Game pathfinding method and device, electronic equipment and machine readable storage medium

Abstract

The application provides a game path searching method, device, electronic equipment and machine readable storage medium. The game path searching method comprises: acquiring map data, the map data comprising at least two layers of map layers stacked in up and down directions, and the two layers of map layers being connected with each other and having a connection area therebetween; in response to a received path searching instruction, acquiring a starting point and a target point of path searching; judging whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtaining a judgment result; based on the judgment result being no, acquiring a transition point located in the connection area between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located; acquiring a first path from the starting point to the transition point and a second path from the transition point to the target point according to a preset path searching algorithm; and splicing the first path and the second path to obtain a path searching path from the starting point to the target point. The game path searching method of the embodiment of the application can effectively search a path on map data comprising at least two layers of map layers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of computers, and in particular to a game pathfinding method, apparatus, electronic device, and machine-readable storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] In existing 2D games, map data typically consists of only one map layer. Although the visuals can display buildings and varying heights in three dimensions, logically, virtual objects still move within the same map layer. The corresponding pathfinding methods are also designed for pathfinding within a single map layer.

[0003] When the game's map data includes at least two map layers, existing game pathfinding methods are insufficient for pathfinding on that map data. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a game pathfinding method, apparatus, electronic device and machine-readable storage medium, which can effectively realize pathfinding on map data including at least two map layers.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a game pathfinding method, comprising: acquiring map data, the map data including at least two overlapping map layers, each map layer including a walkable area accessible by a virtual object, two interconnected map layers having a connecting area, and the walkable areas of two interconnected map layers both including the connecting area; in response to a received pathfinding instruction, acquiring a starting point and a target point; determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtaining a determination result; based on the determination result being negative, acquiring a transition point located in the connecting area between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located; acquiring a first path from the starting point to the transition point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, acquiring a second path from the transition point to the target point; and obtaining a pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point by concatenating the first path and the second path.

[0006] According to the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the step of acquiring map data includes: for each pair of interconnected map layers, acquiring all the connection areas between the two map layers; determining a plurality of link points in at least one of the connection areas; and obtaining a set of link points between the two interconnected map layers based on all the link points of all the connection areas between the two map layers.

[0007] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the step of obtaining the transition point of the connection area located between the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located includes: obtaining the set of link points between the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point; and determining a link point from the set of link points as the transition point.

[0008] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the step of determining a link point from the set of link points as the transition point includes: randomly determining a link point from the set of link points as the transition point using a random function.

[0009] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the step of determining a link point from the set of link points as the transition point includes: for each link point in the set of link points, obtaining a first reference path from the starting point to the link point and a second reference path from the link point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm; concatenating the first reference path and the second reference path corresponding to each link point to obtain a pathfinding reference path corresponding to each link point; and determining the link point corresponding to the pathfinding reference path with the shortest path as the transition point.

[0010] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer and obtaining a determination result includes: obtaining the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point; determining whether the feature values ​​of the map layer where the starting point is located are the same as the feature values ​​of the map layer where the target point is located, and obtaining a determination result.

[0011] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the basic data of the starting point and the target point include the map layer data in which they are located.

[0012] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the at least two map layers include a first map layer and a second map layer, with the second map layer overlaid on the first map layer. The step of obtaining the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point includes: obtaining coordinate information of a specified point, wherein the specified point is the starting point or the target point; determining whether the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer based on the coordinate information of the specified point; if the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, determining the map layer where the specified point is located as the second map layer; if the specified point is outside the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, determining the map layer where the specified point is located as the first map layer.

[0013] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, there is a preset overlap area between the map layers of different layers. The step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer and obtaining the determination result includes: obtaining the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point; if it is determined based on the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point that the starting point and the target point are located in the same preset overlap area, then it is determined that the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer.

[0014] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the steps of obtaining a first path from the starting point to the transition point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, and obtaining a second path from the transition point to the target point, include: obtaining a preset pathfinding algorithm for pathfinding in a single map layer; obtaining a first path from the starting point to the transition point in the map layer where the starting point is located according to the preset pathfinding algorithm; and obtaining a second path from the transition point to the target point in the map layer where the transition point is located according to the preset pathfinding algorithm.

[0015] According to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the game pathfinding method further includes: based on the determination result being yes, obtaining a pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, wherein the preset pathfinding algorithm is used for pathfinding in a single map layer.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention provide a game pathfinding device, comprising: a map acquisition module for acquiring map data, the map data including at least two overlapping map layers, each map layer including a walkable area accessible to a virtual object, and a connection area between two interconnected map layers, wherein the walkable areas of the two interconnected map layers both include the connection area; a pathfinding instruction receiving module for acquiring a starting point and a target point in response to a received pathfinding instruction; a map layer judgment module for judging whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtaining a judgment result; a transition point acquisition module for acquiring a transition point located in the connection area between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located, based on the judgment result being negative; a path acquisition module for acquiring a first path from the starting point to the transition point and a second path from the transition point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm; and a path splicing module for splicing the first path and the second path to obtain a pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point.

[0017] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor, and the processor executes the machine-executable instructions to implement a game pathfinding method according to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0018] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a machine-readable storage medium, characterized in that the machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions, which, when invoked and executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement a game pathfinding method according to any of the foregoing embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0019] According to embodiments of the present invention, the game pathfinding method, apparatus, electronic device, and machine-readable storage medium include map data comprising at least two overlapping map layers, with a connection zone between the interconnected map layers. Upon receiving a pathfinding instruction, it is determined whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are on the same map layer. If the determination result is no, i.e., the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, a transition point located in the connection zone between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located is obtained. After obtaining the transition point, a first path from the starting point to the transition point is obtained according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, and a second path from the transition point to the target point is obtained. Then, the pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point is obtained by concatenating the first path and the second path. Therefore, when the map data comprises at least two overlapping map layers, the above-described game pathfinding method can meet the pathfinding requirements when the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, effectively realizing pathfinding on map data comprising at least two map layers, thereby enriching the game experience.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. The objects and other advantages of the invention are realized and obtained in accordance with the structures particularly pointed out in the description, claims and drawings.

[0021] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 A flowchart of a game pathfinding method provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of obtaining map data in a game pathfinding method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the map data interface in a game pathfinding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the interface of the first map layer in a game pathfinding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the interface of the second map layer in a game pathfinding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the interface for determining map data after link points in a game pathfinding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the interface of map data with a preset overlapping area in a game pathfinding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a game pathfinding device provided in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a structural block diagram of an electronic device provided in one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] In existing 2D games, map data typically consists of only one map layer. Although the visuals can display buildings and varying heights in three dimensions, logically, virtual objects still move within the same map layer. The corresponding pathfinding methods are also designed for pathfinding within a single map layer.

[0034] Some 2D games use artistic techniques like shadows, occlusion, and transparency to create a more three-dimensional effect. Others use different map layers to switch between them, such as entering one map scene at the top and another at the bottom. These methods are difficult to implement for some gameplay mechanics, such as scenes that require different map layers to be displayed as a whole, or scenes where the upper and lower map layers are traversable.

[0035] When the game's map data includes at least two map layers, existing game pathfinding methods are insufficient for pathfinding on that map data.

[0036] Based on this, the present invention provides a game pathfinding method, device, electronic device and machine-readable storage medium, which is applicable to 2D games and can effectively realize pathfinding on map data including at least two map layers.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the game pathfinding method can run on a local terminal device (touch-enabled or non-touch-enabled client device) or a server. When the game pathfinding method runs on a server, the method can be implemented and executed based on a cloud interaction system, wherein the cloud interaction system includes a server and a client device.

[0038] In some alternative implementations, various cloud applications, such as cloud gaming, can run under the cloud interaction system. Taking cloud gaming as an example, cloud gaming refers to a gaming method based on cloud computing. In the cloud gaming operating mode, the game program and the game screen presentation are separated. The storage and execution of the game pathfinding method are completed on the cloud gaming server. The client device is used for data reception, transmission, and game screen presentation. For example, the client device can be a display device with data transmission capabilities located close to the user, such as a mobile terminal, television, computer, or PDA; however, the information processing is performed by the cloud gaming server in the cloud. When playing the game, the player operates the client device to send operation commands to the cloud gaming server. The cloud gaming server runs the game according to the operation commands, encodes and compresses the game screen and other data, returns it to the client device via the network, and finally, the client device decodes and outputs the game screen.

[0039] In some alternative implementations, taking a game as an example, the local terminal device stores the game program and is used to display the game screen. The local terminal device is used to interact with the player through a graphical user interface (GUI), i.e., conventionally downloading, installing, and running the game program via an electronic device. The local terminal device can provide the GUI to the player in various ways, such as rendering it on the terminal's display screen or providing it to the player via holographic projection. For example, the local terminal device can include a display screen for displaying the GUI, which includes game screens, and a processor for running the game, generating the GUI, and controlling the display of the GUI on the display screen.

[0040] In one possible implementation, this invention provides a game pathfinding method that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) via a terminal device. The terminal device can be either a local terminal device (as mentioned above) or a client device within a cloud interaction system (as mentioned above). This GUI provides a graphical user interface that displays interface content based on the type of application being launched, such as game scene visuals, communication interaction windows, game map data, etc.

[0041] To facilitate understanding of this embodiment, a game pathfinding method disclosed in this embodiment of the invention will first be described in detail. Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a game pathfinding method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the game pathfinding method includes steps S110 to S160.

[0042] In step S110, map data is acquired. The map data includes at least two overlapping map layers. Each map layer includes a walkable area that a virtual object can move to. There is a connection area between two interconnected map layers. The walkable areas of two interconnected map layers both include the connection area.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a game pathfinding method for obtaining map data according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, step S110 of obtaining map data includes steps S111 to S113.

[0044] In step S111, for each pair of interconnected map layers, all connection areas between the two map layers are obtained.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the map data interface in a game pathfinding method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, at least two map layers include a first map layer ML1 and a second map layer ML2, which are interconnected. Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the interface of the first map layer ML1 in a game pathfinding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the interface of the second map layer ML2 in a game pathfinding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 3 to 5 The walkable areas of the first map layer ML1 and the second map layer ML2 that are interconnected both include the connecting area CA.

[0046] In this embodiment, the map data includes two map layers as an example. In other embodiments, the map data may also include three, four, or other map layers.

[0047] In step S112, multiple link points CP are determined in at least one connection region CA. In this embodiment, multiple link points CP are determined in each connection region CA.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the map data after determining the link point CP in a game pathfinding method provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] In step S113, based on all the link points CP of the entire connection area CA between the two map layers, the set of link points between the two interconnected map layers is obtained.

[0050] like Figure 1 In step S120, in response to the received pathfinding instruction, the starting point and target point of the pathfinding are obtained.

[0051] In step S130, it is determined whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and the determination result is obtained.

[0052] In some embodiments, the step S130 of determining whether the starting point location layer and the target point location layer are the same map layer and obtaining the determination result includes: obtaining the starting point location layer and the target point location layer based on the starting point and the target point; determining whether the feature values ​​of the starting point location layer and the target point location layer are the same, and obtaining the determination result.

[0053] In some optional implementations, the basic data of the starting point and the target point includes the map layer data of their respective locations. In this case, since the basic data of the starting point and the target point includes the map layer data of their respective locations, the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located can be directly obtained. According to the above implementation, this can be used, for example, for the following route finding requirement: finding a route from the starting point located in the first map layer ML1 to the target point located in the second map layer ML2.

[0054] In some optional implementations, at least two map layers include a first map layer ML1 and a second map layer ML2, with the second map layer ML2 overlaid on top of the first map layer ML1. In this case, the steps described above for obtaining the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer based on the starting point and target point can include: obtaining the coordinate information of a specified point, where the specified point is either the starting point or the target point; determining whether the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer ML2 based on the coordinate information; if the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer ML2, determining that the location layer of the specified point is the second map layer ML2; if the specified point is outside the walkable area of ​​the second map layer ML2, determining that the location layer of the specified point is the first map layer ML1. According to the above implementation, this can be used, for example, for the following pathfinding needs: players click on the game map to determine the target point of a virtual character, thus navigating the virtual character.

[0055] In some alternative implementations, there is a pre-defined overlap area between different map layers. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the interface of map data with a preset overlapping area in a game pathfinding method provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, at least two map layers include a first map layer ML1 and a second map layer ML2. The second map layer ML2 is superimposed on the first map layer ML1. There is a preset overlapping area OA between the first map layer ML1 and the second map layer ML2. The first map layer ML1 and the second map layer ML2 are connected to each other. The step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer and obtaining the determination result may include: obtaining the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point; if it is determined based on the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point that the starting point and the target point are located in the same preset overlapping area OA, then it is determined that the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer.

[0056] In the above embodiments, auxiliary processing can be performed on the preset overlap area OA. For example, the occlusion determination of the first map layer ML1 can be marked for the preset overlap area OA. When the virtual object moves to the first map layer ML1 and is located in the preset overlap area OA, the transparency of the virtual object is set to a preset transparency, for example, the transparency of the virtual object is set to 30%. When the virtual object moves to the second map layer ML2 and is located in the preset overlap area OA, the virtual object is set to opaque.

[0057] like Figure 1 In step S130, it is determined whether the map layers of the starting point and the target point are the same, and a determination result is obtained. Then, in step S140, based on the determination result being negative, the transition point of the connection area CA located between the map layers of the starting point and the target point is obtained.

[0058] In some embodiments, a set of link points between two interconnected map layers can be obtained. Step S140, obtaining the transition point of the connection zone CA between the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer, may include: obtaining a set of link points between the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer based on the starting point and the target point; and determining a link point CP from the set of link points as a transition point.

[0059] Optionally, the step of determining a link point CP from the set of link points as a transition point includes: randomly determining a link point CP from the set of link points as a transition point using a random function.

[0060] Optionally, a greedy strategy can be used to select the link point CP with the shortest path as the transition point. That is, the step of determining a link point CP as the transition point from the set of link points includes: for each link point CP in the set of link points, obtaining a first reference path from the starting point to the link point CP and a second reference path from the link point CP to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm; concatenating the first reference path and the second reference path corresponding to each link point CP to obtain the pathfinding reference path corresponding to each link point CP; and determining the link point CP corresponding to the pathfinding reference path with the shortest path as the transition point.

[0061] In other embodiments, the method of determining a link point CP as a transition point from the set of link points is not limited to the above examples, and may also be other methods.

[0062] In step S150, a first path from the starting point to the transition point is obtained according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, and a second path from the transition point to the target point is obtained.

[0063] In some embodiments, step S150 of obtaining a first path from a starting point to a transition point and a second path from a transition point to a target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm includes: obtaining a preset pathfinding algorithm for pathfinding in a single map layer; obtaining a first path from the starting point to the transition point in the map layer where the starting point is located according to the preset pathfinding algorithm; and obtaining a second path from the transition point to the target point in the map layer where the transition point is located according to the preset pathfinding algorithm.

[0064] The preset pathfinding algorithm mentioned above can be any pathfinding algorithm used for pathfinding in a single map layer. For example, the preset pathfinding algorithm is the A* algorithm or the B* algorithm.

[0065] In step S160, the path from the starting point to the target point is obtained by concatenating the first path and the second path. Thus, even when the map layers of the starting point and the target point are not on the same map layer, a path from the starting point to the target point has been obtained.

[0066] like Figure 1In some embodiments, the game pathfinding method further includes step S170, in which, based on the judgment result being yes, a pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point is obtained according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, wherein the preset pathfinding algorithm is used for pathfinding in a single map layer.

[0067] According to the game pathfinding method of this invention, the map data includes at least two overlapping map layers, with a connection zone (CA) between the two interconnected map layers. Upon receiving a pathfinding instruction, it is determined whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are on the same map layer. If the determination result is no, i.e., the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, a transition point located in the connection zone (CA) between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located is obtained. After obtaining the transition point, a first path from the starting point to the transition point is obtained according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, and a second path from the transition point to the target point is obtained. Then, the pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point is obtained by concatenating the first path and the second path. Therefore, when the map data includes at least two overlapping map layers, the above-described game pathfinding method can meet the pathfinding requirements when the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, effectively realizing pathfinding on map data including at least two map layers, thereby enriching the game experience.

[0068] The game pathfinding method of this invention can be easily integrated into existing games, requiring minimal modifications to the existing game system functionality. When modifying existing games, the original map data format can be used, and any additional auxiliary data only needs to be processed separately. No major changes are needed in the production process, thus improving the efficiency of updating the game system.

[0069] This invention also provides a game pathfinding device. Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a game pathfinding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game pathfinding device includes a map acquisition module 110, a pathfinding instruction receiving module 120, a map layer judgment module 130, a transition point acquisition module 140, a path acquisition module 150, and a path splicing module 160.

[0070] The map acquisition module 110 is used to acquire map data, which includes at least two overlapping map layers. Each map layer includes a walkable area that a virtual object can move to. There is a connection area between two interconnected map layers, and the walkable areas of two interconnected map layers both include the connection area.

[0071] The routing instruction receiving module 120 is used to respond to the received routing instruction and obtain the starting point and target point of the routing. The map layer judgment module 130 is used to determine whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtain the judgment result. The transition point acquisition module 140 is used to obtain the transition point located in the connection area between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located, based on whether the judgment result is negative. The path acquisition module 150 is used to obtain a first path from the starting point to the transition point and a second path from the transition point to the target point according to a preset routing algorithm. The path stitching module 160 is used to obtain the routing path from the starting point to the target point by stitching the first path and the second path.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the game pathfinding device of the present invention, the map acquisition module 110 acquires map data including at least two overlapping map layers, with a connection area between the two interconnected map layers. After the pathfinding instruction receiving module 120 receives the pathfinding instruction, the map layer judgment module 130 determines whether the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer are the same map layer. If the judgment result is no, that is, the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, the transition point acquisition module 140 acquires the transition point located in the connection area between the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer. After acquiring the transition point, the path acquisition module 150 acquires a first path from the starting point to the transition point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, acquires a second path from the transition point to the target point, and then the path stitching module 160 stitches the first path and the second path together to obtain the pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point. Therefore, when the map data includes at least two overlapping map layers, the above-mentioned game pathfinding device can meet the pathfinding requirements when the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, effectively realizing pathfinding on map data including at least two map layers, thereby enriching the game experience.

[0073] In some embodiments, the map acquisition module 110 includes a connection area acquisition unit, a link point determination unit, and a link point set acquisition unit. The connection area acquisition unit acquires all connection areas between two interconnected map layers. The link point determination unit determines multiple link points within at least one connection area. The link point set acquisition unit obtains a link point set between two interconnected map layers based on all link points in all connection areas between the two map layers.

[0074] In some embodiments, the transition point acquisition module 140 is configured to: acquire a set of link points between the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located, based on the starting point and the target point; and determine a link point from the set of link points as a transition point.

[0075] Optionally, the transition point acquisition module 140 is configured to randomly determine a link point as a transition point from the set of link points using a random function.

[0076] Optionally, the transition point acquisition module 140 is configured to: for each link point in the link point set, obtain a first reference path from the starting point to the link point and a second reference path from the link point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm; concatenate the first reference path and the second reference path corresponding to each link point to obtain a pathfinding reference path corresponding to each link point; and determine the link point corresponding to the shortest pathfinding reference path as the transition point.

[0077] In some embodiments, the map layer determination module 130 is configured to: obtain the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point; determine whether the feature values ​​of the map layer where the starting point is located are the same as the feature values ​​of the map layer where the target point is located, and obtain the determination result.

[0078] Optionally, the basic data for the starting point and the target point includes the map layer data they belong to. In this case, the map layer determination module 130 directly obtains the determination result through the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located.

[0079] Optionally, at least two map layers include a first map layer and a second map layer, with the second map layer overlaid on top of the first map layer. In this case, the map layer determination module 130 is configured to: obtain the coordinate information of a specified point, where the specified point is either a starting point or a target point; determine whether the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer based on the coordinate information of the specified point; if the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, determine that the map layer where the specified point is located is the second map layer; if the specified point is outside the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, determine that the map layer where the specified point is located is the first map layer.

[0080] Optionally, there is a preset overlap area between different map layers. In this case, the map layer determination module 130 is configured to: obtain the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point; if it is determined based on the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point that the starting point and the target point are located in the same preset overlap area, then the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are determined to be the same map layer.

[0081] In some embodiments, the path acquisition module 150 is configured to: acquire a preset pathfinding algorithm for pathfinding in a single map layer; acquire a first path from the starting point to the transition point in the map layer where the starting point is located, according to the preset pathfinding algorithm; and acquire a second path from the transition point to the target point in the map layer where the transition point is located, according to the preset pathfinding algorithm.

[0082] In some embodiments, the game pathfinding device further includes a same-layer pathfinding module 170. When the map layer judgment module 130 obtains a judgment result of yes, the same-layer pathfinding module 170 is used to obtain a pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm based on the judgment result of yes. The preset pathfinding algorithm is used for pathfinding in a single map layer.

[0083] This embodiment also provides an electronic device, including a processor and a memory. The memory stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor, and the processor executes the machine-executable instructions to implement the above-described game pathfinding method. This electronic device can be a server or a terminal device.

[0084] Figure 9 The present invention provides a structural block diagram of an electronic device, which includes a processor 901 and a memory 902. The memory 902 stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor 901. The processor 901 executes the machine-executable instructions to implement the above-mentioned game pathfinding method.

[0085] The game pathfinding method includes: acquiring map data, which includes at least two overlapping map layers, each map layer including walkable areas accessible to virtual objects, and connecting areas between two connected map layers; in response to a received pathfinding command, acquiring the starting point and target point; determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtaining the determination result; based on the determination result being negative, acquiring the transition point located in the connecting area between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located; acquiring a first path from the starting point to the transition point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, acquiring a second path from the transition point to the target point; and concatenating the first path and the second path to obtain the pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point.

[0086] Furthermore, the electronic device may also include a communication interface 903 and a bus 904, with the processor 901, communication interface 903 and memory 902 connected via the bus 904.

[0087] The memory 902 may include high-speed random access memory (RAM) or non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device. Communication between this system network element and at least one other network element is achieved through at least one communication interface 903 (which can be wired or wireless), such as the Internet, wide area network, local area network, or metropolitan area network. The bus 904 may be an ISA bus, PCI bus, or EISA bus, etc. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, a bus is represented by only a single bidirectional arrow in the accompanying drawings, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0088] The processor 901 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the hardware of the processor 901 or by instructions in software form. The processor 901 can be a general-purpose processor, including a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), etc.; it can also be a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this invention. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this invention can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware decoding processor, or execution by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can reside in a mature storage medium in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. This storage medium is located in memory 902. Processor 901 reads information from memory 902 and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the method described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0089] In some embodiments, the step of acquiring map data includes: for each pair of interconnected map layers, acquiring all connection areas between the two map layers; determining multiple link points in at least one connection area; and obtaining a set of link points between the two interconnected map layers based on all link points in all connection areas between the two map layers.

[0090] In some embodiments, the step of obtaining the transition point of the connection area between the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer includes: obtaining a set of connection points between the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer based on the starting point and the target point; and determining a connection point from the set of connection points as a transition point.

[0091] Optionally, the step of determining a link point as a transition point from the set of link points includes: randomly determining a link point as a transition point from the set of link points using a random function.

[0092] Optionally, the step of determining a link point as a transition point from the set of link points includes: for each link point in the set of link points, obtaining a first reference path from the starting point to the link point and a second reference path from the link point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm; concatenating the first reference path and the second reference path corresponding to each link point to obtain a pathfinding reference path corresponding to each link point; and determining the link point corresponding to the shortest pathfinding reference path as the transition point.

[0093] In some embodiments, the step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer and obtaining the determination result includes: obtaining the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point; determining whether the feature values ​​of the map layer where the starting point is located are the same as the feature values ​​of the map layer where the target point is located, and obtaining the determination result.

[0094] In some optional embodiments, the basic data for the starting point and the target point includes the map layer data in which they are located.

[0095] In some optional embodiments, at least two map layers include a first map layer and a second map layer, with the second map layer overlaid on the first map layer. The step of obtaining the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point includes: obtaining the coordinate information of a specified point, where the specified point is either the starting point or the target point; determining whether the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer based on the coordinate information of the specified point; if the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, determining that the map layer where the specified point is located is the second map layer; if the specified point is outside the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, determining that the map layer where the specified point is located is the first map layer.

[0096] In some optional embodiments, there is a preset overlap area between different map layers. The step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer and obtaining the determination result includes: obtaining the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point; if it is determined based on the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point that the starting point and the target point are located in the same preset overlap area, then it is determined that the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer.

[0097] In some embodiments, the steps of obtaining a first path from a starting point to a transition point and obtaining a second path from a transition point to a target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm include: obtaining a preset pathfinding algorithm for pathfinding in a single map layer; obtaining the first path from the starting point to the transition point in the map layer where the starting point is located according to the preset pathfinding algorithm; and obtaining the second path from the transition point to the target point in the map layer where the transition point is located according to the preset pathfinding algorithm.

[0098] In some embodiments, the game pathfinding method further includes: based on the judgment result being yes, obtaining a pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, wherein the preset pathfinding algorithm is used for pathfinding in a single map layer.

[0099] An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a processor 901 and a memory 902. When the processor 901 executes machine-executable instructions to implement the above-described game pathfinding method, it acquires map data, which includes at least two overlapping map layers with a connection zone between them. Upon receiving a pathfinding instruction, it determines whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are on the same map layer. If the determination result is no, i.e., the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, it acquires a transition point located in the connection zone between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located. After acquiring the transition point, it acquires a first path from the starting point to the transition point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, acquires a second path from the transition point to the target point, and then concatenates the first path and the second path to obtain the pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point. The electronic device of this embodiment of the present invention, when the map data includes at least two overlapping map layers, can meet the pathfinding requirements when the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, effectively realizing pathfinding on map data including at least two map layers, thereby enriching the gaming experience.

[0100] This embodiment also provides a machine-readable storage medium storing machine-executable instructions. When the machine-executable instructions are called and executed by the processor, the machine-executable instructions cause the processor to implement the above-described game pathfinding method.

[0101] The game pathfinding method includes: acquiring map data, which includes at least two overlapping map layers, each map layer including walkable areas accessible to virtual objects, and connecting areas between two connected map layers; in response to a received pathfinding command, acquiring the starting point and target point; determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtaining the determination result; based on the determination result being negative, acquiring the transition point located in the connecting area between the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located; acquiring a first path from the starting point to the transition point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, acquiring a second path from the transition point to the target point; and concatenating the first path and the second path to obtain the pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point.

[0102] In some embodiments, the step of acquiring map data includes: for each pair of interconnected map layers, acquiring all connection areas between the two map layers; determining multiple link points in at least one connection area; and obtaining a set of link points between the two interconnected map layers based on all link points in all connection areas between the two map layers.

[0103] In some embodiments, the step of obtaining the transition point of the connection area between the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer includes: obtaining a set of connection points between the starting point's location layer and the target point's location layer based on the starting point and the target point; and determining a connection point from the set of connection points as a transition point.

[0104] Optionally, the step of determining a link point as a transition point from the set of link points includes: randomly determining a link point as a transition point from the set of link points using a random function.

[0105] Optionally, the step of determining a link point as a transition point from the set of link points includes: for each link point in the set of link points, obtaining a first reference path from the starting point to the link point and a second reference path from the link point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm; concatenating the first reference path and the second reference path corresponding to each link point to obtain a pathfinding reference path corresponding to each link point; and determining the link point corresponding to the shortest pathfinding reference path as the transition point.

[0106] In some embodiments, the step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer and obtaining the determination result includes: obtaining the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point; determining whether the feature values ​​of the map layer where the starting point is located are the same as the feature values ​​of the map layer where the target point is located, and obtaining the determination result.

[0107] In some optional embodiments, the basic data for the starting point and the target point includes the map layer data in which they are located.

[0108] In some optional embodiments, at least two map layers include a first map layer and a second map layer, with the second map layer overlaid on the first map layer. The step of obtaining the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point includes: obtaining the coordinate information of a specified point, where the specified point is either the starting point or the target point; determining whether the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer based on the coordinate information of the specified point; if the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, determining that the map layer where the specified point is located is the second map layer; if the specified point is outside the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, determining that the map layer where the specified point is located is the first map layer.

[0109] In some optional embodiments, there is a preset overlap area between different map layers. The step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer and obtaining the determination result includes: obtaining the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point; if it is determined based on the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point that the starting point and the target point are located in the same preset overlap area, then it is determined that the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer.

[0110] In some embodiments, the steps of obtaining a first path from a starting point to a transition point and obtaining a second path from a transition point to a target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm include: obtaining a preset pathfinding algorithm for pathfinding in a single map layer; obtaining the first path from the starting point to the transition point in the map layer where the starting point is located according to the preset pathfinding algorithm; and obtaining the second path from the transition point to the target point in the map layer where the transition point is located according to the preset pathfinding algorithm.

[0111] In some embodiments, the game pathfinding method further includes: based on the judgment result being yes, obtaining a pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, wherein the preset pathfinding algorithm is used for pathfinding in a single map layer.

[0112] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions. When these machine-executable instructions are invoked and executed by a processor, they cause the processor to implement the aforementioned game pathfinding method. Specifically, map data is acquired, which includes at least two overlapping map layers with a connection zone between them. Upon receiving a pathfinding instruction, it is determined whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are on the same map layer. If the determination result is no, i.e., the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, a transition point located in the connection zone between the starting point's map layer and the target point's map layer is acquired. After acquiring the transition point, a first path from the starting point to the transition point is acquired according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, and a second path from the transition point to the target point is acquired. Then, the pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point is obtained by concatenating the first path and the second path. When the map data includes at least two overlapping map layers, the aforementioned game pathfinding method can meet the pathfinding requirements when the starting point and the target point are on different layers in the map data, effectively realizing pathfinding on map data including at least two map layers, thereby enriching the game experience.

[0113] The computer program products of the game pathfinding method, apparatus, electronic device, and machine-readable storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present invention include a computer-readable storage medium storing program code. The instructions included in the program code can be used to execute the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. For specific implementation, please refer to the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0114] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the system and apparatus described above can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0115] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0116] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this invention, essentially, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0117] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0118] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely specific implementations of the present invention, used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit it. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that any person skilled in the art can still modify or easily conceive of changes to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features; and these modifications, changes, or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should all be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A game pathfinding method, characterized in that, include: Acquire map data, which includes at least two overlapping map layers. Each map layer includes a walkable area that a virtual object can move to. There is a connection area between two interconnected map layers. The walkable areas of two interconnected map layers both include the connection area. In response to the received pathfinding command, obtain the starting point and target point of the pathfinding; Determine whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtain the determination result; Based on the determination result being negative, the transition point of the connection area located between the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located is obtained; A first path from the starting point to the transition point is obtained according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, and a second path from the transition point to the target point is obtained. as well as The path from the starting point to the target point is obtained by concatenating the first path and the second path. The step of acquiring map data includes: for each pair of interconnected map layers, acquiring all the connection areas between the two map layers; determining multiple link points in at least one of the connection areas; and obtaining a set of link points between the two interconnected map layers based on all the link points in all the connection areas between the two map layers. The step of obtaining the transition point of the connection area between the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located includes: obtaining the set of link points between the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point; and determining a link point from the set of link points as the transition point.

2. The game pathfinding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining a link point from the set of link points as the transition point includes: A random link point is randomly selected from the set of link points using a random function as the transition point.

3. The game pathfinding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining a link point from the set of link points as the transition point includes: For each link in the set of link points, a first reference path from the starting point to the link point and a second reference path from the link point to the target point are obtained according to a preset pathfinding algorithm. The first reference path and the second reference path corresponding to each link point are concatenated to obtain the pathfinding reference path corresponding to each link point; The link point corresponding to the shortest pathfinding reference path is determined as the transition point.

4. The game pathfinding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtaining the determination result, includes: Based on the starting point and the target point, obtain the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located; Determine whether the feature values ​​of the layer where the starting point is located are the same as the feature values ​​of the layer where the target point is located, and obtain the determination result.

5. The game pathfinding method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The basic data for the starting point and the target point include the map layer data in which they are located.

6. The game pathfinding method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least two map layers include a first map layer and a second map layer, with the second map layer overlaid on top of the first map layer. The step of obtaining the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located based on the starting point and the target point includes: Obtain the coordinate information of a specified point, where the specified point is either the starting point or the target point; Based on the coordinate information of the specified point, determine whether the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer; If the specified point is within the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, the location layer of the specified point is determined to be the second map layer. If the specified point is outside the walkable area of ​​the second map layer, the location layer of the specified point is determined to be the first map layer.

7. The game pathfinding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The map layers of different layers have a preset overlap area. The step of determining whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and obtaining the determination result, includes: Obtain the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point; If the coordinate information of the starting point and the target point determines that the starting point and the target point are located in the same preset overlapping area, then the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are determined to be the same map layer.

8. The game pathfinding method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The steps of obtaining a first path from the starting point to the transition point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, and obtaining a second path from the transition point to the target point, include: Obtain a preset pathfinding algorithm for pathfinding in a single map layer; According to the preset pathfinding algorithm, a first path from the starting point to the transition point is obtained from the map where the starting point is located. According to the preset pathfinding algorithm, a second path from the transition point to the target point is obtained from the map where the transition point is located.

9. The game pathfinding method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The game pathfinding method also includes: Based on the judgment result being yes, a pathfinding path from the starting point to the target point is obtained according to a preset pathfinding algorithm, wherein the preset pathfinding algorithm is used for pathfinding in a single map layer.

10. A game pathfinding device, characterized in that, include: A map acquisition module is used to acquire map data, the map data including at least two overlapping map layers, each map layer including a walkable area that a virtual object can move to, and there is a connection area between two interconnected map layers, and the walkable areas of two interconnected map layers both include the connection area. The routing instruction receiving module is used to respond to the received routing instructions and obtain the starting point and target point of the routing. The map layer determination module is used to determine whether the map layer where the starting point is located and the map layer where the target point is located are the same map layer, and to obtain the determination result. The transition point acquisition module is used to acquire the transition point of the connection area located between the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located, based on whether the judgment result is negative or not; The path acquisition module is used to acquire a first path from the starting point to the transition point and a second path from the transition point to the target point according to a preset pathfinding algorithm. as well as The path splicing module is used to obtain a path from the starting point to the target point by splicing the first path and the second path; The map acquisition module is further configured to acquire all the connection areas between two interconnected map layers for each pair of interconnected map layers; determine multiple link points in at least one of the connection areas; and obtain a set of link points between the two interconnected map layers based on all the link points in all the connection areas between the two map layers. The map acquisition module is further configured to acquire, based on the starting point and the target point, the set of link points between the layer where the starting point is located and the layer where the target point is located; and determine one of the link points from the set of link points as the transition point.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor, the processor executing the machine-executable instructions to implement the game pathfinding method according to any one of claims 1-9.

12. A machine-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions, which, when invoked and executed by a processor, cause the processor to implement the game pathfinding method according to any one of claims 1-9.

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