U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,084

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is an example of the configuration of a game system10to which a game progress control program of this invention is applied. In this figure, the game system10comprises a plurality of personal computers14which are terminal devices connected to the Internet12, and a server device16. In this aspect, a case in which the players (game players) of the personal computers14(hereafter “computers 14”) participate at an arbitrary time in a game of baseball, as a competitive game, over the Internet is explained.

A computer14is connected to a display18, keyboard20, mouse22, RAM or other storage unit24, and recording media driver25which reads a program or other data stored on a CD-ROM or other storage media251, and has a network connection tool to enable connection to the Internet12, as well as incorporating a web browser26. In this aspect, in order to realize the baseball game, each computer14comprises program acquisition means28, program execution means30, and competition result processing means32.

After performing initial registration with the server device16, the program acquisition means28acquires a prescribed competition program (a baseball game program comprising a game progress control program of this invention) from a screen provided by the server device16, and expands the competition program in its own memory area. A functional module for acquisition of the competition program may be created independently; but in a more simple implementation, the functions of the web browser26may be utilized to acquire the competition program from the server device16. The competition program may be acquired by the computer14from the server device16each time the game is played; or, the program may be acquired only at the time of initial registration, and subsequently stored on the computer14. Or, the competition program may be installed in advance on the computer14; in this case, the program acquisition means28is unnecessary.

The above competition program comprises a video reproduction module301and a competition data management module302. It is preferable that both these modules be combined and exist on the server device16; but these modules may exist in distributed form on different server devices as well.

The video reproduction module301reproduces three-dimensional video. As this module, Macromedia's “Shockwave”, which is widely used on the Internet, may for example be used. The competition data management module302manages the original data for video reproduced by the video reproduction module301and various data used to develop the story of the competition; in this aspect, image data, audio data and text data relating to the pitcher character, batter character, ball character, contact cursor which is the point at which the ball character is captured by the bat character, the strike zone, bases, home base, stands and other background, which are necessary for realization of a baseball game, are managed according to the rules of competition. Also, each of the image data items is stipulated as coordinate data in the game space. Also, of the various data items, the image data items at least are managed in a plurality of layers so as to form a single display image. That is, movement and other representation modes of characters are changed separately for each layer. Such a management mode based on a plurality of layers has the advantage of enabling reduction of the number of original data items at the time of video reproduction.

The competition data management module302comprises a defensive operation unit3021(equivalent to defensive operation means and movement operation means), which, when the player team is on the defensive side, receives instructions for pitching movements of the pitcher character using the mouse22or keyboard20, and an offensive operation unit3022(equivalent to batting operation means and movement operation means), which, when the player team is on the offensive side, receives instructions for batting movements of the batter character using the mouse22or keyboard20. Details of the functions of the defensive operation unit3021and offensive operation unit3022are explained by the flow charts ofFIG. 2andFIG. 9, described below.

The program execution means30generates various events related to the baseball game by executing programs in other modules, primarily the program in the competition data management module302, deriving the result through computations. Specifically, the competition data management module302and similar are downloaded to the web browser26, CGI is used to run the program, and various events are generated. Images and text related to the competition are all displayed on the browser screen, and all information is transmitted between the server device16and player via the web browser26and CGI on the server device16. The competition result processing means32operates in cooperation with the competition data management module302and similar to perform processing related to the baseball game result, and in particular to perform bidirectional communication with the server device16and to present information to the player.

The program execution means30and competition result processing means32can be realized by a web browser26and a module group acquired from the server16by the computer14, as described above; but it is also possible to record program code realizing a portion of or all of the above functions on a CD-ROM or other recording media, or on transport media identifiable in the form of “signals”, and to appropriately download (or install) this program code to the computer14prior to execution of the baseball game.

On the other hand, the server device16has, in addition to basic server device functions to provide screens to each computer14, the functions of a user management unit34and a competition benefits generation unit38. These functions are realized through program code recorded in a form readable by the CPU of the server device16. The server device16has recording media40such as a CD-ROM, hard disk or similar, on which is recorded a competition program to be provided over the Internet12in response to requests from players, as well as a storage unit42comprising RAM or similar, which stores data transmitted from each computer14.

The user management unit34manages, for each player, user-specific information accessed through screens, and cumulative values of baseball game results and statistical data. Also, the user management unit34has functions for performing security checks for access as necessary. The competition benefits generation unit38generates, for each player, incentive information with respect to baseball game results (number of home runs and batting average, earned-run average and number of strikeouts, and similar). Here “incentive information” is information provided to a player on the occasion of continuation of competition, and may take various forms. Examples of incentive information include property information or other benefit information provided to a player who has satisfied conditions specified by the sponsor of the competition, or a password enabling free access to a site for which access normally requires payment. This incentive information can be set in stages. Here, in the earliest stage, ranking is performed in order to indicate to a player the position of that player's competitive ability relative to the competitive abilities of other players, and specific displays are presented to persons for which each incentive stage is applicable.

In this aspect, in the baseball game executed by the above-described game system10, a player team competes for up to a maximum of nine innings with a team under computer control (hereafter a “computer team”) or with another player team (that is, the same player repeatedly alternates between offense and defense), and the player team's ranking is determined relative to other player teams playing the same baseball game over the Internet based on the cumulative number of winning points over the computer team (or another player team) at the time the game ends. Here the number of winning points is the difference in points scored by the player team and the computer team; for example, if the player team has scored 5 points and the computer team (or another player team) has scored 3 points, then the number of winning points is +2; if the player team has scored 3 points and the computer team (or another player team) has scored 5 points, then the number of winning points is −2.

When a player team is on the offensive side, the player performs operations using the mouse22and keyboard20to perform batting movements of the batter character, and the movements of the runner character or similar are processed automatically according to baseball rules. When a player team is on the defensive side, the player performs operations using the mouse22and keyboard20to perform pitching movements of the pitcher character, and movements of the outfield characters and other team members are processed automatically according to baseball rules.

Next, the procedure for processing when the baseball game is played using the game system10is explained, based on the flow charts shown inFIGS. 2 and 9, and referring to the display screens and similar shown inFIGS. 3,4,6,7,11and12. The mouse22is primarily used for manipulation of the player character (when the player team is on the defensive side, the pitcher character; when the player team is on the offensive side, the batter character); this is in consideration of the facts that a displacement direction and displacement amount for a pointer displayed on the monitor18can be input in a single operation, so that even without experience it is easy to rapidly displace the pointer to a random position, and that the mouse22is the most widespread input device among personal computer players.

First, processing when the player team is on the defensive side (that is, when the player character is the pitcher character) is explained, based on the flow chart shown inFIG. 2. All of the processing of the flow chart shown inFIG. 2is executed by the defensive operation unit3021. In the flow chart ofFIG. 2, first, a competition screen100such as that shown inFIG. 3is displayed on the monitor18(step ST1). The pitcher character106of the player team is displayed in the substantial center of the competition screen100shown inFIG. 3, and the batter character101of the computer team (or other player team), gripping the bat character102, is displayed in the batter box. Pitch type selection arrows107, used to select the pitch type when pitching, are displayed surrounding the pitcher character106. And, the strike zone103is displayed above home base104, while the contact cursor105, which is manipulated by the computer (or by the other player), is displayed. In the top-center of the screen, a small screen inset110is displayed, showing the batter character101as seen by the pitcher character106; in the center of this small screen inset110, the batter character101, the umpire character111, the catcher character112, and the catcher's mitt character114worn by the catcher character112, are displayed. On the right side of the pitcher character106, the name, earned-run average, and other information121relating to the pitcher character106is displayed. In the bottom-left of the screen, the name, batting average, and other information122relating to the batter character101is displayed. At the center-left of the screen, the number of strikes, number of balls, number of outs, and similar, which is information123relating to the game currently being played, is displayed. The number of strikes, number of balls, and number of outs are counted by a strike counter, ball counter, and out counter, respectively.

Next, the player uses the mouse22to select the “pitch type” (step ST3). In the following explanation, movement directions are explained when viewing the mouse22from above. When the mouse22is moved in substantially the upward direction, “straight” is selected as the pitch type. When the mouse22is moved in substantially to the right, “screwball” is selected as the pitch type. When the mouse22is moved substantially downward and to the right, “sinker” is selected as the pitch type. When the mouse22is moved in substantially the downward direction, among “forkball”, “knuckleball”, or “changeup”, whichever pitch type is set as a “pitchable pitch type” for the currently selected pitcher character106, is selected as the pitch type. Here, “pitchable pitch types” for the pitcher character106are set in advance as an ability parameter for each pitcher character106. Hence if the pitcher character106is changed by the player, that is, if there is a pitcher substitution (the details of the screen and operation method are here omitted), then the “pitchable pitch types” are updated from the “pitchable pitch types” set for the previously selected pitcher character106to the “pitchable pitch types” set for the newly selected pitcher character106.

When the mouse22is moved substantially downward and to the left, “curve” is selected as the pitch type. When the mouse22is moved substantially to the left, “slider” is selected as the pitch type. Here, the initial pitch type prior to the above operations to select a pitch type is “slowball”. Hence if the player performs the pitching operation of step ST11without selecting a pitch type, the pitch type becomes “slowball”.

A judgment is then performed to determine whether the pitch type selected by the player in step ST3is included in the “pitchable pitch types” set for the current pitcher character106(whether the pitcher “has that pitch” or not) (step ST7). If not included in the “pitchable pitch types”, a screen is displayed in which the pitcher character106shakes his head sideways (omitted in the figures) (step ST9), and processing returns to step ST3. If included in the “pitchable pitch types”, a judgment is performed to determine whether an instruction has been given by the player using the mouse22to have the pitcher character106begin pitching (step ST11).

If an instruction is given to begin pitching, processing proceeds to step ST13. If no instruction has been given to begin pitching, processing returns to step ST3. Here, it is assumed that an instruction to begin the pitching action is given by clicking the left button of the mouse. When in step ST11an instruction to begin pitching is given (the left mouse button is clicked), the pitcher character106begins the pitching action (pitching motion). And, the player then gives instructions to determine the pitch course for the pitcher character106, using the mouse22and keyboard20(step ST13).

First, the case in which the mouse22is moved to give instructions determining the pitch course is explained, referring to the screen drawing150ofFIG. 4. Pitch course instructions are given by moving the catcher's mitt character114in the small screen inset110according to the direction and amount of motion of the mouse22. For example, if the mouse is moved upward and to the left as seen from above, the catcher's mitt character114moves upward and to the left (FIG. 4). Because instructions for the pitch course can be given through movement of the mouse22, instructions for the pitch course desired by the player can be issued easily and quickly. It is assumed that the time during which the catcher's mitt character114can move is from the instruction to begin pitching in step ST11, until, a prescribed length of time later, the ball character is released by the pitcher character106. The range of possible motion of the catcher's mitt character114is approximately the range of the strike zone113.

Next, the case in which operation of the keyboard20is used to determine the pitch course is explained, referring to the flow chart shown inFIG. 5, the key layout of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6, and the screens shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. In the flow chart shown inFIG. 5, first, a judgment is made to determine whether the catcher's mitt character114is in motion due to a movement operation using the above mouse22(step ST51). If the catcher's mitt character114is in motion, processing returns. If the catcher's mitt character114is not in motion, a judgment is made to determine whether the center return key201, which is a key used to set the home position of the catcher's mitt character114in the center of the strike zone113, is depressed (here, it is assumed that the “X” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the center return key201) (step ST53). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing proceeds to step ST59. If the result of this judgment is positive, the home position of the catcher's mitt character114is set to the center of the strike zone113(step ST55), and the catcher's miff character114is moved to the center of the strike zone113, as shown inFIG. 7(step ST57). The home position of the catcher's mitt character114is used as the initial position of the catcher's miff character114during the next pitch.

If the result of the judgment in step ST53is negative, judgment is performed to determine whether the lower-right corner return key202(here it is assume that the “C” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the lower-right corner return key202), used to set the home position of the catcher's mitt character114to the lower-right corner (if the batter character is a left-handed batter, a pitch low and to the outside) of the strike zone113, has been depressed (step ST59). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing proceeds to step ST65. If the result is positive, the home position of the catcher's mitt character114is set to the lower-right corner of the strike zone113(step ST61), and the catcher's mitt character114is moved to the lower-right corner of the strike zone113, as shown inFIG. 8(step ST63).

If the result of the judgment of step ST59is negative, judgment is performed to determine whether the upper-right corner return key203(here it is assume that the “D” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the upper-right corner return key203), used to set the home position of the catcher's miff character114to the upper-right corner (if the batter character is a left-handed batter, a pitch high and to the outside) of the strike zone113, has been depressed (step ST65). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing proceeds to step ST71. If the result is positive, the home position of the catcher's miff character114is set to the upper-right corner of the strike zone113(step ST67), and the catcher's mitt character114is moved to the upper-right corner of the strike zone113, as shown inFIG. 8(step ST69).

If the result of the judgment of step ST65is negative, judgment is performed to determine whether the lower-left corner return key204(here it is assume that the “Z” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the lower-left corner return key204), used to set the home position of the catcher's mitt character114to the lower-left corner (if the batter character is a left-handed batter, a pitch low and to the inside) of the strike zone113, has been depressed (step ST71). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing proceeds to step ST77. If the result is positive, the home position of the catcher's mitt character114is set to the lower-left corner of the strike zone113(step ST73), and the catcher's miff character114is moved to the lower-left corner of the strike zone113, as shown inFIG. 8(step ST75).

If the result of the judgment of step ST71is negative, judgment is performed to determine whether the upper-left corner return key205(here it is assume that the “S” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the upper-left corner return key205), used to set the home position of the catcher's mitt character114to the upper-left corner (if the batter character is a left-handed batter, a pitch high and to the inside) of the strike zone113, has been depressed (step ST77). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing returns. If the result is positive, the home position of the catcher's mitt character114is set to the upper-left corner of the strike zone113(step ST79), and the catcher's mitt character114is moved to the upper-left corner of the strike zone113(step ST81). Here the center return key201, lower-right corner return key202, upper-right corner return key203, lower-left corner return key204, and upper-left corner return key205are collectively called return keys. Also, the time during which the home position of the above catcher's mitt character114can be set is from the time an instruction to begin pitching is given in step ST11, until, a prescribed length of time later, the ball character is released from the pitcher character106.

In this way, through a key operation of the keyboard20, it is possible to set the home position of the catcher's miff character114which determines the position of the pitch course, and move to the home position, by a single keypress; hence the catcher's mitt character can be returned to the home position with ease similar to that of dedicated game equipment, in which return to a home position is possible by the player's removing a hand from a joystick or similar, so that operating properties are improved. As shown inFIG. 6, the “X” key which is the center return key201, the “C” key which is the lower-right corner return key202, the “D” key which is the upper-right corner return key203, the “Z” key which is the lower-left corner return key204, and the “S” key which is the upper-left corner return key205, are keys which are in positions enabling accurate and easy operation by the player without looking using the index finger of the left hand, with the little finger of the left hand fixed at the left-hand edge of the keyboard20; hence the left hand can be used to operate the return keys of the keyboard20while operating the mouse22with the right hand. The player can depress a return key on the keyboard20to issue an instruction for the general pitch course, and then move the mouse22to set the pitch course in detail. Also, because the home position of the catcher's mitt character114is set by depressing a return key on the keyboard20, the initial position of the pitch course for subsequent pitches is determined by the newly set home position of the catcher's mitt character114, so that if the pitch course is not to be changed significantly, it is easy to set the pitch course position.

Returning to the flow chart ofFIG. 2, at a prescribed length of time after the instruction is given to start a pitch by the pitcher character106in step ST11, the ball character is released by the pitcher character106(step ST15). Next, a judgment is performed to determine whether the batter character101has swung the bat character102(step ST17). If the bat character102has been swung, the result (either a miss, a foul, a hit, an out, a home run, or similar) is judged (step ST19).

Then, a judgment is performed as to whether the judgment result of step ST19is a miss or not (step ST21). If a miss, a strike screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST23), and processing returns. If the judgment result in step ST19is not a miss, a judgment as to whether the judgment result in step ST19is a foul or not is made (step ST25). If a foul, a foul screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST27), and processing returns. If not a foul, a judgment is performed as to whether the judgment result of step ST19is an out or not (step ST29).

If the result is an out, an out screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST31), and processing returns. If not an out, a judgment is performed as to whether the judgment result of step ST19is a home run (step ST33). If a home run, a home run screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST35), and processing returns. If not a home run, a hit screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST37), and processing returns.

Next, processing for the case in which the player team is on the offensive side (that is, the player character is the batter character) is explained, based on the flow chart ofFIG. 9. All of the processing of the flow chart shown inFIG. 2is executed by the offensive operation unit3022. In the flow chart ofFIG. 9, first a competition screen100such as that shown inFIG. 3is displayed on the monitor18(step ST103). The competition screen100is the same as that described in the explanation of the flow chart ofFIG. 2, and so is omitted. With the competition screen100shown inFIG. 3displayed on the monitor18, the pitcher character106begins pitching operation (ST105). Next, the player uses the mouse22and keyboard20to perform operations to change the position of the contact cursor105(step ST107).

First, the case in which the position of the contact cursor105is changed by moving the mouse22is explained. The direction and amount of movement of the contact cursor105is determined according to the direction and amount of movement of the mouse22. Hence the contact cursor105can be moved in the direction and at the speed desired by the player. The position of the contact cursor105during swinging is used in judging the bat-ball contact, described below, and in calculating the flight distance (or strength of the hit) of the ball character and the flight (or rolling) direction. In other words, the contact cursor105is a character representing the contact position when the bat character102is swung. The size of the contact cursor105changes depending on the ability parameter of the batter character101. That is, when a batter character101with a high ability parameter is batting, a large contact cursor105is displayed, and when a batter character101with a low ability parameter is batting, a small contact cursor105is displayed. The range of possible motion of the contact cursor105is substantially the range of the strike zone113.

Next, the case in which the position of the contact cursor105is changed through operation of the keyboard20is explained, referring to the flow chart ofFIG. 10, the key layout diagram of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6, and the screens ofFIGS. 11 and 12. In the flow chart shown inFIG. 10, first a judgment is performed to determine whether the contact cursor105is in motion through operation of the above mouse22(step ST151). If the contact cursor105is in motion, processing returns. If the contact cursor105is not in motion, judgment is performed to determine whether the center return key201, which is a key used to set the home position of the contact cursor105in the center of the strike zone113, is depressed (here, it is assumed that the “X” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the center return key201) (step ST153). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing proceeds to step ST159. If the result of this judgment is positive, the home position of the contact cursor105is set to the center of the strike zone113(step ST155), and the contact cursor105is moved to the center of the strike zone103, as shown inFIG. 11(step ST157). The home position of the contact cursor105is used as the initial position of the contact cursor during the next pitch.

If the result of the judgment of step ST153is negative, judgment is performed to determine whether the lower-right return key202, which is a key used to set the home position of the contact cursor105in the lower-right corner (if the batter character is a left-handed batter, a pitch low and to the inside) of the strike zone103, is depressed (here, it is assumed that the “C” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the lower-right corner return key202) (step ST159). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing proceeds to step ST165. If the result of this judgment is positive, the home position of the contact cursor105is set to the lower-right corner of the strike zone103(step ST161), and the contact cursor105is moved to the lower-right corner of the strike zone103(step ST163).

If the result of the judgment of step ST159is negative, judgment is performed to determine whether the upper-right return key203, which is a key used to set the home position of the contact cursor105in the upper-right corner (if the batter character is a left-handed batter, a pitch high and to the inside) of the strike zone103, is depressed (here, it is assumed that the “D” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the upper-right corner return key203) (step ST165). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing proceeds to step ST171. If the result of this judgment is positive, the home position of the contact cursor105is set to the upper-right corner of the strike zone103(step ST167), and the contact cursor105is moved to the upper-right corner of the strike zone103(step ST169).

If the result of the judgment of step ST165is negative, judgment is performed to determine whether the lower-left return key204, which is a key used to set the home position of the contact cursor105in the lower-left corner (if the batter character is a left-handed batter, a pitch low and to the outside) of the strike zone103, is depressed (here, it is assumed that the “Z” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the lower-left corner return key204) (step ST171). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing proceeds to step ST177. If the result of this judgment is positive, the home position of the contact cursor105is set to the lower-left corner of the strike zone103(step ST173), and the contact cursor105is moved to the lower-left corner of the strike zone103, as shown inFIG. 12(step ST175).

If the result of the judgment of step ST171is negative, judgment is performed to determine whether the upper-left return key205, which is a key used to set the home position of the contact cursor105in the upper-left corner (if the batter character is a left-handed batter, a pitch high and to the outside) of the strike zone103, is depressed (here, it is assumed that the “S” key of the keyboard20shown inFIG. 6has been set in advance as the upper-left corner return key205) (step ST177). If the result of this judgment is negative, processing returns. If the result of this judgment is positive, the home position of the contact cursor105is set to the upper-left corner of the strike zone113(step ST179), and the contact cursor105is moved to the upper-left corner of the strike zone113(step ST181). Here the center return key201, lower-right corner return key202, upper-right corner return key203, lower-left corner return key204, and upper-left corner return key205are collectively called return keys.

In this way, through a key operation of the keyboard20, it is possible to set the home position of the contact cursor105, and move to the home position, by a single keypress; hence the contact cursor can be returned to the home position with ease similar to that of dedicated game equipment, in which return to a home position is possible by the player's removing a hand from a joystick or similar, so that operating properties are improved. As shown inFIG. 6, the “X” key which is the center return key201, the “C” key which is the lower-right corner return key202, the “D” key which is the upper-right corner return key203, the “Z” key which is the lower-left corner return key204, and the “S” key which is the upper-left corner return key205, are keys which are in positions enabling accurate and easy operation by the player without looking using the index finger of the left hand, with the little finger of the left hand fixed at the left-hand edge of the keyboard20; hence the left hand can be used to operate the return keys of the keyboard20while operating the mouse22with the right hand. The player can depress a return key on the keyboard20to issue an instruction for the general position of the contact cursor, and then move the mouse22to set the exact position of the contact cursor. Also, because the home position of the contact cursor105is set by depressing a return key on the keyboard20, the initial position of the contact cursor105for subsequent pitches is determined by the newly set home position of the contact cursor105, so that if the position of the contact cursor105is not to be changed significantly, it is easy to set the position of the contact cursor105.

Returning again to the flow chart ofFIG. 9, the bat-ball contact between the ball character and the bat character102is judged, based on a judgment as to whether the player has issued an instruction to the batter character101to swing with the same timing with which the ball character, thrown by the pitcher character106, passes over home base104, as well as on a judgment as to whether there is coincidence in the position of the contact cursor105and the position of the ball character with this timing (step ST111). Here the player issues an instruction to the batter character101to swing using a button (for example, clicking the left button) of the mouse22.

The method of judgment of the bat-ball contact in step ST111is here explained. In the above timing judgment, a judgment of bat-ball contact is made depending on whether the player has issued an instruction to swing within a prescribed time range before and after the moment that the ball character passes over home base104. That is, if the player has issued an instruction to swing within the prescribed time range, it is judged that bat-ball contact has occurred, and if the swing instruction was issued outside the above prescribed time range, it is judged that bat-ball contact has not occurred. On the other hand, in the above position judgment, bat-ball contact is judged based on whether the ball character passes through the substantially elliptically-shaped range of the contact cursor105at the time that the ball character passes over home base104. In other words, if the ball character passes through the substantially elliptically-shaped range of the contact cursor105, bat-ball contact is judged to have occurred, and if the ball character does not pass through the substantially elliptically-shaped range of the contact cursor105, bat-ball contact is judged not to have occurred. In step ST111, if bat-ball contact is judged to occur in the above timing judgment, and moreover bat-ball contact is judged to occur in the above position judgment, then bat-ball contact is judged to occur; in all other cases, bat-ball contact is judged not to occur.

If in step ST111bat-ball contact is judged not to have occurred, a judgment as to whether the current count of the strike counter is “2” is made (step ST113). If the count of the strike counter is “2”, processing proceeds to step ST131. If the count of the strike counter is not “2”, the strike counter is incremented (“1” is added) (step ST117), a strike screen is displayed (step ST119), and processing returns.

If in step ST111bat-ball contact is judged to have occurred, calculations of the flight or rolling of the ball character after making contact with the bat character, and the strength of the flight (or rolling), are calculated based on the position of the substantially elliptically-shaped range of the contact cursor105through which the ball character passes at the time the ball character passes over home base104; and the timing with which the ball character passes over home base104is compared with the timing with which the player has issued the swing instruction, to calculate the direction in which the ball character flies (or rolls) (step ST121).

Specifically, the smaller the distance from the center of the ball character to the center of the contact cursor105(the center of the crossmark in the contact cursor105), the greater is the flight distance (or the strength of the hit), and if the center of the ball character is above the horizontal line of the crossmark in the contact cursor105, the hit is judged to be a “fly”, whereas if the center of the ball character coincides with or is below the horizontal line of the crossmark in the contact cursor105, the hit is judged to be a “grounder”. To judge the direction of the hit ball, when for example the batter character101is a right-handed batter, if the timing with which the ball character passes over home base104coincides with the timing with which the player issues a swing instruction, the direction is toward the center; if the timing with which the player issues a swing instruction is earlier than the timing with which the ball character passes over home base104, the direction is toward the left; and if the timing with which the player issues a swing instruction is later than the timing with which the ball character passes over home base104, the direction is toward the right.

Next, a judgment as to whether the hit is “fair” or not is made based on the direction of flight (or rolling) of the ball character calculated in step ST121(step ST123). The judgment of whether a hit is “fair” or not in step ST123is performed using a comparison of coordinates representing a game field having boundary lines between the “fair area” and “foul area” with the direction of flight (or rolling) of the ball character. If the hit is judged to be “fair” in step ST123, a judgment as to whether an “out”occurs is made based on the motion of the ball character and the positions of defenders (step ST125). A mode may be employed in which the ability parameter of the batter character101affects the judgment of whether an “out” occurs. If in step ST125it is judged that an “out” does not occur, a judgment is made as to whether a home run occurs (ST139). If in step ST139a home run is judged to have occurred, a home run screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST141), and processing returns. If in step ST139is judged not to have occurred, a hit screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST143), and processing returns. On the other hand, if in step ST125an “out” is judged to have occurred, processing proceeds to step ST131.

If in step ST123it is judged that the hit is not “fair”, a judgment as to whether an “out” has occurred is made based on the ball character movement and the positions of defenders (step ST129). If in step ST129it is judged that an “out” has occurred, an out screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST131), and processing returns. If in step ST129it is judged that an “out” has not occurred, a judgment as to whether the current count of the strike counter is “2” is made (step ST133). If the count of the strike counter is “2”, processing proceeds to step ST137. If the count of the strike counter is not “2”, the strike counter is incremented (“1” is added) (step ST135), a foul screen (not shown) is displayed (step ST137), and processing returns.

As explained above, the baseball game is made to progress according to the flow charts shown inFIGS. 2 and 9, and when nine innings are completed (or, if the team which began the game on the defensive side is winning, when the top of the ninth inning is completed), a data transmission screen400like that shown inFIG. 13is displayed. Here, if the “YES” button is clicked, the game results (that is, the “winning points” for the player team), the number of pitches thrown, earned-run average, and other data for the pitcher character106of the player team, and the batting average, number of home runs, and other batting results for the batter character101of the player team are transmitted from the computer14to the server device16. The “winning points” for the player team, the pitching results for the pitcher character106of the player team, and the batting results for the batter character101and similar are calculated in advance by the computer14; however, in this aspect the data is stored by the server device16.

On the other hand, the “winning points” data transmitted from each computer14is stored in the storage unit42of the server device16, and, for example, tallied in weekly and monthly units, to rank players. The results of this ranking are transmitted to each computer14, either automatically or in response to player requests.

Prior to display of the data transmission screen400, the game continuation screen410shown inFIG. 14is displayed, and the player is asked whether he wishes to play another game; if “YES” is selected, another game can be played, and if “NO” is selected, the game session ends. If the player has lost in the previous contest “LOSE” is displayed, if the player has won, “WIN” is displayed, and if the result is a draw, “DRAW” is displayed.

Thus in this aspect, the player operates a pitcher character106and a batter character using the mouse22and keyboard20when playing a baseball game, so that the pitch course and the contact position when swinging the bat can be specified quickly and accurately, and the player can perform the intended pitching and batting actions. Employing computers14which are in wide use, the results of baseball games played on individual computers14can be centrally managed on a server device16, based on a competition program distributed directly from the server device16or indirectly, and ranking displays based on these results are displayed, so that a competitive environment in which numerous persons can participate can easily be configured. Moreover, persons participating in the baseball game can understand their own results relative to those of all participants, so that motivation to continue the baseball game can be obtained; and, when certain fixed conditions are met, competition benefits can be obtained, providing an incentive to continue competition.

This invention can assume the following aspects.

(A) In this aspect, the case in which a mouse22is used as the pointing device was explained; but an aspect may be employed which uses a portable type trackball or portable type touch pad, or a similar pointing device which enables simultaneous input of the direction and amount of displacement of a pointer by a single operation, and signal input from which can be received with the timing of the operation.

(B) In this aspect, the case in which the game is a baseball game has been explained; but the game may be any game, such as soccer, in which a player team and computer control or an opposing team alternate between offense and defense via a ball character. If the game is a soccer game, an aspect may be employed in which, when the player team is on the offensive side, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is accepted to return the home position of the shooting target to the center or one of the four corners of the goal area, and when the player team is on the defensive side, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is accepted to return the home position of the goalkeeper defensive position to the center or one of the four corners of the goal area.

(C) In this aspect, the case in which the home position can be set to the center or to one of the four corners of the strike zone was explained; but an aspect is possible in which the home position is any one, at least, among the center and the four corners of the strike zone (for example, the strike zone center). In this case, processing is simplified.

(D) In this aspect, the case in which, during movement of the catcher's mitt character or contact cursor using the mouse or keyboard, setting of the home position of the catcher's mitt character or contact cursor using the keyboard is forbidden; however, an aspect is also possible in which the home position of the catcher's mitt character or contact cursor can be set even while the catcher's mitt character or contact cursor is being moved using the mouse or keyboard. In this case, processing is simplified.

(E) In this aspect, the case in which the function to set a single home position for the catcher's mitt character or contact cursor is assigned to a single key on the keyboard is explained; however, an aspect is also possible in which the function to set a single home position for the catcher's mitt character or contact cursor is assigned to a plurality of keys on the keyboard. In this case, even when a plurality of adjacent keys are depressed simultaneously (when operation is imprecise), the desired operation can be performed, so that operating properties are further improved.

(F) In this aspect, the server device and a personal computer are connected; but an aspect in which the personal computer is in a stand-alone state is also possible. In this case, the exchange of data between the personal computer and the service device is unnecessary.

In summary, one aspect of the invention relates to a recording medium which stores a game progress control program, which causes a game image including a plurality of characters to be displayed on the monitor screen of a computer, receives from a player instructions input by means of movement operations and button operations made with a pointing device or key operations made with a keyboard, and causes the game to progress through the alternation of offense and defense between a player team and a computer-controlled team, or an opposing player team, via a ball character; and is characterized in that, when the player team is the defensive side, the above computer functions as defense operation means, receiving instructions of defensive movements for a defense character using the above pointing device or keyboard, and causing the defense character to perform defensive movements; when the player team is the offensive side, the above computer functions as offense operation means, receiving instructions of offensive movements for an offense character using the above pointing device or keyboard, and causing the offense character to perform offensive movements; and, at least either the above defense operation means or the above offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the above keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

According to the invention as described in the above, a game progress control program, which causes a game image including a plurality of characters to be displayed on the monitor screen of a computer, receives from a player instructions input by means of movement operations and button operations made with a pointing device or key operations made with a keyboard, and causes the game to progress through the alternation of offense and defense between a player team and a computer-controlled team, or an opposing player team, via a ball character, and is characterized in that, when the player team is the defensive side, the computer functions as defense operation means, receiving instructions of defensive movements for a defense character using the pointing device or keyboard, and causing the defense character to perform defensive movements; when the player team is the offensive side, the computer functions as offense operation means, receiving instructions of offensive movements for an offense character using the pointing device or keyboard, and causing the offense character to perform offensive movements; and, at least either the defense operation means or the offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

In other words, through the defense operation means, instruction operations for defense movement of the defense character using the pointing device or keyboard are accepted, and the defense character performs defensive movements; and, through the offense operation means, instruction operations for offense movement of the offense character using the pointing device or keyboard are accepted, and the offense character performs offensive movements. Also, at least either the defense operation means or the offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position (the position used with the greatest frequency by the player).

Accordingly, when the position of a prescribed character relating to defensive operation or offensive operation is different from the home position due to operations using the pointing device or keyboard, if the player wishes to return the position of this prescribed character relating to defensive or offensive operation to the home position, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is accepted to cause the position of the prescribed character relating to defensive or offensive operation to be returned to the prescribed home position, similarly to the case with dedicated game equipment in which the player can cause return to the home position by removing a hand from the joystick or similar; so that operating properties are improved.

In the above described invention, the above prescribed home position may be the substantial center of the range of possible motion of the above prescribed character.

According to the above feature, the prescribed home position is the substantial center of the range of possible motion of the prescribed character. In other words, because the home position, which is the position to which a prescribed character related to defensive or offensive operation is returned by the player's removing a hand from the joystick or similar of dedicated game equipment, is normally the substantial center of the range of possible motion of the prescribed character, operating properties similar to those of a joystick or similar are obtained.

In the above described invention, the above prescribed home position can be a prescribed position at an edge portion of the range of possible motion of the above prescribed character.

According to the above feature, the prescribed home position is a prescribed position at an edge portion of the range of possible motion of the prescribed character. In other words, because the home position can be set at a position desired by the player in an edge portion of the range of possible motion of the prescribed player, operating properties are further improved.

In the above invention, the above game may be a baseball game; the above defensive operation means accepts instructions for pitching movements by the pitcher character, input using the above pointing device or keyboard, and causes the pitcher character to make the pitching movements; the above offensive operation means accepts instructions for batting movements by the batter character, input using the above pointing device or keyboard, and causes the batter character to make the batting movements; and, at least either the above defense operation means or offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the above keyboard, and causes the position of the prescribed character related to pitching operation or to batting operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

According to the aforementioned features, the game is a baseball game; the defensive operation means accepts instructions for pitching movements by the pitcher character, input using the pointing device or keyboard, and causes the pitcher character to make the pitching movements; the offensive operation means accepts instructions for batting movements by the batter character, input using the pointing device or keyboard, and causes the batter character to make the batting movements; and, at least either the defense operation means or offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and causes the position of the prescribed character related to pitching operation or to batting operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

In other words, the defensive operation means accepts instructions for pitching movements by the pitcher character input using the pointing device or keyboard, and causes the pitcher character to make the pitching movements; and, the offensive operation means accepts instructions for batting movements by the batter character input using the pointing device or keyboard, and causes the batter character to make the batting movements. And, at least either the defense operation means or offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and causes the position of the prescribed character related to pitching operation or to batting operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

Accordingly, when the position of a prescribed character related to pitching operation or to batting operation is different from the home position due to operation performed using the pointing device or keyboard, and the player wishes to return the position of the prescribed character related to pitching operation or to batting operation to the prescribed home position, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is accepted causing the position of the prescribed character relating to pitching operation or to batting operation to be returned to the prescribed home position, similar to the manner in which return to home position can be performed by the player's removing a hand from the joystick or similar of dedicated game equipment; and consequently, operating properties are improved.

According to the invention as described in the above, the defensive operation means receives the above prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and returns the position of a catcher's mitt character, which determines the pitch course, to the center of the strike zone. Accordingly, the defensive operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and returns the position of a catcher's mitt character, which determines the pitch course, to the center of the strike zone. In other words, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is received by the defensive operation means, and the position of the catcher's mitt character which determines the pitch course is returned to the center of the strike zone, which is the range of possible motion of the catcher's mitt character; hence when control of the pitcher character is poor, a key operation can be used to instantly return the position of the catcher's mitt character, which determines the pitch course, to the center of the strike zone, which has a high probability of indication as the pitch course.

Furthermore, in the above described invention, the above defensive operation means receives the above prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and is possible to return the position of the catcher's mitt, which determines the pitch course, to one of the four corners of the strike zone.

According to the above features, the defensive operation means receives the prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and returns the position of the catcher's mitt, which determines the pitch course, to one of the four corners of the strike zone. In other words, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is received by the defensive operation means, and the position of the catcher's mitt character which determines the pitch course is returned to one of the four corners of the strike zone, which is the range of possible motion of the catcher's mitt character; hence when control of the pitcher character is good, a key operation can be used to instantly return the position of the catcher's mitt character, which determines the pitch course, to one of the four corners of the strike zone, which has a high probability of indication as the pitch course.

In addition, the above offensive operation means receives the above prescribed key operation from the keyboard, and is possible to return the position of the contact cursor, indicating the contact position during a swing of the bat character, to the center of the strike zone.

According to the above feature, the offensive operation means receives the prescribed key operation from the keyboard, and returns the position of the contact cursor, indicating the contact position during a swing of the bat character, to the center of the strike zone.

In other words, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is received by the offensive operation means, and the position of the contact cursor, which is a character indicating the contact position during swinging of the bat character, is returned to the center of the strike zone, which is the range of possible motion of the contact cursor; hence when control of the pitcher character of the opposing team is poor or in other cases, a key operation can be used to instantly return the position of the contact cursor, which indicates the contact position during swinging of the bat character, to the center of the strike zone, which has a high probability of indication as the contact position during swinging of the bat character, so that operating properties are improved.

Moreover, the above offensive operation means receives the above prescribed key operation from the keyboard, and is possible to return the position of the contact cursor, indicating the contact position during a swing of the bat character, to one of the four corners of the strike zone.

With the above features, the offensive operation means receives the prescribed key operation from the keyboard, and returns the position of the contact cursor, indicating the contact position during a swing of the bat character, to one of the four corners of the strike zone.

Accordingly, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is received by the offensive operation means, and the position of the contact cursor, which is a character indicating the contact position during swinging of the bat character, is returned to one of the four corners of the strike zone, which is the range of possible motion of the contact cursor; hence when control of the pitcher character of the opposing team is good, a key operation can be used to instantly return the position of the contact cursor, which indicates the contact position during swinging of the bat character, to one of the four corners of the strike zone, which has a high probability of indication as the contact position during swinging of the bat character, so that operating properties are improved.

The invention takes another form which is related to a game server device which can be accessed over a network from a computer operated by a player, and comprising computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded the game progress control program as described in the above passages.

According to the aforementioned invention, a game server device is characterized in being accessible over a network from a computer operated by a player, and in comprising computer-readable recording medium having any of the aforementioned features.

In other words, as a result of comprising computer-readable recording medium, a game server device enabling execution of games with good operating properties is realized.

The present invention also relates to a game progress control method, which causes a game image including a plurality of characters to be displayed on the monitor screen of a computer, receives from a player instructions input by means of movement operations and button operations made with a pointing device or key operations made with a keyboard, and causes the game to progress through the alternation of offense and defense between a player team and a computer-controlled team, or an opposing player team, via a ball character; and is characterized in that, when the player team is the defensive side, the above computer executes defense operation processing, receiving instructions of defensive movements for a defense character using the above pointing device or keyboard, and causing the defense character to perform defensive movements; when the player team is the offensive side, the above computer executes offense operation processing, receiving instructions of offensive movements for an offense character using the above pointing device or keyboard, and causing the offense character to perform offensive movements; and, at least either the above defense operation processing or the above offense operation processing receives a prescribed key operation of the above keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

According to the aforementioned form of the invention, a game progress control method, which causes a game image including a plurality of characters to be displayed on the monitor screen of a computer, receives from a player instructions input by means of movement operations and button operations made with a pointing device or key operations made with a keyboard, and causes the game to progress through the alternation of offense and defense between a player team and a computer-controlled team, or an opposing player team, via a ball character, is characterized in that when the player team is the defensive side, the computer executes defense operation processing, receiving instructions of defensive movements for a defense character using the pointing device or keyboard, and causing the defense character to perform defensive movements; when the player team is the offensive side, the computer executes offense operation processing, receiving instructions of offensive movements for an offense character using the pointing device or keyboard, and causing the offense character to perform offensive movements; and, at least either the defense operation processing or the offense operation processing receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

In other words, in defense operation processing, instruction operations for defense movement of the defense character using the pointing device or keyboard are accepted, and the defense character performs defensive movements; and, in offense operation processing, instruction operations for offense movement of the offense character using the pointing device or keyboard are accepted, and the offense character performs offensive movements. Also, at least either the defense operation processing or the offense operation processing receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position (the position used with the greatest frequency by the player).

Accordingly, when the position of a prescribed character relating to defensive operation or offensive operation is different from the home position due to operations using the pointing device or keyboard, if the player wishes to return the position of this prescribed character relating to defensive or offensive operation to the home position, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is accepted to cause the position of the prescribed character relating to defensive or offensive operation to be returned to the prescribed home position, similarly to the case with dedicated game equipment in which the player can cause return to the home position by removing a hand from the joystick or similar; so that operating properties are improved.

The present invention, moreover, relates to a game progress control device, which causes a game image including a plurality of characters to be displayed on the monitor screen of a computer, receives from a player instructions input by means of movement operations and button operations made with a pointing device or key operations made with a keyboard, and causes the game to progress through the alternation of offense and defense between a player team and a computer-controlled team, or an opposing player team, via a ball character. The game progress control device comprises: defense operation means, which, when the player team is the defensive side, receives instructions of defensive movements for a defense character using the above pointing device or keyboard, and causes the defense character to perform defensive movements; and, offensive operation means, which, when the player team is the offensive side, receives instructions of offensive movements for an offense character using the above pointing device or keyboard, and causes the offense character to perform offensive movements; and characterized in that at least either the above defense operation means or the above offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the above keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

According to the invention as described in the above, a game progress control device, which causes a game image including a plurality of characters to be displayed on the monitor screen of a computer, receives from a player instructions input by means of movement operations and button operations made with a pointing device or key operations made with a keyboard, and causes the game to progress through the alternation of offense and defense between a player team and a computer-controlled team, or an opposing player team, via a ball character; comprises defense operation means, which, when the player team is the defensive side, receives instructions of defensive movements for a defense character using the pointing device or keyboard, and causes the defense character to perform defensive movements, and offensive operation means, which, when the player team is the offensive side, receives instructions of offensive movements for an offense character using the pointing device or keyboard, and causes the offense character to perform offensive movements; and is characterized in that at least either the defense operation means or the offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position.

In other words, through the defense operation means, instruction operations for defense movement of the defense character using the pointing device or keyboard are accepted, and the defense character performs defensive movements; and, through the offense operation means, instruction operations for offense movement of the offense character using the pointing device or keyboard are accepted, and the offense character performs offensive movements. Also, at least either the defense operation means or the offense operation means receives a prescribed key operation of the keyboard, and causes the position of a prescribed character related to defense operation or to offense operation to be returned to a prescribed home position (the position used with the greatest frequency by the player).

Accordingly, when the position of a prescribed character relating to defensive operation or offensive operation is different from the home position due to operations using the pointing device or keyboard, if the player wishes to return the position of this prescribed character relating to defensive or offensive operation to the home position, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is accepted to cause the position of the prescribed character relating to defensive or offensive operation to be returned to the prescribed home position, similarly to the case with dedicated game equipment in which the player can cause return to the home position by removing a hand from the joystick or similar; so that operating properties are improved.

The invention, furthermore, relates to a recording medium storing a game progress control program, which causes a game image including a plurality of characters to be displayed on the monitor screen of a computer, receives from a player instructions input by means of movement operations and button operations made with a pointing device or key operations made with a keyboard, and causes the game to progress; and is characterized in that the above computer is made to function as movement operation means, which receives instructions, input using the above pointing device or keyboard, relating to the movements of at least one character among the above plurality of characters, and causes the above character to perform movements; and, the above computer is made to function as position return means, which receives a prescribed key instruction from the above keyboard, and causes the position of the moving character capable of motion associated with instructions relating to the motion of the above character to be returned to a prescribed home position.

According to the invention as described in the above, a game progress control program stored in the recording medium, which causes a game image including a plurality of characters to be displayed on the monitor screen of a computer, receives from a player instructions input by means of movement operations and button operations made with a pointing device or key operations made with a keyboard, and causes the game to progress; and the computer is made to function as movement operation means, which receives instructions, input using the pointing device or keyboard, relating to the movements of at least one character among the plurality of characters, and causes the character to perform movements; and, the computer is made to function as position return means, which receives a prescribed key instruction from the keyboard, and causes the position of the moving character, capable of motion associated with instructions relating to the motion of the character, to be returned to a prescribed home position.

In other words, through the movement operation means, instructions relating to movement of at least one character among the plurality of characters are received from the pointing device or keyboard, this character performs the movements, and through the position return means, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is received, and the position of the moving character, capable of motion associated with instructions relating to the motion of the character, to be returned to a prescribed home position (the position used with the greatest frequency by the player).

Accordingly, when the position of a moving character is different from the home position due to operations using the pointing device or keyboard, if the player wishes to return the position of this moving character to the home position, a prescribed key operation of the keyboard is accepted to cause the position of the moving character to be returned to the prescribed home position, similarly to the case with dedicated game equipment in which the player can cause return to the home position by removing a hand from the joystick or similar; so that operating properties are improved.

This application is based on Japanese patent application serial no. 2001-217834, filed in Japan Patent Office on Jul. 18, 2001, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention hereinafter defined, they should be construed as being included therein.