WO2006014148A2

WO2006014148A2 - Method for organising an intermittent game process

Info

Publication number: WO2006014148A2
Application number: PCT/UA2005/000033
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergey Alexandrovich Orlov
Original assignee: Sergey Alexandrovich Orlov
Priority date: 2004-08-04
Filing date: 2005-08-01
Publication date: 2006-02-09
Also published as: WO2006014148A8

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to develop a method for organising the intermittent game process of a computer game by introducing an automatic standby mode and an operation mode and by sequentially alternating said modes along with the game process, thereby extending the functionality of the computer game, reducing the predictability of the game event results and increasing dynamics and staginess thereof. The inventive method for organising the intermittent game process of a computer game consists in consequently alternating a move input mode when at least one player inputs the move in the form of character-control instructions and a move visualisation mode when the move inputted by the player is carried out. The move-input mode is set by software in the form of an automatic standby mode during the game process. For this purpose, a fixed time for simultaneously imputing the moves is predetermined, the visualisation mode is set by the software in the form of the operation mode associated with the simultaneous program generation of the carried out moves and the visualisation thereof on the display of each player. The early transition of the game process from the standby mode to the operation mode is carried out provided that, the move is inputted by the specified number of players which define the fixed time of the standby mode.

Description

METHOD OF ORGANIZING THE GAMING PROCESS OF INTERRUPTIONAL ACTION

Technical field

5

The invention relates to the field of entertaining games implemented using a computer, and in particular to a method for organizing a game process, and can be used to control the progress of a computer game for a large number of users of personal computers.

The prior art.

Currently, computer games are becoming more and more

15 common. The development of computer graphics, in particular three-dimensional graphics devices, the emergence of high-speed personal computers with more powerful processors and with a large amount of RAM led to the creation of games with a large volume of gaming capabilities, satisfying the increasing

20 graphics and sound quality. This leads to the expansion of the computer games market and accordingly increases the number of their consumers.

There are a large number of computer games that exist at this time. If we classify these games by genre, then 25 in today's computer games market, the following can be distinguished:

(1) Three-dimensional first-person action games in which a player is placed in a three-dimensional environment where it is possible to walk, turn and react to surrounding objects.

(2) Adventure interactive games in which the player controls the character according to the game scenario of the game.

(3) Learning games in the form of entertainment, providing the player with a learning process that is shaped like a game. (4) Combat games based on martial arts and other martial sports, and offer a variety of characters for the player, each with a unique set of fighting skills.

(5) Strategy games in which the player acts as the 5th shaper of the system based on the management of society’s resources.

Other strategy games include chess and similar logic games.

(6) Simulation games that are most often associated with certain types of military hardware, usually an airplane and a tank. However, some other types of simulators are racing cars or flying a spaceship.

(7) Sports games in which most gaming sports are simulations of actual sports like football, baseball, basketball, etc.

(8) War games, creating a structural environment that simulates 15 real historical events, and allowing the player to act as their active participant. One example of such an environment is the re-creation of our global chronology, for example, the First World War.

Computer games can also be classified according to the number of players who take part in the game and control the game

20 characters. There are single (single-player) games in which only one player participates, interacting with a computer and controlled characters. There are also multiplayer games in which a number of players participate, interacting with each other through computers and

25 means of communication (local area network, Internet).

Multiplayer games, in turn, can be classified according to time periods within which players interact with each other. There are known "real-time" games in which the state of a game is frequently updated, usually several times a second. In this case, the characters instantly execute the commands given by the players. In such games, the time factor and reaction are very important. Another type of computer game is a “turn-based” game, in which each player can study the current state of the game and take turns a move available for observation to other participants in the game. When the player completes the turn, the initiative in the move passes to the next player, etc. Thus, the player who made the move must wait until the turn reaches him again.

5 In well-known types of games with a computer, a method of organizing a game process is implemented, which basically consists of two modes that alternate one after another, during which the game process is controlled by the game program and player commands: the player’s input mode and the input mode. The closest to this invention in technical essence and the achieved result is a method of organizing the game process of a computer game (patent EPl 151775, IPC A63F13 / 10, published 07.11.2001), which includes game software and an input data set of at least single storage device

15 information processed by at least one information processing device, at least one user input device and at least one display device, which consists in sequentially alternating a stroke input mode during which at least one player introduces a move in the form of commands,

20 controls the character, and the course visualization mode, during which the player’s entered move is realized

In the visualization mode, the game process is controlled automatically by the program, and in the input mode of the move - by external player commands. Switch gameplay from turn-on mode to

25, the visualization mode occurs if a command is entered corresponding to a given correct, predetermined by the program, action of the game process.

In the known method, the player in the input mode of the move selects and enters teams to perform certain actions in the development of game events of the game process.

As a result of switching the game mode from the move input mode to the visualization mode, according to the team selected by the player, the player views the video on the monitor like a movie recorded previously using video recorders, which presents the implementation of certain actions, and some further provided, and pre-recorded, the development of a game event. The known method of organizing the gameplay of a computer game has the following disadvantages. The known method of the game is carried out only in single-player game mode, that is, the player (user of one personal computer) cannot take real part in the game with the user of another computer, and even in the event of his virtual victory, it is conditional, and thus the game does not gives satisfaction.

The process of a well-known game and its outcome depends on the script and a pre-prepared library of individual episodes that are played by the program when a command (move) is entered, indicating the correct character action predefined by the specified program. This does not allow you to deviate from the storyline of the game and try to go through the game in a different way, since in this case the game process stops or even a loss is possibly counted, which leads to predictability of the completion of the game event, and also reduces the fun and excitement of the game.

The known method of the game process does not allow the player to observe the visualization of the implementation of any command (move) entered by him, but only by a predetermined program, which reduces the entertainment of the game. Attachment to a given storyline of the game process when it is repeated again quickly tires the player and his interest in the game disappears, which does not contribute to the further development of the player. Also, the game process will not be carried out until the player enters in the input mode the teams that control the character’s action, which reduces the dynamics and excitement of the game.

Disclosure of the invention.

The basis of the invention is the task of creating a method of organizing the game process of discontinuous action of a computer game by introducing automatic pause mode and action mode and sequentially alternating them in the game process, ensuring the expansion of the functionality of a computer game, reducing the predictability of the outcome of a game event,

5 increase in dynamics and entertainment.

The problem is solved in that the method of organizing the game process of discontinuous operation of a computer game, including game software and an input data set on at least one information storage device, processed by at least one information processing device, at least one user input device and at least one display device, which consists in sequentially alternating a move input mode during which at least one player enters a move in the form of commands that control the character, and the visualization mode of the move, during

15 the time of which the player’s entered move is realized, according to the invention, the move input mode is set by software in the form of an automatic pause mode in the game process, for which a fixed time period of simultaneous introduction of moves is preliminarily assigned, and the visualization mode is set as an action mode with

20 by simultaneously generating programmatically implemented moves and visualizing them on each player’s display device, the stroke size is limited by the units of movement corresponding to the character’s characteristics, and in the action mode they complete the moves (“long moves”) entered during the previous

25 pause modes when there is no new move in the current pause mode.

From the pause mode to the 'action' mode, the game process proceeds ahead of schedule, provided that the move is entered with the specified percentage of players. Players set a fixed pause time. Due to the fact that the input mode of the move is set by the software in the form of an automatic pause mode, the game process develops in real time, which allows it to be interrupted automatically by uniform (equal) pauses, during which the player can enter a move, which the program will begin to execute immediately after automatically pause when the game continues. This allows the player to reflect on the next move without losing time in the overall process of the game, which provides an extension of the functionality of a computer game.

5 To the fact that the pause mode is limited to a fixed period of time, it stimulates the player to concentrate on the upcoming move and not be distracted from the gameplay, as a result of which the player's waiting time for the implementation of the move after it is entered during the pause mode is reduced, which increases the dynamics of the game. Due to the fact that during the pause mode, all the players participating in the game simultaneously enter their moves, the waiting time between the introduction of moves by players whose characters simultaneously interact in the game process is reduced, which also increases the dynamics of the game and fun.

15 Due to the fact that the visualization mode is set by the software in the form of an action mode, including the simultaneous software generation of implemented moves and their visualization on the player’s display device, the number of commands issued and actions performed increases. This gives the player the opportunity to more

20 freedom in the gameplay and form the storyline of the game of your choice, which reduces the predictability of the outcome of the game event, and also increases the entertainment.

The introduction of restrictions on the amount of stroke entered in the current pause mode, in the form of so-called units of movement, provides

25 for each character, depending on his characteristics, have a certain number of units of movement and a corresponding set of actions that the player can use when entering a move in the current pause mode. In fact, they are analogous to the character’s speed, i.e. the faster the character can make movements, the more units of movement he has in this mode of action. It also extends the functionality of the game.

When a player introduces a move in the pause mode, the movement units of which exceed the permissible value of the move, in the action mode the number of units of movement that corresponds to the characteristics of the character is executed, and the rest of such a “long move” (units of movement) is transferred to the next pause mode and will accordingly be completed in the subsequent mode of action, thanks

5 to which it becomes possible to give teams that do not require pause for entering a new move in each subsequent mode to conduct the game. Such long teams are necessary for all kinds of movements on the game map, which are not possible to carry out in one move.

Due to the fact that in each new pause mode, you can enter a new move, this creates the opportunity for the player to introduce a new move to cancel part of the “long move” left to complete the current action mode, which also increases the dynamics of the game and reduces the predictability of the game event.

Due to the fact that a given percentage of players enter their moves to

15, when the time allotted for the pause mode ends, there is an early transition to the action mode, which increases the dynamics of the game process.

Due to the fact that the time period of the pause mode is set by the players, the dynamics of the development of the game can be adapted to the skills of specific

20 players, which extends the functionality of the game.

Description of the drawings and embodiments of the invention.

The described advantages, as well as the features of the claimed 25 invention, are illustrated by examples of its implementation with reference to the following figures.

In FIG. 1 presents a block diagram of an electronic gaming device that implements the inventive method.

In FIG. 2 presents a block diagram of a program algorithm for implementing the proposed method.

To implement the proposed method, a gaming device 1 is used, a block diagram of which is shown in FIG. 1. The gaming device 1 consists of an information processing device 2, a display device 3 connected thereto, a user input device 4, an information storage device 5 and a communication device 6.

The processing device 2 is designed to control the gaming

5 by the device 1. On the display device 3, the gameplay is visualized. Using the input device 4, the player enters his moves into the gaming device 1. The information storage device 5 is used to store the game software, the source and final data of the game. The communication device 6 provides a connection to a server located on the Internet, which is connected to other players participating in the game.

The sequence of organization of the game process and processing of the game program and is shown schematically in FIG. 2. The processing sequence is considered from the moment the game process is started

15 according to a game script of software on an information storage device. After issuing a command to the beginning of the game, the information processing device places the characters on an in-game map, all of the characteristics of which are contained in the information storage device, visualizing the result using the display device

20 5.

First, in step Sl, the pause mode begins. The player gets the opportunity to give a command to his character using an input device. The given commands are written to the information storage device. At the same time, the program starts a timer that

25 counts down the set time until the end of the pause mode.

In the pause mode, as shown in step S2, the processing device checks the number of players who gave the move command. If the players have not given the teams in the quantity necessary to complete the pause mode, control proceeds to step S3 to complete the pause mode by the end of the set time for the pause mode.

If the players gave the teams the characters in the amount corresponding to the condition of step S2, then control proceeds to step S4 and then to step S5, in which preparations are made for the end of the pause mode. In step S4, the program automatically gives commands to characters for whom a move was not entered in this pause mode, since in the previous pause mode a stroke was entered that exceeded the allowable stroke value. If such a “long run” was introduced, he

5 is entirely stored on the information storage device, and in subsequent pause modes in the absence of a new entered move, the character automatically receives a command to complete the move from the place where he finished executing in the previous action mode.

In step S 5, the processing device adjusts the moves of the players taking into account the moves of other players and the features of the game space (the effect of simulated natural laws, terrain and game scenario).

Thus, the game process control proceeds to step S6, that is, to the completion of the pause mode, when

15 positive fulfillment of the condition of step S2 or positive fulfillment of the condition of step SЗ.

In step S6, the program automatically switches the game process from the pause mode to the action mode, that is, it proceeds to step S7, when the processing device processes the moves entered by the players in

20 pause mode, as well as parts of the “long runs” automatically entered by the game program, programmatically generating the actions of the characters in the game space, and visualizes a result similar to a short movie that each player can watch for a certain time using the display device.

25 In the action mode, as shown in step S7, the processing device after completing the visualization of the completed moves of all the players entered in the pause mode, and writes the final data to the information storage device for subsequent gameplay and captures them on the display device of each player. In step S 8, the processing device checks the end-of-game condition.

If the conditions are not met, the gameplay control proceeds to step Sl and a new pause mode automatically starts. The proposed method can be implemented in various types of computer games such as “3-D action”, turn-based games, tactical strategies, simulators, as separate elements of the game process, for example, in the battle phase between characters, while the game remains typical, 5 strategy or simulator, but using the gameplay intermittent action.

Also, the proposed method can be implemented as a separate game, built on the basis of the proposed method. Games of this genre will most closely resemble an interactive movie, when the viewer at a certain moment can choose one or another plot development.

At least one player takes part in the game, his opponents can be both other players and characters controlled by a computer using pre-written scripts 15 and lines of behavior in a particular game situation.

Example 1. A first-person game with gameplay elements of discontinuous action. Each player, entering the game, registers a character on the game server. Then the player comes up with a name, chooses the military “profession” of the medieval world (foot soldier, archer, paladin, etc.), selects the character's characteristics (units of life, strength, accuracy, physique, etc.), specialized skills, etc.

After registration, the character enters a global in-game map simulating medieval Europe, where the player can select a point in the game world where he wants to send his 25 character. The game world is pre-modeled, but can be changed due to the actions of players. On the way, he may meet other characters with whom he can trade, communicate through the built-in chat, fight, enter into alliances, etc.

During the game, the character gains gaming experience and improves some of his characteristics. This increases the character's chances of surviving in the conditions of game battles.

The battle phase in which the proposed method is implemented is as follows. On a game card characters, and in such a way that the characters of the warring parties are in different parts of the map. When the characters are placed, the first pause mode begins in the gameplay. In pause mode, players are given the opportunity to enter a move for the character that will be

5 is performed during an action mode following the current pause mode.

The pause mode is limited by time and, if the player does not have time to give a command, he remains without movement in the same position in which he remained from the moment the last move was realized. In this case, the character remains available for attack.

There are restrictions on the move given in the current pause mode, in the form of so-called movement units. Each character, depending on its characteristics, has a certain number of units of movement, and there is a set of actions inherent in it

15 professions for which he can spend his units of movement in the current pause mode. With the start of a new pause mode, the number of units of motion is restored to its original value.

When the pause mode ends, the action mode begins. During the action mode, all characters simultaneously execute commands,

20 given to them by players, and interacting with each other. For example, Character A received a command to hit the character B with an ax in the head, and the player controlling character B, anticipating the actions of the player controlling character A, gave the command to his character to shield his head with a shield. As a result, the blow of character A falls into the shield

25 character B, without harming the latter (i.e., the number of life units of character B, as a result of the actions of character A, will not decrease). All these movements, taking into account the structure of the characters, the features of the relief, etc., are programmatically generated and visualized in detail on the display device. There may be a large number of options for such situations.

The player whose characters remain on the map in the complete absence of opponents wins the battle. Opponents can leave the battlefield in different ways, for example - enter a special zone- exit, or lose all units of life (which according to game rules means the death of a character in the current battle). A draw is also possible when the characters simultaneously (in the same period of action) left the game card.

5 If during a pause mode a character is entered for a character that is not fully realized before the start of the next pause mode due to the fact that the number of units of a given move exceeds the permissible number of movement units for one move, the unrealized number of movements remains by default and will be entered automatically during the next pause mode, but the stroke can be changed in the current pause mode. For example, the player gave the character a command to move through the forest, the character moves slowly and does not have time to run to the end of the forest in the current mode of action. If during the current pause mode the player does not give another command to the character, he will start a new action mode

15 will go along the route corresponding to the previously entered move.

At the end of the battle phase, the characters again fall on the global in-game map.

Example 2. A spaceship control simulator that uses intermittent gameplay.

20 Space simulators differ from all kinds of "terrestrial" simulators in that, theoretically, it is possible to fully use all three dimensions (width, height, length). Such an opportunity arises from the lack of the need to take into account the planet's attraction factor. So most space

25 simulators use three-dimensional game cards, on which objects move.

The described game assumes a game process interrupted by a pause mode, into which you can give a movement command (i.e. indicate the direction on the map or the course where the ship will go) to the next action mode after the current pause mode. When the pause mode is completed and the ship begins to move to the specified point, the game process goes into firing mode with the ability to fire at opponents from the player’s ship moving at a given rate. After a fixed time, the action mode is interrupted by the pause mode. The player can again give a motion command to the subsequent action mode. The player, starting the game, chooses the name and race of his character. Having chosen all this, his character appears on the planet belonging to that

5 race, which he chose. On most planets in the game, there is some kind of infrastructure that allows you to improve your gaming capabilities by acquiring new ships and equipment for them, increasing their technical characteristics. Also, a player can receive tasks for execution, receiving some financial reward for this (example: A player must escort a transport ship from one planet to another, if the goal is achieved, the player is paid 1000 game money).

Initially, the player has a ship, but a very low class. During the game, the player has the opportunity to change the ship for more

15 new, or improve the old. Improvements are bought in special stores for game money. The player earns money in all kinds of game situations involving the possibility of earning (paying for completed tasks, selling collected minerals and trophies, robbing other characters, etc.). Game card is broken into

20 galaxies, for the transition from one galaxy to another, the so-called hyper transition is used, and after a certain period of time the character may end up in another galaxy. Theoretically, the game world can be developed endlessly by adding hyper transitions to new galaxies.

25 The goal of the game, each player chooses for himself. Whether it is making game money, completing all kinds of game tasks, cosmic domination, and so on.

Example 3. A tactical strategy, with elements of the Zd-action, using the gameplay of discontinuous action. zo Game simulates a medieval community, or rather feudal wars of the Middle Ages. There are several phases of the game, the first is the movement on a global map divided into zones (locations), which schematically shows the castles and armies of the players. The second is the battle phase, when two or more sides (all those who are fighting in this game location) find themselves on the same combat map, and in contrast to the very sketchy image on the global map - during the battle phase the entire army is fully displayed, up to the last soldier, and

5 same landscape features.

At least one player takes part in the game. His opponents can be, as the characters of other players, and characters controlled by a computer. Each player starts the game in his castle. He can improve the castle by building new buildings, in the same place he can hire an army. The player can send armies to neighboring locations in order to capture them. A location is considered captured if the player’s army is in the location.

The movement of armies on the game map is carried out step by step, that is, all game "kings" (controlled by players or a computer) do

15th turn in turn. On their turn, they can control their castle (build new buildings, hire troops, etc.) and the army. The player can move conventional armies to one location (adjacent), and armies in which there are no foot troops (cavalry) can be moved to two locations. If a player moves an army to an enemy’s location, he captures it. If on

20 enemy locations is the army protecting it - the battle begins, after which the location belongs to the winning side. The turn ends when the player presses the “END OF THE TURN” button.

For battle in the game, a method of organizing the game process of discontinuous action is used. The action takes place on the map (playing field), on

25 which shows the features of the area (terrain features, castles, etc.). Warriors of defenders are located in the center of the map, if there is a castle in the location - on the territory of the castle. The wars of the attacking side are located on the side of the combat map with which they entered the location on the global map. The battle takes place in real time, but it is evenly interrupted by pause modes to give a command to the troops (you cannot give commands outside the pause mode).

The battle for each player proceeds approximately as follows: - the pause mode begins, the game world “freezes”; - during the pause mode, the player enters a move for his troops;

- the time allotted for the pause mode has expired - the pause mode ends;

- the action mode begins, the game world "dies", troops 5 begin to move, according to the entered moves;

- the time allotted for the action mode has expired - the pause mode starts again and so on.

The gameplay continues until there is only one player’s army left on the battle map. If a command is given to a detachment during a pause mode that it does not have time to complete before the start of the next pause mode, the command remains by default for the next period of validity, but it can be changed in the current pause mode. For example: a player gave a command to a squad of crossbowmen to move to the nearest forest, crossbowmen

15 move slowly and do not have time to reach the forest in the current mode of action. If during the current pause mode the player does not give another command to the arbalester squad, they will go along the route corresponding to the previously entered move with the start of the new action mode.

The routes of the units are shown on the combat map by lines, but there are

20 the ability to disable these lines, or enable the option in which they will be visible only for the current unit, or only in pause mode. You can issue the following commands to a squad:

- follow the point on the map.

- attack the enemy army

25 - take a defensive position and wait

There are three types of troops in the game. Cavalry, infantry and remote-attack troops (archers, crossbowmen).

Cavalry. Wars of this class move quickly, at the expense of horses, but they cannot climb onto castle walls and fight on them. They are also very vulnerable against warriors with pole arms (spears, halberds)

Infantry. Compared with cavalry, they move much slower. Can fight on castle walls. If wars are armed with a pole weapons - very effective against mounted troops. The same infantry in the maintenance, much cheaper than cavalry.

Troops with a remote attack. Crossbowmen and archers are notable for causing damage from a distance. Completely helpless in close combat.

In addition to warriors, combat vehicles - catapults, ballista, rams, etc. can participate in the battle. Mostly combat vehicles are designed to destroy walls and fortifications. Using the proposed method, you can simulate game models of real historical events with the participation of real historical characters along with fictional ones, which additionally serves to increase the erudition of computer users.

The above examples confirm the achievement of a technical result in the implementation of the proposed method. Moreover, the proposed method of a computer game allows the player to achieve victory in the game more due to the characteristics and capabilities of the character that he acquired during the game than through playing skills in using the player’s computer, which makes the game attractive to more people, including those who has little experience in using a computer and contributes to the development of erudition of a player in using a computer.

Thus, through the use of the proposed method creates an entirely new genre of computer games - discontinuous action or the genre of discontinuous action. This will expand the range of existing genres of computer games, due to the fact that the opportunity will open for the implementation of tasks that were not completely solved in well-known games or were impossible at all, will also increase the audience of computer users attracted by these new features.

Claims

CLAIM

1. A method of organizing a game process of discontinuous operation of a computer game, including game software and an input data set on at least one information storage device, processed by at least one information processing device and at least one user input device and at least one display device, which consists in sequentially alternating a move input mode, during which at least one player enters a move in the form of commands that control the character m, and the imaging mode progress during

15 of which the player’s entered move is implemented, characterized in that the move input mode is set by the software in the form of an automatic pause mode in the game process, for which a fixed time period of simultaneous input of moves is preliminarily assigned, and the visualization mode is set by the software in the form

20 action modes with the simultaneous software generation of implemented moves and their visualization on the display device of each player, while the amount of movement is limited to units of movement corresponding to the character’s characteristics, and in the action mode, additional “long moves” entered during

25 previous pause modes when there is no new move in the current pause mode.

2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that from the pause mode to the action mode, the game process proceeds ahead of schedule, provided that the move is entered with the specified percentage of players. zo 3 The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the players set a fixed time pause mode.