JP7576809B2 - PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, for example, fighting games in which characters battle each other are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a turn-based fighting game in which a player character and an opponent character act in a predetermined order.

Patent No. 5678146

There has been a demand for improving the entertainment value of battles in competitive games.

In light of these circumstances, the objective of the present invention is to provide a program, an information processing device, and a control method that improve the entertainment value of battles in games.

A program according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
An information processing device that executes a game,
In a match between one or more first game media and one or more second game media, which is performed in the game,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
increasing a first parameter in response to the first game medium executing a first action in the first mode;
switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
changing the first parameter in response to an elapsed time from the start of the second mode and a second action performed by the first game medium in the second mode;
switching the mode of the battle from the second mode to the first mode when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value;
Run the command,
The increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the second action in the second mode is greater than the increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the first action in the first mode.

Moreover, an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
An information processing device having a control unit for executing a game,
The control unit, in a match between one or more first game media and one or more second game media performed in the game,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
increasing a first parameter in response to the first game medium executing a first action in the first mode;
Switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
changing the first parameter in response to an elapsed time since the start of the second mode and a second action performed by the first game medium in the second mode;
when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value, switching the mode of the battle from the second mode to the first mode;
The increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the second action in the second mode is greater than the increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the first action in the first mode.

In addition, a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
A method for controlling a game executed by an information processing device, comprising:
In a match between one or more first game media and one or more second game media, which is performed in the game,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
increasing a first parameter in response to the first game medium executing a first action in the first mode;
switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
changing the first parameter in response to an elapsed time from the start of the second mode and a second action performed by the first game medium in the second mode;
switching the mode of the battle from the second mode to the first mode when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value;
Including,
The increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the second action in the second mode is greater than the increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the first action in the first mode.

The program, information processing device, and control method according to one embodiment of the present invention increase the interest of battles in a game.

1 is a block diagram of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing information about a user. A figure showing information regarding a first game medium. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing information about a command. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a battle screen in a first mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a battle screen in a first mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a battle screen in a second mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a battle screen in a second mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a battle screen in a second mode. 13 is a flowchart showing a battle process executed by the terminal device.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention.

(Game System Overview)
First, an overview of a game system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The game system 10 includes a server device 11 and one or more terminal devices 12. For simplicity, three terminal devices 12 are illustrated in Fig. 1, but the number of terminal devices 12 may be one or more.

The server device 11 is an information processing device such as a server managed by a game operator. The terminal device 12 is an information processing device used by a user, such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet terminal, PC (Personal Computer), or game device. The server device 11 and the terminal device 12 are communicatively connected via a network 16 such as the Internet. The server device 11 and the terminal device 12 work together to provide a game to the user of the terminal device 12. For example, the server device 11 transmits information necessary for game processing to the terminal device 12. The terminal device 12 executes game processing using the information received from the server device 11. Alternatively, the server device 11 and the terminal device 12 may share the task of executing game processing.

(Game Overview)
An overview of the game according to the present embodiment will be described. The game according to the present embodiment includes various game parts. At least some of the various game parts may be executed using game media.

Game media is electronic data used in a game, and includes any media, such as cards, items, virtual currency, tickets, characters, and avatars. Game media is also electronic data that can be acquired, owned, used, managed, exchanged, synthesized, enhanced, sold, discarded, or donated by a user within a game, but the manner in which game media can be used is not limited to those explicitly stated in this specification.

Unless otherwise specified, "game medium owned by a user" refers to a game medium associated as a first game medium with a user ID that can uniquely identify the user. Furthermore, "granting a game medium to a user" refers to associating the game medium as a first game medium with a user ID. Furthermore, "discarding a game medium owned by a user" refers to dissolving the association between a user ID and the first game medium. Furthermore, "consuming a game medium owned by a user" refers to the possibility of generating some effect or influence in the game in response to dissolving the association between a user ID and the first game medium. Furthermore, "selling a game medium owned by a user" refers to dissolving the association between a user ID and the first game medium, and associating another game medium (e.g., virtual currency or an item, etc.) as the first game medium with the user ID. Furthermore, "transferring a game medium owned by user A to user B" refers to dissolving the association between user A's user ID and the first game medium, and associating the game medium as the first game medium with user B's user ID.

A game part is content that a user can play in a game, and includes, for example, quests, missions, mini-games, events to obtain game media, events to explore the virtual space, and events to battle opponents (e.g., other users, enemy characters, enemy buildings, etc.). For example, if it is determined that one or more predetermined conditions (game tasks) set for each game part have been successfully achieved, the user may be given, for example, game media, etc. as a reward. Game tasks can be any task depending on the content of the game part, such as a task to win a battle against an enemy character, or a task to reach a goal point in the virtual space. In addition, the achievement of a specific task (cleared task) out of one or more game tasks set for a game part is also referred to as clearing the game part. If a user playing a game part succeeds in achieving the cleared task, the game part is determined to be cleared, and the game part ends.

The various game parts may include game parts for single play and game parts for multi-play. A game part for single play is a game part (e.g., a game part for one person) that is executed based on a user operation on one terminal device 12 used by one user. One terminal device 12 executes the game part for single play alone, or one terminal device 12 and the server device 11 cooperate to execute the game part for single play. On the other hand, a game part for multi-play is a game part (e.g., a game part for multiple people) that is executed based on a user operation on two or more terminal devices 12 used by two or more users. A game part common to two or more users is, for example, a game part in which at least a part of the progress processing and processing results of the game part are commonly applied to the two or more users. Two or more terminal devices 12 cooperate to execute the game part for multi-play, or two or more terminal devices 12 cooperate to execute the game part for multi-play.

The game according to this embodiment includes a game part in which one or more first game media compete against one or more second game media. Hereinafter, this game part will also be referred to simply as a "battle." The first game medium will be described as, for example, a user character owned by a user in the game, but is not limited to this. The second game medium will be described as, for example, an enemy character such as an NPC (Non Player Character), but is not limited to this.

In summary, the game according to this embodiment allows players to switch between a first mode and a second mode during a match, as regards the mode of how the match progresses. The first mode is a mode in which the match progresses in a so-called turn-based manner. The second mode is a mode in which the match progresses in a so-called real-time manner. Details of the first mode and the second mode will be described later.

(Configuration of the server device)
A specific description will be given of the configuration of the server device 11. The server device 11 includes a server communication unit 13, a server storage unit 14, and a server control unit 15.

The server communication unit 13 includes an interface that communicates with an external device wirelessly or via a wired connection to send and receive information. The server communication unit 13 may include, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communication module or a wired LAN communication module. The server communication unit 13 is capable of sending and receiving information to and from the terminal device 12 via the network 16.

The server storage unit 14 includes, for example, a primary storage device and a secondary storage device. For example, the server storage unit 14 may include a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like. The server storage unit 14 stores various information and programs necessary for providing and controlling the game. At least a portion of the information and programs stored in the server storage unit 14 may be shared and synchronized with the terminal device 12. For example, the server storage unit 14 stores information regarding one or more users.

The information about users will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 shows information about each of three users. The information about users includes various information unique to the users. For example, the information about users includes a user ID, information about game media owned, and information about game media used.

As mentioned above, the user ID is information that can uniquely identify a user. Hereinafter, the user ID will also be simply referred to as the user.

The information about owned game media includes various information specific to the game media owned by the user in the game. When a game medium is acquired by a user, the game medium is associated with the user as owned game media. In this embodiment, owned game media includes a user character owned by the user, but is not limited to this. Details of the information about owned game media will be described later.

The information regarding the game medium to be used is information indicating the game medium to be used by the user in the battle. The game medium to be used is selected from among the owned game media. In this embodiment, for example, up to six user characters selected from one or more owned game media are each associated with the user as the game medium to be used. Therefore, one user character may be both the owned game medium and the used game medium. The selection of the game medium to be used may be performed automatically or in response to a user operation, for example, in a dedicated game part. For example, the dedicated game part may include a game part in which so-called deck organization or team organization is performed.

The information about the owned game media described above will be explained in detail. Here, information about user characters will be explained from among the various pieces of information about owned game media. Figure 3 shows information about three user characters (character A, character B, and character C) owned by one user. For example, the information about each user character includes information about the character ID, character name, level, rarity, HP (Hit Points), MP (Magic Points), attack power, defense power, agility, attributes, and commands.

The character ID is information that can uniquely identify a character. The character ID may be stored in advance in the server storage unit 14, for example. Alternatively, the character ID may be determined by the server device 11 when the user acquires the character.

The character name is information that indicates the name of the character. Unlike the character ID, the character name does not have to be able to uniquely identify the character. The initial value of the character name is stored in advance in the server storage unit 14. The character name may change depending on how the user who has acquired the character plays the game.

The level is, for example, information indicating the degree of growth of a user character. The initial value of the level is, for example, 1. The level can increase as the user who has acquired the user character plays the game. When the level increases, as described below, at least some of the information about the user character, such as information about rarity, HP, MP, attack power, defense power, speed, attributes, and commands, can change. For example, by changing at least some of the information about the user character, the character is strengthened, as described below. Therefore, in this embodiment, the higher the level of the character used in the game part, the more advantageous it is for the user.

Rarity is information that indicates the degree of rarity of a user character. An initial value of rarity is stored in advance in the server storage unit 14. For example, the higher the rarity value, the rarer the user character is. Rarity may change depending on the game play of the user who has acquired the character. For example, rarity may increase as the level increases.

HP is information indicating, for example, the vitality of a character. HP includes, for example, a current value and an upper limit value. In this embodiment, when a character receives damage from an enemy character's attack action, the current value of HP decreases by the amount of damage. Also, when a character recovers from an ally character's recovery action, the current value of HP increases by the amount of recovery. Also, when HP decreases to zero, the character becomes unable to act, or is determined to have failed to clear the game part. Therefore, in this embodiment, the higher the HP of a character used in a game part, the more advantageous it is for the user. As the level increases, the upper limit value of HP may also increase.

MP is, for example, information indicating the points required for a user character to execute a specified action. MP includes, for example, a current value and an upper limit value. In this embodiment, as described below, when a command is selected to cause the user character to execute a specified action, the current value of the user character's MP is reduced by the MP consumption value set in that command, and the specified action is executed. If the current value of the user character's MP is less than the MP consumption value of that command, the command is controlled so that it cannot be selected. Therefore, in this embodiment, the higher the user character's MP, the more times the action can be executed, which is advantageous to the user. As the level increases, the MP upper limit may also increase.

Attack power is information that contributes to the amount of damage inflicted on an opponent by, for example, a character's attack. The higher the attack power value, the greater the amount of damage inflicted on an opponent. Therefore, in this embodiment, the greater the attack power of a character used in a game part, the more advantageous it is for the user. As the level increases, attack power can also increase.

Defense power is information that contributes to the amount of damage a character receives from an opponent's attack, for example. The higher the defense power value, the less damage the character receives from the opponent. Therefore, in this embodiment, the higher the defense power of the character used in the game part, the more advantageous it is for the user. As the level increases, defense power can also increase.

Speed is used for different processes depending on the battle mode. For example, in the first mode, in which the battle proceeds in a so-called turn-based manner, in each turn, actions are executed in order from the character with the highest speed value. On the other hand, in the second mode, in which the battle proceeds in a so-called real-time manner, the higher the speed value, the shorter the time required from when the user character executes an action until an opportunity to select the next action arises. Therefore, in this embodiment, the greater the speed of the user character, the more times an action can be executed during the second mode, which is advantageous to the user. As the level increases, speed can also increase.

The attribute is information that indicates the superiority/inferiority relationship between characters competing in a battle. The attribute indicates at least one of the attributes of fire, wood, and water, for example. For example, a fire-attribute character will inflict more damage than usual on a wood-attribute character, and will inflict less damage than usual on a water-attribute character. In this way, for example, the fire attribute is advantageous against wood attributes and disadvantageous against water attributes.

The information about the command includes various information specific to the command that corresponds to one or more actions that the user character can execute. As described below, when a command is selected during a battle, either automatically or in response to a user operation, the user character executes the action that corresponds to that command.

In this embodiment, a total of five commands are associated with one user character: a "basic action" command, two "skill" commands (a "first skill" command and a "second skill" command), one "special move" command, and one "switch" command. Details of each command will be described later. The types and number of commands associated with one user character are not limited to the above configuration, and may be determined arbitrarily.

In this embodiment, the information about the commands may include the MP consumed, specific points gained, and attributes of each command, as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

The MP consumed indicates the amount of MP required to execute a corresponding action. For example, when a command is selected in a battle, the amount of MP consumed is subtracted from the user character's current MP, and the user character executes the action corresponding to that command. If the user character's current MP is less than the MP consumed, selection of that command is prohibited.

The specific point increase indicates the amount by which a specific parameter increases when a corresponding action is performed. The specific parameter is, for example, a parameter required to switch the battle mode from a first mode to a second mode during a battle. Specifically, when the specific parameter is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value (a first reference value), the battle mode can be switched. Details of the specific parameter will be described later.

The attribute is the attribute of the corresponding action, and indicates at least one of the attributes of fire, wood, and water, for example. For example, the damage inflicted on an enemy character by a fire-attribute attack action of the user character will be greater than usual if the enemy character has a wood attribute, and will be less than usual if the enemy character has a water attribute.

Here, we'll explain each of the five commands mentioned above in detail.

The basic action command is a command that corresponds to a basic action. In this embodiment, the basic action includes, for example, an attack action (normal attack action) using bare hands or a weapon. The MP consumed by the basic action command is, for example, 0 points. The specific points increased by the basic action command is, for example, 5 points. The attribute of the basic action command is, for example, no attribute, that is, no attribute is set. The MP consumed, specific points increased, and attribute of the basic action command are not limited to the values described above, and may be different for each user character, for example.

When a basic action command is selected in a battle, the user character executes a normal attack action against the enemy character. Executing a normal attack action reduces the enemy character's current HP by the amount of damage. As described below, the basic action command can only be selected when the battle mode is the first mode.

A skill command is a command that corresponds to a skill action. In this embodiment, the skill action includes, for example, an attack action using attack magic (skill attack action). The MP consumption of a skill command is set to, for example, a value other than zero. The MP consumption and specific point increase of a skill command may be greater than those of the basic action commands described above. The attribute of a skill command may be no attribute, or may be, for example, any of the attributes of fire, water, and wood. The MP consumption, specific point increase, and attribute of a skill command may differ, for example, for each user character or for each skill.

When a skill command is selected in a battle, the user character executes a skill attack action against an enemy character. Execution of the skill attack action reduces the enemy character's current HP value by the amount of damage. The damage inflicted on the enemy character by a skill attack action may be greater than that of the normal attack action described above. Execution of a skill attack action may produce an effect different from that of a normal attack action. For example, one possible effect is to temporarily reduce a parameter such as the enemy character's attack power or defense power. Another possible effect is to change the enemy character into an abnormal state different from its normal state. For example, an abnormal state may include a poison state in which the current HP value gradually decreases over a certain period of time.

The result of executing a skill attack action may differ depending on the battle mode. For example, the damage inflicted on an enemy character by the skill attack action may be greater or less when the battle mode is the second mode than when the battle mode is the first mode. Also, only when the battle mode is the second mode, the MP consumed by the skill command may be treated as a value smaller than the original value, for example, 0 points. In other words, the amount of reduction in the current value of the user character's MP caused by the skill attack action is smaller when the battle mode is the second mode than when the battle mode is the first mode.

The special move command is a command that corresponds to a special move action. In this embodiment, the special move action includes, for example, an attack action using a special move (special move attack action). The MP consumed and specific points increased by the special move command are, for example, 0 points each. The attribute of the skill command may be no attribute, or may be, for example, any of the attributes of fire, water, and wood. The MP consumed, specific points increased, and attribute of the skill command may differ, for example, for each user character or each special move.

When a special move command is selected in a battle, the user character executes a special move attack against the enemy character. Execution of the special move attack reduces the enemy character's current HP by the amount of damage. The damage inflicted on the enemy character by the special move attack may be greater than the damage inflicted by the normal attack and skill attack actions described above. As described below, the special move command can only be selected when the battle mode is the second mode.

Attack actions including normal attack actions, skill attack actions, and special move attack actions have been described as actions that the user character can execute. However, actions that the user character can execute may also include recovery actions such as normal recovery actions, skill recovery actions, and special move recovery actions. Recovery actions differ from attack actions that decrease the current HP value of an enemy character by the amount of damage in that recovery actions increase the current HP value of the user character by the recovery amount. In other respects, recovery actions and attack actions may be similar.

The switch command is a command that corresponds to a switch action. A switch action is an action that switches the user character between front line and rear line, as explained below.

First, the vanguard and rearguard will be described. In a battle, of the maximum six user characters, each of which is a game medium used, up to a predetermined number (e.g., four) of user characters are preferentially set as vanguard. On the other hand, if the number of user characters used exceeds the predetermined number, the remaining user characters exceeding the predetermined number are set as rearguard. For each of the multiple characters, including the vanguard user characters and enemy characters, a first opportunity occurs in which an action to be performed by the character can be selected automatically or in response to a user operation (e.g., an opportunity to select a command for the user character). In addition, the vanguard user characters can be the target of an attack action by the enemy character. On the other hand, the first opportunity to select an action does not occur for the rearguard user characters, and they are not the target of an attack action by the enemy character. The current HP value and current MP value of the rearguard user characters may gradually increase.

For example, if a switch command is selected for user character A who is a front-line player, user character A will be set as a rear-line player, and another user character B who is a rear-line player will be set as a front-line player.

The result of executing the switching action may differ depending on the mode of the battle. For example, when the battle mode is the first mode, a user character who has switched from rear guard to front guard automatically executes a predetermined action. The predetermined action may include, for example, an attack action or a recovery action. The predetermined action may be, for example, a dedicated action executed in conjunction with the switching action. On the other hand, when the battle mode is the second mode, a user character who has switched from rear guard to front guard does not execute the above-mentioned predetermined action. Alternatively, a user character who has switched from rear guard to front guard may automatically execute the predetermined action when the battle mode is the second mode, and may not execute the predetermined action when the battle mode is the first mode.

The server storage unit 14 shown in FIG. 1 also stores information about enemy characters. The enemy characters are opponents of the user characters, which are the game media used by the users, in a battle. The information about the enemy characters includes any information unique to the enemy characters. For example, the information about the enemy characters includes information about the character ID, character name, level, HP, MP, attack power, defense power, attributes, and commands. The information about the enemy characters is similar to the information about the user characters described above, so a description is omitted. In this embodiment, the enemy characters are, for example, NPCs (Non Player Characters) that automatically select and execute actions. However, for example, in a multiplayer game part in which users battle each other, the enemy characters may be game media used by other users.

The server control unit 15 shown in FIG. 1 includes at least one of one or more general-purpose processors that realize specific functions by loading specific programs, and one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. The server control unit 15 controls the operation of the entire server device 11.

For example, the server control unit 15 stores various information and programs necessary for providing and controlling the game in the server storage unit 14. Also, for example, the server control unit 15 transmits and receives information via the server communication unit 13. Specifically, the server control unit 15 extracts, for example, information necessary for executing a match from the server storage unit 14 and transmits it to the terminal device 12. The information necessary for executing a match may include, but is not limited to, information about the user of the terminal device 12 and information about the enemy character that will be the opponent in the match. For example, the information necessary for executing a match may further include so-called asset data, such as image data and audio data used in executing the match.

(Configuration of terminal device)
A specific description will be given of the configuration of the terminal device 12. As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal device 12 includes a terminal communication unit 17, a terminal storage unit 18, a display unit 19, an input unit 20, and a terminal control unit 21.

The terminal communication unit 17 includes an interface that communicates with an external device wirelessly or wiredly and transmits and receives information. For example, the terminal communication unit 17 may include a wireless communication module, a wireless LAN communication module, or a wired LAN communication module that supports mobile communication standards such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) (registered trademark). The terminal communication unit 17 transmits and receives information to and from the server device 11 via the network 16.

The terminal storage unit 18 includes, for example, a primary storage device and a secondary storage device. For example, the terminal storage unit 18 may include a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or the like. It is capable of storing various information and programs required for game processing received from the server device 11. For example, the terminal storage unit 18 may store some or all of the information related to the various game media described above, information related to multiple users, and information related to the various game parts. Some or all of this information is obtained from the server device 11 by, for example, the terminal control unit 21 during execution of the game.

The display unit 19 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 19 is capable of displaying a variety of screens.

The input unit 20 includes an input interface including, for example, a touch panel that is integral with the display unit 19. The input unit 20 is capable of accepting user input to the terminal device 12. The input unit 20 may also include physical keys, and may further include any input interface including a pointing device such as a mouse.

The terminal control unit 21 includes at least one of one or more general-purpose processors that realize specific functions by loading specific programs, and one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. The terminal control unit 21 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 12.

For example, the terminal control unit 21 transmits and receives information via the terminal communication unit 17. The terminal control unit 21 also launches a game application in response to a user's operation to execute game processing. In game processing, the terminal control unit 21 may transmit a transmission request for information required to execute the game part (for example, information required to execute a match) to the server device 11 when starting any game part or at any timing. The terminal control unit 21 stores information received from the server device 11 in response to the transmission request in the terminal storage unit 18. For example, the terminal control unit 21 executes the match using the information required to execute the match stored in the terminal storage unit 18. Below, the processing related to the match executed by the terminal control unit 21 will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the battle is between one or more user characters, which are the game media used, and one or more enemy characters. Here, an example is described in which six user characters (characters A-F) battle one enemy character (enemy character P). Four user characters (characters A-D) are vanguard characters, and two user characters (characters E, F) are rearguard characters. Hereinafter, vanguard user characters are also referred to as vanguard characters, and rearguard user characters are also referred to as rearguard characters. At the start of the battle, for example, the battle mode is the first mode, and the specific parameter is 0 points. However, the battle mode and the value of the specific parameter at the start of the battle may be determined arbitrarily. For example, the value of the specific parameter at the start of the battle may be the value of the specific parameter at the end of another battle that took place before the current battle.

(First mode)
First, the first mode will be described. As described above, when the battle mode is the first mode, the battle proceeds in a so-called turn-based manner. In this embodiment, before the start of each turn, the terminal control unit 21 generates a first opportunity for at least one of the multiple characters including four vanguard characters and one enemy character, which can be selected automatically or in response to a user operation to cause the character to perform an action. Specifically, when the battle mode is the first mode, the terminal control unit 21 generates a first opportunity for each of the multiple characters. The terminal control unit 21 automatically selects an action to be performed by the enemy character among the multiple characters for which the first opportunity has been generated. The terminal control unit 21 selects an action to be performed by each of the four vanguard characters among the multiple characters for which the first opportunity has been generated, in response to a user operation.

The terminal control unit 21 confirms the selection of the action to be performed by each of the four front-guard characters in response to user operation. When the selection is confirmed, the terminal control unit 21 starts a turn. During the turn, the terminal control unit 21 causes each of the multiple characters to perform an action, for example, in order of greatest speed. When all characters have completed their actions, the terminal control unit 21 ends the turn. In this way, in the first mode, the battle progresses in a turn-based manner, so the user can use sufficient time to consider the action to be performed by the front-guard characters. For this reason, the first mode is suitable for light users who have relatively low game skills, such as quick judgment and game operation. Alternatively, in the first mode, the terminal control unit 21 may alternate between turns in which only the front-guard characters can perform actions and turns in which only the enemy characters can perform actions.

The terminal control unit 21 changes the specified information according to the battle situation. For example, the battle situation includes the action performed by the character in each turn. Also, for example, the specified information includes information such as the character's HP and MP, as well as specific parameters. Each time the character performs an action, the terminal control unit 21 changes the information corresponding to that action. Hereinafter, the information after the change is also referred to as the result of the character's action being executed.

Specifically, for example, when a front-line character performs an action, the terminal control unit 21 reduces the MP of the front-line character by the MP consumption value set for that action. Also, for example, when a front-line character performs an attack action, the terminal control unit 21 reduces the HP of the enemy character. Also, for example, when a front-line character performs a recovery action, the terminal control unit 21 increases the HP of the target character. For example, when the enemy character's HP falls to zero, the terminal control unit 21 determines that the user has won and ends the match. On the other hand, for example, when the HP of all front-line characters fall to zero, the terminal control unit 21 determines that the user has lost and ends the match.

More specifically, when a front-line character executes an action, the terminal control unit 21 increases the specific parameter by the value of the specific point increase set for that action. When the specific parameter is equal to or greater than a first reference value, the terminal control unit 21 switches the battle mode from the first mode to the second mode automatically or in response to a user operation.

(Second mode)
Next, the second mode will be described. As described above, when the battle mode is the second mode, the battle proceeds in a so-called real-time system. Specifically, the terminal control unit 21 generates a first opportunity for at least one of a plurality of characters including four frontline characters and one enemy character to select an action to be performed by the character automatically or in response to a user operation.

Specifically, when the battle mode is the second mode, the terminal control unit 21 generates a first opportunity for each of the four vanguard characters. Unlike the first mode in which an action is selected for all of the characters before the start of a turn, in the second mode, an action is selected and executed for each vanguard character. Specifically, when the battle mode is the second mode, when an action is selected in the first opportunity generated for one vanguard character, the terminal control unit 21 causes the one vanguard character to execute the selected action without waiting for the occurrence of a first opportunity and the selection of an action for the other vanguard characters. After an action is selected or executed in the first opportunity generated for one vanguard character, the terminal control unit 21 determines the remaining time until the next first opportunity is generated for that vanguard character.

For example, the faster the vanguard character, the shorter (smaller) the initial value of the remaining time may be. In this case, the faster the vanguard character, the more times the first opportunity will occur for that vanguard character between the start and end of the second mode, which is advantageous to the user. With this configuration, for example, a vanguard character with high speed has a different value in the second mode than in the first mode, which increases the strategic nature of the battle and makes the game more interesting.

For example, the more times the vanguard character performs the same action or an action with the same attribute between the start and end of the second mode, the longer (larger) the initial value of the remaining time may be. With this configuration, the user can be motivated to have the vanguard character perform a variety of actions, making the game more interesting.

When the remaining time decreases to zero, the terminal control unit 21 generates the first opportunity again for the vanguard character.

On the other hand, when the battle mode is the second mode, the terminal control unit 21 stops the occurrence of the first opportunity for the enemy character. Alternatively, the terminal control unit 21 may generate the first opportunity for one enemy character. In this embodiment, the ratio of the occurrence frequency of the first opportunity for the enemy character to the occurrence frequency of the first opportunity for the vanguard character is smaller when the battle mode is the second mode than when the battle mode is the first mode. Specifically, in the first mode, each character executes an action in each turn, so the ratio is "1". On the other hand, in the second mode, for example, while the first opportunity occurs once for the enemy character, the first opportunity occurs multiple times for one vanguard character. In this way, since the occurrence frequency of the first opportunity for the vanguard character is higher than that of the enemy character, the second mode is more advantageous to the user than the first mode. According to this configuration, it is possible to switch between the first mode and the second mode, which is more advantageous to the user than the first mode, and the interest of the game is improved.

When the second mode starts, the terminal control unit 21 also starts processing the change over time of the specific parameter. In this embodiment, the change over time processing includes processing to automatically change the specific parameter over time (i.e., in real time) at a time change rate α (initial value of α<0) whose initial value is negative. When the current value of the specific parameter decreases to a second reference value (here, 0 points), the terminal control unit 21 ends the process of the change over time of the specific parameter.

When the current value of the specific parameter decreases to a second reference value, the terminal control unit 21 generates a second opportunity for at least one of the four frontline characters to select, automatically or in response to a user operation, at least a special move action as an action to be executed by the frontline character. In this embodiment, the second opportunity is generated for the four frontline characters.

While the second opportunity occurs for each front-guard character, the terminal control unit 21 varies the number of front-guard characters that are to perform the special move action selected at the second opportunity depending on the value of the specific parameter at the start of the second mode. For example, out of one or more first reference values set for the specific parameter, the terminal control unit 21 causes a number of front-guard characters equal to the number of first reference values that are less than or equal to the value of the specific parameter at the start of the second mode to perform the special move action. Thus, while the second opportunity occurs for four front-guard characters, the number of front-guard characters that can actually perform the special move action can be a value between 1 and 4.

When the execution of the special move is completed, the terminal control unit 21 switches the battle mode from the second mode to the first mode. In this way, when the current value of the specific parameter decreases to the second reference value and the execution of the special move is completed, the second mode ends. With this configuration, the battle is prevented from progressing only in the second mode, so that an appropriate game balance can be achieved. The second mode is also a real-time mode in that it ends automatically as time passes. Therefore, the second mode requires the user to make quick decisions and have game skills such as game operation, compared to the first mode, which progresses in a turn-based manner. In other words, the second mode is more likely to reflect the game skills of the user playing the game than the first mode. Therefore, the second mode is suitable for heavy users who have relatively high game skills, for example.

The terminal control unit 21 also changes the specified information according to the battle situation. For example, the battle situation includes the action performed by the character. For example, the specified information includes information such as the character's HP, the value of a specific parameter, and the time change rate α of the specific parameter. Each time the character performs an action, the terminal control unit 21 changes the information according to that action.

Specifically, for example, when a frontline character performs an attacking action, the terminal control unit 21 decreases the HP of the enemy character. Also, for example, when a frontline character performs a recovery action, the terminal control unit 21 increases the HP of the target character.

More specifically, when a vanguard character performs an action, the terminal control unit 21 may change the value of a specific parameter. For example, the terminal control unit 21 increases the specific parameter by the value of the specific increase point set for the action (set value). The terminal control unit 21 may increase the specific parameter by a value different from the set value. Alternatively, the terminal control unit 21 may decrease the specific parameter.

Here, the result of the execution of at least one action that the vanguard character can perform may differ depending on the mode of the battle. For example, the amount of change in the character's HP or MP, or a specific parameter, that changes in response to the execution of an action may be greater or smaller when the battle mode is the second mode than when the battle mode is the first mode. Also, for example, when in the second mode, regardless of the value of MP consumption (set value) that is preset for the action performed by the vanguard character, the MP of the vanguard character may be reduced by a value smaller than the set value (for example, 0 points).

For example, when a vanguard character executes an action, the terminal control unit 21 may temporarily change the time rate of change α of the specific parameter. For example, the terminal control unit 21 may increase the time rate of change α of the specific parameter to a greater extent the greater the value of the increased specific point set for the action. The time rate of change α after the increase may be negative or positive.

Here, the terminal control unit 21 may increase the value of the specific parameter or temporarily increase the time change rate α of the specific parameter when there is a predetermined correspondence between the attribute of the action performed by the vanguard character and the attribute of the enemy character that is the target of the action. The predetermined correspondence may be, for example, a correspondence in which the attribute of the action of the vanguard character (e.g., fire attribute) is advantageous over the attribute of the enemy character (e.g., wood attribute). In such a case, for example, when each vanguard character executes an action with an advantageous attribute against the enemy character, the time until the second mode that is advantageous to the user ends can be extended. With this configuration, the user can be motivated to consider the relationship between the attribute of the action of the vanguard character and the attribute of the enemy character in the second mode, expanding the strategic nature of the battle and improving the interest of the game.

The terminal control unit 21 may also increase the change amount multiplier G, which is a parameter indicating a value of 1 or more, each time the vanguard character executes an action from the start to the end of the second mode. The change amount multiplier G is used to correct the amount of change in the parameter that changes according to the execution of the action. For example, the amount of damage or recovery given to the character by the action executed by the vanguard character is a value (e.g., 100 points) obtained by multiplying the value before correction (e.g., 100 points) by the change amount multiplier G. Therefore, the more times the vanguard character executes an action from the start to the end of the second mode, the greater the amount of change in the parameter that changes according to the execution of the action, which is advantageous to the user. According to this configuration, for example, a vanguard character with high speed has a different value in the second mode from that in the first mode, so that the strategic nature of the battle is expanded and the interest of the game is improved. When the second mode ends, the terminal control unit 21 may set the change amount multiplier G to an initial value (e.g., 1).

Here, between the start and end of the second mode, the amount of change (e.g., the amount of damage or recovery) in a parameter (e.g., a character's HP) that changes in response to the execution of the first action may be greater or smaller when there is no predetermined correspondence between the attributes of a first action executed by at least one vanguard character and the attributes of a second action executed by at least one vanguard character prior to the first action than when there is no predetermined correspondence.

For example, when the attributes of the first action and the second action are different from each other than when they are the same, the increase in the change amount multiplier G caused by the execution of the first action is greater than when they are the same, and the change amount of the parameter that changes in response to the execution of the first action also increases via the change amount multiplier G. With this configuration, an advantage is created for a vanguard character to execute actions with different attributes. For this reason, instead of being limited to a strategy of preferentially determining a user character capable of executing actions with attributes that are advantageous against enemy characters as the game media to be used, a new strategy is created in which a user character capable of executing actions with a variety of attributes is preferentially determined as the game media to be used. This increases the strategic nature of the game and makes the game more entertaining.

Alternatively, the increase in the change amount multiplier G that increases with the execution of the first action may be smaller when the attributes of the first action and the second action are different than when they are the same, and the change amount of the parameter that changes in response to the execution of the first action may also be smaller via the change amount multiplier G. With this configuration, for example, by repeatedly executing an action with an attribute that is advantageous to the attribute of an enemy character, the amount of damage inflicted on the enemy character can be further increased. This increases the strategic nature of the game and makes it more interesting.

Next, a screen (battle screen) that the terminal control unit 21 displays on the display unit 19 while a match is being performed will be described. FIG. 5 shows an example of a battle screen when the battle mode is the first mode. The terminal control unit 21 controls the display of the battle screen. The battle screen may include only the first area 22, or may include the first area 22 and a second area 23 that continues, for example, to the right of the first area 22. When the battle screen includes only the first area 22, only the first area 22 is displayed on the display unit 19. On the other hand, when the battle screen includes the first area 22 and the second area 23, for example, with only the first area 22 displayed on the display unit 19, the second area 23 may slide and be displayed in response to a predetermined user operation (for example, a slide operation) on the input unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first area 22 may display, for example, four vanguard character images 24 (24a-24d), one enemy character image 25, four vanguard information display images 26 (26a-26d), two rearguard information display images 27 (27a, 27b), a confirm button 28, a counter 29, a specific parameter display image 30, and a switching button 31. The second area 23 may display two rearguard character images 32 (32a, 32b).

The vanguard character image 24 is an image showing the corresponding vanguard character. For example, the vanguard character image 24 may show an animation of the vanguard character performing an action. The enemy character image 25 is an image showing the corresponding enemy character. For example, the enemy character image 25 may show an animation of the enemy character performing an action. The rearguard character image 32 is an image showing the corresponding rearguard character.

The vanguard information display image 26 is an image that shows information about the corresponding vanguard character. For example, the vanguard information display image 26 shows the character name, icon image, HP, MP, etc. of the corresponding vanguard character, but is not limited to these. The vanguard information display image 26 may also function as a GUI (Graphic user Interface) that accepts a user operation to display at least one command associated with the corresponding vanguard character. The operation when a user operation on the vanguard information display image 26 is detected will be described later.

The rear guard information display image 27 is an image that shows information about the corresponding rear guard character. For example, the rear guard information display image 27 shows the character name, icon image, HP, MP, etc. of the corresponding rear guard character, but is not limited to these. The rear guard information display image 27 may be displayed in a different display mode than the vanguard information display image 26. For example, the rear guard information display image 27 may be displayed smaller and/or darker than the vanguard information display image 26. With this configuration, the user can distinguish between the vanguard information display image and the rear guard information display image at a glance.

When the battle mode is the first mode, the Confirm button 28 is a GUI that accepts a user operation to confirm the command (or the action corresponding to the command) selected for each of the four vanguard characters. The selection of a command for each vanguard character and the action taken when a user operation on the Confirm button 28 is detected will be described later.

The counter 29 is an image showing the number of first reference values that are equal to or less than the current value of the specific parameter among a plurality of first reference values set for the specific parameter. In this embodiment, the specific parameter can take any value between a lower limit value (e.g., 0 points) and an upper limit value (e.g., 400 points). In this embodiment, four first reference values, 100 points, 200 points, 300 points, and 400 points, are predefined for the specific parameter. However, it is sufficient that at least one first reference value is defined. Furthermore, each of the one or more first reference values may be a value that is greater than the lower limit value of the specific parameter and less than or equal to the upper limit value. In this embodiment, the lower limit value of the specific parameter, 0 points, is also referred to as the second reference value, and the value of the second reference value may be a value smaller than the minimum first reference value (e.g., less than 100 points). As described above, at the start of the battle, the specific parameter is 0 points. Therefore, the counter 29 shown in FIG. 5 shows "0".

In addition, when the current value of the specific parameter is equal to or greater than the smallest first reference value (here, 100 points) among the first reference values that are 1 or more, that is, when the value indicated by the counter 29 is equal to or greater than "1", the counter 29 functions as a GUI that accepts a user operation to switch the battle mode from the first mode to the second mode. On the other hand, when the current value of the specific parameter is less than the smallest first reference value, that is, when the value indicated by the counter 29 is "0", the counter 29 is in a state in which acceptance of the user operation to switch the battle mode is stopped. When acceptance of the user operation is stopped, the counter 29 may be displayed in a display mode that can be distinguished from a state in which acceptance of the user operation is not stopped, such as, for example, a semi-transparent display or a grayed-out display. Hereinafter, the process of enabling acceptance of the user operation on the counter 29 is also referred to as enabling the counter 29. Furthermore, the process of stopping acceptance of the user operation on the counter 29 is also referred to as disabling the counter 29. The operation when a user operation on the counter 29 is detected will be described later.

The specific parameter display image 30 is an image showing the current value of the specific parameter. In this embodiment, the right end of the specific parameter display image 30 is an indicator showing the lower limit (0 points) of the specific parameter, and the left end is an indicator showing the upper limit (400 points) of the specific parameter. When the current value of the specific parameter changes, the indicator changes following the change in the current value. The specific parameter display image 30 may be any image showing the current value of the specific parameter, such as an image showing a numerical value or an image of a pie chart. The specific parameter display image 30 may also include a scale 30a showing at least one first reference value. For example, the specific parameter display image 30 shown in FIG. 5 includes scales 30a showing three first reference values of 100 points, 200 points, and 300 points. The specific parameter display image 30 may be displayed in an emphasized manner, such as by blinking, according to the current value of the specific parameter. For example, the greater the current value of the specific parameter is, or the greater the number of first reference values that are equal to or less than the current value of the specific parameter is, the greater the degree of emphasis may be.

The switching button 31 is displayed only when the battle mode is the first mode, and is not displayed when the battle mode is the second mode. The switching button 31 is a GUI that accepts a user operation to change the progress speed of the battle in the first mode. The progress speed of the battle may include, for example, the speed at which the vanguard character image 24 and the enemy character image 25 are animated as described above. For example, each time a user operation on the switching button 31 is detected, the progress speed of the battle is switched between, for example, "normal" where the battle progresses at a normal speed, and "high speed" which is faster than the normal speed. When the battle mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode, the terminal control unit 21 automatically sets the progress speed of the battle to "normal" from the start to the end of the second mode, regardless of the progress speed of the battle in the first mode. As described above, in the second mode having real-time properties, quick judgment and game operation by the user are required, so it is desirable for the battle to be performed at a normal progress speed. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration of the terminal control unit 21, when the battle mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode, the battle progress speed in the second mode is prevented from being unintentionally set to "high speed" by the user, improving usability. When the battle mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode, the terminal control unit 21 may return the battle progress speed to the state before the start of the second mode (e.g., "high speed").

Alternatively, the switching button 31 may function as a GUI that accepts a user operation to change the submode of the battle. For example, each time a user operation on the switching button 31 is detected, the submode of the battle is switched between a first submode in which the battle progresses according to the user operation and a second submode in which the battle progresses with a reduced number of user operations compared to the first submode. For example, the first submode may be a so-called manual operation mode, and the second submode may be a so-called automatic operation mode. When the battle mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode, the terminal control unit 21 may set the submode of the battle to the first submode or the second submode from the start to the end of the second mode, regardless of the battle submode in the first mode. Which submode is set may be determined in advance, for example, automatically or according to a user operation.

For example, the terminal control unit 21 may automatically determine the battle submode to be the first submode from the start to the end of the second mode. As described above, the second mode, which has real-time characteristics, is more likely to reflect the user's gaming skill than the first mode. For this reason, for example, for a heavy user with a relatively high gaming skill, it is desirable for the battle submode in the second mode to be set to the first submode, which requires a relatively large number of user operations. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration of the terminal control unit 21, when the battle mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode, the battle submode is prevented from being unintentionally set to the second submode by the user, thereby improving usability for heavy users.

Alternatively, the terminal control unit 21 may automatically set the battle submode to the second submode from the start to the end of the second mode. For example, for light users with relatively low gaming skills, it is desirable for the battle submode in the second mode to be set to the second submode, which allows the battle to proceed with a relatively small number of user operations. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration of the terminal control unit 21, when the battle mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode, the battle submode is prevented from being unintentionally set to the first submode by the user, thereby improving usability for light users.

When the battle mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode, the terminal control unit 21 may return the battle sub-mode to the state before the second mode started.

Here, the progress of the battle in the first mode will be specifically described. Before the start of a turn, when a user operation is detected on the vanguard information display image corresponding to character A, for example, one or more first command buttons 33 corresponding to character A are displayed, as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In this embodiment, when the battle mode is the first mode, four first command buttons 33 (33a-33d) corresponding respectively to a basic action, a first skill action, a second skill action, and a switching action may be displayed.

The first command button 33 is a GUI that accepts a user operation to select an action to be performed by the corresponding vanguard character. When a user operation on the first command button 33 is detected, the terminal control unit 21 selects the action corresponding to the first command button 33 as the action to be performed by the vanguard character. Alternatively, the terminal control unit 21 may automatically select an action to be performed by the vanguard character. The first command button 33 may display information about the corresponding action. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the two first command buttons 33b, 33c corresponding to the first skill action and the second skill action, respectively, display the MP consumed, specific points increased, and attributes of the action.

After the action to be performed by each of the four vanguard characters has been selected, when a user operation of the confirm button 28 is detected, the terminal control unit 21 confirms the action selection for all vanguard characters and starts the turn.

As described above, when a front-guard character executes an action, the terminal control unit 21 increases the specific parameter by, for example, the value of the increased specific points set for that action. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the specific parameter is greater than 300 points and less than 400 points. Therefore, the counter 29 indicates "3", and functions as a GUI that accepts a user operation to switch the battle mode from the first mode to the second mode, as described above. For example, when a user operation on the counter 29 is detected before the start of a turn, the terminal control unit 21 switches the battle mode from the first mode to the second mode. Here, the value of the specific parameter at the start of the second mode is assumed to be greater than or equal to 300 points and less than 400 points.

The terminal control unit 21 changes at least a portion of the battle screen depending on the battle mode.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, on the battle screen in the second mode, the Confirm button 28 is displayed in a manner that makes it clear that acceptance of user operations on the Confirm button 28 has been stopped, such as by being displayed semi-transparently or grayed out. Alternatively, the Confirm button 28 may be hidden in the second mode.

For example, on the battle screen in the second mode, the switching button 31 that was displayed in the first mode is hidden. As described above, the terminal control unit 21 sets the battle progress speed to "normal" from the start to the end of the second mode, regardless of the battle progress speed that was set in the first mode. Also, a multiplier display area 34 is displayed on the battle screen in the second mode. The multiplier display area 34 is an area in which the above-mentioned change amount multiplier G is displayed. In FIG. 7, the change amount multiplier G is shown as a percentage in the multiplier display area 34.

When the battle mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode, the terminal control unit 21 starts the process of changing the specific parameter over time described above. The specific parameter display image 30 changes from moment to moment according to the value of the specific parameter, which changes automatically over time. The value shown on the counter 29 also changes according to the value of the specific parameter.

In the second mode, the terminal control unit 21 generates the first opportunity described above for each of the four front-line characters. On the other hand, the terminal control unit 21 stops the generation of the first opportunity for one opponent character. For example, the battle screen shown in FIG. 8 shows a state in which the battle progresses from the state shown in FIG. 7 and the first opportunity occurs for character A. At this time, one or more second command buttons 35 corresponding to character A are displayed. In this embodiment, when the battle mode is the second mode, three second command buttons 35 (35a-35c) corresponding to the first skill action, the second skill action, and the switching action, respectively, may be displayed. The operation and function of each second command button 35 in the second mode are the same as each first command button 33 in the first mode. As described above, when the battle mode is the second mode, the MP consumption of the skill action may be treated as 0 points regardless of the value of the MP consumption preset for the skill action. In FIG. 8, for example, the MP consumption displayed on the two second command buttons 35a and 35b corresponding to the first and second skill actions, respectively, has changed to 0 points.

In the second mode, when a user operation on the second command button 35 displayed in response to the occurrence of the first opportunity is detected, character A executes an action corresponding to the second command button 35. Alternatively, the terminal control unit 21 may cause the vanguard character to execute an automatically selected action. When the vanguard character executes an action, a remaining time display image 36 is displayed, indicating the time remaining until the next occurrence of the first opportunity for the vanguard character. The remaining time display image 36 may be displayed in correspondence with the vanguard information display image of the corresponding vanguard character, as shown in FIG. 8, for example. For example, in FIG. 8, three remaining time display images 36 (36a-36c) are displayed superimposed on the vanguard information display images of characters B, C, and D, respectively. For example, the remaining time display image 36 is a pie chart, but may be any image, such as an image showing a numerical value or an indicator image.

When the battle progresses in the second mode and the specific parameter decreases to a second reference value (for example, 0 points), the terminal control unit 21 ends the processing of the change over time of the specific parameter. The terminal control unit 21 also generates a second opportunity for the four vanguard characters. In response to the occurrence of the second opportunity, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, four third command buttons 37 (37a-37d) corresponding to the four vanguard characters are displayed. Each third command button 37 is a GUI that can accept a user operation to select a special move action as an action to be performed by the corresponding vanguard character. In this embodiment, among the four vanguard characters, a number of third command buttons 37 equal to the number of first reference values that are equal to or less than the value of the specific parameter at the start of the second mode accept the user operation. In one example, the value of the specific parameter at the start of the second mode is equal to or more than 300 points and less than 400 points, and the first reference values that are equal to or less than the value are three, 100 points, 200 points, and 300 points. Therefore, when a user operation is detected on three of the four third command buttons 37, the three frontline characters that correspond to those three third command buttons 37 will each execute a special move.

Alternatively, when the specific parameter decreases to the second reference value in the second mode, the terminal control unit 21 may have each of the three automatically selected frontline characters execute a special move without displaying the third command button 37. Also, if the number of first reference values that are equal to or less than the value of the specific parameter at the start of the second mode is equal to the number of frontline characters, the display of the third command button 37 may be omitted and each of the four frontline characters may automatically execute a special move.

The terminal control unit 21 changes parameters such as the character's HP depending on the executed special move. The battle mode then switches from the second mode to the first mode.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, the process flow for a match performed by the terminal device 12 will be described.

Step S100: The terminal control unit 21 determines whether the battle mode is the first mode. If it is determined that the battle mode is the first mode (step S100-Yes), the process proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if it is determined that the battle mode is not the first mode (the battle mode is the second mode) (step S100-No), the process proceeds to step S110.

Step S101: If it is determined in step S100 that the mode is the first mode (step S100-Yes), the terminal control unit 21 generates a first opportunity for at least one of the multiple characters who will compete in a turn-based battle. In this embodiment, a first opportunity is generated for each of the four frontline characters and one enemy character.

Step S102: The terminal control unit 21 selects actions to be performed by the four vanguard characters, either automatically or in response to a user operation. The terminal control unit 21 also automatically selects actions to be performed by the enemy characters.

Step S103: The terminal control unit 21 starts a turn in response to a user operation that confirms the selection of actions to be performed by the four front-line characters. During the turn, the terminal control unit 21 changes parameters such as the HP and MP of the characters in response to the battle situation (e.g., the actions performed by each of the multiple characters).

Step S104: During the turn, the terminal control unit 21 increases a specific parameter according to the action performed by each of the multiple characters. The terminal control unit 21 ends the turn.

Step S105: The terminal control unit 21 determines whether the specific parameter is equal to or greater than the smallest first reference value among one or more first reference values. If it is determined that the specific parameter is equal to or greater than the first reference value (step S105-Yes), the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if it is determined that the specific parameter is less than the first reference value (step S105-No), the process returns to step S101.

Step S106: If it is determined in step S105 that the specific parameter is equal to or greater than the first reference value (step S105-Yes), the terminal control unit 21 activates the counter 29.

Step S107: The terminal control unit 21 determines whether or not a user operation on the counter 29 has been detected. If it is determined that a user operation has been detected (step S107-Yes), the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if it is determined that a user operation has not been detected (step S107-No), the process returns to step S101.

Step S108: If it is determined in step S107 that a user operation has been detected (step S107-Yes), the terminal control unit 21 disables the counter 29.

Step S109: The terminal control unit 21 switches the battle mode from the first mode to the second mode. Then, the process returns to step S100.

Step S110: If it is determined in step S100 that the mode is not the first mode (it is the second mode) (step S100-No), the terminal control unit 21 starts processing to measure changes over time in a specific parameter.

Step S111: The terminal control unit 21 generates a first opportunity for at least one of the multiple characters in the battle in a so-called real-time system. In this embodiment, the first opportunity is generated only for the four frontline characters.

Step S112: The terminal control unit 21 selects, either automatically or in response to a user operation, an action to be performed by the vanguard character that generated the first opportunity.

Step S113: The terminal control unit 21 causes the vanguard character to execute the action selected in step S112. The terminal control unit 21 changes the parameters of the character, such as HP and MP, depending on the battle situation (e.g., the action executed by the vanguard character).

Step S114: The terminal control unit 21 changes the value of the specific parameter or temporarily changes the time change rate α of the specific parameter depending on the battle situation (e.g., the action performed by the front-guard character).

Step S115: The terminal control unit 21 determines whether the specific parameter has decreased to a second reference value (e.g., 0 points). If it is determined that the specific parameter has decreased to the second reference value (step S115-Yes), the process proceeds to step S116. On the other hand, if it is determined that the specific parameter has not decreased to the second reference value (step S115-No), the process returns to step S111.

Step S116: If it is determined in step S115 that the specific parameter has decreased to the second reference value (step S115-Yes), the terminal control unit 21 ends the processing of the change over time of the specific parameter.

Step S117: The terminal control unit 21 generates a second opportunity for at least one of the four vanguard characters. In this embodiment, a second opportunity is generated for all four vanguard characters.

Step S118: The terminal control unit 21 selects a special move action to be executed by each of the frontline characters, the number of which corresponds to the value of the specific parameter at the start of the second mode (e.g., when step S109 is executed).

Step S119: If the value of a specific parameter at the start of the second mode is, for example, between 300 points or more and less than 400 points, the terminal control unit 21 causes three of the four frontline characters to execute a special move. The terminal control unit 21 changes parameters such as the HP and MP of the characters depending on the battle situation (for example, the special move executed by each of the three frontline characters).

Step S120: The terminal control unit 21 switches the battle mode from the second mode to the first mode. Then, the process returns to step S100.

As described above, according to the terminal device 12 of this embodiment, a battle can be performed by switching between two different modes. In the second mode, a time-dependent change process of a specific parameter is performed, and the specific parameter changes automatically as time passes. When the specific parameter decreases to a second reference value, the battle mode switches from the second mode to the first mode. Thus, the second mode is a mode that has real-time properties in that it automatically ends as time passes. According to a configuration in which the battle mode can be switched between the first mode and the second mode that has real-time properties, the interest of the game is improved. That is, for example, in a conventional battle game that employs a turn system, the battle generally does not progress until a turn begins in response to a user operation. When a turn system is employed, the user can use sufficient time to think of a strategy according to the battle situation. For this reason, the difference in game skill between a light user with a relatively low game skill and a heavy user with a relatively high game skill is not easily reflected in the game, and the game may not necessarily be interesting enough for the heavy user. On the other hand, in conventional real-time battle games, the difference in game skill between light users and heavy users is easily reflected in the game, for example, in that quick decisions are required in playing the game. For this reason, conventional real-time games may be difficult for light users and may not necessarily be interesting enough. According to the terminal device 12 of this embodiment, the first mode and the second mode having real-time properties can be switched during a battle, so that the interest of both heavy users and light users is improved. In addition, when the battle mode is the second mode, the value of a specific parameter changes or the time change rate α of a specific parameter changes temporarily depending on the battle situation. According to this configuration, while the battle progresses in the second mode, the second mode can be continued for a longer period depending on how the battle progresses, so that the user can be motivated to devise a way to proceed with the battle in the second mode, which has limited time, and the interest of the game is further improved.

The second mode, which has real-time characteristics, also requires quicker judgment and game operation by the user compared to the first mode, which is turn-based. For this reason, if the user is in a situation where he or she cannot concentrate on playing the game, the match can proceed in the first mode, and when the situation is resolved, the match can proceed in the second mode. For example, the user can switch between match modes depending on the situation, thereby improving usability.

Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that a person skilled in the art would be able to easily make various modifications and corrections based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and corrections are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each means, step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple means, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided.

For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which, when the battle mode is the second mode, if the value of a specific parameter decreases to a second reference value (e.g., 0 points), a second opportunity occurs in which a special move action can be selected for the four frontline characters. However, a configuration in which the second opportunity does not occur may also be used. For example, when a first opportunity occurs for a frontline character in the second mode, the terminal control unit 21 may display a plurality of second command buttons including a second command button corresponding to a special move action that the frontline character can execute. The terminal control unit 21 selects a special move action as an action to be executed by the frontline character automatically or in response to a user operation on the second command button.

The number of frontline characters for which a special move action can be selected may be determined, for example, according to the value of a specific parameter at the start of the second mode, as in the above-described embodiment. When a special move action is selected for a frontline character, the terminal control unit 21 stops the reoccurrence of the first opportunity for that frontline character until the end of the second mode. Therefore, when a special move action is selected for one frontline character during the second mode, the first opportunity does not occur for that frontline character for the remaining period until the end of the second mode. Then, when the value of the specific parameter decreases to the second reference value, the terminal control unit 21 automatically causes that frontline character to perform the special move action. According to this configuration, a strategy that allows the frontline character to perform actions other than the special move as many times as possible between the start and end of the second mode, and progresses the battle so that the special move action is selected just before the end of the second mode, is advantageous for the user. Therefore, the strategic nature of the battle is improved, and the interest of the game is further improved.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the terminal device 12 may be configured to execute some or all of the operations and processes executed by the server device 11. Similarly, the server device 11 may be configured to execute some of the operations executed by the terminal device 12. For example, processes such as display control of various screens displayed on the terminal device 12 and control of various GUIs may be executed by either the server device 11 or the terminal device 12, or may be executed by the server device 11 and the terminal device 12 in cooperation with each other. Alternatively, the game system 10 may not include the server device 11. In such a case, the terminal device 12 may pre-store the information received from the server device 11 in the above-described embodiment.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, some of the various game screens may be web displays displayed on the terminal device 12 based on data generated by the server device 11, and some of the game screens (e.g., a header area and a footer area in which menu buttons are arranged) may be native displays displayed by a native application installed on the terminal device 12. In this way, the game according to the above-described embodiment may be a hybrid game in which the server device 11 and the terminal device 12 each handle part of the processing.

Furthermore, an information processing device such as a computer or a mobile phone can be suitably used to function as the server device 11 or the terminal device 12 according to the above-described embodiment. Such an information processing device can be realized by storing a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the server device 11 or the terminal device 12 according to the embodiment in a storage unit of the information processing device, and reading and executing the program by a CPU of the information processing device.
The inventions described in the claims of the original application of this application are set forth below.
[1]
An information processing device that executes a game,
In a match between one or more first game media and one or more second game media, which is performed in the game,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
increasing a first parameter in response to the first game medium executing a first action in the first mode;
switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
changing the first parameter in response to an elapsed time from the start of the second mode and a second action performed by the first game medium in the second mode;
switching the mode of the battle from the second mode to the first mode when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value;
Run the command,
an increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the second action in the second mode is greater than an increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the first action in the first mode;
program.
[2]
The program according to [1],
A program in which a first setting value is set for the first operation of the first game medium, and the first parameter is increased based on the first setting value in response to the first game medium executing the first operation in the first mode.
[3]
The program according to [1] or [2],
A program in which a second setting value is set for the second operation of the first game medium, and the first parameter is increased based on the second setting value in response to the first game medium executing the second operation in the second mode.
[4]
The program according to any one of [1] to [3],
an algorithm for generating the first opportunity differs depending on a mode of the battle;
A program in which the ratio of the frequency of occurrence of the first opportunity of the second game medium to the frequency of occurrence of the first opportunity of the first game medium is smaller when the mode of the battle is the second mode than when the mode of the battle is the first mode.
[5]
The program according to [4],
A program in which, when the mode of the battle is the second mode, occurrence of the first opportunity for the second game medium is stopped.
[6]
The program according to [4] or [5],
A program in which, when the mode of the battle is the second mode, after an action is selected or the action is executed in the first opportunity generated for the first game medium, the time until the next generation of the first opportunity for the first game medium changes depending on the number of times the first game medium executes the same action between the start and end of the second mode.
[7]
The program according to any one of [1] to [5],
At the start of the first mode, the first parameter is set to a value of the first parameter at the end of another match played prior to the match.
[8]
The program according to any one of [1] to [7],
A program that switches the battle mode from the first mode to the second mode when the first parameter is equal to or greater than a first reference value.
[9]
An information processing device having a control unit for executing a game,
The control unit, in a match between one or more first game media and one or more second game media performed in the game,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
increasing a first parameter in response to the first game medium executing a first action in the first mode;
Switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
changing the first parameter in response to an elapsed time since the start of the second mode and a second action performed by the first game medium in the second mode;
when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value, switching the mode of the battle from the second mode to the first mode;
an increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the second action in the second mode is greater than an increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the first action in the first mode;
Information processing device.
[10]
A method for controlling a game executed by an information processing device, comprising:
In a match between one or more first game media and one or more second game media, which is performed in the game,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
increasing a first parameter in response to the first game medium executing a first action in the first mode;
switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
changing the first parameter in response to an elapsed time from the start of the second mode and a second action performed by the first game medium in the second mode;
switching the mode of the battle from the second mode to the first mode when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value;
Including,
an increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the second action in the second mode is greater than an increase in the first parameter caused by the first game medium executing the first action in the first mode;
Control methods.

10 Game system 11 Server device 12 Terminal device 13 Server communication unit 14 Server storage unit 15 Server control unit 16 Network 17 Terminal communication unit 18 Terminal storage unit 19 Display unit 20 Input unit 21 Terminal control unit 22 First area 23 Second area 24 Frontline character image 25 Enemy character image 26 Frontline information display image 27 Rearline information display image 28 Confirm button 29 Counter 30 Specific parameter display image 30a Scale 31 Switching button 32 Rearline character image 33 First command button 34 Magnification display area 35 Second command button 36 Remaining time display image 37 Third command button

Claims (14)

An information processing device that executes a game,
In a match between one or more first game media owned by a user of the game and one or more second game media,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
setting a speed of the match to a first speed;
increasing a first parameter according to a situation of the battle;
switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
switching the speed of the battle to a second speed which is slower than the first speed;
starting a time-varying process for varying the first parameter over time at a time-varying rate whose initial value is negative;
when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value, terminating the time-dependent change process and switching the mode of the battle from the second mode to the first mode;
Execute the
program. the speed of the battle is automatically switched from the first speed to the second speed in response to the mode of the battle being switched from the first mode to the second mode;
The program according to claim 1. the speed of the battle is switched from the second speed to the first speed in response to the mode of the battle being switched from the second mode to the first mode;
3. The program according to claim 1 or 2. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A program in which the battle situation includes actions that are executed or have been executed by at least one of the first game medium and the second game medium. The program according to claim 4,
A program which, in the step of starting the time-dependent change processing, increases the first parameter or temporarily increases the time change rate of the first parameter if an attribute of an operation performed by the first game medium and an attribute of a second game medium that is the target of the operation have a predetermined correspondence relationship. The program according to claim 4 or 5,
causing the information processing device to further execute a step of changing at least one of a second parameter associated with the first game medium and a second parameter associated with the second game medium when at least one first game medium executes an action in the battle;
When the mode of the battle is a second mode, a change amount of a second parameter differs depending on whether or not an attribute of a first action executed by at least one first game medium and an attribute of a second action executed by at least one first game medium prior to the first action have a predetermined correspondence relationship between the start and end of the second mode. The program according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
A program in which a result of execution of at least one action executable by the first game medium differs depending on the mode of the battle. The program according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
changing a third parameter by a first change amount in response to the first game medium executing a third action in the first mode;
changing the third parameter by a second change amount different from the first change amount when the first game medium executes the third action in the second mode;
Further executing the program. The program according to any one of claims 4 to 8,
an algorithm for generating the first opportunity differs depending on a mode of the battle;
A program in which the ratio of the frequency of occurrence of the first opportunity of the second game medium to the frequency of occurrence of the first opportunity of the first game medium is smaller when the mode of the battle is the second mode than when the mode of the battle is the first mode. The program according to claim 9,
A program in which, when the mode of the battle is the second mode, occurrence of the first opportunity for the second game medium is stopped. The program according to claim 9 or 10,
A program in which, when the mode of the battle is the second mode, after an action is selected or the action is executed in the first opportunity generated for the first game medium, the time until the next generation of the first opportunity for the first game medium changes depending on the number of times the first game medium executes the same action between the start and end of the second mode. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The program, wherein the match is a match between a plurality of the first game media and one or more of the second game media. An information processing device having a control unit for executing a game,
The control unit is
In a match between one or more first game media owned by a user of the game and one or more second game media,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
Setting the speed of the match to a first speed;
increasing a first parameter according to a situation of the battle;
Switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
Switching the speed of the battle to a second speed which is slower than the first speed;
starting a time-varying process for varying the first parameter over time at a time-varying rate whose initial value is negative;
when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value, the time-dependent change process is terminated, and the mode of the battle is switched from the second mode to the first mode;
Information processing device. A method for controlling a game executed by an information processing device, comprising:
In a match between one or more first game media owned by a user of the game and one or more second game media,
generating a first opportunity for selecting an action to be executed by at least one game medium among a plurality of game media including the one or more first game media and the one or more second game media;
When the mode of the battle is a first mode,
setting a speed of the match to a first speed;
increasing a first parameter according to a situation of the battle;
switching the mode of the battle from the first mode to a second mode;
When the mode of the battle is the second mode,
switching the speed of the battle to a second speed which is slower than the first speed;
starting a time-varying process for varying the first parameter over time at a time-varying rate whose initial value is negative;
when the first parameter decreases to a predetermined reference value, terminating the time-dependent change process and switching the mode of the battle from the second mode to the first mode;
Including,
Control methods.