Program, game control method, game server, and information processing device.

Abstract

The present invention provides a program, a game control method, a game server, and an information processing device that improve the stability of the user's terminal while the user is playing the game, as well as the operability of the in-game characters. [Solution] The user terminal 300, which is an information processing device for providing a game to a user, is made to execute a display process that displays a virtual space VW and a main character MC, which is an object that can move within the virtual space VW; a movement process that moves the main character MC, which is the object, in response to a first operation of the user; and a speed change process that changes the movement speed of the main character MC, which is the object, in response to a second operation of the user while the movement process is being executed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a game control method, a game server, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, many games have been provided for user terminals equipped with touch panels such as smartphones and tablets, in which users move objects such as characters in the virtual space of the game (hereinafter referred to as smartphone games).

[0003] Techniques for improving the operability of smartphone games that perform game operations via such touch panels have been proposed. For example, a display control means for displaying an operation target object on a display means, a reference position setting means for setting a specific position on the touch panel as a reference position, an operation position acquisition means for acquiring an operation position corresponding to the touch position on the touch panel, and based on the positional relationship between the reference position and the operation position, a first operation control means for causing a predetermined type of operation to be performed on the operation target object, and a second operation control means for causing the predetermined type of operation to be performed on the operation target object based on a touch operation on a predetermined area of the touch panel. A game control device including these has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Currently, in many smartphone games, when operating with only one thumb, in order to change the movement speed, a swipe operation of two or more steps is required.

[0006] Furthermore, controlling the speed with only one thumb requires a wide range of swiping motions. This can make operation difficult for users with short fingers or those who find smartphones heavy, and can make it challenging to hold the phone stably.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a program, a game control method, a game server, and an information processing device that improve the stability of the user terminal while the user is playing a game, and the operability of the characters in the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The program according to the present invention causes an information processing device for providing a game to a user to execute a display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space; a movement process that moves the objects in response to a first operation by the user; and a speed change process that changes the movement speed of the objects in response to a second operation by the user while the movement process is being executed.

[0009] The game control method according to the present invention causes an information processing device for providing a game to a user to execute a display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space; a movement process that moves the objects in response to a first operation by the user; and a speed change process that changes the movement speed of the objects in response to a second operation by the user while the movement process is being executed.

[0010] Furthermore, the game server according to the present invention comprises a display control unit that performs display processing to display a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space; a movement control unit that performs movement processing to move the objects in response to a first operation by the user; and a speed change control unit that performs speed change processing to change the movement speed of the objects in response to a second operation by the user while the movement processing is being performed.

[0011] The information processing device according to the present invention is an information processing device for providing a game to a user, and causes a computer to perform the following: a display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space; a movement process that moves the objects in response to a first operation by the user; and a speed change process that changes the movement speed of the objects in response to a second operation by the user while the movement process is being executed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, which has the configuration described above, it is possible to provide a program, a game control method, a game server, and an information processing device that improve the stability of the user terminal while the user is playing the game and the operability of the characters in the game. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of a game server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a game screen displayed on a user terminal and user operations according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a game screen displayed on a user terminal and user operations according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a game screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the object movement process by a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the basic configuration of a computer. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Hereinafter, the game system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described while referring to the drawings. In all the drawings for describing the embodiment, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0015] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a game system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The game system 1 includes a game server 100 and a user terminal 300. The game server 100 and the user terminal 300 are connected to a network NW and can communicate with each other via the network NW. The network NW includes the Internet. The network NW may include a LAN (Local Area Network) and / or a WAN (Wide Area Network). In FIG. 1, one user and the user terminal 300 are shown, but a plurality of users and user terminals 300 may be provided.

[0017] The game server 100 and the user terminal 300 are information processing apparatuses each composed of one or a plurality of computers 900. The basic configuration of the computer 900 will be described later.

[0018] In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the user terminal 300 is a smartphone having a touch panel (haptic input means) with a predetermined input area on a display, and the user installs an application of the game G on the user terminal 300 and plays the game G while performing operation inputs on the touch panel.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game server 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processing unit 130. The game server 100 is a server that provides the game G to the user terminal 300 that accesses via the network NW.

[0020] The communication unit 110 is a network interface and communicates with the user terminal 300 via the network NW. The communication unit 110 passes data received from the user terminal 300 to the processing unit 130 and also transmits data generated by the processing unit 130 to the user terminal 300.

[0021] The storage unit 120 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 120 stores user information, game G information, application programs, etc., which are necessary for the game server 100 to function.

[0022] The processing unit 130 comprises a game provisioning unit 131, a display control unit 132, a movement control unit 133, a speed control unit 134, and an NPC operation control unit 135 as functional units. The processing unit 130 realizes each of these functional units by executing the application program stored in the memory unit 120, and performs object movement processing. Object movement processing is the process of moving the main character MC in the virtual space VW of the game G in response to user operations and controlling the change in its movement speed, and performs a series of processes including movement processing and speed change processing, which will be described later.

[0023] The game provider unit 131 provides the user terminal 300 with a game G that users can play by logging in via their respective user terminals 300. Game G is a game in which the main character MC (object) in the virtual space VW can be moved according to the user's input. In the following description, game G will be described as an RPG (Roll Playing Game).

[0024] The display control unit 132 controls the display of game G on the user terminal 300.

[0025] The display control unit 132 displays the virtual space VW of the game G and the main character MC, which is an object that can move within the virtual space VW in response to user input, on the display unit 340 of the user terminal 300, which will be described later.

[0026] The display control unit 132 also controls the display of the background, corridors, items, and NPCs (Non-Player Characters) such as characters not controlled by the user in the virtual space VW. Note that corridors are not limited to forms that can be visually recognized by the user.

[0027] The movement control unit 133 controls the movement of the main character MC based on the user's first operation (movement processing). Specifically, the movement control unit 133 moves the main character MC in the virtual space while detecting the user's first operation on the user terminal 300.

[0028] In the game G of this embodiment, the main character MC is basically positioned near the center of the display screen of the user terminal 300, and the movement of the main character MC is controlled by changing the coordinates of other elements (such as the background).

[0029] The first operation is a swipe operation on the touch panel of the user terminal 300 using a part of the user's body or a stylus. In the following description, the user will be described as performing the swipe operation with their finger. When the user performs a swipe operation, the main character MC starts moving at a first speed pre-set on the game server 100. In this embodiment, after the main character MC starts moving in response to the swipe operation, the movement continues as long as the user's finger is touching the touch panel during the swipe operation, even if the touch position does not change, and the movement ends when the finger is lifted from the touch panel. If there are multiple branches along the direction of movement of the main character MC (forming an angle of 90° or less with the direction of movement), the main character MC will, in principle, proceed to the branch with the smallest angle between the direction indicated by the swipe and the branch. Also, if there is no path in the movement path that allows the main character MC to move in the direction indicated by the swipe, the main character MC will pause in the virtual space VW even if the finger is touching the touch panel, but will be considered to be moving in the movement process.

[0030] The first operation is, for example, when a user is playing game G while holding the smartphone with both hands, a swipe operation in which the user's right thumb (RH) or left thumb (LH) touches and moves across the smartphone's touch panel.

[0031] The first speed is the speed at which the main character MC can "run" within the virtual space VW. The control by the movement control unit 133 also includes controlling the speed changes during the transient periods when the main character MC starts running from a stopped state and reaches a constant speed, and when it stops from running at a constant speed. In other words, the first speed includes the speed changes during the transient periods.

[0032] The movement control unit 133 also acquires direction information from the user's swipe operation and determines the direction of movement of the main character MC based on the direction information. The direction information is determined based on the vector formed by the current point (end point) and past point of the swipe operation. The past point may be a point on the trajectory a predetermined length back from the current point, a point on the trajectory at a predetermined time back from the present, or a combination of both. However, while the trajectory length is less than the predetermined length, or before a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the swipe operation, the vector is determined based on the current point and the start point of the swipe operation. This allows the direction of movement to be switched without lifting the finger that is swiping. For example, if the past point is a point on the trajectory a length of 20 units back, and the user moves their finger to the right while touching the screen, and then moves it to the left by more than 20 units without lifting the finger, the direction vector will switch from right to left.

[0033] The speed control unit 134 controls the change in the movement speed of the main character MC based on the user's second operation during the execution of the movement process (speed change process). Specifically, while the movement control unit 133 is detecting the user's first operation on the user terminal 300, if the speed control unit 134 effectively detects the user's second operation on the user terminal 300, it changes the movement speed of the main character MC to the second speed.

[0034] The second operation is a touch operation on the touch panel of the user terminal 300 using a part of the user's body or a stylus, etc. In the following description, the user will be described as performing the touch operation with their finger. The touch operation may be performed by moving while touching the touch panel. After a swipe operation is initiated on the touch panel and detected as the first operation, a touch operation is performed, and this touch operation is effectively detected as the second operation.

[0035] The second speed is slower than the first speed and is a speed that can represent the main character MC "walking" within the virtual space VW. Furthermore, this control by the speed control unit 134 also includes controlling the speed change during the transition period from the main character MC's running state to the walking state and vice versa.

[0036] The speed control unit 134 maintains the second speed while the user's finger is touching the touch panel during the second operation (touch operation), and returns to the first speed when the finger is lifted.

[0037] The second operation may be, for example, a touch operation with the thumb other than the one used for the first operation, if the user is playing game G while holding the smartphone with both hands.

[0038] The speed control unit 134 changes the movement speed of the main character MC in accordance with the second operation when the main character MC is moving. Specifically, when the speed control unit 134 detects the user's second operation while the main character MC is moving at the first speed, it changes the main character MC's movement speed to the second speed. If the main character MC is not moving, the speed control unit 134 does not change the main character MC's movement speed even if it detects the second operation (the second operation is disabled).

[0039] Specifically, when the speed control unit 134 detects a user touch operation on the user terminal 300, it determines whether the movement control unit 133 is moving the main character MC in response to the first operation (whether the main character MC is moving or not) (movement determination), and determines that the detected touch operation is the second operation. The speed control unit 134 further decides whether or not to change the movement speed based on the result of the movement determination. If the movement determination determines that the character is moving, the speed control unit 134 changes the movement speed in response to the second operation; if the movement determination determines that the character is not moving, it does not change the movement speed in response to the second operation (disabling the second operation).

[0040] The speed control unit 134 also detects a user swipe operation (first operation) and virtually defines a first region within the input area of ​​the touch panel, which is a range at a certain distance from a point on the trajectory of the swipe operation, and a second region which is outside the first region but inside the input area. If a touch operation is performed within the second region while the first operation is being detected, the touch operation is considered a second operation, and the movement speed of the main character MC is changed. The points on the trajectory of the swipe operation that define the first operation range may be some points or all points. In other words, if a touch operation is performed within the first region while the first operation is being detected, the touch operation is not considered a second operation, and the movement speed of the main character MC is not changed (second operation is disabled).

[0041] The NPC operation control unit 135, when the main character MC is moving, if there is an item or NPC in the main character MC's movement path within the virtual space VW, executes an action associated with these items or NPCs (e.g., acquire, open, talk, etc.) when the main character MC approaches the item or NPC (action start process).

[0042] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user terminal 300 comprises a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, a control unit 330, a display unit 340, and an operation unit 350. The communication unit 310, storage unit 320, control unit 330, display unit 340, and operation unit 350 are electrically connected to each other via a communication bus 360. In this embodiment, the user terminal 300 is a smartphone, but other devices such as tablet terminals, game terminals, and PCs that can play game G by accessing the game server 100 via an installed program may also be used.

[0043] <Examples of user operations and screens> Next, the movement processing, speed change processing, and action start processing in the game G provided to the user terminal 300 by the game system 1 having the above-described configuration and functions will be explained using the user operation examples and screen examples shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0044] Figure 4 shows the screen D400 of game G displayed on the touch panel of a smartphone, which is a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an example of a first operation performed by the user's left hand LH on the touch panel.

[0045] Screen D400 is the gameplay screen for game G, displaying the virtual space VW, the main character MC, and NPCs (non-player characters) that are not controlled by the user. If the user wants to move the main character MC to the right within the virtual space VW (in the direction of arrow MV1 in the diagram), the user swipes on the touch panel in the direction of arrow SW, for example, with the finger of the left hand LH. This causes the main character MC to move to the right within the virtual space VW.

[0046] Figure 5 shows the screen D400 of game G displayed on the touch panel of a smartphone, which is a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an example of a second operation performed by the user's right hand RH on the touch panel.

[0047] If the user wants to change the movement of the main character MC, who is moving to the right in the virtual space VW, from running to walking, the user, for example, uses the fingers of their right hand (RH) to touch the touch panel in the second region (the region outside the dashed line in Figure 5), which is within a predetermined distance from the swiping trajectory shown in Figure 5, and is outside the first region AR1 (the region inside the dashed line in Figure 5). This changes the movement speed of the main character MC from running to walking. When the finger is lifted, the change in movement speed is canceled, and the main character MC returns from walking to running.

[0048] Figure 6 shows an example of the operation of the screen D400 of game G displayed on the touch panel of a smartphone, which is a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the action start process.

[0049] While the main character (MC) is moving (either running or walking), if the MC approaches a character NPC located in their path (or nearby), a conversation message (MS) will automatically appear as an action associated with that character NPC.

[0050] <System Operation> Next, the operation of game system 1, which has the configuration and functions described above, will be explained using a flowchart.

[0051] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the object movement process by the game system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] In step S101, the game server 100's game provision unit 131 provides game G to the user terminal 300. The game server 100's display control unit 132 displays the virtual space VW and main character MC of game G on the user terminal 300's display unit 340.

[0053] In step S102, the movement control unit 133 of the game server 100 receives input of the user's first operation from the user terminal 300 and determines the direction of movement of the main character MC based on the first operation. Specifically, the movement control unit 133 detects a swipe operation as the user's first operation and identifies the direction determined based on the past and present points of the swipe.

[0054] In step S103, the movement control unit 133 of the game server 100 starts moving the main character MC in the direction identified in step S102 at a first velocity.

[0055] In step S104, the speed control unit 134 of the game server 100 determines whether or not a touch operation has started on the user terminal 300. If the determination result is true (YES), that is, if it is determined that a touch operation has started, the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), that is, if it is determined that a touch operation has not started (is not being performed), the process proceeds to step S110.

[0056] In step S105, the speed control unit 134 of the game server 100 determines whether the main character MC is moving or not (i.e., whether the movement process is being executed or not) (movement determination). If the determination result is true (YES), that is, if it is determined that the character is moving, the touch operation in step S104 is considered the second operation and the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), that is, if it is determined that the character is not moving, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0057] In step S106, the speed control unit 134 of the game server 100 determines whether the distance between the first operation and the second operation is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance. Specifically, the speed control unit 134 determines whether the second operation was performed in a second region outside the first region, which is a range of a certain distance from each point on the trajectory of the swipe operation as the first operation. If the determination result is true (YES), i.e., greater than or equal to the predetermined distance, the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), i.e., less than the predetermined distance, the process is deemed invalid and the process proceeds to step S110.

[0058] In step S107, the speed control unit 134 of the game server 100 changes the movement speed of the main character MC to the second speed based on the second operation, and proceeds to step S108.

[0059] In step S108, the speed control unit 134 of the game server 100 determines whether the second operation has finished. If the determination result is true (YES), i.e., the second operation has finished, the process proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), i.e., the second operation has not finished (the second operation is still ongoing), the determination in step S108 is repeated.

[0060] In step S109, the speed control unit 134 of the game server 100 changes (returns) the movement speed of the main character MC from the second speed to the first speed, and proceeds to step S110.

[0061] In step S110, the speed control unit 134 of the game server 100 determines whether the main character MC is moving or not. If the result of this determination is true (YES), that is, if it is determined that the character is moving, the process returns to step S104. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is false (NO), that is, if it is determined that the character is not moving, the process ends.

[0062] <Basic Computer Configuration> Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of computer 900. Computer 900 includes a control unit 901, a storage unit 902, a communication unit 903, an input unit 904, and an output unit 905. The control unit 901, storage unit 902, communication unit 903, input unit 904, and output unit 905 are electrically connected to each other via a communication bus 910.

[0063] The control unit 901 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit, also called a processor) and controls various parts of the computer 900, as well as reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 902.

[0064] The memory unit 902 includes a main memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and an auxiliary memory such as a hard disk, and is a device that stores various programs for running the operating system and various applications of the computer 900, as well as data used by these programs. The processes shown in the flowcharts described above are realized by the control units 901 of each computer constituting the game server 100 and the user terminal 300 executing the programs stored in their respective memory units 902.

[0065] The communication unit 903 is a device for communicating with external devices and sends and receives data according to instructions from the control unit 901. Each computer constituting the game server 100 and the user terminal 300 uses this communication unit 903 to communicate with other devices, including the network NW shown in Figure 1.

[0066] The input unit 904 is a device that receives input from an external source and supplies it to the control unit 901, and includes, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, and camera. The output unit 905 is a device that outputs the processing results of the control unit 901 to the outside, and includes, for example, a display and speaker. <Program> Here, we will describe the programs for realizing each functional unit of the game server 100 according to this embodiment.

[0067] The game server 100 is implemented in the computer 900. The operation of each component of the game server 100 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the storage unit 902 in the form of a program. The control unit 901 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device of the storage unit 902, loads it into the main memory of the storage unit 902, and executes the above processing according to the program. The control unit 901 also reserves a storage area in the main memory of the storage unit 902 corresponding to the storage unit 120 described above, according to the program.

[0068] Specifically, the program is a program to be executed by a computer 900 which is equipped with a processor and a memory unit, and the program causes an information processing device for providing a game to a user to execute a display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, a movement process that moves the objects in response to a first operation by the user, and a speed change process that changes the movement speed of the objects in response to a second operation by the user while the movement process is being executed.

[0069] The auxiliary storage device of the memory unit 902 is an example of a tangible medium that is not temporary. Other examples of tangible mediums that are not temporary include magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and semiconductor memory connected via the input unit 904. Furthermore, if this program is distributed to the computer 900 via the network NW, the computer 900 that receives the program may load it into the main memory of the memory unit 902 and execute the above processing.

[0070] Furthermore, the program may be intended to implement some of the functions described above. In addition, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that implements the functions described above in combination with other programs already stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory unit 902.

[0071] According to the game system 1 of this embodiment described above, the user can hold the user terminal 300, a smartphone, with both hands, move the main character MC by swiping the screen with one thumb, and then change the movement speed of the main character MC by touching the screen again with the other thumb. In other words, the character's movement speed can be easily changed with a simple and minimal operation that only adds a touch operation to the swipe operation, allowing for intuitive and comfortable operation while holding the smartphone stably. Furthermore, by using the vector of the swipe operation to determine the direction of movement, more accurate input of the direction of movement becomes possible, improving usability. In other words, it is possible to improve the stability of the user terminal 300 while the user is playing game G, and the operability of the main character MC in game G.

[0072] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be adopted.

[0073] For example, in the above embodiment, the program and functions for executing object movement processing were provided by the game server 100, but they may also be provided by the user terminal 300.

[0074] Furthermore, although the user terminal 300 in the above embodiment had a touch panel as the input means for user operation, the user terminal 300 may be equipped with physical or virtual direction input means and speed change means as input means. In this case, the first operation is an operation on the direction input means, and the second operation is an operation on the speed change means. Physical input methods include, for example, keyboards and mice. If the only input method is the keyboard, the first operation may be an on / off operation of the directional keys or keys assigned to directional information (W, A, S, D), and the second operation may be an on / off operation of other predetermined keys, such as the space key or the Shift key. When the input means are a keyboard and a mouse, the first operation may be an on / off operation for the directional keys, etc., and the second operation may be a click operation for the mouse. Virtual input means include virtual pads. Specifically, in a user terminal 300 equipped with a touch panel, the display control unit 132 may display a virtual input means (virtual pad) superimposed on the virtual space VW displayed on the touch panel, and accept the first and second operations via the virtual pad.

[0075] Furthermore, in the object movement process of the above embodiment, the validity (invalidation) of the second operation was determined substantially based on the distance between the coordinates of the first operation and the coordinates of the second operation. However, the input area of ​​the touch panel may be virtually divided into a first area and a second area, and the first operation may be considered valid only in the first area, and the second operation may be considered valid only in the second area. The first and second areas may be set in advance, or they may be determined dynamically when the first operation is detected. The division could be, for example, 2 equal parts horizontally when viewed from the user's perspective on the touch panel of the user terminal 300. As a result, when playing game G while holding the smartphone with both hands, the first operation with one thumb will only register on half of the screen area, and the second operation with the other thumb will only register on the other half. Therefore, if the first and second operations are performed at too close a distance, the second operation will not register, improving user operability. Furthermore, the division may be such that the first region is larger than the second region. Specifically, the first region may be larger than the second region in terms of length in the left-right direction. Furthermore, if a second operation is detected in a different half of the range from the half in which the first operation was detected, after the first operation has been detected, the second operation may be considered valid.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first speed was high (running state) and the second speed was low (walking state), but the opposite may be true: the first speed may be walking state and the second speed may be running state. Alternatively, the second speed may be a temporary stop instead of walking state.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in order to keep the main character MC moving, it was necessary to keep the finger touching the touch panel during the swipe operation. However, if a short swipe operation (short distance or short time from touching to moving and releasing) is detected, movement may start and continue until a predetermined condition is met, for example, for a predetermined period of time (auto-driving). In this case, movement may be continued by inputting an additional short swipe operation within the predetermined period (while moving).

[0078] Furthermore, in the object movement process of the above embodiment, the effectiveness of the second operation was determined by whether or not the main character MC is moving, so that the effectiveness of the second operation could be determined even when auto-driving could be applied to the main character MC. However, if auto-driving is not available, the effectiveness of the second operation can be determined simply by determining whether or not the swipe operation as the first operation is continuing (being detected) at the time of the touch operation. That is, if a touch operation is started at a distance greater than a predetermined distance after the start of a swipe operation on the touch panel and while the swipe operation is continuing, the touch operation may be considered a valid second operation, and the speed may be changed. Furthermore, if two touches are detected on the touch panel at a predetermined distance apart at the same time, and one is recognized as a swipe operation and the other as a touch operation, the speed may be changed. This allows, for example, the user to simultaneously touch the touch panel with both their left and right thumbs, and while keeping their right thumb still in a touch position, start a swipe operation with their left thumb. This would cause the main character MC to start walking in the direction identified by the movement of the left thumb. Afterwards, without lifting either finger, the user can change direction using different fingers while keeping their left thumb still in a touch position, by starting a swipe operation with their right thumb.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first and second operations were divided between the left hand (LH) and the right hand (RH), but the first and second operations may be performed with only one hand.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the movement direction and movement on / off of the main character MC are switched by swiping within the first area, and the movement speed is changed by tapping within the second area while moving, with two speed levels. However, for example, it may be possible to switch between multiple movement speeds by tapping within the second area multiple times afterward. Alternatively, instead of multiple taps, the speed change pattern may be switched according to the duration of the long tap operation.

[0081] The above-described operation flows can be performed not only independently, but also in combination of two or more operation flows. For example, some steps of one operation flow may be added to another operation flow, or some steps of one operation flow may be replaced with some steps of another operation flow. It is not necessary to execute all steps in each flow; only some steps may be executed. Furthermore, the order of steps in each flow may be changed as appropriate.

[0082] (Note) The features of the above-described embodiment are noted below. (Note 1) An information processing device for providing games to users, A display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, A movement process that moves the object in response to the first operation of the user, During the execution of the aforementioned movement process, a speed change process is performed to change the movement speed of the object in response to the user's second operation, A program that executes the command. This allows you to change the movement speed of an object with simple and minimal operations, as long as the object is moving. (Note 2) In the speed change process, the second operation is effective only while the object is moving. The program described in Appendix 1. This allows a different action to be assigned to the second operation if the first operation is detected but the object has not moved. (Note 3) The aforementioned information processing device includes tactile input means, The first operation is a swipe operation on the haptic input means, and the second operation is a touch operation on the haptic input means. The program described in Appendix 1 or 2. This allows for simple and intuitive operation to specify the direction of object movement, execute the movement, and change the movement speed, improving usability. (Note 4) The movement process obtains direction information from the swipe operation and determines the direction of movement of the object based on the direction information. The program described in Appendix 3. This allows the direction of movement to be determined based on simple and intuitive operation. (Note 5) The directional information is determined based on one or a combination of the following vectors in the trajectory of the swipe operation: a vector consisting of the starting point and the current point, a vector consisting of a point from a certain time ago and the current point, and a vector consisting of a point from a certain distance ago and the current point. The program described in Appendix 4. This allows the direction of movement to be determined based on simple and intuitive operation, even with input methods such as touch panels that allow for drawing free trajectories. (Note 6) The speed change process modifies the movement speed of the object when the second operation is performed outside the first operation range, which is a range of a certain distance from a point on the trajectory of the swipe operation. The program described in any of the appendices 3 to 5. This prevents unintended actions by avoiding a response if two fingers touch the screen too close together, thus improving usability. (Note 7) The tactile input means has a predetermined input area, The aforementioned movement process considers the first operation detected within one half of the input area to be valid. The speed change process considers the second operation detected in the other half of the input area to be valid. The program described in any of the appendices 3 to 6. This prevents unintended actions by avoiding a response if two fingers touch the screen too close together, thus improving usability. (Note 8) The display process displays the virtual input means superimposed on the virtual space, The first and second operations are operations on the virtual input means. The program described in any of the appendices 1 through 7. This allows for the provision of diverse input methods. (Note 9) The information processing device includes a direction input means and a speed change means for receiving operations from the user, The first operation is an operation on the direction input means, and the second operation is an operation on the speed change means. The program described in any of the appendices 1 through 8. This allows for the provision of diverse input methods. (Note 10) Furthermore, if an item or NPC is present in the object's movement path in the virtual space while the object is moving, an action initiation process is performed in which an action associated with the item is executed when the object approaches the item or NPC. The program described in any of the appendices 1 to 9 that executes this program. This helps to improve the efficiency of the user's game progression. (Note 11) An information processing device for providing games to users, A display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, A movement process that moves the object in response to the first operation of the user, During the execution of the aforementioned movement process, a speed change process is performed to change the movement speed of the object in response to the user's second operation, A game control method to execute the game. (Note 12) An information processing device for providing games to users, A display control unit that performs display processing to display a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, A movement control unit that executes a movement process to move the object in response to the first operation of the user, During the execution of the aforementioned movement process, a speed control unit executes a speed change process to change the movement speed of the object in response to the user's second operation, A game server equipped with the following features. (Note 13) An information processing device for providing games to users, A display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, A movement process that moves the object in response to the first operation of the user, During the execution of the aforementioned movement process, a speed change process is performed to change the movement speed of the object in response to the user's second operation, An information processing device that causes a computer to execute an action. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0083] 1: Game System 100: Game Server 110: Communications Department 120: Storage section 130: Processing Unit 131: Game Provision Department 132: Display Control Unit 133: Movement Control Unit 134: Speed ​​control unit 135: NPC Operation Control Unit 300: User terminal 310: Communications Department 320: Storage section 330: Control Unit 340: Display section 350:Operation unit 360: Communications bus D400: Screen MC: Main Character NW: Network VW: Virtual Space

Claims

1. An information processing device for providing games to users, A display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, A movement process that moves the object in response to the first operation of the user, During the execution of the aforementioned movement process, a speed change process is performed to change the movement speed of the object in response to the user's second operation, A program that executes the command.

2. In the speed change process, the second operation is effective only while the object is moving. The program according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned information processing device is equipped with tactile input means, The first operation is a swipe operation on the haptic input means, and the second operation is a touch operation on the haptic input means. The program according to claim 1.

4. The movement process obtains direction information from the swipe operation and determines the direction of movement of the object based on the direction information. The program according to claim 3.

5. The directional information is determined based on one or a combination of the following vectors in the trajectory of the swipe operation: a vector consisting of the start point and the current point, a vector consisting of a point from a certain time ago and the current point, and a vector consisting of a point from a certain distance ago and the current point. The program according to claim 4.

6. The speed change process modifies the movement speed of the object when the second operation is performed outside the first operation range, which is a range of a certain distance from a point on the trajectory of the swipe operation. The program according to claim 3.

7. The tactile input means has a predetermined input area, The aforementioned movement process considers the first operation detected within one half of the input area to be valid. The speed change process considers the second operation detected in the other half of the input area to be valid. The program according to claim 3.

8. The display process displays the virtual input means superimposed on the virtual space, The first and second operations are operations on the virtual input means. The program according to claim 1.

9. The information processing device includes a direction input means and a speed change means for receiving operations from the user, The first operation is an operation on the direction input means, and the second operation is an operation on the speed change means. The program according to claim 1.

10. Furthermore, if an item or NPC is present in the object's movement path in the virtual space while the object is moving, an action initiation process is performed in which an action associated with the item is executed when the object approaches the item or NPC. The program according to claim 1 that causes the execution of the program.

11. An information processing device for providing games to users, A display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, A movement process that moves the object in response to the first operation of the user, During the execution of the aforementioned movement process, a speed change process is performed to change the movement speed of the object in response to the user's second operation, A game control method to execute the game.

12. An information processing device for providing games to users, A display control unit that performs display processing to display a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, A movement control unit that executes a movement process to move the object in response to the first operation of the user, During the execution of the aforementioned movement process, a speed control unit executes a speed change process to change the movement speed of the object in response to the user's second operation, A game server equipped with the following features.

13. An information processing device for providing games to users, A display process that displays a virtual space and objects that can move within the virtual space, A movement process that moves the object in response to the first operation of the user, During the execution of the aforementioned movement process, a speed change process is performed to change the movement speed of the object in response to the user's second operation, An information processing device that causes a computer to execute an action.

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