JP6313537B2 - Computer program and game system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer program and a game system capable of executing a game in which a predetermined movie scene is played back while it is in progress.

  Conventionally, there are games such as an action game and a role playing game that cause a player character (PC) to act in a virtual game space in response to a user operation. In addition, in this type of game, a technique is known in which a screen is switched to display a predetermined movie scene while the user is operating the PC to progress the game (in the middle of a play scene) (Patent Document 1). reference). In Patent Document 1, it is said that the entertainment property of a game can be improved by appropriately inserting and reproducing such a movie scene.

JP 2002-11243 A

  However, there is a possibility that a discrepancy occurs between the behavioral state of the PC in the play scene and the content of the movie scene, making the user feel uncomfortable. For example, in a racing game, when a vehicle that is an example of a PC operated by a user is traveling at 100 km / h, the movie scene that is played immediately after that has the content that the vehicle is traveling at 60 km / h. If present, the user may feel uncomfortable.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer program and a game system capable of eliminating inconsistencies in both scenes related to a character's action mode in a game in which a play scene and a movie scene are switched.

  The computer program according to the present invention is a virtual game space generating means for generating a virtual game space in which a character behaves, and a play in which a character action mode in the virtual game space is determined in accordance with a user operation input. Play scene control means for controlling the progress of the scene, movie playback means for making it impossible to determine a character's action mode by a user's operation input, and scene switching for switching between the play scene and the movie scene Means, and when the movie scene and the play scene immediately before or immediately after the movie scene are inconsistent in relation to the action mode of the character, the action mode of the character in the play scene is Character style that regulates to match the movie scene Regulatory means, to function as.

  Thereby, since the action mode of the character in a play scene is regulated, inconsistency related to the action mode of the character is eliminated between the movie scene and the play scene, and it is possible to prevent the user from feeling uncomfortable.

  In the virtual game space, a moving area where the character can move in the play scene is set, and in the moving area, at least a playback point where the movie scene is played by the arrival of the character, A restriction zone over a predetermined range immediately before the reproduction point is provided, and the character mode restriction means is provided in the restriction zone when the inconsistency exists between the movie scene and the play scene immediately before the movie scene. It is good also as gradually restrict | limiting the action aspect of a character.

  Thereby, when switching from the play scene to the movie scene, the behavior mode of the character is gradually regulated, and the inconsistency can be eliminated without causing the user to feel uncomfortable.

  Further, the restriction zone may be divided into a plurality of subzones, and the restriction content of the character action mode may be different for each subzone.

  Thereby, in gradually regulating the action mode of the character, it can be more specifically regulated in stages. Therefore, inconsistency can be eliminated without causing the user to feel uncomfortable.

  Further, the action mode is a moving speed of the character in the virtual game space, and the character mode restricting means includes the movie scene and the play scene immediately before or immediately after the movie scene. When there is an inconsistency related to the moving speed, the moving speed of the character in the play scene may be regulated to match the movie scene.

  Thus, for example, in a race game, even if there is a mismatch associated with the moving speed of the character between the movie scene and the play scene, this is eliminated and the user does not feel uncomfortable.

  Further, the action mode is a method of moving a character in the virtual game space, and the character mode restricting means includes the movie scene and the play scene immediately before or immediately after the movie scene. When there is an inconsistency related to the moving method, the character moving method in the play scene may be regulated so as to match the movie scene.

  Thus, for example, in an action game, even if there is a mismatch associated with the movement method when the PC moves between the movie scene and the play scene, this is not eliminated and the user does not feel uncomfortable. .

  A game system according to the present invention includes a program storage unit that stores any one of the computer programs described above, and a computer that executes the program stored in the program storage unit.

  According to the present invention, in a game in which a play scene and a movie scene are switched, it is possible to provide a computer program and a game system that can eliminate inconsistencies in both scenes related to the behavior mode of a character.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the game system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a game system. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the game system when switching from a play scene to a movie scene. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the game to which this invention is applied. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the game system when it switches from a movie scene to a play scene. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the other game to which this invention is applied.

  Hereinafter, a computer program and a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the game system 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 2 can communicate with another game system 2 and the server device 3 via a communication network NW such as the Internet or a LAN. The game system 2 includes a CPU 10 which is a computer for controlling the operation thereof, and the CPU 10 is connected to a disk drive 12, a memory card slot 13, an HDD 14 and a ROM 15 constituting a program storage unit, and a RAM 16 via a bus 11. Has been.

  The disc drive 12 can be loaded with a disc-type recording medium 30 such as a DVD-ROM. The disc-type recording medium 30 includes a game program 30a according to the present embodiment and a game described in the present embodiment. The game data 30b such as a character (a player character, an enemy character, etc.) appearing in FIG. 5, objects necessary for forming a virtual game space, texture, and the like are recorded. In addition, a card-type recording medium 31 can be loaded in the memory card slot 13, and save data indicating a play status such as a game progress can be recorded in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 10.

  The HDD 14 is a large-capacity recording medium built in the game system 2 and records the game program 30a and game data 30b read from the disk-type recording medium 30, and further save data and the like. The ROM 15 is a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM or PROM, and stores a start program for starting the game system 2, a program for controlling an operation when the disk type recording medium 30 is loaded, and the like. The RAM 16 is composed of DRAM, SRAM, or the like, and reads a game program 30a to be executed by the CPU 10 or game data 30b necessary for the execution from the disk-type recording medium 30 or the HDD 14 in accordance with the game play status. To record temporarily.

  Further, a graphic processing unit 17, an audio synthesis unit 20, a wireless communication control unit 23, and a network interface 25 are connected to the CPU 10 via the bus 11.

  Among these, the graphic processing unit 17 draws a game image including the virtual game space, each character, and the like in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 10, and further draws a message remarked by the player character, for example, over the game image. Further, an external display 19 is connected to the graphic processing unit 17 via a video conversion unit 18, and the game image drawn by the graphic processing unit 17 is converted into a moving image format by the video conversion unit 18, and further the display 19 Is displayed.

  The audio synthesizing unit 20 reproduces and synthesizes digital game sound in accordance with instructions from the CPU 10. An external speaker 22 is connected to the audio synthesis unit 20 via an audio conversion unit 21. Therefore, the game sound reproduced and synthesized by the audio synthesizing unit 20 is decoded into an analog format by the audio converting unit 21 and further outputted from the speaker 22 to the outside.

  The wireless communication control unit 23 has a 2.4 GHz band wireless communication module, is wirelessly connected to a controller (external input device) 24 attached to the game system 2, and can transmit and receive data. The user can input an operation signal to the game system 2 by operating an operator (not shown) such as a button provided in the controller 24, and the action of the player character PC displayed on the display 19 Can be controlled. The network interface 25 connects the game system 2 to the communication network NW and can communicate with another game system 2 or the server device 3. Then, by connecting the game system 2 to another game system 2 via the communication network NW and transmitting / receiving data to / from each other, a plurality of player characters can be displayed synchronously in the same game space. Therefore, multiplayer in which a plurality of people advance the game together is possible.

[Functional configuration of game system]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game system 2 described above. As shown in FIG. 2, the game system 2 has various functions including a virtual game space generation unit 40, a play scene control unit 41, a movie playback unit 42, a scene switching unit 43, and a character mode regulation unit 44. These functions are realized by the CPU 10 executing the game program 30a.

  The virtual game space generation unit 40 generates a virtual game space that is an action place of the player character operated by the user and displays it on the display 19. For example, as the character moves, a three-dimensional virtual game space is generated using data such as objects and textures included in the game data 30b. Further, a two-dimensional image when the generated virtual game space is photographed with a predetermined virtual camera is generated at a predetermined frame rate, and each two-dimensional image is sequentially displayed on the display 19.

  The play scene control unit 41 controls the progress of the play scene. In the present embodiment, the play scene means a scene in which the action mode of the player character in the virtual game space is determined in accordance with a user operation input. Accordingly, the play scene control unit 41 changes the moving speed of the player character (for example, a vehicle) in the virtual game space or changes the posture of the player character (for example, a person) according to the operation of the controller 24 by the user, for example. Or change it. Note that the play scene control unit 41 also appropriately determines the actions of other non-player characters (characters that cannot be directly operated by the user) in accordance with the action of the player character and the game situation.

  The movie playback unit 42 disables the determination of the action mode of the player character by the user's operation input, and plays back a predetermined movie scene (moving image). The start of the playback of the movie scene satisfies a predetermined condition such that the player character reaches a predetermined point (or enters an area) in the play scene, or executes a predetermined action at the point. The movie scene that has been executed and played back at this timing is displayed on the display 19.

  Here, the movie scene played back by the movie playback unit 42 is a movie (that is, a pre-rendered movie) in which a cut scene showing a part of the game situation is created in advance as video data, and video and audio. Is included. In addition to the pre-rendering movie, the game system 2 may additionally have a function of playing back a movie created by performing calculations in real time (that is, a real-time rendering movie) while the game is in progress.

  The scene switching unit 43 performs switching from the play scene to the movie scene at the predetermined timing as described above, and switches to the play scene again after the movie scene is finished, so that the action of the player character by the user's operation input is performed. Allows determination of the aspect.

  The character mode regulation unit 44 regulates the action mode of the player character in order to match the movie scene and the play scene. More specifically, when there is inconsistency related to the action mode of the player character between the movie scene and the play scene immediately before or after the movie scene, the action mode of the player character in the play scene is changed to the movie scene. Regulate to be consistent with For example, if there is a shift (mismatch) in the movement speed and posture of the player character between the play scene and the movie scene immediately after that, the character mode restriction unit 44 sets the action mode of the player character in the previous play scene. Regulate and eliminate this inconsistency.

[Game system operation flow]
Next, the character mode regulation process executed by the game system 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game system 2, and shows processing for resolving an inconsistency related to the action mode of the player character in the movie scene and the play scene immediately before the movie scene. It is. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a case where the present invention is applied to a car racing game.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the race game according to the present embodiment, a course 101 on which a vehicle PC that forms a player character runs is set in the virtual game space 100. The course 101 is provided with a corner P1, a puddle P2, and the like as target portions where the state of the vehicle PC traveling is reproduced by a movie scene. At one or a plurality of target locations on such a course layout, a movie playback point 102 is provided so as to cross the course 101 (see the broken line shown in FIG. 4). Each movie playback point 102 is associated with a movie scene (pre-rendered movie) obtained by shooting the vehicle PC traveling in the corresponding target point at a predetermined camera angle, and each video data is recorded in the game data 30b. For example, a movie playback point 102 is set at the entrance to the corner P1, and a movie of the movie playback point 102 showing that a vehicle PC that has entered the corner P1 from the out course passes at a speed of 60km / h. A scene is associated.

  Further, immediately before each movie playback point 102, a restriction zone 103 over a predetermined range for restricting the behavior mode of the vehicle PC is set. In the course 101, a portion excluding the above-mentioned target portion (corner P1, water pool P2, etc.) and the regulation zone 103 is referred to as a play zone 105 here. The restriction zone 103 and the play zone 105 are areas in which the behavior of the vehicle PC is controlled in accordance with the operation of the controller 24 by the player (that is, the “movement area” in which the character can move in the play scene). While the vehicle PC is located in the movement area, the play scene control unit 41 controls the progress of the game. In the following, an example will be described in which the vehicle PC enters the corner P1 where the movie playback point 102 is set after the game is started.

  First, when the race game is started by the user, the game system 2 controls the progress of the play scene in accordance with the user operation as shown in FIG. 3 (step S1). For example, the vehicle PC that has started running from the start point travels in the play zone 105 along the course 101 while increasing the speed according to the user operation. In this way, while the vehicle PC is traveling in the play zone 105, the game system 2 determines the action mode (for example, movement speed and movement direction) of the vehicle PC according to the operation input of the controller 24 by the user, Based on this determination, the vehicle PC is operated. The behavior mode of the vehicle PC in the play scene is determined based on the user's operation input within the range of the initial performance (performance related to the upper limit value of the moving speed and the steering ability) set in advance for the vehicle PC. .

  In the play scene, a video (image) obtained by shooting the virtual game space 100 with a predetermined virtual camera for the play scene (for example, a virtual camera arranged at the driver's viewpoint or behind the vehicle PC) is displayed on the display 19. . This video is sequentially generated according to the progress of the game and displayed on the display 19.

  The game system 2 determines whether or not it is time to prepare for switching from the play scene to the movie scene at a predetermined timing (for example, every frame) (step S2). In this race game, it is determined whether or not the above timing has arrived based on whether or not the vehicle PC has entered the regulation zone 103. If it is determined that the switching preparation timing has not arrived (step S2: NO), the play scene progress control is continued (step S1). On the other hand, if it is determined that the switching preparation timing has arrived when the vehicle PC enters the restriction zone 103 (step S2: YES), a character state restriction process (step S3) is executed.

  Here, there is an inconsistency in the action mode (movement speed and position in the course width direction) of the vehicle PC between the movie scene associated with the movie playback point 102 (corner P1) and the play scene immediately before the movie scene. In this case, the behavior mode of the vehicle PC in the play scene is regulated so as to match the movie scene.

  This will be described more specifically. As shown in FIG. 4, the restriction zone 103 set immediately before the corner P1 (movie playback point 102) is divided into a plurality of subzones 104 (104A, 104B, 104C). The contents of regulations for behavioral aspects are different. That is, the vehicle PC is restricted so as to approach the action mode (60 km / h, out-course arrangement) of the vehicle PC in the movie scene as it goes from the subzone 104A furthest away from the corner P1 to the nearest subzone 104C.

  For example, in the sub-zone 104A, only traveling in the range of 80% on the left side in the course width direction and in the range of 55 km to 90 km per hour is permitted. In the next subzone 104B, only traveling within the range of 60% on the left side in the course width direction and within the range of 55 km to 80 km per hour is permitted. Further, in the next subzone 104C, only traveling within the range of 40% on the left side in the course width direction and within the range of 55 km to 70 km per hour is permitted. It is possible that the behavior mode of the vehicle PC at the end point of a certain subzone 104 is out of the allowable range of the next subzone 104. In this case, the behavior mode of the vehicle PC may be corrected within the allowable range at the same time as the transition of the subzone 104, or after the transition of the subzone 104, it is corrected so that it gradually falls within the allowable range after a predetermined time. May be.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the switching timing to the movie scene has arrived (step S4). In this race game, it is determined whether or not the above timing has arrived based on whether or not the vehicle PC has reached the movie playback point 102 (the same point as the end point of the restriction zone 103 at the entrance of the corner P1). To do. If it is determined that the switching timing has not arrived (step S4: NO), the character mode restriction process (step S3) is continued. On the other hand, when it is determined that the switching timing has come (step S4: YES), the scene is switched (step S5), and the movie scene associated with the movie playback point 102 is played (step S6). Note that the user cannot operate the vehicle PC during playback of the movie scene.

  By such a process, when switching from a play scene to a movie scene, inconsistency related to the behavior mode of the vehicle PC is eliminated, and it is possible to suppress a sense of incongruity occurring for a user who has viewed the movie scene. In addition, in order to allow a certain amount of time for the vehicle PC to pass through the regulation zone 103 to match the behavior mode and to allow the user to operate the vehicle PC to some extent while passing through the regulation zone 103, the above Thus, it is difficult for the user to notice the existence of the regulation process.

  In the above description, the case of switching from a play scene to a movie scene has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to switching from a movie scene to a play scene. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game system 2, and when the inconsistency related to the action mode of the player character exists (can exist) between the movie scene and the play scene immediately after that, this is resolved. This shows the processing to be performed. Here, referring to FIG. 4 as well, the case where the vehicle PC proceeds from the corner P1 to the play zone 105 again will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the reproduction of the movie scene prepared in advance (step S10) is completed, switching from the movie scene to the play scene is performed (step S11). That is, the display 19 is switched to the video of the virtual game space 100 taken by the play scene virtual camera, and the play scene progress control is resumed (step S12). Further, the game system 2 executes the character mode restriction process (step S13) simultaneously with the restart of the play scene progress control.

  In this character mode regulation process, the current mode of action of the vehicle PC is matched with the content of the previous movie scene regardless of the mode of action of the vehicle PC in the previous play scene. For example, it is assumed that the movie scene enters the corner P1 from the out course at 60 km / h, and exits the in course at 70 km / h through the route indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. In this case, in the character mode regulation process in step S13, the behavior mode (movement speed and position) of the vehicle PC in the play scene resumed in step S12 is changed to the behavior mode (70 km / h, in-course) at the end of the movie scene. regulate. Thereafter, the behavior mode of the vehicle PC is determined according to the operation of the controller 24 by the user.

  By such processing, even in a scene where the movie scene is switched to the play scene, inconsistency related to the behavior mode of the vehicle PC is eliminated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user who was watching the movie scene from feeling uncomfortable when switching to the play scene. In the play scene immediately after the movie scene, a restriction zone may be provided. In this restricted zone, when the user operates the controller 24, the allowable range in which the behavior mode of the vehicle PC can be changed may be gradually expanded (gradually relaxed).

  By the way, the present invention is not limited to the application to the racing game as described above. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a role-playing game or an action game in which a user operates a humanoid character PC to act in a virtual game space. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a case where the present invention is applied to an action game in which a user operates a humanoid character PC.

  As shown in FIG. 6, also in this action game, areas such as a play zone 201, a movie playback point 202, and a restriction zone 203 are set in the virtual game space 200. Specifically, a building is arranged in the virtual game space 200, and its entrance P3 is set at the movie playback point 202. The movie playback point 202 is associated with a movie scene (pre-rendering movie) that captures a state in which the character PC opens the door in a forward bending posture and enters the building. In addition, as a region including the movie playback point 202, a restriction zone 203 is set over a predetermined range for restricting the behavior mode of the character PC. Further, a play zone 201 in which the action of the character PC is determined according to the user operation is set so as to surround the restriction zone 203. The play zone 201 and the regulation zone 203 are areas (that is, “movement areas”) in which the action mode of the human-type character PC is controlled in accordance with the operation of the controller 24 by the player. While the PC is located, the play scene control unit 41 controls the progress of the game.

  In the following, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, an example will be described in which the character PC located in the play zone 201 goes to the entrance P3 of the building where the movie playback point 202 is set after the game is started. To do.

  First, when the action game is started by the user, the game system 2 controls the progress of the play scene according to the user operation as shown in FIG. 3 (step S1). For example, at the start of the game, the character PC is placed in the play zone 201, the action mode of the character PC is determined according to the user operation, and the character PC is operated based on this determination. Here, in the play zone 201, any one of “dash”, “walking”, and “bend walking” can be selected as the moving method of the character PC.

  The game system 2 determines whether or not it is time to prepare for switching from the play scene to the movie scene at a predetermined timing (step S2). In this action game, it is determined whether or not the timing has arrived based on whether or not the character PC has entered the restriction zone 203. When it is determined that the switching preparation timing has not arrived (step S2: NO), the play scene progress control is continued (step S1). On the other hand, when it is determined that the switching preparation timing has arrived when the character PC enters the restriction zone 203 (step S2: YES), the character form restriction process (step S3) is executed.

  Here, when there is an inconsistency in the action mode (movement method) of the character PC between the movie scene associated with the movie playback point 202 (building entrance P3) and the play scene immediately before the movie scene, The action mode of the character in the play scene is regulated so as to match the movie scene.

  This will be described more specifically. As shown in FIG. 6, the restriction zone 203 is divided into a plurality of concentric sub-zones 204 (204A, 204B), and the restriction contents for the action mode of the character PC are different for each sub-zone 204. That is, the inner subzone 204B that is farther away from the entrance P3 than the outer subzone 204A is regulated so as to approach the behavior mode (bending) of the character PC in the movie scene. For example, in the outer subzone 204A, movement by a “dash” by a user operation is prohibited, and only “walking” and “bending” are allowed. In the inner sub-zone 204B, the movement by “dash” and “walk” by the user's operation is prohibited, and only “bend and walk” is allowed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the switching timing to the movie scene has arrived (step S4). In this action game, it is determined whether or not the above timing has arrived based on whether or not the character PC has reached the movie playback point 202 (building entrance P3) and has grasped a hand on the door knob. . If it is determined that the switching timing has not arrived (step S4: NO), the character mode restriction process (step S3) is continued. On the other hand, if it is determined that the switching timing has come (step S4: YES), the scene is switched (step S5), and the movie scene associated with the movie playback point 202 is played (step S6). Note that the user cannot operate the character PC during the playback of the movie scene.

  By such a process, when switching from a play scene to a movie scene, inconsistency related to the behavior mode of the character PC is eliminated, and it is possible to suppress the user from seeing the movie scene from feeling uncomfortable.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle and the human-type character are exemplified as the character that regulates the behavior mode. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user can operate (control) the behavior mode using the controller 24 or the like. Characters can be included. In addition to the movement speed, movement direction, and movement method as described above, the “action mode” may include the posture and motion of the character.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a computer program and a game system that can eliminate inconsistencies in both scenes related to the behavior mode of a character in a game in which a play scene and a movie scene are switched.

2 game system 30a game program 30b game data 40 virtual game space generation unit 41 play scene control unit 42 movie playback unit 43 scene switching unit 44 character mode regulation unit 100, 200 virtual game space PC player character

Claims (3)

Computer
Virtual game space generation means for generating a virtual game space in which a character acts,
A play scene control means for controlling the progress of the play scene in which the action mode of the character in the virtual game space is determined in accordance with a user operation input;
Movie playback means for making it impossible to determine a character's action mode by a user's operation input, and playing a predetermined movie scene,
Scene switching means for switching between the play scene and the movie scene; and
The character of the play scene is set at a predetermined switching preparation timing before the movie scene is reproduced so that the action mode of the character is matched between the movie scene and the play scene immediately before the movie scene. Character mode regulation means for gradually regulating the behavior mode,
As a computer program. Computer
Virtual game space generation means for generating a virtual game space in which a character acts,
A play scene control means for controlling the progress of the play scene in which the action mode of the character in the virtual game space is determined in accordance with a user operation input;
Movie playback means for making it impossible to determine a character's action mode by a user's operation input, and playing a predetermined movie scene,
Scene switching means for switching between the play scene and the movie scene; and
The character of the play scene is set at a predetermined switching preparation timing before the movie scene is reproduced so that the action mode of the character is matched between the movie scene and the play scene immediately before the movie scene. Character aspect restricting means for restricting the action aspect,
Function as
In the virtual game space, a moving area in which the character can move in the play scene is set. In the moving area, at least a playback point where the movie scene is played by the arrival of the character, and the playback And a regulatory zone over a predetermined range just before the point,
The character mode regulation means gradually regulates the character behavior mode in the regulation zone.
Computer program. A program storage unit for storing a computer program according to claim 1 or 2, and a computer for executing a program stored in the program storage unit, provided with a game system.

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