JP7659885B2 - Game system, computer program used therein, and control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game system that is connected to an input device for inputting the play actions of each user and a display device that displays a game screen on which multiple characters, including at least one user character operated by each user through play actions, are displayed, and that provides a game including performances performed by the multiple characters through the game screen.

There is a game system that is connected to an input device for inputting each user's play actions and a display device that displays a game screen on which multiple characters, including at least one user character operated by each user through play actions, are displayed, and that provides a game including a performance performed by the multiple characters through the game screen. A head-mounted device (HMD) type user terminal that provides a virtual space that utilizes multiple avatars operated by each user as such multiple characters and performances, and one-shot performances and the like performed by specific avatars, is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-36239 A

In the virtual space of Patent Document 1, a performance by a specific avatar is viewed by multiple users (the audience watching the performance) via other avatars, and the number of audience members who laugh is calculated as an evaluation value for the performance. In other words, the performance by a specific avatar is evaluated by the audience, users who are separate from the performer of the performance.

On the other hand, when a performance is performed by multiple characters, there are elements that can only be evaluated by the performer performing the performance. For example, elements such as whether there is an affinity or synchronicity between parts of the performance performed by other characters and one's own performance may be important to a performer, but these can only be evaluated by the performer performing the performance together. However, the virtual space of Patent Document 1 is not configured so that performers performing a performance together evaluate the performance parts of other performers in that performance. In the first place, it is not clear whether the configuration allows for actions performed by performers for evaluation as actions separate from the performance. At least in the virtual space of Patent Document 1, there is no need to have such configuration.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a game system etc. that can evaluate a performance by multiple characters from the perspective of the performer of that performance.

The game system of the present invention is connected to an input device for inputting play actions of each user and a display device for displaying a game screen on which a plurality of characters, including at least one user character, operated by each user through the play actions, is displayed, and provides a game including a performance performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen, and is equipped with an instruction evaluation means for evaluating the performance of the other characters based on an additional instruction action when an additional instruction action is executed as the play action by the user character to cause the user character to execute an additional action that is executed from the user character to another character of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance, and a result providing means for providing each user with an evaluation result of the performance of the other character.

On the other hand, the computer program of the present invention is configured to cause the input device and a computer connected to the display device to function as each of the means of the game system described above.

The control method of the present invention also includes a computer that is connected to an input device for inputting play actions of each user and a display device for displaying a game screen on which a plurality of characters, including at least one user character, operated by each user through the play actions are displayed, and that is incorporated in a game system that provides a game including a performance performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen, and that, when an additional instruction action is executed as the play action by the user character to cause the user character to perform an additional action that is executed from the user character to another character of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance, executes an instruction evaluation step for evaluating the performance by the other character based on the additional instruction action, and a result providing step for providing each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main parts of a control system of the game system. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationship of each character in a virtual three-dimensional space. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen when the field of view range is moved to the right inclination range in the example of FIG. 4 . FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a flow of evaluation of a musical performance. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a cooperative action. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a response action. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an evaluation result of a musical performance based on an evaluation action. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the evaluation result of the musical performance based on the evaluation action. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of performance data. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a performance selection process. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a link response process. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a performance evaluation process. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a performance data generating process.

An example of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device. Note that the center server 2 may be configured as a single logical server device by combining multiple server units as computer devices. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be configured logically using cloud computing.

One or an appropriate number of game devices are connected to the center server 2 as client devices connectable via the network 3. The game devices may include various game machines such as arcade game machines (commercial game machines installed in facilities such as amusement stores, which allow users to play games within a range corresponding to the payment of a specified fee in exchange for the payment of the play fee), but the example in Figure 1 shows a user terminal device 4. Specifically, a plurality of user terminal devices 4 are connected to the center server 2 via the network 3 as an example of a game device.

The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is provided for the user's personal use. The user terminal device 4 can allow the user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by implementing various computer software. Such computer software (applications) includes game applications for providing paid or free games. The user terminal device 4 functions as a game machine through the execution of such game applications. Such user terminal devices 4 include, for example, stationary or notebook type personal computers, stationary type home game consoles, or various mobile terminal devices such as portable tablet terminal devices and mobile phones (including smartphones). These may be used as appropriate as the user terminal device 4, but in the example of FIG. 1, an HMD (head-mounted display or head-mounted device) type game machine is used.

HMD type game machines are well-known game machines that are worn on the head so that the display surface occupies most of the user's field of vision. HMD type game machines include, for example, dedicated HMD type game machines, game machines that are configured by combining an appropriate mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone with a case that houses it so that the user's field of vision is directed toward the display surface, and glasses-type projectors (so-called smart glasses) that project images so that they are focused on the back of the eyeball. Dedicated HMD type game machines also include linked game machines that are connected to tablet terminal devices or smartphones, etc., and function as game machines through applications on those tablet terminal devices. Any of these various HMD type game machines may be used as the user terminal device 4. Hereinafter, the HMD type game machines that function as the user terminal device 4 may be referred to as HMD type game machines 4, with the same reference numerals as the user terminal device 4.

The HMD type game machine 4 is appropriately provided with various input devices for inputting the user's play actions. For example, the HMD type game machine 4 may have a built-in sensor that detects head movements as play actions, and the sensor may function as an input device. Alternatively, a device other than the HMD type game machine 4 may be connected to the HMD type game machine 4 in an appropriate manner, and the other device may function as an input device. In this way, the HMD type game machine 4 may be appropriately provided with various input devices, and in the example of FIG. 1, an operation stick OS is provided as such an input device. The operation stick OS is a well-known input device that is connected to the HMD type game machine 4 through a specified wireless communication standard. The operation stick OS may be used to input various operations (play actions), and accordingly, an appropriate number of operation sticks OS may be connected to each HMD type game machine 4, but as an example, two operation sticks OS (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) are connected to each HMD type game machine 4 so that they can be operated by the left and right hands, respectively. The HMD-type game machine 4 provides a game that progresses through play actions input via this type of control stick OS.

Each operation stick OS may be provided with various operation units for performing operations as a type of play action, as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 1, a touch button TB is provided. The touch button TB is an operation unit that performs a user's pressing operation or a touch operation of touching (contacting) a finger. In other words, a pressing operation or a touch operation is performed via the touch button TB as a type of play action.

The HMD type game machine 4 may provide various games as appropriate, for example, action games, simulation games, role-playing games, etc., and provides a music game as an example. A music game is a type of timing game. A timing game is a type of game that evaluates the appropriate time to perform a play action. In the case of a music game, the execution time for the appropriate play action is provided together with a song. In addition, in a music game, a time that matches the rhythm of the song is used as the execution time. In other words, a music game is a type of game that guides the user to the appropriate time to perform a play action in accordance with the rhythm of the song, and evaluates the time when the play action is actually performed. In addition, for example, a plurality of songs are prepared for play in a music game, and a song selected from them is used in the actual play. Such a music game may be provided as appropriate via various output devices, and as an example, it is provided through a game screen displayed on the display of the HMD type game machine 4.

The game provided by the HMD-type game machine 4 includes multiple characters (including various objects such as cars or animals) and performances performed by these multiple characters. The multiple characters may perform various performances as appropriate depending on the type of action game, etc., but in the case of a music game, as an example, they perform a performance of playing a musical instrument (hereinafter, a performance performance). For this reason, the game screen may include multiple characters performing such a performance. Details of such a game screen will be described later.

The network 3 may be configured as appropriate as long as it is possible to connect the HMD-type game machine 4 to the center server 2. As an example, the network 3 is configured to realize network communication using the TCP/IP protocol. Typically, the network 3 is configured by combining the Internet as a WAN and an intranet as a LAN. In the example of FIG. 1, the center server 2 is connected to the network 3 via a router 3a, and the HMD-type game machine 4 is connected to the network 3 via an access point 3b. Note that the network 3 is not limited to a form that uses the TCP/IP protocol. Various forms that use a wired line for communication or a wireless line (including infrared communication, short-distance wireless communication, etc.) may be used as the network 3.

The center server 2 provides various web services to users of the HMD-type game machines 4 via the network 3. The web services include a distribution service that distributes various data or software (including updates to data, etc.) to each HMD-type game machine 4. The web services may also include various services as appropriate, such as a matching service that matches users (opponents or cooperators) of other HMD-type game machines 4 via the network 3 when the music game is played as a competitive or cooperative game, and a service that assigns a user ID to identify each user.

Next, the main parts of the control system of the game system 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2. First, the center server 2 is provided with a control unit 21 and a storage unit 22 as a storage means. The control unit 21 is configured as a computer that combines a CPU, which is an example of a processor that executes various arithmetic processes and operational controls according to a predetermined computer program, with an internal memory and other peripheral devices required for its operation.

The storage unit 22 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 22 may be configured to hold all data on one storage unit, or may be configured to distribute and store data across multiple storage units. The storage unit 22 records a program PG1 as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 21 to execute various processes necessary to provide various services to users. The storage unit 22 also stores server data necessary for providing various services. Such server data includes various data for services, and in the example of FIG. 2, song data MD, sequence data QD, play data PD, and performance data OD are shown as types of such various data.

The music data MD is data for playing each music piece. The music data MD is used to play each music piece in, for example, a music game. The sequence data QD is data describing each execution time when appropriate play actions should be performed in a music game. The sequence data QD is used to inform the user of each such execution time. Furthermore, when a play action is actually performed by the user, the play action is evaluated based on the execution time of the sequence data QD. In other words, the sequence data QD is used to inform and evaluate each execution time. For this reason, the sequence data QD describes each execution time and information on appropriate play actions to be performed at that execution time so that they are associated with each other. Furthermore, in a music game, when multiple music pieces or multiple difficulty levels are prepared, the sequence data QD is prepared for each music piece or each difficulty level. Furthermore, when multiple characters are included in the play target, each execution time or appropriate play action may differ depending on the selected character (or a musical instrument that differs for each character, as described later). In such a case, the sequence data QD is also prepared for each such character (or musical instrument). The play data PD is data that describes information about each user's past play results. The play data PD is used to carry over previous play results (past results) to the next time or later, or to carry over settings unique to each user. The performance data OD is data for realizing a performance. Details of the performance data OD will be described later.

The server data may also include various other data for implementing various services. For example, such data may include image data or ID management data. The image data is data for displaying various images such as game screens on a display device. The ID management data is data for managing various IDs such as user IDs. However, illustration of these is omitted.

The control unit 21 is provided with a Web service management unit 24 as a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware resources of the control unit 21 and the program PG1 as a software resource. The Web service management unit 24 executes various processes for providing the above-mentioned Web services to the HMD-type game machine 4.

On the other hand, the HMD type game machine 4 is provided with a control unit 41 and a storage unit 42 as a storage means. It is configured as a computer that combines a CPU, which is an example of a processor that executes various arithmetic processes and operation controls according to a specific computer program, with an internal memory and other peripheral devices required for its operation.

The storage unit 42 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 42 records the program PG2 as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 41 to execute various processes necessary to provide various services to the user. The storage unit 42 also records game data necessary to provide the music game. Such game data includes various data for the music game, and the example in FIG. 2 shows song data MD, sequence data QD, play data PD, and performance data OD as examples.

The music data MD, sequence data QD, play data PD, and performance data OD may be provided to the storage unit 42 by various methods, such as initial installation or provision through various storage media, but as an example, they are provided from the center server 2 through a distribution service. The game data may include various data for the game, such as audio data for playing various sounds other than the music when such sounds exist. Such data may include image data provided through a distribution service, such as the music data MD, or ID management data, as appropriate. However, illustration of these has been omitted.

In the control unit 41, various logical devices are configured by combining the hardware resources of the control unit 41 with the program PG2 as a software resource. Various processes required to provide the music game (including processes required to enjoy the Web services provided by the Web service management unit 24 of the center server 2) are then executed through these logical devices, and in the example of Figure 2, a progress control unit 43 and a data management unit 44 are shown as logical devices related to the music game.

The progress control unit 43 is a logical device that performs various processes necessary for the progress of the game. Such processes include, for example, a process for performing various preparations for playing, a process for informing the user of the timing of each play action, and a process for evaluating the play action performed by the user. Preparation for playing also includes appropriate elements such as various settings, for example, providing a selection opportunity and determining the start time of play. Specifically, the progress control unit 43 performs a performance selection process, a cooperation response process, and a performance evaluation process as examples of such various processes. On the other hand, the data management unit 44 is a logical device that performs various processes related to the management of game data recorded in the storage unit 42. For example, the data management unit 44 performs a process for acquiring game data provided by the center server 2 and storing it in the storage unit 42. For example, the data management unit 44 performs a performance data generation process as an example of such various processes. The details of the procedures for the performance selection process, the cooperation response process, the performance evaluation process, and the performance data generation process will be described later.

The HMD type game machine 4 may be provided with various output devices and input devices as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 2, a display 47 and a speaker SP are provided as examples of output devices, and a sensor SMA is provided as an example of an input device. The display 47 is a well-known display device for displaying game screens and the like. The speaker SP is a well-known audio playback device for playing various sounds including music. The sensor SMA is a well-known detection device (detection means) for detecting various states of the HMD type game machine 4. The sensor SMA may include various detection devices according to the state of the detection target, for example, an eye tracking sensor that tracks the user's gaze, and in the example of FIG. 2, an acceleration sensor SM1, a gyro sensor SM2, and a position detection sensor SM3 are shown as examples of such various sensors.

The acceleration sensor SM1 is a well-known detection device for detecting acceleration (e.g., acceleration in three axial directions) occurring in the HMD-type game machine 4. The acceleration sensor SM1 may be used appropriately through such acceleration detection, but as an example, it is used to detect states such as the horizontal state, tilt, or orientation of the HMD-type game machine 4. Similarly, the gyro sensor SM2 is a well-known detection device for detecting changes in angle with respect to a reference axis (three axes, for example). The gyro sensor SM2 may be used appropriately through such angle detection, but as an example, it is used to detect states such as the rotation, tilt, or orientation of the HMD-type game machine 4. In addition, the detection results of the acceleration sensor SM1 and the gyro sensor SM2 may be used alone (when used alone, either one may be omitted), but as an example, they are used in combination to detect various states such as the orientation of the HMD-type game machine 4.

The position detection sensor SM3 is a detection device for detecting the position of the operating stick OS and its changes. As long as it can detect the position of the operating stick OS, various sensors may be used as the position detection sensor SM3, but as one example, a camera is used. The position detection sensor SM3 (camera) may detect the position of the operating stick OS using various methods, but as one example, it detects the position of a tracker (not shown) built into or attached to the operating stick OS and uses that position as the position of the operating stick OS.

Various other output devices or input devices may be appropriately connected to the HMD-type game machine 4, but in the example of FIG. 2, the above-mentioned operation stick OS is connected. The operation stick OS is as described above, but is connected to the control unit 41 and outputs various input signals to the control unit 41 according to play actions. The operation stick OS may be provided with various output devices including the above-mentioned tracker, or various input devices such as the above-mentioned touch button TB, as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 2, a sensor SMB is shown.

The sensor SMB is a sensor for detecting the state (movement) of the operating stick OS, in other words, various play actions executed by the operating stick OS. Such a sensor SMB may include various detection devices appropriate to the state of the object to be detected, and as an example, includes a well-known acceleration sensor and gyro sensor similar to the acceleration sensor SM1 and gyro sensor SM2 of the HMD-type game machine 4. These acceleration sensors and gyro sensors (sensor SMB) are used in appropriate combinations to detect various states, such as the orientation of the operating stick OS, similar to the acceleration sensor SM1 and gyro sensor SM2 of the HMD-type game machine 4.

Next, an example of a game screen for playing a music game will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on the display 47 of the HMD-type game machine 4. A music game may include various game screens, but the example of FIG. 3 shows a game screen for informing the player of the timing at which the play action should be performed. In addition, a music game may be configured as appropriate, and in many cases, the sound of an instrument being played is reproduced in association with the play action to produce the performance of an instrument. In such cases, a character performing an action of playing an instrument in association with the play action may appear on the game screen to improve the sense of realism. In some cases, similar characters corresponding to other users (cooperators or opponents) or computers may appear. The example of FIG. 3 shows a game screen including these characters. More specifically, the game screen includes both a character performing an action of playing a drum as an example of an instrument in association with the play action of the user, and a character performing an action of playing another instrument in association with the play action of another user, etc. Although such a game screen may be configured as appropriate, the example of FIG. 3 shows a case in which the game screen is configured to produce a virtual three-dimensional space. Furthermore, such a virtual three-dimensional space may be appropriately cropped as a result of shooting with a virtual camera and displayed as a game screen, but the example in FIG. 3 shows a case where the virtual three-dimensional space is cropped (photographed by a virtual camera set roughly at the position of the character's eyes) so as to present the field of view of the character corresponding to the user (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the user character) and displayed as a game screen. In this case, the game screen 50 includes an instruction object 51, a score display area 52, a stage area 53, a character image 54, and a drum set image 55.

The drum set image 55 is an image that imitates a musical instrument drum set. The drum set image 55 may correspond to any drum set, but in the example of FIG. 3, it includes two drum images 55a and four cymbal images 55b. Each drum image 55a and each cymbal image 55b corresponds to a drum and a cymbal in the drum set, respectively. They are displayed in the same arrangement as an actual drum set. Specifically, the two drum images 55a are arranged near the center of the drum set image 55 so as to be lined up left and right. Meanwhile, the four cymbal images 55b are arranged two on each side of the two drum images 55a in the drum set image 55. In addition, the two cymbal images 55b on the left side and the two cymbal images 55b on the right side are each arranged so as to be separated above and below.

The score display area 52 is an area for displaying the score (acquired points). The score display area 52 may be configured as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 3, it is formed in a square shape and is displayed so as to be located at the back side (the user side is in front) in the virtual three-dimensional space. The instruction object 51 is an image corresponding to each execution time (in other words, a sign image indicating each execution time). The instruction object 51 appears at an appropriate position on the back side in the virtual three-dimensional space at an appropriate time, and moves along a predetermined movement path so as to approach the front side, that is, the user. Such a movement path may be set as appropriate, but is set to pass through either of the drum images 55a and each cymbal image 55b. In each movement path, each drum image 55a and each cymbal image 55b function as a sign image indicating the reference of the current time. Therefore, each instruction object 51 moves along such a movement path so as to match either of the drum images 55a and each cymbal image 55b at the corresponding execution time. The movement path may be displayed, but in the example of FIG. 3, the movement path is not displayed. Each execution time may be appropriately indicated through relative displacement between the instruction object 51 (instruction sign image) and one of the drum images 55a, etc. (sign image of the current time), but as an example, it is indicated through the movement of the instruction object 51 to each drum image 55a, etc.

The instruction object 51 may be classified into various types, but in the example of FIG. 3, it includes two types, a first instruction object 51A and a second instruction object 51B. The first instruction object 51A and the second instruction object 51B are instruction objects 51 that request different play actions at each execution time. Specifically, the first instruction object 51A and the second instruction object 51B both request the user to perform a play action of hitting the lower cymbal image 55b, but the first instruction object 51A corresponds to a request for a hit action on the left cymbal image 55b, and the second instruction object 51B corresponds to a request for a hit action on the right cymbal image 55b. Therefore, the first instruction object 51A and the second instruction object 51B appear at an appropriate position, and then move toward the front so as to match the positions of the lower left and right cymbal images 55b at each execution time.

The tapping action requested by the user is input through the operating stick OS. Specifically, for example, when the first instruction object 51A matches the cymbal image 55b located at the bottom right, the user is requested to swing the operating stick OS to perform a tapping action on the position of the cymbal image 55b in the virtual three-dimensional space. For this reason, in order for such a tapping action on each cymbal image 55b to function as an appropriate play action at each execution time, the sequence data QD describes the movement path of each instruction object 51, or information on each cymbal image 55b on the movement path, as information on an appropriate play action. The smaller the time lag between the actual execution time of the tapping action and the actual matching time (the execution time described in the sequence data QD), the higher the evaluation. The same applies to the second instruction object 51B.

The determination of the action of hitting each drum image 55a, etc. may be realized appropriately, but as an example, it is realized as follows. First, each drum image 55a and each cymbal image 55b are placed at a predetermined position defined by spatial coordinates in the virtual three-dimensional space, and each instruction object 51 moves toward each drum image 55a, etc. at the predetermined position (spatial coordinates). In addition, an evaluation range (a range equal to or slightly larger than each drum image 55a, etc.) is set for each drum image 55a, etc. based on the predetermined position. The stick image 56 moves in the virtual three-dimensional space in response to the operation of the operation stick OS, and whether or not the position (spatial coordinates) of its tip enters the evaluation range of each drum image 55a or cymbal image 55b is used to determine whether or not the action of hitting has been performed. Then, the time lag between the time when the stick image 56 enters the evaluation range (the time of the actual play action) and the time when the instruction object 51 should reach each drum image 55a, etc. (the time of execution of the sequence data QD) is calculated, and the evaluation is determined according to the time lag. This evaluation may be performed as appropriate, but as an example, it is realized through criteria that indicate evaluation results such as perfect, great, good, or bad. Furthermore, if the tapping action is not performed within a predetermined time based on each execution time, it is determined to be a mistake operation (evaluation result corresponding to a mistake). Similarly, if the tapping action is performed earlier or later than a period that belongs to bad, it is determined to be a mistake. Note that if the tapping action is performed at a time that does not belong to any of these, the action is not used for anything and may be ignored.

The instruction objects 51 also include types corresponding to the cymbal images 55b located on the upper left and right sides, types corresponding to each drum image 55a, etc., and through these types, the action of hitting the drum images 55a, etc. can be appropriately requested in the same way as the first instruction object 51A, but their display is omitted in the example of FIG. 3. In addition, various instruction objects 51 such as the first instruction object 51A may be displayed in an appropriate form, but as an example, they are all displayed in a shape similar to the current time marker image located on the movement path of the cymbal image 55b, etc. Similarly, various instruction objects 51 such as the first instruction object 51A may be displayed appropriately so as to be distinguishable from each other, but as an example, the first instruction object 51A and the second instruction object 51B are displayed in different colors from each other. The same applies to each drum image 55a, etc. in the drum set image 55. For example, each drum image 55a may be displayed in different colors from each other. In this case, each instruction object 51 may be displayed in the same color as the corresponding drum image 55a, etc., so that the user can easily identify the play target.

The stage area 53 is an area corresponding to a stage formed in a virtual three-dimensional space. In the virtual three-dimensional space, each character performs a performance action on that stage. For this reason, a character image 54 corresponding to each character and a drum set image 55 are arranged in the stage area 53. An appropriate number of character images 54 may be arranged in the stage area 53, but three character images 54 are displayed in the example of FIG. 3. Specifically, the character images 54 include a first character image 54A that plays a keyboard, a second character image 54B that plays a guitar, and a third character image 54C that plays a drum. These character images 54A, 54B, and 54C correspond to three characters that form a single performance unit for playing a keyboard, a guitar, and a drum (each of which is an example of a musical instrument) in the virtual three-dimensional space. These three characters may correspond appropriately to the user and collaborators (including a computer), and musical performance actions may be performed based on any of their play actions, but as an example, the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B correspond to the computer, and the third character image 54C corresponds to the user. In this example, the first character image 54A to the third character image 54C function as the multiple characters of the present invention. Also, the third character image 54C functions as the user character of the present invention.

The first character image 54A to the third character image 54C may be displayed as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 3, the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B are displayed as a whole body, and the third character image 54C (user character) is displayed as both hands (part of the body) so as to correspond to the field of view of the user character (third character image 54C). In addition, two stick images 56 are displayed on the left and right hands of the third character image 54C to show a situation in which the user character is holding a stick for hitting a drum in the virtual three-dimensional space. In this case, as the user performs a hitting action, the third character image 54C also performs an action to reproduce the hitting action. More specifically, as the hitting action is performed, the third character image 54C performs an action (playing action) of hitting the target cymbal image 55b, etc. in the stick image 56. The same is true for the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B. In other words, as a collaborator (including a computer) plays (this can be appropriate depending on the type of instrument or input device in question, but for example, playing the keys on a keyboard or plucking the strings on a guitar), the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B also perform the same playing action on the game screen 50.

The game screen 50 will be further described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the positional relationships of each character in the virtual three-dimensional space. The example in Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the stage in the virtual three-dimensional space and each character as viewed from above. Since the stage in the virtual three-dimensional space corresponds to the stage area 53 in the game screen 50, in the example in Figure 4, for ease of explanation, the stage and each character are given the same reference numerals as the stage area 53 and each character image 54 in the game screen 50.

As shown in FIG. 4, each character image 54 (each character in the virtual three-dimensional space) is arranged at a predetermined interval in the stage area 53 (the stage in the virtual three-dimensional space). The position or interval of each character image 54 may be appropriate or variable, but as an example, is fixed. In other words, each character image 54 is fixedly arranged at a predetermined position in the stage area 53. However, each character image 54 may move appropriately during play depending on the play situation, etc.

Furthermore, the third character image 54C corresponds to the user character. For this reason, a field of view IA is set for the third character image 54C. The field of view IA corresponds to the shooting range of the virtual camera for drawing the game screen 50. The field of view IA may be set as appropriate, but the example of FIG. 4 shows the field of view IA set when the third character image 54C faces forward. Furthermore, this field of view IA moves according to the movement of the third character image 54C, in other words, the movement of the user. Specifically, the HMD-type game machine 4 is worn on the user's head while playing, and the head of the third character image 54C also moves in accordance with the movement of the user's head. For example, if the state in which the user's head (HMD-type game machine 4) faces forward on the body is adjusted so that it corresponds to the viewing range IA in the virtual space, when the user faces forward, the head of the third character image 54C also faces in the same direction in the virtual three-dimensional space, so the viewing range IA is set to the front side (the range shown by the solid line) in the example of Figure 4.

On the other hand, when the user turns to the right from a forward facing position, the movement of the head is detected by the sensor SMA of the HMD-type game machine 4 and is reflected in the movement of the third character image 54C. In other words, in response to such head movement, the head of the third character image 54C also moves to turn to the right in the virtual three-dimensional space. In this case, the angle of the field of view IA changes to the right in accordance with the head movement. Specifically, as the user's head moves to the right, the field of view IA moves into the right tilt range IA1 indicated by the dashed dotted line. The virtual three-dimensional space contained in this right tilt range IA1 is then displayed as the game screen 50.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a schematic example of a game screen 50 when the field of view IA moves to the right inclination range IA1 in the example of Figure 4. The example of Figure 5 also corresponds to the game screen 50 when the user faces diagonally upward to the right from the example of Figure 3. Such a change in the head in the up or down direction is also detected by the sensor SMA and reflected on the game screen 50. Therefore, in this case, as shown in Figure 5, compared to the example of Figure 3, as the field of view (field of view range IA) moves, the second character image 54B moves closer to the center of the game screen 50, while the display of the first character image 54A disappears. Similar changes also occur in the stage area 53, score display area 52, and drum set image 55.

Next, the evaluation of the performance will be described. As described above, in response to the user's play action (tapping action), the character image 54 on the game screen 50 also performs a similar tapping action, i.e., a performance action. Therefore, when play (performance) begins, each character performs a performance action. The other character images 54 other than the user character also perform similar performance actions when play begins. Then, a performance performance is formed by a combination of these performance actions, in other words, the performance action of one entire performance unit.

On the other hand, some of the performance may be performed by a so-called computer-controlled NPC (non-player character). The performance (performance action) by the NPC may be realized appropriately, for example, by a previously set (prepared) action, but as an example, it is realized by executing (tracing) the performance action (performance action track record) of the user character in past plays. In this case, only one past performance action (for example, the most recent performance action) may be applied to the NPC for each instrument, but as an example, a performance action selected by the user from multiple candidates is applied to the NPC. When multiple candidates are prepared, a selection opportunity (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a performance selection opportunity) for selecting a performance action for play from them requires index information that serves as an index for selection. For this reason, the performance performance (performance action, including not only the past performance action track record but also actions prepared in advance by the manufacturer, for example) of other characters (including both NPCs and other user characters) is evaluated by the user.

Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of evaluating a performance. Evaluation of a performance may be performed at any time, including during the performance, but the example in Figure 6 shows a case where an evaluation period is set after the performance ends (in other words, after the performance of the musical piece ends) and the evaluation is performed during that evaluation period. The example in Figure 6 also shows a case where the performance performance of a second character image 54B (NPC) controlled by a computer is evaluated as an example of another character (character to be evaluated). In this case, as shown in Figure 6, the performance performance of the second character image 54B is evaluated based on an evaluation action performed by a user (hereinafter, a user who evaluates another character may be referred to as an evaluator) via a third character image 54C (character to be evaluated) during the evaluation period.

Specifically, the evaluation action may be performed by the evaluator as various operations that are not reflected in the behavior of the third character image 54C (for example, operations on an operation unit dedicated to the evaluation action that is not associated with the behavior of the third character image 54C), but as an example, the evaluation action is performed by the evaluator as an act that is reflected in the behavior of the third character image 54C. The evaluation action is an action that is arbitrarily performed by the third character image 54C (evaluator) (it may not be performed). In other words, the evaluation action is an action (behavior) that is performed so as to be added to the performance. The NPC may behave in the evaluation period so as to trace the actions of the past evaluation period, and in that case, the evaluation action may be traced or may be excluded from the actions to be traced, but as an example, the NPC performs a predetermined action during the evaluation period without tracing past actions. In any case, the evaluation action is additionally performed separately from the performance performance including the actions during the evaluation period. In this example, the evaluation action functions as an additional action of the present invention.

The evaluation action may be executed unilaterally by the third character image 54C regardless of the state of the second character image 54B, but as an example, it is executed on the condition that a linked state is formed between the second character image 54B and the third character image 54C (evaluator). Therefore, during the evaluation period, the second character image 54B and the third character image 54C are in two states: a linked state, and a standby state in which no linked state is formed.

The coordinated state is a state formed between the evaluating character and the evaluated character in a state of accepting an evaluation by the evaluator. The coordinated state may be formed as appropriate by various actions between the second character image 54B and the third character image 54C (including various operations that are not reflected as character behavior when the evaluated character is a user character), but as an example, the coordinated state is formed by a coordinated action by the third character image 54C and a response action by the second character image 54B. The order of the coordinated action and the response action may be appropriate, and for example, the coordinated state may be formed when a coordinated action is executed after a response action, but as an example, the coordinated state is formed when a coordinated action is executed first and then a response action is executed in response to it.

If the character to be evaluated is a user character, free action based on the user's operation may be allowed in both the linked state and the standby state. In this case, if a response action is not performed within a certain time after a linked action, the evaluation may be switched to a unilateral evaluation by the evaluator (evaluation that does not require the formation of a linked state), or the linked action may be canceled and another linked action may be required to form a linked state. In this way, the performance may or may not be evaluated depending on the operation of the user corresponding to the character to be evaluated. As an example, even if the character to be evaluated (another character) is a user character, the evaluation period is switched to computer control and the character performs a predetermined action in both the linked state and the standby state. The other characters then actively act to form a linked state.

Specifically, the second character image 54B may appropriately execute various predetermined actions such as actions set in advance in the standby state (same for the cooperation state) or actions tracing the performance of the actions during the evaluation period, but after the cooperation action, it is controlled to execute a response action triggered by the cooperation action. In other words, the second character image 54B actively executes a response action so as to promote the formation of a cooperation state in association with the cooperation action. As an example, a cooperation state is formed when an action to accept an evaluation (to be aware of each other) is executed between the second character image 54B and the third character image 54C in this way. Then, when the third character image 54C executes an evaluation action in such a cooperation state, the performance performance of the second character image 54B is evaluated based on the evaluation action. In this example, the second character image 54B functions as another character of the present invention. In addition, when the first character image 54A to the third character image 54C are operated by three users, these first character image 54A to the third character image 54C function as multiple user characters of the present invention, and among them, the second character image 54B functions as another user character of the present invention.

Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a cooperation action. The cooperation action may be any action. For example, the action of the drummer hitting a specific cymbal or the like may be adopted as the cooperation action, or a voice (utterance) may be adopted as the cooperation action. In this way, various actions may be adopted as the cooperation action, and an action of directing one's gaze to the target character to be evaluated is adopted as an example. In addition, such a gaze action may be determined as appropriate, and for example, as in the example of Figure 5, when only one character image 54 is included in the field of view IA, it may be determined that the gaze is directed to that character image 54, and in this case, the field of view IA may be used to determine the gaze action. In this way, the gaze action may be determined as appropriate, and as an example, a field of view range is set in a part of the field of view range IA, and the presence or absence of a gaze action is determined based on the field of view range. For this reason, a field of view range for determining the user's gaze (the user character's gaze) is set on the game screen 50 (or the virtual three-dimensional space). The example in Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of such a field of view range set on the game screen 50 in the example in Figure 5.

As shown in FIG. 7, the visual field range IR includes a central visual field range IR1 and a peripheral visual field range IR2. The visual field range IR may be formed at an appropriate position on the game screen 50, and the position may be variable. In addition, when the position of the visual field range IR is set variably on the game screen 50, the position may be set appropriately based on various detection results such as tracking of the gaze by eye tracking. In this way, the visual field range IR may be set appropriately on the game screen 50, but as an example, it is formed fixedly near the center of the game screen 50 (visual field range). In addition, the visual field range IR may be visualized, but as an example, it is set to be invisible. That is, in the example of FIG. 7, for convenience, the central visual field range IR1 is displayed with a dot pattern and the peripheral visual field range IR2 is displayed with right diagonal lines, but the visual field range IR is not displayed on the actual game screen 50 as in the example of FIG. 5.

The central visual field range IR1 is a range used to determine the gaze action. The central visual field range IR1 may be formed in an appropriate shape, and as an example, it is formed in a circle of a predetermined size. The gaze action may be determined as being directed by using the central visual field range IR1 as appropriate. For example, it may be determined that the gaze is directed when a major part such as the head is included, but as an example, it is determined that the gaze is directed at the character image 54 when a certain percentage or more of the character image 54 is included (contained) in the central visual field range IR1. In addition, such a certain percentage may be set appropriately, and as an example, more than half of the area of the target character image 54 is used. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, more than half of the second character image 54B is contained in the central visual field range IR1. In this case, the user character (third character image 54C) is determined to be directing the gaze at the second character image 54B.

On the other hand, the peripheral visual field range IR2 is an area formed around the central visual field range IR1 so as to include it. The shape of the peripheral visual field range IR2 may be formed as appropriate, but as an example, it is formed into an ellipse of a predetermined size that includes the central visual field range IR1 near the center. The peripheral visual field range IR2 may be used as appropriate or may be omitted, but as an example, it is used in preparation for determining a coordinated action. Specifically, when a character image 54 enters the peripheral visual field range IR2, the computer determines that there is a possibility that the gaze will be directed at the character image 54, and begins to determine whether the character image 54 is included in the central visual field range IR1. As an example, such a visual field range IR is set on the game screen 50, and the presence or absence of a coordinated action, that is, whether the user's character image 54 is directing its gaze at another character image 54, is determined. In this example, the action of directing the gaze (coordinated action) functions as a user action of the present invention.

Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a response action. As a response action, various actions (reactions) may be appropriately adopted according to the cooperation action or independently of the cooperation action. For example, various actions that indicate recognition of the cooperation action, such as the action of each character lightly playing their own instrument or thumbs up, may be adopted. As an example of this type of action, a gaze action is used. In other words, after a user character (evaluation character) performs an action of looking at another character (evaluated character) as a cooperation action, a similar action (a movement of looking at the user character that has been looked at) performed by the other character is used as a response action. The example of Figure 8 shows a schematic example of an example of another character image 54 (NPC) that performs such a gaze action as a response action. Also, in the example of Figure 8, (A) shows the character image 54 before the response action, and (B) shows the character image 54 during the response action.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the other character image 54 (character controlled by a computer) does not face the front before the response action, that is, in the direction of the character image 54 (user) that is turned to look as a coordinated action. Before the response action, the other character image 54 may face any direction, for example, facing away from the user, but in the example of FIG. 8, the head is turned to the left and the gaze is also turned to the left. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, the other character image 54 turns its head to the front and also looks to the front during the response action. In other words, when the user (evaluator) performs an action of turning its gaze as a coordinated action (when the character image 54 is included in the central visual field range IR1 at a certain rate or more), the other character image 54 also performs an action of turning its gaze toward the user in response to the action of turning its gaze. This is the same even if the other character image 54 is turned back to the user (front side) (facing a direction that turns its back). In other words, regardless of the orientation before the response action, the other character images 54 perform the action of turning their gaze toward the user as a response action. Note that during the evaluation period, control may be performed on the other character images 54, such as avoiding the action of turning their back to the user (evaluator), so that the user (evaluator) can easily turn their gaze toward the other character images 54.

The direction of the gaze of the other character image 54 may be determined as appropriate, but as an example, the same visual field range IR as the user character is set for the other character image 54, and the direction of the gaze is determined according to whether or not the other character image 54 is in the visual field range IR, more specifically, whether or not the user character is in the central visual field range IR1 of the visual field range IR at a certain rate or more. In addition, such an action of directing the gaze (action of returning the gaze) may be performed at an appropriate timing, and may be performed with a time difference from the cooperation action, for example. In other words, the action of returning the gaze in response to the action of directing the gaze may be performed after the user has averted their gaze. In this way, the action of returning the gaze may be performed at an appropriate timing, but as an example, it is performed while the user is directing their gaze so that eye contact between the two is realized. In this case, if the user averts their gaze before the other character image 54 directs their gaze, the response action may be determined to be incomplete (in this case, the execution of the cooperation action is requested again for the response action), but as an example, the action of the user averting their gaze is permitted after the start of the action of directing the gaze of the other character image 54. As an example, the character image 54 that is the target of the coordinated action (the one that is gazed upon) executes such a response action. In this example, the action of gaze (response action) functions as the corresponding action of the present invention.

The formation of a cooperation state is not limited to the above-mentioned action of directing one's gaze, that is, an action of directing the gaze of the other character (a response action) in response to an action of directing the gaze of the user character (a cooperation action). A cooperation state may be formed as appropriate. For example, a cooperation state may be formed in conjunction with various cooperation actions and response actions, such as playing musical instruments together, performing a predetermined action such as a thumbs up (which may be the same or different between the two), or calling out to each other. Alternatively, a cooperation state may be formed when the user character (virtual camera) and the other character get close to each other, in other words, when the distance between the user character and the other character is within a predetermined range, or when the user character and the other character face each other directly.

Similarly, various actions that can be inputted via the operation stick OS or the HMD type game machine 4 can be adopted as evaluation actions, and as an example, actions such as thumbs up, nodding, cheers, or head shaking are adopted. Specifically, for example, thumbs up is realized by pressing the touch button TB of the operation stick OS. Nodding and head shaking are detected and inputted by the HMD type game machine 4 that moves in the same way in conjunction with the user's nodding action (action) or head shaking action (action). Cheers is inputted by the HMD type game machine 4 that detects the operation sticks OS of both the left and right hands that move upward in conjunction with the user's cheers action (action of raising both hands up). Then, when these actions are executed and the evaluation character executes an evaluation action corresponding to the action in cooperation with the action, the performance performance of the evaluated character is evaluated based on the executed evaluation action. In this example, the operation of pressing the touch button TB or each action (action) such as a nodding action functions as an additional instruction action of the present invention, and the multiple types of actions function as multiple types of additional instruction actions of the present invention.

Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the evaluation result of a performance performance based on an evaluation action. The evaluation result of a performance performance may affect the evaluation result of a play, such as a score, or may be used for other purposes as appropriate, but the example of Figure 9 shows a case where it is used as index information in a performance selection opportunity. In addition, any one of the above-mentioned actions, such as a thumbs-up, may function as an evaluation action, but the example of Figure 9 shows a case where any of them function as an evaluation action, that is, a case where multiple types of actions are prepared as evaluation actions. Furthermore, these evaluation actions may be evaluated using an appropriate method, but the example of Figure 9 shows a case where the type of action performed as the evaluation action and the number of times it is performed are used as the evaluation result. Specifically, the example of Figure 9 shows a schematic example of the type of evaluation action in such a case, and data that manages the evaluation result of a performance performance based on it.

As shown in FIG. 9, the evaluation results of a performance are managed in association with information about the music piece for each user who performed the performance (in the case of a performance by an NPC, the user who performed the play that was the basis for the performance). More specifically, the evaluation results of a performance are managed as "evaluation" information in association with information about the "user" and the "music piece."

"User" is information indicating the user who performed the above-mentioned musical performance (hereinafter, may be referred to as the performing user). Various types of information indicating the performing user may be used as the "user" information as appropriate, but in the example of Figure 9, information on "User A" is shown. "User A" is information indicating that the performing user is User A.

"Song" is information about the song used in the performance. "Song" may include various information related to the song as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 9, it includes information about "ID" and "difficulty". "ID" is information unique to each song to identify each song. Any appropriate information that can identify each song may be used as "ID" information, but in the example of FIG. 9, information with names such as "Song A" and "Song B" is shown for the convenience of explanation. "Difficulty" is information indicating the difficulty of the song. One or more difficulty levels may be set appropriately for each song as information indicating the difficulty of playing, but as an example, three types of difficulty levels are prepared for each song: N difficulty level (normal difficulty level), H difficulty level (hard difficulty level, more difficult than normal difficulty level), and S difficulty level (super hard difficulty level, even more difficult than hard difficulty level). In this case, any appropriate information indicating these difficulty levels may be used as "difficulty" information, but in the example of FIG. 9, the names of each difficulty level such as "N difficulty level" are shown for the convenience of explanation.

"Evaluation" is information about the evaluation result of the performance performance. "Evaluation" may include various information related to the evaluation result of the performance performance as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 9, it includes information about "type" and "result". "Type" is information indicating the type of evaluation action. As the "type" information, any appropriate information indicating the type of evaluation action may be used, but in the example of FIG. 9, for the sake of convenience, the names of each evaluation action, such as "thumbs up", "nod", "banzai", and "shake head", are shown. In addition, it is assumed that the evaluation of the performance performance by the evaluator is not performed, and in that case, the information of the non-execution of the evaluation does not need to be managed, but in the example of FIG. 9, it is managed as information of "no evaluation" in the "type" information. "Result" is information indicating the evaluation result. As the "result" information, any appropriate information indicating the evaluation result may be used, but in the example of FIG. 9, numerical information indicating the number of executions of each evaluation action, such as "2", "0", and "3", is shown.

In a music game, evaluation of one's own performance (evaluation of performance performance in which the evaluator is the performing user) may be permitted, but as an example, performance performances by other users are evaluated. For this reason, for example, when an evaluator (a user other than user A) has another character trace the past performance performance of user A in a play of difficulty level N using musical piece A, the evaluation result is reflected in the "evaluation" associated with the "difficulty level N" of "music piece A" corresponding to "user A". Specifically, when the evaluator performs a thumbs-up as an evaluation action, the number of executions (accumulated value) associated with "thumbs-up" in "type" is increased by one as the evaluation result. In other words, the "result" corresponding to "thumbs-up" is updated so that it is counted up from "2" indicating two times in the example of FIG. 9 to "3" indicating three times. The same applies when "nodding", "banzai", and "shaking head" are performed as evaluation actions. In other words, the number of executions corresponding to nodding, etc. is similarly counted up as the evaluation result. On the other hand, if the evaluation action is not performed during the evaluation period (including when it cannot be detected), the number of times associated with "No evaluation" in "Type" is similarly counted up by one as the evaluation result. Note that if the evaluation action is not performed within a specified time, various announcements may be made at appropriate times during the evaluation period, such as by display or audio, encouraging the user to perform the evaluation action.

Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another example of the evaluation result of a musical performance based on an evaluation action. As described above, the evaluation action may be evaluated by an appropriate method, and the number of evaluation actions performed may be obtained as the evaluation result for each type of evaluation action as in the example of Figure 9, but a different evaluation value may be set for each type of evaluation action, such as 4 points for a thumbs-up gesture, 3 points for a nod, 2 points for a cheer, and 1 point for a head shake. In addition, when a different evaluation value is set for each type of evaluation action (weighting is set for the value of each evaluation action), the type of evaluation action performed by the evaluator may be omitted from the information to be managed. The example of Figure 10 shows an example of data that manages the evaluation result of a musical performance based on an evaluation action in such a case.

As shown in FIG. 10, a different evaluation value is set for each type of evaluation action, and when the type of evaluation action that was performed is omitted from the management target, information on the cumulative evaluation value (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the cumulative evaluation value) is described as "evaluation" information instead of "type" and "result" information. In other words, the evaluation result of a musical performance is managed so that it is associated with the music piece used in the performance and the difficulty level as a cumulative evaluation value.

More specifically, an appropriate evaluation value may be set for each evaluation action, but for example, if the above-mentioned 4 points are set for each thumbs up, etc., the evaluation result associated with the performance of the N difficulty level using the A song by the A user in the example of FIG. 9 is calculated as 8 points for the thumbs up (4 points x 2 times) and 3 points for the head shake (1 point x 3 times), totaling 11 points (nodding, banzai, and no evaluation are all zero points). Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, for example, the information "11" indicating a cumulative evaluation value of 11 points is written in "Evaluation" as the evaluation result of the performance of the N difficulty level using the A song by the A user. Then, when the evaluator performs a thumbs up as an evaluation action in the current evaluation period, the information in "Evaluation" is updated so that the evaluation value (4 points) set for the thumbs up is added to the cumulative evaluation value, that is, the cumulative evaluation value is counted up from "11" to "15" indicating 15 points. The same applies to the cases where other difficulty levels, other songs, and other evaluation actions such as nodding are performed.

The evaluation results in the examples of Figures 9 and 10 are presented as index information in the performance selection opportunity as described above. Specifically, in the example of Figure 9, when playing song A at difficulty level N, user A's performance actions (performance) are presented as selection candidates in the performance selection opportunity, and information indicating the types of evaluation actions, such as 2 thumbs up, 0 nods, 0 banzai, 0 head shakes, and 3 no evaluations, and the number of times each was performed, is presented as index information. The same applies to other users, songs, and difficulty levels.

In the example of FIG. 10, when playing song A at difficulty level N, 11 points of cumulative evaluation value information is presented as index information when user A's performance actions (performance) are presented as selection candidates in the performance selection opportunity. The performance actions presented as selection candidates in the performance selection opportunity may be limited to each user's own past performance actions, but as an example, performance actions of other users can also be used. As an example, in the performance selection opportunity, various information according to the evaluation results as described above is presented together with options that include the performance actions of other users as candidates, so that it functions as index information for selecting performance actions to play.

Next, the details of the performance data OD will be described. When the performance action (performance performance) of the other character image 54, such as the first character image 54A or the second character image 54B, is controlled by a computer, the action of the other character image 54 is controlled so as to trace (copy) the performance action (play record) performed by the user (including other users) when playing through the other character image 54 in the past, as described above. The performance data OD is data for making the other characters execute the performance of such user's performance action. For example, when the user plays through the second character image 54B (is selected as the user character in the character selection opportunity for selecting the character to play), the play content in that play (the performance of the guitar performance action through the second character image 54B) is recorded and managed in the performance data OD. The same applies to the performance when the user plays through the first character image 54A.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of performance data OD. The data for managing the evaluation results of a performance performance, such as the example of Figure 9 or the example of Figure 10, may be realized as appropriate, and may be realized as standalone data, but as an example, it is realized as part of the performance data OD. In other words, the performance data OD includes data for managing the evaluation results of a performance performance. The example of Figure 11 mainly shows the part that functions as data for managing the evaluation results of a performance performance.

As shown in FIG. 11, the performance data OD includes a video data section OD1 and an information management section OD2. The video data section OD1 is a section configured as video data for making other character images 54 perform performance actions. Such video data sections may be configured as various video data as appropriate, but as an example, the actions of each character image 54 are configured as motion capture data, so the video data section is also configured as motion capture data. This motion capture data may be generated as appropriate, for example, the user's motion may be detected and digitized from a camera that captures the user's entire body, or the user's motion may be detected and digitized from a marker attached to the user's body. In this way, the motion capture data (video data section OD1) may be generated as appropriate, but as an example, the motion of the HMD-type game machine 4 over time (movement of the head) and the motion of the operation stick OS over time are recorded and generated by replacing them with motion. In addition, the video data section OD1 may also include various other information for making other character images 54 perform performance actions as appropriate. For example, the video data unit OD1 may include various types of operation information, such as the timing at which the touch button TB of the operation stick OS or the like was operated, the type of the operation part operated, and detection information of a sensor SMA, such as an acceleration sensor SM1, when the operation stick OS is moved, such as shaking. The detection information of the sensor SMA may include various information according to the type of sensor. For example, if the sensor SMA includes a sensor that detects the pressure when the user grips the operation stick OS, the detection information of the sensor SMA includes information on such pressure. Furthermore, for example, if a microphone for recording (inputting) the voice (singing voice, etc.) uttered by the user is provided on the HMD-type game machine 4 or the like, the video data unit OD1 may include information on that voice. Such a video data unit OD1 is prepared for each performance action.

Meanwhile, the information management section OD2 is the section in which information for managing each video data section is written. The information management section OD2 may contain various information necessary for managing each video data section as appropriate, but in the example of FIG. 11, it contains a performance record ODR that manages information about each video data section (performance action). For this type of management, the performance record ODR contains information on "performance ID", "character", "user", "music", "rating", "evaluator", and "date and time". The performance record ODR records these pieces of information so that they are mutually associated.

The "Performance ID" is information indicating a unique performance ID for each performance action in order to manage each performance action (video data section). The "Character" is information for identifying the character corresponding to that performance action. Any suitable information capable of identifying each character may be used as such information, and as an example, character ID information unique to each character is used. Specifically, for example, in the case of a performance action corresponding to an achievement played through the third character image 54C, the character ID information corresponding to the third character image 54C is described in "Character". The same is true for the first character image 54A, etc. Each character is also associated with an instrument to be played. Therefore, the "Character" information also functions as information on the instrument to be played. Instead of "Character", "Instrument" information (for example, the instrument ID) may be described.

The "user", "music", and "rating" correspond to the information of "user", "music", and "rating" in the example of FIG. 9 and the example of FIG. 10, respectively. For this reason, for example, the information of "music" may include information such as "ID" or "difficulty", and the information of "rating" may include information such as "type" or "result". However, in the examples of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, for convenience of explanation, the names of users such as "A user", "A song", "N difficulty level", and "thumbs up" are shown as each piece of information, but as an example, the performance data OD describes information that can identify each user, such as a user ID, a song ID, a difficulty level identification symbol, or an action ID, instead of these. The user ID is an ID unique to each user to identify each user, and the song ID is an ID unique to each song to identify each song. The difficulty level identification symbol is a symbol (including a number) that is assigned to each difficulty level to identify each difficulty level. Similarly, the action ID is an ID unique to each evaluation action to identify the type of each evaluation action, such as a thumbs up.

On the other hand, "evaluator" is information indicating the evaluator (user) who performed the evaluation corresponding to "evaluation". Various information capable of identifying the evaluator may be appropriately described in "evaluator" (the same applies to other information such as "user"), and as an example, information on the user ID corresponding to the evaluator is described. "Date and time" is information indicating the date and time when the evaluation corresponding to "evaluation" was performed. The information on "evaluator" and "date and time" may be omitted as appropriate, for example, both may be omitted and only the evaluation result may be managed as an "evaluation", but in the example of FIG. 11, the performance record ODR includes both. Note that the performance data OD is not limited to these pieces of information, and may appropriately manage, for example, information necessary for realizing a performance performance or managing the evaluation. Alternatively, not only information such as "evaluator" but also some of the various pieces of information described above may be omitted as appropriate.

Next, the procedures of the performance selection process, the cooperation response process, the performance evaluation process, and the performance data generation process will be described. The performance selection process is a process for providing a performance selection opportunity for selecting a performance action to be performed by a character other than the user character. For example, when a user plays a music game through the third character image 54C, the performance action to be performed by each of the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B is selected in the performance selection opportunity. Specifically, when there are multiple performance actions for the same character, the performance data OD includes multiple video data parts OD1 (multiple performance actions) for the same character. In this case, the performance action to be performed by the other character is selected in the performance selection opportunity from among the multiple performance action candidates. The example in FIG. 12 shows an example of the procedure for providing such a performance selection opportunity. In this case, the progress control unit 43 starts the performance selection process in FIG. 12 every time a character selection opportunity for selecting a character to be used in playing the music game is provided to the user, and first obtains the selection result of the character in the character selection opportunity (step S101).

Then, the progress control unit 43 provides a performance selection opportunity for selecting a performance action to be performed by a character other than the character selected in the character selection opportunity (step S102). Specifically, the progress control unit 43 refers to the performance data OD and provides a performance selection opportunity so that one performance action is selected from a plurality of performance action candidates (which may include the performance records of other users and a plurality of predetermined actions prepared in advance) for each target character. In addition, such a performance selection opportunity may be realized appropriately, and as an example, it is realized through a selection screen (not shown) for the performance selection opportunity that includes information necessary for selecting a performance action. The options in the performance selection opportunity are presented to the user in accordance with the music and instrument selected by the user. For example, performance data OD that is the same music as the music selected by the user but is generated by an instrument different from the instrument selected by the user is presented to the user as an option in the performance selection opportunity. The limiting conditions of the options may also include other options, such as the period during which the performance data OD was created.

The information required for selecting a performance action may include various information, such as the user (whose performance action it is) corresponding to the performance action record, or information on the user's level, score, and other various results, as appropriate, and includes index information as an example. More specifically, the selection screen for the performance selection opportunity presents the evaluation results of the performance performance (performance action) by the evaluator, such as the number of thumbs ups performed twice or the cumulative evaluation value of 11 points, as described above, as index information for each option. The selection screen for the performance selection opportunity may present each option (candidate performance action) in an appropriate manner, for example, in order of newness of the performance data OD or in order of frequency of use (ranking format based on frequency of use), but when the cumulative evaluation value is presented as index information, as an example, it is presented in a ranking format based on the cumulative evaluation value. The progress control unit 43 provides a performance selection opportunity by presenting a selection screen including such options and index information in step S102. In addition to the cumulative evaluation value, the index information may include various other information that can be used as a reference (assistance) for selection, such as a score indicating the skill of the player, or information indicating whether the performance was exciting (which may be obtained using an appropriate algorithm, such as information based on the reactions of viewers watching the performance).

The progress control unit 43 then determines the performance actions of the other characters based on the selection result in the performance selection opportunity (step S103). After this determination, the progress control unit 43 ends the current performance selection process. This realizes a performance selection opportunity for selecting a performance action to be performed by a character other than the user character. In addition, in the performance selection opportunity, a plurality of performance action records, including the play records of other users, are presented as candidate options for such performance actions. Furthermore, in the performance selection opportunity, the evaluation results by the evaluator are presented as index information to assist in the selection for each candidate option (performance action record). Then, based on the selection result in the performance selection opportunity, actions corresponding to the actual performance action records are traced by the other characters in the performance performance.

The cooperation response process is a process for forming a cooperation state for each character. Each character may be operated by another user, and in that case, it is determined whether or not a response action has been performed by the other user, and if a response action has been performed, a cooperation state is formed. The example of FIG. 13 shows a case where the action of each character is controlled by a computer (progress control unit 43). In this case, the progress control unit 43 starts the cooperation response process of FIG. 13 every time a user character (for example, the third character image 54C in the example of FIG. 3) is operated by a user (in a situation in which the peripheral visual field range IR2 includes other characters), and first determines whether the user's operation corresponds to a cooperation action (step S201). As an example, if the user's operation corresponds to an action of directing the line of sight so that the central visual field range IR1 includes other characters at a certain ratio or more, the operation (action) corresponds to a cooperation action. For this reason, the progress control unit 43 determines whether the user's operation corresponds to an action of including other characters at a certain ratio or more in the central visual field range IR1. If the user's operation does not correspond to an action that includes a certain percentage or more of another character in the central visual field range IR1 (directing one's gaze), in other words, if the user's operation does not correspond to a cooperative action, the progress control unit 43 skips subsequent processing and ends the current cooperative response processing.

On the other hand, if the user's operation corresponds to an action that includes a certain percentage or more of another character in the central visual field range IR1 (directing one's gaze), in other words, if the user's operation corresponds to a cooperative action, the progress control unit 43 causes the character that is the target of the cooperative action, that is, the character that is included in the central visual field range IR1 at a certain percentage or more, to execute a response action (step S202). Specifically, for example, if the response action involves directing one's gaze at the user character (aligning one's gaze with the virtual camera; returning one's gaze), the action of the target character is controlled so that the character directs its gaze at the user character. When the action of directing one's gaze is executed, the gazes meet.

Then, the progress control unit 43 forms a cooperation state between the user character and the character that performed the response action in step S202 (step S203). The cooperation state may be formed as appropriate, for example, when the cooperation state is expressed by a dedicated action, it may be formed by performing such an action, but as an example, it is realized by updating a flag for managing the presence or absence of the cooperation state. Specifically, a parameter for managing the presence or absence of the cooperation state is set for each character. Therefore, the progress control unit 43 realizes the formation of the cooperation state by updating this flag to a state indicating the formation of the cooperation state. Then, after the cooperation state is formed, the progress control unit 43 ends this cooperation response process. As a result, the action of the other character is controlled to perform a response action in response to the cooperation action. In other words, the action of the other character is controlled so that a cooperation state is actively formed between the user character and the other character. Then, when the cooperation state is formed, the state is managed by the flag.

The performance evaluation process is a process for evaluating the performance of other characters. The evaluation of the performance may be realized as appropriate, but the example of FIG. 14 shows a case where the evaluation is based on an evaluation action by the evaluation character (user character corresponding to the evaluator). The example of FIG. 14 also shows a case where the performance is evaluated based on an evaluation action in a cooperation state, more specifically, a case where the performance is evaluated based on an evaluation action after a state of mutual awareness is formed between the evaluation subject character and the evaluation character. In this case, the progress control unit 43 starts the performance evaluation process of FIG. 14 each time the evaluation character performs an action in the cooperation state, subject to the formation of a cooperation state during the evaluation period, and first determines whether the evaluation condition is satisfied (step S301). The evaluation condition is a condition for determining whether to execute an evaluation of the performance performance. The evaluation condition may be satisfied as appropriate, but as an example, it is satisfied when the action performed by the evaluation character corresponds to the evaluation action. In other words, the evaluation condition is satisfied when the action performed by the evaluation character corresponds to an action set as an evaluation action, such as a thumbs up, a nod, a banzai, or a head shake. If the evaluation conditions are not met, that is, if the action performed by the evaluation character does not correspond to the evaluation action, the progress control unit 43 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current performance evaluation process.

On the other hand, if the evaluation conditions are met, that is, if the action performed by the evaluated character corresponds to the evaluated action, the progress control unit 43 determines the target character (evaluated character) (step S302). The evaluated character is a character that has formed a cooperative state with the evaluated character. Therefore, the progress control unit 43 determines the character that has formed a cooperative state with the evaluated character as the target character.

Next, the progress control unit 43 determines the type of evaluation action performed by the evaluation character (step S303). Specifically, the progress control unit 43 determines whether the evaluation action performed by the evaluation character corresponds to a thumbs up, a nod, a cheer, or a head shake.

Next, the progress control unit 43 evaluates the performance of the target character determined in step S302 (step S304). The evaluation of the performance is realized, for example, as shown in the example of FIG. 9 or the example of FIG. 10. For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 9, the progress control unit 43 realizes the evaluation of the performance by counting the number of times each type of evaluation action determined in step S303 is performed. Specifically, the progress control unit 43 realizes the evaluation of the performance by updating the information of the "result" of the performance data OD so that the number of times associated with the "type" corresponding to the type of evaluation action determined in step S303 increases. Similarly, in the case of the example of FIG. 10, the progress control unit 43 realizes the evaluation of the performance by adding the evaluation value set for the type of evaluation action determined in step S303 to the cumulative evaluation value. Then, the progress control unit 43 ends the current performance evaluation process after such evaluation. As a result, the performance performance of other characters is evaluated based on the evaluation action during the evaluation period on the condition that a cooperation state is formed. If the evaluation in step S304 is not performed within the evaluation period (if the evaluation action is not detected), the progress control unit 43 evaluates the evaluation result of the current performance as no evaluation, and updates the performance data OD in the same manner.

The performance data generation process is a process for generating performance data OD based on the performance (performance action) of each user. The performance data OD may be generated appropriately, for example, uniformly based on the performance of all plays of all users, or may be generated when the best score (best score in the evaluation criteria for evaluating the note processing or the part other than the note processing) is achieved for each user, each song, and each instrument. As an example, the performance data OD is generated when the user wishes to generate the performance data OD. In this case, when a performance performance is started in the play of a user who wishes to generate the performance data OD (the user may be given an opportunity to confirm the necessity of generation separately as appropriate), the data management unit 44 starts the performance data generation process of FIG. 15, and first records the user's operation in the performance, that is, the action of the user character (step S401). Next, the data management unit 44 generates the performance data OD based on the recording result of step S401 (step S402). Specifically, the data management unit 44 generates a video data section OD1 for reproducing the actions of the user character, and an information management section OD2 for recording various information corresponding thereto. After generating the performance data OD, the data management unit 44 ends the current performance data generation process. This generates performance data OD for reproducing performance actions corresponding to each user's playing history. Note that the performance data OD may be generated uniformly and saved when a predetermined condition is met, such as when the user wishes or when a best score is calculated.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, when a thumbs-up action or the like is performed to cause the user character (evaluation character) to perform an evaluation action during a linked state in the evaluation period, the performance of the other characters that are the target of the evaluation action (forming a linked state) is evaluated based on that evaluation action. In other words, the user character is permitted to perform an evaluation action separately from the musical performance, and that evaluation action is used as a trigger for the musical performance of the other characters to be evaluated by the user (the performer of the musical performance) corresponding to the user character through an action for that evaluation action. Therefore, such actions can be used to evaluate the musical performance of multiple characters from the perspective of the performer of that performance.

The performance may be evaluated by someone other than the performer of the performance, such as a user as an audience member watching the performance through characters around the stage area 53, or a user as a viewer simply watching the performance through video, and the results may be used as appropriate as index information, etc., but there are also elements of a performance that can only be evaluated by the performer. For example, affinity with one's own performance performance. When the evaluation action of the user character is used for evaluation, even if evaluation is performed by an audience, etc., the performance performance of other characters can be evaluated based on the performer's own criteria from a different perspective (criteria). As a result, the performance of other characters can be evaluated based on elements that can only be evaluated by the performer.

In particular, when actions such as a thumbs up or a nod, which would not be out of place when performed as part of a performance, are used as evaluation actions, the performance of other characters can be evaluated relatively naturally as an extension of the performance, or as an additional effect. Furthermore, when the evaluation results are presented as index information in the performance selection opportunity, the evaluation results of the performance performance based on the evaluation action can be used to encourage the selection of more preferable performance actions in the performance selection opportunity. These can increase the interest of the game.

In the above embodiment, the progress control unit 43 of the HMD type game machine 4 functions as the instruction evaluation means of the present invention by executing step S304 in FIG. 14. Also, the progress control unit 43 of the HMD type game machine 4 functions as the result provision means of the present invention by executing step S102 in FIG. 12.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented in a form with appropriate modifications or changes. For example, in the above-described embodiment, various actions (playing actions) of the user are detected by the HMD-type game machine 4 or the operation stick OS through each sensor SMA, SMB. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the sensor SMA, etc. may not be mounted on the HMD-type game machine 4. Specifically, for example, when a game is played in a dedicated playroom, an appropriate number of various sensors such as cameras for detecting the user's playing actions may be provided in the playroom as necessary.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the field of view IR of the user character (e.g., the third character image 54C) includes only one other character (e.g., the second character image 54B). However, the field of view IR of the user character (evaluation character) may include an appropriate number of other characters depending on the situation. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the position of each character is fixed in the stage area 53, but each character may move appropriately depending on the play situation, etc., for example, the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B may be positioned so as to be adjacent to each other. In this case, the field of view IR of the third character image 54C may include both the first character image 54A and the second character image 54B. In this case, the target of the cooperation action may be determined appropriately, and for example, the character that is more partially included in the field of view IR, the character that entered the field of view IR first, or both characters may be determined as the target of the cooperation action, that is, the evaluated character. On the other hand, if multiple other characters are included in the field of view IR, the cooperation action may be determined to be invalid.

In the above-described embodiment, evaluation actions such as raising one's arms in the air are realized by a similar action by the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in addition to the touch button TB for thumbs-up, the operation stick OS may be provided with a plurality of touch buttons TB for realizing each evaluation action such as nodding, raising one's arms in the air, or shaking one's head.

In the above embodiment, the processes in Figs. 12 to 15 are executed by the HMD-type game machine 4. As a result, the HMD-type game machine 4 alone functions as the game system of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, various game devices (computers) connected to the HMD-type game machine 4 via a network such as short-range wireless communication may execute all or part of the processes in Figs. 12 to 15. When a game device connected to the HMD-type game machine 4 executes all of the processes in Figs. 12 to 15, this game device may function as the game system of the present invention. Alternatively, such a game device may function as the center server 2 of the present invention. Similarly, for example, all or part of the processes in Figs. 12 to 15 may be executed by the center server 2. For example, when the center server 2 executes all of the processes in Figs. 12 to 15, the center server 2 alone (which may include multiple server devices) may function as the game system of the present invention. On the other hand, if the HMD-type game machine 4 alone or a game device connected to the HMD-type game machine 4 (including a combination of these) functions as the game system of the present invention, the center server 2 may be omitted as appropriate.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications are described below. In the following description, the corresponding components shown in the attached drawings are noted in parentheses to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, but this does not limit the present invention to the illustrated forms.

The game system of the present invention is a game system (4) that is connected to an input device (SMA, SMB) for inputting the play actions of each user, and a display device (47) that displays a game screen (50) on which a plurality of characters (54) including at least one user character (54C) operated by each user through the play actions are displayed, and that provides a game including a performance performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen. When an additional instruction action is executed as the play action from the user character to another character (54B) of the plurality of characters so as to cause the user character to perform an additional action that is executed to be added to the performance, the game system includes an instruction evaluation means (43) that evaluates the performance by the other character based on the additional instruction action, and a result providing means (43) that provides each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character.

According to the present invention, when an additional instruction action is executed to cause a user character to execute an additional action, the performance of the other character that is the target of the additional action is evaluated based on the additional instruction action. In other words, the user character is permitted to perform an additional action, and the performance of the other character is evaluated by the user (performer of the performance) corresponding to the user character through the additional instruction action, triggered by the additional action. The evaluation results are then provided to each user. Therefore, by utilizing such additional instruction actions, the performance of multiple characters can be evaluated from the perspective of the performer of the performance. As a result, the performance of the other characters can be evaluated based on elements that can only be evaluated by the performer.

The additional instruction action may be executed regardless of the state of the other character (the evaluated character that is the subject of evaluation), or may be executed after a predetermined state in which the additional action (additional instruction action) is accepted is formed between the user character (the evaluation character that performs the evaluation) and the other character. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the instruction evaluation means may evaluate the performance by the other character when the additional instruction action is executed in a cooperative state formed between the user character and the other character by a user action executed by the user character on the other character and a corresponding action by the other character corresponding to the user action, on the condition that such a cooperative state is formed.

The additional instruction action may be executed at an appropriate time, for example during the performance or after the performance. For example, in a mode in which the evaluation of the performance is executed in a linked state, if an evaluation period for evaluating the performance is provided after the performance, the instruction evaluation means may evaluate the performance by the other character when the additional instruction action is executed in the linked state during the evaluation period.

As the user action and the corresponding action, various actions (behaviors) may be appropriately executed. For example, the user action may be an action of playing a predetermined piece of music on an instrument, or an action of appropriately moving various parts such as the arms. Alternatively, it may be an action of calling out to another character. The same applies to the corresponding action. For this reason, for example, an action of turning one's gaze towards another (making eye contact) may be adopted as the user action and the corresponding action. Specifically, for example, in a mode in which the evaluation of the performance is executed in a cooperation state, the cooperation state may be formed when the other character included in the visual field of the user character puts the user character into the visual field of the other character, so that the action of putting the other character into the visual field of the user character (IR) set for the user character functions as the user action, and the action of putting the user character into the visual field of the other character (IR) functions as the corresponding action, respectively.

The performance evaluation result may be appropriately utilized, and may be reflected in a score (a value for determining victory or defeat, or for competing with other users for rankings, etc.) that functions as an evaluation of game play. Alternatively, in a case where the actions of other characters are controlled by a computer and an action to be used in a performance is selected from a plurality of candidates, the performance evaluation result may function as an index for selecting the action. Specifically, for example, in a case where the actions of the other characters are controlled in the performance so as to perform an action similar to an action performed by the user character in the performance in a past play, and a selection opportunity is provided for selecting an action to be actually performed by the other character from a plurality of actions in the user character's past play, the result providing means may provide each user with the performance evaluation result by the other characters to function as index information that serves as an index for selecting each action in the selection opportunity. In this case, the performance evaluation result can be utilized to promote the selection of a more preferable action in the selection opportunity.

The evaluation of the performance based on the additional instruction action may be realized by an appropriate method. For example, only one type of action that is executed only in the case of favorable performance or the opposite case may be prepared as the additional instruction action. Alternatively, multiple types of additional instruction actions that are respectively associated with evaluation results such as OK and NG may be prepared. Furthermore, when multiple types of additional instruction actions are prepared, each additional instruction action may be treated as having the same evaluation, or the evaluation of each additional instruction action may be appropriately weighted. For example, in a mode in which the evaluation result functions as index information, when multiple types of additional instruction actions are prepared as the additional instruction actions, the instruction evaluation means may evaluate the performance by the other character by determining the type of the actual instruction action so that the type of the actual instruction action executed by each user as the additional instruction action functions as the index information.

As the game, various games may be provided as appropriate. Similarly, in such games, various performances may be performed by multiple characters as appropriate depending on the type of game. For example, game play in a sports game such as a soccer game or a baseball game may be used as a performance. Alternatively, dancing or playing in a music game may be used as a performance. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, a music game is provided as the game in which the timing of the play action is announced in accordance with the rhythm of a piece of music, and the user character performs a performance action to play the piece of music in conjunction with the play action, and the performance in the music game may be the performance of each of the multiple characters.

The other character may be a user character or a non-player character (so-called NPC) whose action is controlled by a computer. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the game is played such that the multiple characters include multiple user characters corresponding to multiple users, and the instruction evaluation means may evaluate the performance of a user character other than the user character based on the additional instruction action when the additional action is performed on one of the multiple user characters, such that the other user character functions as the other character.

On the other hand, the computer program (PG2) of the present invention is configured to cause the input device and a computer (41) connected to the display device to function as each of the means of the game system described above.

The control method of the present invention is to cause a computer (41) incorporated in a game system (4) that is connected to an input device (SMA, SMB) for inputting the play actions of each user and a display device (47) that displays a game screen (50) in which a plurality of characters (54) including at least one user character (54C) operated by each user through the play actions are displayed, and that provides a game including a performance performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen, to execute, when an additional instruction action is executed as the play action from the user character to another character of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance, an instruction evaluation step for evaluating the performance by the other character based on the additional instruction action, and a result providing step for providing each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character. The game system of the present invention can be realized through the computer program or control method of the present invention.

1 Game system 2 Center server 4 HMD type game machine (game system)
41 Control unit (computer)
43 Progress control unit (instruction evaluation means, result providing means)
47 Display (display device)
50 Game screen 54 Character image (character)
54B Second character image (another character, another user character)
54C Third character image (user character)
IR field of view SMA sensor (input device)
SMB Sensor (Input device)

Claims (9)

A game system connected to an input device for inputting play actions of each user and a display device for displaying a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play actions are displayed, the game system providing a game including a performance performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen,
an instruction evaluation means for evaluating the performance by the other character using an additional instruction action as an evaluation element when an additional instruction action for causing the user character to perform an additional action that is executed from the user character to the other character of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance is executed as the play action;
A result providing means for providing each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other characters. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the instruction evaluation means evaluates the performance of the other character when the additional instruction action is performed in a linked state, on the condition that a linked state is formed between the user character and the other character by a user action performed by the user character on the other character and a corresponding action by the other character corresponding to the user action. A game system connected to an input device for inputting play actions of each user and a display device for displaying a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play actions are displayed, the game system providing a game including a performance performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen,
an instruction evaluation means for evaluating the performance by the other character based on an additional instruction action when an additional instruction action for causing the user character to perform an additional action that is executed from the user character to the other character of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance is executed as the play action;
a result providing means for providing each user with a result of evaluation of the performance by the other characters;
Equipped with
the instruction evaluation means, on the condition that a cooperative state is formed between the user character and the other character by a user action executed from the user character to the other character and a corresponding action by the other character corresponding to the user action, evaluates the performance by the other character when the additional instruction action is executed in the cooperative state;
A game system in which the coordinated state is formed when another character included in the field of view of the user character enters the field of view of the other character, such that the action of entering the other character into the field of view set for the user character functions as the user action, and the action of entering the user character into the field of view set for the other character functions as the corresponding action. The game system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the instruction evaluation means evaluates the performance by the other character when the additional instruction action is executed in the linked state during an evaluation period in the case where an evaluation period for evaluating the performance is provided after the performance. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the result providing means provides each user with an evaluation result of the performance by the other character to function as index information serving as an index for selecting each action in a selection opportunity when the actions of the other character in the performance are controlled so as to perform the same action as the action performed by the user character in the performance in a past play, and a selection opportunity is provided for selecting an action that the other character should actually perform from a plurality of actions in the past play of the user character. The game system according to claim 5, wherein the instruction evaluation means, when multiple types of additional instruction actions are prepared as the additional instruction actions, evaluates the performance of the other characters by determining the type of the actual instruction action performed by each user as the additional instruction action so that the type of the actual instruction action functions as the index information. As the game, a music game is provided in which the timing of the play action is guided in accordance with the rhythm of a piece of music, and the user character performs a performance action of playing the piece of music in association with the play action;
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the performance in the music game is performed by each of the plurality of characters performing the musical performance action. A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to said input device and said display device to function as each of the means of the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . a computer that is incorporated in a game system that is connected to an input device for inputting play actions of each user and a display device that displays a game screen on which a plurality of characters including at least one user character operated by each user through the play actions are displayed, the computer providing a game including a performance performed by the plurality of characters through the game screen;
an instruction evaluation step in which, when an additional instruction action is executed as the play action by the user character to cause the user character to execute an additional action that is executed from the user character to another character of the plurality of characters so as to be added to the performance, the additional instruction action is used as an evaluation element to evaluate the performance by the other character;
a result providing step of providing each user with a result of evaluation of the performance by the other characters;
A control method for executing the above.

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