JP7568938B2 - Game program and game device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a game program and a game device.

Some games run on computers allow users to play characters against each other in a virtual space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2021-126435 A

In the game, the characters are displayed as images. However, some players are unable to see the characters or have difficulty seeing them.

The objective of this disclosure is to enable a user to grasp the position of an object on the screen in a game run on a computer without relying on vision.

A first aspect includes a computer comprising:
an action unit that determines an action of the first character in the virtual space in response to an operation by a user;
a display unit that displays a second character in the virtual space and the first character on a screen simultaneously in response to the determination by the operation unit;
an output unit that outputs information that represents a positional relationship between the first character and the second character in the virtual space and that can be recognized without using vision;
The present invention is a game program characterized by functioning as follows.

In the first aspect, the information may be represented by sound.

In the above aspect, the sound may be a voice that explains the positional relationship in natural language.

In the above embodiment, the sound may be a looped sound that is constantly played during the game.

In the above aspect, the information may also be expressed by vibration.

In the above aspect, the computer is
a calculation unit that calculates a distance between the first character and the second character in the virtual space as the positional relationship;
The output unit may output the information according to the distance.

In addition, in the above aspect, when the positional relationship between the first character and the second character is switched from the initial state, the output unit may output the information in a manner different from the initial state.

In addition, in the above aspect,
The computer,
The output unit may function as a mode switching unit that stops the output of the output unit in response to an operation by the user.

In addition, in the above aspect, the output unit may output the information taking into consideration the position coordinates in the virtual space of at least one of the first character and the second character.

In addition, the second aspect is
A storage unit that stores a game program according to any one of the first to ninth aspects;
A control unit that executes the game program;
The present invention relates to a game device comprising:

According to the present disclosure, in a game executed on a computer, the position of an object on the screen can be grasped without relying on vision.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention; An example of a game image is shown below. 13 is an example of a positional relationship between a first character and a second character. 13 is another example showing the positional relationship between the first character and the second character.

The game program and game device disclosed herein are described below with reference to the drawings.

In the following explanation, a "game" refers to an activity in which some objective is achieved according to certain rules, and which is carried out using a computer. Some games involve multiple participants competing against each other (where a winner is determined), and some games involve each participant being evaluated based on some indicator, such as points or time. Participants here include both individuals and teams.

[Embodiment]
Game Overview
The game according to the present embodiment is played, for example, in an e-sports tournament. In this game, a player (participant) operates a player character to move around in a two-dimensional virtual game space (hereinafter referred to as virtual space VS) and to perform various actions on the player character's companions.

The game described below is a fighting action game in which a player character battles other player characters or non-player characters in a virtual space VS. More specifically, this game is a so-called fighting game.

In the following, the player character operated by the player (assumed to be player P1) is referred to as the first character C1. The character that competes against the first character C1 is referred to as the second character C2. In this embodiment, the first character C1 and the second character C2 are always displayed on the screen (display 61, described below) during the competition.

In this embodiment, the second character C2 is controlled by another player (assumed to be player P2). Depending on the game or game mode, the second character C2 may be controlled by a computer.

In this fighting game, two players compete one-on-one. In the match, each game player selects and controls a character as the player character. In the match, the winner is decided when the vitality value (a parameter indicating the possibility of survival and activity in the game) of one of the characters reaches 0. For example, in an e-sports tournament, the tournament progresses in a tournament format (knockout format).

Hardware Configuration
<overview>
The game device 5 executes a game based on operations of the game players. In this embodiment, a competitive action game is played on the game device 5. In this embodiment, one game device 5 accepts operations of a pair of players (two players in this example).

The game device 5 may be a commercially available device such as a personal computer, PlayStation (registered trademark), Xbox (registered trademark), PlayStation Vita (registered trademark), or Nintendo Switch (registered trademark).

The game device 5 may receive (download) a game program and game data from a server device (not shown) via a communication network (not shown). Upon receiving the game program, etc., the game device 5 installs the received game program, etc.

The game device 5 starts a battle in a competitive action game based on the operations of each player (players P1 and P2). The game device 5 progresses the game. During the game, the game device 5 outputs game images to a display 61 (described below) and outputs sounds to a speaker 62 (described below) based on the operations of each player.

<Configuration of Game Device 5>
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game device 5. As shown in Fig. 1, a display 61, a speaker 62, and a controller 63 are externally connected or built into the game device 5. Two displays 61 are provided. The game device 5 is also provided with two controllers 63. In the following, components that exist in plurality, such as the displays 61, are distinguished by adding a subnumber to the reference numeral as necessary (for example, 61-1, 61-2, etc., hereinafter the same).

Display 61-1 and controller 63-1 are used by player P1. Display 61-2 and controller 63-2 are used by player P2. Controller 63 may be prepared by the player (players P1 and P2) themselves and connected instead of the controller provided as standard on game device 5.

The game device 5 has a network interface 51, a graphics processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a memory unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface 51, the graphics processing unit 52, the audio processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, and the memory unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via a bus 59.

The network interface 51 is communicatively connected to a communication network (not shown) to transmit and receive various data between the game device 5 and a server device (not shown) etc.

The graphics processing unit 52 renders game images including various objects related to the virtual space VS in a moving image format according to game image information (described later) output from the control unit 56. The graphics processing unit 52 is connected to displays 61 (61-1, 61-2), which may be, for example, liquid crystal displays. The game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the display 61 as a game screen.

The audio processing unit 53 is connected to the speaker 62. The audio processing unit 53 plays and synthesizes game sounds according to the instructions of the control unit 56, and outputs them from the speaker 62.

The operation unit 54 is connected to the controllers 63 (63-1, 63-2). The operation unit 54 transmits and receives data related to operation inputs to and from the controllers 63. The players P1 and P2 input operation signals to the game device 5 by operating various controls such as buttons on the controllers 63.

In this game, the first character C1 and the second character C2 face each other side by side on the display 61 (see FIG. 2). In this game, the way the operator moves the controller 63 changes depending on whether the character to be controlled is located to the right or left of the opponent, even if the type of action (for example, the type of technique such as a kick) is the same.

The storage unit 55 is composed of a HDD, SSD, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 55 stores game data downloaded from a server device (not shown), various programs including parts of the game program, etc.

The control unit 56 controls the operation of the game device 5. The control unit 56 includes a CPU (microcomputer) and a semiconductor memory (not shown). The semiconductor memory stores programs for operating the CPU, etc.

<Functional configuration of the control unit 56 in the game device 5>
The control unit 56 functions as an operation unit 561, a display unit 562, an output unit 563, a calculation unit 564, and a mode switching unit 565 as a result of the CPU executing various programs.

The movement unit 561 determines the movement of the first character in the virtual space VS in response to the user's operation of the controller 63. Specifically, the movement unit 561 determines the character's posture, technique (jump, kick), etc. in response to the user's operation of the controller 63.

The display unit 562 displays the first character C1 and the second character C2 simultaneously on the display 61 (61-1, 61-2) in response to the decision made by the operation unit 561. Specifically, the display unit 562 generates information (game image information) for displaying moving images that represent the actions decided by the operation unit 561. In this game, the game image information is information for generating two-dimensional moving images. In some games, the game image information is information for generating three-dimensional moving images.

The display unit 562 transmits game image information to the graphics processing unit 52. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 52. Through processing by the graphics processing unit 52, a game image (moving image) is displayed on the display 61. For example, a game image Sc as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display 61.

The game image Sc may be displayed on a spectator display installed at the venue of the e-sports tournament. The game image Sc may also be distributed to spectators via a communication network.

The calculation unit 564 calculates the distance between the first character C1 and the second character C2 in the virtual space VS (game image Sc) as the positional relationship (see FIG. 3). The example in FIG. 3 shows the distance D (positional relationship) between the first character C1 and the second character C2 in the initial state (immediately after the start of the game).

The distance D may be measured using any part of the character as the reference point. For example, the calculation unit 564 may use the center of the character's head as the reference point, or the center of the torso as the reference point.

In this game, the relative positions of the first character C1 and the second character C2 may be switched from the initial state (see FIG. 3) during play. In the example of FIG. 4, the relative positions of the first character C1 and the second character C2 are reversed from the initial state (see FIG. 3).

When the positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 is switched from the initial state, the calculation unit 564 inverts the sign of the calculated distance D and outputs it.

For example, assume that the state in FIG. 3 is the initial state. In this embodiment, the calculation unit 564 outputs a positive value as the value of distance D in the state in FIG. 3, and outputs a negative value as the value of distance D in the state in FIG. 4. Of course, the calculation unit 564 may be configured to output a negative value as the value of distance D in the state in FIG. 3, and a positive value as the value of distance D in the state in FIG. 4.

The output unit 563 outputs information representing the positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 in the virtual space VS. "Information representing the positional relationship" is information that the player can recognize without using his or her eyesight. In this embodiment, the output unit 563 outputs the information representing the positional relationship as a sound (hereinafter referred to as a position identification sound). Specifically, the output unit 563 transmits a predetermined signal to the audio processing unit 53, thereby causing the speaker 62 to output the sound that is to be output.

In this embodiment, when the first character C1 and the second character C2 are displayed, the position identification sound is always output. Also, when either the first character C1 or the second character C2 is not displayed, the position identification sound is not output.

In this embodiment, the position identification sound is a looped sound that is constantly played during a match. In this embodiment, the position identification sound (looped sound) is an alarm sound. In this embodiment, the output unit 563 shortens the length (beats) of the sound that constitutes the position identification sound as the absolute value of the distance D becomes smaller. In other words, the output unit 563 outputs a sound that changes at a shorter period as the absolute value of the distance D becomes smaller.

For example, assume that the output unit 563 is currently outputting a position identification sound (alarm sound) that changes over a relatively long period, such as "beep beep beep...". In other words, assume that the beat of the sound (the "beep" sound) that constitutes the position identification sound is relatively long.

When the absolute value of distance D becomes smaller than the current value, the output unit 563 changes the position identification sound to a sound that changes at shorter intervals (a series of short sounds), such as "beep beep beep...". When the absolute value of distance D becomes smaller still, the output unit 563 changes the position identification sound to a sound that changes at an even shorter interval (a series of even shorter sounds), such as "beep beep beep...".

When the positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 has been switched from the initial state, the output unit 563 outputs information in a manner different from the initial state. In this embodiment, when the positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 has been switched from the initial state, the output unit 563 changes the type of sound (e.g., the type of alarm sound). Note that in this embodiment, the output unit 563 determines whether the positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 has been switched based on the positive or negative value of the distance value.

The output unit 563 also outputs information (sound in this example) taking into consideration the position coordinates in the virtual space VS of at least one of the first character C1 and the second character C2. In this embodiment, the sound is changed according to the distance between the position coordinates of the first character C1 and the second character C2 and an object in the virtual space VS (such as a wall object or a tree object). For example, the output unit 563 outputs a sound that changes in a short cycle as the first character C1 approaches a wall.

The mode switching unit 565 switches the output of the output unit 563 on and off in response to the operation of the user (e.g., players P1 and P2). This game program is equipped with a function to display a setting screen (not shown) superimposed on the game screen as a user interface.

This setting screen is implemented so that the user can give instructions to the mode switching unit 565. In this embodiment, a button for switching the position identification sound on and off is displayed. The user can operate this button via the controller 63. In other words, when the user does not need to output the position identification sound, the user can stop the output of the output unit 563 via the mode switching unit 565.

The volume of sounds other than the position identification sound may be adjusted depending on whether the position identification sound is on or off. For example, when the position identification sound is on, the volume of sounds other than the position identification sound (such as background music) may be made lower than when the position identification sound is off.

Example of operation
At the start of the game, if necessary, a user (not necessarily the players P1 and P2) sends an instruction to the mode switching unit 565 via the operation unit 54. Here, it is assumed that the user allows the mode switching unit 565 to output from the output unit 563.

The battle begins when the player operates a specified controller. When the battle begins, the first character C1 and the second character C2 are displayed on the displays 61-1 and 61-2 (see Figure 2).

The calculation unit 564 calculates the distance between the first character C1 and the second character C2. In this embodiment, the value of the distance D output by the calculation unit 564 in the initial state is a positive number. If the positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 is switched from the initial state, the value of the distance D is a negative number.

The output unit 563 outputs a sound corresponding to the value of the distance D output by the calculation unit 564 from the speaker 62. In this game program, the calculation of the distance D and the output of the sound corresponding to the distance D are performed continuously (e.g., periodically) during the game. As a result, in this game, when the distance between the first character C1 and the second character C2 changes, the position identification sound changes.

In this embodiment, as the second character C2 approaches the first character C1, the length (beat) of the sound that constitutes the position identification sound becomes shorter. The player can recognize the distance between the character he or she is controlling and the opponent character by the change in sound (in other words, by hearing).

The player can decide the next action (e.g., kick, jump, etc.) based on the recognized distance. In other words, the player can decide the next action without using vision. Once the next action has been decided, the player can operate the controller 63. In this manner, the game (match) progresses in this embodiment.

In summary, this aspect is a game program that causes a computer to function as an operation unit 561 that determines the action of a first character C1 in a virtual space VS in response to a user's operation, a display unit 562 that simultaneously displays a second character C2 and the first character C1 in the virtual space VS on a screen in response to the determination of the operation unit 561, and an output unit 563 that outputs information that represents the positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 in the virtual space VS and that can be recognized without using vision.

Effects of this embodiment
In this embodiment, the distance between the first character C1 and the second character C2 is represented by sound. Also, the player can know from the sound whether the character he or she is controlling is located to the right or left of the other character.

As described above, according to this embodiment, in a game executed on a computer, the position of an object on the screen can be grasped without relying on vision.

[Other embodiments]
The positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 may be represented by the pitch of the output sound. Specifically, when the positional relationship between the first character C1 and the second character C2 changes, the pitch may be changed.

The information indicating the positional relationship is not limited to an alarm sound. The output unit 563 may be configured to output a sound that explains the positional relationship in natural language. For example, the output unit 563 may be configured to convey the positional relationship with a live voice such as "The second character C2 is approaching!" or "Distance 50!".

The information indicating the positional relationship may be vibration. In this case, it is advisable to change the amplitude or frequency of the vibration according to the absolute value of the distance D. Of course, the positional relationship may be indicated by a combination of sound and vibration.

The game may use a three-dimensional virtual space. In this case, it is a good idea to select the type of sound used to express distance and the speaker to be used for output (select the output channel) so that the player can grasp their position in the three-dimensional space.

The game program may be implemented to represent information other than positional relationships using sounds. For example, the game program may be implemented to represent the state of the opponent character (e.g., the opponent character's posture), the outcome of the game (win or loss, etc.), etc., using sounds. In addition, the type of position identification sound may be changed depending on the type of opponent character.

The game program may be implemented as a game program for a so-called online game. If the game program is for an online game, the processing carried out by the control unit 56 may be carried out on the server side, or may be shared between the server side and the client (game device 5) side.

The location identification sound may also be output when a game video is distributed. In this case, the location identification sound may be able to be switched on and off for the distributed video independently of the on/off setting of the location identification sound on the distributor's side. For example, if the distributor (player) of the game video turns on the location identification sound, the person receiving the distribution may turn off the location identification sound. Alternatively, if the distributor of the game video turns off the location identification sound, the person receiving the distribution may turn on the location identification sound.

The position identification sound can be applied to games other than fighting games. For example, it can be applied to action games, shooting games, battle royale games, RPGs, etc.

There may be multiple opponent characters at the same time. In that case, it is up to the player to decide which opponent character's distance is represented by the position identification sound. For example, the position identification sound may be output according to the distance to the opponent character closest to the player character.

Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the effects of the present embodiment are exhibited. In addition, this embodiment can be combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate.

5. Gaming Devices
55 Memory section
56 Control Unit (Computer)
561 Operating Part
562 Display unit
563 Calculation Department
564 Output section
565 Mode Switching Unit
C1 First character
C2 Second character
D Distance
VS Virtual Space

Claims (8)

Computer,
an action unit that determines an action of the first character in the virtual space in response to an operation by a user;
a display unit that displays a second character in the virtual space and the first character on a screen simultaneously in response to the determination by the operation unit;
an output unit that outputs information that represents a positional relationship between the first character and the second character in the virtual space and that can be recognized without using vision;
and make it work.
the information is represented by sound;
the output unit changes a length of the sound in accordance with a positional relationship between the first character and the second character in the virtual space ;
The game program , wherein the sound is a loop sound that is constantly played during the game . Computer,
an action unit that determines an action of the first character in the virtual space in response to an operation by a user;
a display unit that displays a second character in the virtual space and the first character on a screen simultaneously in response to the determination by the operation unit;
an output unit that outputs information that represents a positional relationship between the first character and the second character in the virtual space and that can be recognized without using vision;
and make it work.
the information is represented by sound;
the output unit changes a pitch of the sound in accordance with a positional relationship between the first character and the second character in the virtual space ;
The game program , wherein the sound is a loop sound that is constantly played during the game . In the game program according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The game program, wherein the information is also represented by vibration. In any one of the game programs according to claims 1 to 3 ,
The computer,
a calculation unit that calculates a distance between the first character and the second character in the virtual space as the positional relationship;
The game program, wherein the output unit outputs the information according to the distance. In any one of the game programs according to claims 1 to 4 ,
A game program characterized in that the output unit outputs the information in a manner different from the initial state when the positional relationship between the first character and the second character is changed from the initial state. In any one of the game programs according to claims 1 to 5 ,
The computer,
A game program characterized by causing the output unit to function as a mode switching unit that stops output in response to the user's operation. In any one of the game programs according to claims 1 to 6 ,
The game program, wherein the output unit outputs the information taking into consideration position coordinates in the virtual space of at least one of the first character and the second character. A storage unit that stores the game program according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ;
A control unit that executes the game program;
A game device comprising: