JP7689849B2 - Game system and server device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game system and a server device.

Conventionally, a game system is known that calculates the degree of agitation of a player in a scene during a game (horror game) and generates a frightening event according to the calculated degree of agitation (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-226319 A

In conventional horror games, the horror effects were not controlled according to the player's gameplay environment.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a game system and server device that can create a more effective sense of fear in horror games.

(1) The present invention relates to a game system that performs game processing of a horror game based on a player's operation on a player terminal equipped with a sensor unit that detects the amount of surrounding light, the game system including a game processing unit that performs the game processing based on the player's operation on the player terminal, a performance control unit that controls the horror performance in the horror game, and a play environment determination unit that determines whether the player's game play environment satisfies a given condition based on a light amount parameter calculated from the output of the sensor unit, the performance control unit controls the horror performance based on the determination result of the play environment determination unit. The present invention also relates to a server device that includes each of the above units. The present invention also relates to a program for causing a computer to function as each of the above units. The present invention also relates to a computer-readable information storage medium that stores the above program.

According to the present invention, a sensor unit in the player terminal measures the amount of ambient light to determine the player's game playing environment, and the horror presentation is controlled based on the result of the determination, thereby enabling an effective horror presentation that matches the player's game playing environment.

(2) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the horror effect may be an effect that changes the method of outputting the game screen.

(3) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the horror effect may be an effect that changes a game event that occurs in the horror game.

(4) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the play environment determination unit may determine that the play environment satisfies the given condition when the calculated parameter is equal to or less than a certain value.

(5) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the play environment determination unit may determine whether the play environment satisfies the given condition based on the parameter calculated from the output of the sensor unit for a given period of time.

The present invention makes it possible to mitigate the effects of momentary changes in light intensity and appropriately determine the gameplay environment.

(6) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the play environment determination unit may compare the calculated parameters with a reference value stored in a storage unit and updated according to the player's past play environment, and determine whether the play environment satisfies the given condition based on the comparison result.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately control the horror effects depending on the difference between the player's usual gameplay environment and the current gameplay environment.

(7) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the presentation control unit may control the horror presentation according to the magnitude of the calculated parameter.

(8) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the horror effect may be an effect that changes the volume, sound quality, or type of sound output from a sound output unit provided in the player terminal.

(9) In addition, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the horror effect may be an effect that adds a sound output from a sound output unit provided in the player terminal.

(10) In addition, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the fear effect may be an effect that changes the magnitude or type of vibration generated by a vibration generating unit provided in the player terminal.

(11) In addition, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the presentation control unit may perform control to switch from a first mode to a second mode in which the level of horror presentation is higher than that of the first mode when it is determined that the play environment satisfies the given condition.

(12) The game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention may further include a notification unit that notifies a player playing in the first mode that the mode can be switched to the second mode when it is determined that the play environment satisfies the given condition (or may further cause a computer to function as the notification unit).

This invention prevents the game from suddenly switching to the second mode, which creates a more frightening experience, and allows the player time to prepare.

(13) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the performance control unit may switch from the first mode to the second mode based on an operation by a player who has received a notification from the notification unit to instruct switching to the second mode.

According to the present invention, the player can choose to switch to the second mode.

(14) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the performance control unit may disable switching from the first mode to the second mode based on a preset setting by the player.

According to the present invention, players who do not want to increase the level of horror can avoid switching to the second mode.

(15) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the performance control unit may switch from the second mode to the first mode based on an operation by a player instructing a switch to the first mode.

According to the present invention, the player can freely choose to switch to the first mode.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram of a terminal according to the embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen in a first mode. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen in a second mode. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the game system of the present embodiment.

The present embodiment will be described below. Note that the present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessarily necessary components of the present invention.

1. Configuration Fig. 1 shows a game system according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the game system is configured with a plurality of terminals 10 (player terminals) and a server 20 (server device). In other words, as shown in Fig. 1, the game system according to the present embodiment is configured such that the server 20 that provides a service and the terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, ...) can be connected to a network.

The server 20 is an information processing device that provides online game services in response to requests from the terminal 10. The server 20 can be composed of one or more servers (authentication server, matching server, game processing server, communication server, billing server, database server, etc.).

In this embodiment, the game is executed on the player's terminal 10, and the server 20 manages information such as the player's account information, the game results of the game executed on the terminal 10, game media (characters, items, etc.) that can be used in the game, and in-game currency that can be used in the game.

The terminal 10 is an information processing device such as a mobile terminal (smartphone, mobile phone, portable game machine, etc.), a personal computer (PC), a game device, etc., and is a device that can be connected to the server 20 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or LAN. The communication line between the terminal 10 and the server 20 may be wired or wireless.

Figure 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the terminal 10 of this embodiment. Note that the terminal of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (parts) of Figure 2 are omitted.

The input unit 150 is a device for inputting (detecting) input information from the player, and outputs the player's input information (operation information) to the processing unit 100. The functions of the input unit 150 can be realized by input devices such as a touch panel, a touch pad, a mouse, directional keys or buttons, and a keyboard.

The sensor unit 160 is a sensor (brightness sensor, illuminance sensor, ambient light sensor) that detects the amount of light around the terminal 10 and outputs a detection signal to the processing unit 100.

The memory unit 170 stores programs and various data for causing the computer to function as each part of the processing unit 100, and also functions as a work area for the processing unit 100, and this function can be realized by a hard disk, RAM, etc.

The display unit 190 outputs the game images generated by the processing unit 100, and this function can be realized by a display such as a touch panel, LCD, or HMD (head-mounted display) that also functions as the input unit 150.

The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated by the processing unit 100, and this function can be realized by a speaker or headphones, etc.

The vibration generating unit 194 is a vibration source that generates vibrations based on a control signal from the processing unit 100, and its function can be realized by a vibration motor or the like.

The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the server 20 and other terminals 10, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

In addition, programs and various data for causing a computer to function as each part of the processing unit 100, which are stored in an information storage medium or memory unit possessed by the server 20, may be received via a network, and the received programs and data may be stored in the memory unit 170. Such cases in which a terminal is caused to function by receiving programs and various data are also included within the scope of the present invention.

The processing unit 100 (processor) performs processes such as progressing the game, generating images, and generating sounds, based on input information (operation information) from the input unit 150, detection signals from the sensor unit 160, programs, and data received via the communication unit 196. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), and programs. The processing unit 100 of the terminal 10 includes a game processing unit 110, a performance control unit 112, a play environment determination unit 114, an image generation unit 120, and a sound generation unit 130.

The game processing unit 110 executes game processing to progress the horror game based on operation information (player's operations) from the input unit 150.

The performance control unit 112 controls the fear performance in the horror game (performance for making the player feel fear). The fear performance may be a performance that changes the output method of the game screen (brightness, contrast, hue, saturation, filter applied to the game screen, etc. of the game screen), or may be a performance that changes (adds, deletes) game events occurring in the horror game. In addition, the fear performance may be a performance that changes the volume, sound quality, or type of sound output from the sound output unit 192, or may be a performance that adds sound output from the sound output unit 192. In addition, the fear performance may be a performance that changes the volume or type of vibration generated by the vibration generation unit 194.

The play environment determination unit 114 determines whether the play environment of the player's game satisfies a given condition based on a parameter (light quantity parameter) calculated from the output (detection signal) of the sensor unit 160. For example, the play environment determination unit 114 may determine that the play environment satisfies the given condition when the calculated light quantity parameter is equal to or less than a certain value. In addition, a reference value (reference value of the light quantity parameter) updated according to the player's past play environment may be stored in the storage unit 170, and the play environment determination unit 114 may compare the calculated light quantity parameter with the reference value and determine whether the play environment satisfies the given condition based on the comparison result (for example, the play environment is determined to satisfy the given condition when the calculated light quantity parameter is equal to or less than the reference value). In addition, the play environment determination unit 114 may make the above determination based on the light quantity parameter calculated based on multiple detection signals acquired from the sensor unit 160 during a given period.

The performance control unit 112 controls the horror presentation based on the judgment result of the play environment judgment unit 114. For example, when it is judged that the play environment satisfies a given condition, the performance control unit 112 may perform control to switch the horror presentation mode from a first mode to a second mode that has a higher degree of horror presentation than the first mode. In addition, the performance control unit 112 may control the horror presentation according to the magnitude of the calculated light intensity parameter, so that the smaller the calculated light intensity parameter is, the higher the degree of horror presentation is.

The processing unit 100 may further include a notification unit 116. When it is determined that the play environment satisfies a given condition, the notification unit 116 notifies the player playing in the first mode that it is possible to switch to the second mode (by displaying a notification image related to the notification on the display unit 190 and outputting a notification sound related to the notification to the sound output unit 192). In this case, the performance control unit 112 may switch from the first mode to the second mode based on an operation by the player who has received the notification from the notification unit 116 to instruct the player to switch to the second mode. In addition, the performance control unit 112 may disable switching from the first mode to the second mode based on a pre-setting by the player (even if it is determined that the play environment satisfies a given condition, the player does not switch to the second mode and does not notify the player that it is possible to switch to the second mode). In addition, the performance control unit 112 may switch from the second mode to the first mode based on an operation by the player playing in the second mode to instruct the player to switch to the first mode.

The image generation unit 120 performs drawing processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, thereby generating a game image and outputting it to the display unit 190. The image generation unit 120 may generate an image (a so-called three-dimensional image) that can be seen from a virtual camera (a given viewpoint) within the object space (game space).

The sound generation unit 130 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates game sounds such as background music, sound effects, or voice, and outputs them to the sound output unit 192.

The game system of the present embodiment may be configured as a server system. The server system may be configured by one or more servers (authentication server, game processing server, communication server, billing server, database server, etc.). In this case, the server system performs processing of each part of the processing unit 100 based on operation input (data input to an input part of the terminal) transmitted from one or more terminals (e.g., a smartphone, a mobile phone, a portable game machine, etc.) connected via a network, generates image generation data for generating an image, and transmits the generated image generation data to each terminal. Here, the image generation data is data for displaying an image generated by the method of the present embodiment on each terminal, and may be image data itself or various data (object data, game processing result data, etc.) used by each terminal to generate an image. The game system may be configured so that the processing of each part of the processing unit 100 is distributed and executed by the server and the terminals.

2. Method of the present embodiment Next, the method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The game system of the present embodiment executes a horror game on the terminal 10. For example, a player character is placed in a virtual space, and the movement and action of the player character in the virtual space is controlled based on the player's operation. A virtual camera in the virtual space moves in synchronization with the player character, and an image seen from the player character's viewpoint is displayed on the game screen. In addition, game events occur as the game progresses, such as an enemy character (ghost character, zombie character, etc.) appearing in the field of view, a scream or an eerie sound being heard, or the terminal 10 vibrating. Horror games have a screen configuration that is likely to make the player feel fear, with the game screen being dark overall (the average brightness of the pixels constituting the game screen is low), the number of colors constituting the game screen being small, and the proportion of black being high.

In the game system of this embodiment, the sensor unit 160 of the terminal 10 measures the amount of surrounding light to determine the player's gameplay environment (whether the player is playing in a bright or dark environment), and if the player is playing in a dark environment, the horror presentation in the horror game is controlled so that the player is more likely to feel fear.

Specifically, a first mode and a second mode that is more frightening than the first mode are provided as modes of horror presentation, and when the light quantity parameter calculated from the output of the sensor unit 160 becomes equal to or less than a reference value, the play environment is deemed to satisfy a given condition (it is a dark environment), and the horror presentation mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode. At this time, the light quantity parameter may be calculated based on the output (for example, an average of a plurality of output values excluding outliers) of the sensor unit 160 for a predetermined period (within a predetermined time period going back from the present time). This makes it possible to prevent the play environment from being judged appropriately due to an instantaneous change in the amount of light detected when the sensor unit 160 is covered by the player's hand, etc. In addition, the reference value to be compared with the light quantity parameter may be a predetermined value, or may be a value updated according to the player's past (usual) play environment. In the latter case, the reference value may be set to be smaller as the player's usual play environment becomes darker. For example, the light quantity parameter may be periodically calculated from the output of the sensor unit 160, and if the calculated light quantity parameter is greater than the current reference value, the reference value may be increased, and if the calculated light quantity parameter is less than the current reference value, the reference value may be decreased.

The horror effects may be controlled by changing the output method of the game screen (brightness, contrast, saturation, hue of the game screen, and the filter applied to the game screen). For example, in the second mode, the game screen may be controlled to have lower brightness and higher contrast than in the first mode, or the saturation of the game screen may be controlled to be lower, or the hue of the game screen may be controlled to be blue or greenish. In addition, in the second mode, a specified filter (e.g., a filter that adds noise, a filter that distorts the image, etc.) may be applied to the game screen, or a filter that is stronger (more effective) than the filter applied in the first mode may be applied.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a game screen in the first mode, and FIG. 4 shows an example of a game screen in the second mode. As shown in FIG. 3, in the game screen GI in the first mode, the brightness of the peripheral part of the screen is lowered as a horror effect. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, in the game screen GI in the second mode, the brightness of the game screen GI in the first mode is lowered overall and the contrast is increased, so that the high brightness area in the center of the screen is narrower (the low brightness area in the peripheral part of the screen is wider). This makes it more difficult for the player to grasp the situation in the game than in the first mode, and makes the player feel more uneasy than in the first mode.

In addition, to control the horror effects, control may be performed to change game events occurring in the game. For example, a ghost character that does not appear in the first mode may appear in the second mode. In addition, a route that was passable in the first mode may be made inaccessible in the second mode, or an item that was usable in the first mode may be made inaccessible. In addition, the hit points (stamina value) of a ghost character that appears in the second mode may be made greater than the hit points of a ghost character that appears in the first mode, the movement speed of a ghost character that appears in the second mode may be made greater than the movement speed of a ghost character that appears in the first mode, or the texture mapped to a ghost character that appears in the second mode may be made more realistic than the texture mapped to a ghost character that appears in the first mode.

Fear effects may also be controlled by changing the volume, quality, or type of sounds played in the game, or by adding sounds to the game. For example, the volume of sounds heard in the second mode may be made louder than sounds heard in the first mode, or sounds heard in the second mode may be made more realistic (e.g., more realistic voices) than sounds heard in the first mode. Also, in the second mode, sound effects such as echo or noise effects may be applied to sounds heard in the first mode to change the quality of the sounds, or sounds that cannot be heard in the first mode (e.g., unpleasant sounds such as insects moving around) may be heard.

In addition, to control the horror effects, control may be performed to change the size (amplitude) or type (vibration pattern, etc.) of the vibrations generated in the game. For example, the vibrations generated in the second mode may be made larger than the vibrations generated in the first mode. Also, in the second mode, vibrations with a different period than the vibrations generated in the first mode may be generated, or irregular vibrations or wave-like vibrations that do not occur in the first mode may be generated.

The horror presentation may also be controlled according to the magnitude of the calculated light intensity parameter, so that the smaller the calculated light intensity parameter, the greater the horror presentation. For example, the smaller the calculated light intensity parameter, the lower the brightness, higher the contrast, and lower the saturation of the game screen, the more ghost characters that appear, the more routes that become impassable and the more items that become unusable, the higher the hit points and movement speed of the ghost characters, the higher the volume of sounds that are heard and the level of sound effects that are applied, the more the number and types of sounds that are heard, the stronger the vibrations that are generated, and the more frequently and types of vibrations that are generated.

When it is determined that the play environment satisfies a given condition in the first mode, the game is not switched to the first mode unconditionally, but a message (e.g., a pop-up display) indicating that the game can be switched to the second mode may be displayed on the game screen of the player playing in the first mode, and when the player performs a predetermined operation (operation to instruct the game to switch to the second mode) on the game screen, the game may be switched from the first mode to the second mode. In this way, it is possible to prevent the game from being switched to the second mode, which has a high level of horror, by surprise, and to give the player a period of mental preparation. In addition, if a setting is prepared to disable the switch from the first mode to the second mode, and the player has set the setting in advance, the game may not be switched to the second mode (and the notification that the game can be switched to the second mode) even if it is determined that the play environment satisfies a given condition. In this way, a player who does not want the horror to be high can avoid switching to the second mode. Also, when a player playing in the second mode performs a predetermined operation on the game screen (an operation to instruct a switch to the first mode), the mode may be switched from the second mode to the first mode.

According to the game system of this embodiment, the sensor unit 160 of the terminal 10 measures the amount of surrounding light to determine the player's game play environment, and controls the horror presentation based on the determination result (if the player is playing the game in a dark environment, the degree of horror presentation is increased), thereby enabling an effective horror presentation that matches the player's game play environment.

3. Processing Next, an example of processing of the game system (terminal 10) of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the game processing unit 110 executes game processing of the horror game based on the player's operation (step S10). At this time, the presentation control unit 112 controls the horror presentation in the horror game based on the current horror presentation mode. Next, the play environment determination unit 114 calculates a light intensity parameter from the output of the sensor unit 160 (step S11), and determines whether the calculated light intensity parameter is equal to or less than a reference value (whether the play environment satisfies a predetermined condition) (step S12).

If the calculated light intensity parameter is equal to or less than the reference value (Y in step S12), the performance control unit 112 judges whether the current horror performance mode is the first mode (step S13). If the current mode is the first mode (Y in step S13), the notification unit 116 notifies the player that it is possible to switch to the second mode (step S14). Next, the performance control unit 112 judges whether the player has performed an operation to instruct switching to the second mode (step S15), and if such an operation has been performed (Y in step S15), the horror performance mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode (step S16).

Next, the presentation control unit 112 determines whether or not the player (player playing in the second mode) has performed an operation to instruct switching to the first mode (step S17), and if such an operation has been performed (Y in step S17), switches the horror presentation mode from the second mode to the first mode (step S18). Next, the game processing unit 110 determines whether or not to continue game processing (step S19), and if game processing is to be continued (Y in step S19), proceeds to step S10.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, terms cited in the description in the specification or drawings as broadly defined or synonymous can be replaced with broadly defined or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

10... terminal, 20... server, 100... processing unit, 110... game processing unit, 112... performance control unit, 114... play environment determination unit, 116... notification unit, 120... image generation unit, 130... sound generation unit, 150... input unit, 160... sensor unit, 170... storage unit, 190... display unit, 192... sound output unit, 194... vibration generation unit, 196... communication unit

Claims (16)

A game system that performs game processing of a horror game based on a player's operation on a player terminal having a sensor unit that detects an amount of surrounding light,
a game processing unit that performs the game processing based on an operation of a player on the player terminal;
A performance control unit that controls the horror performance in the horror game;
a play environment determination unit that determines whether or not a play environment of the game of the player satisfies a given condition based on a parameter of the amount of light calculated from the output of the sensor unit,
The performance control unit:
Controlling the horror presentation based on the determination result of the play environment determination unit;
The play environment determination unit is
A game system characterized by comparing the calculated parameters with a reference value stored in a memory unit, which is updated according to the player's past playing environment, and determining whether the playing environment satisfies the given conditions based on the comparison result. A game system that performs game processing of a horror game based on a player's operation on a player terminal having a sensor unit that detects an amount of surrounding light,
a game processing unit that performs the game processing based on an operation of a player on the player terminal;
A performance control unit that controls the horror performance in the horror game;
a play environment determination unit that determines whether or not a play environment of the game of the player satisfies a given condition based on a parameter of the amount of light calculated from the output of the sensor unit,
The performance control unit:
The game system is characterized in that the horror presentation is controlled based on the judgment result of the play environment judgment unit, and when it is judged that the play environment satisfies the given condition, the game system controls switching from a first mode to a second mode in which the degree of horror presentation is greater than that of the first mode. In claim 2 ,
A game system further comprising a notification unit that notifies a player playing in the first mode that he or she can switch to the second mode when it is determined that the play environment satisfies the given condition. In claim 3 ,
The performance control unit:
A game system characterized in that the game system switches from the first mode to the second mode based on an operation by a player who has received a notification from the notification unit to instruct switching to the second mode. In any one of claims 2 to 4 ,
The performance control unit:
A game system comprising: a game device that disables switching from the first mode to the second mode based on a preset setting by a player. In any one of claims 2 to 5 ,
The performance control unit:
A game system which switches from the second mode to the first mode based on an operation by a player instructing the switching to the first mode. In any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A game system characterized in that the horror presentation is a presentation that changes the method of outputting the game screen. In any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
A game system characterized in that the horror effects are effects that change game events occurring in the horror game. In any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The performance control unit:
A game system characterized in that the horror presentation is controlled in accordance with the magnitude of the calculated parameter. In any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The game system is characterized in that the horror effect is an effect of changing the volume, quality or type of sound output from a sound output unit provided in the player terminal. In any one of claims 1 to 10 ,
A game system characterized in that the horror effect is an effect that adds sound output from a sound output unit provided in the player terminal. In any one of claims 1 to 11 ,
The game system is characterized in that the horror presentation is a presentation in which a magnitude or type of vibration generated by a vibration generating unit provided in the player terminal is changed. In any one of claims 1 to 12 ,
The play environment determination unit is
A game system characterized in that, when the calculated parameter is equal to or less than a certain value, it is determined that the play environment satisfies the given condition. In any one of claims 1 to 13 ,
The play environment determination unit is
A game system characterized in that it determines whether or not the play environment satisfies the given condition based on the parameter calculated from the output of the sensor unit for a given period of time. A server device for performing game processing of a horror game based on an operation of a player terminal having a sensor unit for detecting an amount of surrounding light,
a game processing unit that performs the game processing based on an operation of a player on the player terminal;
A performance control unit that controls the horror performance in the horror game;
a play environment determination unit that determines whether or not a play environment of the game of the player satisfies a given condition based on a parameter of the amount of light calculated from the output of the sensor unit,
The performance control unit:
Controlling the horror presentation based on the determination result of the play environment determination unit;
The play environment determination unit is
A server device characterized by comparing the calculated parameters with a reference value stored in a memory unit, which is updated according to the player's past playing environment, and determining whether the playing environment satisfies the given conditions based on the comparison result. A server device for performing game processing of a horror game based on an operation of a player terminal having a sensor unit for detecting an amount of surrounding light,
a game processing unit that performs the game processing based on an operation of a player on the player terminal;
A performance control unit that controls the horror performance in the horror game;
a play environment determination unit that determines whether or not a play environment of the game of the player satisfies a given condition based on a parameter of the amount of light calculated from the output of the sensor unit,
The performance control unit:
A server device characterized in that the horror presentation is controlled based on the judgment result of the play environment judgment unit, and when it is judged that the play environment satisfies the given condition, the server device controls switching from a first mode to a second mode in which the degree of horror presentation is greater than that of the first mode.

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