JP7702122B2 - PROGRAM, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, SERVER APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

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

Devices that use touch panels or the like to receive instruction input from users are becoming widespread (see Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, instructions are received from the user according to the touch position on the touch panel.

JP 2017-1190443 A

In games that use a touch panel, an operation area that accepts instructions from the user may be set on the touch panel. However, during the game, the user may be focusing their attention mainly on the object to be operated and may not visually check their own touch position. In this case, the user may make an intuitive judgment as to how to shift the touch position from the current touch position to reach the desired operation area, which may result in erroneous operation.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one of the problems to be solved is to provide a technology that can prevent operational errors when inputting instructions using a touch panel.

In order to solve the above problems, a program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a processor to function as an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel, a designation unit that designates a constant speed movement of an object in a game space when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, and designates a stop of the movement of the object when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, and a display control unit that displays a touch position image in a manner based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object when the touch position is in the movement instruction area.

An information processing device according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel, a designation unit that designates a uniform movement of an object in a game space when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, and designates a stop of the uniform movement of the object when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, and a display control unit that displays a touch position image in a manner based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object when the touch position is in the movement instruction area.

An information processing system according to another aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including a game device having a touch panel and displaying an image related to a game on the touch panel, and a server device capable of communicating with the game device, and is characterized in that it includes an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on the touch panel, a designation unit that designates a uniform movement of an object in a game space when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, and designates a stop of the uniform movement of the object when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, and a display control unit that displays a touch position image of a mode based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area.

A server device according to another aspect of the present invention is a server device capable of communicating with a game device, and is characterized by comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel provided in the game device; a designation unit that, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a uniform movement of an object in a game space of a game executed on the terminal device, and, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a stop of the uniform movement of the object; and, when the touch position is in the movement instruction area, a display control unit that displays a touch position image in a manner based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object on the touch panel.

An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a processor acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel, and if the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, specifies a constant speed movement of an object in a game space, if the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, specifies a stop of the constant speed movement of the object, and if the touch position is in the movement instruction area, displays a touch position image in a manner based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an information processing device 10 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 10. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device 10. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the designation of the movement mode of character C by the game control unit 164. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the designation of the movement mode of character C by the game control unit 164. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first display example of a touch position image TI in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first display example of a touch position image TI in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second display example of the touch position image TI in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second display example of the touch position image TI in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third display example of the touch position image TI in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third display example of the touch position image TI in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of a control unit 160 in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first display example of a touch position image TI in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first display example of a touch position image TI in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second display example of the touch position image TI in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second display example of the touch position image TI in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third display example of the touch position image TI in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third display example of the touch position image TI in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first display example of a touch position image TI in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first display example of a touch position image TI in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second display example of the touch position image TI in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second display example of the touch position image TI in the third embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of a control unit 160 in the third embodiment.

Below, the embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in each drawing, the dimensions and scale of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones. In addition, the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and therefore various technically preferable limitations are applied, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited.

[A: First embodiment]
1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment. The information processing device 10 is, for example, a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a portable game device.
However, the information processing device 10 may also be, for example, a commercial game device installed in a store or amusement facility, or a stationary information processing terminal such as a desktop personal computer.

The information processing device 10 includes a touch panel 12 .
The touch panel 12 has an input function (for example, the input unit 122 shown in FIG. 3) for accepting input of instructions from a user to the information processing device 10, and a display function (for example, the display unit 120 shown in FIG. 3) for displaying various images.

When an object such as a user's finger F is in contact with the touch panel 12, the touch panel 12 detects a touch position P (which may be written as Pa, Pb, etc. in FIG. 4 and subsequent figures) that is the contact position of the object on the touch panel 12 using its input function, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, and periodically outputs touch position information indicating the detected touch position P. In the following, it is assumed that the object in contact with the touch panel 12 is the user's finger F (see FIG. 4, etc.).

For example, when the touch position information is information specifying one point on the touch panel 12, the touch position P is the touch position P indicated by the touch position information, and when the touch position information is information specifying an area having a spread on the touch panel 12, the touch position P may be a point included in the area. The point included in the area may be, for example, the center of gravity of the area or one point on the outer edge of the area, and among these, the one point on the outer edge of the area may be, for example, a point closest to a reference point of a neutral area RN described later.
In this embodiment, the touch panel 12 outputs, as the touch position information, information for identifying one point on the touch panel, specifically, coordinate information on an XY plane defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis, which will be described later. In this case, the touch position P is uniquely identified by the touch position information.

1 , a touch position on the touch panel 12 is defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis that are perpendicular to each other at an origin O set on the touch panel 12. The X-axis and the Y-axis are set along the sides of the rectangular touch panel 12. More specifically, the X-axis is set along the long side of the rectangular touch panel 12, and the Y-axis is set along the short side of the touch panel 12. Therefore, in a state where the information processing device 10 is held so that the long side of the touch panel 12 is in the left-right direction, the X-axis corresponds to the left-right direction of the touch panel 12, and the Y-axis corresponds to the up-down direction of the touch panel 12.
In the following embodiments, unless otherwise specified, up, down, left, and right (upward, downward, left, and right) refer to the directions of the game space G displayed on the touch panel 12 when viewed while holding the information processing device 10 so that the origin O is located at the lower left of the touch panel 12.
It should be noted that the X-axis and the Y-axis are not limited to being set relative to the touch panel 12, and may be set relative to the game space G, for example.

In addition, the touch panel 12 uses its display function to display a game space G, which is a virtual space provided in the game, a character C related to the game, an operation area R for receiving instruction inputs for the character C, and the like, as shown in FIG.
These various images are displayed on the touch panel 12 as a result of the processor 16 (see FIG. 2) of the information processing device 10 executing a game application program (an example of a "program").

The game space G displayed on the touch panel 12 may be a part of the game space G or the entire game space G. In this embodiment, the game space G displayed on the touch panel 12 is a part of the game space G. The part of the game space G is, for example, an image obtained by extracting a predetermined range of the game space G based on the position of the character C. Thus, in this embodiment, the range of the game space G displayed on the touch panel 12 changes in accordance with the movement of the character C.
In this embodiment, the game space G is a two-dimensional space defined by an X axis and a Y axis, but the game space G may be a three-dimensional space.

In this embodiment, the "game space G" is divided into a "movable space" in which the character C can move, and a "movement-restricted space" in which the movement of the character C is restricted. Of these, the "movement-restricted space" is a space in which the movement of the character C is restricted, for example, by environmental components arranged in the game space G. The "environmental components" are, for example, components that constitute the environment that prevents the movement of the character C in the game space. The environmental components may be, for example, obstacles into which the character C cannot enter, such as rocks, mountains, walls, and blocks B, or may be specific terrains over which the character C cannot pass, such as seas, rivers, and valleys.

In this embodiment, the environmental constituent element is the block B. The character C cannot enter a portion of the game space G where the block B is arranged, that is, a movement restricted space.
On the other hand, the areas of the game space G where no blocks B are placed are movable spaces, and become land areas L along which the character C can move in any direction.
In this embodiment, the block B may disappear, for example, due to the use of an item or an action of the character C. In this case, the space occupied by the disappeared block B becomes part of the land L. In other words, the shape of the land L may change as the game progresses.

The character C is an example of an object that can be operated using the touch panel 12 (particularly the operation area R described below). In this embodiment, the operation area R is used to move the character C. The object may be the character C related to the game as in this embodiment, or may be, for example, an object related to the game. The character C related to the game may be, for example, a virtual living being that can progress through the game. Also, the object related to the game may be, for example, a virtual inanimate object that can progress through the game.

In this embodiment, the character C is assumed to be able to move in any direction in a movable space (land L) within the game space G. Being able to move in any direction is not limited to being able to specify the movement direction of the character C in an infinite number of steps, for example, but may also mean being able to specify the direction in a finite number of steps according to the directional resolution of the game application program.
1 shows eight arrows indicating the movement direction of character C, but in reality, the number of possible movement directions for character C corresponds to the directional resolution of the game application program. Also, in the following embodiments, the movement direction of character C is shown by dotted arrows, but such arrows do not need to be displayed on the actual display screen.
As described above, in this embodiment, the character C cannot enter the movement restricted space. For example, if an instruction to move upward is given when the character C is in a position where a block B is placed above the character C, the character C cannot move upward and stops at that position.

The operation area R is also called a virtual pad, and accepts designation of the movement state of the character C in the game space G by accepting touch operations from the user.
In this embodiment, the operation area R includes a movement instruction area RD, which is an area for instructing the movement and movement direction of the character C in the game space G, and a neutral area RN (stop instruction area), which is an area for instructing the character C to stop moving.
In this embodiment, the operation area R is the area inside a circle Sa1 of radius r1 centered on the reference point Q. Of the operation area R, the neutral area RN is the area inside a circle Sa2 of radius r2 (<radius r1) centered on the reference point Q, and the movement instruction area RD is the area of the operation area R other than the neutral area RN, that is, a circular ring-shaped area inside the circle Sa1 excluding the inside of the circle Sa2.
The circle Sa1 defines the outer edge of the movement command region RD, and the circle Sa2 defines the outer edge of the neutral region RN and the inner edge of the movement command region RD.
In this embodiment, the reference point Q is illustrated as a circle having a predetermined area from the viewpoint of visibility, but in reality, the reference point Q is a point that is uniquely specified by coordinate information on the XY plane.

In this embodiment, the operation area R is displayed on the touch panel 12 in a manner that is visible to the user, but is not limited to this, and the operation area R may be a virtual area on the touch panel 12 that is not visible to the user.
In addition, in this embodiment, the neutral region RN is positioned inside the movement instruction region RD in a manner that is visible on the touch panel 12, but it may also be positioned within the movement instruction region RD in a manner that is not visible on the touch panel 12.
Furthermore, the operation area R is not limited to a circular shape. For example, the left half of the screen of the touch panel 12 may be set as the operation area R.
Furthermore, the positional relationship between the movement instruction region RD and the neutral region RN is not limited to the above. For example, a part of the outer edge of the movement instruction region RD and a part of the outer edge of the neutral region RN may be in contact with each other.
The position of the operation area R may be fixed or variable on the touch panel 12. As an example of a case where the position of the operation area R is variable, for example, when the user's finger is removed from the touch panel 12, the display of the operation area R is stopped, and when the user's finger touches the touch panel 12, the display of the operation area R is resumed. When the display of the operation area R is resumed, the position on the touch panel 12 where the user's finger first touched may be set as a reference point Q, and the operation area R may be set around that point.

That is, the operation area R including the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN is, for example, an area set in a part of the touch panel 12 that accepts touch operations from the user. The positions of the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN may be fixed on the touch panel 12 or may be variable.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 10 includes a touch panel 12, a memory 14 that stores various information, and a processor 16 that controls each unit of the information processing device 10.

As described above, the touch panel 12 functions as the display unit 120 and the input unit 122 shown in FIG.
The memory 14 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a working area for the processor 16, and a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) that stores various information such as application programs of games executed by the processor 16, and functions as a storage unit 140 shown in FIG. 3.
The processor 16 is, for example, one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units), and functions as a control unit 160 shown in FIG. 3 by executing a game application program stored in the memory 14 and operating in accordance with the application program.

The processor 16 may be configured to include hardware such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in addition to or instead of a CPU. In this case, part or all of the control unit 160 realized by the processor 16 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 10 has a display unit 120 for displaying images, an input unit 122 for accepting input of instructions from a user of the information processing device 10, a memory unit 140 for storing various information, and a control unit 160 for controlling each part of the information processing device 10.

The functions of the display unit 120 and the input unit 122 are realized by the touch panel 12 shown in Fig. 1 and the like. That is, the touch panel 12 functions as the display unit 120 capable of displaying various images, and further functions as the input unit 122 that accepts input of instructions from a user of the information processing device 10. For example, as described in Fig. 1, when an object is in contact with the touch panel 12, the touch panel 12 functioning as the input unit 122 detects a touch position P (see Fig. 3 and the like) that is the contact position of the object on the touch panel 12, and periodically outputs touch position information indicating the detected touch position P.
In addition, the touch panel 12 may calculate the average of multiple touch positions detected within a predetermined unit time (a time shorter than the period for outputting the touch position information) as the touch position P, and periodically output touch position information indicating the calculated touch position P.

The storage unit 140 stores the above-mentioned game application programs and various data required to execute the application programs.

The control unit 160 has a touch position acquisition unit (acquisition unit) 162, a game control unit 164, and a display control unit 166.

The touch position acquisition unit 162 acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on the touch panel 12 .
As described above, the touch panel 12 outputs coordinate information on the XY plane as touch position information. Therefore, the touch position acquisition unit 162 acquires the coordinate information of the touch position output by the touch panel 12.

The game control unit 164 controls the progress of the game.
In this embodiment, the game control unit 164 specifies whether or not the character C should move, based on a touch operation in the operation area R, for example.
Specifically, the game control unit 164 is an example of a designation unit that designates a constant speed movement of the character C in the game space G when the touch position P indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area RD set on the touch panel 12, and designates a stop of the movement of the character C when the touch position P indicated by the touch position information is in a neutral area RN set on the touch panel 12.
In this embodiment, if there is no touch operation on the touch panel 12 and if the touch position P is outside the operation region R, the character C remains at the current position (stops moving).

4 and 5 are diagrams that show the designation of the movement mode of the character C by the game control unit 164. In FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, when a movement instruction area RD of the operation area R is touched, the game control unit 164 instructs the movement of the character C in the game space G.
More specifically, when a touch position P (hereinafter, may be referred to as Pa, Pb, etc.) by a user's finger F is within the movement instruction area RD, the game control unit 164 specifies the same direction as a vector V (hereinafter, may be referred to as Va, Vb, etc.) extending from a reference point Q toward the touch position P as the movement direction of the character C.
In the example of Figure 4, since the touch position P is at the position indicated by the symbol Pa1, the game control unit 164 specifies the movement direction of the character C in the same direction as the vector Va1 directed from the reference point Q toward the touch position Pa1 (the direction indicated by the arrow M1).
In other words, to instruct the character C to move in any direction in the game space G, the user only needs to touch a position in the movement instruction area RD that corresponds to the desired direction (as viewed from the reference point Q).

As described above, in this embodiment, when the touch position P is in the movement instruction region RD, the game control unit 164 specifies a constant speed movement of the character C. That is, the moving speed of the character C in the game space G is constant.
4, when the touch position is located at the position indicated by the symbol Pa2 on the extension line of the vector Va1, the vector Va2 pointing from the reference point Q to the touch position Pa2 has the same direction as the vector Va1. Therefore, whether the touch position P is located at the position indicated by the symbol Pa1 or the position indicated by the symbol Pa2, the moving direction of the character C is the same, and the moving speed is also the same.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the neutral area RN of the operation area R is touched, the game control unit 164 instructs the character C to stop moving in the game space G.
More specifically, when the touch position P of the user's finger F moves from the movement instruction area RD to the neutral area RN, the game control unit 164 stops the character C at the current position. Also, when a touch operation is performed on the neutral area RN in a state in which the character C has originally stopped moving, such as when the touch position P is in an area other than the operation area R or when there is no touch operation on the touch panel 12, the game control unit 164 continues to stop the movement of the character C.
5, since the touch position is at the position indicated by the symbol Pa3, the game control unit 164 stops the movement of the character C. As a result, the character C remains at the current position. Note that the orientation of the character C at this time is, for example, facing the direction of movement immediately before the character C stopped.

In this way, when the touch position P is in the neutral area RN, the character C stops moving, so the state of the character C is the same as when there is no touch on the touch panel 12, and when there is a touch on the touch panel 12 but a location outside the operation area R is touched.
That is, in this embodiment, the game control unit 164 performs the same processing when the finger F is touching the neutral area RN, when the finger F is away from the touch panel 12, or when the finger F is touching a location other than the operation area R.

The display control unit 166 controls the display unit 120 so that the display unit 120 displays images relating to the game, including the game space G, the character C, the operation area R, and the like.
In this embodiment, when the touch position P is located in the movement instruction area RD, the display control unit 166 displays a touch position image TI based on the distance between the touch position and the neutral area RN at a position based on the character C.

The "touch position image TI" is, for example, an image that presents the relative change in touch position P to the user in a visually recognizable manner by changing the display mode based on the change in touch position P on the touch panel 12.

The "distance between the touch position P and the neutral area RN" may be, for example, the shortest distance between the touch position and the neutral area RN, or the distance between the touch position P and a specified position based on the neutral area RN.
The predetermined position based on the neutral region RN may be, for example, a reference point of the neutral region RN, a point having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the reference point, or any point within the neutral region RN. The reference point of the neutral region RN may be, for example, the center of gravity of the neutral region RN, or one point on the outer edge of the neutral region RN. The one point on the outer edge of the neutral region RN may be, for example, a point closest to the touch position P.

Furthermore, the "aspect based on the distance between the touch position P and the neutral region RN (hereinafter referred to as the "first distance")" may be, for example, that the touch position image TI has a length or area proportional to the first distance, or that the visual effect of the touch position image TI changes based on the first distance. The visual effect of the touch position image TI may be, for example, the transparency or display color of the touch position image TI.

The "position based on character C" may be, for example, a position having a predetermined positional relationship with character C, a position within a range of a predetermined distance from character C, or a position in a predetermined direction with character C as a reference. Specifically, the "position based on character C" may be, for example, the current position of character C in game space G, or a position forward or backward in the direction of travel of character C. The "position based on character C" may also change dynamically on the touch panel 12 based on the display position of character C. For example, when character C is displayed at the right end of the touch panel 12, the touch position image TI may also be displayed at the right end of the touch panel 12 accordingly.

The touch position image TI in the first embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B.
6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B, the touch panel 12 displays a game space G including a block B and land L, a character C, an operation area R, and a touch position image TI (TI1 to TI3).
In the following example, the first distance (the distance between the touch position P and the neutral region RN) is set to the shortest distance Da (Da1, Da2) between the touch position P and the neutral region RN. In this embodiment, since the neutral region RN is a perfect circle, the point N of the neutral region RN closest to the touch position P (hereinafter referred to as the "closest point") is the intersection point between the vector V directed from the reference point Q toward the touch position and the circle Sa2 that is the outer edge of the neutral region RN.

<Display example 1-1>
6A and 6B are diagrams showing a first display example (display example 1-1) of the touch position image TI in the first embodiment.
6A and 6B, the touch position P (Pb) with respect to the operation region R is in the movement instruction region RD.
The touch position Pb1 in Fig. 6A is located in a position within the movement instruction region RD close to a circle Sa1 which is the outer edge of the movement instruction region RD. Furthermore, the touch position Pb1 in Fig. 6A is located to the right of the reference point Q. Therefore, the movement direction of the character C in Fig. 6A is to the right. The shortest distance between the touch position Pb1 and the neutral region RN in Fig. 6A is Da1. The intersection of a vector Vb1 directed from the reference point Q toward the touch position Pb1 and the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN is the closest point N, and the shortest distance Da1 is the distance between the closest point N and the touch position Pb1.
On the other hand, the touch position Pb2 in FIG. 6B is located in the movement instruction area RD closer to the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral area RN than the touch position Pb1. Similarly to the touch position Pb1, the touch position Pb2 in FIG. 6B is also located on the right side of the reference point Q. That is, the touch position Pb2 is on the vector Vb1 that points from the reference point Q to the touch position Pb1. Therefore, the character C moves to the right in FIG. 6B as well. The shortest distance between the touch position Pb2 and the neutral area RN is Da2 (<Da1). The shortest distance Da2 is the distance between the nearest point N and the touch position Pb2. Note that in FIG. 6B, the shortest distance Da2 and the distance Db2 described later are illustrated as straight lines instead of double-headed arrows from the viewpoint of visibility.

The touch position image TI1 shown in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B has a circular shape surrounded by two circles Sb1 and Sb2 with the position of the character C (e.g., the center of gravity) as the center. The inner circle Sb2 of the two circles has a radius that is large enough to surround the entire character C. The radius of the circle Sb2 is fixed. On the other hand, the outer circle Sb1 of the two circles has a radius larger than that of the circle Sb2, and the radius of the circle Sb1 changes depending on the shortest distance Da between the touch position P and the neutral area RN. More specifically, the difference between the radius of the circle Sb1 and the radius of the circle Sb2, i.e., the distance Db between Sb1 and Sb2 (the width of the circular shape), is proportional to the shortest distance Da between the touch position P and the neutral area RN.

6A, when the touch position Pb1 is close to the outer edge (circle Sa1) of the movement instruction region RD and the shortest distance Da1 is relatively long, the display control unit 166 relatively lengthens the distance Db1 between the circle Sb1 and the circle Sb2 in proportion to the touch position Pb1. As a result, the display area of the touch position image TI1 becomes relatively large.
6B, when the touch position Pb2 is close to the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN and the shortest distance Da2 is relatively short, the display control unit 166 relatively shortens the distance Db2 between the circle Sb1 and the circle Sb2 in proportion to the shortest distance Da2. As a result, the display area of the touch position image TI1 becomes relatively small.
For example, when the touch position Pb approaches the neutral region RN even closer than in FIG. 6B and overlaps with the circle Sa2 which is the outer edge of the neutral region RN, that is, when the shortest distance Da between the touch position P and the neutral region RN becomes zero, the display control unit 166 may set the distance Db between the circle Sb1 and the circle Sb2 to zero and terminate the display of the touch position image TI1.

That is, in the examples of Figures 6A and 6B, the "aspect based on the first distance" corresponds to the touch position image TI having a length (width of the annular shape) proportional to the first distance and an area according to the square of the first distance.
Also, in the examples of Figures 6A and 6B, "a position based on character C" corresponds to a circular range centered on the position of character C (the range from the position of character C to the maximum radius of circle Sb2).

In this way, the display mode of the touch position image TI is changed based on the change in the touch position P on the touch panel 12, more specifically, based on the change in the distance between the touch position P and the neutral area RN, so that the relative change in the touch position P can be presented visually to the user. By looking at the touch position image TI, the user can grasp the distance from the touch position P to the neutral area RN without looking at the touch position P. This reduces operational errors in the game and improves operability.

In particular, in this embodiment, when the touch position P is within the movement instruction region RD, the character C moves at a constant speed within the game space G. This type of operation mode is hereinafter referred to as a "constant speed type operation mode".
In contrast to this, there are games that employ an operation mode (hereinafter referred to as a "speed gradient operation mode") in which the further the touch position P is from the neutral area RN, the faster the character C moves, and the closer the touch position P is to the neutral area RN, the slower the character C moves.
In a game with a speed gradient operation mode, the user can infer the distance between the current touch position P and the neutral area RN, i.e., how far the touch position needs to be moved to stop character C, from the movement speed of character C.
Specifically, in the speed gradient type operation mode, for example, when the touch position Pb1 is located near the outer edge (circle Sa1) of the movement instruction region RD as shown in Fig. 6A, the character C moves at a speed close to the maximum speed. Also, when the touch position Pb2 is located near the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN as shown in Fig. 6B, the character C moves at a speed close to the minimum speed, and when the touch position P enters the neutral region RN, the character C stops.
On the other hand, in a game with a constant speed operation mode such as this embodiment, the user cannot estimate the distance based on the moving speed of the character C as in a game with a gradient speed operation mode. For this reason, in this embodiment, by displaying the touch position image TI, the user can grasp the distance between the current touch position P and the neutral area RN even if the moving speed of the character C is constant.

<Display example 1-2>
7A and 7B are diagrams showing a second display example (display example 1-2) of the touch position image TI in the first embodiment.
The touch position P in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B is at the same position as the touch position P (Pb1, Pb2) in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, respectively.
7A and 7B, the touch position image TI2 is three straight lines displayed behind the character C. Such straight lines are a type of effect line (hereinafter, referred to as a "movement line") indicating that the character C is moving. The three straight lines constituting the movement line in Fig. 7A and 7B are parallel to each other and extend along the movement direction of the character C.
Furthermore, the three straight lines constituting the movement line have the same length, but the length value Dc (Dc1, Dc2) is proportional to the shortest distance Da between the touch position P and the neutral area RN.

Specifically, when the touch position Pb1 is close to the outer edge (circle Sa1) of the movement instruction region RD as shown in FIG. 7A and the shortest distance Da1 is relatively long, the display control unit 166 makes the length Dc1 of the movement line relatively long.
On the other hand, when the touch position Pb2 is close to the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN as shown in FIG. 7B and the shortest distance Da2 is relatively short, the display control unit 166 makes the length Dc2 of the movement line relatively short.
For example, when the touch position P approaches the neutral area RN even closer than in FIG. 7B and overlaps with the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral area RN, that is, when the shortest distance Da between the touch position P and the neutral area RN becomes zero, the display control unit 166 may set the length Dc of the movement line to zero and terminate the display of the touch position image TI2.

The length Dc of the line of movement has the effect of evoking the distance traveled per unit time. That is, when the length Dc1 of the line of movement is long as in Fig. 7A, the user may be given the impression that the character C is moving faster than when the length Dc2 of the line of movement is short as in Fig. 7B.
The length Dc of the moving line not only directly indicates the shortest distance Da between the touch position Pb2 and the neutral area RN, but also gives the impression that the character C, which is actually moving at a constant speed, is changing its speed depending on the touch position P. That is, in a game with a constant speed operation mode, an operation feeling like a game with a gradient speed operation mode is realized.

In the examples of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the "mode based on the first distance" corresponds to the touch position image TI2 having a length and an area proportional to the first distance.
Also, in the examples of Figures 7A and 7B, the "position based on character C" corresponds to a position behind character C and a predetermined distance away (for example, a distance shorter than the character length).

<Display example 1-3>
8A and 8B are diagrams showing a third display example (display example 1-3) of the touch position image TI in the first embodiment.
The touch positions P in FIGS. 8A and 8B are also located at the same positions as the touch positions P (Pb1, Pb2) in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively.
8A and 8B, the touch position image TI3 is a cloud-shaped icon Ia displayed behind the character C. Such a cloud-shaped icon Ia is a type of effect image indicating that the character C is moving (e.g., kicking up dust as it moves). In Fig. 8A and 8B, all the cloud-shaped icons Ia have the same shape, and when multiple icons are displayed, they are aligned in the direction of movement of the character C.
The number of cloud-shaped icons Ia displayed as the touch position image TI3 is proportional to the shortest distance Da between the touch position P and the neutral region RN.

Specifically, when the touch position Pb1 is close to the outer edge (circle Sa1) of the movement instruction region RD and the shortest distance Da1 is relatively long, as shown in Fig. 8A, the display control unit 166 relatively increases the number of cloud-shaped icons Ia displayed. In Fig. 8A, three cloud-shaped icons Ia are displayed behind the character C.
On the other hand, when the touch position Pb2 is close to the outer edge (circle Sb2) of the neutral area RN and the shortest distance Da2 is relatively short as shown in FIG. 8B, the display control unit 166 relatively reduces the number of cloud-shaped icons Ia displayed. In FIG. 8B, one cloud-shaped icon Ia is displayed behind the character C.
For example, if the touch position P approaches the neutral area RN even closer than in FIG. 8B and overlaps with the outer edge (circle Sb2) of the neutral area RN, i.e., if the shortest distance Da between the touch position P and the neutral area RN becomes zero, the display control unit 166 may set the number of displayed cloud-shaped icons Ia to zero and terminate the display of the touch position image TI3.

The number of cloud-shaped icons Ia displayed, like the length Dc of the moving line, also has the effect of evoking the moving distance per unit time. That is, when the number of cloud-shaped icons Ia displayed is large as in Fig. 8A, the user may have the impression that the character C is moving faster than when the number of cloud-shaped icons Ia displayed is small as in Fig. 8B.
The number of cloud-shaped icons Ia displayed not only indirectly indicates the shortest distance Da between the touch position Pb2 and the neutral area RN, but also gives the impression that the character C, which is actually moving at a constant speed, is changing its speed depending on the touch position P. That is, in a game with a constant speed operation mode, an operation feeling like a game with a gradient speed operation mode is realized.

In the examples of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the "mode based on the first distance" corresponds to the touch position image TI3 having a number proportional to the first distance.
In the examples of Figures 8A and 8B, the "position based on character C" corresponds to a position behind character C and at a predetermined distance (for example, a distance shorter than the front-to-back length of character C).

Among the above-mentioned display examples 1-1 to 1-3, display examples 1-1 and 1-2 are the same in that the touch position image TI has "an area and a length according to the first distance". On the other hand, display example 1-1 has "an area according to the square of the first distance and a length proportional to the first distance", whereas display example 1-2 has "an area and a length proportional to the first distance". In addition, display example 1-2 differs from display example 1-1 in that "it is displayed at a position based on the moving direction of character C".
Also, display example 1-3 differs from display examples 1-1 and 1-2 in that it has "the number of icons according to the first distance". On the other hand, display example 1-3 matches display example 1-2 in that "icons are displayed at positions based on the moving direction of character C".

<Other display examples>
In the display examples 1-1 to 1-3, the length, number, and display area of the touch position image TI are changed according to the shortest distance Da between the touch position P and the neutral region RN. Without being limited to this, for example, the visual effect of the touch position image TI may be changed according to the shortest distance Da.

For example, the display control unit 166 may display a circular touch position image TI in which the radius values of the circles Sb1 and Sb2 of the touch position image TI1 shown in FIG. 6 are fixed, and may change the transparency of the touch position image TI according to the shortest distance Da. Specifically, the display control unit 166 may, for example, lower the transparency of the touch position image TI as the shortest distance Da becomes longer, and increase the transparency of the touch position image TI as the shortest distance Da becomes shorter. When the touch position P reaches the neutral region RN and the shortest distance Da becomes zero, the display control unit 166 may set the transparency of the touch position image TI to 100% and end the display of the touch position image TI.

In addition, the color or pattern of the touch position image TI may change depending on the shortest distance Da.
For example, the display control unit 166 may increase at least one of the brightness or saturation of the display color of the touch position image TI as the shortest distance Da is longer, and decrease at least one of the brightness or saturation of the display color of the touch position image TI as the shortest distance Da is shorter.
Also, for example, the display control unit 166 may increase the density per unit area of the pattern of the touch position image TI as the shortest distance Da is longer, and decrease the density per unit area of the pattern of the touch position image TI as the shortest distance Da is shorter.

In addition, the touch position image TI may blink in response to the shortest distance Da.
For example, the display control unit 166 may lengthen the blinking period of the touch position image TI as the shortest distance Da is longer, and may shorten the blinking period of the touch position image TI as the shortest distance Da is shorter.

The display control unit 166 may also display the touch position image TI in a manner similar to that of display examples 1-1 to 1-3 (changing the length, number, display area, etc. of the touch position image TI according to the shortest distance Da), and may further change the visual effect of the touch position image TI according to the shortest distance Da.

<Flowchart>
Next, an example of the operation of the control unit 160 of the information processing device 10 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The operation shown in Fig. 9 is started when a predetermined start operation is performed.

The touch position acquisition unit 162 acquires touch position information indicating a touch position P on the touch panel 12 (step S100).
If the touch position P indicated by the touch position information is not within the movement instruction area RD (step S102: NO), that is, if the touch position P is within the neutral area RN, or if the touch position P is within a location on the touch panel 12 other than the operation area R, or if no touch is being made on the touch panel 12, the game control unit 164 stops the movement of the character C within the game space G (step S104) and returns to step S100.

On the other hand, if the touch position P indicated by the touch position information is within the movement instruction area RD (step S102: YES), the game control unit 164 specifies the movement direction of the character C based on the touch position P and moves the character C in the game space G (step S106).
The display control unit 166 also determines the display mode of the touch position image TI based on the distance (first distance) between the touch position P and the neutral region RN (step S108). For example, when displaying the touch position image TI in the mode shown in Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, the display control unit 166 determines the distance Db between the circle Sb1 and the circle Sb2 based on the first distance.
The display control unit 166 displays the touch position image TI in the display mode determined in step S108 at a position based on the character C (step S110), and returns to step S100.

As described above, when the touch position P is located in the movement instruction region RD, the information processing device 10 according to the first embodiment displays a touch position image based on the distance between the touch position P and the neutral region RN, so that the user can grasp how far the current touch position is from the neutral region RN without directly viewing the touch position P. Thus, for example, when the user wants to stop a moving character C, the user can grasp how far the touch position P should be moved without directly viewing the touch position P, and erroneous operations during game play can be suppressed.
Generally, a user playing a game often focuses on the character C, which is the object of operation. According to the above configuration, the touch position image TI is displayed at a position based on the character C, so that the user can check the touch position image TI without significantly moving his/her line of sight from the character C, and thus can continue the operation without losing concentration on the game.
Furthermore, touch position P on the touch panel 12 is often hidden by the user's finger F and cannot be seen, and since the user's finger F generally touches the touch panel 12 with a surface rather than a point, the user may not be able to accurately grasp which position is recognized as the touch position P. By displaying the touch position image TI, the user can accurately grasp the touch position P, thereby improving the operability of the game.

[B: Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following examples, for elements having the same functions as those in the first embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be used and detailed descriptions of each will be omitted as appropriate.
In the first embodiment, the touch position image TI is displayed in a manner based on the distance (first distance) between the touch position P and the neutral region RN. In the second embodiment, the touch position image TI is displayed in a manner based on the direction defined by the touch position P and the neutral region RN in addition to the first distance.
That is, in the second embodiment, when the touch position P is located in the movement instruction region RD, the display control unit 166 displays the touch position image TI in a mode based on the direction defined by the touch position P and the neutral region RN.

The "direction defined by the touch position P and the neutral region RN" may be, for example, the extension direction of a virtual line when the virtual line is set based on the touch position P and intersects with the neutral region RN, or the direction between the touch position P and an arbitrary point in the neutral region RN. The direction between the touch position P and an arbitrary point in the neutral region RN may be, for example, the direction from the touch position P toward the arbitrary point in the neutral region RN, the direction from an arbitrary point in the neutral region RN toward the touch position P, or the direction toward both the touch position P and an arbitrary point in the neutral region RN.
The arbitrary point within the neutral region RN may be, for example, the center of gravity of the neutral region RN or one point on the outer edge of the neutral region RN. The one point on the outer edge of the neutral region RN may be, for example, a point closest to the touch position P.

Furthermore, the "aspect based on the direction (hereinafter referred to as the "first direction") defined by the touch position P and the neutral region RN" may be, for example, that the touch position image TI extends along the first direction, that the touch position image TI has a shape based on the first direction, or that the visual effect of the touch position image TI changes based on the first direction. The visual effect of the touch position image TI may be, for example, the transparency or display color of the touch position image TI. Furthermore, the first direction does not have to completely match the direction between the touch position P and the neutral region RN.

The touch position image TI in the second embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to Figures 10A, 10B, 11A, 11B, 12A, and 12B.

<Display example 2-1>
10A and 10B are diagrams showing a first display example (display example 2-1) of the touch position image TI in the second embodiment.
In display example 2-1, the first direction (the direction defined by the touch position P and the neutral region RN) is set to the extension direction of a virtual line IL (IL1, IL2) connecting the touch position P and the closest point N. In this embodiment, since the neutral region RN is a perfect circle, the virtual line IL connecting the touch position P and the closest point N coincides with the extension direction of a vector V extending from the reference point Q toward the touch position P.

The touch position Pc1 in FIG. 10A is located in the movement instruction region RD, close to the circle Sa1 which is the outer edge of the movement instruction region RD. Also, the touch position Pc1 in FIG. 10A is located in the upper right with respect to the reference point Q. Therefore, in FIG. 10A, the character C moves in the game space G to the upper right (the direction of the vector Vc1 from the reference point Q toward the touch position Pc1). The shortest distance between the touch position Pc1 and the neutral region RN is set as Dd1. The shortest distance Dd1 is the distance between the nearest point N and the touch position Pc1. Also, the first direction in FIG. 10A is the extension direction of the virtual line IL1 which connects the touch position Pc1 and the nearest point N. The extension direction of the virtual line IL1 is along the extension direction of the vector Vc1.
On the other hand, the touch position Pb2 in FIG. 10B is located in the movement instruction region RD close to the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN. Also, the touch position Pc2 in FIG. 10B is located on the right side of the reference point Q. Therefore, in FIG. 10B, the character C moves to the right in the game space G (the direction of the vector Vc2 from the reference point Q toward the touch position Pc2). The shortest distance between the touch position Pb2 and the neutral region RN is Dd2 (<Dd1). The shortest distance Dd2 is the distance between the closest point N and the touch position Pc2. Also, the first direction in FIG. 10B is the extension direction of the virtual line IL2 connecting the touch position Pc2 and the closest point N. The extension direction of the virtual line IL2 is along the extension direction of the vector Vc2.
In addition, in Fig. 10B, the shortest distance Dd2 is illustrated as a straight line instead of a double-headed arrow from the viewpoint of visibility. Also, in Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B, the arrowheads at the end points of the vectors Vc1 and Vc2 are omitted from the illustration from the viewpoint of visibility.

The touch position image TI4 shown in Figures 10A and 10B has a circular ring portion TI4a surrounded by two circles Sc1 and Sc2 centered on the position of the character C (e.g., the center of gravity position), and a protrusion portion TI4b protruding outward from the circle Sc1.
The annular portion TI4a represents the neutral region RN, and the apex of the protruding portion TI4b represents the touch position P.

Of the two circles that make up the annular portion TI4a, circle Sc2, which is the innermost circle, has a radius large enough to surround the entire character C. Furthermore, circle Sc1, which is the outermost circle, has a radius larger than circle Sc2. In Figures 10A and 10B, the radii of circle Sc1 and circle Sc2 are both fixed.

The protrusion TI4b has a shape resembling an isosceles triangle with its base located near the outer edge of the circle Sc1 and its apex (vertex) outside the circle Sc1. The height of the protrusion TI4b is represented by De.
The extension direction of the height De of the protrusion TI4b is parallel to the first direction. Thus, the extension direction of the protrusion TI4b in Fig. 10A is parallel to the extension direction of the imaginary line IL1, and the extension direction of the protrusion TI4b in Fig. 10B is parallel to the extension direction of the imaginary line IL2.

The height of the protrusion TI4b is proportional to the shortest distance Dd between the touch position Pc and the neutral region RN, i.e., the first distance. Therefore, when the touch position Pc1 is located near the outer edge (circle Sa1) of the movement instruction region RD as shown in Fig. 10A, the height of the protrusion TI4b is relatively high. On the other hand, when the touch position Pc2 is located near the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN as shown in Fig. 10B, the height of the protrusion TI4b is relatively low.
10B and overlaps with the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN, that is, when the shortest distance Dd between the touch position Pc and the neutral region RN becomes zero, the height of the protrusion TI4b may be set to 0. At this time, the display control unit 166 may continue to display only the annular portion TI4a, or may stop displaying the annular portion TI4a and end displaying the touch position image TI4.

That is, in the examples of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the "first direction" corresponds to the extension direction of the imaginary line IL connecting the touch position Pc and the closest point N.
In the examples of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the "mode based on the first direction" corresponds to the protrusion TI4b of the touch position image TI extending in the same direction as the first direction.
In the examples of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the "mode based on the first distance" corresponds to the protrusion TI4b of the touch position image TI having a length (height De) proportional to the first distance.
In the example of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the "position based on character C" corresponds to a predetermined range centered on the position of character C (the range of the circular ring portion TI4a and the protrusion portion TI4b).

In this way, in the second embodiment, the touch position image TI is displayed in a manner based on the direction defined by the touch position P and the neutral area RN in addition to the distance between the touch position P and the neutral area RN, so that the user can know in which direction the current touch position P is located relative to the neutral area RN without directly viewing the touch position P. Therefore, for example, when a user wants to stop a moving character C, the user can know not only how far (the distance) the touch position P should be moved, but also in which direction it should be moved, without directly viewing the touch position P, which can suppress erroneous operations and improve the operability of the game.

<Display example 2-2>
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second display example (display example 2-2) of the touch position image TI in the second embodiment.
In the display example 2-2, the first direction is the direction of the closest point N to the touch position P. By showing the direction of the closest point N to the touch position P, the user can specifically know in which direction to move the finger F when the user wants to stop the movement of the character C.

The touch position P in FIGS. 11A and 11B is at the same position as the touch position P (Pc1, Pc2) in FIGS. 10A and 10B, respectively.
11A and 11B, the touch position image TI5 is an arrow-shaped icon displayed around the character C. This arrow-shaped icon is displayed so that its orientation coincides with the direction (first direction) of the closest point N relative to the touch position P. In this embodiment, the direction of the closest point N relative to the touch position P is the opposite direction (direction indicated by arrow Vx) to the direction of the vector Vc from the reference point Q toward the touch position P. Note that the arrow Vx in the figures is illustrated away from the touch position P and the closest point N from the viewpoint of visibility.
More specifically, the display control unit 166 regards the center of gravity of the character C as the reference point Q of the operation area R, virtually arranges a neutral area RN and a movement instruction area RD around it, and displays an arrow-shaped icon (touch position image TI5) pointing from a position corresponding to the current touch position P in the virtually arranged movement instruction area RD to the closest point N. A tip portion TI5a of the arrow-shaped icon points toward the character C, and a shaft portion TI5b of the arrow-shaped icon extends in a direction away from the character C. A length Df (Df1, Df2) of the arrow-shaped icon is proportional to the first distance.

Specifically, when the touch position Pc1 is located to the upper right of the reference point Q as in Fig. 11A, the touch position image TI5 is displayed so as to face the center of gravity of the character C from the upper right side of the character C. That is, the touch position image TI5 is displayed so as to be parallel to the direction of the arrow Vx1, which is the first direction in Fig. 11A. Also, when the touch position Pc1 is located near the outer edge (circle Sa1) of the movement instruction region RD as in Fig. 11A, the length Df1 of the touch position image TI5 is displayed to be relatively long.
On the other hand, when the touch position Pc2 is located to the right of the reference point Q as shown in Fig. 11B, the touch position image TI5 is displayed so as to face the center of gravity of the character C from the right side of the character C. That is, the touch position image TI5 is displayed so as to be parallel to the direction of the arrow Vx2, which is the first direction in Fig. 11B. Also, when the touch position Pc2 is located close to the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN as shown in Fig. 11B, the length Df2 of the touch position image TI5 is displayed to be relatively short.
For example, when the touch position Pc approaches the neutral area RN even closer than in FIG. 11B and overlaps with the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral area RN, that is, when the shortest distance Dd between the touch position P and the neutral area RN becomes zero, the display control unit 166 may set the length Df of the touch position image TI5 to zero and terminate the display of the touch position image TI5.

In the example of FIG. 11, the "first direction" corresponds to the direction of the closest point N with respect to the touch position P.
Moreover, the "mode based on the first direction" corresponds to an arrow icon constituting the touch position image TI5 indicating the first direction.
In the example of FIG. 11, the "mode based on the first distance" corresponds to the length Df of the arrow icon constituting the touch position image TI5 being proportional to the first distance.
In addition, in FIG. 11, "a position based on character C" corresponds to the vicinity of character C.

As shown in FIG. 11, by making the touch position image TI5 an arrow-shaped icon, the visibility of the game space G around the character C can be improved compared to when a circular portion TI4a is provided as in the touch position image TI4 shown in FIG. 10, thereby improving the operability of the game.

<Display example 2-3>
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a third display example (display example 2-3) of the touch position image TI in the second embodiment.
In display example 2-3, a case will be described in which the touch position image TI is displayed in a mode based only on the first direction.

The touch position P in FIGS. 12A and 12B is at the same position as the touch position P (Pc1, Pc2) in FIGS. 10A and 10B, respectively.
In the display example 2-3, similarly to the display example 2-1, the first direction is set to the extension direction of the imaginary line IL (IL1, IL2) connecting the touch position P and the nearest point N.
12, the touch position image TI6 has a circular ring shape surrounded by two circles Sf1 and Sf2 centered on the position (e.g., the center of gravity) of the character C. The inner circle Sf2 has a fixed radius that surrounds the entire character C, and the outer circle Sf1 has a fixed radius that is larger than that of the circle Sf2. Therefore, the distance between Sf1 and Sf2 (the width of the circular ring shape) is constant.

In the annular shape of the touch position image TI6, an area Ma (Ma1, Mb2) displayed in a color different from other areas is provided in a first direction with respect to the character C as a base.
Specifically, for example, when the touch position Pc1 is located to the upper right of the reference point Q as shown in FIG. 12A, an area Ma1 having a color different from other areas is provided on the upper right side of the touch position image TI6.
Also, for example, when the touch position Pc2 is located to the right of the reference point Q as shown in FIG. 12B, an area Ma2 having a color different from the other areas is provided on the right side of the touch position image TI6.
This allows the user to grasp the direction (first direction) between the touch position Pc and the neutral region RN without visually checking the touch position Pc.

In FIG. 12, the color of the area Ma located in the first direction is made different from the colors of the other areas to allow the user to understand the first direction, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the user may be able to understand the first direction by displaying a mark at a position corresponding to the area Ma.

In the example of FIG. 12, the "mode based on the first direction" corresponds to displaying an area Ma located in the first direction among the annular shapes constituting the touch position image TI6 in a color different from other areas.
In the example of FIG. 12, the "position based on character C" corresponds to a circular range centered on the position of character C (the range from the position of character C to the maximum radius of circle Sb2).

By displaying the touch position image TI in a manner based on the first direction as in display example 2-3, the user can understand in which direction to move the touch position P when wanting to stop a moving character C without directly viewing the touch position P, thereby reducing operational errors and improving the operability of the game.

[C: Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following examples, for elements whose functions are similar to those of the first or second embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the first or second embodiment will be used, and detailed description of each will be omitted as appropriate.
In the first and second embodiments, a case where the touch position image TI is displayed when the touch position P is located in the movement instruction region RD has been described. In the third embodiment, a case where the touch position image TI is displayed even when the touch position P is located in the neutral region RN will be described.
That is, in the third embodiment, when the touch position P is located in the neutral area RN, the display control unit 166 displays a touch position image TI based on the distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD at a position based on the character C.

The "distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD" may be, for example, the shortest distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD, or the distance between a predetermined position based on the movement instruction area RD and the touch position P. The predetermined position based on the movement instruction area RD may be, for example, a reference point of the movement instruction area RD, a point having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the reference point, or any point within the movement instruction area RD. The reference point of the movement instruction area RD may be, for example, the center of gravity of the movement instruction area RD, or a point on the outer edge of the movement instruction area RD. The point on the outer edge of the movement instruction area RD may be, for example, the point closest to the touch position.

The "aspect based on the distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD (hereinafter referred to as the "second distance")" may be, for example, that the touch position image TI has a length or area proportional to the second distance, or that the visual effect of the touch position image TI changes based on the second distance. The visual effect of the touch position image TI may be, for example, the transparency or display color of the touch position image TI.

The touch position image TI in the third embodiment will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14A, and 14B.
In the following example, the second distance (the distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD) is set to the shortest distance Di (Di1, Di2) between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD. In this embodiment, since the neutral area RN is a perfect circle, the point of the movement instruction area RD closest to the touch position P (closest point N) is the intersection of the vector V directed from the reference point Q toward the touch position and the circle Sa2 that is the inner edge of the movement instruction area RD.

<Display example 3-1>
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a first display example (display example 3-1) of the touch position image TI in the third embodiment.
13A and 13B, the touch position P (Pd) with respect to the operation area R is in the neutral area RN.
The touch position Pd1 in Fig. 13A is located in the neutral region RN close to the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD. The shortest distance between the touch position Pd1 and the movement instruction region RD in Fig. 13A is Di1. The intersection of the extension direction of the vector Vd1 from the reference point Q toward the touch position Pd1 and the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD is the closest point N, and the shortest distance Di1 is the distance between the closest point N and the touch position Pb1. Note that in Fig. 13B, the distance Di1 and a distance Dj1 (described later) are illustrated as straight lines instead of double-headed arrows from the viewpoint of visibility.
13B is located in the neutral region RN, close to the reference point Q and far from the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD. The shortest distance between the touch position Pd2 and the movement instruction region RD is Di2 (>Di1). The shortest distance Di2 is the distance between the closest point N and the touch position Pd2.

The touch position image TI7 shown in FIG. 13 has a circular ring shape surrounded by two circles Sd1 and Sd2 with the position of the character C (e.g., the center of gravity) as the center. Both of the two circles Sd1 and Sd2 have a radius that is large enough to surround the entire character C, but the circle Sd1 has a larger radius than the circle Sd2. The radius of the circle Sd1, which is the outermost of the two circles, is fixed. On the other hand, the radius of the circle Sd2, which is the innermost of the two circles, changes depending on the shortest distance Di between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD. More specifically, the distance Dj between the circles Sd1 and Sd2 (the width of the circular ring shape) is proportional to the shortest distance Di between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD.

13B, when the touch position Pd2 is located at a position (near the reference point Q) away from the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD, the display control unit 166 relatively increases the distance Dj2 between the circle Sd1 and the circle Sd2. As a result, the display area of the touch position image TI7 becomes relatively large.
13A , when the touch position Pd1 is close to the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD, the display control unit 166 relatively shortens the distance Dj1 between the circle Sd1 and the circle Sd2, resulting in a relatively smaller display area of the touch position image TI7.
For example, if the touch position Pd approaches the movement instruction area RD even closer than in FIG. 13A and overlaps with the circle Sa2 which is the inner edge of the movement instruction area RD, that is, if the shortest distance Di between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD becomes zero, the display control unit 166 may set the distance Dj between the circle Sd1 and the circle Sd2 to zero and terminate the display of the touch position image TI7.

That is, in the example of Figure 13, the "aspect based on the second distance" corresponds to the touch position image TI7 having a length (width of the circular shape) proportional to the second distance and an area according to the square of the second distance.
In the example of FIG. 13, the "position based on character C" corresponds to a circular range centered on the position of character C (the range of the radius of circle Sd1 from the position of character C).

In this way, in the third embodiment, when the touch position P is located in the neutral region RN, a touch position image TI is displayed in a form based on the distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction region RD. This allows the user to know how far the current touch position P is from the movement instruction region RD without directly viewing the touch position P. Therefore, for example, when a user wants to move a stationary character C, the user can know how far the touch position P should be moved without directly viewing the touch position P, improving the operability of the game.

In addition, when the first display example shown in Fig. 13 is adopted, when the touch position P is in the movement instruction region RD, the touch position image TI1 shown in Fig. 6 may be displayed. In this case, if the circle Sb2 in the touch position image TI1 corresponds to the circle Sd1 in the touch position image TI7, continuity of the series of displays is ensured, and the displays can be performed without giving a sense of incongruity to the user.
In this case, the touch position image TI1 displayed when the touch position P is in the movement instruction area may have a different display color from the touch position image TI7 displayed when the touch position P is in the neutral area RN. For example, in the case where the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN have different display colors in the display of the operation area R, the touch position image TI1 may be displayed in the display color of the movement instruction area RD, and the touch position image TI7 may be displayed in the display color of the neutral area RN. This allows the user to more clearly understand the meanings of the touch position images TI1 and TI7.

<Display example 3-2>
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a second display example (display example 3-2) of the touch position image TI in the third embodiment.
In the first display example shown in Fig. 13, the touch position image TI7 is an image showing the distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction region RD. In the second display example shown in Fig. 14, the touch position image TI is displayed in a manner based on the direction between the touch position P and the movement instruction region RD in addition to the distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction region RD.
That is, in the third embodiment, when the touch position P is located in the neutral area RN, the display control unit 166 may display the touch position image TI in a manner based on the direction defined by the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD (hereinafter referred to as the "second direction").
In display example 3-2, the second direction is the extension direction of a virtual line IL (IL3, IL4) connecting the touch position P and the closest point N of the movement instruction region RD. In this embodiment, since the neutral region RN is a perfect circle, the virtual line IL connecting the touch position P and the closest point N coincides with the extension direction of a vector V from the reference point Q toward the touch position P.

The touch position Pe1 in FIG. 14A is located in the neutral region RN close to the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD. The touch position Pe1 in FIG. 14A is located in the upper right corner with respect to the reference point Q. The shortest distance between the touch position Pe1 and the movement instruction region RD is Dg1. The intersection of the extension direction of the vector Ve1 from the reference point Q toward the touch position Pe1 and the outer edge (circle Sa2) of the neutral region RN is the closest point N. The shortest distance Dg1 is the distance between the closest point N and the touch position Pc1. The second direction in FIG. 14A is the extension direction of the virtual line IL3 connecting the touch position Pe1 and the closest point N. The extension direction of the virtual line IL3 is along the extension direction of the vector Ve1.
On the other hand, the touch position Pe2 in FIG. 14B is located in the neutral region RN, close to the reference point Q and far from the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD. Also, the touch position Pe2 in FIG. 14B is located on the right side of the reference point Q. The shortest distance between the touch position Pe2 and the movement instruction region RD is Dg2 (>Dg1). The intersection of the extension direction of the vector Ve2 from the reference point Q toward the touch position Pe2 and the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD is the closest point N. The shortest distance Dg2 is the distance between the closest point N and the touch position Pe2. Also, the second direction in FIG. 14B is the extension direction of the virtual line IL4 connecting the touch position Pe2 and the closest point N. The extension direction of the virtual line IL4 is along the extension direction of the vector Ve2.
In Fig. 14B, the distance Dg1 is illustrated as a straight line instead of a double-headed arrow from the viewpoint of visibility. Also, in Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B, the arrowhead at the end point of the vector Ve2 is omitted from the illustration from the viewpoint of visibility.

The touch position image TI8 shown in FIG. 14 has an annular portion TI8a surrounded by two circles Se1 and Se2 centered on the position of the character C (eg, the position of the center of gravity), and a protrusion portion TI8b protruding inward from the circle Se2.
Of the two circles constituting the circular ring portion TI8a, the circle Se2 located on the inner side has a radius large enough to surround the entire character C. Furthermore, of the two circles, the circle Se1 located on the outer side has a radius larger than that of the circle Se2. In Fig. 14, the radii of the circles Se1 and Se2 are both fixed.

The protrusion TI8b has a shape simulating an isosceles triangle with its base located near the circle Se2 and its apex angle inside the circle Se2. The height of the protrusion TI8b is denoted by Dh (Dh1, Dh2).
The extension direction of the height Dh of the protrusion TI8b is parallel to the second direction. Thus, the extension direction of the protrusion TI8b in Fig. 14A is parallel to the extension direction of the imaginary line IL3, and the extension direction of the protrusion TI8b in Fig. 14B is parallel to the extension direction of the imaginary line IL4.

Further, the height Dh of the protrusion TI8b is proportional to the shortest distance Dg between the touch position Pe and the movement instruction region RD, that is, the second distance.
Therefore, when the touch position Pe2 is located far from the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD as shown in FIG. 14B, the height of the protrusion TI8b becomes relatively large.
Also, for example, when the touch position Pe1 is located near the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region RD as shown in FIG. 14A, the height of the protrusion TI8b becomes relatively low.
14A and overlaps with the inner edge (circle Sa2) of the movement instruction region, that is, when the shortest distance Dg between the touch position Pe and the movement instruction region RD becomes zero, the height of the protrusion TI8b may be set to 0. At this time, the display control unit 166 may continue to display only the annular portion TI8a, or may stop displaying the annular portion TI8a and terminate displaying the touch position image TI8.

That is, in the example of FIG. 14, the "second direction" corresponds to the extension direction of the imaginary line IL connecting the touch position Pe and the closest point N.
In the example of FIG. 14, the "mode based on the second direction" corresponds to the protrusion TI8b of the touch position image TI8 extending in the same direction as the second direction.
In the example of FIG. 14, the "mode based on the second distance" corresponds to the protrusion TI8b of the touch position image TI8 having a length (height Dh) proportional to the second distance.
In the example of FIG. 14, the "position based on character C" corresponds to a predetermined range centered on the position of character C (the range of the circular ring portion TI8a and the protruding portion TI8b).

In this way, in the display example shown in FIG. 14, the touch position image TI is displayed in a manner based on the direction between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD in addition to the distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD, so that the user can know in which direction the current touch position P is located relative to the movement instruction area RD without directly viewing the touch position P. Therefore, for example, when a user wants to move a stopped character C, the user can know not only how far (the distance) the touch position P should be moved, but also in which direction it should be moved, without directly viewing the touch position P, which can suppress erroneous operations and improve the operability of the game.

When the second display example shown in FIG. 14 is adopted, the touch position image TI4 shown in FIG. 10 may be displayed when the touch position P is in the movement instruction area RD. In this case, if the circular portion TI4a in the touch position image TI4 corresponds to the circular portion TI8a in the touch position image TI8, continuity in the series of displays is ensured, and the displays can be performed without giving the user a sense of incongruity.

<Other display examples>
In the above-mentioned display example 3-2, the second distance (the distance between the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD) is the distance (shortest distance) between the touch position P and the closest point N, which is the part of the movement instruction area RD closest to the touch position P, and the second direction (the direction defined by the touch position P and the movement instruction area RD) is the extension direction of the virtual line IL connecting the touch position P and the closest point N.
Without being limited to this, for example, the second distance may be the distance between the touch position P on the movement instruction area RD just before the touch position P enters the neutral area RN (hereinafter referred to as the ``pre-stop touch position'') and the current touch position P, and the direction of the virtual line IL connecting the pre-stop touch position and the touch position P may be the second distance.
The pre-stop touch position is a point on a circle Sa2 that is the inner edge of the movement instruction region RD. The pre-stop touch position indicates the movement direction of the character C up until just before the character C stops moving. By setting the second distance and the second direction based on the pre-stop touch position, the user can perform an accurate operation when specifying the same movement direction as just before the character C stopped to resume the movement of the character C.

<Flowchart>
Next, an example of the operation of the control unit 160 of the information processing device 10 in the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. In the flowchart of Fig. 15, a process will be described in which a touch position image based on the second distance and the second direction is displayed as in display example 3-2 shown in Fig. 14 when the touch position P is in the neutral region RN, and a touch position image based on the first distance and the first direction is displayed as in display example 2-1 shown in Fig. 10 when the touch position P is in the movement instruction region RD.
The operation shown in FIG. 15 is started when a predetermined start operation is performed.

The touch position acquisition unit 162 acquires touch position information indicating a touch position P on the touch panel 12 (step S200).
If the touch position P indicated by the touch position information is within the movement instruction region RD (step S202: YES), the game control unit 164 specifies the movement direction of the character C based on the touch position and moves the character C in the game space G (step S204).
The display control unit 166 also determines the display mode of the touch position image TI based on the distance (first distance) between the touch position P and the neutral region RN and the extension direction (first direction) of the virtual line IL connecting the touch position P and the neutral region RN (step S206). For example, when displaying the touch position image TI4 in the mode shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the display control unit 166 determines the height De of the protrusion TI4b based on the first distance, and determines the extension direction of the height De of the protrusion TI4b based on the first direction.

In addition, in step S202, if the touch position P indicated by the touch position information is not in the movement instruction area RD (step S202: NO), that is, if the touch position P is in the neutral area RN, or if the touch position P is in a part of the touch panel 12 other than the operation area R, or if the touch panel 12 is not being touched, the game control unit 164 stops the movement of the character C in the game space G (step S208).

If the touch position P is not in the neutral area RN (step S210: NO), that is, if the touch position P is in a part of the touch panel 12 other than the operation area R, or if the touch panel 12 is not being touched, the control unit 160 returns to step S200.
On the other hand, when the touch position P is in the neutral region RN (step S210: YES), the display control unit 166 determines the display mode of the touch position image TI based on the distance (second distance) between the touch position P and the movement instruction region RD and the extension direction (second direction) of the virtual line IL connecting the touch position P and the movement instruction region RD (step S212). For example, when displaying the touch position image TI8 in the mode shown in Figures 14A and 14B, the display control unit 166 determines the height Dh of the protrusion TI4b based on the second distance, and determines the extension direction of the height Dh of the protrusion TI8b based on the second direction.
The display control unit 166 displays the touch position image TI in the display mode determined in step S206 or S212 at a position based on the character C (step S214), and returns to step S200.

[D: Other Modifications]
In each embodiment of the present invention, for example, the following exemplary configurations may be adopted.

[Modification D1]
The modified example D1 relates to the display of the touch position image TI when the touch position P is not within the operation region R (the movement instruction region RD or the neutral region RN).
The touch position P not being within the operation area R corresponds to, for example, a case where the touch position P is located outside the operation area R on the touch panel 12, or a case where no touch operation is being performed on the touch panel 12, etc.
In either case, the character C stops moving, and especially in the latter case, the distance between the touch position P and the neutral area RN (or the movement instruction area RD) cannot be determined.
Therefore, when the touch position P is not within the operation region R, the display control unit 166 may, for example, stop displaying the touch position image TI. In addition, the display control unit 166 may, for example, increase the transparency of the touch position image TI or lighten the display color (reduce the brightness or saturation) so that images other than the touch position image TI are easily visible. The display control unit 166 may, for example, limit the display asymptotically so that the display of the touch position image TI gradually fades out after the touch position P is no longer within the operation region R.

In other words, when touch position information indicating that the touch position P is in the operation area R (instruction area) consisting of the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN is no longer acquired while the touch position image TI is being displayed, the display control unit 166 may limit the display of the touch position image.

"When touch position information indicating that the touch position P is in the operation area R consisting of the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN is no longer obtained" means, for example, when the touch position P is in an area of the touch panel 12 other than the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN, or when a touch operation on the touch panel 12 is no longer being performed.
"When a touch position P is in an area of the touch panel 12 other than the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN" means, for example, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a position on the touch panel 12 other than the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN.
In addition, "when a touch operation on touch panel 12 is no longer being performed" may be, for example, when information indicating that a touch operation on touch panel 12 is not being performed is acquired, or when information indicating that a touch operation is being performed on touch panel 12 is not being acquired.
"When information indicating that there is no touch operation on touch panel 12 is acquired" refers to, for example, when there is no touch operation on touch panel 12 and touch panel 12 outputs information indicating "no touch position," when information indicating "no touch position" is acquired.
"When information indicating that there is a touch operation on touch panel 12 is not acquired" refers to, for example, when there is no touch operation on touch panel 12, touch panel 12 does not output touch position information, and touch position acquisition unit 162 cannot acquire touch position information.

"Limiting the display of the touch position image TI" may mean, for example, ceasing the display of the touch position image TI, or changing the display mode of the touch position image TI so that images other than the touch position image TI are easier to see than before the restriction (hereinafter referred to as "changing the display mode").
The change in the display mode may be, for example, increasing the transparency of the touch position image TI, or decreasing at least one of the brightness and saturation of the display color of the touch position image TI. Also, the change in the display mode may be, for example, displaying only a part of the touch position image TI.

According to variant example D1, when a touch operation is not performed on either the movement instruction area RD or the neutral area RN, the display of the touch position image TI is restricted compared to when a touch operation is performed on the movement instruction area RD or the neutral area RN.
Therefore, the user can understand whether or not a touch operation has been performed on the operation area R consisting of the movement instruction area RD and the neutral area RN by whether or not there is a restriction on the display of the touch position image TI, and can understand whether or not a touch operation has been performed more clearly than by relying on his or her own senses.
For example, when the character C is stopped in the game space G, the user can know whether the character C is stopped because the neutral region RN is touched or because the user's hand is removed from the touch panel 12, based on whether or not there is a restriction on the display of the touch position image TI. Therefore, the user can easily notice an erroneous operation, such as removing a finger from the touch panel 12 at an unintended timing.
Also, for example, the user can intentionally limit the display of the touch position image TI by removing his/her finger from the touch panel 12. This allows the user to improve the visibility of the game space G around the character C at any timing, thereby improving the operability of the game.

[Modification D2]
The modification example D2 relates to the display of the touch position image TI when the touch position P is stationary.
When the touch position P is located in the operation area R but there is no change (movement) in the touch position P, it is presumed that the user wants to prioritize checking the game status over moving the character C.
In this case, the display control unit 166 may improve the visibility of the game space G by restricting the display of the touch position image TI, for example by increasing the transparency of the touch position image TI.

In other words, the display control unit 166 may limit the display of the touch position image TI if the amount of change in the touch position P remains below a predetermined amount for a predetermined period of time or more while the touch position image TI is being displayed.

"When the amount of change in the touch position P is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and continues for a predetermined period of time or more" may be, for example, a state in which the touch position P can be considered to be stationary. "When the amount of change in the touch position P is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and continues for a predetermined period of time or more" may be, for example, a state in which the coordinates on the touch panel 12 detected as the touch position P (hereinafter referred to as "touch position coordinates") do not change for a predetermined period of time or more, or a state in which the touch position coordinates are concentrated around a specific coordinate or a specific coordinate, or a state in which the touch position coordinates move but the amount of change in the touch position coordinates per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and continues for a predetermined period of time or more.

According to modification example D2, when the touch position P remains unchanged and the user is unlikely to change the touch position P, i.e., when there is little need for the touch position image TI, the display of the touch position image TI is restricted. This improves the visibility of the game space G around the character C, and improves the operability of the game.

[Modification D3]
In the above-described first embodiment, the display control unit 166 displays the touch position image TI based on the distance between the touch position P and the neutral region RN. In the above-described second embodiment, the display control unit 166 displays the touch position image TI based on the direction between the touch position P and the neutral region RN.
Without being limited to this, the display control unit 166 may display a touch position image TI based on the touch position P and the position of the neutral region RN.

In other words, when the touch position P is located in the movement instruction area RD, the display control unit 166 may display a touch position image TI based on the position of the neutral area RN and the touch position P at a position based on the character C.

"Aspects based on the position of the neutral region RN and the touch position P" may be, for example, an aspect based on the distance between the neutral region RN and the touch position P, or an aspect based on the direction between the touch position P and the neutral region RN, or an aspect including both of these. In addition, "aspects based on the position of the neutral region RN and the touch position" may be, for example, an aspect based on the relationship between the coordinates of a reference point of the neutral region RN and the coordinates of the touch position P, or an aspect based on a vector connecting the reference point of the neutral region RN and the touch position P.

In the third embodiment described above, the display control unit 166 displays the touch position image TI based on the distance (and further the direction depending on the display example) between the touch position P and the movement instruction region RD.
Without being limited to this, the display control unit 166 may display a touch position image TI based on the touch position P and the position of the movement instruction region RD.

In other words, when the touch position P is located in the neutral region RN, the display control unit 166 may display a touch position image TI based on the position of the movement instruction region RD and the touch position P at a position based on the character C.

[Modification D4]
In the above-described embodiment, the operation area R is used for the movement operation of the character C. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the operation area R is used for the operation of instructing the movement action of the character C. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation area R may be used for the operation of instructing any action of the character C.
The other actions include, for example, attacks against other characters in the game (e.g., enemy characters), defense against attacks from enemy characters, movement of items in the game, etc. In particular, in the operation area R where a direction can be specified as in this embodiment, the actions may be performed by specifying a direction.

An attack may be, for example, throwing an attack element (item) such as a bomb in a specified direction, or aiming an attack element such as a beam in a specified direction.
In addition, for example, destroying block B by hitting it with an attack element such as a bomb or a beam, thereby changing the shape of land L, may also be considered as a form of attack.
Defense may, for example, involve destroying attack elements such as bombs or beams moving toward character C from a specified direction, or placing defensive elements such as a shield to prevent attack elements from reaching character C's position.

For example, when the other action is "attack," the operation area R has a neutral area and an attack instruction area. The neutral area corresponds to the neutral area RN in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the attack instruction area corresponds to the movement instruction area RD in the above-mentioned embodiment.
When the user touches the attack instruction area, the game control unit 164 specifies an attack in the same direction as a vector V that points from a reference point Q of the operation area R toward the touch position P. Specifically, the game control unit 164 controls the game so that the character C throws a bomb or irradiates a beam in the direction of the vector V, for example.
Furthermore, the display control unit 166 displays a position based on the character C, for example, a touch position image TI around the character C. The touch position image TI is a display of a form based on the touch position P and the position of the neutral area, and specifically, a display of a form shown in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 or 2.
Furthermore, when the user touches the neutral area, the game control unit 164 causes character C to stop attacking.
Furthermore, the display control unit 166 displays a touch position image TI based on the touch position P and the position of the attack instruction area at a position based on the character C. Specifically, the touch position image is a display such as that in the third embodiment described above.

That is, in variant D4, the touch position acquisition unit 162 acquires touch position information indicating a touch position P on the touch panel 12, the game control unit 164 specifies a first behavior mode of the character C in the game space G when the touch position P indicated by the touch position information is in a first area set on the touch panel 12, and specifies a second behavior mode of the character C in the game space G when the touch position P indicated by the touch position information is in a second area set on the touch panel 12, and the display control unit 166 displays a touch position image TI in a mode based on the touch position P and the position of the other of the first area or the second area at a position based on the character C when the touch position P is located in either the first area or the second area.

"(Character C's) movement mode" may include, for example, the type of movement of character C, the speed of the movement, the direction of the movement, the strength of the movement, and the like.
The type of action may be, for example, the movement of character C in game space G, an attack by character C against another character (e.g., an enemy character), or defending character C against an attack from an enemy character.
The speed of the action may be, for example, the movement speed of character C if the type of action is "movement," or may be the number of attacks per unit time if the type of action is "attack."
The direction of movement may, for example, be the direction of movement of character C if the type of movement is "movement," and may be the direction in which character C attacks or defends if the type of movement is "attack" or "defense."
The strength of the action may be, for example, the strength of the attack or defense by character C when the type of action is "attack" or "defense."

According to variant D4, even when the operation area R is used for operations to instruct the character C to perform actions other than movement, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned embodiments or variants.

[Modification D5]
In the above-described embodiment, the character C moves at a constant speed in the game space G. That is, the game in the above-described embodiment is a constant speed operation mode in which the moving speed of the character C does not change regardless of where the touch position P is located in the movement instruction region RD.
On the other hand, the touch position image TI may also be displayed in a game of a speed gradient type operation mode in which the moving speed of the character C changes depending on where the touch position P is located in the movement instruction region RD.
As described above, in a game with a speed gradient type operation mode, the user can grasp the distance to the neutral area RN based on the moving speed, so the need for the touch position image TI is low compared to the constant speed type operation mode.
However, for example, in the third embodiment, in a mode in which the touch position image TI is displayed when the touch position P is in the neutral region RN, the same effect as the touch position image TI in the constant speed operation mode can be obtained.
Furthermore, even in the case of displaying the touch position image TI when the touch position P is in the movement instruction area RD, as in the first or second embodiment, the touch position image TI explicitly displays the distance and direction to the neutral area RN, which is effective for, for example, beginners who are not familiar with the operation of the game.

[Modification D6]
In the above-described embodiment, the memory 14 (storage unit 140) that stores a game application program, and the processor 16 (control unit 160) that executes the game application are provided in the information processing device 10.
Without being limited to this, a memory that stores a game application program and a processor that executes the game application may be provided in an external device that can communicate with information processing device 10.
More specifically, for example, a memory that stores a game application program and a processor that executes the game application may be provided in a cloud server (server device) that can communicate with the information processing device 10 via a communication line such as the Internet.

[E: Notes]
From the above description, the present invention can be understood, for example, as follows: In order to facilitate understanding of each aspect, reference symbols in the drawings are conveniently written in parentheses below, but this is not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated aspects.

[Appendix 1-1]
A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a processor (e.g., processor 16) to function as: an acquisition unit (e.g., touch position acquisition unit 162) that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel (e.g., touch panel 12); a designation unit (e.g., game control unit 164) that designates a constant-speed movement of an object (e.g., character C) in a game space (e.g., game space G) when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area (e.g., movement instruction area RD) set on the touch panel, and designates a stop of the movement of the object when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area (e.g., neutral area RN) set on the touch panel; and a display control unit that displays a touch position image (e.g., touch position image TI) of a mode based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area, at a position based on the object, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area.

According to such a configuration, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, a touch position image based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area is displayed, so that the user can grasp how far the current touch position is from the stop instruction area without directly viewing the touch position. Therefore, for example, when a user wants to stop a moving object, the user can grasp how far the touch position should be moved without directly viewing the touch position, and erroneous operations during game play can be suppressed.
In addition, generally, a user who is playing a game often focuses on an object that is the object to be operated. According to the above configuration, since the touch position image is displayed at a position based on the object, the user can check the touch position image without significantly moving his/her line of sight from the object, and thus can continue the operation without losing concentration on the game.

In the above embodiment, an "object" is an object that is the subject of operation using a touch panel. The object may be, for example, a character related to the game, or an object related to the game. Here, a "character related to the game" may be, for example, a virtual living being that can progress through the game. Also, an "object related to the game" may be, for example, a virtual inanimate object that can progress through the game.

In the above embodiment, the "movement instruction area" and the "stop instruction area" are, for example, areas set in a part of the touch panel that accept touch operations from the user. The positions of the movement instruction area and the stop instruction area may be fixed on the touch panel or may be variable.

In the above embodiment, the "distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area" may be, for example, the shortest distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area, or the distance between the touch position and a predetermined position based on the stop instruction area.
For example, when the touch position information acquired by the acquisition unit is information that specifies one point on the touch panel, the touch position is the touch position indicated by the touch position information, and when the touch position information is information that specifies an area having a spread on the touch panel, the touch position may be a point included in the area. The point included in the area may be, for example, the center of gravity of the area or one point on the outer edge of the area, and among these, the one point on the outer edge of the area may be, for example, the point closest to the reference point of the stop instruction area.
The predetermined position based on the stop instruction area may be, for example, a reference point of the stop instruction area, a point having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the reference point, or any point within the stop instruction area. The reference point of the stop instruction area may be, for example, a center of gravity of the stop instruction area, or one point on the outer edge of the stop instruction area. The one point on the outer edge of the stop instruction area may be, for example, a point closest to the touch position.

In the above embodiment, the "aspect based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area (hereinafter referred to as the "first distance")" may be, for example, that the touch position image has a length or area proportional to the first distance, or that the visual effect of the touch position image changes based on the first distance. The visual effect of the touch position image may be, for example, the transparency or display color of the touch position image.

In the above embodiment, the "touch position image" may be, for example, an image that presents the relative change in the touch position to the user in a visually recognizable manner by changing the display mode based on the change in the touch position on the touch panel.

In the above aspect, the "position based on the object" may be, for example, a position that has a predetermined positional relationship with the object, a position within a range of a predetermined distance from the object, or a position in a predetermined direction with the object as a reference. Specifically, the "position based on the object" may be, for example, the current position of the object in the game space, or a position forward or backward in the direction of travel of the object. In addition, the "position based on the object" may dynamically change on the touch panel based on the display position of the object. For example, when the object is displayed at the right edge of the touch panel, the touch position image may also be displayed at the right edge of the touch panel accordingly.

[Appendix 1-2]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the program described in Appendix 1-1, the display control unit displays the touch position image in a manner based on a direction defined by the touch position and the stop instruction area when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area.

According to this configuration, the touch position image is displayed in a manner based on the direction defined by the touch position and the stop instruction area, in addition to the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area, so that the user can know in which direction the current touch position is relative to the stop instruction area without directly viewing the touch position. Therefore, for example, when a user wants to stop a moving object, the user can know in which direction to move the touch position without directly viewing the touch position, thereby improving the operability of the game.

In the above embodiment, the "direction defined by the touch position and the stop instruction area" may be, for example, the extension direction of a virtual line when the virtual line is set based on the touch position and intersects with the stop instruction area, or the direction between the touch position and an arbitrary point in the stop instruction area. The direction between the touch position and the arbitrary point in the stop instruction area may be, for example, a direction from the touch position toward the arbitrary point in the stop instruction area, a direction from the arbitrary point in the stop instruction area toward the touch position, or a direction toward both the touch position and the arbitrary point in the stop instruction area.
The arbitrary point in the stop instruction region may be, for example, the center of gravity of the stop instruction region or one point on the outer edge of the stop instruction region. The one point on the outer edge of the stop instruction region may be, for example, a point closest to the touch position.

In the above embodiment, the "aspect based on the direction of the stop instruction area (hereinafter simply referred to as "direction")" may be, for example, that the touch position image extends along the direction, that the touch position image has a shape based on the direction, or that the visual effect of the touch position image changes based on the direction. The visual effect of the touch position image may be, for example, the transparency or display color of the touch position image. In addition, the "direction" does not have to completely match the direction defined by the touch position and the stop instruction area.

[Appendix 1-3]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the program described in Appendix 1-1 or 1-2, when the touch position is located in the stop instruction area, the display control unit displays a touch position image in a manner based on the distance between the touch position and the move instruction area, at a position based on the object.

According to this configuration, when the touch position is located in the stop instruction area, a touch position image based on the distance between the touch position and the movement instruction area is displayed, so that the user can know how far the current touch position is from the movement instruction area without directly viewing the touch position. Therefore, for example, when a user wants to move a stopped object, the user can know how far the touch position should be moved without directly viewing the touch position, thereby improving the operability of the game.

In the above embodiment, the "distance between the touch position and the movement instruction area" may be, for example, the shortest distance between the touch position and the movement instruction area, or the distance between the touch position and a predetermined position based on the movement instruction area. The predetermined position based on the movement instruction area may be, for example, a reference point of the movement instruction area, a point having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the reference point, or any point within the movement instruction area. The reference point of the movement instruction area may be, for example, the center of gravity of the movement instruction area, or a point on the outer edge of the movement instruction area. The point on the outer edge of the movement instruction area may be, for example, the point closest to the touch position.

In the above embodiment, the "aspect based on the distance between the touch position and the movement instruction area (hereinafter referred to as the "second distance")" may be, for example, that the touch position image has a length or area proportional to the second distance, or that the visual effect of the touch position image changes based on the second distance. The visual effect of the touch position image may be, for example, the transparency or display color of the touch position image.

[Appendix 1-4]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the program described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-3, the display control unit restricts the display of the touch position image when the touch position information indicating that the touch position is in an instruction area consisting of the move instruction area and the stop instruction area is no longer acquired during the display of the touch position image.

According to this configuration, when a touch operation is not performed on either the movement instruction area or the stop instruction area, the display of the touch position image is restricted compared to when a touch operation is performed on the movement instruction area or the stop instruction area.
Therefore, the user can understand whether or not a touch operation has been performed on the instruction area consisting of the movement instruction area and the stop instruction area by whether or not there is a restriction on the display of the touch position image, and can understand whether or not a touch operation has been performed more clearly than by relying on his or her own senses.
For example, when an object is stopped in the game space, the user can know whether the object is stopped because the stop instruction area is touched or because the user's hand is removed from the touch panel, based on whether or not the display of the touch position image is restricted. Therefore, the user can easily notice an erroneous operation, such as removing a finger from the touch panel at an unintended timing.
Also, for example, the user can intentionally restrict the display of the touch position image by removing his/her finger from the touch panel, which allows the user to improve the visibility of the game space around the object at any time, thereby improving the operability of the game.

In the above embodiment, "when touch position information indicating that the touch position is in an instruction area consisting of a movement instruction area and a stop instruction area is no longer obtained" may mean, for example, when the touch position is in an area of the touch panel other than the movement instruction area and the stop instruction area, or when a touch operation on the touch panel is no longer being performed.
"When the touch position is in an area of the touch panel other than the movement instruction area and the stop instruction area" may be, for example, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a position other than the movement instruction area and the stop instruction area on the touch panel.
In addition, "when a touch operation on the touch panel is no longer being performed" may be, for example, when information indicating that a touch operation is not being performed on the touch panel is acquired, or when information indicating that a touch operation is being performed on the touch panel is not acquired.
"When information indicating that there is no touch operation on the touch panel is acquired" may be, for example, when information indicating "no touch position" is acquired in a mode in which the touch panel outputs information indicating "no touch position" when there is no touch operation on the touch panel.
"When information indicating that a touch operation has been performed on the touch panel is not acquired" may mean, for example, that when there is no touch operation on the touch panel, the touch panel does not output touch position information, and the acquisition unit is unable to acquire touch position information.

In the above embodiment, "restricting the display of the touch position image" may mean, for example, ceasing the display of the touch position image, or changing the display mode of the touch position image so that images other than the touch position image are easier to see than before the restriction (hereinafter referred to as "changing the display mode").
The change in the display mode may be, for example, increasing the transparency of the touch position image, decreasing at least one of the brightness and saturation of the display color of the touch position image, etc. The change in the display mode may be, for example, displaying only a part of the touch position image.

[Appendix 1-5]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the program described in any one of Appendices 1-1 to 1-4, the display control unit restricts the display of the touch position image when a state in which an amount of change in the touch position is equal to or less than a predetermined amount continues for a predetermined period of time or more while the touch position image is being displayed.

With this configuration, when the touch position remains unchanged for a certain period of time and the user is unlikely to change the touch position, i.e., when there is little need for the touch position image, the display of the touch position image is restricted. This improves the visibility of the game space around the object, and improves the operability of the game.

In the above-described embodiment, "when the amount of change in the touch position is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and continues for a predetermined period of time or more" may mean, for example, a state in which the touch position can be considered to be stationary. "When the amount of change in the touch position is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and continues for a predetermined period of time or more" may mean, for example, that the coordinates on the touch panel detected as the touch position (hereinafter referred to as "touch position coordinates") do not change for a predetermined period of time or more, or that the touch position coordinates are concentrated around a specific coordinate or a specific number of coordinates and continue for a predetermined period of time or more, or that the touch position coordinates move but the amount of change in the touch position coordinates per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined amount and continues for a predetermined period of time or more.

[Appendix 1-6]
An information processing device according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it includes an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel, a designation unit that, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a constant speed movement of an object in a game space, and, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a stop of the constant speed movement of the object, and, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, a display control unit that displays a touch position image of a mode based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area, at a position based on the object,

[Appendix 1-7]
An information processing system according to another aspect of the present invention is an information processing system comprising: a game device equipped with a touch panel and displaying an image related to a game on the touch panel; and a server device capable of communicating with the game device, the information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on the touch panel; a designation unit that, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a constant-speed movement of an object in a game space, and, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a stop of the constant-speed movement of the object; and a display control unit that, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, displays a touch position image of a mode based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area, at a position based on the object.

[Appendix 1-8]
A server device according to another aspect of the present invention is a server device capable of communicating with a game device, and is characterized in that it comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel provided on the game device; a designation unit that, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a constant-speed movement of an object in a game space of a game executed on the terminal device, and, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a stop of the constant-speed movement of the object; and, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, a display control unit that displays a touch position image of a mode based on the distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object on the touch panel.

[Appendix 1-9]
An information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a processor acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel, and if the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, specifies a constant speed movement of an object in a game space, and if the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, specifies a stop of the constant speed movement of the object, and if the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, displays a touch position image in a manner based on a distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object.

[Appendix 2]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a processor to function as an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel, a designation unit that, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a constant-speed movement of an object in a game space, and, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, designates a stop of the constant-speed movement of the object, and, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, a display control unit that displays a touch position image of a mode based on the position of the stop instruction area and the touch position, at a position based on the object, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area.

In the above embodiment, the "mode based on the position of the stop instruction area and the touch position" may be, for example, a mode based on the distance between the stop instruction area and the touch position, or a mode based on the direction defined by the touch position and the stop instruction area, or a mode including both of these. In addition, the "mode based on the position of the stop instruction area and the touch position" may be, for example, a mode based on the relationship between the coordinates of the reference point of the stop instruction area and the coordinates of the touch position, or a mode based on a vector connecting the reference point of the stop instruction area and the touch position.

According to such a configuration, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, a touch position image based on the touch position and the position of the stop instruction area is displayed, so that the user can understand the position of the current touch position relative to the stop instruction area without directly viewing the touch position. Therefore, for example, when the user wants to stop a moving object, the user can understand how to move the touch position without directly viewing the touch position, and erroneous operations during game play can be suppressed.
In addition, generally, a user who is playing a game often focuses on an object that is the object to be operated. According to the above configuration, since the touch position image is displayed at a position based on the object, the user can check the touch position image without significantly moving his/her line of sight from the object, and thus can continue the operation without losing concentration on the game.

[Appendix 3]
A program according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a processor to function as an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel, a designation unit that, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a first area set on the touch panel, designates a first operation mode of an object in a game space, and, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a second area set on the touch panel, designates a second operation mode of the object in the game space, and, when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is in a second area set on the touch panel, a display control unit that, when the touch position is located in one of the first area or the second area, displays a touch position image of a mode based on the touch position and the position of the other of the first area or the second area, at a position based on the object.

According to such a configuration, when the touch position is located in one of the two regions (the first region or the second region), a touch position image based on the touch position and the position of the other region is displayed. This allows the user to understand the position of the current touch position relative to the other region without directly viewing the touch position. Therefore, for example, when the user wants to specify an operation mode that can be specified in the other region, the user can understand how far the touch position should be moved without directly viewing the touch position, and erroneous operations during game play can be suppressed.
In addition, generally, a user who is playing a game often focuses on an object that is the object to be operated. According to the above configuration, since the touch position image is displayed at a position based on the object, the user can check the touch position image without significantly moving his/her line of sight from the object, and thus can continue the operation without losing concentration on the game.

In the above embodiment, the "motion mode (of the object)" may include, for example, the type of motion of the object, the speed of the motion, the direction of the motion, the strength of the motion, and the like.
The type of action may be, for example, movement of an object in the game space, an attack by an object against another object, or defense of an object against an attack by another object.
The speed of the action may be, for example, the movement speed of the object if the action type is "movement", or the number of attacks per unit time if the action type is "attack".
The direction of the movement may be, for example, the direction in which the object moves if the type of movement is "movement," or may be the direction in which the object attacks or defends if the type of movement is "attack" or "defense."
The strength of the action may be, for example, the strength of the attack or defense by the object when the type of action is "attack" or "defense."

10: information processing device, 12: touch panel, 14: memory, 16: processor, 120: display unit, 122: input unit, 140: storage unit, 160: control unit, 162: touch position acquisition unit, 164: game control unit, 166: display control unit, B: block, C: character, L: land.

Claims (9)

The processor,
an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel;
when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, specifying a constant speed movement of an object in a game space;
a designation unit that designates a stop of movement of the object when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a stop designation area set on the touch panel;
a display control unit that displays, when the touch position is located in the move instruction area, a touch position image in a form based on a distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object;
a moving speed of the object is the same when the touch position is located at a first distance from a reference point in the movement instruction area and when the touch position is located at a second distance from the reference point that is different from the first distance;
A program characterized by: when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, the display control unit displays the touch position image in a mode based on a direction defined by the touch position and the stop instruction area.
2. The program according to claim 1 . when the touch position is located in the stop instruction area, the display control unit displays a touch position image having a length or area proportional to a distance between the touch position and the move instruction area at a position based on the object.
3. The program according to claim 1 or 2. when the touch position information indicating that the touch position is in an instruction area consisting of the move instruction area and the stop instruction area is no longer acquired during display of the touch position image, the display control unit stops displaying the touch position image or changes a display mode of the touch position image so that images other than the touch position image are easily visible.
4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for executing a program. When a state in which the amount of change in the touch position is equal to or smaller than a predetermined amount continues for a predetermined period of time or more during display of the touch position image, the display control unit stops displaying the touch position image, or changes a display mode of the touch position image so that an image other than the touch position image is easily visible.
5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for executing a program. an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel;
when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, specifying a constant speed movement of an object in a game space;
a designation unit that designates a stop of the uniform movement of the object when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a stop designation area set on the touch panel;
a display control unit that, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, displays a touch position image in an aspect based on a distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object,
a moving speed of the object is the same when the touch position is located at a first distance from a reference point in the movement instruction area and when the touch position is located at a second distance from the reference point that is different from the first distance;
23. An information processing apparatus comprising: a game device including a touch panel and displaying an image related to a game on the touch panel;
a server device capable of communicating with the game device;
An information processing system comprising:
an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on the touch panel;
when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, specifying a constant speed movement of an object in a game space;
a designation unit that designates a stop of the uniform movement of the object when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a stop designation area set on the touch panel;
a display control unit that, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, displays a touch position image in an aspect based on a distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position based on the object,
a moving speed of the object is the same when the touch position is located at a first distance from a reference point in the movement instruction area and when the touch position is located at a second distance from the reference point that is different from the first distance;
An information processing system comprising: A server device capable of communicating with a game device,
an acquisition unit that acquires touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel of the game device;
when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, specifying a constant speed movement of an object in a game space of a game executed on the game device;
a designation unit that designates a stop of the uniform movement of the object when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a stop designation area set on the touch panel;
a display control unit that, when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, displays a touch position image based on a distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area at a position on the touch panel based on the object,
a moving speed of the object is the same when the touch position is located at a first distance from a reference point in the movement instruction area and when the touch position is located at a second distance from the reference point that is different from the first distance;
A server device comprising: The processor:
Acquire touch position information indicating a touch position on a touch panel;
when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a movement instruction area set on the touch panel, specifying a constant speed movement of an object in a game space;
when the touch position indicated by the touch position information is within a stop instruction area set on the touch panel, designating a stop of the uniform speed movement of the object;
when the touch position is located in the movement instruction area, a touch position image in a form based on a distance between the touch position and the stop instruction area is displayed in a position based on the object;
a moving speed of the object is the same when the touch position is located at a first distance from a reference point in the movement instruction area and when the touch position is located at a second distance from the reference point that is different from the first distance;
23. An information processing method comprising:

Images