JP2002200356A - Game control method for processing interactive game, storage medium, game device, and game program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computer-readable storage medium recording a program for a video game generating various events, deploying a story from versatile viewpoints, and increasing the attractive features of the game and to provide a game control method, a video game device, and the game program. SOLUTION: An event, in which there are friendly characters other than a play character, the friendly characters can take separate behaviors from each other, and the event can be executed when certain conditions are met for the friendly characters, is set in a role playing game or the like. When the above conditions are met during a game progress process, the existence of the event on the friendly characters is displayed on a screen, and the event on the friendly characters is executed when the player selects this event.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game control method for processing an interactive game, a computer-readable recording medium storing a video game program, a game device, and a game program.

More specifically, a computer-readable recording medium storing a video game program in which an event occurs in the course of the game, such as a role playing game (Role Playing Game: RPG), a game control method, and a video game The present invention relates to a device and a game program.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art There are many types of video games played by video game devices. As one of them, a type of game called a role playing game is known. In a role-playing game, various events (events) such as battles, encounters, dialogues, and discoveries with enemy characters are performed in accordance with the actions performed by the player's own character in the virtual space during the game as the game progresses. Occurs. Note that the enemy character is a character that is operated by a computer in the game according to an algorithm for action control.

In a video game of the type called a role playing game, an event mainly occurs with the player's own character in the place where the player's character exists in the game virtual space, and a story centered on the player's character develops. . In the above-described video game, a large number of friendly characters (hereinafter, referred to as friendly characters) having various personalities appear in addition to the own character and the enemy character.

[0005] In a general video game, a teammate character forms a party with the player character and follows the player character together with the player character and acts. That is, the character cannot take another action. For this reason, the occurrence of the event occurs only at the location of the own character in the game virtual space, and the story tends to be monotonous.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and aims to diversify the occurrence of events, develop a story from a diversified viewpoint, and thereby enhance the interest of the video game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer-readable recording medium storing a program, a game control method, and a video game device.

[0007]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for executing an interactive game program according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein a plurality of characters each have a role in the game. A method of executing an interactive game program that causes each of the characters to play a role, the method comprising causing at least one of the plurality of characters to play a role on a screen, wherein the plurality of characters share a role. One or more events to be prepared are prepared in advance, and it is determined whether or not the integrated character playing a role on the screen has reached the event, and a determination result that the event has been obtained is obtained. Among the plurality of characters, the one integrated character is replaced by another integrated character. Switch the target to play the data, but to let play a role in the screen on the character of the other integral said switched.

A computer-readable recording medium according to a second aspect of the present invention records an interactive game program in which a plurality of characters each have a role in a game, and each of the characters plays a role. Computer-readable recording medium, wherein the computer causes at least one of the plurality of characters to play a role on a screen, and prepares in advance one or more events shared by the plurality of characters. , It is determined whether the integrated character playing a role on the screen has reached the event, and if a determination result indicating that the event has been obtained is obtained, among the plurality of characters, Disconnect the target to play from the one character to the other one Instead, a computer readable recording medium recording a game program which causes play a role in the screen on the character of the other integral said switched.

A game device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a unit that executes a game according to an interactive program in which a plurality of characters are given roles in the game, and the characters play roles. And a memory for partially or wholly storing the program, and a display screen for displaying a game to be executed in the unit, wherein the unit is configured to control the plurality of characters according to a program stored in the memory. Among at least one character plays a role on the display screen, one or more events shared by the plurality of characters are prepared in advance, and the one character playing the role on the display screen is Determine whether the event has been reached, Determining if the result is obtained, switch the subject to play from said integral character to another piece of character among the plurality of characters that,
A game device, wherein the switched one other character plays a role on the screen.

A game program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an interactive game program in which a plurality of characters are given roles in a game, and each of the characters plays a role. Of at least one character plays a role on the screen, one or more events shared by the plurality of characters are prepared in advance, and the one character playing the role on the screen is It is determined whether or not the event has been reached, and when a result of the determination that the event has been obtained is obtained, a target to be played from the one character to another one of the plurality of characters is switched, and Have the other one-piece character switched play a role on the screen. , A game program to be run.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a video game device according to the present embodiment. The video game device executes a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium according to the present embodiment,
Further, it is used for implementing the game control method according to the present embodiment.

The video game apparatus 10 includes, for example, a game machine main body 11 and a keypad 50 connected to an input side of the game machine main body 11. Game console body 11
Is connected to a television set 100 having a CRT or the like as a monitor with a speaker. The keypad 50 is operated by a user (player) and gives an operation command from the user to the game machine main body 11. The television set 100 performs video (image) display and sound output according to the game content based on a video signal (video signal) and a sound signal from the game machine main body 11.

The game machine body 11 includes, for example, a CPU 12
, A ROM 13, a RAM 14, a hard disk drive (HDD) 15, a graphics processing unit 16, a sound processing unit 17, and a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Rea
d Only Memory) Drive 18, communication interface unit 19, memory card read / writer 20, input interface unit 21, and bus 22 interconnecting these.

CPU 12 executes an operating system stored in ROM 13 to perform basic control of the entire apparatus. Further, the CPU 12 executes a game program stored in a program storage area 14A of the RAM 14 which will be described later.

The RAM 14 has a program storage area 1 for storing a game program, as shown in FIG.
4A, an image data storage area 14B, a character data storage area 14C, a scenario data storage area 14D, and an event data storage area 14E for storing image data such as backgrounds and game characters required in the course of executing the game program. ing.

The RAM 14 has a CD-ROM drive 18
Stores game programming and image data read from the CD-ROM 30 in each area. Further, the game program and the image data can be stored in the hard disk drive 15.

The graphics processing unit 16 includes a video RA
M (VRAM) 23, and the VRAM) 23 is used as a frame buffer. The graphic processing unit 16
A video signal is generated based on the image data stored in the frame buffer according to an instruction from the CPU 12 accompanying the execution of the program, and the video signal is transmitted
Output to 0. Thereby, the television set 100
Is displayed on the display screen 101 with the image data stored in the frame buffer.

The sound processing section 17 has a function of generating sound signals such as BGM and sound effects. The sound processing unit 17 includes a CPU 12
Generates a sound signal based on the data stored in the RAM 14 according to the command from the
Output to 0.

In the CD-ROM drive 18, a CD-ROM 30, which is a recording medium, is set detachably. CD
The ROM drive 18 reads game programming, image data, sound data, and the like stored in the CD-ROM 30;

The communication interface unit 19 is selectively connected to a network 111 by a communication line 110,
Perform data communication with other devices.

The memory card read / writer 20 is set so that the memory card 31 can be inserted and removed, and saves save data such as game progress data and game environment setting data.

The computer-readable recording medium according to the present embodiment is a computer-readable recording medium on which a game program is recorded. For example, CD-
It is composed of a ROM 30 and a hard disk drive 15.

A program for causing the video game device to execute the following processing is recorded on the recording medium. That is, the video game device that executes the program recorded on the recording medium executes a process related to the action of the own character designated according to the operation input by the keypad 50. In addition, the video game device generates an event that is prepared in advance in accordance with a process related to the action of the own character, and causes the generated event to be demonstrated on a display screen.

Further, the video game device enables a character other than the own character to behave differently from the own character in the game virtual space. Further, the video game device sets an event that can be executed if a condition other than the own character in the game progress is satisfied.

In the course of the game, if the condition for the progress of the game in which the event can be executed is satisfied, the video game apparatus has an event for a character other than the own character acting separately from the own character. On the screen.

The video game apparatus selectively accepts execution of an event of screen display by a player operation in the screen display, and responds to the selection execution of the event in response to the selection execution of the event. Selectively execute events for and display them on the screen.

Further, the video game device changes the progress of the game in accordance with the execution or non-execution of an event for a character other than the own character that is acting differently from the own character.

Characters other than the player character that is acting differently from the player character are, for example, characters that are dispersed from the party of the player character and are acting differently in a place different from the player character. Hereinafter, this character is referred to as a distributed character.

Here, when the dispersed character is acting differently in a place different from the own character, the dispersed character is not displayed on the screen displaying the behavior of the own character. In the present embodiment, while the action of the own character is displayed, the arithmetic processing regarding the action of the distributed character is not performed. During the execution of the event related to the shared character, arithmetic processing related to the action of the shared character is performed. It should be noted that, while the action of the own character is displayed, the arithmetic processing regarding the action of the distributed character may be sequentially performed.

Whether the character included in the party takes a different action at a place different from the own character can be determined according to the story of the game. For example, when a certain event ends, the characters included in the party of the own character are dispersed and take different actions in a place different from the own character. In this case, the player operates the own character to progress the game, and when another event ends, the dispersed characters gather. This distributed character operates according to an algorithm for controlling the action of the character included in the game program.

The dispersed character may be arbitrarily set by the player. Further, the dispersed character may be arbitrarily made to be able to join the party of the own character by a player operation.

Each character has a role in the game. A character playing a given role is displayed on the display screen. The video game device causes the player character to play a role in response to a player's operation input.

Further, the video game device causes the distributed character to play a role according to a role predetermined by the program. In some situations, the video game device may cause the character to play a role according to a role predetermined by a program. Further, in response to a player's operation input, the distributed character may be allowed to play a role.

Next, the memory configuration of the RAM 14 when the video game apparatus 10 is executing a program will be described. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a memory configuration example of the RAM 14.

As shown in FIG.
Are, for example, a program storage area 14A, an image data storage area 14B, a character data storage area 14C, a scenario data storage area 14D, an event data storage area 1
4E and the like. The program storage area 14A is an area for storing a program loaded from the CD-ROM 30 or the like. The image data storage area 14B is an area for storing an image of a character in a game, a background image of the game, and the like.

The character data storage area 14C stores information relating to occurrence of events related to characters. In the example of FIG. 2, the character data storage area 14
An event management table 40 and a selectable event list 41 are stored in C. The scenario storage area 14D of the RAM 14 stores information for determining a scenario during a game. In the example of FIG. 2, the scenario branch management table 42 is stored in the scenario data storage area 14D.
I remember.

Next, the contents of various tables stored in the character data storage area 14C and the scenario data storage area 14D will be described.

First, the event management table 40 stored in the character data storage area 14C will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of the data configuration of the event management table 40. The event data storage area 14E of the RAM 14 stores data relating to various events. For example, event data related to the own character and event data related to the distributed character are stored.

The event related to the distributed character becomes executable if the conditions for the progress of the game are satisfied. Hereafter, this event (an event for a character other than the own character, which becomes executable when a condition on the game progress is satisfied) is referred to as an active time
An event may be referred to as an AT event for short.

The condition for the progress of the game is that the character playing the role on the screen (for example, own character) reaches an event (AT event occurrence timing) prepared in advance. For example, when the own character has reached a predetermined point reachable within the action range of the own character, it is determined that the AT event has been reached.
Here, the action range means a virtual space in which the character can move, such as a forest or a town during the game.

The event management table 40 defines AT event executable conditions and the like. For example, the event management table 40 includes, as shown in FIG.
An AT event call code column 401; a target character column 402 set for each AT event;
Title field 403 for event screen display, selectable state transition condition field 404, selectable state end condition field 40
5 and a column 406 indicating whether or not an AT event is executed.

The AT event call code column 401 stores a call code set for each event for each ATE event. In the example of FIG.
“TE1”, “ATE2”, and “ATE3” are stored.

The target character column 402 stores the name of the character indicating the central role of each event for each AT event. In the example of FIG. 3, "ATE1"
, "Garnet" is stored in association with "ATE2", and "cat" is stored in association with "ATE3".

Title column 4 of event management table 40
In 03, the title of each event is stored for each AT event. In the example of FIG. 3, “confused Bibi” is stored in association with “ATE1”, “Garnet do my best” is stored in association with “ATE2”, and “cat was watching” in association with “ATE3”. Is stored.

In the selectable state transition condition column 404 of the event management table 40, conditions on the progress of the game for enabling the execution of the AT event are set for each AT event. This condition includes events other than AT events,
For example, the end of an event relating to the own character, the end of another AT event, the movement of the own character (own character) to a specific position (place) in the game virtual space, and the like. If this condition is satisfied, the calling code of the corresponding AT event is written to the selectable event list 41 as shown in FIG.

The selectable state transition condition for each AT event is a condition for judging whether or not a preset event (a position on the time axis in the game where the role of the distributed character is set) has been reached. The event set in advance here is also an event in the role of the own character,
It is also an event on the role of another distributed character.

That is, the preset event is an event shared by a plurality of characters. For the own character, this event defines the timing of switching the screen display to another character. For a distributed character, the event defines the timing at which the character is displayed on the screen.

In the example of FIG. 3, the condition for transition to the selectable state of “ATE1” is that an event other than the AT event (event α1) ends. The condition for transition to the selectable state of “ATE2” is that the AT event “ATE1” ends. The condition for transition to the selectable state of “ATE3” is that the position of the own character moves to a specific map (map b1).

Here, the movement of the map during the game is as follows.
This means that an image such as a background representing the environment where the own character is placed is switched. For example, when the character moves from a map of an urban area to a map of a forest, the background image is switched from an image representing a townscape to an image representing a forest.

In the selectable state end condition column 405 of the event management table 40, a condition on the progress of the game for disabling the execution of the AT event is set for each AT event. This condition includes an event other than the AT event, such as the end of an event relating to the own character,
Battle against enemy characters, own character (own character)
Of the game virtual space other than the specific position (place). If this condition is satisfied, the calling code of the corresponding AT event is deleted from the selectable event list 41 as shown in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 3, the selectable state end condition of “ATE1” is that an event other than the AT event (event α2) ends. The condition for terminating the selectable state of “ATE2” is that the player character battles the enemy character. The selectable state end condition of “ATE3” is that the position of the own character moves to a map other than a specific map (map b1).

In the column 406 indicating whether or not an AT event has been executed in the event management table 40, three types of flags “executed”, “not executed”, and “not executed” are set for each AT event. You. “Executed” indicates that the AT event has been executed. “Not yet executed” indicates that the condition has not yet been executed before the condition of the selectable state transition condition column 404 is satisfied. “Not executed” indicates that the condition of the selectable state transition condition column 404 is satisfied without being executed. An AT event that is “not executed” cannot be executed thereafter.

In the example of FIG. 3, the execution of “ATE1” is “executed”. The execution of “ATE2” is “not executed”. Whether or not “ATE3” is executed is “not executed”.

Each AT in the event management table 40
The E event is managed on the same time axis defined along the progress of the game. A role to be played by each character is defined on the same time axis. That is, a plurality of characters in the game are managed on the same time axis, and the role played by each character is determined according to the time on the time axis.

For the distributed characters, the contents of the roles to be played on the same time axis are stored in advance. With regard to the own character, it is possible to play a role in response to an operation input by the player.

Next, the selectable event list 41 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the data configuration of the selectable event list 41. The selectable event list 41 is a list of selectable, that is, executable AT events.

The names of the AT events listed in the selectable event list 41 are displayed on the screen. In the example of FIG. 4, “ATE1”, “ATE
“2” and the like are stored in the selectable event list.

The contents of the selectable event list 41 are sequentially updated as the game progresses. The addition of the AT event to the selectable event list 41 is performed on the AT event that satisfies the condition of the selectable state transition condition column 404 of the event management table 40. Deletion of the AT event from the selectable event list 41 is performed for the AT event that satisfies the condition of the selectable state end condition column 405 of the event management table 40 or is executed.

Next, the scenario branch management table 42 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a scenario branch management table 4
2 shows an example of the data configuration. The scenario branch management table 42 defines contents that change the progress of the game depending on whether or not the AT vent is executed.

In the scenario branch management table 42, as shown in FIG.
, A scenario branch condition column 422, a branch destination scenario name column 423, and a selection condition column 42 for each branch scenario.
4. A plurality of scenario branch points are set in one game. In the present embodiment,
For example, a scenario branch point is set on condition that a predetermined event ends.

The scenario branch point name column 421 stores a scenario branch point identification code. In the example of FIG. 5, “branch point A”, “branch point B”, and “branch point C” are stored.

In the scenario branch condition column 422 of the scenario branch management table 42, scenario branch conditions are individually set for each scenario branch point. In the example of FIG. 5, the branch condition of “branch point A” is that “event 1” ends. The branch condition of “branch point B” is that “event 2” ends. The branch condition of “branch point C” is that “event 3” ends.

For example, in the branch destination scenario name column 423 of the scenario branch management table 42, two branch destination scenarios are described in parallel for each scenario branch point. In the example of FIG. 5, the branch destination scenarios corresponding to “branch point A” are “scenario 1” and “scenario 2”. The branch destination scenario corresponding to “Branch point B” is “Scenario 3”.
This is “scenario 4”. The branch destination scenarios corresponding to “branch point C” are “scenario 5” and “scenario 6”.

In the selection condition column 424 for each branch scenario, for example, conflicting selection conditions are set for two branch destination scenarios occurring at one event branch point. The selection condition includes a combination of “executed” and “unexecuted” and “executed” and “not executed” of a certain AT event.

In the example of FIG. 5, “Scenario 1” is selected when the execution of ATE1 is “executed” when “Event 1” ends. "Scenario 2" is selected when the execution of ATE1 is "not executed" when "event 1" ends.

"Scenario 3" is selected when the execution of ATE2 is "executed" when "event 2" ends. "Scenario 4" is selected when the execution of ATE2 is "not executed" when "event 2" ends. “Scenario 5” is selected if the execution of ATE1 is “executed” when “event 3” ends. “Scenario 6” is selected when the execution of ATE1 is “not executed” when “event 3” ends.

As described above, for example, when the event 1 ends, the branch point A of the scenario occurs, and the AT event 1
Is executed, one of scenario 1 and scenario 2 is selected. This means that the progress of the game is changed depending on whether or not the AT event has been executed.

Next, the operation of the video game apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described. At startup, the CPU 12 executes a CD-RO which is a computer-readable recording medium via a CD-ROM drive 18 based on the operating system stored in the ROM 13.
A program and data necessary for executing the game are read from M30 and transferred to the RAM 14 or the hard disk drive 15.

The CPU 12 executes the program transferred to the RAM 14 to perform various processes for progressing the game described below.

Note that some of the control operations performed by the video game apparatus 10 include devices other than the CPU 12.
There is also one that performs actual control in cooperation with 12,
Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the control related to the CPU 12 is directly controlled by the CPU 12, and the description is simplified.

The programs and data necessary for executing the game are actually stored in the CD-ROM 30 in accordance with the progress of the processing in accordance with the instructions from the CPU 12.
And transferred to the RAM 14. However, in the following description, the CD-R
Read data from the OM 30 and read data from the RAM 14
Detailed description of the transfer to is omitted.

FIG. 6 shows an overall flow of a game by the game control method according to the present embodiment. First, an operation input from the keypad 50 is received by the CPU 12 (step S10). Here, the operation input includes an input related to the progress of the game, such as movement of the own character.

When an operation input from the keypad 50 is received, a game proceeding process is performed (step S11). In the game progress processing, processing relating to an event such as a battle between the player character and a suitable character is performed.

When the game progress processing is completed, the selectable event list 41 (see FIG. 4) is updated according to the game progress (step S12). If there is at least one selectable event in the selectable event list 41, a message indicating this is displayed on the screen with a warning sound.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when there is one or more selectable events. Display screen 10 of FIG.
In FIG. 1, the player character 121 standing in the building is displayed. At the upper right of the screen, a character string 131 indicating that a selectable event exists is displayed. FIG.
In the example, a character string “select” is displayed.

In this case, the selection buttons provided on the keypad 50 are buttons for displaying an AT event (ATE) menu. When the selection button is pressed by the player's operation input (step S13), an AT event (AT
E) Processing is performed (step S14).

After the end of the ATE process, it is determined whether the game is over (step S15). If the selection button is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S15 without performing the AT event (ATE) process. As a result of the determination as to whether or not the game is over, if the game is over, the process is terminated. If not, an operation input from the keypad 50 is received again (step S10), and the same process is performed. Repeated.

If it is determined in step S13 that the selection button has not been pressed, the AT event process is not performed, and it is determined whether or not the game has ended (step S15).

FIG. 8 shows the game progress processing (step S11).
Shows a routine. In the game progress processing routine,
The CPU 12 refers to the scenario branch management table 42, and determines whether or not a scenario branch point has been reached as the game progresses (step S20).

This is to determine whether or not the scenario branch condition defined in the scenario branch condition column 422 of the scenario branch management table 42 is satisfied. If all the branch conditions are not satisfied, the game proceeds continuously based on the currently executing scenario (step S2).
1).

On the other hand, if any one of the branch conditions is satisfied, the contents of the scenario selection condition column 424 of the scenario branch management table 42 and the presence / absence of execution of the AT event in the event management table 40 (see FIG. 3) are determined. The scenario in the branch destination is compared with the flag in the column 406 (next scenario).
Is determined (step S22).

For example, when the branch condition of “branch point A” is satisfied, the scenario branch management table 42 is referred to,
A branch destination scenario (“scenario 1”, “scenario 2”) of “branch point A” is detected. Then, by referring to the column 406 of the event management table 40 indicating whether or not to execute, an event that satisfies the scenario selection condition is determined. Then, the game proceeds based on the determined scenario (step S23).

Thus, the progress of the game (scenario) is changed depending on whether or not the AT event is executed.

FIG. 9 shows a routine for updating the selectable event list (step S12). In the selectable event list update processing, first, it is determined whether or not there is an AT event (ATE) that satisfies the selectable state transition condition with reference to the selectable state transition condition column 404 of the event management table 40 ( Step S30). This determination process is performed individually for each AT event registered in the event management table 40.

If there is an AT event (ATE) that satisfies the selectable state transition condition, the code of the AT event is added to the selectable event list 41 (see FIG. 4) (step S31). For example, FIG.
When the selectable condition of “ATE3” shown in (1) is satisfied, “ATE3” is added to the selectable event list 41. When the selectable condition is satisfied, it is determined that the event (at which the AT event occurs) shared by a plurality of characters has been reached.

In addition, A that satisfies the selectable state transition condition
If there is no T event, the process of step S31 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S32.

Next, it is determined with reference to the selectable state end condition column 405 of the event management table 40 whether or not there is an AT event (ATE) satisfying the selectable state end condition (step S32). This judgment process
This is performed individually for each AT event registered in the event management table 40.

If there is an AT event (ATE) that satisfies the selectable state end condition, the code of the AT event is deleted from the selectable event list 41 (step S33). At this time, the A
If the flag in the event management table 40 for the T event is “not executed”, the flag is converted to “not executed”. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S13 in FIG.

FIG. 10 shows an AT event (ATE) processing (step S14) routine. In the AT event processing routine, first, it is determined whether or not the AT event processing is currently possible (step S4).
0).

The state where the AT event processing cannot be performed includes a case where there is no distributed character or a case where the own character is present at a place where an AT event is performed. In these cases, even if the selection button on the keypad 50 is pressed, the AT event (ATE) menu is not displayed on the screen and the AT event processing routine ends.

If the AT event processing is possible,
In response to the selection button of the keypad 50 being pressed,
An AT event (ATE) menu is displayed on the screen (step S41).

FIG. 11 shows an example of a display screen on which the AT event menu is displayed. As shown in FIG. 11, an AT event (AT
E) A menu 132 is displayed on the screen.

In the AT event menu 132, the event names of all the AT events listed in the selectable event list 41, for example, "Puzzling Bibi", "Garnet, do my best" and "Cancel" are displayed.
It is displayed on the screen in a menu format.

Further, a cursor 141 is displayed on the right side of any one of the event names (in FIG. 11, "confused Bibi". The cursor 141 moves up and down in response to an operation input by the keypad 50. When there is a key input for selecting and confirming with the keypad 50, the cursor 1
The event pointed to by 41 is selected.

Next, an operation input by the keypad 50 is accepted (step S42). For example, it waits for a key input from the keypad 50. When an operation input is performed by the keypad 50, the process proceeds to step S43.

After the operation input accepting process, it is determined which item of the AT event menu has been selected (step S43). If ATE is not selected,
The AT event processing routine ends without executing the AT event. When the AT event processing routine ends, the process proceeds to step S15 in FIG. The case where ATE is not selected is, for example, a case where “cancel” is selected with the cursor 141.

On the other hand, when the event name of the AT event, for example, “confused Bibi” is selected by the cursor 141 by the operation input, the start screen of the “confused Bibi” AT event is displayed. FIG. 12 shows an example of an AT event execution screen. For example, the display screen 101 shown in FIG.
33 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 12, a character string “Puzzling Bibi” is displayed.

Thereafter, an "AT puzzle", which is an AT event for a distributed character that is acting differently in a place different from the own character, is executed. The content of the event being executed is displayed on the screen (step S44).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the display screen during the execution of the AT event. When an AT event is executed,
A scene different from the scene before the execution is displayed on the display screen 101. The display screen 101 displays a background or the like different from the screen before the start of the AT event (for example, the display screen of FIG. 7). And a character 1 named "Bibi"
22 is displayed on the screen.

During the execution of the AT event, the action of the character 122 named “Bibi” is displayed on the display screen 101. That is, the character 122 that plays a predefined role is displayed on the display screen 101.

When the AT event ends, the code of the corresponding AT event is deleted from the selectable event list 41. For example, when the AT event “ATE1” having the title “Puzzling Bibi” is executed, “ATE1” is deleted from the selectable event list 1 shown in FIG.

Further, when the AT event ends, the flag in the event management table 40 of the AT event is converted to "executed". For example, the AT event "ATE3" with the title "cat was watching"
Is executed, the event management table 40 shown in FIG.
Is changed from "not executed" to "executed".

After the AT event ends, the display returns to the original screen, that is, the screen display of the scene where the own character is present. FIG.
4 shows an example of the display screen after the end of the AT event. Thus, the display screen 101 after the end of the AT event is displayed.
Indicates that the own character is displayed in the same place as the screen before the start of the AT event. That is, when the execution of a certain AT event ends, the state returns to the original state (the scene in which the player character plays a role).

At this time, if another AT event is in the selectable event list 41, a character string "selection" is displayed on the screen. In the example of FIG. 14, the AT event of “confused Bibi” has been executed, but the AT event of “Garnet do my best” has not been executed yet. That is, since there is one or more selectable AT events, the display screen 1
A character string 131 "Select" is displayed at the upper right of 01. Note that another A is newly created by executing the AT event.
T events may be selectable.

At this time, when the selection button on the keypad 50 is pressed, the AT event menu screen is displayed again. In this case, the AT except for the “perplexed Bibi” that has already been executed
A list of events appears on the screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing a change in the AT event menu after the end of the AT event. As shown in FIG. 15, the “perplexed Bibi” already executed is not displayed, and “Gardening the Garnet” and “Cancel” are displayed on the screen. As a result,
You can also watch another AT event.

Note that in order to actively promote the progress of the game, another AT event may not be executed unless the player character moves to another place immediately after the execution of the AT event.

Further, the selectable event list 41 includes
If there is no code description for the event, select
Is not displayed on the screen, and the screen display of the AT event menu is not performed.

By the processing described above, the party characters can be dispersed independently, and the occurrence of an AT event can be assembled for each character.
The occurrence of the T event can be selected by the player's will and the event can be glimpsed.

As a result, changes in the individuality, emotions, and emotions of each character can be expressed more heavily, and the emotional transfer of the player to each character can be improved. In particular,
It is possible to enhance the occurrence of an event that spots a character other than the own character (main character).

Also, a plurality of scenarios simultaneously proceeding by a plurality of characters can be diversified by event switching. Thereby, the player can experience a plurality of game stories at the same time through various characters, and can selectively view an event occurring in another place at the same time by the player's involvement in response to an operation input.

[0112] From these, the game story and the world feeling can be enhanced. Further, the ending of the game story can be changed by the player's selection operation in the AT event, and the game can be advanced in a scenario according to the player's thinking.

Further, since the AT event causes a plurality of characters to simultaneously act individually, it is not necessary for the player to move a party led by the player's own character to collect information or the like. Here, the information collection means displaying a conversation scene between the own character and another character on a screen, and displaying information useful for capturing the game on the screen.

Note that the game control method described in the above embodiment can be realized by executing a prepared program on a personal computer, a video game device, or the like. , Hard disk, floppy (registered trademark)
It is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a disk, CD-ROM, MO, and DVD.

The game program is read from the recording medium by the computer, and the game program is executed by the computer. This program can also be distributed via a network such as the Internet via the above-described recording medium.

Therefore, the recording medium can be distributed and sold as a software product independently of the game apparatus. In addition, by using the software by using hardware such as a computer, the game technology of the above-described embodiment can be easily implemented with the hardware.

The present invention has been described based on one embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.

For example, the occurrence of the AT event as described above is not limited to the role playing game, but can be applied to all games in which a plurality of characters appear, such as adventure games and simulation games in which a plurality of characters appear. is there.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a video game device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a memory configuration of a RAM of a video game device for playing a game by the game control method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data configuration of an event management table used in a game by the game control method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a selectable event list used in a game by the game control method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a scenario branch management table used in a game by the game control method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of a game by the game control method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when there is a selectable event.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a game progress processing routine in a game by the game control method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a selected event list update processing routine in a game by the game control method according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an active time event processing routine in a game by the game control method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen on which an AT event menu is displayed.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen at the time of starting an AT event.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen during execution of an AT event.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen after the end of an AT event.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen showing a change in an AT event menu after the end of the AT event.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Video game apparatus 11 Game machine main body 12 Control part (CPU) 13 ROM 14 RAM 15 Hard disk drive 16 Graphics processing part 17 Sound processing part 18 CD-ROM drive 19 Communication interface part 20 Memory card read / writer 21 Input interface part 22 Bus 23 VRAM 30 CD-ROM 31 memory card 50 keypad 100 television set 101 display screen 110 communication line 111 network

Claims (31)

[Claims] 1. A game control method in which a role in a game is given to each of a plurality of characters, and a game control method for executing an interactive game program for causing each of the characters to play a role is provided. Let the character play a role on the screen, prepare in advance one or more events shared by the plurality of characters, and determine whether the integrated character playing the role on the screen has reached the event When a result of the determination that the event has been reached is obtained, a target to be played from the one character to another one of the plurality of characters is switched, and the switched another one is A game wherein a character plays a role on the screen. Your way. 2. The game control method according to claim 1, wherein, after the other character plays a predetermined role, the screen returns to a screen in which the role is played by the integrated character. 3. At the time of the event, the other integral character is arbitrarily selected in response to an operation of a player, and the selected other integral character plays a role. Item 3. The game control method according to Item 1. 4. When selecting the other integrated character, a menu showing selectable characters is displayed,
The game control method according to claim 3, wherein a character is arbitrarily selected from the menu in response to a player's operation. 5. The game control method according to claim 1, wherein the integrated character is caused to play in response to a player operation. 6. The game control method according to claim 1, wherein the other integrated character is caused to play in response to an operation of a player. 7. The game control method according to claim 1, wherein when the integrated character has reached a reachable point in the action range, a determination is made that the event has been reached. 8. The game control method according to claim 1, wherein when the one-piece character plays a predetermined role, a determination is made that the event has been reached. 9. When the plurality of characters are managed on the same time axis, and when a target to be played from the one-piece character to the other one-piece character is switched, the plurality of characters are played according to the role to be played on the same one-time axis. The game control method according to claim 1, wherein the other integral character is played. 10. The game control method according to claim 9, wherein the other integrated character has previously stored a role to be played on the same time axis. 11. A computer-readable recording medium in which a plurality of characters are given roles in a game, and in which an interactive game program for causing each of the characters to play a role is recorded. At least one of the characters plays a role on the screen, one or more events shared by the plurality of characters are prepared in advance, and the one-piece character playing the role on the screen is It is determined whether or not an event has been reached, and when a result of the determination that the event has been obtained is obtained, a target to be played from the one character to another one of the plurality of characters is switched, On the screen to the other one-piece character switched Letting play a split, recording a game program for executing a computer-readable recording medium. 12. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein after the other character plays a predetermined role, the screen returns to a screen in which the role is played by the integrated character. 13. At the time of the event, the other integral character is arbitrarily selected in response to an operation of a player, and the selected other integral character plays a role. Item 12. The recording medium according to Item 11. 14. When selecting the other integrated character, a menu showing selectable characters is displayed,
14. The recording medium according to claim 13, wherein a character is arbitrarily selected from the menu in response to a player's operation. 15. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein said integrated character is caused to play in response to an operation of a player. 16. The game apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said other integrated character is caused to play in response to an operation of a player.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 17. The system according to claim 11, wherein when the integrated character has reached a reachable point in the action range, it is determined that the event has reached the event.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 18. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein a decision is made that the event has been reached when the one-piece character plays a predetermined role. 19. When the plurality of characters are managed on the same time axis, and when a target to be played from the one integrated character to the other integrated character is switched, the plurality of characters are played according to the role to be played on the same time axis. The recording medium according to claim 11, wherein the other integral character is played. 20. The recording medium according to claim 19, wherein said another integral character has previously stored a role to be played on said same time axis. 21. A unit for executing a game in accordance with an interactive program in which a plurality of characters are given roles in the game, and causing each of the characters to play a role, and a memory for storing a part or all of the program. And a display screen for displaying a game executed in the unit, wherein the unit plays a role on the display screen with at least one of the plurality of characters according to a program stored in the memory. Preparing one or more events shared by the plurality of characters in advance, and determining whether the integrated character playing a role on the display screen has reached the event, If you get a decision that you have reached Switching between a plurality of said objects play an integral character to another piece of character among the characters, causing play a role in the screen on the character of the other integral said switched, it game apparatus according to claim. 22. The game device according to claim 21, wherein, after the other character plays a predetermined role, the screen returns to a screen where the role is played by the integrated character. 23. At the time of the event, the other integral character is arbitrarily selected in response to an operation of a player, and the selected other integral character plays a role. Item 22. The game device according to item 21. 24. When selecting said other integral character, a menu showing selectable characters is displayed,
24. The game device according to claim 23, wherein a character is arbitrarily selected from the menu in response to a player's operation. 25. The game device according to claim 21, wherein the integrated character is caused to play in response to a player's operation. 26. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the other integrated character is caused to play in response to an operation of a player.
3. The game device according to claim 1. 27. The system according to claim 21, wherein when the integrated character has reached a reachable point in the action range, the result of the determination is that the event has been reached.
3. The game device according to claim 1. 28. The game device according to claim 21, wherein when the one-piece character plays a predetermined role, the game device determines that the event has been reached. 29. When the plurality of characters are managed on the same time axis, and when a target to be played from the one integrated character to the other one of the integrated characters is switched, according to the role to be played on the same time axis. 22. The game device according to claim 21, wherein the other integrated character is played. 30. The game apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the other integral character has previously stored a role to be played on the same time axis. 31. An interactive game program in which a plurality of characters are given roles in a game, and each of the characters plays a role, wherein at least one of the plurality of characters has a role on a screen. And preparing in advance one or more events shared by the plurality of characters, and determining whether or not the integrated character playing a role on the screen has reached the event. When a determination result that the character has arrived is obtained, a target to be played from the one character to another one of the plurality of characters is switched, and the switched one other character is displayed on the screen. A game program that lets you play a role in