U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,835

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of a video game processing apparatus, a method and a computer program product for processing a video game according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the appending drawings.

FIG. 1is a block diagram that illustrates a configuration of a video game apparatus100to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that other devices may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, a video game apparatus100of the present embodiment includes a video game apparatus main body10, a display device50, and a sound output device60. The video game apparatus main body10is constituted from a video game system that is put on the market, for example. Further, the display device50is constituted from, for example, a television apparatus, a liquid crystal display device, a micro-mirror device, a holographic display device, or any combination thereof. The display device50is provided with a plurality of image display screens including an upper image display screen51and a lower image display screen52. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that any device capable of generating or reproducing an image may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

The video game apparatus main body10includes a control section11, a RAM (Random Access Memory)12, a HDD (hard disk drive)13, a sound processor14, a graphics processor15, a DVD/CD-ROM drive16, a communications interface17, an interface section18, a frame memory19, a memory card slot20, and an input interface section21.

Each of the control section11, the RAM (Random Access Memory)12, the HDD (Hard Disk Drive)13, the sound processor14, the graphics processor15, the DVD/CD-ROM drive16, the communications interface17and the interface section18is connected to an internal bus22.

The control section11includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory) and the like. The control section11executes control processes of the whole video game apparatus100in accordance with control programs stored in the HDD13and/or a storage medium70. The control section11includes an internal timer used to generate a timer interruption, for example. The RAM12is mainly used as a work area for the control section11. The HDD13is a storage area in the video game apparatus main body10for storing the control programs and various data.

The sound processor14has a function of an audio input/output interface for carrying out D/A conversion and A/D conversion of a sound signal (or audio signal). The sound processor14is connected to a sound output device60, which includes a speaker, for example, but may include any other device capable of generating or reproducing an audible signal. The sound processor14outputs a sound signal to the sound output device60in accordance with a sound outputting command from the control section11that executes a process according to the various control programs. Further, the sound processor14is also connected to a sound input device (not shown in the drawings) constituted from a microphone, for example. A sound signal from the sound input device is inputted into the sound processor14in accordance with a sound input command from the control section11. In this regard, the sound output device60may be embedded in the display device50or the video game apparatus main body10, or may be affixed to a vibrating surface that may be caused to generate the audible signal.

The graphics processor15is connected to the display device50including the upper image display screen51and the lower image display screen52on each of which an image is displayed. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the graphics processor may be coupled to other known types of display devices, such as a head-mounted display, a holographic three-dimensional display or the like, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The graphics processor15develops an image on the frame memory19in accordance with a drawing or graphics command from the control section11, and outputs video signals for displaying the image on the upper and lower image display screens51,52to the display device50. A switching time for images to be displayed according to the video signals is set to 1/30 seconds per frame (for NTSC type displays), for example. However, the switching time may be any other frame rate (for example, 1/25 second per frame (for PAL type displays)) as those skilled in the art will appreciate without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

A storage medium70such as a DVD-ROM medium or a CD-ROM medium, or equivalent, in which control programs for a video game are stored is mounted in the DVD/CD-ROM drive16. The DVD/CD-ROM drive16executes a process for reading out various data such as control programs from the storage medium70. The storage medium70may be, other than the DVD-ROM or the CD-ROM described above, various types of DVD (such as DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW or DVD+RDL) or various types of CD (such as CD-R or CD-RW). In this case, in place of or in addition to the DVD/CD-ROM drive16, the video game apparatus main body10may be provided with a drive for executing processes to read out and/or write various kinds of data from and/or into the storage medium70.

The communications interface17is connected to a communication network80such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the like, in a wireless or wired manner. The video game apparatus main body10carries out communication with, for example, another computer via the communication network80using a communication function of the communications interface17.

Each of the input interface section21, the memory card slot20and a touch panel40as an operation input section (or controller) is connected to the interface section18. The interface section18causes instruction data from the input interface section21and instruction data from the touch panel40to be stored in the RAM12on the basis of operation(s) of a controller device such as a keypad30and operation(s) of the touch panel40using a touch pen41by a player of the video game apparatus100. In response to the instruction data stored in the RAM12, the control section11executes various arithmetic processing.

In this regard, the touch panel40may be used so as to be laminated on at least one of the upper and lower image display screens51,52, for example. In this case, the control section11recognizes (or senses) input information in accordance with operational inputs by operation(s) for inputs from the player by managing and controlling display timing on at least one of the upper and lower image display screens51,52on which the touch panel40is laminated, operation timing to the touch panel40using the touch pen41or the like, and the position coordinates of the touch panel40with which the touch pen41is in contact.

By laminating the touch panel40on at least one of the upper and lower image display screens51,52in this manner, the player is allowed to input much information along with the keypad30without making the controller device (including the keypad30) of the player bigger. Here, as the type of the touch panel40, various types of conventional touch panels such as a resistive touch panel and a pressure-sensitive touch panel can be utilized.

The video game apparatus main body10is connected to the touch panel40via the interface section18as described above. The video game apparatus main body10is also connected to the controller device such as the keypad30as an operation input section (controller) via the input interface section21. However, other types of controllers may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, for example, a cross key31, a group of buttons32, a left joystick38and a right joystick39are arranged on the upper surface of the keypad30. The cross key31includes an upper key31a, a lower key31b, a right key31cand a left key31d. The group of buttons32includes a circle button32a, an X key32b, a triangle key32cand a square key32d. Further, a select button35and a start button37are arranged at a connecting portion between a base on which the cross key31is arranged and a base on which the group of buttons32are arranged. In addition, multiple buttons such as an R1 button36and an L1 button33are arranged at the side surface of the keypad30.

The keypad30constituted in this manner is provided with multiple switches respectively connected to the cross key31, the circle button32a, the X button32b, the triangle button32c, the square button32d, the select button35, the start button37, the R1 button36and the L1 button33. When pressing force is applied to any button, the corresponding switch is turned on. A detected signal in accordance with on/off of the switch is generated in the keypad30, and detected signals are generated, respectively, corresponding to inclined directions of the left joystick38and the right joystick39in the keypad30.

The two types of detected signals generated in the keypad30are outputted to the control section11via the input interface section21(through wired or wireless connection), by which detected information indicating that any button on the keypad30is pressed and detected information indicating the state of each of the left joystick38and the right joystick39are generated. In this way, operation instruction(s) (that is, operational inputs) by a user (player) using the keypad30, for example, is supplied to the video game apparatus main body10(that is, the control section11).

Further, the interface section18executes, according to the command(s) from the control section11, a process to store data indicative of the progress of the video game stored in the RAM12into the memory card90installed in the memory card slot20. The interface section18also executes processes to read out data on the video game stored in the memory card90at the time of suspending the video game and to transfer such data to the RAM12, and the like.

Various data, such as control program data for performing the video game with the video game apparatus100, are stored in the storage medium70, for example. The various data, such as the control program data stored in the storage medium70, are read out by the DVD/CD-ROM drive16in which the storage medium70is installed. The data thus read out are loaded onto the RAM12.

The control section11executes, in accordance with the control program loaded on the RAM12, various processes such as a process to output the drawing or graphics command to the graphics processor15, and a process to output the sound outputting command to the sound processor14. In this regard, the interim data generated in response to the progress of the video game (for example, data indicative of scoring of the video game, the state of a player character and the like) are stored in the RAM12used as a work memory while the control section11executes processing.

It is assumed that a three-dimensional video game according to an aspect of the present embodiment is a video game wherein multiple characters, including a player character (that is, PC: a character that moves in accordance with the operation of the keypad30and/or the touch panel40by the player), move on a field provided in a virtual three-dimensional space displayed on the upper and lower image display screens51,52, by which the video game proceeds. In this regard, it is assumed that the virtual three-dimensional space in which the field is formed is indicated by coordinates of the world coordinate system. Further, the field is defined by multiple surfaces, and coordinates of vertexes of the respective constituent surfaces are shown as characteristic points.

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

Here, in order to simplify the explanation of the operation of the video game apparatus100, it is assumed that at least one player character PC and multiple non-player characters (which are moved in accordance with control processes of the video game apparatus100(more specifically, control processes of the control section11), and hereinafter, referred to simply as “NPC”) exist as objects that are movable in the virtual three-dimensional space. However, the explanations for any process other than the processes relating to the present invention are omitted, in particular. In this regard, in the present embodiment, video game control for a RPG is executed, but those skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that changes to the present invention can be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

FIG. 2is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a main process of the video game apparatus100according to the present embodiment. The main process is a process for generating an image for one frame and a process required for the control of the video game. The process is executed in accordance with a timer interruption at every 1/30 second. However, it is to be noted that timing of at every 1/30 second is only one example, as mentioned above. Instead, for example, the main process may be executed in accordance with a timer interruption at every single field period (every 1/60 second) or at every two frame periods (every 1/15 second), or any other appropriate field rate that may be recognized by those skilled in the art to be appropriate without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, a video game (that is, a RPG game) proceeds in a common field (that is, a single field where a battle field and a movement field are not distinguished from each other) in which various actions (such as a battle action and/or a movement action), including the movement of the player character PC and a battle by the player character PC, are allowed. In the case where a predetermined object in the field is accomplished, one stage may be terminated and the processing may proceed to another stage executed in a next field.

Further, in the present embodiment, a same time base is applied to the respective characters existing in such a field. Once a NPC enters the stage in the field such as a battle scene, the NPC moves on the field or stands still on the field in accordance with the same time base until a hit point (which is a value indicating life force, and hereinafter, referred to simply as “HP”) thereof becomes zero. For example, in the case where the HP becomes zero, the player character PC becomes a battle impossible state. Then, the video game is terminated, or other event occurs.

However, for example, in the case where a plurality of player characters PC enter the stage in the field, all of the plurality of player characters PC do not become a battle impossible state so long as the HP of each of the plurality of player characters PC becomes zero. In this case, a portion displayed on each of the upper and lower image display screens51,52as a character image is a portion that exists within the field of view of a virtual camera in the field.

In the main process, the control section11determines whether an instruction to start a video game is generated through an operation of the keypad30and/or the touch panel40, via manipulation of the controller30by the player or not in the case where the state is still before the video game start. Alternatively, once the video game has started or is in progress, the control section11determines whether a timing state is reached to change the scene (for example, change the field) or not in the case where the state is during execution of the video game (Step S101). In this regard, the “instruction to start the video game” means an instruction to start the video game by selecting a “game start” button when a selection menu including the “game start” button, a “demonstration” button and the like is displayed on the upper or lower image display screen51,52. For this reason, two opening movies are prepared. Namely, they include one in the case where the one opening movie is reproduced before starting the video game (that is, in the case where the one opening movie is automatically reproduced by means of power activation (or switch ON)) and the other in the case where the other opening movie is reproduced after starting the video game (that is, in the case where the other opening movie is reproduced in response to an instruction to start the video game from the player).

The timing state to change the scene which is determined at Step S101is, for example, the time at which a virtual three-dimensional space illustrating a new scene is displayed on the respective upper and lower image display screens51,52in order to finish the scene that has been displayed on the respective upper and lower image display screens51,52until that point (for example, a scene displayed by means of a virtual three-dimensional space, and a scene displayed by means of a directorial moving image) and to switch the displayed scene to the new scene.

In the case where it is determined that an instruction to start a video game is generated or that the timing state reaches a state to change the scene (“Yes” at Step S101), the control section11determines an initial screen (an initial screen shown at the time of a start of the video game, or an initial screen shown at the time of a change in the scene) in accordance with the control program (Step S102). In this regard, the “initial screen shown at the time of the start of the video game” means a screen initially displayed when there is an instruction to start the video game from the player, for example. Further, the “initial screen shown at the time of the change in the scene” means a screen initially displayed at a new stage when the current stage is cleared and processing flow shifts to the new stage (that is, the timing state reaches a state to change the scene).

In this case, various data, such as image data used for the video game and characters or icons, are stored in the storage medium70. At Step S102, an initial display position of the player character PC in an initial screen or a scene after a scene change (for example, a new stage in the RPG), a non-player character NPC or non-player characters NPCs to be displayed, an initial display position of each of the non-player characters NPCs to be displayed, an icon or icons to be displayed, an initial display position of each of the icons to be displayed and the like are determined in accordance with the control program.

Subsequently, the control section11determines a viewpoint position of a virtual camera, a direction of a visual axis, and a size of a visual angle in accordance with the control program. The control section11then executes an initial setup for the virtual camera to execute a perspective transformation (Step S103). Then, the processing flow proceeds to Step S115.

On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the video game is executed, and it is not time to change the scene (“No” at Step S101), the control section11receives instruction data in accordance with the operation of the keypad30and/or the touch panel40by the player (Step S104). Namely, the control section11determines whether or not instruction data for executing movement of the player character PC or the like are inputted from the keypad30and/or the touch panel40via the input interface section21. In the case where effective instruction data (that is, it means that such effective instruction data are instruction data that is allowed to be received by the control section11) are inputted, the control section11receives the effective instruction data.

In the present embodiment, for example, the video game apparatus100is in advance constructed so that the player character PC displayed on the upper image display screen51can be operated by means of the keypad30, while the player character PC displayed on the lower image display screen52can be operated by means of the touch panel40. Further, the player character PC displayed on the upper image display screen51is set so as not to be allowed to move, and the processes at Steps S105to S107are applied only to the player character PC displayed on the lower image display screen52. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the player characters PCs that can respectively be operated by means of the keypad30and the touch panel40may be switched to each other. The player characters PCs that can be operated may be set to be different from each other in accordance with each of the cross key31and the group of buttons32of the keypad30or each of detection regions in the case where the touch panel40are divided into the plurality of detection regions.

In the case where the control section11receives instruction data for instructing an action of the player character PC relating to the movement of the player character PC (that is, movement instruction data: selection of a movement instruction by a movement command to the touch panel40by the touch pen41or movement instruction to the player character PC displayed on the lower image display screen52(that is, on the touch panel40) by means of the touch pen41) in accordance with the operation of the touch panel40relating to the movement of the player character (movement operation) at Step S104(“Yes” at Step S105), the control section11executes a movement process in accordance with the movement instruction data thus received (Step S106).

In the movement process at Step S106, the control section11causes the position of the player character PC to be moved in a virtual space (on the present field) in accordance with the received movement instruction data. In this regard, such a movement command may include a dash instruction command, for example. The dash instruction command is a command to move the player character PC quickly, and a command for supplying an instruction that the player character PC moves from a predetermined region of a battle area toward other region quickly if the player character PC is in a melee, for example.

Subsequently, the control section11generates movement information on the basis of the position information of the player character PC derived along with the movement process (Step S107). Namely, in accordance with the movement of the position of the player character PC by means of the movement process, the control section11updates necessary data among data on the viewpoint position of the virtual camera, data on the direction of a visual axis, data on the size of a visual angle, and the like. The control section11then changes the setting content of the virtual camera.

The movement information generated at Step S107includes various kinds of information on the movement such as the position of the player character PC after the movement, the viewpoint position of the virtual camera, the direction of the visual axis, and the size of the visual angle changed along with the movement of the player character PC as well as the information on the movement of the player character PC. Then, the processing flow proceeds to Step S113.

In the case where the control section11receives instruction data for instructing an action for the player character PC relating to a battle (that is, battle instruction data: a battle command) in accordance with the operation of the keypad30and/or the touch panel40by the player for instructing the action of the player character relating to a battle (a battle operation) at Step S104(“Yes” at Step S108), the control section11executes a battle process in accordance with the received battle instruction data (Step S109).

More specifically, in the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment, in the case where the operational inputs to direct the player character PC to the direction in which an enemy character is displayed from the display position of the player character PC is carried out using the cross key31and/or the group of buttons32of the keypad30, the control section11determines that the instruction data is received (“Yes” at Step S108), and then executes the battle process (Step S109). In the battle process executed at Step S109, the control section11executes, for example, a process to determine a battle result and/or battle development between an enemy character (that is, a non-player character to battle against) and the player character PC, and the like.

Subsequently, the control section11generates battle information on the basis of the battle result and/or battle development determined by means of the battle process (Step S110). Namely, in accordance with the battle result and/or battle development by the battle process, the control section11updates and sets necessary information. The set information may include, for example, the name of the player character PC that battles an enemy character in the battle process, the name of the enemy character, battle development information, battle result information, a parameter (or parameters) that defines the ability (or abilities) of the player character PC, and the like. The battle information includes various kinds of information on the battle, such as the name of the player character PC that battles the enemy character, the name of the enemy character, battle development, battle result thereof, and a parameter that defines the ability of the player character PC. Then, the processing flow proceeds to Step S113.

In the case where the control section11receives instruction data for other instructions (that is, other instruction data: an other command) in accordance with the operation of the keypad30and/or the touch panel40for executing other instruction (other operation) at Step S104(“No” at Step S105, “No” at Step S108, and “Yes” at Step S111), the control section11executes a process (for example, a conversation between characters, a purchase action, a pick up action, a movement action of an item and the like) in accordance with the other instruction data thus received (Step S112). The other information corresponding to the process result at Step S112is then generated, and the processing flow proceeds to Step S113.

The control section11updates the current position of the player character PC by storing the movement information generated at Step S107in a predetermined data area of the RAM12at Step S113. Further, the control section11memorizes and stores various action histories of the player character PC by storing the battle information generated at Step S110and the other information generated after Step S112in a predetermined data area of the RAM12at Step S113.

Subsequently, the control section11executes an action estimate process on the basis of the information indicating the action histories of the player character PC once stored in the RAM12(Step S114). More specifically, information required to be digitized is digitized using conversion tables prepared in advance. Further, with respect to information required to be weighted, a score is calculated by multiplying the digitized value by a predetermined coefficient and summing these multiplied digitized values. The calculated score is added to a previous score stored in a predetermined data area of the RAM12, and the added score is again stored in the predetermined data area. In this way, the score is updated as estimate information.

Then, the control section11perspectively transforms the virtual three-dimensional space including the player character PC and the non-player characters NPCs to be displayed from the virtual camera onto the virtual screen in accordance with the setting contents of the virtual camera and the like. The control section11then executes a display process to generate a two-dimensional image to be displayed on the upper and lower image display screens51,52(Step S115).

When the display process is terminated, this main process is also terminated. Then, when a timer interruption is generated at the time of a start of a next frame period, a next main process is executed (that is, the main process is repeated). By repeatedly executing the main process, a character image is switched or shifted every frame period, and a moving image (animation) is resultantly displayed on the upper and lower image display screens51,52.

Now, the display process at Step S15will be briefly described. At Step S115, the control section11first transforms at least the coordinates of the vertexes of respective polygons included within a range to be perspectively transformed on the virtual screen among the coordinates of the vertexes of polygons constituting the virtual three-dimensional space, in which the player character PC and the three-dimensional non-player characters NPCs are included, from the coordinates of the world coordinate system to the coordinates of the viewpoint coordinate system.

Subsequently, the control section11transmits the coordinates of the vertexes of the polygons of the player character PC and the non-player characters NPCs in the viewpoint coordinate system to the graphics processor15, thereby outputting a drawing or graphics command to the graphics processor15.

When the drawing or graphics command is inputted to the graphics processor15, the graphics processor15updates, on the basis of the coordinates of the viewpoint coordinate system, the content of the Z buffer so that data on the points that reside at the front side are retained with respect to each of points constituting respective surfaces. When the content of the Z buffer is updated, the graphics processor15develops image data on the points that reside at the front side on the frame memory19. Moreover, the graphics processor15executes some processes such as a shading process and a texture mapping process with respect to the developed image data.

Then, the graphics processor15in turn reads out the image data developed on the frame memory19, and generates video signals by adding a sync signal to the image data to output the video signals to the display device50. The display device50displays an image corresponding to the video signals outputted from the graphics processor15on the upper and lower image display screens51,52. By switching images displayed on the upper and lower image display screens51,52every single frame period, the player can see images including the state in which the player character PC and/or the non-player characters NPCs are moved on the field and perceive the images as moving images.

In the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment, in connection with the battle process at Steps S108to S110described above, for example, in the case where the player carries out operational inputs to cause the player character PC described above to execute a specific action using the keypad30and then carries out operational inputs in accordance with the operation guidance displayed on the display screen, this realizes a new game element in which a privilege relating to the special effect during the execution of the video game is applied to the player character PC.

More specifically, the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment adopts a technique in which the video game proceeds while the plurality of player characters PC, for example, including two player characters PC respectively displayed on the upper and lower image display screens51,52of the display device50are caused to cooperate with each other by respectively operating the two player characters via the keypad30and the touch panel40by the plurality of players. In this regard, hereinafter, in the present embodiment, processes when the player character PC displayed on the upper image display screen51is mainly operated will be described.

Here, as the privilege to be applied to the player character PC, a special technique activating icon(s) and the like are concretely mentioned. The special technique activating icon is displayed on at least one of the upper and lower image display screens51,52to activate a so-called special technique that is a special attack to influence a state and/or ability of an enemy character to be attacked (that is, an attack target character) (for example, an attack whose offensive power is greater than that of a normal attack).

Next, a special technique activation related process in the battle process at Step S109described above including application of such a privilege will be described which is executed in the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment. In this regard, the special technique activation related process is a process that the player character PC is allowed to activate a special technique by meeting a predetermined special technique activation condition during the battle process at Step S109in the flowchart shown inFIG. 2. The special technique activation related process may be repeatedly executed at Step S109.

FIG. 3is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a special technique activation related process in the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment. Here, the case where the special technique activation related process is executed in response to an action relating to a specific attack of the player character PC against an enemy character will be described as an example.

As a premise of the execution of the special technique activation related process, the case where the battle operation is executed at Step S108in the flowchart shown inFIG. 2, and the player carries out the operational inputs at Step S109so that the player character PC is caused to execute a specific action, whereby the control section11receives special technique activation instruction data as battle instruction data will first be described.FIGS. 4 and 5are explanatory drawings for explaining operations to execute the special technique activation related process in the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment. In this regard,FIGS. 4 and 5show the case of becoming a battle mode (battle scene) in which the player character PC battles against an enemy character.

As shown inFIG. 4A, for example, on the upper image display screen51of the display device50, during a battle, a player character42is displayed in the vicinity of the center of the upper image display screen51, and an enemy character48ais displayed at the left side from the player character42. Further, a group of card type icons120is displayed in a card display region101b(as a second specific region) at an upper middle side of the upper image display screen51. The card type icons120are displayed so that a display image indicating a specific image presented by each of end display icons of operation guidance (will be described later) is in a hidden (or closed) state (that is, in the case where one surface of one card type icon120on which a display image is drawn is a front surface, the other surface, that is, a back surface of the card type icon120is normally displayed) at normal time (that is, at initial setup time) in the present embodiment. In this regard, the group of card type icons120may not be displayed in the card display region101buntil a special technique activation related process is started. Further, the group of card type icons120may be displayed in the card display region101bso that each of the card type icons is not a hidden state but an exposed (or opened) state.

On the other hand, on the lower image display screen52of the display device50, a player character43is displayed in the vicinity of the center of the lower image display screen52, and two enemy characters49a,49bare displayed at both of the left and right sides of the player character43. Further, a group of icons46is displayed at an upper left side of the lower image display screen52. The group of icons46is utilized to cause the player to select any one of the icons46by abstractly expressing an attack, an item and the like that the player43can utilize.

Moreover, an HP gauge53is continuously displayed in the vicinity of right ends of the upper and lower image display screens51,52for presenting the hit points of the player characters42,43. The HP gauge53is provided to display the HPs of the respective player characters42,43in a shared state (that is, a state in combination of the HPs of the respective player characters42,43), and to display a change state of the whole HP in connection with transition of the HP of each of the player characters42,43in a easily viewable state for the player.

In this regard, in the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment, the player carries out operations of the player character42on the upper image display section51using the keypad30, while the player carries out operations of the player character43on the lower image display section52using the touch pen41with which the touch panel40laminated on the lower image display screen52is to be touched.

In the case where the player character42and the enemy character48aare displayed on the upper image display screen51in a state as shown inFIG. 4A, for example, as shown inFIG. 4B, the player carries out input operations to press the left key31din the cross key31of the keypad30with one finger47of the player. The special technique activation related process is executed in the case where there are operational inputs in the direction indicating an outline arrow shown inFIG. 4B. Namely, in the case where the player inputs any button corresponding to the direction in which the enemy character48ais positioned when viewed from the player character42, the special technique activation related process is executed.

Further, as shown inFIG. 5A, in the case where two enemy characters48a,48bare displayed at both left and right sides of the player character42on the upper image display screen51of the display device50during a battle, as shown inFIG. 5B, the player carries out input operations to press either the left key31dor the right key31cin the cross key31of the keypad30with any one finger47of the player. The special technique activation related process is executed in the case where there are operational inputs in the direction indicating an outline arrow shown inFIG. 5B, to which any one of enemy characters48a,48bis positioned when viewed from the player character42.

FIG. 6is an explanatory drawing that shows a display example of a screen in the case where the special technique activation related process is executed in the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment. Each ofFIGS. 7 and 8is an explanatory drawing that shows an enlarged part of the display example of the screen shown inFIG. 6. Further,FIGS. 9 to 11are explanatory drawings that show an example of a display state of the display example of the screen shown inFIG. 7during an actual action. Moreover,FIG. 12is an explanatory drawing that shows an example of the display state of the display example of the screen shown inFIG. 8during the actual action.

As shown inFIG. 6, in the case where there are specific operational inputs to activate the special technique as described above by means of the player, the group of card type icons120is displayed in the card display region101bon the upper image display screen51. In addition, operation guidance110is displayed as a whole in an operation guidance display region101a. The operation guidance display region101ais a first specific region provided at a lower middle side of the upper image display screen51, for example. The operation guidance is utilized to instruct the player to carry out operational inputs to the keypad30regularly and sequentially.

As shown inFIG. 7, the operation guidance110displayed in the operation guidance display region101ais constituted from a plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111iand a plurality of end display icons112ato112c, for example. The plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111iare continuously arranged via a branching point in a state that the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111ican in turn be selected so as to cause the player to regularly and sequentially continue to carry out the operational inputs using the cross key31. The plurality of end display icons112ato112crespectively present specific images (here, “triangle”, “circle” and “cross”, for example) that indicates a plurality of end positions to be selected. Selecting the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111iin turn lead to any one of the end display icons112ato112cof the end displays to be selected. Further, a cursor113is displayed, as a part of the operation guidance110, in the operation guidance display region101a. The cursor113is displayed so as to be capable of moving along the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111i, for example. The cursor113is also displayed so as to point the operation instruction icon to be selected by means of the operational inputs from the player. In this regard, each of the end display icons112ato112cmay have a different display form (for example, a form of a display frame of the icon), or have different contents of the specific image to be displayed (for example, “triangle”, “circle” and “cross” as described above). To the contrary, each of the end display icons112ato112cmay have the same display form and/or the same contents of the specific image.

Each of the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111iis displayed so as to be any one of the shapes indicating arrows respectively corresponding to the upper key31a, the lower key31b, the right key31cand the left key31din the cross key31, for example. The cursor113is displayed as a rectangular shape so as to enclose any one of the operation instruction icons111ato111i.

On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 8, a plurality of special technique activation cards122ato122cand a prediction cursor123are displayed in the card display region101b. The plurality of special technique activation cards122ato122ccorrespond to the group of card type icons120as described above, respectively. The prediction cursor123points out one of the special technique activation cards122ato122c, which is selected for prediction of the player by the control section11in accordance with a predetermined rule. In this case, the predetermined rule described above means, for example, that the display images of the special technique activation cards122ato122c, which are in the hidden states, are in turn changed into the exposed states in a direction from the right side to the left side or a direction from the left side to the right side. Further, the special technique activation cards122ato122cmay be displayed in the card display region101bso that the display images thereof are in the exposed states as they are.

Namely, when the special technique activation related process as described above is executed, as shown inFIG. 3, the control section11causes the display device50to display the plurality of special technique activation cards122ato122cand the operation guidance110as a whole in the card display region101band the operation guidance display region101aof the upper image display screen51, respectively (Step S120). The plurality of special technique activation cards122ato122cconstitute the group of card type icons120. The operation guidance110is constituted from the operation instruction icons111ato111i, the end display icons112ato112cand the cursor113.

Subsequently, when the player operates the cross key31, the control section11receives an operational input to any one of the operation instruction icons111ato111i(Step S121), and then determines whether or not the received operational input are a normal operation (Step S122). Here, the word “normal” of the normal operation means that the player precisely carries out an operational input in the entry sequence in accordance with an input operation instruction displayed and indicated by the respective operation instruction icons111ato111iof the operation guidance110. More specifically, the normal operation includes the case as follows.

Namely, as shown inFIG. 7, in the case where the cursor113is displayed to select the operation instruction icon111aindicating a right direction with the shape of the arrow so as to enclose the operation instruction icon111a, the control section11determines that the operational input are a normal operation when the right key31cof the cross key31is pressed by the player. On the other hand, when any other key of the cross key31is pressed by the player, the control section11determines that the operational input is not a normal operation. In this regard, in the case where the operational input is a normal operation, the display color of the operation instruction icon111ais changed in order to indicate that the operation instruction icon111ais precisely specified by the player, for example.

In the case where it is determined that the operational input is not the normal operation (“No” at Step S122), the control section11completes the reception of the operational input, and resets the display of the specified operation instruction icon (Step S123). The processing flow then shifts to the process at Step S121. Namely, in the case where it is determined that the operational input is not the normal operation, the control section11resets the display state of the respective operation instruction icons that have already been specified precisely, and the process at Step S123is again executed in order to receive operational inputs from the beginning.

In the case where it is determined that the operational input is the normal operation (“Yes” at Step S122), the control section11determines whether or not any one of the end display icons112ato112cis reached by precisely carrying out the operational inputs for the operation instruction icons111ato111iby means of the player (Step S124). More specifically, for example, as shown inFIG. 9, in the case where the right key31cof the cross key31is pressed by the player when the operation instruction icon111fis selected by the cursor113, the control section11causes the display device50to change the display of the end display icon112a(for example, so as to be highlighted), and the control section11determines that the end display icon112ais reached. Further, in the case where there is an operation instruction icon next to the operation instruction icon specified by the player, the control section11determines that any end is not reached.

In the case where it is determined that any end is not reached (“No” at Step S124), the control section11causes the display device50to move the display position of the cursor113to the position to select a next operation instruction icon (Step S125), and then determines whether or not any branching point of the operation instruction icons is reached (Step S126). In the case where it is determined that any branching point is not reached (“No” at Step S126), the processing flow shifts to the process at Step S121. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that any branching point is reached (“Yes” at Step S126), the control section11causes the display device50to move the display position of the cursor113to the operation instruction icon that is a selectable branch destination (Step S127), and the processing flow shifts to the process at Step S121. More specifically, the cursor113is moved so as to be capable of selecting the operation instruction icon111dand the operation instruction icon111g.

In the case where it is determined that any end is reached (“Yes” at Step S124), the control section11determines whether or not the contents of the specific image of the end display icon is the same as the contents of the display image of the special technique activation card selected by the cursor123for prediction (Step S128). More specifically, for example, as shown inFIG. 9, in the case where the player precisely carries out the operational inputs for specifying the operation instruction icons111ato111funtil the display position of the end display icon112a, the control section11determines whether or not the specific image “triangle” of the end display icon112ais the same as the contents of the display image of the special technique activation card122a, which is shown in a hidden state as shown inFIG. 8, selected by the cursor123for prediction. In this case, the control section11determines that the contents are the same as each other in the case where the display image of the special technique activation card122aindicates a “triangle” image when the display image becomes an exposed state. On the other hand, the control section11determines that the contents are not the same as each other in the case where the display image of the special technique activation card122aindicates any other image than the “triangle” image.

In the case where it is determined that the contents of the display images are not the same as each other (“No” at Step S128), the control section11instantaneously displays the display image of the special technique activation card selected by the cursor123for prediction so as to switch the display image from the hidden state to the exposed state in the present embodiment, for example (Step S129). The contents of the display image are thus presented to the player temporarily, and then the processing flow shifts to the process at Step S123. Namely, in the case where the specific image of the selected one end display icon does not correspond with the display image of the special technique activation card selected by the cursor123for prediction as a result although the one end display icon has been selected by precisely carrying out the operational inputs relating to the specification of the operation instruction icon, the contents of the display image of the selected special technique activation card is temporarily presented for the player. Thus, a game element such as concentration (or memory) of a card game is supplied to the player.

In the case where it is determined that the contents of the display images are the same as each other (“Yes” at Step S128), the control section11causes the display device50to display the contents of the display image of the special technique activation card selected by the cursor123for prediction by changing the state of the special technique activation card from the hidden state to the exposed state (Step S130). The control section11then determines whether or not the contents of the display images of all of the special technique activation cards122ato122chave already been displayed (Step S131).

In the case where it is determined that the contents of the display images of all of the special technique activation cards122ato122chave not been displayed yet (“No” at Step S131), the processing flow shifts to the process at Step S121, and the control section11repeats the processes described above for other special technique activation card. In the case where it is determined that the contents of the display images of all of the special technique activation cards122ato122chave already been displayed (“Yes” at Step S131), the control section11causes the display device50to display a special technique activation icon for causing the player to select activation of a special technique, for example, in a predetermined region of the lower image display screen52(Step S132). Here, concrete operation states of the processes described above will be explained.

FIGS. 13 and 14are explanatory drawings that show another display example of the screen in the case where the special technique activation related process is executed in the video game apparatus100of the present embodiment. When the cursor123for prediction selects the special technique activation card122ain the state as shown inFIG. 8, the player first carries out operational inputs in accordance with the operation instruction icons111ato111fas shown inFIG. 9to specify the end display icon112a. In the case where the contents of the specific image “triangle” of the end display icon112ais the same as the contents of the display image of the special technique activation card122a, which is in the hidden state, the display image “triangle” of the special technique activation card122ais caused to be displayed in the exposed state as shown inFIG. 12A.

Subsequently, when the cursor123for prediction selects the special technique activation card122bin the state as shown inFIG. 12Aand the display image “triangle” of the special technique activation card122ais displayed in the exposed state, the player carries out operational inputs in accordance with the operation instruction icons111ato111cas shown inFIG. 10to specify the end display icon112b. In the case where the contents of the specific image “circle” of the end display icon112bis the same as the contents of the display image of the special technique activation card122b, which is in the hidden state, the display image “circle” of the special technique activation card122bis caused to be displayed in the exposed state as shown inFIG. 12B.

Subsequently, when the cursor123for prediction selects the special technique activation card122cin the state as shown inFIG. 12Band each of the display images “triangle” and “circle” of the special technique activation cards122aand122bis displayed in the exposed state, the player carries out operational inputs in accordance with the operation instruction icons111ato111cand111gto111ias shown inFIG. 11to specify the end display icon112c. In the case where the contents of the specific image “cross” of the end display icon112cis the same as the contents of the display image of the special technique activation card122c, which is in the hidden state, the display image “cross” of the special technique activation card122cis caused to be displayed in the exposed state as shown inFIG. 12C. The display images “triangle”, “circle” and “cross” of all of the special technique activation cards122ato122care displayed in this manner.

In this regard, when the cursor123for prediction selects the special technique activation card122cin the state as shown inFIG. 12Band each of the display images “triangle” and “circle” of the special technique activation cards122aand122bis displayed in the exposed state, the display states of the group of card type icons120and the operation guidance110in the upper and lower image display screens51,52become the states as shown inFIG. 13at the moment when the player carries out operational inputs in accordance with the operation instruction icons111ato111cand111gto111ito specify the end display icon112c.

Then, in the case where the special technique activation icon is displayed at Step S132as described above, the display states of the upper and lower image display screens51,52become the states as shown inFIG. 14. Namely, as shown inFIG. 14, the special technique activation icon130is displayed in the vicinity of the HP gauge53in the lower image display screen52, for example.

In this case, when the special technique activation icon is displayed in this manner, the control section11determines whether or not the special technique activation icon130is selected for a predetermined period of time by the player using the touch pen41or the like (Step S133). In the case where it is determined that the special technique activation icon130is not selected for a predetermined period of time (“No” at Step S133), the control section11causes the display device50to terminate the display of the special technique activation icon130. On the other hand, in the case where it is determined that the special technique activation icon130is selected for a predetermined period of time (“Yes” at Step S133), the control section11activates a special technique relating to a special rendition effect and the like (Step S134). The processing flow then shifts to the battle process at Step S109described above.

As explained above, in the embodiment described above, the control section11receives action specification of the player character42in response to an action specification operation by the player. The control section11causes the display device50to display the operation guidance110in the operation guidance display region101aof the upper image display screen51in the case where the control section11receives specific action specification (see Step S120), wherein the operation guidance110is constituted from the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111iand the plurality of end display icons112ato112c, the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111iare continuously arranged via one or more branching point in a state that the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111ican in turn be selected so as to cause the player to regularly and sequentially continue to carry out operational inputs with the cross key31, and the plurality of end display icons112ato112crespectively present specific images “triangle”, “circle” and “cross” (whose display forms are different from each other) that indicate selected end positions to which the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111ilead. The control section11causes the display device50to display the plurality of special technique activation cards122ato122crespectively having the display image “triangle”, “circle” and “cross” in the card display region101bof the upper image display screen51so as to be in the hidden states (see Step S120). The display images “triangle”, “circle” and “cross” respectively indicate the specific images presented by the plurality of end display icons112ato112c. In the case where it is determined that the player carries out the operational inputs regularly and sequentially so as to select the plurality of operation instruction icons in accordance with the operation guidance110displayed on the upper image display screen51and one of the plurality of end display icons112ato112cis thereby reached (see Step S124) when the special technique activation card having the display image that indicates the specific image presented by the one end display icon is displayed in the card display region101b(see Step S128), the control section11causes the display device50to display the display image of the special technique activation card so as to become an exposed state at least temporarily (see Steps S129and S130). The control section11causes the display device50to selectably display the special technique activation icon130(see Step S132) so as to be capable of activating the special technique as a privilege relating to the special effect in the case where all of the display images “triangle”, “circle” and “cross” of the plurality of special technique activation cards122ato122cdisplayed in the card display region101bkeep the exposed states for a predetermined period of time (see Step S131). Thus, it is possible to improve taste or interest of the player relating to operations by using various other elements such as thought of the player and a condition of luck in addition to operational skill of the player when to create a rendition (or direction) by a special effect (for example, activation of a special technique in a battle and the like) in the video game. This allows interest of many players in the video game to be improved regardless of the operational skill of the player.

In this regard, in the case where the video game is set so that the plurality of player characters42,43execute a battle in cooperation with each other, a selection and execution right of the special technique activation icon130as described above may be applied to the player character PC other than the player character PC that has acquired an activation right of the special technique by means of the sequence of operations described above. Thus, the player is allowed to readily imagine (or think of) the process in which a battle proceeds in corporation with the plurality of player characters42,43.

Namely, the player can play the video game in order to activate the special technique, not merely to attack the enemy characters48a,48b,49a,49band the like, by using not only the operational skill of the player relating to the operations but also the thought and memory of the player and the like. Thus, it is possible to improve the interest of the player in the video game while preventing the play of the video game from becoming monotonous.

For example, in order to activate the special technique, the player regularly and sequentially carries out operational inputs of the cross key31to select the specific image of the end display icon the same as the display image of the special technique activation card, which is in the hidden state, selected by the cursor123for prediction, and the display images of all of the special technique activation cards thereby become the exposed states. This makes it possible to cause the display device50to display the special technique activation icon130. Thus, the player can play the video game to which operational technique of the keypad30and a game element such as concentration (or memory) of a card game are added. Therefore, it can be expected that it is possible to maintain and improve motivation to play the video game for either a game beginner or a game expert, in particular.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game apparatus100is constructed so that the display device50is caused to display the cursor113to be included in the operation guidance110. In this case, the cursor113is displayed so as to be capable of moving along the plurality of operation instruction icons111ato111iand to point the operation instruction icon to be selected by means of the operational inputs from the player. Thus, it is possible to present operation instructions of the cross key31to the player more clearly, and this makes it possible to improve the taste relating to operations of the player. In this regard, it is possible to increase variations of the display of the operation guidance110relating to the input operation by pointing the operation instruction icon already specified by the player or pointing the operation instruction icon to be specified next using the cursor113.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, in the case where the cursor113reaches the operation instruction icon corresponding to the branching point, the control section11causes the display device50to temporarily display the plurality of cursors113so that the operation instruction icons respectively positioned at branch destinations of the branching point become selectable states by means of operational inputs from the player. Thus, it is possible to present operation instructions to the player more clearly, and this makes it possible to improve the taste relating to operations of the player.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the control section11may calculate the level of operational skill of the player on the basis of the rate of operational inputs carried out by the player in accordance with the operation guidance110displayed in the upper image display screen51with respect to all of the operational inputs to the cross key31by the player. The control section11then causes the display device50to display the operation instruction icons111ato111iand/or the end display icons112ato112cso as to change the number of branching points in accordance with a calculation result thus calculated. Thus, it is possible to improve interest of the player in the video game while improving the taste relating to operations in accordance with the level of operational skill of the player.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the control section11may cause the display device50to display the special technique activation cards122ato122cso as to change the number of special technique activation cards in accordance with the calculation result of the level of operational skill of the player. Even in this case, it is also possible to improve interest of the player in the video game while improving the taste relating to operations in accordance with the level of operational skill of the player.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the control section11may cause the display device50to terminate the display of the operation guidance110in the case where it is determined that operational inputs to the cross key31by the player are not carried out within a predetermined period of time after the cursor113is moved so as to indicate one of the operation instruction icons. Thus, it is possible to improve the taste of the player relating to the operations, and it is possible to improve the interest of the player in the video game by stimulating player's will to continue to play the video game.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the control section11causes the display device50to display the special technique activation icon130in the case where all of the display images of the special technique activation cards122ato122cdisplayed in the card display region101bbecome exposed states in accordance with a predetermined condition. Thus, it is possible to improve interest of the player in the video game while improving taste relating to operations of the player by using various other elements such as thought of the player and a condition of luck in addition to operational skill of the player.

In this regard, in the embodiment described above, the privilege may be an icon to be utilized to activate a special attack for influencing a state or ability of an attack target character that the player character attacks, for example. Thus, it is possible to increase variations of attack by the player character, and this makes it possible to improve interest of the player in the video game.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the control section11may cause the display device50to terminate the display of the operation guidance110in the case where it is determined that the player character42suffers an attack from the enemy character48aor48bduring the display of the operation guidance110. Thus, it is possible to improve taste relating to operations, and it is possible to improve the interest of the player in the video game by stimulating player's will to continue to play the video game.

In this regard, in the embodiment described above, each of the operation instruction icons111ato111imay be an icon representing any one of the cross key31with which the keypad30is provided. Thus, it is possible to present an operation method to the player easily and clearly, and this makes it possible to improve the taste relating to operations of the player.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the video game apparatus100is constructed so that, for example, the player imagines the display images of the special technique activation cards122ato122cin the hidden states in predetermined order, availability of generation of a special technique activating right is determined when the display images of all of the special technique activation cards122ato122cbecome the exposed states. However, the present invention can of course utilize other method so long as the player carries out input operations in accordance with the operation guidance110in which one or more branching point of the operation instruction icons111ato111iis included, and precisely carries out input operation at the end of reached branching point, by which availability of a activation right for a special effect can be indicated using marks and/or images displayed on the end display icons112ato112cthat are respectively displayed at the end positions of the one or more branching point.

As an example of the other method, for example, a style of so-called “blackjack”, in which ones like cards are displayed on the end positions in place of the marks and the player imagines total points of numbers shown in the reached cards, may be mentioned. In this case, it is preferable that the images displayed at end positions via the branching point are displayed so as to be in hidden states. Further, similarly, a style of so-called “poker”, in which cards are displayed at the end positions and the player gets a “winning combination” using the reached cards, may be mentioned. In this case, an effect of a special technique to become an activatable state and/or a rendition state thereof may be changed depending upon which “winning combination” the player gets.

Namely, the present invention is not particularly limited so long as the availability of the activation right of the special technique is determined by combining an element to require the accuracy of operations that the player operates the contents of the operation guidance110in which the branching point is included with an element to accomplish a mini game such as a card game and a puzzle game using marks, images, numerals and the like displayed at the positions reached by means of the operations. Various mini games and/or various display forms of the images displayed at the end positions in the operation guidance110can be utilized for the present invention.

Furthermore, although the video game apparatus main body10and the display device50are constructed from separate components in the embodiment described above, the display device50may be incorporated in the video game apparatus main body10, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of spirit of the present invention.

Further, although one example of the video game control for the RPG has been explained in the embodiment described above, there is no wonder that the technique of the present invention can be applied to similar video games such as a gun action RPG. In addition, the technique of the present invention can also be applied to other kinds of video games appropriately, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of spirit of the present invention.

Moreover, although an aspect of the present invention has been described with the video game apparatus100as an example in the embodiment described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can be applied to various apparatuses such as a personal computer, a cellular phone terminal, a portable game apparatus and the like as long as such an apparatus has an image generating function. In this regard, in the case where the present invention is applied to a portable game apparatus or the like, a small-sized storage medium such as a semiconductor memory card may be used as the storage medium70described above in place of a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, or any other type of storage medium as those skilled in the art will appreciate without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, it has been described that game data for causing the video game apparatus main body10(video game apparatus100) to execute the various processes described above (that is, various data such as control program data used for the video game) are stored in the storage medium70. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The video game data may be delivered by a server apparatus such as a network server (WWW server), or other computer device connected (either wired or wireless) to a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or the like, or any combination thereof. In this case, the video game apparatus main body10may obtain the video game data delivered by the server apparatus via the communication network80, and store the video game data in the HDD13. The video game data may be used by being loaded on the RAM12from the HDD13. In this regard, although the video game data are explained in the embodiment described above, such data may include at least control program data for causing a computer to execute the image generating process in the embodiment as described above.

The present invention can be applied to a video game machine, a personal computer, a cellular phone terminal, a portable game apparatus or the like, or any combination thereof that causes an image display apparatus to display a player character on an image display screen, and controls progress of a video game by controlling an action of the player character displayed on the image display screen in response to an operation by a player. Therefore, the present invention is useful.