U.S. Pat. No. 10,335,684

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1is a functional block diagram of a portable smart device102(hereinafter, referred to merely as smart device) that is an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. InFIG. 1, the smart device102includes a processor section111, an internal storage device112, a main memory113, a communication section114, an operation section115, and a display section116. The processor section111executes later-described information processing and executes a system program (not shown) for controlling overall operation of the smart device102, thereby controlling operation of the smart device102. The processor section111may include a single processor or a plurality of processors. The internal storage device112stores therein various programs to be executed by the processor section111, and various kinds of data to be used in the programs. The internal storage device112is, for example, a flash EEPROM or a hard disk device. The main memory113temporarily stores therein computer programs and information. The communication section114is able to establish a connection to a network by wired or wireless communication and transmit/receive predetermined data to/from a predetermined server or another smart device. The operation section115is, for example, an input device for receiving an operation from a user. The display section116is typically a liquid crystal display unit. In processing according to the present embodiment, a touch panel (touch screen) integrated with a liquid crystal screen is assumed as the operation section115and the display section116. In another embodiment, a predetermined pointing device other than a touch panel may be used as the operation section115.

In the present embodiment, an example in which later-described game processing is performed in the smart device102will be described, but processing according to the embodiment described below is also applicable to a portable game apparatus or the like as the information processing apparatus.

Next, an operation outline of information processing according to the present embodiment will be described. The processing according to the present embodiment assumes a horizontal scroll-type jumping action game. More specifically, the game assumed in the present embodiment is a jumping action game in which a screen automatically scrolls in the horizontal direction. That is, the game is a game in which a screen automatically scrolls by a player object automatically moving without any operation of a player (even when a movement instruction input is not performed from the player).FIG. 2shows an example of a game screen according to the present embodiment. InFIG. 2, a player object201, coin objects202, and an enemy object205are shown. In this game, in principle, the player object201automatically moves rightward on the screen. In conjunction with the movement of the player object201, the screen also automatically and horizontally scrolls (in other words, the scroll forcedly and horizontally scrolls). In addition, at this time, in principle, the display position of the player object201on a screen horizontal direction axis (horizontal axis) in the screen (display area) is not changed and is maintained at a predetermined position. In the present embodiment, the display position on the horizontal axis is set at a center portion of the screen.

Scroll control will be specifically described. First, a virtual camera is disposed in a virtual game space such that the player object201is located in a forward direction of the virtual camera. The virtual camera moves in conjunction with the movement of the player object201so as to keep this positional relationship. In other words, control is performed in which the display area is scrolled in the horizontal direction of the screen so as to follow the movement of the player object201. This control of following may be control in which the display area is caused to follow the movement of the player object201without temporal delay, or may be control in which the display area is caused to follow the movement of the player object201with a slight delay.

The display position of the player object201is not limited to the above position. In another embodiment, the player object201may be fixedly displayed at a position slightly leftward of the center of the screen on the horizontal axis such that a more wide area at the advancing direction side can be viewed. In addition, the present embodiment is described with, as an example, the game in which the screen forcedly and horizontally scrolls. However, the scroll direction is not limited to the horizontal direction. In another embodiment, the scroll direction may be a vertical direction or an oblique direction.

In addition, the basic object of this game is to try to reach a finish point (within a time limit) while collecting coin objects202disposed in a game course. In this game, a “result screen” (not shown) is displayed after the game course is cleared, and the number of acquired coin objects202(this also means a score) is displayed therein.

Next, an operation of the player in this game will be described. In this game, an operation performed by the player during game play is basically only a tap operation. Specifically, the player can cause the player object to “jump” by performing a tap operation on the screen. In addition, regarding a position at which the tap operation is performed, the player may tap any position on the screen except a specific button region and the like. That is, it can be said that this game provides simple operability in which the player object201is merely caused to jump by tapping the screen, to the player (since any position on the screen may be tapped in principle). In addition, the height of the jump can be changed in accordance with the duration of the tap operation, and it is possible to cause the player object201to jump higher when the time for which the player taps the screen is longer (the player holds the tap operation longer) (other operations that can be performed by the player include a menu operation and the like, but those operations are not directly relevant to the processing of the present embodiment, and thus the description of processing regarding the operations is omitted). The player can cause the player object201to attack the enemy object205or jump over the enemy object205or various obstacles, by performing a tap (jump operation) at good timing, and thereby can cause the player object201to advance for the finish point.

In addition, in this game, a “brake” can be applied to the jump movement by performing an operation in which, while a state of touching the screen is continued, the touch position is moved. Specifically, the speed of the player object201in the advancing direction (specifically, the direction in which the player object201automatically moves) is reduced to apply a “brake” by performing such an operation in the direction opposite to the advancing direction during a jump of the player object201. Accordingly, it is possible for the player to slightly adjust the landing position of a jump.

Here, actions that can be taken by the player object201with respect to the enemy object205in this game will be described. In this game, the player object can be caused to perform the following actions with respect to the enemy object.

(Attack Action by Fall Movement after Jump)

First, an enemy object can be eliminated (damaged) by causing the player object201to jump and land on the enemy object.FIG. 3shows an example of such an action.FIG. 3shows an example in the case where the player object201runs rightward on the ground and the enemy object205is present in the advancing direction of the player object201. For example, it is assumed that the player performs a tap operation at the time at which the player object201reaches a point A. Accordingly, the player object201jumps (a trajectory230inFIG. 3: a jump by a tap operation during running on the ground). Then, the enemy object205is present at a position that is the landing point of the jump. Thus, the player object201lands on the head portion of the enemy object205. As a result, the player object201can trample the enemy object205to eliminate the enemy object205. In other words, the player can cause the player object201to attack the enemy object205by performing a tap operation at timing that allows the player object201to land on the enemy object205. In addition, the display form of the trampled enemy object205is changed. Specifically, a motion indicating that the enemy object205is attacked and eliminated is displayed. In addition, the player object201that has trampled the enemy object205makes a jump movement in “reaction” to the trample (a trajectory231inFIG. 3: a jump in reaction to trampling the enemy object205by fall after the jump).

(Attack Action Through Tap Operation)

In addition, in this game, a trample attack by landing on the head portion of an enemy (hereinafter, referred to as trample attack through a tap operation) can be performed on an enemy object205present below the player object201(an enemy object205moving on the ground or an enemy object205present in the air) by performing a tap operation in a state where the player object201is in the air in a virtual space. Hereinafter, examples regarding an attack on an enemy present in the air will be described.

FIG. 4shows an example of an attack by a fall movement after a jump on an enemy object205present in the air.FIG. 4shows the enemy object205flying straight leftward in the air within the virtual space. In such a situation, it is assumed that the player object201jumps at a point B (a tap operation is performed at the time at which the player object201is present at the point B). As a result, the player object201moves as indicated by a trajectory232and lands on the upper portion of the enemy object205. In this case, as shown inFIG. 5, the player object201tramples the enemy object205and further makes a jump movement in reaction to the trample. The jump movement in reaction to the trample is the same movement as the jump movement in reaction shown inFIG. 3(is the same jump as indicated by the trajectory231). In addition, the display form of the trampled enemy object205is changed, and a motion indicating that the enemy object205is eliminated is displayed.

Next, a trample attack, through a tap operation, on the enemy object205present in the air will be described. For example, in a situation where the player object201can land on the enemy object205as shown inFIG. 4, when a tap operation is performed before the player object201actually lands on the enemy object205(i.e., in a state where the player object201is in the air), a trample attack corresponding to the tap operation of the player occurs. An action of the player object201during a jump after the trample at this time is different from that during the above jump movement in reaction. Specifically, an action in which the player object201jumps while rolling is performed (not shown).

Here, in this game, in order to easily reflect the intention of a tap operation performed by the player to game play, the following processing is also performed for a trample attack through the tap operation when the player object201is in the air. First, as shown inFIG. 6, in a situation where the enemy object205is flying leftward, it is assumed that a tap operation is performed at the time at which the player object201is located at the point B. At this time, unlike the above case ofFIG. 4, inFIG. 6, the situation is assumed in which the enemy object205is not present on the trajectory of fall in the jump. That is, the situation is assumed in which the player object201will not land on the enemy object205. In this game, when the player performs a tap operation in the state ofFIG. 6, processing is performed such that a trample attack through the tap operation is performed on the enemy object205as shown inFIG. 7. That is, although the player object201actually does not land on the enemy object205, at the time point at which the tap operation is performed, the player object201is caused to perform a jump action with a position under the foot of the player object201at this time as a base (an action in which the player object201jumps while rolling is also performed at this time), and the same processing as in the case where the enemy object205is trampled (change of the display form, etc.) is performed on the enemy object205.

(Automatic Avoidance Action)

Next, still another action will be described. In this example, in the case of a situation where the player object201comes close to the enemy object205present in the advancing direction of the player object201while running on the ground, and further a tap operation is not performed, an action is also performed in which the player object201automatically avoids the enemy object205with which the player object201is about to come into contact (collide). Specifically, an action of “leapfrog” in which the player object201jumps over the enemy object205(hereinafter, referred to as leapfrog action) is automatically performed. This action can be referred to as third movement control that is different from the above attack action by fall movement after a jump (first movement control) and the above attack action through a tap operation (second movement control).FIGS. 8 and 9show an example of the leapfrog action. As described above, the player object201automatically moves, but in this case, a situation in which the enemy object205is present in the advancing direction of the player object201as shown inFIG. 8(a situation in which the enemy object205approaching from the advancing direction) is assumed. In such a case, if the player does not perform any operation, when the player object201comes close to the front of the enemy object205, an action (of automatic avoidance) in which the player object201automatically “leapfrogs” the enemy object205to avoid a collision with the enemy object205as shown inFIG. 9is performed (in this case, the enemy object205is not damaged).

In addition, as execution conditions for the above leapfrog action, determinations are performed as to the following conditions. That is, determinations are performed as to a condition regarding the moving speed of the player object, a condition regarding the positional relationship between the player object and a terrain object, a condition regarding the positional relationship between the enemy object and the terrain object, and a condition regarding the positional relationship between the player object and the enemy object. Specifically, determinations are performed as to the following conditions.

(1) The moving speed of the player is equal to or higher than a certain value.

(2) The player object201is not away from the ground.

(3) No obstacle is present above the player object201and the enemy object205.

(4) The difference in height between the player object201and the enemy object205is within a predetermined range.

The first condition is set in order that if the moving speed of the player object201is low, the approach run is considered as being insufficient for leapfrog, and a leapfrog action is not performed. The second condition is set since the player object201needs to be on the ground for leapfrog, and the third condition is set since there is no space for leapfrog if such an obstacle is present. The fourth condition is set in order that, in principle, a leapfrog action is not performed if the distance in the height direction to the enemy object205is excessively large (if a height relationship in which the player object201can leapfrog the enemy object205is not established, for example, if the enemy object205is present above a step). However, this does not apply to the case where the player object201or the enemy object205is located on a specific terrain, specifically on an upslope or a downslope even when the distance in the height direction to the enemy object205is excessively large, and a leapfrog action is performed exceptionally in such a case.

Here, by performing a tap operation during the above “leapfrog action” (while a motion of leapfrog is displayed), the player can cause the player object201to perform a trample attack on the enemy object205.FIG. 10shows an example of such an action. It is assumed that the player object201starts a leapfrog action at a point C, and then, during the motion of the leapfrog action, the player performs a tap operation at a point D. In this case, the motion of the leapfrog action is cancelled and is switched to a motion of trampling the enemy object205. Then, after the trample, the player object201performs a jump action with the enemy object205as a base. In addition, in this case, regarding the player object201, an action in which the player object201jumps while laterally rolling is performed.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, types of jumps include four types, that is, a jump through a tap operation during running on the ground (e.g., the trajectory230inFIG. 3), a jump in reaction to trampling of the enemy in fall after a jump (e.g., the trajectory231inFIG. 3), a jump after a trample attack through a tap operation when the player object201is in the air (a trajectory233inFIG. 7), and a jump after trample through a tap operation during a leapfrog action (e.g., a trajectory235inFIG. 10). In the present embodiment, among the cases of these jumps, there is no difference in the trajectory and the basic height of the jump. In addition, in each of these cases, the height of the jump can be changed in accordance with the duration of the tap operation. On the other hand, regarding an action during a jump, for example, an action during a jump after a trample attack through a tap operation when the player object201is in the air is different from actions during other jumps. As described above, in the present embodiment, the trajectories and the heights of the jumps are the same, but the actions performed by the player object201at these times are different from each other. That is, as movement control, different movement control processes are performed.

However, in another embodiment, the trajectories of the above various jumps may be different from each other. In addition, reversely, as the actions during the above various jumps, the same action (the same movement control) may be performed.

As described above, in this game, the player object201can be caused to perform various actions against the enemy object205while simple operability in which an operation that can be performed by the player for the player object201is only a tap operation (jump operation) is provided.

In order to easily achieve various actions while providing simple operability with only a tap operation as described above, processing described below is performed in the present embodiment. First, the principle of the processing performed in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a plurality of regions to be used for a determination as to a collision with the player object201are set for each enemy object. In other words, a plurality of determination necessity regions are set for one enemy object so as to be associated therewith.FIG. 11shows an example of the configuration of such regions in the present embodiment.FIG. 11shows a first determination region251that is set so as to overlap the enemy object205, a second determination region252(shown by a thick line frame) that is located so as to extend across the upper portion of the first determination region251, a third determination region253(shown by an oblique line pattern) that is located adjacent to the left side of the first determination region251, and a fourth determination region254(shown by a broken line frame) that has a horizontally long rectangular shape and extends so as to include the first and third determination regions. Hereinafter, each determination region will be described.

First, the first determination region251will be described. The first determination region251is a rectangular region having substantially the same size as the enemy object205, and is set so as to overlap the enemy object205. This region is used for a determination as to whether the player object201is in contact with the enemy object205. In other words, this region is used for a determination as to whether the player object201tramples the enemy object205(by a fall movement in a jump) without performing a tap operation, a determination as to whether the player object201is damaged by contact with an enemy object, etc. Thus, the size or the shape of the first determination region251can be changed in accordance with the shape or the size of the enemy object205. For example, for an enemy object having a horizontally long shape, the first determination region251is a region having a horizontally long rectangular shape. When at least a part of the player object201is located within the first determination region251, it is determined that the player object201is in contact (collides) with the enemy object205associated with the first determination region251.

Next, the second determination region252will be described. InFIG. 11, the position of the second determination region252is set to a position including a region shifted in a direction orthogonal to the advancing direction. Specifically, the second determination region252is set so as to include an upper region of the enemy object205(the first determination region251). Regarding the size of the second determination region252, the second determination region252is set so as to be wider in the advancing direction and the direction orthogonal to the advancing direction than the first determination region251(the enemy object205). A specific size of the second determination region252only needs to be set as appropriate in accordance with the shape or the size of the enemy object205(in other words, the vertical and horizontal lengths may be changed to some extent). However, basically, the second determination region252is set as a region larger than the enemy object205(the first determination region251). In addition, regarding the horizontal direction, the second determination region252is set at a position at which the second determination region252is laterally symmetrical about the enemy object205. Moreover, the second determination region252is located such that the lower side of the second determination region252partially overlaps the enemy object205and the first determination region251. Furthermore, the second determination region252is located so as to partially overlap the later-described third determination region253.

The second determination region252is a region to be used for a determination as to occurrence of a trample attack through a tap operation as described above with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7. When a tap operation is detected while the player object201is located within the second determination region25, whether a predetermined relationship is satisfied is determined for each of a condition regarding the moving direction of the player object and a condition regarding the positional relationship between the enemy object and the terrain object. Specifically, if the following conditions are satisfied:

the player object201is falling (the moving direction is a downward direction); and

no obstacle (terrain object) is present above the enemy object205, even when the player object201is not in contact with the enemy object205(the first determination region251), a trample attack process on the enemy object205associated with the second determination region252is performed. In this configuration, a tap operation in such a state is inferred to have, as a player's intention, an intention to jump (attack) with the enemy object as a foothold, and is handled with the player object201being considered landing on and trampling the enemy object205, although the player object201strictly does not land on the enemy object205. Thus, the player object201can be easily caused to perform various actions.

However, as an exceptional process, in the case of a situation described below, such an attack process is not performed. That is, even when a tap operation is performed in a positional relationship in which the player object201has jumped over the enemy object205as shown inFIG. 12, a trample attack on the enemy object205is not performed. That is, when the player object201is located at the side in the (forced) advancing direction of the player object201with respect to the position of the enemy object205, a trample attack on the enemy object205is not performed. In this case, even when a tap operation is performed, nothing particularly occurs, and the player object201falls as it is (FIG. 13). This is based on the standpoint that the degree of unnaturalness becomes rather high if the player object201attacks the enemy object205even in a state where the player object201has jumped over the enemy object205. In another embodiment, importance is placed on operability of the player, and even such a case may be handled with a trample attack being considered to be performed, similarly to the above.

In addition, inFIG. 11, the second determination region252is located such that the lower side of the second determination region252partially overlaps the enemy object205. This is because an operation reflecting player's intention is more easily caused to occur, by expanding a range in which a tap operation of the player is detected. Thus, in another embodiment, for example, as shown inFIG. 14, the second determination region252may be located at a position at which the second determination region252does not overlap the enemy object205, specifically, at a position adjacent to the enemy object205.

The size of the second determination region252shown inFIG. 11is an example, and the size of the second determination region252may be made larger or smaller than that shown inFIG. 11in accordance with the contents of the game or the like. This game is a game in which the player object201automatically moves and the screen also automatically scrolls as described above. Thus, in principle, it is not possible to “return and try again”, for example, it is not possible to take the position of the player object201slightly backward and cause the player object201to jump again. Thus, regarding a determination as to a collision with the enemy object205, only with a process using only the first determination region (as in the conventional art), the level of difficulty of the game becomes excessively high. In this respect, in the present embodiment, by setting the size of the second determination region252as appropriate, it is possible to design a level of difficulty that allows a wide variety of players having different skill levels to comfortably play the game. For example, when the second determination region252is set larger, movement control reflecting the intention of a tap operation of the player is more easily performed, so that comfortable game play can be provided to a player having a low skill level.

Regarding the condition that no obstacle is present above the enemy object205, more specifically, the determination as to this condition is performed on the basis of whether an object to be an obstacle is present within a range from the lower end of the player object201to the upper end of the enemy object205as shown inFIG. 15.

In addition, when a tap operation is detected in a state where the player object201is located within the second determination regions252of a plurality of enemy objects205, a trample attack process is performed only on the enemy object205for which the above determination is performed earliest.

Next, the third determination region253and the fourth determination region254will be described. These determination regions are used for a determination as to whether to perform the above-described leapfrog action. First, the third determination region253will be described. Regarding the third determination region253, when the player object201is located within the third determination region253and a tap operation has not been detected, the player object201is caused to perform the above leapfrog action. Regarding the position of the third determination region253, the third determination region253is set so as to be adjacent to the first determination region251(the enemy object205). InFIG. 11, the third determination region253is located immediately at the left side of the first determination region251. This is because the player object201moves rightward. In other words, the third determination region253is located at the side to which the player object201comes close as seen from the enemy object205. In addition, regarding the size of the third determination region253, in the present embodiment, the third determination region253has, as a basic size, a size slightly smaller than the first determination region251, and the horizontal size thereof is variable in accordance with the moving speed of the player object201. This is because the start position of the leapfrog action also changes in accordance with the moving speed of the player object201. For example, as the moving speed increases, the leapfrog action is caused to be started at a nearer position as seen from the player object201. In order to achieve such a motion, the horizontal length of the third determination region253is set so as to be larger than the basic size as the moving speed of the player object201increases. Regarding the vertical size of the third determination region253, the third determination region253has a height that is substantially equal to that of the enemy object205(the first determination region251).

Next, the fourth determination region254will be described. The fourth determination region254is a region to be used for determining whether to perform the determination process using the above-described third determination region253. That is, the determination process using the above-described third determination region253is performed only when the player object201is located within the fourth determination region254. InFIG. 11, the fourth determination region254includes the first determination region251and the third determination region253. The shape of the fourth determination region254is a horizontally long rectangle. Since the start position of the leapfrog action is changed on the basis of the moving speed of the player object201as described above, the fourth determination region254is configured to include at least a region at the near side from the third determination region253in the advancing direction of the player object201. In addition, unlike the third determination region253whose size is variable, the size of the fourth determination region254is fixedly set. Thus, the fourth determination region254has a size that allows the entirety of the third determination region253to be included therein even when the size of the third determination region253is changed. In the example ofFIG. 11, the fourth determination region254is shaped and located so as to be laterally symmetrical about the first determination region251.

As described above, through a tap operation during a leapfrog action, the leapfrog action can be cancelled and a trample attack can be performed. In this case, as the positional relationship, a relationship in which the player object201is located within the second determination region252is established. However, when a trample attack is performed in the middle of the leapfrog action as described above, a determination using the above-described first determination region251and a determination process using the above-described second determination region252are not performed. That is, a determination as to whether the player object201is located within the first determination region251and a determination as to whether the player object201is within the second determination region252are not performed. In other words, during a leapfrog action, determination processes using the first determination region251and the second determination region252are not performed. This is for avoiding overlap of determination processes and reducing the processing load.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of regions to be used for a collision determination are set for one enemy object205. By combining such a plurality of determination regions, various types of movement control accompanying a collision between the player object201and the enemy object205can be achieved while simple operability with only a tap operation is provided to the player.

Next, the game processing in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 16 to 19.

FIG. 16shows an example of a program and information stored in the main memory113of the smart device102. In the main memory113, a game processing program301, operation data302, present state data303, player object data304, enemy object data305, terrain object data306, course data307, and the like are stored.

The game processing program301is a program for performing the game processing as described above.

The operation data302is data indicating various operations performed on the smart device102. In the present embodiment, the operation data302includes button data and touch panel data. These data are data indicating the contents of operations performed on the operation section115, and are data indicating pressed states of various buttons, a touch coordinate of a touch panel, touch duration, and the like.

The present state data303is data for indicating the present state of the player object201during the game. Specifically, the present state data303is data indicating in which of the following states the player object201is. The states indicated by this data include at least four states, that is, (a) a state where the player object201is automatically moving (a normal moving state), (b) during execution of a leapfrog action, (c) during a jump, and (d) during execution of a trample attack. As an initial value, the “normal moving state” is set. The content of the present state data303is updated as appropriate in accordance with the situation of the game (e.g., every frame period).

The player object data304is data for displaying the player object201. The player object data304includes, for example, motion data that defines the contents of motions corresponding to the various actions descried above.

The enemy object data305is data that defines (a plurality of types of) enemy objects. The enemy object data305includes, for each enemy object, data indicating the appearance of the enemy object, information indicating the contents of movement (the manner of behavior) of the enemy object, and information that defines the first determination region251, the second determination region252, the third determination region253, and the fourth determination region254described above, and the like.

The terrain object data306is data regarding various terrain objects forming a game course. The terrain object data306includes data indicating the appearance of the various terrain objects, and the like.

The course data307is data that defines the contents of the game course. The course data307includes information indicating the terrain of the course, information indicating the arrangement of coin objects and enemy objects, and the like. The game course is generated within the virtual game space on the basis of this data.

In addition to the above, in the main memory113, various data to be used in the game processing, such as an advancing direction parameter indicating the moving direction (advancing direction) of the player object201, a moving speed parameter indicating the moving speed of the player object201, and a jump distance parameter indicating a flight distance when the player object201jumps as described above, are also stored as appropriate.

Next, flow of game processing performed by the processor section111of the smart device102will be described with reference to flowcharts ofFIGS. 17 to 19. Here, only processing using the above-described four determination regions will be described, and the description of other game processing is omitted.

FIG. 17is a flowchart showing the details of the processing using the above-described four determination regions. This processing is repeatedly performed, for example, every frame period. In addition, before start of the processing, a process of setting the above-described various determination regions on the basis of the enemy object data305is completed.

InFIG. 17, first, in step S1, the processor section111performs a movement process for the player object201. That is, a process of automatically moving the player object201in accordance with the advancing direction parameter and the moving speed parameter at this time is performed.

Subsequently, in step S2, the processor section111determines whether the player object201is located within the second determination region252associated with any enemy object205. As a result of the determination, when the player object201is located within the second determination region252of any enemy object205(YES in step S2), the processor section111performs a trample determination process through a tap operation in step S3. In the following description, the enemy object205associated with the second determination region252within which the player object201is located is referred to as “determination target enemy object”.

FIG. 18is a flowchart showing the details of the trample determination process through a tap operation in step S3described above. First, in step S11, the processor section111refers to the operation data302and determines whether a tap operation has been performed. When a tap operation has not been performed (NO in step S11), the processing proceeds to step S4described later. On the other hand, when a tap operation has been performed (YES in step S11), the processor section111determines subsequently in step S12whether any obstacle object is present above the determination target enemy object. As a result, when some sort of an obstacle object is present (YES in step S12), the processing proceeds to step S4described later.

On the other hand, when no obstacle object is present (NO in step S12), the processor section111, subsequently in step S13, refers to the present state data303and determines whether the present state of the player object201is a state where a trample attack on the enemy object205is enabled. Specifically, the processor section111determines whether the player object201is in a state of being in the air (not in contact with the ground) and in a state of falling (not in a state of rising). That is, the processor section111determines whether the moving direction of the player object201is a downward direction. In addition, when these conditions are satisfied, the processor section111further determines whether the positional relationship between the player object201and the determination target enemy object205is the positional relationship as shown inFIG. 12, that is, whether the player object201is located at the side in the advancing direction with respect to the determination target enemy object205. When the player object201is located in the advancing direction with respect to the determination target enemy object205, it is determined that the present state is the state where a trample attack is enabled.

As a result of the determination, when the present state is not the state where a trample attack is enabled (NO in step S13), the processing proceeds to step S4described later. On the other hand, when the present state is the state where a trample attack is enabled (YES in step S13), the processor section111performs a trample attack process in step S14. That is, the processor section111causes the player object201to make a jump movement, regardless of whether the player object201is actually in contact with the upper portion of the enemy object205. Furthermore, the processor section111starts displaying a motion indicating a state where the determination target enemy object is eliminated (note that, depending on the type of the enemy object, if a cumulative damage value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the processor section111merely adds a predetermined damage value, and does not start displaying the motion in which the determination target enemy object is eliminated). Then, the trample determination process through a tap operation ends.

Referring back toFIG. 17, as a result of the determination in step S2described above, when the player object201is not located within the second determination region252associated with any enemy object205(NO in step S2), the processor section111determines subsequently in step S4whether the player object201is located within the fourth determination region254associated with any enemy object205. As a result, when the player object201is located within the fourth determination region254associated with any enemy object205(YES in step S4), the processor section111performs a leapfrog determination process in step S5.

FIG. 19is a flowchart showing the details of the leapfrog determination process in step S5described above. InFIG. 19, first, in step S21, the processor section111performs a process of adjusting the size (the horizontal length) of the third determination region253in accordance with the moving speed of the player object201.

Subsequently, in step S22, the processor section111determines whether the player object201is located within the third determination region253. As a result, when the player object201is not located within the third determination region253(NO in step S22), the processing proceeds to step S6described later.

On the other hand, when the player object201is located within the third determination region253(YES in step S22), the processor section111, in step S23, refers to the present state data303and determines whether the present state of the player object201is during a leapfrog action as described above. As a result, when the present state is during a leapfrog action (YES in step S23), the processor section111determines in step S27whether a tap operation has been performed during the leapfrog action. That is, the processor section111determines whether the present situation is the situation as described above with reference toFIG. 10. As a result, when a tap operation has not been performed (NO in step S27), the processing proceeds to step S6described later. When a tap operation has been performed (YES in step S27), the processor section111starts performing a trample attack process on the determination target enemy object, without performing a determination as to a collision with the determination target enemy object, in step S28. That is, for example, a process of updating the present state data303with a content indicating that a trample attack is being performed, or a process of changing the display form of the determination target enemy object so as to show a motion in which the determination target enemy object is eliminated, is performed.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S23, when the present state is not during a leapfrog action (NO in step S23), the processor section111determines subsequently in step S24whether the player object201is in a state where the player object201can perform a leapfrog action. For example, when the player object201is in a state during a trample attack performed by performing a tap operation during a leapfrog action as described above, it is determined that the present state is not the state where the player object201can perform a leapfrog action. In addition, a determination as to the condition regarding the moving speed of the player object201is performed, and also when the moving speed is equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the present state is not the state where the player object201can perform a leapfrog action. In addition, a determination as to the condition regarding the positional relationship between the player object201and the enemy object205is performed. Specifically, also when the distance in the height direction between the player object201and the enemy object205is excessively large, it is determined that the present state is not the state where the player object201can perform a leapfrog action (note that, as described above, when the player object201and the enemy object205are located on an upslope or a downslope, it is determined that the present state is the state where the player object201can perform a leapfrog action). As a result of such determination in step S24, when the player object201is not in the state where the player object201can perform a leapfrog action (NO in step S24), the processing proceeds to step S6described later.

On the other hand, when the player object201is in the state where the player object201can perform a leapfrog action (YES in step S24), the processor section111determines subsequently in step S25whether any obstacle object is present above the determination target enemy object. As a result, when some sort of an obstacle object is present (YES in step S25), the processing proceeds to step S6described later. On the other hand, when no obstacle object is present (NO in step S25), the processor section111performs a process of starting a motion of a leapfrog action of the player object201in step S26. Regarding the leapfrog motion, a plurality of types of motions may be prepared in advance, and one motion may be randomly selected from among the plurality of types of motions. In addition, at this time, in order to prevent the same motion from being selected successively, control may be performed such that the motion that is selected last is not selected. This is the end of the leapfrog determination process.

Referring back toFIG. 17, as a result of the determination in step S4described above, when the player object201is not located within the fourth determination region254associated with any enemy object205(NO in step S4), the processor section111determines subsequently in step S6whether the player object201is located within the first determination region251associated with any enemy object205. As a result, when the player object201is located within the first determination region251associated with any enemy object205(YES in step S6), the processor section111performs, as appropriate, various processes accompanying a collision between the enemy object205and the player object201, in step S7. For example, the processor section111determines the entry angle and the entry direction of the player object201into the first determination region251, and when the player object201has entered the first determination region251through a trajectory from up to down (fall by a jump corresponds to this), the processor section111performs a process of trampling the enemy object205. In addition, reversely to the above, when the player object201has entered the first determination region251through a trajectory from down to up, the processor section111performs a process of adding a damage value to the player object201, etc.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S6, when the player object201is not located within the first determination region251associated with any enemy object205(NO in step S6), the game processing using the above-described four determination regions ends. Although not shown, other game processing, such as a rendering process or the like, is performed as appropriate.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a plurality of regions to be used for a collision determination are set for each enemy object205, and different types of movement control are performed in accordance with the results of the determinations for the respective regions. By combining such a plurality of regions for a collision determination, simple operability with only a tap operation is provided to the player, and also various types of movement control of the player object accompanying a collision can be achieved. In the case of the above example, execution of various actions, such as a trample attack by fall in a jump movement, a trample attack through a tap operation under a predetermined condition, and a leapfrog action for avoiding a collision, can be provided to the player with simple operability.

The sizes and the shapes of the determination regions described above are not limited to the above-described sizes and shapes. For example, the shape of each of the determination regions may be a circular or elliptical shape. In addition, the second determination region252and the fourth determination region254are located and sized so as to be laterally symmetrical about the first determination region251in the above example, but the positions and the sizes thereof are not limited thereto, and each of the second determination region252and the fourth determination region254may be shaped and sized such that the length at the side to which the player object201comes close as seen from the enemy object205is longer, and the length at the opposite side is shorter. In addition, as the third determination region253, a region that is set at a position adjacent to the first determination region251(the enemy object205) is exemplified, but the third determination region253is not limited to the region “adjacent to” the first determination region251, and may be located, for example, so as to partially overlap the first determination region251.

In the above example, the case where the player object201forcedly moves rightward on the screen has been described as an example. In addition to this, the above processing is also applicable to, for example, the case with a game stage configuration in which the automatic moving direction of the player object201is switched between right and left. For example, this case is a case with a vertically long game stage configuration in which the screen is not horizontally scrolled, and the advancing direction of the player object201is switched to the opposite direction when the player object201reaches any of the right and left edges of the screen. In this case, regarding the settings of the above-described third determination region253, the position of the third determination region253only needs to be changed as appropriate such that the third determination region253is located at the right side or the left side of the enemy object205in accordance with the advancing direction of the player object201. In addition, in such a case, the second determination region252and the fourth determination region254are advantageous from the standpoint of processing load reduction, when being shaped so as to be laterally symmetrical about the enemy object205.

Moreover, the example in which the processing using a plurality of collision determination-related regions for one object is applied to the forced horizontal scroll-type jumping action game, has been described above. However, in addition to the jumping action game, the processing is also applicable to, for example, a game in which a virtual space is a three-dimensional space (e.g., a game in which a forced moving direction is the depth direction, etc.). In addition, the above processing may be applied to, for example, an application which has no game factor and in which a player object can freely move around in a virtual reality space.

In the embodiment described above, the series of processes of the game processing as described above is performed in a single device (smart device). In another embodiment, the series of processes described above may be performed in an information processing system that includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses. For example, in an information processing system that includes a terminal side apparatus and a server side apparatus capable of communicating with the terminal side apparatus via a network, a part of the series of processes may be performed by the server side apparatus. Alternatively, in an information processing system that includes a terminal side apparatus and a server side apparatus capable of communicating with the terminal side apparatus via a network, a main process of the series of the processes may be performed by the server side apparatus, and a part of the series of the processes may be performed by the terminal side apparatus. Still alternatively, in the information processing system, a server side system may include a plurality of information processing apparatuses, and a process to be performed in the server side system may be divided and performed by the plurality of information processing apparatuses.

In addition, as a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a game program with which the game processing according to the embodiment described above can be achieved, the processing according to the present embodiment may be provided. For example, the processing according to the present embodiment may be provided by a magnetic medium such as a flash memory, a ROM, or a RAM, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a DVD-RAM. Regarding the processes in the respective steps in the above-described flowcharts, the order of the processes can be changed.