JPH10244071A - Video game device, control method therefor, and memory cartridge for video game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a player to be intelligibly informed of the command input time for characters by each character by displaying an input request picture changed in its form of a display related to a character on a display device when the operation command input permission time comes. SOLUTION: For example, three player characters aaa-ccc of three kinds and three enemy characters AAA1-AAA3 of one kind are displayed, and a figure expressing the maximum value of vital force by each player character and a figure expressing the current vital force are displayed in a window W1. For example, when the standby time of the player character bbb elapses, the display of the player character bbb is changed into a special form, also the letters bbb of the player character in the window W1 is changed into a special form, a window W3 is opened in the position of the window W2 to display the kind of a command, and a cursor CU is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video game apparatus for displaying a character on a video screen to progress a game, a control method thereof, and a recording medium storing a program for program-controlling the video game apparatus.

[0002]

[Prior Art] Roll into one genre of video games
There is a playing game (RPG). Role-playing or fighting games are often turn-based. The player character and the enemy character are displayed on a display screen of a display device (for example, a television receiver). The player selects a desired one of a plurality of types of attacks (including weapons and magic) of the player character displayed on the display screen and designates it through an input device called a controller (command input). On the other hand, the attack of the enemy character is predetermined. When the command is completed, the battle starts, and the player character and the enemy character attack each other in a predetermined order. Damage caused to each character by being attacked by the opponent is counted by, for example, the deduction method. The game progresses by inputting commands and repeating the battle between the player character and the enemy character, and the player operates so that the player character achieves a predetermined purpose (for example, searching for treasure, helping the queen, etc.). Continue.

In such a turn-based video game, it is necessary to inform the player when to input a command to the player character. In particular, when a plurality of player characters are displayed and the point at which command input is permitted differs for each player character, it is important to inform the player of the command input permission point for each character in a manner that is easy to understand. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an interface between a game developed on a display screen and a player who operates the game.

More specifically, an object of the present invention is to make it easy for a player to know a command input time point for a character for each character (when there are a plurality of characters).

Another object of the present invention is to provide data on information on the state of a character (for example, vitality, damage, score, etc.) for each character in an easily understandable manner.

A video game device according to the present invention comprises a control device, a display device, and an input device, displays characters on a display screen of the display device, and responds to an operation command input from the input device. A means for deciding when to input a motion command relating to a character in the operation of a character, and an input request screen in which the display mode for the character is changed when the motion command input is permitted. It is provided with means for controlling display on the display device.

The video game device according to the present invention is expressed as follows from another viewpoint. That is, a video game apparatus according to the present invention, in which a character is displayed on a display screen of a display device and a game is progressed, includes means for visibly changing a display mode of a character to be instructed next. ing.

A control method for a video game apparatus according to the present invention is for displaying a plurality of characters on a display screen of a display device and operating the characters in response to the input operation commands. Is determined, and when the operation command input is permitted, an input request screen in which the display mode of the character is changed is displayed.

A recording medium according to the present invention includes a CPU for executing processing according to a program, a memory used by the CPU for executing the program, and a game device for displaying a game video screen on a display device under the control of the CPU. A video / video including a display processing device and an operation command input device
In order to program-control a computer for a game, in cooperation with the CPU, a character is displayed on a display screen of the display device, a point in time at which input of an operation command is permitted for the character is determined, and operation command input permission At the point in time, an input request screen in which the display form of the character has been changed is displayed on the display device, and the commanded operation is performed in response to the operation command given from the input device for the character. This is for realizing the control process.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the change in the display mode of the character is a change in the color of the character image. In another embodiment, the change in the display form of the character is a change in the color of the character representing the character.

An operation command (command) for a character
When is input, the form of the input request screen display is restored.

According to the present invention, the input request screen is displayed when the input of a motion command (command) for the character is permitted, and the display form of the character on the input request screen changes. Therefore, the player can easily know that it is time to input a motion command for the character. Even if a plurality of characters are displayed and the operation command input permission time differs for each character, the player can easily recognize the input permission time for each of the individual characters.

A video game apparatus according to the present invention for displaying information on character status information displays a character on a display screen of a display device and progresses the game, wherein information representing the status of the character displayed on the display screen is displayed. , A means for calculating a change value of the state information of the character caused by the progress of the game, and a means for controlling the calculated change value to be displayed near the character on the display screen. Things.

According to a control method of a video game apparatus according to the present invention, a game is progressed by displaying a character on a display screen of a display device, wherein information indicating a state of the character displayed on the display screen is stored, and The change value of the state information of the character that occurs as the character progresses is calculated, and the calculated change value is displayed near the character on the display screen.

A storage medium according to the present invention includes a CPU for executing processing in accordance with a program, a memory used by the CPU for executing a program, and a game device for displaying a game video screen on a display device under the control of the CPU. A video / video including a display processing device and an operation command input device
In order to program-control a computer for a game, a character is displayed on the display screen of the display device in cooperation with the CPU, and a change value of the state information of the character generated with the progress of the game is calculated; The calculated change value is displayed near the character on the display screen, and the processing for updating the state information is realized.

In one embodiment, when a character is attacked, a display is provided regarding deductions from the character's vitality.

When the state information of the character changes along with the progress of the game, the change value is displayed near the character, so that the player can know the change in the state of the character.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the overall system for a video game.

This system includes a game processor (game machine body) 1 called a so-called super NES.
0, a controller 20 as an input device or operation device detachably connected to the game processor 10, a memory cartridge (or memory cassette) 30 detachably attached to the game processor 10, and a game cartridge
The processor 10 is detachably connected and comprises a CRT display device (for example, a television receiver or a monitor display device) for displaying a video screen for a game.

The game processor 10 has an insertion opening 12 at the center of the upper surface, into which a memory cartridge 30 is removably mounted. A connector 56 (see FIG. 2) to which a conductor pattern or an electrode is connected is provided. A power switch 13, a reset switch 14, and an eject button 15 for discharging the memory cartridge 30 are provided in front of the insertion slot 12. Further, a connector 16 for detachably connecting the controller 20 is provided on the front end face.

The controller 20 includes A for decision making.
Button 21, B button 22 for canceling, X button 23 for selecting menu display 23. , Y button 24, start button 25, select button 26, joy pad (or joy stick) 27 for moving the cursor up and down, left and right on the display screen, and other buttons (not shown) are provided. ing. In this embodiment, the A button 21, the B button 22, the X button 23 and the joy pad 27
Are used for various input operations.

FIG. 2 mainly shows an outline of an electric configuration of the game processor 10. Game processor 10 is CP
U (central processing unit) 50, and this CPU 50
Controls the overall behavior of the game. The execution program of the CPU 50 is stored in the ROM 31 incorporated in the memory cartridge 30 in advance. The ROM 31 has a display device 40
Is also stored. R
The OM 31 is connected to the system processor via the connector 56 when the memory cartridge 30 is connected to the game processor 10.
It is connected to the CPU 50 by a bus (including a data bus, an address bus, and a control line). Preferably, the memory cartridge 31 saves data such as the maximum value (MAX value) and the current value (hit point) of the player character's vitality, which will be described later, so that the continuation of this time can be performed next time. A RAM and a battery for its data backup are provided.

In the game processor 10, the CPU 50
Further, a work RAM 51 for storing various data in the progress of the game and used as a counter, a video RAM 52 for storing image data read from the ROM 31 for display and performing necessary processing and the like, and a video RAM 52 An image processing device 53 for creating a video signal for display based on the image data of the image data is connected by a system bus. The video signal output from the image processing device 53 is further converted into a signal suitable for being supplied to the display device 40 by the modulation circuit 54, for example, an NTSC television signal, and then supplied to the display device 40.

One (when playing alone) or two (when playing two players) controller 20 is connected to the game processor 10, and various signals from the controller 20 are sent to the CPU 50 via an interface 55. To enter.

One or more player characters and enemy characters appear on the screen of the display device 40.
The player character operates according to an operation command given by the player through the controller 20.
Specifically, in response to the player selecting the type of attack or the like displayed on the screen of the display device 40 (this is referred to as command input), the selected attack or the like is performed. The enemy character operates according to a predetermined operation command (determination of action).

The movement of the player character and the enemy character, that is, the fighting action, is repeatedly executed without interruption, with time flowing at a constant speed.
This is called Active Time Batt
le).

FIG. 3 shows an operation mode of the player character and the enemy character in the active time battle. As an example, the behavior of two player characters P1, P2 and enemy characters M1, M2 is shown.

To explain the player characters P1 and P2, after the start of a game or the end of a fighting action such as an attack, a standby time set for each character is entered. The waiting time indicates the quickness of the character. After the elapse of the waiting time, command input is permitted.
At this point, the player can select the displayed battle action (command input). When a command is input, processing corresponding to the command is performed (command determination), and operation preparation time for command execution is entered. The operation preparation time is a time peculiar to the specified operation, and is determined for each operation. When the operation preparation time elapses, the designated battle action is performed, and the operation enters the standby time again.

In the case of the enemy characters M1 and M2, it is not necessary to input a command. Determined for each enemy character,
When the waiting time indicating the quickness elapses, the action is determined. The type of battle action of the enemy character is predetermined, but may change depending on the situation as described later. When the operation preparation time for the determined action elapses, the determined battle operation is performed, and thereafter, the standby time is started again. The above processing is repeated for the enemy character.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, in the active time battle, the player characters P1, P2
In the time zone during which the player is inputting the command (the time zone in which the player character is thinking about what kind of battle action the player character will perform), the standby time and the operation preparation time of the enemy characters M1 and M2 are continually increased. (The timing of these times continues without stopping). Therefore, the player character may be attacked by the enemy character even during command input. In this way, a game full of realism and thrill progresses quickly in a form similar to actual battle.

In principle, it is sufficient to set at least one of the standby time and the operation preparation time for the enemy character. However, when the type of battle action (action or action) of the enemy character changes according to the situation according to the program, it is preferable to provide both of the above times.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a menu screen displayed on the display device 40. This menu screen can be called up by pressing the X button 23 of the controller 20. A cursor (or pointer) CU expressed by a hand is displayed not only on the menu screen but also on other screens. The position of this cursor CU on the screen is the controller
Can be moved by 20 joy pads 27. After moving the cursor CU to a desired position, press the A button 21
By pressing, the one represented by the display pointed by the cursor CU is selected and input.

On the menu screen, a battle mode and a battle speed can be selected.

The battle mode includes a wait mode and an active mode. The wait mode is a mode in which the flow of time stops (timepiece operation stops) for a specific command input during command input (in this embodiment, when “magic (magic)” or “item” is selected). is there. Of course, the flow of time may be stopped for all command inputs.

In the active mode, as described above, time always flows (even during command input) (timekeeping operation continues).

The battle speed means the speed of time flow in the game. More specifically, the standby time and the operation preparation time are proportionally increased or decreased for all the characters. This battle speed can be set in five steps in this embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the initial screen. This is displayed when the game starts. In this display example, three types of three player characters aaa and bbb
And ccc, and three types of enemy characters AA
A1, AAA2 and AAA3 are shown. Two windows W1 and W2 are provided in the lower half of the display screen. The window W1 relates to a player character, and displays a number (denominator) representing the MAX value of the vitality and a number (numerator) representing the current vitality (hit point = HP) for each player character. Each time an enemy character receives an attack, the hit points are deducted according to the type of attack received. In window W2, three enemy characters of type AAA are displayed.
It is shown that they appear.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show the W of the game processor 10.
-Indicates various areas set in the RAM 51. These areas are set or created at the start of the game in accordance with programs or data stored in the ROM 31 of the memory cartridge 30, or are stored in the memory cartridge 30.
It is created by loading the data saved in the RAM of the cartridge 30.

FIG. 4A shows an area used as a pair of a counter and a flag. A standby time counter and an operation preparation time counter are provided for each character, and each counter is accompanied by a flag. Data representing the standby time or the operation preparation time is loaded into these counters, and the value of the counter is decremented every elapse of a predetermined time. When the value of the counter becomes zero, the corresponding flag is turned on. More counters may be provided for each character.

FIG. 4B shows an area for storing commands input for the player character.

FIG. 5A shows a flag area.
In this flag area, an active / wait mode flag that stores the set mode (active mode or wait mode) is set to ON when “Magic” or “Item” is input by the player. , A command input permission flag that is turned on when a command input is permitted to the player (when the standby time has elapsed), and a command input completed flag indicating that the player has input a command.

FIG. 5B shows the MA of vitality for each character.
An area for storing an X value and a hit point is shown. MAX values and hit points are prepared not only for the player character but also for the enemy character. These values are not displayed on the screen for the enemy character. When the hit point becomes zero, the player character is stunned and the enemy character disappears from the screen.

FIG. 6A shows an area of data relating to the standby time. As described above, the waiting time indicates the quickness of the character, and is determined for each character. In this embodiment, a basic value of quickness (standby time) common to all characters and a quickness coefficient determined for each character are set. The value initially set in the standby time counter of each character is obtained by multiplying the basic value by the coefficient of the character.

FIG. 6B shows data relating to the operation preparation time.
Shows the area. The operation preparation time is determined according to the type of operation (attack or the like). An operation preparation time basic value and an operation preparation time coefficient for each type of operation are determined, and an operation preparation time for each type of operation is calculated by obtaining a product of these, and the operation preparation time counter is preset.

By changing the basic value of the standby time and the basic value of the operation preparation time according to the set battle speed, it is possible to change the speed of the time flow even if the time interval for decrementing the counter is constant. Can be. Of course, the change of the battle speed can also be realized by changing the speed of the counter subtraction process, changing the above-mentioned coefficient, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows a CPU 50 according to a program stored in a ROM 31 built in the memory cartridge 30.
2 mainly shows the part related to the counter subtraction processing.

All the flags associated with the counter shown in FIG. 4A are turned off (initialization) (step 101).
For each character, a value representing the standby time is calculated using the standby time basic value and the quickness coefficient in accordance with the set battle speed, and this value is set in the corresponding standby time counter (step 102). ).

Referring to the flag area shown in FIG.
If “Mahou” or “Item” is not set (NO in step 103), or if these are set but not in wait mode (NO in step 104),
As long as the flag associated with the standby time counter is off (NO in step 105), the value of the standby time counter is decremented (step 106). This process is performed for all the standby time counters until the value of the standby time counter becomes 0 (step 109).

When the value of the standby time counter becomes 0, the corresponding flag is turned on (steps 107 and 108).

If “magic” or “item” is selected and the wait mode is set (YES in steps 103 and 104), step 10
Steps 5 to 108 are skipped. In this way, the elapse of time is stopped in a specific case in the wait mode.

The processing of steps 103 to 109 is performed not only for the standby time counter but also for the operation preparation time counter. That is, all counters in step 109 refer to all of the standby time counter and the operation preparation time counter.
However, the subtraction process is practically meaningless unless the initial value is preset. Since it is not necessary for both the standby time counter and the operation preparation time counter to operate simultaneously for one character, one counter area can be alternately used as the standby time counter and the operation preparation time counter. The counter subtraction process of FIG. 7 can be executed as a process by interruption every predetermined time.

FIG. 8 mainly shows the processing procedure of the flag judgment by the CPU 50.

When any of the flags associated with the counter is turned on (step 111), it is determined whether the flag is associated with the standby time counter or the operation preparation time counter (step 112).

If it is related to the standby time counter, it means that the standby time has elapsed. It is determined whether the waiting time of the player character has elapsed or the waiting time of the enemy character has elapsed (step 113). Player
When the waiting time of the character has elapsed, the state of the input permission flag is checked, and if this flag is still off (NO in step 114), a screen for requesting the command input is displayed and the input permission flag is turned on. (Step
118).

An example of a screen for requesting command input is shown in FIG.
Shown in Figure 13. This display example is for the case where the standby time of the player character bbb has elapsed. The display of the player character bbb is in a special form (color changes,
The character bbb of the player character in the window W1 also changes to a special form (color changes, blinks, etc., as shown by hatching in FIG. 13). I do. At the position of the window W2, the window W3 is opened, the type of the command is displayed, and the cursor CU appears.
Here, "fight" indicates an attack on a normal and most common enemy character. "Items" can also select special forms of attack. There are many other types of commands.

FIG. 15 shows a display example when the waiting time for the player character ccc has elapsed. Here, “Mahou” is added as a command displayed in the window W3. Thus, the type of attack that can be used differs depending on the character.

FIG. 19 also shows an example displayed when the standby time for the player character ccc has elapsed. When the player character selects "item", the display changes as shown in FIG. 20, and a special attack or defense mode can be selected. A window W4 for selecting an item is opened, and "Wait (recovery)", "Wait (return)" and the like are displayed. "Kai Fuku" uses the vitality of the player character ccc as MA.
It can recover to the X value. "Fukiki"
Is that the player character who became stunned because the hit point became zero can be re-entered into the battle. Numbers such as "99" and "26" indicate the number of times these commands can be used. Window W4
Arrows pointing upward and downward on the right side of indicate that the window W4 can be further opened upward and downward to select another item.

When such an item is selected, the counting operation of the counter is stopped if the mode is the wait mode, as described above. The same applies when "Mahou" is selected.

Returning to FIG. 8, if command input has been permitted (YES in step 114), it is determined whether a command has been input (step 115). If one of the windows W3 or W4 is selected (except for "item" and "magic"), the command has been input. The command is input by moving the cursor CU to a desired command position using the joy pad 27 and pressing the A button 21.

When a command is input, the command is analyzed (step 116). For example, when "item" or "magic" is selected, the display is switched to a display as shown in FIG. 20 to further select a specific command. In the case of another command, the operation preparation time corresponding to the command is calculated using the data shown in FIG. 6B, and is preset in the operation preparation time counter of the character (step 117). This operation preparation time counter is decremented by the processing shown in FIG. When a command is input, the display changes, for example, from FIG. 13 to FIG. The player character bbb is in the form of preparing for battle. Also, a cursor CU is displayed to select which enemy character to attack. The player can move the cursor to the position of the desired enemy character and press the A button 21 to specify the enemy character to be attacked.

If the standby time for the enemy character has elapsed (NO in step 113), the action (attack) of the enemy character is determined (step 119), and the operation preparation time for the determined action is determined. The enemy character is preset in the operation preparation time counter (step 120).
). Generally, the action of the enemy character is determined by the type of the enemy character. However, if there is a change such as the number of enemy characters being reduced, an action of performing a stronger attack is set.

If the ON flag is associated with the operation preparation time counter (step 112), the operation proceeds to the operation execution processing shown in FIG.

In FIG. 9, in the operation execution processing, processing such as display screen processing, hit point calculation (subtraction), turning off a command input completion flag, and the like are performed. For example, since the enemy character AAA2 is attacked by the player character bbb, as shown in FIG.
2 is deducted 1470 points. The hit point of the enemy character AAA2 has become 0 (or minus) due to the deduction, so that the enemy character AAA is shown in FIG.
A2 disappears from the screen. When the enemy character AAA1 attacks the player character bbb, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the player character bbb in which the enemy character AAA1 glows and is damaged is deducted 340 points. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18, the hit point of the player character bbb is 2420−340 = 2080.

Thereafter, the waiting time of the character that has executed the action (attacked or the like) is preset in the waiting time counter of the character (step 122).
).

FIG. 10 shows an interrupt process executed when the player inputs a command. After confirming that the command input permission flag is on (step 13
1), the process proceeds to the command input process (step 132).

When a command other than "item" and "magic" such as "fight" is input, the command is stored in the input command area (FIG. 4B) and the command input permission flag is set. It is turned off and the command input completed flag is turned on.

In the case of input of "item" and "magic", a flag to that effect is turned on. After this, when specific commands of "item" and "magic" are input,
The input permission flag and the "magic" or "item" flag are turned off, the input command is stored, and the command input completed flag is turned on.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire video game system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a game processor.

FIG. 3 illustrates the concept of an active time battle.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a part of the contents of a work RAM;

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a part of the contents of a work RAM;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a part of the contents of a work RAM;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a counter subtraction process.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flag control process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation execution process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a command input interruption process.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a display screen displayed on a display device.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 17 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 20 shows an example of a display screen displayed on the display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Game processor 20 Controller 30 Memory cartridge 40 Display

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A method of displaying a plurality of characters on a display screen of a display device and operating a character in response to an input operation command, determining a point in time at which input of an operation command relating to the character is permitted, and A method for controlling a video game device, wherein an input request screen in which a display mode of a character is changed is displayed when an input is allowed. 2. The control method for a video game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change in the display form of the character is a change in the color of the character image. 3. The control method for a video game device according to claim 1, wherein the change in the display form of the character is a change in the color of a character representing the character. 4. The video game device control method according to claim 1, wherein when an operation command relating to the character is input, the form of the input request screen display is restored. 5. The video / video display according to claim 1, wherein a change value of the character state information is displayed near the character image.
A method for controlling a game device. 6. A game device in which a character is displayed on a display screen of a display device and a game is progressed, wherein information representing a status of the character displayed on the display screen is stored, and the status of the character generated as the game progresses. A method for controlling a video game apparatus, wherein a change value of information is calculated and the calculated change value is displayed near a character on a display screen. 7. A control device comprising a control device, a display device, and an input device, wherein a character is displayed on a display screen of the display device, and the character is operated in response to an operation command input from the input device. Means for deciding when to input an operation command for a character, and controlling the display device to display an input request screen with a changed display mode for the character when the operation command input is permitted. Video game device comprising: 8. A video game apparatus for displaying a character on a display screen of a display device and proceeding the game, wherein the video game device includes means for visually recognizing a display form of a character to be instructed next. 9. A game device in which a character is displayed on a display screen of a display device and a game is advanced, wherein information indicating a state of the character displayed on the display screen is stored,
A video game device comprising: means for calculating a change value of the state information of the character which occurs as the game progresses; and means for controlling the calculated change value to be displayed near the character on a display screen. 10. A CPU for executing a process according to a program, a memory used by the CPU for executing the program, a display processing device for displaying a game video screen on a display device under the control of the CPU, Cooperating with the CPU to display a character on the display screen of the display device in order to program control a computer for a video game including an operation command input device;
A point in time at which the input of a motion command is permitted for a character is determined. When the point at which the motion command input is permitted is reached, an input request screen in which the display mode of the character is changed is displayed on the display device, and the input of the character is performed. A recording medium storing a program for realizing a process of performing control to execute an operation in response to an operation instruction given from an apparatus. 11. A CPU for executing a process according to a program, a memory used by the CPU for executing the program, a display processing device for displaying a game video screen on a display device under the control of the CPU, Cooperating with the CPU to display a character on the display screen of the display device in order to program control a computer for a video game including an operation command input device;
Stores a program for calculating the change value of the state information of the character that accompanies the progress of the game, displaying the calculated change value near the character on the display screen, and updating the state information. Recording medium.