JP7705040B2 - Program and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a program and an information processing system.

Games that display tutorials for beginners or change the difficulty level are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Technology that detects abnormalities in the biometric information of a user playing a game or in the game results and issues an alarm or notifies a medical institution is also known (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 to 5).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-271582 JP 2019-98112 A JP 2004-157596 A International Publication WO2015/093382A1 JP 2017-003626 A

In conventional games, actions such as displaying tutorials would be taken in response to anomalies in the user's skill, biometric information, or game results, but there was no technology that would take action in response to a decline in the user's skills in games or other applications that they had once improved.

The present disclosure aims to provide a program and information processing system that can take action when a user's application-related skills once improved decline.

The first aspect is
A program that causes a computer to function as an explanation display means, a storage means, a detection means, and an assistance means,
the explanation display means displays an explanation required for each of a plurality of operations of the application, and ends the corresponding explanation when the user performs an operation input based on each of the explanations;
the storage means stores history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation for each user after the explanation is finished,
the detection means detects abnormality information when the operation input of the user corresponding to the predetermined operation is different from the history information;
The assistance means is a program that, when the detection means detects the abnormality information, causes the explanation display means to re-display or additionally display the explanation.

In addition, in the first aspect,
When the detection means detects the abnormality information, the assistance means can cause the explanation display means to re-display or additionally display the explanation on the screen on which the application is being executed.

In addition, in the first aspect,
When the detection means detects the abnormality information, the auxiliary means can switch to a screen other than the screen on which the application is being executed and cause the explanation display means to re-display or additionally display the explanation.

In addition, in the first aspect,
After the auxiliary means causes the explanation display means to re-display or additionally display the explanation, the explanation that was re-displayed or additionally displayed by the explanation display means can be prevented from being displayed by performing an operation input based on the explanation.

In addition, in the first aspect,
the application is a game application,
The program further causes the computer to function as difficulty level adjustment means,
The difficulty level adjustment means can lower the difficulty level of the game when the detection means detects the abnormality information.

The second aspect is
A program for causing a computer to function as a game progression means, a storage means, a detection means, and a notification means,
the game progression means controls the progress of the game based on an operation input by a user;
the storage means stores history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation for each user,
the detection means compares the operation input of the user corresponding to a predetermined operation with the history information, and judges the performance of the user based on the comparison result;
The notification means is a program that notifies the user of the performance determined by the detection means.

In addition, in a second aspect,
The notification means notifies the user of the performance of the user;
The program further causes the computer to function as an explanation display unit,
The explanation display means can display support information corresponding to the performance when the detection means determines that the performance has deteriorated.

In addition, in a second aspect,
The program further causes the computer to function as difficulty level adjustment means,
The difficulty level adjustment means can lower the difficulty level of the game when the detection means detects a decline in the performance of the user.

In addition, in a second aspect,
the game is a multiplayer game;
The notification means can notify other users of the performance of the user.

In addition, in a second aspect,
The program further causes the computer to function as an explanation display unit,
The explanation display means can display an explanation that enables a user playing the game to be changed from the user to another user when the performance of the user determined by the detection means has declined.

The third aspect is:
A program for causing a computer to function as a game progression means, a storage means, a detection means, a confirmation means, and a notification means,
the game progression means controls the progress of the game based on an operation input by a user;
the storage means stores history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation for each user,
the detection means detects abnormality information when the operation input of the user corresponding to the predetermined operation is different from the history information;
the confirmation means, when the detection means detects the abnormality information, causes the user to perform a confirmation operation related to the abnormality information;
The notification means is a program that, when the result of the checking operation by the checking means indicates that an abnormality related to the abnormality information is confirmed, notifies the user of the abnormality information.

In addition, in a third aspect,
The confirmation operation may be to have the user perform the operation again, where at least the operation input is different from the history information.

In addition, in a third aspect,
The confirmation means can determine, as a result of the confirmation operation, the user's operation input corresponding to the operation, and if it is within a predetermined normal value, not notify the abnormal information by the notification means, and not restrict the progress of the game by the game progress means.

In addition, in a third aspect,
When the confirmation means confirms, as a result of the confirmation action, that an abnormality related to the abnormality information is detected, the confirmation means can restrict the progress of the game by the game progress means.

In addition, in a third aspect,
When information indicating that no abnormality has occurred in the operational input is input via a third party different from the user, the restriction on the progress of the game can be lifted.

The fourth aspect is:
an explanation display unit that displays an explanation required for each of a plurality of operations of the application and terminates the corresponding explanation when the user performs an operation input based on the explanation;
a storage unit that stores history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation for each user after the explanation is finished;
a detection unit that detects abnormality information when the operation input of the user corresponding to the predetermined operation is different from the history information;
an auxiliary unit that causes the explanation display unit to re-display or additionally display the explanation when the detection unit detects the abnormality information;
The information processing system includes:

The fifth aspect is:
a game progression unit that controls the progress of the game based on a user's operation input;
a storage unit configured to store history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation for each user;
a detection unit that compares the operation input of the user corresponding to a predetermined operation with the history information and determines the performance of the user based on the comparison result;
a notification unit that notifies the performance of the user determined by the detection unit;
The information processing system includes:

The sixth aspect is:
a game progression unit that controls the progress of the game based on a user's operation input;
a storage unit configured to store history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation for each user;
a detection unit that detects abnormality information when the operation input of the user corresponding to the predetermined operation is different from the history information;
a confirmation unit that, when the detection unit detects the abnormality information, causes the user to perform a confirmation operation related to the abnormality information;
a notification unit that notifies the anomaly information when the confirmation operation by the confirmation unit confirms an anomaly related to the anomaly information;
The information processing system includes:

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to take action against a decline in a user's application-related skills that had once been improved.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a series of operations performed by the information processing system in the present embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of a series of operations performed by the information processing system. 13 is a flowchart showing yet another example of the flow of a series of operations performed by the information processing system. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing screens that are displayed on the display of the game device when information is processed by the information processing system in this embodiment.

[Present embodiment]
An information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of Information Processing System 1>
In the information processing system 1 of this embodiment, a server device 2 (computer) and a game device 3 are communicatively connected to each other via a communication network 6. The game device 3 is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a portable or stationary game console, etc. In addition, game devices 5 of other users are also communicatively connected to the server device 2 via the communication network 6.

<Overview of Information Processing System 1>
The server device 2 (computer) stores a game program and game data, and transmits and receives game-related control signals to each of the game devices 3, 5, thereby causing each of the game devices 3, 5 to play a game. The server device 2 is also capable of causing the multiple game devices 3, 5 to play a multiplay game. Games played in multiplay include both competitive games and cooperative games.

Each of the game devices 3, 5 executes a predetermined game based on the user's operation. To this end, each of the game devices 3, 5 receives (specifically, downloads and installs) a game program and game data from the server device 2 via the communication network 6.

Each user is assigned account information, including identification information and a password, in association with each game device 3, 5. This account information is transmitted from each game device 3, 5 to the server device 2 at login and is used for user authentication on the server device 2.

After user authentication, the server device 2 and each game device 3, 5 are able to communicate with each other. After logging in, each game device 3, 5 receives data necessary for game progress (data related to the game progress status) from the server device 2, and progresses the game while outputting game images and sounds to the display 37 and speaker 39 based on the user's operations.

In this embodiment, the game device 3 displays instructions necessary for multiple game operations, and the corresponding instructions are terminated when the user performs an operation input based on each instruction. Furthermore, if a decline in the game skill that was once improved for a certain operation is detected while the user is playing a game on the game device 3, the game device 3 re-displays or additionally displays the instructions necessary for that operation. This allows the user to perform the operation again by following the instructions.

<Configuration of Information Processing System 1>
1, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the server device 2 and each of the game devices 3 and 5. Note that the configuration of the game device 5 of the other users is substantially the same as the configuration of the game device 3, so a description thereof will be omitted.

<Configuration of Server Device 2>
1, the server device 2 includes a network interface 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The network interface 21 and the storage unit 23 are electrically connected to the control unit 22 via a bus 24.

The network interface 21 is communicatively connected to each game device 3, 5 via a communication network 6 such as the Internet or a LAN.

The control unit 22 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the server device 2.

The control unit 22 executes various programs stored in the memory unit 23 described below, thereby functioning as a game progression means 221, an explanation display means 222, a memory means 223, a detection means 224, an assistance means 225, a confirmation means 226, a notification means 227, and a difficulty level adjustment means 228.

The game progression means 221 (game progression section) controls the progress of the game based on operational inputs from the user. Games include single-play games played by a single user on a game device 3 and multi-play games played by multiple users on separate game devices 3, 5. Game genres include fighting games, sports games played by one or multiple users, action games, puzzle games, etc.

Controlling the progress of the game based on the user's operational input means that the game screen is displayed on the display 37 of the game device 3, 5 operated by the user, and input information entered by the user via the touchpad 38 is transmitted from the game device 3, 5 to the server device 2, thereby causing this input information to be reflected in the game.

The explanation display means 222 (explanation display unit) displays explanations necessary for each operation in the game on the display 37 of the game device 3, etc. The operations include, for example, an operation to move the character 371 (see FIG. 5), an operation to equip the character 371 with weapons, armor, and items and have them use them, an operation to have the character 371 perform a specific action such as a special technique or combo technique, etc. For example, when performing a certain special technique or combo technique, an operation such as pressing multiple buttons in sequence on the touch pad 38 is required.

Displaying the explanations required for each operation in the game on the display 37 of the game device 3 means displaying text and images explaining which button on the touch pad 38 the user should press to cause the character 371 to perform a specific operation, as shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, guidance 372 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display 37 for each operation.

Furthermore, the explanation display means 222 ends the corresponding explanation when the user performs an operation input based on each explanation on the game device 3. Specifically, after a tutorial screen, for example, is displayed on the display 37, when the user presses one or more predetermined buttons on the touchpad 38 in accordance with the guidance 372, causing the character 371 to perform a specific operation, the guidance 372 shown in FIG. 5 disappears from the display 37. Furthermore, if a "Next" button is displayed on the display 37 after the guidance 372 is displayed on the display 37, the guidance 372 disappears from the display 37 when the button corresponding to the "Next" button is pressed on the touchpad 38.

The storage means 223 stores history information of operation inputs by users corresponding to each operation for each user in the storage unit 23, etc. The history information may be the operation input itself performed by the user using the touch pad 38, or it may be the game score, play time, play interval, etc.

The detection means 224 (detection unit) detects abnormal information when the user's operation input corresponding to a specified operation differs from the history information. Details regarding the user's operation input corresponding to a specified operation differing from the history information will be described later.

When the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the auxiliary means 225 (auxiliary section) causes the explanation display means 222 to re-display or additionally display an explanation on the display 37 of the game device 3, etc. More specifically, an explanation such as text or an image is displayed on the display 37 of the game device 3 while the game is being played, in a composite manner. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a guidance 372 window is compositely displayed as an explanation on the display 37 of the game device 3.

Note that "redisplaying the explanation" refers to displaying again on display 37 the same guidance 372 as the guidance 372 that was once displayed on display 37. Note that the display form of guidance 372 does not need to be the same, as long as the target of guidance 372 is the same. Also, "additionally displaying an explanation" refers to displaying a more detailed explanation on display 37 instead of or in addition to guidance 372 that was once displayed on display 37.

When the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the confirmation means 226 (confirmation unit) has the user perform a confirmation operation related to the abnormal information. The confirmation operation related to the abnormal information may be the user performing again, via the touchpad 38, the operation for which the abnormal information was detected, or may be the user performing, via the touchpad 38, an operation other than the operation for which the abnormal information was detected. The confirmation operation may also be the user performing an operation other than the operation using the game device 3 (for example, a test to test the user's reaction separately from the game device 3).

The notification means 227 (notification unit) notifies the abnormality information when the confirmation operation by the confirmation means 226 confirms that there is an abnormality related to the abnormality information. The notification of the abnormality information is made to the user playing the game (game device 3) or to another user (terminal) different from the user.

The difficulty level adjustment means 228 (difficulty level adjustment section) lowers the difficulty level of the game when the detection means 224 detects abnormal information (or confirms an abnormality). Lowering the difficulty level of the game includes increasing the ability parameters of the character 371, such as the attack power, defense power, and speed, lowering the ability parameters of enemy characters, endowing the character 371 with items such as special weapons and armor, and making it easier to perform specific actions such as special techniques and combo techniques. In addition, when the difficulty level is set in stages such as Easy, Normal, and Hard, various parameters differ for each difficulty level, and the difficulty level is changed by selecting a low difficulty mode.

The storage unit 23 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 23 stores various programs, including a part of the game program of this embodiment, as well as various data necessary for the progress of the game.

The memory unit 23 also stores history information of user operation inputs corresponding to each operation for each user.

<Configuration of Game Device 3>
1, the game device 3 has a display 37, a touch pad 38, and a speaker 39. The game device 3 also has a network interface 31, a control unit 32, a graphics processing unit 33, an operation unit 34, an audio processing unit 35, and a storage unit 36. The network interface 31, the graphics processing unit 33, the operation unit 34, the audio processing unit 35, and the storage unit 36 are electrically connected to the control unit 32 via a bus 40.

The network interface 31 is communicatively connected to the communication network 6 to transmit and receive various data between the game device 3 and the server device 2.

The graphics processing unit 33 renders game images including the character 371 and various objects related to the virtual space in a moving image format according to game image information output from the control unit 32, which will be described later. The graphics processing unit 33 is connected to, for example, a display 37, and the game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the display 37 as a game screen.

The operation unit 34 is connected to the touchpad 38, and transmits and receives data related to operation input to the touchpad 38 between the touchpad 38. The user inputs an operation signal to the game device 3 by touching the touchpad 38.

The audio processing unit 35 is connected to a speaker 39, and plays and synthesizes game audio according to instructions from the control unit 32 (described below), and outputs the audio from the speaker 39.

The control unit 32 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 3. The control unit 32 functions as a communication means 321, a game execution means 322, and a notification control means 323 by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 36 described below.

The communication means 321 is a function for communicating with the server device 2 via the network interface 31. The communication means 321 generates and transmits information that can be processed by the server device 2 in response to various operation signals received by the operation unit 34 from the touchpad 38. For example, the communication means 321 transmits account information, download request information for new game data, etc. to the server device 2. The communication means 321 also receives new game data, etc. sent from the server device 2 in response to the download request information.

The game execution means 322 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 36 (described later) or uses data received from the server device 2 in accordance with the operation of the touchpad 38 by the user of the game device 3, and generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information while executing the game program. As the game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 33, the processed game images are successively displayed on the display 37.

The game execution means 322 then places the character 371 on the game image in accordance with the operation of the user of the game device 3, and controls the behavior of the character 371 in the virtual game space in accordance with the user's operation and the progress of the game.

When playing a game, the notification control means 323 controls the display 37 and the audio output of the speaker 39 in response to operations by the user of the game device 3.

The storage unit 36 is composed of an HDD, RAM, ROM, SSD, etc. The storage unit 36 stores game data downloaded from the server device 2, various programs including parts of the game program, account information for the game device 3, etc.

<Operation flow of information processing system 1>
2 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of operations of the information processing system 1 in this embodiment. In the example shown below, a case where a user plays a fighting game using the game device 3 will be described.

When a user starts playing a fighting game on the game device 3, the game progression means 221 controls the progress of the game based on the user's operation input. Also, while the game is in progress or during a tutorial that explains how to operate the game, the explanation display means 222 displays explanations required for each of the multiple operations of the game on the display 37 of the game device 3 (step St101). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, guidance 372 is displayed on the display 37 for each operation, indicating which button on the touch pad 38 the user should press to cause the character 371 to perform a specific operation.

When the user performs a specific operation on the touch pad 38 along the guidance 372, the character 371 performs an action on the display 37 in response to the user's operation. For example, the character 371 moves in a specific direction or performs a specific action such as a specific special technique or combo technique. Specifically, in a specific game situation, when the accepted operation input matches a pre-stored operation list (command), the operation corresponding to the operation is executed (the corresponding motion is reproduced). The operation list (command) also includes special techniques and combo techniques that require multiple buttons to be input simultaneously or in combination within a predetermined period of time. Furthermore, if a specific operation is performed during these inputs (a cancel command is input), the reproduction of the motion (motion) corresponding to the operation input can be canceled. The storage means 223 stores information on the operation input by the user in the storage unit 23. In this way, the storage means 223 stores history information on the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation in the storage unit 23 for each user after the explanation is finished (step St102).

Thereafter, when the user is playing a fighting game with the game device 3, if the user's operation input corresponding to a predetermined operation (game situation) differs from the history information stored in the storage unit 23 ("YES" in step St103), the detection means 224 detects abnormal information (step St104). Specifically, (1) when the character 371 activates a special technique or combo technique, the user's input via the touchpad 38 is delayed by one or two frames (the total time required for input from start to finish is longer, or each input operation is delayed), or the reaction (start of operation input) to the enemy character's action (game situation) such as defense, evasive action, or counter attack is delayed (delay in operation decision under a specific game situation), or (2) the same operation as the history information cannot be performed under the same game situation, resulting in an operation error (for example, mistaking the operation of selling and combining a character, performing right and left operations in reverse during a battle, or moving up when the enemy is jumping during a battle). The detection means 224 detects abnormal information if (1) the operation is not identical to that in the historical information due to a reason such as (i) inputting a lower attack operation without inputting a upper attack operation, receiving an enemy attack without performing a defensive operation during an enemy attack during a match and thereby losing vitality parameters, or (2) being unable to activate a special technique or combo technique that requires multiple consecutive operation inputs during a match), or (3) matching a list of pre-stored examples of operation errors (for example, an error in which a special technique executed by inputting the operation inputs of the lever down, down right, right, and punch in that order results in a normal crouching punch motion, or an error in which a special technique that requires pressing punch and kick simultaneously results in a normal punch motion followed by a kick), the detection means 224 detects abnormal information. In addition, the detection means 224 also detects abnormal information when, (4) the attack button has weak, medium, and strong buttons (the attack power, motion speed, and gap (the time until the next operation is accepted) differ depending on whether the button is weak, medium, or strong), and the user makes a selection that puts the user at a disadvantage due to a mistake in the strength of the special move, or when the strong button is selected in a situation where a weak attack, which is a quick attack, is required, (5) a combo that does not use the special move gauge is selected in a situation where a special move gauge should be used to finish off the opponent, or (6) there is a technique in which it is better to do nothing (not to perform an additional attack operation) if the attack is guarded after hitting, and it is better to input a special move to make a combo if the attack hits, and the user is unable to distinguish between a hit and a guard. Note that examples of operation errors may be stored in advance, or examples of operation errors may be stored and updated by learning from the user's history information. In addition, when an operation that seems to be an oversight of a suggestion of the game situation to the user, such as displaying an effect or playing a sound effect, is performed, the detection means 224 detects visual abnormalities (including eye strain) and auditory abnormalities as abnormal information. Additionally, visual abnormalities may be determined based on the duration of game play, and hearing abnormalities may be determined based on the volume of the game.

To explain in more detail, for example, if a certain special technique or combo technique that was successfully activated 5 or more times out of 10 times during past game play (for example, the previous time of a division such as one battle, one round, or one quest) is activated only 4 or less times out of 10 times during the current game play and another operation is activated instead, the detection means 224 detects abnormal information. In another aspect, for example, for a certain special technique or combo technique that was successfully activated 50% or more times during the play of a specific game on the previous day, last week, or last year, the detection means 224 detects abnormal information if the rate at which the special technique or combo technique was activated during the play of the game today, this week, or this year is lower than 50%. The detection means 224 may also change the degree of abnormality taking into account the duration of the game play. Specifically, for example, if an abnormality occurs in play after the user has finished warming up after playing a few games, the degree of abnormality may be increased (i.e., the detection means 224 may adjust the criteria for judging abnormality information to detect it more strongly). Furthermore, the detection means 224 may change the degree of abnormality in consideration of the user's lifestyle and the time of day the game is played. For example, if the user is a night owl, game performance is better at night, so the detection means 224 will detect abnormality information even if a slight abnormality occurs in play. On the other hand, if the user is not good at mornings, the detection means 224 will not detect abnormality information even if a slight abnormality occurs while playing a game in the morning.

When the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the difficulty adjustment means 228 selectively lowers the difficulty of the game (step St105). For example, if the detection means 224 detects abnormal information only once, the difficulty adjustment means 228 does not lower the difficulty of the game, but if the detection means 224 detects abnormal information a predetermined number of times (e.g., five times), the difficulty adjustment means 228 lowers the difficulty of the game. Note that in this embodiment, even if the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the difficulty adjustment means 228 does not have to lower the difficulty of the game.

Furthermore, when the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the assistance means 225 causes the explanation display means 222 to re-display or additionally display an explanation (specifically, guidance 372) on the display 37 of the game device 3 (step St106). More specifically, during the game mode in which the detection means 224 detected the abnormal information, the assistance means 225 causes an explanation such as text or an image to be composited and displayed on the game screen. At this time, a window related to the explanation may be compositely displayed. This allows the user to perform a specific operation again on the touch pad 38 by following the guidance 372.

After that, if the user performs an operation input using the touchpad 38 based on the explanation re-displayed or additionally displayed on the display 37 ("YES" in step St107), the assistance means 225 prevents the explanation display means 222 from displaying the explanation re-displayed or additionally displayed (step St108). On the other hand, if an operation input based on the explanation re-displayed or additionally displayed on the display 37 is not performed using the touchpad 38 or if abnormal information is again detected by the detection means 224 regarding the operation input by the user, the guidance 372 continues to be displayed on the display 37 of the game device 3.

The user uses the touch pad 38 to input operations based on the explanation redisplayed or additionally displayed on the display 37, and the auxiliary means 225 prevents the explanation redisplayed or additionally displayed by the explanation display means 222 from being displayed, after which the user can select whether to continue or stop the game.

In summary, the program causes the computer (control unit 22) to function as an explanation display means 222, a storage means 223, a detection means 224, and an assistance means 225, and the explanation display means 222 displays the explanations required for the multiple operations of the game (application), and ends the corresponding explanation when the user performs an operation input based on each explanation. Furthermore, the storage means 223 stores, for each user after the explanation has been ended, history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation. Furthermore, the detection means 224 detects abnormal information when the user's operation input corresponding to a specified operation differs from the history information, and the assistance means 225 causes the explanation display means 222 to re-display or additionally display an explanation when the detection means 224 detects abnormal information.

＜Effects＞
According to this embodiment, the user can perform an action when the user's gaming skill that was once improved has deteriorated. Specifically, when deterioration in the user's gaming skill that was once improved is detected, the explanation display means 222 redisplays or additionally displays an explanation, so that the user can perform the operation again according to the explanation. This allows the explanation of an operation that the user has not actually mastered (did not remember how to operate, was successful in the tutorial but had a low success rate in the game afterwards, etc.) or a forgotten operation (has not been able to execute the corresponding operation in the game) to be redisplayed or additionally displayed on the display 37 of the game device 3. Also, explanations of operations that were not initially explained to the user can be additionally displayed on the display 37 of the game device 3.

Other Embodiments
The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the game that the user plays on the game device 3 is not limited to a fighting game. The game that the user plays on the game device 3 may be a sports game, an action game, a puzzle game, or the like. Furthermore, the game is not limited to a competitive game between players, but may be a cooperative game or a solo game. If the game that the user plays on the game device 3 is an action game, the detection means 224 detects abnormal information when the following operations are performed.

Specifically, when making the character 371 use a weapon or perform a physical technique, the detection means 224 detects abnormal information if the user's input via the touchpad 38 is delayed by one or two frames (input operation delay), the reaction to an enemy character, such as defense, evasive action, or counter attack, is slow (operation decision delay), an operation error (for example, a mistake between an attack operation and a defense operation, or a mistake between a movement operation and an item use operation, etc.), an item is used incorrectly (an item not appropriate for the game situation is used, such as using an item not necessary for battle during battle), the character gets lost in the field (does not reach the destination even after a specified time has passed, or is in the same area for a specified time), or the character does not take the shortest route to the destination (moves, but the movement route is not the shortest route). In other words, the detection means 224 detects abnormal information when it is detected that an appropriate operation is not being performed for a specific game situation.

To explain in more detail, the detection means 224 detects abnormal information when, for example, after a motion is played back with a weapon, a state in which a cancel operation cannot be performed for an action that has an opening (so-called stiffness that does not accept operational input) continues for a predetermined number of times, or a time continues for a predetermined number of times in which a part of an enemy character that should be targeted with a weapon (a part where the degree of damage or additional effects differ depending on the characteristics of the weapon) cannot be attacked against that part, a defensive operation is performed a predetermined number of times with a weapon that cannot be defended against, an abnormal status item is used against an enemy character against which abnormal status items are ineffective, or an operation is performed to circle the same place without moving closer to the destination.

In addition, the detection means 224 may detect abnormal information not only when the operation input itself performed by the user through the touch pad 38 is different from the history information stored in the storage unit 23. For example, the detection means 224 may detect abnormal information when a time period during which a game with the same title (for example, so-called numbered titles such as Game A ver. 1, Game A ver. 2, Game A ver. 3, or titles with updates, or games of the same genre such as fighting games) with a part (preferably the majority) of the operation method is not played for a predetermined time or more, or when a time period during which a game including a different title, not limited to the same title, is not played for a predetermined time or more. In this case, too, the explanation of the operation that the user has forgotten due to not playing for a long time can be redisplayed or additionally displayed on the display 37 of the game device 3. Note that which game the user is playing, the play time, the play date and time, etc. are stored in the storage unit 23.

The present invention is not limited to causing the explanation display means 222 to re-display or additionally display an explanation on the display 37 of the game device 3 when the detection means 224 detects abnormal information while the user is playing a game on the game device 3. The present invention also includes causing the explanation display means 222 to re-display or additionally display an explanation on the display, etc. of the user terminal when abnormal information is detected, such as an input speed being slower than in past history information or a rate of input errors being higher than in past history information, while the user is operating an application other than a game (e.g., business software) on a user terminal such as a personal computer.

Furthermore, when the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the assistance means 225 may switch to a screen other than the screen on which the game is being played (e.g., a training mode screen) and cause the explanation display means 222 to re-display or additionally display the explanation on this other screen. At this time, the game screen may disappear from the display 37 of the game device 3 and transition to another screen, or the game screen may shrink and re-display or additionally display the explanation such as text or images in the vacant space. At this time, the screen of the display 37 may also be divided.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to an embodiment in which, when the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the explanation display means 222 redisplays or additionally displays an explanation on the display 37 of the game device 3. Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

Figure 3 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of a series of operations by the information processing system 1. Another example of such a series of operations is described below.

When the user starts playing the game on the game device 3, the game progression means 221 controls the progress of the game based on the user's operational input (step St201).

In addition, when the user performs a specific operation on the touch pad 38 while the game is in progress or during a tutorial that explains how to operate the game, following the guidance 372, the character 371 performs an action on the display 37 corresponding to the operation by the user. Furthermore, the storage means 223 stores information on the operation input by the user in the storage unit 23. In this way, after the explanation is completed, the storage means 223 stores operation input history information corresponding to each operation for each user in the storage unit 23 (step St202).

The detection means 224 compares the user's operation input corresponding to a predetermined operation with the history information stored in the memory unit 23, and judges the user's performance based on the comparison result (step St203). The notification means 227 then notifies the user of the judged user's performance (step St204). The notified user's performance is displayed on the display 37 of the game device 3. This allows the user playing the game to recognize his or her own performance. Here, performance is a parameter that indicates the accuracy (skill) of the user's game operation (judgment). It is a parameter that indicates whether the performance is improved or deteriorated compared to the history information, based on the result of comparing the current operation input with the history information.

Furthermore, if the detection means 224 determines that the user's performance is declining, the explanation display means 222 displays support information corresponding to this performance on the display 37 of the game device 3. The support information includes the explanation of the specified operation itself, a button for displaying the explanation, a practice mode screen, a button for transitioning to practice mode, advice for the user, a difficulty level change button, etc. Advice for the user includes a message encouraging the user to take a rest, a message encouraging the user to lower the difficulty level, etc.

By displaying support information on the display 37 of the game device 3 by the explanation display means 222, the user can become aware of a decline in his/her performance and take action to address it. For example, by looking at the explanation displayed on the display 37, the user can perform an operation input corresponding to a specified operation, practice a specified operation, or lower the difficulty level of the game. This allows the user to play a game that matches his/her current performance, or improve his/her declining performance by improving his/her condition or by practicing, etc.

When the game whose progress is being controlled by the game progress means 221 is a single-player game ("NO" in step St205), if a decline in the user's performance is detected ("YES" in step St206), the difficulty level adjustment means 228 selectively lowers the difficulty level of the game (step St207). This allows even a user with reduced gaming skills to play the game more easily.

In addition, when the game whose progress is being controlled by the game progress means 221 is a cooperative multiplayer game ("NO" in step St205), the notification means 227 transmits the determined user's performance to the game devices 5 of other users (fellow users) playing the multiplayer game, and notifies these other users (step St208). Specifically, the determined user's performance is displayed on the display of the game devices 5 of the other users. This allows each user to recognize the performance of other users playing the multiplayer game (cooperative play).

Furthermore, if the detection means 224 detects a decline in a user's performance while the multiplayer game is in progress ("YES" in step St209), the explanation display means 222 displays an explanation on the display 37 of the game devices 3 and 5 of each user playing the multiplayer game that allows the user playing the game to be changed from the user with the decline in performance to another user (step St210). Here, the explanation that allows the user to be changed to another user includes a display encouraging the user to change and a display of a change button. This makes it possible to replace a user with a decline in performance in a multiplayer game with another user. This makes it possible to select a user to play the multiplayer game (cooperative play) and to play the game by formulating a game strategy corresponding to that user. Note that this performance can also detect that a user other than the user based on the historical information is playing.

In addition, in a fighting game that is executed by connecting game device 3 and game device 5, when a decline in the performance of a user playing the game on game device 3 is detected by detection means 224, the performance of this user may be transmitted to the game device 5 of an opponent user and notified to this user. This allows the user playing the fighting game to recognize the performance of the opponent.

In addition, when a spectator (commentator) different from the user is watching the content of a game played by the user on the game device 3 using his/her own game device, a terminal such as a personal computer, and the detection means 224 detects a decline in the user's performance, the user's performance may be transmitted to the spectator's terminal and notified to the spectator. For example, when a spectator is providing commentary on a video distribution service or the like, the commentator can recognize the performance of the user playing the game and can reflect this in the content of the commentary.

In addition, if the detection means 224 detects a decline in the user's performance, the performance of the user playing the game may be notified to the terminals of spectators watching the live broadcast via a video distribution service, etc.

In addition, when a user's performance is notified to other users (opponents, fellow players in a multiplayer game, commentators, spectators, etc.) other than the user, the notification level (degree) of the change in performance notified to the user playing the game may be different from the notification level (degree) of the change in performance notified to other users. Specifically, the user whose performance has declined may be notified even if there is only a slight decline in performance, but other users may only be notified if the degree of decline in performance is significant.

In summary, the program causes the computer (control unit 22) to function as game progression means 221, storage means 223, detection means 224, and notification means 227, and the game progression means 221 controls the progress of the game based on user operation input. The storage means 223 also stores historical information of user operation inputs corresponding to each operation for each user, and the detection means 224 compares the user operation input corresponding to a specified operation with the historical information and judges the user's performance based on the comparison result. The notification means 227 then notifies the user of the user's performance judged by the detection means 224.

＜Effects＞
The program and information processing system 1 that perform the series of operations shown in Fig. 3 can also perform operations to correct a decline in the user's game skill that was once improved. Specifically, the determined performance of the user is notified based on the result of comparing the user's operation input corresponding to a predetermined operation with the history information, so that the notified person can recognize the user's performance. This allows the user playing the game and other users (opponents, friends in a multiplayer game, etc.) to know the user's current condition (performance).

In addition, in a program or information processing system 1 that performs the series of operations shown in FIG. 3, when the detection means 224 detects an improvement in a user's performance while a multiplayer game is in progress, the notification means 227 may notify the user of the improvement in performance by transmitting the improvement to the user's game device 3 and to the game devices 5 of other users (fellow users).

For example, if the detection means 224 detects an improvement in a user's performance while a multiplayer game is in progress, the explanation display means 222 may display an explanation on the display 37 of the game devices 3, 5 of each user playing the multiplayer game, which makes it possible to change the user playing the game to the user whose performance has improved, or to create a game strategy that makes use of that user. On the other hand, if the performance of an opponent user improves, the user playing the game is notified of the opponent user's improved performance, so that the user can prepare for this and play the game accordingly, or avoid playing against this user.

In addition, the change in the user's performance detected by the detection means 224 may be displayed in real time as a numerical value or a graph on the display 37 of each user's game device 3, 5. In this way, for example, in a multiplayer game in which users can be switched during the game, the user can be switched by watching the change in performance during the game (for example, during a match in a sports game, or during a quest in an action game). The change in performance may be displayed on the display 37 of each user's game device 3, 5 by changing the text of the character itself or the user's name (for example, changing the facial expression or changing the motion), or by adding an effect (changing the color, etc.). For example, if the sports game is baseball, the performance can be judged by whether the user who operates the pitcher character is pitching within the strike zone (preferably on the edge of the zone) or whether the user who operates the batter character is accurately aligning the bat cursor with the position of the ball. In addition, if the action game uses a gun, the performance can be judged by whether the bullet fired accurately hits the object (hit rate).

Figure 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the flow of a series of operations by the information processing system 1. Another example of such a series of operations is described below.

When the user starts playing the game on the game device 3, the game progression means 221 controls the progress of the game based on the user's operational input (step St301).

In addition, when the user performs a specific operation on the touch pad 38 while the game is in progress or during a tutorial that explains how to operate the game, following the guidance 372, the character 371 performs an action on the display 37 in response to the user's operation. The storage means 223 also stores information on the operation input by the user in the storage unit 23. In this way, after the explanation is completed, the storage means 223 stores operation input history information corresponding to each operation for each user in the storage unit 23 (step St302).

After that, when the user is playing the fighting game using the game device 3, if the user's operation input corresponding to a specific operation differs from the history information stored in the memory unit 23 ("YES" in step St303), the detection means 224 detects abnormal information (step St304).

When the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the confirmation means 226 causes the user to actually perform a confirmation operation related to the abnormal information (step St305). The confirmation operation may be a predetermined operation itself corresponding to the operation input of the user in which the abnormal information was detected, or may be an operation other than the predetermined operation.

Specifically, the explanation display means 222 re-displays or additionally displays on the display 37 of the game device 3 an explanation of a predetermined operation corresponding to the operation input of the user for which the abnormality information was detected, and has the user perform a confirmation action for this operation. Then, when the user performs an operation input based on the explanation re-displayed or additionally displayed on the display 37 using the touch pad 38, if this operation input is substantially identical to the history information, an abnormality related to the abnormality information is denied. On the other hand, if the user is unable to perform the predetermined operation corresponding to the operation input of the user for which the abnormality information was detected even through a confirmation action, or if the operation input differs from the history information, an abnormality related to the abnormality information is confirmed.

As another aspect, the game device 3 may perform a test to test the user's reaction (such as a test of the accuracy of the operation input and the reaction speed in response to the displayed operation instructions). If the reaction speed of the user in such a test is lower than a predetermined threshold, the abnormality related to the abnormality information is confirmed.

The confirmation action is not limited to being performed by the game device 3. For example, a message such as "Please check if you can stand on one leg for 10 seconds" may be displayed on the display 37 of the game device 3 to the user, and the confirmation action may then be performed by the user inputting an answer to a message displayed on the display 37 saying "Did you manage it? YES/NO." Alternatively, the user may be photographed by a camera connected to the game device 3, and the confirmation action may be evaluated.

If the confirmation operation confirms that there is an abnormality related to the abnormality information ("YES" in step St306), the notification means 227 notifies the user of the abnormality information (step St307). Specifically, information that the user's performance is declining is displayed on the display 37 of the user's game device 3. In addition, progress of the game by the game progression means 221 is restricted (step St308). The notification means 227 also transmits the notification of the abnormality information to a third party terminal other than the user's game device 3. For example, the abnormality information is notified to the terminal of the user's family doctor. This allows the family doctor to recognize the user's abnormality (for example, symptoms of dementia, etc.).

In addition, when an abnormality related to the abnormality information is confirmed, instead of restricting the progress of the game by the game progression means 221, the user is permitted to continue playing the currently played game until a predetermined milestone (until the outcome or success/failure of the current play is determined, until the game progresses to a state where an auto-save occurs, or until the game is interrupted or logged off, etc.), but the game progression means 221 may restrict game play thereafter.

After the abnormality related to the abnormality information is confirmed and the game progression by the game progression means 221 is restricted, if information is input via a third party that no abnormality has occurred in the operation input ("YES" in step St309), the restriction on the game progression by the game progression means 221 is lifted (step St310). For example, when the user's symptoms improve, a third party such as the user's family doctor may lift the restriction on the game progression (for example, by entering the user's ID on a dedicated lifting screen), thereby allowing the user to play the game again.

Furthermore, as a result of the above-mentioned confirmation operation, the confirmation means 226 determines the user's operation input for the operation, and if it is within a predetermined normal value, the notification means 227 does not notify abnormal information and does not restrict the progress of the game by the game progress means 221 ("NO" in step St306). Here, in the confirmation operation, when the user performs an operation input based on the explanation re-displayed or additionally displayed on the display 37 using the touchpad 38, even if this operation input is somewhat inferior to the history information, if the degree of difference is smaller than a predetermined threshold, the notification means 227 does not notify abnormal information.

In summary, the program causes the computer (control unit 22) to function as game progression means 221, storage means 223, detection means 224, confirmation means 226, and notification means 227, and the game progression means 221 controls the progress of the game based on the user's operational input. The storage means 223 also stores historical information of user's operational input corresponding to each operation for each user, and the detection means 224 detects abnormal information when the user's operational input corresponding to a predetermined operation differs from the historical information. When the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the confirmation means 226 causes the user to perform a confirmation operation related to the abnormal information, and the notification means 227 notifies the abnormal information when the confirmation operation by the confirmation means 226 confirms an abnormality related to the abnormal information.

＜Effects＞
4 and the information processing system 1, a checking operation can be performed for a decline in the game skill that the user had once improved. This can increase the accuracy of detecting an abnormal state. In addition, when the detection means 224 detects abnormal information, the user can be made to practice the operation in which the abnormality occurs.

In addition, in the various aspects described above, the storage means 223 is not limited to storing historical information of user operation inputs in the storage unit 23. The storage unit 223 may store historical information of user operation inputs in a storage device or a cloud storage service provided separately from the server device 2. In this case, when the detection means 224 detects abnormal information or performance, the control unit 22 reads historical information of user operation inputs from an external storage device or a cloud storage service, and uses the read historical information.

1 Information processing system 22 Control unit (computer)
221 Game progression means (game progression section)
222 Explanation display means (explanation display unit)
223 Storage means 224 Detection means (detection unit)
225 Auxiliary means (auxiliary part)
226 Confirmation means (confirmation unit)
227 Notification means (notification section)
228 Difficulty level adjustment means (difficulty level adjustment section)

Claims (6)

A program that causes a computer to function as an explanation display means, a storage means, a detection means, and an assistance means,
the explanation display means displays an explanation required for each of a plurality of operations of the application, and ends the corresponding explanation when the user performs an operation input based on each of the explanations;
the storage means stores history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation for each user after the explanation is finished,
the detection means detects abnormality information when the operation input of the user corresponding to the predetermined operation is different from the history information;
The assistance means is a program that, when the detection means detects the abnormality information, causes the explanation display means to re-display or additionally display the explanation. The program according to claim 1, wherein the assistance means causes the explanation display means to re-display or additionally display the explanation on the screen on which the application is being executed when the detection means detects the abnormality information. The program according to claim 1, wherein the assistance means, when the detection means detects the abnormality information, switches to a screen other than the screen on which the application is being executed and causes the explanation display means to redisplay or additionally display the explanation. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the assistance means causes the explanation display means to re-display or additionally display the explanation, and then causes the explanation display means to stop displaying the explanation that was re-displayed or additionally displayed by performing an operation input based on the explanation. the application is a game application,
The program further causes the computer to function as difficulty level adjustment means,
5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the difficulty level adjustment means lowers the difficulty level of the game when the detection means detects the abnormality information. an explanation display unit that displays an explanation required for each of a plurality of operations of the application and terminates the corresponding explanation when the user performs an operation input based on the explanation;
a storage unit that stores history information of the operation input by the user corresponding to each operation for each user after the explanation is finished;
a detection unit that detects abnormality information when the operation input of the user corresponding to the predetermined operation is different from the history information;
an auxiliary unit that causes the explanation display unit to re-display or additionally display the explanation when the detection unit detects the abnormality information;
An information processing system comprising:

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