Information processing program, information processing device, information processing method, and information processing system

Abstract

To provide a new information processing device that presents a map image in which regions where a player character has been located can be seen in a game where the player character moves in a virtual space.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a control unit which controls a position of a first character in a virtual space on the basis of a first operation input of a first user of a first terminal; a position history information storage unit which stores position history information indicating where each of the first character and a second character whose position in the virtual space is controlled on the basis of an operation input of a second user of a second terminal has been located in the virtual space in a storage unit; and a presentation unit which presents a map image which corresponds to the virtual space and in which a first user traversing region corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located can be distinguished from a second character traversing region corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located on the basis of the position history information when there is a log screen display operation of the first user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing program, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing system for executing a game. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been known in which a play record including position information of each player character in a virtual space when multiple users play a game is acquired, and the state of each player character in the game is displayed on a display device based on the play record (for example, Patent Document 1). Such a system can present information on the positions in the virtual space where the player's own player character and the player characters of other users are located.

[0003] Also, in a game in which a player character is moved within a virtual space, a system is known in which a map image of the virtual space is presented to display areas in the virtual space where the player character satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, an area where the player character is located, an area where the player character has performed a predetermined action such as coloring, an area where the player character has accomplished a predetermined mission, etc.) By checking this map image, a user can easily confirm which areas in the virtual space satisfy the predetermined condition. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-50866 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a new information processing program, information processing device, information processing method, and information processing system for presenting a map image in which areas in which a player character has been located are visible in a game in which the player character moves within a virtual space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing program of configuration 1 is an information processing program executed by a computer of a first terminal capable of playing a game in which a game status is synchronized with a second terminal participating in the same session, and is configured to cause the computer to function as: a control means for controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input of a first user of the first terminal in the game; a position history information storage means for storing in a storage unit position history information indicating where each of the first character and a second character, whose position in the virtual space is controlled based on an operation input of a second user of the second terminal, was located in the virtual space in the game; and a presentation means for presenting, when a second operation input of the first user is received, a map image corresponding to the virtual space, wherein a first area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located and a second area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located are distinguishable based on the position history information.

[0007] With this configuration, a map image is presented on the first terminal that allows the user to recognize the area where the first character has been located and the area where the second character of the second terminal has been located, thereby improving visibility of the areas where the first character and the second character have each been located.

[0008] The information processing program of configuration 2 is the information processing program of configuration 1, wherein the presentation means presents the map image so that the first area is in a first display mode and the second area is in a second display mode, and the presentation means is configured to present the map image so that an area in which both the first character and the second character have been located is in the first display mode.

[0009] With this configuration, an area where the first character has been located and an area where the second character of the second terminal has been located are displayed in different display modes, improving the visibility of the areas where the first character and the second character have each been located.

[0010] An information processing program of configuration 3 has a configuration in which, in the information processing program of configuration 1 or 2, the computer is further made to function as a notification presentation means for presenting a notification to a first user of the first character and a second user of the second character when a parameter indicating the size of an area in the virtual space in which the first character and the second character have been located satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0011] With this configuration, it is possible to grasp the size of the area in which the first character and the second character have been located in the virtual space.

[0012] An information processing program of configuration 4 is an information processing program of any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the presentation means is configured to mask areas in the virtual space where the first character has never been located, and to remove the mask of areas in the virtual space where the first character has been located, thereby allowing the areas in the virtual space where the first character has been located to be viewed.

[0013] With this configuration, the presentation of map images of areas in the virtual space where the first character has never been located is restricted, increasing the interest of the game in exploring such areas.

[0014] An information processing program of configuration 5 is the information processing program of configuration 4, wherein the presentation means is configured to mask differently a first area where the second character has been located and a second area where the second character has never been located in an area in the virtual space where the first character has never been located.

[0015] This configuration makes it possible to distinguish between areas where any other character has been located and areas where no character has been located.

[0016] An information processing program of configuration 6 is the information processing program of configuration 5, wherein the presentation means is configured to apply a first mask that reduces color information of the ground surface of the first region, and to apply a second mask that superimposes a mask panel that hides the ground surface of the second region.

[0017] With this configuration, the ground surface is not presented in an area where no character has been located, and the ground surface is displayed with less color information in an area where other characters have been located, so that both areas can be distinguished and the interest of the game in exploring an area where no character has been located is improved.

[0018] The information processing program of configuration 7 is an information processing program executed by a computer of a terminal capable of executing a game, and has a control means for controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a user of the terminal, a position history information storage means for storing in a storage unit position history information indicating the position of the first character at each time in the virtual space, and a map image corresponding to the virtual space based on a second operation input by the user, the map image being a map image in which places where the first character has previously been located in the game are visible based on the position history information, and when the second operation input is made, the previous map image presented when the previous second operation input was made is presented as the map image, and subsequently the current map image based on the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented to when the current second operation input is made is presented as the map image.

[0019] With this configuration, it becomes easy to identify where in the virtual space the first character has been positioned between the previous presentation of the map image and the current presentation of the map image.

[0020] The information processing program of configuration 8 is the information processing program of configuration 7, further causing the computer to function as a synchronization means for synchronizing a game status with other terminals participating in the same session, and the position history information has a configuration including information indicating the position of a second character of the other terminal at each time in the virtual space.

[0021] With this configuration, it is possible to present a map image that enables the second character to identify where in the virtual space the character has been located between the previous map image and the current map image.

[0022] The information processing program of configuration 9 is the information processing program of configuration 8, wherein the presentation means is configured to present the map image in a manner that enables a distinction to be made between a first area in which the first character has been located and a second area in which the second character has been located, based on the position history information.

[0023] With this configuration, a map image is presented that allows a distinction to be made between an area where the first character has been located and an area where the second character has been located, improving visibility.

[0024] An information processing program of configuration 10 is an information processing program of any one of configurations 7 to 9, in which the presentation means is configured to present the map image such that, after presenting the previous map image, the current map image is gradually presented.

[0025] With this configuration, areas that have been newly positioned between the presentation of the previous map image and the presentation of the current map image can be visually recognized in an animation.

[0026] The information processing program of configuration 11 is the information processing program of configuration 10, wherein the presentation means presents the map image with a mask on an area where the first character has never been located based on the position history information, and presents the map image so that the mask on the previous map image is gradually removed and the current map image is displayed for an area where the first character has newly been located between the time the previous second operation input was performed and the time the current second operation input is performed based on the position history information.

[0027] With this configuration, areas that have been newly positioned between the presentation of the previous map image and the presentation of the current map image can be visually confirmed by an animation of the mask being removed.

[0028] The information processing device of configuration 12 is an information processing device as a first terminal capable of executing a game in which a game status is synchronized with a second terminal participating in the same session, and is configured to include a control means for controlling, in the game, a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input of a first user of the first terminal, a position history information storage means for storing in a memory unit position history information indicating where each of the first character and a second character whose position in the virtual space is controlled based on an operation input of a second user of the second terminal was located in the virtual space in the game, and a presentation means for presenting, when a second operation input is made by the first user, a map image corresponding to the virtual space, which is capable of distinguishing, based on the position history information, a first area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located and a second area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located.

[0029] With this configuration, a map image is presented on the first terminal that allows the user to recognize the area where the first character has been located and the area where the second character of the second terminal has been located, thereby improving visibility of the areas where the first character and the second character have each been located.

[0030] The information processing device of configuration 13 is an information processing device provided in a terminal capable of executing a game, and is configured to include a control means for controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a user of the terminal, a position history information storage means for storing position history information indicating the position of the first character at each time in the virtual space in a storage unit, and a presentation means for presenting a map image corresponding to the virtual space based on a second operation input by the user, the map image being a map image in which locations where the first character has previously been located in the game are visible based on the position history information, and when the second operation input is made, presenting as the map image a previous map image presented when the previous second operation input was made, and subsequently presenting as the map image a current map image based on the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented to when the current second operation input is made.

[0031] With this configuration, it becomes easy to identify where in the virtual space the first character has been positioned between the previous presentation of the map image and the current presentation of the map image.

[0032] The information processing method of configuration 14 is an information processing method executed on a first terminal capable of playing a game in which a game status is synchronized with a second terminal participating in the same session, and includes a control step of controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input of a first user of the first terminal in the game, a position history information storage step of storing in a memory unit position history information indicating where each of the first character and a second character whose position in the virtual space is controlled based on an operation input of a second user of the second terminal was located in the virtual space in the game, and a presentation step of presenting, when a second operation input is received from the first user, a map image corresponding to the virtual space, which is capable of distinguishing, based on the position history information, a first area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located and a second area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located.

[0033] With this configuration, a map image is presented on the first terminal that allows the user to recognize the area where the first character has been located and the area where the second character of the second terminal has been located, thereby improving visibility of the areas where the first character and the second character have each been located.

[0034] The information processing method of configuration 15 is an information processing method executed on a terminal capable of executing a game, and includes a first control step of controlling a position of a character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a user of the terminal, a position history information storage step of storing position history information indicating the position of the character at each time in the virtual space in a storage unit, and a presentation step of presenting a map image corresponding to the virtual space based on a second operation input by the user, the map image being a map image in which locations where the character has previously been located in the game are visible based on the position history information, and when the second operation input is made, presenting as the map image a previous map image presented when the previous second operation input was made, and subsequently presenting as the map image a current map image based on the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented to when the current second operation input is made.

[0035] With this configuration, it becomes easy to identify where in the virtual space the first character has been positioned between the previous presentation of the map image and the current presentation of the map image.

[0036] The information processing system of configuration 16 is an information processing system capable of executing a game in which a game status is synchronized between a second terminal and a first terminal participating in the same session, and is configured to include a control means for controlling, in the game, a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input of a first user of the first terminal, a position history information storage means for storing in a storage unit position history information indicating where each of the first character and a second character whose position in the virtual space is controlled based on an operation input of a second user of the second terminal was located in the virtual space in the game, and a presentation means for presenting, when a second operation input is made by the first user, a map image corresponding to the virtual space, wherein a first area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located and a second area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located are distinguishable based on the position history information.

[0037] With this configuration, a map image is presented on the first terminal that allows the user to recognize the area where the first character has been located and the area where the second character of the second terminal has been located, thereby improving visibility of the areas where the first character and the second character have each been located.

[0038] An information processing system of configuration 17 is an information processing system including a terminal capable of executing a game, and is configured to include a control means for controlling a position of a character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a user of the terminal, a position history information storage means for storing position history information indicating the position of the character at each time in the virtual space in a storage unit, and a presentation means for presenting a map image corresponding to the virtual space based on a second operation input by the user, the map image being a map image in which locations where the character has previously been located in the game are visible based on the position history information, when the second operation input is made, presenting as the map image a previous map image presented when the previous second operation input was made, and subsequently presenting as the map image a current map image based on the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented to when the current second operation input is made.

[0039] With this configuration, it becomes easy to identify where in the virtual space the first character has been positioned between the previous presentation of the map image and the current presentation of the map image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall image of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the game server according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the information processing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a table showing the data structure of the position history information stored in the storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a timing chart of the processing performed for synchronization among the game server, the first terminal, and the second terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a log screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the map image according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a mark indicating the position of a player character on a map image according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a map image according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a map image according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a map image according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a part of a map image according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the screen presentation process according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an unannotated distribution map image according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0041] Hereinafter, an information processing program, an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing system according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below shows an example of a case where the present invention is implemented, and the present invention is not limited to the specific configuration described below. In implementing the present invention, a specific configuration according to the embodiment may be appropriately adopted.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall image of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 100 includes a server 1 and a plurality of information processing devices 2. In this embodiment, the information processing system 100 is applied as a game system, the server 1 is a game server, and the information processing device 2 is a game device. The information processing device as the game device 2 may be a device dedicated to games, or may be configured by a general-purpose information processing device such as a smartphone, a stationary or portable game device, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer, or a wearable terminal executing a game program. The game server 1 and the game device 2 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network 3 such as the Internet. In the following embodiment, a person who uses the information processing system, that is, a person who plays a game, is called a user, and a character operated by a user in a game is called a player character.

[0043] [Game server hardware configuration] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game server according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game server 1 includes at least a processor 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The processor 11 executes various programs for controlling the game server 1. The storage unit 12 stores various programs executed by the processor 11 and various data used. The communication unit 13 is connected to the network 3 by wired or wireless communication, and transmits and receives predetermined data to and from the game device 2 or other servers (not shown).

[0044] [Game device hardware configuration] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game device 2 includes a display unit 21, a main body 22, and a controller 23. The display unit 21, the main body 22, and the controller 23 may be integrally configured, or may be connected to each other by wire or wirelessly.

[0045] The display unit 21 is a device in which a plurality of pixels are arranged two-dimensionally and performs display based on a video signal. The display unit 21 also has a function of performing audio output based on an audio signal. The display unit 21 may be a display panel and a speaker integrated with the main body 22, or may be a monitor device with a speaker (e.g., a television receiver) that is connected to the main body 22 by a wire and receives and displays a video signal from the main body 22.

[0046] The main body 22 includes a processor 221, an image / audio output unit 222, a storage unit 223, a wireless communication unit 224, and a controller communication unit 225. The storage unit 223 stores various programs executed by the processor 221 and various data used. The storage unit 223 may be, for example, an internal storage medium such as a flash memory or a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or may be configured to use an external storage medium or the like that is inserted into a slot (not shown).

[0047] Processor 221 is an information processing unit that executes various types of information processing executed in main body 22, and may be composed of only a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or may be composed of a SoC (System-on-a-chip) including multiple functions such as a CPU function and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) function. Processor 221 executes various types of information processing by executing an information processing program (a game program in this embodiment) stored in storage unit 223.

[0048] The wireless communication unit 224 allows the game device 2 to perform wireless communication with other main bodies 22 or a predetermined server device. For example, internet communication or short-distance wireless communication is used as the wireless communication. The controller communication unit 225 allows the main body 22 to perform wired or wireless communication with the controller 23. The image and audio output unit 222 outputs the video signal and audio signal generated by the processor 221 to the display unit 5.

[0049] The controller 23 has a vertically long housing and can be held in a vertically long orientation. The housing has a shape and size that allows it to be held in one hand when held in a vertically long orientation.

[0050] The controller 23 includes at least one analog stick 232, which is an example of a direction input device. The analog stick 232 can be used as a direction input unit capable of inputting a direction. By tilting the analog stick 232, the user can input a direction according to the tilt direction (and input a magnitude according to the tilt angle). The controller 23 also includes a button unit 233 including various operation buttons. For example, the controller 23 may include a plurality of operation buttons on the main surface of the housing. The operation buttons are, for example, ABXY buttons, a plus button, a minus button, an L button, an R button, and the like.

[0051] The controller 23 also includes an inertial sensor 234. Specifically, the controller 23 includes an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor as the inertial sensor 234. In this embodiment, the acceleration sensor detects the magnitude of acceleration along predetermined three axial directions. The angular velocity sensor detects angular velocities around predetermined three axes.

[0052] The controller 23 also includes a communication unit 231 for performing wired or wireless communication with the controller communication unit 234. The directional input contents to the analog stick 232, information indicating the pressed state of the button unit 233, and various detection results by the inertial sensor 234 are repeatedly output to the communication unit 231 at appropriate timing and transmitted to the main body 22.

[0053] [Game Overview] Next, a game process executed in this embodiment will be described. First, an outline of the game assumed in this embodiment will be described. The game assumed in this embodiment is a game in which a player character explores a three-dimensional virtual space below the surface of the sea (hereinafter, referred to as a "virtual underwater space") by diving.

[0054] This game may be one in which the user is awarded points for completing specified missions as the player character explores the virtual underwater space, and users are ranked according to the points they earn, or it may be one in which no specific objective is set, and the player character simply explores the virtual underwater space and records a log of their explorations.

[0055] In this embodiment, a user can participate in a game by joining a session set by the game server 1. In a session, users of a plurality of game devices 2 connected online to the game server 1 can simultaneously explore the same virtual underwater space. Alternatively or in addition to this, a user may be able to play a game in which he or she explores the virtual underwater space alone. In this case, the game device 2 may be able to execute such a game offline.

[0056] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the game system 100 as an information processing system includes a game server 1 and a plurality of game devices 2. In Fig. 4, two game devices 2 are shown. Hereinafter, any one of the plurality of game devices 2 constituting the game system 100 is also referred to as a first terminal, and any game device 2 other than the first terminal is also referred to as a second terminal. The game system 100 executes a game in which the game situation is synchronized between the first terminal and the second terminal participating in the same session.

[0057] The game server 1 includes a synchronization unit 51 that performs processing for synchronizing the game status between the first terminal and the second terminal, and a communication unit 52 that communicates with each of the first terminal and the second terminal. The synchronization unit 51 is configured by the processor 11 in FIG. 2 executing a predetermined program and operating using the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 52 corresponds to the communication unit 13 in FIG. 2.

[0058] Each game device 2 includes a communication unit 41, a synchronization unit 42, an operation reception unit 43, a control unit 44, a storage unit 45, a position history information storage unit 46, a display unit 47, and a presentation unit 48. These functions are configured by the processor 221 in FIG. 3 executing a game program as an information processing program of this embodiment in cooperation with the hardware shown in FIG. 3. The game program may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium, and may be read out from the non-transitory storage medium and installed in the game device 2. In addition, the game program may be installed in the game device 2 by the game device 2 downloading it from a server via a network.

[0059] The components of the game device 2 do not need to be included in the same device, but may be distributed among multiple devices, in which case the functions described below may be realized by the multiple devices communicating with each other via wire or wirelessly. The functions of the game device 2 as a first terminal are described below.

[0060] 3, and transmits and receives various information by performing wired or wireless communication with the game server 1. In particular, the communication unit 41 transmits to the game server 1 position history information (hereinafter referred to as first position history information) indicating where a player character of a first terminal (hereinafter referred to as first character) has been located, and receives from the game server 1 position history information (hereinafter referred to as second position history information) indicating where a player character of a second terminal (hereinafter referred to as second character) has been located.

[0061] The operation reception unit 43 receives, as electric signals, operations by the user on the analog stick 232, the button unit 233, and the inertial sensor 234. The control unit 44 controls the position of the first character in the virtual space based on an operation input (specifically, an operation on the joystick 232) for moving the first character by a user of a first terminal (hereinafter referred to as a first user) in the game.

[0062] The position history information storage unit 46 stores the first position history information and the second position history information in the storage unit 45. The first position history information is a history of the position of the first character in the control unit 44, and is acquired from the control unit 44. The second position history information is a history of the position of the second character, and is acquired via the communication unit 41. For this purpose, the synchronization unit 42 synchronizes the game situation with the second terminal participating in the same session. Specifically, the synchronization unit 42 transmits the first position history information to the game server 1 via the communication unit 41, and receives the second position history information from the game server 1.

[0063] 5 is a table showing the data structure of the position history information stored in the storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. The position history information includes information indicating the position of each user's character in the virtual underwater space at each time. In this embodiment, as an example, each record of the position history information stored in the storage unit 45 includes a user ID, an area number of the area where the user's character was located, and information on the time of entry into the area. Note that, in another example, the record may include a user ID and coordinates in the virtual underwater space where the user's character was located at each unit time.

[0064] Here, the virtual underwater space is partitioned into a number of unit areas in the planar direction. The size of the virtual underwater space may be, for example, 500m x 500m, and the size of the unit area may be, for example, 10m x 10m. In other words, the virtual underwater space may be partitioned into (50 x 50 =) 2500 unit areas. Each unit area is assigned an area number, and the position history information indicates the area that has been traversed (entered) by this area number.

[0065] The entry time may be the actual date and time in the country, but in this embodiment, the entry time is expressed as the elapsed time from the start of the session, with the session start time being used as the base time. A user can join a session from the start of the session, but can also join a session midway after it has started. When each user joins a session, they start the game from a randomly selected position in the virtual underwater space. Therefore, the area in which each player character is located at time 0:00 is generally different.

[0066] 6 is a timing chart of a process performed for synchronization among a game server, a first terminal, and a second terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the first terminal performs movement control and, as a result, enters a unit area different from (adjacent to) the unit area of ​​the current position (step S11), the position history information storage unit 46 stores the area number of the newly entered unit area and its time in the storage unit 45 as position history information (step S12), and transmits the position history information including the user ID of the first terminal, the area number of the entered unit area, and the time of entering the unit area to the game server 1.

[0067] In the game server 1, the synchronization unit 51 receives the location history information transmitted from the first terminal via the communication unit 52 (step S21), and distributes the received location history information to all terminals (including the second terminal) participating in the session at a predetermined timing (step S22). Note that in this embodiment, the game server 1 distributes the location history information to each terminal periodically, but conversely, each terminal may periodically access the game server 1 and obtain the location history information stored in the game server 1.

[0068] In the second terminal, the synchronization unit 42 receives the position history information from the game server 1 via the communication unit 41 (step S31), and the position history information storage unit 46 stores the position history information in the storage unit 45 (step S32). As a result, a new record of the position history information shown in FIG. 5 is added to the storage unit 45.

[0069] When movement control is performed on the second terminal such that the second character enters an adjacent unit area from its current position (step S33), the position history information storage unit 46 records position history information for the entered unit area in the storage unit 45 (step S34) and transmits this position history information to the game server 1.

[0070] In the game server 1, similar to when location history information is received from the first terminal, the synchronization unit 51 receives the location history information transmitted from the second terminal via the communication unit 52 (step S23), and distributes the received location history information to all terminals participating in the session (including the first terminal) at a predetermined timing (step S24).

[0071] Also, in the first terminal, similarly to the processing of the second terminal described above, the synchronization unit 42 receives the position history information from the game server 1 via the communication unit 41 (step S13), and the position history information storage unit 46 stores this position history information in the storage unit 45 (step S14). As a result, the record of the position history information shown in FIG. 5 is newly added to the storage unit 45.

[0072] In FIG. 6, an example has been described in which the process (steps S11 to S32) in which the position history information of the first character is shared with other terminals including the second terminal is followed by the process (steps S33 to S14) in which the position history information of the second character is shared with other terminals including the first terminal, but these processes do not have to be in this order and each is executed at any timing. Also, the process of distributing position history information from the game server 1 to multiple terminals is periodically performed. Thus, the game server 1 acquires position history information from multiple terminals during intervals for distributing position history information, accumulates position history information to be shared among all terminals, and distributes the position history information acquired from the multiple terminals to all terminals at the distribution timing.

[0073] The display unit 47 switches between displaying a game screen and a log screen. The game screen is an image from the first character's viewpoint or an image captured by a virtual camera behind the first character (a screen including the first character). The log screen includes a map image showing a planar view of the virtual underwater space in which the session is being carried out. The display unit 47 displays an image presented by the presentation unit 48. The display unit 47 corresponds to the display unit 21 shown in FIG. 3.

[0074] The presentation unit 48 creates an image to be displayed on the display unit 47, and presents the created image to the display unit 47. In the present embodiment, particularly, when the first user performs an operation to display a log screen (specifically, an operation of pressing a predetermined button unit 233), the presentation unit 48 presents a log screen including a map image corresponding to the virtual underwater space. The presentation unit 46 refers to the first position history information and the second position history information stored in the storage unit 45 to generate the map image.

[0075] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. A first character 71 swimming in a virtual underwater space is displayed in the center of the game screen 70, and has an angle of view as an image captured by a virtual camera behind the first character 71. The game screen 70 also includes a terrain 72 around the first character 71 in the virtual underwater space, and creatures 73 and a second character (another player character) 74 present therein. Note that the game screen 70 may display various information related to the location within the screen, the creatures, and the second character. Note that a first-person viewpoint image of the first character may be displayed on the game screen.

[0076] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a log screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The log screen 60 includes a map image 61 and an information display window 62. Around the map image 61, a user ID 63, a display content 64 indicating whether or not the information of the sharer is displayed, an uncovering rate 65 indicating the percentage of the area in which a predetermined action by the player character on the terrain parts and the creatures therein has been performed (in this embodiment, an action by the player character to peel off bacteria that are covered by creatures in the sea and investigate them), and a traversal rate 66 indicating the percentage of the area traversed by either the first character or the second character are displayed. As shown in FIG. 8, the map image 61 shows contour lines including the outline of the sea surface (0 m above sea level), and the area surrounded by the contour lines is colored in a color according to its depth. Note that a "sharer" refers to a second user who shares information in the game with the first user.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of a map image according to an embodiment of the present invention. The map image 61 in FIG. 9 shows a map of the entire virtual underwater space. In this way, the user can switch between displaying a map showing the entire virtual underwater space or displaying an enlarged map of the area where the first character is located as the map image 61 on the log screen 60 by operating a predetermined button on the button operation unit 233. In addition, the user can switch information displayed in the information display window 62 on the log screen 60 by operating a predetermined button on the button operation unit 23. In the information display window 62, in addition to the diving log, sharers and rankings are provided as display categories.

[0078] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a mark indicating the position of a player character on a map image in an embodiment of the present invention. In a map image 61, the position of the first character is displayed by an arrowhead mark 611. In front of the arrowhead mark 611, a triangle 612 is displayed that spreads in the direction in which the first character is facing.

[0079] When displaying the map image 61, the presentation unit 48 displays an arrowhead mark 611 as an animation as a position icon indicating the position of the first character so that the position of the first character in the map image can be easily recognized immediately after starting to display the map image 61. Immediately after displaying the map image 61, the presentation unit 48 displays an enlarged arrowhead mark 611 indicating the position of the first character as shown in FIG. 10(a). The presentation unit 48 then gradually reduces the size of the arrowhead mark 611, and returns it to its original size as shown in FIG. 10(b). The presentation unit 48 then further displays an animation of a light-emitting effect 613 such as a sonar radar around the arrowhead mark 611 as shown in FIG. 10(c).

[0080] In this way, when the display of the map image 61 starts, the presentation unit 48 displays an animation of an enlarged arrowhead mark 611 indicating the position of the first character, and then displays an animation of the light-emitting effect 613. Therefore, when the map image 61 is displayed, the position of the first character can be instantly seen, and the position of the first character can be easily seen continuously thereafter.

[0081] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a map image according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information displayed on the map image 61 is divided into public information shared by all characters participating in the session and private information received only from the first character or the sharer. The private information includes, for example, an arrowhead mark 611 which is the position icon of the first character, a position icon 615 of the sharer, an emote icon 616, and an icon 617 of a creature or point marked by the sharer. The public information includes, for example, unknown pulse location information of the first character and the sharer. The trajectory 613 of the movement of the first character is also displayed on the map image 61.

[0082] Although details are omitted in Fig. 8, the information display window 62 displays private log information and public log information as log information. The private log information includes a sharer's return to a session, a sharer's withdrawal from a session, a sharer's marking (sharing) of a creature, a sharer's marking (sharing) of a coordinate, a sharer's salvage information, a mission reward distribution log, etc. The public log information includes a main mission-related log, map traversal rate information, uncover rate information, and other announcements from the system.

[0083] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a map image according to an embodiment of the present invention. The presenting unit 48 presents a map image that can distinguish between a first character's own traveled area corresponding to a position in the virtual underwater space where the first character has been located, a second character's traveled area corresponding to a position in the virtual underwater space where the second character has been located but the first character has not been located, and an unexplored area corresponding to a position in the virtual underwater space where no player character participating in the session has been located. Specifically, the presenting unit 48 presents the map image such that the first character's traveled area is displayed in a first display mode, the second character's traveled area is displayed in a second display mode, and the unexplored area is displayed in a third display mode.

[0084] In the example of Fig. 12, a mask that hides the surface of the virtual underwater space is superimposed on the unexplored area (third display mode), and information such as the topography of the unexplored area cannot be seen on the map image. Also, in the map image of the example of Fig. 12, a transparent mask is superimposed on the area explored by others, but information such as the topography can be seen (second display mode). The area explored by the user himself is not masked (first display mode), and information such as the topography can be seen.

[0085] Instead of masking the areas traveled by others, they may be displayed in monotone (second display mode) to be distinguishable from the areas traveled by the player himself, which are displayed in full color (first display mode). That is, the mask panel of the untraveled areas is not transparent, and the mask of the areas traveled by others allows the terrain to be confirmed, but may have less color information compared to the areas traveled by the player himself. In the map image, there is no particular distinction between areas where only the first character has been and areas where both the first character and the second character have been, and both are displayed in full color without masking as areas traveled by the player himself.

[0086] In the example of Fig. 12, masking is performed by superimposing a mask panel on the map image for each unit area of ​​10m x 10m, and when the player character enters a unit area, the unit area is changed to a traversed area. As the game progresses, the traversed area gradually expands as the first character and the second character are positioned in new areas of the virtual underwater space. The presentation unit 48 updates the map image if there is such an update even while the map image is being displayed.

[0087] In addition, the presentation unit 48 functions as a notification presentation means for presenting a notification to the first user of the first character and the second user of the second character when a parameter indicating the size of the area in which the first character and the second character have been located in the virtual underwater space satisfies a predetermined condition while the game screen 70 or the log screen 60 is displayed.

[0088] Specifically, the presentation unit 48 may present a notification to that effect, for example, every time the traversal rate, which is the ratio of the traversal area to the area of ​​the virtual underwater space, increases by 5%. The presentation unit 48 may also present a notification to that effect every time the traversal area of ​​the first character increases by 5%. Similarly, for the second character, a notification to that effect may be given every time the traversal rate of the second character increases by 5%. The above-mentioned notification may also be given by limiting such second characters to sharers.

[0089] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a map image according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 13, a method of displaying a map image when switching from a game screen to a log screen will be described. When the first user performs a predetermined button operation to switch the screen to a log screen 60 while the game screen is being displayed, the operation acceptance unit 43 accepts this operation. Based on this operation, the presentation unit 48 presents the log screen 60 including a map image. In this log screen 60, the presentation unit 48 reads out position history information from the storage unit 45, and based on this position history information, presents a map image that distinguishes between the user's own traversed area, the other user's traversed area, and the untraversed area as shown in FIG. 12.

[0090] At this time, the presentation unit 48 first presents the map image presented when the previous log screen display operation was performed (hereinafter referred to as the previous map image) as a map image as shown in Fig. 13(a), and then presents the latest map image (hereinafter referred to as the current map image) through animation based on the update contents of the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented to when the current log screen display operation is performed as shown in Fig. 13(b) and (c). In the example of Fig. 13, for the unit area updated between the previous map image and the current map image in Fig. 13(b), the mask panel is highlighted (shown by a thick frame in Fig. 13(b)), and then the mask is removed or changed as shown in Fig. 13(c).

[0091] For this purpose, the presentation unit 48 stores the time when the map image was last displayed. When updating the map image while it is being displayed, the time when the map image was last closed is stored. Then, the presentation unit 48 first displays the last map image (see FIG. 13(a)), refers to the position history information of the storage unit 45 shown in FIG. 5, extracts the content that has been newly updated between the last time and the current time, and presents animation according to the updated content (see FIG. 13(b)), and finally presents the current map image that reflects the latest position history information (see FIG. 13(c)). At this time, as shown in FIG. 13(c), the animation process of changing and removing the mask is performed in order from the upper left unit area to the right and in order toward the bottom row. The animation process of changing and removing the mask may be performed in the order of the unit areas that the character has traveled through, or all the unit areas to be updated may be updated simultaneously without performing the animation process.

[0092] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a part of a map image according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Fig. 14, an animation for gradually presenting a current map image from a previous map image will be described in detail. In Fig. 14, a unit area 81 is an area that was previously unexplored and has now been updated to an area traversed by the user himself / herself, a unit area 82 is an area that was previously unexplored and has now been updated to an area traversed by another user, and a unit area 83 is an area that was previously unexplored and has now been updated to an area traversed by another user.

[0093] A unit area 81 is masked by a non-transparent mask panel in the previous map image (see FIG. 14(a)). After that, the mask panel is highlighted (see FIG. 14(b)), an animation of the mask panel being destroyed is displayed (see FIG. 14(c)), and the mask panel is removed in the current map image (see FIG. 14(d)). A unit area 82 is masked by a non-transparent mask panel in the previous map image (see FIG. 14(a)). After that, the mask panel is highlighted (see FIG. 14(b)), the mask panel gradually becomes semi-transparent (see FIG. 14(c)), and the unit area 82 is masked by a transparent mask panel in the current map image. A unit area 83 is masked by a transparent mask panel in the previous map image (see FIG. 14(a)). After that, the mask panel is highlighted (see FIG. 14(b)), and then the mask panel gradually fades (see FIG. 14(c)), and now the mask panel is removed in the map image (see FIG. 14(d)).

[0094] 15 is a flowchart of the screen presentation process according to the embodiment of the present invention. The screen presentation process is executed on the first terminal. First, the synchronization unit 42 performs the synchronization process (step S41). In the synchronization process, the first position history information is transmitted to the game server 1, and second position history information is acquired from the game server 1 and stored in the storage unit 45. Next, the operation reception unit 43 monitors whether or not a movement operation for moving the first character has been input (step S42), and if a movement operation has not been input (NO in step S42), the process returns to step S41 and repeats the synchronization.

[0095] If a movement operation has been performed (YES in step S42), the control unit 44 controls the movement of the first character in response to the movement operation (step S43). The position history information storage unit 46 stores the first position history information in the storage unit 45 in response to the movement control (step S44). Next, the operation reception unit 43 determines whether or not a log screen display operation for displaying the log screen 60 has been received (step S45). If a log screen display operation has not been performed (NO in step S45), the process returns to step S41 and the above-mentioned process is repeated.

[0096] If a log screen display operation has been performed (YES in step S45), the presentation unit 48 presents the log screen 60 (step S46). At this time, for the map image, an animation reflecting the difference (update contents) from the previous map image to the current map image is displayed as described above. Even while the log screen 60 including the map image 61 is being displayed, the synchronization unit 42 continues synchronization (step S47). Then, the operation acceptance unit 43 monitors whether or not a game screen display operation for switching the screen from the log screen 60 to the game screen 70 has been accepted (step S48).

[0097] If the game screen display operation has not been accepted (NO in step S48), the process returns to step S46, where the presentation unit 48 continues to present the log screen 60. If the game screen display operation has been accepted (YES in step S48), the presentation unit 48 presents the game screen 70 (step S49), and the process returns to step S41, where the above-mentioned processing is repeated.

[0098] As described above, according to the information processing system 100 of this embodiment, in a game in which player characters of multiple game devices 2 participate in the same session, each game device 2 is presented with a map image that allows areas where its own character has been located to be distinguished from areas where other characters have been located, thereby improving the visibility of each area.

[0099] Furthermore, in the information processing system 100 of this embodiment, when presenting a map image as log information, the map image presented previously (previous map image) is presented first, followed by the map image to be presented currently (current map image), so that the user can recognize areas in which his or her own character and other characters have been located during the period from the presentation of the previous map image to the presentation of the current map image.

[0100] In the information processing system 100 of the above embodiment, a virtual undersea space is provided as the virtual space, but the virtual space is not limited to this, and may be a terrestrial or aerial virtual space. In the above embodiment, the information processing system 100 presents a virtual space and its map image while executing a game as a game system, but the information processing system 100 is not limited to being applied to games, and may be, for example, a system that executes a driving simulation of a moving object such as a vehicle or a drone.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the virtual space is provided as a three-dimensional space, while the position history information is shown in two-dimensional unit areas, and a planar map image 61 having no information in the height (depth) direction is presented on the log screen 60. If the player character is located at any height within a unit area, the position history information storage unit 46 determines that the player character is located (has entered) the unit area, and performs the above processing.

[0102] When calculating the traversal rate 66 and the uncover rate 65 (see FIG. 8), the number of traversable unit areas (the parameter when calculating the traversal rate) may be determined as follows. That is, when a three-dimensional virtual space is generated for each session by combining a plurality of randomly selected existing terrain parts at a randomly selected depth, the maximum number of unit areas determined for each terrain part is calculated. For example, if one terrain part has an area of ​​100m x 100m and the unit area is 10m x 10m, the maximum number of unit areas of this terrain part is calculated to be 10 x 10 = 100.

[0103] Then, the number of unit areas that can be entered (traversed) when submerged for example every 5 m is determined. For example, unit areas that are above ground are inaccessible. In this case, whether or not entry is possible may be determined by a measurement function that actually moves the character and counts the areas that can be entered. By using this measurement function, it is possible to accurately count the number of unit areas that can be entered even in a three-dimensional virtual space that is generated by combining multiple randomly selected existing terrain parts at randomly selected depths.

[0104] In this way, in a randomly generated three-dimensional virtual space, the number of enterable unit areas can be determined from the height (depth) of the terrain parts, and the total number of enterable unit areas for the session can be determined by adding up the numbers of such enterable unit areas for the multiple terrain parts that make up the three-dimensional virtual space.

[0105] Even in an area that appears to be above ground when viewed two-dimensionally, such as a cave, it may be possible to pass underneath it and move to the lake in the center. In such cases, the measurement method using the measurement function described above makes it possible to count the number of unit areas that can actually be entered. Note that the number of unit areas that can be entered may also be found by a person counting without using this measurement function.

[0106] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the presentation unit 48 presents the map image 61 as log information, and this map image 61 shows the topography of the three-dimensional virtual space, but the presentation unit 48 may be capable of presenting an ununveiled distribution map image in addition to this map image 61. The ununveiled distribution map image is map information that visualizes the abundance of organisms that have not yet been unveiled for each unit area.

[0107] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an ununveiled distribution map image according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an ununveiled distribution map image 91, the abundance of ununveiled organisms for each unit area is expressed by color. In the example of Fig. 16, the ununveiled distribution map image is displayed in monochrome, with lighter colors indicating more ununveiled organisms. The unununveiled distribution map image may be displayed in color, with more ununveiled images for each unit area being displayed in red, and fewer ununveiled organisms being displayed in blue. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1 Server (game server) 2. Information processing device (game device) 3. Network 11 Processors 12 Storage section 13. Communications Department 21 Display section 22 Main unit 23 Controller 41 Communications Department 42 Synchronization section 43 Operation reception section 44 Control section 45 Storage section 46 Location history information storage unit 47 Display section 48 Presentation section 51 Synchronization section 52 Communications Department 60 Log screen 61 Map Images 62 Information display window 63 User ID 64 Display contents 65 Unveiled Rate 66 Completion rate 70 Game Screen 71 First Character 72 Terrain 73 Biology 74 Second Character 81~83 Unit Area 91 Unannounced distribution map image 100 Information processing system (game system) 221 Processor 222 Video and audio output section 223 Storage section 224 Wireless Communication Department 225 Controller communication unit 231 Communications Department 232 Analog Stick 233 Button section 234 Inertial Sensor

Claims

1. An information processing program executed by a computer of a first terminal capable of playing a game in which a game status is synchronized with a second terminal participating in the same session, the information processing program comprising: a control means for controlling, in the game, a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a first user of the first terminal; a position history information storage means for storing, in a storage unit, position history information indicating where in the virtual space the first character and a second character, whose position in the virtual space is controlled based on an operation input by a second user of the second terminal, have been located in the game; and a presentation means for presenting, when a second operation input is made by the first user, a map image corresponding to the virtual space, the map image being capable of distinguishing between a first area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located and a second area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located based on the position history information; An information processing program that causes the computer to function as follows.

2. the presentation means presents the map image so that the first area is displayed in a first display mode and the second area is displayed in a second display mode; 2 . The information processing program according to claim 1 , wherein the presenting means presents the map image in the first display mode for an area in which both the first character and the second character have been located.

3. The information processing program of claim 1, further causing the computer to function as a notification presentation means for presenting a notification to a first user of the first character and a second user of the second character when a parameter indicating the size of an area in the virtual space in which the first character and the second character have been located satisfies a predetermined condition.

4. 2. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the presentation means masks areas in the virtual space where the first character has never been located and removes the mask from areas in the virtual space where the first character has been located, thereby allowing the areas in the virtual space where the first character has been located to be viewed.

5. The information processing program according to claim 4, wherein the presentation means masks areas in the virtual space where the first character has never been located differently between a first area where the second character has been located and a second area where the second character has never been located.

6. 6. The information processing program according to claim 5, wherein the presentation means applies a first mask for reducing color information of the ground surface of the first region, and applies a second mask for superimposing a mask panel for hiding the ground surface of the second region.

7. An information processing program executed by a terminal computer capable of executing a game, a control means for controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a user of the terminal; a position history information storage means for storing, in a storage unit, position history information indicating a position of the first character at each time in the virtual space; and a presentation means for presenting a map image corresponding to the virtual space, in which locations where the first character has been previously located in the game can be visually recognized based on the position history information, based on a second operation input by the user, and, when the second operation input is made, presenting as the map image a previous map image presented when the previous second operation input was made, and subsequently presenting as the map image a current map image based on the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented until the current second operation input is made; An information processing program that causes the computer to function as follows.

8. The computer is further configured to function as a synchronization means for synchronizing a game status with other terminals participating in the same session; The information processing program according to claim 7 , wherein the position history information includes information indicating a position of the second character of the other terminal in the virtual space at each time point.

9. The information processing program according to claim 8, wherein the presentation means presents the map image in a manner that makes it possible to distinguish between a first area in which the first character has been located and a second area in which the second character has been located based on the position history information.

10. The information processing program according to claim 7 , wherein the presenting means presents the map images in such a way that, after presenting the previous map image, the current map image is gradually presented.

11. 11. The information processing program according to claim 10, wherein the presentation means presents the map image with a mask on an area where the first character has never been located based on the position history information, and presents the map image such that the mask on the previous map image is gradually removed and the current map image is displayed for an area where the first character has newly been located between the time the previous second operation input was performed and the time the current second operation input is performed based on the position history information.

12. An information processing device as a first terminal capable of executing a game in which a game status is synchronized with a second terminal participating in the same session, a control means for controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a first user of the first terminal in the game; a position history information storage means for storing, in a storage unit, position history information indicating where in the virtual space the first character and a second character, whose position in the virtual space is controlled based on an operation input by a second user of the second terminal, have been located in the game; a presentation means for presenting, when a second operation input is made by the first user, a map image corresponding to the virtual space, the map image being capable of distinguishing between a first area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located and a second area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located based on the position history information; An information processing device comprising:

13. An information processing device provided in a terminal capable of executing a game, a control means for controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a user of the terminal; a position history information storage means for storing, in a storage unit, position history information indicating a position of the first character at each time in the virtual space; a presentation means for presenting a map image corresponding to the virtual space based on a second operation input by the user, the map image being a map image in which locations where the first character has been previously located in the game can be visually recognized based on the position history information, and when the second operation input is made, presenting as the map image a previous map image presented when the previous second operation input was made, and subsequently presenting as the map image a current map image based on the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented to when the current second operation input is made; An information processing device comprising:

14. 1. An information processing method executed on a first terminal capable of executing a game in which a game status is synchronized with a second terminal participating in the same session, comprising: a control step of controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input of a first user of the first terminal in the game; a position history information storage step of storing, in a storage unit, position history information indicating where in the virtual space the first character and a second character, whose position in the virtual space is controlled based on an operation input by a second user of the second terminal, have been located in the game; a presentation step of presenting, when a second operation input is made by the first user, a map image corresponding to the virtual space, the map image being capable of distinguishing, based on the position history information, a first area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located and a second area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located; An information processing method comprising:

15. An information processing method executed on a terminal capable of executing a game, comprising: a first control step of controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a user of the terminal; a position history information storage step of storing, in a storage unit, position history information indicating a position of the first character at each time in the virtual space; a presentation step of presenting a map image corresponding to the virtual space based on a second operation input by the user, the map image being a map image in which locations where the first character has been previously located in the game can be visually recognized based on the position history information, and when the second operation input is made, presenting as the map image a previous map image presented when the previous second operation input was made, and subsequently presenting as the map image a current map image based on the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented until the current second operation input is made; An information processing method comprising:

16. An information processing system capable of executing a game in which a game status is synchronized between a second terminal and a first terminal participating in the same session, comprising: a control means for controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a first user of the first terminal in the game; a position history information storage means for storing, in a storage unit, position history information indicating where in the virtual space the first character and a second character, whose position in the virtual space is controlled based on an operation input by a second user of the second terminal, have been located in the game; a presentation means for presenting, when a second operation input is made by the first user, a map image corresponding to the virtual space, the map image being capable of distinguishing between a first area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the first character has been located and a second area corresponding to a position in the virtual space where the second character has been located based on the position history information; An information processing system comprising:

17. An information processing system including a terminal capable of executing a game, a control means for controlling a position of a first character in a virtual space based on a first operation input by a user of the terminal; a position history information storage means for storing, in a storage unit, position history information indicating a position of the first character at each time in the virtual space; a presentation means for presenting a map image corresponding to the virtual space based on a second operation input by the user, the map image being a map image in which locations where the first character has been previously located in the game can be visually recognized based on the position history information, and when the second operation input is made, presenting as the map image a previous map image presented when the previous second operation input was made, and subsequently presenting as the map image a current map image based on the position history information during the period from when the previous map image was presented to when the current second operation input is made; An information processing system comprising:

Images