Program, information processing method and information processing system

Abstract

To provide an environment in which a player can more easily and conveniently utilize settings for improving image quality and enjoy content more. [Solution] Game processing execution means 60 executes various processes related to the game. Input operation acceptance means 62 accepts input operations related to the game from the player. Image generation means 64 generates a setting image related to whether the player will use the frame generation function. Image presentation means 66 automatically displays the setting image generated by the image generation means 64 on the output unit 16 of the game device 1 when the game is started. Processing status management means 68 checks and manages whether the frame generation process being executed by the game device 1 is being performed normally. Hardware information acquisition means 70 acquires hardware information related to the game device 1 used by the player.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Image generation technology has traditionally played an important role in content such as games. For example, Patent Document 1 (particularly paragraph 0052) discloses a technology related to so-called rendering. In this rendering method, the frame rate is determined by the performance of the hardware, so the quality of the displayed moving images may be insufficient depending on the performance of the hardware used. For this reason, in recent years, a technology (hereinafter referred to as "frame generation") has been proposed that can generate smoother moving images by inserting virtual frames using techniques such as AI (Artificial Intelligence) between frames generated according to hardware specifications, as described in, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-260271 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] "NVIDIA Announces DLSS3, Featuring Groundbreaking AI-Enabled Frame Generation for Up to 4x Performance," [online], [Retrieved September 17, 2024], Internet <https: / / www.nvidia.com / ja-jp / about-nvidia / press-releases / 2022 / nvidia-introduces-dlss-3-with-breakthrough-ai-powered-frame-generation-for-up-to-4x-performance / > [Non-patent document 2] "How to increase FPS on ROG ALLY with AMD FIDELITYFXtm SUPER RESOLUTION (FSR) and AMD FLUID MOTION FRAMES1 (AFMF)", [online], [searched September 17, 2024], Internet <https: / / rog.asus.com / jp / articles / guides / how-to-increase-fps-on-the-rog-ally-with-fsr-3-and-afmf / > [Non-patent document 3] "Intel Xe Supersampling", [online], [searched September 17, 2024], Internet <https: / / www.intel.co.jp / content / www / jp / ja / products / docs / discrete-gpus / arc / technology / xess.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, while the prior art, including the prior art documents mentioned above, does have technology for improving image quality, if it is implemented as a default in a game or the like, there is a risk that the PC will not function properly due to factors such as the performance of the driver used by the player (such as crashes or freezes), and therefore the frame generation function must be turned off under normal circumstances. Therefore, even if a frame generation function is implemented in a game or the like, the player must take the time to check certain items on a settings screen, etc., and turn the frame generation function on after considering the performance of the driver they use. In this situation, not only is it a hassle for the player to search for settings related to frame generation, but players who are not familiar with the performance of their PCs may not even be able to determine whether it is okay to turn the frame generation function on, and in many cases end up not being able to use the frame generation function.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and aims to provide an environment in which players can more easily and conveniently utilize settings for improving image quality, thereby enabling them to enjoy content more.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present disclosure provides: Information processing devices related to games, an image generating means for generating a setting image relating to a change in the setting for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation means for automatically presenting the generated setting image; It functions as the image generating means generates a new second frame based on the first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not to execute processing for improving image quality. It is a program.

[0008] In the first aspect, the image presenting means may present the setting image at a predetermined timing related to the start of the game.

[0009] In the first aspect, the image presenting means may present the setting image together with an explanation of the setting image.

[0010] In addition, in the first aspect, the above-mentioned program may further function as a first setting change means that, if normal calculation processing is not performed in the calculation processing related to generating the new second frame, does not store the setting to improve image quality, but changes the setting to not improve image quality.

[0011] In addition, in the first aspect, the above-mentioned program may further function as a first setting storage means that, when the setting to improve image quality is made and calculation processing for generating a new second frame is started, stores the setting to improve image quality after a certain period of time has elapsed since the calculation processing for generating a new second frame is started while playing back the image of the game.

[0012] In addition, in the first aspect, the above-mentioned program may further function as a second setting storage means that, when the setting to improve image quality is made and calculation processing for generating a new second frame is started, does not play the game image, but instead stores the setting to improve image quality after a certain time has elapsed since the calculation processing for generating the new second frame was started.

[0013] In addition, in the first aspect, the above-mentioned program may further function as a second setting change means that, when the game is ended, changes the setting regarding image quality improvement to the setting indicating that image quality improvement will not be performed.

[0014] Also, in the first aspect, if normal calculation processing is not performed in the calculation processing related to the generation of the new second frame, the image presentation means may not subsequently perform the processing of presenting the setting image.

[0015] In addition, in the first aspect, the program may further function as information acquisition means for acquiring device information related to the performance of the arithmetic processing of the information processing device related to the game, The image generation means may perform a process of generating the setting image when the device information of the target information processing device differs from the device information obtained in the past when the calculation process for generating the new second frame was not performed normally.

[0016] In the first aspect, the image presenting means may present an image that prompts the user to update the driver of the target information processing device to the latest version.

[0017] In addition, in the first aspect, the above-mentioned program may further function as a change means for changing the frequency of newly generated second frames depending on the processing status of the game when the setting is made to improve image quality.

[0018] In the first aspect, the image presenting means may not execute the process of presenting the setting image when the acquired device information does not satisfy a predetermined condition.

[0019] A second aspect of the present disclosure is An information processing method executed by an information processing device related to a game, an image generation step of generating a setting image relating to a change in settings for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation step of automatically presenting the generated setting image; Including, the image generating step generates the setting image relating to setting as to whether or not a second frame is to be newly generated from a first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware; It is an information processing method.

[0020] A third aspect of the present disclosure is An information processing system for a game, an image generating means for generating a setting image relating to a change in the setting for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation means for automatically presenting the generated setting image; Equipped with the image generating means generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not a second frame is to be newly generated from a first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware; It is an information processing system.

[0021] An information processing method and an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are also provided as an information processing method or an information processing system corresponding to a program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present disclosure, an environment can be provided in which players can more easily and conveniently utilize settings for improving image quality, thereby enabling them to enjoy content more. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a game device that constitutes an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a game device and a server that constitute an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a game device constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on a game device constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a diagram showing an example different from the example of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of various processes executed by a game device constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] [Embodiment] First, before describing the embodiment of the present invention, a brief description will be given of frame generation in an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "the system"). As described above, the frame generation in this system is a technology that can generate smoother moving images by inserting virtual frames between frames generated according to hardware specifications using technology such as AI (Artificial Intelligence). Specifically, the technologies described in the above-mentioned Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3 are examples of typical frame generation technologies. Such a frame generation technique has the following advantages, for example: (1) Processing can be performed with less load than achieving a high frame rate due to the performance of the hardware. (2) Even if the hardware performance is not that high, it is possible to generate smooth moving images similar to those generated by high-performance hardware. In other words, the frame generation technology does not depend on the performance of the hardware, and can generate high-quality images using only software processing. Given these advantages, frame generation technology is expected to be widely used in games and other applications. However, even when frame generation is performed, although the processing load is somewhat lower than with normal rendering, there are still many cases where frame generation processing is not performed correctly (hereinafter referred to as a "crash") depending on the performance of the driver used by the user playing the game (hereinafter referred to as the "player"). One of the purposes of this system is to provide an environment in which players can easily and conveniently use frame generation functions, while taking into consideration the possibility of such crashes. The first frame in the claims of this application refers to a frame generated by the above-mentioned hardware specifications, and the second frame in the claims of this application refers to a frame virtually generated by the above-mentioned AI or other technology.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the system includes a game device 1 and a server 2. The game device 1 and the server 2 are connected to each other via a predetermined network N such as the Internet. However, the network N is not an essential component, and other technologies such as NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and LAN (Local Area Network) may also be used. Note that hereinafter, when simply referring to an "image," it is intended to include both a "moving image" and a "still image."

[0026] The game device 1 is used by a player who wishes to use the services of this system. The game device 1 may be a general-purpose home game console, a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet, or the like. The game device 1 executes various processes required for the game to progress.

[0027] The server 2 is managed by an administrator of the system, etc. The server 2 is configured by a general-purpose PC, etc. The server 2 stores and manages various information required for the progress of the game while communicating with the game device 1, etc.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a game device that constitutes an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the game device 1 includes a control unit 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a bus 14, an input / output interface 15, an output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20.

[0030] The control unit 11 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU, a GPU, a semiconductor memory, etc. The control unit 11 executes various processes according to a program recorded in a ROM 12 or a program loaded from a storage unit 18 to a RAM 13. The RAM 13 also stores information necessary for the control unit 11 to execute various processes as needed.

[0031] The control unit 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected to one another via a bus 14. An input / output interface 15 is also connected to this bus 14. An output unit 16, an input unit 17, a memory unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a drive 20 are connected to the input / output interface 15.

[0032] The output unit 16 outputs image information, audio information, etc. to a display, a speaker, etc. The image information or audio information output by the output unit 16 is output from the display, the speaker, etc. in a form that can be recognized by a person as an image or audio.

[0033] The input unit 17 is, for example, a game controller, and inputs various information in response to input operations by the player.

[0034] The storage unit 18 is configured with a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc., and stores various information. For example, the storage unit 18 stores various game programs, save data, account information, etc., which are necessary for progressing through the game.

[0035] The communication unit 19 controls mutual communications with other hardware and the like via a network N including the Internet.

[0036] The drive 20 is provided as needed. Removable media 31, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or semiconductor memory, is appropriately attached to the drive 20. Various programs for executing the game are stored in the removable media 31. The programs read from the removable media 31 by the drive 20 are installed in the storage unit 18 as needed. Furthermore, the removable medium 31 can also store various types of information stored in the storage unit 18 in the same manner as the storage unit 18.

[0037] Here, the hardware configuration of the server 2 can be basically the same as the hardware configuration of the game device 1, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a game device and a server that constitute an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 of the game device 1 executes various programs and functions as a game processing execution means 60, an input operation receiving means 62, an image generation means 64, an image presentation means 66, a processing status management means 68, a hardware information acquisition means 70, and an output control means 72.

[0039] The game processing execution means 60 of the game device 1 executes various processes related to the game. Specifically, the game processing execution means 60 reads virtual game space objects and textures included in the game information from a storage unit (not shown) in accordance with various input operations by the player, etc., and generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional images, sounds, etc. related to the game while executing the game program. In other words, the game processing execution means 60 controls the progress of the game by generating and managing game images of the game based on the input operations and the position and angle of the virtual camera. Furthermore, the game processing execution means 60 transmits various pieces of information relating to the game to the server 2 as appropriate.

[0040] The input operation receiving means 62 receives input operations related to the game from the player. The information regarding the input operation received by the input operation receiving means 62 (hereinafter referred to as "input operation information") includes information regarding the type of button or analog stick on which the input operation was performed, information regarding the time when the input operation was performed, information regarding the number of times it was pressed, etc.

[0041] The image generating means 64 generates a setting image relating to a change in the setting for improving the image quality of the image. The image generating means 64 generates a new second frame based on the first frame generated within the limits defined by the hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting for whether or not to execute processing for improving the image quality. Specifically, the image generation means 64 generates a game image (hereinafter referred to as a "setting image") relating to the setting of whether or not the player will use the frame generation function. An example of the setting image related to this system will be described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0042] The image presenting means 66 automatically presents the generated setting image. Specifically, the image presenting means 66 automatically displays the setting image generated by the image generating means 64 on the output unit 16 of the game device 1, for example, at the timing when the game is started.

[0043] The processing status management means 68 checks and manages the status of various processes related to frame generation. Specifically, the processing status management means 68 checks and manages whether various processes related to frame generation (hereinafter referred to as "frame generation processes") executed by the game device 1 are being performed normally. The processing status management means 68 also stores the contents of settings related to frame generation. Here, the processing status management means 68 is provided with a setting change means 80 . If normal calculation processing is not performed in the calculation processing for generating the new second frame, the setting change means 80 does not store the setting for improving image quality, but changes it to the setting for not improving image quality. Specifically, if the frame generation process is not performed normally (for example, if a crash occurs), the setting change means 80 does not store the player's settings regarding frame generation and forcibly changes the settings to one in which frame generation is not performed. This allows the system to start the game normally when restarting it, even if a crash occurs due to frame generation.

[0044] The hardware information acquisition means 70 acquires device information related to the performance of the arithmetic processing of the information processing device related to the game. Specifically, the hardware information acquisition means 70 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as hardware information) related to the game device 1 (particularly the driver) used by the player. The hardware information includes, for example, the driver's product number, manufacturing date, product brand, etc., and the system acquires the hardware information by, for example, cloning the Internet.

[0045] The output control means 72 executes various processes for displaying on the output unit 16 various game images, sounds, etc. generated by the game process execution means 60 .

[0046] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 100 of the server 2 executes various programs and the like, thereby causing a game information management means 120 to function.

[0047] The game information management means 120 of the server 2 manages various information and executes various processes required for the progress of the game by the game device 1. Specifically, for example, the game information management means 120 executes authentication of account information transmitted from the game device 1, distribution of game information in response to a download request from the game device 1, and the like.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a game device constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 4, a message is displayed stating, "You can use a frame generation function to smooth the rendering on the screen. Do you want to enable this function?" The player selects "Yes" in response to this message through an input operation. The system may present such a setting image as a game image, for example, when starting a game, to allow the player to select whether or not to use the frame generation function. By automatically presenting such an image and allowing the player to select frame generation settings, the system can provide the player with an opportunity to easily use the frame generation function. Note that in the example of FIG. 4, the system executes processing related to the generation of all game images (generation of normal game images and generation of virtual game images) after the player selects the use of frame generation. That is, in the method illustrated in FIG. 4, the on / off setting for frame generation is determined before generating game images to be rendered, and game images to be rendered are not generated before determining whether or not to turn frame generation on. This allows the system to present smooth game images using frame generation without causing the player to feel uncomfortable.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a game device constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a diagram illustrating an example different from the example of FIG. 4. In the example of FIG. 5, while a moving image in a game is being played, a message is displayed saying, "You can use a frame generation function to smooth the rendering on the screen. Would you like to enable this function?" In the example of FIG. 5, the system generates normal game images without using frame generation, and then generates game images using the frame generation function after the player selects the use of frame generation. In other words, in the method illustrated in FIG. 5, game image rendering is performed even before the on / off decision is made on frame generation. This allows the system to reduce the startup load compared to the example of FIG. 4. Note that, since various programs are running simultaneously when a game is launched, reducing the startup load has the advantage of not interfering with the execution of those programs. The system may employ either the processing method illustrated in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 to perform frame generation processing. Note that the present system is not limited to the examples of Figures 4 and 5, and may generate and present a setting image to the player at any time during the game, such as after a character is generated, after the opening scene ends, or after a specific event ends.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing executed by a game device constituting an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] In step S1, the image generation means 64 generates a new second frame based on the first frame generated within the limits defined by the hardware, and generates the setting image relating to whether or not to perform processing to improve image quality.

[0052] In step S2, the image presentation means 66 automatically displays the setting image generated by the image generation means 64 on the output unit 16 of the game device 1, for example, at the timing when the game is started.

[0053] In step S3, the input operation receiving means 62 receives an input operation from the player regarding the use of frame generation, and determines the content of the input operation. If the player's input operation is an input operation indicating that frame generation will not be performed, the input operation receiving means 62 determines NO in step S3, and the processing ends immediately. On the other hand, if the player's input operation is an input operation for generating a frame, the input operation receiving means 62 determines YES in step S3, and the process proceeds to step S4.

[0054] In step S4, the processing status management means 68 checks whether the frame generation processing being executed by the game device 1 is being performed normally, and manages the processing. If the frame generation process is not performed normally, the process status management means 68 determines NO in step S4, and the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the frame generation process is performed normally, the process status management means 68 determines YES in step S4, and the process proceeds to S6.

[0055] In step S5, if the frame generation process is not performed normally, the setting change means 80 forcibly changes the setting relating to frame generation to a setting that does not use frame generation.

[0056] In step S6, the processing status management means 68 stores the settings related to frame generation, thereby completing the various processes related to the use of the frame generation function executed by the game device 1.

[0057] The above describes one embodiment of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure.

[0058] [Other embodiments] In the above embodiment, the system is described as not storing the setting for using the frame generation function and changing it to a setting that does not use frame generation if the frame generation process is not performed normally, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the system may adopt the following specifications for using the frame generation function. (1) The system may continue playing game images while storing a setting to use frame generation after a certain time has elapsed since the frame generation process started. In this way, if the system crashes immediately during frame generation, the system will not store the setting to use frame generation in the first place, and the setting not to use the frame generation function will be applied the next time the system is started, allowing the game to start normally the next time. (2) The system may execute the frame generation process without playing game images, and may store a setting to use frame generation only if no problems occur in the process for a certain period of time. When the system determines that no problems occur in the process for a certain period of time, it may present a message to the player, such as "Initial settings completed," and store the setting for using the frame generation function together with the image displayed. (3) When the game ends, the system may forcibly change the setting to one that does not use the frame generation function at all times. This allows the system to more reliably reduce the risk of crashes, etc. Note that the end of the game here may include, for example, when the game ends due to a program malfunction or when the game is ended by the player.

[0059] Furthermore, although not described in the above embodiment, the present system may adopt a specification that, if the frame generation process is not performed normally, the setting image is not presented to the player thereafter. However, the setting image referred to here is, for example, the setting image related to the present system shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 above, and does not necessarily include a general-purpose setting screen or the like on which the player can arbitrarily switch whether or not to use frame generation. In other words, the present system may adopt a specification that, if the frame generation process is not performed normally, the setting image is not presented to the player thereafter, or may accept frame generation settings made by the player as part of a general-purpose setting screen.

[0060] Although not described in the above embodiment, the causes of crashes that generally occur when generating frames will be explained below. (1) The program may not work correctly due to incompatibility between the program that defines the frame generation process and the driver you are using. (2) Older drivers, in particular, often lack the necessary optimizations, which can lead to poor frame generation performance and bugs in frame generation, which often result in crashes. (3) Older drivers, in particular, may contain known bugs or problems. When combined with a new program called frame generation, these bugs or problems may become apparent and lead to a crash. This system takes into account the risk of crashes that can occur due to such causes, and is equipped with various features that reduce the likelihood of a crash, while minimizing the impact on subsequent game launches if a crash does occur.

[0061] Although not described in the above embodiment, the present system may change the frequency of newly generated frames (images) during frame generation depending on the game situation, etc. Typically, immediately after launching a game, various game program processes are performed, resulting in a high processing load. Performing frame generation in such a situation, including the present system, carries the risk of further increasing the processing load. Therefore, the present system may be configured to change the target frame rate for frame generation depending on the game progress (processing load), for example, by setting a low target frame rate even when performing frame generation from game launch until the title screen is displayed, and then increasing the target frame rate after the title screen is displayed. Specifically, for example, the present system may set a low target frame rate (e.g., 60 fps) when performing frame generation upon game launch, and a high target frame rate (e.g., 120 fps) when performing frame generation upon displaying the title screen.

[0062] Furthermore, although not explained in the above-described embodiments (particularly the embodiments of Figures 4 and 5), the present system may, for example, present a message urging the user to update the driver of game device 1 to the latest version as part of the setting image or together with the setting image.

[0063] Furthermore, although not explained in the above-described embodiments (particularly the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5), the present system may, for example, present a message explaining the frame generation function as part of the setting image or together with the setting image. Note that the explanation regarding the frame generation function referred to here may be, for example, an explanation such as "makes the drawing on the screen smooth" as in the example of FIG. 5. The present system may also present the player with any explanation regarding frame generation, such as, for example, "frame generation is the generation of virtual frames using technology such as AI."

[0064] In the above embodiment, the system has been described as acquiring driver information for the game device 1 as hardware information, but this is not limited to this. For example, the system may also acquire information related to a control device (such as a GPU) as information related to the performance of the arithmetic processing of the game device 1. For example, if the system determines from information about the GPU of the game device 1 that the GPU does not have the performance to withstand frame generation (for example, an old GPU), it may not present the setting image described above, but may present a message different from the setting image described above. In such a case, the system may present to the player a message such as, "Since your PC is not compatible, the game will be run with frame generation turned off."

[0065] Furthermore, although not described in the above embodiment, the present system may change the frame generation technology employed depending on the type of control device (e.g., GPU) used by the player. As described above, frame generation does not mean a single technology; there are multiple different technologies with various different characteristics. Therefore, the present system may select and apply the most appropriate frame generation technology from multiple frame generation technologies depending on the type of control device (e.g., GPU) used by the player, for example.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the frame generation in the present system has been described as generating virtual frames using technology such as AI, but this is not limited to this. The present system does not necessarily need to use AI for frame generation. For example, the present system may generate frames without using a trained model, for example, by simply substituting values ​​derived from frames generated according to hardware specifications into a prepared algorithm and calculating values ​​for new frames.

[0067] Furthermore, although not explained in the above embodiment, the game may be executed by any hardware, such as a home game console such as a PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as a Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), various game consoles designed for commercial use, or electronic devices such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet.

[0068] Although not described in the above embodiment, the content of the game to which the present system is applied is not limited. The present system may be applied to any game, such as a first-person shooter (FPS), a third-person shooter (TPS), a role-playing game (RPG), an action game (including so-called open world games), a simulation game, a sports game, a card game, a battle royale (symmetric or asymmetric), a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), a music game, a fighting game, or a quiz game.

[0069] Although not described in the above embodiment, the present system is also applicable to so-called VR (Virtual Reality) games and AR (Augmented Reality) games.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the game is described as being intended to be played by one person, but this is not limited to this. The game may be a so-called multiplayer game in which multiple players participate, rather than a solo game.

[0071] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the game has been described as having the ultimate goal of clearing the game, but this is not limited thereto. The game may be a game that does not require clearing the game.

[0072] The above-described series of processes can be executed by hardware or software. In other words, the functional configurations in FIG. 3 and the like are merely examples and are not particularly limited. That is, it is sufficient that the information processing system is provided with a function that can execute the above-described series of processes as a whole, and the type of functional block used to realize this function is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, the location of the functional block is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 3, and may be arbitrary. Furthermore, one functional block may be configured by hardware alone, by software alone, or by a combination of these.

[0073] Specifically, for example, in this system, multiple game devices 1 may be connected by a method such as P2P (Peer to Peer), and various processes executed by the server 2 in the above-described embodiment may be performed by other game devices 1. In other words, in this system, the server 2 is not an essential component and is not limited thereto.

[0074] Furthermore, the number of various hardware components constituting this system and the number of users are optional, and the system may also include other hardware components.

[0075] Furthermore, when a series of processes is executed by software, the programs that make up the software are installed into a computer or the like from a network or a recording medium.

[0076] The computer may also be a computer that is built into dedicated hardware, or a computer that can execute various functions by installing various programs. That is, for example, the various hardware in the above-described embodiments may be freely adopted as any computer, any mobile terminal such as a smartphone, any game console, etc. Furthermore, any combination of types and contents of various input units and various output units may be adopted.

[0077] Furthermore, the recording medium containing such a program may be configured not only as a removable medium (not shown) provided separately from the device main body in order to provide the program to the player, etc., but also as a recording medium provided to the player in a state where it is pre-installed in the device main body.

[0078] Furthermore, in this specification, each step in a program stored on a storage medium does not necessarily have to be processed chronologically in the order described in the above embodiment, but may be processed in a different order, or some processing may be omitted and only some processing may be executed in parallel or individually.

[0079] In addition, in this specification, the term "system" refers to an overall device that is made up of a plurality of devices or a plurality of means.

[0080] The effects of this embodiment can be achieved even when these other embodiments are adopted. Furthermore, this embodiment can be combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate.

[0081] To summarize the above, the information processing system to which the present disclosure is applied can take on a variety of different embodiments having the following configurations. Information processing devices related to games, Image generating means (e.g., image generating means 64) for generating a setting image relating to a change in the setting for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation means (for example, image presentation means 66) that automatically presents the generated setting image; It functions as the image generating means generates a new second frame based on the first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not to execute processing for improving image quality. A program is enough.

[0082] That is, the image generating means 64 functions as an image generating means. The image presentation means 66 functions as an image presentation means.

[0083] This allows players to easily use functions related to improving image quality, and allows them to enjoy the game even more. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1. Game device 11 Control section 60 Game processing execution means 62 Input operation acceptance means 64 Image generation means 66 Image presentation means 68 Processing status management measures 80 Setting change method 70 Hardware information acquisition methods 72 Output control means 2 Server 100 control section 120 Game information management means

Claims

1. Information processing devices related to games, an image generating means for generating a setting image relating to a change in the setting for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation means for automatically presenting the generated setting image; It functions as the image generating means generates a new second frame based on the first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not to execute processing for improving image quality; and when a setting to improve image quality is made and a calculation process for generating a new second frame is started, the setting memory stores the setting to improve image quality after a certain time has elapsed since the calculation process for generating the new second frame is started while the image of the game is being played back. program.

2. Information processing devices related to games, an image generating means for generating a setting image relating to a change in the setting for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation means for automatically presenting the generated setting image; It functions as the image generating means generates a new second frame based on the first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not to execute processing for improving image quality; and when a setting to improve image quality is made and a calculation process for generating a new second frame is started, the image of the game is not reproduced, and after a certain time has elapsed since the calculation process for generating the new second frame is started, the setting to improve image quality is stored. program.

3. the image presenting means presents the setting image at a predetermined timing related to the start of the game. The program according to claim 1.

4. the image presentation means presents the setting image and an explanation related to the setting image together; The program according to claim 1.

5. and further functioning as a first setting change unit that, when a normal calculation process is not executed in the calculation process for generating the new second frame, does not store the setting indicating that the image quality is to be improved, and changes the setting to a setting indicating that the image quality is not to be improved. The program according to claim 1.

6. and further functioning as a second setting change means for changing the setting relating to the improvement of image quality to the setting relating to no improvement of image quality when the game is ended. The program according to claim 1.

7. When a normal calculation process is not executed in the calculation process for generating the new second frame, the image presenting means does not subsequently execute a process for presenting the setting image. The program according to claim 1.

8. further functioning as information acquisition means for acquiring device information relating to the performance of the arithmetic processing of the information processing device relating to the game; the image generation means executes a process of generating the setting image when the device information of the target information processing device differs from the device information acquired in the past when a calculation process related to the generation of the new second frame was not normally executed. The program according to claim 1.

9. the image presenting means presents an image that prompts the user to update the driver of the target information processing device to the latest version. The program according to claim 1.

10. and when the setting to improve image quality is made, the setting further functions as a change unit that changes the frequency of the newly generated second frames in accordance with the processing status of the game. The program according to claim 1.

11. the image presenting means does not execute the process of presenting the setting image when the acquired device information does not satisfy a predetermined condition. The program according to claim 8.

12. An information processing method executed by an information processing device related to a game, an image generation step of generating a setting image relating to a change in settings for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation step of automatically presenting the generated setting image; Including, the image generating step generates a new second frame based on a first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not to execute a process for improving image quality; and a first setting storage step of, when a setting to improve image quality is made and a calculation process for generating a new second frame is started, storing the setting to improve image quality after a certain time has elapsed since the calculation process for generating the new second frame is started while playing back an image of the game. Information processing methods.

13. An information processing system for a game, an image generating means for generating a setting image relating to a change in the setting for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation means for automatically presenting the generated setting image; Equipped with the image generating means generates a new second frame based on the first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not to execute processing for improving image quality; and a first setting storage means for storing, when a setting to improve image quality is made and a calculation process for generating a new second frame is started, a setting to improve image quality after a certain time has elapsed since the calculation process for generating the new second frame is started while playing back an image of the game. Information processing system.

14. An information processing method executed by an information processing device related to a game, comprising: an image generation step of generating a setting image relating to a change in settings for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation step of automatically presenting the generated setting image; Including, the image generating step generates a new second frame based on a first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not to execute a process for improving image quality; and a second setting storage step of, when a setting to improve image quality is made and a calculation process for generating a new second frame is started, not reproducing the game image, but storing a setting to improve image quality after a certain time has elapsed since the start of the calculation process for generating the new second frame. Information processing methods.

15. An information processing system for a game, an image generating means for generating a setting image relating to a change in the setting for improving the image quality of the image; an image presentation means for automatically presenting the generated setting image; Equipped with the image generating means generates a new second frame based on the first frame generated within a range of limitations defined by hardware, and generates the setting image relating to a setting as to whether or not to execute processing for improving image quality; and a second setting storage means for storing a setting to improve image quality when a setting to improve image quality is made and a calculation process for generating a new second frame is started, without playing back an image of the game, and after a certain time has elapsed since the start of the calculation process for generating the new second frame, the setting to improve image quality is Information processing system.

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