Game control method, device, storage medium and electronic device

Abstract

The application discloses a game control method and device, a storage medium and an electronic device. The method comprises the following steps: in response to the triggering of a target event, a second virtual character is bound to a first virtual character, so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character; a target picture in a game picture is hidden, the target picture cannot contain the first virtual character, and a direction guide mark is displayed on a graphical user interface, which is used for guiding the movement of the first virtual character, wherein the direction guide mark is determined by direction information sent by a second terminal device; in response to a movement operation of the first virtual character, the first virtual character is controlled to move with the second virtual character. The application solves the technical problem that the operation interaction between players participating in cooperation is poor in the prior art, which leads to low game interest and poor player experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of computer technology, particularly the field of video games, and more specifically, to a method, apparatus, storage medium, and electronic device for game control. Background Technology

[0002] In cooperative gameplay of multiplayer online games, players coordinate and control actions via input devices. However, the interdependence between players in this cooperative mode is relatively low. Players may blame each other if their teammates' actions do not meet their expectations, leading to a poor gaming experience. Therefore, enhancing the interactivity between players in cooperative gameplay to improve game fun and player experience has become a crucial technical challenge in this field.

[0003] There is currently no effective solution to the above problems.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] At least some embodiments of this application provide a method, apparatus, storage medium, and electronic device for game control, in order to at least solve the technical problem in the related art where poor interactive operation between cooperating players leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0006] According to one embodiment of this application, a game control method is provided, which provides a graphical user interface through a first terminal device. The content displayed by the graphical user interface includes game screens of at least a portion of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. The game control method includes: in response to the triggering of a target event, binding the second virtual character to the first virtual character so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character; hiding the target screen in the game screen, the target screen not containing the first virtual character, and displaying a directional guide icon in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character, wherein the directional guide icon is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device; and in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, controlling the first virtual character to drive the second virtual character to move.

[0007] According to one embodiment of this application, another game control method is provided, which provides a graphical user interface through a second terminal device. The graphical user interface displays game screens containing at least a portion of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by a first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by the second terminal device. The game control method includes: in response to the triggering of a target event, binding the second virtual character to the first virtual character so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character; in response to a direction selection operation on the game screen, determining a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character; sending direction information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device to display a direction guidance icon on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the direction information; and in response to a movement control command from the first terminal device, controlling the first virtual character to follow the movement of the second virtual character.

[0008] According to one embodiment of this application, another game control method is provided, comprising: in response to the triggering of a target event, binding a first virtual character and a second virtual character in a game scene, so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character, wherein the first virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a first terminal device, and the second virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a second terminal device; hiding the target screen of the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device, wherein the target screen does not contain the first virtual character; in response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, determining a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character, and sending direction information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device; displaying a direction guidance icon in the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the direction guidance icon is determined according to the direction information; and in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, controlling the first virtual character to drive the second virtual character to move.

[0009] According to one embodiment of this application, a game control device is provided, which provides a graphical user interface through a first terminal device. The graphical user interface displays game screens containing at least a portion of a game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. The game control device includes: a binding module, used to bind the second virtual character to the first virtual character in response to the triggering of a target event, so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character; a hiding module, used to hide the target screen in the game screen, the target screen not containing the first virtual character, and displaying a directional guidance mark on the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character, wherein the directional guidance mark is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device; and a control module, used to respond to a movement operation on the first virtual character and control the first virtual character to drive the second virtual character to move.

[0010] According to one embodiment of this application, another game control device is provided, which provides a graphical user interface through a second terminal device. The graphical user interface displays game screens of at least a portion of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by a first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. The game control device includes: a binding module, used to bind the second virtual character to the first virtual character in response to the triggering of a target event, so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character; a determining module, used to determine a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character in response to a direction selection operation on the game screen; a sending module, used to send direction information including the target guidance direction to the first terminal device, so as to display a direction guidance mark on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the direction information; and a control module, used to control the first virtual character to follow the movement of the second virtual character in response to a movement control command from the first terminal device.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this application, another game control device is provided, comprising: a first response module, configured to bind a first virtual character and a second virtual character in a game scene in response to the triggering of a target event, so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character, wherein the first virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a first terminal device, and the second virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a second terminal device; a hiding module, configured to hide a target screen in a first game screen displayed on the first terminal device, wherein the target screen does not contain the first virtual character; a second response module, configured to determine a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character in response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, and send direction information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device; a display module, configured to display a direction guidance icon in a graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the direction guidance icon is determined according to the direction information; and a control module, configured to control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character.

[0012] According to one embodiment of this application, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, in which a computer program is stored, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the game control method described in any of the preceding claims when running.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this application, an electronic device is also provided, comprising: a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to perform the game control method described in any of the preceding claims.

[0014] In at least some embodiments of this application, a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided by a first terminal device. The GUI displays game screens containing at least a portion of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. On the first terminal device, in response to the triggering of a target event, the second virtual character is bound to the first virtual character, allowing the first virtual character to control the movement of the second virtual character. Further, a target screen in the game screen is hidden; the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character. A directional indicator is displayed on the GUI to guide the movement of the first virtual character, wherein the directional indicator is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device. In response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, the first virtual character is controlled to move the second virtual character. Therefore, when the first virtual character and the second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, while the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, thereby enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between cooperative players leads to low game fun and poor player experience. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 This is a hardware structure block diagram of a mobile terminal for a game control method according to one embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a game control method according to one embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface provided by an optional first terminal device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface provided by a first terminal device after an optional target event is triggered according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface provided by a first terminal device after another optional target event is triggered according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an optional interaction event between a first virtual character and a second virtual character according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an interaction event between a first virtual character and a second virtual character according to another optional embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface provided by a first terminal device after another optional target event is triggered according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of an optional operation position data determination method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface provided by a first terminal device after an optional response target control operation according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface provided by a first terminal device after an optional response prop activation event according to an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of another game control method according to one embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a graphical user interface provided by an optional second terminal device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of an optional second virtual character according to one embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 15 This is a flowchart of another game control method according to one embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 16 This is a structural block diagram of a game control device according to one embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 17 This is a structural block diagram of another game control device according to one embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 18 This is a structural block diagram of another game control device according to one embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present application. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0036] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0037] It should be noted that, in the specification of this application, the word "for example" is used to mean "used as an example, illustration, or description." Any embodiment described as "for example" in this application is not necessarily to be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments. The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this application. In the following description, details are set forth for purposes of explanation. It should be understood that those skilled in the art will recognize that this application can be made without using these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and processes will not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of this application. Therefore, this application is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is consistent with the broadest scope of the principles and features disclosed in this application.

[0038] Regarding the collaborative mechanisms commonly used in the context of multiplayer cooperative gameplay, especially in the field of computer technology and video games, the inventors, after practice and careful research, still found that the poor interactivity between players participating in the collaboration resulted in low game fun and a poor player experience.

[0039] In existing two-player or multi-player cooperative mechanisms, participating players typically have access to complete game information (e.g., game scene view, game sound, etc.), and different operation permissions are assigned to participating players based on their input terminals, thus supporting players to cooperate in game operations. However, because each participating player has equal access to information and can judge what action their teammate should take next, the degree of dependence on each other's actions is low. When a teammate's actions do not meet expectations, players are prone to blaming each other, severely degrading the player's gaming experience.

[0040] Based on the aforementioned technical problems, in one possible embodiment of this application, according to a game control method, a graphical user interface is provided through a first terminal device. The graphical user interface displays game screens containing at least a portion of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. On the first terminal device, in response to the triggering of a target event, the second virtual character is bound to the first virtual character, enabling the first virtual character to control the movement of the second virtual character. Further, a target screen in the game screen is hidden, and the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character. A directional indicator is displayed on the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character, wherein the directional indicator is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device. In response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, the first virtual character is controlled to move the second virtual character.

[0041] In other words, according to one embodiment of this application, when a first virtual character and a second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, and the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. That is to say, the first virtual character and the second virtual character obtain complementary game information, thereby achieving the purpose of enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening the mutual assistance and cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving the game's fun and the player's game experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between players participating in cooperation leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0042] Based on the above embodiments of this application, the application scenarios corresponding to this application can be scenarios involving multi-person collaborative control operations in the field of video games or computer technology, especially multi-person online game scenarios, and the game types targeted can be action, adventure, simulation, role-playing and casual games, etc.

[0043] The implementation methods described in this application can be executed on a terminal device (e.g., a mobile terminal, a computer terminal, or a similar computing device). Taking a mobile terminal as an example, the mobile terminal can be a smartphone, tablet computer, PDA, mobile internet device, game console, or other terminal device.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a hardware structure block diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present application of a game control method. Figure 1 As shown, a mobile terminal may include one or more ( Figure 1 (Only one is shown) Processor 102, memory 104, transmission device 106, input / output device 108, and display device 110. Taking the application of the game control method to an electronic game scene through this mobile terminal as an example, processor 102 calls and runs the computer program stored in memory 104 to execute the game control method, performs operation control in the game scene, and transmits the scene screen corresponding to the game scene to input / output device 108 and / or display device 110 through transmission device 106, thereby providing the scene screen to the player.

[0045] Still as Figure 1 As shown, the processor 102 may include, but is not limited to, processing devices such as: Central Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, Microcontroller Unit (MCU), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Neural-Network Processing Unit (NPU), Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), Artificial Intelligence (AI) type processor, etc.

[0046] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 1 The structure shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the structure of the mobile terminal described above. For example, the mobile terminal may also include components that are more... Figure 1 The more or fewer components shown, or having the same Figure 1 The different configurations shown.

[0047] In some optional embodiments primarily focused on gaming scenarios, the aforementioned terminal device may also provide a human-computer interaction interface with a touch-sensitive surface. This interface can sense finger contact and / or gestures to interact with a graphical user interface (GUI). The human-computer interaction functions may include the following: creating web pages, drawing, word processing, creating electronic documents, playing games, video conferencing, instant messaging, sending and receiving emails, call interfaces, playing digital videos, playing digital music, and / or web browsing, etc. Executable instructions for performing the aforementioned human-computer interaction functions are configured / stored in one or more processor-executable computer program products or readable storage media.

[0048] The methods described in this application can also be executed on a server. The server can be a standalone physical server, a server cluster or distributed system composed of multiple physical servers, or a cloud server providing basic cloud computing services such as cloud services, cloud databases, cloud computing, cloud functions, cloud storage, network services, cloud communication, middleware services, domain name services, security services, content delivery networks (CDNs), and big data and artificial intelligence platforms. Taking the game control method applied to a video game scene via a video game server as an example, the video game server can perform operational control within the game scene based on this game control method and provide the player with the corresponding scene visuals (e.g., rendered and displayed on the player's terminal screen, or provided to the player via holographic projection, etc.).

[0049] According to one embodiment of this application, an embodiment of a game control method is provided. It should be noted that the steps shown in the flowchart in the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer-executable instructions. Also, although a logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases the steps shown or described may be executed in a different order than that shown here.

[0050] This embodiment provides a game control method running on the aforementioned mobile terminal. A graphical user interface is provided through a first terminal device. The content displayed by the graphical user interface includes game screens of at least part of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a game control method according to one embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0051] Step S202: In response to the triggering of the target event, the second virtual character is bound to the first virtual character so that the first virtual character can control the movement of the second virtual character;

[0052] Step S204: Hide the target screen in the game screen. The target screen cannot contain the first virtual character. Display a directional guide icon in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character. The directional guide icon is determined by the directional information sent by the second terminal device.

[0053] Step S206: In response to the movement operation of the first virtual character, control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character.

[0054] The game types corresponding to the above game scenarios can be: action games (e.g., first-person or third-person shooter games, 2D or 3D fighting games, war action games, and sports action games), adventure games (e.g., exploration games, collection games, puzzle games), simulation games (e.g., simulation sandbox games, simulation management games, strategy simulation games, city building simulation games, business simulation games), role-playing games, and casual games (e.g., board games, casual competitive games, music rhythm games, dress-up and simulation games), etc.

[0055] The aforementioned target event is an event used to trigger multiplayer cooperative gameplay, which employs the cooperative mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application. The aforementioned second virtual character can be one virtual character or multiple virtual characters. That is, after the aforementioned target event is triggered, multiple second virtual characters can be bound to the first virtual character, and the first virtual character can simultaneously control the movement of multiple second virtual characters.

[0056] The specific implementation of binding the second virtual character to the first virtual character is as follows: The movement permissions of the second virtual character in the game scene are disabled for the second terminal device and enabled for the first terminal device. At this time, the first terminal device simultaneously possesses movement permissions for both the first and second virtual characters in the game scene. Based on the movement operations received by the first terminal device for the first virtual character, it controls the second virtual character to move synchronously with the first virtual character in the game scene. These movement operations are performed by the first player who manipulates the first virtual character through the first terminal device.

[0057] Upon detecting the aforementioned target event, the target screen in the game scene is hidden within the graphical user interface of the first terminal device. The target screen can be any screen in the game scene other than the first virtual character, or any screen in the game scene other than the first and second virtual characters. This operation of hiding the target screen prevents the first virtual character from obtaining visual information about the game scene, making it difficult for them to do so.

[0058] Upon detecting the aforementioned target event, a directional guidance icon is displayed within the graphical user interface of the first terminal device to guide the movement of the first virtual character. The directional guidance icon is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device. In the application scenario, the second player can perform a directional selection operation through the second terminal device based on the game scene's field of view information, triggering the second terminal device to send directional information to the first terminal device to generate the directional guidance icon. The directional guidance icon displayed within the graphical user interface of the first terminal device represents the second player's movement guidance suggestion to the first player, helping the first player make decisions and perform movement operations on the first virtual character, thereby controlling the synchronized movement of the first and second virtual characters within the game scene.

[0059] In summary, in the multiplayer cooperative gameplay, the cooperative mechanism provided in this embodiment is as follows: the first terminal device loses its visual observation permission of the game scene, the second terminal device loses its operational permission for the second virtual character in the game scene, the first terminal device has operational permission for both the first and second virtual characters in the game scene simultaneously, and the second terminal device has visual observation permission of the game scene. Based on the above cooperative mechanism, all participating players rely on their teammates to obtain complete information about the game scene, which helps to enhance the interactive operation between participating players.

[0060] In this embodiment, the above method steps are performed on a first terminal device. In response to the triggering of a target event, a second virtual character is bound to a first virtual character, allowing the first virtual character to control the movement of the second virtual character. Further, a target screen in the game is hidden; the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character, and a directional indicator is displayed in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character. The directional indicator is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device. In response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, the first virtual character is controlled to move the second virtual character. Thus, when the first and second virtual characters are bound together for cooperative gameplay, the first virtual character has part of the game screen hidden while retaining its movement operation permissions, while the second virtual character retains its game screen but is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, achieving the goal of enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus improving the game's fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between cooperating players leads to low game fun and a poor player experience.

[0061] The method steps provided in this application embodiment can be applied to, but are not limited to, scenarios of two-player cooperative games. The following uses this scenario as an example to further illustrate the optional implementation methods of this application embodiment.

[0062] In a two-player cooperative game scenario, when the aforementioned target event is not triggered, the graphical user interface diagram provided by the first terminal device can be as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device displays a game scene, movement controls, and multiple skill controls. The game scene includes a first virtual character and a second virtual character.

[0063] When the target event is detected, the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device can be illustrated as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the target screen is hidden in the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device. This target screen is any screen in the game scene other than the first virtual character. Furthermore, in other application scenarios, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the target screen can also be set to other screens in the game scene besides the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0064] Even after the target event is detected, it still works as follows. Figure 4 As shown, a directional guidance icon is determined based on the directional information sent by the second terminal device, and this directional guidance icon is displayed within the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device to guide the movement of the first virtual character. On the second terminal device, the aforementioned directional information can be determined based on a directional selection operation performed by the second player on the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device. For example, this directional selection operation is a tap touch operation, and the target guidance direction selected by this tap touch operation is the movement guidance direction decided by the second player. By displaying the directional guidance icon within the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, the game interactivity between the first player and the second player can be enhanced; that is, the second player guides the first player to control the first and second virtual characters to move in the target guidance direction through a tap touch operation.

[0065] As an optional implementation of this application, the target event includes any one of the following: the first virtual character and the second virtual character entering the target game level; and an interaction event between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0066] The aforementioned target game level is a level corresponding to a multiplayer cooperative gameplay mode, which adopts the cooperative mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application. When it is detected that the first virtual character and the second virtual character enter the target game level with a mutually matched cooperative relationship, it is determined that a target event has been triggered, and the game operations of the first virtual character and the second virtual character are restricted in the target game level according to the aforementioned multiplayer cooperative gameplay mode.

[0067] The aforementioned interactive event is triggered by a target action performed by the first virtual character, which is an interactive action that causes the second virtual character to lose movement permissions. Upon detecting the aforementioned interactive event, the target event is confirmed to have been triggered, and the game operations of both the first and second virtual characters are restricted according to the aforementioned multiplayer cooperative gameplay rules.

[0068] As an optional implementation of this application, the interactive event includes: the first virtual character lifting the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

[0069] Taking the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, such as Figure 6 As shown, in a two-player cooperative game scenario, the first virtual character lifts up the second virtual character. After the second virtual character leaves the ground, it loses its movement permission in the game scenario. At this time, it is determined that the above-mentioned interaction event has occurred between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0070] In another alternative implementation, in response to a trigger operation on an interactive function key, the first virtual character is controlled to lift the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene, thereby determining that the interactive event is generated.

[0071] As an optional implementation of this application, the game control method described above may further include the following execution steps:

[0072] Step S281: Hide all virtual controls in the graphical user interface of the first terminal device except for the virtual motion control.

[0073] Still as Figure 4 As shown, when a target event is detected, multiple skill controls within the graphical user interface of the first terminal device are hidden. In other application scenarios, these other virtual controls may also include: virtual scene map controls, virtual equipment controls, information bar controls, etc.

[0074] It is easy to understand that when a target event is detected, the first terminal device retains its permission to move the first virtual character in the game scene. Therefore, the virtual movement controls can be displayed within the graphical user interface of the first terminal device.

[0075] As an optional implementation of this application, the game control method described above may further include the following execution steps:

[0076] Step S282: In response to the triggering of the target event, an occlusion indicator is displayed in the graphical user interface. The occlusion indicator is used to indicate that the field of view of the first virtual character is occluded.

[0077] Taking the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, the occlusion markers could be occlusion props added to the first virtual character, such as virtual eye mask props, virtual sunglasses props, etc. Figure 4 As shown, when a target event is detected, while hiding the target screen, sunglasses are put on the first virtual character to indicate to the player that the first virtual character's field of vision is obstructed.

[0078] The aforementioned occlusion markers can also be represented by changes in the first virtual character's face. For example, the first virtual character's eyes may appear dizzy, or the first virtual character may close its eyes.

[0079] The aforementioned occlusion markers can also be represented by interactive actions performed by the second virtual character on the first virtual character. For example... Figure 7 As shown, when the first virtual character lifts up the second virtual character in the game scene, or after the first and second virtual characters enter the target game level, the second virtual character covers the eyes of the first virtual character with its hand.

[0080] As an optional implementation of this application, displaying directional guidance icons in the graphical user interface in step S204 may include the following steps:

[0081] Step S241: Adjust the display style of the directional guidance sign according to the display duration of the directional guidance sign in the graphical user interface.

[0082] Taking the above two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, during the game, the second player may perform multiple directional selection operations on the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device. At this time, the first terminal device can generate and display multiple directional guidance signs in sequence through the directional information sent by the second terminal device in real time.

[0083] The display style adjustment rule for the aforementioned directional guidance signs can be as follows: each directional guidance sign disappears after being displayed on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device for a preset duration, and the display style of each directional guidance sign on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device changes with its display duration to distinguish multiple directional guidance signs displayed simultaneously on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device.

[0084] As an optional implementation of this application, in step S204, displaying directional guidance icons in the graphical user interface may further include the following steps:

[0085] Step S2421: Display the second directional guide icon in the graphical user interface;

[0086] Step S2422: After the second directional guide sign is displayed in the graphical user interface, the display style of the first directional guide sign is adjusted; wherein the first directional guide sign is displayed in the graphical user interface earlier than the second directional guide sign.

[0087] Taking the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, such as Figure 8 As shown, when the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device displays a first directional guide sign and a second directional guide sign that appear sequentially, the display styles of the first directional guide sign and the second directional guide sign are different.

[0088] The rule for adjusting the display style of the aforementioned directional guidance sign can also be: when the first directional guidance sign is displayed on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device and the second directional guidance sign is not displayed, the display style of the first directional guidance sign remains unchanged until the second directional guidance sign appears on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, at which point the display style of the first directional guidance sign is adjusted so that it disappears after a preset time.

[0089] As an optional implementation of this application, the above display style includes at least one of the following: size, transparency, and color.

[0090] Still as Figure 8 As shown, to distinguish between the first directional guidance mark and the second directional guidance mark, according to the aforementioned display style adjustment rules, the first directional guidance mark is controlled to gradually change on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device from the moment it appears until it disappears after a preset duration. The gradual change includes: size gradient and transparency gradient. Furthermore, the aforementioned gradual change may also include color gradient, which can be based on a first preset color, gradually changing from a first saturation level to a second saturation level, or gradually changing from a first preset color to a second preset color.

[0091] As an optional implementation of this application, the direction information includes operation timing data corresponding to the direction selection operation, and the direction selection operation is an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction; in step S204, displaying the direction guidance icon in the graphical user interface may include the following execution steps:

[0092] Step S243: Display directional guidance icons on the graphical user interface based on the operation timing data in the direction information.

[0093] The aforementioned operation timing data is used to record the timing information of multiple directional selection operations performed on the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device. The timing information includes: operation sequence and operation time.

[0094] After receiving the above-mentioned operation timing data, the first terminal device generates multiple directional guidance icons in sequence according to the operation order and operation time of the multiple directional selection operations, and displays the multiple directional guidance icons on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device in sequence.

[0095] As an optional implementation of this application, the direction information includes operation position data corresponding to the direction selection operation, and the direction selection operation is an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction; in step S204, displaying the direction guidance icon in the graphical user interface may include the following execution steps:

[0096] Step S244: Display directional guidance icons on the graphical user interface based on the operation location data.

[0097] The aforementioned operation position data is determined by a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is the display position of the second virtual character within the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device (for example, the first position is fixed at the center of the graphical user interface), and the second position is the display position of the operation point of the direction selection operation on the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device.

[0098] like Figure 9 As shown, the aforementioned operation position data can be represented in the form of a target vector. The starting point of the target vector is determined by the first position, and the ending point is determined by the second position. When the first terminal device receives the aforementioned operation position data, it determines the fourth position based on the third position and the target vector, and displays a directional guidance icon at the fourth position on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device. The aforementioned third position is the display position of the first virtual character within the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device. Using the third position as the starting point of the target vector, the ending point of the target vector is determined to be the fourth position. Thus, in the application scenario, the directional selection operation performed by the second player on the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device is conveyed to the first player through the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device.

[0099] As an optional implementation of this application, step S204, the process of hiding the target area in the game screen, may include one of the following steps:

[0100] Step S2451: Adjust the transparency of the target area to below a preset threshold;

[0101] Step S2452: Add an occlusion layer to the target area.

[0102] Taking the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, the target area refers to the region of the target image within the game screen. The preset threshold is used to determine that the display of the target image on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device is unlikely to allow the first player to gain a view of the game scene. Adjusting the transparency of the target area below the preset threshold will display a semi-transparent result of the target image on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device. Setting the preset threshold to 0 (i.e., completely transparent) will completely hide the target image on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device.

[0103] The aforementioned occlusion layer can be a semi-transparent layer (the layer's transparency is higher than a certain threshold, such as 0.9) or an opaque layer (transparency is 1). Adding an occlusion layer to the target area will either display a blurred image of the target area on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, or completely hide the target image of the target area.

[0104] In addition, the process of hiding the target area in the game screen may also include: turning off the game scene rendering switch for the aforementioned target area.

[0105] As an optional implementation of this application, the game control method described above may further include the following execution steps:

[0106] Step S283: In response to the target control operation, control the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, so as to release the binding relationship between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0107] Taking the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, such as Figure 10 As shown, at least one of the multiple skill controls within the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device is used to trigger the first virtual character to perform a throwing action (e.g., high throw, low throw, horizontal throw, etc.) on the second virtual character. The aforementioned target control operation is a control operation performed on the aforementioned at least one skill control. When the first virtual character is holding up the second virtual character, that is, when the two are in a mobile-bound state in the game scene (i.e., when the target event is triggered), upon detecting the aforementioned target control operation, the first virtual character is controlled to throw the second virtual character. At this time, the mobile-bound state between the first virtual character and the second virtual character ends.

[0108] As an optional implementation of this application, during the process of controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, the above-mentioned game control method may further include the following execution steps:

[0109] Step S2841: Display a traction rope between the first virtual character and the second virtual character;

[0110] Step S2842: After the second virtual character lands, the first virtual character is pulled to the location of the second virtual character by a traction rope.

[0111] Still as Figure 10 As shown, in the two-player cooperative gameplay, after the first virtual character performs a throwing action on the second virtual character, the binding relationship between the first and second virtual characters is released under certain conditions. These conditions can be range restrictions, event restrictions, etc. When the restriction is a range restriction, a tether is displayed between the first and second virtual characters during the throwing action. This tether can be a retractable virtual tether, and its extension limit is determined by the range threshold corresponding to the range restriction.

[0112] The aforementioned tether is used to pull the first virtual character to the location of the second virtual character. The condition for the tether to trigger the pulling event on the first virtual character can be: the second virtual character lands. Alternatively, the condition for the tether to trigger the pulling event on the first virtual character can also be: after a preset time has elapsed since the second virtual character lands, for example, 3 seconds after the second virtual character lands, the first virtual character is pulled to the location of the second virtual character via the tether, and for 3 seconds after the second virtual character lands, the second virtual character temporarily has movement permissions within the game scene.

[0113] As an optional implementation of this application, after controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, and before the first virtual character reaches the location of the second virtual character, the above game control method may further include the following execution steps:

[0114] Step S285: Display the target screen.

[0115] Still as Figure 10 As shown, after the first virtual character performs a throwing action against the second virtual character, the target image is temporarily displayed on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device until the first virtual character reaches the location of the second virtual character, at which point the target image displayed on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device is hidden again. Thus, the first player can briefly gain a view of the game scene after controlling the first virtual character to perform the throwing action against the second virtual character and before the first virtual character reaches the location of the second virtual character.

[0116] In addition, while the target screen is temporarily displayed on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, other controls (such as skill controls) besides the virtual movement controls can also be temporarily displayed to support the first player in controlling the first virtual character to perform corresponding actions (such as releasing skills) by performing control operations on other controls.

[0117] As an optional implementation of this application, after the first virtual character is pulled to the location of the second virtual character by a traction rope, the above-mentioned game control method may further include the following execution steps:

[0118] Step S286: Control the first virtual character to lift the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

[0119] Taking the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, after pulling the first virtual character to the location of the second virtual character using a tether, the first virtual character is controlled to lift the second virtual character off the ground within the game scene, allowing both virtual characters to return to their original positions. Figure 5 or Figure 8 As shown in the binding state, at this time, the first terminal device loses the right to observe the game scene, and the second terminal device loses the right to move the second virtual character in the game scene.

[0120] As an optional implementation of this application, the game control method described above may further include the following execution steps:

[0121] Step S287: In response to the item activation event, the hidden target screen is displayed within a preset time period.

[0122] Taking the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, such as Figure 11 As shown, the aforementioned item activation event is an event triggered by an item activation operation performed on an item control. This item activation operation is used to determine whether the first virtual character or the second virtual character uses the target item. That is, the aforementioned item activation event can be triggered by at least one of the first terminal device and the second terminal device. When an item activation event is detected, the hidden target screen is displayed on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device according to the target display method within a preset duration. The aforementioned preset duration and the aforementioned target display method are determined by the item attributes of the target item. For example, the aforementioned preset duration can be a preset duration, a preset medium duration, or a preset short duration, and the aforementioned target display method can be full display, partial area display, semi-transparent display, etc.

[0123] Based on the above explanation, it is easy to understand that, according to the cooperation mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application, when the first virtual character and the second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, and the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first virtual character and the second virtual character obtain complementary game information, thereby achieving the purpose of enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening mutual assistance and cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player game experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between players participating in cooperation leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0124] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods according to the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as a magnetic disk or optical disk) and includes several instructions to cause a terminal device (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0125] This embodiment also provides another game control method for the mobile terminal running in the above embodiments, which provides a graphical user interface through a second terminal device. The graphical user interface displays game screens of at least part of the game scene, and the game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by a first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. Figure 12 This is a flowchart of another game control method according to one embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 12 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0126] Step S1202: In response to the triggering of the target event, the second virtual character is bound to the first virtual character so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character;

[0127] Step S1204: In response to the direction selection operation on the game screen, determine the target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character;

[0128] Step S1206: Send the direction information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device so as to display the direction guidance icon on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the direction information;

[0129] Step S1208: In response to a movement control command from the first terminal device, control the first virtual character to follow the second virtual character.

[0130] In this embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUI) is provided via a second terminal device. The GUI displays game screens containing at least a portion of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by a first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by the second terminal device. On the second terminal device, in response to the triggering of a target event, the second virtual character is bound to the first virtual character, so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character. In response to a direction selection operation on the game screen, a target guidance direction is determined to guide the movement of the first virtual character. Direction information containing the target guidance direction is sent to the first terminal device to display a direction guidance icon on the GUI of the first terminal device based on the direction information. In response to a movement control command from the first terminal device, the first virtual character is controlled to follow the movement of the second virtual character. Therefore, when the first virtual character and the second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, while the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, thereby enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between cooperative players leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0131] The method steps provided in this application embodiment can be applied to, but are not limited to, scenarios of two-player cooperative games. The following uses this scenario as an example to further illustrate the optional implementation methods of this application embodiment.

[0132] As an optional implementation of this application, the graphical user interface display content further includes multiple direction selection areas, each corresponding to a guiding direction; in step S1204, in response to the direction selection operation, determining the target guiding direction may include the following execution steps:

[0133] Step S1241: In response to the direction selection operation, determine the target direction selection area from multiple direction selection areas, wherein the target direction selection area is the direction selection area where the point of action of the direction selection operation is located on the graphical user interface;

[0134] Step S1242: Determine the guide direction corresponding to the target direction selection area as the target guide direction.

[0135] In the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario, the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device can be illustrated as follows: Figure 13 As shown, the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device displays multiple direction selection areas. Specifically, the multiple direction selection areas correspond to the following multiple guiding directions: forward, backward, left, right, left forward, right forward, left backward, and right backward.

[0136] In the second terminal device, when a direction selection operation is detected on the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device, the position of the point of application of the direction selection operation is determined, and the target direction selection area is determined from multiple direction selection areas based on the position of the point of application. For example... Figure 13 As shown, if the point of action of the direction selection operation is located in the direction selection area corresponding to the "right front" direction within the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device, then the direction selection area corresponding to the "right front" direction is determined as the target direction selection area, and the target guidance direction is "right front".

[0137] In application scenarios, the values ​​of the above-mentioned multiple guiding directions can be preset discrete values. For example, when the scene angle corresponding to the "forward" direction is set to 0° (same as 360°), the scene angle corresponding to the "right forward" direction is 45°, the scene angle corresponding to the "right" direction is 90°, the scene angle corresponding to the "right rear" direction is 135°, the scene angle corresponding to the "rear" direction is 180°, the scene angle corresponding to the "left rear" direction is 225°, the scene angle corresponding to the "left" direction is 270°, and the scene angle corresponding to the "left forward" direction is 315°.

[0138] In application scenarios, the aforementioned multiple guiding directions can also be determined by the 0° reference direction (e.g., the "forward" direction) and the position coordinates of the point of action.

[0139] As an optional implementation of this application, the guidance directions corresponding to the above-mentioned multiple direction selection areas are determined according to the relative positions of the multiple direction selection areas in the game screen.

[0140] Still as Figure 13 As shown, the guiding directions corresponding to the multiple direction selection areas can be determined based on the coordinates of the central point of each direction selection area and the coordinates of the center point of the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device. For example, on the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device, the central point of the direction indicator area corresponding to the "right" direction is directly to the right of the center point of the interface.

[0141] As an optional implementation of this application, corresponding direction selection icons are displayed in multiple direction selection areas respectively; in step S1204, in response to the direction selection operation on the game screen, determining the target guidance direction for guiding the first virtual character to move may include the following execution steps:

[0142] Step S1243: In response to the selection operation of the target direction selection mark among multiple direction selection marks, a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the second virtual character is determined.

[0143] Still as Figure 13 As shown, each of the multiple direction selection areas can display a direction selection indicator corresponding to the guiding direction, such as "forward" or "backward". When a selection operation is detected for a certain direction selection indicator, the guiding direction corresponding to that direction selection indicator is directly determined as the target guiding direction, without needing to determine the target direction selection area.

[0144] As an optional implementation of this application, the above-described game control method may further include the following execution steps:

[0145] Step S1291: Control the target part of the second virtual character to swing in the direction indicated by the target.

[0146] Taking the aforementioned two-player cooperative game scenario as an example, the directional indicator displayed on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device disappears after a preset time. To prevent the first player from losing directional guidance information due to missing the display time of the directional indicator on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, the second terminal device, in response to the directional selection operation on the game screen, determines the target direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character, and then controls the target part of the second virtual character to swing in the target direction. For example... Figure 14 As shown, the target part is the movable "little chin" on the second virtual character's head. When the target guidance direction determined by the response direction selection operation is "right," the second virtual character's "little chin" is controlled to swing to the right. The second virtual character will be simultaneously displayed on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device. Thus, even if the first player misses the display time of the directional guidance mark on the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, they can still determine the directional guidance information by the swinging direction of the second virtual character's "little chin."

[0147] As an optional implementation of this application, the game control method described above may further include the following execution steps:

[0148] Step S1292: In response to the target control command from the first terminal device, control the second virtual character to leap towards the target direction;

[0149] In step S1293, during the leap of the second virtual character, the movement direction of the second virtual character is adjusted in response to the movement control operation.

[0150] The aforementioned target control command is generated and issued by the first terminal device in response to the target control operation. The target control operation is used to trigger the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, thereby releasing the binding relationship between the first and second virtual characters. The aforementioned target direction is determined by the target control command.

[0151] In the application scenario, when the first player controls the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character via the first terminal device, the first terminal device sends a target control command to the second terminal device, controlling the second virtual character to leap in the target direction. The target direction is the throwing direction corresponding to the throwing action, and this target direction serves as the initial direction of the second virtual character's leap.

[0152] Furthermore, during the second virtual character's leap, the second player can perform movement control operations on the graphical user interface provided by the second terminal device. The second terminal device responds to these operations by adjusting the movement direction of the second virtual character. In other words, before the second virtual character lands, the second terminal device briefly has the right to move the second virtual character within the game scene.

[0153] Based on the above explanation, it is easy to understand that, according to the cooperation mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application, when the first virtual character and the second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, and the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first virtual character and the second virtual character obtain complementary game information, thereby achieving the purpose of enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening mutual assistance and cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player game experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between players participating in cooperation leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0154] It should be noted that the preferred implementation of this embodiment can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0155] This embodiment also provides another method for game control running on the mobile terminal described in the above embodiments. Figure 15 This is a flowchart of another game control method according to one embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 15 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0156] Step S1501: In response to the triggering of the target event, bind the first virtual character and the second virtual character in the game scene so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character. The first virtual character is a virtual character controlled by the first terminal device, and the second virtual character is a virtual character controlled by the second terminal device.

[0157] Step S1502: Hide the target screen of the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device. The target screen cannot contain the first virtual character.

[0158] Step S1503: In response to the direction selection operation of the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, a target guidance direction for guiding the first virtual character to move is determined, and direction information containing the target guidance direction is sent to the first terminal device.

[0159] Step S1504: Display a directional guidance icon in the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the directional guidance icon is determined according to the directional information;

[0160] Step S1505: In response to the movement operation of the first virtual character, control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character.

[0161] The above method and steps can be run on a game server, which provides multiplayer online game services for a first game client and a second game client. The first game client runs on a first terminal device, and the second game client runs on a second terminal device.

[0162] In this embodiment, in response to the triggering of a target event, a first virtual character and a second virtual character in the game scene are bound together so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character. The first virtual character is controlled by a first terminal device, and the second virtual character is controlled by a second terminal device. The target screen of the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device is hidden; the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character. In response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character is determined, and direction information containing the target guidance direction is sent to the first terminal device. A direction guidance icon is displayed in the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the direction guidance icon is determined based on the direction information. In response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, the first virtual character is controlled to move the second virtual character. Therefore, when the first virtual character and the second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, while the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, thereby enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between cooperative players leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0163] It should be noted that the preferred implementation of this embodiment can be found in the relevant descriptions in the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0164] This embodiment also provides a game control apparatus for implementing the game control method provided in the above embodiments.

[0165] Figure 16 This is a structural block diagram of a game control device according to one embodiment of this application. A graphical user interface is provided through a first terminal device. The graphical user interface displays game screens containing at least a portion of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device, such as... Figure 16 As shown, the device includes:

[0166] The binding module 1601 is used to bind the second virtual character to the first virtual character in response to the triggering of the target event, so that the first virtual character can control the movement of the second virtual character;

[0167] The hiding module 1602 is used to hide the target screen in the game screen. The target screen cannot contain the first virtual character, and a directional guide icon is displayed in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character. The directional guide icon is determined by the directional information sent by the second terminal device.

[0168] The control module 1603 is used to respond to movement operations on the first virtual character and control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character.

[0169] Optionally, in the above-mentioned game control device, the target event includes any one of the following: the first virtual character and the second virtual character entering the target game level; or an interaction event between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0170] Optionally, in the aforementioned game control device, the interactive event includes: the first virtual character lifting the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

[0171] Optionally, the aforementioned hidden module 1602 is further configured to: display a second directional guide sign in the graphical user interface; and adjust the display style of the first directional guide sign after the second directional guide sign is displayed in the graphical user interface; wherein the first directional guide sign is displayed in the graphical user interface earlier than the second directional guide sign.

[0172] Optionally, the direction information includes operation timing data corresponding to the direction selection operation, which is an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction; the aforementioned hidden module 1602 is also used to: display a direction guidance icon in the graphical user interface according to the operation timing data in the direction information.

[0173] Optionally, the display style of the aforementioned game control device includes at least one of the following: size, transparency, and color.

[0174] Optionally, the direction information includes the operation position data corresponding to the direction selection operation, which is an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate the target guidance direction; the aforementioned hidden module 1602 is also used to: display the direction guidance icon in the graphical user interface according to the operation position data.

[0175] Optionally, the aforementioned hiding module 1602 is also used to: adjust the transparency of the target area to below a preset threshold; and add an occlusion layer to the target area.

[0176] Optionally, the aforementioned hiding module 1602 is also used to: hide other virtual controls in the graphical user interface of the first terminal device besides the virtual motion control.

[0177] Optionally, in addition to all the modules mentioned above, the game control device further includes: an occlusion module (not shown in the figure), used to display an occlusion indicator in the graphical user interface in response to the triggering of a target event, the occlusion indicator being used to indicate that the field of view of the first virtual character is occluded.

[0178] Optionally, in addition to all the modules mentioned above, the game control device further includes: a skill module (not shown in the figure), used to control the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character in response to the target control operation, so as to release the binding relationship between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0179] Optionally, during the process of controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, the above-mentioned skill module is also used to: display a traction rope between the first virtual character and the second virtual character; and after the second virtual character lands, pull the first virtual character to the location of the second virtual character through the traction rope.

[0180] Optionally, after controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, and before the first virtual character reaches the location of the second virtual character, the above-mentioned skill module is also used to: display the target screen.

[0181] Optionally, after the first virtual character is pulled to the location of the second virtual character by a traction rope, the above-mentioned skill module is also used to: control the first virtual character to lift the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

[0182] Optionally, in addition to all the modules mentioned above, the game control device also includes: an item module (not shown in the figure), used to display the hidden target screen within a preset time period in response to an item activation event.

[0183] In this embodiment, the game control device can be installed on a first terminal device or an electronic device associated with the first terminal device. In response to the triggering of a target event, a second virtual character is bound to a first virtual character, allowing the first virtual character to control the movement of the second virtual character. Further, a target screen in the game is hidden, the target screen not containing the first virtual character, and a directional guide is displayed in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character. The directional guide is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device. In response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, the first virtual character is controlled to move the second virtual character. Thus, when the first and second virtual characters are bound together for cooperative gameplay, the first virtual character has part of the game screen hidden while retaining its movement operation permissions, while the second virtual character retains its game screen but is bound to follow the first virtual character. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, achieving the goal of enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus improving the game's fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between cooperating players leads to low game fun and a poor player experience.

[0184] This embodiment also provides another game control apparatus for implementing the game control method provided in the above embodiments.

[0185] Figure 17 This is a structural block diagram of another game control device according to one embodiment of this application. A graphical user interface is provided through a second terminal device. The graphical user interface displays game screens containing at least a portion of the game scene. The game scene includes a first virtual character controlled by a first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device, such as... Figure 17 As shown, the device includes:

[0186] The binding module 1701 is used to bind the second virtual character to the first virtual character in response to the triggering of the target event, so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character;

[0187] The determination module 1702 is used to determine the target guidance direction for guiding the first virtual character to move in response to a direction selection operation on the game screen;

[0188] The sending module 1703 is used to send directional information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device so as to display the directional guidance mark on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the directional information;

[0189] The control module 1704 is used to respond to a movement control command from the first terminal device and control the first virtual character to follow the movement of the second virtual character.

[0190] Optionally, the graphical user interface display content also includes multiple direction selection areas, each direction selection area corresponding to a guide direction; the aforementioned determining module 1702 is further configured to: in response to the direction selection operation, determine a target direction selection area from the multiple direction selection areas, wherein the target direction selection area is the direction selection area where the point of action of the direction selection operation on the graphical user interface is located; and determine the guide direction corresponding to the target direction selection area as the target guide direction.

[0191] Optionally, in the above-mentioned game control device, the guide directions corresponding to the multiple direction selection areas are determined according to the relative positions of the multiple direction selection areas on the game screen.

[0192] Optionally, the corresponding direction selection identifiers are displayed in the multiple direction selection areas respectively; the determination module 1702 is further configured to: in response to the selection operation of the target direction selection identifier among the multiple direction selection identifiers, determine the target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the second virtual character.

[0193] Optionally, in addition to all the modules mentioned above, the game control device also includes: an indicator module (not shown in the figure) for controlling the target part of the second virtual character to swing in the direction indicated by the target.

[0194] Optionally, in addition to all the modules mentioned above, the game control device further includes: a movement module (not shown in the figure), used to control the second virtual character to leap towards the target direction in response to a target control command from the first terminal device; and to adjust the movement direction of the second virtual character in response to the movement control operation during the leap of the second virtual character.

[0195] In this embodiment, the aforementioned game control device can be mounted on a second terminal device or an electronic device associated with the second terminal device. The graphical user interface displays game screens containing at least a portion of the game scene, which includes a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by the second terminal device. On the second terminal device, in response to the triggering of a target event, the second virtual character is bound to the first virtual character so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character; in response to a direction selection operation on the game screen, a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character is determined; direction information containing the target guidance direction is sent to the first terminal device to display a direction guidance icon on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the direction information; and in response to a movement control command from the first terminal device, the first virtual character is controlled to follow the movement of the second virtual character. Therefore, when the first virtual character and the second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, while the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, thereby enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between cooperative players leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0196] This embodiment also provides another game control apparatus for implementing the game control method provided in the above embodiments.

[0197] Figure 18 This is a structural block diagram of another game control device according to one embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 18 As shown, the device includes:

[0198] The first response module 1801 is used to respond to the triggering of the target event and bind the first virtual character and the second virtual character in the game scene so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character. The first virtual character is a virtual character controlled by the first terminal device, and the second virtual character is a virtual character controlled by the second terminal device.

[0199] Hiding module 1802 is used to hide the target screen in the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device. The target screen cannot contain the first virtual character.

[0200] The second response module 1803 is used to respond to the direction selection operation of the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, determine the target guidance direction for guiding the first virtual character to move, and send the direction information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device.

[0201] Display module 1804 is used to display directional guidance marks in the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the directional guidance marks are determined according to directional information.

[0202] The control module 1805 is used to respond to movement operations on the first virtual character and control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character.

[0203] In this embodiment, the aforementioned game control device, in response to the triggering of a target event, binds a first virtual character and a second virtual character in the game scene, enabling the first virtual character to control the movement of the second virtual character. The first virtual character is controlled by a first terminal device, and the second virtual character is controlled by a second terminal device. The target screen of the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device is hidden; the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character. In response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character is determined, and direction information containing the target guidance direction is sent to the first terminal device. A direction guidance icon is displayed in the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the direction guidance icon is determined based on the direction information. In response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, the device controls the first virtual character to move the second virtual character. Therefore, when the first virtual character and the second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, while the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, thereby enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between cooperative players leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0204] It should be noted that the above modules can be implemented by software or hardware. For the latter, they can be implemented in the following ways, but are not limited to: all the above modules are located in the same processor; or, the above modules are located in different processors in any combination.

[0205] The above-described apparatus is used to implement the embodiments described above, and details already described will not be repeated. As used above, the term "module" can refer to a combination of software and / or hardware that performs a predetermined function. Although the apparatus described in the following embodiments is preferably implemented in software, hardware implementation, or a combination of software and hardware, is also possible and contemplated.

[0206] Embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the steps in any of the above method embodiments when run.

[0207] Optionally, in this embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may include, but is not limited to, various media capable of storing computer programs, such as USB flash drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), portable hard drives, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0208] Optionally, in this embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may be located in any computer terminal in a group of computer terminals in a computer network, or in any mobile terminal in a group of mobile terminals.

[0209] Optionally, in this embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may be configured to store a computer program for performing the following steps: in response to the triggering of a target event, binding a second virtual character to a first virtual character so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character; hiding a target screen in the game screen, the target screen not containing the first virtual character, and displaying a directional guide icon in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character, wherein the directional guide icon is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device; in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, controlling the first virtual character to drive the second virtual character to move.

[0210] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the target event includes any one of the following: the first virtual character and the second virtual character enter the target game level; an interaction event between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0211] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the interactive event includes: a first virtual character lifting a second virtual character off the ground in a game scene.

[0212] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: adjusting the display style of the directional guidance sign according to the display duration of the directional guidance sign in the graphical user interface.

[0213] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: displaying a second directional guide sign in a graphical user interface; adjusting the display style of a first directional guide sign after the second directional guide sign is displayed in the graphical user interface; wherein the first directional guide sign is displayed in the graphical user interface earlier than the second directional guide sign.

[0214] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the direction information includes operation timing data corresponding to the direction selection operation, the direction selection operation being an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction; and the direction guidance identifier is displayed in the graphical user interface according to the operation timing data in the direction information.

[0215] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the display style includes at least one of the following: size, transparency, and color.

[0216] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the direction information includes operation position data corresponding to the direction selection operation, the direction selection operation being an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction; and the direction guidance identifier is displayed on the graphical user interface according to the operation position data.

[0217] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is also configured to store program code for performing the following steps: hiding a target area in the game screen, including any one of the following: adjusting the transparency of the target area to below a preset threshold; adding an occlusion layer to the target area.

[0218] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: hiding virtual controls other than the virtual motion control within the graphical user interface of the first terminal device.

[0219] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: in response to the triggering of a target event, displaying an occlusion indicator in a graphical user interface, the occlusion indicator being used to indicate that the field of view of the first virtual character is occluded.

[0220] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: in response to a target control operation, controlling a first virtual character to perform a throwing action on a second virtual character to release the binding relationship between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0221] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: during the process of controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, displaying a traction rope between the first virtual character and the second virtual character; after the second virtual character lands, pulling the first virtual character to the location of the second virtual character via the traction rope.

[0222] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: displaying a target screen after controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, and before the first virtual character reaches the location of the second virtual character.

[0223] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: after pulling the first virtual character to the location of the second virtual character by a traction rope, controlling the first virtual character to lift the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

[0224] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: in response to an item activation event, displaying a hidden target screen for a preset duration.

[0225] Optionally, in this embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may be configured to store a computer program for performing the following steps: in response to the triggering of a target event, binding a second virtual character to a first virtual character so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character; in response to a direction selection operation on the game screen, determining a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character; sending direction information containing the target guidance direction to a first terminal device to display a direction guidance icon on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the direction information; and in response to a movement control command from the first terminal device, controlling the first virtual character to follow the movement of the second virtual character.

[0226] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the display content of the graphical user interface further includes multiple direction selection areas, each direction selection area corresponding to a guide direction; in response to a direction selection operation, a target direction selection area is determined from the multiple direction selection areas, wherein the target direction selection area is the direction selection area where the point of action of the direction selection operation on the graphical user interface is located; and the guide direction corresponding to the target direction selection area is determined as the target guide direction.

[0227] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the guide directions corresponding to the multiple directional selection areas are determined based on the relative positions of the multiple directional selection areas in the game screen.

[0228] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: displaying corresponding direction selection identifiers in multiple direction selection areas respectively; and determining a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the second virtual character in response to a selection operation for a target direction selection identifier among the multiple direction selection identifiers.

[0229] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: controlling the target part of the second virtual character to swing in the direction indicated by the target.

[0230] Optionally, the aforementioned computer-readable storage medium is further configured to store program code for performing the following steps: controlling a second virtual character to leap toward a target direction in response to a target control command from a first terminal device; and adjusting the movement direction of the second virtual character in response to a movement control operation during the leap of the second virtual character.

[0231] Optionally, in this embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may be configured to store a computer program for performing the following steps: in response to the triggering of a target event, binding a first virtual character and a second virtual character in a game scene so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character, wherein the first virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a first terminal device, and the second virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a second terminal device; hiding the target screen of the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device, wherein the target screen does not contain the first virtual character; in response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, determining a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character, and sending direction information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device; displaying a direction guidance icon in the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the direction guidance icon is determined according to the direction information; and in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, controlling the first virtual character to drive the second virtual character to move.

[0232] In the computer-readable storage medium of the above embodiments, a technical solution for implementing a game control method is provided. When a first virtual character and a second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, and the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, thereby enhancing the operational interactivity of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor operational interactivity between cooperative players leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0233] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the exemplary embodiments described herein can be implemented by software or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solutions according to the embodiments of this application can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium (such as a CD-ROM, USB flash drive, external hard drive, etc.) or on a network, including several instructions to cause a computing device (such as a personal computer, server, terminal device, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods according to the embodiments of this application.

[0234] In exemplary embodiments of this application, a computer-readable storage medium stores a program product capable of implementing the methods described above in this embodiment. In some possible implementations, various aspects of the embodiments of this application may also be implemented as a program product including program code, which, when the program product is run on a terminal device, causes the terminal device to perform the steps described in the "Exemplary Methods" section of this embodiment according to various exemplary embodiments of this application.

[0235] The program product for implementing the above-described method according to embodiments of this application may employ a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and include program code, and may run on a terminal device, such as a personal computer. However, the program product of the embodiments of this application is not limited thereto. In the embodiments of this application, the computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that may be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0236] The aforementioned program product may take the form of any combination of one or more computer-readable media. Such computer-readable storage media may be, for example, but not limited to, electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (not exhaustive) of computer-readable storage media include: electrical connections having one or more wires, portable disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0237] It should be noted that the program code contained on the computer-readable storage medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0238] Embodiments of this application also provide an electronic device including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program and the processor is configured to run the computer program to perform the steps in any of the above method embodiments.

[0239] Optionally, the electronic device may further include a transmission device and an input / output device, wherein the transmission device is connected to the processor and the input / output device is connected to the processor.

[0240] Optionally, in this embodiment, the processor can be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: in response to the triggering of a target event, bind the second virtual character to the first virtual character so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character; hide the target screen in the game screen, the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character, and display a directional guide icon in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character, wherein the directional guide icon is determined by directional information sent by the second terminal device; in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, control the first virtual character to drive the second virtual character to move.

[0241] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: the target event includes any one of the following: the first virtual character and the second virtual character enter the target game level; an interaction event between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0242] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: the interactive event includes: a first virtual character lifting a second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

[0243] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: adjusting the display style of the directional sign based on the display duration of the directional sign in the graphical user interface.

[0244] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: displaying a second directional guide sign in a graphical user interface; adjusting the display style of a first directional guide sign after the second directional guide sign is displayed in the graphical user interface; wherein the first directional guide sign is displayed in the graphical user interface earlier than the second directional guide sign.

[0245] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: the direction information includes operation timing data corresponding to the direction selection operation, the direction selection operation being an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction; and the direction guidance identifier is displayed in the graphical user interface according to the operation timing data in the direction information.

[0246] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: the display style includes at least one of the following: size, transparency, and color.

[0247] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: the direction information includes operation position data corresponding to the direction selection operation, the direction selection operation being an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction; and the direction guidance identifier is displayed on the graphical user interface according to the operation position data.

[0248] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: hiding the target area in the game screen includes any one of the following: adjusting the transparency of the target area to below a preset threshold; adding an occlusion layer to the target area.

[0249] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: hiding all virtual controls in the graphical user interface of the first terminal device except for the virtual motion control.

[0250] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: in response to the triggering of a target event, displaying an occlusion indicator in a graphical user interface, the occlusion indicator being used to indicate that the field of view of the first virtual character is occluded.

[0251] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: in response to a target control operation, control the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, so as to release the binding relationship between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

[0252] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: during the process of controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, a traction rope is displayed between the first virtual character and the second virtual character; after the second virtual character lands, the first virtual character is pulled to the location of the second virtual character by the traction rope.

[0253] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: displaying the target screen after controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, and before the first virtual character reaches the location of the second virtual character.

[0254] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: after pulling the first virtual character to the location of the second virtual character using a traction rope, control the first virtual character to lift the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

[0255] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: in response to an item activation event, display the hidden target screen within a preset duration.

[0256] Optionally, in this embodiment, the processor can be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: in response to the triggering of a target event, binding the second virtual character to the first virtual character so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character; in response to a direction selection operation on the game screen, determining a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character; sending direction information containing the target guidance direction to a first terminal device to display a direction guidance icon on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the direction information; and in response to a movement control command from the first terminal device, controlling the first virtual character to follow the movement of the second virtual character.

[0257] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: the display content of the graphical user interface further includes multiple direction selection areas, each direction selection area corresponding to a guide direction; in response to a direction selection operation, a target direction selection area is determined from the multiple direction selection areas, wherein the target direction selection area is the direction selection area where the point of action of the direction selection operation on the graphical user interface is located; and the guide direction corresponding to the target direction selection area is determined as the target guide direction.

[0258] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: the guide directions corresponding to the multiple directional selection areas are determined based on the relative positions of the multiple directional selection areas in the game screen.

[0259] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: displaying corresponding direction selection icons in multiple direction selection areas respectively; and determining a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the second virtual character in response to a selection operation of a target direction selection icon among the multiple direction selection icons.

[0260] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: controlling the target part of the second virtual character to swing in the direction indicated by the target.

[0261] Optionally, the processor may also be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: in response to a target control command from a first terminal device, control the second virtual character to leap toward a target direction; during the leap of the second virtual character, in response to a movement control operation, adjust the movement direction of the second virtual character.

[0262] Optionally, in this embodiment, the processor can be configured to perform the following steps via a computer program: in response to the triggering of a target event, binding a first virtual character and a second virtual character in the game scene so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character, wherein the first virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a first terminal device, and the second virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a second terminal device; hiding the target screen of the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device, wherein the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character; in response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, determining a target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character, and sending direction information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device; displaying a direction guidance icon in the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the direction guidance icon is determined according to the direction information; and in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, controlling the first virtual character to drive the second virtual character to move.

[0263] In the electronic device described in the above embodiments, a technical solution for implementing game control is provided. When a first virtual character and a second virtual character are bound together for cooperative gameplay, part of the game screen is hidden for the first virtual character while retaining its movement operation permissions, and the game screen is retained for the second virtual character but it is bound to follow the first virtual character's movement. In other words, the first and second virtual characters obtain complementary game information, thereby enhancing the interactive operation of game control, strengthening cooperation between players, and thus achieving the technical effect of improving game fun and player experience. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where poor interactive operation between cooperative players leads to low game fun and poor player experience.

[0264] Figure 19This is a schematic diagram of an electronic device according to one embodiment of this application. Figure 19 As shown, the electronic device 1900 is merely an example and should not impose any limitations on the functionality and scope of use of the embodiments of this application.

[0265] like Figure 19 As shown, the electronic device 1900 is presented in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of the electronic device 1900 may include, but are not limited to: at least one processor 1910, at least one memory 1920, a bus 1930 connecting different system components (including memory 1920 and processor 1910), and a display 1940.

[0266] The memory 1920 stores program code that can be executed by the processor 1910, causing the processor 1910 to perform the steps described in the method section of the embodiments of this application according to various exemplary implementations of this application.

[0267] The memory 1920 may include a readable medium in the form of volatile memory cells, such as random access memory (RAM) 19201 and / or cache memory 19202, and may further include read-only memory (ROM) 19203, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or other non-volatile solid-state memory.

[0268] In some instances, memory 1920 may also include programs / utilities 19204 having a set (at least one) of program modules 19205, including but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each or some combination of these examples may include an implementation of a network environment. Memory 1920 may further include memory remotely located relative to processor 1910, which can be connected to electronic device 1900 via a network. Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, the Internet, intranets, local area networks, mobile communication networks, and combinations thereof.

[0269] Bus 1930 can represent one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory cell bus or memory cell controller, peripheral bus, graphics acceleration port, processor 1910, or a local bus using any of the various bus structures.

[0270] The display 1940 may be, for example, a touch-screen liquid crystal display (LCD) that allows the user to interact with the user interface of the electronic device 1900.

[0271] Optionally, the electronic device 1900 can also communicate with one or more external devices 2000 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, Bluetooth device, etc.), one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the electronic device 1900, and / or any device that enables the electronic device 1900 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., router, modem, etc.). This communication can be performed via the input / output (I / O) interface 1950. Furthermore, the electronic device 1900 can also communicate with one or more networks (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and / or public networks, such as the Internet) via the network adapter 1960. Figure 19 As shown, network adapter 1960 communicates with other modules of electronic device 1900 via bus 1930. It should be understood that, although... Figure 19 As not shown, other hardware and / or software modules may be used in conjunction with electronic device 1900, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, Redundant Arrays of Independent Disks (RAID) systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0272] The aforementioned electronic device 1900 may also include: a keyboard, a cursor control device (such as a mouse), an input / output interface (I / O interface), a network interface, a power supply, and / or a camera.

[0273] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 19 The structure shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the structure of the electronic device described above. For example, electronic device 1900 may also include... Figure 19 The more or fewer components shown, or having the same Figure 19 Different configurations are shown. The memory 1920 can be used to store computer programs and corresponding data, such as the computer program and corresponding data corresponding to the game control method in this embodiment. The processor 1910 executes various functional applications and data processing by running the computer program stored in the memory 1920, thereby implementing the aforementioned game control method.

[0274] The sequence numbers of the embodiments in this application are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0275] In the above embodiments of this application, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0276] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed technical content can be implemented in other ways. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units can be a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For instance, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the displayed or discussed mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between units or modules may be electrical or other forms.

[0277] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0278] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0279] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part 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 application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), portable hard drive, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0280] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principle of this application, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a game, characterized in that, The method includes providing a graphical user interface (GUI) via a first terminal device, wherein the GUI displays a first game screen containing at least a portion of a game scene, the game scene including a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device; the method comprises: In response to the triggering of a target event, the second virtual character is bound to the first virtual character, so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character; The target screen in the first game screen is hidden, and the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character; In response to the direction information sent by the second terminal device, a direction guidance icon is displayed in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character. The direction information is determined according to the target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character. The target guidance direction is determined by the second terminal device in response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen. In response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, a movement control command is sent to the second terminal device to control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The target event includes any of the following: The first virtual character and the second virtual character enter the target game level; Interaction events between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The interactive events include: The first virtual character lifts the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display of directional guidance icons on the graphical user interface includes: The display style of the directional guidance icon is adjusted according to the display duration of the directional guidance icon in the graphical user interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The display of directional guidance icons on the graphical user interface includes: A second directional guide icon is displayed in the graphical user interface. After the second directional guide icon is displayed in the graphical user interface, the display style of the first directional guide icon is adjusted. The first directional indicator is displayed on the graphical user interface earlier than the second directional indicator.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The direction information includes operation timing data corresponding to the direction selection operation, which is an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction. The display of the directional guidance icon in the graphical user interface includes: The directional guidance icon is displayed on the graphical user interface based on the operation timing data in the directional information.

7. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The display style includes at least one of the following: Size, transparency, color.

8. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The direction information includes operation position data corresponding to the direction selection operation, and the direction selection operation is an operation performed on the second terminal device to generate a target guidance direction; The process of displaying the directional guidance icon in the graphical user interface includes: The directional guidance icon is displayed on the graphical user interface based on the operation location data.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Hiding the target area in the first game screen includes any of the following: Adjust the transparency of the target area to below a preset threshold; Add an occlusion layer to the target area.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Hide all virtual controls in the graphical user interface of the first terminal device except for the virtual motion control.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to the triggering of the target event, an occlusion indicator is displayed in the graphical user interface, the occlusion indicator being used to indicate that the field of view of the first virtual character is obstructed.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to a target control operation, the first virtual character is controlled to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character to release the binding relationship between the first virtual character and the second virtual character.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, During the process of controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, the method further includes: A tether is displayed between the first virtual character and the second virtual character; Once the second virtual character lands, the first virtual character is pulled to the location of the second virtual character using the traction rope.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, After controlling the first virtual character to perform a throwing action on the second virtual character, and before the first virtual character reaches the location of the second virtual character, the method further includes: Display the target screen.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, After the first virtual character is pulled to the location of the second virtual character by the traction rope, the method further includes: The first virtual character is controlled to lift the second virtual character off the ground in the game scene.

16. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to an item activation event, the hidden target screen is displayed within a preset time period.

17. A method for controlling a game, characterized in that, The method includes providing a graphical user interface via a second terminal device, wherein the graphical user interface displays a second game screen containing at least a portion of a game scene, the game scene containing a first virtual character controlled by a first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by the second terminal device; the method includes: In response to the triggering of a target event, the second virtual character is bound to the first virtual character, so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character; In response to a direction selection operation for the second game screen, a target guidance direction for guiding the first virtual character to move is determined, wherein the target screen is hidden in the first game screen corresponding to the first virtual character, and the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character; Directional information containing the target guidance direction is sent to the first terminal device so that a directional guidance icon is displayed on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the directional information; In response to a movement control command from the first terminal device, the first virtual character is controlled to move following the second virtual character, wherein the movement control command is generated by the first terminal device in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The graphical user interface also includes multiple direction selection areas, each of which corresponds to a guiding direction. In response to the direction selection operation, determining the target guidance direction includes: In response to the direction selection operation, a target direction selection region is determined from the plurality of direction selection regions, wherein the target direction selection region is the direction selection region where the point of action of the direction selection operation on the graphical user interface is located; The guiding direction corresponding to the target direction selection area is determined as the target guiding direction.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The guiding directions corresponding to the multiple directional selection areas are determined based on the relative positions of the multiple directional selection areas in the second game screen.

20. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, Each of the multiple direction selection areas displays a corresponding direction selection icon; The step of determining a target guidance direction to guide the first virtual character's movement in response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen includes: In response to a selection operation of a target direction selection identifier among the plurality of direction selection identifiers, the target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the second virtual character is determined.

21. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Control the target part of the second virtual character to swing in the direction indicated by the target.

22. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to a target control command from the first terminal device, the second virtual character is controlled to leap towards the target direction; During the second virtual character's leap, the movement direction of the second virtual character is adjusted in response to movement control operations.

23. A method for controlling a game, characterized in that, The method includes: In response to the triggering of a target event, a first virtual character and a second virtual character in the game scene are bound together so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character. The first virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a first terminal device, and the second virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. Furthermore, the target screen of the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device is hidden, and the target screen cannot contain the first virtual character; In response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, a target guidance direction for guiding the first virtual character to move is determined, and direction information including the target guidance direction is sent to the first terminal device. A directional guidance icon is displayed within the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the directional guidance icon is determined based on the directional information; In response to a movement operation on the first virtual character, control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character.

24. A game control device, characterized in that, The device provides a graphical user interface (GUI) via a first terminal device, the GUI displaying content including at least a portion of a game scene's first game screen, the game scene including a first virtual character controlled by the first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by a second terminal device, the device comprising: The binding module is used to bind the second virtual character to the first virtual character in response to the triggering of a target event, so that the first virtual character can control the movement of the second virtual character; A hiding module is used to hide the target screen in the first game screen, and the target screen may not contain the first virtual character; In response to the direction information sent by the second terminal device, a direction guidance icon is displayed in the graphical user interface to guide the movement of the first virtual character. The direction information is determined according to the target guidance direction for guiding the movement of the first virtual character. The target guidance direction is determined by the second terminal device in response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen. The control module is used to respond to movement operations on the first virtual character, send movement control commands to the second terminal device, and control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character.

25. A device for controlling a game, characterized in that, A graphical user interface is provided via a second terminal device, the content displayed by the graphical user interface including at least a portion of a game scene, the game scene including a first virtual character controlled by a first terminal device and a second virtual character controlled by the second terminal device, the device comprising: The binding module is used to bind the second virtual character to the first virtual character in response to the triggering of a target event, so that the movement of the second virtual character is controlled by the first virtual character; A determining module is configured to determine a target guiding direction for guiding the first virtual character to move in response to a direction selection operation on the second game screen, wherein the target screen is hidden in the first game screen corresponding to the first virtual character, and the target screen may not contain the first virtual character. The sending module is used to send directional information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device, so as to display the directional guidance icon on the graphical user interface of the first terminal device according to the directional information; A control module is configured to respond to a movement control command from the first terminal device and control the first virtual character to follow the movement of the second virtual character, wherein the movement control command is generated by the first terminal device in response to a movement operation on the first virtual character.

26. A device for controlling a game, characterized in that, The device includes: The first response module is used to respond to the triggering of the target event and bind a first virtual character and a second virtual character in the game scene so that the first virtual character controls the movement of the second virtual character. The first virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a first terminal device, and the second virtual character is a virtual character controlled by a second terminal device. The hiding module is used to hide the target screen in the first game screen displayed on the first terminal device, and the target screen may not contain the first virtual character; The second response module is used to respond to the direction selection operation of the second game screen displayed on the second terminal device, determine the target guidance direction for guiding the first virtual character to move, and send the direction information containing the target guidance direction to the first terminal device. The display module is used to display a directional guidance identifier within the graphical user interface provided by the first terminal device, wherein the directional guidance identifier is determined based on the directional information; The control module is used to respond to movement operations on the first virtual character and control the first virtual character to move the second virtual character.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to execute the game control method according to any one of claims 1 to 23 when run by a processor.

28. An electronic device comprising a memory and a processor, characterized in that, The memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to run the computer program to perform the game control method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

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