JP7572618B2 - Game program and game device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game program and a game device.

A sound effect information generating device is known that generates sound effect information so that sound effects are output in accordance with the actions of game characters (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-125435 A

In general games, characters in a virtual space move in response to user operations, and voice data for the characters is played. When a game is played by multiple users (a multiplayer game), voice data for each character is played in response to the operations of each player. In other words, if there is no user operation, the voice data for the corresponding character is not played. In such cases, users' interest in the game can be diminished.

The object of the present invention is to provide a game program and a game device that can increase a user's interest in the game.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a computer including a first playback device that plays back audio data for a first user,
a progression unit that progresses a game by causing a first character to act in response to an operation of a first user and a second character to act in response to an operation of a second user;
causing the first reproduction device to function as a reproduction unit that reproduces voice data of the first character and the second character;
The game program is characterized in that the playback unit has a first mode in which the voice data of the second character is played back in response to an operation by the second user, and a second mode in which the voice data of the second character is played back without the operation of the second user.

In the first invention, the playback unit may play back voice data of the second character in the first mode or the second mode.

In the first invention, the playback unit may play back voice data of the second character in the second mode depending on the game situation.

In the first aspect, the computer further includes a second playback device that plays back audio to a second user,
The reproducing unit includes:
In the first mode, the first reproduction device and the second reproduction device are caused to reproduce voice data of the second character in response to an operation by the second user;
In the second mode, only the first reproduction device out of the first reproduction device and the second reproduction device may be caused to reproduce voice data of the second character in accordance with a game situation.

In a first aspect, the computer includes a first game device including the first playback device, and a second game device including the second playback device;
The game may be a multiplayer game progressed by communication between the first game device and the second game device.

In the first invention, when the first character transitions from a first action to a second action, the playback unit may continue or interrupt playback of the voice data of the first character associated with the first action in accordance with the first action or the second action.

In the first aspect, a priority is set for each of the game situations,
The reproducing unit may reproduce the voice data of the first character in accordance with the priority.

The second invention is a game device characterized by having a storage unit that stores the audio playback program of the first invention, and a control unit that executes the audio playback program.

The present invention provides a game program and a game device that can increase a user's interest in a game.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game system. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game device. 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining a playback state of character voice data in the first process. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of voice data of a character reproduced in the first process. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game device. FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram of voice data of a character reproduced in a second process. FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of voice data of a character reproduced in the third process.

The game program and game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The game program described in this embodiment is executed on a game device such as a personal computer, PlayStation (registered trademark), Xbox (registered trademark), or PlayStation Vita (registered trademark).

In games using this game program, the player character is made to move around in a three-dimensional virtual game space (hereafter simply referred to as the virtual space) and perform various actions on the player character's companions in response to user operations.

In this game, a sound is played when a specific trigger condition is met during the movement or action of the player character. Examples of specific trigger conditions include the player character moving to a specific location, an enemy character appearing, defeating an enemy character, or discovering an item.

This game is a multiplayer game in which multiple users participate and progress. In this game, the corresponding character performs an action in response to the operation of each user, and the voice data of the character is played.

In particular, in this game, the character controlled by the user may automatically speak depending on the game situation. This can increase the user's interest in the game.

<Game System Configuration>
1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game system according to this embodiment. The game system 1 includes a plurality of game devices (two in this example). The game devices 5 are capable of data communication via a communication network 6.

The game system 1 is used, for example, in a multiplayer game in which multiple users participate and play. The game system 1 may be provided with an authentication server and a matching server, and may match users in response to a request from the game device 5.

The game devices 5a and 5b have the same configuration, and are connected to displays 61a and 61b, speakers 62a and 62b, and controllers 63a and 63b, respectively. In the following description, the user using the game device 5a, the display 61a, the speaker 62a, and the controller 63a is referred to as the first user, and the user using the game device 5b, the display 61b, the speaker 62b, and the controller 63b is referred to as the second user.

That is, speaker 62a plays audio data for the first user, and speaker 62b plays audio data for the second user.

<Configuration of the Game Device>
The game device 5 executes a predetermined game based on the user's operation. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the game device 5 of this embodiment. A display 61, a speaker 62, and a controller 63 are externally connected or built into the game device 5. In the game device 5, the game progresses based on the installed game program and game data.

The game device 5 has a network interface 51, a graphics processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a memory unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface 51, the graphics processing unit 52, the audio processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, and the memory unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via a bus 59.

The network interface 51 is communicatively connected to the communication network to transmit and receive various data between, for example, the game device 5 and an external server device (not shown).

The graphics processing unit 52 renders game images including the player character and various objects related to the game space in a moving image format according to the game image information output from the control unit 56. The graphics processing unit 52 is connected to the display 61, and the game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the display 61 as a game screen.

The audio processing unit 53 plays and synthesizes digital game sounds according to instructions from the control unit 56. The audio processing unit 53 is connected to a speaker 62, and the played and synthesized game sounds are output from the speaker 62.

The operation unit 54 is connected to the controller 63, and transmits and receives data related to operation inputs between the controller 63. For example, the user inputs operation signals to the game device 5 by operating an operator (not shown) such as a button provided on the controller 63.

The storage unit 55 is composed of a HDD, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 55 can store game programs and game data. The storage unit 55 also stores other account information received from other game devices 5, etc.

The control unit 56 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 5 itself. For example, the control unit 56 operates the graphics processing unit 52 and the audio processing unit 53 by executing the game program.

<Functional configuration of the control unit>
The control unit 56 executes the game program, thereby functioning as a communication unit 561, a game progression unit 562, and a playback unit 563.

The communication unit 561 is a function for communicating with other game devices 5 via the network interface 51. The communication unit 561 transmits various operation signals received by the operation unit 54 from the controller 63 to the other game devices 5.

The game progression unit 562 executes the game program and generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information using data such as game space objects and textures contained in the game data read from the storage unit 55 in response to user operations. As the game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 52, the processed game images are displayed sequentially on the display 61.

The game progression unit 562 also moves a character operated by a user in the virtual space in response to the user's operation. For example, in game device 5a, the game progression unit 562 moves a first character C1 operated by a first user in response to an operation signal from the controller 63a. Then, the game progression unit 562 moves a second character C2 operated by a second user in response to an operation signal received from another game device 5 (here, game device 5b).

The playback unit 563 plays the voice data of the character in response to the user's operation or the game situation. For example, the playback unit 563 plays the voice data of the first character C1 from the speaker 62a in response to the operation of the first user in the game device 5a.

The playback unit 563 has a first mode in which the voice data of the second character C2 is played back in response to an operation by the second user in the game device 5a, and a second mode in which the voice data of the second character C2 is played back without the operation by the second user. The playback unit 563 executes a first process in which the voice data of the second character C2 is played back in the first mode or the second mode.

Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining the playback status of the character's voice data in the first process, and Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram of the character's voice data played in the first process.

For example, in the game device 5a, the playback unit 563 normally plays back the voice data of the second character in the first mode. That is, in the first mode, the playback unit 563 plays back the voice data of the second character C2 in response to an operation by the second user.

In response to this, the playback unit 563 may play back the voice data of the second character C2 in the second mode when a predetermined game situation occurs in the game device 5a. In other words, in the second mode, the playback unit 563 plays back the voice data of the second character C2 without the operation of the second user.

Examples of specific game situations (situations of the first character) are shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, in this game, voice data (lines) of the second character are set for specific game situations.

In the game situation shown in FIG. 4, for example, the first user may be nervous because the first character C1 is in a critical situation, the first user may be depressed because he or she failed a quest, or the first user may be happy because he or she succeeded in a quest. In the second mode, audio data showing support, encouragement, concern, etc. from the second character C2 according to each game situation is automatically played to the first user.

In this way, in the first process, audio data showing the second character C2's support, encouragement, consideration, etc. is automatically played back according to the game situation, so the first user feels as if he or she is being cheered on by the second user. This can increase the first user's interest in the game.

Furthermore, the second user is no longer required to perform any operation to cheer on the first user, reducing the effort required of the second user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the voice data of the second character C2 is automatically played from the speaker 62a for the first user using the game device 5a. On the other hand, the voice data of the second character C2 is not automatically played from the speaker 62b for the second user using the game device 5b. This ensures that the second user does not feel uncomfortable playing the game.

In addition, by making the audio data that is automatically played depending on the game situation standard (greetings, cheers, etc.), it is possible to reduce the sense of discomfort felt by the second user during gameplay.

Note that while FIG. 4 shows an example of the game situation in the first process, the game situation is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4, nor is it limited to the situation of the first character.

(Operation of the Game Device)
A series of operations in the game device will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the game device 5 (here, game device 5a).

First, the playback unit 563 determines whether the game is in a specified game state as shown in FIG. 4 (step S1).

If it is determined that the game is not in a predetermined game state (No in step S1), the playback unit 563 operates in the first mode (step S2). That is, the playback unit 563 plays back the voice data of the second character C2 in response to an operation signal from the game device 5b (by an operation by the second user).

In contrast, if it is determined that the game is in a predetermined game situation (Yes in step S1), the playback unit 563 operates in the second mode (step S3). That is, the playback unit 563 automatically plays back the voice data of the second character C2 according to the game situation. In other words, the playback unit 563 plays back the voice data of the second character without the operation of the second user. Then, step S2 is executed.

In summary, the game program of this embodiment causes a game system 1 (computer) having a speaker 62a (first playback device) that plays back audio data for a first user to function as a game progression unit 562 that progresses the game by causing a first character C1 that acts in response to an operation by the first user and a second character C2 that acts in response to an operation by a second user, and causes the speaker 62a to function as a playback unit 563 that plays back the audio data of the first character C1 and the second character C2, and the playback unit 563 has a first mode in which the audio data of the second character C2 is played back in response to an operation by the second user, and a second mode in which the audio data of the second character C2 is played back without the operation of the second user.

<Effects of the Invention>
As described above, the playback unit 563 plays back the voice data of the first character C1 and the second character C2 for the first user through the speaker 62a. The playback unit 563 has a first mode in which the voice data of the second character C2 is played back in response to an operation by the second user, and a second mode in which the voice data of the second character C2 is played back without response to an operation by the second user.

In other words, in the second mode, the playback unit 563 automatically plays back the voice data of the second character C2, so that the first user can receive cheers from the second user without the second user's operation. This can increase the user's (the first user's) interest in the game.

The playback unit 563 also plays back the voice data of the second character C2 in the first mode or the second mode depending on the game situation. This allows the playback unit 563 to play back the voice data of the second character C2 depending on the game situation.

In addition, in the second mode, the playback unit 563 plays back voice data of the second character C2 according to the game situation. As a result, in the second mode, voice data of the second character C2 according to the game situation is played back, so that the first user can feel as if he or she is being cheered on by the second user. This can increase the user's (the first user's) interest in the game.

The game system 1 further includes a speaker 62b (second playback device) that plays back audio for the second user. In the first mode, the playback unit 563 causes the speakers 62a and 62b to play back audio data for the second character C2 in response to an operation by the second user. In the second mode, the playback unit 563 causes only the speaker 62a out of the speakers 62a and 62b to play back audio data for the second character C2 in accordance with the game situation. As a result, the audio data for the second character C2 is not automatically played back from the speaker 62b, so the second user does not feel uncomfortable playing the game.

The game system 1 also includes a game device 5a (first game device) that includes a speaker 62a, and a game device 5b (second game device) that includes a speaker 62b. This game is a multiplayer game that progresses through communication between the game devices 5a and 5b. This allows the game system 1 to be applied to multiplayer games.

[Other embodiments]
In addition, the playback unit 563 may perform a second process of continuing or interrupting playback of the voice data of the first character C1 associated with the first action depending on the first action or the second action (game situation) when the first character C1 transitions from the first action to the second action.

Figure 6 is a conceptual diagram of the character voice data played in the second process. As shown in Figure 6, voice data (lines) of the first character C1 is set for the first action of the first character C1. It is also set whether to continue or interrupt the playback of the voice data when the second action of the first character C1 is performed after the first action.

For example, if the first character C1 makes a "Stop!" pose (a pose that notifies other users of danger) and then makes a "crouch" or "move" motion, playback of the audio data continues, but if the first character C1 makes a "damage" motion, the audio data is interrupted. In contrast, if the first character C1 makes a "fist pump" (a pose that expresses the user's joy) and then makes a "crouch" motion, playback of the audio data continues, but if the first character C1 makes a "move" or "damage" motion, the audio data is interrupted.

This is because if the first action is an important action in the progression of the game (such as an action to notify other users of a danger), there is a high need to continue playing the audio data after the second action.

Furthermore, if the second action is a minor character movement (e.g., a crouching movement), continuing the audio data after the second action will not feel strange, but if the second action is a major character movement (e.g., a moving movement or an action resulting in damage), continuing to play the audio data after the second action will feel strange. In other words, by having the playback unit 563 perform the second process, it is possible to increase the user's (first user's) interest in the game.

Note that in FIG. 6, the game situation in the second process is described as being the first or second action of the first character, but this is not limited to this, and it does not necessarily have to be the action of the first character.

In addition, a priority is set for the game situation, and the playback unit 563 may perform a third process in which the voice data of the first character C1 is played back according to the priority.

Figure 7 is a conceptual diagram of the character voice data played in the third process. As shown in Figure 7, a priority and the voice data (lines) of the first character C1 are set for the game situation (the situation of the first character).

When playing a game, game situations for which audio data is set may occur simultaneously. For example, the first character C1 may receive damage from paralysis while his/her vitality gauge reaches zero. In such a case, playing the audio data simultaneously or at different times may create a strange feeling in the gameplay.

For this reason, in the third process, when multiple game situations occur simultaneously, the playback unit 563 plays only the voice data of the first character C1 corresponding to the game situation with the highest priority. This process reduces the sense of awkwardness in game play. In other words, by having the playback unit 563 perform the third process, it is possible to increase the user's (first user's) interest in the game.

Note that in Figure 7, an example is described in which the game situation in the third process is the situation of the first character C1, but this is not limited to this, and it does not necessarily have to be the situation of the first character C1.

The game situation in the above embodiment is not limited to the above example, and may be different from the example. The game situation may be set based on the following parameters, or a combination of the following parameters:

(A) Parameters Related to Player Character Candidate parameters related to the player character include parameters related to the player character's vitality value, stamina value, position in the virtual space, status, type of possessed item, and type of equipment. Other candidate parameters include the rank (experience value) of the player or player character, the amount of possessed currency in the game, and the status of possessed items. An example of the status of possessed items is the maintenance status of weapons.

Note that health value and stamina value have different definitions depending on the game. Health value, for example, is a point that indicates the survivability of a character in a game. Stamina value, for example, is a point that indicates the action power of a character in a game.

(B) Parameters Related to Non-Player Characters Examples of this type of candidate parameter include the type of non-player character, vitality value, stamina value, position in the virtual space, distance from the player character, and friendship level with the player character (whether they are friends or not).

(C) Other parameters Other possible parameters include information about the currently played quest (game task) (difficulty level, type, etc.), the elapsed time for the quest, etc. Parameters such as the number of participants in a multiplayer game, the rank of the participants in a multiplayer game, and various parameters related to other player characters in a multiplayer game are also possible candidate parameters.

Other examples of candidate parameters include the time in the game (including the date, season, etc.), the real time during play, the weather in the game, and the total play time. Furthermore, the amount of charges is also an example of a candidate parameter.

In addition, the playback unit 563 may be configured to not play back the voice data of the second character C2 in the second mode when playing back the voice data of the first character C1 in the first mode. In addition, the playback unit 563 may be configured to not play back the voice data of the second character C2 in the second mode until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the playback of the voice data of the first character C1 in the first mode has ended.

The playback unit 563 may also disable playback of audio data in the second mode in accordance with the communication standard between the first game devices 5a, 5b. For example, if the communication standard is a short-range communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), the playback unit 563 may disable playback of audio data in the second mode.

When the communication standard between the first game devices 5a, 5b is a short-range communication standard, the first user (and the second user) can hear the audio data output (played) from the speakers 63a, 63b. In this case, when the playback unit 563 plays back the audio data in the second mode, the audio data played back from the speakers 63a, 63b will not match, causing the user to feel uncomfortable. When the communication standard between the first game devices 5a, 5b is a short-range communication standard, the playback unit 563 can disable the second mode to reduce the discomfort caused by the mismatch in the audio data played back from the speakers 63a, 63b.

The playback unit 563 may also disable playback of audio data in the second mode in accordance with position information of the first game device 5a and the second game device 5b. For example, if the positions of the first game device 5a and the second game device 5b are within a predetermined distance, the playback unit 563 may disable playback of audio data in the second mode. This can reduce the sense of discomfort caused by a mismatch in the audio data played from the speakers 63a, 63b.

The game system 1 can also be used for multiplayer games in which multiple users participate and progress. The game system 1 can also be applied to games of any genre, such as adventure games, action games, FPS (First Person Shooter), racing games, sports games, RPGs (Role Playing Games), and shooting games.

The game program may also be implemented as a game program for a so-called online game. When the game program is for an online game, the processing that was previously performed by the control unit 56 may be performed on the server side instead, or may be shared between the server side and the client (game device 5) side.

In the above embodiment, the game device 5 is a personal computer, a PlayStation, or the like, but the type of game device 5 is not limited to this. For example, the game device 5 may be a smartphone, a tablet, or an arcade game cabinet provided at game centers.

The effects of the present invention can be achieved even when these other embodiments are adopted. In addition, this embodiment can be combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate.

5 (5a, 5b) Game device 53 Audio processing unit 55 Memory unit 56 Control unit 561 Communication unit 562 Game progression unit 563 Reproduction unit C1 First character C2 Second character

Claims (7)

A computer including a first playback device for playing audio data for a first user,
a progression unit that progresses a game by causing a first character to act in response to an operation of a first user and a second character to act in response to an operation of a second user;
causing the first reproduction device to function as a reproduction unit that reproduces voice data of the first character and the second character;
the reproduction unit has a first mode in which the voice data of the second character is reproduced in response to an operation of the second user, and a second mode in which the voice data of the second character is reproduced without being operated by the second user ;
the computer further comprises a second playback device for playing back audio to a second user;
The reproducing unit includes:
In the first mode, the first reproduction device and the second reproduction device are caused to reproduce voice data of the second character in response to an operation by the second user;
In the second mode, only the first reproduction device out of the first reproduction device and the second reproduction device reproduces voice data of the second character according to a game situation.
A game program characterized by: In claim 1,
The game program, wherein the playback unit plays back the voice data of the second character in the first mode or the second mode depending on a game situation. In claim 1 or 2,
The game program, wherein the playback unit, in the second mode, plays back voice data of the second character according to a game situation. In any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
the computer includes a first game device including the first playback device and a second game device including the second playback device;
The game program, wherein the game is a multiplayer game progressed by communication between the first game device and the second game device. In any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The game program is characterized in that the playback unit continues or interrupts playback of the voice data of the first character corresponding to the first action when the first character transitions from a first action to a second action depending on the situation of the game. In any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
Priorities are set for the game situations,
The game program, wherein the playback unit plays back the voice data of the first character in accordance with the priority. A storage unit that stores the game program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ;
and a control unit that executes the game program.

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