JP7553061B2 - GAME PROGRAM, GAME CONTROL METHOD AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game program, a game control method, and an information processing device.

In recent years, battle games have become known as games provided to mobile devices via communication networks, in which multiple players, each operating multiple mobile devices, cooperate to fight against enemy characters. In such multiplayer battle games, special skills that can cause great damage to enemy characters or affect friendly characters in the group (e.g., recovering the HP (hit points) of friendly characters) are activated by input operations made by one of the players in the group.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a battle game in which a raid battle is carried out in which players cooperate with other players to battle enemy characters. In such a raid battle in a multiplayer battle game, if the amount of points given to a specific player by other players is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, an attack with a power corresponding to the points is carried out against the enemy character according to instructions from the specific player.

JP 2014-233637 A

However, in conventional multiplayer battle games, special skills are activated by input operations made by only one player, so the cooperation or support of other players in activating the special skill cannot affect the magnitude of the effect of the special skill. Furthermore, each player individually strengthens the skill in order to change the magnitude of the effect of the special skill. Therefore, in order to significantly change the effect of a skill, each player has to make an effort on their own, and there is no mechanism for players to cooperate with other players in a group to significantly change the effect of a skill.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a game program, a game control method, and an information processing device that make it possible for other players' willingness to cooperate or support the execution of a special action to affect the effect of the special action.

The game program according to the present invention has a storage unit and causes a computer that provides a game to execute the steps of: storing points in the storage unit based on the first actions of the characters of the player and the other players that are executed according to input instructions from the player and the other players; judging whether the points stored in the storage unit are equal to or greater than a predetermined value; setting a specific period from the time when the input instruction for the second action is first received from the player or the other players as a cooperation acceptance period when it is judged that the points are equal to or greater than the predetermined value; accepting input instructions for the second action from cooperating players other than the player who issued the input instruction for the second action among the player and the other players during the cooperation acceptance period up to an upper limit number of times set for each cooperating player; and changing the effect of the second action according to the number of input instructions for the second action received from the cooperating players. The computer may be, for example, a mobile terminal, a stationary terminal, or a server as long as it is capable of executing the above procedures.

In addition, in the game program according to the present invention, it is preferable to further cause the computer to execute a step of changing the effect of the second action depending on the time period from the start time of the game to the time when it is determined that the points are equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

In addition, in the game program according to the present invention, the computer is further caused to execute a step of displaying an operation button for initiating a second action only during the cooperation acceptance period, and it is preferable that the input operation for the second action accepted during the cooperation acceptance period is a selection operation of the operation button.

In addition, in the game program according to the present invention, in the step of displaying the operation buttons, it is preferable to change the display mode of the operation buttons depending on the reaching period.

In addition, in the game program according to the present invention, in the step of displaying the operation buttons, it is preferable to display the operation buttons so that they move at a speed corresponding to the arrival time period.

In addition, in the game program according to the present invention, it is preferable to further cause the computer to execute a step of displaying a gauge having a length corresponding to the points stored in the memory unit.

In addition, in the game program according to the present invention, it is preferable to have the computer execute a step of displaying, on the display screen, an area having a predetermined angle with a first position on the display screen specified by the player as a specific area, and accepting, when the player specifies a second position within the specific area, this as an input instruction for the first action.

The game control method according to the present invention is a game control method for a computer having a storage unit and providing a game, and includes the steps of: storing points in the storage unit based on the first actions of the characters of the player and the other player executed according to input instructions from the player and the other player; judging whether the points stored in the storage unit are equal to or greater than a predetermined value; if it is judged that the points are equal to or greater than the predetermined value, setting a specific period from the time when the input instruction for the second action was first received from the player or the other player as a cooperation acceptance period; accepting input instructions for the second action from cooperating players other than the player who issued the input instruction for the second action, among the player and the other player, during the cooperation acceptance period, up to an upper limit number of times set for each cooperating player; and changing the effect of the second action according to the number of input instructions for the second action received from the cooperating players.

The information processing device according to the present invention is an information processing device that provides a game, and has: a storage unit that stores points based on the first actions of the characters of the player and the other players that are executed according to input instructions from the player and the other players; an accumulation unit that determines whether the points stored in the storage unit are equal to or greater than a predetermined value; a cooperation unit that, if it is determined that the points are equal to or greater than the predetermined value, sets a specific period from the time when the input instruction for the second action is first received from the player or the other players as a cooperation acceptance period, and accepts input instructions for the second action from cooperating players other than the player who issued the input instruction for the second action, among the player and the other players, up to an upper limit number of times set for each cooperating player during the cooperation acceptance period; and an activation unit that changes the effect of the second action according to the number of input instructions for the second action received from the cooperating players.

The game program, game control method, and information processing device of the present invention make it possible to change the effect of a special action depending on the number of players who cooperate in the special action.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a battle game. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a game system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a portable terminal 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a battle game. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a battle game. 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating examples of data structures of various tables. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operational flow of an accumulation process. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of an input instruction. FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a guide figure A, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a battle game. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal 20. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of an input instruction process. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of a guide figure. FIG. 11A to 11C are schematic diagrams for explaining an example of an input instruction process using a guide figure in a stepwise manner.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a battle game realized by cooperation between multiple mobile terminals and terminal game programs possessed by each mobile terminal. Below, the battle game provided by multiple mobile terminals of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 1.

In this embodiment, a player operates a mobile terminal 2a owned by the player to play a battle game in which the player's character cooperates with the characters of other players. Hereinafter, the player himself will be referred to as the player himself, the character owned by the player himself will be referred to as the character himself, other players other than the player himself will be referred to as other players, and characters owned by other players will be referred to as other characters. Note that the other players each operate a mobile terminal 2b, 2c, ... owned by the other players to play a battle game using their respective other characters. Hereinafter, the mobile terminals 2a, 2b, 2c may be simply referred to as mobile terminals 2.

In a battle game, the player's character and one or more other characters are movably placed within the same battle game space, and battle one or more enemy characters that exist within this battle game space. During the battle, the player's character and the other characters perform normal actions according to the operations of the player's character and the other players. Each of the player's character, the other characters, and the enemy character is associated with HP, and the HP of each character increases or decreases according to the actions of the opponent's character. As a result of the battle, a character whose HP falls below a certain value (e.g., 0 (zero)) is unable to battle or is defeated. Note that HP is an example of a physical strength parameter or life parameter that allows each character to continue the battle game.

Normal actions are actions such as attack, defense, use of items, and activation of skills performed by each character, and have an effect on enemy characters, the player's character, and/or other characters in the battle. Attack is an action that reduces the HP associated with the enemy character. Defense is an action that reduces the amount of HP reduction when an enemy character performs an action that reduces the HP associated with the player's character. Items are recovery items that increase the HP associated with the player's character or other characters, attack items that reduce the HP associated with the enemy character, defense items that reduce the amount of HP reduction when an action that reduces the HP associated with the player's character is performed, and the like. Skills are special abilities possessed by each character and/or special abilities learned during the battle game, and are attack magic that reduces the HP associated with the enemy character, special moves that reduce the HP associated with the enemy character more than the attack magic, or recovery magic that increases the HP associated with the player's character and other characters, and the like. Each character activates a skill by consuming MP (magic points) possessed by each character. Note that MP is an example of an activation parameter that is consumed to activate a specific action such as a skill. A normal action is an example of a first action.

Before the start of the battle game, the player forms a team with two other players from among the multiple players. Each player can form a team by requesting cooperation in the battle game from the player to the other players, or by receiving a request from the other players to cooperate in the battle game from the player, or by the player's character inviting another character who exists in a game space different from the battle game space. When the battle game starts, the player's character and the other characters belonging to the team battle against one or more enemy characters who exist in the game space. Note that the number of people in a team is not limited to three.

In a battle game, the skills of the player's character and the skills of the other characters are activated according to the input instructions of the player and the other players, and points are stored based on the activated skills. For example, when a skill such as an attack magic of the player's character or the other characters is activated once and the skill hits an enemy character (for example, the HP associated with the enemy character is successfully reduced), one point is stored according to the skill. In this case, if the player's skill hits three times and the other player's skill hits five times during the battle game, a total of eight points accumulated according to these skills are stored. Hereinafter, the accumulated and stored points may be referred to as accumulated points. Note that points may be stored when a normal action other than a skill is performed. For example, one point is stored each time an attack by the player's character or the other character is successful, and the accumulated accumulated points are stored according to the number of successful attacks of each character. In addition, the amount of points stored according to one activation of a skill may be changed according to the type of skill. For example, when a high-level skill is activated once, a higher amount of points (e.g., 3 points) is stored than when a low-level skill is activated. Note that points may be accumulated according to the activation of skills or the execution of attacks.

The player's mobile device 2a and the other players' mobile devices 2b, 2c share the accumulated points and display the accumulated points in real time ((A) in FIG. 1). The accumulated points are displayed by the mobile devices 2a, 2b, 2c using a gauge (B). The gauge is a bar graph with a length corresponding to the accumulated points, and displays accumulated points up to, for example, 10 points. Note that 10 points, which is the upper limit of points that can be displayed by the gauge, is an example of a predetermined value.

The player's mobile device 2a and the other players' mobile devices 2b and 2c determine whether or not the accumulated points stored are 10 or more. When the accumulated points stored are 10 or more, the player's mobile device 2a and the other players are able to activate a special skill (C). The special skill is an example of a second action. The second action is an action that has a greater effect on the enemy character, the player's character, and/or the other characters than the first action. For example, the special skill is a special attack magic that reduces the HP associated with the enemy character by a greater amount than when a skill such as an attack magic is activated, or a special recovery magic that increases the HP associated with the player's character and the other characters by a greater amount than when a skill such as a recovery magic is activated. Also, for example, a special attack is an action that reduces the HP associated with the enemy character by a greater amount than when an attack is executed.

When it becomes possible to activate a special skill, a special skill activation button for activating the special skill is displayed on mobile terminal 2a and mobile terminals 2b and 2c. When either the player himself or another player first selects the special skill activation button (D), the time when the instruction to activate the special skill is given is stored. The special skill activation button is an example of an operation button. Next, a specific period of time (e.g., 5 seconds) from the time when the instruction to activate the special skill is given is set as the cooperation acceptance period. Hereinafter, the player who first selects the special skill activation button may be referred to as the activating player.

Next, it is determined whether or not a special skill activation is instructed by the cooperating player during the cooperation reception period. The cooperating player is any player other than the activation player among the own player and other players. When the cooperating player selects the special skill activation button displayed on the mobile terminal 2 of the cooperating player (E), it is determined that the cooperating player has instructed the activation of the special skill. Each cooperating player can select the special skill activation button displayed on the mobile terminal 2 of the cooperating player once during the cooperation reception period. Note that the upper limit number of times (e.g., three times) that the special skill activation button can be selected during the cooperation reception period may be set in advance for each cooperating player. In this case, each cooperating player can select the special skill activation button up to the upper limit number of times during the cooperation reception period. Also, a total upper limit number of times that is the sum of the number of times that each cooperating player can select the special skill activation button during the cooperation reception period may be set in advance, and each cooperating player may be allowed to select the special skill activation button until the total upper limit number of times is reached during the cooperation reception period.

The effect of the special skill changes depending on the number of times the cooperating player selects the special skill activation button during the cooperation acceptance period (F). The effect of the special skill is the degree of influence on the enemy character, the player's character, and/or other characters, such as the amount of damage to the enemy character or the amount of damage recovered for the player's character and other characters, and the more times it is selected, the greater the amount of damage or recovery.

Then, when the cooperation acceptance period ends, the special skill that was instructed to be activated by the activating player will be activated with the changed effect.

In this way, if the cooperating player cooperates or agrees with the activation of a special action by the activation player, it is possible to change the effect of the special action. This makes it possible for the willingness of the cooperating player to cooperate or agree to affect the effect of the special action. Furthermore, since a lot of cooperation or agreement can be obtained from the cooperating players, it is possible to realize a battle game that requires each player to use a strategy to activate a special action at an appropriate moment in the progression of the battle game, making it possible to increase the interest of the battle game.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the general configuration of game system 1.

The game system 1 includes mobile terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c owned by a player A and other players B and C who belong to the same team. The mobile terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c are connected to each other via a communication network, for example, via a base station, a mobile communication network, a gateway, and the Internet (not shown). Each of the mobile terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c broadcasts game control data according to the progress of the battle game to the other mobile terminals. The game control data includes at least the HP, MP, and position in the battle game space of each character, the action performed, and the ID (Identification) of other characters (including enemy characters) affected by the action. The game control data may further include the level, owned items, owned cards, and skills of each character, as well as the HP, MP, and position in the battle game space of enemy characters.

Figure 3 shows an example of the general configuration of the mobile terminal 2.

The portable terminal 2 connects to other portable terminals via a base station, a mobile communication network, a gateway, and the Internet, and communicates with the other portable terminals. The portable terminal 2 controls the progress of the game in response to the operation of an operation unit 23 (such as a touch panel) by the player. The portable terminal 2 also receives various data from the other portable terminals and controls the progress of the game. To this end, the portable terminal 2 includes a device communication unit 21, a device memory unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and a device processing unit 25.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 2 is assumed to be a multi-function mobile phone (a so-called "smartphone"), but the present invention is not limited to this. The mobile terminal 2 may be any device to which the present invention is applicable, such as a mobile phone (a so-called "feature phone"), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable game console, a portable music player, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), or a notebook PC.

The terminal communication unit 21 has a communication interface circuit including an antenna sensitive to a specific frequency band, and connects the mobile terminal 2 to a wireless communication network. The terminal communication unit 21 establishes a wireless signal line with the base station by a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) method or the like via a channel assigned by the base station, and communicates with the base station. The terminal communication unit 21 then transmits data supplied from the terminal processing unit 25 to other mobile terminals 2, etc. The terminal communication unit 21 also supplies data received from other mobile terminals 2, etc. to the terminal processing unit 25. The terminal communication unit 21 periodically broadcasts various data to other mobile terminals 2, but may also transmit various data in response to a request from other mobile terminals 2.

The terminal storage unit 22 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The terminal storage unit 22 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, etc., used for processing in the terminal processing unit 25. For example, the terminal storage unit 22 stores, as driver programs, an input device driver program for controlling the operation unit 23, an output device driver program for controlling the display unit 24, etc. The terminal storage unit 22 also stores, as application programs, terminal game programs that progress the battle game based on instruction data input by the player operating the operation unit 23 and game control data acquired from other portable terminals 2, etc., and display data related to the progress of the battle game. The terminal storage unit 22 also stores, as data, game control data acquired from other portable terminals 2, display data related to the progress of the game, video data, image data, etc. The terminal storage unit 22 may also temporarily store temporary data related to a predetermined process.

The operation unit 23 may be any device capable of operating the mobile terminal 2, such as a touch panel or key buttons. The player can use the operation unit 23 to input letters, numbers, symbols, etc. When operated by the player, the operation unit 23 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is then supplied to the device processing unit 25 as an instruction from the player.

The display unit 24 may be any device capable of displaying video, images, etc., such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 24 displays video corresponding to video data supplied from the device processing unit 25, images corresponding to image data, etc.

The device processing unit 25 includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The device processing unit 25 centrally controls the overall operation of the mobile device 2, and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The device processing unit 25 controls the operation of the device communication unit 21, the display unit 24, etc. so that various processes of the mobile device 2 are executed in an appropriate order based on the programs stored in the device storage unit 22 and the operation of the operation unit 23. The device processing unit 25 executes processes based on the programs (operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, etc.) stored in the device storage unit 22. The device processing unit 25 can also execute multiple programs (application programs, etc.) in parallel.

The device processing unit 25 includes at least a battle game execution unit 251, an accumulation unit 252, a cooperation unit 253, and an activation unit 254. Each of these units is a functional module realized by a program executed by a processor included in the device processing unit 25. Alternatively, each of these units may be implemented in the mobile device 2 as firmware.

Figures 4 and 5 show examples of the display screen of a battle game displayed on mobile terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c.

Figure 4 (a) is a diagram showing an example of battle game screens 400a, 400b, 400c displayed on mobile terminals 2a, 2b, 2c. Mobile terminal 2a is a mobile terminal owned by player A, and mobile terminals 2b, 2c are mobile terminals 2 owned by other players B, C. A certain range of battle game space around player character 401a is displayed on battle game screen 400a. Similarly, a certain range of battle game space around other characters 401b and 401c is displayed on battle game screens 400b, 400c, respectively. Player character 401a, other character 401b, other character 401c, and enemy characters 402a, 402b, 402c are movably arranged in the same battle game space. For example, when the range of the battle game space displayed on the battle game screen 400a is changed in response to the movement of the player's character 401a, the enemy character 402a may not be displayed on the battle game screen 400a and a different enemy character may be displayed depending on the position of the enemy character 402a within the battle game space.

When the enemy character is a so-called boss character that the player's character 401a, other character 401b, and other character 401c cooperate to fight, the enemy characters 402a, 402b, and 402c are the same character. In this case, the position, HP, MP, etc. of the enemy character (boss character) in the battle game space are shared between the mobile terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c. On the other hand, when the enemy characters other than the boss character that the player's character 401a, other character 401b, and other character 401c fight individually are the enemy characters 402a, 402b, and 402c, these enemy characters 402a, 402b, and 402c are different characters. In this case, the position, HP, MP, etc. of the enemy character (enemy character other than the boss character) in the battle game space are not shared between the mobile terminals 2a, 2b, and 2c.

Gauges 403a, 403b, and 403c are displayed on the battle game screens 400a, 400b, and 400c. The gauges 403a, 403b, and 403c have lengths corresponding to accumulated points that are accumulated when the skills activated by the player's character 401a, the other character 401b, and the other character 401c hit the enemy character. The accumulated points are accumulated through the cooperation of the player's character 401a, the other character 401b, and the other character 401c, and the gauges 403a, 403b, and 403c displayed on the battle game screens 400a, 400b, and 400c have the same value. In addition, the gauges 403a, 403b, and 403c have the maximum length when the accumulated points are equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 10 points). By displaying the gauges 403a, 403b, and 403c on the battle game screens 400a, 400b, and 400c, player A and other players B and C can visually see the points required to activate a special skill.

FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of a battle game screen 410a, 410b, 410c displayed on the mobile terminals 2a, 2b, 2c. A certain range of the battle game space around the player's character 411a, other character 411b, and other character 411c is displayed on each of the battle game screens 410a, 410b, and 410c. In addition, enemy characters 412a, 412b, and 412c are displayed on each of the battle game screens 410a, 410b, and 410c.

In the battle game screens 410a, 410b, and 410c, unlike the battle game screens 400a, 400b, and 400c, the length of the gauges 413a, 413b, and 413c is at its maximum. In this case, it is indicated that the accumulated points have reached a predetermined value (for example, 10 points) or more, and the special skill activation buttons 414a, 414b, and 414c are displayed on the battle game screens 410a, 410b, and 410c. The special skill activation buttons 414a, 414b, and 414c are buttons for activating special skills, and only one of the player A and the other players B and C can select the special skill activation button. In this way, the special skill activation buttons 414a, 414b, 414c are displayed on the battle game screens 410a, 410b, 410c of the player A and all other players B and C, making it possible to give all members of the team the right to activate special skills.

FIG. 4(c) is a diagram showing an example of the battle game screens 420a, 420b, 420c displayed on the mobile terminals 2a, 2b, 2c. As with the battle game screens 410a, 410b, 410c, the battle game screens 420a, 420b, 420c each display a certain range of the battle game space around the player's character 421a, the other character 421b, and the other character 421c, enemy characters 422a, 422b, 422c, gauges 423a, 423b, 423c, and special skill activation buttons 424a, 424b, 424c, etc.

When player A first selects the special skill activation button 424a on the battle game screen 420a, the battle game screens 420a, 420b, and 420c transition to a cooperation acceptance period screen.

FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of cooperation acceptance period screens 500a, 500b, 500c displayed on mobile devices 2a, 2b, 2c. A collection of the player's character and other characters 501a, 501b, 501c is displayed on the cooperation acceptance period screens 500a, 500b, 500c, respectively. A cooperation waiting display image 502 indicating that the cooperation acceptance period is in progress is displayed on the cooperation acceptance period screen 500a of the mobile device 2a owned by player A, who is the activating player. A special skill activation button 503b, 503b is displayed on the cooperation acceptance period screens 500b, 500c of the mobile devices 2b, 2c owned by other players B and C, who are cooperating players.

After the special skill activation button 424a is first selected by player A, the cooperation acceptance period screens 500a, 500b, and 500c are displayed only during the cooperation acceptance period (e.g., 5 seconds). Then, when the cooperation acceptance period (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed, the cooperation acceptance period screens 500a, 500b, and 500c transition to the special skill activation screen.

Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of special skill activation screens 510a, 510b, 510c displayed on mobile terminals 2a, 2b, 2c. Special skill activation screens 510a, 510b, 510c are the same screen. On special skill activation screens 510a, 510b, 510c, a player's character 511a of player A who is the activating player, a certain range of the battle game space around the player's character 511a, an enemy character 512a existing within the certain range of the battle game space, a gauge 513a, a special skill effect image 514a, etc. are displayed. On special skill activation screens 510a, 510b, 510c, a special skill of attack magic having a greater attack power than a normal attack magic skill is activated on enemy character 512a.

The special skill activation screens 510a, 510b, and 510c are displayed when the two cooperating players, players B and C, select the special skill activation buttons 503b, 503b during the cooperation acceptance period.

Figures 5(c) and (d) are diagrams showing examples of other special skill activation screens 520a, 520b, 520c and 530a, 530b, 530c displayed on mobile terminals 2a, 2b, 2c. On the other special skill activation screens 520a, 520b, 520c and 530a, 530b, 530c, similar to the special skill activation screens 510a, 510b, 510c, a player's character 521a, an enemy character 522a, a gauge 523a, a special skill performance image 524a, and a player's character 531a, an enemy character 532a, a gauge 533a, a special skill performance image 534a are displayed.

Special skill activation screens 520a, 520b, and 520c are screens that are displayed when only one of the other cooperating players B and C selects the special skill activation button 503b and 503c during the cooperation acceptance period. The size of effect image 524a is smaller than the size of effect image 514a. In addition, the display time of effect image 524a is shorter than the display time of effect image 514a.

Special skill activation screens 530a, 530b, and 530c are screens that are displayed when neither of the other cooperating players B and C selects the special skill activation buttons 503b and 503c during the cooperation acceptance period. The size of effect image 534a is smaller than the size of effect image 524a. In addition, the display time of effect image 534a is shorter than the display time of effect image 524a.

To realize the above functions, the device storage unit 22 stores various tables such as the player's own table, other player table, accumulated points table, and activation cooperation table shown in FIG. 6. The device storage unit 22 also stores one or more types of battle game space data. The battle game space data includes data defining the field in which each character can move, data for drawing trees, rocks, and structures (buildings, bridges, etc.), as well as images, HP, MP, and positions of other characters. As shown in FIG. 3, the device processing unit 25 includes a battle game execution unit 251, an accumulation unit 252, a cooperation unit 253, and an activation unit 254. Each of these units is a functional module realized by a program executed by a processor included in the device processing unit 25. Alternatively, each of these units may be implemented in the server 3 as firmware.

The various tables shown in FIG. 6 and the functional blocks of the device processing unit 25 shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail below. The mobile device 2a of player A will be described below, but the mobile devices 2b and 2c of other players B and C also have the same functions as the mobile device 2a.

Figure 6 (a) shows the player's own table. The player's own table stores the player's own character's player ID, name, level, HP, MP, position, image, job, attributes, possessed skills, possessed special moves, etc. in association with the player's own character. The position is the position of the player's own character within the battle game space.

The other player table is shown in FIG. 6(b). In the other player table, the player ID, name, level, HP, MP, position, image, etc. of each other character are stored in association with the other character.

Figure 6 (c) shows an accumulated points table. In the accumulated points table, the accumulated points corresponding to a skill that hits an enemy character are stored in association with the time when the accumulated points were stored.

Figure 6 (d) shows the activation cooperation table. In the activation cooperation table, the player ID of the activating player, the time, the player ID of the cooperating player, etc. are stored in association with the activating player. The time is the time when the special skill activation button is selected by the activating player.

(Functions of the Battle Game Executing Unit 251)
The battle game executing unit 251 controls the start and execution of the battle game. When the battle game is started, the battle game executing unit 251 refers to the player's table, extracts a player ID, name, level, HP, MP, etc., and transmits the extracted various data as game control data to the other players' mobile devices 2b and 2c via the device communication unit 21. In addition, the battle game executing unit 251 receives game control data of each of the other characters from the mobile device 2b of the other player B and the mobile device 2c of the other player C via the device communication unit 21, and stores the various data included in the received game control data in the other player's table.

The battle game executing unit 251 also starts a battle game by movably positioning the player's character, other characters, and enemy characters in the battle game space based on the battle game space data, the player's table, and the other player table stored in the device storage unit 22. The battle game executing unit 251 draws a battle space within a certain range around the player's character, and creates display data by superimposing a gauge corresponding to the accumulated points stored in the accumulated point table. The battle game executing unit 251 displays a battle game screen on the display unit 24 based on the created display data.

The battle game executing unit 251 also controls the actions and movement of the player's character based on instruction data input by the player operating the operation unit 23, and updates various data in the player's table according to the progress of the game. The battle game executing unit 251 references the player's table to extract various data, and periodically transmits the extracted data to the other players' mobile devices 2b, 2c via the device communication unit 21 as game control data.

The battle game executing unit 251 also periodically receives game control data of other characters from the mobile devices 2b and 2c of the other players B and C via the device communication unit 21, and stores various data contained in the received game control data in the other player table. The battle game executing unit 251 periodically refers to the player's table and the other player table, reflects the data in the player's character and the other characters in the battle game space, and controls the execution of the battle game.

(Functions of the accumulator 252)
When the player operates the operation unit 23 to instruct the activation of a skill such as an attack magic, and the instructed skill hits an enemy character (successfully reduces HP associated with the enemy character), the accumulation unit 252 refers to the accumulation point table to extract the latest accumulated points and specifies points corresponding to the activated skill. The accumulation unit 252 calculates the next latest accumulated points by adding the specified points to the extracted accumulated points, and updates and stores the calculated accumulated points together with the current time in the accumulation point table. The accumulation unit 252 stores the accumulated points in the accumulation point table, generates an accumulated point update instruction including the stored accumulated points and time, and transmits the accumulated point update instruction to the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of the other players B and C via the terminal communication unit 21.

In addition, when the accumulation unit 252 receives an accumulated point update instruction from the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of the other players B and C via the terminal communication unit 21, it stores the accumulated points and time included in the received accumulated point update instruction in the accumulated point table as the next most recent accumulated points and time.

The accumulation unit 252 also determines whether the accumulated points stored in the accumulated points table are equal to or greater than a predetermined value (10 points). If the accumulated points are equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the accumulation unit 252 generates an activation preparation instruction, transmits the activation preparation instruction to the mobile devices 2b and 2c of the other players B and C via the device communication unit 21, and passes the activation preparation instruction to the cooperation unit 253.

(Functions of Cooperation Unit 253)
When the cooperation unit 253 receives an activation preparation instruction from the accumulation unit 252 or receives an activation preparation instruction from the mobile devices 2b, 2c of the other players B, C via the device communication unit 21, it displays a battle game screen in which a special skill activation button is superimposed on the battle game space on the display unit 24. First, the cooperation unit 253 draws a battle game space within a certain range around the player's character, and creates display data by superimposing a gauge and a special skill activation button according to the accumulated points stored in the accumulated point table. Then, the cooperation unit 253 displays the battle game screen on the display unit 24 based on the created display data.

In addition, when the special skill activation button is selected by player A, the cooperation unit 253 transmits a reception start instruction including the player ID of player A and the time when the special skill activation button was selected to the mobile devices 2b, 2c of the other players B, C via the device communication unit 21. When the cooperation unit 253 transmits the reception start instruction to the mobile devices 2b, 2c, it stores the player ID of player A as the activating player ID in the activation cooperation table, and stores the time when the special skill activation button was selected in the activation cooperation table.

In addition, when the cooperation unit 253 receives a reception start instruction from the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of the other players B and C, it stores the player ID of the other player included in the reception start instruction in the activation cooperation table as the activating player ID, and also stores the time included in the reception start instruction in the activation cooperation table.

In addition, when the cooperation unit 253 transmits a reception start instruction to the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of the other players B and C, or receives a reception start instruction from the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of the other players B and C via the terminal communication unit 21, it displays a cooperation reception period screen on the display unit 24. When the cooperation unit 253 transmits a reception start instruction to the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of the other players B and C, it creates display data including images of the player's character and the other characters, and a cooperation waiting display image indicating that the cooperation reception period is in progress. When the cooperation unit 253 receives a reception start instruction from the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of the other players B and C, it creates display data including images of the player's character and the other characters, and a special skill activation button. Then, the cooperation unit 253 displays the cooperation reception period screen on the display unit 24 only during the cooperation reception period (for example, 5 seconds) based on the created display data. Note that the cooperation unit 253 may display the special skill activation button included in the cooperation reception period screen to move during the cooperation reception period. The cooperation unit 253 may randomly change the moving speed and/or moving direction of the special skill activation button at any timing. This adds an element of a shooting game, making the game more interesting.

In addition, when a cooperation acceptance period screen including a special skill activation button is displayed, if player A selects the special skill activation button during the cooperation acceptance period, the cooperation unit 253 refers to the activation cooperation table, stores the player ID of player A as a cooperating player, and transmits cooperation instructions to the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of other players B and C via the terminal communication unit 21. Note that player A can select the special skill activation button up to a predetermined maximum number of times during the cooperation acceptance period.

The cooperation unit 253 may extend the cooperation acceptance period each time the special skill activation button included in the cooperation acceptance period screen is selected by a cooperating player other than the activating player. For example, the cooperation unit 253 extends the cooperation acceptance period for an additional 5 seconds from the time when the special skill activation button included in the cooperation acceptance period screen is selected by any of the cooperating players other than the activating player. This makes it possible to give a cooperating player who is unable to decide whether or not to cooperate within the cooperation acceptance period alone time. In addition, since the possibility that one cooperating player can select the special skill activation button changes depending on the timing of the selection of the special skill activation button by the other cooperating players, one cooperating player can request a strategy from each cooperating player, providing a new opportunity for communication between players.

In addition, when the cooperation unit 253 receives a cooperation instruction from the mobile terminals 2b and 2c of the other players B and C via the terminal communication unit 21 during the cooperation reception period, it stores the player ID of the player who sent the cooperation instruction as a cooperating player ID in the activation cooperation table. The other players B and C can select the special skill activation button up to a predetermined upper limit number of times during the cooperation reception period. In this case, the cooperation unit 253 stores the player IDs of the other players B and C as the selected number of times in the activation cooperation table as cooperating player IDs. As a result, in order to increase the effect of the special skill, an operation such as repeatedly pressing the special skill activation button during the cooperation reception period is required for each cooperating player, and a realistic game can be provided. In this case, the selection time at which the special skill activation button was selected may be stored for each other player, and the effect of the special skill may be increased as the interval between the stored selection times is shorter and/or the stored selection times are closer to each of the multiple selection timings determined in advance for each of the other players. This makes it possible to provide a battle game that adds the fun of a timing game.

(Function of the actuator 254)
When the cooperation reception period has elapsed, or when the player IDs of all the cooperating players are stored in the activation cooperation table as the cooperating player IDs, the activation unit 254 changes the effect of the special skill according to the number of cooperating player IDs stored in the activation cooperation table, and activates the changed special skill. During the cooperation reception period, the activation unit 254 of the mobile device 2 owned by the activating player transmits display data for displaying a battle game image immediately before the special skill activation button was selected to the mobile device 2 owned by the player other than the activating player. As a result, the special skill activation screen including the character of the activating player, a certain range of the battle game space around the character, and the enemy character 512a existing within the certain range of the battle game space is displayed on the mobile device 2 of the player other than the activating player. When the activation unit 254 activates the special skill, it returns the accumulated points stored in the accumulated point table to the initial value (0 (zero)).

The cooperation unit 253 may calculate the difference between the start time when the accumulation of cumulative points in the cumulative point table began and the time included in the reception start instruction as the arrival period, and change the effect of the special skill according to the arrival period.

For example, by making the special period longer and the shorter the time to reach the goal, the more frequently each player activates the skill, the greater the effect of the special skill. In this case, it is possible to reward each player for actively using the skill. This can encourage players to be more active in the game.

In this case, the cooperation unit 253 may change the display mode, such as the size of the special skill activation button included in the cooperation acceptance period screen, depending on the reaching period. For example, the cooperation unit 253 displays the special skill activation button included in the cooperation acceptance period screen larger the shorter the reaching period. This makes it possible to prevent mistakes in selecting the special skill activation button, etc.

In addition, in a display mode in which the special skill activation button is displayed as moving, the cooperation unit 253 may change the speed at which the moving skill activation button moves depending on the arrival period. For example, the cooperation unit 253 may slow down the speed at which the special skill activation button included in the cooperation acceptance period screen moves as the arrival period becomes shorter, making it easier to select the special skill activation button.

The start time at which the accumulation of cumulative points begins in the cumulative point table is the latest of either the start time at which the battle game is started by the battle game executing unit 251 or the time at which the special skill is activated by the activation unit 254 and the battle game screen is redisplayed. If the special skill is activated multiple times by the activation unit 254, it is the latest of the times at which the special skill is activated.

The cooperation unit 253 may store the selection time when each cooperating player selected the special skill activation button included in the cooperation reception period screen during the cooperation reception period, and may increase the effect of the special skill as the time between the selection times between the cooperating players becomes shorter. In addition, when there are three or more cooperating players, the cooperation unit 253 increases the effect of the special skill as the average time difference between the selection times between the cooperating players becomes shorter. As a result, the effect of the special skill increases as the timing of cooperation between the cooperating players becomes closer, and a battle game with added fun of a timing game can be provided. In addition, when the special skill activation button is selected by each of the multiple cooperating players in a predetermined order (for example, in order of the lowest level of the character of each cooperating player), the cooperation unit 253 may increase the effect of the special skill. As a result, it is possible to give each player a sense of exhilaration like combo cooperative play, and to increase the motivation of each cooperating player to select the special skill activation button.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. This operation sequence is executed mainly in cooperation with each element of the device processing unit 25, based on a program previously stored in the device storage unit 22.

The operation sequence of the game system 1 shown in Figure 7 is explained below.

First, the accumulation unit 252 of the mobile device 2a of player A periodically executes accumulation processing while the battle game is being executed by the battle game execution unit 251 (step S101). Details of the battle execution processing will be described later. Note that the accumulation unit 252 of the mobile device 2b of the other player B and the accumulation unit 252 of the mobile device 2c of the other player C also periodically execute accumulation processing.

Next, the accumulation unit 252 of the portable device 2a transmits the accumulated point update instruction or the activation preparation instruction generated by the accumulation process to the portable device 2b of the other player B via the device communication unit 21 (step S102). The accumulation unit 252 of the portable device 2a also transmits the accumulated point update instruction or the activation preparation instruction to the portable device 2c of the other player C via the device communication unit 21 (step S103). Note that when the accumulation unit 252 of the portable device 2a transmits the activation preparation instruction to the portable devices 2b and 2c, it passes the activation preparation instruction to the cooperation unit 253. Note that the accumulation unit 252 of the portable device 2b of the other player B and the accumulation unit 252 of the portable device 2c of the other player C also transmit the accumulated point update instruction or the activation preparation instruction generated by the accumulation process to the other portable devices via the device communication unit 21 every time the accumulation process is executed.

Next, when the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile device 2a receives an activation preparation instruction from the accumulation unit 252 of the mobile device 2a, it displays a battle game screen with a special skill activation button superimposed on it on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2a (step S104). At the same time, when the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile device 2b receives an activation preparation instruction from the mobile device 2a via the device communication unit 21, it displays a battle game screen with a special skill activation button superimposed on it on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2b (step S105). At the same time, when the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile device 2c receives an activation preparation instruction from the mobile device 2a via the device communication unit 21, it displays a battle game screen with a special skill activation button superimposed on it on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2c (step S106).

Next, when the special skill activation button displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2a is selected by the player A (step S107), the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile device 2a transmits a reception start instruction to the mobile device 2b via the device communication unit 21 (step S108). At the same time, the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile device 2a transmits a reception start instruction to the mobile device 2c via the device communication unit 21 (step S109). Note that when either the other player B or the other player C selects the special skill activation button displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2b or 2c, a reception start instruction is similarly transmitted to the mobile devices 2 of the players other than the other player who selected the special skill activation button.

Next, when the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile terminal 2a transmits a reception start instruction to the mobile terminals 2b and 2c, it displays a cooperation reception period screen including a cooperation waiting display image indicating that the cooperation reception period is in progress on the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2a (step S110). At the same time, when the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile terminal 2b receives a reception start instruction from the mobile terminal 2a via the device communication unit 21, it displays a cooperation reception period screen including a special skill activation button on the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2b (step S111). At the same time, when the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile terminal 2c receives a reception start instruction from the mobile terminal 2a via the device communication unit 21, it displays a cooperation reception period screen including a special skill activation button on the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2c (step S112).

Next, when a cooperation acceptance period screen including a special skill activation button is displayed, if player B selects the special skill activation button during the cooperation acceptance period, the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile device 2b stores the player ID of player B as a cooperating player in the activation cooperation table and transmits a cooperation instruction to the mobile device 2a via the device communication unit 21 (step S113). Also, when a cooperation acceptance period screen including a special skill activation button is displayed, if player C selects the special skill activation button during the cooperation acceptance period, the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile device 2c stores the player ID of player C as a cooperating player in the activation cooperation table and transmits a cooperation instruction to the mobile device 2a via the device communication unit 21 (step S114).

Next, when the cooperation reception period screen including the cooperation waiting display image is displayed, the cooperation unit 253 of the mobile device 2a receives a cooperation instruction from the mobile devices 2b and 2c of the other players B and C during the cooperation reception period via the device communication unit 21, and refers to the activated cooperation table and stores the player ID of the player who sent the cooperation instruction as the cooperating player ID (step S115).

Next, when the cooperation acceptance period has elapsed or when the player IDs of all players other than the activating player are stored as cooperating player IDs in the activation cooperation table, the activation unit 254 of the mobile device 2a changes the effect of the special skill according to the number of cooperating player IDs stored in the activation cooperation table, and activates the changed special skill (step S116). At the same time, when the cooperation acceptance period has elapsed or when the player IDs of all players other than the activating player are stored as cooperating player IDs in the activation cooperation table, the activation unit 254 of the mobile device 2b changes the effect of the special skill according to the number of cooperating player IDs stored in the activation cooperation table, and activates the changed special skill (step S117). At the same time, when the cooperation acceptance period has elapsed, or when the player IDs of all players other than the activating player have been stored as cooperating player IDs in the activation cooperation table, the activation unit 254 of the mobile device 2c changes the effect of the special skill according to the number of cooperating player IDs stored in the activation cooperation table, and activates the changed special skill (step S118).

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of accumulation processing by the accumulation unit 252. The accumulation processing shown in Figure 8 is executed in step S101 of Figure 7.

First, the accumulation unit 252 determines whether or not the skill activated by the player operating the operation unit 23 hits an enemy character (successfully reduces the HP associated with the enemy character) (step S201).

Next, if it is determined that the activated skill has hit the enemy character (step S201-Yes), the accumulation unit 252 accumulates points according to the activated skill and stores the accumulated points (step S202). On the other hand, if it is determined that the activated skill has not hit the enemy character (step S201-No), the accumulation unit 252 advances the process to step S204, which will be described later.

Next, the accumulation unit 252 generates an accumulated point update instruction that includes the stored accumulated points and time (step S203).

The accumulation unit 252 then determines whether or not an accumulated point update instruction has been received from the other player's mobile device via the device communication unit 21 (step S204). If it is determined that an accumulated point update instruction has been received from the other player's mobile device (step S204-Yes), the accumulation unit 252 stores the received accumulated points and time (step S205). If it is determined that an accumulated point update instruction has not been received from the other player's mobile device (step S204-No), the accumulation unit 252 proceeds to step S206, which will be described later.

Next, the accumulation unit 252 determines whether the accumulated points stored in the accumulated points table are equal to or greater than a predetermined value (10 points) (step S206).

Next, if the accumulation unit 252 determines that the accumulated points are equal to or greater than the predetermined value (10 points) (step S206-Yes), it generates an activation preparation instruction (step S207) and ends the series of steps. If the accumulation unit 252 determines that the accumulated points are not equal to or greater than the predetermined value (10 points) (step S206-No), it returns the process to step S201.

As described above, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, when the special skill activation button is selected by player A, a special skill with an effect according to the number of times the special skill activation button has been selected received from other players B and C can be activated. This allows the game system 1 of this embodiment to allow the cooperation or support of other players to affect the effect of the special skill, making it possible to increase the interest of the battle game.

In addition, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, a specific mobile terminal 2 among the multiple mobile terminals 2 may function as a host. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal 2 functioning as a host is referred to as a host terminal, and the mobile terminals other than the host terminal are referred to as client terminals. In this case, the host terminal manages the cumulative point table and the activation cooperation table, and the client terminal does not store the cumulative point table and the activation cooperation table. In addition, the client terminal does not have an accumulation unit 252, and transmits points corresponding to the skill to the host terminal each time an activated skill hits an enemy character. The accumulation unit 252 of the host terminal stores cumulative points obtained by accumulating points received from the client terminal. The host terminal periodically transmits the cumulative points stored in the cumulative point table to the client terminal, and the cooperation unit 253 of the client terminal creates display data including a gauge corresponding to the cumulative points received from the host terminal. In addition, when the special skill activation button is selected, the cooperation unit 253 of the client terminal transmits a reception start instruction only to the host terminal. The host terminal transmits a reception start instruction to all clients. In addition, the cooperation unit 253 of the client terminal transmits the cooperation instruction only to the host terminal. When the cooperation reception period has elapsed, or when the player IDs of all the cooperating players are stored in the activation cooperation table as the cooperating player IDs, the activation unit 254 of the host terminal transmits to all the client terminals the number of cooperating player IDs stored in the activation cooperation table and display data for displaying the battle game image immediately before the special skill activation button was selected on the mobile terminal 2 held by the activation player. The activation unit 254 of the client terminal displays the special skill activation screen based on the number of cooperating player IDs received and the display data for displaying the battle game image. In this way, by making the multiple mobile terminals 2 function as the host terminal and the client terminal, it is possible to prevent data loss or inconsistency between the mobile terminals. The host terminal may manage not only the accumulated point table and the activation cooperation table, but also all tables related to the game progress and the battle game space data, etc. In addition, the functions of the host terminal may be provided to the server device, and the mobile device 2 may communicate with the server device, receive data on various tables and battle game space data, and transmit data generated or changed as the game progresses to the server device, thereby progressing the game.

In this embodiment, skill input instructions may be accepted based on a position designation within a specific area on the display screen.

The following describes the skill input instruction process using a pointing device such as a touch panel as the operation unit 23 of the mobile device 2.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a skill input instruction based on a position specification within a specific area on the display screen. In the following, for convenience, the player operating the mobile device 2 will be described as the player himself, but the same processing is also performed on mobile devices 2 operated by other players.

Figure 9 (a) shows an example of a battle game screen 900 displayed on the mobile device 2.

The battle game screen 900 displays a player's own character 901, a certain range of the battle game space around the player's character 901, an enemy character 902 existing within the certain range of the battle game space, a gauge 903, etc.

When the player taps a point on the battle game screen 900 of the mobile device 2 using the player's finger or the like, the point on the battle game screen 900 designated by the tapping operation is identified as a designated position 904. The designated position 904 is an example of a first position.

Figure 9 (b) shows an example of the battle game screen 910 after a tap operation.

Similar to the battle game screen 900 in FIG. 9(a), the battle game screen 910 displays a player's character 911, a certain range of the battle game space around the player's character 911, an enemy character 912 existing within the certain range of the battle game space, a gauge 913, etc. On the battle game screen 910, a guide figure A based on a designated position 914 is displayed only for a predetermined period (e.g., 3 seconds). Note that the designated position 914 is the same position as the designated position 904 in FIG. 9(a).

Figure 10 (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of guide figure A.

The guide figure A is composed of a circular figure A1 that defines a circular area B1 centered on the specified position, a first line figure A2 located on a first line that passes through the specified position, and a second line figure A3 located on a second line that passes through the specified position. The first line is a line that forms a first angle with a specified axis C centered on the specified position, and the second line is a line that forms a second angle with the specified axis centered on the specified position. Angle A4 is the angle between the first line and the second line with the specified position as their vertex (the difference angle between the first angle and the second angle). Angle A4 is an example of a specified angle.

The battle game screen 900 is divided into a circular area B1, a first angle area B2, and a second angle area B3 by a circular figure A1, a first line figure A2, and a second line figure A3. The first angle area B2 is an area having an angle A4, and the second angle area B3 is an area other than the circular area B1 and the first angle area B2.

Figure 10(b) shows an example of a battle game screen 1000 in which a tap is made while guide figure A is displayed.

Similar to the battle game screen 910 in FIG. 9(b), the battle game screen 1000 displays the player's own character 1001, a certain range of the battle game space around the player's character 1001, an enemy character 1002 existing within the certain range of the battle game space, a gauge 1003, and a guide figure A.

The guide figure A divides the battle game screen 1000 into a circular area B1, a first angle area B2, and a second angle area B3, and input instructions for different actions are associated with each of the circular area B1, the first angle area B2, and the second angle area B3. For example, an input instruction for attack is associated with the circular area B1, an input instruction for skill activation is associated with the first angle area B2, and an input instruction for defense is associated with the second angle area B3.

When the player taps on the circular area B1, the first angle area B2, or the second angle area B3 while the guide figure A is displayed, an action associated with an area including a designated position 1004 on the battle game screen 1000 designated by the tapping operation is input, and the input action is performed. In FIG. 10(b), since the designated position 1004 is included in the first angle area B2, an input instruction is given to activate a skill associated with the first angle area B2. The designated position 1004 is an example of a second position. In this way, an input instruction to activate a skill can be given based on the relative relationship between the first position (such as the designated position 904 in FIG. 9(a)) and the second position (such as the designated position 1004 in FIG. 10(b)), so that the skill can be activated with an intuitive and simple operation.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a mobile device 20 that issues skill input instructions based on position designation. In Figure 11, the same components as those in the mobile device 2 shown in Figure 3 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

The mobile device 20 includes a device communication unit 21, a device memory unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and a device processing unit 250. The device processing unit 25 includes at least a battle game execution unit 251, an accumulation unit 252, a cooperation unit 253, an activation unit 254, and an input processing unit 255. The function of the input processing unit 255 will be described below. Note that the battle game execution unit 251, the accumulation unit 252, the cooperation unit 253, and the activation unit 254 are the same as those shown in FIG. 3, and therefore detailed description will be omitted.

The input processing unit 255 identifies a designated position on the battle game screen that is designated by a tap operation performed by the player himself/herself when the operation unit 23, which is configured as a pointing device such as a touch panel, is tapped, and performs an action based on the identified designated position.

Figure 12 shows an example of the operation flow of input instruction processing by the input processing unit 255.

First, the input processing unit 255 identifies a specified position on the battle game screen that is specified by the player tapping the operation unit 23 (step S301). Next, the input processing unit 255 determines whether or not a guide figure is displayed on the battle game screen (step S302).

Next, if it is determined that the guide figure is not displayed (step S302-No), the input processing unit 255 selects an attack as the player's character's action, executes the attack (step S303), and proceeds to step S308.

If the input processing unit 255 determines that a guide figure is displayed (step S302-Yes), it determines whether the specified position identified in step S301 is included in the circular area (step S304).

Next, if the input processing unit 255 determines that the specified position is included in the circular area (step S304-Yes), the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, if the input processing unit 255 determines that the specified position is not included in the circular area (step S304-No), the input processing unit 255 determines whether the specified position identified in step S301 is included in the first angle area (step S305).

Next, if the input processing unit 255 determines that the designated position is included in the first angle region (step S305-Yes), it selects the activation of a skill as the player's character's action, activates the skill (step S306), and proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, if the input processing unit 255 determines that the designated position is not included in the first angle region (step S305-No), it selects defense as the player's character's action, executes defense (step S307), and proceeds to step S308.

Next, if a guide figure is displayed, the input processing unit 255 erases the guide figure. The input processing unit 255 then creates a new guide figure based on the specified position identified in step S301, displays the created guide figure on the battle game screen (step S308), and ends the series of steps.

As described above, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, the player can easily give input instructions for the next multiple actions based on the immediately preceding tap operation. This allows the player to give input instructions intuitively without having to check the user interface for operational input, thereby improving the operability of the battle game.

In addition, by associating actions such as attacks that require continuous operations (repeated taps) with the circular area B1 centered on the specified position, continuous operations can be performed while the guide figure is displayed, improving the operability of the battle game. Note that the number of angular areas divided by the guide figure A may be greater than this.

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of guide figure A.

The guide figure A is composed of a circular figure A1 that defines a circular area B1 centered on the specified position, a first line figure A2 located on a first straight line passing through the specified position, a second line figure A3 located on a second straight line passing through the specified position, a third line figure A4 located on a third straight line passing through the specified position, and a fourth line figure A5 located on a fourth straight line passing through the specified position. The battle game screen is divided into a circular area B1, a first angle area B2, a second angle area B3, a third angle area B4, and a fourth angle area B5 by the circular figure A1, the first line figure A2, the second line figure A3, the third line figure A4, and the fourth line figure A5. The first angle area B2 is an area having an angle A6, the second angle area B3 is an area having an angle A7, the third angle area B4 is an area having an angle A8, and the fourth angle area B5 is an area other than the circular area B1, the first angle area B2, the second angle area B3, and the third angle area B4. In this way, by increasing the number of angle regions, even if the number of actions associated with the angle regions increases, the angle regions can be increased appropriately, thereby improving the operability of the battle game.

The input processor 255 may change the magnitude of angles A6 to A8 depending on the state of the player's character. For example, when an input instruction to activate a skill is associated with angle area B2, the input processor 255 increases angle A6 as the player character's MP increases. This reduces angle area B2 as the MP decreases, making it possible to prevent erroneous activation of skills that consume MP. When an input instruction to defend is associated with angle area B3, the input processor 255 increases angle A7 as the player character's HP decreases. This increases angle area B3 as the HP decreases, making it possible to encourage the player to select defense, which reduces the loss of HP due to an opponent's attack, when HP is low, and to prevent erroneous input of actions other than defense.

The input processor 255 may change the size of each area depending on the operation history of the player. For example, if the circular area B1 is associated with an input instruction for an attack that requires successive operations (repeated hits), the input processor 255 will enlarge the circular area B1 if the number of repeated hits in the previous three seconds exceeds a predetermined number. This makes it possible to prevent the player from erroneously inputting repeated hits.

Note that, when multiple actions associated with each area of the guide figure A have a hierarchical data structure such as a tree structure, the input processing unit 255 may execute input instruction processing using the guide figure in stages. The input instruction processing using the guide figure in stages is described below.

Figure 14 (a) is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of multiple actions having a hierarchical data structure. For example, in the upper hierarchy, major classification items are set that classify actions into skills, attack, defense, etc. Next, in the middle hierarchy, intermediate classification items are set that classify skills into attack type, defense type, etc. Then, in the lower hierarchy, minor classification items are set that classify attack type skills into fire attribute skills, water attribute skills, etc. Each minor classification item in the lower hierarchy is an action that is the target of an input instruction.

Figure 14(b) is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of input instruction processing using guide figures in stages. Guide figure A divides the battle game screen into a circular area B1 centered on the first specified position, a first angle area B2, a second angle area B3, and a third angle area B4. For example, the first angle area B2 is associated with "skill" among the major categories in the upper hierarchy, and the second angle area B3 is associated with "attack" among the major categories in the upper hierarchy.

When the player taps the first angle area B2 while the guide figure A is displayed, the guide figure A-1 is displayed. The guide figure A-1 divides the battle game screen into a circular area B1-1 centered on the second specified position, a first angle area B2-1, a second angle area B3-1, and a third angle area B4-1. For example, the first angle area B2-1 is associated with "attack" among the medium classification items in the middle hierarchy, and the second angle area B3-1 is associated with "defense" among the medium classification items in the middle hierarchy.

When the player taps the first angle area B2-1 while the guide figure A-1 is displayed, the guide figure A-2 is displayed. The guide figure A-2 divides the battle game screen into a circular area B1-2 centered on the third specified position, a first angle area B2-2, a second angle area B3-2, and a third angle area B4-2. For example, the first angle area B2-2 is associated with "fire attribute skills" among the items in the lower hierarchy, and the second angle area B3-2 is associated with "water attribute skills" among the items in the lower hierarchy.

When the player taps the first angle area B2-2 while the guide figure A-2 is displayed, a "fire attribute skill" is activated.

In this way, by using the input instruction process that uses guide figures in stages, it becomes possible to easily select items having a hierarchical data structure with just a tap operation. Note that the input instruction process that uses guide figures in stages is not limited to input instructions for actions. For example, it can also be used when selecting a menu hierarchically. Furthermore, it can be used in any field other than games as long as it selects items having a hierarchical data structure.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Game system 2, 20 Portable terminal 21 Terminal communication unit 22 Terminal storage unit 23 Operation unit 24 Display unit 25, 250 Terminal processing unit 251 Battle game execution unit 252 Accumulation unit 253 Cooperation unit 254 Activation unit 255 Input processing unit

Claims (12)

A control program for a terminal device that progresses a game in response to an operation by a player,
The terminal device,
when an accumulated point, which is a sum of points according to a first instruction input by the player and points according to the first instructions input by one or more other players belonging to the same team as the player, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a second instruction by the player is allowed to be accepted;
receiving a third instruction transmitted from another terminal device which progresses the game in accordance with operations of one or more of the other players after the second instruction input by the player is accepted, and generating an effect of an action corresponding to the number of times the third instruction is input by one or more of the other players which has been accepted within a predetermined period from the acceptance of the second instruction;
A control program for executing the above. The control program according to claim 1 , wherein the third instruction is input by the other player operating a predetermined button that is displayed on the other terminal device and that is operable only during the predetermined period. The control program according to claim 2 , wherein an upper limit is set for the number of times the predetermined button can be operated. The terminal device,
changing the effect depending on a period of time from a start time when accumulation of the cumulative points started to a time when the second instruction is accepted;
The control program according to claim 3 . The control program according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined button is displayed on the other terminal device in a display mode corresponding to the reaching time period. The terminal device,
extending the predetermined period in response to the second instruction being accepted;
The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , The terminal device,
displaying an image showing the game media of the player and an image showing other game media of one or more of the other players during the predetermined period;
The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , 8. The control program according to claim 1, further comprising causing the terminal device to present a gauge having a length corresponding to the accumulated points. In generating the effect, the terminal device
when the third instruction is input at least twice, changing the effect according to an interval between two input times of the third instruction;
The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , In generating the effect, the terminal device
changing the effect when each of the other players inputs the third instruction in an order corresponding to a parameter related to each of the other players;
The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , A method for controlling a terminal device that progresses a game in response to an operation by a player, comprising the steps of:
The terminal device,
when an accumulated point, which is a sum of points according to a first instruction input by the player and points according to the first instructions input by one or more other players belonging to the same team as the player, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a second instruction by the player is allowed to be accepted;
receiving a third instruction transmitted from another terminal device which progresses the game in accordance with operations of one or more of the other players after the second instruction input by the player is accepted, and generating an effect of an action corresponding to the number of times the third instruction is input by one or more of the other players which has been accepted within a predetermined period from the acceptance of the second instruction;
A control method comprising: An information processing device that progresses a game in response to an operation by a player,
when an accumulated point, which is a sum of points according to a first instruction input by the player and points according to the first instructions input by one or more other players belonging to the same team as the player, is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a second instruction by the player is allowed to be accepted;
a processing unit that receives a third instruction transmitted from another terminal device that progresses the game in accordance with operations of one or more of the other players after the second instruction input by the player is accepted, and generates an effect of an action corresponding to the number of times the third instruction is issued by one or more of the other players during a predetermined period from the acceptance of the second instruction ;
An information processing device having the above configuration.

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