JP7194508B2 - Program, computer system and puzzle game execution control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program or the like for causing a computer to execute a puzzle game.

One of the popular game genres is a puzzle game.
For example, the game of Non-Patent Document 1 is a game in which characters are freely combined to form a deck, and the characters forming the deck progress while fighting enemies according to the result of the puzzle game. It is very popular because you can enjoy two elements of an RPG (role-playing game)-style battle game and a puzzle game at the same time. Further, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for adding a new game feature to a game in which a puzzle game and a game in which the game progresses according to the situation of the puzzle game are executed in parallel.

GungHo Online Entertainment Co., Ltd., [online], game application for smartphones "Puzzle & Dragons", distribution started on February 20, 2012, Internet (URL: http://www.gungho.jp/pad/)

JP-A-2015-8941

However, games have fads and get boring over time. Therefore, in order to get more users to play one of the many puzzle games, there is a demand for a novel game that is new and fresh.
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for realizing a puzzle game with new interest.

A first invention for solving the above-described problems is a program for causing a computer to execute a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means (for example, the 11 server processing unit 200s, game management unit 210, assigned character setting unit 212, assigned character setting data 730 in FIG. 14, step S12 in FIG. 16),
Character image display control means (for example, server processing section 200s, game management section 210, character image display control section 216 in FIG. 11, step S18 in FIG. 16) for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area. ),
Activated character selection means (for example, the server processing unit 200s, the game management unit 210, the activated character selection unit in FIG. 11) that selects the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as the "activated character") that has a given influence on the puzzle area 218, step S50 in FIG. 16),
Activation control means (for example, the server processing unit 200s, the game management unit 210, the activation control unit 220 in FIG. 11, the activation control unit 220 in FIG. 11, and the 17 step S56), the program for causing the computer to function.

According to the first invention, it is possible to assign a character to the character placement area provided around the puzzle area. Also, the assigned character has the ability to affect the puzzle area, and the activation of the ability is controlled. There is no such puzzle game in the past. Therefore, it is possible to provide a new game with an unprecedented interest.

The positional relationship between the character arrangement area and the puzzle area can be appropriately set according to the contents of the puzzle. It is preferable to configure the program of the first invention, wherein the placement areas are provided in at least two of the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the puzzle area.

A third aspect of the present invention is the first or second method, wherein the activated character selecting means selects the assigned character as the activated character when an activation condition based on a game situation associated with the assigned character is satisfied. It is a program of invention.

According to the third invention, the situation in which the character is selected as the activated character can be changed depending on the type of assigned character. Therefore, the ability to affect the puzzle area can be activated according to various situations, making the game more interesting than a configuration in which the activation condition is not set.

In a fourth aspect of the invention, when the activation character selection means satisfies activation enable conditions based on a game situation associated with the character placement area, the assigned character assigned to the character placement area is selected as the activation character. It is the program of the first or second invention to select.

According to the fourth aspect, it is possible to change the situation in which the character assigned to each character placement area is selected as the activated character. Therefore, the interest in the game can be enhanced as compared with the configuration in which the triggerable condition is not set.

A fifth invention is the program according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the activation control means causes the activation based on an activation instruction operation by the player.

According to the fifth invention, the player himself/herself can select the timing for activating the ability of the activating character, which makes the game more interesting than before.

In a sixth aspect of the invention, the character is associated with information regarding placement compatibility with the character placement area, and the activation control means controls the activation character and the character placement area to which the activation character is assigned. The program according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein control is performed to change the extent to which the activated character exerts the ability based on the placement compatibility of the character.

According to the sixth aspect, depending on which character is assigned to which character placement area, the extent to which the character exerts its ability changes, so that the interest in the game can be further enhanced.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention, the character is associated with information relating to compatibility between characters, and the activation control means controls the combination based on the compatibility between the activated character and the assigned character other than the activated character. The program according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, for performing control to change the extent to which the activated character exerts the ability.

According to the seventh aspect, depending on which character is combined to be the assigned character, the extent to which the ability is exhibited when the character activates the ability changes, so that the interest in the game can be further enhanced.

Various abilities can be considered as the ability of the character. For example, as an eighth invention, it is preferable to configure the program according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the ability includes at least a first ability to generate the puzzle element.

Further, as a ninth invention, the ability includes changing the arrangement position of the puzzle element arranged in the puzzle area, changing the type of the puzzle element, or extinguishing the puzzle element. The program of any one of the first to eighth inventions can be constructed that includes at least two abilities. The interest in the game can be enhanced by diversifying the patterns for changing the arrangement of the puzzle elements.

Further, as a tenth invention, the activation control means, when activating the second ability, performs an entry effect display for causing the activated character to enter the puzzle area (for example, the entrance effect display in FIG. 11). By constructing the program of the ninth invention having the control unit 222 and step S56) in FIG. 17, the visual effect is enhanced, and the interest in the game can be enhanced.

Similarly, in order to diversify patterns for changing the arrangement of puzzle elements, as an eleventh invention, any of the first to tenth inventions, wherein the ability includes at least a third ability to change the shape of the puzzle area. A program of the invention can be constructed.

Further, as a twelfth invention, the program according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, wherein the ability includes at least a fourth ability to exert gravity or repulsive force in a given direction on the puzzle area. can do. The gravitational force and the repulsive force referred to here are virtual forces according to game rules that act on the puzzle elements in the puzzle area. grounds to do so.

Similarly, in order to diversify patterns for changing the arrangement of puzzle elements, as a thirteenth invention, any one of the first to twelfth inventions, wherein the ability includes at least a fifth ability to rotate the puzzle area. The program of the invention of can be constructed.

Further, as a fourteenth invention, second game progress control means for controlling display of a given game progress in a predetermined game display area based on the result of the puzzle progress in the puzzle area;
further functioning the computer as
The program according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects of the invention may be configured such that the activation control means activates the ability to influence the progress of the game associated with the activation character.

In a fifteenth aspect of the invention, the character placement area is a mixed character placement possible area to which a mixed character that is a mixture of a plurality of characters can be assigned,
The assigned character setting means assigns one character or the mixed character to the mixed character placeable area based on the player's operation input (for example, the server processing unit 200s, the game management unit 210, and the mixed character setting unit shown in FIG. 11). The program according to any one of the first to fourteenth inventions, having a character allocation unit 213).

A "mixed character" is a state in which a plurality of characters can be regarded as one character. For example, there are combinations such as a pair of a vehicle character and a driver character, and a team of a vanguard character and a rearguard character. Of course, the number of characters to be mixed into one mixed character is not limited to "2", but can be set to "3" or more.

According to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to substantially assign a plurality of characters to one character placement possible area.

In a sixteenth invention, the computer (hereinafter referred to as "own computer") is configured to be able to communicate with other computers,
The puzzle game is a multiplayer game played by the player of the own computer and other players of the other computer, and is a game in which the puzzle area is shared,
There are two or more character placement areas,
The assigned character setting means assigns the own player character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the own player, and assigns the other player's character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the other player. ,
Control to display on the own computer a game screen in which the character placement area to which the player's character is assigned is set as a reference position, and the other character placement areas and the puzzle area are arranged in a relative positional relationship with respect to the reference position. game screen display control means (for example, server processing unit 200s, game management unit 210, game screen display control unit 214 in FIG. 11, steps S14 and S18 in FIG. 16) to further function the computer. A program according to any one of - fifteenth inventions.

According to the sixteenth invention, the computer can exhibit the same effect as any one of the first to fifteenth inventions.

A seventeenth invention is a game device for executing a puzzle game, wherein a character (hereinafter referred to as an "assigned character") assigned to at least one character placement area provided around a puzzle area in which puzzle elements are placed is Assigned character setting means for determining based on player's operation input; Character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area; Activation character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activation character") to be given, and activation control means for activating the ability associated with the activation character and having a predetermined effect on the puzzle area. , is a game device.

According to the seventeenth invention, it is possible to realize a game device capable of exhibiting the same effects as those of the first invention.

An eighteenth invention is a server system that communicates with a player terminal to control the execution of a puzzle game, wherein a character ( Assigned character setting means for determining an assigned character (hereinafter referred to as an "assigned character") based on the player's operation input from the player terminal;
A character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area, and selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "executed character") having a given influence on the puzzle area. The server system includes activation character selection means and activation control means for activating the ability associated with the activation character and having a determined influence on the puzzle area.

According to the eighteenth invention, it is possible to realize a server system capable of exhibiting the same effect as the first invention when communicating with a player terminal and controlling execution of a puzzle game.

The figure which shows the structural example of the game system of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a player terminal; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a game screen on the player terminal of the first player; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a game screen on the player terminal of the second player; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the first ability and showing an example of setting of the first ability; FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the second ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting the second ability; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the third ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting the third ability; FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the fourth ability, and shows an example of setting of the fourth ability; FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the fifth ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting the fifth ability; FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the sixth ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting the sixth ability; FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main functional configuration example of the server system in the first embodiment; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of programs and data stored in a server storage unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of character initial setting data; The figure which shows the data structural example of play data. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the player terminal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the server system in the first embodiment; 17 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 16; The figure which shows the hardware structural example of the game system in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the main functional configuration of a player terminal according to the second embodiment; The figure which shows the example of a display of the game screen in a modification. The functional block diagram which shows the main functional structural examples of the server system in a modification.

Although examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described below, it goes without saying that the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a game system according to this embodiment.
The game system 1000 is a computer system in which a plurality of users execute a battle-type puzzle game as an online game at their respective player terminals.

The game system 1000 includes a server system 1100 and player terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, . . . ) used by users 2 (2a, 2b, . . . ). It is possible.

The communication line 9 means a communication path capable of data communication, a so-called network. That is, the communication line 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, and a communication network such as the Internet. It does not matter whether the communication method is wired or wireless.

Server system 1100 is a computer system that implements an online game, and includes main device 1101 , keyboard 1106 , touch panel 1108 , and storage 1140 .

The control board 1150 includes various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. It is Part or all of the control board 1150 may be realized by ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate ARray), or SoC (System on a Chip).

The server system 1100 of the present embodiment performs arithmetic processing based on a predetermined program and data by the control board 1150 to perform 1) a user management function related to user registration, etc. and 3) an online shopping management function for online sales of compensation media to be consumed as play value and game media (in this embodiment, characters to be described later) used in the game. come true.

Although the server system 1100 is described as a single unit, it may have a configuration in which a plurality of blade servers sharing each function are installed and connected to each other via an internal bus so as to enable data communication. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of independent servers installed at remote locations are allowed to perform data communication via the communication line 9, thereby functioning as the server system 1100 as a whole.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the player terminal 1500 in this embodiment.
The player terminal 1500 is a computer system individually used by the user 2 who is a player to play the game, and is an electronic device (electronic device) that can access the server system 1100 via the communication line 9 and execute the online game. is.

The player terminal 1500 of this embodiment is a device called a smartphone, but may be a portable game device, a game controller, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, an arcade game device, or the like.

The player terminal 1500 includes direction input keys 1502, button switches 1504, a touch panel 1506 functioning as an image display device and contact position input device, a built-in battery 1509, a speaker 1510, a microphone 1512, an image sensor unit 1520, It comprises a control board 1550 and a memory card reader 1542 capable of reading and writing data from a memory card 1540, which is a computer-readable storage medium. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, etc., which are not shown, are provided.

The control board 1550 includes a CPU 1551, various processors such as GPU and DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a radio for wireless communication with a mobile phone base station or a wireless LAN base station connected to the communication line 9. A communication module 1553, an interface circuit 1557, and the like are mounted.

The interface circuit 1557 includes a driver circuit for the touch panel 1506, a circuit for receiving signals from the direction input key 1502 and the button switch 1504, an output amplifier circuit for outputting an audio signal to the speaker 1510, and an audio signal collected by the microphone 1512. It includes an input signal generation circuit to generate, a circuit to input image data of an image captured by the image sensor unit 1520, a signal input/output circuit to the memory card reader 1542, and the like.

These elements mounted on the control board 1550 are electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like so as to be able to read/write data and transmit/receive signals. Part or all of the control board 1550 may be composed of ASIC, FPGA, or SoC. The control board 1550 stores programs and various data in the IC memory 1552 for realizing various functions that enable game play on the terminal.

In this embodiment, the player terminal 1500 is configured to download programs and various setting data from the server system 1100 or the like, but may be configured to read from a storage medium such as a memory card 1540 that is separately obtained.

[Description of the game]
Next, the game in this embodiment will be described.
The online game executed in the present embodiment is a turn-based battle-type puzzle game in which two players play a common puzzle in a client-server format. It is assumed that the server system 1100 implements main arithmetic processing relating to the progress of the game. The player terminal 1500 has a function of receiving a play operation and transmitting an operation input signal to the server system 1100, and a function of displaying a game screen based on data for displaying the game screen received from the server system 1100. It plays a role as an input/output terminal (user interface).

3 and 4 are diagrams showing display examples of the game screen in this embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example of the game screen W3 on the player terminal 1500 of the first player, and FIG. 4 shows an example of the game screen W4 on the player terminal 1500 of the second player.

On the game screens W3 and W4,
1) a score gauge 10 (10a, 10b, . . . ) representing the score obtained by each player;
2) the remaining time 12 of the operation input time limit in the current turn;
3) a puzzle area 14 in which a plurality of puzzle elements 8 are arranged;
4) a gravity direction display 16 indicating the direction of gravity acting on the puzzle elements 8 arranged in the puzzle area 14;
5) a turn notification 18 that notifies that the player viewing the game screen can input an operation;
6) a plurality of character placement areas 20 (first area 20a, second area 20b, third area 20c, fourth area 20d);
is displayed.

The puzzle area 14 is an area in which placement positions where a plurality of puzzle elements can be arranged is set, and is a main play area of the puzzle game. The puzzle area 14 of the present embodiment has a square outer shape, and is set with a total of 64 areas of 8 rows and 8 columns in which puzzle elements can be arranged. The set number can be set as appropriate.

The puzzle element 8 is an element that constitutes a puzzle. Multiple types of puzzle elements 8 are used. One puzzle element 8 can be arranged at one puzzle element arrangement position.

The character arrangement area 20 is an area prepared along each side of the perimeter of the puzzle area 14, and one character (player character) to be used in the current game play is selected from the characters possessed by each player. Alternatively, it is an area that can be assigned to a plurality of objects. In this embodiment, a total of four character placement areas 20 are prepared, one for each of the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the puzzle area 14, but it is sufficient to prepare at least one character placement area 20 for each player.

The competitive puzzle game of the present embodiment is a turn-based “match 3 game” puzzle by two players who share the puzzle area 14 .

Specifically, the two players are divided into first and second players, and alternately perform touch operations on the puzzle area 14 to solve the puzzle by arranging three or more puzzle elements 8 of the same type vertically or horizontally. . When the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 is established by the operation input, those puzzle elements 8 are erased from the puzzle area 14 . The puzzle element placement positions where the erased puzzle elements 8 were placed temporarily become "empty", but the remaining puzzle elements 8 fill the "empty" in the direction of gravity set in the puzzle area 14. automatically move to Then, when the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 is naturally established as a result of this automatic movement, this arrangement is also erased. Thereafter, automatic movement and erasure are repeated until the turn ends. Points corresponding to the number of puzzle elements 8 erased by the end of the turn and the number of consecutive erases are given to the player in the turn. When a predetermined game end condition (for example, each player has played a predetermined number of turns, etc.) is satisfied, points awarded determine whether the players win or lose.

Now, in the game system 1000 of the present embodiment, in addition to the automatic movement of the puzzle elements 8 caused by the operation input by the player, the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 in the puzzle area 14 and the like can be changed in order to increase the interest of such a competitive puzzle game. It has a mechanism to change. For that mechanism, a character 4 and a character placement area 20 are used.

The character 4 possessed by the player is a game medium on the data obtained in advance by the user 2 who is the player. For example, it can be purchased at an online shopping site managed by the server system 1100 . Alternatively, a game card as an entity (for example, a trading card to which one character 4 is assigned) is obtained, and the unique ID of each game card is separately registered and made available in the game.

The characters 4 include mixed-use characters (referred to as "mixed characters") that can be combined with other types of characters and treated as one character. For example, a pair of a vehicle character and a driver character, a weapon character and a user character, a vanguard character and a rearguard character, etc. can be appropriately set according to the theme setting of the game presentation. Mixed characters are assumed to be combined in advance by the player.

Each player allocates at least one character 4 to one character placement area 20 of the character placement areas 20 assigned to him/her before starting the battle play. In the case of a mixed character, assigning one character to one character placement area 20 substantially corresponds to assigning a plurality of characters constituting the mixed character.

In this embodiment, four character placement areas 20 are prepared. Each player can assign characters to two areas. How to allocate two of the four to each player can be set as appropriate, but in this embodiment, the first player has the first area 20a and the Allocate the second area 20b. The second player is allocated a third area 20c which is positioned next to the second area 20b in the clockwise direction, and a fourth area 20d which is positioned next to the second area 20b in the clockwise direction. Of course, one player may be assigned the first area 20a and the third area 20c, and the other player may be assigned the second area 20b and the fourth area 20d. Furthermore, only one may be allocated to each player, or the player may select one himself.

A character 4 assigned to the character placement area 20 is registered as an “assigned character”, and an image of the character is displayed in the character placement area 20 .
Then, on the game screen, the screen display direction is determined so that at least one of the character placement areas 20 to which one's own character is assigned is located on the left or bottom of the screen.

The example of FIG. 3 illustrates the game screen W3 on the player terminal 1500a of the first player. The screen display direction is determined such that this is the bottom of the screen, and the second area 20b is the second reference position, and this is the left of the screen. The example of FIG. 4 illustrates the game screen W4 at the player terminal 1500b of the second player, and the fourth area 20d allocated to the second player is set as the first reference position for the player terminal. The screen display direction is determined so that the third area 20c is the bottom of the screen, and the third area 20c is the second reference for the player terminal, and this is the left of the screen. Comparing the display of the puzzle area 14 between the game screen W3 and the game screen W4 of both of them, the left and right and the top and bottom are just reversed.

Then, a "executable character" capable of exercising the ability is selected from among the assigned characters, which are the player characters of that turn, in accordance with the progress of the game.

There are several methods for selecting the activated character from among the assigned characters as follows.
1) Random automatic selection.
2) Manual selection by the player who is the operation input person in the current turn.
3) For each character placement area 20, a game progress status is set as a condition for selection (activation condition), and when the condition is satisfied, the allocated character assigned to the character placement area 20 is displayed. is automatically selected.
4) For each assigned character, a game progress condition is set as a condition for selection (activation possible condition), and when the condition is satisfied, the assigned character is automatically selected.
5) For each assigned character, a game progress condition is set as a condition for selection (activation condition), and when the condition is satisfied, the assigned character is assigned to the player who is the operation input person in the turn. Notification and manual selection by the player.
Henceforth, it demonstrates as what adopts 5).

The character 4 selected as the activated character is notified to the player.
In the present embodiment, the background of the character arrangement area 20 in which the character 4 of the activated character is displayed is used as the notification background 22 to achieve this. The player can select the character 4 in the character placement area 20 of the notification background 22 (for example, double-tap) to determine the character to be activated.

Then, when the character to be activated is determined, among the "abilities" set for that character, the ability that the game progress status at that time satisfies the activation conditions is automatically selected as an "activable ability" and activated. .
Selection of the ability to be activated is not limited to automatic selection. A configuration is also possible in which a list of "activatable abilities" is displayed in a pop-up menu and the player manually selects one of the activateable abilities from the pop-up menu.

[Explanation of Ability]
Next, the abilities of the character 4 will be explained.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the first ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting the first ability. The first ability of character 4 is the ability to generate new puzzle elements 8 in puzzle area 14 . In the example of FIG. 5, three new six-pointed star-shaped puzzle elements 8n are generated at positions corresponding to the second row from the top of the "empty" arrangement position group occurring in the upper right of the puzzle area 14. (highlighted by encircling with a dashed line in FIG. 5). An activation notice 30 is temporarily attached to the character 4 whose ability has been activated.

The first ability setting data 551 is associated with each character 4 (character 4b in the example of FIG. 5). The first ability setting data 551 includes a first individual activation condition 551a, a generated puzzle element type 551b, and a first activation degree determination function 551k. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The first individual activation condition 551a is a condition that the game progress situation should satisfy in order for the character to be able to activate the first ability. In this embodiment, the arrangement pattern of the puzzle elements 8 in the puzzle area 14, the elapsed time from the start of the game (conversely, the remaining playable time), the superiority or inferiority of the battle situation, and the puzzle elements 8 that have been erased since the start of play. , etc. can be used as parameters of the conditional description.

In the example of FIG. 5, the condition is that a specific arrangement pattern is established in the connection area. The connection area is the arrangement position of the puzzle element 8 in contact with or close to the character arrangement area 20 (the second area 20b in the example of FIG. 5) to which the character is assigned. In this embodiment, it refers to a placement position within two squares from the character placement area 20 . The definition of the connection area may be limited to the placement position in contact with the character placement area 20 .

As the first individual activation condition 551a, it is also possible to set "not set" meaning that it is always activated or "not activated" that means that it is never activated.

The generated puzzle element type 551b designates the type of puzzle element 8 to be replenished in the arrangement position of the puzzle element 8 temporarily "empty" after the puzzle element 8 has been erased. In the example of FIG. 5, only one type is specified, but multiple types may be specified.

The first activation degree determination function 551k is information for determining the degree to which the first ability is exhibited. In this embodiment, a function having at least the "placement compatibility value" and the "character compatibility value" as variables is set.

The "arrangement compatibility value" is a value indicating the quality of compatibility previously defined based on the combination of the character arrangement area 20 and the type of character 4 assigned thereto. The better the condition, the higher the numerical value is set.

The "character compatibility value" is a combination of the character 4 selected as the activated character and the other assigned characters, and the degree of compatibility previously defined based on the relative positional relationship of each character placement area 20. It is a value indicating badness. The better the condition, the higher the numerical value is set.

The first activation degree determination function 551k determines how many puzzle elements 8 of the generation puzzle element type 551b are generated. It is preferable to set the number of occurrences so that the higher the placement compatibility value and the character compatibility value (the better the compatibility), the greater the number of occurrences.

The variable of the first activation degree determination function 551k may be only one of the placement compatibility value and the character compatibility value. Conversely, other parameters may be added.
Alternatively, another function may be prepared as the first activation degree determination function 551k, and the location coordinates of the puzzle element 8 to be generated may be determined by this function.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the second ability, and is a diagram showing an example of the setting of the second ability. The second ability of the character 4 is the ability to change the arrangement positions of the puzzle elements 8 arranged in the puzzle area 14, change the type of the puzzle elements 8, or make the puzzle elements 8 disappear.

The second ability setting data 552 is associated with each character 4 (character 4b in the example of FIG. 6). The second ability setting data 552 includes a second individual activation condition 552a, a change source puzzle element type 552b, a change destination puzzle element type 552c, and a second activation degree determination function 552k. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The second individual activation condition 552a is a condition that the game progress status must satisfy for the character to be able to activate the second ability. It can be defined similarly to the first individual activation condition 551a.

The change source puzzle element type 552b designates the type of the puzzle element 8 whose placement position or type is changed by the second ability and whose object is to be eliminated. In the example of FIG. 6, only one type is specified, but multiple types can also be specified. A setting equivalent to a so-called “wild card” indicating all types is also possible.

The change destination puzzle element type 552c specifies the puzzle element type to which the change source puzzle element type 552b is changed. "Not specified" can also be set.

The second activation degree determination function 552k is a function having the same variables as the first activation degree determination function 551k. is a function for determining

By appropriately setting the source puzzle element type 552b, the destination puzzle element type 552c, and the second activation degree determination function 552k, the second ability can be applied to the puzzle placed in the puzzle area 14. The arrangement position of the element 8 can be changed, the type of the puzzle element 8 can be changed, or the puzzle element 8 can be eliminated.

Specifically, in the example of FIG. 6, in the source puzzle element type 552b and the destination puzzle element type 552c, the hexagram puzzle element 8h is the source and the hexagonal puzzle element 8r is the destination. Since they are set in a one-to-one relationship, it is possible to change the type of puzzle elements 8h that are substantially hexagram-shaped to hexagonal puzzle elements 8r (highlighted by encircling them with dashed lines in FIG. 6). Become.

In this example, if two types are set in the source puzzle element type 552b, and the same two types are set in the destination puzzle element type 552c, and the order of setting the types is reversed. , the arrangement positions of the set two types of puzzle elements 8 may be exchanged.
If the change destination puzzle element type 552c is set to "none" in this example, the six-pointed star-shaped puzzle element 8h can be eliminated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the third ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting of the third ability. The third ability of character 4 is the ability to change the shape of puzzle area 14 .
The third ability setting data 553 is associated with each character 4 (character 4b in the example of FIG. 7). The third ability setting data 553 includes a third individual activation condition 553a, a shape change content 553b, and a third activation degree determination function 553k. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The third individual activation condition 553a is a condition that the game progress situation should satisfy in order for the character to be able to activate the third ability. It can be defined similarly to the first individual activation condition 551a.

The shape change content 553b stores information defining how the shape of the puzzle area 14 is to be changed.

The third activation degree determination function 553k is a function having the same variables as the first activation degree determination function 551k, and determines the time (application time) during which the shape change by the third ability is applied. In this embodiment, since the game is a turn-based battle-type puzzle game, the application time is defined by the number of turns, but it can also be defined by the remaining playable time.

The example of FIG. 7 shows an example in which the puzzle element 8 is arranged in the center of the puzzle area 14 or set to be disabled so that it cannot enter. Instead of setting the unusable area, the character image of the character 4 (character 4b in the example of FIG. 7) that has activated the third ability is arranged, and the area is also the character placement area 20 of the character. It is also possible to configure it as an enclave.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the fourth ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting of the fourth ability. The fourth ability of the character 4 is the ability to exert gravity or repulsive force on the puzzle area 14 in a given direction. The "gravitational force" and "repulsive force" referred to here are imaginary forces according to game rules that act on the puzzle elements 8 in the puzzle area 14, and the "vacant" arrangement positions where no puzzle elements 8 are arranged on the side of a predetermined direction are If there is, it is the basis for automatic movement control so that the puzzle element 8 moves there without any operation input by the player. In this embodiment, the force is gravity, but depending on how the puzzle element 8 is moved in the direction of the virtual force, it can be effectively a repulsive force.

The fourth ability setting data 554 is associated with each character 4 (character 4b in the example of FIG. 8). The fourth ability setting data 554 includes a fourth individual activation condition 554a, a post-change direction 554b, and a fourth activation degree determination function 554k. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The fourth individual activation condition 554a is a condition that must be satisfied by the game progress for the character to be able to activate the fourth ability. It can be defined similarly to the first individual activation condition 551a.

The fourth activation degree determination function 554k is a function having the same variables as the first activation degree determination function 551k, and determines the time (application time) during which the direction change by the fourth ability is applied. In this embodiment, since the game is a turn-based battle-type puzzle game, the application time is defined by the number of turns, but it can also be defined by the remaining playable time.

The example of FIG. 8 shows an example in which the setting of gravity, which is originally directed downward in the drawing, is forcibly changed to rightward. In the example of FIG. 8, the puzzle area 14 before the direction of gravity changes has an "empty" arrangement position in the upper right. If the gravitational force direction is set downward as before, even if gravity acts on the remaining puzzle elements 8, the puzzle elements 8 will not be moved to the "empty" arrangement position. However, by changing the direction of gravity to the right, the remaining puzzle element 8 in the upper left corner of the puzzle area 14 is automatically moved along the direction of gravity (along the row of the arrangement position) to fill the "vacant space". It will be moved.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the fifth ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting of the fifth ability. Character 4's fifth ability is the ability to rotate puzzle area 14 . The example in FIG. 9 shows an example in which one clockwise rotation is performed by 90°.

The fifth ability setting data 555 is associated with each character 4 (character 4b in the example of FIG. 9). The fifth ability setting data 555 includes a fifth individual activation condition 555a, a rotation direction 555b, and a fifth activation degree determination function 555k. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The fifth individual activation condition 555a is a condition that the game progress status should satisfy for the character to be able to activate the fifth ability. It can be defined similarly to the first individual activation condition 551a.

The fifth activation degree determination function 555k is a function having the same variables as the first activation degree determination function 551k and determines the number of times rotation by the fifth ability is applied. In this embodiment, since the outer shape of the puzzle area 14 is a square, the number of 90° rotations is determined.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the sixth ability, and is a diagram showing an example of setting of the sixth ability. The sixth ability of the character 4 is such that the activated character image (the image displayed in the assigned character placement area 20 or the image dedicated to entry) enters the puzzle area and then returns to its original position. This is the ability to move, transform, or erase the puzzle element 8 within the range in which the activated character has entered. The example of FIG. 10 shows an example of pushing out movement. From the effects of abilities, the sixth ability corresponds to a subspecies of the second ability. It can also be said that this is a type of second ability that performs an entry effect display for causing the activated character to enter the puzzle area 14 when activated.

Sixth ability setting data 556 is associated with each character 4 (character 4b in the example of FIG. 10). The sixth ability setting data 556 includes a sixth individual activation condition 556a, action content 556b, and a sixth activation degree determination function 556k. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The sixth individual activation condition 556a is a condition that must be satisfied by the game progress for the character to be able to activate the sixth ability. It can be defined similarly to the first individual activation condition 551a.

The effect content 556b designates the effect on the puzzle element 8 within the range that the active character has entered. In this embodiment, any one of "extrusion movement", "conversion", and "delete" can be set.

In the case of "push movement", automatic movement control is executed along with the activation of the ability, in which the puzzle elements 8 in the range where the activation character has entered are literally moved in a pile-up manner. The automatically moved puzzle elements 8 are controlled so as to preferentially fill in the puzzle area 14 if there is an "empty space". The display is controlled so that it disappears. That is, it is deleted from the puzzle area 14 .
In the case of "conversion", the type of puzzle elements 8 in the range where the active character has entered is converted to the designated type.
In the case of "delete", the puzzle elements 8 in the range where the activation character has entered are deleted.

The sixth activation degree determination function 556k is a function having the same variables as the first activation degree determination function 551k, and determines from where and how far the activated character enters the character placement area 20. FIG.

[Description of functional configuration]
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a main functional configuration example of the server system 1100 in this embodiment. The server system 1100 in this embodiment includes an operation input section 100s, a server processing section 200s, a sound output section 390s, an image display section 392s, a communication section 394s, and a server storage section 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is means for inputting various operations for server management. The keyboard 1106 and touch panel 1108 in FIG. 1 correspond to this.

The server processing unit 200s is implemented by, for example, microprocessors such as CPUs and GPUs, electronic components such as ASICs and IC memories, and inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. control. In this embodiment, the control board 1150 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this. The server processing unit 200s executes various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the player terminal 1500, etc. are controlled in an integrated manner.

The server processing unit 200s of this embodiment includes a user management unit 202, an online shopping management unit 204, a matching unit 206, a game management unit 210, a clock unit 280s, a sound generation unit 290s, and an image generation unit 292s. , and a communication control unit 294s. Of course, functional units other than these can be included as appropriate.

The user management unit 202 manages processing related to user registration procedures and data of each user linked to a user account. In the present embodiment, the user management unit 202 performs 1) assignment of a unique user account to a registered user, 2) registration information management for registering and managing personal information for each user account, 3) bookkeeping of electronic payment, 4) Play history management for managing log-in and log-out histories for playing the game, and 5) a function for managing data of the character 4 owned by the user. Of course, management functions for other data linked to accounts other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The online shopping management unit 204 is in charge of controlling online shopping, and can be realized by appropriately using known online shopping technology. In this embodiment, a "character" can be purchased. Of course, sales targets in online shopping can be appropriately set other than these.

The matching unit 206 controls the combination of opponents, that is, the so-called matching.

The game management unit 210 performs various processes related to game execution management. The game management unit 210 of the present embodiment includes an assigned character setting unit 212, a game screen display control unit 214, a character image display control unit 216, an activation character selection unit 218, an activation control unit 220, and an allocation destination change control unit. a portion 230; Of course, functional units other than these may be included as appropriate.

The assigned character setting unit 212 determines a character 4 (assigned character) to be assigned to at least one character placement area 20 provided around the puzzle area 14 based on the player's operation input. Specifically, the player terminal 1500 is caused to display a setting frame for each character placement area 20 allocated to the player and a list of the characters 4 possessed by the player. Then, the player terminal 1500 is caused to accept an operation for allocating the character 4 from the list to each setting frame, and the result of the allocating operation is acquired from the player terminal 1500 .

Further, since the game of the present embodiment is a battle-type puzzle game, the assigned character setting unit 212 assigns the self-player character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the first player (self-player), Other players' characters can be assigned to character placement areas based on operation input by other players.

In this embodiment, all the character placement regions 20 are mixed character placement possible regions to which a mixed character, which is a mixture of a plurality of characters, can be assigned. The assigned character setting unit 212 has a mixed character assigning unit 213, and can assign one character or a mixed character to the character placement area 20 based on the player's operation input. Note that the character placement areas 20 to which mixed characters can be assigned may be limited to some character placement areas 20 .

The game screen display control unit 214 performs control to display the game screens W3 and W4 on the player terminal 1500 used by each player (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Specifically, the character placement area 20 to which the character 4 (play character) used by the player is assigned is set as a reference position, and the other character placement areas 20 and the puzzle area 14 are positioned relative to each other as viewed from the reference position. 1500 of the player (computer used by the player) to display the game screen.

The character image display control unit 216 performs control to display an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area 20 . When the assigned character is a mixed character, each image of a plurality of characters forming the mixed character is displayed.

The activation character selection unit 218 selects an assigned character (activation character) capable of activating the ability to exert a given influence on the puzzle area 14 .
In the present embodiment, the activation condition is set in advance for each character. Therefore, among the characters assigned to the player at that turn, an assigned character that satisfies the activation condition is searched and set as the activated character. Then, in the game screen, a notification background 22 is displayed in the character arrangement area 20 of the activated character to notify the player of the activated character. Then, the player terminal 1500 receives a selection operation (activation instruction operation) of a character to actually activate the ability from among the notified activation characters, and acquires the result of the activation instruction operation from the player terminal 1500.例文帳に追加.

It should be noted that it is also possible to set the triggerable condition for each character placement area 20 (first area 20a, second area 20b, . . . ) instead of setting for each character. In that case, the assigned character placed in the character placement area 20 satisfying the activation condition is selected as the activation character. Also, in the case where the activation condition is set twice for each character and for each character placement area 20, an assigned character that satisfies both activation conditions is set as the activation character. Of course, in the case of double setting, an assigned character that satisfies either one of the activation conditions of each character and each character placement area 20 may be set as an activation character.

The activation control unit 220 performs control to activate an ability that is associated with the activated character and has a determined effect on the puzzle area 14 . In this embodiment, of the abilities of the activated character selected by the activation instruction operation, the abilities that satisfy the individual activation conditions are presented to the player, and the player terminal 1500 accepts the selection of the ability to be activated. Then, the selection result of the ability to be activated is acquired from the player terminal 1500 .

In addition, the activation control unit 220 can change the extent to which the activated character's ability is displayed based on the placement affinity between the activated character and the character placement area 20 to which the activated character is assigned (for example, 5, the first activation degree determination function 551k).

Similarly, the activation control unit 220 can perform control to change the extent to which the activation character's ability is displayed based on the combination compatibility between the activation character and the assigned character other than the activation character.

In addition, the activation control section 220 has an entry effect display control section 222 . The entry effect display control unit 222 controls the entry effect display for causing the activated character to enter the puzzle area 14 when activating the ability. In the present embodiment, this corresponds to the display control that causes the image of the character 4 to enter the puzzle area 14 in connection with the activation of the sixth ability. Of course, depending on the effect method, the same entry effect display may be performed when any one of the first ability to the fifth ability is activated.

The allocation destination change control unit 230 executes allocation destination change control for changing the character placement area 20 to which the allocated character is allocated. In that case, it is also possible to change the assignment destination among a plurality of assigned characters.

The clock unit 280s clocks the current date and time, the time limit, and the like using the system clock.

The sound generation unit 290s is implemented by executing an IC or software that generates and decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds and BGM related to system management of the server system 1100 and game play. Then, an audio signal related to system management is output to the sound output section 390s.

The sound output unit 390s emits an audio signal. In the example of FIG. 1, a speaker (not shown) included in the main unit 1101 or the touch panel 1108 corresponds to this.

The image generator 292 s can generate images and the like related to system management of the server system 1100 . Images related to system management can be output to the image display section 392s. Since the game of this embodiment is an online game realized by a client-server type system, display data for game screens W3 and W4 to be displayed on each player terminal 1500 may be created. When generating the display data for the game screens W3 and W4, the display data is provided to each player terminal 1500 and used for displaying the game screen at each terminal.

The image display unit 392s displays various images for system management based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 292s. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head-mounted display. In the example of FIG. 1, the touch panel 1108 corresponds.

The communication control unit 294s executes data processing related to data communication, and exchanges data with an external device via the communication unit 394s.

The communication unit 394s is connected to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is implemented by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, or the like. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication device 1153 corresponds.

The server storage unit 500s stores programs, various data, and the like for realizing various functions for causing the server processing unit 200s to control the server system 1100 in an integrated manner. It is also used as a work area for the server processing unit 200s, and temporarily stores calculation results and the like executed by the server processing unit 200s according to various programs. This function is implemented by, for example, IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and online storage. In this embodiment, the storage medium such as the IC memory 1152 mounted on the main unit 1101 and the hard disk corresponds to this.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the server storage unit 500 s in this embodiment stores a server program 501 , distribution game client program 502 , sales management data 509 , and game initial setting data 510 . In addition, the server storage unit 500s stores user management data 600, play data 700, and current date and time 800 as data to be updated and managed sequentially.

In addition, information such as timers, counters, and various flags can be stored as appropriate. For example, in a configuration in which an activation condition for selecting an activation character is set for each character placement area 20, activation condition definition data 580 for each character placement area can be separately stored in the server storage unit 500s.

The server program 501 is read and executed by the server processing unit 200s to realize the functions of the user management unit 202, the online shopping management unit 204, the matching unit 206, and the game management unit 210. be.

The distributed game client program 502 is the original game client program provided to the player terminal 1500 .

The sales management data 509 stores data for defining and managing products sold through online shopping. In this embodiment, a plurality of types of characters 4 are included in the merchandise.

The game initial setting data 510 stores various initial setting data for realizing the puzzle game of this embodiment. For example, character initialization data 520 prepared for each type of character 4 is included, but of course, other data can be included as appropriate.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, one character initial setting data 520 includes a unique character type 521, a character image 522 for displaying the character 4 on the game screen, placement area compatibility definition data 524, and character compatibility. It has definition data 525 , character activation conditions 526 , and ability setting data 530 .

The placement area compatibility definition data 524 is prepared for each character placement area 20 and stores a placement area ID and a placement compatibility value.

The character compatibility definition data 525 is prepared for each type of partner character other than the character of the initial setting data, and stores the partner character type and the character compatibility value.

The character-by-character activation enable condition 526 defines a game progress condition that must be satisfied in order for the character to be able to activate the ability. Here, the game progress includes the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 in the puzzle area 14, the number and positional relationship of "empty" puzzle element placement positions, the number of turns, the score difference between the players, and the player using the character. superiority/inferiority, play time, and the like can be used.

The ability setting data 530 is prepared for each ability setting pattern of the character of the initial setting data.
A piece of ability setting data 530 includes setting application conditions 540 and ability definition data 550 . Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

A setting application condition 540 indicates a condition such as a game progress state that must be satisfied in order for the setting to be applied. The setting application condition 540 includes a placement area compatibility condition 541, which is a condition relating to compatibility of the character according to the character initial setting data 520 with the character placement area 20, and compatibility with the character type assigned as another assigned character at that time. and a character compatibility condition 542 that is a condition for Of course, one of these may be omitted. Parameters other than these can also be added to the description of the applicable condition.

The ability definition data 550 includes a combination of first to sixth abilities and various data defining the contents of each ability. That is, first capability setting data 551 (see FIG. 5), second capability setting data 552 (see FIG. 6), third capability setting data 553 (see FIG. 7), and fourth capability setting data 554 (see FIG. 8). ), fifth capability setting data 555 (see FIG. 9), and sixth capability setting data 556 (see FIG. 10). The settings can be changed depending on which ability settings are included in the ability definition data 550 .

Returning to FIG. 12, the user management data 600 stores various data prepared for each registered user and associated with a user account 601, which is unique identification information. One piece of user management data 600 includes, for example, character management data 603 for each owned character 4 . Of course, in addition to this, account book data of payment media that can be used for payment of play price and payment in online shopping, personal information registration data, play history data, etc. can be included as appropriate.

The play data 700 is prepared for each game play and stores various data describing the latest state of the game play. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, one piece of play data 700 includes a first player account 701, first player terminal access information 703, first screen display direction setting 705, second player Account 711 , second player terminal access information 713 , and second screen display orientation setting 715 are included.

The first player terminal access information 703 and the second player terminal access information 713 are information for enabling communication with the player terminals 1500 of the first player and the second player, respectively. For example, an IP address or the like corresponds to this.

The play data 700 includes the number of turns 721, the turn limit time 722 that is timed for each turn, the play time 723, the assigned character setting data 730, the puzzle area management data 740, the direction of gravity 750, the activation and a character ID list 752 .

The assigned character setting data 730 stores the character ID of the character 4, which is assigned as the assigned character for each character placement area, in association with each other.

The puzzle area management data 740 stores various data describing the latest state of the puzzle area 14 . For example, for each arrangement position coordinate 741 of the puzzle element 8, an arrangement puzzle element type 743 indicating the puzzle element 8 arranged at the arrangement position and a special control parameter value 745 are stored in association with each other.

The arrangement puzzle element type 743 is set with one of the type of puzzle element 8, a predetermined value indicating no arrangement, and a predetermined value indicating unusable.
The special control parameter value 745 can be set with a parameter value used for managing the placement position. For example, it is possible to store a timer value for the third ability of the character 4 until the disabling state of the placement position is released.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the player terminal 1500 according to this embodiment. The player terminal 1500 of this embodiment includes an operation input section 100 , a terminal processing section 200 , a sound output section 390 , an image display section 392 , a communication section 394 and a terminal storage section 500 .

The operation input unit 100 outputs to the terminal processing unit 200 operation input signals corresponding to various operation inputs made by the player. For example, it can be realized by a push switch, joystick, touch pad, trackball, acceleration sensor, gyro, CCD module, and the like. The direction input key 1502, the button switch 1504, and the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 2 correspond to this.

The terminal processing unit 200 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls data input/output with each functional unit including the operation input unit 100 and the terminal storage unit 500. conduct. Various arithmetic processing is executed based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, and various data received from other computers (the server system 1100 of the present embodiment), and the player terminal 1500 control behavior. The control board 1550 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this. The terminal processing section 200 in this embodiment includes a player terminal calculation section 260 , a timer section 280 , a sound generation section 290 and a communication control section 294 .

The player terminal calculation section 260 includes an operation signal transmission control section 261 and a game screen display control section 262 .

The operation signal transmission control unit 261 executes processing for transmitting various data and requests to the server system 1100 according to operations performed on the operation input unit 100 .

The game screen display control section 262 performs control for displaying the game screen based on various data received from the server system 1100 . In this embodiment, the server system 1100 generates a game space image (for example, a 3DCG image), but the player terminal 1500 can also generate the game space image. In that case, the game screen display control unit 262 includes, for example, control of objects arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space for generating 3DCG.

The sound generation unit 290 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a speech synthesis IC, an audio codec capable of reproducing an audio file, and the like, and produces an effect related to the game based on the processing result of the game screen display control unit 262. Sound signals such as sounds, BGM, and various operation sounds are generated and output to the sound output unit 390 .

The sound output unit 390 is implemented by a device that outputs sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 290 . The speaker 1510 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

The image display section 392 displays various game images based on image signals input from the game screen display control section 262 . For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head-mounted display. In this embodiment, the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

The communication control unit 294 executes data processing related to data communication, and exchanges data with an external device via the communication unit 394 . The communication unit 394 is connected to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is implemented by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. The wireless communication module 1553 in FIG. 2 corresponds to this.

The terminal storage unit 500 stores programs for realizing various functions for causing the terminal processing unit 200 to control the player terminal 1500 in an integrated manner, various data, and the like. It is also used as a work area for the terminal processing unit 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the terminal processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, and the like. Such functions are realized by, for example, IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, and optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. The IC memory 1552 and the memory card 1540 mounted on the control board 1550 in FIG. 2 correspond to this.

The terminal storage unit 500 of this embodiment stores a game client program 592 , a self-device player account 594 , a received distribution data group 772 , and the current date and time 800 . Of course, programs and data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

The game client program 592 is application software that is read and executed by the terminal processing section 200 to realize the function of the player terminal processing section 260 . In this embodiment, it is a copy of the distribution game client program 502 (see FIG. 12) provided by the server system 1100 .

Note that the game client program 592 may be a dedicated client program according to the technical method for realizing the online game, or may be composed of a web browser program and a plug-in for realizing interactive image display.

Own device player account 594 is a user account entered on the own device when accessing server system 1100 and receiving user authentication.

In other words, the player terminal 1500 in this embodiment is an output terminal on which a game screen is displayed by the server system 1100, and receives an operation input by a user who is a player and transmits a signal corresponding to the operation input to the server system 1100. Acts as a terminal.

[Explanation of operation]
Next, the operation of the game system 1000 according to this embodiment will be described.
16 and 17 are flowcharts for explaining the processing flow of the server system 1100 in this embodiment, showing the flow from the start to the end of play of one puzzle game. The flow of processing described here can be realized by the server system 1100 executing the server program 501 .

When the game client program 592 is activated on the player terminal 1500, the player terminal 1500 accesses the server system 1100, undergoes user authentication, and becomes a matching candidate.

As shown in FIG. 16, the server system 1100 first authenticates the user account of the player and performs matching processing (step S10). At the time of matching, one of them is assigned as the first player who goes first and the other as the second player who goes second. As a result, a first player account 701 , first player terminal access information 703 , a second player account 711 , and second player terminal access information 713 are set in the play data 700 .

Next, the server system 1100 performs an assigned character setting process (step S12). In this embodiment, the player terminal 1500 displays an allocatable character placement area 20 and an allocable character selection screen displaying a list of the characters 4 owned by the player, and acquires the selection result from the player terminal 1500. and create the assigned character setting data 730 .

Next, the server system 1100 sets the display direction of the game screen on each player terminal 1500 (step S14). As a result, the first screen display direction setting 705 and the second screen display direction setting 715 are set.

Next, the server system 1100 fills each puzzle area 14 with puzzle elements 8, initializes the direction of gravity 750, etc. (step S16), and starts display control of the game screen (step S18).

Then, the progress control of the game is started (step S30). This also initiates turn switching management. Turn switching management depends on game rule settings, but in this embodiment, it is possible to input an operation to move a puzzle element in the puzzle area 14 only once per turn. Even if there is no operation input, the turn is switched when the turn time limit 722 times out.

The server system 1100 moves the puzzle elements 8 within the puzzle area 14 according to the puzzle element moving operation (step S32), erases the puzzle elements 8 that satisfy the erasing conditions as a result of the movement, and creates "vacancies" resulting from the erasing. , automatic movement control of the puzzle element 8 from the upstream in the direction of gravity 750 is performed (step S34). As the puzzle elements 8 are automatically moved, the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 is changed. If a new arrangement that satisfies the erasing condition is naturally generated, it is also erased, and the remaining puzzle elements 8 are automatically moved to the "empty" created by the erasing. . Thereafter, this is repeated until the generation of arrays satisfying new erasing conditions stops. Then, a score is given to the player in that turn according to the number of puzzle elements 8 erased before the occurrence of the arrangement stops (step S36).

Next, the server system 1100 executes activation character selection processing (step S50). The server system 1100 searches for a character that satisfies the character-specific activation condition 526 (see FIG. 13) among the characters assigned to the player in the current turn, and sets this character as an activation character. Along with this, the activated character ID list 752 is updated with the character ID of the activated character.

Then, the server system 1100 notifies the active character (step S52). The information is displayed on the character 4 of the activated character or the character arrangement area 20 of the activated character. In this embodiment, the display of the notification background 22 corresponds to this (see FIG. 3).

Along with this, in the present embodiment, setting data that matches the setting application condition 540 is searched from the ability setting data 530 (see FIG. 13) for each activated character. Then, referring to the ability definition data 550 of the searched setting data, the individual activation conditions (first individual activation condition 551a in FIG. 5, second individual activation condition 552a in FIG. 6, third individual activation condition 553a in FIG. 7, The abilities satisfying the fourth individual activation condition 554a of FIG. 8, the fifth individual activation condition 555a of FIG. 9, and the sixth individual activation condition 556a of FIG. 10 are extracted. Then, a selection menu of abilities that can be activated is displayed in a pop-up for each activated character.

By selecting one of the abilities from the selection menu, the player performs a first activation instruction operation for instructing a character to actually activate the ability among the activation characters, and a second activation instruction operation for instructing the type of ability to be activated. and the activation instruction operation of .

Moving on to FIG. 17, the server system 1100 causes the instructed activation character to activate the ability instructed to activate if the player of the turn inputs the activation instruction operation within a predetermined time (YES in step S54). Activation control processing is executed (step S56).

As a result of activating the ability, in the puzzle area 14, the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 that satisfy the new erasing conditions has stopped, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 changes, and the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 that satisfy the new erasing conditions is changed. can occur here.
After the ability activation control, the server system 1100 erases and automatically moves the puzzle elements in the same manner as in step S34 (step S58), and gives points to the player in the current turn according to the number of erased elements after the ability is activated (step S58). S60).

If the player in that turn does not input an activation instruction operation within a predetermined period of time (NO in step S54), or if the change in the puzzle area 14 accompanying the activation of the ability or the awarding of points is completed, the server system 1100 at that time A new puzzle element 8 is added to the "empty" puzzle element arrangement position (step S62).

Next, server system 1100 determines whether the game end condition is met.
If the game end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S72), a turn change is performed (step S74), and it is determined whether the allocation destination change condition is satisfied (step S76). For example, when the number of turns reaches a predetermined value or when input of a predetermined allocation destination change operation is detected, an affirmative determination is made.
Then, if the determination is affirmative (YES in step S76), allocation destination change processing is executed (step S78), and the process returns to step S32. If the determination is negative (NO in step S76), the process returns to step S32 without performing the allocation destination change process.

If the game end condition is satisfied (YES in step S72), the server system 1100 displays the win/loss result (step S80) and ends the series of processes.

In this embodiment, the condition for selecting the activated character among the assigned characters is set for each character. 580, the activation character shall be selected.

Further, in the present embodiment, the player manually selects the character whose ability is to be actually activated from among the activated characters. In that case, in step S50, one of the active characters or a predetermined number is automatically selected. In automatic selection, the number of selections including "0" may be determined by random lottery.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the player manually selects the ability to be actually activated among the abilities set to the activated character. It is good also as a structure which selects a predetermined number for.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a puzzle game having a new element that causes a change in the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 in the puzzle area 14, thereby realizing a puzzle game with new interest.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.
Components similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the game system 1000B in this embodiment. In the game system 1000B, player terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b) of users 2 (2a, 2b), who are competing players, can be connected via a communication line 9 so as to enable data communication.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing a main functional configuration example of the player terminal 1500 in this embodiment. A player terminal 1500 of the present embodiment is a game device capable of playing a battle-type puzzle game similar to that of the first embodiment between players or between a player and a computer.

Specifically, the player terminal 1500 of this embodiment stores the game program 597, the game initial setting data 510, the user management data 600 of the user using the player terminal 1500, the play data 700, and the current Date and time 800 are stored.

By executing the game program 597, the terminal processing section 200 of the player terminal 1500 realizes the function of the game management section 210B.

The game management section 210B has a synchronization control section 232 that synchronizes the play data 700 of both terminals by communicating with another player terminal 1500 that also executes the game program 597 . As a result, the game management unit 210B can manage a competitive puzzle game in which the puzzle area 14 is shared among the plurality of player terminals 1500 that play the competitive game.
The game management unit 210B can also execute a standalone puzzle game with the same contents as in the first embodiment by computer-controlling the opponent.

As for the flow of processing in the player terminal 1500 of the present embodiment, the player terminal 1500 can be read instead of the execution subject of the flow of processing described with reference to FIGS.
Specifically, in the matching process (step S10), matching is performed by establishing a communication connection with another player terminal 1500 that also executes the game program 597. FIG.

In the assigned character setting process (step S12), each player terminal 1500 accepts the selection of the assigned character by its own player, and mutually synchronizes the assigned character setting information.

The result of the initialization (step S16) of the puzzle area 14 and the like is also synchronized between the two machines, and it becomes possible for a plurality of players to operate the substantially common puzzle area 14 and play against each other.

After step S30, in the case of one player's turn, the player terminal 1500 of the other player suspends acceptance of the operation input.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to realize a puzzle game having a new interest by causing a change in the arrangement of the puzzle elements 8 in the puzzle area 14 . Also, a game device that executes it can be realized.

[Modification]
Although examples of embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described above, the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described forms, and constituent elements can be added, omitted, or changed as appropriate.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the multiplayer puzzle game is a competitive puzzle game.

In the above embodiment, a one-on-one two-player battle puzzle game was exemplified. can also Furthermore, automatic operation by a computer can also be included as a player.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which one character placement area 20 is set for each side on all four sides of the outer periphery of the puzzle area 14. Alternatively, a plurality of character placement areas 20 can be set per side.

Specifically, the example of FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example of the game screen W5 in an example in which the above embodiment is applied to a two-person cooperative puzzle game. As a game situation setting, two players are fighting against an enemy automatically controlled by a computer. That is, the progress of the battle game is controlled in parallel with the puzzle game based on the results of the progress of the puzzles in the puzzle area.

The puzzle elements 8 in the puzzle area 14 can be operated in multiplay by a total of three players: two players 2 (2a, 2b,) and a simulated player (computer player) automatically operated by a computer. Of course, a configuration in which one player 1500 is used is also possible.

A character arrangement area 20e is provided on the upper side of the puzzle area 14, in which an enemy character 4e used by the computer player is arranged. The character placement area 20e serves as a game display area for the battle game.
Of course, the computer may use a plurality of enemy characters 4e, or they may be mixed characters. good too.

Four character placement areas 20 (20a, 20b, . . . ) are provided in the lower side of the puzzle area 14, and the players 1500 (1500a, 1500b) can assign two characters 4 to each. The character placement area 20 (20a, 20b, . . . ) on the lower side functions as a deck 29 that combines and organizes the characters used by the player.

Then, hit points are set for each of the character 4 (4a, 4b, . . . ) on the player side and the enemy character 4e. Like, control the progress of the game. If the hit points of the enemy character 4e can be reduced to "0", the player wins. If the hit points of the enemy character 4e cannot be reduced to "0" within the playing time, or if the hit points of all the characters 4 (4a, 4b, . . . ) on the player side become "0", the player loses. Become.
It should be noted that the character 4 (4a, 4b, .

An example of the functional configuration of the server system 1100 in this configuration is shown in FIG. 21, for example. That is, in this configuration, the activation control unit 220 can activate the ability that affects the progress of the game in areas other than the puzzle area 14, which is associated with the activated character. The game management section 210 also has a second game progress control section 240 that controls display of given game progress in a predetermined game display area based on the result of the progress of the puzzle in the puzzle area 14 .

Note that the content of the second game can be appropriately set without being limited to the battle game. For example, it may be a breeding game, a romance simulation game, or the like.

Moreover, the example of FIG. 20 may be further modified as follows. That is, the configuration is such that four character placement areas 20 similar to those in the lower side are provided on the right side and the left side of FIG. 20, respectively. In this case, 4×3=12 character placement areas 20 are set, and each player 2 may assign characters 4 to 6 areas for use. Up to 4 can be assigned, and the progress of the game may be controlled by leaving some of the character placement areas 20 blank.

Conversely, depending on the content of the game, it is also possible to have only one character placement area 20 .

2 User 4 Character 8 Puzzle element 14 Puzzle area 16 Gravity direction display 20 Character placement area 22 Notification background 29 Deck 30 Activation notification 200 Terminal processing unit 200s Server processing unit 210, 210B Game Management unit 212 Assigned character setting unit 213 Mixed character assignment unit 214 Game screen display control unit 216 Character image display control unit 218 Activation character selection unit 220 Activation control unit 222 Enter effect display control unit 230 Allocation destination Change control unit 232 Synchronization control unit 240 Second game progress control unit 500 Terminal storage unit 500s Server storage unit 501 Server program 510 Game initial setting data 520 Character initial setting data 521 Character type 522 Character image 524 Placement area affinity definition data 525 Character affinity definition data 526 Activation possible conditions for each character 550 Ability definition data 551 First ability setting data 552 Second ability setting data 553 Third ability setting data 554 Fourth ability setting data Ability setting data 555 Fifth ability setting data 556 Sixth ability setting data 580 Activation possible condition data for each character placement area 592 Game client program 597 Game program 600 User management data 603 Character management data 700 Play Data 701 First player account 705 First screen display direction setting 711 Second player account 715 Second screen display direction setting 730 Assigned character setting data 740 Puzzle area management data 750 Gravity direction 752 Activated character ID List 1000, 1000B... Game system 1100... Server system 1150... Control board 1500... Player terminal 1550... Control board

Claims (24)

A program for causing a computer to execute a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
Character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
Activated character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activated character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
Activation control means for activating the ability associated with the activated character to change the shape of the puzzle area;
A program for causing the computer to function as a computer. A program for causing a computer to execute a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
Character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
Activated character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activated character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
Activation control means for activating the ability associated with the activated character, which is the ability to exert gravity or repulsive force in a given direction on the puzzle area;
A program for causing the computer to function as a computer. A program for causing a computer to execute a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
Character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
Activated character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activated character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
Activation control means for activating the ability associated with the activated character to rotate the puzzle area;
A program for causing the computer to function as a computer. The character placement area is provided in at least two of the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the puzzle area.
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The activated character selection means selects the assigned character as the activated character when an activation condition based on a game situation associated with the assigned character is satisfied.
A program according to any one of claims 1-4 . The activated character selection means selects the assigned character assigned to the character placement area as the activated character when an activation enabled state condition based on the game situation associated with the character placement area is satisfied.
A program according to any one of claims 1-4 . The character is associated with information regarding placement compatibility with the character placement area,
The activation control means performs control to change the extent to which the activated character exerts the ability based on the placement affinity between the activated character and the character placement area to which the activated character is assigned.
A program according to any one of claims 1-6 . The character is associated with information about compatibility between characters,
The activation control means performs control to change the extent to which the ability of the activated character is exhibited based on the combination compatibility between the activated character and the assigned character other than the activated character.
A program according to any one of claims 1-7 . The activation control means activates the ability to generate the puzzle element, which is the ability associated with the activated character .
A program according to any one of claims 1-8. The activation control means is an ability associated with the activated character, 1) an ability to change the arrangement position of the puzzle elements arranged in the puzzle area, or 2) an ability to change the type of the puzzle element. or 3) activating the ability to make said puzzle element disappear,
A program according to any one of claims 1-9. The computer (hereinafter referred to as "own computer") is configured to be able to communicate with other computers,
The puzzle game is a multiplayer game played by the player of the own computer and other players of the other computer, and is a game in which the puzzle area is shared,
There are two or more character placement areas,
The assigned character setting means allocates the own player's character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the own player, and assigns the other player's character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the other player. cormorant,
A program according to any one of claims 1-10 . A program for causing a computer to execute a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
Character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
Activated character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activated character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
Activation control means for activating an ability associated with the activated character and having a determined effect on the puzzle area;
functioning the computer as
The computer (hereinafter referred to as "own computer") is configured to be able to communicate with other computers,
The puzzle game is a multiplayer game played by the player of the own computer and other players of the other computer, and is a game in which the puzzle area is shared,
There are two or more character placement areas,
The assigned character setting means allocates the own player's character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the own player, and assigns the other player's character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the other player. I ,
Control to display on the own computer a game screen in which the character placement area to which the player's character is assigned is set as a reference position, and the other character placement areas and the puzzle area are arranged in a relative positional relationship with respect to the reference position. game screen display control means,
A program for causing the computer to further function as a computer . Control to display on the own computer a game screen in which the character placement area to which the player's character is assigned is set as a reference position, and the other character placement areas and the puzzle area are arranged in a relative positional relationship with respect to the reference position. game screen display control means,
12. A program according to claim 11 , for further causing said computer to function as a . A program for causing a computer to execute a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
Character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
Activated character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activated character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
If the arrangement state of the puzzle elements in the puzzle area associated with the activated character satisfies the conditions associated with the activated character, the ability associated with the activated character is the puzzle area. Activation control means for activating the ability whose influence on
A program for causing the computer to function as a computer. A computer system for executing a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are arranged, based on the player's operation input;
character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
activation character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
Activation control means for activating the ability associated with the activated character to change the shape of the puzzle area;
A computer system with A computer system for executing a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are arranged, based on the player's operation input;
character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
activation character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
Activation control means for activating the ability associated with the activated character, which is the ability to exert gravity or repulsive force in a given direction on the puzzle area;
A computer system with A computer system for executing a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are arranged, based on the player's operation input;
character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
activation character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
activation control means for activating the ability associated with the activated character to rotate the puzzle area;
A computer system with A computer system for executing a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are arranged, based on the player's operation input;
character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
activation character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
Activation control means for activating an ability associated with the activated character and having a determined effect on the puzzle area;
with
The puzzle game is a multiplayer game played by a first player and a second player, and is a game in which the puzzle area is shared,
There are two or more character placement areas,
The assigned character setting means assigns a first player character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the first player, and assigns a second player character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the second player. allocation to the placement area,
The character placement area to which the first player character is assigned is used as a reference position, and control is performed to display a game screen in which the other character placement areas and the puzzle area are arranged in a relative positional relationship with respect to the reference position. game screen display control means;
A computer system further comprising: A computer system for executing a puzzle game,
Assigned character setting means for determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around the puzzle area in which the puzzle elements are arranged, based on the player's operation input;
character image display control means for displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
activation character selection means for selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
If the arrangement state of the puzzle elements in the puzzle area associated with the activated character satisfies the conditions associated with the activated character, the ability associated with the activated character is the puzzle area. Activation control means for activating an ability whose influence on
A computer system with A puzzle game execution control method in which a computer system controls the execution of a puzzle game,
an assigned character setting step of determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around a puzzle area in which puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
a character image display control step of displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
an activation character selection step of selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as the "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
an activation control step of activating an ability associated with the activated character that changes the shape of the puzzle area;
Puzzle game run control method including. A puzzle game execution control method in which a computer system controls the execution of a puzzle game,
an assigned character setting step of determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around a puzzle area in which puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
a character image display control step of displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
an activation character selection step of selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as the "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
an activation control step of activating the ability associated with the activated character, the ability exerting gravity or repulsive force in a given direction on the puzzle area;
Puzzle game run control method including. A puzzle game execution control method in which a computer system controls the execution of a puzzle game,
an assigned character setting step of determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around a puzzle area in which puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
a character image display control step of displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
an activation character selection step of selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as the "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
an activation control step of activating an ability associated with the activated character that rotates the puzzle area;
Puzzle game run control method including. A puzzle game execution control method in which a computer system controls the execution of a puzzle game,
an assigned character setting step of determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around a puzzle area in which puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
a character image display control step of displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
an activation character selection step of selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as the "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
an activation control step of activating an ability that is associated with the activated character and has a determined effect on the puzzle area;
including
The puzzle game is a multiplayer game played by a first player and a second player, and is a game in which the puzzle area is shared,
There are two or more character placement areas,
The assigned character setting step includes assigning a first player character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the first player, and assigning a second player character to the character placement area based on the operation input of the second player. a step of assigning to an arrangement area;
The character placement area to which the first player character is assigned is used as a reference position, and control is performed to display a game screen in which the other character placement areas and the puzzle area are arranged in a relative positional relationship with respect to the reference position. game screen display control step,
A puzzle game execution control method , further comprising : A puzzle game execution control method in which a computer system controls the execution of a puzzle game,
an assigned character setting step of determining a character (hereinafter referred to as "assigned character") to be assigned to at least one character placement area provided around a puzzle area in which puzzle elements are placed, based on the player's operation input;
a character image display control step of displaying an image representing the assigned character in the corresponding character placement area;
an activation character selection step of selecting the assigned character (hereinafter referred to as the "activation character") having a given influence on the puzzle area;
If the arrangement state of the puzzle elements in the puzzle area associated with the activated character satisfies the conditions associated with the activated character, the ability associated with the activated character is the puzzle area. an activation control step for activating an ability whose influence on
Puzzle game run control method including.

Images