Methods, devices, and computer programs for controlling virtual characters

Abstract

This application discloses a method, apparatus, device, medium, and program product for controlling a virtual character, the method comprising the steps of: displaying a virtual character located in a virtual environment and a button control member having a basic appearance style; controlling the virtual character to perform a first activity in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style; controlling the virtual character to perform a second activity in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style; switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from a basic appearance style to an extended appearance style if the virtual environment and / or the virtual character meets pre-set conditions; and controlling the virtual character to perform a third activity in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having an extended appearance style. The method can reduce the screen area occupied by the control member and can also prompt the timing of function switching.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on June 15, 2023, with the application number 202310713900.X and the application title "Method, Apparatus, Device, Medium, and Program Product for Controlling Virtual Characters", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the technical field of man-machine interaction on the user interface, and particularly to the control technology of virtual characters.

Background Art

[0003] In some game application programs, a plurality of types of control members are included on the virtual environment interface, and these control members are used to control virtual characters to perform actions in the virtual environment.

[0004] Among the above-mentioned plurality of types of control members, there is a control member used to trigger attack skills, and one virtual character can have multiple attack skills. For example, the multiple attack skills include normal attack, strong attack, and derivative attack. Here, the normal attack refers to a basic attack in the game without extra consumption (such as consumption of energy, anger, storage, and magic value, etc.) and without cooldown time. The strong attack refers to an attack after accumulating power in the game, with a higher damage value output and stronger explosive energy than the normal attack. The derivative attack is a high-level skill derived from the normal attack or the strong attack, with a higher damage value output and stronger explosive energy than the strong attack. One control member can be correspondingly installed for each of the above normal attack, strong attack, and derivative attack.

[0005] The plurality of control members corresponding to the above multiple skills occupy a relatively large area on the interface.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a control method, apparatus, device, medium, and program product for virtual characters. The technical solutions are as follows: [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A method for controlling a virtual character is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the method being performed by a computer device, and the method is The steps include displaying a virtual character located in a virtual environment and a button control member having a basic appearance style, The steps include: controlling the virtual character to perform a first activity in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style; and controlling the virtual character to perform a second activity in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style; If the virtual environment and / or the virtual character meets pre-set conditions, the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, The process includes the step of controlling the virtual character to perform a third activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having the extended appearance style.

[0008] In another aspect of the present application, a control device for virtual characters is provided, the device being deployed on a computer device, the device is A display module used to display a virtual character located in a virtual environment, and a button control element having a basic appearance style, The system includes an execution module used to control the virtual character and execute a first activity in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style, and to control the virtual character and execute a second activity in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style, The display module is used to switch the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style if the virtual environment and / or the virtual character meets pre-set conditions. The execution module is used to control the virtual character and execute a third activity in response to the second trigger operation on the button control member having the extended appearance style.

[0009] In another aspect of the present application, a computer device is provided, the computer device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein at least one segment of a program is stored in the memory, and the at least one segment of the program is loaded and executed by the processor, thereby realizing a method for controlling a virtual character provided by each aspect of the present application.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein at least one segment of program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and the at least one segment of program is loaded and executed by a processor, thereby realizing a method for controlling a virtual character provided by each aspect of the present invention.

[0011] In another aspect of the present application, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product includes computer instructions, the computer instructions are stored in a computer-readable storage medium, a processor of a computer device reads the computer instructions from the computer-readable storage medium, and when the processor executes the computer instructions, it implements a method for controlling a virtual character provided by each aspect of the present application.

[0012] In another aspect of the present application, a chip is provided, which includes a programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and is used to implement a method for controlling a virtual character provided by each aspect of the present application when the chip is in operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application include at least the following:

[0014] The virtual character control method provided in this application allows a virtual character to be controlled by a single button control member to perform three types of activities. When the button control member displays a basic appearance style, a first trigger operation on the button control member controls the virtual character to perform a first activity. A second trigger operation on the button control member controls the virtual character to perform a second activity. When the button control member displays an extended appearance style, a second trigger operation on the button control member controls the virtual character to perform a third activity. By using a single button control member and two types of trigger operations, the triggering of three types of functions is realized. Compared to setting up a separate control member for each function, this reduces the area occupied on the screen, and since two types of trigger operations are used on a single control member, it is relatively easy for the user to operate. Furthermore, it avoids the problem of confusion during use caused by integrating too many operations on a single control member. In this method, the user is further notified of changes in the function on the control member by a change in the appearance style of the button control member, thereby allowing the user to accurately know the timing of the function change and better grasp the timing of the function trigger.

[0015] To more clearly explain the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that need to be used in the description of the embodiments are briefly introduced below. As will be clear, the drawings in the following description are merely some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain further drawings by following these drawings without any creative work. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a computer system provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an interface for controlling a virtual character provided in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]It is a flowchart of a method for controlling a virtual character provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] It is a schematic diagram of an interface for switching the appearance style of a control member provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram of an interface for switching the appearance style of a control member provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] It is a flowchart of a method for controlling a virtual character provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] It is a schematic diagram of an interface related to information display of a button control member provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart of a method for controlling a virtual character provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram of an interface for switching the appearance style of a control member provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] It is a schematic diagram of an interface for switching the appearance style of a control member provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart of a method for controlling a virtual character provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] It is a block diagram of a virtual character control device provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13] It is a schematic diagram of the device structure of a computer device provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] In order to make the object, technical solution, and advantages of the present application more clear, the embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the drawings.

[0018] First, nouns related to the embodiments of the present application will be introduced.

[0019] A virtual environment is a virtual environment that is displayed (or provided) when an application program is running on a terminal. This virtual environment may be a simulation environment of the real world, a semi-simulated, semi-fictional environment, or a purely fictional environment. The virtual environment may be any one of a 2D virtual environment, a 2.5D virtual environment, or a 3D virtual environment, and this application is not limited to these. In the following embodiment, the virtual environment will be described as a 3D virtual environment.

[0020] A virtual character refers to a movable object in a virtual environment. This movable object may be a virtual person, virtual animal, or animated character, and may include, for example, a person, animal, plant, oil barrel, wall, and stone displayed in a 3D virtual environment. Optionally, a virtual character is a 3D model created based on animation skeleton technology. Each virtual character has its own shape and volume in the 3D virtual environment and occupies a portion of the space within that environment.

[0021] Virtual items refer to items used by virtual characters in a virtual environment to perform certain actions, such as virtual carriers and virtual tools. For example, a virtual explosive is a virtual object that can cause an explosion in the virtual environment and belongs to one type of virtual tool used by a virtual character in the virtual environment. When a virtual explosive is activated (or explodes), it includes at least one of the following: grenades, landmines, bombs, atomic bombs, and missiles, and will reduce the life points of virtual characters within the explosion radius. For example, projectile virtual items can be used to shoot in the virtual environment and belong to another type of virtual tool used by a virtual character in the virtual environment. When shooting using a projectile virtual item (e.g., a bow and arrow), hitting an enemy virtual character within range will reduce the enemy virtual character's life points.

[0022] For example, virtual items that a virtual character "equips, possesses, or mounts" include virtual items that are currently being used. A virtual character has a virtual backpack, and if there are backpack slots in the virtual backpack, virtual items that are not currently being used can be stored in the virtual character's virtual backpack, and virtual items that a virtual character "equips, possesses, or mounts" may further include virtual items stored in the virtual backpack.

[0023] A control element refers to a user interface (UI) control element, which is any visible control element or component that can be seen on the user interface of an application program. Examples include pictures, input boxes, text boxes, buttons, and labels. Some UI control elements can respond to user input. For example, a user can trigger a button control element under different appearance styles to control a virtual character and perform different activities.

[0024] The method for controlling virtual characters provided in this application can be applied to a computer system, and as shown in Figure 1, it illustrates a schematic diagram of a computer system 100 provided in one exemplary embodiment of this application. The computer system 100 includes a terminal 110 and a server 120.

[0025] Terminal 110 has a client terminal 111 installed and running that supports a virtual environment. This client terminal 111 may be a client terminal for any one of the following application programs: virtual reality (VR) application programs, augmented reality (AR) programs, first-person shooting (FPS) games, third-person shooting (TPS) games, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games, strategy games (SLG), adventure games, and role-playing games. When the client terminal 111 is running, terminal 110 displays the user interface of the client terminal 111 on its screen, for example, displaying the virtual environment interface in a game. Terminal 110 is the terminal used by user 112. User 112 uses terminal 110 to control a virtual character located in a virtual environment and perform activities, which include, but are not limited to, adjusting body posture, crawling, walking, running, cycling, jumping, driving, shooting, sword swinging, fist swinging, stabbing, throwing virtual smoke grenades, and throwing virtual explosives. Exemplaryly, the virtual character is a virtual person, such as a simulated person or an animated person.

[0026] Terminal 110 can generally refer to one of several terminals, and in this embodiment, only terminal 110 will be used as an example for explanation. The device type of terminal 110 includes at least one of the following: smartphone, tablet PC, laptop computer, wearable device, AR smart device, VR smart device, e-book reader, Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer III (MP3) player, Moving Picture Experts Group IV (MP4) player, laptop-type portable computer, and desktop computer.

[0027] Although only one terminal is shown in Figure 1, there are multiple other terminals 130 that can access the server 120 in different embodiments.Optionally, there are one or more additional terminals 130 that correspond to developers, and a development and editing platform for client terminals that support the virtual environment is installed on terminal 130, and the developer can edit and update client terminals on terminal 130 and transmit the updated client terminal installation package to the server 120 via a wired or wireless network, and terminal 110 can download the client terminal installation package from the server 120 and perform the update to the client terminal.

[0028] Terminal 110 and other terminals 130 are connected to server 120 via a wireless network or a wired network.

[0029] Server 120 includes at least one of the following: a single server, multiple servers, a cloud computing platform, and a virtualization center. Server 120 is used to provide background services for client terminals 111. Selectively, server 120 handles the primary computing tasks and terminal 110 handles secondary computing tasks, or server 120 handles secondary computing tasks and terminal 110 handles primary computing tasks, or cooperative computing is performed between server 120 and terminal 110 using a distributed computing architecture.

[0030] Optionally, the server 120 includes a processor 121, an object account database 122, a battle service module 123, and an object-oriented input / output interface (I / O interface) 124. Here, the processor 121 is used to load instructions stored in the server 120 and to process data in the object account database 122 and the battle service module 123; the object account database 122 is used to store data of object accounts used by terminal 110 and other terminals 130, such as the object account's avatar, object account's name, object account's combat power index, and the service area where the object account is located; the battle service module 123 is used to provide multiple battle rooms for objects to battle, such as 1v1 battles, 3v3 battles, 5v5 battles, etc.; and the object-oriented I / O interface 124 is used to establish communication with terminal 110 and / or other terminals 130 via a wireless or wired network and exchange data.

[0031] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of terminals may be greater or less. For example, there may be only one terminal, or there may be tens, hundreds, or more terminals. The embodiments of this application are not limited to the number of terminals or the type of equipment.

[0032] The virtual character control method provided in this application can be applied to VR application programs, AR application programs, FPS games, TPS games, MOBA games, battle arena games, SLGs, adventure games, and role-playing games, etc.

[0033] Taking the application of the virtual character control method to a game as an example, as shown in Figure 2, terminal 110 operates a client terminal 111 that supports a virtual environment, a virtual character 202 located in the virtual environment 201 is displayed on the interface of terminal 110, and furthermore, multiple control members are displayed on the interface of terminal 110, and user 112 can control the virtual character 202 in the virtual environment 201 using the multiple control members to perform various activities. The multiple control members include a button control member 203 having a basic appearance style, in which the fill color of the circular background area of ​​the button control member 203 is black. In response to a click operation on the button control member 203, terminal 110 controls the virtual character 202 to perform a first activity in the virtual environment 201, and in response to a long press operation on the button control member 203, terminal 110 controls the virtual character 202 to perform a second activity in the virtual environment 201.

[0034] Under conditions where the virtual environment 201 and / or the virtual character 202 meet pre-set conditions, terminal 110 switches the basic appearance style of the button control member 203 to an extended appearance style and displays the button control member 204 with the extended appearance style on the interface of terminal 110, in which case the fill color of the circular background area of ​​the button control member 204 is white. In response to a click operation on the button control member 204, terminal 110 can still control the virtual character 202 to perform a first activity in the virtual environment 201, and in response to a long press operation on the button control member 204, terminal 110 controls the virtual character 202 to perform a third activity in the virtual environment 201.

[0035] In the above virtual character control method, the three functions are integrated onto a single control member, and different trigger methods on the control member trigger the execution of the first and second activities, and the execution of the first and third activities, respectively. Different appearance styles represent the control member under different functions, and the same trigger operation on the control member triggers the execution of the second and third activities under different appearance styles. Compared to having one control member assigned to each individual function, the realization of the three functions is completed by a single control member, reducing the screen space occupied by the terminal. Furthermore, each time the triggerable function is switched, it is represented by a different appearance style, allowing the user to quickly and clearly perceive changes in the triggerable function on the control member.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling a virtual character provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to a terminal of the computer system shown in Figure 1. The method includes the following steps:

[0037] Step 301: Display a virtual character located in the virtual environment, and a button control element having a basic appearance style.

[0038] An application program is running on the terminal, and this application program supports a virtual environment, in which virtual characters exist. The terminal displays a virtual environment interface, which includes a virtual environment screen, and the virtual environment screen is a view obtained by observing the virtual environment from a certain viewpoint.

[0039] The viewpoint may refer to the observation angle when observing the virtual environment from the first-person or third-person viewpoint of a virtual character. For example, in the embodiments of this application, the viewpoint may be the angle at which the virtual character is observed by a video camera model in the virtual environment. The video camera model automatically tracks the virtual character in the virtual environment; that is, when the virtual character's position in the virtual environment changes, the video camera model simultaneously changes in tracking the virtual character's position in the virtual environment, and the video camera model is always within a preset distance range of the virtual character in the virtual environment. Optionally, the relative position between the video camera model and the virtual character does not change during the automatic tracking process.

[0040] A video camera model may refer to a three-dimensional model positioned around a virtual character in a virtual environment. When a first-person perspective is adopted, the video camera model is positioned near or at the head of the virtual character. When a third-person perspective is adopted, the video camera model is positioned behind the virtual character and may be bound to the virtual character, or it may be positioned at any predetermined distance from the virtual character. The video camera model allows observation of the virtual character positioned in the virtual environment from different angles. For example, when the third-person perspective is an over-the-shoulder first-person perspective, the video camera model is positioned behind the virtual character (e.g., the head and shoulders of a virtual person). In addition to first-person and third-person perspectives, the viewpoint further includes other viewpoints, such as a top-down view. When a top-down view is adopted, the video camera model may be positioned above the head of the virtual character. A top-down view is a viewpoint that observes the virtual environment from an angle looking down from the air. The video camera model does not actually display in the virtual environment; that is, the video camera model is not displayed in the virtual environment interface; that is, the video camera model is not displayed on the virtual environment screen.

[0041] For example, the virtual environment displayed on the virtual environment screen includes at least one of the following elements: mountains, plains, rivers, lakes, oceans, deserts, skies, clouds, the sun, the moon, stars, plants, buildings, and vehicles.

[0042] A virtual environment interface is displayed on the terminal, and the virtual environment interface further includes button control members having a basic appearance style.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the button control member having a basic appearance style may be a trigger control member for a skill possessed by the virtual character. For example, the skill corresponding to the button control member may be a skill possessed by the virtual character itself, or a skill acquired by the virtual character after equipping a virtual item.

[0044] If the button control element corresponds to a skill possessed by the virtual character itself, the terminal displays the virtual character located in the virtual environment and the button control element with its basic appearance style. For example, if the virtual character itself possesses a skill to perform striking activities using fists, and the button control element is used to trigger that skill, the terminal displays the virtual character located in the virtual environment and simultaneously displays the button control element. For example, if the virtual character itself possesses a skill to perform attack activities using a heavy sword, and the button control element is used to trigger that skill, the terminal displays the virtual character located in the virtual environment and simultaneously displays the button control element. For example, if the virtual character itself possesses a skill for picking or gathering activities, and the button control element is used to trigger that skill, the terminal displays the virtual character located in the virtual environment and simultaneously displays the button control element.

[0045] If a button control component corresponds to a skill acquired by a virtual character after equipping a virtual item, the terminal displays the virtual character located in the virtual environment, and in response to an operation to equip a virtual item, it controls the virtual character to equip the virtual item and displays the button control component corresponding to the skill associated with the virtual item. For example, after displaying the virtual character located in the virtual environment, the terminal, in response to an operation to equip a virtual shooting tool, controls the virtual character to equip the virtual shooting tool and displays the button control component associated with the virtual shooting tool, which is used to control the virtual character to shoot using the virtual shooting tool. Alternatively, for example, after displaying the virtual character located in the virtual environment, the terminal, in response to an operation to equip a virtual throwable, controls the virtual character to equip the virtual throwable and displays the button control component associated with the virtual throwable, which is used to control throwing against the virtual throwable. For example, the terminal displays a virtual character located in the virtual environment, and then, in response to an operation to equip a virtual building tool, controls the virtual character to equip the virtual building tool and displays a button control member associated with the virtual building tool. This button control member is used to control the virtual character to construct a virtual building using the virtual building tool.

[0046] In one possible implementation, methods of acquiring virtual items include, but are not limited to, picking up, purchasing, sharing other virtual characters, and reward items obtained by completing tasks.

[0047] In the embodiment of the present invention, the appearance style of the button control member is as follows: The shape of the button control member may be, for example, circular, square, rhombus, etc. The fill color of the button control member may be, for example, red, yellow, and blue. The transparency of the button control member may be, for example, 0, 50%, or 100%. A pattern on a button control member, for example, a pattern associated with the function triggered by the button control member, for example, an arrow pattern being displayed on a button control member used to trigger the firing of an arrow, The luminance on the button control member is comprised of at least one of the following elements: for example, the luminance on the button control member may be the same as the luminance of other areas on the screen, or may be higher than the luminance of other areas on the screen.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the appearance style that a button control member initially displays may be a basic appearance style, and the basic appearance style may be the appearance style that a button control member has to control a virtual character to perform a basic activity, the basic activity may be, for example, a first activity or a second activity. Here, the button control member is associated with at least two trigger operations, and at least two trigger operations are used to trigger different skills. At least two skills correspond to different activities, and therefore, at least two trigger operations are used to trigger different skills, which may also be described as at least two trigger operations being used to control a virtual character to perform different activities.

[0049] At least two trigger operations may include a first trigger operation and a second trigger operation, where, under the circumstances that the button control member is displayed in a basic appearance style, the first trigger operation is used to control a virtual character to perform a first activity, and the second trigger operation is used to control a virtual character to perform a second activity.

[0050] The first activity and the second activity are different activities. In one possible implementation, the difference between the first activity and the second activity is: The actions performed by the virtual characters are different; for example, the first activity and the second activity are activities that employ different combo attacks. This refers to differences in the degree of impact resulting from actions performed by virtual characters, such as differences in damage / healing values ​​resulting from the first activity and the second activity. This can be expressed as at least one of the following: the scope of coverage of the effects resulting from actions performed by the virtual character differs, for example, the attack range / healing range corresponding to the first activity and the second activity are different.

[0051] A trigger operation includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: single-click, double-click, long-press, pressure, slide, and drag operations. The first trigger operation and the second trigger operation are different trigger operations; for example, the first trigger operation is a single-click operation and the second trigger operation is a long-press operation; for example, the first trigger operation is a single-click operation and the second trigger operation is a pressure operation; for example, the first trigger operation is a single-click operation and the second trigger operation is a drag operation.

[0052] The button control element can be selected and positioned at any location on the virtual environment interface. For example, the button control element may be located in the edge region of the virtual environment interface, for instance, in the right-hand edge region of the virtual environment interface. Alternatively, the positional layout of the button control element on the virtual environment interface can be customized by the user; for example, the layout position of the button control element can be changed by dragging it to a target position.

[0053] Step 302: In response to a first trigger operation on a button control member having a basic appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a first activity.

[0054] Under the condition that the button control member has a basic appearance style, in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style, the terminal controls a virtual character to perform a first activity.

[0055] Step 303: In response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having a basic appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a second activity.

[0056] Under the condition that the button control member has a basic appearance style, in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style, the terminal controls a virtual character to perform a second activity.

[0057] Step 304: If the virtual environment and / or virtual character meets the pre-set conditions, switch the button control component with the basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to the extended appearance style.

[0058] Here, pre-set conditions can be used to determine whether the virtual environment and / or virtual character support (support or do not support) the virtual character performing a third activity. If the virtual environment and / or virtual character support the virtual character performing a third activity, the button control member having a basic appearance style can be switched from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style.

[0059] The pre-set conditions may be described as the conditions for using the skills corresponding to the third activity. If the virtual environment and / or virtual character meet the pre-set conditions, the skills corresponding to the third activity can be used, and the use of said skills controls the virtual character to execute the third activity.

[0060] An extended appearance style may be an appearance style that includes a button control member that controls a virtual character to perform stronger activities, where the stronger activity has a higher damage value and stronger explosive energy than the basic activity, and the stronger activity may be, for example, a third activity. The extended appearance style and the basic appearance style are different. In one possible implementation, the extended appearance style and the basic appearance style may differ in at least one of the following elements: the shape of the button control member, the fill color of the button control member, the transparency of the button control member, the pattern on the button control member, and the brightness on the button control member.

[0061] Accordingly, the step of switching a button control component having a basic appearance style from a basic appearance style to an extended appearance style is, A step of switching the first fill color of a button control member having a basic appearance style to a second fill color, for example, as shown in Figure 2, the fill color of the circular background area of ​​the button control member 203 is black in the basic appearance style, and the fill color of the circular background area of ​​the button control member 204 is white in the extended appearance style. A step of switching a first pattern displayed on a button control member having a basic appearance style to a second pattern, for example, as shown in Figure 4, in the basic appearance style one sword is displayed on the button control member 401, and in the extended appearance style two crossed swords are displayed on the button control member 402. A step of switching a first brightness level displayed on a button control member having a basic appearance style to a second brightness level, wherein the second brightness level is greater than the first brightness level, i.e., switching the brightness display of the button control member to a highlight display. A step of switching the transparency of a button control member having a basic appearance style from a first transparency to a second transparency, A step of switching the shape of a button control member having a basic appearance style from a first shape to a second shape, which includes at least one step of: for example, as shown in Figure 5, the shape of the button control member 501 is circular in the basic appearance style and the shape of the button control member 502 is rhombic in the extended appearance style.

[0062] In some embodiments, there are at least two preset conditions, and at least two preset conditions are associated with different extended appearance styles. Exemplarily, the at least two preset conditions include a first preset condition and a second preset condition. If the virtual environment and / or virtual character satisfies the first preset condition of the at least two preset conditions, the button control member having a basic appearance style is switched from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first preset condition, and if the virtual environment and / or virtual character satisfies the second preset condition of the at least two preset conditions, the button control member having a basic appearance style is switched from the basic appearance style to a second extended appearance style associated with the second preset condition.

[0063] The first extended appearance style and the second extended appearance style may be the same or different. When the first extended appearance style and the second extended appearance style are different, at least one of the following elements may differ between the first extended appearance style and the second extended appearance style: the shape of the button control member, the fill color of the button control member, the transparency of the button control member, the pattern on the button control member, and the brightness on the button control member.

[0064] In one possible implementation, in at least two predefined conditions, at least one predefined condition is associated with at least two skills, each skill being associated with its own extended appearance style. Exemplarily, at least one predefined condition includes a first predefined condition, the first predefined condition is associated with at least two skills, and if the virtual environment and / or virtual character satisfies the first predefined condition, then selection control members corresponding to at least two skills are displayed around a button control member having a basic appearance style, and in response to a selection operation for the first skill among the at least two skills on the selection control member, the display of the selection control member is canceled and the button control member having a basic appearance style is switched from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first skill. If at least two skills further include a second skill, then in response to a selection operation for the second skill on the selection control member, the display of the selection control member can be canceled and the button control member having a basic appearance style can be switched from the basic appearance style to the appearance style associated with the first skill.

[0065] Alternatively, after displaying selection control members corresponding to at least two skills around a button control member having a basic appearance style, if no selection operation is triggered on the selection control member and the display time length of the selection control member reaches a fourth time length, the display of the selection control member is canceled, and the button control member having a basic appearance style is switched by default from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first of the at least two skills, or the button control member having a basic appearance style is randomly switched from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first of the at least two skills.

[0066] In one possible implementation, in at least two predefined conditions, at least one predefined condition is associated with at least two skills, each skill being associated with its own extended appearance style. Exemplarily, at least one predefined condition includes a first predefined condition, the first predefined condition is associated with at least two skills, and if the virtual environment and / or virtual character satisfies the first predefined condition, a button control member having a basic appearance style is randomly switched from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first of the at least two skills.

[0067] In some other embodiments, there is one pre-set condition, which is associated with at least two skills, each skill being associated with its own extended appearance style, and if the virtual environment and / or virtual character satisfies the pre-set condition, a selection control member corresponding to at least two skills is displayed around a button control member having a basic appearance style, and in response to a selection operation for a first skill among the at least two skills on the selection control member, the display of the selection control member is canceled and the button control member having a basic appearance style is switched from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first skill. If the at least two skills further include a second skill, then in response to a selection operation for a second skill among the at least two skills on the selection control member, the display of the selection control member can be canceled and the button control member having a basic appearance style can be switched from the basic appearance style to an appearance style associated with the second skill.

[0068] Alternatively, if no selection operation is triggered on the selection control member and the display time length of the selection control member reaches the fourth time length, the display of the selection control member is canceled, and button control members having a basic appearance style are switched by default from the basic appearance style to the first extended appearance style associated with the first skill, or button control members having a basic appearance style are randomly switched from the basic appearance style to the first extended appearance style associated with the first skill of at least two skills.

[0069] Exemplary examples, the selection control members described above may be one or at least two. When there is one selection control member, the selection operation can represent sliding in different directions on the selection control member, thereby representing the selection of different skills. For example, sliding left on the selection control member is used to select a first skill, and sliding right on the selection control member is used to select a second skill. Alternatively, for example, the selection control member may be a single list control member, on which multiple selection control members corresponding to multiple skills are displayed, and a skill is selected by clicking on the selection control member. Alternatively, for example, when the selection control members are multiple independent control members, each skill corresponds to one selection control member, and a skill is selected by clicking on the selection control member.

[0070] In some other embodiments, there is one pre-set condition, which is associated with at least two skills, each of which is associated with its own extended appearance style, and if the virtual environment and / or virtual character satisfies the pre-set condition, a button control member having a basic appearance style is randomly switched from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first of the at least two skills.

[0071] For example, the above pre-set conditions are conditions that the virtual environment must satisfy, or the above pre-set conditions are conditions that the virtual character must satisfy, or the above pre-set conditions are conditions that both the virtual character and the virtual environment must satisfy. In one possible implementation, the pre-set conditions are, This involves a virtual character using a specified virtual item, for example, controlling the virtual character to use the specified virtual item and acquiring a skill corresponding to the third activity. The number of times a virtual character performs the first or second activity within a first time period exceeds a threshold, for example, the first activity being a set of combos, where the virtual character is controlled to perform two combos consecutively within the first time period, thereby acquiring the skill corresponding to the third activity. The virtual character performs the first activity and / or the second activity within the second time period, and the resulting damage value is higher than the damage threshold. The cooldown time (or energy accumulation time) of the skill corresponding to the third activity reaches the third time length, for example, in the initial stage, or after releasing the skill once, the skill corresponding to the third activity is switched from a releaseable state to a non-releaseable state, the energy is fully accumulated after the cooldown time length, and the skill corresponding to the third activity is switched back from a non-releaseable state to a releaseable state. This refers to a virtual character defeating other objects in a virtual environment, for example, by controlling the virtual character to defeat enemy virtual characters, or non-player characters (NPCs), or environment objects in the virtual environment, such as designated objects like gems and trees in the virtual environment. The virtual character's life value is higher than the life threshold, The virtual environment supports the execution of a third activity, and includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: for example, there exists an area in the virtual environment where the third activity can be executed, and within this area a virtual character can execute the third activity; for example, the weather in the virtual environment affects the execution of the third activity, and the third activity can be executed when the weather in the virtual environment is weather that supports the third activity; and for example, the terrain in the virtual environment affects the execution of the third activity, and the execution of the third activity at a certain location in the virtual environment is supported when the terrain at that location is terrain that supports the third activity.

[0072] One thing that needs to be explained is that the pre-set conditions are set in advance according to the needs of application.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the transition from the basic appearance style to the first extended appearance style may be a direct transition or a gradual change. For example, during the energy storage process, the basic appearance style may also gradually change to the first extended appearance style.

[0074] Step 305: In response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having an extended appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a third activity.

[0075] Under the circumstances that the button control member has an extended appearance style, in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having the extended appearance style, the terminal controls a virtual character to perform a third activity.

[0076] For example, if the method provided by this embodiment is applied to a game, the first activity is a normal attack, the second activity is a strong attack, and the third activity is a derivative attack. The terminal displays a virtual character in a virtual environment and a button control member having a basic appearance style. In response to a click operation on the button control member having the basic appearance style, the terminal controls the virtual character to perform a normal attack, and in response to a long press operation on the button control member having the basic appearance style, the terminal controls the virtual character to perform a strong attack. After the energy accumulation time length reaches the fourth time length, the basic appearance style of the button control member having the basic appearance style is switched to the first extended appearance style. At this time, in response to a click operation on the button control member having the first extended appearance style, the terminal controls the virtual character to perform a normal attack, and in response to a long press operation on the button control member, the terminal controls the virtual character to perform a derivative attack.

[0077] In some other embodiments, after controlling a virtual character to perform a third activity, a button control member with an extended appearance style is switched from the extended appearance style to the basic appearance style. After the execution of the third activity is complete, in order for the third activity to be executed again, the virtual character and / or virtual environment must again meet pre-set conditions, for example, after the skill corresponding to the third activity is released, energy must be accumulated again, and after energy accumulation is complete, the third activity can be executed again.

[0078] As described above, the virtual character control method provided by this embodiment allows a virtual character to be controlled by a single button control member to perform three types of activities. When the button control member displays a basic appearance style, a first trigger operation on the button control member controls the virtual character to perform a first activity. A second trigger operation on the button control member controls the virtual character to perform a second activity. When the button control member displays an extended appearance style, a second trigger operation on the button control member controls the virtual character to perform a third activity. By using a single button control member and two types of trigger operations, the triggering of three types of functions is realized. Compared to having one control member corresponding to each function, this reduces the area occupied on the screen, and since two types of trigger operations are used on a single control member, it is relatively easy for the user to operate. Furthermore, it avoids the problem of confusion during use caused by integrating too many operations on a single control member. In this method, the user is further informed of changes in the function of the control member by changing the appearance style of the button control member, thereby allowing the user to accurately know when the function changes and to better understand the timing of the function trigger.

[0079] In some other embodiments, the embodiment shown in Figure 3 above may further include the following steps, as shown in Figure 6.

[0080] Step 306: In response to a first trigger operation on a button control member with an extended appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a fourth activity.

[0081] Under the condition that the button control member has an extended appearance style, in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member having an extended appearance style, the terminal controls a virtual character to perform a fourth activity.

[0082] The fourth activity may be the same as the first activity, or it may be different from the second and third activities, or the fourth activity may be different from all three activities.

[0083] As described above, the virtual character control method provided in this embodiment allows a single control member to control the virtual character and execute the activities described in items 3 and 4, thereby improving the utilization rate of the control member.

[0084] In some other embodiments, after switching a button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, prompt content can be displayed around the button control member having the extended appearance style, and the prompt content is used to describe the skill corresponding to the third activity. For example, if the virtual environment and / or virtual character meets pre-set conditions for the first time, the button control member is switched from the basic appearance style to the extended appearance style for the first time, and prompt content is displayed around the button control member having the extended appearance style. Alternatively, for example, under circumstances where the virtual environment and / or virtual character meet pre-set conditions, the button control member is switched from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, it is determined that the third activity appears for the first time, and prompt content is displayed around the button control member having the extended appearance style.

[0085] For example, the terminal can further display the above prompt content in the edge region of the virtual environment interface.

[0086] For example, as shown in Figure 7, if the extended appearance style is the first extended appearance style, the prompt content "Press and hold the attack key to use a more powerful derivative technique" can be displayed above the button control member 204 of the first extended appearance style.

[0087] As described above, the skill triggering guidance method provided in this embodiment provides users with an explanation of the skills corresponding to the third activity, thereby enabling users to understand the skills corresponding to the third activity in a timely manner and to plan the trigger timing of the third activity more rationally.

[0088] In some other embodiments, the user can further suspend the skill corresponding to the third activity by operating a third trigger on a button control member having an extended appearance style, thereby allowing it to be re-executed at an appropriate time.

[0089] For illustrative purposes, as shown in Figure 8, a flowchart of a method for controlling a virtual character provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application is shown, which can be applied to a terminal of the computer system shown in Figure 1. The method includes the following steps:

[0090] Step 801: Display a virtual character located in the virtual environment, and a button control element having a basic appearance style.

[0091] Step 802: In response to a first trigger operation on a button control member having a basic appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a first activity.

[0092] Step 803: In response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having a basic appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a second activity.

[0093] Step 804: If the virtual environment and / or virtual character meets the pre-set conditions, switch the button control component with the basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to the extended appearance style.

[0094] Steps 801-804 can be found by referring to the detailed explanations in Steps 301-304, and will not be repeated here.

[0095] Step 805: In response to a third trigger operation on a button control member having an extended appearance style, a hold process is performed for the skill corresponding to the third activity, and the button control member having an extended appearance style is switched from the extended appearance style to another appearance style.

[0096] Other appearance styles differ from extended appearance styles. Selectably, there may be differences between other appearance styles and extended appearance styles in at least one of the following elements: shape of the button control member, fill color of the button control member, transparency of the button control member, pattern on the button control member, and brightness on the button control member.

[0097] Accordingly, the step of switching the button control component from an extended appearance style to another appearance style is, A step of switching the second fill color of a button control member having an extended appearance style to a third fill color, A step of switching a second pattern displayed on a button control member having an extended appearance style to a third pattern, A step of switching a second brightness level displayed on a button control member having an extended appearance style to a third brightness level, wherein the second brightness level is greater than the third brightness level, and A step of switching the second transparency of a button control member having an extended appearance style to a third transparency, The method includes at least one step of switching the shape of a button control member having an extended appearance style from a second shape to a third shape.

[0098] It should be noted that other appearance styles may be the same as the basic appearance style, and the button control member switches from the extended appearance style to the basic appearance style, while simultaneously displaying a skill hold identifier corresponding to the third activity in the edge region of the button control member. Exemplaryly, as shown in Figure 9, the button control member 901 with the extended appearance style switches back to the button control member 902 with the basic appearance style, and the hold identifier 903 is displayed in the upper right corner of the button control member 902, and in embodiments of the present application, the style of the hold identifier is not limited to, and may be circular, elliptical, square, rhombus, etc.

[0099] If it is possible to accumulate the number of times a skill corresponding to a third activity is used, the number of uses can be further recorded by a pending identifier, and the number of uses can be displayed on the pending identifier 903, for example, as shown in Figure 10.

[0100] Step 806: In response to a first trigger operation on a button control member having a different appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a first activity.

[0101] Under circumstances where the button control member has a different appearance style, in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member, the terminal controls a virtual character to perform a first activity.

[0102] Step 807: In response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having a different appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a second activity.

[0103] Under circumstances where the button control member has a different appearance style, in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having the different appearance style, the terminal controls a virtual character to perform a second activity.

[0104] Step 808: In response to a third trigger operation that is triggered again on a button control member having a different appearance style, the button control member having a different appearance style is switched from the different appearance style to the extended appearance style.

[0105] It should be explained that the third trigger operation, which is triggered again, may be replaced by other trigger operations that are different from the third trigger operation. For example, the third trigger operation may be an upward sliding operation on the button control member and the other trigger operation may be a downward sliding operation on the button control member. Alternatively, for example, the third trigger operation may be a leftward sliding operation on the button control member and the other trigger operation may be a rightward sliding operation on the button control member.

[0106] Here, the third trigger operation is different from the first and second trigger operations. The other trigger operations are also different from the first, second, and third trigger operations.

[0107] Step 809: In response to a first trigger operation on a button control member having an extended appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a fourth activity.

[0108] Under the circumstances that the button control member has an extended appearance style, in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member having the extended appearance style, the terminal controls a virtual character to perform a fourth activity.

[0109] In one possible implementation, the fourth activity may be the same as the first activity, different from the second and third activities, or different from the first, second and third activities.

[0110] Step 810: In response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having an extended appearance style, the virtual character is controlled to perform a third activity.

[0111] Under the circumstances that the button control member has an extended appearance style, in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having the extended appearance style, the terminal controls a virtual character to perform a third activity.

[0112] As described above, the skill retention method provided in this embodiment allows for the retention of skills corresponding to the third activity, and furthermore, enables the selection of a more appropriate timing, thereby controlling the virtual character to execute the third activity, and realizing sufficient and effective use of the third activity. For example, in the course of a game, a special move can be retained and then re-released at the appropriate timing, thereby achieving victory in the game.

[0113] In some other embodiments, if the user does not want to control the virtual character to perform a third activity, they can further cancel the skill corresponding to the third activity by operating a fourth trigger on the button control member. For example, after switching the basic appearance style of the button control member to an extended appearance style, the skill corresponding to the third activity is canceled in response to the fourth trigger operation on the button control member, and the extended appearance style of the button control member is switched back to the basic appearance style.

[0114] As described above, the skill cancellation method provided by this embodiment allows the user to determine whether or not it is necessary to control the virtual character to perform the third activity according to their actual needs. In situations where it is not necessary to control the virtual character to perform the third activity, the skill corresponding to the third activity is automatically canceled, and the user can continue to control the virtual character to perform the first and / or second activities using a button control member with a basic appearance style.

[0115] Figure 10 shows a flowchart of a method for controlling a virtual character provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application, which can be applied to a terminal of the computer system shown in Figure 1, illustrating the virtual character control logic in the embodiment of the present application. The method includes the following steps:

[0116] Step 1101: Whether or not to trigger a decision based on pre-set conditions.

[0117] When a virtual character and / or virtual environment is changed, the terminal retrieves the data item that caused such change and determines whether the data item triggers a decision against a predefined condition. That is, a decision against a predefined condition requires one trigger opportunity, and when the terminal detects a trigger opportunity, it executes step 1102, otherwise it executes step 1107. For example, the predefined condition may include multiple conditions, and the decision against the predefined condition is triggered when the virtual character and / or virtual environment matches one of them.

[0118] Step 1107 is executed under circumstances that do not trigger a decision based on pre-set conditions.

[0119] Step 1102: Accumulate and record data items corresponding to the pre-set conditions.

[0120] The terminal accumulates and records data items corresponding to pre-set conditions. That is, it accumulates and records data items corresponding to pre-set conditions, and after accumulating and recording each time, it performs step 1103 to determine whether the virtual environment and / or virtual character meet the pre-set conditions, for example, each time energy is accumulated, it determines whether the energy already accumulated once has reached the energy threshold.

[0121] Step 1103: Determine whether the virtual environment and / or virtual character meet the predefined conditions.

[0122] Step 1104 is executed when the virtual environment and / or virtual character meets the pre-defined conditions, and step 1108 is executed when the virtual environment and / or virtual character do not meet the pre-defined conditions.

[0123] Step 1104: Loop the prompt animation.

[0124] Here, the prompt animation is used to prompt that the skill corresponding to the third activity is available. That is, the extended appearance style in the embodiment of the present application can further adopt a representation format for the prompt animation.

[0125] Step 1105: Under the condition that the prompt animation is looping, whether or not to trigger a long press operation on the button control element.

[0126] Under circumstances where a long press operation is triggered on the button control member of the terminal, the terminal determines whether the long press operation is triggered under circumstances where a prompt animation is looped, that is, whether the long press operation is triggered after the button control member has been switched to an extended appearance style. If a long press operation is triggered on the button control member under circumstances where a prompt animation is looped, step 1106 is performed.

[0127] Step 1106: Control the virtual character to perform the third activity.

[0128] The device responds to a long press operation to control a virtual character and perform a third activity.

[0129] Step 1107: Do not accumulate or record data items.

[0130] The terminal does not accumulate or record data items.

[0131] Step 1108: Control the virtual character by clicking to perform the first activity, and control the virtual character by holding down to perform the second activity.

[0132] Under conditions where the button control component has a basic appearance style, a virtual character can be controlled by a click operation to perform a first activity, and a virtual character can be controlled by a long press operation to perform a second activity.

[0133] As described above, the virtual character control method provided by this embodiment allows a virtual character to be controlled by a single button control member to perform three types of activities. When the button control member displays a basic appearance style, a first trigger operation on the button control member can control the virtual character to perform a first activity, and a second trigger operation on the button control member can control the virtual character to perform a second activity. When the button control member displays an extended appearance style, the first trigger operation on the button control member can still control the virtual character to perform a first activity, and a second trigger operation on the button control member can control the virtual character to perform a third activity. By using a single button control member and two types of trigger operations, the triggering of three types of functions is realized. Compared to setting up a separate control member for each function, this reduces the area occupied on the screen, and since two types of trigger operations are used on a single control member, it is relatively easy for the user to operate, and no confusion arises when multiple types of operations are used simultaneously. Furthermore, in this method, the user is notified of changes in the function on the control member by changing the appearance style of the button control member, thereby allowing the user to accurately know the timing of the function change and to better grasp the timing of the function trigger.

[0134] The following are examples of the apparatus of the present application. Details not described in detail in the apparatus examples can be referenced in conjunction with the corresponding descriptions in the method examples above, and will not be repeated in this specification.

[0135] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a virtual character control device provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. The device may be implemented as all or part of a terminal by software, hardware, or a combination thereof, and the device A display module 1201 used to display a virtual character located in a virtual environment, and a button control element having a basic appearance style, The system includes an execution module 1202 used to control a virtual character and execute a first activity in response to a first trigger operation on a button control member having a basic appearance style, and to control a virtual character and execute a second activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having a basic appearance style, The display module 1201 is used to switch a button control member having a basic appearance style from a basic appearance style to an extended appearance style if the virtual environment and / or virtual character meets pre-set conditions. The execution module 1202 is used to control a virtual character and execute a third activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having an extended appearance style.

[0136] In some embodiments, the pre-set conditions include at least two pre-set conditions, and the at least two pre-set conditions are associated with different extended appearance styles. The display module 1201 is used to switch a button control member having a basic appearance style from a basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first preset condition if the virtual environment and / or virtual character satisfies the first preset condition among at least two preset conditions.

[0137] In some embodiments, the pre-set conditions are associated with at least two skills, each skill is associated with its own extended appearance style, and the display module 1201 is If the virtual environment and / or virtual character meets pre-defined conditions, then at least two skill-corresponding selection control members will be displayed around the button control member having a basic appearance style, It is used to cancel the display of a selection control member and switch a button control member having a basic appearance style from a basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first skill, in response to a selection operation for a first skill among at least two skills on the selection control member.

[0138] In some embodiments, the display module 1201 is used to cancel the display of the selection control member and to switch a button control member having a basic appearance style from its basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with a first skill if no selection operation is triggered on the selection control member and the display time length of the selection control member reaches a fourth time length.

[0139] In some embodiments, the pre-defined conditions are associated with at least two skills, and each skill is associated with its own extended appearance style. The display module 1201 is used to randomly switch a button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first of at least two skills, if the virtual environment and / or virtual character meets pre-set conditions.

[0140] In some embodiments, the pre-set conditions are: The virtual character uses the specified virtual item, The number of times a virtual character performs either the first or second activity within the first time period exceeds the count threshold, The virtual character performs either the first or second activity within the second time period, and the resulting damage value is higher than the damage threshold. The cooldown time for the skill corresponding to the third activity reaches the length of the third hour, The virtual character defeating other objects in the virtual environment, The virtual character's life value is higher than the life threshold, The virtual environment includes at least one of the following: supporting the execution of a third activity.

[0141] In some embodiments, the display module 1201 further... A step of switching the first fill color of a button control component having a basic appearance style to a second fill color, A step of switching a first pattern displayed on a button control member having a basic appearance style to a second pattern, A step of switching a first brightness level displayed on a button control member having a basic appearance style to a second brightness level, wherein the second brightness level is greater than the first brightness level. A step of switching the transparency of a button control member having a basic appearance style from a first transparency to a second transparency, It is used to perform at least one of the following steps: switching a first shape of a button control member having a basic appearance style to a second shape.

[0142] In some embodiments, the display module 1201 is used to display prompt content around a button control member having an extended appearance style after switching the extended appearance style to a basic appearance style, and the prompt content is used to describe the skill corresponding to the third activity.

[0143] In some embodiments, the display module 1201 is The process involves switching a button control component with a basic appearance style from its basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, then, in response to a third trigger operation on the button control component with the extended appearance style, performing a hold process for the skill corresponding to the third activity, and then switching the button control component with the extended appearance style from the extended appearance style to another appearance style, wherein the other appearance style is different from the extended appearance style. It is used to control a virtual character and execute a first activity in response to a first trigger operation on a button control member having a different appearance style, and to control a virtual character and execute a second activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having a different appearance style.

[0144] In some embodiments, the display module 1201 is In response to a third trigger operation triggered again on a button control member having a different appearance style, the button control member having a different appearance style is switched from the other appearance style to the extended appearance style. It is used to control a virtual character and execute a third activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having an extended appearance style.

[0145] In some embodiments, the display module 1201 is used to switch a button control member having a basic appearance style from a basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, and then, in response to a fourth trigger operation on the button control member having an extended appearance style, to cancel the skill corresponding to the third activity and switch the button control member having an extended appearance style back from an extended appearance style to a basic appearance style.

[0146] In some embodiments, the display module 1201 is used to control a virtual character to perform a third activity, and then to switch a button control member having an extended appearance style from the extended appearance style to a basic appearance style.

[0147] Figure 13 shows a structural block diagram of a computer device 1300 provided by one exemplary embodiment of the present application. The computer device 1300 may be a portable mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, tablet PC, MP3 player, and MP4 player. The computer device 1300 may also be referred to by other names, such as user device and portable terminal.

[0148] Typically, computer equipment 1300 includes a processor 1301 and memory 1302.

[0149] The processor 1301 may include one or more processing cores, for example, a 4-core processor and an 8-core processor. The processor 1301 can be implemented using at least one hardware form from among a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a PLA (Programmable Logic Array). The processor 1301 may include a main processor and a coprocessor, the main processor being a processor used to process data in the wake-up state and also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the coprocessor being a low-power processor used to process data in the standby state. In some embodiments, the processor 1301 may have a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) integrated into it, which is used to render and draw content that needs to be displayed on a display screen. In some embodiments, the processor 1301 may further include an AI (Artificial Intelligence) processor, which is used to process computational operations related to machine learning.

[0150] The memory 1302 may include one or more computer-readable storage media, which may be tangible or non-temporary. The memory 1302 may further include high-speed random-access memory and non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices and flash memory storage devices. In some embodiments, the non-temporary computer-readable storage media in the memory 1302 is used to store at least one instruction, which is executed by the processor 1301 to realize a method for controlling a virtual character provided in the present application.

[0151] In some embodiments, the computer device 1300 optionally further includes a peripheral device interface 1303 and at least one peripheral device. Specifically, the peripheral device includes at least one of a radio frequency circuit 1304, a touch display screen 1305, and a power supply 1306.

[0152] In some embodiments, the computer device 1300 further includes one or more sensors 1307, which include, but are not limited to, an accelerometer 1308, a gyroscope 1309, and a pressure sensor 1310.

[0153] As those skilled in the art will understand, the structure shown in Figure 13 is not a limitation on the computer equipment 1300 and may include more or fewer components than those shown, or may be a combination of some components, or may employ a different arrangement of components.

[0154] The present invention further provides a computer device comprising a processor and memory, wherein at least one segment of a program is stored in the storage medium, and the at least one segment of the program is loaded and executed by the processor to realize the virtual character control method provided in each of the above embodiments of the method.

[0155] The present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium in which at least one program segment is stored, and the program segment is loaded and executed by a processor to realize the virtual character control method provided in each of the above embodiments of the method.

[0156] The present invention further provides a computer program product that, when the computer program product is run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the virtual character control method provided in each of the above embodiments of the method.

[0157] It should be understood that "plural" as used herein refers to two or more things. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that three types of relationships are possible. For example, A, and / or B can represent three situations: A existing alone, A and B existing together, and B existing alone. The letter " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0158] As those skilled in the art will understand, all or some of the steps of the above embodiments may be completed by hardware, or by a program that instructs the relevant hardware to complete the steps, and the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the storage medium being read-only memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, etc.

[0159] The foregoing is merely a selection of possible embodiments of the Application and is not intended to limit it. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the Application should all be included within the scope of protection of the Application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0160] 100 Computer Systems 110 terminals 111 Client terminals 112 users 120 servers 121 processors 122 Object Account Database 123 Battle Service Module 124 Object-Oriented I / O Interfaces 130 devices 201 Virtual Environment 202 Virtual Characters 203 Button control component 204 Button control component 401 Button control component 402 Button control component 501 Button control component 502 Button control component 901 Button control component 902 Button control component 903 Hold Identifier 1201 Display Module 1202 Executable Module 1300 Computer equipment 1301 Processor 1302 memory 1303 Peripheral Interface 1304 Radio frequency circuit 1305 Touchscreen Display 1306 Power supply 1307 Sensor 1308 Accelerometer 1309 Gyroscope Sensor 1310 Pressure Sensor

Claims

1. A method for controlling a virtual character, wherein the method is performed by a computer device, and the method is The steps include displaying a virtual character located in a virtual environment and a button control member having a basic appearance style, The steps include: controlling the virtual character to execute a first activity in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style; and controlling the virtual character to execute a second activity in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style; If the virtual environment and / or the virtual character satisfies pre-set conditions, the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, A method for controlling a virtual character, comprising the steps of controlling the virtual character to perform a third activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having the extended appearance style.

2. The aforementioned pre-set conditions include at least two pre-set conditions, and the at least two pre-set conditions are associated with different extended appearance styles. If the virtual environment and / or the virtual character satisfies the pre-set conditions, the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style is: The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first preset condition if the virtual environment and / or the virtual character satisfies a first preset condition among the at least two preset conditions.

3. The aforementioned pre-set conditions are associated with at least two skills, and each of the aforementioned skills is associated with its respective extended appearance style. If the virtual environment and / or the virtual character satisfies the pre-set conditions, the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style is: If the virtual environment and / or the virtual character satisfies the pre-set conditions, the step of displaying selection control members corresponding to at least two skills around the button control member having a basic appearance style, The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: in response to a selection operation for a first skill among the at least two skills on the selection control member, canceling the display of the selection control member and switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first skill.

4. The aforementioned method, The method according to claim 3, further comprising the steps of canceling the display of the selection control member and, if no selection operation is triggered on the selection control member and the display time length of the selection control member reaches a fourth time length, switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with the first skill by default.

5. The aforementioned pre-set conditions are associated with at least two skills, and each of the aforementioned skills is associated with its respective extended appearance style. If the virtual environment and / or the virtual character satisfies the pre-set conditions, the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style is: The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of randomly switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to a first extended appearance style associated with a first skill among the at least two skills, if the virtual environment and / or the virtual character satisfies the pre-set conditions.

6. The aforementioned pre-set conditions are: The aforementioned virtual character uses the specified virtual item, The number of times the virtual character performs the first activity or the second activity within a first time period exceeds the threshold, The damage value output by the virtual character performing the first activity or the second activity within the second time period is higher than the damage threshold, The cooldown time length of the skill corresponding to the third activity reaches the third time length, The virtual character defeats other objects in the virtual environment, The life value of the aforementioned virtual character is higher than the life threshold, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one of the following: the virtual environment supports the execution of the third activity.

7. The step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style is, A step of switching the first fill color of the button control member having a basic appearance style to a second fill color, A step of switching a first pattern displayed on the button control member having a basic appearance style to a second pattern, A step of switching a first brightness level displayed on a button control member having a basic appearance style to a second brightness level, wherein the second brightness level is greater than the first brightness level. A step of switching the transparency of the button control member having a basic appearance style from a first transparency to a second transparency, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one step of switching the first shape of the button control member having a basic appearance style to a second shape.

8. After the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, the method The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the step of displaying prompt content around a button control member having the extended appearance style, wherein the prompt content is used to describe a skill corresponding to the third activity.

9. After the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, A step of performing a hold process for a skill corresponding to the third activity in response to a third trigger operation on a button control member having the extended appearance style, and switching the button control member having the extended appearance style from the extended appearance style to another appearance style, wherein the other appearance style is different from the extended appearance style, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the steps of controlling the virtual character to perform the first activity in response to a first trigger operation on a button control member having the other appearance style, and controlling the virtual character to perform the second activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having the other appearance style.

10. The aforementioned method, In response to the third trigger operation being triggered again on the button control member having the other appearance style, the step of switching the button control member having the other appearance style from the other appearance style to the extended appearance style, The method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of controlling the virtual character to perform the third activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having the extended appearance style.

11. After the step of switching the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the steps of canceling a skill corresponding to the third activity in response to a fourth trigger operation on a button control member having the extended appearance style, and switching the button control member having the extended appearance style from the extended appearance style to the basic appearance style.

12. After the step of controlling the virtual character and performing the third activity, The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising the step of switching a button control member having the extended appearance style from the extended appearance style to the basic appearance style.

13. A control device for virtual characters, wherein the device is deployed on a computer device, A display module used to display a virtual character located in a virtual environment, and a button control element having a basic appearance style, The system includes an execution module used to control the virtual character and execute a first activity in response to a first trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style, and to control the virtual character and execute a second activity in response to a second trigger operation on the button control member having a basic appearance style, The display module is used to switch the button control member having a basic appearance style from the basic appearance style to an extended appearance style if the virtual environment and / or the virtual character meets pre-set conditions. The execution module is a control device for a virtual character, used to control the virtual character and execute a third activity in response to a second trigger operation on a button control member having the extended appearance style.

14. A computer device comprising a processor and a memory, wherein at least one segment of a program is stored in the memory, and the at least one segment of the program is loaded and executed by the processor to realize the method for controlling a virtual character according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A computer-readable storage medium wherein at least one program segment is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and the program segment is loaded and executed by a processor to realize the virtual character control method described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A computer program product comprising a computer program product including a computer instruction, the computer instruction being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the processor of a computer device reading the computer instruction from the computer-readable storage medium, and the processor implementing the virtual character control method described in any one of claims 1 to 12 when executing the computer instruction.

Images