Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To appropriately set a role in consideration of the number of players or the like for each role in a game for setting the respective roles of a plurality of players before the start of cooperative play.SOLUTION: Receiving, by a computer, a selection operation of selecting one of a plurality of types of roles from each of a plurality of players who jointly play a game before a start of joint play of the game; A computer sets, for each of a plurality of players, a role played by the player during cooperative play of a game on the basis of an operation of the player, and sets a role of a target player among the plurality of players to a role of a type different from a type selected by the target player through a selection operation in a case where the target player responds to a role change request during a period from reception of the selection operation by the target player to start of the cooperative play of the game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a game in which multiple players play together, a role in the game may be set for each player from among multiple types of roles (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes that before starting to play the game together, the roles of multiple players are set according to a predetermined setting procedure, and players with different roles play the game together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-124489 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As in the game described in Patent Document 1, when players with different roles play a game together, each player's role is assigned before the start of cooperative play, and the number of players assigned to each role may differ between roles. In such cases, if the number of players assigned to a certain role does not reach the required number, it may be impossible to start cooperative play of the game, which may cause problems in playing the game.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that are capable of appropriately setting roles in a game in which roles are set for each of multiple players before cooperative play begins, taking into consideration the number of players for each role, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present inventors includes an operation receiving unit that receives operations performed by each of a plurality of players playing a game together, and a role setting unit that sets, for each of the plurality of players, a role that the player will play during joint play of the game based on the operation, wherein the operation receiving unit receives a selection operation from each of the plurality of players to select one of a plurality of roles before joint play of the game begins, and when a target player among the plurality of players responds to a role change request between the time the operation receiving unit receives the selection operation by the target player and the time joint play of the game begins, the role setting unit sets the role of the target player to a role of a type different from the type selected by the target player in the selection operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, during the period from when multiple players select roles until cooperative play of a game begins, the role of a target player in response to a role change request can be set to a role different from the role selected by the target player. As a result, the role setting of each player in the game is flexible, and cooperative play of a game by multiple players can be carried out smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a playable area in a game. [Figure 2] 10 is an example of a play screen displayed when playing a game in a first role. [Figure 3] 10 is an example of a play screen displayed when playing a game in a second role. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a charging operation. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a selection operation. [Figure 6] 10 is an example of an inquiry screen. [Figure 7] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of player information. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flow of information processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a role setting process. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a first screen display process. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of a second screen display process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is merely one of the specific examples given to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved from the embodiment described below without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, the screen examples shown in the drawings referenced in the following description are merely examples, and the screen configuration examples, the content of the information displayed, and the GUI (Graphical User Interface), etc. can be freely designed and changed as appropriate according to the content of the information processing, the design specifications of the system, and the player's preferences, etc.

[0010] [Games that can be played with this invention] A game that can be played through the information processing device of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "game") will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an area that can be played in the game, and more specifically, shows an overall image of the area. Figs. 2 and 3 are examples of game play screens. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the input operation, which will be described later. The operation terminals shown in Figs. 2 to 6 are operation terminals operated by a player viewing the play screens shown in these figures.

[0011] A game is content that a player plays while viewing a screen on a game console, specifically an online game that uses data communications. Online games include browser games that use a web browser, social games provided on social networking services (SNS), games that can be played by downloading dedicated application software such as mobile games, and regularly updated online games such as play-by-web (PBW). There are no particular limitations on the genre (classification) of games.

[0012] A player can play the game by selecting either a single-player mode or a cooperative play mode (multi-player mode) with multiple players.

[0013] A player who selects the single play mode controls a predetermined in-game character (hereinafter referred to as a field-moving character J1) during game play. The field-moving character J1 corresponds to the first character, and moves on a field set within the area shown in FIG. 1 based on the player's operation (hereinafter referred to as a movement operation). A game area is an in-game space set for the purpose of clearing the game, and there are one or more of these in the game. A field is a terrain set for each area, and is, for example, a two-dimensional area such as a floor, ground, or water surface.

[0014] The appearance (display image) of the field moving character J1 can be set arbitrarily depending on the content of the game, but in the following explanation, it will be assumed to be a humanoid character as shown in Figure 1. Also, the number of field moving characters J1 that can be controlled by one player may be one or two or more, but in the following explanation, it will be assumed to be one.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, an enemy character E appears on the field, and auxiliary objects H are arranged according to a set rule or irregularly. The enemy character E appears on the field as an example of an appearing character and interferes with the player's game play (specifically, the movement and other actions of the field-moving character J1). Note that the enemy character E is a different character from the field-moving character J1 and the support character J2 described below.

[0016] The auxiliary object H is used by the player during game play, and for example, when the field-moving character J1 approaches or comes into contact with the auxiliary object H, an effect corresponding to the auxiliary object H is given to the player. The effect corresponding to the auxiliary object H includes, for example, the granting of a benefit or item that can be used in the game, a change in a parameter such as the recovery of stamina, a change in the field situation such as a decrease in the number of enemy characters E appearing on the field, and the occurrence of a predetermined event such as the appearance of a boss enemy.

[0017] In the single play mode, the player performs a movement operation (corresponding to a first operation) on the field-moving character J1 while viewing the field-moving character J1 on the game play screen. At this time, the play screen displays a portion of the field, specifically a certain range including the current position of the field-moving character J1 (the area surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 1), as shown in FIG.

[0018] An example of a movement operation is an operation of touching the field-moving character J1 displayed on the screen and dragging it to the destination (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 2) as shown in Fig. 2. The method of performing the movement operation is not particularly limited, but examples include a method using directional keys on a controller (not shown), a method using voice input, a method of detecting the player's body movements such as motion capture, or a method of analyzing the player's brain waves during game play.

[0019] As the field-moving character J1 moves on the field in response to a movement operation, the part of the field displayed on the screen changes accordingly. The player can grasp the current position of the field-moving character J1 (the position after movement) through the screen after the change.

[0020] 2 is a screen showing a part of the field as viewed from directly above, but is not limited to this. The screen displayed during gameplay may be a screen showing a part of the field as viewed from any viewing angle, and the angle may be changeable as desired by the player during gameplay.

[0021] Parameters are set for the field-moving character J1. Parameters are values ​​or statuses that the player monitors (checks) and manages during game play, and are set for each player in the game. In other words, parameters can be said to be parameters related to the player operating the field-moving character J1. Parameters include numerical values ​​and properties related to the field-moving character J1, such as values ​​indicating the current state (status) of the character J1, such as stamina and hunger, values ​​indicating abilities such as attack power and movement speed, type and attributes, screen display size, and other characteristics.

[0022] During game play, the parameters change (are updated) in conjunction with the progress of the game, specifically, the movement and state changes of the field-moving character J1. For example, when the field-moving character J1 moves on the field or is affected by an enemy character E on the field (specifically, an attack, an obstruction, etc.), the stamina, which is one of the parameters, decreases. When the state of the field-moving character J1 reaches a state of 0 (zero) stamina (which corresponds to an example of a predetermined state), the game cannot continue, i.e., the game is over.

[0023] Furthermore, during gameplay, the player can change parameters by using auxiliary objects H placed on the field or input objects T inserted onto the field. For example, when the player uses the auxiliary object H or input object T, which are stamina recovery items, the stamina of the field-moving character J1 can be increased (recovered). The parameters do not necessarily have to be changed in conjunction with the movement of the field-moving character J1, but may be changed according to the operation (movement operation, etc.) of the player operating the field-moving character J1, for example.

[0024] The player can clear an area when the clearing conditions for that area are met, such as when the field-moving character J1 reaches a predetermined position on the field or when a predetermined enemy character E that appears on the field is defeated. Furthermore, by clearing one area, the player can move on to the next area and move the field-moving character J1 on the field set in the area after the transition.

[0025] Next, the cooperative play mode will be explained. In the cooperative play mode, multiple players can play together in the same area at the same timing (i.e., at the same time). In addition to players cooperating with each other to play with the common goal of clearing an area, cooperative play also includes players competing with each other in the same area, and multiple players splitting into multiple teams and playing against each other in the same area. In the following explanation, playing cooperatively is also referred to as "participating in cooperative play."

[0026] The multiple players participating in cooperative play are divided into one player participating as a host and one or more players participating as guests. Specifically, in cooperative play mode, one player who selects the cooperative play mode becomes the host and recruits guests to participate in the cooperative play. The procedure by which a guest applies to participate in cooperative play is not particularly limited, but for example, a list of hosts who are currently recruiting guests may be displayed in a selectable manner on the screen of a player who wishes to play cooperatively. Then, a player may apply to participate in a cooperative play hosted by that host by selecting one host from the displayed list.

[0027] Each of the multiple players playing cooperatively selects a role before the cooperative play begins. A role is a role in the game that each of the multiple players playing cooperatively takes on, and in the present invention, before the cooperative play begins, each player selects one of multiple types of roles. The multiple types of roles are, for example, a first role and a second role, and each player selects one of these roles before the cooperative play begins. The multiple types of roles may include roles other than the first role and the second role, that is, the number of roles that each player can select may be three or more.

[0028] Incidentally, in the present invention, before the start of cooperative play refers to the time before multiple players start playing in an area within the game, specifically, the time before actually performing operations on the field-moving character J1 and the support character J2 described below.

[0029] After that, a role is assigned to each player according to the selection result of each player, and joint play begins. In joint play, each player plays the game in the role assigned to them. Specifically, the first role is the role of operating the above-mentioned field-moving character J1 to progress through the game. During joint play, the play screen (hereinafter also referred to as the first screen G1) of the player assigned to the first role displays the field-moving character J1 and a portion of the field corresponding to the current position of the field-moving character J1. While viewing the first screen G1, the player assigned to the first role performs a movement operation as a first operation on the field-moving character J1.

[0030] The second role is a role that assists (supports) the player set to the first role during cooperative play. Assisting the player set to the first role means playing the game from a different perspective than the player set to the first role, specifically, playing the game in a way that allows the player set to the first role to progress in the game to an advantage.

[0031] To explain the second role in more detail, during cooperative play, a player assigned to the second role controls a support character J2 that is different from the field-moving character J1. The support character J2 corresponds to a second character and is based on an air vehicle such as a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). The number of support characters J2 that can be controlled by one player assigned to the second role may be one or more, but the following explanation will be limited to one.

[0032] During cooperative play, the play screen of the player assigned to the second role (hereinafter also referred to as the second screen G2) displays a bird's-eye view of the support character J2 and a portion of the field corresponding to the position of the support character J2, as shown in Fig. 3. The player assigned to the second role performs operations (hereinafter referred to as flight operations) on the support character J2 while viewing the second screen G2. The flight operations correspond to the second operations.

[0033] An example of a flight operation is an operation of touching the support character J2 displayed on the screen and dragging it to a destination, as shown in Fig. 3. The method of performing the flight operation is not particularly limited, but examples include a method using directional keys on a controller (not shown), a method using voice input, a method of detecting the player's body movements such as motion capture, or a method of analyzing the player's brain waves during game play.

[0034] The support character J2 moves (flies) within the area where the field-moving character J1 exists based on flight operations. Specifically, the field-moving character J1 and the support character J2 exist on different levels (layers) in the same area. The level to which the support character J2 can move is higher than the level to which the field-moving character J1 can move.

[0035] To be precise, the support character J2 can move in a virtual movement space that is set as a space at a different height from the field in the game, specifically, in the space above the field (the sky). This allows the support character J2 to move throughout the entire field, and can move freely even in areas within the field where the field-moving character J1 cannot move. For example, the field-moving character J1 cannot move in areas within the field where obstacles are placed due to restrictions such as obstacles, whereas the support character J2 is not restricted in movement by such obstacles. The movement range of the support character J2 is not limited to the space above the field (sky), but may also be the space below the field (underground, etc.).

[0036] Then, as the support character J2 flies over the field in response to the flight operation, the portion of the field displayed on the second screen G2 changes accordingly. As a result, the player set to the second role can grasp the current position (post-movement position) of the support character J2 through the second screen G2 after the change. Also, the player set to the second role can check the movement of the field-moving character J1 while that field-moving character J1 is displayed on the second screen G2. As a result, during cooperative play, the player set to the second role can watch (spectate) the play by the player set to the first role.

[0037] 3 is a screen showing a part of the field as viewed from directly above, but is not limited to this. The second screen G2 may be a screen showing a part of the field as viewed from any viewing angle, and the angle may be changeable during gameplay according to the preferences of the player assigned to the second role.

[0038] Also, the second screen G2 may display a part of the field or the entire field. For example, when a player set to the second role performs an operation for enlarging the display, a part of the field may be enlarged at a magnification corresponding to the amount of the operation and displayed on the second screen G2. Conversely, when an operation for reducing the display is performed, a part or the whole of the field may be reduced in size corresponding to the amount of the operation and displayed on the second screen G2.

[0039] As described above, the player set to the second role can perform flight operations to fly the support character J2 over the field, thereby visually checking each area of ​​the field on the second screen G2 and overlooking the entire field, including the location of the field-moving character J1.

[0040] On the other hand, the support character J2 cannot attack the enemy character E on the field, and is not affected by the enemy character E (specifically, attacks, interference, etc.). Furthermore, the support character J2 cannot use the auxiliary object H and the thrown-in object T. In other words, the player set to the second role cannot enjoy the effects brought about by the auxiliary object H and the thrown-in object T. Instead, during cooperative play, the player set to the second role can perform an operation (hereinafter referred to as a throw-in operation) to throw the thrown-in object T onto the field as support supplies for the player set to the first role.

[0041] The throw-in operation is performed through the second screen G2. Specifically, the player assigned to the second role selects an object to be thrown in as the throw-in object T from among the objects he possesses in the game, and clicks the object selection button displayed on the second screen G2 that corresponds to the type of object selected as the throw-in object T, as shown in the left diagram of Fig. 4. Thereafter, the player assigned to the second role specifies the placement position of the throw-in object T on the field. The object used as the throw-in object T and the position of the throw-in object T are not limited to being determined based on the will of the player assigned to the second role, but may also be determined automatically, for example, by lottery.

[0042] By performing the throw-in operation according to the above procedure, the throw-in object T is thrown onto the field from the support character J2 controlled by the player who performed the throw-in operation, as shown in the right diagram of Fig. 4. As described above, the throw-in object T is used when the field-moving character J1 controlled by the player assigned to the first role approaches the throw-in object T. In other words, the effect of the throw-in object T is imparted to the player assigned to the first role.

[0043] The effect of the thrown-in object T varies depending on the type of object thrown in, and the content of the effect (i.e., the type of object) can be determined arbitrarily depending on the content of the game. Note that the types of thrown-in objects T may include types that hinder the play of the player assigned to the first role, in addition to types that assist the player assigned to the first role.

[0044] In addition, a player set to the second role can purchase an object that can be used as an input object T during game play, and can input the purchased object onto the field as the input object T.

[0045] The operation to purchase an object is performed, for example, through the second screen G2. Specifically, when a player set to the second role performs a predetermined operation on the second screen G2, a list of purchasable objects (not shown) is displayed. The player selects a desired object from the list. By performing the purchase operation according to the above procedure, the player who performed the purchase operation is granted the right to use the purchased object, and specifically, the number of times the object can be used increases by the number of objects purchased. In addition, a settlement process is executed in conjunction with the purchase of the object. The settlement process is executed according to a known execution procedure, and, for example, the amount of in-game currency held by the player who performed the purchase operation is reduced according to the type and number of objects purchased.

[0046] Note that an object that can be used as the investment object T may be acquired by a method other than purchase, for example, by playing a lottery event held within the game.

[0047] As described above, in the cooperative play mode, each of the multiple players playing cooperatively plays the game in either the first role or the second role, and controls one of the in-game characters corresponding to the role, i.e., the field-moving character J1 or the support character J2.

[0048] In the cooperative play mode, multiple players can select the first role and play the game. In this case, a field-moving character J1 exists on the field for each player assigned to the first role, and each player assigned to the first role controls their own field-moving character J1. Parameters are set for the field-moving character J1; in other words, parameters are set for the player operating the field-moving character J1. When multiple players play cooperatively in the first role, each player monitors their own parameters while playing cooperatively. During cooperative play, if a player's parameters reach a predetermined state, specifically, their stamina reaches 0, they will be unable to continue playing in the first role.

[0049] Furthermore, in cooperative play mode, when multiple players are set to the first role and one or more players are set to the second role, the player set to the second role can assist a designated player among the multiple players set to the first role during cooperative play and cooperate with the player to be assist. The player to be assist may be designated before cooperative play begins or may be designated during cooperative play. Furthermore, the player to be assist may be randomly selected from the multiple players set to the first role, regardless of the intention of the player set to the second role.

[0050] In addition, in the cooperative play mode, a minimum required number of players (lower limit) is determined for the first role, and cooperative play can start only if the number of players who have selected the first role does not exceed the minimum limit. In other words, the first role corresponds to a "predetermined role" for which a minimum limit on the number of players is determined. On the other hand, there is no minimum limit on the number of players playing the game in the second role, and as long as the number of players selecting the first role is equal to or greater than the minimum limit, cooperative play can begin even if the number of players selecting the second role is any number, for example, even if there is no player. However, this is not limited to this, and a minimum required number (minimum limit) may also be determined for the number of players playing the game in the second role.

[0051] In addition, for each of the first and second roles, a maximum number (upper limit) of players who can play simultaneously in one cooperative play is set, and each role of multiple players in cooperative play is set so that the number of players for each role does not exceed the maximum number.

[0052] [Role-related operations and processing] Each player is assigned a role during cooperative play, and each player performs operations according to the assigned role. Roles are set before cooperative play begins, and can be changed during cooperative play if certain conditions are met. As mentioned above, cooperative play cannot start unless the number of players assigned to the first role is equal to or greater than the minimum required number (lower limit). Furthermore, for each role, an upper limit is set for the number of players who can play that role during cooperative play. Therefore, the role of each player is set so that the number of players for that role does not exceed the upper limit.

[0053] Below, we will provide an overview of the operations and processes related to roles. Note that the following explanation will be given assuming that the minimum number of players set for the first role is two, and the maximum number of players for each role is three. However, these values ​​are merely examples, and the above-mentioned minimum and maximum numbers can each be set to any value.

[0054] (Role selection and setting) Before commencing cooperative play, each of the multiple players participating in cooperative play performs a selection operation to select one of multiple roles, specifically, a first role and a second role. Specifically, in cooperative play, one player acts as a host and recruits guests. Then, while viewing the role selection screen of FIG. 5, which is displayed before commencing cooperative play, the host and guests each select a role they desire and click a button on the role selection screen corresponding to the selected role. This operation corresponds to a selection operation.

[0055] The role selection screen displays the selection results of the player who performed the selection operation, as shown in Figure 5. Target players who have not yet performed a selection operation can select their own role while checking the roles selected by other players. This allows role matching to be performed.

[0056] In the above procedure, the host first recruits guests and accepts applications from more guests than necessary to play together, and then each player performs a selection operation to match roles. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, each player may perform a selection operation at the stage of recruiting / applying guests before matching. In this case, a screen may be displayed showing the matching results based on the selection operations performed by each player when applying as a guest, i.e., the role selection results of each player.

[0057] Normally, when the host confirms the matching results on the role selection screen and then performs an operation to start cooperative play, a role is assigned to each player, and cooperative play then begins. In this case, the role assigned to each player is the role selected by each player in response to the selection operation, i.e., the role desired by each player.

[0058] On the other hand, if the conditions for starting cooperative play are not met when the host and guest have completed their respective selection operations, a role change request is made. To explain this using a specific example, in the case shown in Fig. 5, the number of players set to the first role is less than the minimum number (two players), so cooperative play cannot start as is. In this case, a role change request is made to the target player who selected the second role in the selection operation by, for example, displaying the inquiry screen G3 shown in Fig. 6.

[0059] The target player is the player among multiple players playing cooperatively who is the target of the role change request, and is, for example, the player whose operation terminal displays the inquiry screen G3.

[0060] The target player to whom the role change request has been made decides whether to comply with the request, and if so, clicks the accept button (the button marked "Yes" on the screen) on the inquiry screen G3. In this case, the role of the target player who complies with the role change request is set to a role different from the type selected by the target player in the selection operation, i.e., the first role. As compensation (apology), the target player who complies with the role change request is preferably given a benefit that can be used during the subsequent cooperative play, such as an item or character that will give an advantage in the game.

[0061] In the above specific example, if the number of players to be set to the first role is less than the minimum number, a role change request is made to the player who selected the second role in the selection operation, and the role of the player (target player) who responded to the role change request is set to the first role, but this is not limited to this. In a case where a minimum number of players to be set to the second role is set, if the number of players to be set to the second role is less than the minimum number at the time each player who applied to be a guest performed a selection operation, a role change request may be made to the player who selected the first role in the selection operation. Then, the role of the player who responded to the role change request (target player) may be set to the second role.

[0062] Note that the role change request is not limited to an explicit request such as the inquiry screen G3 shown in FIG. 6 , but may also be a screen display or effect that implicitly indicates that a role change is currently required. For example, when a screen showing the matching results (i.e., the role selection results of each player) is displayed after each player performs a selection operation during the guest recruitment / application stage before matching, each player can check through that screen whether the number of players for each role is sufficient. In this case, the selected roles may be made changeable, and a player who selected a role with a sufficient number of players may voluntarily request a change to a role with an insufficient number of players. In this case, a screen or message indicating a role with an insufficient number of players may be displayed as a role change request to the player who selected the role with a sufficient number of players. The screen indicating a role with an insufficient number of players may be the screen showing the matching results itself.

[0063] Furthermore, during the period from when the target player responds to the role change request until collaborative play begins, the upper limit of the number of players who can select the same type of role as the type selected by the target player in the selection operation is reduced, and more specifically, it is reduced from the original upper limit by 1. To explain this using a specific example, in a situation where the number of players who have selected the second role reaches the upper limit (3 players) while the number of players who have selected the first role is 1, which is below the lower limit, if the target player who selected the second role in the selection operation responds to the role change request, the upper limit of the number of players who can select the second role will be set to 2 until collaborative play begins.

[0064] (Role change) A target player who responded to a role change request before the start of cooperative play plays the game in a role of a type different from the role selected by the selection operation during cooperative play. On the other hand, if a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as a change condition) is met during cooperative play, the role of the target player can be changed to the role of the type selected by the target player by the selection operation (hereinafter referred to as the initial role). The change condition is that a situation arises in which the role of the player who responded to the role change request can be changed to the initial role during cooperative play.

[0065] More specifically, if there is a target player who selected a first role in the selection operation but has been set to a second role in response to a role change request, when the first change condition is met, the role of the target player is changed from the second role to the first role. The first change condition is that the parameters of another player who has been set to the same type of role (i.e., the first role) as the type selected by the target player in response to the role change request through a selection operation, more specifically, the parameters of the field-moving character J1 operated by the other player, are in a predetermined state, specifically, their stamina becomes 0, making it impossible to continue playing.

[0066] When the first change condition is met, the role of the other player whose parameters have reached a predetermined state is swapped with the role of the target player who responded to the role change request, and the joint play between the target player and the other player continues with the swapped roles. In other words, as a result of the role swap, the other player assumes the second role, and in the joint play that continues thereafter, the other player performs operations corresponding to the second role, i.e., flying operations and throwing operations of the support character J2.

[0067] Furthermore, if there is a target player who selected the second role in the selection operation but has been set to the first role in response to a role change request, when the second change condition is met, the role of the target player is changed from the first role to the second role. The second change condition is that the parameters of the target player in response to the role change request, more specifically, the parameters of the field-moving character J1 controlled by the target player, become a predetermined state, specifically, their stamina becomes 0, making it impossible to continue playing.

[0068] Note that other change conditions are also possible. For example, suppose that a target player who selected the second role in the selection operation is set to the first role in response to a role change request, and a player joins in mid-game during cooperative play. In that case, if the role set for the player who joined in mid-game is the first role, the target player's role may be changed from the first role to the second role.

[0069] As described above, by changing roles during cooperative play, a target player who was set to a role different from his or her original role in response to a role change request before the start of cooperative play can, once the change conditions are met, play cooperatively in his or her original role.

[0070] When switching roles, the target player may retain the state and parameters (except for stamina) of the character before the role switch and may resume cooperative play from the position before the role switch. Specifically, when the target player's role is changed from the first role to the second role, the target player may then control the support character J2 and perform the insertion operation. Here, the types and number of objects that can be inserted are preferably already set for the target player at the time of the role switch, and the target player may perform the insertion operation within the set range. Furthermore, the target player may start operating the support character J2 (flying operation), which has become possible due to the role switch, from the position of the on-field character J1 that he had been controlling up until then, immediately before the role switch.

[0071] On the other hand, if the role of the target player is changed from the first role to the second role, the target player will then be able to control a field-moving character. At this time, the target player may start operating (moving) the field-moving character J1, which has become possible due to the role exchange, from the position where the support character J2, which the target player had been operating until then, was located immediately before the role exchange (hereinafter referred to as the position immediately before the support character J2). At this time, if the position immediately before the support character J2 is a position where the field-moving character J1 cannot move, the cooperative play may be resumed from a position to which the field-moving character J1 can move and which is determined according to the position immediately before the support character J2 (for example, a position close to the immediately before position). Alternatively, when the field-moving character J1, which was operated by the player whose role the target player exchanges with (i.e., the player who played the first role before the role exchange), reaches a predetermined state (a state with zero vitality), the cooperative play may be resumed from the position of the field-moving character J1 at that time.

[0072] (Roles for multiple cooperative play) In a game, players can play cooperatively multiple times. A player who plays cooperatively multiple times (hereinafter referred to as a specific player) performs a selection operation before the start of each cooperative play, i.e., selects a role for each cooperative play. Then, in each cooperative play, the specific player plays the role selected in the selection operation, except when responding to a role change request.

[0073] Here, among multiple cooperative plays performed by a specific player, the first cooperative play is called the first cooperative play, and the subsequent cooperative play is called the second cooperative play. If the role of the specific player differs between the first cooperative play and the second cooperative play, the specific player is given a certain advantage in the second cooperative play. The advantage means that the game can be played under more advantageous conditions for the specific player compared to when the role of the specific player is the same between the first cooperative play and the second cooperative play. Specifically, the following (a1) to (a3) ​​are given as examples of advantages. (a1) Granting items or effects that will give an advantage in the second cooperative play (a2) To ease the game conditions in the second cooperative play by providing parameter-related benefits such as reducing or slowing down parameter consumption. (a3) To give preferential treatment to the number of objects that can be used in the second cooperative play, such as by increasing the upper limit of the number of objects that can be input as input object T or by increasing the number of objects that are normally difficult to obtain. (a4) Increasing the number of rewards (items) that can be acquired through second cooperative play In addition, when the advantage is (a1) or (a4) above, the recipient of the benefit (item) may be only the specific player, or may include other players who participate in the second cooperative play together with the specific player.

[0074] The second cooperative play refers to a cooperative play that takes place after the first cooperative play, and may be a cooperative play that takes place immediately after the first cooperative play, or a cooperative play that takes place several times after the first cooperative play.

[0075] [Regarding the information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention and the operation terminal of each player] Next, an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention and an operation terminal of each player will be described. Note that the following description will be given assuming a situation in which four players A to D play the same area of ​​the game together in a cooperative play mode.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 7, each player possesses an operation terminal 11 to 14 for use in the game. Each operation terminal 11 to 14 is a client terminal, and specifically, is configured by a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a television set capable of inputting information, a wearable terminal, or the like. Each operation terminal 11 to 14 is communicably connected to the server 10 via a communication network 15, as shown in Fig. 7. The communication network 15 is a communication line network consisting of, for example, the Internet or a mobile communication network, and may include a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), an intranet, Ethernet (registered trademark), and the like.

[0077] The server 10 is an example of an "information processing device" of the present invention and is a computer that generates, transmits, and receives data necessary for game progress and executes various information processes related to game progress, such as a social networking service (SNS) server. The server 10 may be configured as a single computer or as a plurality of computers distributed in parallel. The server 10 may also be a server computer for an ASP (Application Service Provider), SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). In this case, a series of information processes related to game progress (excluding information input and display) are executed by the server 10, so that each player's operation terminal 11-14 only needs to input information to be transferred to the server 10 and output information distributed from the server 10.

[0078] 7, the server 10 has, as hardware devices, a processor 21, a memory 22, a communication interface 23, and a storage 24, which are electrically connected via a bus 25. The processor 21 may be configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a TPU (Tensor Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like.

[0079] The memory 22 may be configured with semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The communication interface 23 may be configured with, for example, a network interface card or a communication interface board. The standard of data communication by the communication interface 23 is not particularly limited, and examples include communication by a wireless LAN based on Wi-fi (registered trademark), communication by a 3G to 5G or later generation mobile communication system, or communication based on LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0080] The storage 24 may be configured with a flash memory, a hard disc drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disc (FD), a magneto-optical disc (MO disc), a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a secure digital card (SD card), a universal serial bus memory (USB memory), or the like. The storage 24 may be built into the server 10 or may be attached to the server main body in an external format. The storage 24 may also be configured with an external computer (e.g., a database server) communicably connected to the server main body. Note that a distributed ledger technology such as a blockchain may be used as a technology for recording various data in order to avoid unauthorized data tampering, etc.

[0081] Furthermore, a program for an operating system (OS) and an information processing program for game progression are installed as software on the server 10. These programs correspond to the "programs" of the present invention and are programs for controlling the server 10, which is a computer. In other words, when executed by the processor 21, the server 10 functions as the information processing device of the present invention.

[0082] The program may be acquired by reading it from a computer-readable recording medium, or may be acquired (downloaded) via a network such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0083] During game play, the server 10 progresses the game by executing the above program. Specifically, the server 10 accepts operations for progressing the game from each of the players A to D and executes a series of processes for progressing the game. For example, before the start of cooperative play, the server 10 executes a process for setting the roles of each of the players A to D. Specifically, before the start of cooperative play, the server 10 accepts a role selection operation from each player. Furthermore, before the start of cooperative play, the server 10 makes a role change request to the target player as necessary.

[0084] Furthermore, during cooperative play, the server 10 executes a process of generating display data for the game play screen (for example, the first screen G1 and the second screen G2) and transmitting the display data to the operation terminals 11 to 14 of each player. During cooperative play, the server 10 also executes a process of changing parameters such as the stamina of the field moving character J1 for each player according to the progress of the game. In addition, the server 10 executes a process according to the operation of each player during cooperative play. For example, when a throw-in operation is performed, the server 10 executes a process of throwing an thrown-in object T onto the field.

[0085] Furthermore, if a target player who has responded to the role change request is present among the multiple players playing cooperatively, the server 10 grants the target player a benefit that can be used during cooperative play.

[0086] Furthermore, in a scene where a specific player who has played multiple cooperative games plays a second cooperative game, if the role of the specific player in the second cooperative game satisfies the above-mentioned conditions for granting an advantage, the server 10 grants an advantage to the specific player. This allows the specific player to proceed with the game (more specifically, the second cooperative game) under conditions more advantageous to the specific player.

[0087] To explain the configuration of the server 10 again from a configuration perspective, as shown in Fig. 8, the server 10 has an operation reception unit 31, a role setting unit 32, a game progression unit 33, a display control unit 34, a memory unit 35, a request unit 36, a benefit granting unit 37, and a role change unit 38. Of these functional units, the memory unit 35 is realized by the memory 22 or the storage 24, and the other functional units are realized by cooperation between various hardware devices that make up the server 10 and programs installed on the server 10. Each functional unit will be described in detail below.

[0088] (Operation reception section) The operation acceptance unit 31 accepts operations for progressing the game performed by the players via the operation terminals 11 to 14, and more specifically, acquires data indicating the operation content from the operation terminals 11 to 14 via the communication network 15. In particular, in the collaborative mode, the operation acceptance unit 31 accepts operations for progressing the game for each player.

[0089] In the cooperative play mode, before the cooperative play starts, the operation accepting unit 31 accepts a role selection operation from each of the multiple players who will be playing cooperatively. Also, before the cooperative play starts, if there is a target player who has responded to a role change request, the operation accepting unit 31 accepts an operation from the target player to respond to the role change request (specifically, an operation of clicking the accept button on the inquiry screen G3 in FIG. 6).

[0090] Note that if the target player responds to a role change request, the upper limit of the number of players who can select the same type of role as the type selected by the target player in the selection operation is reduced during the period from when the target player responds to the role change request until cooperative play begins. For example, if the target player selects the second role in the selection operation and then responds to the role change request, the upper limit of the number of players who can select the second role is reduced from three to two. This is to ensure an opening (slot) for a player to be set to the second role when a change condition (more specifically, the second change condition) is met during cooperative play and the target player's role can be changed to the second role.

[0091] From the start of cooperative play until the cooperative play continues, the operation acceptance unit 31 accepts a movement operation for the field-moving character J1 from the player set to the first role, and accepts a flight operation for the support character J2 from the player set to the second role. Furthermore, during cooperative play, if the player set to the second role performs an operation to insert an insertion object T or an operation to purchase an object, the operation acceptance unit 31 accepts these operations.

[0092] (Role Setting Department) Before the start of cooperative play, the role setting unit 32 sets a role for each of the multiple players playing cooperatively based on the operation received from each player by the operation receiving unit 31, and more specifically, sets the role to either a first role or a second role. Normally, the role setting unit 32 sets the role of each player based on the selection operation of each player received by the operation receiving unit 31, and more specifically, sets the role to the role selected by the selection operation (i.e., the role desired by each player).

[0093] On the other hand, if the target player responds to a role change request between the time when the operation receiving unit 31 receives the selection operation by the target player and the time when cooperative play starts, the role setting unit 32 sets the role of the target player to a role of a type different from the type selected by the target player in the selection operation.

[0094] More specifically, before the start of cooperative play, if the number of players selecting a predetermined role is below the lower limit and a target player who selected a role other than the predetermined role in a selection operation responds to a role change request, the role setting unit 32 sets the role of the target player to the predetermined role. To explain this using a specific example, in a case where the target player selected the second role in the selection operation while the number of players selecting the first role is below the lower limit, if the target player responds to a role change request, the role setting unit 32 sets the role of the target player to the first role instead of the second role.

[0095] Furthermore, when there is a specific player who will play a plurality of times in a cooperative play, the role setting unit 32 sets the role of the specific player for each round of cooperative play before the start of each round of cooperative play.

[0096] (Game Progression Department) During cooperative play, the game progression unit 33 progresses the game in accordance with operations received from each player. For example, when a movement operation is received from a player set to the first role, the game progression unit 33 moves the field-moving character J1 controlled by that player on the field in accordance with the movement operation. At this time, the game progression unit 33 may change the state of the field in conjunction with the movement of the field-moving character J1, and may, for example, change the appearance position of an enemy character E on the field.

[0097] Furthermore, the game progression unit 33 changes the parameters of the player assigned to the first role, i.e., the parameters and status of the field-moving character J1 operated by that player, as the game progresses. For example, if the field-moving character J1 is attacked (attacked) by an enemy character E while moving on the field, the game progression unit 33 executes processing to reduce the stamina of the field-moving character J1 in response to the attack.

[0098] Furthermore, when the field-moving character J1 uses an auxiliary object H or an inserted object T on the field, the game progression unit 33 imparts an effect corresponding to that object to the player operating the field-moving character J1. For example, when a player uses a stamina recovery object, the game progression unit 33 executes processing to increase (restore) the stamina of the field-moving character J1 operated by that player.

[0099] In addition, when the stamina of the field-moving character J1 reaches 0, the player is unable to continue playing at that point, and will no longer be able to control the field-moving character J1 in the subsequent cooperative play.

[0100] Furthermore, during cooperative play, when the game progression unit 33 receives a flight operation from a player assigned to the second role, the game progression unit 33 moves (flies) the support character J2 of that player in the air above the field in accordance with the flight operation. The support character J2 flying in the air above the field does not come into contact with the enemy character E on the field and is not subjected to attacks (actions) from the enemy character E. Therefore, during cooperative play, the game progression unit 33 does not reflect attacks from the enemy character E in the state of the support character J2.

[0101] Furthermore, during cooperative play, when the game progression unit 33 receives a throw-in operation from a player assigned to the second role, it places (throws in) the throw-in object T onto the field according to the type and placement position of the object specified in the throw-in operation. Upon throwing in the throw-in object T, the game progression unit 33 executes processing to subtract from the number of objects used as the throw-in object T owned by the player who performed the throw-in operation.

[0102] Furthermore, during cooperative play, when the operation receiving unit 31 receives a purchase operation from a player set to the second role, the game progression unit 33 executes a process to increase the number of purchased objects owned by that player in accordance with the number of purchased objects.

[0103] Furthermore, when a specific player who is playing multiple cooperative games plays a second cooperative game after a first cooperative game, if the role of the specific player differs between the first cooperative game and the second cooperative game, the game progression unit 33 grants an advantage to the specific player in the second cooperative game. This allows the specific player to progress through the game under more advantageous conditions in the second cooperative game than when the role of the specific player is the same between the first cooperative game and the second cooperative game.

[0104] (Display control unit) During cooperative play, the display control unit 34 controls the operation terminals 11 to 14 of each player to display the play screen, and more specifically, generates display data for the play screen for each player and transmits the display data to the operation terminals 11 to 14 of each player. Specifically, the display data for the first screen G1 is transmitted to the operation terminal of the player set to the first role, and the display data for the second screen G2 is transmitted to the operation terminal of the player set to the second role.

[0105] Furthermore, when the field-moving character J1 moves on the field by receiving a movement operation from the player set to the first role, the display control unit 34 generates and transmits display data for the first screen G1 after the movement. The first screen G1 displayed based on this display data displays a portion of the field corresponding to the position of the field-moving character J1 after the movement. As a result, the portion of the field displayed on the first screen G1 changes as the field moves in conjunction with the movement of the field-moving character J1.

[0106] Similarly, when the support character J2 flies above the field in response to a flight operation from the player assigned to the second role, the display control unit 34 generates and transmits display data for the second screen G2 after the movement. The second screen G2, which is displayed based on this display data, displays a portion of the field corresponding to the position of the support character J2 after the movement. As a result, the portion of the field displayed on the second screen G2 changes as the support character J2 moves (flies).

[0107] (Storage part) The storage unit 35 stores various types of information necessary for the progress of the game. The information stored in the storage unit 35 includes area information and player information.

[0108] The area information is information about each of a plurality of areas set in the game, and is stored for each area in the storage unit 35. The area information includes the identification number of each area, information about the field within the area, and the conditions for clearing the area. The information about the field includes the topography of the field, the type and position of an auxiliary object H placed on the field, and the type and position of an enemy character E that appears on the field.

[0109] The player information is information about each of multiple players who play together, and is stored for each player in the storage unit 35. As shown in Fig. 9, the player information includes each player's name, identification ID, area in which they are playing, the type and number of objects (possessed items), the type and number of in-game currencies they possess, and their currently set role.

[0110] 9, the player information of the player set to the first role further includes information about the field-moving character J1 to be operated, such as the current state and parameters of the field-moving character J1, and the current position on the field, etc. The player information of the player set to the second role further includes information about the support character J2 to be operated, such as the current position of the support character J2 in the area, the type and position of the inserted object T inserted by the support character J2, and information about the player designated as the support target (such as the name or identification ID), etc.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 9, the player information further includes flag information indicating whether or not the player is a player (target player) who responded to a role change request before the start of cooperative play. The player information is not limited to the information shown in FIG. 9, and may further include information other than the information shown in FIG.

[0112] (request part) The request unit 36 ​​makes a role change request to the target player if a role change request is necessary during the period from when the request unit 36 ​​receives a selection operation from each of the multiple players participating in the cooperative play until the cooperative play starts.

[0113] An example of a situation in which a role change request is made is when, before the start of cooperative play, the number of players selecting the first role is less than the minimum required number (lower limit number). Specifically, before the start of cooperative play, a target player selects a second role (a role other than a predetermined role) through a selection operation, and the number of players selecting the first role (predetermined role) is less than the lower limit number for a predetermined period of time or more. In this case, the request unit 36 ​​makes a role change request to the target player. At this time, the request unit 36 ​​may designate each player who has selected the second role as a target player, and may cause the operation terminal of each target player to display an inquiry screen G3 asking whether or not to accept the role change request.

[0114] In the above case, if the number of players selecting the first role falls below the minimum number for a predetermined period of time or more before the start of cooperative play, this triggers a role change request, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, suppose that before the start of cooperative play, a player participating in cooperative play as a guest selects a second role (a role other than the predetermined role) through a selection operation, and the number of players selecting the first role (the predetermined role) falls below the minimum number. In this case, if a player participating in cooperative play as a host performs a change request operation and the operation receiving unit 31 receives the change request operation, this may trigger the request unit 36 ​​to make a role change request to the target player.

[0115] In the change request operation, the host player designates one or more players from among the guest players. The request unit 36 ​​sets the guest player designated in the change request operation as the target player, makes a role change request to the target player, and specifically, causes the operation terminal of the target player to display an inquiry screen G3.

[0116] (Benefits Granting Department) If there is a target player who responded to the role change request before the start of cooperative play, the benefit granting unit 37 grants a benefit to the target player who responded to the role change request among the cooperative players. The benefit granted during cooperative play is, for example, an item or character that can be used in the cooperative play in which the target player responded to the role change request. Furthermore, the type and number of benefits granted by the benefit granting unit 37 can be determined arbitrarily taking into consideration the specifications of the game, but it is preferable to determine them based on, for example, the field and difficulty level of the area in which cooperative play is performed.

[0117] The benefit granted by the benefit granting unit 37 is not limited to a benefit that can be used in the joint play in which the target player responded to the role change request, but may be a benefit that can be used in the joint play in which the target player responded to the role change request, other than the play in which the target player responded to the role change request, or a benefit that can be used when the target player responded to the role change request plays the game in the single-play mode.

[0118] Furthermore, the procedure by which the benefit granting unit 37 determines the benefit to be granted is not particularly limited, but for example, the target player in response to the role change request may select a benefit, and the benefit to be granted may be determined according to the selected type.

[0119] Specifically, for example, a benefit granted to a target player who has selected a first role in response to a role change request may be a benefit that can be used when playing cooperatively in the first role, or a benefit that provides a predetermined effect in the cooperative play. This benefit may be a benefit that cannot be used when playing cooperatively in the second role, or a benefit that does not provide a predetermined effect. Such a benefit may be, for example, one that increases the parameters of the field-moving character J1 in cooperative play (e.g., an item that recovers stamina, or an item that increases ability values ​​such as attack power). A plurality of types of the above-mentioned benefits may be prepared, and one of them may be selected by the target player. Here, the selection includes the target player selecting one of the plurality of types of benefits, or the selection by lottery in the game conducted in response to the target player's request (strictly speaking, automatic selection). Then, the selected type of benefit is granted to the target player.

[0120] The timing for granting a benefit to the target player is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, when the target player responds to a change request, or when the target player changes to his or her original role (the first role selected by the target player in a selection operation before the start of cooperative play) during cooperative play. Alternatively, if the target player can freely specify the timing at which the target player's role can be changed to his or her original role during cooperative play, the benefit may be granted to the target player at the specified timing. Alternatively, the benefit may be granted to the target player at a random timing during cooperative play.

[0121] The above-described method for granting a privilege may also be applied when the target player selects the second role in response to a role change request. In this case, the target player is granted a privilege that can be used as an investment object T. Specifically, the number of objects corresponding to the privilege that the target player possesses to be used as investment objects is increased.

[0122] (Role Change Department) In the case where there is a target player who responded to the role change request before the start of cooperative play, when a change condition is established during cooperative play, the role change unit 38 changes the role of the target player who responded to the role change request to the original role selected by the target player at the time of the selection operation.

[0123] As a specific example, consider a situation (first case) in which a target player who selected the second role in the selection operation is set to the first role in response to a role change request. In the first case, during cooperative play, the parameters of the target player who responded to the role change request become a predetermined state, specifically, when the stamina of the field-moving character J1 operated by the target player becomes 0 and the player is unable to continue playing, the change condition is met.

[0124] In the first case, when a change condition is met during cooperative play, the role changing unit 38 changes the role of the target player who responded to the role change request to the second role, which is the original role.

[0125] As another specific example, consider a situation (second case) in which a target player who selected a first role in a selection operation is set to a second role in response to a role change request. In the second case, during cooperative play, the parameters of another player who has been set to the first role reach a predetermined state, specifically, when the stamina of the field-moving character J1 operated by the other player reaches 0 and the player is unable to continue playing, the change condition is met at that point.

[0126] In the second case, the role changing unit 38 changes the role of the target player in response to the role change request to the first role, which is the original role, when the change condition is met. Also, in the second case, the role of another player who has become unable to continue playing due to the change in the role of the target player is changed from the first role to the second role. That is, in the second case, when changing the role of the target player in response to the role change request, the role changing unit 38 swaps the role of the target player with the role of the other player who has become unable to continue playing. Thereafter, the target player whose roles have been swapped and the other player continue playing together in their new roles.

[0127] [Information processing method according to one embodiment of the present invention] Next, as an example of the information processing method of the present invention, an information processing flow for game progression (hereinafter referred to as the present information processing flow) will be described. Note that the present information processing flow is merely an example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the order of steps may be changed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0128] This information processing flow is executed by a computer constituting an information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, i.e., the server 10, according to the flow shown in Fig. 10. In the following, it is assumed that four players A to D are playing together in the same area, with player A participating in the joint play as the host, and players B to D participating in the joint play as guests.

[0129] In this information processing flow, first, a role setting process is executed (S001) as shown in Fig. 10. The role setting process is executed before the start of cooperative play according to the flow shown in Fig. 11. In the role setting process, first, the server 10 accepts a role selection operation from each of the players A to D (S011).

[0130] In step S011, the server 10 displays the role selection screen shown in FIG. 5 on the operation terminals 11 to 14 of each of the players A to D. Each player selects either the first role or the second role while viewing the displayed role selection screen, and clicks a button on the role selection screen corresponding to the selected role. The selection results of each player are converted into data by the operation terminal of each player and transmitted to the server 10. In this way, the server 10 accepts the selection operation from each player.

[0131] When the server 10 receives a selection operation from each player, it determines whether the number of players selecting the first role at that time is equal to or greater than the minimum required number (lower limit number) (S012). If the number of players selecting the first role is equal to or greater than the lower limit number, the process proceeds to step S013. In step S013, the server 10 sets the role of each player based on the selection operation received from each player, specifically, sets the role to the role selected by each player in the selection operation (S013).

[0132] On the other hand, if the number of players selecting the first role falls below the lower limit, and the time during which the number of players selecting the first role falls below the lower limit continues for a predetermined time or more (S014), the server 10 makes a role change request to the target player (S015). In step S015, the server 10 displays the inquiry screen G3 of FIG. 6 on the operation terminal of the target player, thereby inquiring of the target player as to whether or not to accept the role change request. Here, the target player to whom the role change request is made may be all players who have selected the second role at that time, or may be players who have selected the second role and are designated by player A, the host.

[0133] If the target player to whom the role change request has been made agrees to the request, he or she performs a reply operation to agree to the request, such as by clicking an accept button on the inquiry screen G3 (S016). Upon receiving the reply operation from the target player, the server 10 sets the roles of each player before cooperative play begins (S017). At this time, the server 10 sets the role of the target player who responded to the role change request to a role different from the type selected by the target player in the selection operation (i.e., the first role).

[0134] After step S016 is performed, the upper limit of the number of players who can select the second role may be decremented by -1 until the cooperative play starts (S018). This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the target player who responded to the role change request is treated at a disadvantage in terms of role setting.

[0135] The role setting process ends when the above steps are completed. In the following, we will assume that players A and C are set to the first role, and players B and D are set to the second role. Furthermore, player C selected the second role during the selection operation, but responded to a role change request, so he corresponds to the target player who was set to the first role before the start of cooperative play.

[0136] Returning to the information processing flow in Fig. 10, cooperative play can begin when the role setting process is completed (S002). When cooperative play begins, the server 10 grants a benefit that can be used during cooperative play to the target player C who responded to the role change request before the start of cooperative play (S003).

[0137] Furthermore, although not specifically illustrated, the server 10 determines whether the multiple players performing cooperative play include a specific player who will perform cooperative play multiple times (a player for whom the current cooperative play is the second or subsequent cooperative play). If a specific player is included, the server 10 compares the role of the specific player in the current cooperative play with the role of the specific player in the previous cooperative play. Here, the current cooperative play corresponds to the second cooperative play, and the previous cooperative play corresponds to the first cooperative play.

[0138] If the role of the specific player is different between the current cooperative play and the previous cooperative play, the server 10 (more specifically, the game progression unit 33) grants an advantage to the specific player in the current cooperative play. In other words, the current cooperative play will be carried out under conditions that are more advantageous to the specific player than if the role of the specific player was the same between the current cooperative play and the previous cooperative play.

[0139] During the cooperative play, the server 10 executes a screen display process as needed, and displays a play screen corresponding to the operation of each of the players A to D on the operation terminal of each player (S004). The screen display process includes a process for the player assigned to the first role (hereinafter referred to as a first screen display process) and a process for the player assigned to the second role (hereinafter referred to as a second screen display process).

[0140] 12, and is performed via data communication between the server 10 and the operation terminals 11 and 13 of players A and C who are set to the first role. Here, player A is taken to be the representative of the players who are set to the first role, and the first screen display process performed between the server 10 and the operation terminal 11 of player A will be described.

[0141] In the first screen display process, the server 10 first generates display data for the first screen G1 and transmits it to the operation terminal 11 of player A (S021). As a result, the first screen G1 showing the field-moving character J1 and a part of the field is displayed on the operation terminal 11 (S022). Note that the first screen G1 displayed at the start of cooperative play shows a part of the field that corresponds to the initial position (start position) of the field-moving character J1.

[0142] During the cooperative play, player A performs a movement operation on the field-moving character J1 as needed while viewing the first screen G1 (S023). The server 10 receives the movement operation from player A through communication with the operation terminal 11 (S024), and moves the field-moving character J1 on the field in accordance with the received movement operation (S025). Thereafter, the server 10 generates display data for the first screen G1 (hereinafter referred to as the "first screen G1 after movement") that displays a portion of the field corresponding to the position of the field-moving character J1 after the movement, and transmits the data to the operation terminal 11 (S026). As a result, the first screen G1 after the movement is displayed on the operation terminal 11 (S027).

[0143] Thereafter, steps S024 to S027 are repeated every time player A performs a movement operation, thereby updating the first screen G1 displayed on the operation terminal 11 as needed. The first screen display process continues during joint play and ends when the game ends (S028). The game ends when a condition for ending joint play is met, such as when a predetermined area is cleared, when a preset joint play time (time limit) has elapsed, or when player A discontinues play (retires).

[0144] Although not specifically shown, during collaborative play, the server 10 appropriately changes the state and parameters of the field-moving character J1 according to the progress of the game, and accordingly updates the player information of player A stored in the memory unit 35.

[0145] The second screen display process proceeds according to the flow shown in Fig. 13 and is performed via data communication between the server 10 and the operation terminals 12, 14 of players B, D who are set to the second role. Here, player B is taken to be the representative of the players who are set to the second role, and the second screen display process performed between the server 10 and the operation terminal 12 of player B will be described.

[0146] In the second screen display process, the server 10 first generates display data for the second screen G2 and transmits it to the operation terminal 12 of player B (S031). As a result, the second screen G2 showing the support character J2 and a part of the field is displayed on the operation terminal 12 (S032). Note that the second screen G2 displayed at the start of cooperative play shows a part of the field that corresponds to the initial position (start position) of the support character J2.

[0147] During the cooperative play, player B performs flight operations on the support character J2 as needed while viewing the second screen G2 (S033). The server 10 receives flight operations from player B through communication with the operation terminal 12 (S034), and moves the support character J2 above the field in accordance with the received flight operations (S035). Thereafter, the server 10 generates display data for the second screen G2 (hereinafter referred to as the "second screen G2 after movement") that displays a portion of the field corresponding to the position of the support character J2 after the movement, and transmits the data to the operation terminal 12 (S036). As a result, the second screen G2 after the movement is displayed on the operation terminal 12 (S037).

[0148] Thereafter, steps S034 to S037 are repeatedly performed each time player B performs a flight operation, thereby continuously updating the second screen G2 displayed on the operation terminal 12. The second screen display process continues while the joint play is being performed, and ends when the game ends (S038).

[0149] Although not shown, when player B performs a throw-in operation to throw a throw-in object T onto the field during cooperative play, the server 10 accepts the throw-in operation from player B and executes a process to throw (place) the throw-in object T onto the field. Accordingly, the server 10 generates display data for displaying the first screen G1 and the second screen G2 when the throw-in object T is placed on the field, and transmits the generated display data to the operation terminals 11 and 12.

[0150] Returning to the information processing flow of Figure 10, when a change condition is met during cooperative play (S005), the server 10 changes the role of the target player C who responded to the role change request before the start of cooperative play to the original role (S006).

[0151] To be more specific, for example, while the target player C is playing a cooperative game in the first role, the parameters of the player C reach a predetermined state, and more specifically, when the stamina of the field-moving character J1 operated by the player C reaches 0, the change condition is met. Then, in response to the fulfillment of the change condition, the server 10 changes the role of the player C from the first role to the second role. After the role change, the server 10 begins to accept flying operations from the player C to the support character J2.

[0152] As a different case from the above, consider a situation where player B selected the first role through a selection operation, but is set to the second role in response to a role change request (i.e., player B is the target player). In such a case, when the parameters of a player (e.g., player A) who is playing cooperatively in the first role reach a predetermined state, more specifically, when the stamina of the field-moving character J1 operated by player A reaches 0, the change condition is met.

[0153] In the above case, when the change condition is met, the server 10 changes the role of player B who responded to the role change request to the first role, which is the original role. At this time, the server 10 exchanges the role of player A, whose parameters have reached a predetermined state, with the role of player B. Thereafter, player B and player A continue joint play in the changed (exchanged) roles. That is, in joint play that continues after the role change (exchange), the server 10 accepts movement operations from player B for the field moving character J1 and accepts flight operations from player A for the support character J2.

[0154] Steps S004 to S006 in this information processing flow, starting with the screen display process, are repeatedly performed while the joint play continues. Then, this information processing flow ends when the game ends, or more specifically, when the joint play ends (S007).

[0155] [Other embodiments] Up to this point, the information processing device, information processing method, and program of the present invention have been described using specific embodiments, but the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and other embodiments may be considered.

[0156] In the above embodiment, the server 10, which is an example of a computer, functions as the information processing device of the present invention, but some of the functions of the server 10 may be provided on the players' operation terminals 11-14. For example, the game progression unit 33 may be provided on the players' operation terminals 11-14. In that case, in collaborative play, the operation terminal of each player receives data for progressing the game from the server 10 and executes processing to progress the game in accordance with the operations of each player.

[0157] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the communication method used when the operation terminals of the multiple players who play together communicate is a method via the server 10 (client-server method), but it may also be a P2P (peer-to-peer) method that does not involve the server 10. In that case, the operation terminals of the players cooperate to function as the information processing device of the present invention.

[0158] [summary] The present invention is achieved by the following configurations [1] to

[17] , and each configuration can provide various effects.

[0159] [1] An information processing device of the present invention includes an operation receiving unit that receives operations performed by each of multiple players playing a game together, and a role setting unit that sets, for each of the multiple players, a role to be played by the player during joint play of the game based on the operations. The operation receiving unit receives a selection operation from each of the multiple players to select one of multiple roles before joint play of the game begins. Furthermore, if a target player among the multiple players responds to a role change request between the time the operation receiving unit receives the selection operation by the target player and the time joint play of the game begins, the role setting unit sets the role of the target player to a role of a type different from the type selected by the target player in the selection operation. According to the above configuration, for example, a target player can be requested to change his / her role so that the number of players required to start cooperative play for a certain role is secured, and the role of the target player in response to the request can be changed from the initial role selected at the time of the selection operation. This allows for flexibility in setting the role of each player in cooperative play. As a result, cooperative play by multiple players can be started (implemented) smoothly.

[0160] [2] The information processing device of the present invention may include a reward granting unit that grants a reward to a target player who responds to a role change request during cooperative play of a game. According to the above configuration, a target player who complies with a role change request before the start of cooperative play is given a benefit as compensation (reward) for doing so, which makes it easier for the target player to comply with the role change request. In other words, an incentive for complying with the role change request can be given to the target player.

[0161] [3] The information processing device of the present invention may include a role change unit that changes the role of a target player in response to a role change request to a role of a type selected by the target player through a selection operation when a predetermined condition is met during cooperative play of a game. According to the above configuration, when a predetermined condition (change condition) is met, the target player who responded to the role change request can engage in joint play in the original role that he or she selected through the selection operation. This makes it easier for the target player to respond to the role change request and also enables the target player to enjoy joint play in the original role.

[0162] [4] In the information processing device of the present invention, the multiple roles may include a first role of controlling a first character in cooperative play of a game and a second role of controlling a second character in cooperative play of the game. The information processing device of the present invention may also include a game progression unit that progresses the game in accordance with player operations. The game progression unit may change the state of the first character to reflect an action from a character appearing in the game that is different from the first and second characters, and may not reflect the action from the character appearing in the state of the second character. According to the above configuration, in cooperative play, each player progresses through the game by controlling an in-game character corresponding to the role assigned to each player. Here, the characteristics of the in-game character controlled by the player of each role differ between the first role and the second role. Therefore, during cooperative play, a target player whose role has been changed can control multiple in-game characters with different characteristics. As a result, the interest of the game can be increased.

[0163] [5] In the information processing device of the present invention, the operation receiving unit may receive, as operations performed by a player set to the second role, an input operation for inputting an input object onto a field in the game from the second character during collaborative play of the game, and a purchase operation for purchasing an input object during collaborative play of the game. According to the above configuration, the player set to the second role can perform investment operations and purchase operations during cooperative play, mainly to assist (support) the player set to the first role.

[0164] [6] In the information processing device of the present invention, the game progression unit may move a first character within a field in the game in accordance with operations of a player assigned to a first role, and the game progression unit may move a second character within a movement space that is virtually set as a space at a different height from the field in the game in accordance with operations of a player assigned to a second role. According to the above configuration, the second character moves within a movement space that is at a different height from the movement space of the first character. As a result, the player operating the second character, i.e., the player assigned to the second role, can find the first character and watch the actions of the first character by moving the second character during cooperative play. As a result, the player assigned to the second role can watch the operations (plays) of the player assigned to the first role during cooperative play.

[0165] [7] In the information processing device of the present invention, a minimum number of players playing a predetermined role in a joint game play may be determined. Preferably, before the start of the joint game play, if the number of players selecting the predetermined role is below the minimum number and a target player who selected a role other than the predetermined role by a selection operation responds to a role change request, the role setting unit sets the role of the target player to the predetermined role. The above configuration more significantly enhances the effects of the present invention. More specifically, when cooperative play requires that the number of players playing predetermined roles be equal to or greater than a minimum number, a situation may arise in which the number of players selecting the predetermined role falls below the minimum number. In such a situation, cooperative play does not begin and a standby state is entered until the number of players selecting the predetermined role reaches or exceeds the minimum number. In contrast, the present invention ensures the number of players playing predetermined roles by setting the role of the target player in response to a role change request to a predetermined role. This shortens the standby time before cooperative play can begin, allowing cooperative play to begin smoothly.

[0166] [8] In the information processing device of the present invention, the multiple players may be divided into players who participate in the joint play of the game as guests and players who participate in the joint play of the game as hosts who invite guests. The information processing device of the present invention may also have a request unit that, before the start of the joint play of the game, requests the target player participating as a guest to change roles based on an operation of the player participating as a host when the target player participating as a guest selects a role other than a predetermined role through a selection operation and the number of players selecting the predetermined role falls below a minimum number. According to the above configuration, when the number of players selecting a predetermined role falls below the lower limit, a role change request can be made to the target player in accordance with the wishes of the player participating in the cooperative play as the host, thereby enabling the cooperative play to start smoothly.

[0167] [9] The information processing device of the present invention may have a request unit that requests the target player to change roles when, before the start of cooperative play of a game, the target player selects a role other than a predetermined role through a selection operation and the number of players selecting the predetermined role falls below a lower limit for a predetermined period of time or more. According to the above configuration, when the number of players selecting a predetermined role falls below the lower limit for a predetermined period of time or more, a role change request can be made to the target player. By setting the time condition for making a role change request in this way, the role change request can be made to the target player at an appropriate time, resulting in a smooth start to cooperative play.

[0168]

[10] In the information processing device of the present invention, if the number of players selecting a predetermined role continues to be below a lower limit for a predetermined period of time or more, the request unit may display an inquiry screen on the operation terminal of the target player asking whether or not to comply with the role change request. According to the above configuration, a role change request can be appropriately made to the target player using the GUI.

[0169]

[11] In the information processing device of the present invention, parameters set for each player in a game may change as the game progresses. In this case, when the parameters of the target player in response to the role change request reach a predetermined state during cooperative play of the game, a role change unit may change the role of the target player in response to the role change request to a role of the type selected by the target player through a selection operation. According to the above configuration, the target player who responded to the role change request can engage in cooperative play in the role originally selected by the selection operation when his / her parameters reach a predetermined state. This allows the target player to have the opportunity to enjoy cooperative play in the role he / she desires, even if he / she responded to the role change request before cooperative play begins. As a result, it becomes easier to induce (invite) players to engage in cooperative play.

[0170]

[12] In the information processing device of the present invention, parameters set for each player in a game may change as the game progresses. In this case, during cooperative play of the game, when parameters of another player set to a role of the same type as the type selected by a selection operation by a target player in response to a role change request reach a predetermined state, a role change unit may change the role of the target player in response to the role change request to the role of the type selected by the target player in response to the role change request. According to the above configuration, the target player who responded to the role change request can engage in cooperative play in the role originally selected by the selection operation when the parameters of other players who selected the same role by the selection operation reach a predetermined state. This allows the target player to have the opportunity to enjoy cooperative play in the role he or she desires, even if he or she responded to the role change request before the cooperative play begins. As a result, it becomes easier to induce (invite) players to participate in cooperative play.

[0171]

[13] In the information processing device of the present invention, when changing the role of the target player in response to a role change request, the role change unit may swap the role of the other player with the role of the target player in response to the role change request, and the target player and the other player may continue to play the game together in the swapped roles. According to the above configuration, the target player who has responded to the role change request and the other player whose parameters have reached a predetermined state can continue cooperative play in the roles after the exchange. This allows the target player and the other player to enjoy cooperative play in multiple roles (specifically, a first role and a second role), thereby increasing the enjoyment of the game (particularly cooperative play).

[0172]

[14] In the information processing device of the present invention, the upper limit of the number of players who can select the same type of role as the type selected by the target player through the selection operation may be reduced during the period from when the target player responds to the role change request to when cooperative play of the game begins. According to the above configuration, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the target player who has responded to the role change request is treated at a disadvantage in terms of role setting. To explain the above effect in more detail, for example, suppose that before the start of cooperative play, a target player who selected the second role in a selection operation changes to the first role in response to a role change request, and then another player selects the second role, causing the number of players set to the second role to reach the upper limit (three players). In this case, even if the change condition is met during cooperative play, the target player's role cannot be changed to the second role (original role) because the number of players set to the second role has reached the upper limit. To avoid the above situation, if the target player responds to the role change request, the upper limit on the number of players who can select the second role is reduced to two until cooperative play begins. This ensures that there is an opening (slot) for a player to be set to the second role during cooperative play. As a result, if the change conditions are met during cooperative play, the role of the target player who responded to the role change request is reliably changed to the original role.

[0173]

[15] The information processing device of the present invention may include a game progression unit that progresses a game in accordance with player operations. Furthermore, the role assignment unit may assign a role to a specific player who plays a game cooperatively multiple times in each of the multiple cooperative plays performed by the specific player. Preferably, in a second cooperative play performed after a first cooperative play among the multiple cooperative plays, if the role of the specific player differs between the first cooperative play and the second cooperative play, the game progression unit progresses the game under conditions that are more advantageous to the specific player than if the role of the specific player is the same between the first cooperative play and the second cooperative play. According to the above configuration, if a specific player selects a different type of role in the second cooperative play than in the first cooperative play, the specific player is given an advantage. This motivates the specific player to play the second cooperative play in a different type of role than in the first cooperative play. As a result, it becomes easier for the specific player to select multiple types of roles evenly in multiple cooperative plays that the specific player plays.

[0174]

[16] The information processing method of the present invention is characterized in that a computer receives a selection operation from each of a plurality of players who are playing a game together before the start of joint play of the game, in which the computer selects one of a plurality of types of roles from each of the plurality of players, and sets, for each of the plurality of players, a role that the player will play during joint play of the game based on the player's operation, and if a target player among the plurality of players responds to a role change request between the time the computer receives the selection operation from a target player and the time joint play of the game starts, the computer sets the target player's role to a type of role different from the type selected by the target player in the selection operation. According to the above method, the role of the target player in response to the role change request can be changed from the initial role selected during the selection operation before the start of cooperative play, thereby providing flexibility in the role setting of each player in the game. As a result, cooperative play by multiple players can be started smoothly.

[0175]

[17] The program of the present invention is characterized in that it causes a computer to accept a selection operation from each of a plurality of players who are playing a game together before the start of joint play of the game, in which the selection operation selects one of a plurality of types of roles, and causes the computer to set, for each of the plurality of players, the role that the player will play during joint play of the game based on the player's operation, and if a target player among the plurality of players responds to a role change request between the time the selection operation by the target player is accepted and the time joint play of the game starts, causes the computer to set the role of the target player to a type of role different from the type selected by the target player in the selection operation. By having a computer execute the above program, the role assignment for each player in the game becomes more flexible, and as a result, cooperative play by multiple players can be started smoothly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0176] 10. Information processing equipment 11, 12, 13, 14 Operation terminal 15. Communication Networks 21 processors 22 Memory 23 Communication Interface 24 Storage 25 Bus 31 Operation reception section 32 Role Setting Section 33 Game Progression Section 34 Display control unit 35 Storage section 36 Request part 37 Benefits Granting Department 38 Role Change Department E Enemy Character G1 1st screen G2 2nd screen G3 Inquiry screen H Auxiliary Objects J1 Field moving character (first character) J2 Support character (second character) T Input object

Claims

[Claim 1] an operation receiving unit that receives operations performed by each of a plurality of players who play the game together; a role setting unit that sets, for each of the plurality of players, a role that the player will play during cooperative play of the game based on the operation; the operation receiving unit receives a selection operation from each of the plurality of players to select one of a plurality of roles before a cooperative play of the game is started; an information processing device wherein, when a target player among the plurality of players responds to a role change request during the period from when the operation receiving unit receives the selection operation by the target player to when collaborative play of the game starts, the role setting unit sets the role of the target player to a role of a type different from the type selected by the target player in the selection operation.

Images