Information storage medium, game device, and game system

When one of a first-part HP indication to a third-part HP indication is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a character icon, a part information indication, and a designation indication are displayed at each of the terminals participating in the quest on the basis of part information, player character information, and player number information of the terminal at which the part HP indication has been tapped. This makes it possible for a player to notify the players at the other terminals of a part that the player wishes to attack.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to information storage mediums, game devices, and game systems.

There is a type of program that has been known since before and that executes a game in which a common object space is set for a plurality of terminals, an enemy character and player characters corresponding to players at the individual terminals are disposed in the common object space, and the player characters cooperatively battle against the enemy character on the basis of inputs by the players at the individual terminals.

Furthermore, among programs of this type, there is a type of program with which, when the player characters attack the enemy character, a parameter of a part targeted in the attack among a plurality of parts set in the enemy character is updated, and a part for which the parameter has reached a predetermined value becomes broken (see Publication of Japanese Patent No. 6137773).

Among programs of this type, there is a type of program with which text chats or voice chats are enabled for the purpose of communicating intents among the players at the individual terminals; however, there are players who feel that text chats or voice chats are bothersome.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in view of the situation described above, and it is an object thereof to provide a non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium storing a program that enables players at individual terminals to readily communicate their intents.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for causing a first character to perform an action on the basis of an input by a player and updating a parameter corresponding to a part satisfying a given condition as a result of the action of the first character among a plurality of parts of a second character, the program causing a computer to function as: a display control unit that displays a plurality of specific indications corresponding to the plurality of parts; and a communication control unit that sends specific information corresponding to a specific player input and player information corresponding to the player to an external network on the basis of the specific player input, the specific player input being an input by the player corresponding to one of the plurality of specific indications, wherein the communication control unit receives the specific information and the player information of another terminal from the external network, and wherein in the case where the specific information and the player information are received, the display control unit, on the basis of the specific information and the player information, displays a part indication indicating a part corresponding to the specific information among the plurality of parts in association with a player indication corresponding to the player information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game device that causes a first character to perform an action on the basis of an input by a player and updates a parameter corresponding to a part satisfying a given condition as a result of the action of the first character among a plurality of parts of a second character, the game device including: a display control unit that displays a plurality of specific indications corresponding to the plurality of parts; and a communication control unit that sends specific information corresponding to a specific player input and player information corresponding to the player to an external network on the basis of the specific player input, the specific player input being an input by the player corresponding to one of the plurality of specific indications, wherein the communication control unit receives the specific information and the player information of another terminal from the external network, and wherein in the case where the specific information and the player information are received, the display control unit, on the basis of the specific information and the player information, displays a part indication indicating a part corresponding to the specific information among the plurality of parts in association with a player indication corresponding to the player information.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a game system that, at each of a plurality of terminals, causes a first character corresponding to the terminal to perform an action on the basis of an input by a player at the terminal and updates a parameter corresponding to a part satisfying a given condition as a result of the action of the first character among a plurality of parts of a second character, the second character being common among the individual terminals, wherein each of the terminals includes: a display control unit that displays a plurality of specific indications corresponding to the plurality of parts; and a communication control unit that sends specific information corresponding to a specific player input and player information corresponding to the player to an external network on the basis of the specific player input, the specific player input being an input by the player corresponding to one of the plurality of specific indications, wherein the communication control unit receives the specific information and the player information of another terminal from the external network, and wherein in the case where the specific information and the player information are received, the display control unit, on the basis of the specific information and the player information, displays a part indication indicating a part corresponding to the specific information among the plurality of parts in association with a player indication corresponding to the player information.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(1) According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for causing a first character to perform an action on the basis of an input by a player and updating a parameter corresponding to a part satisfying a given condition as a result of the action of the first character among a plurality of parts of a second character, the program causing a computer to function as: a display control unit that displays a plurality of specific indications corresponding to the plurality of parts; and a communication control unit that sends specific information corresponding to a specific player input and player information corresponding to the player to an external network on the basis of the specific player input, the specific player input being an input by the player corresponding to one of the plurality of specific indications, wherein the communication control unit receives the specific information and the player information of another terminal from the external network, and wherein in the case where the specific information and the player information are received, the display control unit, on the basis of the specific information and the player information, displays a part indication indicating a part corresponding to the specific information among the plurality of parts in association with a player indication corresponding to the player information.

According to the present embodiment, when the player performs a specific player input corresponding to one of the plurality of specific indications, at other terminals, a part indication corresponding to the specific indication for which the specific player input has been performed is displayed in association with a player indication corresponding to the player who has performed the specific player input. This makes it possible for players at the individual terminals to readily communicate intents.

(2) Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display control unit may be configured such that even in the case where the specific information and the player information are further received under a predetermined condition, the display control unit does not display the part indication based on the further received specific information and player information.

With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the frequency of updating of the part indication corresponding to the specific player input.

(3) Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display control unit may be configured such that, in the case where a predetermined number of part indications are displayed, even in the case where the specific information and the player information are further received, the display control unit does not display the part indication based on the further received specific information and player information.

With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the frequency of updating of the part indication corresponding to the specific player input by restricting updating of the part indication in the case where a predetermined number of part indications are displayed.

(4) Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display control unit may be configured such that, even in the case where the specific information and the player information are further received, the display control unit does not display the part indication based on the further received specific information and player information until the elapse of a predetermined time since the receipt of the specific information and the player information.

With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the frequency of updating of the part indication corresponding to the specific player input by restricting updating of the part indication until the elapse of the predetermined time since the receipt of the specific information and the player information.

(5) Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display control unit may be configured such that even in the case where the specific information and the player information are further received, the display control unit does not display the part indication based on the further received specific information and player information until the elapse of a predetermined time since the part indication is displayed.

With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the frequency of updating of the part indication corresponding to the specific player input by restricting updating of the part indication until the elapse of the predetermined time since the part indication is displayed.

(6) Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display control unit may be configured to display, on the basis of the specific player input, a part indication indicating a part corresponding to the specific player input among the plurality of parts in association with a player indication corresponding to the player information of a local terminal.

With this configuration, when the player performs a specific player input corresponding to one of the plurality of specific indications, a part indication corresponding to the specific indication for which the specific player input has been performed is displayed at the local terminal in association with a player indication corresponding to the player. This makes it possible for the player to confirm his or her own specific player input.

(7) Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display control unit may be configured such that, even in the case where the specific information and the player information are further received, the display control unit does not display the part indication based on the further received specific information and player information until the elapse of a predetermined time since the specific player input is accepted.

This makes it possible to adjust the frequency of updating of the part indication corresponding to the specific player input by restricting updating of the part indication until the elapse of the predetermined time since the specific player input is accepted.

(8) Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the display control unit may be configured such that, in the case where a predetermined number of part indications are displayed and the specific information and the player information are further received, the display control unit erases the part indication displayed earliest among the predetermined number of part indications under a predetermined condition and displays the part indication based on the further received specific information and player information.

With this configuration, it is possible to limit the number of part indications that can be displayed.

(9) Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a game device that causes a first character to perform an action on the basis of an input by a player and updates a parameter corresponding to a part satisfying a given condition as a result of the action of the first character among a plurality of parts of a second character, the game device including: a display control unit that displays a plurality of specific indications corresponding to the plurality of parts; and a communication control unit that sends specific information corresponding to a specific player input and player information corresponding to the player to an external network on the basis of the specific player input, the specific player input being an input by the player corresponding to one of the plurality of specific indications, wherein the communication control unit receives the specific information and the player information of another terminal from the external network, and wherein in the case where the specific information and the player information are received, the display control unit, on the basis of the specific information and the player information, displays a part indication indicating a part corresponding to the specific information among the plurality of parts in association with a player indication corresponding to the player information.

(10) Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a game system that, at each of a plurality of terminals, causes a first character corresponding to the terminal to perform an action on the basis of an input by a player at the terminal and updates a parameter corresponding to a part satisfying a given condition as a result of the action of the first character among a plurality of parts of a second character, the second character being common among the individual terminals, wherein each of the terminals includes: a display control unit that displays a plurality of specific indications corresponding to the plurality of parts; and a communication control unit that sends specific information corresponding to a specific player input and player information corresponding to the player to an external network on the basis of the specific player input, the specific player input being an input by the player corresponding to one of the plurality of specific indications, wherein the communication control unit receives the specific information and the player information of another terminal from the external network, and wherein in the case where the specific information and the player information are received, the display control unit, on the basis of the specific information and the player information, displays a part indication indicating a part corresponding to the specific information among the plurality of parts in association with a player indication corresponding to the player information.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Note that the embodiments described below do not unjustifiably limit the content of the present invention as specified in the claims. Furthermore, all the components described in the context of the embodiments are not necessarily indispensable elements constituting the present invention.

1. Configuration of Information Processing System

FIG.1is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system10according to this embodiment. As shown inFIG.1, in the information processing system10, a server device12and a plurality of terminal devices14are connected via a network16, such as the Internet, a mobile phone network, a LAN, or a WAN, whereby what is called a client-server communication system is configured. Furthermore, each of the plurality of terminal devices14carries out communication mutually with the server device12via the network16to send and receive various kinds of information, and carries out communication mutually with the other terminal devices14via the network16and the server device12to send and receive various kinds of information.

The server device12includes a processor, such as a CPU, a main storage device, such as a ROM or a RAM, an external storage device, such as a hard disk, an input device, such as a keyboard, a display device, such as a liquid crystal display, a communication device, etc. Furthermore, at the server device12, the CPU executes various kinds of processing according to programs stored in the main storage device or programs loaded from the external storage device into the main storage device, thereby receiving information from the terminal devices14or sending information to the terminal devices14by means of the communication device.

The terminal devices14may be information processing devices of various kinds, such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers, portable game machines, and installed game machines. Each of these devices also includes a processor, such as a CPU, a main storage device, such as a ROM or a RAM, an external storage device, such as a flash memory or a hard disk, an input device, such as a touchscreen, a keyboard, or a microphone, a display device, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, a sound output device, such as a speaker, a communication device, etc. Furthermore, also at each of the terminal devices14, the CPU executes various kinds of processing according to programs stored in the main storage device or programs loaded from the external storage device into the main storage device, thereby receiving information from the server device12or sending information to the server device12or the other terminal devices14by means of the communication device.

FIG.2is a functional block diagram showing the functions of each of the terminal devices14in this embodiment. As shown inFIG.2, each of the terminal devices14in this embodiment includes a player-input detection unit50, a display unit52, a sound output unit54, an information storage medium56, a storage unit60, a communication unit66, and an information processing unit100. Note that some of the constituent elements (individual units) inFIG.2may be omitted from the configuration.

The player-input detection unit50serves to detect inputs to the terminal device14from a player as player inputs, and the function thereof can be realized by means of a touch sensor, a switch, an optical sensor, a microphone, or the like.

The display unit52displays an image on a display screen, and the function thereof can be realized by means of a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like.

The sound output unit54outputs sound, and the function thereof can be realized by means of a speaker, a headphone, or the like.

The information storage medium56stores programs, data, etc. that allow the information processing unit100and the communication unit66to execute various kinds of processing, and the function thereof can be realized by means of a flash memory, a hard disk, an optical disk (DVD or BD), etc. That is, the information storage medium56stores programs for causing a computer to function as the individual units (programs for causing a computer to execute processing by the individual units) in this embodiment.

The storage unit60serves as a work area for the information processing unit100or the communication unit66, and the function thereof can be realized by means of a RAM (main memory) or a VRAM (video memory). Specifically, the storage unit60includes a main storage unit62into which programs and data are loaded from the information storage medium56, and a rendering buffer64in which an image to be displayed on the display unit52is rendered.

The communication unit66executes various kinds of control for carrying out communication with an external network (e.g., the server device12and the other terminal devices14), and the function thereof can be realized by means of hardware, such as various kinds of processors or a communication ASIC, programs, or the like.

Note that the programs (data) for causing a computer to function as the individual units in this embodiment may be downloaded from the server device12to the information storage medium56(or the main storage unit62) of the terminal device14via the network16and the communication unit66, and such usage of the server device12may be included in the scope of the present invention.

The information processing unit100, by using the main storage unit62as a work area, executes various kinds of processing, such as game processing, image generation processing, and sound generation processing, on the basis of player inputs detected by the player-input detection unit50, data received by the communication unit66, various kinds of programs and data in the storage unit60, etc., and the function thereof can be realized by means of hardware such as various kinds of processors, (a CPU (main processor), a GPU (rendering processor), a DSP, etc.) or an ASIC, or programs.

Furthermore, the information processing unit100includes a game processing unit102, a display control unit104, a hit determination unit105, a parameter update unit106, an image generation unit108, a sound generation unit110, and a communication control unit112. Note that some of these units may be omitted from the configuration.

The game processing unit102executes processing for starting a game in the case where a game start condition is satisfied, processing for executing a game mode selected from among a plurality of kinds of game modes, processing for proceeding with the game, processing for generating an event in the case where an event generation condition is satisfied, processing for computing a game result, processing for terminating the game in the case where a game termination condition is satisfied, etc. on the basis of player inputs detected by the player-input detection unit50, data received by the communication unit66, the results of various kinds of processing executed by the information processing unit100, programs and data loaded in to the main storage unit62, etc.

The display control unit104executes display control for images that are displayed on the display unit52. Specifically, the display control unit104executes display control concerning the displayed content, display mode, display timing, etc. of various kinds of objects or prerendering images (movie images) on the basis of player inputs detected by the player-input detection unit50, data received by the communication unit66, the results of various kinds of processing executed by the information processing unit100, programs and data loaded in to the main storage unit62, etc.

In this embodiment, the information storage medium56stores object data of various kinds of objects including background objects for displaying a background, effect objects for displaying effects, GUI objects for displaying graphical user interfaces (GUIs), such as buttons, character objects for displaying characters, and non-character objects for displaying objects other than characters, such as buildings, tools, vehicles, and terrains, as well as image data of various kinds of prerendering images. Furthermore, the display control unit104executes display control for objects and prerendering images on the basis of object data and image data of prerendering images loaded into the main storage unit62, in accordance with the kind of game mode being executed, the status of progress of the game, etc.

Specifically, the display control unit104executes processing for disposing objects in an object space and causing the objects to move or to perform actions on the basis of object data loaded into the main storage unit62, where the objects are constituted of primitives representing the objects, such as polygons, freeform surfaces, or two-dimensional images. Specifically, on the basis of player inputs detected by the player-input detection unit50, data received by the communication unit66, the results of various kinds of processing executed by the information processing unit100, programs and data loaded into the main storage unit62, etc., the display control unit104, on a per-frame (e.g. 1/30 seconds) basis, determines the positions and orientations (rotation angles) of objects in the object space, disposes the objects in the determined orientations at the determined positions, and causes individual parts constituting the objects to perform actions.

Then, in the case where a three-dimensional game image is to be displayed, the display control unit104executes processing for controlling the position, rotation angle (viewing direction), and angle of view of a virtual camera (viewpoint) for generating an image as viewed from a given (arbitrary) viewpoint in the object space. In this embodiment, the display control unit104controls the position and orientation of the virtual camera so that the virtual camera will follow changes in the position and orientation of a character object that moves and performs actions on the basis of player inputs.

The hit determination unit105determines whether or not an attack by the character object has hit another character object (collision determination). Specifically, an attack range is set for an attacking action by the character object, and when the character object performs the attacking action, the attacking direction is determined on the basis of the orientation of the character object at that timing, and the attack range is set in the determined attacking direction. The hit determination unit105determines whether or not the set attack range overlaps the range of the character object being attacked and determines that the attack has hit in the case where there is overlapping. In this embodiment, a plurality of kinds of attacking actions are prepared as attacking actions by a character object, including attacks with which the attack range is set in the vicinity of the character object, such as hitting, kicking, and slashing with a sword, as well as attacks with which the attack range moves to a position separated from the character object, such as shooting a gun, fire breathing, and using magic.

In this embodiment in particular, in an enemy character, which acts as an enemy of player characters whose movements and actions are controlled on the basis of player inputs, a plurality of parts corresponding to parts of the range of the enemy character object, as well as the body corresponding to the entire range of the enemy character object, are set. The hit determination unit105determines whether or not the attack range of the player character object overlaps the range of the body of the enemy character object, and also determines whether or not the attack range overlaps the range of each part of the enemy character object, and determines that the attack has hit the part with which it is determined that the attack range overlaps. That is, the hit determination unit105determines whether or not the attack by the player character object has hit for each of the plurality of parts of the enemy character object.

The parameter update unit106updates various kinds of parameters, such as the level of the player, an experience value, and the sum of money possessed, in the case where an update condition in accordance with the kinds of parameters is satisfied. In particular, for each of a plurality of kinds of characters, hit points (life or stamina) are set as a parameter with which the activities of the character are disabled when the value of the parameter has become zero. When it is determined that an attack on a character has hit, the parameter update unit106decreases the hit points of the attacked character. Furthermore, when an item or magic for recovering the hit points is used, the parameter update unit106increases the hit points of the character associated with the use of the item or magic.

In this embodiment in particular for the enemy character described earlier, hit points are set individually for the plurality of parts of the enemy character object, and when it is determined that an attack on one of the parts of the enemy character object has hit, the parameter update unit106decreases the hit points of the attacked part. Furthermore, when an item or magic for recovering the hit points of the enemy character is used, the parameter update unit106increases the hit points of the part associated with the use of the item or magic. That is, the parameter update unit106updates the parameter for each of the plurality of parts of the enemy character object.

The image generation unit108executes processing for rendering a game image in the rendering buffer64on a per-frame basis on the basis of player inputs detected by the player-input detection unit50, data received by the communication unit66, the results of various kinds of processing executed by the information processing unit100, in particular, the results of various kinds of processing executed by the display control unit104, programs and data loaded into the main storage unit62, etc., thereby generating game images in which various kinds of objects and various kinds of prerendering images are displayed, and outputs the generated game images to the display unit52, whereby the game images are displayed.

Specifically, in the case where a three-dimensional game image is to be generated, the image generation unit108first obtains object data (model data) from the main storage unit62, the object data including vertex data (position coordinates, texture coordinates, color data, normal vectors, α values, or the like of vertices) of the individual vertices of objects (models), and executes vertex processing (shading by means of a vertex shader) on the basis of vertex data included in the obtained object data.

In the vertex processing, vertex movement processing as well as geometric processing such as coordinate transformation (world coordinate transformation or camera coordinate transformation), clipping processing, or perspective transformation are executed according to a vertex processing program (vertex shader program), and the vertex data given for the set of vertices constituting the objects are changed (updated or adjusted) on the basis of the results of the processing. Then, rasterization (scanning transformation) is performed on the basis of the vertex data after the vertex processing, whereby polygon (primitive) faces and pixels are associated. Then, following the rasterization, pixel processing (shading by means of a pixel shader or fragment processing) for rendering pixels constituting an image (fragments constituting a display screen) is executed.

In the pixel processing, various kinds of processing are executed according to a pixel processing program (pixel shader program), such as texture reading (texture mapping), setting or changing of color data, semitransparent combination, and anti-aliasing, whereby the colors for rendering the pixels constituting an image are determined. Then, the colors for rendering objects that have been subjected to perspective transformation are output (rendered) to a rendering target (the rendering buffer64, which is capable of storing image information on a per-pixel basis). That is, in the pixel processing, per-pixel processing for setting or changing image information (color, normal, α value, or the like) on a per-pixel basis is executed. Thus, an image as viewed from a virtual camera (given viewpoint) in the object space is generated.

Then, the image generation unit108executes geometric processing, texture mapping, hidden surface removal, a blending, etc. when rendering the objects.

In the geometric processing, processing such as coordinate transformation, clipping processing, perspective projective transformation, or light source calculation is executed for the objects. Then, the object data (position coordinates, texture coordinates, color data, normal vectors, α values, or the like of the vertices of the objects) after the geometric processing (after the perspective projective transformation) are saved in the main storage unit62.

The texture mapping is processing for mapping the texture (texel values or UV coordinate values) stored in the main storage unit62to the objects. Specifically, textures (surface properties such as colors or α values) are read from the main storage unit62by using the texture coordinates or the like set (given) to the vertices of the objects. Then, the textures, which constitute a two-dimensional image, are mapped to the objects. In this case, processing for associating pixels and texels, as well as bilinear interpolation, trilinear interpolation, or the like for interpolating texels, are executed.

The sound generation unit110executes sound processing on the basis of the results of various kinds of processing executed by the information processing unit100, thereby generating game sound such as BGM, sound effects, or voices, and outputs the game sound to the sound output unit54.

The communication control unit112executes processing for causing the communication unit66to carry out communication with the server device12or the other terminal devices14to send and receive various kinds of information. For example, the communication control unit112causes the communication unit66to send or receive information needed in processing for newly registering the player in the information processing system10, information needed in processing for allowing the player to log into the information processing system10, information needed in processing for setting a counterpart player who cooperates with or battles against the player who has logged in, information needed in processing for synchronizing the plurality of terminal devices14, information needed in processing for executing a common game at the plurality of terminal devices14, etc. Furthermore, the communication control unit112also causes the communication unit66to send or receive destination information indicating a destination of information, source information indicating a source of information, identification information for identifying the information processing system10that has generated information, etc.

2. Control Method According to this Embodiment

A control method according to this embodiment will be described below in detail in the context of an example where a game program according to this embodiment is applied as a game app for smartphones (the terminal devices14).

The game program according to this embodiment is configured so that a player can play an action RPG in which the player causes a player character (first character) to move or perform actions by performing inputs via swiping or tapping on a touchscreen display of a smartphone, thereby playing a battle against an enemy character (second character) while consuming a parameter, such as hit points, and clears a quest while increasing parameters, such as the level and the sum of money possessed, or acquiring items in accordance with the result of the battle.

Specifically, in this embodiment, first, a player organizes a party constituted of one player character and three non-player characters including first to third non-player characters. Then, when the player causes the player character to move or to perform an action, the three non-player characters are automatically controlled to move or to perform actions, whereby the party battles against the enemy character.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in addition to solo-player quests, in which a party of one player at one terminal device14battles against the enemy character, multi-player quests, in which individual parties of four players at four terminal devices14at most cooperatively battle against the enemy character, are prepared. Furthermore, in the multi-player quests, communication is carried out between a local terminal, which is a player's own terminal device14, and the server device12(external network), and communication is also carried out between other terminals, which are the other terminal devices14(external network), and the server device12, whereby four parties, i.e., sixteen characters at most, are disposed in a common object space, allowing the characters to battle against one enemy character disposed in the common object space.

FIGS.3to9show example game images that are displayed in a display area200of a touchscreen display of a smartphone by the game program according to this embodiment.

In this embodiment, as the method for participating in a multi-player quest, it is possible to select either a method in which a player sets up a room by acting as a host by himself or herself and accepts participation by other players or a method in which a player participates in a room set up by another player acting as a host. Furthermore, to the terminal of the first player, who participated first as the host of the room, player number information corresponding to the first player is assigned. To the terminal of the second player, who participated in the room second, player number information corresponding to the second player is assigned. To the terminal of the third player, who participated in the room third, player number information corresponding to the third player is assigned. To the terminal of the fourth player, who participated in the room fourth, player number information corresponding to the fourth player is assigned.

Then, irrespective of which participation method is selected, as shown inFIG.3, a waiting image is displayed, the waiting image indicating that participation by other players who play battles in cooperation is being awaited. In this embodiment, as multi-player quests, a plurality of kinds of quests with different kinds of enemy characters to battle against and with different difficulty levels are prepared.FIG.3shows an example waiting image that is displayed in the case where “dragon battle, novice level”, which is a novice-level quest of battling against a dragon, is selected.

Furthermore, in the waiting image, a first waiting indication202-1labeled as “1P” correspondingly to the first player and representing the player character of the first player, a second waiting indication202-2labeled as “2P” correspondingly to the second player and representing the player character of the second player, a third waiting indication202-3labeled as “3P” correspondingly to the third player and representing the player character of the third player, and a fourth waiting indication202-4labeled as “4P” correspondingly to the fourth player and representing the player character of the fourth player are displayed.

In the example inFIG.3, as a result of four players participating in the room, the first waiting indication202-1to the fourth waiting indication202-4are displayed. Furthermore, since the player character of the second player and the player character of the fourth player are both character A, character A is shown in both the second waiting indication202-2and the fourth waiting indication202-4. Note that, for example, in the case where three players participate in the room, the first waiting indication202-1to the third waiting indication202-3are displayed.

Furthermore, in the waiting image, an index204indicating the waiting indication202corresponding to the player at the local terminal is displayed on the left side of one of the first waiting indication202-1to the fourth waiting indication202-4. In the example inFIG.3, since the player at the local terminal is the first player, the index204is displayed on the left side of the first waiting indication202-1.

Furthermore, in the waiting image, an exit button206and a preparation button208are displayed below the fourth waiting indication202-4. When the player taps the exit button206, the player exits the room, and the participation in the multi-player quest is cancelled.

Furthermore, in the initial state of the waiting screen, “preparing” is indicated in each of the waiting indications202, and “ready” is indicated in the preparation button208. When the player taps the preparation button208in the state where “ready” is indicated in the preparation button208, “ready” is indicated in the waiting indication202of the player at the local terminal, and the indication in the preparation button208is changed to “cancel ready”. When the player taps the preparation button208in the state where “cancel ready” is indicated in the preparation button208, “preparing” is indicated in the waiting indication202of the player at the local terminal, and the indication in the preparation button208is changed to “ready”.

In the example inFIG.3, as the player at the local terminal has already tapped the preparation button208, “ready” is indicated in the waiting indication202of the player at the local terminal, and “cancel ready” is indicated in the preparation button208. Furthermore, in the example inFIG.3, as the second player has not tapped the preparation button208yet or the second player has tapped the preparation button208again in the state where “cancel ready” is indicated in the preparation button208, “preparing” is indicated in the second waiting indication202-2.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a start button210is displayed only at the terminal of the first player in addition to the exit button206and the preparation button208. When the first player taps the start button210, a multi-player quest is played by players indicated as “ready” in the waiting indications202thereof at that timing.

FIG.4shows an example quest image that is displayed in the multi-player quest. In the quest image in the example inFIG.4, a dragon is displayed as the enemy character in “dragon battle, novice level”. Furthermore, on the front side of the dragon, as the party of the player at the local terminal, character C, which is the player character of the local terminal, is displayed, and character Y, which is the first non-player character of the local terminal, character K, which is the second non-player character of the local terminal, and character I, which is the third non-player character of the local terminal, are displayed around character C.

Furthermore, in the example inFIG.4, as a result of four players participating in the multi-player quest, four parties are disposed in the common object space. The party of the second player is displayed on the rear left side of the party of the player, but the party of the third player and the party of the fourth player are not displayed since these parties are not present in the display range at the local terminal inFIG.4.

Furthermore, in the quest image, a plurality of skill buttons212are displayed in a lower part of the display area200. When the player taps one of the plurality of skill buttons212, the character of the local terminal is controlled to perform a special action in accordance with the kind of the tapped skill button212; for example, the character of the local terminal performs a special attack, or the hit points of the character of the local terminal are recovered.

Furthermore, in the quest image, in the top left part of the display area200, a local-terminal player number214, indicating which of the first player to the fourth player is the player at the local terminal, is displayed. In the example inFIG.4, since the player at the local terminal is the first player, “1P”, which corresponds to the first player, is displayed as the local-terminal player number214.

Then, under the player number, a local-terminal HP indication216is displayed, which indicates the hit points of the player character of the local terminal, the hit points of the first non-player character of the local terminal, the hit points of the second non-player character of the local terminal, and the hit points of the third non-player character of the local terminal individually.

In the example inFIG.4, the hit points of character C, the hit points of character Y, the hit points of character K, and the hit points of character I are indicated in the local-terminal HP indication216.

In this embodiment, each time the part corresponding to the player character is tapped in the local-terminal HP indication216, player character information (player information) corresponding to the player character of the local terminal is changed to character information corresponding to another character belonging to the party. For example, in the example inFIG.4, when the part corresponding to character C, which is the current player character, is tapped in the local-terminal HP indication216, the player character information is changed from the character information corresponding to character C to the character information corresponding to character Y, which has been the first non-player character.

Furthermore, in the quest image, an enemy HP indication218indicating the hit points of the body of the enemy character is displayed at the top center of the display area200. Under the enemy HP indication218, a first-part HP indication220-1(specific indication) indicating the hit points of a first part of the enemy character, a second-part HP indication220-2(specific indication) indicating the hit points of a second part of the enemy character, and a third-party HP indication220-3(specific indication) indicating the hit points of a third part of the enemy character are displayed.

In the example inFIG.4, the hit points of the body of the dragon, which is the enemy character, are indicated in the enemy HP indication218. With the dragon, the right leg is set as the first part, the left leg is set as the second part, and the tail is set as the third part. Thus, “right leg” is indicated in the first-part HP indication220-1correspondingly to the first part of the dragon, “left leg” is indicated in the second-part HP indication220-2correspondingly to the second part of the dragon, and “tail” is indicated in the third-part HP indication220-3correspondingly to the third part of the dragon.

Furthermore, on the right side of the third-part HP indication220-3, in association with an other-terminal player number224indicating which of the first player to the fourth player is the player of each of the other terminals participating in the quest, an other-terminal HP indication226indicating the sum of the hit points of the four individual characters belonging to the party of the player at the other terminal, i.e., the hit points of the party of the player at the other terminal, is displayed.

In the example inFIG.4, since the players at the other terminals are the second player to the fourth player, an other-terminal HP indication226indicating “2P” as an other-terminal player number224correspondingly to the second player and indicating the hit points of the party of the second player, an other-terminal HP indication226indicating “3P” as an other-terminal player number224correspondingly to the third player and indicating the hit points of the party of the third player, and an other-terminal HP indication226indicating “4P” as an other-terminal player number224correspondingly to the fourth player and indicating the hit points of the party of the fourth player are displayed.

Furthermore, when or immediately after the multi-player quest is started, a character icon228corresponding to the first non-player character of the local terminal is displayed under the third-part HP indication220-3, a words indication230indicating words of the first non-player character of the local terminal is automatically displayed on the left side of the character icon228, and the voice for the words of the first non-player character of the local terminal is output. In the example inFIG.4, a character icon228corresponding to character Y and a words indication230indicating words of character Y are displayed, and the voice for the words of character Y is output.

Furthermore, when the output of the voice for the words of the first non-player character of the local terminal is finished, a battle against the enemy character is started, and control is exercised as follows. When the player performs a swipe in the display area200in a region other than the region where GUIs such as the skill buttons212are displayed in the display area200, the player character moves. When the player performs a tap in that region, the player character performs an attacking action. When the player taps one of the plurality of skill buttons212, the player character or non-player character corresponding to the tapped skill button212performs a corresponding special action.

Specifically, in this embodiment, when the player performs a swipe in the display area200other than the region where GUIs are displayed, the orientation and moving direction of the player character are determined on the basis of the swipe direction, and the moving speed of the player character is determined on the basis of the swipe distance. Furthermore, when the player performs a tap in the display area200other than the region where GUIs are displayed, the attacking direction of the player character is determined on the basis of the orientation of the player character at that timing.

Furthermore, when the player character moves, the first non-player character to the third non-player character of the local terminal are controlled to individually move so as to basically follow the player character, while automatically performing attacking actions on the enemy character. Then, the enemy character is also controlled so as to automatically move or perform attacking actions on the parties of the individual players.

Then, when it is determined that an attack by the enemy character has hit one of the player character and the first non-player character to the third non-player character of the local terminal, the local-terminal HP indication216is updated so as to decrease the hit points of the character hit by the attack by the enemy character.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, per predetermined period (e.g., 0.5 seconds), hit point information corresponding to the individual hit points of the player character and the first non-player character to the third non-player character of the local terminal, as well as the player number information of the local terminal, are sent to the server device12, and the hit point information and the player number information of the local terminal are sent from the server device12to each of the other terminals participating in the quest. Similarly, on a per-frame basis, the hit point information and the player number information of the individual other terminals participating in the quest are sent from the individual other terminals to the server device12, and the hit point information and the player number information of the individual other terminals participating in the quest are sent from the server device12to the individual terminals other than the source.

Then, when the hit point information and the player number information of the other terminals are received from the server device12at the local terminal, the other-terminal HP indications226are updated so that the hit points of the parties of the other terminals corresponding to the received player number information change in accordance with the received hit point information.

Meanwhile, when it is determined that an attack by the party of the local terminal or one of the parties of the other terminals has hit the enemy character, the enemy HP indication218is updated so as to decrease the hit points of the enemy character. In particular, in this embodiment, when it is determined that an attack by the party of the local terminal or one of the parties of the other terminals has hit the body of the enemy character, the enemy HP indication218is updated so as to decrease the hit points of the enemy character. When it is determined that an attack by the party of the local terminal or one of the parties of the other terminals has hit one of the first part, the second part, and the third part of the enemy character, the enemy HP indication218is updated so as to decrease the hit points of the enemy character, and one of the first-part HP indication220-1, the second-part HP indication220-2, and the third-part HP indication220-3is updated so as to decrease the hit points of the part hit by the attack by the party of the local terminal or one of the parties of the other terminals (the part for which a given condition is satisfied as a result of an action of the first character).

Thus, before the battle against the enemy character is started, the individual hit points in the local-terminal HP indication216, the enemy HP indication218, the first-part HP indication220-1, the second-part HP indication220-2, the third-part HP indication220-3, and the individual other-terminal HP indications226indicate full states, as shown inFIG.4, and as the battle against the enemy character proceeds, the individual hit points in the local-terminal HP indication216, the enemy HP indication218, the first-part HP indication220-1, the second-part HP indication220-2, the third-part HP indication220-3, and the individual other-terminal HP indications226indicate decreased states, as shown inFIG.5.

Furthermore, in the example inFIG.5, as a result of the hit points of character I becoming zero, character I being the third non-player character of the local terminal, character I is not present in the object space, and the color of the part indicating the hit points of character I in the local-terminal HP indication216has been changed to gray.

Furthermore, as a result of the hit points of the first non-player character and the second non-player character of the third player among the players at the other terminals becoming zero, the first non-player character and the second non-player character of the third player are not present in the object space, and the colors of the parts indicating the presence of the first non-player character and the second non-player character in the other-terminal HP indication226of the third player have been changed to gray.

Here, in this embodiment, it is possible to win a battle and clear a quest when the hit points of the body of the enemy character become zero, but there are cases where the hit points of one of the parts of the enemy character become zero before the hit points of the body of the enemy character become zero. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is dictated that it is not possible to win a battle unless the hit points of the body of the enemy character become zero even if the hit points of the individual parts become zero but that the ability parameters of the enemy character, such as the attacking ability, the defensive ability, and the moving ability decrease, the moving pattern or action pattern of the enemy character changes, or items or additional reward are assigned in accordance with parts with which the hit points have become zero.

Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to advantageously proceed with the game by communicating intents with the players at the other terminals and performing attacks targeting a specific part of the enemy character, thereby making the hit points of the specific part zero.

In action RPGs such as the one in this embodiment, however, it is difficult to cause the player character to move or to take actions while, for example, entering text in order to communicate intents with the players at the other terminals. Furthermore, there are players who feel it is bothersome to perform voice chats with unacquainted players.

Thus, in this embodiment, when the player taps the part-HP indication220corresponding to a part to attack (specific player input) among the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3, a character icon228corresponding to the player character at the local terminal (player indication) is displayed under the first-part HP indication220-1, a part-information indication232(part indication) indicating that the part of the enemy character corresponding to the tapped part-HP indication220is to be attacked is displayed on the right side of the character icon228as a words indication230of the player character at the local terminal, and a designation indication234indicating which player has performed the tap is displayed immediately under the tapped part-HP indication220, as shown inFIG.5.

In the example inFIG.5, as a result of the player tapping the first-part HP indication220-1, a character icon228corresponding to character C is displayed, a part information indication232saying “target right leg!”, indicating that the “right leg” is to be attacked, is displayed, and a first designation indication234-1in blue, indicating that the tap has been performed by the first player, is displayed immediately under the first-part HP indication220-1.

Note that in this embodiment, each time the player taps the part corresponding to the player character in the local-terminal HP indication216, the player character information is changed to character information corresponding to another character belonging to the party, as described earlier, and when the player character information is changed, the character icon228is also changed to a character icon228corresponding to the changed player character information.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the player taps one of the part HP indications220, part information (specific information) corresponding to the part HP indication220tapped at the local terminal, player character information (player information) corresponding to the player character of the local terminal, and player number information (player information) of the local terminal are sent to the server device12. Then, the part information, the player character information, and the player number information of the local terminal are sent from the server device12to the individual other terminals participating in the quest.

Then, when the part information, the player character information, and the player number information of the local terminal are received from the server device12by the individual other terminals participating in the quest, at the individual other terminals, the character icon228corresponding to the player character of the local terminal is displayed, a part information indication232corresponding to the part HP indication220tapped at the local terminal is displayed as a words indication230of the player character of the local terminal, and a designation indication234corresponding to the player number of the local terminal is displayed immediately under the part HP indication220tapped at the local terminal.

For example, when the player taps the first-part HP indication220-1at the local terminal, as in the example inFIG.5, also at the other terminals, the character icon228corresponding to character C is displayed, the part information indication232saying “target right leg!” is displayed, and the first designation indication234-1is displayed immediately under the first-part HP indication220-1.

Furthermore, also at each of the other terminals participating in the quest, when one of the part HP indications220has been tapped, a character icon228corresponding to the player character of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped is displayed, a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220is displayed as a words indication230of the player character of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped, and a designation indication234corresponding to the player number of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220.

Furthermore, also at each of the other terminals participating in the quest, when one of the part HP indications220has been tapped, part information, player character information, and player number information of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped are sent to the server device12, the part information, the player character information, and the player number information of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped is sent from the server device12to the terminals other than the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped.

Furthermore, when the part information, the player character information, and the player number information of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped are received from the server device12by the individual terminals other than the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped, at each of the terminals, the character icon228corresponding to the player character of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped is displayed, the part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220is displayed as the words indication230of the player character of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped, and the designation indication234corresponding to the player number of the other terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220.

For example, when the second-part HP indication220-2has been tapped at the terminal of the second player, at the local terminal, a character icon228corresponding to character A, which is the player character of the second player, is displayed, a part information indication232saying “target left leg!”, indicating that the “left leg” is to be attacked, is displayed, and a second designation indication234-2in red, indicating that the tap has been performed by the second player, is displayed immediately under the second-part HP indication220-2, as shown inFIG.6.

Here, in this embodiment, it is possible to display a third designation indication234-3in yellow, indicating that a tap has been performed by the third player, and a fourth designation indication234-4in green, indicating that a tap has been performed by the fourth player, as well as the first designation indication234-1and the second designation indication234-2, immediately under each of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3, as shown inFIG.6. The left end immediately under each of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3is the display position of the first designation indication234-1, the position right adjacent to the first designation indication234-1is the display position of the second designation indication234-2, the position right adjacent to the second designation indication234-2is the display position of the third designation indication234-3, and the position right adjacent to the third designation indication234-3, i.e., the right end, is the display position of the fourth designation indication234-4.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the waiting image shown inFIG.3, the indication color of “1P” in the first waiting indication202-1and the frame color of the first waiting indication202-1are blue, the indication color of “2P” in the second waiting indication202-2and the frame color of the second waiting indication202-2are red, the indication color of “3P” in the third waiting indication202-3and the frame color of the third waiting indication202-3are yellow, and the indication color of “4P” in the fourth waiting indication202-4and the frame color of the fourth waiting indication202-4are green.

Furthermore, in the quest image shown inFIG.4, etc., the indication color of “1P” indicated as the local-terminal player number214is blue, the indication color of “2P” indicated as the other-terminal player number224is red, the indication color of “3P” indicated as the other-terminal player number224is yellow, and the indication color of “4P” indicated as the other-terminal player number224is green.

That is, in this embodiment, the color corresponding to the first player is blue, the color corresponding to the second player is red, the color corresponding to the third player is yellow, and the color corresponding to the fourth player is green. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the color of the first designation indication234-1is blue, the color of the second designation indication234-2is red, the color of the third designation indication234-3is yellow, and the color of the fourth designation indication234-4is green.

That is, in this embodiment, each of the first designation indication234-1to the fourth designation indication234-4, by means of the display position and color immediately under each of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3, indicates which player has tapped the part HP indication220.

As described above, in this embodiment, when one of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, at each of the terminals participating in the quest, a character icon228, a part information indication232, and a designation indication234are displayed on the basis of part information, player character information, and player number information of the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped. This makes it possible to notify the players at the other terminals of a part that the player wishes to attack.

Here, with a configuration where the character icon228and the part information indication232change each time one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, in the case where different part HP indications220are tapped successively at the individual terminals or at one of the terminals, there are cases where the character icon228and the part information indication232change so frequently that it rather becomes difficult to communicate intents among the players participating in the quest.

Thus, in this embodiment, the display period of the part information indication232is set to be five seconds (predetermined time). During the display period of the part information indication232, an indication-update prohibition flag is turned on, and after the elapse of five seconds since the indication-update prohibition flag being turned on, the character icon228and the part information indication232are erased, and the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off.

Furthermore, in the case where the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off, when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in the quest, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped is displayed, and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220is displayed.

Meanwhile, in the case where the indication-update prohibition flag is turned on (under a predetermined condition), when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in the quest, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, but neither a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped nor a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220is displayed (a part indication based on further received identification information and player information is not displayed), and the character icon228and the part information indication232that have already been displayed are continuously displayed.

For example, in the state shown inFIG.5, i.e., in the state where the indication-update prohibition flag is turned on, when the player at the local terminal further taps the second-part HP indication220-2, the first designation indication234-1displayed immediately under the second-part HP indication220-2is moved or erased, and the first designation indication234-1is displayed immediately under the second-part HP indication220-2, while the character icon228corresponding to character C and the part information indication232saying “target right leg!” are displayed continuously, as shown inFIG.7.

Furthermore, for example, in the state shown inFIG.5, for example, when the second-part HP indication220-2is tapped at the terminal of the second player, the second designation indication234-2is displayed immediately under the second-part HP indication220-2, while the character icon228corresponding to character C and the part information indication232saying “target right leg!” are displayed continuously, as shown inFIG.8. Note that in the example inFIG.8, as a result of the player at the local terminal not having tapped any part HP indication220other than the first-part HP indication220-1after tapping the first-part HP indication220-1, or not having tapped any part HP indication220, the first designation indication234-1immediately under the first-part HP indication220-1is displayed continuously.

Then, for example, in the state shown inFIG.8, after the elapse of five seconds since the indication-update prohibition flag being turned on, the character icon228and the part information indication232are erased, but the first designation indication234-1immediately under the first-part HP indication220-1and the second designation indication234-2immediately under the second-part HP indication220-2are displayed continuously, as shown inFIG.9.

Then, for example in the state shown inFIG.9, when the second-part HP indication220-2is tapped again at the terminal of the second player, the second designation indication234-2immediately under the second-part HP indication220-2is displayed continuously, while a character icon228corresponding to character A and a part information indication232saying “target left leg!” are displayed, although not shown.

As described above, in this embodiment, each time one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a designation indication234corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped is moved to immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, whereas a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a prat information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220, once displayed, do not change before the elapse of the display period of five seconds.

Thus, in this embodiment, while the player is allowed to notify the players at the other terminals of a part that the player wishes to attack by tapping one of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3, character icons228and part information indications232are prevented from changing too frequently. This makes it possible for the players participating in a quest to smoothly communicate intents among each other.

The flow of processing executed by the information processing unit100in this embodiment will be described below with reference to flowcharts inFIGS.10to12.

First, in a part-information-etc. obtaining process shown inFIG.10, when one of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3is tapped at the local terminal (Y in step S100), the display control unit104obtains part information corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220, player character information of the local terminal, and player number information of the local terminal (step S102). Then, the communication control unit112sends the part information, the player character information, and the player number information of the local terminal to the server device12(step S104).

Furthermore, when the communication control unit112receives part information, player character information, and player number information of the other terminals from the server device12(Y in step S106), the display control unit104obtains the part information of the other terminals, the player character information of the other terminals, and the player number information of the other terminals (step S108).

Furthermore, in a display control process shown inFIG.11, when the display control unit104obtains the part information, the player character information, and the player number information of the local terminal or one of the other terminals (Y in step S110), the display control unit104displays a designation indication234corresponding to the obtained player number information immediately under the part HP indication220corresponding to the obtained part information on the basis of the obtained part information and the player number information (step S112).

Then, the display control unit104determines whether the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off (step S114). In the case where the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off (Y in step S114), a tap on one of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3is accepted as an input for displaying a part-information indication232(step S116). Then, the display control unit104displays a part information indication232corresponding to the obtained part information and a character icon228corresponding to the obtained player character information on the basis of the obtained part information and player character information (step S118).

Meanwhile, in the case where the indication-update prohibition flag is not turned off (N in step S114), a tap on one of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3is not accepted as an input for displaying a part information indication232. Then, the process is terminated immediately, and the character icon228and the part information indication232that have already been displayed are displayed continuously.

Furthermore, in a display-period management process shown inFIG.12, when the display control unit104accepts a tap on one of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3as an input for displaying a part information indication232(Y in step S130), the indication-update prohibition flag is turned on (step S132). After the elapse of five seconds since the indication-update prohibition flag being turned on (Y in step S134), the part information indication232and the character icon228are erased (step S136), and the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off (step S138).

The present invention can be embodied in various forms, without limitation to the embodiment described above, and the following describes modifications thereof. Note that the embodiment described above and various methods described below as modifications can be adopted in combination as appropriate as methods of realizing the present invention.

First, the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where the first-part HP indication220-1indicating the hit points of the first part of the enemy character, the second-part HP indication220-2indicating the hit points of the second part of the enemy character, and the third-part HP indication220-3indicating the hit points of the third part of the enemy character are displayed as a plurality of specific indications; however, the configuration may be such that each of the plurality of specific indications indicates the part to which the specific indication corresponds, such as “right leg”, “left leg”, or “tail”, while not indicating the hit points of the corresponding part. Furthermore, the configuration may be such that each of the plurality of specific indications is formed to have the shape of the corresponding part or colored with the color of the corresponding part, thereby indicating the part to which the specific indication corresponds. For example, the specific indication corresponding to “right leg” may be formed to have the shape of the “right leg”, and in the case where the “right leg” of the enemy character is red and the “left leg” thereof is blue, the specific indication corresponding to the “right leg” may be colored red, and the specific indication corresponding to the “left leg” may be colored blue.

Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where one of the part HP indications220is tapped as a specific player input, an operation for designating one of the part HP indications220may be performed as a specific player input by using a pointing device, a hardware key, a lever, or the like.

Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where player character information and player number information are sent and received as player information, terminal identification information for identifying a terminal device14may be sent and received as player information. Furthermore, at least one of player character information, player number information, and terminal identification information may be sent and received as player information.

Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where a character icon228corresponding to a player character is displayed as a player indication, at least one of the character icon228corresponding to the player character, a player number, a player icon, the name of the player character, the name of the player, and an object colored with a color corresponding to the player may be displayed.

Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where a part information indication232is displayed as a part indication, text indicating only the corresponding part or the shape of the corresponding part may be displayed as a part indication.

Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where a part information indication232is displayed and erased together with a character icon228as an example of displaying a part indication in association with a player indication, a player indication of a player participating in a quest may be displayed in advance, and a part indication may be displayed in association with the player indication corresponding to player information on the basis of specific information and the player information.

For example, as shown inFIG.13, a character icon228of character C corresponding to the first player, a character icon228of character A corresponding to the second player, a character icon228of character E corresponding to the third player, and a character icon228of character A corresponding to the fourth player may be displayed in advance, and when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220may be displayed on the right side of the character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped.

In the example inFIG.13, as a result of the fourth player tapping the third-part HP indication220-3, a part information indication232saying “target tail!”, indicating that the “tail” is to be attacked, is displayed on the right side of the character icon228corresponding to character A, and the fourth designation indication234-4in green, indicating that a tap has been performed by the fourth player, is displayed immediately under the third-part HP indication220-3.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG.14, while using a player character disposed in the object space as a player indication, a part indication may be displayed in association with a character object of the player character disposed in the object space, on the basis of specific information and player information.

In the example inFIG.14, as a result of the player at the local terminal, who is the first player, tapping the first-part HP indication220-1, a part information indication232saying “target right leg!” is displayed above the head of character C, and the first designation indication234-1in blue, indicating that a tap has been performed by the first player, is displayed immediately under the first-part HP indication220-1.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where a character icon228and a part information indication232are erased and the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off after the elapse of five seconds since the indication-update prohibition flag being turned on; however, the configuration may be such that the character icon228and the part information indication232are displayed continuously instead of being erased immediately, while turning off the indication-update prohibition flag, after the elapse of five seconds since the indication-update prohibition flag being turned on. Furthermore, in this example, the configuration may be such that even if a character icon228and a part information indication232are displayed, in the case where the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off, when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, the character icon228and the part information indication232that have been displayed are erased, and a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are newly displayed.

Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where one part information indication232is displayed as an example of displaying a predetermined number of part indications, a plurality of part information indications232may be displayed.

For example, the configuration may be such that when the second-part HP indication220-2is tapped in the state shown inFIG.5, for example, at the terminal of the second player, the second designation indication234-2is displayed immediately under the second-part HP indication220-2, the character icon228corresponding to character C of the first player and the part information indication232saying “target right leg!” are displayed continuously, and a character icon228corresponding to character A of the second player and a part information indication232saying “target left leg!” are displayed thereunder, as shown inFIG.15.

Specifically, in this example, in the case where a character icon228and a part information indication232are not displayed, when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, and a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are displayed at a first position.

Furthermore, in the case where a character icon228and a part information indication232are already displayed at the first position, when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, and a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are further displayed at a second position, which is adjacent to the first position.

Furthermore, in this example, the configuration may be such that the display period of each part information indication232is set to five seconds so that a character icon228and a part information indication232will be erased after the elapse of five seconds, and in the case where two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are displayed, when the character icon228and the part information indication232displayed earliest among the two sets of character icons228and part information indications232have been erased from the first position, the character icon228and the part information indication232displayed next are moved from the second position to the first position.

Furthermore, in this example, the configuration may be such that in the case where two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are displayed, when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are not displayed, and the already displayed two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are displayed continuously. That is, the configuration may be such that a maximum of two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are displayed.

Furthermore, in this example, the configuration may be such that the minimum display period of each part information indication232is set to five seconds, a character icon228and a part information indication232are displayed continuously instead of being erased immediately even after the elapse of the minimum display period, and in the case where two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are displayed and the minimum display period of the part information indication232displayed earliest has elapsed, when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, the character icon228and the part information indication232displayed earliest among the two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are erased from the first position, the character icon228and the part information indication232displayed next are moved from the second position to the first position, and a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are newly displayed at the second position.

Furthermore, in this example, the configuration may be such that in the case where two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are displayed and the minimum display period of the part information indication232displayed earliest has not elapsed, when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a designation indication is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are not displayed, and the already displayed two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are displayed continuously.

Furthermore, in this example, the configuration may be such that a display period of each part information indication232is not set, and in the case where two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are displayed, when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, the character icon228and the part information indication232displayed earliest among the two sets of character icons228and part information indications232are erased from the first position, the character icon228and the part information indication232displayed next are moved from the second position from the first position, and a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are newly displayed at the second position.

That is, the configuration may be such that in the case where a plurality of part indications are displayed and specific information and player information are to be further obtained, the part indication displayed earliest among the plurality of part indications is erased under a predetermined condition, and a part indication based on the further obtained specific information and player information is displayed.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where even in the case where part information and player character information of the local terminal or one of the other terminals have been further obtained, a part information indication232and a character icon228based on the further obtained part information and player character information are not displayed until the elapse of five seconds since the indication-update prohibition flag being turned on; however, the configuration may be such that even in the case where part information and player character information of the local terminal or one of the other terminals have been further obtained, a part information indication232and a character icon228based on the further obtained part information and player character information are not displayed until the elapse of a predetermined time since the receipt of the part information and player character information of the other terminal.

Alternatively, the configuration may be such that even in the case where part information and player character information of the local terminal or one of the other terminals have further been obtained, a part information indication232and a character icon228based on the further obtained part information and player character information are not displayed until the elapse of a predetermined time since a part information indication232is displayed.

Alternatively, the configuration may be such that even in the case where part information and player character information of the local terminal or one of the other terminals have further been obtained, a part information indication232and a character icon228based on the further obtained part information and player character information are not displayed until the elapse of a predetermined time since a tap on one of the part HP indications220is accepted as an input for displaying a part information indication232.

Alternatively, the configuration may be such that until the elapse of a predetermined time since one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, even in the case where one of the part HP indications220is further tapped at one of the terminals, a part information indication232and a character icon228based on the further obtained part information and player character information are not displayed.

Furthermore, in this case, the configuration may be such that when a battle against the enemy character is started in a multi-player quest, the elapsed time of the battle is measured at each of the terminals participating in the quest, and when one of the part HP indications220is tapped, tap time information corresponding to the elapsed time at the timing of the tapping on the part HP indication is sent to the server device12, the tap time information of the local terminal is sent from the server device12to the individual other terminals participating in the quest, and even in the case where one of the part HP indications220is further tapped at one of the terminals, a part information indication232and a character icon228based on the further obtained part information and player character information are not displayed until the elapse of a predetermined time since the tap timing.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where processing for displaying a designation indication234and processing for displaying a part information indication232and a character icon228are executed in the display control process shown inFIG.11; however, the display control unit104may be configured to execute display control process1and display control process2, and the display control unit104may be configured such that, in display control process1, when part information and player number information of the local terminal or one of the other terminals have been obtained, a designation indication234corresponding to the obtained player number information is displayed immediately under a part HP indication220corresponding to the obtained part information on the basis of the obtained part information and player number information.

Furthermore, the display control unit104may be configured such that, in display control process2, when part information and player character information of the local terminal or one of the other terminals has been obtained, whether or not the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off is determined, and in the case where the indication-update prohibition flag is turned off, a tap on one of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3is accepted as an input for displaying a part information indication232, and a part information indication232corresponding to the obtained part information and a character icon228corresponding to the obtained player character information are displayed on the basis of the obtained part information and player character information, whereas in the case where the indication-update prohibition flag is not turned off, a tap on one of the first-part HP indication220-1to the third-part HP indication220-3is not accepted as an input for displaying a part information indication232, and the already displayed character icon228and part information indication232are displayed continuously.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at one of the terminals participating in a quest, even in the case where the hit points corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220is zero, a designation indication234is displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, and a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are displayed; however, the configuration may be such that in the case where the hit points corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220is zero, at the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped, part information, player character information, and player number information are not sent to the server device12, and at each of the terminals participating in the quest, a designation indication234is not displayed immediately under the tapped part HP indication220, and a character icon228corresponding to the terminal at which the part HP indication220has been tapped and a part information indication232corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220are not displayed.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where each of the first non-player character to the third non-player character is controlled to automatically perform attacking actions on the enemy character, while moving so as to basically follow the player character; however, the configuration may be such that when one of the part HP indications220is tapped at the local terminal, each of the first non-player character to the third non-player character is controlled to perform an attacking action targeting a part of the enemy character corresponding to the part HP indication220tapped at the local terminal. Specifically, the configuration may be such that a part of the enemy character object corresponding to the tapped part HP indication220is set as a part to be attacked and each of the first non-player character to the third non-player character is controlled to move so as to follow the part to be attacked and to perform an attacking action on the part to be attacked.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where the body of the enemy character object is set as the entire range of the enemy character object; however, the configuration may be such that the body of the enemy character object is set as a part of the range of the enemy character object. Furthermore, in this example, the configuration may be such that when it is determined that an attack by the party of the local terminal or the party of one of the other terminals has hit the body of the enemy character object, the hit points of the body are updated so as to be decreased, and when it is determined that an attack has hit one of the parts of the enemy character object, the hit points of the part hit by the attack are updated so as to be decreased.

For example, the configuration may be such that when it is determined that an attack by the party of the local terminal or the party of one of the other terminals has hit one of the first part, the second part, and the third part of the enemy character, the enemy HP indication218is not updated, and one of the first-part HP indication220-1, the second-part HP indication220-2, and the third-part HP indication220-3is updated so as to decrease the hit points of the part hit by the attack by the party of the local terminal or the party of one of the other terminals.

Furthermore, the above-described embodiment has been described in the context of an example where the present invention is applied to an action RPG based on a third-person viewpoint; however, the present invention is applicable to various kinds of games, such as a shooting game based on a first-person viewpoint (FPS).