Game device and game program

Abstract

This helps to prevent the actual evaluation results from deviating from the evaluation results intended by the player. [Solution] The game device 10 includes a display control means 102 that displays and controls judgment markers for evaluating the player's operation on the control means and instruction markers for instructing the player on when to perform an operation; a movement control means 104 that moves a plurality of evaluation areas, each associated with an evaluation content, together with the instruction markers; and a change means 108 that changes the evaluation content associated with the other evaluation area when one evaluation area corresponding to one instruction marker that is close to the judgment marker and the other evaluation area corresponding to the other instruction marker that is farther from the judgment marker are adjacent to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a game device and a game program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a rhythm game that displays, on a game image, a determination sign for evaluating an operation on an operation means and an instruction sign for instructing a player of the timing of operating the operation means, and instructs the player of the timing to operate the operation means.

[0003] In such a rhythm game, a plurality of evaluation areas that are set based on the instruction sign and to which evaluation contents of the timing when the player operates the operation means are associated are moved toward the determination sign together with the instruction sign.

[0004] Regarding this, Patent Document 1 discloses an operation means having a plurality of operation areas arranged in one direction in a rhythm game.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Here, when there is an operation means having a plurality of operation areas arranged in one direction as in Patent Document 1, the player may enjoy a rhythm game by operating without releasing the hand by sliding the operation area.

[0007] However, when one evaluation area corresponding to an indicator sign that is close to the judgment sign is adjacent to another evaluation area corresponding to an indicator sign that is farther from the judgment sign, if the player slides while focusing on one of the indicator signs, for example, the operation on the other indicator sign may be evaluated at a timing unintended by the player, and the actual evaluation may differ from the evaluation the player intended, causing discomfort to the player.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a game device and a game program that can suppress discrepancies between the actual evaluation content and the evaluation content intended by the player. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A game device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a game device comprising an operating means having a plurality of operating areas arranged in one direction, the operating means comprising: a display control means for displaying and controlling a determination sign for evaluating a player's operation of the operating means, and an instruction sign for instructing the player on when to operate the operating means; a movement control means for moving a plurality of evaluation areas, set with respect to the instruction sign and associated with evaluation content of the timing when the player operates the operating means, together with the instruction sign in a direction intersecting the one direction toward the determination sign; an evaluation means for evaluating the timing when the player operates the operating means based on the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located at the determination sign at the timing among the plurality of evaluation areas; and a modification means for changing the evaluation content associated with at least the other evaluation area when one evaluation area corresponding to one instruction sign close to the determination sign and the other evaluation area corresponding to the other instruction sign far from the determination sign are adjacent to each other.

[0010] In the game device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the modification means changes the evaluation content linked to the evaluation area corresponding to the other instruction sign to a higher evaluation content than the current one.

[0011] In the game device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the changing means changes the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area corresponding to the other instruction sign to the highest evaluation content.

[0012] In the game device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the modification means modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas adjacent to the first evaluation area within the other evaluation area.

[0013] In a game device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the modification means modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation area in the other evaluation area that overlaps with the first evaluation area when a portion of the first evaluation area overlaps with a portion of the other evaluation area.

[0014] In the game device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of evaluation areas are arranged in the other direction with respect to the indicator sign, and the changing means changes the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas located between one indicator sign and the other indicator sign in the other direction.

[0015] In a game device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the modification means modifies the predetermined evaluation content when the evaluation content associated with an evaluation area located in the intermediate portion of the evaluation area existing between one instruction sign and the other instruction sign in the other direction is a predetermined evaluation content.

[0016] In the game device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of evaluation areas are associated with higher evaluation content toward the indicator sign, the predetermined evaluation content is the second highest evaluation content, and the changing means changes the predetermined evaluation content to the highest evaluation content.

[0017] In the game device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the modification means modifies the evaluation content associated with one of the evaluation areas.

[0018] The program according to the tenth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as display control means for controlling display of an operation sign having a plurality of operation areas arranged in one direction, a determination sign for evaluating a player's operation on the operation sign, and an instruction sign for instructing the player of the timing of operating the operation sign; moving control means for moving, together with the instruction sign, a plurality of evaluation areas that are set based on the instruction sign and to which evaluation contents of the timing when the player operates the operation sign are associated, in another direction intersecting the one direction toward the determination sign; evaluation means for evaluating the timing when the player operates the operation sign based on the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located at the determination sign at the timing among the plurality of evaluation areas; and changing means for changing at least the evaluation content associated with the other evaluation area when one evaluation area corresponding to one instruction sign close to the determination sign and the other evaluation area corresponding to the other instruction sign far from the determination sign are adjacent to each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the actual evaluation content from deviating from the evaluation content intended by the player.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram of an example of the game device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the hardware configuration of the game device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. is a diagram showing an example of a game image of the music game according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the game device. [Figure 6A] FIG. is a diagram showing an example of a game image in which two instruction signs are displayed. [Figure 6B]This is a diagram showing a game image after the evaluation content associated with the other evaluation area shown in FIG. 6A has been changed. [Figure 6C] This is a diagram showing a first modification example of a game image after the evaluation content associated with the other evaluation area shown in FIG. 6A has been changed. [Figure 6D] This is a diagram showing a second modification example of a game image after the evaluation content associated with the other evaluation area shown in FIG. 6A has been changed.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same components and steps in each drawing as much as possible, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0022] The game device according to the present embodiment can be used in various computer game machines such as arcade game machines, smartphones, and personal computers. The game device according to the embodiment of the present invention described below takes an arcade game machine as an example.

[0023] Also, the game program according to the present embodiment is, for example, executed on the above game device, and is a program in which a player enjoys operating the game device or the player's actions in accordance with at least one of sounds (for example, music, voices, sound effects, etc.) and images (for example, still images, videos, movies, etc.) reproduced from the game device. The program according to the present embodiment described below takes a music game program (hereinafter, the game executed by this program is referred to as a "music game") in which a player enjoys operating the game device or actions in accordance with music and videos as an example. Note that "music game" may also be referred to as "rhythm game".

[0024] <External Appearance Configuration> First, the external appearance configuration of the game device will be described. FIG. 1 is an external appearance configuration diagram of an example of the game device 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the game device 10 includes a display unit 18A and a display unit 18B. Display unit 18A is positioned in a location easily visible to the player and displays the screen of the music game. Display unit 18B is located above display unit 18A and displays images related to the music game, such as special effects. Display units 18A and 18B can be liquid crystal panel displays, plasma displays, EL (Electroluminescence) displays, etc.

[0026] Furthermore, the game device 10 has a main body equipped with a display unit 18A and a display unit 18B, and an operating member 20, which is an operating means for operating the music game, is provided on the main body below the display unit 18A. In the example shown in Figure 1, the operating member 20 has a plurality of keyboard-shaped operating areas 20A. In other words, the operating member 20 has a plurality of operating areas 20A arranged in one direction (horizontally).

[0027] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, sensors 69A and 69B for sensing vertical hand movements are provided on both the left and right sides of the display unit 18A. Sensors 69A and 69B are collectively referred to as sensor 69. For example, when it is desired to detect vertical hand movements, multiple horizontal infrared rays are emitted from the light-emitting unit (e.g., sensor 69A) to the light-receiving unit (e.g., sensor 69B), and these rays are provided in a vertical direction. When the player's hand enters the detectable range of the sensor, the light-receiving unit stops receiving infrared rays, thus detecting the presence of the player's hand.

[0028] <Hardware Configuration> Next, the hardware configuration of the game device 10 will be described. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the hardware configuration of the game device 10 shown in Figure 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the game device 10 is equipped with a computer and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50. The CPU 50 is connected to a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 54 via a bus 13.

[0030] The game device 10 also includes a drawing processor 56 for displaying the necessary images for each display unit 18A, 18B, VRAM (Video RAM) 58, 60 corresponding to the display units 18A, 18B, and an audio processor 62 for generating sound signals such as music, game sound effects, and voice, and outputting them to speakers 15A, 15B. These CPU 50, ROM 52, RAM 54, drawing processor 56, and audio processor 62 constitute a control unit 63.

[0031] Furthermore, the game device 10 is equipped with a sensor 69 that senses hand movements instructed during a music game. The sensor 69 can be placed where it is desired to detect the player's hand movements.

[0032] Furthermore, the game device 10 is equipped with an input signal processing unit 64 that continuously receives detection signals from the display unit 18A and the touch panel as needed to detect press operations and coordinate information, and is also capable of connecting a wireless communication module 66 and game media 68. The wireless communication module 66 enables data communication with other server devices on the internet via wireless communication compliant with communication standards such as HSPA (High Speed ​​Packet Access).

[0033] The game device 10 may download, for example, the game program according to this embodiment from a server device (not shown) on the Internet that stores the game program including game data, via the wireless communication module 66. Alternatively, the game device 10 may download, for example, the game program according to this embodiment from a game medium 68 that stores the game program including game data. The wireless communication module 66 enables the player to play competitive games with other players by communicating data with other game devices (not shown) via (or without) the Internet.

[0034] ROM 52 stores a program that loads the game program and various data into RAM 54 from the wireless communication module 66 and the game media 68, etc. External memory 70 stores game history information as save information when the game is saved during gameplay, and can be a small memory card or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. In this case, it is sufficient to provide a connection terminal in an appropriate place on the main body of the game device 10 that enables communication with the external memory 70.

[0035] RAM54 has a load area where the loaded game program is stored and a work area used by the CPU50 when executing the game program.

[0036] The CPU 50 controls the game progress by executing the game program loaded into the RAM 54 according to the operation performed on the control element 20. More specifically, when an operation signal is input from the control element 20, the CPU 50 performs a predetermined game progress process corresponding to that operation signal according to the game program loaded into the RAM 54, and displays the result of this process as an image showing the game progress (hereinafter referred to as "game image") on the screen of the display unit 18A, while also outputting music to the speakers 15A and 15B.

[0037] <Game Overview> Next, we will describe the outline of the music game that is realized by the game device 10 of this embodiment executing a music game program.

[0038] In the music game according to this embodiment, the player can enjoy operations and actions synchronized with the music by, for example, operating a predetermined operating area of ​​the operating member 20 of the game device 10 at a predetermined timing in accordance with the game images and synchronized music and video provided by the game device 10, or by performing spatial movements of the player's hand at a predetermined timing.

[0039] Figure 3 shows an example of a game image 80 of the music game according to this embodiment.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the game image 80 displays a judgment indicator 82 and an instruction indicator 84. The judgment indicator 82 is an indicator that shows the player the position where the evaluation of the operation on the operating member 20 is determined. This judgment indicator 82 is displayed at a predetermined position on the game image 80, for example, at a downward position. The judgment indicator 82 is also formed as a long line in the horizontal direction X, which is one direction. The indicator sign 84 instructs the player on when to operate the operating member 20. The indicator sign 84 moves in the vertical direction Y, which intersects the horizontal direction X with the lane, which is the path the indicator sign 84 moves along. The indicator sign 84 is a rectangular sign that is long in the horizontal direction X. The length of the indicator sign 84 may correspond to the width of the operating area 20A, or to the widths of multiple operating areas 20A. The shape of the indicator sign 84 is not particularly limited and may be circular, square, triangular, etc.

[0041] The control area 20A, spatial movements, and timing that the player should operate are indicated by the judgment marker 82 and the instruction marker 84. Specifically, in the game image 80, the instruction marker 84 is sequentially placed along the path at timing intervals that should be operated in accordance with the rhythm of the music, and moves in order to pass through the judgment markers 82 placed at predetermined positions along the path. The timing when the instruction marker 84 overlaps with the judgment marker 82 is the timing when the player should operate the control area 20A of the control member 20. Alternatively, the timing when the instruction marker 84 passes the judgment marker 82 may be considered the timing when the control area 20A should be operated.

[0042] One play session is, for example, one song. During a song, the player earns points for each action performed on the designated control area at the designated time. After the song ends, the total score earned determines the game rank, such as "S," "A," "B," or "C." This allows players to compete based on their total score and game rank.

[0043] In this embodiment of the music game, an evaluation area 86 is provided with respect to the instruction sign 84. Specifically, multiple evaluation areas 86A to 86D are provided arranged vertically in the Y direction with the instruction sign 84 as the center. Although the multiple evaluation areas 86A to 86D are not displayed in the game image 80, they are shown in Figure 3 for illustrative purposes. The multiple evaluation areas 86A to 86D are each shaped like a rectangle that is long in the horizontal direction X, and the higher the evaluation content, the closer it is to the instruction sign 84. Specifically, evaluation area 86A, which is closest to the instruction sign 84, is associated with the highest evaluation content, evaluation area 86B, which is second closest, is associated with the second highest evaluation content, evaluation area 86C, which is third closest, is associated with the third highest evaluation content, and evaluation area 86D, which is furthest from the instruction sign 84, is associated with the worst evaluation content. Furthermore, if the evaluation areas 86A to 86D and the judgment indicator 82 do not overlap, and the player performs an operation on the operation area 20A corresponding to the path where the instruction indicator 84 is located, nothing happens. Alternatively, if the evaluation areas 86A to 86D and the judgment indicator 82 do not overlap, and the player performs an operation on the operation area 20A corresponding to the path where the instruction indicator 84 is located, the penalty or miss count may be increased.

[0044] <Functional configuration> Next, the functional configuration of the game device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game device 10 according to this embodiment. That is, the figure shows the configuration of various functional units realized in the game device 10 by the CPU 50 executing a music game program in cooperation with other hardware (for example, ROM 52 and RAM 54) and software.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the game device 10 includes a storage means 100, a display control means 102, a movement control means 104, an evaluation means 106, and a modification means 108.

[0046] The memory means 100 stores play data 100A and object data 100B. Play data 100A is multimedia data consisting of image data and sound data. Play data 100A includes unillustrated time management data that manages the playback time of play data 100A. This time management data is associated with data indicating the timing at which the player should operate a predetermined control member 20 and the timing at which they should perform spatial movements. This time management data defines the position and timing at which the player should operate the control member 20, and the content and timing of the actions the player should take. In addition, the time management data describes the start time of each measure of the music played during music gameplay. Object data 100B includes data for drawing judgment indicators 82 and instruction indicators 84. Furthermore, object data 100B includes data for drawing the paths of instruction indicators 84 set within the game image.

[0047] The display control means 102 displays and controls a determination indicator 82 for evaluating the operation of the operating member 20, and an instruction indicator 84 for instructing the player on the timing and / or content of the operation of the operating member.

[0048] The movement control means 104 moves multiple evaluation areas 86, which are set based on the instruction sign 84 and are linked to the evaluation content of the timing when the player operates the operating member 20, toward the judgment sign 82 in the vertical direction Y, particularly downwards, together with the instruction sign 84.

[0049] The evaluation means 106 evaluates the timing of the player's operation of the operating member 20 based on the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 located at the determination indicator 82 at the time the player operates the operating member 20, out of a plurality of evaluation areas 86.

[0050] The modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with at least the other evaluation area 86 when one evaluation area 86 corresponding to one instruction marker 84 that is closer to the determination marker 82 and the other evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction marker 84 that is further away from the determination marker 82 are adjacent to each other. Specific examples of the modification means 108 are as follows (1) to (4).

[0051] (1) The modification means 108 changes the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to a higher evaluation content than the current one. Specifically, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to the highest evaluation content. Alternatively, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to an evaluation content one level higher than the current one. Alternatively, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to an evaluation content two or more levels higher than the current one. (2) The modification means 108 changes the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to an evaluation content lower than the current one. Specifically, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to the lowest evaluation content. Alternatively, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to an evaluation content one level lower than the current one. Alternatively, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to an evaluation content two or more levels lower than the current one. Alternatively, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to "no evaluation". In other words, the modification means 108 changes the evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other instruction sign 84 to a state where it is not an evaluation area. (3) The modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas in the other evaluation area 86 that are adjacent to the first evaluation area 86. Specifically, when a portion of the first evaluation area 86 and a portion of the other evaluation area 86 overlap, the modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas in the other evaluation area 86 that partially overlap with the first evaluation area 86. For example, when a portion of the first evaluation area 86 and a portion of the other evaluation area 86 overlap, the modification means 108 may modify the evaluation content of evaluation areas in the other evaluation area 86 that partially overlap with the first evaluation area 86 and to which predetermined evaluation content is associated. Furthermore, if a part of one evaluation area 86 and a part of the other evaluation area 86 overlap, the modification means 108 may modify the evaluation content of the evaluation area in the other evaluation area 86 that partially overlaps with the one evaluation area 86 and is associated with a predetermined evaluation content, and may also modify the evaluation content of the evaluation area in the one evaluation area 86 that partially overlaps with the one evaluation area 86 and is associated with a predetermined evaluation content. (4) The modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation area of ​​the evaluation area 86 located between one indicator sign 84 and the other indicator sign 84 in the vertical direction Y. Specifically, the modification means 108 modifies the predetermined evaluation content when the evaluation area located in the middle portion of the evaluation area 86 located between one indicator sign 84 and the other indicator sign 84 in the vertical direction Y has a predetermined evaluation content. The predetermined evaluation content is, for example, the second highest evaluation content, and the modification means 108 modifies the predetermined evaluation content to the highest evaluation content. Alternatively, the predetermined evaluation content may be the third or fourth highest evaluation content.

[0052] Furthermore, the modification means 108 may, when one evaluation area 86 corresponding to one indicator 84 that is closer to the determination marker 82 and the other evaluation area 86 corresponding to the other indicator 84 that is further away from the determination marker 82 are adjacent, change the evaluation content associated with one evaluation area 86, either in place of the other evaluation area 86 or together with the other evaluation area 86. Specific examples of changing the evaluation content associated with one evaluation area 86 are the same as those described in (1) to (4) above, so their explanation is omitted.

[0053] <Processing flow> Next, the processing flow of the game device 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the game device 10.

[0054] (Step SP10) The display control means 102 controls the display of the game image 80 on the display unit 18A. The display control means 102 also obtains a judgment indicator 82 by referring to the object data 100B and controls the display of the obtained judgment indicator 82 at a position below the game image 80. Then, the process proceeds to step SP12.

[0055] (Step SP12) The display control means 102 obtains an instruction sign 84 to be displayed at the current time by referring to the object data 100B, and displays the obtained instruction sign 84 at an upper position on the game image 80. The movement control means 104 moves the displayed instruction sign 84 and the multiple evaluation areas 86 corresponding to this instruction sign 84 downwards on the screen toward the judgment sign 82. Then the process moves on to the processing of step SP14.

[0056] (Step SP14) The modification means 108 determines whether multiple indicator signs 84 are displayed in the game image 80, and whether one evaluation region 86 corresponding to one indicator sign 84 that is close to the judgment sign 82 is adjacent to the other evaluation region 86 corresponding to the other indicator sign 84 that is farther from the judgment sign 82. "Adjacent" means that a part of one evaluation region 86 and a part of the other evaluation region 86 are touching in the horizontal X direction or the vertical Y direction. The meaning of "adjacent" also includes the meaning that a part of one evaluation region 86 and a part of the other evaluation region 86 are overlapping in the horizontal X direction or the vertical Y direction.

[0057] Figure 6A shows an example of a game image 80 in which two instruction signs 84 are displayed.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6A, the game image 80 displays one indicator 84V and the other indicator 84W. One indicator 84V is set to one evaluation range 86V, and the other indicator 84W is set to the other evaluation range 86W. In the example shown in Figure 6A, the modification means 108 determines that multiple indicators 84 are displayed in the game image 80 because one indicator 84V and the other indicator 84W are displayed. The modification means 108 also determines that one evaluation area 86V and the other evaluation area 86W are adjacent because a part of one evaluation area 86V and a part of the other evaluation area 86W are touching in the horizontal X direction and the vertical Y direction.

[0059] Returning to Figure 5, if the determination in step SP14 is positive, the process proceeds to step SP16; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP20.

[0060] (Step SP16) The modification means 108 determines whether one evaluation region 86V and the other evaluation region 86W overlap, that is, whether they are contiguous.

[0061] In the example shown in Figure 6A, one evaluation region 86V and the other evaluation region 86W overlap in the horizontal direction X and the vertical direction Y, so it is determined that one evaluation region 86V and the other evaluation region 86W overlap.

[0062] Returning to Figure 5, if the determination in step SP16 is positive, the process proceeds to step SP18; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step SP20.

[0063] (Step SP18) The modification means 108 changes the evaluation content associated with the other evaluation area 86W to the highest evaluation content. For example, the modification means 108 changes the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas in the other evaluation area 86W that partially overlap with the one evaluation area 86V.

[0064] Figure 6B shows the game image 80 after the evaluation content linked to the other evaluation area 86W shown in Figure 6A has been changed.

[0065] As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the modification means 108 changes the evaluation area 86B, which is the second highest evaluation area, to the highest evaluation area, when the evaluation area 86B located in the middle part O of the other evaluation area 86W, which is located between one indicator sign 84V and the other indicator sign 84W in the vertical direction Y, is the second highest evaluation area. As a result, as shown in Figure 6B, the evaluation area 86B located in the middle part O of the other evaluation area 86W is changed to evaluation area 86A. Similarly, the modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas that partially overlap with one evaluation area 86V within the other evaluation area 86V. Specifically, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content of the evaluation area 86B, which is the second highest evaluation content, when the evaluation area located in the intermediate portion O within one evaluation area 86V, which is located between one indicator sign 84V and the other indicator sign 84W in the vertical direction Y, to the highest evaluation content. As a result, as shown in Figure 6B, the evaluation area 86B located in the intermediate portion O within one evaluation area 86V is changed to evaluation area 86A. Furthermore, the modification means 108 changes the evaluation content associated with evaluation areas 86C to 86D within the other evaluation area 86W that partially overlap with the other evaluation area 86V, and which are not the highest evaluation area 86A and the second highest evaluation area 86B, to "no evaluation". As a result, as shown in Figure 6B, it can be seen that the overlapping evaluation areas 86C to 86D within the other evaluation area 86W are changed to a state where they are not evaluation areas. Similarly, the modification means 108 changes the evaluation content associated with evaluation areas within one evaluation area 86V that partially overlap with the other evaluation area 86W, and which are not the highest evaluation area 86A and the second highest evaluation area 86B, to "no evaluation". As a result, as shown in Figure 6B, it can be seen that the overlapping evaluation areas 86C to 86D within one evaluation area 86V are changed to a state where they are not evaluation areas.

[0066] Furthermore, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with evaluation areas within one evaluation area 86V that partially overlap with the other evaluation area 86W, and that are not the highest evaluation area 86A and the second highest evaluation area 86B, to something other than "no evaluation". For example, as shown in Figures 6A and 6C, the evaluation content associated with evaluation areas within one evaluation area 86V that partially overlap with the other evaluation area 86W, and that are not the highest evaluation area 86A and the second highest evaluation area 86B, may be changed to the evaluation content associated with the adjacent evaluation area 86W. Specifically, the evaluation area 86D within one evaluation area 86V that partially overlaps with the other evaluation area 86W may be changed to the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86B adjacent to evaluation area 86D in the other evaluation area 86W. Similarly, an evaluation area 86C within one evaluation area 86V that partially overlaps with the other evaluation area 86W may be modified to have evaluation content linked to an evaluation area 86A within the other evaluation area 86W that is adjacent to evaluation area 86C. Furthermore, the modification means 108 may change the evaluation content associated with evaluation areas in the other evaluation area 86W that partially overlap with the one evaluation area 86V, and that are not the highest evaluation area 86A and the second highest evaluation area 86B, to something other than "no evaluation". For example, as shown in Figures 6A and 6D, the evaluation content associated with evaluation areas in the other evaluation area 86W that partially overlap with the one evaluation area 86V, and that are not the highest evaluation area 86A and the second highest evaluation area 86B, may be changed to the evaluation content associated with the adjacent one evaluation area 86V. Specifically, the evaluation area 86D in the other evaluation area 86W that partially overlaps with the one evaluation area 86V may be changed to the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86B adjacent to evaluation area 86D in the one evaluation area 86W. Similarly, within the other evaluation area 86W, evaluation area 86C that partially overlaps with the other evaluation area 86V may be changed to an evaluation area 86A within the other evaluation area 86V that is adjacent to evaluation area 86C.

[0067] Returning to Figure 5, the process moves on to step SP20.

[0068] (Step SP20) The evaluation means 106 determines whether or not there is player input. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step SP22; if the determination is negative, the process returns to step SP12.

[0069] (Step SP22) The evaluation means 106 stores the timing of the player's actions in the play data 100A. Then, the process proceeds to step SP24.

[0070] (Step SP24) The evaluation means 106 evaluates the timing of the player's operation of the operating member 20 based on the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located at the judgment indicator 82 at the timing of the player's operation, from among the multiple evaluation areas 86A to 86D. Specifically, the evaluation means 106 acquires the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located at the judgment indicator 82 at the timing of the player's operation, from among the multiple evaluation areas 86A to 86D, and stores the acquired evaluation content in the player's play data 100A. Then, the process moves on to the process of step SP26.

[0071] (Step SP26) The evaluation means 106 determines whether the game has ended or not. If the determination is positive, the series of processes shown in Figure 5 ends; if the determination is negative, the process returns to step SP12.

[0072] <Effects> As described above, the game device 10 according to this embodiment includes an operating member 20 having a plurality of operating areas 20A arranged in one direction. The game device 10 also includes a display control means 102 that controls the display of a judgment indicator 82 for evaluating the player's operation on the operating member 20, and an instruction indicator 84 that instructs the player on when to operate the operating member 20, and a movement control means 104 that moves a plurality of evaluation areas 86A to 86D, which are set based on the instruction indicator 84 and linked to the evaluation content of the timing when the player operates the operating member 20, together with the instruction indicator 84 in the vertical direction Y toward the judgment indicator 82. Furthermore, the game device 10 includes an evaluation means 106 that evaluates the timing of the player's operation of the operating member 20 based on the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located at the judgment indicator 82 at the timing of the player's operation of the operating member 20 from among a plurality of evaluation areas 86A to 86D, and a modification means 108 that changes the evaluation content associated with at least the other evaluation area 86W when one evaluation area 86V corresponding to one of the instruction indicators 84V that is close to the judgment indicator 82 and the other evaluation area 86W corresponding to the other instruction indicator 84W that is farther from the judgment indicator are adjacent.

[0073] With this configuration, when one evaluation area 86V and the other evaluation area 86W are adjacent, even if the player operates the operating member 20 by sliding it to change the evaluation content associated with the other evaluation area 86W, the evaluation content of the operation on the other indicator sign 84W can be brought closer to the evaluation content intended by the player. This suppresses the deviation of the actual evaluation content from the evaluation content intended by the player.

[0074] Furthermore, the modification means 108 changes the evaluation content linked to the evaluation area 86W corresponding to the other instruction sign 84W to a higher evaluation content than the current one.

[0075] With this configuration, it is assumed that the evaluation content intended by the player is relatively often higher than the current evaluation content. Therefore, by changing the evaluation content linked to evaluation area 86W to a higher evaluation content, it is possible to suppress causing discomfort to the player.

[0076] Furthermore, the modification means 108 changes the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86W corresponding to the other instruction sign 84W to the highest evaluation content.

[0077] This configuration further reduces the likelihood of causing discomfort to the player.

[0078] Furthermore, the modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas in the other evaluation area 86W that are adjacent to the first evaluation area 86V.

[0079] This configuration prevents the player from altering the evaluation content, even when operating the control member 20 by sliding it, thereby further suppressing the discrepancy between the actual evaluation content and the evaluation content intended by the player.

[0080] Furthermore, when a portion of one evaluation area 86V and a portion of the other evaluation area 86W overlap, the modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation area in the other evaluation area 86V that partially overlaps with the one evaluation area 86V.

[0081] When a portion of one evaluation area 86V overlaps with a portion of the other evaluation area 86W, if the player slides, the operation on the other indicator may be evaluated at a timing unintended by the player, increasing the likelihood that the actual evaluation will differ from the evaluation intended by the player. Therefore, by changing the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the overlapping evaluation areas, the discrepancy between the actual evaluation and the evaluation intended by the player can be further suppressed.

[0082] Furthermore, the multiple evaluation areas 86A to 86D are arranged in the vertical direction Y with the indicator sign 84 at the center, and the modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas located between one indicator sign 84V and the other indicator sign 84W in the vertical direction Y.

[0083] This configuration prevents the player from altering the evaluation content, even when operating the control member 20 by sliding it, thereby further suppressing the discrepancy between the actual evaluation content and the evaluation content intended by the player.

[0084] Furthermore, the modification means 108 modifies the predetermined evaluation content when the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located in the intermediate part of the evaluation area that exists between one indicator sign 84V and the other indicator sign 84W in the vertical direction Y is a predetermined evaluation content.

[0085] This configuration prevents the player from altering the evaluation content, even when operating the control member 20 by sliding it, thereby further suppressing the discrepancy between the actual evaluation content and the evaluation content intended by the player.

[0086] Furthermore, in the multiple evaluation areas 86A to 86D, higher evaluation content is associated with the indicator sign 84, and the predetermined evaluation content is the second highest evaluation content. The changing means 108 changes the predetermined evaluation content to the highest evaluation content.

[0087] This configuration further reduces the likelihood of causing discomfort to advanced players who aim for the highest possible evaluation by sliding against the operating member 20.

[0088] Furthermore, the modification means 108 modifies the evaluation content associated with one of the evaluation areas 86V.

[0089] When one evaluation area 86V and the other evaluation area 86W are adjacent, if the player slides while being aware of the other indicator 84W, the operation on the one indicator 84V may be evaluated at a timing unintended by the player, and the actual evaluation may deviate from the evaluation intended by the player. However, with the above configuration, the evaluation of the operation on the one indicator 84V can be brought closer to the evaluation intended by the player. This suppresses the deviation of the actual evaluation from the evaluation intended by the player.

[0090] <Variation> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. That is, any modifications made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as they retain the features of the present invention. Furthermore, the elements of the above embodiments and the modifications described later can be combined to the extent that it is technically possible, and any combination thereof is also included within the scope of the present invention, as long as it retains the features of the present invention.

[0091] For example, in the above embodiment, the case in which the multiple evaluation regions 86A to 86D are rectangular in shape was described, but they may also be circular, elliptical, triangular, or other shapes.

[0092] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a case where the operating means is a physical operating member 20, it may also be a virtual operating unit (operating indicator) displayed on the game image 80.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the modification means 108 was described as modifying the evaluation content associated with a part of one evaluation area 86V when a part of the other evaluation area 86W overlaps. However, even if a part of one evaluation area 86V and a part of the other evaluation area 86W do not overlap, the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 may also be modified.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the modification means 108 was described as changing the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 to the highest evaluation content. However, the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area 86 may also be changed to an evaluation content determined by lottery. This can enhance the enjoyment of the game.

[0095] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a case in which the movement control means 104 moves the indicator sign 84 and the corresponding evaluation areas 86 downwards on the screen, it may also move them diagonally downwards on the screen, upwards on the screen, diagonally upwards on the screen, horizontally on the screen, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10: Game device (computer) 20: Operating member (operating means) 20A: Operation area 80: Game Images 82: Judgment mark 84: Instruction sign 84V: One-way indicator sign 84W: Other direction sign 86: Evaluation Area 86A: Evaluation Area 86B: Evaluation Domain 86C: Evaluation Domain 86D: Evaluation Domain 86V: One evaluation domain 86W: The other evaluation domain 102: Display control means 104: Movement control means 106: Evaluation Methods 108: Means of modification X: Horizontal (one direction) Y: Vertical direction (other directions)

Claims

1. A game device equipped with an operating means having multiple operating areas arranged in one direction, A display control means for displaying and controlling a determination indicator for evaluating the player's operation of the operating means, and an instruction indicator for instructing the player on when to operate the operating means, A movement control means that moves multiple evaluation areas, which are set based on the instruction sign and linked to the evaluation content of the timing when the player operates the operation means, together with the instruction sign, toward the determination sign in a direction intersecting the one direction, An evaluation means that evaluates the timing at which the player operates the operation means based on the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located at the determination mark at the timing among the plurality of evaluation areas, When one evaluation area corresponding to one indicator sign that is close to the judgment sign and another evaluation area corresponding to the other indicator sign that is farther from the judgment sign are adjacent, a modification means for changing the evaluation content associated with at least the other evaluation area, A game device equipped with the following features.

2. The modification means changes the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area corresponding to the other instruction sign to a higher evaluation content than the current one. The game device according to claim 1.

3. The modification means changes the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area corresponding to the other instruction sign to the highest evaluation content. The game device according to claim 2.

4. The modification means modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation areas adjacent to the first evaluation area within the other evaluation area. The game device according to claim 1.

5. The modification means modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation area in the other evaluation area that overlaps with the one evaluation area when a portion of the one evaluation area overlaps with a portion of the other evaluation area. The game device according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned multiple evaluation areas are arranged in the other direction with respect to the indicator sign, The modification means modifies the evaluation content associated with at least a portion of the evaluation area located between the one indicator sign and the other indicator sign in the other direction. The game device according to claim 1.

7. The modification means modifies the predetermined evaluation content when the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located in the intermediate portion of the evaluation area existing between the one indicator sign and the other indicator sign in the other direction is a predetermined evaluation content. The game device according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned multiple evaluation areas are associated with higher evaluation content toward the indicated sign, The aforementioned predetermined evaluation content is the second highest evaluation content, The aforementioned modification means changes the predetermined evaluation content to the highest evaluation content. The game device according to claim 7.

9. The modification means modifies the evaluation content associated with one of the evaluation domains. A game device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Computers, An operation indicator with multiple operation areas arranged in one direction, a determination indicator for evaluating the player's operation on the operation indicator, and a display control means for displaying and controlling an instruction indicator that instructs the player on when to operate the operation indicator. Movement control means that moves multiple evaluation areas, which are set based on the instruction sign and whose evaluation content is linked to the timing when the player operates the operation sign, together with the instruction sign, in a direction intersecting the one direction toward the determination sign, An evaluation means that evaluates the timing at which the player operates the operation indicator, based on the evaluation content associated with the evaluation area located at the determination indicator at the timing among the plurality of evaluation areas, When one evaluation area corresponding to one indicator sign that is close to the judgment sign and another evaluation area corresponding to the other indicator sign that is farther from the judgment sign are adjacent, a means for changing the evaluation content associated with at least the other evaluation area, A game program designed to function as such.

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