JP2007252501A - Game device and game control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to utilize an item and a character in a game in the next and succeeding games. <P>SOLUTION: At the end of the game, a game execution part 41 inquires a user whether or not to preserve the item and the character, etc., in a file. When the user desires preservation, a file generation part 43 reads the parameters of the selected item and character from a parameter holding part 60, generates the file and stores it in a storage medium 62. When the file is stored in the storage medium 62 at the start of the game, the game execution part 41 inquires the user whether or not to utilize the item and the character preserved in the file in the game. When the user desires utilization, a parameter acquisition part 42 stores the parameters of the selected item and character in the parameter holding part 60 and makes the utilization in the game possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game control technique, and more particularly to a technique for managing items and characters owned by a user in a game.

  Role-playing games that operate characters and perform events and battle in the game world are gaining popularity. Even after the ending of the game, many users play characters over and over again, such as further growing their characters, searching for items that are not available.

  However, some users may not be able to find the necessary items or improve the character's ability, and may give up because they cannot move forward. There is also a demand to use items collected after the game is finished, characters raised over hand salt, etc. in subsequent games.

  In view of such a situation, the present inventor has come up with a technique for enabling a user to select various ways of enjoying and realizing a game that can be enjoyed by more users.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a game device according to an aspect of the present invention provides a parameter of the item or character so that the item or character owned by the user in the game can be used in subsequent games. Is generated as a separate file from the save data for recording the game state, and is stored in a storage medium, and the parameters of the item or character stored in the storage medium And a parameter acquisition unit that makes the item or character available in the game.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a representation of the present invention converted between a method, an apparatus, a system, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique which improves the entertainment property of a game can be provided.

  The game device according to the embodiment provides a function that makes it possible to use items acquired in the game, characters raised by the user, and the like in subsequent games. In addition, it provides a function for exchanging items and characters with other game devices. Thereby, a certain item can be used continuously or a character can be continuously raised. In addition, items acquired by other users, characters raised, and the like can be inherited and used.

  The embodiment will be described by taking as an example a game in which a boy character operated by a user spends summer vacation in a game world rich in nature provided in the game and experiences various events such as insect collecting and fishing. In this game, a user operates a boy of a hero to collect beetles, raises the collected beetles, and makes other beetles play against sumo wrestlers. On the map, there is a secret place that cannot be reached unless you win a sumo wrestler, and the user grows the collected beetle and grows it strongly, aiming for a secret place.

  When the user enjoys this game over and over again, it is more loved by the beetle and the game can be enjoyed more by continuously raising the same beetle than by collecting and growing a new beetle every time It becomes like this.

  The secret location is not the only final goal in the game, but is set as a goal for growing beetles, but some users are not very interested in growing beetles. If you can't grow well, you can't go to a secret place and end up. In such a case, if a beetle is handed over from another user so that it can be taken to the game world, the beetle can win the insect sumo and go to a secret place.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by providing an option of a function that allows items and characters to be carried over to the next and subsequent games, and items and characters transferred from others to be used as options, more users can obtain To be able to enjoy the game. Users can choose whether or not to use items and characters that they carry over or hand over in the game according to their interests, skills, playing time, etc., so the difficulty and conditions of the game can be flexibly You can set and enjoy various ways of enjoying.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the game terminal 10. The game terminal 10 includes a controller 20, an input unit 30, a communication unit 32, a control unit 40, a parameter holding unit 60, a storage medium 62, an image processing unit 66, and a display device 68. In terms of hardware components, these configurations are realized by a CPU of a computer, a memory, a program loaded in the memory, and the like, but here, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are illustrated. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The input unit 30 receives a control signal input from the controller 20 operated by the user. The communication unit 32 controls communication with other game terminals 10 via infrared communication or the like. The control unit 40 executes the game program based on an instruction from the user received by the input unit 30.

  The parameter holding unit 60 holds various parameters of the game program executed by the control unit 40. The parameter holding unit 60 may be realized by a memory such as a RAM. The storage medium 62 is a rewritable and readable storage medium, and turns off the game terminal 10 such as save data for saving the game state, and items and character data to be carried over to the next and subsequent games. Even the data that should be preserved is stored. Reading and writing of data with respect to the storage medium 62 is controlled by the control unit 40. The storage medium 62 may be the same as the storage medium that stores the game program, or may be provided separately. The image processing unit 66 generates a game screen controlled by the control unit 40 and causes the display device 68 to display the game screen.

  The game execution unit 41 executes a game program. The game execution unit 41 accepts parameter settings such as the name and ability value of the character operated by the user from the user at the start of the game, and stores them in the parameter holding unit 60. Further, the data of the item obtained by the user during the game is stored in the parameter holding unit 60. Further, during the execution of the game, the ability value of the character is appropriately changed according to the event or the battle, and stored in the parameter holding unit 60.

  When the game is over, the game execution unit 41 inquires of the user whether or not to save items and characters obtained by the user so that they can be used in the next and subsequent games. When the user wishes to save, the file generation unit 43 accepts selection of an item or character to be saved from the user, reads the received item or character data from the parameter holding unit 60, and saves the file (hereinafter referred to as "favorite"). File ”) and is recorded in the storage medium 62. A plurality of items or character parameters may be stored in the favorite file. For example, up to three beetles may be stored in the favorite file. This favorite file is generated as a separate file from the save data recorded for saving the game state. The file generation unit 43 considers that a character string for identifying a game program, such as the name of a game program, and a plurality of favorite files for the same game program are generated as the file name of the favorite file. A file name including a character string for identifying a favorite file may be attached.

  When the favorite file is stored in the storage medium 62 at the time of starting or executing the game, the game executing unit 41 determines whether the items and characters stored in the favorite file can be used in the game being executed. To the user. When the user desires to use the parameter, the parameter acquisition unit 42 reads the parameter of the item or character stored in the storage medium 62 and stores it in the parameter holding unit 60 so that the item or character can be used in the game. When the item or character is displayed on the screen during execution of the game, the game executing unit 41 may display the item or character inherited from the favorite file so as to be identifiable. For example, the item inherited from the favorite file and the item obtained in the current game may be displayed in different colors.

  The parameter acquisition unit 42 may make the items and characters stored in the favorite file available in the game only at the start of the game. Thereby, it is possible to prevent an item or character from being copied infinitely from a favorite file and propagated in the game being executed. When allowing copying of items and characters from the favorite file after the game starts, the parameter acquisition unit 42 may limit the number of times the items and characters stored in the favorite file can be used in the game being executed. Good. For example, copying an item or character from a favorite file up to two times may be permitted, and the third and subsequent times may be prohibited.

  The file transmission unit 44 transmits the favorite file stored in the storage medium 62 to another game terminal 10 via the communication unit 32. The file receiving unit 45 receives a favorite file from another game terminal 10 via the communication unit 32 and stores it in the storage medium 62. In this way, the favorite file can be exchanged with other game terminals 10. Thereby, an item, a character, etc. can be inherited from another user and can be used in a game. By connecting the storage medium 62 in which the other user has recorded the favorite file to the game terminal 10, the other user's items and characters may be transferred.

  If you copy save data played by another person, the game starts from the saved state, so you are playing another person's continuation, for example, the event has already ended and it can not be reproduced The meaning of playing by the user may be halved. In this embodiment, apart from the save data, a favorite file storing only the parameters of the item and character is copied and only the item and character are taken over, so that the player plays from the beginning. This makes it possible to flexibly adjust the difficulty level and play time of the game by taking over items and characters without impairing the interest and fun of the game.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the game control method according to the embodiment. When a game is newly started (S10), the game execution unit 41 confirms whether a favorite file is stored in the accessible storage medium 62 (S12). If the favorite file is stored (Y in S12), the parameter acquisition unit 42 reads the favorite file from the storage medium 62 (S14), and among the items and characters stored in the favorite file, items used in the game, The selection of the character is accepted from the user (S16). The parameter acquisition unit 42 stores the parameter of the selected item or character in the parameter holding unit 60 so that it can be used in the game (S18). The game execution unit 41 starts the game in a state where the selected item or character is available from the start of the game (S20). If the favorite file is not stored in the storage medium 62 (N in S12), the game is started as it is (S20).

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for saving a favorite file. When the game is over (S50), the game execution unit 41 inquires of the user whether or not to generate a favorite file for storing items and characters (S52). When a favorite file is generated (Y in S52), the file generation unit 43 accepts selection of items and characters to be stored in the favorite file from the user (S54), and the parameters of the selected item and character are stored in the parameter holding unit 60. A file is generated by reading out from (S56). The file generation unit 43 stores the generated favorite file in the storage medium 62 (S58). If the favorite file is not generated (N in S52), the game is ended as it is.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  The items and characters stored in the favorite file may be used not only in the same game as the game program that generated the favorite file but also in a different game program. For example, in a plurality of game programs that are serialized, the same item or character may be handed over to each other. In this case, if there is an item or character that cannot be inherited due to a change in the specification of the game program, etc., the parameter acquisition unit 42 determines whether or not the item or character that cannot be inherited is accepted by the user. It may not be possible.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the game device which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the game control method which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of preserve | saving a favorite file.

Explanation of symbols

  10 game terminals, 20 controllers, 30 input units, 32 communication units, 40 control units, 41 game execution units, 42 parameter acquisition units, 43 file generation units, 44 file transmission units, 45 file reception units, 60 parameter storage units, 62 Storage medium, 66 image processing unit, 68 display device.

Claims (9)

Save data for recording the state of the game in a file storing the parameters of the item or character so that the item or character owned by the user in the game can be used in subsequent games. A file generation unit that generates the file as a separate file and stores the file in a storage medium;
A parameter acquisition unit that reads out the parameters of the item or character stored in the file stored in the storage medium and makes the item or character available in a game;
A game apparatus comprising:   The file generation unit receives from the user a selection of items or characters that can be used in a subsequent game from items or characters owned by the user at the end of the game, and sets parameters of the received items or characters. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game device is stored in the file.   The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter acquisition unit makes the item or character stored in the file available in the game only at the start of the game.   The game device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter acquisition unit limits the number of times that an item or character stored in the file can be used in a running game after the game is started.   The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a file transmission unit configured to transmit the file to another game apparatus via a network.   The game device according to claim 1, further comprising a file receiving unit that receives the file from another game device via a network and stores the file in the storage medium. Save data for recording the state of the game in a file storing the parameters of the item or character so that the item or character owned by the user in the game can be used in subsequent games. Generating as a separate file and storing it in a storage medium;
Reading the parameters of the item or character stored in the file stored in the storage medium and making the item or character available in the game;
A game control method comprising: Save data for recording the state of the game in a file storing the parameters of the item or character so that the item or character owned by the user in the game can be used in subsequent games. A function to generate a separate file and store it in a storage medium;
A function of reading parameters of the item or character stored in the file stored in the storage medium and making the item or character available in a game;
A program characterized by causing a computer to realize the above. Save data for recording the state of the game in a file storing the parameters of the item or character so that the item or character owned by the user in the game can be used in subsequent games. A function to generate a separate file and store it in a storage medium;
A function of reading parameters of the item or character stored in the file stored in the storage medium and making the item or character available in a game;
A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to realize the above.

Images