JP6444927B2 - Computer program and game system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer program and a game system in which a user operates a character operating in a virtual space via a virtual operator displayed on a touch screen.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computer programs that allow a user to operate a character in a virtual space to advance a game have been provided for small computer devices such as portable game devices and mobile phones. In such a small computer device, in order to enlarge the display screen as much as possible, there is one in which a physical operation element is omitted and a larger touch screen is mounted. In this case, the omitted physical operation element is replaced by a virtual operation element displayed on the touch screen. For example, an image of a cross key indicating the up, down, left, and right directions is displayed as a virtual operator on the touch screen, and the user operates this to instruct the traveling direction of the character in the game.

  However, the touch screen has a smooth surface, and the virtual operator has no irregularities that can be perceived with the fingertips like the physical operator, so the user does not have to look at the hand of the cross key. It cannot be recognized. For this reason, when the player is enthusiastic about the game, the user may be operating a position away from the cross key or operating an unintended position of the cross key.

  On the other hand, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an algorithm that allows operation input without depending on a fixed virtual operator. More specifically, when the user performs a swipe operation on the touch screen, the position touched first is used as a reference point, and the player character is moved in the sliding direction of the fingertip from this reference point. Further, when a tap operation is simply performed on the touch screen, an attack action against the enemy character is executed regardless of the operation position.

COLOPL CHANNEL, “White Cat Project Punikon Operation Movie”, [online], May 28, 2014, Coropla, Inc. [Search March 31, 2016], Internet <URL: https://www.youtube. com / watch? v = 2rpM017TGAE & feature = youtu.be>

  However, in the case of Non-Patent Document 1, in order to instruct the movement of the player character by the swipe operation, it is necessary to perform two operations of touch and slide in series. Therefore, the operation becomes complicated when it is desired to move the player character instantaneously or when the moving direction is frequently changed. Further, when the vicinity of the outer frame of the touch screen is touched, there is a problem that a slide operation cannot be performed in the direction outside the touch screen thereafter.

  In addition, in the case of a simple tap operation, the operation position on the touch screen is not limited, but a single action (attack action) is executed regardless of the position of the tap operation, and various action instructions are given depending on the operation position. I can't. Thus, even with the technique of Non-Patent Document 1, there is still room for improvement with respect to the operability of the user in the action game.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer program and a game system that can improve user operability in an input interface using a touch screen as a medium.

  A computer program according to the present invention is based on a game screen display unit that displays a game screen on a touch screen having a predetermined area, an operation reception unit that receives a user operation on the touch screen, and the user operation. Game progress means for advancing a game, reference point setting means for setting a predetermined reference point on the touch screen, and operator setting for setting a display range of the plurality of virtual operators on the touch screen based on the reference point Each of the plurality of virtual operating elements functions as area setting means for setting an operation area larger than the corresponding virtual operating element based on the reference point, and the game progress means Is associated with the operation area including the current operation position. The game progress process is executed, the reference point setting means resets the reference point based on the current operation position on the touch screen, and the area setting means is set based on the reset reference point. A plurality of the operation areas related to the next operation are reset.

  The area setting means may set the operation area as a range including a display range of the virtual operator and a peripheral portion of the game screen.

  A game system according to the present invention includes a program storage unit that stores any one of the above game programs, and a computer that executes the program stored in the program storage unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the computer program and game system which are easy to input operation which a user intends in the input interface which uses a touch screen as a medium, even during a game can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the game device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the game device shown in FIG. It is a schematic drawing which shows an example of the game image in play. It is a flowchart explaining the reset procedure at the time of tap operation. It is a schematic diagram of the game screen which shows the specific example of the setting procedure of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the reset procedure at the time of long press operation. It is a schematic diagram of the game screen which shows the specific example of the setting procedure of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the other reset procedure at the time of long press operation. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a game screen showing a specific example of the setting procedure of FIG. 8.

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

[Hardware configuration]
The game system according to the present invention can be applied to a small game device such as a portable video game machine or a mobile phone. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described using such a game device as an example. Note that the application target of the present invention is not limited to the above-described small game apparatus, and for example, a game system that includes an operation device having a touch screen and a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays a virtual game space. Applicable.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the game apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 11, a drawing data generation processor 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 14, and a drawing processing processor. 15 and a voice processor 16 are included. The game apparatus 1 further includes a VRAM (Video-RAM) 20, a virtual operation unit input interface 21, a touch screen 2, an amplifier 22, a speaker 23, an earphone terminal 24, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 26, and a wireless communication module. 27. Among these, the CPU 11, the drawing data generation processor 12, the RAM 13, the ROM 14, the drawing processing processor 15, the sound processing processor 16, the virtual operation unit input interface 21, the USB interface 26, and the wireless communication module 27 are mutually connected via the bus 10. Connected to allow data transmission.

  The USB interface 26 provided in the game apparatus 1 connects the game apparatus 1 and another computer apparatus via a USB cable, and a game program (computer program) 5a and game data are transmitted from the connected computer apparatus (a type of recording medium). Load 5b. Among these, the game program 5a causes the game apparatus 1 to execute an action game having a content in which, for example, a player character and an enemy character battle in a virtual game space. The game data 5b includes data necessary for executing the game (for example, background image data constituting the virtual game space, image data for displaying information such as status, virtual controller such as a cross key). Image data, sound data such as sound effects and BGM, message data using characters and symbols, and the like).

  The wireless communication module 27 performs data communication with a server device on the Internet by wireless communication complying with a communication standard such as HSPA (High Speed Packet Access). Through this data communication, the game program 5a and the game data 5b can be downloaded from the server device, or can be communicated with other game devices 1. The game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can execute an action game based on the game program 5a and the game data 5b loaded through the USB interface 26 or the wireless communication module 27 as described above. It is also possible to play against characters operated by other users by communicating with other game apparatuses 1 via the Internet using the wireless communication module 27.

  A load area and a work area are set in the RAM 13 included in the control unit 30. In the load area, the game program 5a and game data 5b loaded via the USB interface 26 or the wireless communication module 27 are stored. The work area is used when the CPU 11 executes the game program 5a. The ROM 14 stores a basic program of the game apparatus 1 such as a loading function via the USB interface 26 or the wireless communication module 27.

  The CPU 11 executes the game program 5a loaded in the RAM 13 in accordance with a user operation on virtual operators 42 and 43 (see FIG. 3) described later, and controls the game progress. More specifically, when an operation signal is input from the virtual operating elements 42 and 43 when operated by the user, the CPU 11 performs a predetermined game progress process corresponding to the operation signal in accordance with the game program 5a. This processing result is displayed on the touch screen 2 as an image (game image, frame) indicating the progress of the game, and is output as an audio signal from the speaker 23 or the earphone terminal 24 as necessary.

  Drawing of the game image is performed by the drawing processor 15 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 11. That is, the CPU 11 determines the content of the game image to be displayed on the touch screen 2 based on the operation signal input by the user, and causes the drawing data generation processor 12 to generate drawing data necessary for the content. Then, the drawing data is transferred to the drawing processor 15 to perform drawing processing. The drawing processor 15 generates a game image, for example, every 1/60 seconds based on the drawing data, and writes the generated game image in the VRAM 20. The touch screen 2 includes a transflective color liquid crystal display and a backlight LED (Light Emitting Diode), and displays a game image written in the VRAM 20.

  The touch screen 2 includes input means such as a touch panel disposed on the liquid crystal display in addition to the liquid crystal display and the backlight LED. Therefore, when the user touches the touch screen 2 with a fingertip or the like of the hand, information related to the contact position is input to the CPU 11 via the virtual operation unit input interface 21 and the bus 10. As will be described later, virtual operator images 42 and 43 simulating physical operators such as buttons and levers are displayed on the touch screen 2 (see FIG. 3), and the user operates the virtual operators 42 and 43. When the touch screen 2 is touched in such a manner, a predetermined operation input can be performed via the virtual operation elements 42 and 43.

  Further, the CPU 11 determines sound effects such as sound effects and BGM to be output from the speaker 23 in accordance with the progress of the game, reads out sound data for generating the sound from the RAM 13 and inputs the sound data to the sound processor 16. . That is, when a sound generation event occurs with the progress of the game, the CPU 11 reads out sound data corresponding to the sound generation event (the sound data included in the game data 5b) from the RAM 13 and inputs it to the sound processing processor 16. The audio processor 16 is constituted by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and after giving a predetermined effect (for example, reverb, chorus, etc.) to the audio data input by the CPU 11, it is converted into an analog signal, Output to the amplifier 22. The amplifier 22 amplifies the audio signal input from the audio processor 16 and then outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker 23 and the earphone terminal 24.

[Functional configuration of control unit]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game apparatus 1 described above. FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing an example of a game image during game play on the game apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 of the game apparatus 1 executes the game program 5 a to thereby execute a game screen display unit 31, an operation reception unit 32, a game progress unit 33, a reference point setting unit 34, an operator setting. The function of the means 35, the area setting means 36, etc. is exhibited.

  The game screen display means 31 generates three-dimensional data indicating the virtual game space 41 and three-dimensional data such as the player character C1 and the enemy character C2 acting in the virtual game space 41 based on the game data 5b. Then, a two-dimensional game image as shown in FIG. 3 is generated from these data and output (displayed) on the touch screen 2. Note that the virtual game space 41 and the characters C1 and C2 may be configured by two-dimensional data instead of three-dimensional data.

  Here, the data indicating the virtual game space 41 includes a virtual operator composed of an image of a lever, a button, or the like, which serves as a guide for the operation position when the user instructs the movement of the player character C1. The virtual operation element includes a first virtual operation element 42 in which an operation area is reset according to a user operation and a second virtual operation element 43 in which the operation area is fixedly set, as will be described later. Is included.

  In the present embodiment, as the first virtual operator 42, a so-called cross key for operating and inputting an instruction relating to the moving direction of the player character C1 is illustrated, and the first virtual operator 42 is It is an aggregate of virtual operators 42a to 42d corresponding to the left and right directions. The second virtual operator 43 is a button key for operating and inputting an instruction relating to the execution of the attack action of the player character C1 and the activation of the special technique.

  However, other instruction contents may be assigned to the first virtual operator 42 and the second virtual operator 43. For example, instructions such as “jump” to the virtual operator 42a, “squat” to the virtual operator 42b, “kick” to the virtual operator 42c, “punch” to the virtual operator 42d, and the like may be assigned. In FIG. 3, the first virtual operation element 42 (cross key) is arranged on the left side of the touch screen 2 and is operated with the thumb of the left hand of the user. The second virtual operator 43 (button key) is arranged on the right side of the touch screen 2 and is operated with the thumb of the right hand of the user.

  The operation accepting unit 32 accepts an operation performed on the touch screen 2 by the user. More specifically, for example, when the user touches the touch screen 2, the operation reception unit 32 detects the contact position, and determines that an operation has been performed on a predetermined operation area including the contact position. Then, the game progress means 33 performs a game progress process (such as operating the player character C1) associated with the operation area operated by the user.

As will be described in detail later, the reference point setting unit 34 sets a predetermined reference point on the touch screen 2. Based on this reference point, the operator setting unit 35 sets the display position on the touch screen 2 of the first virtual operator 42, that is, the plurality of virtual operators 42a to 42d. The area setting unit 36 sets an operation area 44 that is an operation reception range determined for each instruction based on the reference point.
[Virtual controls and operation areas]
With reference to FIG. 3, the virtual operation element and the operation area will be described in more detail. First, four reference points Pa to Pd are set on the touch screen 2, and display positions of the virtual operators 42a to 42d are set based on these reference points Pa to Pd.

  In the present embodiment, reference points Pa to Pd are set at respective positions on the top, bottom, left, and right at the same distance from the point P0 on the left side of the touch screen 2. Then, the display position of the virtual operation element 42a is set so as to include the reference point Pa, and similarly, the display position of the corresponding virtual operation element 42b to 42d is set so as to include each of the reference points Pb to Pd. .

  In the case of FIG. 3, the first virtual operator 42 has a circular shape centered on the point P0 as a whole. The first virtual operator 42 is divided into four regions, upper, lower, left and right, by two oblique lines L1, L2 orthogonal to each other at point P0, and these are virtual operators 42a to 42d. And each reference point Pa-Pd is located in the center vicinity of corresponding virtual operation elements 42a-42d.

  On the other hand, the operation area 44 has operation areas 44a to 44d corresponding to the virtual operation elements 42a to 42d, respectively. Each of the operation areas 44a to 44d includes the corresponding virtual operation elements 42a to 42d, and is set in a larger range. In the case of FIG. 3, the touch screen 2 is divided into four areas, upper, lower, left, and right by two intersecting lines L1, L2, and these areas are set as operation areas 44a to 44d. Accordingly, each of the operation areas 44a to 44d is set to a range including the corresponding virtual operation elements 42a to 42d and including the peripheral portion of the touch screen 2 (game screen).

  In addition, a decoration image is displayed on the peripheral part of the touch screen 2 to make it look like a frame, and only the inside is used as a game screen, or a part of the touch screen 2 is used as a dedicated area for displaying a score. In some cases, the area is limited to a part of the touch screen 2. In such a case, the operation area 44 is not set on the entire surface of the touch screen 2 but may be appropriately set on the entire surface of the range functioning as the game screen or a part thereof.

  Thus, the virtual operation elements 42a to 42d and the operation areas 44a to 44d are all associated with the reference points Pa to Pd. Therefore, for example, when the position of the reference point Pa is determined, the display position of the corresponding virtual operation element 42a is determined by the operation element setting means 35, and the operation area 44a is also determined by the area setting means 36. Similarly, the virtual operators 42b to 42d and the operation areas 44b to 44d are determined based on the reference points Pb to Pd.

  As described above, the operation areas 44a to 44d are operation reception ranges determined for each instruction input related to the game. Therefore, when the user touches the operation area 44a (regardless of inside or outside of the virtual operation element 42a), an instruction input corresponding to the operation area 44a (for example, an instruction input related to “moving upward”) is performed. It is received by the receiving means 32. As a result, the game progress means 33 executes a game progress process of moving the player character C1 upward. Similarly, when the operation areas 44b to 44d are touched, the game apparatus 1 receives an instruction input corresponding to the touched operation area, and executes a game progress process corresponding to the operation area.

The area setting unit 36 also sets an operation area 45 corresponding to the second virtual operator 43. However, in the present embodiment, the second virtual operation element 43 and the operation area 45 are fixedly set, and no corresponding reference point is provided. On the other hand, the virtual operators 42a to 42d and the operation areas 44a to 44d having the reference points Pa to Pd are reset as appropriate according to the operation (tap operation or long press operation) by the user from the viewpoint of improving the operability for the user. The Hereinafter, this resetting will be described in detail. In FIG. 3, for convenience of explanation, the boundary lines (lines L1 and L2) of the operation area 44 are indicated by a one-dot chain line, the outline of the operation area 45 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the points P0 and the reference points Pa to Pd are dots. However, in an actual game screen, it is not necessary to display such boundary lines, contour lines, and points so as to be visible to the user.
[Change settings when tapping]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure for resetting the first virtual operator 42 and the operation area 44 when a tap operation, which is an intermittent operation, is performed. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a game screen for explaining a specific example of processing at the time of a tap operation. Note that FIG. 5 illustrates a case where a position P11 in the operation area 44d is operated from the state of FIG.

  First, the operation accepting unit 32 of the game apparatus 1 accepts a tap operation by the user in a state where the user is not operating the touch screen 2 (see the game screen W11 in FIG. 5A) (step S11). For example, when the operation accepting unit 32 detects that the user's fingertip F has been in a non-contact state for a predetermined short time (eg, a time corresponding to one to several frames) after contacting the touch screen 2, the tap operation is performed. It is determined that When the tap operation is received in this way, the operation receiving means 32 acquires the position (coordinates on the touch screen 2) of the current tap operation (step S12). Further, the operation area 44 operated this time is specified based on the operation position acquired in step S12 (step S13).

  That is, when the operation area 44d is tapped by the user's fingertip F as shown in the game screen W12 of FIG. 5B from the state of FIG. 5A (step S11: YES), the operation accepting means 32. Acquires the current tap operation position P11 (step S12), and further specifies the operation area including the position P1 as the operation area 44d (step S13).

  In response to this result, the game progress means 33 executes a game progress process associated with the operated operation area 44 (step S14). For example, when the operation area 44d is operated this time as shown in FIG. 5B, the game progress means 33 performs a game progress process such as advancing the player character C1 or executing a punch action. Run.

  On the other hand, the reference point setting means 34 resets the reference point corresponding to the operation region 44 specified in step S13 at the operation position acquired in step S12 (step S15). Then, based on the reset reference point, the operator setting unit 35 resets the display position of the virtual operator 42, and the region setting unit 36 resets the operation region 44 (step S16).

  Specifically, when the position P11 in the operation area 44d is operated as shown in FIG. 5B, the reference point Pd corresponding to the operation area 44d is reset to the position P11 (step S15). At this time, simultaneously with the resetting of the reference point Pd, the positions of the other reference points Pa to Pc are also reset. For example, the position of a new reference point is set so that the relative positional relationship between the reference points Pa to Pd is the same before and after resetting.

  Next, based on the new reference points Pa to Pd, the display positions of the corresponding virtual operation elements 42a to 42d and the operation areas 44a to 44d are reset (step S16). FIG. 5C shows a game screen W13 including the reset virtual operators 42a to 42d and the operation areas 44a to 44d. Here, the relative positional relationship between the reference points Pa to Pd and the lines L1 and L2 is the same before and after resetting (see FIGS. 5A and 5C).

  As described above, the user's tap operation is not limited to the narrow display range of the first virtual operation element 42 and is accepted in the wider operation area 44. In addition, for each tap operation performed on the operation area 44 by the user, the setting positions of the first virtual operator 42 and the operation area 44 for the next operation are updated based on the operation position. Therefore, even when the tap operation by the user is displaced every time the operation is performed, an instruction intended by the user can be input.

  The setting information of the reference points Pa to Pd, the virtual operation elements 42a to 42d, and the operation areas 44a to 44d is stored in a storage unit such as the RAM 13 of the game apparatus 1 and is stored every time resetting is performed. The setting information that has been overwritten is overwritten with new setting information.

  The resetting process as described above may be performed only when the user's tap operation position is out of the display range of the first virtual operation element 42. That is, it is determined whether or not the tap operation position acquired in step S12 in FIG. 4 is within the display range of the first virtual operation element 42. Only when the position is outside the display range, the processes in and after step S13 are performed. In some cases, the resetting process may be interrupted. Also, in the flow of FIG. 4, the game progress process (step S14) and the various resetting processes (steps S15 and S16) do not have to be executed in this order, and may be executed in parallel.

  In the above description, the display position of the first virtual operator 42 is reset for each operation. However, only the operation area 44 is reset and the display position of the first virtual operator 42 is not reset. May be. Or even if it is a case where the display position of the 1st virtual operation element 42 is reset every operation, it is not necessary to display the 1st virtual operation element 42 in the reset position every time. For example, when the user's non-operation state has passed for a predetermined time, it is displayed at the most recently reset position, and until then, the display before the first tap operation is maintained, or after the first tap operation is not displayed. It is good also as a display.

  Further, when the first virtual operation element 42 is displayed at a position different from the initial position, the visibility of the icon representing the first virtual operation element 42 may be changed. For example, the shape of the icon may be changed, or an image in which one or more of hue, brightness, saturation, and transparency are changed may be used. Thereby, when the user looks at the hand, the shift of the operation position can be recognized.

Further, in the above description, the mode in which the position of the reference point Pd of the operated operation area 44d is reset to the user's tap operation position P11 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position of the representative reference point of the first virtual operator 42 may be reset to the tap operation position P1. As this representative reference point, a point P0 (see FIG. 3) that is typically located near the center of the first virtual operator 42 and is neutral with respect to the virtual operators 42a to 42d can be employed. . However, the representative reference point is not limited to this, and for example, one selected from the reference points Pa to Pd may be adopted.
[Setting change during long press operation (1)]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for resetting the first virtual operator 42 and the operation area 44 when a long press operation, which is a continuous operation, is performed. Here, a mode in which the first virtual operation element 42 and the operation area 44 follow and move in real time in response to a shift in the operation position during the long press operation will be described.

  First, the operation reception means 32 receives a long press operation on the touch screen 2 by the user (step S21). For example, if it is detected that the contact state has continued for a predetermined time (eg, a time of one to several frames) after the user's fingertip F contacts the touch screen 2, it is determined that a long press operation has been performed. . When the long press operation is received in this way, the operation receiving means 32 indicates the current operation position (coordinates on the touch screen 2 where the fingertip F that is performing the long press operation is currently in contact) every predetermined cycle. Obtain (step S22).

  Next, the game progress means 33 continues the game progress process associated with the operation area operated at the start of the long press operation (step S23). In addition, the reference point setting unit 34 resets the reference point at the current operation position acquired in step S22 (step S24). This reference point is a reference point corresponding to the operation area operated at the start of the long press operation. Based on this reference point, the virtual operator and the operation area are reset (step S25). The processes in steps S22 to S25 are continued until the long press operation is completed (step S26).

  The above-described resetting mode will be described with a specific example. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a game screen showing a specific mode of the resetting process at the time of the long press operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. As shown in the game screen W21 of FIG. 7A, here, a case will be described in which the operation position is shifted along the locus R1 while the virtual operation element 42a is being pressed for a long time.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the trajectory R1 moves from the position P21 in the virtual operation element 42a upward in the operation area 44a, further to the right beyond the boundary line L1, and reaches the position P22 in the operation area 44d. It is a trajectory. During this time, the game apparatus 1 repeats a series of processes shown in FIG. 6 at a predetermined cycle. That is, during the long press operation, the game progress process (for example, jump action) associated with the operation area 44a is continuously executed (step S23). Further, every time the operation position is acquired at a predetermined cycle during the long press operation (step S22), the reference point Pa is reset to the operation position (current operation position) (step S24), and the reference point Pa is set. Based on the above, the virtual operator 42a and the operation area 44a are reset (step S25).

  When the reference point Pa is reset, other reference points Pb to Pd may be reset at the same time. Then, when resetting the virtual operator 42a and the operation area 44a, the other virtual operators 42b to 42d and the operation areas 44b to 44d may be reset at the same time. As a result, when the user's fingertip F is displaced during the long press operation, as shown in the game screen W22 of FIG. 7B, the first fingertip F is moved so as to follow the position (operation position) of the moving fingertip F in real time. The display position of the virtual operator 42 and the set position of the operation area 44 are also moved. In FIG. 7B, the first virtual operator 42 corresponding to the latest operation position (position P22) is indicated by a solid line, and the intermittent display position of the past first virtual operator 42 during the long press operation is shown. Is indicated by a broken line.

  Thereby, even if the long press operation position is deviated in any direction, up, down, left, and right, the operation associated with the operation area touched first is continued, and the execution of the game progress process based on the operation is continued. Furthermore, even when the long press operation position is shifted from the operation area 44a to the operation area 44d as shown in FIG. 7A, the operation associated with the operation area 44a touched first continues and the operation is continued. Execution of the game progress process based on is continued. Therefore, when the position of the user's long press operation is shifted in the middle, the long press operation is canceled at that time, and it is possible to avoid an operation unintended by the user and a game progress process being performed. High input interface can be realized.

Note that the resetting of the reference point in step S24 may be executed from the time when the operation position by the user first goes out of the range of the first virtual operation element 42. That is, while the operation position during the long press operation is on the first virtual operator 42 (any one of the virtual operators 42a to 42d) operated first, the reference point is not reset and the virtual operator is not reset. Also, the operation area need not be reset.
[Setting change during long press operation (2)]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining another aspect of the procedure for resetting the first virtual operator 42 and the operation area 44 when a long press operation is performed. Here, even if the long press operation position is shifted, the display position of the virtual operation element 42 is not changed (followed up) in real time, and the first virtual operation element 42 and the operation area 44 are reset at the end of the long press operation. The mode to perform will be described.

  First, the operation receiving means 32 receives a long press operation on the touch screen 2 by the user (step S31), and acquires the current operation position at every predetermined cycle (step S32). Further, an operation area including the operation position (current operation position) is specified (step S33). Next, the game progress means 33 executes a game progress process associated with this operation area (step S34). And the process of the above steps S32-S34 is continued until long press operation is complete | finished (step S35). That is, the reference point, the virtual operator, and the operation area are not reset during the long press operation.

  On the other hand, when the long press operation ends (step S35: YES), a reference point is set at the end position (step S36). This reference point is a reference point corresponding to an operation area including the end position of the long press operation among the operation areas set at the start of the long press operation. Based on this reference point, the virtual operator and the operation area are reset (step S37).

  The above-described resetting mode will be described with a specific example. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a game screen showing a specific aspect of the resetting process at the time of the long press operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. As shown in the game screen W31 of FIG. 9A, here, while the virtual operation element 42a is being pressed and operated, the operation position is shifted along the locus R2, and along the locus R3. The case where it shifted | deviates is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, the trajectory R2 is a trajectory from the position P21 in the virtual operation element 42a to the position P23 in the operation area 44a. That is, the long press operation ends at the position P23. In this case, during the long press operation up to the position P23, the game apparatus 1 repeats the processes of steps S32 to S35 of FIG. Therefore, during the long press operation, a game progress process (for example, jump action) associated with the operation position (current operation position) acquired at a predetermined cycle is performed, but the game screen W32 in FIG. As shown, the reference point, virtual operator, and operation area are not reset.

  On the other hand, when the long press operation is ended at the position P23, the reference point is set again at the end position P23 (step S36). Here, since the end position P23 is included in the operation area 44a among the operation areas 44a to 44d (see FIG. 9A) set at the start of the long press operation, the reference point Pa corresponding to the operation area 44a. Is reset to this position P23 (see FIG. 9B). Then, based on the reset reference point Pa, the first virtual operator 42 and the operation area 44 are also reset (step S37).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, the trajectory R3 moves from the position P21 in the virtual operation element 42a to the upper right in the operation area 44a, passes through the boundary line L1 at the middle position P24, and enters the operation area 44d. This is a trajectory that reaches the position P25. That is, the operation area differs between the start and end of the long press operation, and the long press operation ends at position P25. Also in this case, during the long press operation up to the position P25, the game apparatus 1 repeats the processes of steps S32 to S35 of FIG.

  However, the locus R3 straddles the boundary line L1 at the position P24. Accordingly, in step S34, the game progress means 33 continues the operation associated with the operation area 44a while the current operation position is in the operation area 44a, and the game progress process (for example, jump action) is performed based on the operation. ). Then, after the current operation position exceeds the position P24 and enters the operation area 44d, the operation associated with the operation area 44d is continued, and a game progress process (for example, a punch action) is executed based on the operation. . During this time, as shown in the game screen W33 in FIG. 9C, the reference point, virtual operator, and operation area are not reset.

  On the other hand, when the long press operation is ended at the position P25, the reference point is reset to the end position P25 (step S36). Here, since the end position P25 is included in the operation area 44d among the operation areas 44a to 44d (see FIG. 9A) set at the start of the long press operation, the reference point Pd corresponding to the operation area 44d is set. The position P25 is reset (see FIG. 9C). Based on the reset reference point Pd, the first virtual operator 42 and the operation area 44 are also reset (step S37).

  Thereby, even if the long press operation position is deviated, execution of the game progress process associated with the operation area including the current operation position among the operation areas set at the start of the long press operation is continued. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9C, when entering the operation area where the long press operation position is different, the content of the game progress process is switched. Accordingly, it is possible to make the user aware of a large position shift while allowing a certain amount of shift in the long press operation position of the user.

  During the long press operation, the reference points Pa to Pd, the first virtual operation element 42, and the operation area 44 are not reset. Therefore, when there is a high possibility that the user is not visually recognizing the hand, the processing load on the game apparatus 1 required for resetting can be reduced. On the other hand, since the resetting is performed at the end of the long press operation, the position of the first virtual operator 42 can be confirmed when the user performs the next operation.

  In the example of FIG. 9, the case where the long press operation is started at the position P <b> 21 in the first virtual operation element 42 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if the position included in the range outside the virtual operation element 42a in the operation area 44a is operated for the first time, the resetting process can be performed in the same manner as described above.

  Further, the reference point to be reset in step S36 is not limited to the reference point corresponding to the operation area including the end position of the long press operation in the operation area at the start of the long press operation. For example, a representative reference point appropriately set for the first virtual operator 42 may be employed. As this representative reference point, a point P0 (see FIG. 3) that is typically located near the center of the first virtual operator 42 and is neutral with respect to the virtual operators 42a to 42d can be employed. . However, the representative reference point is not limited to this, and for example, one selected from the reference points Pa to Pd may be adopted.

  Further, the resetting process in steps S35 and S36 is not performed during the long press operation, but the display mode of the virtual operator including the current operation position may be changed. For example, during the long press operation, when the current operation position is included in the operation area 44a, the display mode of the corresponding virtual operation element 42a is changed. The display mode can be changed such that the virtual operation element 42a is lit, blinked, or the color is changed. Thereby, the user can grasp which virtual operation element the long press operation is continued.

  Further, in this case, when the position of the long press operation is moved to another operation area, the virtual operator that changes the display mode may be changed in accordance with the change of the operation area. For example, when the operation position deviates along the locus R3 in FIG. 9A, the display mode of the virtual operator 42a is changed before reaching the position P24, and the display of the virtual operator 42d is displayed after passing the position P24. Change the aspect. Accordingly, it is possible to inform the user that the operation area in which the long press operation is performed is changed during the long press operation.

  In the example of the locus R3 in FIG. 9A, the long press operation on the operation region 44a is substantially ended when the operation position reaches the position P24, and thereafter, the long press operation on the operation region 44d is performed. It can also be seen as being started. Therefore, if the operation position shifts and reaches the boundary line with another operation area while long pressing operation on one operation area, at that point, long press on the original operation area. It may be determined that the operation has ended (YES in step S35 in FIG. 8), and the reference point may be reset (step S36), and the virtual operator and the operation area may be reset (step S37).

In this case, the reference point to be reset may be a reference point corresponding to another operation region that is in contact with the boundary line. For example, in the case of the trajectory R3 in FIG. 9A, when the operation position of the long press operation reaches the position P24, it is determined that the long press operation on the operation area 44a is finished (step S35). The reference point Pd is reset to P24 (step S36), and the virtual operator 42d, the operation area 44d, etc. may be reset based on the reference point Pd (step S37).
[Others]
The first virtual operation element 42 is not limited to the cross key, and may be an aggregate of two or three virtual operation elements. Further, the setting range of the operation area may be limited to a partial range of the touch screen 2. For example, when the initial position of the first virtual operation element 42 is the left side of the touch screen 2, the operation area 44 is limited to a predetermined range (typically the left half range) on the left side of the touch screen 2. Also good.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the operation area 44d of the virtual operator 42d and the operation area 45 of the second virtual operator 43 overlap. In such a case, when the overlapping portion is tapped, an operation on the operation area 45 may be preferentially accepted. Similarly, in the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 9A, the operation area 44d of the virtual operation element 42d and the operation area 45 of the second virtual operation element 43 overlap. Therefore, when the long press operation position is shifted to reach an overlapping portion, an operation on the operation area 45 may be preferentially received.

  Further, in any of the description of FIGS. 5, 7, and 9 described above, the first virtual operation element 42 at the start of the game is displayed at the preset initial position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the game device 1 is activated, the touch screen 2 may be touched by the user as a trigger for starting the game, and the contact position may be set as the initial display position of the first virtual operator 42. Thereby, the user himself / herself selects a position with good operability for the user, and the first virtual operator 42 can be displayed there.

  The display mode of the touch screen 2 other than the virtual operator is changed depending on whether the user's operation position is located inside the virtual operator or outside the virtual operator. May be changed (for example, the periphery of the game screen is illuminated). Or you may change a sound by the case where a user's operation position is located in a virtual operation element, and the case where it is located outside a virtual operation element. For example, the sound effect when the inside of the virtual operation element is tapped is different from the sound effect when the outside of the virtual operation element is tapped. Thereby, it can be notified to the user that the operation position is at a position deviated from the virtual operation element.

  Moreover, you may set so that the sound effect at the time of receiving operation by a user may differ for every virtual operation elements 42a-42d. Thereby, even if the user does not look at the hand, it can grasp | ascertain from the operation effect sound which virtual operation element was operated among several.

  The present invention can be applied to a computer program that realizes an input interface using a touch screen as a medium, and a game system including the input interface.

1 Game machine 1 (computer device)
2 Touch screen 5a Game program 30 Control unit 31 Game screen display means 32 Operation accepting means 33 Game progress means 34 Reference point setting means 35 Operator setting means 36 Area setting means 42, 42a to 42d Virtual operators 44, 44a to 44d Area C1 Player character C2 Enemy character Pa to Pd Reference point

Claims (3)

Computer
Game screen display means for displaying a game screen on a touch screen having a predetermined area;
Operation accepting means for accepting a user's tap operation on the touch screen;
Game progress means for causing a player character to move based on the user's tap operation to advance the game;
Reference point setting means for setting a predetermined reference point on the touch screen;
Operator setting means for setting display positions on the touch screen of a plurality of virtual operators corresponding to the moving direction of the player character based on the reference point; and
An area setting means for setting an operation area larger than the corresponding virtual operator for each of the plurality of virtual operators based on the reference point;
Function as
When the tap operation is performed on the touch screen, the game progress means associates with the operation area including the current operation position regardless of whether the current operation position is inside or outside the virtual operation element. Executing a game progress process for moving the player character in the given moving direction;
The reference point setting means resets the reference point based on the current operation position when the current operation position on the touch screen is out of the display range of the plurality of virtual operators. ,
The operator setting unit resets the virtual operator corresponding to the current operation position to be displayed at a position including the current operation position based on the reset reference point, and after the resetting The virtual operator is not displayed immediately, and the virtual operator is displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed after resetting,
The area setting means is an area obtained by dividing the touch screen by the number of the plurality of virtual operators by a line extending from the center of the plurality of virtual operators reset by the operator setting means. To reset a plurality of the operation areas related to the next operation based on the reset reference point.
Computer program.   The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the area setting unit sets the operation area as a range including a display range of the virtual operator and a peripheral portion of the game screen. A program storage unit storing the game program according to claim 1 or 2,
A computer for executing the program stored in the program storage unit;
A game system with

Images