for example, a strike. The expected region G11 is set in a similar form to the zone SZ. Here, the outer frame of the strike zone SZ is left on the game screen G10. This allows the user to judge the suitability of his or her pitching course prediction after the ball is released by the pitcher character C20, and to confirm whether the actual pitching course has become a strike or a ball. Because. The three arrows in FIG. 5 are for explaining the effect display in which the outer frame of the strike zone SZ contracts, and are not displayed on the actual game screen G10.

After the expected region G11 is set around the designated position P of the finger F as described above, the user performs the following operations as long as the user's finger F is in contact with the predicted region G11. Therefore, the expected region G11 can be moved to an arbitrary location in the strike zone SZ. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a so-called drag operation is performed in which the user moves (slides) the finger F in a state of being in contact with the touch panel unit 13. As a result, the expected region G11 moves in the strike zone SZ in conjunction with the movement of the designated position P (contact position) of the finger F. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the expected region G11 located at a lower outer angle of the strike zone SZ moves to a higher internal angle. Therefore, the user can easily change the position after setting the expected area G11. As described above, the movement range of the expected area G11 is limited to the strike zone SZ, and as a result of the movement, when the outer edge of the expected area G11 touches the outer edge of the strike zone SZ, the outer edge of the strike zone SZ is further moved. You cannot move in the direction beyond. The three arrows in FIG. 6 are for explaining that the instruction position P is moved by sliding the finger F and the expected area G11 is also moved in conjunction with the movement, and is an actual game screen. It is not displayed on G10.

After the prediction area G11 illustrated in FIG. 5 is set or after the prediction area G11 illustrated in FIG. 6 is moved, the finger F touches off the touch panel unit 13 to bring the prediction area G11 in the strike zone SZ. The position is fixed. FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen in which the position of the expected region G11 is determined to have a higher internal angle of the strike zone SZ when the user touches the finger F from the touch panel unit 13 on the game screen G10 of FIG. As will be described later, when the predicted area G11 is set by the user touching the finger F with the touch panel unit 13, the position of the predicted area G11 may be immediately determined. That is, as a variation, the position of the expected region G11 may be immediately determined by one touch operation.

Further, after the position of the predicted area G11 is determined, as shown in FIG. 8, the setting of the predicted area G11 can be canceled by bringing the finger F or the like into contact with an arbitrary position in the predicted area G11 again. As a result, the game returns to the state of the game screen G10 in FIG. 3, which does not anticipate the pitching course. When the prediction area G11 is touched with the finger F on the game screen G10 of FIG. 8, the effect display is performed in which the prediction area G11 expands until the outer frame of the prediction area G11 overlaps with the outer frame of the strike zone SZ. Then, when the outer frame of the expected area G11 overlaps with the outer frame of the strike zone SZ, the expected area G11 disappears. The three arrows in FIG. 8 are for explaining the effect display in which the expected area G11 is enlarged, and are not displayed on the actual game screen G10.

The operations of setting, moving, and releasing the prediction area G11 as described above are limited to the time when the pitcher character C20 releases the ball (or until the pitcher character C20 starts the pitching motion). Until then, each operation of setting, moving, and releasing the expected area G11 can be performed at any timing. For example, even if the expected area G11 is set again after the setting of the expected area G11 is released, the expected area G11 can be set again. Good.

The difference between the case where the user does not predict the pitching course and the case where the user predicts the pitching course (that is, when the prediction area G11 is set) is as follows.

When the user predicts the pitching course and the prediction area G11 is set, only the inside of the prediction area G11 becomes an area in which the thrown ball can be hit. Therefore, in the region outside the expected region G11, even if it is in the strike zone SZ, it is impossible to hit (even if the bat is swung, the ball is missed). Therefore, if the user does not predict the pitching course, the entire strike zone SZ is the hitting area, but if the user predicts the pitching course, the hitting area is from the strike zone SZ. Is also limited to the small expected region G11.

As will be described later, the region outside the expected region G11 in the strike zone SZ may be a region where the striking force can be reduced but the striking force is lower than when the striking is not performed.

On the other hand, when the user predicts the pitching course and the prediction area G11 is set, the batter character C10 vibrates the bat more strongly than when the prediction is not made. Therefore, the striking force against the ball in the predicted region G11 is larger than that in the case where the prediction is not made. Therefore, when the user predicts the pitching course, the hitting area is limited to the prediction area G11, which has the disadvantage of being smaller than the hitting area (the entire strike zone SZ) when the prediction is not made. There is also the advantage that the batting power is improved compared to the case where the pitching course is not predicted, and it is possible to aim for a long hit. The user is required to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of predicting the pitching course and determine whether or not to make the prediction.

The power gauge G12 fluctuates depending on the presence or absence of the prediction so that the user can recognize on the screen that the striking force against the ball in the prediction area G11 is larger than that when the prediction is not made. For example, the power gauge G12 rises on the game screen G10 in which the prediction area G11 shown in FIG. 5 is set, as compared with the game screen G10 in which the pitching course is not predicted as shown in FIG.

Further, when the user has not predicted the pitching course (that is, when the entire strike zone SZ is a hittable area), the entire strike zone SZ on the game screen G10 of FIG. 3 is, for example, light orange (that is, when the entire strike zone SZ is a hittable area). Semi-transparent). On the other hand, when the prediction is made by the user and the prediction area G11 is set, the prediction area G11 on the game screen G10 of FIG. 5 becomes darker (higher in density) than the color of the strike zone SZ of FIG. .. In this case, the region outside the expected region G11 in the strike zone SZ is transparent or lighter than the color of the strike zone SZ in FIG. This is because the striking force against the ball in the predicted region G11 is larger than that in the case where the prediction is not made, due to the difference (change) in concentration between the strike zone SZ as an example of the acting region and the predicted region G11. It shows. By changing the density of the region depending on the presence or absence of this prediction, the user can intuitively feel the improvement of the striking force due to the prediction. As a variation, the color (color) may be changed in place of the above-mentioned density change or in combination with the density change.

The pitcher character C20 automatically starts pitching. That is, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 controls the pitching operation of the pitcher character C20 by automatic control based on the AI program (Artificial Intelligence Program) or the like. In the case of a match between users, the pitcher character C20 starts pitching based on the operation related to the pitching of the opponent user.

The user can hit the ball by performing a predetermined batting operation at a predetermined reference timing (batting possible timing) provided after the pitcher character C20 releases the ball (the moving body starts moving). it can. An example of this striking operation will be described below.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the game screen G10 immediately after the pitcher character C20 throws the ball object BL (hereinafter, simply referred to as the ball BL). Immediately after the pitcher character C20 releases the ball BL, or after a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 second) has elapsed from the release, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the upper region (strike zone SZ) of the home base HB exists. The arrival point object G13 indicating the planned position where the ball BL will reach is displayed on the plane). The arrival point object G13 is also referred to as a landing point or the like. The arrival point object G13 has a semi-transparent display so as not to block the display of the moving ball BL.

As described above, the arrival point object G13 is displayed immediately after the pitcher character C20 releases the ball BL, or after a predetermined time has elapsed from the release, but at this timing, the arrival point object G13 is not necessarily home. It does not indicate the final arrival position of the ball BL above the base HB. That is, when the changing ball is thrown, the arrival point object G13 gradually moves with the change in the trajectory of the ball BL, and reaches the final arrival position at the timing when the ball BL passes above the home base HB. At this time, the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap. As described above, since the arrival point object G13 is translucent, the ball BL itself does not disappear when the thrown ball BL overlaps the arrival point object G13.

FIG. 10 shows, as an example, a state in which the arrival point object G13 moves as the ball BL moves when the right-throwing pitcher character C20 throws a slider (or the left-throwing pitcher character C20 shoots). Shown. In FIG. 10, in order to explain the display and behavior of the ball BL and the arrival point object G13, images other than the ball BL, the arrival point object G13, the strike zone SZ, and the expected area G11 are omitted.

The position of the ball BL moving in the game space is projected on the plane where the strike zone SZ above the home base HB exists, and is displayed as the arrival point object G13. In particular, in the case of a changing sphere, the ball BL is in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) and / or in the vertical direction (y-axis direction) on a plane (xy plane) perpendicular to the traveling direction (z-axis direction) of the ball BL. Since the coordinate position of the ball BL changes, the position change of the ball BL is reflected (projected) as the position change of the arrival point object G13. In the case of a straight ball, there is no change in the position of the arrival point object G13 due to the movement of the ball BL, or the position change is limited to a slight drop in the vertical direction due to gravity.

Therefore, after the ball BL is released from the pitcher character C20, the user pays attention to the moving direction and moving speed of the reaching point object G13 displayed on the game screen G10, so that the ball BL reaches above the home base HB. It is possible to predict the (passing) position.

The user finally performs the batting operation at the timing when the ball BL finally arrives at the upper region of the home base HB including the arrival point object G13 (that is, the timing when the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, by tapping the striking operation area G10b provided at the lower part of the game screen G10 in FIG. 9 with a finger F or the like (an operation of tapping the screen and touching the screen for a moment). , The batter character C10 swings the bat object BT (hereinafter, simply referred to as bat BT).

The batting operation (an example of an action-imparting operation) is an operation in which the user himself / herself specifies the timing at which the batter character C10 strikes (an example of the timing at which the action is applied). The striking operation is not limited to the operation of tapping a predetermined area of the screen described above, and various operations can be applied as long as the batter character C10 can specify the timing of striking. For example, a physical button. It may be an operation of pressing.

In this game, in order for the bat BT to hit (hit) the ball BL, the following conditions (a) and (b) are required.

(A) At the timing when the ball BL reaches the upper region of the home base HB (that is, the ball BL and the reaching point object G13 overlap), the ball BL or the reaching point object G13 exists in the hittable region.

That is, when the user has not predicted the pitching course (when the predicted area G11 is not set), the entire strike zone SZ becomes a hittable area, so that the ball BL or the reaching point object is formed at the above timing. The presence of G13 in the strike zone SZ is one of the striking conditions.

Further, when the pitching course is predicted by the user (when the predicted area G11 is set), the predicted area G11 becomes a hittable area, so that the ball BL or the reaching point object G13 is at the above timing. Is one of the striking conditions that is in the expected region G11.

The region outside the expected region G11 in the strike zone SZ may be a region where the striking force can be reduced but the striking force is lower than when the striking is not performed. In this case, even if the expected region G11 is set, the entire strike zone SZ becomes a strikable region, so that the ball BL or the arrival point object G13 exists in the strike zone SZ at the above timing. However, it is one of the striking conditions.

(B) At the hitting possible timing (an example of the reference timing), the user performs a hitting operation. Here, as an example of the hitting possible timing, the hitting possible timing can be a period of a total of 7 frames, that is, a frame in which the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap, and 3 frames before and 3 frames behind the frame. Here, the period of one frame is, for example, 1/60 second. Therefore, the hitting possible timing can be a period of 7/60 seconds, in which the time point at which the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 exactly overlap is the middle of the period. This is an example, and the hitting possible timing is, for example, a period (3/60 seconds) of a total of 3 frames (3/60 seconds) of a frame in which the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap and 1 frame before and after the ball BL, or a total of 2 frames before and after the frame. It may be a period of 5 frames (5/60 seconds). Alternatively, only the frame (1/60 second) in which the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap may be set as the hitting possible timing.

Regarding the condition (a) above, when the ball BL reaches the upper region of the home base HB and the ball BL exists in an region other than the hittable region (strike zone SZ or expected region G11), the user hits the ball BL. Even if you perform the operation, it will be missed. Further, regarding the condition (b), if the timing of the batting operation deviates from the above-mentioned batting possible timing and is too early or too late, the batting will be missed as in the case of the actual baseball batting. When the above conditions (a) and (b) are satisfied, the bat BT hits the ball BL and the ball BL can be hit.

When the above conditions (a) and (b) are satisfied, based on the batting force that changes depending on the presence or absence of the prediction of the pitching course, the timing of the batting operation, the ability parameter (long hitting force, etc.) of the batter character C10, etc. , The trajectory of the hit ball BL is determined. As described above, when the pitching course is predicted, the batting power is improved as compared with the case where the pitching course is not predicted, and a long hit (home run, etc.) is likely to occur. Further, if the timing of the striking operation is near the middle of the striking possible timing, the striking is in the center direction, if it is earlier than that, it is a so-called pulling striking, and if it is later than that, it is a so-called pouring striking. In this way, the direction of the hit ball can be determined by the timing of the hitting operation.

In the game of the present embodiment, the prediction area G11 can be easily set to the touched position by simply touching an arbitrary position of the strike zone SZ with the finger F before pitching the pitcher character C20. Further, the position of the expected region G11 can be easily changed by dragging the touched finger F without removing it from the screen. Further, the position of the expected region G11 can be determined by moving the finger F away from the screen. Further, by touching the predicted area G11 whose position has been determined again with the finger F, the setting of the predicted area G11 can be easily released.

Further, if the user does not predict the pitching course, the user does not have to do anything before pitching the pitcher character C20.

After the pitcher character C20 throws the ball BL, it is determined whether the ball BL comes to the hittable area (strike zone SZ or the expected area G11), and the hit is made by simply tapping the screen according to the hittable timing. Can be done.

As described above, in the game of the present embodiment, since the user can easily perform the operation related to the striking with one finger, it is particularly suitable for a portable game device such as a smartphone, which requires simple operability. Optimal.

In the above, a game example of the game device 10 including the touch panel unit 13 which is an example of the display unit capable of contact operation is shown, but the game device (stationary type) which displays the game screen on the display unit which is not the contact operation type. For game-dedicated machines, personal computers, etc.), the following game specifications may be used. That is, a cursor or the like (an index indicating a position on the screen that the user can operate with a controller, a mouse, or the like) as an example of the indicator is displayed on the screen of the display unit. Then, instead of the user directly touching the screen with a finger to indicate the position, the user operates the controller, the mouse, or the like to place the cursor at an arbitrary position, and then clicks (button operation corresponding to the click). Etc.) to indicate the position. Further, the operation of dragging and moving the prediction area G11 is a drag operation using a mouse or the like. The striking operation for specifying the striking timing is an operation of clicking a mouse or the like, an operation of pressing a physical button, or the like. In this way, the same game as described above can be realized even by an operation using a controller, a mouse, a button, or the like instead of a contact operation.

Further, as a variation of the above game, the aiming cursor (also referred to as a meet cursor, a bat cursor, etc.) is displayed on the screen, and the user performs an operation of superimposing the aiming cursor and the ball BL (or the reaching point object G13). You may do it. In this case, in addition to the above-mentioned conditions (a) and (b), the condition that "the aiming cursor and the ball BL (or the arrival point object G13) overlap at the timing when the user performs the striking operation" is satisfied. Without it, the ball BL can be made unsuccessful.

[Basic functional configuration of game device]
FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the basic configuration of the game device 10. The game device 10 according to the present embodiment includes input management means 110, execution means 120, output management means 130, character management means 140, user information management means 150, communication management means 160, and the like. Each of these means is realized by the CPU 21 of the game device 10 executing the program according to the present embodiment.

The input management means 110 outputs information regarding the operation via the touch input detection unit 25 and the like to the execution means 120. The execution means 120 executes various operations and data processing based on information related to the operation and the like. In this baseball game, for example, the execution means 120 executes the setting process of the prediction area G11 based on the prediction area setting operation by the user. The information of the processing result executed by the executing means 120 is stored in a predetermined area of the storage device (RAM 23, auxiliary storage device 18, etc.). The output management means 130 controls various outputs via the image processing unit 24 and the sound processing unit 26. For example, the output management means 130 controls the image processing unit 24 to display the game screen G10 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 and the like.

The character management means 140 has a function of managing all player characters in the game based on a character database (hereinafter referred to as a character DB). The character DB is stored in the RAM 23 or the auxiliary storage device 18. Alternatively, the character DB may exist in the game server, and the game device 10 may access the game server and download necessary player character information via the game server.

In the character DB in the baseball game, information such as a player name, a position (defensive position), and an ability parameter is stored in association with identification information (player ID) that uniquely identifies each player character. FIG. 13 illustrates information for one fielder character (player ID = 001) registered in the character DB. In the case of a fielder character, the player name, position, ability parameters (skillful hitting power, long hitting power, running power, defensive power, etc.), information on strengths / weaknesses in the pitching course, character images, etc. are associated with the player ID. Be remembered. Different values are set for the ability parameters according to each fielder character. Information on the strengths and weaknesses of the pitching course will be described later.

In the present embodiment, the ability parameter is one of eight ranks "S", "A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", and "G". Is set to the rank of. The S rank is the highest and the G rank is the lowest. The number next to the rank (for example, 0 to 100) is a parameter value (ability value), and the larger the parameter value, the higher the ability of the pitcher character. The relationship between the rank and the parameter value is, for example, "S (90 to 100)", "A (80 to 89)", "B (70 to 79)", "C (60 to 69)", "D ( 50 to 59) ”,“ E (40 to 49) ”,“ F (30 to 39) ”, and“ G (0 to 29) ”.

Further, FIG. 14 illustrates information for one pitcher character (player ID = 501) registered in the character DB. In the case of a pitcher character, information such as a player name, position, ball speed, ball control power, pitchable ball type, compatibility with a batter, and a character image is stored in association with the player ID.

The ball speed is the maximum ball speed when the pitcher character throws a straight. The ball control power is a parameter that is an index of the controllability of the pitcher character. The type of ball that can be pitched is a so-called pitcher character's ball. In the example of FIG. 14, the pitcher character with player ID = 501 has four types of balls, "straight", "slider", "curve", and "fork". Different values are set for these parameters according to each pitcher character. Information on compatibility with the batter will be described later.

Further, in the character DB, parameters of the pitch type are stored in association with each pitch type that the pitcher character can throw. In the present embodiment, the ball power parameter is exemplified as the parameter of the ball type. The pitch parameter is a parameter indicating the power of the thrown ball. The parameters of the ball type are also set to different values according to each pitcher character. This is because each pitcher has different strengths and weaknesses. Further, as the parameter of the ball type, a ball control parameter indicating good control, a change parameter indicating the magnitude of the trajectory change of the changing ball, and the like may be applied.

The user information management means 150 stores and manages information about the user's game in a storage device (RAM 23, auxiliary storage device 18, etc.). The items managed by the user information management means 150 differ depending on the type and content of the game. For example, in the case of a game in which a game server can be accessed and played in an online mode, the user information management means 150 associates information such as a login ID, a password, and a user name with a user ID that uniquely identifies each user. Store in a storage device. Further, the user information management means 150 also stores and manages various information such as the user's game level, acquired points, information about the user's friends (friends), information during the game, and save data after the game in the storage device. To do.

The communication management means 160 has a function of managing information communication between a game server, a game device 10 of another user, and the like via a communication control unit 19.

[Main Functional Configuration of Game Device (First Embodiment)]
The game control device of the present embodiment controls a game in which a moving course of a moving body can be predicted. Here, the "moving body" is, for example, a character, an item, or an object that moves in the game screen or the game space. An example of a "moving body" is a ball object in a sports simulation game. Other examples of mobiles include characters or items such as fighters and missiles in action games. In addition, characters such as moving insects, birds, fish, and animals (which may be fictitious characters such as monsters) in a game of capturing insects and the like can be mentioned as moving objects.

Further, the "moving course" is, for example, a course, a route, or a place where a moving body moves (goes forward). Examples of the "moving course" include a pitching course of a ball thrown by a pitcher in a baseball game, a kicker's shooting course in a soccer game, and a server's serving course in a tennis game. In addition, flight routes of fighters and missiles, travel routes of insects and birds, etc. can be included in the movement course. Hereinafter, a baseball game will be mainly described as an example, and an example of application to other than the baseball game will be supplemented as necessary. As described above, in a baseball game, a user who hits in the game can predict the pitching course.

The main functional configuration of the game device 10 as an example of the game control device of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

The game device 10 mainly includes an action area setting means 121, an expected area setting means 122, an action control means 123, and the like. Each of these means is realized by the CPU 21 of the game device 10 executing the program according to the present embodiment. The action area setting means 121, the expected area setting means 122, and the action control means 123 are some of the functions of the execution means 120 shown in FIG.

The action area setting means 121 has a function of setting an action area on the display unit, which can give an action to the moving body. Here, the "action" is, for example, exerting a force on a moving body or influencing the moving body by having a relationship with the moving body. Examples of "action" include striking (striking), rotating, capturing, destroying, and deforming a moving body. Further, the "acting area" is, for example, an area in the screen on which an action can be given to a moving body. In a baseball game, an area where a ball can be hit as an example of a moving body is an area of action. Further, in the penalty shootout of a soccer game, the area in front of the goal where the keeper can capture or play the ball (for example, the area having the same size as the opening of the soccer goal) can be set as the action area. Further, in the tennis game, the area within the reach of the racket of the character receiving the serve can be set as the action area. In other games as well, an arbitrary area in the screen displayed by the display unit can be used as the action area.

To give a specific example, in a baseball game, the strike zone SZ shown in FIG. 3 or the like can be set as an action region as in the above-mentioned game example. That is, the action area setting means 121 sets the strike zone SZ on the screen of the touch panel unit 13 as an example of the display unit as the action area where the ball can be hit.

The working area is not limited to the strike zone SZ. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the strike zone SZ and its peripheral region (ball zone) may be the working region G14. In this case, not only the strike zone SZ but also a part of the ball zone can be hit. In this case, in the action region G14, the striking force when the ball is hit may be different between the strike zone SZ and the ball zone. That is, the striking force when the ball is struck in the ball zone in the action region G14 is smaller than the striking force when the ball is struck in the strike zone SZ. As a result, it is possible to hit even a part of the ball zone, but it is possible to realize in the game a state similar to hitting a baseball in the real world, in which it is easier to hit a ball that has come to the strike zone SZ.

For the user, it is preferable that the working area is visualized in order to clarify which part on the screen is the working area.

The image information of the working area and the position information (global coordinate information) of the working area in the game space are stored in the storage device (RAM 23, auxiliary storage device 18, etc.). Based on the information stored in the storage device, the action area setting means 121 sets the strike zone SZ (or the strikable area including the strike zone SZ) as the action area in the screen (in the game space).

The prediction area setting means 122 is a region including the designated position of the indicator when an arbitrary position in the action region on the display unit is instructed by the indicator, and is smaller than the action region. Has a function of setting within the working area. Further, the prediction area is set by the prediction area setting means 122 before the action is applied to the moving body. Here, "before the action is given to the moving body" means, for example, the period before the action can be given to the moving body. Here, the entire period until immediately before the action is given may be the target, or a specific period or time before the action is given may be the target. In other words, "before giving an action to a moving body" is a predictable period in which a predictive region can be set. For example, the period until the moving body starts moving corresponds to an example of "before giving an action to the moving body". For example, in a baseball game, the period until the pitcher character C20 releases the ball corresponds to an example of "before giving an action to a moving body". Further, for example, in a penalty shootout of a soccer game, the period until the kicker character kicks the ball object corresponds to an example of "before giving an action to a moving body". Further, in a tennis game, the period until the server character serves the ball object corresponds to an example of "before giving an action to a moving body". Further, for example, in a game of shooting down a missile or a fighter, the period until the missile or the like approaches within a predetermined distance corresponds to an example of "before giving an action to a moving body".

Further, the "indicator" is used, for example, for an operation of instructing the position of the display unit on the screen. When the display unit is configured to be touch-operable such as a touch panel, a physical object such as a user's finger or a pen corresponds to an example of an indicator. In this case, the position in the working area can be instructed by bringing the indicator such as a finger into contact with the display unit, and the contact position of the indicator corresponds to the instructed position. The contact operation includes not only a touch operation on the touch panel unit 13 but also a touch operation (so-called back touch operation) on an operation unit (touch pad or the like) for back input provided on the back surface of the display unit. .. That is, it is possible to indicate the position in the action area by contacting the indicator with the operation unit corresponding to the display, instead of directly contacting the indicator with the screen of the display. is there. Further, in the case of a display unit that is not a contact operation type, an index indicating a position on the screen, which is a cursor or the like displayed on the screen and can be operated by the user with an operation unit such as a controller or a mouse, is an example of an indicator. Corresponds to. In this case, as an example in which the indicator indicates an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit, an operation of clicking with the cursor placed at an arbitrary position in the action area (button operation corresponding to the click, etc.) Applies to.

For example, in a baseball game, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in a state where the predicted area is not set, an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ as an example of the action area is indicated by an indicator such as a finger F. In this case, the information on the designated position of the indicator is input to the game device 10 via the touch input detection unit 25. The information (coordinate information) of the indicated position is stored in the RAM 23. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the prediction area setting means 122 sets the prediction area G11 having a predetermined size smaller than the strike zone SZ in the strike zone SZ. In this case, the prediction area setting means 122 sets the prediction area G11 so that the instruction position P of the indicator body is included in the prediction area G11. For example, the prediction area setting means 122 sets the prediction area G11 in the strike zone SZ centering on the instruction position P of the indicator.

The size of the expected region may be smaller than the working region, and can be, for example, 50% of the area of the working region. The size of the predicted area may be fixed, but may be changed based on parameters such as a batter character and a pitcher character, as will be described later.

The action control means 123 has a function of controlling the action on the moving body to be different between the inside and the outside of the expected region in the action region. For example, the action control means 123 has a function of controlling the action on the moving body in the predicted region so as to be larger than that outside the predicted region. In the example of the baseball game of the present embodiment, the action control means 123 has a larger striking force in the expected area G11 than in the normal state (when not expected) and becomes a strong hit, but in the action area (for example, when it is not expected). Even in the strike zone SZ), outside the expected area G11, the batting force is set to zero and the batting force is controlled so that the batting force cannot be hit (or the batting force is lower than usual and only a weak ball can be hit), and the expected effect is produced. Let me.

Further, for example, in a soccer game, the action control means 123 can catch or play the ball with a stronger force than usual (when not expected) within the expected region (hence, there is a high probability that the goal can be blocked). However, outside the expected area, the force is controlled to be lower than usual (hence, the probability of allowing a goal is higher), and the expected effect is produced.

These are examples, and the action on the moving body varies depending on the type and content of the game, but the action control means 123 may be able to control the action so that the action is different between the inside and the outside of the expected region in the action region. The details of the action control means 123 will be described later.

Further, the predictive region setting means 122 has a function of moving the predictive region within the action region as the designated position of the indicator moves after the predictive region is set.

For example, in the case of the touch panel unit 13 which is an example of the display unit capable of contact operation, as illustrated in FIG. 5, after the finger F contacts the touch panel unit 13 and the expected area G11 is set in the strike zone SZ, the expected area G11 is set. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the user moves the finger F in contact with the touch panel unit 13. That is, the finger F is moved (sliding) while maintaining the contact state between the finger F and the touch panel unit 13. As a result, information on the movement of the designated position (contact position) of the finger F is input to the game device 10 via the touch input detection unit 25. For example, every predetermined sampling time (for example, 1/60 second), the coordinates of the instruction position where the finger F is in contact with the touch panel unit 13 are input to the game device 10 via the touch input detection unit 25. The information of the indicated position may be stored in the RAM 23 while sequentially overwriting only the latest information, or the information of the indicated position acquired for each sampling time may be stored in the RAM 23 in chronological order. The prediction area setting means 122 moves the prediction area G11 in the strike zone SZ in conjunction with the movement of the designated position (contact position) of the finger F. That is, the prediction area setting means 122 basically moves the prediction area G11 with the movement of the instruction position so as to maintain the relative positional relationship between the instruction position and the prediction area G11.

Therefore, the user can easily change the position after setting the expected area G11. That is, conventionally, when it is desired to change the position of the expected area during the operation of setting the expected area, the operation of once completing the setting of the current expected area and then canceling the setting of the currently set expected area is performed. After that, it is necessary to set the expected area again at a new position, which is troublesome. On the other hand, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the prediction area G11 is obtained only by touching the indicator body such as the finger F to the display unit (touch panel unit 13 or the like) (the indicator body only indicates the position in the action area). Further, the position of the expected region G11 can be easily changed only by moving the indicator body in contact with the display unit (simply moving the indicated position by the indicator body). As a result, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area G11 for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed by a simple operation.

Further, in the configuration of the present embodiment, when the user wants to predict the course, he / she can predict in the action area by instructing somewhere in the action area with an indicator (any position within the action area). Since the area is generated and the predicted area can be freely moved within the working area, the user can set the predicted area while considering the arrangement of the predicted area, which is a new method of setting the predicted area, which has never existed before. ..

Then, in the case of the baseball game of the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a baseball game in which the prediction area G11 for predicting the pitching course of the pitcher character C20 can be set and changed by a simple operation.

When the user operates using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen without performing a contact operation, it is as follows. Here, as illustrated in FIG. 17, an operation example using the hand-shaped cursor K is shown. The shape of the cursor K displayed on the screen can be arbitrarily determined, and may be, for example, an arrow. If the user specifies an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ with the cursor K (specify the position by clicking an operation input unit such as a controller or mouse (not shown)), the user can specify the position in the strike zone SZ as in the case of contact operation. The expected area G11 is set in. Subsequently, the user moves the designated position by a so-called drag operation. That is, the cursor K on the screen is moved while holding the clicked state of the mouse or the like. As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the expected region G11 moves in the strike zone SZ in conjunction with the movement of the designated position (movement of the cursor K). In this case as well, as in the case of the contact operation, the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed by a simple operation.

Further, the prediction area setting means 122 determines the position of the prediction area in the action area by canceling the instruction by the indicator after setting the prediction area or moving the prediction area. Has a function.

Here, "cancellation of instruction by the indicator body" means, for example, in the case of an operation on a display unit such as a touch panel unit 13 that can be touch-operated, the indicator body such as a finger F is detached (touched off) from the display unit. is there. In addition, when operating using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen instead of a touch operation, "cancellation of the instruction by the indicator" means, for example, clicking or dragging an operation input unit such as a controller or a mouse. It is to cancel the operation state of.

In the example of the baseball game of the present embodiment, the prediction area setting means 122 is instructed by the indicator after the prediction area G11 is set (see FIG. 5) or after the prediction area G11 is moved (see FIG. 6). Is released to determine the position of the predicted region G11 in the strike zone SZ as an example of the working region (see FIG. 7).

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the expected region G11 is first set in the strike zone SZ by performing a contact operation in which the user touches the finger F at an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ on the screen. Later, if the user releases the finger F from the screen without moving it, the position of the expected area G11 is fixed at the initially set position.
Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, after the predicted area G11 is first set in the strike zone SZ, the predicted area G11 is moved by the user moving the finger F while touching the screen. If the user releases the finger F from the screen after the movement, the position of the expected area G11 is fixed at the position after the movement (the position when the finger F is separated from the screen).

It should be noted that the determination that the indicator has been detached (touched off) from the display unit can be performed as in the following example. As described above, the game device 10 acquires information on the position where the indicator is in contact with the touch panel unit 13 via the touch input detection unit 25 every predetermined sampling time (for example, 1/60 second). ing. Therefore, when the game device 10 detects a state in which the indicator body is in contact with the touch panel unit 13 and then detects a state in which the indicator body is not in contact with the touch panel unit 13 for a predetermined period or longer, the indicator body such as the finger F is displayed. It can be determined that the contact is separated from the part.

According to this configuration, the user can move the prediction region G11 in the action region until the instruction by the indicator is released, and the position of the prediction region G11 in the action region is changed by the release of the instruction by the indicator. , Can be determined easily and accurately. That is, the user indicates an arbitrary position in the working area with the indicator to set the expected region G11, and then changes and fine-tunes the position of the expected region G11 while moving the indicated position of the indicator as necessary. However, the final positioning of the expected region can be easily and accurately performed by canceling the instruction by the indicator.

In particular, in the configuration provided with the touch panel unit 13 capable of contact operation, the expected area G11 can be set only by touching the finger F with the touch panel unit 13, and further, by simply moving the finger F in contact with the touch panel unit 13, the finger F can be set. The position of the prediction region G11 can be easily changed. Therefore, the user does not need to carefully determine the position from the beginning and touch the finger F to the touch panel unit 13 in order to set the expected area G11. First, the user simply touches the finger F to somewhere in the strike zone SZ. The prediction area G11 can be generated (that is, the intention to be predicted can be reflected in the game), and then the position of the prediction area G11 can be changed while gradually moving the finger F. Then, once the desired position is determined, the position can be determined as the final position of the expected region G11 by simply moving the finger F away from the touch panel unit 13. Such an operation method is particularly useful for a portable contact-operated game device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. The reason for this is as follows. That is, in the above-mentioned portable contact-operated game device, when the user plays a game, the user often holds the game device by hand or plays the game device with the game device placed on the lap. It may also be used in swaying vehicles such as trains. Under usage conditions and environments where such camera shake is likely to occur, it is difficult to set the expected region G11 to an accurate position with a single operation. However, according to this configuration, when setting or changing the prediction area G11, the user moves the prediction area G11 with his / her finger F, so to speak, in a state of lightly pressing the screen of the game device. Even if the game device is vibrated to some extent or is prone to camera shake, the possibility of causing a large deviation in the moving direction and the position of the moving destination of the expected region G11 can be significantly reduced. Moreover, since the final prediction region G11 is determined by moving the finger F away from the touch panel unit 13, no misalignment occurs at the moment of this determination. As a result, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area G11 for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed with a simple operation and accurately.

Further, the prediction area setting means 122 has a function of canceling the setting of the prediction area when the position in the prediction area is instructed again by the indicator after the position of the prediction area is determined.

Here, "instructing a position in the expected area again" means, for example, in the case of an operation on a display unit such as a touch panel unit 13 that can be touch-operated, an indicator such as a finger F can be arbitrarily used in the expected area in the display unit. Is to make contact with the position of. In addition, when operating using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen instead of a contact operation, "instructing a position in the expected area again" means, for example, that the indicator exists at an arbitrary position in the expected area. In the state where the prediction area and the indicator body overlap each other, a predetermined operation such as clicking is performed by an operation input unit such as a controller or a mouse.

In the example of the baseball game of the present embodiment, after the position of the prediction area G11 is determined, the prediction area setting means 122 performs a contact operation with the prediction area G11 by an indicator such as a finger F as illustrated in FIG. When it is performed again, the setting of the expected area G11 is canceled. By canceling the setting of the prediction area G11, the prediction area G11 is erased from the game screen G10 and returns to the screen state illustrated in FIG.

According to this configuration, the position of the predicted region in the action region is determined by canceling the instruction by the indicator after setting or moving the predicted region, but then the position in the predicted region is indicated again by the indicator. (For example, touching somewhere in the prediction area with a finger or clicking with a mouse or the like) can easily cancel the setting of the prediction area.

In the case of the contact-operable game of the present embodiment, the position of the predicted area G11 in the action area is determined by moving the indicator body such as the finger F from the display unit after setting or moving the predicted area G11. After that, the setting of the predicted region G11 can be easily released by bringing the indicator into contact with the determined predicted region G11 again.

By the way, the shape of the prediction area set by the prediction area setting means 122 can be set to any shape such as a rectangle, a square, a circle, and a triangle. For example, the shape and size of the predicted area are defined in advance in the program, and information on the shape and size of the predicted area is stored in a storage device (auxiliary storage device 18, RAM 23, etc.).

Preferably, the predictive region setting means 122 sets the predictive region in a similar shape to the working region. In the example of the baseball game of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, when the predictive area setting means 122 comes into contact with an indicator such as a finger F at an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ as an example of the action area. The expected region G11 is set in a similar form to the strike zone SZ. Here, when the indicator comes into contact with the strike zone SZ, the expected region G11 having a similar shape to the strike zone SZ is set in the strike zone SZ through the effect display in which the frame of the strike zone SZ contracts. You may.

According to this configuration, the expected region is set to an area smaller than the working region while maintaining the shape of the working region in a similar shape. That is, although the area of the area is different between the action area in the unexpected case and the expected area in the case of the prediction, the same shape (similar shape) is maintained, so that the game specifications are easy for the user to understand.

For example, in a baseball game, when the prediction is not made, only the strike zone SZ as an example of the action area is a hit area, and when the user makes a prediction, only the prediction area G11 can hit. In this case, the area of the hittable area differs depending on the presence or absence of the prediction, but since the hittable area holds the same shape (similar shape), the hitting operation (for example, the timing when the ball reaches the strike zone SZ) It is easy to perform operations (such as operations according to).

Next, an example of a method of setting the expected area by the expected area setting means 122 will be described. Basically, the prediction area setting means 122 sets the prediction area with the instruction position of the indicator as a reference position of the prediction area. Here, the "reference position of the prediction area" is, for example, the position of the prediction area that serves as a reference when setting the prediction area. The center (center of gravity) of the predicted area corresponds to an example of the reference position of the predicted area.

For example, in the case of an operation on a display unit such as a touch panel unit 13 capable of contact operation, as illustrated in FIG. 5, an instruction position where an indicator body such as a finger F first contacts in a strike zone SZ as an example of an action area. The expected region G11 is set with P as the reference position of the expected region G11. In the example of FIG. 5, an example is shown in which the predicted region G11 is set with the indicated position P in which the finger F first contacts the strike zone SZ as the center of the predicted region G11.

As described above, the reference position of the predicted region G11 is preferably the center (center of gravity) of the predicted region G11. This is because the user can easily arrange the prediction area G11 at his / her intended position by setting the prediction area G11 centering on the position where the indicator body such as the finger F is in contact with the screen. For example, when it is desired to arrange the expected region G11 at a lower outer angle, the finger F may touch the vicinity of the lower outer angle of the strike zone SZ as illustrated in FIG.

However, the reference position of the predicted region G11 is not limited to the center (center of gravity) of the predicted region G11. For example, when the predicted region G11 is a polygon, any vertex of the polygon corresponds to an example of the reference position of the predicted region.

Further, in the case of a display unit that is not a contact operation type, as illustrated in FIG. 17, in the strike zone SZ as an example of the action region, the instruction position P first instructed by an indicator such as the cursor K (for example, , The first clicked position) is set as the reference position (for example, the center) of the predicted area G11, and the predicted area G11 is set.

However, as illustrated in FIG. 19, when the user instructs the vicinity of the end portion of the strike zone SZ with an indicator body such as a finger F, the prediction area G11'is tentatively set around the instruction position P. For example, the expected region G11'may deviate from the strike zone SZ. In this way, when the predicted region is set with the indicated position as the reference position, the predicted region may deviate from the working region (strike zone SZ or the like).

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, when the predicted region is set with the indicated position as the reference position and the predicted region deviates from the working region, the predictive region setting means 122 enters the working region. A correction means 122a for correcting the position of the predicted region so as to fit is provided.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, when the predicted region G11'set about the indicated position P as the center is partially deviated from the strike zone SZ, the predicted region setting means 122 sets the predicted region G11'in the strike zone SZ. The position is corrected by moving the distance Lx in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) and the distance Ly in the vertical direction (y-axis direction) toward. Here, the distance Lx is the distance in the horizontal direction (first direction) in which the expected region G11'is out of the strike zone SZ. Further, the distance Ly is a distance in the vertical direction (second direction orthogonal to the first direction) in which the expected region G11'is out of the strike zone SZ. Due to this position correction, the right end of the expected region G11', which was out of the strike zone SZ, moves to a position that coincides with the right end of the strike zone SZ, and the lower end of the expected area G11'to a position that coincides with the lower end of the strike zone SZ. Moving.

As a result, the predicted region G11 after the above position correction is performed is exactly contained in the strike zone SZ.

As described above, basically, in the action area, the predicted area is set with the designated position instructed by the user as the reference position (for example, the center) of the predicted area, so that the predicted position is predicted at the position intended by the user. The area can be set. However, when the predicted area is set with the indicated position as the reference position and the predicted area deviates from the working area, the position of the predicted area is automatically corrected so as to fit within the working area, so that the user predicts. It is possible to indicate an arbitrary position in the working area with an indicator without worrying that the area deviates from the working area.

In the case of the baseball game of the present embodiment, when the predicted area is set with the designated position P by the finger F or the like as the reference position, if the predicted area deviates from the strike zone SZ, it is predicted to fit within the strike zone SZ. The position of the area is automatically corrected. Therefore, the user can instruct an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ with an indicator such as a finger F without worrying that the expected region G11 deviates from the strike zone SZ.

Next, another example of the method of setting the expected area by the expected area setting means 122 will be described. When the predicted region setting means 122 indicates the position in the working region by the indicator based on the relationship information INF101 in which the relationship between each position in the working region and the set position of the predicted region is predetermined. The expected region may be set in.

The relationship information INF101 is, for example, table information in which a one-to-one relationship between each position in the working area and a set position in the expected area is stored in a storage device (RAM 23, auxiliary storage device 18, etc.). As a specific example of the relationship information INF101, it is table information in which the position of each coordinate in the strike zone SZ as an example of the action area and the position of the center (center of gravity) of the prediction area G11 are related. Since the shape of the prediction region G11 is predetermined (for example, a similar shape to the strike zone SZ), once the position of the center of the prediction region G11 is determined, the prediction region G11 can be set around that position.

The information on the set position of the predicted area G11 is not limited to the information on the position of the center (center of gravity) of the predicted area G11. For example, when the prediction area G11 is a polygon, the information on the position of any of the vertices of the polygon may be used as the information on the setting position of the prediction area G11.

In this way, even in the configuration in which the prediction area is set based on the relationship information INF101, the prediction area is basically set with the designated position of the indicator as the reference position (for example, the center) of the prediction area, as described above. It is preferable to do so. Then, if the predicted area is set with the indicated position as the reference position and the predicted area deviates from the working area, the relational information INF101 (that is, the above-mentioned information after the position correction of the predicted area) fits within the working area. It is preferable that the working area is set based on the table information including.

According to this configuration, since the one-to-one relationship between each position in the working area and the set position in the expected area is predetermined as table information, for example, which position in the working area is determined by the indicator. Even if instructed, the predicted region can be quickly set in the working region without requiring the process of correcting the position of the predicted region as described above.

In the case of the baseball game of the present embodiment, since the relationship between each position in the strike zone SZ and the set position of the expected area is stored in advance as the relationship information INF101, any position in the strike zone SZ can be a finger F or the like. When instructed by the indicator, the expected region G11 can be quickly set in the strike zone SZ.

Next, a control example of the action control means 123 will be described. The action control means 123 has a function of controlling a region outside the expected region in the action region as a region in which the action cannot be applied to the moving body. That is, the action control means 123 controls the predicted region as a region capable of acting on the moving body, while the region outside the predicted region in the working region is controlled as a region in which an action cannot be applied to the moving body. To do. That is, when the expected area is set, only the expected area is set as the operable area. Alternatively, the action control means 123 controls a region outside the predicted region in the working region as a region in which the acting force on the moving body is lower than that in the case where the predicted region is not set. May be good. These are controls that cause a demerit when the prediction area is set (the user predicts the moving course) and the prediction is not correct. In this way, by setting a penalty when the prediction is unexpected, the user can be given a sense of tension and the game quality is enhanced. On the other hand, the action control means 123 makes the acting force on the moving body in the predicted region larger than the acting force on the moving body in the acting region when the predicted region is not set. This is a control that gives a merit when the prediction is correct when the prediction area is set (the user predicts the moving course).

First, the action control means 123 controls the predicted region as a region capable of acting on the moving body, and controls a region outside the predicted region in the working region as a region in which an action cannot be applied to the moving body. An example of doing so will be described. For example, in a baseball game, the action control means 123 allows the ball BL that has come to the predicted region G11 to be hit (see FIG. 11), while the ball BL that has come to the region outside the predicted region G11 cannot be hit (for example,). Even if the user hits the ball, it will be missed). Here, "the ball BL that has come to the expected area G11 can be hit" means, for example, that if one of the hitting conditions is to perform the hitting operation at the timing at which the hitting is possible, the hitting condition is satisfied. It means that you can hit the ball BL. Further, "the ball BL that has come to the region outside the expected region G11 cannot be hit" means that, for example, the ball BL cannot be hit even if the hitting operation is performed at the timing at which the hitting is possible.

It should be noted that a game in which the batting operation is not one of the batting conditions at the timing when the batting is possible is also possible. In this case, as long as the user performs a predetermined batting operation after the ball is released from the pitcher character C20, the ball BL that has come to the expected area G11 is to be hit regardless of the timing of the batting operation. Can be done. Further, even if the hitting operation is performed, the ball BL that has come to the region outside the expected region G11 cannot be hit.

Taking the penalty shootout of a soccer game as an example, the action control means 123 allows the keeper character to capture or play a ball that has come to the predicted area, while a ball that has come to an area outside the predicted area is a keeper. Prevents the character from being captured or played.

Next, the action control means 123 controls a region outside the predicted region in the working region as a region in which the acting force on the moving body is lower than that in the case where the predicted region is not set. An example will be described. For example, in a baseball game, the action control means 123 has a lower striking force in a region outside the predicted region G11 in the strike zone SZ than in the strike zone SZ when the predicted region G11 is not set (for example, 1). Control as a region (decreased to / 2). Therefore, when the user predicts the pitching course and sets the predicted area G11, but the prediction is wrong and the ball BL comes to the outside of the predicted area G11, even if the ball can be hit, the hit ball is not expected. Also becomes weaker and more likely to be a hit.

Further, taking the penalty shootout of a soccer game as an example, the action control means 123 enables the keeper character to capture or play a ball that has come to an area outside the expected area as long as it is within the action area. , The force for capturing or repelling the ball is controlled to be lower (for example, reduced to 1/2) than the action region when the expected region is not set.

Next, an example will be described in which the action control means 123 makes the acting force on the moving body in the predicted region larger than the acting force on the moving body in the acting region when the predicted region is not set. .. Here, "to make the acting force on the moving body in the predicted region larger than when it was not predicted" means, for example, when the moving body is hit back, it is stronger than when it is not expected. It is to hit back with force or to hit back farther. Also, in the case of capturing a moving object (in a soccer game, the goalkeeper catches the ball, etc.), it is necessary to ensure that the moving object can be captured with a stronger force than in an unexpected case. Also, when crushing a moving object (destroying a missile in a battle game, etc.), make sure to crush it with a stronger force.

For example, in a baseball game, the action control means 123 improves the striking force in the predicted region G11 more than the striking force in the strike zone SZ when the predicted region G11 is not set (for example, 1.5 times). .. Therefore, when the user predicts the pitching course and sets the prediction area G11, and the prediction hits the target and the ball BL comes to the prediction area G11, the hit ball when the ball can be hit is more than expected. It becomes stronger (that is, the speed or distance of the hit ball increases), and it becomes easier to hit or hit a home run.

Further, taking a penalty shootout of a soccer game as an example, the action control means 123 has a force for the keeper character to capture or play the ball in the predicted area, and a force for capturing or the like in the action area when the predicted area is not set. (For example, improve 1.5 times). Therefore, when the user predicts the shooting course and sets the prediction area, and the prediction hits the target and the shot ball comes to the prediction area, the force to capture the ball is stronger than the unexpected case. It becomes stronger and easier to save.

With this configuration, when the user predicts the moving course and sets the prediction area, the demerit when the prediction is wrong and the merit when the prediction is correct become clear. The user is required to determine whether or not to make the prediction in consideration of the above-mentioned advantages and the above-mentioned disadvantages when the movement course is predicted, which enhances the game playability.

Here, a preferable configuration of a game control device capable of contact operation is shown. The game device 10 as an example of the game control device controls a game in which a moving course (for example, a pitching course) of a moving body (for example, a ball BL) can be predicted by a contact operation with a display unit (for example, a touch panel unit 13). The game device 10 includes an action area setting means 121, an expected area setting means 122, and an action control means 123. The action area setting means 121 sets an action area (for example, strike zone SZ) capable of giving an action to the moving body on the display unit. The prediction area setting means 122 is a region including the contact position (instruction position) P of the indicator when the indicator (for example, finger F) comes into contact with an arbitrary position in the action region on the display unit. , An expected region G11 smaller than the working region is set in the working region. Then, the prediction area setting means 122 moves the contact position P by moving the indicator in contact with the display unit after the prediction area is set, and the prediction area setting means 122 within the action area. Move G11. Further, the prediction area setting means 122 positions the prediction area G11 in the action area by separating the indicator from the display unit after setting the prediction area G11 or moving the prediction area G11. To confirm. Further, the action control means 123 controls so that the action on the moving body is different between the inside and the outside of the expected region G11 in the action region.

The game control device having this configuration controls a game in which the moving course of a moving body can be predicted, and is applied not only to a baseball game but also to various games such as the above-mentioned soccer game, tennis game, and insect catching game. it can.

In this configuration, the user can predict the movement course of the moving body and set the prediction area G11 in the action area. If the prediction region G11 is set, the action on the moving body is controlled to be different between the inside and the outside of the prediction region G11 in the action region, and the prediction effect is produced. The user can set the expected area G11 only by touching the indicator body such as the finger F in the action area on the display unit, and then move the indicator body while keeping the indicator body in contact with the display unit in the action area. The position of the expected region G11 can be easily changed.

Therefore, the user does not need to carefully determine the position from the beginning and touch the indicator to the display unit in order to set the expected region G11. First, the user simply touches the indicator to somewhere in the action area on the display unit. , The prediction area G11 can be generated (that is, the intention to be predicted can be reflected in the game), and then the position of the prediction area G11 can be changed while gradually moving the indicator. Then, once the desired position is determined, the position can be determined as the final position of the expected region G11 by simply moving the indicator away from the display unit.

As described above, such an operation method is particularly suitable for a portable contact operation type game device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. That is, in a portable contact-operated game device, when a user plays a game, he / she often holds the game device by hand or plays with the game device placed on his / her lap, and also a train. It may also be used in swaying vehicles such as. Under usage conditions and environments where such camera shake is likely to occur, it is difficult to set the expected region G11 to an accurate position with a single operation. However, according to this configuration, when setting or changing the prediction area G11, the user moves the prediction area G11 while lightly pressing the screen with an indicator such as his / her finger F. Even in an environment in which the game device is prone to vibration or camera shake to some extent, the possibility of causing a large deviation in the moving direction and the position of the moving destination of the expected region G11 can be significantly reduced. Moreover, since the final prediction region G11 is determined by moving the finger F away from the display unit, the position shift does not occur at the moment of this determination. As a result, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area G11 for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed with a simple operation and accurately.

Here, a preferable configuration in which the game control device of the present embodiment is applied to a baseball game is shown. The game device 10 as an example of the game control device controls a baseball game in which the pitching course of a ball can be predicted by a contact operation with a display unit (for example, a touch panel unit 13). The game device 10 includes a prediction area setting means 122 and an action control means 123. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the indicator (for example, finger F) comes into contact with an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ on the display unit, the predictive region setting means 122 has a contact position (instruction) of the indicator. Position) A region including P, which is a predicted region G11 smaller than the strike zone SZ, is set in the strike zone SZ. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the prediction area setting means 122 moves with the movement of the contact position P by moving the indicator in a state of being in contact with the display unit after setting the prediction area G11. , The expected region G11 is moved within the strike zone SZ. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the prediction area setting means 122 has the strike zone when the indicator is separated from the display unit after the prediction area G11 is set or after the prediction area G11 is moved. The position of the predicted region G11 in the SZ is determined. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the prediction area setting means 122 determines the position of the prediction area G11, and then when a contact operation with the prediction area G11 is performed on the display unit, the prediction area G11 Cancel the setting of. Further, the action control means 123 controls the action on the ball to be different between the inside and the outside of the prediction region G11 in the strike zone SZ.

According to this configuration, the user can predict the pitching course of the ball and set the prediction area G11 in the strike zone SZ. If the prediction region G11 is set, the action on the ball is controlled to be different between the inside and the outside of the prediction region G11 in the strike zone SZ, and the prediction effect is produced. The user can set the expected area G11 only by touching the indicator body such as the finger F in the strike zone SZ on the display unit, and then move the indicator body while keeping the indicator body in contact with the display unit to move the strike zone SZ. The position of the expected region G11 within can be changed. Further, if the indicator is separated from the display unit, the position of the predicted region G11 in the strike zone SZ is determined. However, if the display unit touches the predicted region G11 again, the predicted region G11 The setting is canceled. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to realize a baseball game in which the prediction area G11 for predicting the pitching course can be set, changed, and canceled by a simple contact operation.

Further, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the user does not need to carefully determine the position from the beginning and touch the indicator to the display unit in order to set the expected area G11. First, where in the strike zone SZ in the display unit The prediction region G11 can be generated (that is, the intention to be predicted can be reflected in the game) simply by touching the indicator, and then the indicator is gradually moved in the strike zone SZ. The position of the expected region G11 can be changed. Then, once the desired position is determined, the position can be accurately determined as the position of the final expected region G11 as described above by simply moving the indicator away from the display unit. Such an operation method is particularly suitable for a portable contact operation type game device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a baseball game in which the prediction area G11 for predicting the pitching course can be set and changed with a simple operation and accurately.

[Operation example of game device]
Next, an example of the operation of the game device 10 of the present embodiment will be described below. 23 and 24 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the game device 10 that controls a baseball game in which a pitching course can be predicted. Here, an operation example of the game device 10 including the display unit capable of contact operation will be described. Further, the indicator used in the contact operation will be described as the user's finger F.

As shown in FIG. 23, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 sets a strike zone SZ as an example of the working area on the screen displayed on the display unit (S100). For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 causes the touch panel unit 13 as the display unit to display the game screen G10 having the strike zone SZ as the action area. Here, the strike zone SZ in the game screen G10 is displayed in a state in which the user can see it.

The user can arbitrarily decide whether or not to anticipate the pitching course. If the user does not anticipate the pitching course, the user does not need to operate anything until the pitcher character C20 releases the ball. The operation of the pitcher character C20 is automatically controlled by the CPU 21 of the game device 10 by an AI program or the like, and the pitcher character C20 automatically starts pitching. For example, when a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses after the execution of step S100, the pitcher character C20 automatically starts the pitching operation and releases the ball.

On the other hand, when the user predicts the pitching course, the pitcher character C20 performs an operation of setting the prediction area before releasing the ball. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the user indicates an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ with the finger F (the finger F is brought into contact with the screen). When the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines that the position in the strike zone SZ is indicated via the touch input detection unit 25 (YES in S102), the CPU 21 has an area smaller than the strike zone SZ in the strike zone SZ. The expected area G11 is set (S104). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 sets a prediction region G11 similar to the strike zone SZ around the designated position P of the finger F.

In this case, the effect display that the strike zone SZ contracts may be performed. That is, the expected region G11 may be generated so that the strike zone SZ is reduced. In this case, the strike zone SZ as a region for determining the strike becomes smaller, and the original strike course is not determined to be a ball. The contraction of the strike zone SZ is smaller than that of the strike zone SZ, and is on the effect display for allowing the user to recognize on the screen that the expected region G11 having a similar shape to the strike zone SZ is set. is there. That is, the outer frame of the strike zone SZ (the boundary between the strike and the ball) does not change before and after the setting of the expected region G11, and the criterion for determining the strike or the ball remains the same.

The size of the expected region G11 is fixed and can be, for example, 50% of the area of the strike zone SZ. As will be described later, it is also possible to change the size of the expected region G11.

Further, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 stores the information (coordinate information) of the instruction position P that first contacts the strike zone SZ in the RAM 23.

After that, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines whether or not the designated position P of the finger F in contact with the touch panel unit 13 has moved (S106). The coordinates of the instruction position P in which the finger F is in contact with the touch panel unit 13 are input to the game device 10 via the touch input detection unit 25 every predetermined sampling time (for example, 1/60 second). Then, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 stores the information of the current designated position P (the latest coordinate information of the designated position P) in the RAM 23. That is, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 monitors whether or not the contact state with the touch panel unit 13 is continued and whether or not the indicated position P is moving for each sampling time. When the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines that the designated position P has moved (YES in S106), the CPU 21 moves the expected region G11 in the strike zone SZ as the designated position P moves (S108). As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 6, as the finger F moves in the state of being in contact with the touch panel unit 13 (that is, in the state of being in contact with the expected area G11), the expected area G11 also moves. Moving.

If the contact position (instructed position P) of the finger F in contact with the touch panel unit 13 does not move (NO in S106), the movement process of the predicted region G11 in step S106 is not executed.

When the instruction by the indicator is released after the prediction area G11 is set in step S104 or after the prediction area G11 is moved in step S108, that is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the finger F is moved from the touch panel unit 13. When separated (YES in S110), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines the position of the expected region G11 in the strike zone SZ (S112). Then, the CPU 21 stores the information on the position of the determined predicted area G11 in the storage device (RAM 23 or the like).

By the way, the movable range of the expected region G11 is within the strike zone SZ. Therefore, even if the designated position P moves to the end of the strike zone SZ as the designated position P moves and then the designated position P moves to the outside of the strike zone SZ, the predicted region G11 remains. It does not protrude from the strike zone SZ, and the expected region G11 remains at the end of the strike zone SZ. For example, as shown in FIG. 25, when the finger F in contact with the touch panel unit 13 is moved to the outside of the strike zone SZ, the indicated position P is separated from the expected region G11 remaining in the strike zone SZ. It ends up. In this way, when the instruction position P is separated from the expected region G11, it may be considered that the instruction by the indicator is canceled at that time. Alternatively, once the instruction position P is separated from the expected area G11, and then the user returns the finger F to the expected area G11 without releasing the finger F from the touch panel unit 13 (the instruction position P returns to the expected area G11). In the case of), it may be assumed that the instruction by the indicator has not been released.

When the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines that the position in the predicted area G11 has been instructed after the position of the predicted area G11 is determined in step S112 (YES in S114), the setting of the predicted area G11 is canceled (S116). For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the prediction area G11 is touched with the finger F, the effect display is performed in which the prediction area G11 is expanded until the outer frame of the prediction area G11 overlaps with the outer frame of the strike zone SZ. Then, when the outer frame of the expected region G11 overlaps with the outer frame of the strike zone SZ, the expected region G11 disappears, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the expected region G11 returns to a state in which the expected region G11 does not exist in the strike zone SZ.

After canceling the setting of the expected area G11 in step S116, the process returns to step S102, and the expected area G11 can be set again until the pitcher character C20 releases the ball.

As described above, for example, when a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses after the execution of step S100, the pitcher character C20 automatically starts the pitching operation and releases the ball. Each operation of setting, changing (moving), and releasing the expected area G11 by the user is restricted until the pitcher character C20 releases the ball. During that time, each operation of setting, changing (moving), and releasing the expected area G11 can be performed arbitrarily.

For example, in the middle of the operation of changing (moving) the position of the prediction area G11 (that is, in the middle of the drag operation by the finger F), the predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses, and the pitcher character C20 performs a pitching operation. If it starts automatically and you have released the ball, you can do the following: That is, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 can determine the position of the predicted region G11 at the timing of ball release.

As a variation, even if the predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses in the middle of the operation of changing (moving) the position of the prediction area G11 (that is, in the middle of the drag operation by the finger F), the game device 10 The CPU 21 controls the pitcher character C20 so as not to start the pitching operation. That is, after the prediction area G11 is set or after the prediction area G11 is moved, the position of the prediction area G11 is determined by canceling the instruction by the indicator, but during the operation by the user before the determination, the position is determined. The start of movement of the moving body may be prohibited, and the time until the operation is completed by the user may be secured. In the case of this configuration, when the position of the expected region G11 is determined and the predetermined time has elapsed, the pitcher character C20 immediately starts the pitching operation and releases the ball.

If the pitcher character C20 releases the ball without the expected area G11 set (YES in S118), or if the pitcher character C20 releases the ball after the expected area G11 is set (YES in S120), the game The CPU 21 of the device 10 moves the ball toward the strike zone SZ (S122).

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 uses the home base HB immediately after the pitcher character C20 releases the ball BL or after a predetermined time (for example, 0.1 second) has elapsed from the release. The arrival point object G13 is displayed in the area above the above (S124). As described above, the arrival point object G13 indicates the planned position where the ball BL will reach, and when the changing ball is thrown, the arrival point object G13 gradually moves according to the trajectory change of the ball BL. (See FIG. 10).

The user performs a batting operation at the timing when the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the operation of tapping the striking operation area G10b provided at the lower part of the game screen G10 with the finger F is the striking operation, and the batter character C10 swings the BT by this striking operation. Of course, the user can also see off the ball BL without hitting.

When the hitting operation is performed (YES in S126), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines whether or not the hitting operation is performed at the timing at which the hitting is possible (S128). Here, as an example of the hitting possible timing, there is a period (7/60 seconds) of a total of 7 frames of a frame in which the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap and 3 frames before and after the frame. When it is determined that the striking operation has been performed at the striking possible timing (YES in S128), it means that one of the striking conditions is satisfied, and the process proceeds to the process after step S130.

In step S130, the subsequent processing is branched depending on whether or not the prediction is made (that is, whether or not the prediction area G11 is set). Here, if the user does not predict the pitching course, the entire strike zone SZ becomes an area that can be hit, but if the user predicts the pitching course and the prediction area G11 is set, the prediction area is concerned. An example is shown in which only G11 is a hittable area and cannot be hit outside the expected area G11.

When the prediction area G11 is set (YES in S130), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines whether or not the ball BL exists in the prediction area G11 at the timing when the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap. Judgment (S132). Here, when the ball BL exists in the expected region G11 (YES in S132), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines that the ball could be hit by strong vibration (S134). When the expected area G11 is set, the batter character C10 vibrates strongly, and the striking force is improved as compared with the case where the expected area G11 is not set. Therefore, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 improves the parameters of the striking force that affect the speed of the hit ball, the flight distance, and the like, for example, 1.5 times as much as when the expected region G11 is not set. Therefore, the hit ball in this case is stronger than when the expected region G11 is not set (that is, the speed or flight distance of the hit ball is increased). As a result, hits and home runs are more likely to occur than when the expected region G11 is not set.

As variations for improving the hitting force, the hitting force parameter itself is not changed, and the CPU 21 of the game device 10 increases the flight distance of the hit ball after hitting, increases the probability of hitting, and the probability of hitting long. The result of the action (the result of the hit) may be controlled so as to increase the probability of catching a ball on the defensive side.

On the other hand, in step S132, when the ball BL exists outside the expected region G11 (NO in S132), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines the missed swing (S136). In this case, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 controls the operation of the batter character C10 so as to swing idle.

Further, when there is no prediction in step S130, that is, when the prediction area G11 is not set (NO in S130), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 causes the ball BL to move at the timing when the ball BL and the arrival point object G13 overlap. It is determined whether or not it exists in the strike zone SZ (S138). Here, when the ball BL is present in the strike zone SZ (YES in S138), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines that the ball can be hit by a normal swing (S140). In this case, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 sets the parameters of the batting force that affect the speed of the hit ball, the flight distance, and the like based on the parameters of the batter character C10 (for example, the parameter values of the long hitting force). On the other hand, when the ball BL exists outside the strike zone SZ (NO in S138), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines the missed swing (S136).

Even if it is determined in S128 that the batting operation has not been performed at the timing at which the batting is possible (NO in S128), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines the missed swing (S136).

After that, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 displays the result of the hitting determined in step S134 or S136 on the screen (S144).

On the other hand, when the user sees off the ball without hitting the ball (YES in S142), the CPU 21 of the game device 10 displays the result of the batter character C10 seeing off the ball BL on the screen (S144). In the screen of FIG. 11 and the like, the display of the ball count, the out count, and the like is omitted. For example, when the ball BL passes through the strike zone SZ, it is "strike", and when it is out of the strike zone SZ, it is "strike". "Ball" and update the ball count display.

In the above description, an operation example of the game device 10 provided with a display unit capable of contact operation has been described. However, instead of the contact operation, a click or drag operation with a mouse or the like is performed to perform the same operation as in the case of the contact operation. Operation is possible.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, variations that fluctuate the size of the expected region will be described. The game of the present embodiment is a game in which the first character operated by the user acts on the moving body.

Here, the "user" is, for example, a person who operates a game control device (for example, a game device or a terminal device), and can be said to be a game player.

Further, the "first character" is, for example, a character to be operated by the user and is a character that acts on a moving body in the game. Examples of the first character include a batter character in a baseball game, a goalkeeper character in a soccer game, and a receiver character that hits a ball hit by an opponent in a tennis game. These are examples, and the first character according to the type and content of the game can be applied.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, the game device 10 as an example of the game control device of the present embodiment has the first action area setting means 121, the expected area setting means 122, and the action control means 123. Further, a storage control means 124 for storing information about a character in a storage device (for example, RAM 23, auxiliary storage device 18) is provided. Then, the prediction area setting means 122 of the present embodiment sets the size of the prediction area based on the parameters of the first character. The following shows an example in which the first character is a batter character in a baseball game.

In the baseball game, the information regarding the first character includes information on various parameters of the batter character (fielder character) illustrated in FIG. Information on various parameters of the batter character is included in the character DB 101 described above, and the storage control means 124 controls reading and writing of information to the character DB 101 stored in the storage device.

In the case of a baseball game, the prediction area setting means 122 can set the size of the prediction area based on the ability parameter of the batter character. For example, the larger the level or value of the ability parameter of the skillful hitting force of the batter character, the larger the area, outer circumference, etc. of the predicted area.

A specific example is shown below. The area of action is the strike zone, and the area of the strike zone is S0. Further, the area of the predicted area is S1, and the parameter value of the skillful striking force of the batter character is V1. Then, the area S1 of the predicted region is varied in the range of 50% to 75% of the area S0 of the strike zone based on the parameter value V1 of the skillful striking force. Further, the parameter value V1 of the skillful striking force shall take any value in the range of "0 to 100". In this case, for example, the area S2 of the predicted region can be calculated by the following equation (1).
S1 = {0.5 + (0.75-0.5) x V1 / 100} x S0 ... (1)

For example, when the parameter value V1 = 80 of the skillful striking force, S1 = 0.700 × S0, and the area S1 of the expected region is 70% of the area S0 of the strike zone. Further, when the parameter value V1 = 50 of the skillful striking force, S1 = 0.625 × S0, and the area S1 of the expected region is 62.5% of the area S0 of the strike zone. Further, when the parameter value V1 = 10 of the skillful striking force, S1 = 0.525 × S0, and the area S1 of the expected region is 52.5% of the area S0 of the strike zone.

The above equation (1) is an example, and the size of the expected region may be calculated based on other mathematical formulas. The mathematical formulas (functions) such as the above equation (1) are stored in the storage device in advance. Alternatively, a table in which the correspondence between the value of the batter character's ability parameter and the size of the predicted area is determined may be stored in the storage device in advance, and the size of the predicted area may be acquired based on the table. ..

In this way, when the prediction area is increased as the level or value of the batter character's parameter is larger, the size of the prediction area fluctuates according to the batter character's parameter, but when hitting a ball that has come to the prediction area. The striking force (an example of acting force) does not fluctuate depending on the size of the expected region. Therefore, it is advantageous that the level or value of the batter character's parameter is large because a wider range can be covered by the expected region where the striking force is improved.

By reflecting the parameters of the first character as the size of the predicted area as in this configuration, for example, the size of the predicted area fluctuates depending on the parameters of the batter character standing in the turn at bat, and a more interesting game can be played. realizable.

Further, the parameter of the first character can be a parameter relating to the strength or weakness of the moving body with respect to the movement course. In this case, when the prediction area is moved with the movement of the instruction position, the prediction area setting means 122 moves to the position of the prediction area in the action area based on the parameters relating to the strength or weakness. The size of the expected region is changed accordingly.

In a baseball game, when the first character is a batter character, the parameters relating to the strengths or weaknesses of the moving course of the moving body correspond to the parameters of the batter character's strengths or weaknesses. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the case of a character with player ID = 001, the strong course is "high outside angle" and the weak course is "low internal angle". For example, if the size of the expected area in the course that is neither good nor bad for the batter character is "1", the size of the expected area in the good course is "1.2" and the prediction in the weak course. The size of the region is set to "0.8".

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the size of the predicted region G11 fluctuates according to the position of the predicted region G11. FIG. 27A shows a state before the expected region G11 is set in the strike zone SZ. For example, the strike zone SZ is divided into nine squares of 3 vertical × 3 horizontal, and each square is divided into division areas SZ1 to SZ9. The divided area SZ1 corresponds to "higher internal angle", the divided area SZ3 corresponds to "higher outer angle", the divided area SZ7 corresponds to "lower internal angle", and the divided area SZ9 corresponds to "lower outer angle". In the case of the character with the player ID = 001 illustrated in FIG. 13, the “higher outer angle” of the divided area SZ3 is a good course, and the “lower internal angle” of the divided area SZ7 is a weak course.

(B) in FIG. 27 shows a state in which the expected region G11 is set to the “low outer angle” due to the instruction position P of the “lower outer angle” of the strike zone SZ being indicated by the finger F. Since "low outside angle" is neither good nor bad for the batter character, a default size prediction area G11 is set. Here, the default size may be a fixed size or a size determined based on the parameter value of the batter character's skillful striking force as described above.

FIG. 27C shows a state in which the expected region G11 also moves to “higher outer angle” as the indicated position P moves from “lower outer angle” to “higher outer angle”. Since this "higher outside angle" is a course that the batter character is good at, the prediction area setting means 122 makes the size of the prediction area G11 larger than the default size.

FIG. 27 (D) shows a state in which the predicted region G11 also moves to the “lower internal angle” as the indicated position P moves from the “higher outer angle” to the “lower internal angle”. Since this "lower internal angle" is a course that the batter character is not good at, the prediction area setting means 122 makes the size of the prediction area G11 smaller than the default size.

In this way, as illustrated in (B), (C), and (D) in FIG. 27, the size of the predicted region G11 varies depending on the parameters of the good course or the weak course of the batter character. The striking force (an example of the acting force) when hitting a ball that has come to the predicted region G11 does not change depending on the size of the predicted region G11. Therefore, it is advantageous to arrange the expected area G11 on the batter character's favorite course because a wider range can be covered by the expected area G11 with improved striking force. On the contrary, if the expected area G11 is arranged on the batter character's weak course, the expected area G11 becomes narrower than the other courses, which is disadvantageous.

However, the pitcher character often avoids the course that the batter character is good at and throws at the course that he is not good at. For example, in the case of a computer battle (CPU battle) in which the user plays against the CPU 21 of the game device 10, the operation of the pitcher character is automatically controlled by the CPU 21 of the game device 10, and the parameters of the batter character's strong course and weak course Also refer to, and automatically assemble the pitching course (throwing course, etc.). Further, when a user on the batter side plays against another user on the pitcher side, it is conceivable that the other user actively aims at the course that the batter character is not good at. Therefore, the user needs to think of a strategy such as arranging the prediction area G11 on the course that the batter character is not good at while predicting the pitching of the pitcher character.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, when the designated position P of the indicator is moved (for example, the indicator is moved while the indicator is in contact with the expected region G11 of the display unit), the action region (for example, the strike zone) is moved. The size of the predicted area G11 changes according to the change in the position of the predicted area G11 in SZ), and a more interesting game can be realized.

As a variation, not only the size of the predicted area G11 may be changed, but also the striking force in the predicted area G11 may be changed according to the parameters of the batter character's strong course or weak course. For example, in the strong course, not only the area of the expected area G11 may be larger than that of the weak course, but also the striking force may be larger than that of the weak course (or the course that is neither good nor weak). For example, based on the striking force in the case of a course that is neither good nor weak, in the strong course, the striking force is made larger than the above standard (for example, 1.2 times the standard), and in the weak course, Make the striking force smaller than the standard (for example, 0.8 times the standard). In this way, when the striking force fluctuates according to the parameters of the batter character's strong course or weak course, the level (upper end position) of the power gauge G12 changes. That is, the greater the striking force, the greater the level of the power gauge G12 (the position of the upper end becomes higher). In this case, the position of the upper end of the power gauge G12 gradually changes according to the batter character's strong course or weak course according to the movement of the predicted area G11 by the user operation, so that the user can use the predicted area G11. You can also intuitively and clearly grasp the information about the position of the batter and how much striking force it will have. As a result, the game quality is further improved.

As another variation, in the strong course, the area of the expected area G11 is larger than that in the weak course, so that the striking force may be smaller than that in the weak course to achieve a balance.

Further, as a variation, the storage control means 124 stores information about the second character that sends out the moving body in a storage device (for example, RAM 23, auxiliary storage device 18), and the prediction area setting means 122 is the first. The size of the predicted area can be set based on the parameters of the two characters.

Here, the "second character" is, for example, a character that sends out a moving body on which the first character acts. Examples of the second character include a pitcher character in a baseball game, a kicker character kicking in a penalty shootout in a soccer game, and a server character in a tennis game. These are examples, and a second character can be applied according to the type and content of the game.

In the baseball game, the information regarding the second character includes information on various parameters of the pitcher character illustrated in FIG. Information on various parameters of the pitcher character is included in the character DB 101 described above, and the storage control means 124 controls reading and writing of information to the character DB 101 stored in the storage device.

In the case of a baseball game, the prediction area setting means 122 can set the size of the prediction area based on the ability parameter of the pitcher character. For example, the larger the level or value of the ability parameter of the pitcher character's ball control power, the smaller the area, outer circumference, etc. of the predicted area.

A specific example is shown below. The area of action is the strike zone, and the area of the strike zone is S0. Further, the area of the predicted area is S1, and the parameter value of the pitching force of the pitcher character is V2. Then, the area S1 of the predicted region is changed in the range of 50% to 75% of the area S0 of the strike zone based on the parameter value V2 of the ball control force. Further, the parameter value V2 of the ball control force shall take any value in the range of "0 to 100". In this case, for example, the area S2 of the predicted region can be calculated by the following equation (2).
S1 = {0.5 + (0.75-0.5) x (100-V2) / 100} x S0 ... (2)

The above equation (2) is an example, and the size of the expected region may be calculated based on other mathematical formulas. The mathematical formulas (functions) such as the above equation (2) are stored in the storage device in advance. Alternatively, a table in which the correspondence between the value of the ability parameter of the pitcher character and the size of the expected area is determined may be stored in the storage device in advance, and the size of the expected area may be acquired based on the table. ..

In this way, when the prediction area is increased as the level or value of the pitcher character's parameter is smaller, the size of the prediction area fluctuates according to the pitcher character's parameter, but the batter character hits the ball that has come to the prediction area. The striking force (an example of the acting force) does not fluctuate depending on the size of the expected region. Therefore, for the batter character, it is advantageous that the level or value of the parameter of the opponent's pitcher character is small because a wider range can be covered by the expected region where the batting power is improved.

As a variation, not only the size of the predicted area may be changed, but also the striking force in the predicted area may be changed according to the parameters of the pitcher character. For example, the smaller the level or value of the pitcher character's parameters (ie, the lower the pitcher character's ability), the greater not only the expected area, but also the striking force in the expected area. Further, even when the expected region is not set, the smaller the level or value of the pitcher character's parameter, the better the hitting force of the batter character (the hitting force with respect to the entire strike zone SZ). In this way, when the striking force fluctuates according to the parameters of the pitcher character, the greater the striking force, the greater the level of the power gauge G12 (the position of the upper end becomes higher).

Alternatively, the prediction area setting means 122 may set the size of the prediction area based on both the parameters of the first character and the second character. As described above, the parameter values of the batter character as an example of the first character and the pitcher character as an example of the second character take any value of "0 to 100" and are compared in the same unit system. It is possible. Therefore, it is possible to set the size of the predicted region based on the ability difference between the batter character and the pitcher character. It is also possible to compare the parameters of the batter character and the pitcher character using the parameter level instead of the parameter value. As described above, the parameters of each ability of the batter (fielder) character and the pitcher character are indicated by eight ranks (S, A to G), so that they can be compared in the same unit system. For example, eight ranks "S", "A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", and "G" are set to "8", "7", and "6", respectively. , "5", "4", "3", "2", "1", and the level difference between the parameters of the batter character and the pitcher character can be quantified and handled.

For example, the prediction area setting means 122 sets the area S1 of the prediction area and the area S0 of the strike zone from 40% to 80 based on the parameter value V1 of the skillful hitting force of the batter character and the parameter value V2 of the ball control force of the pitcher character. Vary in the range of%. For example, the area S1 of the predicted region can be calculated by the following equation (3).
S1 = {0.6 + 0.2 × (V1-V2) / 100} × S0 ・ ・ ・ (3)

The above equation (3) is an example, and the size of the expected region may be calculated based on other mathematical formulas. The mathematical formulas (functions) such as the above equation (3) are stored in the storage device in advance. Alternatively, a table that defines the correspondence between the difference in ability parameters between the batter character and the pitcher character and the size of the expected area is stored in the storage device in advance, and the size of the expected area is acquired based on the table. You may.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, not only the parameters of the first character but also the parameters of the second character are reflected as the size of the expected area, so that, for example, the ability of the batter character standing in the turn at bat and the pitcher character standing in the mound can be achieved. Depending on the relationship, the size of the expected area fluctuates, and a more interesting game can be realized.

As a variation, not only the size of the predicted area may be changed, but also the striking force in the predicted area may be changed according to both the parameters of the first character and the second character. For example, when the batter character's ability parameter is larger than the pitcher character's ability parameter, the larger the difference between the two ability parameters, the larger not only the expected area but also the striking force in the expected area. Further, in this case, even if the expected region is not set, the larger the difference between the two ability parameters, the better the hitting force of the batter character (the hitting force with respect to the entire strike zone SZ). On the contrary, when the batter character's ability parameter is smaller than the pitcher character's ability parameter, the larger the difference between the two ability parameters, the smaller the expected area and the smaller the striking force in the expected area. Further, in this case, even if the expected region is not set, the larger the difference between the two ability parameters, the lower the hitting force of the batter character (the hitting force with respect to the entire strike zone SZ). In this way, when the striking force fluctuates according to both the parameters of the first character and the second character, the greater the striking force, the greater the level of the power gauge G12 (the position of the upper end becomes higher).

Alternatively, the prediction area setting means 122 may set the size of the prediction area according to the information regarding the compatibility between the batter character (an example of the first character) and the pitcher character (an example of the second character). Here, the information on compatibility may be, for example, information that the right-handed pitcher is compatible with the left-handed pitcher and is not compatible with the right-handed pitcher, or individual pitcher characters and batter characters. It may be compatible with. For example, pitcher A may be informed that he is good at batter B but not good at batter C. Information on the compatibility is stored in the RAM 23 or the like.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, information on compatibility with the pitcher character is stored in association with the player ID of the batter character. In the example of FIG. 13, the pitcher character's player ID = 515, 568, ... Is stored as the pitcher information that is good for the batter character with the player ID = 001. Further, as the information of the pitcher who is not good at it, the player IDs of the pitcher characters = 527, 542, ... Are stored. In addition, the information of compatibility with the batter character may be stored in association with the player ID of the pitcher character.

For example, the prediction area setting means 122 sets the size of the prediction area to the default when playing against a pitcher character who is neither good nor bad for the batter character (or based on at least one parameter of the batter character and the pitcher character. The size of the determined expected region is applied as is). Further, the predictive area setting means 122 makes the size of the predictive area larger than the default case (or makes at least one parameter of the batter character and the pitcher character) when playing against a good pitcher who is compatible with the batter character. Make it larger than the area of the expected area determined based on). For example, the size of the expected area is set to 1.2 times the default case. This reflects the situation in which the batter character is advantageous with respect to the compatibility of throwing in the game by increasing the area of the predicted area. Further, the prediction area setting means 122 makes the size of the prediction area smaller than the default when playing against a pitcher who is not good for the batter character (or based on at least one parameter of the batter character and the pitcher character. Make it smaller than the area of the determined expected area). For example, the size of the expected region is reduced to 0.8 times the default case. This reflects the situation of the batter character's disadvantage regarding the compatibility of throwing in the game by reducing the size of the expected area.

In this way, the size of the predicted area fluctuates according to the information on the compatibility of the batter character and the pitcher character, but the hitting force (an example of the acting force) when hitting the ball that has come to the predicted area has the above compatibility. It can be prevented from fluctuating depending on the size of the expected region according to the situation. In this case, when playing against a pitcher who is compatible with the batter character, the expected area becomes larger even though the batting power does not change, which is advantageous as compared with the case where playing against a pitcher who is not compatible with the batter character.

As a variation, not only the size of the predicted region may be changed according to the information on the compatibility of the batter character and the pitcher character, but also the striking force in the predicted region may be further changed. For example, when playing against a pitcher who is compatible with the batter character, not only is the area of the expected area larger than when playing against a pitcher who is not compatible (or a pitcher who is neither good nor bad). In addition, the striking power may be greater than when playing against a pitcher who is incompatible. For example, the batting force against a pitcher who is neither good nor bad for the batter character is used as a reference, and the batting force is made larger than the above-mentioned standard for a pitcher who is compatible with the batter character (for example, 1.2 times the standard). ), For pitchers who are compatible, make the striking force smaller than the above standard (for example, 0.8 times the standard). In this way, when the striking force fluctuates according to the compatibility of the batter character and the pitcher character, the greater the striking force, the greater the level of the power gauge G12 (the position of the upper end becomes higher).

As described above, by changing the level (upper end position) of the power gauge G12 in addition to the change in the size of the predicted area according to the difference in the parameters of the batter character and the pitcher character and the information on the compatibility between the two. , The user can intuitively and clearly grasp the information regarding the hit by looking at the power gauge G12 on the screen. If the batter character standing in the turn at bat changes, the difference in parameters between the batter character and the pitcher character and the compatibility between the two also change, which is reflected in the power gauge G12, which is an index of the magnitude of the striking force. The user can formulate a strategy such as whether or not to predict the pitching course for each turn at bat with reference to the level of the power gauge G12. For example, when the user determines that the pitcher character has a larger parameter (ability) than the batter character, or is incompatible with the pitcher character for the batter character, and the upper end of the power gauge G12 is low (that is, the striking force is small). Do not predict the pitching course, but perform normal batting. On the contrary, when the user determines that the batter character has a larger parameter than the pitcher character, or is compatible with the pitcher character for the batter character, and the upper end of the power gauge G12 is high (that is, the hitting force is large). , You can take a strategy such as predicting the pitching course.

Also, as described above, the size of the expected area and the striking force vary depending on the batter character's strong or weak course, but especially when the batter character has considerably larger parameters than the pitcher character, the power gauge G12 Since the level of the batter is greatly increased, the user can take a strategy of setting the expected area regardless of the batter character's strong or weak course. On the other hand, when the level of the power gauge G12 does not increase so much, the user can take a strategy of setting an expected area at or near the batter character's favorite course. In addition, some or all of the various configurations described in the above-described embodiment can be applied to the game device 10 of the present embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a variation in which the size of the predicted area is provided in a plurality of stages and the size of the predicted area is changed based on the user's operation will be described.

The predictive area setting means 122 of the present embodiment is described every time the instruction operation by the indicator body is performed again within a predetermined time after the instruction by the indicator body is released after the prediction area is set. Change the size of the expected area.

For example, in the case of an operation on the touch panel unit 13 that can be touch-operated, the expected area is set when an indicator such as a finger comes into contact with the action area (strike zone SZ or the like) of the touch panel unit 13. After that, after the indicator is separated from the touch panel unit 13, the size of the expected area is changed each time the operation of contacting the touch panel unit 13 is performed again within a predetermined time (for example, within 0.3 seconds). To. As a result, the size of the predicted area can be changed by the user himself / herself in a plurality of steps by continuously tapping the touch panel unit 13 by the user.

For example, the size of the expected area is 3 with the largest 1st level, the 2nd level (eg 70% of the area of the 1st level), the smallest 3rd level (eg 50% of the area of the 1st level). It can be changed in stages.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the size of the expected region G11 fluctuates based on the operation of the user. FIG. 28A shows a state before the expected region G11 is set in the strike zone SZ. In FIG. 28B, a state in which the first-level size prediction region G11-1 is set in the “low outer angle” due to the designation of the “lower outer angle” of the strike zone SZ by the indicator. Shown.

FIG. 28 (C) in FIG. 28 shows the second level due to one tap operation of recontacting the indicator body from the touch panel unit 13 within a predetermined time in the state of (B). Indicates a state in which the predicted size region G11-2 is set. In this case, for example, an effect display is performed in which the predicted region G11-1 having the size of the first level contracts, and the predicted region G11-2 having a similar figure of the predicted region G11-1 (which is also a similar figure of the strike zone SZ) is displayed. May be set. After that, when the indicator is separated from the touch panel unit 13 and a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) elapses, the setting of the prediction area G11-2 is confirmed at that position.

Further, after the expected region G11-2 is contracted from (B) to (C) in FIG. 28 by the tap operation, the indicator is moved while being in contact with the expected region G11-2 of the touch panel unit 13. As described above, the expected region G11-2 after contraction can be moved to an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ. After this movement, the indicator is separated from the touch panel unit 13, and when a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) elapses, the position after the movement is determined as the set position of the expected area G11-2. Also. When the tap operation is performed again after moving the predicted region G11-2 to an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ as described above, the predicted region G11-2 having a second level size becomes It contracts to the expected region G11-3 of the third level of magnitude.

FIG. 28 (D) in FIG. 28 shows a state in which the expected region G11-3 having a third level size is set by performing the tap operation once more in the state of (C). .. In this case, for example, an effect display is performed in which the predicted region G11-2 having a second level size contracts, and the predicted region G11-3 having a similar figure to the predicted region G11-2 (which is also a similar figure to the strike zone SZ) is displayed. May be set. After that, when the indicator is separated from the touch panel unit 13 and a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) elapses, the setting of the prediction area G11-3 is confirmed at that position.

Further, after the predicted region G11-3 is contracted from (C) to (D) in FIG. 28 by the tap operation, the indicator is moved while being in contact with the predicted region G11-3 of the touch panel unit 13. As described above, the expected region G11-3 after contraction can be moved to an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ. Then, after this movement, the indicator is separated from the touch panel unit 13, and when a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) elapses, the position after the movement is determined as the set position of the expected area G11-3.

Further, in the state of (D) in FIG. 28, when the tap operation is performed once more, the predicted region G11-3 having a size of the third level becomes the first one shown in (B) of FIG. 28. You may return to the predicted area G11-1 of the magnitude of the level. In this case, for example, the effect display in which the prediction area G11-3 of the third level size is enlarged may be performed, and the transition to the prediction area G11-1 of the first level size may be performed.

That is, by repeating the tap operation of recontacting the indicator body from the touch panel unit 13 within a predetermined time, the size of the predicted area can be changed from the first level → the second level → the third level → the first level →. It can be made to circulate and fluctuate with the second level.

Further, as described above, the indicator is separated from the touch panel unit 13 for a predetermined time (for example, 0.3) in a state where the predicted region has a size of any one of the first level, the second level, and the third level. After seconds) elapses, the setting of the predicted area is determined by the size and position of the predicted area at that time. After this determination, when the indicator touches the position in the predicted area of the touch panel unit 13 again, the setting of the predicted area is canceled and the state returns to the state (A) in FIG. 28.

Alternatively, in the state (D) in FIG. 28 in which the predicted region G11-3 having a third level size is set, when the tap operation is performed once more, the setting of the predicted region G11-3 is released. Then, the state of (A) in FIG. 28 may be returned. That is, by repeating the tap operation of recontacting the indicator body from the touch panel unit 13 within a predetermined time, the size of the predicted area can be changed from the first level → the second level → the third level → (cancellation of setting). It is also possible to circulate and fluctuate from the first level to the second level.

When operating using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen instead of a contact operation, the instruction operation for instructing the position by contacting the indicator with the display unit is an indicator such as a cursor on the display unit. It only replaces the instruction operation of instructing the position by clicking the mouse at the position where is present. In this case, for example, the size of the expected area can be changed each time the click is performed again within a predetermined time (for example, within 0.3 seconds) after the click is released.

Then, the action control means 123 of the present embodiment controls so that the action on the moving body differs depending on the size of the predicted region. For example, in the case of a baseball game, the smaller the size of the predicted area, the larger the striking force. For example, as described above, when the size of the predicted region fluctuates in three stages of the first level (maximum), the second level (medium), and the third level (minimum), the striking force increases in this order.

As a result, the user can make the prediction relatively easy to hit by setting the prediction area large, and it becomes difficult for the user to hit the prediction by setting the prediction area small. It is possible to make a stronger hit. In this way, by making the size of the expected area variable by the user's own operation, it is possible to realize a more interesting game.

By the way, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the color density of the predicted region may be changed as the size of the predicted region becomes smaller. For example, the smaller the size of the predicted region, the higher the color density of the predicted region. As a result, the user can intuitively feel that the impact force becomes larger as the size of the predicted area becomes smaller by changing the density of the predicted area. As a variation, the color (color) may be changed in place of the above-mentioned density change or in combination with the density change. For example, as the size of the predicted region becomes smaller, the color of the predicted region is changed from a cool color system to a warm color system.

As described above, the prediction area setting means 122 sets the prediction area when it is determined that the position in the prediction area is indicated again by the indicator after the prediction area is set (after the setting position is determined). It may have a release function for releasing. Here, when the prediction area setting means 122 performs the instruction operation by the indicator again within a predetermined time (for example, 0.3 seconds) after the instruction by the indicator is released after the prediction area is set. That is, when the period from the release of the instruction to the re-instruction is within a predetermined time, the operation for changing the size of the expected area is performed instead of the operation for releasing the expected area. Judge. On the other hand, when the period from the cancellation of the instruction to the re-instruction exceeds the predetermined time, the prediction area setting means 122 determines that the operation for canceling the prediction area has been performed. In this way, the prediction area setting means 122 determines whether to change the size of the prediction area or to release the prediction area based on the period from the release of the instruction to the re-instruction. It can be identified and appropriately executed according to the operation performed by the user.

Further, a part or all of the various configurations described in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to the game device 10 of the present embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In each of the above-described embodiments, after the indicator such as the finger F comes into contact with the display unit to set the expected region G11, the user moves the indicator in contact with the display unit to move the indicator. The configuration in which the expected region G11 moves in the action region (for example, the strike zone SZ) in conjunction with the movement of the designated position P (contact position) has been described. That is, in each of the above-described embodiments, the prediction region setting means 122 has a function of moving the prediction region G11 within the action region as the designated position P of the indicator moves after the prediction region G11 is set. ing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the predictive region setting means 122 immediately determines the position of the predictive region G11 when the predictive region G11 is set by the indicator contacting the display unit, and the designated position is determined. The expected region G11 may not be moved due to the movement of P. That is, the position of the predicted area G11 may be immediately determined by one touch operation, and the function of moving the predicted area G11 may be omitted. In this embodiment, this will be described below.

An example of the operation of the game device 10 of the present embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 29 is a modified example of the flowchart of FIG. 23, and the same steps as those in FIG. 23 are assigned the same step numbers.

As shown in FIG. 29, when the batter character C10 stands in the turn at bat, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 sets a strike zone SZ as an example of the action area on the screen before the pitcher character C20 throws a pitch (S100). ). When the user predicts the pitching course, the pitcher character C20 performs an operation of setting the prediction area before releasing the ball. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the user indicates an arbitrary position in the strike zone SZ with the finger F. When the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines that the position in the strike zone SZ is indicated (YES in S102), the area in the strike zone SZ is smaller than the area in the strike zone SZ (for example, 50% of the area in the strike zone SZ). The expected area G11 having ~ 70%) is set (S104). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the CPU 21 of the game device 10 sets a prediction region G11 similar to the strike zone SZ around the designated position P of the finger F.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 21 determines the position of the predicted area G11 when the predicted area G11 is set as described above, and stores the information of the determined position of the predicted area G11 in a storage device (RAM 23 or the like). Remember in.

In this way, the position of the predicted area G11 is immediately determined by one touch operation, and then the predicted area G11 cannot be moved by the drag operation as described above. When the user wants to change the position of the predicted area G11 after setting the predicted area G11 (after confirming), the user touches the finger F to the position in the predicted area G11 on the screen again to set the predicted area G11. The operation of canceling once is performed, and then the expected area G11 is set again.

When the CPU 21 of the game device 10 determines that the position in the predicted area G11 has been instructed again by the time the pitcher character C20 releases the ball (NO in S120) after the predicted area G11 is installed in step S104. (YES in S114), the setting of the expected area G11 is canceled (S116). For example, after the finger F is brought into contact with the screen to set the expected area G11, in a state where the finger F is kept in contact without being separated from the screen, the CPU 21 has a position in the expected area G11. It is preferable not to determine that the instruction has been given again. In this case, in order to determine that the position in the predicted area G11 is instructed again, the finger F is brought into contact with the screen to set the predicted area G11, and then the finger F is once released from the screen and again. It is necessary to bring the finger F into contact with the position in the prediction region G11. After canceling the setting of the expected area G11 in step S116, the process returns to step S102, and the expected area G11 can be set again until the pitcher character C20 releases the ball.

For example, the CPU 21 automatically starts the pitching operation of the pitcher character C20 when a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses after the execution of the step S100. In the case of a communication match between users, the user on the pitcher side starts the pitching operation of the pitcher character C20 based on the pitching operation.

After setting the strike zone SZ, if the pitcher character C20 releases the ball (YES in S118) without any indication of the position in the strike zone SZ (NO in S102), the expected area G11 is set. Instead, the process proceeds to step S122 of FIG. Alternatively, even if the once set prediction area G11 is released (S116) and then the pitcher character C20 releases the ball without the position in the strike zone SZ being instructed (NO in S102) (S118). Yes), the process proceeds to step S122 in FIG. 24 without setting the expected region G11. On the other hand, when the prediction area G11 is set (S104) and then the pitcher character C20 releases the ball (YES in S120), the process proceeds to step S122 in FIG. 24 with the prediction area G11 set. The processing after step S122 is as described above.

Although an example of a contact operation is shown here, as described above, even if the operation is performed using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen (for example, a click operation with a mouse) instead of the contact operation. Good.

As described above, the predictive region setting means 122 may have a function of moving the predictive region G11 within the action region as the designated position of the indicator moves after the predictive region G11 is set. The function to move may be omitted. That is, the game device 10 as an example of the game control device that controls a game in which the movement course of the moving body can be predicted regardless of the presence or absence of the moving function displays an action area capable of exerting an action on the moving body. When the action area setting means 121 set in the unit and an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit are instructed by the indicator, the area including the instruction position of the indicator, which is from the action area. The prediction area setting means 122 for setting the small prediction area G11 within the action area, and the action control means 123 for controlling the action on the moving body in the prediction area so as to be larger than the outside of the prediction area. Can be configured to include. With this configuration, the expected area can be set only by touching the indicator body with the display unit (or performing a click operation with the mouse). That is, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set by a simple operation.

Further, the prediction area setting means 122 cancels the setting of the prediction area when the position in the prediction area is instructed again by the indicator after the prediction area is set. As a result, the setting of the expected area can be canceled by a simple operation.

Further, a part or all of the various configurations described in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to the game device 10 of the present embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, mainly, the expected region G11 smaller than the strike zone SZ is set in the strike zone SZ (an example of the action region) centering on the designated position by the indicator body such as the finger F. explained. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the strike zone SZ is divided into a plurality of division regions in advance, and when the user brings the finger F into contact with the strike zone SZ, the finger F among the plurality of division regions An example will be described in which the division region in which the contact position (instructed position by the indicator) exists is set as the expected region G11.

For example, as shown in FIG. 30, the strike zone SZ set on the screen has three vertical three-column regions (in-course first division region DR1, out-course second division region DR2, and central third division region). It is divided into division areas DR3). Then, for example, as shown in FIG. 31, the user touches somewhere in the area of the right end (out course) of the strike zone SZ with the finger F in the predictable period until the pitcher character C20 releases the ball. If so, the second division region DR2 (one vertical row at the right end) of the out-course where the designated position P (contact position) by the finger F exists is set as the expected region G11. In the figure, the set expected region G11 is shown by hatching. Here, as described above, if the designated position P by the finger F exists at any position in the second division region DR2 regardless of its height or the like, the entire second division region DR2 is expected. It is set as the area G11.

Similarly, for example, if the designated position P by the finger F exists in the first division region DR1 (one vertical row at the left end) of the in-course, the entire first division region DR1 is expected regardless of its high or low position. It will be set as the area G11. Further, for example, if the designated position P by the finger F exists in the central third division region DR3 (center vertical row), the entire third division region DR3 is the expected region G11 regardless of its height or the like. Will be set as. As described above, according to this embodiment, the entire designated division area can be set as the expected area only by designating any position in each division area, so that the setting operation is easy.

In the examples of FIGS. 30 and 31, the strike zone SZ is divided into three vertical rows, and the pitching course of any of the in-course, out-course, and middle can be predicted, but the specification is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 32, the strike zone SZ is divided into three horizontal three division regions (lower first division region DR1, higher second division region DR2, and central third division region DR3). The division region in which the instruction position P by the finger F exists may be set as the prediction region G11, that is, the specification may be such that the height can be predicted. Alternatively, the strike zone SZ may be divided into 12 divisions, 16 divisions, and the like, so that the course prediction can be performed in a smaller range.

The working area setting means 121 of the present embodiment that realizes this sets the working area divided into a plurality of divided areas (in other words, composed of a plurality of divided areas) on the display unit (screen). The information of each division area in which the action area is divided into a plurality of division areas, for example, the position information of each division area in which the strike zone SZ is divided into three vertical rows, three horizontal rows, and the like is stored in the storage device in advance. Further, in the prediction area setting means 122 of the present embodiment, when an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit is instructed by the indicator, the designated position of the indicator constitutes a plurality of action areas. It has a function of determining which of the division areas exists and setting the division area in which the instruction position exists as the prediction area.

Alternatively, the setting of the prediction area G11 in the unit of the above-mentioned division area is based on the relationship information in which the above-mentioned "prediction area setting means 122 determines the relationship between each position in the action area and the setting position of the prediction area in advance. Therefore, it can also be realized by "a configuration in which an expected region is set when a position in the working region is instructed by an indicator". That is, the working area is divided into a plurality of divided areas, and the relationship information (for example, table information) in which the position in each divided area and the divided area in which the position exists is stored in the storage device in advance. .. Then, when the position in the action region is instructed by the indicator, the prediction region setting means 122 acquires the division region associated with the instruction position of the indicator based on the relational information, and the acquired division The region is set as the expected region G11.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, since the prediction area is set in units of predetermined division areas, it is easy for the user to understand which area will be the prediction area, and when setting the prediction area, the prediction area is set. Since the entire designated division area can be set as the expected area simply by specifying any position in each division area, the setting operation is easy.

Further, a part or all of the various configurations described in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to the game device 10 of the present embodiment.

[Other Configuration Example of Game Control Device (Sixth Embodiment)]
In each of the above-described embodiments, an example is shown in which the game control device is realized by the game device 10 operated by the user (game device 10 that communicates with a stand-alone or server or the like), but the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, the game control device can be configured by a computer such as a server capable of communicating with each user's terminal device. Alternatively, the game control device may be composed of a plurality of computers (servers, terminal devices, etc.) that communicate with each other.

An example of configuring the game control device as a server will be described. FIG. 33 shows a configuration example of a game system in which a server as a game control device is incorporated. As shown in the figure, the game system 1 has a server 30 installed on a network N such as the Internet, and a terminal device 50 (50-1, 50-1) of each user who can communicate with the server 30 via the network N. It is composed of 50-2, ... 50-n).

In the example of the game system 1, the server 30 receives access from the terminal device 50 of each user who receives the game service via the network N, stores and manages the game information of each user in the storage device, and manages each user. A game service is provided to a user via a network N.

As a form of providing a game service by the server 30, a game program (application software) is implemented in the server 30, and instead of executing the game on the terminal device 50, the game operation input on the terminal device 50 is performed. In response, the server 30 executes the game, and the execution result is transmitted to the terminal device 50 of each user. For example, the server 30 provides a so-called browser game in which a game can be played by a web browser mounted on the terminal device 50 of each user. Alternatively, the server 30 provides a so-called cloud gaming service in which the game video as a result of executing the game on the server 30 is transmitted to the terminal device 50 in a streaming format, for example.

A part of the game program may be installed in the terminal device 50 so that the game execution process is partially performed in the terminal device 50 as well.

The hardware configuration of the server 30 and the terminal device 50 can be a general computer configuration including a CPU, ROM, RAM, auxiliary storage device, communication interface, and the like. The terminal device 50 includes a smartphone, a mobile phone terminal, a PHS terminal, a PDA, a PC, a tablet computer, a game device having a communication function (stationary or portable game device), or a multifunctional device having a two-way communication function. Various terminals such as a type television receiver (so-called smart television) that can connect to the server 30 via the network N and receive the provision of the game service can be applied.

In the above-mentioned cloud gaming or the like, the user's terminal device 50 basically operates as an input / output device having an operation input function and a game screen or sound output function, and the actual function is on the server 30 side. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 33, the server 30 can be configured to include the action area setting means 121, the expected area setting means 122, the action control means 123, and the like described in the above-described embodiment. Although FIG. 33 shows an example in which only the action area setting means 121, the expected area setting means 122, and the action control means 123 are provided, the storage control means 124 and the like may be included as a component of the server 30. .. This configuration also has the same effects as those of the above-described embodiments.

Further, the server 30 and the terminal device 50 can communicate with each other to send and receive various data, and both are information processing devices (computers) equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, auxiliary storage device, communication control unit, and the like. , Has a similar hardware configuration. Therefore, in the game system 1 including the server 30 and the terminal device 50, all or a part of each means provided by the game device 10 described in each of the above-described embodiments is provided by either the server or the terminal device. I just need to be there. Even in this system configuration, the same functions and effects as those of the above-described embodiments are obtained. That is, the game system 1 of the present embodiment can be configured as shown below, for example.

That is, the game system 1 includes a server 30 and a terminal device 50 that communicates with the server 30, and controls a game in which a moving course of a moving body can be predicted. In this game system 1, the action area setting means 121 for setting an action area capable of giving an action to the moving body on the display unit, and an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit are instructed by the indicator. In this case, the prediction area setting means 122 that sets the prediction area that includes the designated position of the indicator and is smaller than the action area in the action area, and the inside of the prediction area in the action area. Each means of the action control means 123, which controls the action on the moving body to be different from that on the outside (for example, controls the action on the moving body in the predicted region so as to be larger than that outside the predicted region). Is provided by either the server 30 or the terminal device 50. Further, the prediction area setting means 122 may be configured to cancel the setting of the prediction area when the position in the prediction area is instructed again by the indicator after the prediction area is set, or the prediction area may be released. After setting, the expected region may be moved within the working region as the designated position of the indicator moves.

With the configuration of the game system 1, the same effects as those of the game device 10 described above can be obtained. That is, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set by a simple operation. Alternatively, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed by a simple operation.

By the way, regarding the configuration having a storage control function for storing various information in the storage device, since the storage device itself is not included in the configuration, it may be installed anywhere inside or outside the game device 10 or the game system 1. Good. For example, the storage device may be a RAM or auxiliary storage device of the game device 10, the server 30, the terminal device 50, or a file server (online storage) having a configuration different from that of the game device 10, the server 30, and the terminal device 50. Good.

In addition, each configuration described in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied in combination as appropriate.

Further, the computer-readable program according to the present embodiment is recorded on various computer-readable recording media such as a hard disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.), a flexible disk, and a semiconductor memory, and the recording medium. It is read from the computer and executed by the CPU of the computer that constitutes the game control device or the game system. Further, the means for providing the program to the computer is not limited to the recording medium described above, and may be performed via a communication network such as the Internet.

That is, the program of the present embodiment is a program for operating the computer as the game control device (or game system) described above, and each means provided with the computer as the game control device (or game system). It is a program to function as.

By executing the program of the present embodiment by the computer, as described above, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed by a simple operation. In addition, it has the same effect as that of each of the above-described embodiments.

[Additional Notes]
From the above description, the present invention can be grasped as follows, for example. Reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses for convenience in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated mode.
1) The game control device (1, 10, 30, 50) according to one aspect of the present invention is a game that controls a game (for example, a baseball game) in which a moving course (for example, a pitching course) of a moving body (for example, a ball BL) can be predicted. A control device (1, 10, 30, 50) that can exert an action on the moving body (for example, strike zone SZ) is set in a display unit (for example, touch panel unit 13) (for example, processing of S100). When the action area setting means (121) and an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit (13) are instructed by an indicator (for example, finger F) (for example, YES processing in S102), the instruction is given. Prediction region setting means for setting a prediction region (G11), which is a region including a designated position (P) of the body (F) and is smaller than the action region, in the action region (SZ) (for example, processing of S104). (122) and the action control means for controlling the action on the moving body (BL) in the predicted region (G11) so as to be larger than that outside the predicted region (G11) (for example, processing of S132, S134, S136). (123) and.

The game control device having this configuration can be configured by, for example, a computer as a game device (smartphone, mobile phone terminal, PHS, tablet computer, game-dedicated machine, personal computer, multifunctional television receiver, etc.). .. Alternatively, the game control device can be configured by a computer such as a server capable of communicating with each user's terminal device. Alternatively, the game control device may be composed of a plurality of computers (servers, terminal devices, etc.) that communicate with each other.

The game control device of this configuration controls a game in which the movement course of a moving body can be predicted. Here, the "moving body" is, for example, a character, an item, or an object that moves in the game screen or the game space. An example of a "moving body" is a ball in a sports simulation game. Other examples of mobiles include characters or items such as fighters and missiles in action games. In addition, characters such as moving insects, birds, fish, and animals (which may be fictitious characters such as monsters) in a game of capturing insects and the like can be mentioned as moving objects. Further, the "moving course" is, for example, a course, a route, or a place where a moving body moves (goes forward). Examples of the "moving course" include a pitching course of a ball thrown by a pitcher in a baseball game, a kicker's shooting course in a soccer game, and a server's serving course in a tennis game. In addition, flight routes of fighters and missiles, travel routes of insects and birds, etc. can be included in the movement course. Hereinafter, a baseball game, a soccer game, and a tennis game will be mainly described as examples. In a baseball game, for example, a user who hits in the game can predict the pitching course. Further, in a soccer game, for example, a user who operates a penalty shootout keeper character can predict a shooting course. Further, in a tennis game, for example, a user who operates a character receiving a serve can predict a serve course.

The action area setting means sets an action area on the display unit that can give an action to the moving body. Here, the "action" is, for example, exerting a force on a moving body or influencing the moving body by having a relationship with the moving body. Examples of "action" include striking (striking), rotating, capturing, destroying, and deforming a moving body. Further, the "acting area" is, for example, an area in the screen on which an action can be given to a moving body. For example, in a baseball game, a hitting area including a strike zone or a strike zone can be set as an action area. Further, in the penalty shootout of a soccer game, the area in front of the goal where the keeper can capture or play the ball (for example, the area having the same size as the opening of the soccer goal) can be set as the action area. Further, in the tennis game, the area within the reach of the racket of the character receiving the serve can be set as the action area. In other games as well, an arbitrary area in the screen displayed by the display unit can be used as the action area.

The expected area setting means of the game control device is an area including the designated position of the indicator when an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit is indicated by the indicator (finger, cursor, etc.). An expected region smaller than the working region is set in the working region. Here, the "indicator" is used, for example, for an operation of instructing the position of the display unit on the screen. When the display unit is configured to be touch-operable such as a touch panel, a physical object such as a user's finger or a pen corresponds to an example of an indicator. Further, in the case of a display unit that is not a contact operation type, an index indicating a position on the screen, which is a cursor or the like displayed on the screen and can be operated by the user with an operation unit such as a controller or a mouse, is an example of an indicator. Corresponds to. In this case, as an example in which the indicator indicates an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit, an operation of clicking with the cursor placed at an arbitrary position in the action area (button operation corresponding to the click, etc.) Applies to.

For example, in a baseball game, when a user instructs (contacts, etc.) an arbitrary position in the strike zone as an example of an action area with an indicator such as a finger, a predetermined position smaller than the strike zone is centered on the indicated position of the indicator. An expected area of size is set within the strike zone. Further, in a soccer game penalty shootout, when a user instructs (contacts, etc.) an arbitrary position in the area in front of the goal as an example of the action area with an indicator such as a finger, the goal is centered on the indicated position of the indicator. An expected area of a predetermined size smaller than the previous area is set in the area before the goal.

The shape of the prediction region can be set to any shape such as a rectangle, a square, a circle, and a triangle. Further, as in the configuration of 6) described later, the shape of the expected region may be similar to that of the working region.

Further, the action control means of the game control device controls the action on the moving body so that the action on the moving body is different between the inside and the outside of the expected area in the action area. That is, the action control means controls the action on the moving body in the predicted region so as to be larger than that outside the predicted region. For example, in a baseball game, you can hit harder than normal (if you do not expect) in the expected area, but you cannot hit outside the expected area (or you can only hit a ball weaker than normal). Produce an effect. Also, for example, in a soccer game, the ball can be caught or played with a stronger force than usual (when not expected) within the expected area (thus, the probability of blocking the goal is increased), but the expected area Outside, the force is made lower than usual (thus, the probability of allowing a goal is higher), and the expected effect is produced.

According to this configuration, for example, in the case of a display unit capable of touch operation, the user simply touches (instructs) an arbitrary position in the action area on the display unit with an indicator such as a finger, that is, one touch operation. You can easily set the expected area just by using it. In addition, even when operating using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen without touching, specify an arbitrary position in the action area with the cursor or the like as described above (click the controller or mouse, etc.). You can easily set the expected area just by specifying the position. Some conventional game devices can set the predicted area by tracing the screen with a finger, but in this configuration, the predicted area can be set by a simpler operation than before. As described above, with this configuration, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set by a simple operation.

2) In the configuration of 1) above, in the prediction area setting means (122), after setting the prediction area (G11), the position in the prediction area (G11) is again indicated by the indicator (for example, in S114). When YES processing is performed), it is preferable to cancel the setting of the expected region (G11) (for example, processing S116).

According to this configuration, after setting the prediction area, the position in the prediction area (arbitrary position) is indicated again by the indicator, for example, by touching somewhere in the prediction area with a finger or clicking with a mouse or the like, it is easy. You can cancel the setting of the expected area.

Further, when this configuration is applied to the configuration of 8) described later, the position of the predicted region in the working region is determined by canceling the instruction by the indicator after setting or moving the predicted region, but after that, the instruction is given. The setting of the predicted area can be easily canceled by pointing the position in the predicted area again by the body.

3) In the configuration of 1) or 2) above, the prediction area setting means (122) sets the prediction area (G11) with the designated position (P) as a reference position of the prediction area (G11). When the predicted region (G11) is set with the indicated position (P) as the reference position and the predicted region (G11) deviates from the working region (SZ), the predicted region (SZ) is within the working region (SZ). It is preferable to correct the position of the expected region (G11) so that it fits.

For example, in the case of an operation on a display unit capable of contact operation, the position where the indicator first contacts in the action region is the designated position, and the predicted region is set with this designated position as the reference position of the predicted region. The reference position of the prediction region is preferably the center (center of gravity) of the prediction region, but is not limited to this. For example, when the expected region is a polygon, any vertex of the polygon may be used as a reference position.

In this configuration, basically, in the working area, the predicted area is set with the designated position designated by the user as the reference position (for example, the center) of the predicted area, so that the predicted area is set at the position intended by the user. Can be set. However, for example, when the user instructs the vicinity of the end of the working area with the indicator, if the expected area is set around the designated position, the predicted area will be out of the working area. In such a case, the position of the predicted area is automatically corrected so that it fits within the working area, so that the user does not have to worry about the predicted area moving out of the working area. Any position can be indicated by the indicator.

4) In the configuration of 1 or 2) above, the prediction area setting means (122) has a predetermined relationship between each position in the action area (SZ) and the set position of the prediction area (G11). Based on the information (INF101), it is preferable to set the predicted region (G11) when the position in the working region (SZ) is indicated by the indicator (F).

According to this configuration, since the one-to-one relationship between each position in the working area and the set position in the expected area is predetermined as table information, for example, which position in the working area is determined by the indicator. Even if instructed, the predicted region can be quickly set in the working region without requiring the process of correcting the position of the predicted region as in the configuration of 4) above.

5) In any of the configurations 1) to 4) above, the action control means (123) sets a region outside the predicted region (G11) in the action region (SZ) as the moving body (BL). It is preferable to control the region as a region in which the action cannot be applied to the mobile body (BL) or a region in which the force acting on the moving body (BL) is lower than that in the case where the expected region (G11) is not set.

In this configuration, when the user predicts the moving course and the prediction area is set, only the prediction area becomes an area that can act on the moving object, and cannot act outside the prediction area (for example, a baseball game). Then, it becomes a missed swing, etc.). Therefore, when the user predicts the movement course, there is a demerit that the region that can act on the moving body (predicted region) becomes smaller than the region that can act (acting region) when the prediction is not made. Alternatively, the region outside the expected region in the acting region is a region in which the acting force on the moving body is lower than the acting region when the expected region is not set (for example, in a baseball game, the striking force is lower than when it is not expected). Area) may be used. In this way, by setting a penalty when the prediction is unexpected, the user can be given a sense of tension and the game quality is enhanced.

On the other hand, the action control means preferably makes the acting force on the moving body in the predicted region larger than the acting force on the moving body in the acting region when the predicted region is not set. For example, in a baseball game, by predicting the pitching course, the hitting area (predicted area) is smaller than the hitting area (acting area such as a strike zone) when the pitching course is not predicted, but it is powerful. It is possible to hit and aim for a long hit. The user is required to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of predicting the moving course and determine whether or not to make the prediction, which enhances the gameplay.

It should be noted that increasing the acting force on the moving body in the predicted region means that, for example, when the moving body is hit back, it is hit back with a stronger force than when it is not expected. It is to try to hit back far away. Also, in the case of capturing a moving object (in a soccer game, the goalkeeper catches the ball, etc.), it is necessary to ensure that the moving object can be captured with a stronger force than in an unexpected case. Also, when crushing a moving object (destroying a missile in a battle game, etc.), make sure to crush it with a stronger force.

6) In any of the configurations 1) to 5) above, it is preferable that the prediction region setting means (122) sets the prediction region (G11) in a similar shape to the action region (SZ).

According to this configuration, the expected region is set to an area smaller than the working region while maintaining the shape of the working region in a similar shape. That is, although the area of the area is different between the action area in the unexpected case and the expected area in the case of the prediction, the same shape (similar shape) is maintained, so that the game specifications are easy for the user to understand.

For example, in a baseball game, when a prediction is not made, only the action area (for example, a strike zone) is a hitting area, and when a user makes a prediction, only the prediction area is a hitting area. The area of the hittable area differs depending on whether or not there is a prediction, but since the hittable area holds the same shape (similar shape), the hitting operation (for example, the timing at which the ball reaches the strike zone) is performed. Easy to operate). In the case of such a baseball game, when an operation of setting an expected area (for example, an operation of touching an arbitrary position in the strike zone with a finger) is performed, the frame of the strike zone is shrunk by the effect display. The expected region may be set in a similar manner to the strike zone.

7) In any of the configurations 1) to 6) above, the predictive region setting means (122) of the indicator position (P) of the indicator body (F) after setting the predictor region (G11). It is preferable to move the expected region (G11) within the working region (SZ) (for example, the treatment of S108) with the movement (for example, the treatment of YES in S106).

For example, in the case of a display unit that can be operated by contact, the user moves the indicator body in contact with the display unit after the indicator body such as a finger touches the display unit to set the expected area as described above. As a result, the expected region moves within the action region in conjunction with the movement of the designated position (contact position) of the indicator. Therefore, the user can easily change the position after setting the expected area.

That is, conventionally, when it is desired to change the position of the expected area during the operation of setting the expected area, the operation of once completing the setting of the current expected area and then canceling the setting of the currently set expected area is performed. After that, it is necessary to set the expected area again at a new position, which is troublesome. On the other hand, in this configuration, the prediction area can be set only by touching the indicator body with the display unit, and further, the position of the prediction area can be easily changed by simply moving the indicator body contacted with the display unit. It can be carried out. As a result, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed by a simple operation.

Further, when the operation is performed using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen without the contact operation, it is as follows. That is, as described above, after the expected area is set by specifying an arbitrary position in the action area with a cursor or the like (specifying the position by clicking the controller or the mouse), the indicated position is moved by a so-called drag operation or the like. By making the mouse move, the predicted area moves in the working area in conjunction with the movement of the indicated position. In this case as well, as in the case of the contact operation, the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed by a simple operation.

8) In the configuration of 7) above, the prediction area setting means (122) is instructed by the indicator body (F) after the prediction area (G11) is set or after the prediction area (G11) is moved. It is preferable to determine the position of the predicted region (G11) in the working region (SZ) by canceling (for example, processing YES in S110) (for example, processing S112).

Here, "cancellation of instruction by the indicator body" means, for example, that the indicator body is separated (touched off) from the display unit in the case of an operation on a display unit capable of contact operation. In addition, when operating using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen instead of a touch operation, canceling the instruction by the indicator means canceling an operation state such as clicking or dragging the controller or mouse. ..

According to this configuration, the user can move the prediction area within the action area until the instruction by the indicator is released, and the position of the prediction area in the action area can be easily changed by releasing the instruction by the indicator. And it can be determined accurately. That is, the user indicates an arbitrary position in the action area with the indicator to set the expected area, and then changes and fine-tunes the position of the expected area while moving the indicated position of the indicator as necessary. By canceling the instruction by the indicator, the final positioning of the expected region can be easily and accurately performed.

9) In any of the above configurations 1) to 8), the game is a game in which the first character (for example, the hitter character C10) operated by the user acts on the moving body (BL). Further, a storage control means (124) for storing information about the first character (C10) in a storage device (for example, an auxiliary storage device 18, RAM 23) is further provided, and the prediction area setting means (122) is the first character. It is preferable to set the size of the predicted region (G11) based on the parameter (C10).

Here, the "user" is, for example, a person who operates a game control device (for example, a game device or a terminal device), and can be said to be a game player. Further, the "first character" is, for example, a character to be operated by the user and is a character that acts on a moving body in the game. Examples of the first character include a batter character in a baseball game, a goalkeeper character in a soccer game, and a receiver character that hits a ball hit by an opponent in a tennis game. These are examples, and the first character according to the type and content of the game can be applied.

In this configuration, the prediction area setting means sets the size of the prediction area based on the parameters of the first character. For example, in the case of a baseball game, the prediction area setting means sets the size of the prediction area based on the hitting force ability parameter of the batter character (the higher the level or value of the hitting force ability parameter, the more the predicted area area, Enlarge the outer circumference, etc.). By reflecting the parameters of the first character as the size of the predicted area in this way, for example, the size of the predicted area varies depending on the parameters of the batter character standing in the turn at bat, and a more interesting game can be realized. ..

10) In the configuration of 9) above, the parameter of the first character (C10) is a parameter relating to the strength or weakness of the moving body (BL) with respect to the movement course, and the prediction area setting means (122) is a parameter. When the predicted region (G11) is moved with the movement of the indicated position (P), the predicted region (G11) in the working region (SZ) is based on the parameters relating to the strengths and weaknesses. It is preferable to change the size of the predicted region (G11) according to the position.

For example, in a baseball game, when the first character is a batter character, the parameters relating to the strengths or weaknesses of the moving course of the moving body correspond to the parameters of the batter character's strengths or weaknesses. For example, if the batter character's strong course has a low internal angle and the weak course has a high external angle, the size of the expected region at a low internal angle is set to be larger than that at a high external angle. Therefore, when the designated position of the indicator is moved (for example, the indicator is moved while the indicator is in contact with the predicted region of the display unit), the position of the predicted region in the action zone (strike zone, etc.) changes. The size of the expected area fluctuates according to the situation, and a more interesting game can be realized.

11) In the configuration of 9) or 10) above, the storage control means (124) stores information about the second character (for example, pitcher character C20) that sends out the moving body in the storage device (18, 23). The prediction area setting means (122) preferably sets the size of the prediction area (G11) based on the parameters of the second character (C20).

Here, the "second character" is, for example, a character that sends out a moving body on which the first character acts. Examples of the second character include a pitcher character in a baseball game, a kicker character kicking in a penalty shootout in a soccer game, and a server character in a tennis game. These are examples, and a second character can be applied according to the type and content of the game. For example, in the case of a baseball game, the size of the predicted area is set based on the parameter of the pitcher character's ball control power (for example, the higher the ball control power, the smaller the area, outer circumference, etc. of the predicted area).

In this way, by reflecting not only the parameters of the first character but also the parameters of the second character as the size of the prediction area, for example, it is predicted by the relationship between the ability of the batter character standing in the turn at bat and the pitcher character standing in the mound. The size of the area fluctuates, and a more interesting game can be realized.

12) In any of the configurations 1) to 11) above, the predictive region setting means (122) is set after the predictive region (G11) is set and after the instruction by the indicator body (F) is released. Within a predetermined time, the size of the predicted region (G11) is changed each time the instruction operation by the indicator (F) is performed again, and the action control means (123) changes the size of the predicted region (G11). It is preferable to control so that the action on the moving body (BL) differs depending on the size of the moving body (BL).

For example, in the case of an operation on a display unit that can be operated by contact, the expected area is set when the indicator touches the working area of the display unit. After that, after the indicator is separated from the display unit, the size of the expected area is changed each time the operation of contacting the display unit is performed again within a predetermined time (for example, within 0.3 seconds). As a result, the size of the expected area can be changed by the user himself / herself in a plurality of steps by continuously tapping the display unit by the user. For example, the size of the predicted area can be varied in three stages: first level, second level (for example, 70% of the area of the first level), and third level (for example, 50% of the area of the first level). And. Then, after the indicator is separated from the display unit, the tap operation of recontacting the indicator body within a predetermined time is repeated, so that the size of the predicted area is changed from the first level → the second level → the third level → the first level → the first. It can be made to circulate and fluctuate with 2 levels.

When operating using an indicator such as a cursor displayed on the screen instead of a contact operation, the instruction operation for instructing the position by contacting the indicator with the display unit is an indicator such as a cursor on the display unit. It only replaces the instruction operation of instructing the position by clicking the mouse at the position where is present. In this case, for example, the size of the expected area can be changed each time the click is performed again within a predetermined time (for example, within 0.3 seconds) after the click is released.

Here, the action on the moving body is controlled to be different depending on the size (level) of the predicted region. For example, in the case of a baseball game, the smaller the size of the predicted area, the larger the striking force (striking strength). As a result, the user can make the prediction relatively easy to hit by setting the prediction area large, and it becomes difficult for the user to hit the prediction by setting the prediction area small. It is possible to make a stronger hit. In this way, by making the size of the expected area variable by the user's own operation, it is possible to realize a more interesting game.

13) The game control device (1, 10, 30, 50) according to another aspect of the present invention is a moving course (for example, throwing) of a moving body (for example, a ball BL) by a contact operation with a display unit (for example, a touch panel unit 13). An action of controlling a game (for example, a baseball game) in which a course) can be predicted, and setting an action area (for example, a strike zone SZ) capable of giving an action on the moving body (BL) on the display unit (13). When the indicator (for example, finger F) comes into contact with the region setting means (121) at an arbitrary position in the action region (SZ) on the display unit (13), the contact position (F) of the indicator (F) A prediction area setting means (122) for setting a prediction area (G11) including a P), which is smaller than the action area (SZ), in the action area (SZ), and the prediction area (G11). The action control means (123) for controlling the action on the moving body (BL) in the above is larger than that outside the prediction area (G11), and the prediction area setting means (122) is provided with the prediction area. After setting (G11), when the position in the predicted area (G11) is touched again by the indicator (F), the setting of the predicted area (G11) is released.

The game control device having this configuration controls a game in which the movement course of a moving body can be predicted, and can be applied to various games such as the above-mentioned baseball game, soccer game, tennis game, and insect catching game. In this configuration, the user can predict the movement course of the moving body and set the prediction area within the action area. By setting the prediction region, the action on the moving body is controlled to be different between the inside and the outside of the prediction region in the action region, that is, the action on the moving body in the prediction region becomes larger than that outside the prediction region. It is controlled so that the expected effect is produced. The user can easily set the expected area by simply touching the indicator body such as the finger F within the action area on the display unit, that is, by performing only one touch operation. Further, after the prediction area is set, the setting of the prediction area can be easily released by simply touching the position in the prediction area again with the indicator. Further, after canceling the setting of the prediction area, the prediction area can be reset by newly contacting the position in the action area with the indicator. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and canceled by a simple operation.

Further, in the above configuration, the prediction area setting means (122) moves by moving the indicator body (F) in contact with the display unit (13) after setting the prediction area (G11). With the movement of the contact position (P), the predicted region (G11) is moved within the working region (SZ), and after the prediction region (G11) is set or after the predicted region (G11) is moved, the prediction region (G11) is moved. The position of the predicted region (G11) in the working region (SZ) may be determined by separating the indicator (F) from the display unit (13). As a result, the position of the expected region set in the working region can be easily changed. Therefore, the user does not need to carefully determine the position from the beginning and touch the indicator to the display unit in order to set the expected area. First, the user only needs to touch the indicator to somewhere in the action area on the display unit. The prediction area can be generated (that is, the intention to be predicted can be reflected in the game), and then the position of the prediction area can be changed while gradually moving the indicator. Then, once the desired position is determined, the position can be determined as the position of the final expected region by simply moving the indicator away from the display unit. Such an operation method is particularly suitable for a portable contact operation type game device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. That is, in a portable contact-operated game device, when a user plays a game, he / she often holds the game device by hand or plays with the game device placed on his / her lap, and also a train. It may also be used in swaying vehicles such as. Under usage conditions and environments where such camera shake is likely to occur, it is difficult to set the predicted area to an accurate position with a single operation. However, according to this configuration, when setting or changing the predicted area, the user moves the predicted area while lightly pressing the screen with an indicator such as his / her finger. Even in an environment where some vibration is generated or camera shake is likely to occur, the possibility of causing a large deviation in the moving direction of the expected region and the position of the moving destination can be greatly reduced. Moreover, since the final prediction region is determined by moving the indicator away from the display unit, the position shift does not occur at the moment of this determination. As a result, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the movement course of the moving body can be set and changed with a simple operation and accurately.

14) The game control device (1, 10, 30, 50) according to another aspect of the present invention is a baseball game in which the pitching course of the ball (BL) can be predicted by a contact operation with the display unit (for example, the touch panel unit 13). A region to be controlled, including a contact position (P) of the indicator when the indicator (for example, finger F) comes into contact with an arbitrary position in the strike zone (SZ) on the display unit (13). The prediction area setting means (122) for setting the prediction area (G11) smaller than the strike zone (SZ) in the strike zone (SZ), and the ball (BL) in the prediction area (G11). ) Is provided with an action control means (123) for controlling the action on the prediction region (G11) so as to be larger than the outside of the prediction region (G11), and the prediction region setting means (122) is after the prediction region (G11) is set. When the position in the predicted region (G11) is touched again by the indicator (F), the setting of the predicted region (G11) is released.

According to this configuration, the user can predict the pitching course of the ball and set the predicted area in the strike zone. By setting the prediction area, the action on the ball is controlled to be different between the inside and the outside of the prediction area in the strike zone, that is, the action on the ball in the prediction area is controlled to be larger than the outside of the prediction area. , The expected effect is produced. The user can set the prediction area only by touching an indicator such as a finger in the strike zone on the display unit, that is, the prediction area can be easily set by only one touch operation. Further, after the prediction area is set, the setting of the prediction area can be easily released by simply touching the position in the prediction area again with the indicator. Further, after canceling the setting of the prediction area, the prediction area can be reset by newly touching the position in the strike zone with the indicator. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a game in which the prediction area for predicting the pitching course can be set and canceled by a simple operation.

Further, in the above configuration, the prediction area setting means (122) moves in a state where the indicator body (F) is in contact with the display unit (13) after the prediction area (G11) is set. With the movement of the contact position (P), the expected region (G11) is moved within the strike zone (SZ), and after the prediction region (G11) is set or after the prediction region (G11) is moved, the prediction region (G11) is moved. The position of the predicted region (G11) in the strike zone (SZ) may be determined by the indicator (F) coming into contact with the display unit. As a result, the position of the expected area set in the strike zone can be easily changed. Therefore, in order to set the expected area, the user does not need to carefully determine the position from the beginning and touch the display unit with a finger or the like, but first touch the indicator body somewhere in the strike zone on the display unit. , The prediction area can be generated (that is, the intention to be predicted can be reflected in the game), and then the position of the prediction area in the strike zone can be changed while gradually moving the indicator. Then, once the desired position is determined, the position can be accurately determined as the position of the final expected region, as described above, by simply moving the indicator away from the display unit. Such an operation method is particularly suitable for a portable contact operation type game device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. With this configuration, it is possible to realize a baseball game in which the prediction area for predicting the pitching course can be set and changed with a simple operation and accurately.

15) The game system (1) according to another aspect of the present invention includes a server (30) and a terminal device (50), and controls a game in which a moving course of a moving body (BL) can be predicted (15). 1), the action area setting means (121) for setting the action area (SZ) capable of exerting an action on the moving body (BL) on the display unit (13), and the above-mentioned on the display unit (13). When an arbitrary position in the action region (SZ) is indicated by the indicator (F), it is a region including the designated position (P) of the indicator (F) and is larger than the action region (SZ). The prediction region setting means (122) for setting a small prediction region (G11) in the action region (SZ) and the action on the moving body (BL) in the prediction region (G11) are described in the prediction region (G11). Either the server (30) or the terminal device (50) includes an action control means (123) that controls the size so as to be larger than the outside, and each means.

16) The program according to the other aspect of the present invention is a program for operating the computer as the game control device (1, 10, 30, 50) according to any one of 1) to 13) above. It is a program for making the computer function as each means provided in the game control device (1, 10, 30, 50).

1 Game system (an example of a game control device)
10 Game device (example of game control device)
13 Touch panel (an example of display)
30 servers (an example of a game control device)
50 Terminal device (example of game control device)
121 Action area setting means 122 Expected area setting means 123 Action control means 124 Memory control means BL ball object (an example of a moving body)
SZ strike zone (an example of working area)
G11 Expected area C10 Batter character (an example of the first character)
C20 pitcher character (an example of the second character)
INF101 related information

Claims (6)

A game control device that controls a game that can predict the movement course of a moving object.
Based on the contact operation of the indicator body with the display unit, an area including the instruction position of the indicator body, which is expected to be provided in the movement course predicted by the user, is set before the start of movement of the moving body. Expected area setting means and
After the predicted region is set by the contact operation, the indicator moves in a state of being in contact with the predicted region of the display unit, and the predicted region is moved before the movement of the moving body is started. The means of transportation to make
Determining means for determining the position of the predicted region before the start of movement of the moving body by moving the indicator body in contact with the predicted region of the display unit away from the display unit.
When the indicator body re-contacts the display unit with the predicted region within a predetermined time after the indicator is separated from the display unit, the size of the predicted region is determined. On the other hand, when the indicator body separates from the display unit, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, the indicator body performs the recontact operation of contacting the expected area of the display unit again. In addition, the prediction area control means for canceling the setting of the prediction area and
A game control device equipped with. The game is a game including a first character operated by a user.
The game control device according to claim 1, wherein the prediction area setting means determines the size of the prediction area based on the position of the prediction area and the ability of the first character. The game control device according to claim 2, wherein the ability of the first character is an ability relating to strengths or weaknesses in the moving course. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an action control means for different actions on the moving body between the inside of the prediction area and the outside of the prediction area. A game system including a server and a terminal device capable of communicating with the server.
A game system in which either the server or the terminal device includes each means of the game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A program for operating a computer as the game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and for causing the computer to function as each means included in the game control device.

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