U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,718

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, in the following descriptions, the case in which the present invention is applied to a game machine for home use will be explained as an example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game apparatus in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this game apparatus 1 includes, for example, a game machine main body 2 , a keypad 3 , a memory card 4 , a TV set 5 and a CD-ROM 6 .

The game machine main body 2 is composed of, for example, a CPU 8 (Central Processing Unit), an ROM (Read Only Memory) 18 , an RAM (Random Access Memory) 9 , an HDD (Hard Disk) 10 , an interface unit 11 , a sound processing unit 12 , a graphics processing unit 13 , a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) drive 14 , a detachable CD-ROM 6 and a communications interface 15 , which are connected to each other via a bus 7 .

The CPU 8 sequentially executes a program stored in the RAM 9 to perform processing for progressing a game based on a basic program such as a boot program and an OS (Operating System) stored in the ROM 18 . In addition, the CPU 8 controls operations of each of components 9 to 15 in the game machine main body 2 .

The RAM 9 is used as a main memory of the game machine main body 2 and stores a program and data required for progress of a game, which are transferred from the CD-ROM 6 . In addition, the RAM 9 is also used as a work area in executing a program. That is, a program storage area 91 , a data storage area 92 , a work area 93 and the like are allocated to the RAM 9 . A program and data to be stored in the program storage area 91 and the data storage area 92 are read from the CD-ROM 6 by a CD-ROM drive 14 in accordance with control of the CPU 8 and transferred to the RAM 9 . Various kinds of data required during progress of a game are temporarily stored in the work area 93 .

A game program and data received from an external network 17 via the communications interface 15 and a communications line 16 are stored in the HDD 10 . The detachable keypad 3 and the memory card 4 are connected to the interface unit 11 . The interface unit 11 controls exchanges of data between the keypad 3 and the memory card 4 that are in the outside of the game machine main body 2 and the CPU 8 and the RAM 9 . Further, the keypad 3 is provided with direction keys and various buttons. A player operates these keys and buttons to execute inputs required for progress of a game, such as an instruction to move and an instruction to operate to the player's own character. In addition, the memory card 4 saves data indicating a state of progress of a game.

The sound processing unit 12 performs processing for reproducing sound data such as BGM (Background Music) and sound effects corresponding to a state of progress of a game in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 8 and outputs the sound data to the TV set 5 as a voice signal.

The graphics processing unit 13 performs three-dimensional graphic processing in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 8 and generates image data corresponding to a state of progress of a game. The graphics processing unit 13 adds a predetermined synchronization signal to the generated image data to output the data to the TV set 5 as a video signal.

The CD-ROM drive 14 drives the CD-ROM 6 set in the game machine main body 2 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 8 and transfers a program and data stored in the CD-ROM 6 to the RAM 9 via the bus 7 .

The communications interface 15 is connected to the external network 17 via the communications line 16 and performs processing for exchanging a program and data with the external network 17 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 8 .

The CD-ROM 6 stores a program and data (game program 6 a ) required for progress of a game. The CD-ROM 6 is driven by the CD-ROM drive 14 , whereby the stored program and data are read. The program and data read from the CD-ROM 6 are transferred to the RAM 9 from the CD-ROM drive 14 via the bus 7 .

The TV set 5 is provided with a display screen 51 consisting of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or the like for displaying an image corresponding to a video signal from the graphics processing unit 13 and a speaker 52 for outputting voices corresponding to a voice signal from the sound processing unit 12 . Usually, a television receiver is used as the TV set 5 .

In this embodiment in accordance with the above-mentioned configuration, when a game is started, the CPU 8 secures an area for storing information in the RAM 9 , whereby the program storage area 91 , the data storage area 92 , the work area 93 and the like are secured in the RAM 9 . Then, upon receiving a game starting request, the CPU 8 reads information required for a game to be started from the CD-ROM 6 into the RAM 9 , whereby a game program is stored in the program storage area 91 and various kinds of data are stored in the data storage area 92 . The CPU 8 executes processing indicated in a flow chart of FIG. 2 in the first place based on the game program stored in the program storage area 91 .

That is, the CPU 8 executes character determination processing first (step S 1 ). This character determination processing is processing for determining a character of the player among a group of characters and causes the display 51 to display a group of (e.g., seven) questions consisting of a group of choices, respectively. When selection of any choice is completed in response to all the questions, a specific character is determined as a character of the player (player character PC), and the player character PC is displayed on the display 51 as a card as shown in FIG. 3 . That is, in this embodiment, unlike an ordinary RPG, the player character PC appears in the form of a card instead of appearing as a personified character.

Further, this processing of step S 1 is only executed when an RPG in accordance with this embodiment is played for the first time. When the game is subsequently started, processing is started regarding the selected character as a player character PC (card) based on saved data stored in the memory card 4 . In addition, on the display 51 , display is divided into an upper and lower part. In the lower part of the screen, a player character PC in the form of a card is mainly displayed, and an enemy character and other characters in the form of a card, which appear in the following description, are mainly displayed in the upper part of the screen.

Subsequently, after setting 0 in a counter C for counting the number of cleared scenarios (step S 2 ), scenario obtaining processing is executed (step S 3 ). A player character PC meets a character operated by a computer in a predetermined place (e.g., a town) and obtains information concerning a certain scenario by the character, whereby a scenario card for the scenario can be obtained. Therefore, the number of available scenario cards varies according to the number of characters that the player character PC meets. In addition, in this scene, the player may propose that a character the player character PC meets be a comrade of the player character PC. In this way, it becomes possible to increase the number of allies. Here, scenario cards are associated with scenarios forming a different development and a story, respectively.

Next, scenario selection processing is executed (step S 4 ). In this scenario selection processing, the scenario card obtained in step S 3 is used. As shown in an example of FIG. 4 , scenario cards 511 , 512 and 513 obtained by the player character PC are displayed on the display 51 . Any one of the three scenario cards 511 , 512 and 513 is selected according to operation of the keypad 3 by the player.

When any one of the scenario cards is selected, game development processing based on the scenario to be described later is executed (step S 5 ), and then if the scenario is cleared by this game development processing, a value of the counter C is incremented (step S 6 ). Further, whether the scenario is cleared or not is determined by whether a mission is accomplished or not as described later. A mission provided for each scenario in this context includes tasks such as defeating a boss monster of an opponent or finding a predetermined item.

When game processing based on the scenario ends in accordance with operation of the keypad 3 by the player and progress of a game, in the two remaining scenario cards among the above-mentioned three scenario cards 511 , 512 and 513 , game development processing based on a scenario corresponding to any one of the cards is started (step S 7 ). Then, if the scenario is cleared by this game development processing, a value of the counter C is incremented (step S 8 ).

In addition, when a game based on the scenario ends, game development processing based on a scenario of the remaining one scenario card among the above-mentioned three scenario cards 511 , 512 and 513 is executed (step S 9 ). If the scenario is cleared in this game development processing, a value of the counter C is incremented (step 10 ).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the number of scenarios required for clearing the stage is cleared based on the value of the counter C (step S 11 ). If the number of scenarios required for clearing the stage is not cleared, the processing of step S 3 and subsequent steps is repeated. Further, scenario cards of the number required for clearing a stage or more (e.g., five) are obtained before starting the stage and an arbitrary three scenario cards among them are cleared, whereby the stage may be cleared.

Then, if the number of scenarios required for clearing the stage is cleared (step S 11 ; YES), it is determined whether or not the stage cleared this time is a final stage among all the stages set in this RPG (step S 12 ). If it is not the final stage and stages that should be cleared still remain, the processing moves to the next stage (step S 13 ) and processing of step S 2 and subsequent steps is repeated. In addition, here, the processing may return to step S 1 instead of step S 2 . In this way, it becomes possible for a player to play using a different player character for each stage.

That is, the same processing as in the above-mentioned step S 2 to step S 12 is performed in each stage, and games are developed by stories based on three types of scenarios corresponding to three scenario cards. Then, when all the games based on the three types of scenarios corresponding to the three scenario cards are cleared, the processing moves to the next stage. Finally, when all the stages set in this RPG are cleared, the determination in step S 12 is YES, and the game is completely performed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing details of exemplary game development processing based on scenarios to be executed in the above-mentioned steps S 5 , S 7 and S 9 . First, course selection processing (selection processing of a transit card) is executed (step S 31 ). In this course selection processing (selection processing of a transit card), a group of transit cards are displayed on the display 51 . On the surface of each of the transit cards, a figure indicating climb a ladder , go up the stairs , open a door or the like is displayed. The player selects a transit card corresponding to an action that the player wishes a character to take among the displayed transit cards by operation of the keypad 3 . Thus, game processing is executed according to the selected transit card and the RPG progresses.

Subsequently, a geographic feature card relating to the selected transit card is displayed on the display 51 . Examples of the geographic feature card are shown in 514 , 515 and 516 of FIG. 6 . Figures indicating passage where a skeleton is lying , cave , lake or the like are displayed on displaying surface of these geographic feature cards.

The player instructs the player character PC to take any action with respect to a geographic feature card displayed on the screen. In addition, in the case of a certain geographic feature card, an enemy character appears simultaneously with it. In this case, a battle is started. Battle processing will be described in detail later.

In a scene in which the player character PC does not encounter an enemy (scene other than a battle), the player executes selection processing for selecting any one of PC (player character) cards and wild cards with respect to the displayed geographic feature card (step S 37 ). These cards are PC (player character) cards and wild cards that the player character PC owns virtually, with which a player character PC determines an operation on a game.

Here, as specific examples of the wild card, there are cards indicating advance , look out over , try at any rate and the like. On the other hand, as specific examples of the PC (player character) card, there are cards indicating run away , check well , medical herb , jump , release a trap , open a lock , thrust , cut , release an arrow , magic of fire , magic of water and the like.

One of a group of cards consisting of PC cards and a group of cards consisting of wild cards is displayed on a lower part 537 of the screen as shown in FIG. 13 according to an operation of the player. Then, the player operates the keypad 3 to select one of the cards, whereby an action of the player character PC is determined.

For example, in a geographic feature card indicating a certain place (a cave, a hole opened in a large tree, or the like), a look out over card being a wild card is used. Then, a geographic card indicating a treasure box is displayed. Here, a check well card being a PC (player character) card is used. Then, it is displayed on the screen that releasing of a trap and opening a lock are required to open this treasure box. Thus, release a trap and open a lock cards being PC (player character) cards are used, whereby the treasure box is opened and items inside the treasure box are displayed on the screen. Subsequently, a try at any rate card being a wild card is used, whereby the items in the box can be obtained.

Here, as available items, there are money and a key 521 , a knife 522 , a protector 523 , a pot 524 and the like shown in FIG. 8 . Any player character PC is selected by an operation of the keypad 3 to have the player character PC to hold the obtained items, whereby the obtained item can be used.

In addition, if it is not particularly necessary to take a specific action such as check well with respect to the displayed geographical feature, an advance card being a wild card is used, whereby the processing advances to the next geographical feature card (transit card).

That is, when selection of a transit card is executed in step S 31 , a geographical card relating to the selected transit card is displayed on the display 51 (step S 32 ). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an enemy character has appeared simultaneously with the appearance of this geographical feature card (step S 33 ) and, if an enemy character has appeared, processing of a battle screen to be described later is executed (step S 34 ). Thereafter, in this processing of battle screen, it is determined whether or not the player character PC has attained a mission set on the scenario (step S 35 ) and, if the mission has not been attained, the processing of step S 31 and subsequent steps is repeated. Then, if the player character PC has attained the mission set on the scenario, it is determined that the scenario is cleared (step S 36 ).

In addition, if it is determined that an enemy character has appeared as a result of the determination in step S 33 , processing for selecting a wild card or a PC card is executed (step S 37 ). In the processing for selecting a wild card or a PC card, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B , the computer causes the display 51 to display PC cards 520 or wild cards 517 to 519 . Here, the wild cards 517 , 518 and 519 showing examples indicate advance , look out over and try at any rate , respectively, and the PC card 520 is a card indicating open a lock . That is, in an ordinary RPG, a player character PC takes an action on a screen according to an operation of the keypad 3 , whereas, in the RPG in accordance with this embodiment, a player character PC is not made to take an action on the screen. Instead, the PC cards and wild cards 517 to 520 are selected, whereby it is assumed that the player character PC has taken an action corresponding to the selected card. Thus, the game processing is executed according the selected PC cards or the wild cards 517 to 520 and the RPG progresses. Then, in step S 38 , it is determined whether or not selection of the next wild cards or PC cards is necessary. If it is necessary, the processing of step S 37 and subsequent steps is repeated. If it is unnecessary, the processing advances to the above-mentioned step S 35 .

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing details of the above-mentioned processing of a battle scene (step S 34 ). In this processing of a battle scene, processing of encounter with an enemy is executed first (step S 341 ). That is, when any geographical feature card is selected in the above-mentioned processing of step S 32 , any of enemy cards 525 to 528 shown in FIG. 10 as examples may be displayed on the display 51 , whereby it is assumed that the player character PC has encountered an enemy character.

Next, processing of mutual attacks is executed (step S 342 ). In this processing of mutual attacks, the computer causes the display 51 to display trick cards 529 to 532 shown in FIG. 11 or magic cards 533 to 536 shown in FIG. 12 . Then, for example, with the trick cards 529 to 532 displayed, any of them is selected by operation of the keypad 3 . When a trick card is selected, numerals in a range set in the trick card in advance are sequentially displayed at a high speed on the card. Then, when buttons are operated on the keypad 3 at the timing when any of the numerals is displayed, the numeral is determined as a value of attacking power of the player character PC. The determined value of attacking power of the player character PC is compared with a value of an enemy character card that is an object of attack of the player character PC at that point, whereby a result of the battle is determined. Moreover, if a result of the battle is determined in this way, subtraction processing is performed with respect to a life point set in the player character PC (card) in advance and a life point set in the enemy character (card) in advance.

Next, it is determined whether or not the life point set in the player character PC (card) in advance or the life point set in the enemy character (card) has become 0 (step S 343 ). If any of the life points has become 0 , it is determined whether or not it is the life point of the player character PC (card) (step S 344 ) and, if it is the life point of the player character PC (card), the card is turned over to be displayed (step S 345 ). In addition, if it is not the life point of the player character PC (card) but the life point of the enemy character (card), the enemy character (card) is eliminated (step S 346 ). After turning over the player character card (step S 345 ) and after eliminating the enemy character (step 346 ), processing returns to that in FIG. 5 , step 35 .

Further, although the case in which the present invention is realized with a game machine for home use as a platform is described in this embodiment, the present invention may be realized with a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer or an arcade game machine as a platform.

Moreover, a program and data for realizing the present invention are stored in a CD-ROM, which is used as a recording medium in this embodiment. However, a recording medium is not limited to a CD-ROM and may be a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), other computer readable magnetic and optical recording media or a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, a program and data for realizing the present invention may be provided in the form of being preinstalled in a storage device of a game machine or a computer in advance.

In addition, a program and data for realizing the present invention may be in the form of being downloaded from another apparatus on the network 17 connected by the communications interface 15 shown in FIG. 1 via the communications line 16 to the HDD 10 and used. In addition, the program and the data may be in the form of being recorded in a memory on another apparatus side on the communications line 16 and sequentially stored in the RAM 9 if necessary via the communications line 16 and used.

In addition, a form of providing a program and data for realizing the present invention may be such that the program and the data is provided as a computer data signal superimposed on a carrier wave from another apparatus on the network 17 . In this case, the other apparatus on the network 17 is requested from the communications interface 15 via the communications line 16 to transmit the computer data, and the transmitted computer data signal is received and stored in the RAM 9 . It is also possible to realize the present invention in the game apparatus 1 using the program and the data stored in the RAM 9 in this way.

As described above, according to the present invention, any of a group of cards displayed on a screen is selected according to an operational input by a player, whereby a story in an RPG can be developed in various ways according to the selected card. Thus, it becomes possible to offer the player originality and amusement of an RPG using cards.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention the following claims are made.

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Japanese Application No. 2001-087448, filed on Mar. 26, 2001, the contents of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.