U.S. Pat. No. 11,369,877

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, one exemplary embodiment will be described. It is to be understood that, as used herein, elements and the like written in a singular form with the word “a” or “an” attached before them do not exclude those in the plural form.

First, an information processing system for executing information processing according to the exemplary embodiment will be described. In the exemplary embodiment, a game system will be described as an example of the information processing system. This game system may be any system. As an example,FIG. 1shows an external view of a game system used in this example. The game system1shown inFIG. 1includes a main body apparatus (information processing apparatus; which functions as a game apparatus main body in the exemplary embodiment)2, a left controller3, and a right controller4. The main body apparatus2is an apparatus that executes various types of processing (for example, game processing) in the game system1. The main body apparatus2includes a substantially plate-shaped housing11, and includes a display12on a main surface (in other words, a front-side surface of the housing11). In addition, the main surface is roughly rectangular. The left controller3and the right controller4are each a device including an operation section for a player to perform an input. Specifically, the left controller3includes an analog stick31L and a button section32L. The right controller4includes an analog stick41R and a button section42R. The left controller3and the right controller4are attachable to and detachable from the main body apparatus2. In this example, the game system1will be described as a unified apparatus obtained by attaching each of the left controller3and the right controller4to the main body apparatus2. In another exemplary embodiment, the main body apparatus2, the left controller3, and the right controller4may also be used as separate bodies.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the main body apparatus2. The main body apparatus2includes a processor81. The processor81is an information processing section for executing various types of information processing to be executed by the main body apparatus2. For example, the processor81may be composed only of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or may be composed of a SoC (System-on-a-chip) having a plurality of functions such as a CPU function and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) function. The processor81performs the various types of information processing by executing an information processing program (e.g., a game program) stored in a storage section84. The storage section84may be, for example, an internal storage medium such as a flash memory and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), or may be configured to utilize an external storage medium mounted to a slot that is not shown, or the like.

Furthermore, the main body apparatus2includes: a left terminal17that is a terminal for the main body apparatus2to perform wired communication with the left controller3; and a right terminal21that is a terminal for the main body apparatus2to perform wired communication with the right controller4.

Furthermore, the display12is connected to the processor81. The processor81displays a generated image (e.g., an image generated by executing the above information processing) and/or an externally acquired image on the display12.

[Controllers]

Although not shown, the left controller3and the right controller4each have the above-described button section and analog stick, and further include a communication control section that communicates with the main body apparatus2. In a state where the left controller3and the right controller4are attached to the main body apparatus2, wired communication can be performed via the left terminal17and the right terminal21. The communication control section acquires information regarding an input (specifically, information regarding an operation) from each input section of the controller. Then, the communication control section transmits operation data including the acquired information (or information obtained by performing predetermined processing on the acquired information) to the main body apparatus2. It should be noted that the operation data is transmitted repeatedly, once every predetermined period of time. It should be noted that the interval at which the information regarding an input is transmitted from each of the input sections to the main body apparatus2may or may not be the same. In the case of using the main body apparatus2and the left controller3and the right controller4as separate bodies, communication with the main body apparatus2can be performed through wireless communication without being performed via the terminals.

[Outline of Game Processing]

Next, an outline of operation of processing executed by the game system according to the exemplary embodiment will be described. The processing described in this example is processing regarding a user interface (hereinafter, UI) when changing a wearing item of a player object.

Here, wearing items in a game will be described. In this game, various wearing items can be set to a player object. These wearing items are, for example, items such as weapons and protectors in a role-playing game (RPG). By setting these wearing items to the player object, parameters regarding the ability of the player object can be changed. For example, in the case of a weapon, a parameter that is “attacking power” of the player object can be changed. In the case of a protector, a parameter that is “defense power” of the player object can be changed. For example, in the case where the player object has a motif of a robot, parts that make up the robot and can be changed, for example, head parts, body parts, arm parts, etc., also correspond to the wearing items. In the following description, the case of a fantasy RPG will be described as an example with the case where wearing items are weapons and protectors as an example.

Furthermore, in the game assumed in this example, it is possible to set or detach items called additional items to or from the respective wearing items. The additional items are items that can add various effects to wearing items. Specifically, some of the wearing items appearing in this game have a frame called “slot” in which an additional item can be set (in other words, wearing items that do not have such a slot can be present). In addition, different effects are set for the additional items. For example, effects such as “attacking power+10” and “defense power+10” are set (a plurality of effects may be set for one additional item). For example, when an additional item having an effect of “attacking power+10” is set in a slot of a weapon for which attacking power is set as 10, it is possible to increase the attacking power of the player object by 20 by setting the weapon to the player object. Meanwhile, when this weapon is set to the player object in a state where the additional item is not set, the attacking power is increased by 10.

As for the number of slots that each wearing item individually has, in this example, for convenience of description, the case where the maximum number of slots is one will be described as an example. Moreover, a description will be given on the assumption that it is possible to set one additional item in one slot. However, in another exemplary embodiment, the number of slots may be any number. In addition, a different number of slots may be provided for each wearing item.

As described above, in the game assumed in the exemplary embodiment, wearing items have “slots”, and additional items can be set in the slots. Accordingly, it is possible to change a parameter of the player object with a content obtained by adding a change amount set for an additional item to a change amount set for a wearing item.

Next, operation and a UI when changing such a wearing item will be described using screen examples. For example, when a player selects an item “equipment change” from a predetermined menu, a UI described below is provided to the player.

FIG. 3illustrates an example of a screen initially displayed after the above “equipment change” is selected. InFIG. 3, a part selection window101and a player object102are displayed. Here, in the game assumed in this example, a plurality of “parts” to which wearing items can be set are provided. Specifically, six parts, that is, “weapon”, “protector/head”, “protector/body”, “protector/arm”, “protector/waist”, and “protector/leg”, are provided. The part selection window101inFIG. 3shows wearing items that are currently set to the respective parts. In addition, the part selection window101is also a window for a player to select a part where the wearing item is to be changed. In the example ofFIG. 3, the respective parts are displayed in a list in which the parts are arranged vertically. On the left side in the list, the names of the respective wearing items are displayed. In addition, on the right side in the list, circles are shown and each indicate whether there is the slot. The example ofFIG. 3shows that wearing items “junk sword”, “leather cap”, and “leather bottoms” each have a slot. Moreover, as for display of the slot, the display form differs depending on whether the additional item is set. In the example ofFIG. 3, the display form of the slot display of “leather bottoms” is different from those of the slot display of the other items and indicates that some sort of additional item is set. In addition, it is indicated that the slots of “junk sword” and “leather cap” are empty.

In the screen ofFIG. 3, the case where the player performs an operation for selecting, for example, the “protector/body” (the third part from the top in the part selection window101) as a part to be changed is assumed. Specifically, the player moves a cursor103shown as a black frame inFIG. 3to an item “leather armor”, and presses a button for decision. In this case, a screen shown inFIG. 4is displayed. InFIG. 4, an item selection window105is displayed so as to be superimposed on the part selection window101. In addition, a details window106is also displayed on the right side of the player object102.

InFIG. 4, the item selection window105is a window for allowing the player to select a wearing item to be changed. In the item selection window105, wearing items that are possessed by the player object102and correspond to the selected part are displayed in a list format. The player can bring any of the wearing items into a “currently selected state” by moving a cursor108shown as a black frame inFIG. 4(the default position of the cursor108is the display position of the wearing item at the top of the list). Then, the player can set the wearing item in the “currently selected state” to the player object102by performing a “wearing instruction operation” for fixing the selection content. In the example ofFIG. 4, two wearing items, a “ranger armor” and a “middle armor”, are shown. Moreover, in this example, the “ranger armor” has an effect of increasing “physical defense” by “10”, and the “ranger armor” has an effect of increasing “physical defense” by “15”.

Here, in the following description, it is assumed that the above-described additional items have already been set to the above two wearing items. Specifically, it is assumed that an additional item that increases physical defense by “10” and agility by “1” has already been set to the “ranger armor”. In addition, it is assumed that an additional item that increases physical defense by “2” has already been set to the “middle armor”.

The details window106is a window for showing detailed information about the wearing item in the “currently selected state”.FIG. 5shows an enlarged view of the details window106. The details window106includes a status tab111and an item details tab112. The player can switch information displayed in the details window106, by selecting any of the tabs.FIG. 5shows a state where the status tab111is selected. When the status tab111is selected, information about change in the status of the player object by the wearing item in the “currently selected state” is displayed in the details window106. When the item details tab112is selected, information about the wearing item in the “currently selected state” itself is displayed in the details window106. In the following description, the display content of the details window106when the status tab111is selected is referred to as “status detailed information display”. In addition, the display content of the details window106when the item details tab112is selected is referred to as “item detailed information display”.

Next, specific contents displayed in the status detailed information display will be described. In the example ofFIG. 5, the status detailed information display includes a status change display area113and an additional item related area114. The status change display area113shows how performance parameters of the player object102are changed when the wearing item in the “currently selected state” is set to the player object102. Specifically, the character name and the current level are shown near the upper end of the status change display area113, and each performance parameter of the player object102is displayed as information in one row below the character name and the current level such that the performance parameters are arranged vertically. In each row, the name of the performance parameter, the current value, and a value after change are shown. The example ofFIG. 5shows that “physical defense” is changed from 5 to 25 and “agility” is changed from 5 to 6 when the “ranger armor” is set to the player object102.

FIG. 6shows an example of a screen when the cursor108is moved down by one row from the state ofFIG. 4and the “middle armor” is selected. In this case, the status detailed information display inFIG. 6shows that the “physical defense” is changed from 5 to 22 when the “middle armor” is set to the player object102. Here, focusing on the change of the “physical defense”, whenFIG. 4andFIG. 6are compared, the physical defense can be increased more when the “ranger armor” is set, than when the “middle armor” is set.

In the exemplary embodiment, in accordance with an operation for changing a wearing item in the item selection window105, the wearing item in the “currently selected state” is reflected in the appearance of the player object102. In the example ofFIG. 6, a state where the “middle armor” is set to the body part of the player object102is displayed.

Referring back toFIG. 5, the additional item related area114will be described next. InFIG. 5, the additional item related area114includes an effect display switching button115and an additional effect content display116. The additional effect content display116is a display showing the specific effect content of the additional item that is set to the wearing item in the “currently selected state”. The effect display switching button115is a button for switching a display mode of the status change display area113. The display mode includes an “effect reflection mode” in which display is performed such that the effect of an additional item is reflected, and an “effect non-reflection mode” in which display is performed such that the effect of an additional item is not reflected. In this example, when the effect display switching button115is “ON”, the “effect reflection mode” is set, and, when the effect display switching button115is “OFF”, the “effect non-reflection mode” is set.

In the case of the “effect reflection mode”, a value obtained by reflecting the effect of an additional item is displayed as a display content in the status change display area113. In the case ofFIG. 5, the effect display switching button115is “ON”. Thus, the content of change in the “physical defense” and the content of change in the “agility” are contents in which the effect of the additional item is reflected. In the example ofFIG. 5, the change amount (increase amount) of the “physical defense” is “20”. For this, a total value of “20” obtained by adding “10”, which is an increase value for the “physical defense” by the additional item effect, to “10”, which is the value of the “physical defense” of the “ranger armor” itself, is reflected.

FIG. 7andFIG. 8each show an example of a screen in the case of the “effect non-reflection mode”.FIG. 7shows the case where the wearing item in the “currently selected state” is the “ranger armor”, andFIG. 8shows the case where the wearing item in the “currently selected state” is the “middle armor”. InFIG. 7, the change content of the “physical defense” is a content in which the effect of the additional item is not reflected. That is, a change based on the “physical defense” of the “ranger armor” is shown. In addition, as for the “agility” which is changed inFIG. 4, a change is not shown inFIG. 7. This is because the change of the “agility” is based on the additional item and is not based on the “ranger armor” itself. Moreover, in the case ofFIG. 8, similarly, the change content of the “physical defense” is also based on the “physical defense” of the “middle armor” itself.

Also, as for display of the current values of the performance parameters, in the “effect non-reflection mode”, values in which the effect of the additional item is not reflected are displayed. In addition, in the “effect reflection mode”, the current values are also shown as values in which the effect of the additional item is reflected.

Here, whenFIG. 7andFIG. 8are compared focusing on the “physical defense”, the physical defense is increased more with the “middle armor” than with the “ranger armor”, unlike the above case. That is, when the performance of the wearing items is compared, it is found that the “middle armor” has higher performance than the “ranger armor”. In such a case, in order to further improve the physical defense of the player object102, it can be said that there is also an option to temporarily remove the additional item set to the “ranger armor” and reset the additional item to the “middle armor”. In the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to switch between the above-described two display modes by operations on the effect display switching button115, so that it is easy to compare the change of the parameter depending on the presence/absence of the additional item effect. Therefore, it can be expected to assist the player in determining, for example, which wearing item and which additional item to use in combination, on the basis of such a wearing item change, thereby improving the player's convenience.

In the above example, the example of displaying both the current value and the value after the change has been described as a method of representing the change in the ability parameter. The representation method is not limited thereto, and the following representations may be used. For example, only the value after the change may be shown, and whether the parameter value is increased or decreased may be shown by a text color. For example, when the parameter value is increased, the value after the change is displayed in blue, and when the parameter value is decreased, the value after the change is displayed in red. In addition, a representation in which the specific value is not shown and whether the parameter is increased or decreased is recognized may be used.

Next, the contents displayed in the item detailed information display will be described.FIG. 9shows an example of the details window106when the item details tab112is selected. In the item detailed information display, detailed information about the wearing item in the “currently selected state” itself is displayed in an item details display area118(meanwhile, in the “status detailed information display”, all ability parameters of the player object102are displayed). For example, a display showing the performance of the wearing item, and explanatory text, introduction text, etc., of the wearing item are displayed.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, when the “item detailed information display” is displayed, although detailed illustration is omitted, an item detailed information window regarding the currently set wearing item is also displayed. This window is displayed at substantially the center ofFIG. 4to the left of the details window106(so as to be superimposed on the item selection window105and the player object102). As a result, the detailed information about the currently set wearing item and detailed information about the wearing item in the “currently selected state” are displayed side by side. Accordingly, a UI in which information about wearing items is easily compared is provided.

[Details of Game Processing of the Exemplary Embodiment]

Next, the game processing in the exemplary embodiment will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 10 to 19. Hereinafter, the process regarding the “equipment change” described above will be mainly described, and the description of other game processing is omitted.

[Data to be Used]

First, various kinds of data to be used in the game processing will be described.FIG. 10illustrates a memory map showing an example of various kinds of data stored in the storage section84of the main body apparatus2. In the storage section84of the main body apparatus2, a game processing program301, wearing item master data302, additional item master data303, player object data304, operation data308, screen state information309, currently selected part information310, currently selected item information311, currently selected details tab information312, an additional effect display mode313, image data314, etc., are stored.

The game processing program301is a program for executing game processing including the process regarding the “equipment change”. A program for executing processes in flowcharts inFIGS. 13 to 19described later is also included.

The wearing item master data302is data that defines the wearing items appearing in the game assumed in the exemplary embodiment.FIG. 11shows an example of the data structure of the wearing item master data302. The wearing item master data302is data in a table format including at least items such as a wearing item ID3021, part information3022, name information3023, and performance information3024. The wearing item ID3021is information for uniquely identifying each wearing item. The part information3022is information indicating a part where the wearing item can be worn. The name information3023is information for displaying the name of the wearing item on a screen. The performance information3024is information indicating the performance of the wearing item. That is, the performance information3024is information that defines a value or an amount by which an ability status of the player object102is changed. For example, the performance information3024is information indicating that the “physical defense” is “10”, or the “attacking power” is “20”. Moreover, information indicating the presence/absence of the “slot” and the number of “slots” is also included.

Referring back toFIG. 10, the additional item master data303is data that defines the above additional items appearing in the game assumed in the exemplary embodiment.FIG. 12shows an example of the data structure of the additional item master data303. The additional item master data303is data in a table format including at least items such as an additional item ID3031and additional effect information3032. The additional item ID3031is information for uniquely identifying each additional item. The additional effect information3032is information indicating the effect of the additional item, and a value or an amount by which an ability status of the player object102is changed is defined.

Referring back toFIG. 10, the player object data304is data regarding the player object102. The player object data304includes basic status information305, possessed item information306, currently worn item information307, etc. The basic status information305is information indicating ability parameters of the player object102itself. That is, the basic status information305is information indicating ability parameters of the player object102in a state where none of the wearing items and the additional items is set. In addition, the ability parameters of the player object102itself are increased as the level of the player object102rises. The possessed item information306is information indicating wearing items possessed by the player object102(for example, the wearing item ID3021). In addition to this information, information indicating an additional item that is set in the slot of each wearing item possessed by the player object102is also included. The currently worn item information307is information indicating which of the wearing items possessed by the player object102is currently set to the player object102(that is, information indicating the current equipment content).

The operation data308is data acquired from the left controller3and the right controller4, and is data indicating the content of an operation performed by the player. The operation data308includes data indicating pressed states of various button sections of each controller, data for indicating the content of an operation on the analog stick, etc.

The screen state information309is information to be used in processes described later, and indicates the state of the screen in the “equipment change”. Specifically, the screen state information309is information for identifying whether the current state is a state where a part is currently selected (the state inFIG. 3) or a state where a wearing item is currently selected (the states inFIGS. 4 and 6 to 8). In this example, as information indicating the former, information “during part selection” is set as the screen state information309. In addition, as information indicating the latter, information “during item selection” is set as the screen state information309.

The currently selected part information310is information indicating a part designated as a target where the wearing item is to be changed. In other words, the currently selected part information310indicates which part is selected in the part selection window101.

The currently selected item information311is information for indicating the wearing item in the “currently selected state”, and is also information indicating which wearing item is selected from the item selection window105.

The currently selected details tab information312is information indicating which tab is selected from the status tab111and the item details tab112in the details window106. In this example, information indicating the “status detailed information display” or the “item detailed information display” is set. The former indicates a state where the status tab111is selected, and the latter indicates a state where the item details tab112is selected.

The additional effect display mode313is information indicating whether the above-described display mode of the status change display area113is the “effect reflection mode” or the “effect non-reflection mode”. When “ON” is set, the “effect reflection mode” is indicated, and, when “OFF” is set, the “effect non-reflection mode” is indicated.

The image data314is data of various kinds of images to be displayed in the game processing.

In addition, various kinds of data to be used in the game processing are stored in the storage section84as necessary.

[Details of Processes Executed by the Processor81]

Next, the processing in the exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts ofFIGS. 13 to 19. As described above, here, the process regarding the “equipment change” (hereinafter, referred to as wearing item change UI process) will be mainly described.

FIG. 13is a flowchart showing the wearing item change UI process in detail. Execution of this process is started, for example, when the player selects the item “equipment change” from the predetermined menu.

First, in step S1, the processor81initializes data to be used in processes described below. Specifically, the processor81performs the following process. First, the processor81sets “during part selection” as the screen state information309. The processor81brings the currently selected part information310and the currently selected item information311into a state where no data is set therein. The processor81sets information indicating that the status tab111is selected is set, in the currently selected details tab information312. The processor81sets the “effect reflection mode” for the additional effect display mode313.

Next, in step S2, the processor81determines whether “during part selection” is set as the screen state information309. As a result of the determination, if “during part selection” is set (YES in step S2), the processor81executes a change part selection process in step S3. On the other hand, if “during part selection” is not set (that is, if the current state is during item selection) (NO in step S2), the processor81executes a change item selection process in step S4.

[Change Part Selection Process]

FIG. 14is a flowchart showing the change part selection process in step S3in detail. This process is a process regarding an operation for selecting a part where the wearing item is to be changed, inFIG. 3. InFIG. 14, first, in step S11, the processor81sets contents to be displayed in the part selection window101, on the basis of the currently worn item information307. Specifically, the processor81generates an image to be displayed in the part selection window101and writes the image to a frame buffer (not shown) (in the following description, for “setting of display contents”, writing to a frame buffer is similarly assumed).

Next, in step S12, the processor81acquires the operation data308. Subsequently, in step S13, the processor81determines whether an input of an operation for moving the cursor103has been performed. If an operation for moving the cursor103has been performed (YES in step S13), the processor81performs display setting such that the cursor103is displayed at a position corresponding to a movement destination, on the basis of the content of the operation, in step S14. Thereafter, the processor81ends the change part selection process.

On the other hand, if a cursor moving operation has not been performed (NO in step S13), the processor81determines subsequently in step S15whether an operation for determining a change part has been performed, on the basis of the operation data308. As a result of the determination, if a determination operation has not been performed (NO in step S15), the processor81ends the change part selection process. On the other hand, if a determination operation has been performed (YES in step S15), in step S16, the processor81sets information indicating the determined part, in the currently selected part information310. Furthermore, in step S17, the processor81sets “during item selection” as the screen state information309. Then, the processor81ends the change part selection process. Thereafter, the processor81advances the processing to step S5inFIG. 13.

[Change Item Selection Process]

Next, the change item selection process in step S4will be described in detail.FIG. 15is a flowchart showing the change item selection process in detail. First, in step S31, the processor81sets contents to be displayed in the item selection window105inFIG. 4, etc., in accordance with a currently selected part. For example, if the currently selected part is the “protector/body”, the processor81extracts a wearing item for which the part information3022is the “protector/body”, from the possessed item information306. Then, the processor81sets contents to be displayed in the item selection window105, on the basis of the extracted contents. Specifically, the processor81performs display setting such that information (names, performance values, etc.) about wearing items excluding the wearing item currently set to the player object102from the extracted contents is displayed in a list in the item selection window105.

[Currently Selected Item Setting Process]

Next, in step S32, the processor81performs a currently selected item setting process. This process is a process for identifying and setting a currently selected item from the item selection window105.FIG. 16is a flowchart showing the currently selected item setting process in detail. InFIG. 16, first, in step S41, the processor81acquires the operation data308. Subsequently, in step S42, the processor81determines whether the operation content indicated by the operation data308is an input of an operation for moving the cursor108. As a result of the determination, if the operation content is not a cursor moving operation (NO in step S42), the processor81ends the currently selected item setting process. On the other hand, if the operation content is a cursor moving operation (YES in step S42), in step S43, the processor81determines a display position of the cursor108in accordance with the operation content and sets display contents such that the cursor108is displayed at that position.

Next, in step S44, the processor81sets the currently selected item information311in accordance with the above operation content. That is, the processor81performs a process of bringing the wearing item at which the cursor108is disposed, into the “currently selected state”.

Next, in step S45, the processor81performs display setting such that the wearing item in the “currently selected state” is reflected in the appearance of the player object102.

This is the end of the currently selected item setting process.

[Details Window Setting Process]

Referring back toFIG. 15, next, in step S33, the processor81executes a details window setting process. This process is a process for setting display contents in the details window106.FIG. 17is a flowchart showing the details window setting process in detail. First, in step S61, the processor81acquires the operation data308. Next, in step S62, the process81determines whether the operation content indicated by the operation data308is an instruction operation for switching between the status tab111and the item details tab112in the details window106. As a result of the determination, if a switching instruction operation has been performed (YES in step S62), in step S63, the processor81changes the content of the currently selected details tab information312in accordance with the operation content. That is, the processor81sets the “status detailed information display” or the “item detailed information display” in the currently selected details tab information312in accordance with the operation content. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S62, if an instruction operation for switching between the tabs has not been performed (NO in step S62), the processor81skips the process in step S63and proceeds to the next process.

Next, in step S64, the processor81refers to the currently selected details tab information312and determines whether the currently selected tab is the status tab111or the item details tab112. As a result of the determination, if the currently selected tab is the status tab111(YES in step S64), the processor81subsequently acquires the operation data308in step S65inFIG. 18. Next, in step S66, the processor81determines whether the operation content is an ON/OFF operation on the effect display switching button115, that is, an operation for switching ON/OFF of the above-described additional effect display. As a result of the determination, if the operation content is an ON/OFF operation on the effect display switching button115(YES in step S66), in step S67, the processor81changes the content of the additional effect display mode313on the basis of the operation content. That is, the processor81sets “ON” or “OFF” in the additional effect display mode313(switches between “ON” and “OFF”) on the basis of the operation content.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S66, if the operation content is not a switching operation (NO in step S66), the processor81skips the process in step S67and proceeds to the next process.

Next, in step S68, the processor81refers to the additional effect display mode313and determines whether “ON” is set. As a result of the determination, if “ON” is set (YES in step S68), in step S69, the processor81sets display contents as shown inFIG. 4orFIG. 6in which the effect of the additional item is reflected, as display contents in the status change display area113. For example, the processor81performs display content setting such that a value obtained by adding the total value of the ability value of the wearing item in the currently selected state and the ability value of the additional item to the value indicated by the basic status information305is displayed as a value after change. Then, the processor81ends the details window setting process.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S68, if “ON” is not set (NO in step S68), in step S70, the processor81sets display contents as shown inFIG. 7orFIG. 8in which the effect of the additional item is not reflected, as display contents in the status change display area113. For example, the processor81performs display content setting such that a value obtained by adding the ability value of the wearing item in the currently selected state to the value indicated by the basic status information305is displayed as a value after change. Then, the processor81ends the details window setting process.

Referring back toFIG. 17, as a result of the determination in step S64, if the currently selected tab is the item details tab112(NO in step S64), in step S71, the processor81sets contents indicating item details information as shown inFIG. 9, as display contents in the details window106. Furthermore, in step S72, the processor81performs setting for displaying a detailed information window for the wearing item currently set to the currently selected part of the player object102. Here, the layout of display contents in the detailed information window is the same as shown inFIG. 9. Accordingly, the performance of the currently set item and the wearing item in the currently selected state can be displayed in the same screen layout, so that the visibility and convenience when comparing these items are enhanced.

Thereafter, the processor81ends the details window setting process.

[Selection Fixing Process]

Referring back toFIG. 15, next, in step S34, the processor81executes a selection fixing process. This process is a process for fixing a wearing item to be changed, on the basis of a wearing instruction operation of the player.FIG. 19is a flowchart showing the selection fixing process in detail. InFIG. 19, first, in step S91, the processor81acquires the operation data308. Next, in step S92, the processor81determines whether the operation content is a wearing instruction operation, that is, an operation for fixing selection of a wearing item. As a result of the determination, if the operation content is not a wearing instruction operation (NO in step S92), the processor81ends the selection fixing process. On the other hand, if a wearing instruction operation has been performed (YES in step S92), in step S93, the processor81executes a process of setting the wearing item in the currently selected state to the player object102. Specifically, the processor81changes the content of the currently worn item information307for the currently selected part such that the content is the wearing item in the currently selected state.

Next, in step S94, the processor81performs display setting such that the item selection window105and the details window106are deleted from the screen. Then, in step S95, the processor81sets “during part selection” as the screen state information309. Then, the processor81ends the selection fixing process. Accordingly, the processor81also ends the change item selection process.

Referring back toFIG. 13, next, in step S5, the processor81generates a game image on the basis of the display contents set in step S3or S4, and outputs the game image to the display12.

Next, in step S6, the processor81refers to the operation data308and determines whether an operation for ending the process regarding the “equipment change” has been performed. If an ending operation has not been performed (NO in step S6), the processor81returns to step S2and repeats the process. On the other hand, if an ending operation has been performed (YES in step S6), the processor81ends the wearing item change UI process.

This is the end of the detailed description of the wearing item change UI process.

As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, in the UI for changing a wearing item, it is possible to switch between two display modes, that is, the above-described “effect reflection mode” and “effect non-reflection mode”. By switching to the “effect reflection mode”, it is possible to confirm and compare changes in the performance parameters of the player object in which the additional item is reflected. Meanwhile, by switching to the “effect non-reflection mode”, it is possible to confirm and compare changes in the performance parameters on the basis of the performance of the wearing item itself. Since it is possible to switch between such two display modes, changes in the performance parameters due to the presence/absence of the additional item are easily compared, and a UI that improves user's convenience for such change of a wearing item can be provided. In particular, further improvement of the convenience can be expected as the number of kinds of wearing items or kinds of additional items is increased. If the number of wearing items or additional items possessed is increased, the player cannot grasp what additional item is set to which wearing item, and it is also expected that management of these items will become complicated. In such a case, by providing a UI as in the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to reduce the burden on the player's judgment and operation regarding change of wearing items and replacement of additional items.

MODIFICATIONS

In the above-described example, the case where each wearing item has the above-described slot and one additional item is set in one slot is assumed (number of slots=number of additional items that can be set). The mode for setting the additional item to a wearing item is not limited thereto. For example, a size or cost may be set for each additional item, and a maximum size or maximum cost that can be set may be set for the slot. It may be possible to set a plurality of additional items in each slot as long as the maximum size or maximum cost for the slot is not exceeded. For example, when one certain slot is configured such that it is possible to set additional items up to a maximum cost of 10 in the slot, a plurality of additional items may be able to be set in the slot as long as the cost is within the range of 10.

Regarding ON/OFF of display in which an additional item effect is reflected, in the above example, the example of switching between reflection and non-reflection has been described. In another exemplary embodiment, a reflection display in which an additional item effect is reflected and a non-reflection display in which the additional item effect is not reflected may be shown in combination. For example, as the display contents in the status change display area113inFIG. 5, the current value and the value after change may be displayed in two rows, and a content in which an additional item effect is reflected and a content in which the additional item effect is not reflected may be displayed in the upper row and the lower row, respectively. Alternatively, the content in which the additional item effect is reflected and the content in which the additional item effect is not reflected may be displayed in different windows aligned side by side. Still alternatively, it may be possible to switch ON/OFF of such a combined display.

In the above example, the case of changing an equipment item (weapon or protector) in a fantasy RPG has been described as an example. However, as a matter of course, the processing of the exemplary embodiment can be applied to games of other genres. For example, in a game such as a robot battle action game, the case where the player object102has a motif of a robot is assumed. Furthermore, it is assumed that the robot includes a plurality of parts such as a head part, arm parts, and a body part, and it is possible to change each part. Each part has a slot as described above, and it is possible to set the above-described additional item in each slot. The processing of the exemplary embodiment can be applied to such a game. In addition, the processing of the exemplary embodiment can be applied to games in each of which there are wearing items that are attachable to and detachable from the player object102and it is possible to set the above-described additional item to each wearing item.

In the above example, the game system has been described as an example of the information processing system. However, the processing according to the exemplary embodiment can be applied to a game apparatus having a single structure and an information processing apparatus such as a smartphone, a tablet type information processing apparatus, and a personal computer.

In the above embodiment, the case where the series of processes according to the game processing are performed in a single apparatus has been described. However, in another embodiment, the above series of processes 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, a so-called cloud gaming configuration may be adopted. For example, the main body apparatus2may be configured to send operation data indicating a user's operation to a predetermined server, and the server may be configured to execute various kinds of game processing and stream the execution results as video/audio to the main body apparatus2.

While the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is to be understood that numerous other modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments.