U.S. Pat. No. 10,039,980

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an example of one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the appending drawings.

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a video game processing apparatus100according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the video game processing apparatus100includes: a game program reading section10; a control section11; a storage section12; a display section13; an audio output section14; a player operation receiving section15; and a communication section16.

The game program reading section10has a function to read out a necessary video game program from a storage medium. Various kinds of video game programs are stored in the storage medium. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the game program reading section10has a mounting section into which a game cartridge20, in which the video game program is stored, is detachably mounted. A player (that is, an operator (or a user) of the video game processing apparatus100) reads out a video game program from a storage medium of the game cartridge20that is mounted into the mounting section, and stores the read-out video game program in the storage section12. In this regard, the video game carried out in accordance with the video game program used in the present embodiment may be anyone such as an RPG, a simulation game, a puzzle game and a battle game so long as the video game is a video game in which a virtual controller operated by the player is displayed.

The control section11has a function to execute a game program read out by the game program reading section10and stored in the storage section12, and a function to carry out various kinds of controls to cause the video game to proceed in response to an operation of the player.

The storage section12is a storage medium for storing video game programs necessary when the video game is caused to proceed and various kinds of data. The storage section12is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a RAM, for example. In the storage section12, various kinds of information registered and updated in accordance with progress of the video game, and various kinds of information used in the video game, which are read out from the storage medium embedded into the game cartridge20, are stored.

In this regard, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the video game program is downloaded from a video game program providing server (not shown in the drawings) via a communication network such as the Internet or the like and is stored in the storage section12.

In the present embodiment, the storage section12includes a virtual controller managing table12aand an object information storage section12b.

The virtual controller managing table12ais a storage medium for storing virtual controller information that is information on the virtual controller (or a so-called control pad). In the present embodiment, the control section11refers to the virtual controller information, and causes the display section13to display an image indicating the virtual controller on a display screen thereof. Further, the control section11updates the virtual controller information in accordance with progress of the video game, and thereby updates a position and/or a shape of the virtual controller to be displayed on the display screen.

FIG. 2is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of the virtual controller information stored in the virtual controller managing table12a. As shown inFIG. 2, the virtual controller information contains information that indicates a display position, a position of a slide operating portion and a shape change position of a tap operating portion.

Here, the virtual controller according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 3is an explanatory drawing showing an example of the virtual controller according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 3A, a virtual controller IC is formed in a circular shape. As shown inFIG. 3B, the virtual controller IC is constructed by a slide operating portion SO and a tap operating portion TO. The slide operating portion SO receives a slide operation (or a drag operation) by the player when the slide operating portion SO is displayed on the display screen. The tap operating portion TO receives a tap operation (or a press operation) by the player. In this regard, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that image information for displaying the virtual controller IC on the display screen and the like are stored in the virtual controller managing table12aas part of the virtual controller information. Alternatively, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the image information and the like are stored in other storage area of the storage section12.

FIG. 4is an explanatory drawing showing an example of an operation of the virtual controller according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 4, the virtual controller IC according to the present embodiment indicates two types of actions. Namely, the virtual controller IC is configured so as to receive operational inputs broadly classified into two types (or categories).

First, as shown inFIG. 4A, a motion is illustrated in which the slide operating portion SO is slid from an initial position O toward any one direction of eight directions (that is, upper, upper right, right, lower right, lower, lower left, left and upper left) in accordance with a slide operation by the player (that is, an operation to move a touched position from a state in which a finger or the like of the player is in contact with a display position of the slide operating portion SO while keeping the touched state). In this regard, at this time, a shape of the tap operating portion TO is changed (for example, its color is changed) so that a portion corresponding to the motion of the slide operating portion SO (inFIG. 4A, an upper tap operating portion TO1corresponding to slide toward the upper direction) can be distinguished from the other portions.

Second, as shown inFIG. 4B, a motion is illustrated in which a shape of the tap operating portion TO is changed in accordance with a tap operation by the player (that is, an operation to touch a display position of the tap operating portion TO by means of a finger or the like) so that a tapped portion (inFIG. 4B, the upper tap operating portion TO1) can be distinguished from the other portions. In this regard, the slide operating portion SO is not changed particularly at this time.

In this regard, the shape and the configuration of the virtual controller101are not limited to these examples. They may be configured so as to include an input of a direction by the slide operation and a portion for informing of the player the direction of the inputted slide operation (in the present embodiment, the tap operating portion TO).

In order to manage the virtual controller IC as explained usingFIG. 3andFIG. 4, information indicating the display position, the position of the slide operating portion and the shape change position of the tap operating portion are contained in the virtual controller managing table12a, as described above.

Here, the display position means a position at which the virtual controller IC is displayed on the display screen. As shown inFIG. 2, two types (left side and right side) are set up in advance as the display position according to the present embodiment, and one whose flag becomes “1” is adopted. The display position will be described again when to explain a movement screen (seeFIG. 7).

Further, the “position of the slide operating portion” means a position of the slide operating portion SO movably displayed, as explained with reference toFIG. 4. For example, in a case where the slide operating portion SO is positioned at the initial position (center) as shown inFIG. 4B, “1” is set up to only a flag corresponding to the “center” and “0” is set up to each of the other flags in the virtual controller managing table12aas shown inFIG. 2. Further, in a case where the slide operating portion SO slides in an upper direction as shown inFIG. 4A(that is, in a case where the slide operating portion SO is positioned at the upper side), “1” is set up to only the flag corresponding to the “upper” in the virtual controller managing table12a.

Further, the shape change position of the tap operating portion means a position of a portion whose shape is changed so that the portion can be distinguished from the other portions of the plurality of portions that constitute the tap operating portion TO, as explained with reference toFIG. 4. For example, in a case where the shape of the upper tap operating portion TO1is changed as shown inFIG. 4B, “1” is set up to only the flag corresponding to the “upper” in the virtual controller managing table12a. In this regard, “1” is set up to only a flag corresponding to the “center” with respect to the position of the slide operating portion at this time.

The object information storage section12bis a storage medium for storing object information that is information on objects that appear in the video game.

FIG. 5is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of the object information stored in the object information storage section12b. As shown inFIG. 5, the object information contains information including: an object ID for uniquely specifying an object; a type; an action possible range; an action content; and a display start range (or a display start condition).

Here, the “type” means a type set up in advance to an object. For example, the type includes a “non-player character (NPC)”, a “treasure box”, and the like.

Further, the “action possible range” means a range in which an object that appears in the video game can carry out a predetermined action against the player character. As a configuration of the action possible range, various kinds of configurations such as “within a circle with a radius R1in which the object is centered” are thought, for example. Hereinafter, an explanation will be made appropriately using a range in which a non-player character may carry out a conversation with the player character (a conversation possible range) as an example. In this regard, the wording “may carry out a conversation” is used because the object may not carry out an action in a case where the player does not input a command even within the action possible range, for example.

Further, the “action content” means the content of an action carried out by an object that appears in the video game, such as a “conversation” and the like. In this regard, a concrete method of making a conversation is not limited in particularly. As the conversation method, a method of displaying a predetermined text on the display screen sequentially may be adopted, or a method of outputting a voice (or audio) may be adopted. In this regard, the action content is also not limited in particularly. The action content may be a battle against the player character. Further, in a case where the type of the object is a “treasure box”, application of a predetermined item to the player character may be set up as the “action content”.

Further, the “display start range” means a range to start to display an image indicating the action possible range on the display screen when the player character approaches the object. Various kinds of configurations, such as “a circle with a radius r1using the object as the center thereof”, for example, are thought as the display start range.

In this regard, a shape of each of the action possible range and the display start range indicated by the object information is not limited to the circular shape. Various kinds of shapes are thought as the shape thereof. Further, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that plural pieces of action content are associated with one object. Namely, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the action content carried out when the player character is positioned in front of the object is different from the action content carried out when the player character is positioned at the back of the object, for example.

The display section13is a display device for displaying the game screen in response to operations by the player in accordance with control by the control section11. The display section13is constructed by a liquid crystal display, for example.

The audio outputting section14outputs audio in response to operations by the player and progress of the video game in accordance with control by the control section11.

The player operation receiving section15receives operational signals in response to operations by the player, and notifies the control section11of that result. In the present embodiment, the player operation receiving section15is configured so as to receive an operation of the player via a touch panel provided in the display section13. In this regard, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the player operation receiving section15receives an operation of the player via a controller such as a mouse and a game pad.

The communication section16causes the video game processing apparatus100to connect to a communication network such as the Internet by wireless or wired connections, and to transmit and receive various kinds of information.

Next, an operation of the video game processing apparatus100according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6is a flowchart showing an example of movement processing carried out by the video game processing apparatus100. In the movement processing, processing to cause the player character to move in a virtual space in accordance with an operational input by the player is carried out. In this regard, the content of processing with no relationship to the present invention may be omitted.

The movement processing is started when a movement condition of the player character is met in accordance with progress of the video game, such as after a battle or conversation is terminated and the like, for example.

In the movement processing, the control section11first causes the display section13to display a movement screen according to progress of the video game on the display screen (Step S101). In the present embodiment, the control section11causes the display section13to display a movement screen showing a virtual three dimensional space, in which the player character can move.

FIG. 7is an explanatory drawing showing an example of the movement screen. As shown inFIG. 7, a field display area701indicating a virtual space (field) in which the player character exists and a viewpoint operation area702are provided in the movement screen.

A virtual controller IC for receiving a movement operation of a player character PC, various kinds of virtual buttons711to714, and a virtual compass CI indicating a direction to which the player character faces are displayed in the field display area701. A player who is a user of the video game processing apparatus100operates the player character PC using the virtual controller IC displayed in the field display area701.

Here, each of the virtual buttons displayed on the display screen will be described. In the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, an auto button711, a position switching button712, a map button713and a menu button714are displayed as the virtual buttons distinguishably from each other. However, in the present embodiment, the control section11causes display section13to display the position switching button712, the map button713and the menu button714on the display screen when the player character PC is in a stopped state (that is, a state in which the player character PC does not move).

The control section11carries out processing set up in advance to each of the virtual buttons in a case where a display area of the corresponding virtual button is selected by the player. More specifically, when it is determined that a selection of any of the virtual buttons is received, the control section11carries out the following processes corresponding to the selected virtual button. In this regard, information on each of the virtual buttons is stored in a predetermined storage area of the storage section12(a virtual button information storage section, which is not shown in the drawings). Further, the type of the virtual button is not limited to this type. Information on various kinds of virtual buttons (for example, information indicating an icon of a virtual button, a display period, a display position and the processing content carried out when to be selected) may be stored in the virtual button information storage section.

When a selection of the auto button711is received, the control section11starts processing to cause the player character PC to walk toward the direction to which the player character PC is directed. The control section11causes the player character PC to walk until a selection of the auto button711is received again or other walking stop condition is met (for example, until an event occurs) (so-called, automatic movement). At this time, the control section11receives a control of the direction that the player character PC is moving by means of the whole display screen by setting up a function assigned to the viewpoint operation area702onto the whole display screen (that is, the whole touch panel). Namely, the player is allowed to control the moving direction of the player character PC at the automatic movement by sliding the whole display screen and rotating a virtual camera. Further, although it is not shown in the drawings, in the present embodiment, the control section11allows visibility of the display screen to be improved by causing the display section13not to display the virtual controller IC and the other virtual buttons than the auto button711at the automatic movement. In this regard, the viewpoint operation area702will be described later in detail.

When the selection of the position switching button712is received, the control section11switches a display position of the virtual controller IC and a display position of the various kinds of virtual buttons711to714into the opposite positions in a right-and-left direction. In this regard, the control section11updates the setting of the flags regarding the display positions in the virtual controller managing table12ain accordance with the switching of the positions.

When the selection of the map button713is received, the control section11causes the display section13to display a map showing a place at which the player character PC is positioned. Namely, in a case where the control section11receives the selection of the map button713, the control section11shifts a screen displayed on the display screen from the movement screen to a map screen.

When the selection of the menu button714is received, the control section11causes the display section13to display a menu screen showing predetermined content regarding the video game.

Next, the viewpoint operation area702will be described.

FIG. 8is an explanatory drawing for explaining the viewpoint operation area702. When such a “slide operation against the viewpoint operation area702” to move the touch position from a position801to a position802, as shown inFIG. 8, is received, for example, the control section11moves a position (or a viewpoint) of the virtual camera in accordance with the content of the received slide operation (for example, a slide direction, a slide amount, a slide speed and the like). In the present embodiment, the control section11rotates, in response to the received slide operation, the position of the virtual camera in the right-and-left direction along a predetermined track using the position of the player character PC at the center. In this regard, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the control section11rotates the position of the virtual camera in an up-and-down direction in response to a slide operation in a vertical direction. When the position of the virtual camera is moved, the control section11causes the display section13to display the movement screen according to the movement on the display screen. Further, when a selection of a viewpoint controller VC (that is, a tap operation on a display area of the viewpoint controller VC) is received, the control section11moves the virtual camera to a default angle.

When the movement screen is displayed, the control section11determines whether a touch operation for the virtual controller IC (the slide operation or tap operation as explained usingFIG. 3andFIG. 4) is received (Step S102). Here, in a case where it is determined that the touch operation for the virtual controller IC is not received, for example, because a slide operation to the viewpoint operation area702is received (“No” at Step S102), the control section11carries out other process (for example, change of a viewpoint) (Step S103), and causes the processing flow to proceed to a process at Step S110(will be described later).

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the touch operation for the virtual controller IC is received (“Yes” at Step S102), the control section11updates the shape of the virtual controller IC on the basis of the virtual controller information in response to the received touch operation (Step S104). Namely, as explained usingFIG. 4, the control section11updates the image so that the direction according to the slide operation or tap operation by the player can be recognized and a part of the virtual controller IC (more specifically, a part of the tap operating portion) is highlighted compared with the other portions thereof. In this regard, at this time, the control section11updates the flag regarding each of the position of the slide operating portion and the shape change position of the tap operating portion in the virtual controller information (seeFIG. 2).

When the shape of the virtual controller IC is updated, the control section11starts movement of the player character PC toward the direction according to the touch operation (Step S105).

FIG. 9is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a game screen when the player character PC moves. As shown inFIG. 9, the player character PC moves in a direction according to the position of the slide operating portion SO that constitutes the virtual controller IC. At this time, a portion of the tap operating portion TO, which also constitutes the virtual controller IC, corresponding to the position of the slide operating portion SO (inFIG. 9, the upper tap operating portion TO1positioned at the upper direction of paper) is highlighted distinguishably from the other portions (in the present embodiment, the portions respectively positioned in the seven directions other than the upper direction of paper).

Under a movement control of the player character PC, the control section11determines whether the position of the player character PC is within the display start range set up to the object on a field (movement field) or not (or whether a display start condition is met or not) (Step S106). Here, in a case where it is determined that the position of the player character PC is within the display start range set up to the object on the field (“Yes” at Step S106), the control section11carries out processing to carry out an action set up to the object (object action processing) (Step S200), and causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S110(will be described later). In this regard, the object action processing will be described later in detail (seeFIG. 10).

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined at Step S106in the movement processing (seeFIG. 6) that the position of the player character PC is not within the display start range (“No” at Step S106), the control section11determines whether the touch position is changed or not (Step S107). Here, in a case where it is determined that the touch position is changed (“Yes” at Step S107), the control section11causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S104.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the touch position is not changed (“No” at Step S107), the control section11determines whether the touch operation for the virtual controller IC is terminated or not (Step S108). Here, in a case where it is determined that the touch operation for the virtual controller IC is not terminated (“No” at Step S108), the control section11continues to control the movement of the player character, and causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S106.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the touch operation for the virtual controller IC is terminated, for example, because a finger of the player moves away from the touch panel (“Yes” at Step S108), the control section11stops the movement of the player character PC (Step S109), and determines whether the display of the movement screen is to be terminated or not (Step S110). Here, in a case where it is determined that the display of the movement screen is not to be terminated (“No” at Step S110), the control section11continues to display the movement screen, and causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S104. At this time, in the process at Step S104, the control section11updates the shape of the virtual controller IC so that the slide operating portion SO is positioned at the initial position and so as not to include a portion at which the tap operating portion TO is highlighted.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the display of the movement screen is to be terminated, for example, by meeting a shift condition to other screen (“Yes” at Step S110), the control section11terminates the processing herein.

FIG. 10is a flowchart showing an example of object action processing carried out by the video game processing apparatus100. In the object action processing, processing to cause the object displayed on the display screen to carry out a predetermined action. In this regard, the content of processing with no particular relationship to the present invention may be omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, the movement of the player character PC is continued except for the case mentioned particularly.

In the object action processing, the control section11first causes the display section13to display an action possible range image corresponding to an object, in which the player character PC is included within the display start range, on the display screen thereof (Step S201).

FIG. 11is an explanatory drawing for explaining an action possible range image. InFIG. 11, the case where an action possible range image1102of a non-player character NPC that is an object arranged in the field is displayed when the player character PC moves into a display start range of the non-player character NPC is illustrated. Further, in the present embodiment, the control section11causes the display section13to display a speech balloon icon1101corresponding to the object in the vicinity of the object in addition to the action possible range image1102. The control section11carries out stop of the movement of the player character PC (see a process at Step S202, which will be described later). In addition, in a case where the speech balloon icon1101is selected by the player, the control section11carries out an action corresponding to the object.

When the action possible range image is displayed, the control section11determines whether the position of the player character PC is within the displayed action possible range indicated by the action possible range image or not (Step S202). Here, in a case where it is determined that the position of the player character PC is not within the action possible range (“No” at Step S202), the control section11determines whether the position of the player character PC is positioned outside the display start range set up to the non-player character NPC or not (Step S203).

In a case where it is determined that the position of the player character PC is not positioned outside the display start range set up to the non-player character NPC (“No” at Step S203), the control section11causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S202. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the position of the player character PC is positioned outside the display start range set up to the non-player character NPC (“Yes” at Step S203), the control section11erases the action possible range image1102(Step S204), and causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S106in the movement processing.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined in the process at Step S202that the position of the player character PC is positioned within the action possible range (“Yes” at Step S202), the control section11determines whether the touch operation for the virtual controller IC is terminated or not (Step S205). Here, in a case where it is determined that the touch operation for the virtual controller IC is not terminated (“No” at Step S205), the control section11causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S202.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the touch operation for the virtual controller IC is terminated, for example, because the finger of the player moves away from the touch panel (“Yes” at Step S205), the control section11stops movement of the player character PC (Step S206).

When the movement of the player character PC is stopped, the control section11carries out processing to carry out an action set up to the non-player character NPC (action related processing) (Step S207). More specifically, the control section11refers to the object information corresponding to the non-player character NPC (seeFIG. 5), and carries out processing according to the action content contained in the object information.

FIG. 12is an explanatory drawing showing an example of the game screen when “conversation” is carried out as an action. As shown inFIG. 12, the player character PC that stops moving, and a conversation window1103indicating character strings set up for a non-player character NPC; are displayed on the game screen. In this regard, at this time, the virtual controller IC is displayed in a state where the virtual controller IC has no highlighted portion and the slide operating portion SO is positioned at the initial position (center).

Further, in the present embodiment, in a case where the player character PC stops moving within the action possible range of the non-player character NPC (that is, within an area indicated by the action possible range image1102) as shown inFIG. 11, an action set up to the non-player character NPC is to be carried out. However, at this time, the control section11carries out processing to move the player character PC toward a predefined position and direction as shown inFIG. 12. In this case, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the position and the direction of the player character PC according to the action, the position of the virtual camera, and the like are contained in the object information, for example.

When the action related processing is started, the control section11determines whether a touch operation for the virtual controller IC is received or not (Step S208). Here, in a case where it is determined that the touch operation is received (“Yes” at Step S208), the control section11cancels the action related processing in execution (Step S209), and causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S104in the movement processing (seeFIG. 6).

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the touch operation is not received (“No” at Step S208), the control section11determines whether the execution of the action is completed or not (Step S210). Here, in a case where it is determined that the execution of the action is not completed (“No” at Step S210), the control section11continues the action related processing, and causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S208.

On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the execution of the action is completed, for example, because all of character strings each of which indicates the conversation content are displayed (“Yes” at Step S210), the control section11terminates the processing herein, and causes the processing flow to proceed to the process at Step S110in the movement processing.

As explained above, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus100for controlling progress of the video game while displaying the player character PC on the display screen of the display device (for example, the display section13) provided with the touch panel is configured so as to: include the virtual controller information storage section for storing the virtual controller information that is information on the virtual controller IC (for example, the virtual controller managing table12a); cause the display device to display the virtual controller IC on the display screen on the basis of the virtual controller information (for example, Step S101); receive an operational input (for example, the touch operation) to the displayed virtual controller IC (for example, Step S102); update the shape of the virtual controller IC on the basis of the virtual controller information in a case where the operational input is received (for example, Step S104); and control an action of the player character PC on the basis of the received operational input (for example, Step S105). Therefore, it is possible to improve operability of the virtual controller in the portable game machine.

In a case where a video game is to be carried out in a portable game machine in particular, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to update the shape of the virtual controller IC so that the player is allowed to distinguish the content of the operational input received via the virtual controller IC (in particular, a movement direction of the player character PC). Therefore, it is possible to effectively assist the player to carry out an accurate operational input. This makes it possible to improve operability of the virtual controller.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus100is configured so that: the virtual controller IC includes the slide operating portion SO for receiving a slide operation and the tap operating portion TO for receiving a tap operation; and the video game processing apparatus100updates the shape of the virtual controller IC so that the slide operating portion SO slides in accordance with the content of the operational input and the display shape of the tap operating portion TO is changed into a predetermined shape in a case where the operational input to the slide operating portion SO (for example, the slide operation) is received (for example, seeFIG. 7andFIG. 9). Therefore, it is possible to inform the player of the content of the operational input intuitively.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that: the slide operating portion SO is configured to receive a slide operation to each of directions of predetermined number (for example, eight directions); and the tap operating portion TO includes virtual switches (for example, the upper tap operating portion TO1and the like) of the predetermined number that are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the directions of the predetermined number. Therefore, it is possible to improve operability of the virtual controller IC in that the player is allowed to appropriately select a method of operating the virtual controller IC.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to: include a virtual button information storage section (not shown in the drawings) for storing virtual button information that is information on at least one of the virtual buttons; cause the display section13to display the at least one virtual button (for example, the four virtual buttons711to714) on the display screen on the basis of the virtual button information, wherein the position switching button712for receiving a request to switch the virtual controller IC and the display position of the at least one virtual button from a predetermined initial position to a second position (for example, from the right side of the display screen to the left side thereof) is included in the at least one virtual button; and switch the position of the virtual controller IC to display it in a case where the position switching button712displayed on the display screen is selected (for example, a display position of the position switching button712is touched by the player) (not shown in the drawings). Therefore, it becomes possible to improve operability of the virtual controller when to hold the video game processing apparatus100in one hand. Namely, for example, in a case where the video game processing apparatus100has a vertically long shape and the user holes the video game processing apparatus100with only his or her right hand, a finger or fingers of the right hand that can touch the display screen of the display section13is basically only a thumb. For that reason, it is preferable that the virtual controller IC and the virtual buttons that are used frequently are respectively arranged at positions near the thumb. The same holds true for the case where the user holds a vertically long terminal with only his or her left hand. For that reason, by providing the position switching buttons so that the player can appropriately switch between the position of the virtual controller and the position of the virtual buttons readily, it is possible to improve operability of the virtual controller.

In this regard, in the embodiment described above, the case where the video game processing apparatus100causes the display section13to display an icon (for example, the speech balloon icon1101) for receiving a request to start an action of the object in accordance with the position of the player character PC has been explained. However, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to cause the display section13to display a navigation window in which character string for explaining the object is shown. In this case, for example, the object information may be configured so as to contain information on a navigation window.

In this regard, although it has not been mentioned particularly in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to: select one object in accordance with predetermined selection criteria (for example, select an object positioned at the nearest place from the player character PC) in a case where the player character PC enters an action possible range of each of a plurality of objects; and cause the display section13to display only the action possible range image of the selected object. In this case, it is preferable that the video game processing apparatus100is configured to carry out an action of the object for which an action possible range image is displayed on the display screen in priority to an action of any of the other objects when the player character PC stops moving at a position where a plurality of action possible ranges are overlapped. In this regard, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to; when the player character PC moves within action possible ranges of a plurality of objects, display a speech balloon icon corresponding to each of the objects in the vicinity of the corresponding object; and display an action possible range image of the object positioned the closest to the position of the player character PC (or display the action possible range image of the object positioned the closest to the position of the player character PC and an action possible range image of each of the other objects whose action possible range is not overlapped with the action possible range of the closest object). Further, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to select one object in accordance with other selection criteria (for example, a type and/or a level of each object) in a case where a plurality of objects are positioned at substantially the same distance from the player character PC. In this case, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to cause the display section13to display (or distinguishably display) the action possible range image of each of the plurality of objects from the other action possible range images.

In this regard, although it has not been mentioned particularly in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that an action of the player character PC is varied between an operational input to the slide operating portion SO and an operational input to the tap operating portion TO. Namely, for example, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to cause the player character PC to run toward an upper direction in a case where an operational input indicating an upper direction of the display screen using the slide operating portion SO is received. The video game processing apparatus100may also be configured so as to cause the player character PC to walk toward an upper direction in a case where an operational input indicating an upper direction of the display screen using the tap operating portion TO is received. By causing the video game processing apparatus100to have such a configuration, it is possible to provide the virtual controller IC by which the player can carry out an operation according to the player's intention more easily.

In this regard, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus100is configured so as to carry out various kinds of processings such as game processing described above on the basis of the video game program read out from the game cartridge20. However, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to acquire the video game program via the communication network such as the Internet. Further, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so as to function as a video game server to provide the video game program to a video game terminal via the communication network.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus100carries out the various kinds of processes described above in accordance with various kinds of control programs (for example, the video game processing program product) stored in a storage device (the storage section12) with which the video game processing apparatus100itself is provided.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful to improve operability of a virtual controller in a portable game machine.