Program, information processing method and information processing device

Abstract

To provide a system which can control action or movement of an object in a virtual space further easily and flexibly.SOLUTION: Cliff information acquisition means 66, for example, acquires cliff information related to whether there is a geographical feature (fall and step) determined as a cliff, with respect to each direction of eight peripheral directions in an XZ plane of each voxel, by using a voxel managed by virtual space management means 64 as a unit. Direction calculation means 80 calculates a movement restriction direction of an operation character in each voxel, on the basis of the cliff information acquired by the cliff information acquisition means 66. Vector processing means 82, when movement instructions with respect to the operation character are performed, overwrites a movement vector with respect to the direction calculated as the movement restriction direction by the direction calculation means 80 in 0, among the movement vectors in the eight peripheral directions of the operation character, and executes movement processing of the operation character.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in games using a virtual space, there are areas where it is not desirable for game characters to enter, such as cliffs or watersides, due to the game specifications. In such cases, for example, a method has been proposed to prevent characters from entering a specific area using an invisible wall (see Non-Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, such a method of placing an invisible wall has a problem that the virtual space area to be configured by installation becomes large, resulting in an increase in the work cost required for game production. In addition, such a method usually prohibits all characters from entering uniformly, and it is difficult to change conditions such as whether entry is allowed.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a system that can control the behavior or movement of objects in a virtual space more simply and flexibly.

[0006] To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present disclosure is A computer, management means for managing each of predetermined unit areas in a virtual space, acquisition means for acquiring, as terrain information, information regarding the distance and direction of each of the unit areas from a predetermined terrain in the virtual space, restriction means for executing a process of restricting the movement of an object in the virtual space based on the terrain information, and a program causing the computer to function as such.

[0007] Also, in a first aspect, the management means may manage by associating each of the unit areas with the terrain information in each of the unit areas.

[0008] Also, in a first aspect, the acquisition means may acquire the terrain information including information regarding whether the terrain exists in each of the directions obtained by dividing each of the unit areas into N (N is a natural number of 2 or more).

[0009] Also, in a first aspect, the restriction means may restrict the movement of the object based on a direction vector in the direction in which the terrain exists in each of the unit areas.

[0010] Also, in a first aspect, the restriction means may not execute the process of restricting the movement of the object when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0011] Also, in a first aspect, when the position coordinates of the object change in a direction that is a target for restricting the movement of the object as a result of a predetermined control process, the restriction means may correct the position coordinates of the object to the position coordinates before the control process.

[0012] Also, a second aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method executed by a computer, a management step of managing each of predetermined unit areas in a virtual space, An acquisition step of acquiring, as terrain information, information regarding the distance and direction from a predetermined terrain in the virtual space of the unit area; A restriction step of executing a process of restricting the movement of an object in the virtual space based on the terrain information; It is an information processing method including these.

[0013] Further, a third aspect of the present disclosure is Management means for managing each of the predetermined unit areas in the virtual space; Acquisition means for acquiring, as terrain information, information regarding the distance and direction from a predetermined terrain in the virtual space of the unit area; Restriction means for executing a process of restricting the movement of an object in the virtual space based on the terrain information; It is an information processing apparatus including these.

[0014] The information processing method and the information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure are also provided as an information processing method or an information processing apparatus corresponding to the program according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a system that can control the behavior or movement of an object in the virtual space more simply and flexibly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] [Embodiment] First, prior to describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of an information processing system (hereinafter referred to as "this system") according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a game (hereinafter referred to as "this game") to which this system is applicable will be briefly described. This game is, for example, a game of a type called an action RPG (Role Playing Game). The player freely operates a character (hereinafter referred to as an "operation character") that can move according to the player's operation in the virtual space of the game, and aims to clear the game while performing events set in the game and battles with enemy NPCs (Non Player Characters). In this game, the operation character can move in the virtual space while riding on a predetermined object (such as a vehicle or a monster) set in the game. And in the following description, when referring to the operation character, it may include the object on which the operation character is riding.

[0018] [Explanation of Overview] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a game device 1 and a server 2. The game device 1 and the server 2 are interconnected 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. Hereinafter, when simply referred to as "image", it shall include images in any format such as "moving image" and "still image".

[0020] The game device 1 is used by a player who wishes to play this game. The game device 1 is composed of a general-purpose home game console, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet, etc. The game device 1 executes various processes necessary for the progress of this game.

[0021] The server 2 is managed by an administrator of this system, etc. The server 2 is composed of a general-purpose PC, etc. While communicating with the game device 1, etc., it executes the storage and management of various information necessary for the progress of this game.

[0022] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a game device that constitutes an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the game device 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 storage unit 18, and a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0024] The control unit 11 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU, a GPU, and a semiconductor memory, etc. The control unit 11 executes various processes according to the program recorded in the ROM 12 or the program loaded from the storage unit 18 to the RAM 13. In the RAM 13, information and the like necessary for the control unit 11 to execute various processes are appropriately stored.

[0025] The control unit 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are interconnected 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.

[0026] The output unit 16 outputs image information, audio information, etc. to a display, a speaker, or the like. The image information and audio information output by the output unit 16 are output from the display, the speaker, or the like in a state recognizable by a person as an image or audio.

[0027] The input unit 17 is, for example, a game controller equipped with a sensor function or the like, and inputs various information according to the input operations of the player.

[0028] The storage unit 18 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like, and stores various information. For example, various game programs, save data, account information, etc. necessary for the progress of the game are stored in the storage unit 18.

[0029] The communication unit 19 controls communication and the like with other hardware and the like via a network N including the Internet.

[0030] The drive 20 is provided as necessary. A removable medium 31 made of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory or the like is appropriately mounted on the drive 20. Various programs for executing the game and the like are stored on the removable medium 31. The program read from the removable medium 31 by the drive 20 is installed in the storage unit 18 as necessary. In addition, the removable medium 31 can also store various information stored in the storage unit 18, just like the storage unit 18.

[0031] Here, since the hardware configuration of the server 2 can be basically the same as that of the game device 1, the description thereof is omitted. By the cooperation of such various hardware and various software, various processes can be executed in the game device 1 and the server 2.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a game device and a server constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 of the game device 1 functions as a game process execution means 60, an input operation reception means 62, a virtual space management means 64, a cliff information acquisition means 66, a movement restriction means 68, and an output control means 70 by executing various programs and the like. In addition, a cliff information DB 300 is provided in an area of the storage unit 18 of the game device 1. In the cliff information DB 300, each of the predetermined unit areas (voxels, which will be described later) in the virtual space is associated with information regarding the direction in which a cliff exists in each unit area and stored.

[0034] The game process execution means 60 executes various processes related to the game. Specifically, the game process execution means 60 reads out virtual game space objects, textures, etc. included in game information from a storage unit (not shown) according to various input operations by a player or the like, and while executing the game program, generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional images, sounds, etc. related to the game. That is, the game process execution means 60 controls the progress of the game by generating and managing the results of operation instructions by the player. In addition, the game process execution means 60 appropriately transmits various information related to the game to the server 2.

[0035] The input operation reception means 62 receives input operations related to the game. Note that the input operations received by the input operation receiving means 62 include, for example, information such as the type of button or analog stick on which the input operation was performed, the number of times various input operations were performed, and the time when various input operations were performed.

[0036] The virtual space management means 64 manages each of the predetermined unit areas in the virtual space. Specifically, the virtual space management means 64 manages, for example, the virtual space of this game as a unit of a predetermined size in two or three dimensions (hereinafter referred to as "voxel"). Note that the virtual space management means 64 can manage by associating each voxel in the virtual space with the cliff information in each voxel.

[0037] The cliff information acquisition means 66 acquires information regarding the distance and direction (or angle) of each of the predetermined unit areas from a predetermined terrain area in the virtual space as the terrain information of each of the unit areas. Specifically, the cliff information acquisition means 66 acquires, for example, information (hereinafter referred to as "cliff information") regarding whether there is a terrain (drop or step) determined to be a cliff in each of the eight surrounding directions in the XZ plane of each voxel, with the voxel managed by the virtual space management means 64 as a unit. Note that the cliff information in each voxel is assumed to be stored in advance in the cliff information DB 300 and managed by the virtual space management means 64.

[0038] The movement restriction means 68 executes a process of restricting a part of the movement of the object in the virtual space based on the terrain information. Here, the movement restriction means 68 is provided with a direction calculation means 80, a vector processing means 82, and a position correction means 84. The direction calculation means 80 calculates the movement restriction direction of the operation character in each voxel based on the cliff information acquired by the cliff information acquisition means 66. In the present embodiment, the direction calculation means 80 calculates, for example, all of the directions in which walls exist among the eight surrounding directions as the movement restriction directions of the operation character. When a movement instruction is given to the operation character, the vector processing means 82 overwrites with 0 the movement vector in the direction calculated as the movement restriction direction by the direction calculation means 80 among the movement vectors in the eight directions around the operation character, and executes the movement process of the operation character. When, as a result of a predetermined control process, the position coordinates of the object have changed in the direction that restricts the movement of the object, the position correction means 84 corrects the position coordinates of the object to the position coordinates before the control process. Specifically, the position correction means 84 checks the position coordinates of the operation character when a predetermined in-game process is executed, and determines whether the position coordinates of the operation character exist in the direction calculated as the movement restriction direction by the direction calculation means 80. Then, as a result of the in-game process, when the position coordinates of the operation character exist in the movement restriction direction, the position correction means 84 executes a process of correcting the position coordinates of the operation character to position coordinates that are not the target in the movement restriction direction.

[0039] The output control means 70 executes control for outputting various images (such as game images) and sounds to the output unit 16 and the like.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 100 of the server 2 functions as the game information management means 120 by executing various programs and the like.

[0041] The game information management means 120 of the server 2 manages various information necessary for the progress of the game by the game device 1 and executes various processes. Specifically, for example, the game information management means 120 executes authentication for the account information transmitted from the game device 1, distribution of game information in response to a download request for various game information from the game device 1, and the like.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cliff information and the details of the process using the cliff information will be described. FIGS. 4 and 5 are image diagrams for explaining an example of the basic functions of a game to which the information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. First, in the example of FIG. 4, characters C1 and M1 moving around on the cliff and area B1 which is one of the voxels constituting the cliff are displayed. Here, in the situation of FIG. 4, characters C1 and M1 which are the operation characters can basically move freely according to the player's input operation. However, since the outside of the cliff is a prohibited entry area in this game, characters C1 and M1 generally cannot move outside the cliff. As a method for this, FIG. 5 shows the details of the cliff information in area B1 of FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is an example when the virtual space of FIG. 4 is viewed in the plane direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, cliffs exist at the left end and the lower end of FIG. 5. Specifically, in the case of area B1, there are no cliffs in the three directions of BB1, BB2, and BB3, and there are cliffs in the five directions of BB4, BB5, BB6, BB7, and BB8. Such cliff information is held in association with each voxel constituting the virtual space (especially terrain such as cliffs), and based on the cliff information of each voxel, the above-described various vector processes are performed. By providing such a function, this system can limit the intrusion of characters into a specific area.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by a game device constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] In step S1, the input operation receiving means 62 receives an input operation regarding the movement of the operation character.

[0045] In step S2, the cliff information acquisition means 66 acquires the cliff information of the voxel where the operation character exists.

[0046] In step S3, the direction calculation means 80 calculates the movement restriction direction of the operation character in each voxel based on the cliff information acquired by the cliff information acquisition means 66.

[0047] In step S4, when a movement instruction is given to the operation character, the vector processing means 82 overwrites with 0 the movement vector in the direction calculated as the movement restriction direction by the direction calculation means 80 among the movement vectors in the eight directions around the operation character, and executes the movement process of the operation character.

[0048] In step S5, the position correction means 84 checks the position coordinates of the operation character when a predetermined in-game process is executed, and determines whether the position coordinates of the operation character exist in the direction calculated as the movement restriction direction by the direction calculation means 80. If the position coordinates of the operation character exist in the movement restriction direction, step S5 is determined as YES, and the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the position coordinates of the operation character do not exist in the movement restriction direction, step S5 is determined as NO, and the process ends as it is.

[0049] In step S6, as a result of the in-game process, when the position coordinates of the operation character exist in the movement restriction direction, the position correction means 84 executes a process of correcting the position coordinates of the operation character to position coordinates that are not the target in the movement restriction direction. Thereby, the movement restriction process ends.

[0050] As described above, one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications, improvements, etc. within the range that can achieve the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure.

[0051] [Other Embodiments] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the present system has been described as managing the virtual space based on the unit of voxel, but it is not limited thereto. The present system may manage the virtual space based on other arbitrary criteria, such as two-dimensional pixel units.

[0052] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the system was described by taking a cliff as an example of a predetermined terrain, but it is not limited thereto. The system can apply the idea of the present disclosure not only to cliffs but also to any terrain such as simple steps, ponds, seas, the sky, stairs, walls, etc.

[0053] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the system was described as acquiring information on cliffs in eight directions around each voxel, but it is not limited thereto. The system may, for example, acquire information on the presence of cliffs in a direction in which the periphery of each voxel is divided into N (N is a natural number of 2 or more).

[0054] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a method for the system (particularly the function of the movement restriction means 68) to restrict the movement of the operation character was exemplified, but the exemplified method is just an example and is not limited. The system may, for example, generate a composite vector with respect to the movement restriction direction based on the calculated movement restriction direction, and restrict the movement of the operation character based on the composite vector. Further, these methods are merely one of the methods for restricting the movement of the operation character, and within the scope of restricting the movement of the operation character based on the cliff information in each voxel, the system may freely adopt an arithmetic method for restricting the movement of the operation character.

[0055] In addition, although not described in the above-described embodiment, the system may be provided with a function of permitting a character to enter under a cliff only in a specific situation (for example, being able to descend from a cliff). For example, the system may permit a character to enter when a specific action is performed (for example, when a jump action of the character is instructed), in a specific game situation (for example, when pushed by another character, at a specific event, etc.). Further, the system may permit a character to enter under a cliff only for a specific character (for example, some NPCs in the game), for example. Furthermore, the system can also easily change the entry conditions of the character by enabling or disabling the above-described vector processing according to specific movements or conditions. In this way, even when conditions such as the intrusion of characters are set, the present system can easily achieve a highly flexible design. If an attempt is made to realize such a function only with the prior art, for example, many complex pre-processings are required, such as separately arranging a plurality of types of special objects (for example, invisible walls, etc.).

[0056] Also, in the above-described embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the position correction means 84 of the present system will be supplemented. In many games including this game, since a large number of complex processes are performed, post hoc correction or modification of the position coordinates of characters and the like may be performed. Also in this game, as a result of such game processing, the position coordinates of the character may move to the target area where movement is restricted. In such a case, the basic role of the position correction means 84 of the present system is to correct the position coordinates of the character and the like outside the target area where movement is restricted. And, although any method can be considered as the position correction method of the position correction means 84, typical methods are shown below. However, these methods are merely illustrative and not limiting. (1) When the in-game processing of correction or modification regarding position correction is performed in the present system, the position coordinates of the character before the processing and the position coordinates of the character after the processing are compared. And, when the position coordinates of the character after the processing have moved to the target area where movement is restricted, the present system simply executes a process of returning the position coordinates of the character to the position coordinates before the in-game processing. (2) When the in-game processing of correction or modification regarding position correction is performed in the present system, the position coordinates of the character before the processing and the position coordinates of the character after the processing are compared. And, when the position coordinates of the character after the processing have moved to the target area where movement is restricted, a unit vector from the position coordinates of the character before the processing to the position coordinates after the processing is calculated, and the position coordinates of the character are corrected using the unit vector and the unit vector regarding the movement restriction direction.

[0057] Also, although the description was omitted in the above-described embodiments, this game may be executed by any hardware such as a home game console such as PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), various game consoles designed for business use, or electronic devices such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet.

[0058] Also, although the description was omitted in the above-described embodiments, the content of the game according 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 game (including so-called open world), simulation game, sports game, card game, battle royale (symmetric, asymmetric), MOBA (Multiplayer online battle arena), music game, fighting game, quiz game, etc.

[0059] Also, the above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or by software. In other words, the functional configurations such as in FIG. 3 are merely examples and are not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information processing system is equipped with a function capable of executing the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the functional blocks used to realize this function are not limited to the examples such as in FIG. 3. Also, the location of the functional blocks is not limited to the examples such as in FIG. 3 and may be arbitrary. Also, one functional block may be constituted by hardware alone, by software alone, or by a combination thereof.

[0060] Also, the number and users of various hardware constituting this system are arbitrary, and it may include other hardware and the like.

[0061] Also, when a series of processes are to be executed by software, the program constituting the software is installed in a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium.

[0062] Also, the computer may be a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware. Also, the computer may be a computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs. That is, for example, any computer, any portable terminal such as a smartphone, any game machine, etc. may be freely adopted for the various hardware in the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, any combination may be adopted for the types and contents of various input units, various output units, etc.

[0063] Also, a recording medium containing such a program is not only constituted by a removable medium (not shown) provided separately from the apparatus main body for providing the program to a player or the like, but may also be constituted by a recording medium provided to the player in a state pre-incorporated in the apparatus main body.

[0064] Also, in this specification, each step in the program stored in the storage medium does not necessarily have to be processed in time series in the order described in the above-described embodiments, and may be processed in a different order, or only some of the processes may be executed in parallel or individually. Specifically, in the above-described embodiments (particularly the embodiment of FIG. 6), the system may not perform, for example, some of the processes (e.g., steps S5 and 6) described in FIG. 6. Similarly, the system may, for example, execute some of the processes (e.g., steps S5 and 6) described in FIG. 6 individually as an independent process separate from the movement restriction process.

[0065] Also, in this specification, the term "system" means an overall apparatus constituted by a plurality of devices, a plurality of means, etc.

[0066] Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the functions and effects of this embodiment are still exerted. In addition, it is also possible to appropriately combine this embodiment with other embodiments, and other embodiments with each other.

[0067] In summary, the information processing system to which the present disclosure is applied can adopt various embodiments having the following configurations. A computer Management means for managing each of the predetermined unit areas in the virtual space (for example, virtual space management means 64), Acquisition means for acquiring, as terrain information, information regarding the distance and direction from the predetermined terrain in the virtual space of the unit area (for example, cliff information acquisition means 66), Restriction means for executing a process of restricting the movement of an object in the virtual space based on the terrain information (for example, movement restriction means 68), A program that functions as such is sufficient.

[0068] That is, the virtual space management means 64 functions as management means. The cliff information acquisition means 66 functions as acquisition means. The movement restriction means 68 functions as restriction means.

[0069] <Effect> As a result, game producers and the like can realize the actions or movements of objects in the game more simply and flexibly, and thus can design a game with higher freedom more simply.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1 Game device 11 Control unit 60 Game processing execution means 62 Input operation reception means 64 Virtual space management means 66 Cliff information acquisition means 68 Movement restriction means 80 Direction calculation means 82 Vector processing means 84 Position correction means 70 Output control means 300 Wall information DB 2 Server 100 Control unit 120 Game information management means

Claims

1. A program for causing a computer to function as: management means for managing each of a plurality of unit areas in a virtual space; acquisition means for acquiring, as terrain information, information regarding the distance and direction of each of the unit areas from a predetermined terrain in the virtual space; restriction means for executing a process of restricting the movement of an object in the virtual space based on the terrain information.

2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the management means manages by associating each of the unit areas with the terrain information in each of the unit areas.

3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition means acquires the terrain information including information regarding whether the terrain exists in each of the directions obtained by dividing each of the unit areas into N (N is a natural number of 2 or more) parts.

4. The program according to claim 3, wherein the restriction means restricts the movement of the object based on a direction vector in the direction in which the terrain exists in each of the unit areas.

5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the restriction means does not execute the process of restricting the movement of the object when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the restriction means corrects the position coordinates of the object to the position coordinates before the control process when the position coordinates of the object have changed in a direction in which the movement of the object is to be restricted as a result of a predetermined control process.

7. An information processing method executed by a computer, the method comprising: a management step of managing each of a plurality of unit areas in a virtual space; an acquisition step of acquiring, as terrain information, information regarding the distance and direction of each of the unit areas from a predetermined terrain in the virtual space; a restriction step of executing a process of restricting the movement of an object in the virtual space based on the terrain information.

8. An information processing apparatus comprising: management means for managing each of a plurality of unit areas in a virtual space; acquisition means for acquiring, as terrain information, information regarding the distance and direction of each of the unit areas from a predetermined terrain in the virtual space; restriction means for executing a process of restricting the movement of an object in the virtual space based on the terrain information.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the management means manages by associating each of the unit areas with the terrain information in each of the unit areas.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the acquisition means acquires the terrain information including information regarding whether the terrain exists in each of the directions obtained by dividing each of the unit areas into N (N is a natural number of 2 or more) parts.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the restriction means restricts the movement of the object based on a direction vector in the direction in which the terrain exists in each of the unit areas.

Images