U.S. Pat. No. 9,457,273

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A game program according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams.

The game program of the invention is a game program for a game in which the first and second characters battle against each other, and causes a computer to realize a data storage function, a panel selection function, a panel layout function, a screen display control function, and an emphasized display function.

FIG. 1is a flowchart showing an example of a game program100of the invention.

Using the data storage function, a first panel database including a plurality of panels that the first character posesses and a second panel database including a plurality of panels that the second character posesses are stored (STEP110). This function can be realized by a data storage unit to be described later.

Using the panel selection function, panels, which are to be disposed in frames of the game display screen including a battle display region formed by one or more frames, are selected from the first panel database including a plurality of panels that the first character posesses and the second panel database including a plurality of panels that the second character posesses (STEP120). This function can be realized by a panel selection section to be described later.

Using the panel layout function, the panels selected by the panel selection function are disposed in the frames (STEP130). This function can be realized by a panel layout section to be described later.

Using the screen display control function, the game display screen is displayed on a screen display unit (STEP140). The screen display unit receives a signal output from a screen display control section of an information processing apparatus, which will be described later. For example, a display device provided in a user terminal can be used. In addition, it is possible to use a touch panel type display that also serves as an input unit to be described later. This function can be realized by the screen display control section to be described later.

Using the emphasized display function, the panel disposed by the panel layout function is emphasized and displayed on the screen display unit based on the panel information indicating the characteristics of the panel (STEP150). Here, “emphasized display” refers to displaying a specific panel of the panels disposed in the frames noticeably compared with the other panels. As examples of emphasized display, it is possible to display a movie or to display a frame so as to surround the panel. This function can be realized by an emphasized display section to be described later.

The game program of the invention can be executed in a server apparatus or a user terminal to perform each process of the game described above. In addition, the game program of the invention can be provided in a state where the game program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Recording media is not particularly limited as long as the recording media can be read by the computer, such as a CD-ROM and a DVD.

Next, a game processing method according to an embodiment of the invention will be described.

The game processing method of the invention is a game processing method of a game in which the first and second characters battle against each other, and includes a data storage step, a panel selection step, a panel layout step, a screen display control step, and an emphasized display step.

In the data storage step, a first panel database including a plurality of panels that the first character posesses and a second panel database including a plurality of panels that the second character posesses are stored. This step can be processed by the data storage unit to be described later.

In the panel selection step, panels, which are to be disposed in frames of the game display screen including a battle display region formed by one or more frames, are selected from the first and second panel databases. This step can be processed by the panel selection section to be described later.

In the panel layout step, the panels selected in the panel selection step are disposed in the frames. This step can be processed by the panel layout section to be described later.

In the screen display control step, the game display screen is displayed on the screen display unit. This step can be processed by the screen display control section to be described later.

In the emphasized display step, the panel disposed in the panel layout step is emphasized and displayed on the screen display unit based on the panel information indicating the characteristics of the panel. This step can be processed by the emphasized display section to be described later.

Next, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying diagrams.

FIG. 2is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention.

An information processing apparatus200of the invention is an information processing apparatus that controls a game in which the first and second characters battle against each other, and includes a data storage unit210and a control unit220.

The data storage unit210stores a first panel database211, which includes a plurality of panels that the first character posesses, and a second panel database212, which includes a plurality of panels that the second character posesses.

The control unit220includes: a screen display control section221that displays a game display screen, which includes a battle display region formed by one or more frames, on the screen display unit; a panel selection section222that selects panels, which are to be disposed in the frames of the battle display region, from the first panel databases211and second panel databases212; a panel layout section223that disposes the panels selected by the panel selection section222in the frames; and an emphasized display section224that emphasizes and displays the panels disposed by the panel layout section223on the screen display unit based on the panel information indicating the characteristics of the panels. As the screen display unit, a display device and the like can be mentioned. In addition, it is possible to use a touch panel type display that also serves as an input unit to be described later.

A first panel group configured to include a plurality of panels that the first character posesses is stored in the first panel database211.

A second panel group configured to include a plurality of panels that the second character posesses is stored in the second panel database212.

Although not shown in the diagram, the information processing apparatus200of the invention can include an input receiving unit that receives an input for giving an instruction to the control unit220. As means for the input received by the input receiving unit, everything that the information processing apparatus operated by the user may have, such as buttons, a keyboard, or a mouse, is included. In addition, as described above, it is also possible to use touch panel type input means.

While the information processing apparatus200of the invention can be a server apparatus or a user terminal, such as a mobile phone or a smart phone, the information processing apparatus200of the invention can also be configured to include a user terminal and a server apparatus.

FIG. 3is a diagram schematically showing an example of a game display screen300displayed on the screen display unit. As shown inFIG. 3, the game display screen300is a game display screen of a game in which the first and second characters battle against each other. The game display screen300includes a battle display region310formed by one or more frames (inFIG. 3, frames A to G).

As shown inFIG. 3, a character (PLAYER) that the user uses can be set as the first character, and a character (ENEMY) that the computer uses can be set as the second character. Alternatively, although not shown in the diagram, the character (PLAYER) that the user uses can be set as the first character, and a character (FRIEND) that another user uses can be set as the second character.

Panels, which are selected from the first panel group configured to include a plurality of panels that the first character posesses and the second panel group configured to include a plurality of panels that the second character posesses, are disposed in the frames A to G. In the example shown inFIG. 3, panels selected from the first panel group are disposed in the frames A, B, D, and F, and panels selected from the second panel group are disposed in the frames C, E, and G.

The emphasized display section224can execute the frames in predetermined order, and emphasize and display the panels disposed in the executed frames. The battle proceeds by executing the frames A to G in order of the frames A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.

That is, according to the game display screen300according to the embodiment of the invention, the battle between the first and second characters proceeds in a format like a cartoon. Therefore, since the user can play the game with a sense of reading a cartoon, the visual effect that the user receives is greatly improved compared with that in the related art.

In the game display screen300, the battle can be performed based on the panel information regarding the panel that is emphasized and displayed by the emphasized display section224. In this case, the panel information is assumed to include information regarding the size of the panel.

In addition, each panel described above can have an arbitrary size. In the example shown inFIG. 4, the game display screen300includes the battle display region310formed by frames H to O. In the battle display region310divided into cells of “4 columns×4 rows”, each of panels disposed in the frames H and N has a size corresponding to four cells. Similarly, each of panels disposed in the frames J and O has a size corresponding to two cells, and each of panels disposed in the frames I, K, L, and M has a size corresponding to one cell.

Specifically, assuming that each row indicates a turn of a battle, the occupancy of action in each turn in horizontally long frames, such as the frames H, N, and O, is high compared with that in horizontally short frames, such as the frames I, J, K, L, and M. Accordingly, for example, in the first turn, only the action of the first player is performed.

In the vertically long frames, such as the frames J and N, their actions are first performed in the previous turn. That is, for example, the frame J over the second and third turns is executed prior to the frame M disposed in the third turn.

That is, a panel the size of which is larger and presents at a position where a turn number is earlier leads a battle advantageously.

In addition, although the case where the battle proceeds from the upper left to the lower right is shown in the example described above, the battle may proceed from the upper right to the lower left.

As described above, it is preferable that the battle display region310be divided by the turn indicating the unit of the progress of the battle.

In addition, it is preferable that the shape of the panel be a rectangle. Panels can have various shapes, such as a circle, a triangle, and a polygon, as well as the rectangle (including a square), such as a card in the related art.

In addition, it is preferable that the panel information described above include information on the capability of the panel. The capability information refers to information including attack, defense (avoidance), attributes, recovery, and skills to disable or replace the frame, for example. The effect of the capability is assumed to correspond to the size of the panel. Accordingly, the effect of the frames H and N with a large panel size is higher than that of the other frames.

In addition, the panel can display a still image. As an example of the still image, as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, the action described above can be assumed to be expressed by way of illustration.FIG. 5Ashows a still image of a panel with information of attack, and the illustration of the character to make a punch attack is drawn. Similarly,FIG. 5Bshows a still image of a panel with information of defense, and the illustration of the character to avoid the attack of the enemy is drawn.

Preferably, these panels display a movie when the panels are emphasized and displayed. The movie is an animation that displays a plurality of still images consecutively.

FIG. 6is a diagram schematically showing the panel of the frame F shown inFIG. 3. As shown inFIG. 6, it is preferable that the frame described above further have a text display portion10for displaying texts. Preferably, the text display portion10is displayed so as to overlap the panel disposed in the frame.

In addition to the panel described above, the frame preferably has a sound effect display portion20for displaying the texts showing the sound effect and/or an effect display portion30for displaying the effect. These portions can be displayed with a movie when the frame is emphasized and displayed. Due to these portions, the visual effect given to the user is further improved. In addition, the information processing apparatus operated by the user may be vibrated in conjunction with the sound effect display portion20or the like.

It is preferable that the panel, which is emphasized and displayed, be disposed in the middle of the game display screen300. That is, the panel that is emphasized and displayed is displayed so as to zoom in. Accordingly, the visual effect given to the user is further improved.

In addition, it is preferable that the frame have a frame portion. In this frame portion, it is preferable that a frame portion of a frame, in which the panel selected from the first panel group is disposed, and a frame portion of a frame, in which the panel selected from the second panel group is disposed, be constructed in different colors. In this case, the panel of the first character and the panel of the second character can be visually easily distinguished.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 3, when the battle does not fit in the battle display region310, it is preferable to provide a page turn portion40for proceeding to the next page in a part of the frame executed at the end.

Preferably, the panels described above are automatically disposed in the frames by a computer. In this case, it is possible to save the time and effort taken for the user to dispose the panels. The battle result is preferably determined based on the panel information at a stage where the panels are disposed. In addition, it is also possible to change the battle result by changing the panel, which is displayed on the next page, by the operation (action for recovery or the like) of the user during the battle.

In addition, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the game display screen300of the invention can include a gauge display portion320for displaying the gauge of the character. This gauge shows hit points (hereinafter, described as HP) indicating the strength of the character or character points (hereinafter, described as CP) indicating the action force of the character. The HP is decreased by receiving the action of the attack of the opponent, and is increased by taking action for recovery. On the other hand, the CP is decreased by placing a large panel.

InFIG. 4, an example is shown in which all sizes of the panel objects can be expressed as an integral multiple of the cell. However, the invention is not limited to this.

Next, the basic flow of a game displayed on the game display screen will be described.

A game described as an example herein has a main cycle and a sub-cycle. In the main cycle, as shown inFIG. 7, the user selects one character from a plurality of characters presented, and collects panels while advancing the quest. For a plurality of characters, it is possible to set the characteristics, such as power type, speed type, stamina type, and balanced type.FIG. 8shows an example of the quest, and the character selected by the user does battle with a boss character after a battle with a plurality of enemy characters. A panel can be acquired as a reward for the battle with the enemy characters and the boss character. In addition, it is also possible to acquire the panel in a specific event or the like. Thus, the user acquires the panel by advancing the game.

Then, in the sub-cycle, the user can use the acquired panel in order to strengthen the deck for the battle, or can use the acquired panel in order to develop a character. Developing the character refers to combining the character selected by the user with the acquired panel. As shown inFIG. 9, panels are used to strengthen each part (body, arms, legs, skill, and the like) of the body of the character. For example, a panel with information of the strength is used to strengthen the body of the character, a panel with information of the attack is used to strengthen the arms of the character, a panel with information of the defense is used to strengthen the legs of the character, and a panel with information of special technique effects during the battle is used to reinforce the skills of the character. In addition, a setting for making it possible to select a larger number of other characters or to use a stronger panel as the level of the character rises can also be made.

As shown inFIG. 10, as a reward for the battle or the event, there is an evolution material in addition to the panel. By using this evolution material, the selected character can be evolved into a character wearing a different costume. The character after evolution can have a capability exceeding the upper limit of the capability of the selected character before evolution.

As shown inFIG. 11A, even before the battle, it is possible to advance the story in a format like a cartoon. Then, after a battle start screen is displayed as shown inFIG. 11B, the battle is started.

In such a flow of the game, when a battle starts, the battle using the game display screen described above is performed.FIG. 12shows another example of the game display screen according to the invention. For the enemy character and the character selected by the user, it is possible to set the compatibility according to the attributes. In addition, when three or more specific panels are disposed within one game display screen, it is also possible to generate a combo exhibiting the effect beyond the effects of these cards.

Those described above show an example of the representative embodiment, and the invention is not limited to this embodiment.