Game programs, game devices, game systems

Abstract

To provide a game program capable of improving operability.SOLUTION: A game program allows a control section 56 to function as operation reception means 562, game execution means 563, and display means 566. The operation reception means receives a user's first operation input, and specifies a start point piece and an end point piece on the basis of the first operation input. The game execution means 563 specifies a middle piece that satisfies a matching condition after specifying the end piece, and executes a game for erasing the middle piece. The display means 566 recommends second operation input different from the first operation input to a user after specifying the start point piece and before specifying the end point piece.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The game device described in Patent Document 1 displays a plurality of pieces within a predetermined area of a display screen, and when the user performs an operation of selecting any one of the plurality of pieces, the pieces that can be continuously selected from the selected piece are displayed in a manner different from other pieces.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the game described in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in terms of its operability. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a game program, a game device, and a game system capable of improving operability.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A first aspect is to cause a computer to display means for displaying a puzzle board surface on which a plurality of pieces are arranged, operation reception means for receiving a first operation input of a user with respect to the puzzle board surface, and based on the first operation input, after specifying a first piece serving as a starting point from among the plurality of pieces, specifying a second piece serving as an end point from among the plurality of pieces, A game execution means that, after the second piece has been identified, identifies a third piece from among the plurality of pieces that satisfies predetermined matching conditions based on the positional relationship between the first piece and the second piece, and executes a game that changes the state of at least the third piece on the puzzle board, After the first piece has been identified and before the second piece has been identified, the output means functions as an outputting means that outputs recommendation information recommending to the user a second operation input that is different from the first operation input and capable of identifying a fourth piece that satisfies the matching condition separately from the first piece, the second piece, and the third piece. This is a game program.

[0006] In the first aspect, when the puzzle board on which the first operation input is performed is defined as the current puzzle board, and the puzzle board expected after changing the state of the fourth piece on the current puzzle board is defined as the expected puzzle board, The output means can output the recommended information on the current puzzle board, provided that the matching conditions are more favorable when at least one of the second and third pieces is identified based on its positional relationship with the first piece and the state of the third piece is changed in the predicted puzzle board so as to satisfy the matching conditions, compared to when at least one of the second and third pieces is identified based on its positional relationship with the first piece and the state of the third piece is changed in the current puzzle board so as to satisfy the matching conditions.

[0007] In the first aspect, the condition under which the matching condition is favorable is that the number of third pieces that change in the predicted puzzle board satisfies a predetermined condition with respect to the number of third pieces that change in the current puzzle board. In the first aspect, the display means can display the fourth piece to be selected by the second operation input in a manner recognizable to the user as recommended information.

[0008] In the first aspect, when the puzzle board on which the first operation input is performed is defined as the current puzzle board, and the puzzle board expected after changing the state of the fourth piece on the current puzzle board is defined as the expected puzzle board, The display means can display a fifth piece on the current puzzle board that does not correspond to any of the first, second, or third pieces, and that is expected to newly satisfy the matching condition based on its positional relationship with the first piece on the predicted puzzle board, in a manner recognizable to the user.

[0009] In the first aspect, the matching condition is that among the plurality of pieces, there is a piece of the same type as the first piece, and that it is possible to connect it to the first piece in a single continuous line on the puzzle board. The display means can display a sixth piece on the puzzle board that is of the same type as the first piece and is arranged adjacent to one another, but does not fall under either the candidate for the second piece or the candidate for the third piece, in a way that the user can recognize.

[0010] In the first aspect, the output means can output, in association with the changed third piece, an effect that allows the user to recognize that the third piece has changed to satisfy the match condition based on its positional relationship with the first piece, after the second operation input has been made by the user.

[0011] In the first aspect, the output means is When the state of the third piece changes on the first puzzle board, which is the puzzle board on which the first operation input was performed, the first performance is performed. In the second puzzle board, which is the puzzle board after the user has performed the second operation input on the first puzzle board and the state of the fourth piece has changed, the third piece is newly identified by the game execution means, and when the state of the new third piece changes, a second performance different from the first performance can be performed.

[0012] In the first aspect, the computer is, It can be further configured to function as a reward granting means that grants a reward to the user based on the fact that the second operation input is performed. In the first aspect, the operation receiving means can receive an operation to deselect the first piece after the recommendation information has been output and before the second piece has been selected.

[0013] In the first aspect, the operation receiving means can identify the first piece based on the first operation input, and after identifying the second piece, it can automatically identify a third piece that satisfies the matching condition from among the plurality of pieces based on the positional relationship between the first piece and the second piece, regardless of the user's operations on the puzzle board during the period from the time the first piece is identified until the second piece is identified.

[0014] The second side has a display section that shows the puzzle board with multiple pieces arranged, An operation receiving unit receives a first operation input from the user on the puzzle board, identifies a first piece that will be the starting point from among the plurality of pieces based on the first operation input, and then identifies a second piece that will be the ending point from among the plurality of pieces. A game execution unit that, after the second piece has been identified, identifies a third piece from among the plurality of pieces that satisfies predetermined matching conditions based on the positional relationship between the first piece and the second piece, and executes a game that changes the state of at least the third piece on the puzzle board, After the first piece is specified and before the second piece is specified, an output unit that outputs recommendation information for recommending to the user a second operation input that is different from the first operation input and that can specify a fourth piece that satisfies the matching condition separately from the first piece, the second piece, and the third piece It is a game device.

[0015] The third side surface includes a display unit that displays a puzzle board surface on which a plurality of pieces are arranged. An operation reception unit that receives a first operation input by the user for the puzzle board surface, and after specifying a first piece as a starting point from among the plurality of pieces based on the first operation input, specifies a second piece as an end point from among the plurality of pieces. After the second piece is specified, a game execution unit that specifies a third piece that satisfies a predetermined matching condition from among the plurality of pieces based on the positional relationship between the first piece and the second piece, and executes a game that changes at least the state of the third piece on the puzzle board surface. After the first piece is specified and before the second piece is specified, an output unit that outputs recommendation information for recommending to the user a second operation input that is different from the first operation input and that can specify a fourth piece that satisfies the matching condition separately from the first piece, the second piece, and the third piece It is a game system.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a game program, a game device, and a game system that can improve operability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the game system of the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram schematically showing an outline of the game of the embodiment. [Figure 3] (A) and (B) are diagrams schematically showing the outline of the puzzle game of the embodiment. [Figure 4] (A) and (B) are diagrams schematically showing the outline of the puzzle game of the embodiment. [Figure 5] It is an example of a screen displayed on the display during the game of the embodiment. [Figure 6] It is an example of a screen displayed on the display during the game of the embodiment. [Figure 7] It is an example of a screen displayed on the display during the game of the embodiment. [Figure 8] It is an example of a screen displayed on the display during the game of the embodiment. [Figure 9] (A) and (B) are diagrams schematically showing an example of the predicted puzzle board. [Figure 10] It is an example of a screen displayed on the display during the game of the embodiment. [Figure 11] It is an example of a screen displayed on the display during the game of the embodiment. <00001...​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Embodiments of the game system 1 of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. <Game Description> In the game system 1 shown in Figure 1, a server device 2 and multiple game devices 5 are connected to each other via a communication network 6, and a game is executed on the game devices 5.

[0019] The game of this embodiment is an online game executed on game system 1, and is composed of a combination of a puzzle game G1 and a fighting game G2, as shown in Figure 2. Such games are played using a game device 5, which is an electronic device such as a home game console like PlayStation®, a portable game console like Nintendo Switch®, or a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. The following example illustrates the case where the game device 5 is a smartphone.

[0020] <Overview of Game System 1> As shown in Figure 1, the game system 1 consists of a server device 2 and multiple game devices 5. The server device 2 stores the game program and game data, and manages the game data of the game devices 5, more specifically, the game data for each account.

[0021] The game device 5 executes the game based on user input. To do this, the game device 5 receives, specifically downloads and installs, the game program and game data from the server device 2 via the communication network 6. Each user is assigned account information, including identification information and a password, associated with the game device 5. This account information is transmitted from the game device 5 to the server device 2 upon login and is used for user authentication on the server device 2.

[0022] After user authentication, communication between server device 2 and game device 5 becomes possible. After logging in, game device 5 receives data necessary for game progression, such as data related to game progress, from server device 2, and then proceeds with the game while outputting game images and sounds based on the user's input.

[0023] <Game Overview> Next, the game overview will be described. In this embodiment, the game system 1 allows the user to play a puzzle game G1 as shown in Figure 2 by operating the game device 5, and a fighting game G2 progresses in accordance with the progress of the puzzle game G1.

[0024] Puzzle game G1 involves matching pieces of the same type from a variety of pieces that appear one after another on the game screen using touch controls to remove them. Figure 2 illustrates a case where the pieces include "●", "○", "△", and "×". Fighting game G2 is a one-on-one battle between a player character C10 controlled by the user and another character C20. Hereafter, the player character C10 controlled by the user will be referred to as "the user's character C10," and the character C20 that the user character battles against will be referred to as "the opponent's character C20." The opponent's character C20 may be controlled by another user or may be a non-player character controlled by the computer. In fighting game G2, the user's character C10 performs various actions based on the progress of puzzle game G1. The progress of puzzle game G1 is determined based on, for example, the number of pieces removed in a single operation in puzzle game G1, and the types of pieces removed. For example, the more pieces removed, the higher the score, and the more powerful attacks the user can perform against the opponent's character C20.

[0025] In the fighting game G2, the user wins by reducing the opponent character C20's hit points (HP20) to a predetermined value or less (typically to zero) based on the actions of the user's character C10. Conversely, the user loses if the user's character C10's hit points (HP10) fall below a predetermined value or less (typically to zero) based on the actions of the opponent character C20.

[0026] Based on the progress of the puzzle game G1, the actions that your character C10 can perform include guarding, jabbing, special moves, and skills. Guarding blocks the opponent's moves. A jab can slightly reduce the opponent character C20's hit points (HP20), while also preventing C20 from using a special move if they are attempting to do so. A special move can significantly reduce the opponent character C20's hit points (HP20), but its activation can be prevented if C20 performs a jab. Skills are special techniques that can be activated by consuming skill points (SP10) set for your character C10, and they can reduce the opponent character C20's hit points (HP20) even more significantly than a special move. If skill points (SP10) reach zero, your character C10 will no longer be able to perform skills. Skill points (SP10) recover over time and when your character C10 is hit by an attack from the opponent character C20.

[0027] The opponent character C20 performs the same types of actions as your character C10. The opponent character C20 also has 20 skill points SP. <Configuration of Game System 1> The hardware configurations of server device 2 and game device 5 will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 1. Note that each of the multiple game devices 5 has the same configuration as the others.

[0028] <Configuration of Server Device 2> As shown in Figure 1, the server device 2 has a network interface 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The network interface 21 and the storage unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via a bus 29.

[0029] The network interface 21 is connected to each game device 5 via a communication network 6 such as the Internet and LAN, enabling communication between them. The storage unit 22 consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), and SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 22 stores various programs, including a part of the game program of this embodiment, as well as various data such as the user DB (Database) 221.

[0030] User DB221 stores user information, the game medium assigned to each user, and other related information associated with each user's identification number. User information includes information such as the username. The control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the server device 2. By executing various programs, the control unit 23 functions as an information processing means 231 and a verification means 232. These means 231 and 232 correspond to an information processing unit and a verification unit, respectively.

[0031] (Information processing means) The information processing means 231 sends and receives various data to and from each game device 5. The main data received by the information processing means 231 includes game program download request information, account information, and game data. The main data transmitted by the information processing means 231 includes information to confirm that the game device 5 has received the game program.

[0032] (Verification means) The matching means 232 authenticates the user's account using the user's identification information received from the game device 5. <Game device configuration> The game device 5 has a display 61, speakers 62, and a touchpad 63, which are either externally connected or built-in. The game device 5 also has a network interface 51, a graphics processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface 51, graphics processing unit 52, audio processing unit 53, operation unit 54, and storage unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via a bus 59.

[0033] The network interface 51 is connected to the communication network 6 in a way that allows it to send and receive various data between the game device 5 and the server device 2. The graphics processing unit 52 renders game images in video format based on game image information output from the control unit 56. The game images include characters and various objects related to the virtual game space. The graphics processing unit 52 displays the rendered game images in video format as a game screen on the display 61.

[0034] The audio processing unit 53 is connected to the speaker 62 and plays and synthesizes game audio based on instructions from the control unit 56, and outputs the game audio from the speaker 62. The control unit 54 is connected to the touchpad 63 and transmits and receives data related to operation and input to and from the touchpad 63. The user can input operation signals to the game device 5 by touching the touchpad 63.

[0035] The operation unit 54 and the display 61 in this embodiment are composed of a touch panel that combines a display function like a liquid crystal panel and an input function like a touchpad. Therefore, the user can perform various operations by touching the display 61 with their finger or the like.

[0036] The storage unit 55 consists of an HDD, SSD, RAM, and ROM. The storage unit 55 stores game data downloaded from the server device 2, various programs including parts of the game program, and account information for the game device 5. The control unit 56 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 5. By executing various programs, the control unit 56 functions as a communication means 561, an operation reception means 562, a first game execution means 563, a second game execution means 564, an audio means 565, and a display means 566. These means 561 to 566 correspond to the communication unit, operation reception unit, first game execution unit, second game execution unit, audio unit, and display unit, respectively. In addition, the audio means 565 and the display means 566 also correspond to output means and output unit.

[0037] (Means of communication) The communication means 561 communicates with the server device 2 via the network interface 51. The communication means 561 generates information that the server device 2 can understand based on various operation signals received by the operation unit 54 from the touchpad 63, and transmits that information to the server device 2. For example, the communication means 561 transmits account information and new game data download request information to the server device 2. The communication means 561 also receives new game data and other information transmitted from the server device 2 in response to the download request information.

[0038] (Operation reception means) The operation reception means 562 receives user operations via the touchpad 63, such as user operations on pieces on the puzzle board. Specifically, if the user touches one of the multiple pieces displayed on the display 61, the operation reception means 562 identifies that piece as the starting piece. In this embodiment, the starting piece corresponds to the first piece, and the touch operation performed on the starting piece corresponds to the selection operation of the first piece. When the user touches the starting piece, the operation reception means 562 acquires information about the type of piece that was touched.

[0039] For example, suppose a puzzle game G1 uses a puzzle board PB as shown in Figure 3(A). The puzzle board PB shown in Figure 3(A) has multiple pieces of two types: "●" and "△". If a user touches a predetermined "●" piece P10 on such a puzzle board PB, the operation reception means 562 determines that a touch operation has been performed on this piece P10. In this case, the operation reception means 562 identifies piece P10 as the starting piece Ps. After a touch operation is performed on the starting piece Ps(P10), the operation reception means 562 maintains a state of accepting the selection operation for the starting piece Ps(P10) for the period until the user's finger leaves the display 61.

[0040] The operation receiving means 562, after receiving an operation on the starting piece Ps(P10), extracts pieces that satisfy predetermined match conditions, in other words, pieces that are candidates for elimination, from among multiple pieces on the puzzle board PB for the starting piece Ps(P10). The predetermined match conditions are that the piece is of the same type as the starting piece and that it is possible to connect it to the starting piece in a single stroke on the puzzle board PB, and these indicate the conditions for eliminating a piece. Therefore, a piece that is a candidate for elimination can be said to be a piece that satisfies the elimination conditions for the starting piece. Hereinafter, a piece that is a candidate for elimination will be referred to as an elimination candidate piece. In the puzzle game G1 of this embodiment, the directions in which pieces can be connected in a single stroke are set to only the four directions of a cross, and diagonal directions are excluded.

[0041] For example, when a user touches piece P10 with their finger on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 3(A), the operation receiving means 562 extracts several pieces P11 to P18, which are of the same type as the starting piece Ps(P10) and can be connected to the starting piece Ps(P10) in a single stroke on the puzzle board PB, i.e., pieces with dot hatching in Figure 3(B), as candidate pieces Pc to be eliminated. If multiple single-stroke paths can be identified from the starting piece Ps, the candidate pieces Pc to be eliminated may be extracted based on the longest path, or based on all paths. Furthermore, when extracting candidate pieces Pc based on multiple paths, the candidate pieces Pc corresponding to each path may be extracted separately and displayed in different ways.

[0042] After the selection operation for the starting piece Ps (P10) is accepted, if the user maintains that state and moves their finger to one of the deletion candidate pieces Pc (P11~P18) without lifting their finger from the display 61, the operation acceptance means 562 sets the piece that the finger is touching at that time as the temporary ending piece Pt. Then, if the user lifts their finger from the temporary ending piece Pt, the operation acceptance means 562 identifies that piece as the ending piece Pf. In this embodiment, the operation of lifting the finger from a piece to confirm the ending piece Pf corresponds to the operation of identifying the second piece.

[0043] For example, if, on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 3(B), the user touches the starting piece Ps with their finger, and then, while keeping their finger in contact with the display 61, moves their finger to the candidate piece P14 to be erased, as shown in Figure 4(A), the operation receiving means 562 sets this candidate piece P14 as the temporary endpoint piece Pt. Subsequently, if, while keeping their finger in contact with the display 61, the user moves their finger further to the candidate piece P18 to be erased, as shown in Figure 4(B), the operation receiving means 562 sets this candidate piece P18 as the temporary endpoint piece Pt. In the state shown in Figure 4(B), the setting of the candidate piece P14 as the temporary endpoint piece Pt has been released.

[0044] If the user releases their finger from the candidate piece P18 in the state shown in Figure 4(B), the operation reception means 562 identifies this candidate piece P18 as the endpoint piece Pf. At this time, the operation reception means 562 determines that a user operation has been completed, with piece P10 as the starting piece Ps and piece P18 as the endpoint piece Pf. Hereafter, a user operation in which the starting piece Ps and the endpoint piece Pf are identified will simply be referred to as "a user operation".

[0045] On the other hand, after the operation receiving means 562 receives the operation to select the starting piece Ps, if the user selects a piece other than the candidate piece Pc to be deleted, the selection of the starting piece Ps is canceled. For example, in the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 3(B), if the user touches the starting piece Ps with their finger, and then, while keeping their finger in contact with the display 61, moves their finger to a piece P100 that is different from the candidate piece Pc to be eliminated, and then releases their finger on that piece P100, the selection of the starting piece Ps will be canceled. In this case, the user will need to perform the operation of selecting the starting piece on the puzzle board PB again.

[0046] (Method for executing the first game) The first game execution means 563 shown in Figure 1 executes the puzzle game G1 based on the user's operation of the touchpad 63. Specifically, the first game execution means 563 reads data such as objects and textures of the virtual game space corresponding to the puzzle game G1, which are included in the game data, from the storage unit 55 or receives them from the server device 2. The first game execution means 563 executes the game program of the puzzle game G1 using the data such as objects and textures of the virtual game space corresponding to the puzzle game G1, and generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 52, and the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 61.

[0047] For example, when the user performs an operation to confirm the endpoint piece, specifically by lifting their finger from the endpoint piece, the first game execution means 563 automatically extracts intermediate pieces from the list of candidate pieces to be eliminated that satisfy the matching conditions in terms of the relative positions of the starting piece and the endpoint piece on the puzzle board PB, and that are pieces different from the starting piece and the endpoint piece. "Automatically" means that it does not depend on the path of the user's finger touch operation when moving their finger from the starting piece to the endpoint piece. The first game execution means 563 extracts intermediate pieces in such a way that the number of pieces located between the starting piece and the endpoint piece is maximized. This is because the more intermediate pieces eliminated in a single operation, the stronger the effects of special moves and other actions activated in the fighting game G2 become.

[0048] For example, as shown in Figure 4(B), suppose the user touches piece P10 with their finger, then moves their finger linearly from piece P10 to piece P18 as indicated by arrow F, and releases their finger at piece P18. In this case, the user's operation is one in which piece P10 is the starting piece Ps and piece P18 is the ending piece Pf. At this time, regardless of the user's finger movement path indicated by arrow F, the first game execution means 563 identifies all of the candidate pieces Pc (P11~P17) to be eliminated as intermediate pieces Pm. The first game execution means 563 then eliminates the intermediate pieces P11~P17, the starting piece Ps, and the ending piece Pf extracted in this way from the puzzle board PB. Therefore, the user can eliminate all of pieces P10~P18 simply by moving their finger linearly from piece P10 to piece P18, in other words, without performing an operation to trace all of pieces P10~P18 with their finger. The first game execution means 563, after eliminating pieces P10 to P18, sequentially drops other pieces that are positioned above pieces P10 to P18 into the area where they were placed. In this embodiment, the intermediate piece Pm corresponds to the third piece.

[0049] (Method for executing the second game) The second game execution means 564 executes the fighting game G2 in accordance with the progress of the puzzle game G1. Specifically, the second game execution means 564 reads data such as objects and textures of a virtual game space corresponding to the fighting game G2, which are included in the game data, from the storage unit 55 or receives them from the server device 2. The second game execution means 564 executes the fighting game G2 game program using the data such as objects and textures of a virtual game space corresponding to the fighting game G2, and generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 52, and the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 61.

[0050] For example, when a user completes an operation in the puzzle game G1, the second game execution means 564 determines the actions of the user's character C10 in the fighting game G2, based on the number of pieces removed by that operation and the type of path from the starting piece Ps to the ending piece Pf.

[0051] (Voice means) The audio means 565 controls the audio output of the speaker 62 based on user operations on the game device 5 during game execution. (Display means) The display means 566 controls the display output of the display 61 based on user operations on the game device 5 during game execution. For example, the display means 566 displays the gameplay screen of puzzle game G1 and the gameplay screen of fighting game G2 on the display 61.

[0052] Next, with reference to Figures 5 to 15, an example of a screen displayed on the display 61 by the display means 566 will be described. When the user starts the game, the display means 566 displays a game screen 70 on the display 61, for example, as shown in Figure 5. The game screen 70 is provided with a first display area 71 and a second display area 72.

[0053] The first display area 71 displays gameplay images of the fighting game G2. The first display area 71 includes a first character display area 711, a first hit point display area 712, a first skill point display area 713, a second character display area 714, a second hit point display area 715, and a second skill point display area 716.

[0054] The first character display area 711 displays the player's character C10. The player's character C10 performs various actions according to the user's progress in the puzzle game G1 on the game device 5. The first hit point display area 712 displays the player's character C10's current hit points in bar format. The first skill point display area 713 displays the player's character C10's current skill points in bar format.

[0055] The opponent character C20 is displayed in the second character display area 714. The opponent character C20 performs various actions according to the progress of the puzzle game by the computer or another user. The opponent character C20's current hit points are displayed in bar format in the second hit point display area 715. The opponent character C20's current skill points are displayed in bar format in the second skill point display area 716.

[0056] The second display area 72 displays gameplay images of the puzzle game G1. The second display area 72 also displays a puzzle board PB, for example, as shown in Figure 5. The puzzle board PB has multiple pieces of each of the four types: "●", "△", "○", and "×". Before a touch operation is performed on the puzzle board PB, only the shape of each piece is shown, and no color is assigned to it.

[0057] In such a puzzle board PB, if the user touches a predetermined piece P30 marked with a "●" located at the bottom, as shown in Figure 6, the display means 566 displays piece P30 in a color corresponding to the starting piece Ps. The display means 566 also displays pieces P31 to P37 that satisfy the matching conditions for the starting piece Ps, in a color corresponding to the candidate pieces Pc to be eliminated. In Figure 6 and the following figures, the colored parts of the pieces are shown with dot hatching or line hatching, and the difference in color is represented by differences in the density of dots in the dot hatching, differences in the density of lines, and differences in the direction of lines. As shown in Figure 6, piece P30 corresponding to the starting piece Ps and pieces P31 to P37 corresponding to the candidate pieces Pc to be eliminated are displayed in different colors. This allows the user to easily identify the starting piece Ps and the candidate pieces Pc to be eliminated.

[0058] Suppose the user slides their finger from piece P30 to the upper left, moves their finger to piece P36, and then releases their finger at piece P36. In this case, piece P36 is identified as the endpoint piece. Also, pieces that satisfy the match condition when piece P30 is the starting point and piece P36 is the endpoint, namely pieces P31 to P35, are automatically identified as intermediate pieces Pm. As a result, piece P30, which is the starting piece Ps, pieces P31 to P35, which are intermediate pieces Pm, and piece P36, which is the endpoint piece Pf, are removed, and the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 7 is formed. At this time, piece P37 does not satisfy the match condition, so it remains on the puzzle board PB without being removed. With pieces P30 to P36 removed, the player character C10 can perform an action such as a jab.

[0059] On the other hand, in the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 6, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the user touches piece P30 and maintains their finger on the touchpad 63, the display means 566 will display a hint on the display 61, as shown in Figure 8, that will be helpful to the user in progressing through the game. In other words, if a predetermined time has elapsed after the user has selected the starting piece but before they have selected the ending piece, a hint as shown in Figure 8 will be displayed on the puzzle board PB.

[0060] Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the display means 566 displays the piece P36 in a way that allows the user to recognize that it is a candidate Pcf for the endpoint piece. For example, the display means 566 displays piece P36 in a different color than piece P30 and also displays a message M11 such as "This is the recommended endpoint!" on piece P36. The display means 566 selects the piece that best satisfies the matching conditions when piece P30 is the starting piece Ps as the candidate Pcf for the endpoint piece. In the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, if piece P30 is the starting piece Ps and piece P36 is selected as the endpoint piece Pf, pieces P31 to P35 are selected as intermediate pieces Pm, maximizing the number of intermediate pieces Pm. Therefore, piece P36 is displayed as a candidate Pcf for the endpoint piece.

[0061] The hint shown in Figure 8 will also be displayed if, after the user has selected the starting piece Ps, they move their finger to a piece other than the starting piece Ps and do not cancel that operation, and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed before the user has selected the ending piece. For example, if the user touches piece P30 and then moves their finger to piece P31, and a predetermined amount of time has elapsed before the user has selected the ending piece, the hint shown in Figure 8 will be displayed. The predetermined time is, for example, a few seconds. The predetermined time may be changed, for example, depending on the number of pieces that satisfy the conditions for elimination relative to the starting piece Ps. Specifically, the predetermined time may be set to be longer as the number of pieces that satisfy the conditions for elimination increases.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the display means 566 displays pieces P31 to P35 in a way that allows the user to recognize them as candidate intermediate pieces Pcm. Specifically, the display means 566 displays pieces P31 to P35 in a different color than pieces P30 and P36.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the display means 566 displays a message that allows the user to recognize that piece P37 has been excluded from the pieces to be eliminated. When piece P30 is selected as the starting piece Ps, piece P37 satisfies the matching conditions: it is of the same type as piece P30 and can be connected to piece P30 in a single stroke on the puzzle board PB. However, when piece P30 is selected as the starting piece Ps, the most advantageous way to satisfy the matching conditions is to select piece P36 as the ending piece Pf and pieces P31 to P35 as intermediate pieces Pm. In this case, piece P37 is not selected as either the ending piece Pf or the intermediate pieces Pm. Thus, the display means 566 displays a message that allows the user to recognize that piece P37, although it satisfies the matching conditions for the starting piece, is excluded from the pieces to be eliminated in the most advantageous way to satisfy the matching conditions. Specifically, the display means 566 displays piece P37 with a different color than pieces P30 to P36, and also displays piece P37 with a message M12 such as "This won't disappear!". Hereafter, this piece P37 will be referred to as a non-candidate piece Puc. In this embodiment, this piece P37 corresponds to the sixth piece.

[0064] On the other hand, in the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, it is also possible to remove pieces P40~P44 of a different type than piece P30, which the user selected as the starting piece Ps. If pieces P40~P44 are removed, as shown in Figure 9(A), the area where pieces P40~P44 were removed will become empty, and pieces P50~P54, which are located above, will fall and be placed in that area. Therefore, it is expected that a new puzzle board PBP will appear as shown in Figure 9(B). In the puzzle board PBP shown in Figure 9(B), "?" indicates a newly appearing piece of unknown type. In the predicted puzzle board PBP shown in Figure 9(B), pieces P30~P37 and pieces P50~P54 are connected, making it possible to remove more pieces than when removing pieces P30~P36, specifically making it possible to remove pieces P30~P37 and pieces P50~P54 together. Hereafter, pieces P30-P37 will also be referred to as "existing pieces P30-P37," and pieces P50-P54 will also be referred to as "additional elimination pieces P50-P54." In the game of this embodiment, if pieces P30-P36 are eliminated on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, the player character C10 simply performs an action such as a jab. In contrast, if existing pieces P30-P37 and additional elimination pieces P50-P54 are eliminated together on the predicted puzzle board PBP shown in Figure 9(B), the player character C10 performs an action such as a skill. Considering the situation in which this skill action is performed, even if the player performs the seemingly unnecessary operation of eliminating pieces P40-P44 on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, the player can still gain an advantage in the game.In this embodiment, if the number of intermediate pieces Pm (P31-P36, P50, P51, P52, P53) that will be removed in the predicted puzzle board PBP shown in Figure 9(B) (or the score or damage amount obtained by removing the intermediate pieces Pm) Np is greater than a predetermined number (or score or damage amount) α, i.e., if "Np > Nc + α" is satisfied, it is determined that the situation is favorable. Furthermore, a favorable situation may also be a situation in which the number of pieces removed in a single operation increases non-linearly, or a situation in which the score that the user can obtain increases non-linearly. The score that the user can obtain includes the score awarded to the user and the damage that can be inflicted on the opponent character C20. Note that the numbers Np and Nc may include either the starting piece Ps or the ending piece Pf.

[0065] If the user can gain an advantage in the game by eliminating pieces P40 to P44, the display means 566 will display a message in the current puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8 that allows the user to recognize that eliminating pieces P40 to P44 is advantageous. Specifically, the display means 566 will display pieces P40 to P44 with a different color than pieces P30 to P37, and will also display a message M13 such as "Eliminate these first and you can eliminate them all at once!". Hereafter, these pieces P40 to P44 will be referred to as "recommended pieces P40 to P44". In this embodiment, pieces P40 to P44 correspond to the fourth piece.

[0066] Furthermore, when pieces P40 to P44 are erased, the display means 566 displays pieces P50 to P54 that can be newly erased in addition to pieces P30 to P35 so that the user can recognize them. Specifically, the display means 566 displays pieces P50 to P54 with a different color than pieces P30 to P37 and P40 to P44, and also displays a message M14 such as "Chance to erase them all at once!". Hereafter, these pieces P50 to P54 will be referred to as "additional erase pieces P50 to P54". In this embodiment, pieces P50 to P54 correspond to the fifth piece.

[0067] The display of hints on the puzzle board PB, as shown in Figure 8, allows users to consider alternative actions, thereby supporting their improvement. In the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, if, for example, the user selects piece P30 as the starting piece Ps and then selects piece P36 as the ending piece Pf, the display means 566 erases pieces P30 to P36, as shown in Figure 10. At this time, in order to praise the user for selecting piece P36, which is recommended as the ending piece Pf, the display means 566 displays a message M15, such as "Nice!!", on the display 61. In this embodiment, the display of this message M15 corresponds to the first effect. In this case, the player character C10 performs an action corresponding to the erased pieces P30 to P36. For example, the player character C10 performs a jab, which slightly reduces the hit points of the opponent character C20.

[0068] In the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, suppose the user cancels the selection of the starting piece Ps by selecting, for example, a different type of piece P101 from piece P30, and then selects piece P42 as the starting piece Ps and piece P40 as the ending piece Pf, as shown in Figure 11. In this case, the recommended pieces P40~P44 are erased, and the display means 566 displays the puzzle board PB11 on the display 61 as shown in Figure 12. Note that in the example shown in Figure 12, the character C10 does not take any action based on the erasure of the recommended pieces P40~P44, but the character C10 may take some action based on the erasure of the recommended pieces P40~P44.

[0069] Following the formation of the puzzle board PB11 shown in Figure 12, the display means 566 displays a new puzzle board PB12, as shown in Figure 13, on the display 61. In the puzzle board PB12 shown in Figure 13, all of the existing pieces P30 to P37 and the additional erased pieces P50 to P54 now satisfy the matching conditions. At this time, the display means 566 performs a visual effect that illuminates all of the existing pieces P30 to P37 and the additional erased pieces P50 to P54. In addition, in the puzzle board PB12 shown in Figure 13, the display is made so that the user can recognize that piece P30 is a candidate starting piece Pcs and piece P52 is a candidate ending piece Pcf. Specifically, the display means 566 displays piece P30 with a different color than pieces P31-P37 and the additional / delete pieces P50, P51, P53, and P54, and also displays piece P30 with a message M16 such as "This is a recommended starting point!". In addition, the display means 566 displays piece P52 with a different color than pieces P30-P37 and the additional / delete pieces P50, P51, P53, and P54, and also displays piece P52 with a message M17 such as "This is a recommended ending point!". Furthermore, when piece P30 is selected as the starting piece Ps and piece P52 is selected as the ending piece Pf, pieces P31-P37, P50, P51, P53, and P54 become candidate intermediate pieces Pcm, and are therefore displayed with the same color.

[0070] The display means 566 assumes that piece P30 is selected as the starting piece Ps on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, and then, assuming piece P30 is the starting piece Ps on the puzzle board PB12 shown in Figure 13, it searches for the ending piece Pf that can most favorably satisfy the match conditions from among the other pieces P31 to P37 and the additional / eliminated pieces P50 to P54, and based on the search results, extracts and displays the piece recommended as the ending piece Pf. In this case, on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 13, when piece P30 is the starting piece Ps, it is possible to make the match conditions most favorable by taking the path shown by the dashed line L1 from piece P30, while it is also possible to make the match conditions most favorable by taking the path shown by the double dashed line L2 from piece P30. Therefore, the display means 566 may display piece P34 instead of piece P52 as a candidate for the ending piece Pf. Alternatively, the display means 566 may display both piece P52 and piece P34 as candidates for the endpoint piece Pf.

[0071] Alternatively, instead of using piece P30 as the starting piece Ps, the display means 566 may, for example, perform a process to search for the starting piece Ps and ending piece Pf that can most advantageously satisfy the matching conditions from among the existing pieces P30 to P37 and the additional / eliminating pieces P50 to P54 on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 13, and extract pieces recommended as the starting piece Ps and ending piece Pf based on the search results. In this case, the display means 566 may, for example, display piece P52 or piece P33 as a candidate for the starting piece Ps, and display piece P30 as a candidate for the ending piece Pf.

[0072] In the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 13, if the user selects piece P30 as the starting piece Ps, and then, while maintaining their finger touching the touchpad 63, moves their finger to piece P52 as indicated by the arrow in Figure 14, and then lifts their finger from the touchpad 63, piece P52 is identified as the ending piece Pf. As a result, regardless of the user's finger movement path from piece P30 to piece P52, pieces P31-P37 and pieces P50, P51, P53, and P54 are identified as intermediate pieces Pm that satisfy the matching conditions. As a result, the existing pieces P30-P37 and the additional pieces to be deleted P50-P54 are deleted, and the display means 566 displays the puzzle board PB13 on the display 61 as shown in Figure 15. At this time, the display means 566 displays information that allows the user to recognize that the pieces have been deleted in a more desirable manner as a result of the user performing the recommended series of operations. Specifically, the display means 566 highlights a message M18 such as "boom." The recommended series of operations involves first erasing the recommended pieces P40 to P44 on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, and then selecting piece P30 as the starting piece Ps and piece P52 as the ending piece Pf on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 14 that is formed afterward. In this embodiment, the highlighting of the message M18 such as "boom" corresponds to the second effect.

[0073] Furthermore, when existing pieces P30-P37 and additional pieces P50-P54 are removed from the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 15, the player character C10 performs actions corresponding to the removed pieces. For example, when the player character C10 performs an action to activate a predetermined skill, as shown in Figure 15, the player character C10's skill points are consumed, and if the predetermined skill hits the opponent character C20, the opponent character C20's hit points are significantly reduced.

[0074] <Operation flow of Game System 1> Next, the operation flow of the game system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 16. Note that the operation shown in Figure 16 is executed repeatedly at a predetermined cycle.

[0075] As shown in Figure 16, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, it is first determined whether or not an operation to touch any of the multiple pieces on the puzzle board PB has been detected by the operation receiving means 562 (step S10). If the touch operation is not detected by the operation receiving means 562 (step S10: NO), the process shown in Figure 16 is terminated.

[0076] When a user touches any of the multiple pieces on the puzzle board PB, the touch operation is detected by the operation reception means 562, and a positive decision is made in the process of step S10 (step S10: YES). In this case, the operation reception means 562 identifies the piece that was touched as the starting piece Ps (step S11), and extracts candidate pieces Pc that satisfy the matching conditions for the starting piece Ps (step S12). Then, the display means 566 colors the starting piece Ps and candidate pieces Pc and displays them on the display 61 (step S13).

[0077] Next, the operation receiving means 562 determines whether the endpoint piece Pf has been identified within a predetermined time elapsed since the start piece Ps was identified in the process of step S11 (step S14). If the endpoint piece Pf has been identified within the predetermined time elapsed (step S14: YES), the operation receiving means 562 terminates the process shown in Figure 16. In this case, the identified start piece Ps and endpoint piece Pf, as well as any intermediate pieces Pm that satisfy the matching conditions for them, are deleted.

[0078] On the other hand, if the endpoint piece Pf is not identified within a predetermined time (step S14: NO), the display means 566 displays hints on the display 61 that can assist the user in progressing through the puzzle game G1. Specifically, the display means 566 first displays candidate endpoint pieces Pcf that can most favorably satisfy the match conditions for the starting piece Ps so that the user can recognize them (step S15). Next, the display means 566 determines whether there are any non-candidate pieces Puc that satisfy the match conditions for the starting piece Ps identified in step S11, but are excluded from the list of elimination candidates in terms of the condition of most favorably satisfying the match conditions (step S16). If the display means 566 determines that there are non-candidate pieces Puc (step S16: YES), it displays the non-candidate pieces Puc on the display 61 so that the user can recognize them (step S17), and then proceeds to the process in step S18. On the other hand, if the display means 566 determines that there are no non-candidate pieces Puc (step S16: NO), it proceeds to step S18 without executing the process in step S17.

[0079] As part of the process in step S18, the display means 566 determines whether or not there are any recommended pieces to be removed that could improve the match conditions. If the display means 566 determines that there are no recommended pieces to be removed (step S18: NO), it determines whether or not an operation to select a candidate Pcf for the endpoint piece has been performed (step S24). If the operation to select a candidate Pcf for the endpoint piece has been performed by the user (step S24: YES), the starting piece Ps and the candidate Pcf for the endpoint piece identified in the process in step S11, as well as the intermediate piece Pm that satisfies the match conditions for them, are removed. At this time, the display means 566 displays a first effect such as "Nice!" on the display 61 (step S25), and then terminates the process shown in Figure 16.

[0080] If the display means 566 determines in step S18 that there are pieces that are recommended for erasure (step S18: YES), it displays the pieces that are recommended for erasure and any additional pieces that can be newly targeted for erasure by erasing the recommended pieces on the display 61 so that the user can recognize them (step S19), and then determines whether the user has performed the operation to erase the pieces that are recommended for erasure (step S20). If the user has not performed the operation to erase the pieces that are recommended for erasure (step S20: NO), the display means 566 executes the processes from step S24 onwards.

[0081] If the user performs an operation to erase the recommended erase piece (step S20: YES), the display means 566 displays an effect on the display 61 that illuminates the existing piece connected by the erasure of the recommended erase piece, as well as the additional erase piece (step S21). Next, the display means 566 determines whether the user has performed the recommended operation to erase the existing piece and the additional erase piece together (step S22). If the recommended operation has been performed (step S22: YES), the display means 566 displays a second effect on the display 61 that displays a message such as "Boom" (step S23). If the recommended operation has not been performed (step S22: NO), the display means 566 terminates the process shown in Figure 16 without executing the process in step S23.

[0082] To summarize, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 56 (computer) of the game device 5 functions as a display means 566, an operation reception means 562, and a first game execution means 563. The display means 566 displays a puzzle board PB on which multiple pieces are arranged. The operation reception means 562 receives a first operation input when the user touches the puzzle board PB with their finger, as shown in Figure 6, and identifies the starting piece Ps (first piece) from among the multiple pieces based on this operation. After identifying the starting piece Ps, the operation reception means 562 identifies the ending piece Pf (second piece) from among the multiple pieces based on the user's finger operation. The first game execution means 563, after the endpoint piece Pf has been identified, identifies an intermediate piece Pm (third piece) from among multiple pieces that satisfies predetermined match conditions based on the positional relationship between the starting piece Ps and the endpoint piece Pf, and executes a game that changes the state of at least the intermediate piece Pm on the puzzle board PB, specifically a game that eliminates the starting piece Ps, the endpoint piece Pf, and the intermediate piece Pm. The display means 566, after the starting piece Ps has been identified and before the endpoint piece Pf has been identified, outputs a message M13 shown in Figure 8, and a colored display (recommendation information) for the recommended pieces P40 to P44, recommending to the user a second operation input that is different from the first operation input and capable of identifying a recommended piece to be eliminated (fourth piece) that satisfies match conditions separately from the starting piece Ps, the endpoint piece Pf, and the intermediate piece Pm.

[0083] <Effects> With the above configuration, the user can recognize that a second operation input is possible in addition to the first operation input performed by the user, thereby improving the game's operability.

[0084] The display means 566 outputs the message M13 shown in Figure 8 and a colored display (recommendation information) for the recommended pieces P40-P44 to be removed on the current puzzle board PB, provided that the matching conditions are more favorable when piece P52 is identified as the endpoint piece Pf based on its positional relationship with the starting piece Ps(P30) in the predicted puzzle board PBP shown in Figure 9(B), and pieces P31-P37, and pieces P50, P51, P53, and P54 are identified as intermediate pieces Pm, compared to when piece P36 is identified as the endpoint piece Pf based on its positional relationship with the starting piece Ps(P30) in the current puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, and pieces P31-P35 are identified as intermediate pieces Pm.

[0085] With this configuration, when a message M13, as shown in Figure 8, is displayed, or when the recommended pieces P40-P44 are highlighted in color, the user can easily recognize that there is a more advantageous operation, thereby further improving the game's operability.

[0086] The condition under which the above matching conditions are favorable is that the number of intermediate pieces Pm(P31~P37, P50, P51, P53, P54) to be eliminated in the predicted puzzle board PBP is greater than a predetermined number α than the number of intermediate pieces Pm(P31~P35) to be eliminated in the current puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, Nc. In this embodiment, the condition "Np > Nc + α" corresponds to the predetermined condition.

[0087] This configuration makes it easy to determine whether or not something is advantageous. The display means 566 displays the recommended erase pieces P40 to P44 (fourth piece) that should be selected in the second operation input by coloring them as shown in Figure 8, so that the user can recognize them.

[0088] This configuration allows the user to easily identify the pieces P40-P44 that need to be erased. The display means 566 displays additional elimination pieces (5th pieces) P50 to P54 in the current puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, which are pieces that do not correspond to the starting piece Ps (P30), the ending piece Pf (P36), or the intermediate pieces Pm (P31 to P35), and which are expected to newly satisfy the match condition based on their positional relationship with the starting piece Ps (P30) in the predicted puzzle board PBP shown in Figure 9(B), by coloring the additional elimination pieces P50 to P54 so that the user can recognize them in the current puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, and also displays the message M14.

[0089] With this configuration, by erasing the recommended pieces P40-P44, the user can easily identify the additional pieces P50-P54 that newly satisfy the matching conditions. The display means 566 displays piece P37 (the sixth piece) in color so that the user can recognize piece P37 (the sixth piece) which is of the same type as the starting piece Ps (P30) on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8, and which is among the group of pieces P31 to P37 that are placed adjacent to each other, and which does not correspond to either the candidate for the ending piece Pcf (P36) or the candidate for the intermediate pieces Pcm (P31 to P35). The display means 566 also displays message M12.

[0090] This configuration makes it easy for the user to identify piece P37, which is not to be erased. After the operation to erase the recommended pieces P40 to P44 (second operation input) is performed, the display means 566 performs a lighting effect, as shown in Figure 13, in association with the changed intermediate pieces (third pieces) Pm (P31 to 37, P50, P51, P53, P54), so that the user can recognize that the intermediate pieces Pm that satisfy the match condition have changed based on their positional relationship with the starting piece Ps (P30).

[0091] This configuration allows users to easily recognize when the intermediate piece Pm has changed. When intermediate pieces (third pieces) Pm (P31~P35) are erased on the puzzle board PB (first puzzle board) where a first operation input to identify the starting piece Ps has been made as shown in Figure 8, the display means 566 performs a first effect by displaying the message M15 "Nice!" as shown in Figure 10. Furthermore, when intermediate pieces Pm (P31~P37, P50, P51, P53, P54) are newly identified and erased on the puzzle board PB12 (second puzzle board) shown in Figure 13, where the user has made an operation (second operation input) to erase the recommended pieces P40~P44 on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8 and the recommended pieces P40~P44 have been erased, the display means 566 performs a second effect by highlighting the message M18 "Boom!" as shown in Figure 15.

[0092] This configuration allows users to enjoy different presentations, thereby enhancing the game's appeal. The operation reception means 562 accepts an operation to cancel the identification of the starting piece Ps (P30) if, for example, the user moves their finger to piece P101 and lifts their finger from the touchpad 63 after the display of message M13 shown in Figure 8 and the color display (recommendation information) for the pieces P40 to P44 to be deleted have been output, and before the end piece Pf has been identified.

[0093] With this configuration, after the message M13 shown in Figure 8 and the colored display for the recommended pieces P40-P44 to be erased are output, it becomes possible to temporarily cancel the operation to select the starting piece Ps and then perform the operation to select the recommended pieces P40-P44 to be erased. The operation receiving means 562, as shown in Figure 14 for example, identifies the starting piece Ps (P30) and the ending piece Pf (P52) based on the first operation input. Then, regardless of the user's operations on the puzzle board PB during the period from when the starting piece Ps is identified until when the ending piece Pf is identified, it identifies and eliminates intermediate pieces Pm (P31~P37, P50, P51, P53, P54) from among multiple pieces that satisfy the match condition based on the positional relationship between the starting piece Ps and the ending piece Pf.

[0094] With this configuration, the user simply selects the starting piece Ps and the ending piece Pf, and the intermediate pieces Pm that satisfy the matching condition in terms of their positional relationship to the starting piece Ps and the ending piece Pf are automatically removed. This improves the gameplay compared to games where the player has to trace all the pieces between the starting piece Ps and the ending piece Pf with their finger.

[0095] <First variation> Next, a first modified example of the game system 1 of the above embodiment will be described. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, the control unit 56 of the game device 5 in this modified example further includes a bonus-granting means 567. The bonus-granting means 567 grants a special score to the user when the user performs the operation of erasing the recommended pieces P40~P44, which is an operation recommended by the game, on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 8. In this embodiment, the process of granting this special score to the user corresponds to the process of granting a bonus to the user. The special score granted to the user may allow the user to inflict additional damage on the opponent character C20 or grant additional attack power to the next action of the player's own character C10.

[0096] Furthermore, in order to let the user know that a special score has been awarded, as shown in Figure 17, the display means 566 displays a message M19 such as "Nice assist! Bonus ●● points!" on the puzzle board PB12 after the recommended pieces P40~P44 have been removed.

[0097] This configuration provides motivation to perform the operation of eliminating the recommended pieces P40-P44, thereby improving the enjoyment of the game. Furthermore, instead of granting users special scores, any method can be adopted to provide benefits, such as having the user's character C10 perform special actions, increasing the damage dealt to the opponent character C20, or reducing the amount of skill points consumed.

[0098] Furthermore, the awarding of special scores to the user may occur not when the puzzle board PB12 shown in Figure 17 is displayed, but after the user has actually performed the operation shown in Figure 14 and pieces P30-P37 and P50-P54 have been eliminated together. <Second variation> Next, a second modified example of the game system 1 of the above embodiment will be described.

[0099] As shown by the dashed line L3 in Figure 18, the operation receiving means 562 of this embodiment identifies pieces P32 to P33 as intermediate pieces Pm, on the condition that the user actually performs an operation to select pieces P30, P31, P32, P33, and P34 in a single continuous line. That is, if the user moves their finger to piece P34 and then lifts their finger from the touchpad 63, piece P30 is identified as the starting piece Ps, and piece P34 is identified as the ending piece Pf. Furthermore, pieces P31 to P33 are identified as intermediate pieces Pm.

[0100] In this modified example, the display means 566, as shown in Figure 18, displays messages M12 to M14 as shown in Figure 18 if the user moves their finger to trace in a single stroke from piece P30 to piece P31, piece P32, piece P33, and piece P34, and then maintains touch on piece P34 for a predetermined amount of time. The display means 566 also displays non-candidate piece Puc, piece P37, recommended pieces P40 to P44 for deletion, and additional pieces P50 to P54 for deletion in color.

[0101] Furthermore, on the puzzle board PB shown in Figure 18, the user can cancel an operation by moving their finger in a single stroke from piece P34 to piece P33, piece P32, piece P31, and piece P30, returning their finger to the starting piece Ps, piece P30, and then lifting their finger from the touchpad 63 at piece P30.

[0102] As shown in this modified example, the configuration of the game system 1 of the above embodiment can also be applied to games in which the user needs to actually trace the pieces to be erased in a single stroke. [Other embodiments] The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiments are examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be modified as appropriate without altering the essence of the present invention.

[0103] The display means 566 may, for example, display a hint as shown in Figure 8 immediately after the user performs the operation to select the starting piece Ps if the user meets the condition of being unskilled. The condition of being unskilled can be, for example, a condition in which the user continues to be unable to clear the first stage.

[0104] In each embodiment, the display means 566 outputs hints as shown in Figure 8 to the display 61, but instead of this, or in addition to this, the audio means 565 may output hints as shown in Figure 8 by voice. That is, at least one of the display means 566 and the audio means 565 can be used as the output means for outputting hints as shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the output means for outputting hints can employ any means that can produce output capable of stimulating the user's five senses.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the puzzle game G1 may remove only the intermediate piece Pm without removing the starting piece Ps and ending piece Pf when the starting piece Ps and ending piece Pf are identified. In other words, the puzzle game G1 may remove at least the intermediate piece Pm after the starting piece Ps and ending piece Pf have been identified.

[0106] The puzzle game G1 of the above embodiment may, after identifying the starting piece Ps based on the user's operation, automatically select and remove the ending piece Pf and intermediate pieces Pm that satisfy the matching conditions without requiring the user to perform an operation to select the ending piece Pf. In the above embodiment, the condition "Np > Nc + α" was used as the condition for a favorable match condition, but it is possible to change this to any condition, such as a condition where the damage dealt to the opponent character C20 in the fighting game G2 increases by a predetermined percentage or more.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the example shown is that the game device 5 is a smartphone, but the game device 5 may also be an amusement device provided to arcades or the like. The puzzle game G1 of the above embodiment is not limited to one in which pieces can be connected in a single stroke only in the four directions of a cross, but may also be one in which pieces can be connected in diagonal directions.

[0108] Instead of the fighting game G2 mentioned above, it is also possible to use various other types of games, such as action games, shooting games, role-playing games, simulation games, and board games. The above embodiment illustrates a case where a server device 2 and multiple game devices 5 function together as a single unit to run a game program, but it is not limited to this. All means of the game program may be provided in the server device 2 alone, the game device 5 alone, a separate communication terminal separate from the server device 2 and game devices 5, or any two of these devices that can be combined (for example, distributed processing on the server device 2 and game devices 5). Furthermore, when the server device 2, game devices 5, and communication terminal function together as a single unit, the means of operation on which device can be appropriately changed.

[0109] The effects and advantages of this embodiment will also be achieved when these other embodiments are adopted. Furthermore, it is possible to combine this embodiment with other embodiments, and other embodiments with each other, as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0110] 1: Game system, 5: Game device, 56: Control unit (computer), 562: Operation reception means (operation reception unit), 563: First game execution means, 565: Audio means (output means), 566: Display means (display unit, output means, output unit), 567: Bonus granting means (bonus granting unit).

Claims

1. Computers, A display means for displaying a puzzle board with multiple pieces arranged on it, An operation receiving means that receives a first operation input from the user, in which the user identifies a first piece that will be the starting point on the puzzle board from among the plurality of pieces, and then identifies a second piece that will be the ending point from among the plurality of pieces. A game execution means that, after the second piece has been identified, identifies a third piece from among the plurality of pieces that satisfies predetermined matching conditions based on the positional relationship between the first piece and the second piece, and executes a game that changes the state of at least the third piece on the puzzle board, After the first piece has been identified, and before the second piece has been identified, the output means functions to output recommendation information to the user that allows the user to recognize a fourth piece that does not include the first piece but can perform a second operation input that satisfies the matching condition. Game program.

2. When the puzzle board on which the first operation input is performed is defined as the current puzzle board, and the puzzle board that is expected to be formed when the state of the fourth piece is changed on the current puzzle board is defined as the expected puzzle board, The output means outputs the recommended information on the current puzzle board, provided that the matching conditions are more favorable when at least one of the second and third pieces is identified based on its positional relationship with the first piece and the state of the third piece is changed to satisfy the matching conditions on the predicted puzzle board, compared to when at least one of the second and third pieces is identified based on its positional relationship with the first piece and the state of the third piece is changed to satisfy the matching conditions on the current puzzle board. The game program according to claim 1.

3. The condition under which the aforementioned matching condition becomes favorable is that the number of third pieces that change in the predicted puzzle board satisfies a predetermined condition with respect to the number of third pieces that change in the current puzzle board. The game program according to claim 2.

4. When the puzzle board on which the first operation input is performed is defined as the current puzzle board, and the puzzle board that is expected to be formed when the state of the fourth piece is changed on the current puzzle board is defined as the expected puzzle board, The display means displays a fifth piece on the current puzzle board that does not correspond to any of the first, second, or third pieces, and which is expected to newly satisfy the matching condition based on its positional relationship with the first piece on the predicted puzzle board, in a manner recognizable to the user. The game program according to claim 1.

5. The matching condition is that, among the plurality of pieces, there is one of the same type as the first piece, and that it is possible to connect it to the first piece in a single continuous line on the puzzle board. The display means displays a sixth piece on the puzzle board that is of the same type as the first piece and is arranged adjacent to each other, but which does not fall under either the candidate for the second piece or the candidate for the third piece, in a way that the user can recognize. The game program according to claim 1.

6. The output means outputs, after the user has made the second operation input, an effect that allows the user to recognize that the third piece has changed to satisfy the match condition based on its positional relationship with the first piece, in association with the changed third piece. The game program according to claim 1.

7. The output means is When the state of the third piece changes on the first puzzle board, which is the puzzle board on which the first operation input was performed, the first performance is performed. When the user performs the second operation input on the first puzzle board, changing the state of the fourth piece, and the third piece is newly identified by the game execution means on the second puzzle board, and the state of the new third piece changes, a second performance different from the first performance is performed. The game program according to claim 1.

8. The aforementioned computer, It is further configured to function as a reward granting means that grants a reward to the user based on the fact that the second operation input is performed. The game program according to claim 1.

9. The operation receiving means accepts an operation to deselect the first piece after the recommendation information has been output and before the second piece has been selected. The game program according to claim 1.

10. The operation receiving means identifies the first piece based on the first operation input, and after identifying the second piece, it automatically identifies a third piece that satisfies the matching condition from among the plurality of pieces based on the positional relationship between the first piece and the second piece, regardless of the user's operations on the puzzle board during the period from when the first piece was identified until the second piece was identified. The game program according to claim 1.

11. A display unit that shows a puzzle board with multiple pieces arranged, An operation receiving unit that receives a first operation input from the user, after identifying the first piece that will be the starting point on the puzzle board from among the plurality of pieces, and then identifying the second piece that will be the ending point from among the plurality of pieces, A game execution unit that, after the second piece has been identified, identifies a third piece from among the plurality of pieces that satisfies predetermined matching conditions based on the positional relationship between the first piece and the second piece, and executes a game that changes the state of at least the third piece on the puzzle board, The system includes an output unit that, after the first piece has been identified and before the second piece has been identified, outputs to the user recommendation information that allows the user to recognize a fourth piece that does not include the first piece but can be used to perform a second operation input that satisfies the matching conditions. Game device.

12. A display unit that shows a puzzle board with multiple pieces arranged, An operation receiving unit that receives a first operation input from the user, after identifying the first piece that will be the starting point on the puzzle board from among the plurality of pieces, and then identifying the second piece that will be the ending point from among the plurality of pieces, A game execution unit that, after the second piece has been identified, identifies a third piece from among the plurality of pieces that satisfies predetermined matching conditions based on the positional relationship between the first piece and the second piece, and executes a game that changes the state of at least the third piece on the puzzle board, The system includes an output unit that, after the first piece has been identified and before the second piece has been identified, outputs to the user recommendation information that allows the user to recognize a fourth piece that does not include the first piece but can be used to perform a second operation input that satisfies the matching conditions. Game system.

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