JP7261845B2 - Image control method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to technology for controlling images corresponding to user operations.

When playing a game on a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, a user's operation is input using a touch panel. At this time, an image corresponding to the operation (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an operation image) may be displayed on the display in order to allow the user to recognize the content of the input operation. Various types of operation images are considered according to the content of the game. For example, in the case of a game in which a character is moved by a user's operation, virtual operation keys are displayed in advance as an operation image on the display. However, if the operation image is displayed in advance, it occupies part of the game screen.

Therefore, a technique has been developed for displaying an operation image with the position of the operation as a starting point when the user performs an operation. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an operation image assuming an elastic body that expands and contracts according to a user's operation.

JP 2016-179027 A

It is desirable that the operation image can present the input operation to the user in an easy-to-understand manner while reducing the occupancy rate of the game screen.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an operation image that can present an input operation to a user in an easy-to-understand manner.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a detection unit that detects an operation on a display area in which a background image is displayed; an operation image placement unit that places an operation image including two images at an initial position in the background image corresponding to a first operation position where the operation is detected; and moves the operation image from the first operation position to a second operation position. When the operation is detected, the position of the first image is changed from the initial position within the movement range corresponding to the second image based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. A program for causing a computer to function as an operation image changing unit that changes the display mode of the partial region of the second image and a background image control unit that controls the background image of the display region based on the relationship is provided. be.

The moving range may be a range surrounded by the second image.

The position of the second image may not be changed from the initial position.

The partial area of the second image may include a portion of the second image that is closest to the first image.

The second image may have rotational symmetry about a predetermined position included in the first image at the initial position.

The first image and the second image may be semi-transmissive images that partially transmit the background image, and the transmittance of the second image may be higher than the transmittance of the first image.

The operation image placement unit may erase the operation image when the operation is not detected until a predetermined time elapses after the operation is no longer detected.

The operation image changing unit may display a third image in an area between the first image and the second image when a predetermined operation is detected by the detection unit.

The operation image changing unit may erase the third image when a predetermined operation is detected while the third image is displayed.

A first processing unit that executes a first process may be further operated in conjunction with erasure of the third image.

A marker is placed at a predetermined position in the second image, and a second processing unit that executes a second process when the partial area of the second image and the position of the marker satisfy a predetermined relationship. may function further.

The operation image arrangement unit arranges only a second image of the operation images at a predetermined position when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and arranges the operation image at the initial position when the operation is detected thereafter. A third processing unit may be further caused to move the second image so as to move the second image so as to perform third processing according to the relationship between the background image and the first operation position.

The background image displayed in the display area is a partial area of the overall background image, and the operation image changing unit acquires a predetermined target position to reach in the overall background image, and changes the target position to the operation image. On the other hand, a target indication image corresponding to the target position to be reached may be added.

The target indication image may be expressed by changing the display mode of the second image.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a detection unit that detects an operation on a display area in which a background image is displayed; an operation image placement unit for arranging an operation image including a second image in the background image at an initial position corresponding to a first operation position where the operation is detected, from the first operation position to a second operation position; When an operation to move is detected, the position of the first image is changed from the initial position within the movement range corresponding to the second image based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. and an operation image changing unit that changes a display mode of the partial area of the second image, and a background image control unit that controls the background image of the display area based on the relationship. An image controller is provided.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, when the operation is detected by the detection unit that detects the operation on the display area in which the background image is displayed, the first image and the surroundings of the first image are arranged. An operation image including a second image is arranged in the background image at an initial position corresponding to the first operation position where the operation is detected, and an operation of moving from the first operation position to the second operation position is detected. Then, based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position, the position of the first image is changed from the initial position within the movement range corresponding to the second image, and the second image is moved. and controlling the background image of the display area based on the relationship while changing the display mode of the partial area of the image control method.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide an operation image capable of presenting an input operation to the user in an easy-to-understand manner.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a figure explaining the outline|summary of the game screen in 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a game progress function realized by the communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (initial display) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (display after change) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing processing executed in an operation image control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (during guard processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (at the time of charge processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (during avoidance processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (during dash processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the first step of the operation image (at the time of skill processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the second step of the operation image (at the time of skill processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (at the time of target designation processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation image according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation image according to the third embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

A game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments shown below are examples of embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In the drawings referred to in this embodiment, the same parts or parts having similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals or similar reference numerals (reference numerals followed by A, B, etc.). may be omitted.

<First embodiment>
A game system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[overview]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment of the invention. A game system 1000 has a communication device 10 and a server 80 . Communication device 10 and server 80 are connected to network NW such as the Internet or a communication line. In this example, the communication device 10 is a smart phone, which can connect to the network NW and communicate with other devices. Note that the communication device 10 is not limited to a smartphone, and may be a mobile device such as a tablet terminal or a portable game machine, or may be a device such as a stationary game machine or a personal computer. Further, instead of the communication device 10 connectable to the network NW, a device not connectable to the network NW may be used alone.

Although the server 80 is described as one device in FIG. 1, it may be composed of a plurality of devices. The server 80 provides application programs and various services to the communication device 10 . The application program is recorded on a recording medium (storage device) included in the server 80 or a recording medium readable by the server 80 . Application programs include, for example, programs for executing games described below. Various services may include, for example, SNS (Social Networking Service).

The communication device 10 is installed with an application program (hereinafter simply referred to as a program) for executing a game. According to this program, a game is provided in which an object such as a character can be moved by a user's operation. When a user's operation for moving the character is input, a predetermined operation image is displayed. The configuration of the communication device 10 will be described below.

[Hardware Configuration of Communication Device 10]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 10 is provided with a control section 11 , a storage section 12 , a display section 14 , a touch sensor 15 and a communication module 18 . The touch sensor 15 is provided on the display section 14 and its surface. A touch panel is configured by the display unit 14 and the touch sensor 15 . Note that the communication device 10 may be provided with other components such as a speaker, a microphone, an acceleration sensor, operation buttons, a headphone terminal, and a memory card slot.

The control unit 11 includes an arithmetic processing circuit (control device) such as a CPU and a storage device such as a RAM. The control unit 11 causes the CPU to execute a program stored in the storage unit 12 to realize various functions in the communication device 10 . Signals and the like output from each component of the communication device 10 are used depending on the functions to be implemented. Functions realized by executing the program include a game progress function, which will be described later. This game progression function also includes an operation image control function, which will be described later. Thus, this communication device 10 also functions as an image control device by means of this program.

This program may be downloaded from the server 80 via the network NW as described above, or may be installed in the storage unit 12 in advance. Note that this program may be provided in a state recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. In this case, the communication device 10 may be a computer equipped with a recording medium reading device. The storage unit 12 can also be an example of a recording medium.

The display unit 14 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and has a display area for displaying various screens (for example, game screens) under the control of the control unit 11 . The touch sensor 15 is an operating device that receives a user's operation and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 11 . A user's operation is input to the communication device 10 by, for example, touching the game screen displayed on the display unit 14 with the user's finger, stylus pen, or the like. The communication module 18 is connected to the network NW under the control of the control unit 11, and transmits and receives information to and from other devices such as the server 80 connected to the network NW.

[Game screen]
FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining an outline of a game screen in the first embodiment of the present invention. An operation image 50 and a background image are displayed on the game screen displayed in the display area DA. The operation image 50 is an image displayed so as to appear on the near side (foreground side) with respect to the background image in accordance with the user's input operation. In this example, the operation image 50 is a translucent image in which part of the background image is transparent. Note that the operation image 50 may be an image without transparency.

The background image indicates an image (an image other than the operation image 50) that exists on the far side (background side) of the operation image 50 in the display area DA. In this example, the background image includes a background map image BM, player character image PC, enemy character image EC, and damage gauge DG.

The background map image BM indicates a portion of the overall background image (the overall background image AM in FIG. 14) that exists as data and is displayed in the display area DA. The player character image PC is an image showing the player character moving on the background map image BM by user's operation. In this example, the position of the player character image PC is fixed at the central portion of the display area DA. Therefore, by scrolling the background map image BM, a situation in which the player character image PC is relatively moving on the background map image BM is displayed. Note that when the end of the entire background image reaches the display area DA, further scrolling may be stopped so that the outside of the entire background image is not displayed in the display area DA. In this state, the player character image PC may move in the display area DA.

The enemy character image EC is an image showing an enemy character moving on the background map image BM. The damage gauge DG is an image indicating the amount of damage to the player character from the enemy character or the like, and is arranged at a predetermined position in the display area DA. When the player character receives an attack from an enemy character, the player character receives damage and the amount of damage indicated by the damage gauge DG changes. The game ends when you take damage above the threshold. The above is the description of the outline of the game screen.

[Game progress function]
A game progression function realized by executing a program by the control unit 11 of the communication device 10 will be described. Part or all of the configuration for realizing the game progress function described below may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by an external device such as the server 80 or the like. When a part of the configuration is implemented by an external device, the external device and the communication device 10 work together to implement the following game progression functions as a system.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the game progress function realized by the communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The game progression section 100 that implements the game progression function includes a detection section 200 , a background image control section 300 , an operation image control section 500 , a character control section 700 and a target position specifying section 800 .

[Detection unit]
The detection unit 200 detects a user's operation on the display area DA based on the signal output from the touch sensor 15 . The detected user operation is used to control background image control unit 300, operation image control unit 500, character control unit 700, and the like.

[Background image control part]
The background image control unit 300 controls the background image in the display area DA according to the position of the operation detected by the detection unit 200 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the operation position). For example, the background image in the display area DA is controlled based on the relationship between the first operation position (first detected operation position) and the second operation position (currently detected operation position). Between the first operation position and the second operation position, detection of the operation by the detection unit 200 is continuously performed. This indicates a so-called slide operation (for example, the user touches a portion of the display area DA and continuously moves the touched position while maintaining the touch). Therefore, the second operation position also changes as the position specified by the user changes.

In this example, the player character moves in the direction of the second operation position with respect to the first operation position. At this time, the background image control unit 300 controls the background image by scrolling the background map image BM in the display area DA as described above. This allows the user to visually recognize the background map image BM as if the player character image PC were moving. Changing or moving each image included in the background image in this manner is an example of control by the background image control unit 300 .

[Operation image control part]
Operation image control portion 500 includes operation image placement portion 510 and operation image change portion 530, and implements an operation image control function. When the detection unit 200 detects an operation, the operation image placement unit 510 displays the operation image 50 in the display area DA. The position where the operation image 50 is displayed is a position corresponding to the detected operation position (first operation position). The position displayed first is hereinafter referred to as the initial position. In this example, the operation image 50 is displayed in the display area DA so as to correspond to the first operation position and the center of the operation image 50 . Note that the initial position of the operation image 50 is an example, and any position in the display area DA may be the initial position as long as it is a position defined in relation to the first operation position.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (initial display) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Operation image 50 includes a first image 51 and a second image 52 . The first image 51 is a circular image arranged in the central portion of the operation image 50 . In this example, the center of the first image 51 matches the center C of the operation image 50 . The second image 52 is arranged around the first image 51 . In this example, the second image 52 is an annular image arranged to surround the first image 51 . The second image 52 is divided into a plurality of areas (52-1, 52-2, . . . , 52-8) as markers indicating a plurality of directions centered on the first image 51. Hereinafter, each of these areas may be referred to as a segmented area. In this example, each segmented region is the same image, only oriented differently. The second image 52 as a whole has rotational symmetry with respect to the center of the first image 51 (which may be a predetermined position included in the first image 51). In this example, it is 8-fold symmetric, but it is not limited to this.

As described above, the operation image 50 may be a translucent image in which a portion of the background image is transparent. In this example, the transmittance of the second image 52 is higher than the transmittance of the first image 51 . Note that this relationship may be reversed. Further, the first image 51 and the second image 52 may have the same transmittance, and as described above, the operation image 50 may not have transparency. At least one or both of the first image 51 and the second image 52 may not have transparency.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description continues. The operation image changing unit 530 changes the display mode of the operation image 50 when the operation position (user operation) detected by the detection unit 200 moves from the first operation position to the second operation position. The operation image changing unit 530 changes the position of the first image 51 from the initial position based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. In this example, the movement range of the first image 51 is limited to the range surrounded by the second image 52 .

Further, the operation image changing unit 530 changes the display mode of the partial area of the second image 52 based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. Here, changes in the first image 51 and the second image 52 when the user's operation moves from the first operation position to the second operation position on the operation image 50 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (display after change) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 6 shows the operation image 50 whose display mode is changed by the operation image changing unit 530 when the user's operation position changes from the first operation position T1 to the second operation position T2. The first image 51 arranged at the first operation position T1 moves correspondingly to the second operation position T2. As described above, the movement of the first image 51 is restricted within the range surrounded by the second image 52 . Therefore, even if the second operation position T2 moves to the outside of the second image 52 as shown in FIG. In this example, regardless of the position of the second operation position T2, the position of the second image 52 once displayed does not change from the initial position.

Here, the position CP where the first image 51 and the second image 52 contact each other is where the direction AD indicating the second operation position T2 with the first operation position T1 as the starting point intersects with the inner circumference of the second image 52. position. Therefore, when the second operation position T2 moves outside the second image 52 so as to change the direction AD, the position of the first image 51 moves along the inner circumference of the second image 52 .

Further, by changing the display mode of the second image 52, an image showing the direction specifying area 55 is displayed. In this example, the direction specifying region 55 is an image corresponding to one of the segmented regions in the second image 52 and moves along the ring of the second image 52 . The position of the direction specifying region 55 is set so as to include the portion of the second image 52 that is closest to the first image 51 . In this example, the center position of the direction specifying area 55 is arranged in the direction AD. At this time, the direction specifying region 55 may be displayed when the first image 51 touches the second image, or may be displayed when the first image 52 moves even slightly from the initial position. can be

Depending on the position of the direction specifying region 55, it will match the segmented region. Therefore, in this example, the image of the direction specifying region 55 is a modulated image compared to the segmented region and is distinguishable from each other. Modulation indicates that the direction specifying region 55 and the segmented region have different display forms, such as a color different from that of the segmented region or a thick outline. It is desirable that the display form is emphasized with respect to the segmented area. Furthermore, the direction specifying area 55 is arranged in a semi-transparent image display form in which a part of the initially displayed second image 52 is transparent. In this way, as shown in FIG. 6, even if the direction specifying region 55 is arranged between the segmented region 52-1 and the segmented region 52-8, the segmented region 52-1 and the segmented region 52-8 52-8 and their pointing directions can also be made visible to the user.

Here, when moving the player character, it is easier for the user to move the operation position in a large range in the display area DA than to move it in a small range. Conversely, a user who is not accustomed to the operation tends to move the operation position in a large range, and the first operation position T1 and the second operation position T2 may be greatly separated. As a result, the relative position of the second operation position T2 with respect to the first operation position T1 may be lost, making it difficult to control the movement direction of the player character.

According to the operation image 50 described above, even if the second operation position T2 moves away from the first operation position T1, the movement range of the first image 51 is limited. As a result, even if the user moves the operation position over a large range, the user can recognize the position of the first image 51 in the movement range surrounded by the second image 52, and thus can recognize the first operation position T1 and the second operation position T1. It becomes easier to specify the relationship with the position T2, that is, the direction AD. At this time, by changing the display mode of part of the second image 52, the user can easily recognize the direction AD compared with the reference direction. The presence of the direction identification area 55 also facilitates identification of the direction AD.

Next, processing executed in the operation image control unit 500 that implements the operation image control function will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing processing (image control method) executed in the operation image control unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This process is executed when the game is started. First, the operation image control unit 500 waits until an operation by the user is detected by the detection unit 200 (step S101; No). When an operation by the user is detected (step S101; Yes), the operation image control unit 500 arranges the operation image 50 at an initial position corresponding to the position (first operation position) where the operation is detected (step S103). .

Subsequently, the operation image control unit 500 waits until the position where the operation is detected is changed or until the detection of the operation ends (step S111; No, step S121; No). When the position where the operation is detected is changed (step S111; Yes), the display mode of the operation image 50 is changed according to the relationship between the changed position (second operation position) and the first operation position (step S113). Changing the display mode of the operation image 50 includes changing the position of the first image 51 and changing the display mode of the partial area of the second image 52, as described above. After that, the operation image control unit 500 waits again until the position where the operation is detected is further changed or until the detection of the operation is completed (step S111; No, step S121; No).

When detection of the operation ends (step S121; Yes), the operation image control unit 500 erases the operation image 50 (step S123), and returns to the process of step S101. In this example, it is determined that the detection of the operation has ended when the operation is not detected for a certain period of time, that is, until the predetermined time elapses after the operation is no longer detected. This is the case when there was no Here, when the operation is detected again before the predetermined time elapses after the operation is no longer detected, the first operation position is maintained as it is, and the position at which the operation is detected again becomes the second operation. position. That is, it is determined that the position where the operation was detected has been changed (step S111; Yes). Note that it may be determined that the detection of the operation has ended when the operation is no longer detected. The above is the description of the processing executed in the operation image control unit 500 .

[Character control section]
Returning to FIG. 4, the description continues. The character control section 700 controls the player character to perform special actions (actions other than normal movement) according to the operations detected by the detection section 200 . In this example, character control section 700 includes guard processing section 710 , charge processing section 730 , avoidance processing section 750 , dash processing section 770 and skill processing section 790 . In this example, when the player character is controlled by the character control unit 700, it is in a state of performing a special action, or a state in which an operation for starting a special action has been input. should be presented to the user. Here, presentation to the user is performed by controlling the operation image 50 in the operation image control unit 500 .

Guard processing unit 710 executes guard processing when a user's operation is detected and continues to be detected at the same position for a predetermined period of time (for example, 3 seconds) or more. The guard process is a process of reducing the damage received by the player character from an attack from an enemy character, and is, for example, a process of increasing the character's defense parameter by a predetermined amount (eg, 1.2 times). This guard processing continues until the operation is no longer detected or the operation position is no longer recognized as the same position. Note that when the guard process is executed, the guard process may be continued for a certain period of time even if the operation position is changed after that.

Note that the same position is not limited to being exactly the same position as the position where the operation was first detected (first operation position). For example, if a predetermined amount of deviation from the first operating position is allowed, that is, if the distance between the first operating position and the second operating position is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, they may be recognized as the same position. The predetermined amount may be determined in advance. For example, when the second operation position exists within the movable range of the first image 51, that is, the distance between the first operation position and the second operation position is equal to or less than the inner circumference radius of the second image 52. may be recognized as being at the same position.

Here, changes in the operation image 50 related to execution of guard processing will be described. When the user's operation is detected, the operation image placement unit 510 places the operation image 50 described with reference to FIG. 5, as described above. Then, when the guard process is executed, the operation image changing unit 530 changes the display mode of the operation image 50 as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (during guard processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the operation image changing unit 530 changes the display mode of the operation image 50 , the third image 53 is displayed in the area between the first image 51 and the second image 52 . The third image 53 is, for example, a translucent moving image showing ripples 54 spreading from the first image 51 toward the second image 52 . This allows the user to easily visually recognize that the guard processing is being executed. At this time, by making the moving image such that the ripple 54 spreads from the position where the user is operating, it becomes easier for the user to recognize that some kind of special processing is being executed. Note that the player character image PC may be processed to indicate that the guard process is being executed. Further, as described above, even if the operation position is changed after the guard processing is executed, if the guard processing is continued for a certain period of time, as shown in FIG. , the center of the ripple 54 may be moved. Also, the third image 53 may extend to the outer peripheral side of the second image 52 . When the guard processing ends, the third image 53 is erased. That is, the erasing of the third image 53 and the end of the guard processing are interlocked.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description continues. Charge processing unit 730 executes charge processing when a specific operation by the user is detected. The charge process is a process for increasing the damage dealt to the enemy character when the player character attacks the enemy character next time. is. In this example, the attack on the enemy character is executed when the user's operation of designating the position of the enemy character image EC (for example, the operation of tapping the enemy character image EC) is detected. The charging process continues until an attack on the enemy character is executed. It should be noted that the charging process may be terminated even when an operation of designating a position unrelated to the enemy character is detected. In this case, the charging process ends (cancels) without being used to attack the enemy character.

A specific operation for executing the charging process is to keep the second operation position in the area of the second image 52 for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) or longer while the player character is moving. The specific operation may be to keep the second operation position outside the second image 52 for a predetermined period of time, or to input a specific command regardless of the operation of the player character. may be

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (at the time of charge processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. If the second operation position is maintained in the area of the second image 52 for a predetermined period of time or longer while the player character is moving, the operation image changing unit 530 changes the first image 51 and the second image to 52, a third image 53 is displayed. The third image 53 is, for example, a translucent moving image showing ripples 54 spreading from the first image 51 toward the second image 52 . At this time, the size of the direction specifying area 55 may be changed. The direction specifying region 55 may be resized along the second image 52 or resized outward or inward from the second image 52 . Also, the size of the direction specifying region 55 may be changed periodically. After the charging process is completed, the third image 53 is erased. That is, the erasing of the third image 53 and the end of the charging process are interlocked.

Note that the color of the third image 53 may be changed according to the processing in order to show the difference between the guard processing and the charge processing. Moreover, the case where the ripples 54 spread from the first image 51 to the second image 52 and the case where the ripples 54 gather from the second image 52 to the first image may be used separately.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description continues. Avoidance processing unit 750 executes avoidance processing when the detected operation is recognized as a swipe operation. The predetermined distance is the distance from the start point to the end point of the slide operation, that is, from the first operation position (the position where the operation was first detected) to the final point of the second operation position (the position where the operation was last detected). If it is above and the movement is at a predetermined speed or higher, it is recognized as a swipe operation.

Avoidance processing is processing for moving the player character faster than usual. When avoidance processing is executed at the timing of being attacked by an enemy character, the player character takes action to avoid the attack. Specifically, the player character is moved quickly (the background image is scrolled quickly) for a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 seconds), and the moving period is treated as an invincible period during which the enemy character is not attacked. During the invincible period, damage inflicted on the player character by the enemy character is nullified (damage is 0). This avoidance processing is called "normal avoidance".

In this example, the invincibility period, that is, the time during which the player character moves fast, changes depending on the direction of the swipe operation. The direction of the swipe operation is, for example, the direction corresponding to each segmented area of the second image 52 (0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, when the top of the display area DA is 0 degrees and the clockwise direction is positive). degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees, and 315 degrees), the invincibility period may be lengthened. At this time, the player character moves faster for a longer time (for example, 0.3 seconds, which is 1.5 times), and as a result moves a lot. The direction of the swipe operation may be recognized as the direction corresponding to each segmented area of the second image 52 with a predetermined margin (for example, ±5 degrees) with respect to the above angle. That is, when the direction of the swipe operation (the position of the first image 51, the position of the direction specifying region 55) and the position of each segmented region satisfy a predetermined relationship, the avoidance process of lengthening the invincible period is executed. This avoidance processing is called "super avoidance".

When the avoidance process is executed, the player character moves quickly, that is, the background image scrolls quickly, thereby making the user aware that the process has been executed. , the operation image changing unit 530 changes the display mode of the operation image 50 so that the user can recognize it more easily.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (during avoidance processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The example shown in FIG. 10 shows the case where the swipe operation is performed in the direction of the segmented area 52-2 of the second image 52. In the example shown in FIG. Therefore, the direction specifying area 55 matches the position of the segmented area 52-2. At this time, the size of the direction specifying region 55 may be made different from that for normal movement (see FIG. 6) in order to distinguish it from processing by normal movement. At this time, the size may be changed along the second image 52 , or the size may be changed from the second image 52 outward or inward. In the case of "normal avoidance" as well, the display mode of the operation image 50 may be changed in the same way as in the case of "super avoidance". It is desirable that the display modes of are different.

Returning to FIG. 4, the description continues. The dash processing unit 770 continues to detect the second operation position in the area outside the second image 52 for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) (the first image 51 and the second image 52 continue to touch). If so, perform dash processing. The dash process is a process that makes the player character move faster than normal, and in this example, makes it 1.5 times faster. This dashing process continues until the movement of the player character ends, that is, until the operation is no longer detected.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (during dash processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the player character is moving, for example, the operation image 50 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. good. In this example, the partial image 59 in the direction specifying area 55 is changed to be enlarged. Note that the size of the direction specifying region 55 may be different from that in the case of normal movement (see FIG. 6). The size may be changed outward or inward from the image 52 .

Returning to FIG. 4, the description continues. The skill processing unit 790 executes skill processing when an operation of inputting a specific command is detected. In this example, the skill process is a process of displaying a target scope whose position can be specified by the user and attacking an enemy character within a range included in the target scope. A target scope is displayed as an image corresponding to the second image 52 . The skill processing will be described below by dividing it into two steps. The two steps are a first step indicating that skill processing has started, and a second step of moving the target scope and attacking the enemy character.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the first step of the operation image (during skill processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When an operation of inputting a specific command is detected, the operation image placement unit 510 places only the second image 52 of the operation image 50 as a target scope at a position corresponding to the player character image PC. This display allows the user to recognize that the skill processing has been disclosed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the second step of the operation image (at the time of skill processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. When the user operates any position in the display area DA while the display in FIG. 12 is displayed, the operation image placement unit 510 displays the initial position ( The operation image 50 is arranged at the position indicated by the dashed line). When the user moves the operation position along the direction MD, the operation image changing unit 530 moves the first image 51 corresponding to the movement of the operation position.

The first image 51 and the second image 52 show different behavior during skill processing than when the player character moves. When the first image 51 contacts the second image 52 due to movement of the operation position, the operation image changing unit 530 also moves the second image 52 . At this time, the second image 52 is moved so that the first image 51 that moves corresponding to the operation position is kept in contact with the inner periphery of the second image 52 . When the user's operation is no longer detected, the player character attacks the enemy character placed at the position corresponding to the second image 52 . Note that the enemy character outside the second image 52 may also be attacked. In this case, the damage to the enemy character may differ according to the distance from the second image 52 .

In the state of the operation image 50 shown in FIG. 13, when the user's operation is no longer detected, the skill processing ends immediately. On the other hand, the operation image 50 is further moved so that at least a portion of the enemy character image EC is included in the area surrounded by the second image 52 (overlapping state), or is within a certain range from the enemy character image EC. When the user's operation is no longer detected within this, it means that the enemy character has been attacked by the player character. When multiple enemy character images EC are superimposed on the second image 52, multiple enemy characters are targeted for attack.

Note that the size of the second image 52 may be different from the size of the second image 52 included in the operation image 50 displayed when the player character normally moves. The size of the second image 52 may vary, for example, depending on commands input by the user, or may vary depending on parameters associated with the player character.

[Target position specifying unit]
Returning to FIG. 4, the description continues. The target position specifying unit 800 specifies a position (target position) to be reached by the player character in the overall background image including the background map image BM displayed in the display area DA. The target position to reach is determined in advance. The operation image changing unit 530 acquires the target position specified in this way, and changes the display mode of the operation image 50 so as to indicate the target position. Such a series of processes is called target designation process. Note that the target designation process may be executed when a specific condition is satisfied. Special conditions are various conditions such as when the player character is in possession of a specific item, when the distance between the target position and the player character is closer than a certain value, and so on. obtain.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation image (at the time of target indication processing) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the display area DA portion of the entire background image AM is displayed as the background map image BM. A region of the entire background image AM outside the display area DA is indicated by a dashed line. A target position TP is set in the overall background image AM. The operation image changing unit 530 specifies a direction TD from the player character image PC to the target position TP, and places a target instruction image in a portion of the second image 52 located in the direction TD with the center C of the operation image 50 as a starting point. Add 57. Therefore, the direction Td from the center C to the target designation image 57 is the same as the direction TD.

The position at which the target instruction image 57 is arranged is not in the direction toward the target position TP viewed from the center C, but in the direction TD (the direction toward the target position TP viewed from the position of the player character image PC) with the center C as the starting point. ing. Therefore, by determining the second operation position so that the direction specifying area 55 and the target instruction image 57 are aligned, it becomes easier to guide the player character to the target position TP.

In this manner, the operation image changing unit 530 changes the display mode of the second image 52 to express the target instruction image 57 . Note that the target designation image 57 may be arranged at a location other than the second image 52 , for example, at a position along the inner periphery or along the outer periphery of the second image 52 .

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to present an input operation to the user in an easy-to-understand manner using the operation image 50 whose display mode can be changed in various ways according to the user's operation. . It should be noted that at least some of the various display mode changes described above need only be applied to the operation image 50, and not all the display mode changes need to be applied.

<Second embodiment>
Although the second image 52 in the first embodiment has a ring shape, in the second embodiment, the second image 52A has a ring shape as a whole, but the segmented regions are separated from each other. The operation image 50A including .

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an operation image according to the second embodiment of the invention. An operation image 50A shown in FIG. 15 is a second image in which each segmented area (52A-1, 52A-2, . The inclusion of image 52A is different. Thus, the second image 52A may be formed of images of a plurality of separated regions.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, an operation image 50B including a second image 52B in which each segmented area is separated from each other like the second image 52A in the second embodiment but connected by another element will be described.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an operation image according to the third embodiment of the invention. The operation image 50B shown in FIG. 16 includes segmented areas (52B-1, 52B-2, . . . , 52B-8) separated from each other and a connected image 58B connecting these segmented areas. At this time, the direction specifying region 55B moves along the connected image 58B. In this way, the second image 52B may contain elements other than the segmented areas.

<Other embodiments>
(1) Although the movement range of the first image 51 was limited to the inner peripheral side of the second image 52, it is not limited to this. The movement range of the first image 51 may be a range including the outside of the second image 52 as long as it is defined in relation to the position of the second image 52, or may be a range including the outside of the second image 52. It may be a narrower range on the inner peripheral side of the image 52 .

(2) In the second image 52, each segmented region is determined so as to have rotational symmetry, but each segmented region may be determined so as not to have rotational symmetry.

(3) The color of the direction specifying area 55 may change depending on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. For example, the display mode may be changed by making the color of the direction specifying region 55 lighter or increasing the transmittance as the second operation position is farther from the first operation position.

(4) Although the second image 52 does not move from the initial position when the player character is instructed to move normally, the second image 52 may move or change its shape. For example, as the second operation position moves away from the first operation position, the second image 52 may expand away from the center C, may be slightly deformed so as to be pulled in the direction of the second operation position, or may It may move slightly in the direction of the two operating positions.

(5) The operation image 50 is arranged in the display area DA in order to make the user recognize the operation for moving the player character in the game. system may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Communication apparatus, 11... Control part, 12... Storage part, 14... Display part, 15... Touch sensor, 50, 50A, 50B... Operation image, 51... First image, 52, 52A, 52B... Second image, 52-1, 52-2, ..., 52-8, 52A-1, 52A-2, ..., 52A-8, 52B-1, 52B-2, ..., 52B-8 ... segmented areas , 53... Third image, 54... Ripple, 55, 55B... Direction specifying area, 57... Target indication image, 58B... Connected image, 59... Partial image, 80... Server, 100... Game progression unit, 200... Detection unit , 300 Background image control unit 500 Operation image control unit 510 Operation image placement unit 530 Operation image change unit 700 Character control unit 710 Guard processing unit 730 Charge processing unit 750 Evasion Processing unit 770... Dash processing unit 790... Skill processing unit 800... Target position specifying unit 1000... Game system

Claims (8)

When an operation on a display area in which a background image is displayed is detected, an operation image including a first image and a second image arranged around the first image is displayed in the display area when the operation is detected. Arranged in the initial position according to the first operation position,
When an operation of moving from the first operation position to the second operation position is detected, the position of the second image is changed from the initial position based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. and controlling the background image of the display area based on the relationship ;
including
The image control method further comprising displaying a third image in an area between the first image and the second image when a predetermined operation is detected with respect to the display area. When an operation on a display area in which a background image is displayed is detected, an operation image including a first image and a second image arranged around the first image is displayed in the display area when the operation is detected. Arranged in the initial position according to the first operation position,
When an operation of moving from the first operation position to the second operation position is detected, the position of the second image is changed from the initial position based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. and controlling the background image of the display area based on the relationship;
including
the first image and the second image are semi-transparent images that partially transmit the background image;
An image control method, wherein the transmittance of the first image and the transmittance of the second image are different. When an operation on a display area in which a background image is displayed is detected, an operation image including a first image and a second image arranged around the first image is displayed in the display area when the operation is detected. Arranged in the initial position according to the first operation position,
When an operation of moving from the first operation position to the second operation position is detected, the position of the second image is changed from the initial position based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. and controlling the background image of the display area based on the relationship;
including
The image control method, wherein one of the first image and the second image is a semi-transparent image that partially transmits the background image, and the other does not transmit the background image. 4. The image control method according to claim 3, wherein said first image is said semi-transparent image, and said second image does not transmit through said background image. When an operation on a display area in which a background image is displayed is detected, an operation image including a first image and a second image arranged around the first image is displayed in the display area when the operation is detected. Arranged in the initial position according to the first operation position,
When an operation of moving from the first operation position to the second operation position is detected, the position of the second image is changed from the initial position based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. and controlling the background image of the display area based on the relationship;
including
A marker is placed at a predetermined position in the second image,
changing the position of the second image from the initial position and changing the display mode of a partial area of the second image;
The image control method further comprising executing a second process when the partial area of the second image and the position of the marker satisfy a predetermined relationship. When an operation on a display area in which a background image is displayed is detected, an operation image including a first image and a second image arranged around the first image is displayed in the display area when the operation is detected. arranged at an initial position corresponding to the first operating position,
When an operation of moving from the first operation position to the second operation position is detected, the position of the second image is changed from the initial position based on the relationship between the first operation position and the second operation position. and controlling the background image of the display area based on the relationship;
including
the background image displayed in the display area is a partial area of the entire background image;
An image control method, further comprising obtaining a predetermined target position to reach in the overall background image, and adding a target indication image corresponding to the target position to the operation image. 7. The image control method according to claim 6 , wherein said target indication image is expressed by changing the display mode of said second image. A program for causing a computer to execute the image control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

Images