Program, information processing method, and information processing system

Abstract

To provide a game system capable of synchronizing game play status more naturally.SOLUTION: Line of sight direction determination means 66 controls various actions such as the position, orientation, and line of sight of a player character on the basis of input information from a player accepted by input operation acceptance means 62, and determines the line of sight direction of the player character. The line of sight direction determination means 66 determines another player character operated by another player that is located closest to the center of the line of sight direction, in the determined line of sight direction, as an object that is the target of the line of sight of the player character. Terminal side game status management means 68 transmits line of sight target information regarding another player character that is the target of the line of sight of the player character determined by the line of sight direction determination means 66 to a server 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there are known games in which a plurality of players can share and enjoy a single virtual space. For example, such games require a technique for synchronizing the game play status between players. In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an attempt to accurately synchronize the game play situation based on the position and gaze direction of the player character (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2017-142592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional techniques including the technique described in the above Patent Document 1 are aimed at precisely synchronizing the game play situation, and there are cases where precise synchronization is not necessarily appropriate depending on the game play situation. For example, when a player character is not looking at a specific object, it is difficult for other players to know in which direction the player character is looking.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a game system that can synchronize game play situations more naturally.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides: A computer for a game played by multiple players, A receiving means for receiving content of an input operation of a first player among the plurality of players as input operation information; a first determination means for determining a line of sight direction of a player character operated by the first player based on the input operation information; a second determination means for determining an object that is a target of the line of sight of the player character, based on the input operation information or the line of sight direction determined by the first determination means; an execution means for executing a process related to information for generating an image of the game in accordance with a target of the line of sight of the player character determined by the second determination means; It is a program that functions as a

[0007] Also, in a first aspect, the second determination means can determine that the object that is the target of the player character's gaze is an object that is located closer to the center of the gaze in the virtual space of the game in the direction of the gaze determined by the first determination means.

[0008] In addition, in a first aspect, the execution means can execute various processes for displaying an image of the game reflecting the orientation of the player character to other players among the multiple players other than the first player.

[0009] The second aspect of the present invention is 1. An information processing method executed by a computer for a game played by multiple players, comprising: a receiving step of receiving, as input operation information, content of an input operation of a first player among the plurality of players; a first determination step of determining a line of sight direction of a player character operated by the first player based on the input operation information; a second determination step of determining an object that is a target of the line of sight of the player character, based on the input operation information or the line of sight direction determined in the first determination step; an execution step of executing a process related to information for generating an image of the game according to the line of sight direction of the player character determined in the second determination step; The present invention relates to an information processing method.

[0010] Moreover, a third aspect of the present invention is An information processing system for a game played by multiple players, comprising: A receiving means for receiving content of an input operation of a first player among the plurality of players as input operation information; a first determination means for determining a line of sight direction of a player character operated by the first player based on the input operation information; a second determination means for determining an object that is a target of the line of sight of the player character, based on the input operation information or the line of sight direction determined by the first determination means; an execution means for executing a process related to information for generating an image of the game in accordance with the line of sight direction of the player character determined by the second determination means; The information processing system includes:

[0011] An information processing method and an information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention are also provided as an information processing method or an information processing system corresponding to a program according to one aspect of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game system that can synchronize game play situations more naturally. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a player terminal constituting an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a player terminal, a server, and other player terminals constituting an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a player terminal constituting an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on another player terminal constituting an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of various processes executed in a player terminal constituting an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] [Embodiment] First, before describing an embodiment of the present invention, a game (hereinafter referred to as "this game") to which an information processing system (hereinafter referred to as "this system") according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. This game is, for example, an action game that assumes competition or cooperation via a network. In this game, the player can freely control a character (hereinafter referred to as a "player character") displayed in a virtual space by various input operations. The player progresses through the game by clearing various events (such as defeating enemy characters) while utilizing in-game objects such as guns and explosives via the player character. In this game, each character (the player character and other player characters described later) has a certain durability value (hereinafter referred to as "HP") required for existence in the game. For example, if the HP of each character falls below a certain value due to the effect of an enemy character's attack, the character is removed from the game.

[0015] The configuration of this system will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the system includes a player terminal 1, a server 2, and other player terminals 3-1 to 3-n (n is an arbitrary integer value). The player terminal 1, the server 2, and the other player terminals 3-1 to 3-n are connected to each other via a predetermined network N such as the Internet. However, the network N is not an essential component, and for example, NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), LAN (Local Area Network), etc. may be used. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the other player terminals 3-1 to 3-n, they will be collectively referred to as the other player terminals 3. In addition, hereinafter, when the term "image" is used simply, it is intended to include images of any format, such as "moving images" and "still images."

[0017] The player terminal 1 is composed of a general-purpose PC (Personal Computer), a game machine, etc., and is used by a player who plays the game. The player terminal 1 stores various programs related to the game, and executes the main processes for the player to play the game.

[0018] The server 2 is composed of a general-purpose PC or the like, and is managed by an administrator of the system. The server 2 stores various programs related to the game, and executes some of the processes required for players to play the game. The server 2 also provides the player terminal 1 with various information related to the game (such as game update information and progress information of other players).

[0019] The other player terminal 3 is composed of a general-purpose PC (Personal Computer) or a game machine, and is used by other players (hereinafter referred to as "other players") who share the same virtual space as the player using the player terminal 1 and play the game. The other player terminal 3 stores various programs related to the game, and executes main processes for other players to play the game.

[0020] <Hardware configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a player terminal constituting an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the player terminal 1 includes a control unit 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0022] The control unit 11 is configured with a microcomputer including a CPU, a GPU, a semiconductor memory, etc. The control unit 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in a ROM 12 or a program loaded from a storage unit 18 to a RAM 13. The RAM 13 also stores information necessary for the control unit 11 to execute various processes as appropriate.

[0023] The control unit 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to one another via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a storage unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0024] The output unit 16 outputs image information, audio information, etc. to a display, a speaker, etc. The image information and audio information output by the output unit 16 are output from the display, the speaker, etc. in a state that can be recognized by a person as an image or audio.

[0025] The input unit 17 is configured by, for example, a game controller. The input unit 17 inputs various information in response to input operations by the player.

[0026] The storage unit 18 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc., and stores various information. For example, the storage unit 18 stores various game programs, save data, account information, etc., that are necessary for the progress of the game.

[0027] The communication unit 19 controls communications between the device and other hardware devices via a network N including the Internet.

[0028] The drive 20 is provided as necessary. Removable media 31, which may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, is appropriately attached to the drive 20. Various programs for executing a game, for example, are stored in the removable media 31. The programs read from the removable media 31 by the drive 20 are installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. Further, the removable medium 31 can store various information stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18 .

[0029] Here, the hardware configuration of the server 2 and the other player terminals 3 is omitted because it can be basically the same as the hardware configuration of the player terminal 1. By cooperation of such various hardware and various software, it becomes possible to execute various processes in the player terminal 1, the server 2, and the other player terminals 3.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a player terminal, a server, and other player terminals that constitute an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 of the player terminal 1 executes various programs and the like to function as a terminal-side game processing execution means 60, an input operation receiving means 62, a virtual camera control means 64, a gaze direction determination means 66, a terminal-side game status management means 68, an other player information acquisition means 70, and a display control means 72.

[0032] The terminal side game processing execution means 60 executes various processes required for the player to play the game. Specifically, the terminal-side game processing execution means 60 reads virtual game space objects and textures included in the game information from a storage unit (not shown) in accordance with various input operations by the player, etc., and generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional images and sounds related to the game while executing the game program. In other words, the terminal-side game processing execution means 60 controls the progress of the game by generating and managing the results of operational instructions by the player. In addition, the terminal-side game processing execution means 60 transmits to the server 2, as necessary and appropriate, information required for the progress of the game, such as input information by the player, time information when the input information was obtained, and information regarding the results of various game processes.

[0033] The input operation receiving means 62 receives input operations related to the game from the player. Note that the input operations received by the input operation receiving means 62 include, for example, information on the type of button or analog stick on which the input operation was performed, information on the number of times the button or analog stick was pressed, and the like.

[0034] The virtual camera control means 64 controls the position and angle in the virtual space of the virtual camera that functions as a starting point for generating game images. Specifically, the virtual camera control means 64 controls the position and angle of the virtual camera in the virtual space based on input information from the player accepted by the input operation acceptance means 62.

[0035] The line of sight direction determining means 66 determines the line of sight direction of the player character operated by the first player based on the input operation information. Also, the line of sight direction determining means 66 determines an object that is the target of the line of sight of the player character based on the input operation information or the line of sight direction determined by the first determining means. Specifically, the line of sight direction determining means 66 controls various actions such as the position, orientation, line of sight, etc. of the player character based on input information from the player accepted by the input operation accepting means 62, and determines the line of sight direction of the player character. In particular, the gaze direction determination means 66 determines the player character operated by another player (hereinafter referred to as the "other player character") that is located closest to the center of the gaze direction in the determined gaze direction as the object that is the target of the player character's gaze.

[0036] The terminal side game status management means 68 executes processing related to information for generating an image of the game according to the target of the line of sight of the player character determined by the second determination means. Specifically, the terminal side game status management means 68 transmits information regarding the other player character that is the target of the line of sight of the player character determined by the line of sight direction determination means 66 (hereinafter referred to as “line of sight target information”) to the server 2. The game progress information may include, for example, information regarding input information by the player, the position and line of sight of the player character in the virtual space, the position and angle of the virtual camera, and the like.

[0037] The other player information acquisition means 70 acquires the other player information transmitted from the server 2 via the communication unit 19. The terminal side game processing execution means 60 generates various game images based on the other player information acquired by the other player information acquisition means 70.

[0038] The display control means 72 executes control for displaying various game images and the like generated by the terminal-side game processing execution means 60 on the output unit 16 and the like.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 100 of the server 2 functions as game information management means 120, server-side game processing execution means 122, and gaze target information management means 124 by executing various programs and the like.

[0040] The game information management means 120 manages various information required for the progress of the game by the player terminal 1 and the other player terminals 3, and executes various processes. Specifically, for example, the game information management means 120 executes authentication of account information transmitted from the player terminal 1 or the other player terminals 3, delivery of game information in response to a download request of various game information from the player terminal 1 or the other player terminals 3, and the like.

[0041] The server-side game process execution means 122 executes a part of the processes required for the player to play the game. Specifically, for example, when a player character or another player character executes an attacking action, the server-side game processing execution means 122 verifies the input information and game processing results transmitted from the player terminal 1 or the other player terminal 3, and determines whether the attacking action executed by the player terminal 1 or the other player terminal 3 was fraudulent. Note that by having the server-side game process execution means 122 take charge of such a part of the process, even if an illegal act (a so-called cheating act) is performed on a player terminal 1, the effect on the entire game can be reduced.

[0042] The gaze target information management means 124 acquires the gaze target information transmitted from the player terminal 1 or the like via the communication unit 110. In addition, the gaze target information management means 124 transmits the acquired gaze target information to each of the other player terminals 3. When the gaze target information management means 124 acquires the gaze target information of each of the other player terminals 3, it transmits the information to the player terminal 1 as other player information.

[0043] Next, an example of a game image according to this system will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a player terminal constituting an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] In the example of Fig. 4, a character PC, a character AC1, a character AC2, and a character AC3 are displayed in the virtual space of the game. Note that in the example of Fig. 4, the character PC is a player character operated by the player, and the characters AC1 to AC3 are other player characters operated by other players. Here, in the example of Fig. 4, as a result of the input operation by the player, the character PC directs his / her gaze to the area between the characters AC1 and AC2. Strictly speaking, in the example of Fig. 4, the character PC directs his / her gaze to the area between the characters AC1 and AC2, closer to the character AC2. In such a case, conventional game systems including the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 would normally attempt to reproduce the game situation at this point in time on the player terminals of the other players. That is, the character PC is displayed on the player terminals of the other players in a situation where the character PC is looking at an unclear area between the characters AC1 and AC2. While this specification accurately reflects the game situation of the player, it can be difficult for other players to know where the player character is looking, which can make the other players feel unnatural.

[0045] In contrast to this, in the example of Fig. 5, a game image showing a game situation similar to that of Fig. 4 is displayed from a viewpoint centered on character AC1. Specifically, Fig. 5 shows an example of a game image displayed on another player terminal 3 used by another player who operates character AC1. Here, in the example of Fig. 5, character PC is displayed with his / her gaze clearly directed in the direction of character AC2, rather than directing his / her gaze toward an unclear area between characters AC1 and AC2.

[0046] That is, in the example of Fig. 4 of this system, as a result of the player's input operation, the character PC directs his gaze toward the area between the characters AC1 and AC2, closer to the character AC2. Therefore, this system pseudo-determines that in this game situation, the character PC is directing his gaze toward the character AC2, and on the other player's terminal 3, the character PC is displayed on the game image as clearly directing his gaze toward the character AC2. It is considered that this allows the other players to feel the situation and relationship of each character in the game more naturally.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of various processes executed by a player terminal constituting an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] In step S1, the input operation receiving means 62 receives an input operation related to the game from a player.

[0049] In step S2, the line of sight direction determining means 66 controls various operations such as the position, orientation, line of sight, etc. of the player character based on input information from the player accepted by the input operation accepting means 62, and determines the line of sight direction of the player character.

[0050] In step S3, the line of sight direction determining means 66 determines, in the determined line of sight direction, another player character that is located closest to the center of the line of sight direction, as an object that is the target of the player character's line of sight.

[0051] In step S4, the terminal-side game status management means 68 transmits gaze target information regarding the other player character facing the player character determined by the gaze direction determination means 66 to the server 2. This ends the gaze fixing process.

[0052] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0053] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, the system determines an object that is closest to the center of the line of sight as the target of the line of sight, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the system may determine an object that has the smallest angle between the vector from the player character in the line of sight direction and the vector from the player character to the target object as the target of the line of sight.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the object that is the target of the line of sight of the player character is another player character, but this is not limited to this. The system may determine any other object, such as an NPC (Non Player Character), a building, or a tree, as the target of the line of sight of the player character.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the present system is described as not setting any particular priority order for the objects that are the target of the line of sight, but the present system may change the conditions for selecting the object as the target of the line of sight or set a priority order according to the type of object, such as (1) other player characters, (2) enemy characters, (3) other objects, etc.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the virtual camera and the player character are controlled by different input operations, but this is not limited to this. For example, the present system may be used in a so-called first-person perspective game, where the virtual camera and the player character may be controlled by a single operation.

[0057] Although not described in the above embodiment, the system may perform a display indicating that the object is selected as the target of the line of sight. For example, the system may give a predetermined icon to the object that is the target of the line of sight, or may display the object with its outline emphasized.

[0058] Although not described in the above embodiment, the system may, for example, when the player's own player character is the target of the line of sight of another player's player character, display a message indicating this. This allows the player to check that the player's own player character may be attacked, for example, when the game includes a competitive element against another player.

[0059] Although not described in the above embodiment, the system may perform various processes related to the line of sight of the player character only when multiple player characters or objects exist within a predetermined range in the virtual space. By adopting such specifications, the system can provide a game system that can synchronize the game play situation more naturally while reducing the processing load.

[0060] Also, although not described in the above embodiment, the game may be executed by any hardware, such as a home gaming console such as a PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable gaming console such as a Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), various gaming consoles designed for commercial use, or electronic devices such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet.

[0061] Although the description has been omitted in the above embodiment, the content of the game related to this system is not limited. This system may be applied to any game, such as FPS (First Person Shooter), TPS (Third Person Shooter), RPG (Role Playing Game), action games not using a network, simulation games, sports games, card games, battle royale (symmetrical, asymmetrical), MOBA (Multiplayer online battle arena), music games, fighting games, and quiz games.

[0062] Furthermore, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the functional configurations in FIG. 3 and the like are merely examples and are not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information processing system is provided with a function capable of executing the above-mentioned series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not limited to the example in Fig. 3, etc. Furthermore, the location of the functional block is not limited to the example in Fig. 3, etc., and may be arbitrary. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured as a single piece of hardware, may be configured as a single piece of software, or may be configured as a combination of both.

[0063] Furthermore, the number of different hardware components constituting this system and the number of users are optional, and the system may also include other hardware components.

[0064] Furthermore, when the series of processes is executed by software, the programs constituting the software are installed into a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium.

[0065] The computer may be a computer that is built into dedicated hardware, or a computer that is capable of executing various functions by installing various programs. That is, for example, the various hardware in the above-described embodiment may be freely adopted as any computer, any mobile terminal such as a smartphone, any game machine, etc. Furthermore, any combination of types and contents of various input units and various output units may be adopted.

[0066] Furthermore, the recording medium containing such a program may not only be constituted by a removable medium (not shown) provided separately from the device main body in order to provide the program to a player, etc., but may also be constituted by a recording medium provided to the player in a state in which it is pre-installed in the device main body.

[0067] In addition, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall device that is composed of a plurality of devices or a plurality of means.

[0068] Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the effects of the present embodiment are exhibited. In addition, the present embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be appropriately combined with each other.

[0069] In summary, the information processing system to which the present invention is applied can take various forms having the following configurations. A computer for a game played by multiple players, A receiving means for receiving content of an input operation of a first player among the plurality of players as input operation information; a first determination means (e.g., a line of sight direction determination means 66) for determining a line of sight direction of a player character operated by the first player based on the input operation information; A second determination means (e.g., a gaze direction determination means 66) for determining an object that is a gaze target of the player character based on the input operation information or the gaze direction determined by the first determination means; an execution means (e.g., a terminal side game status management means 68) for executing a process related to information for generating an image of the game according to the target of the line of sight of the player character determined by the second determination means; Any program that functions as such will suffice.

[0070] That is, the line of sight direction determining means 66 functions as a first determining means. The line of sight direction determining means 66 also functions as a second determining means. The terminal side game status management means 68 functions as an execution means.

[0071] <Effects> This allows players to enjoy the game while checking the game status of other players in a more natural and natural way. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Player terminal 11 Control section 60 Terminal side game processing execution means 62 Input operation acceptance means 64 Virtual camera control means 66 Gaze direction determining means 68 Terminal side game status management means 70 Other player information acquisition means 72 Display control means 2 Server 100 Control section 120 Game information management means 122 Server-side game processing execution means 124 Gaze target information management means 3, 3-1 to 3-n Other player terminals

Claims

1. A computer for a game played by multiple players, a receiving means for receiving content of an input operation of a first player among the plurality of players as input operation information; a first determination means for determining a line of sight direction of a player character operated by the first player based on the input operation information; a second determination means for determining an object that is a target of the line of sight of the player character, based on the input operation information or the line of sight direction determined by the first determination means; an execution means for executing a process related to information for generating an image of the game in accordance with a target of the line of sight of the player character determined by the second determination means; A program that functions as a

2. the second determination means determines an object that is located closer to a center of the line of sight in a virtual space of the game in the direction of the line of sight determined by the first determination means, as the object that is the target of the line of sight of the player character; The program according to claim 1.

3. the execution means executes various processes for displaying an image of the game reflecting an orientation of the player character to players other than the first player among the plurality of players; The program according to claim 1.

4. 1. An information processing method executed by a computer for a game played by multiple players, comprising: a receiving step of receiving, as input operation information, content of an input operation of a first player among the plurality of players; a first determination step of determining a line of sight direction of a player character operated by the first player based on the input operation information; a second determination step of determining an object that is a target of the line of sight of the player character, based on the input operation information or the line of sight direction determined in the first determination step; an execution step of executing a process related to information for generating an image of the game in accordance with the line of sight direction of the player character determined in the second determination step; An information processing method comprising:

5. An information processing system for a game played by multiple players, comprising: a receiving means for receiving content of an input operation of a first player among the plurality of players as input operation information; a first determination means for determining a line of sight direction of a player character operated by the first player based on the input operation information; a second determination means for determining an object that is a target of the line of sight of the player character, based on the input operation information or the line of sight direction determined by the first determination means; an execution means for executing a process related to information for generating an image of the game in accordance with the line of sight direction of the player character determined by the second determination means; An information processing system comprising:

Images