Kabushiki Kaisha Square Enix

Square Enix Co., Ltd.

Kabushi Kaisha Square Enix (also Trading As Square Enix Co., Ltd.)

Kazutoyo Maehiro

Hiroshi Minagawa

Hiroyuki Itou

Masayuki Takada

Koji Aoyama

Tadashi Tsushima

Yasumi Matsuno

Mitsuteru Fukushima

Takashi Isowaki

Mitsuo Yoshioka

Mitsutera Fukushima

A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game is provided. A display device is caused to display multiple virtual image sets including at least a first virtual image set and a second virtual image set. The multiple virtual image sets corresponding to one input device. The first virtual image set corresponds to a first set of gameplay operations and the second virtual image set corresponds to a second set of gameplay operations. Only one of the virtual image sets is activated at a time according to a selection by a player. An input receiver receives a selection of an input of the one input device, and a gameplay operation corresponding to the input selected is executed. The gameplay operation executed corresponds to the activated set of the virtual images.

Video game processing apparatus and video game processing program

A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game is provided. An image display device is caused to display operating section images in an operating section image display area on a display screen in an arrangement pattern corresponding to arrangement positions of respective operating sections. The operating section images are operating section images respectively corresponding to the operating sections arranged in the operational input section. Identification display allowing a player to identify the operational function associated with the corresponding operating section is made for each of the group of operating section images. When to receive an operational input in response to an operation of any of the plurality of operating sections by the player, the video game processing apparatus carries out operation correspondence processing that indicates processing to exert an operational function associated with the operating section operated by the player.

According to the present invention, even while a chat opening process is in progress, users can join chats by means of a simple procedure from a video game machine. Once a chat has been opened, an invitation signal can further be transmitted to other chat guests. A video game machine of an expected guest receiving the invitation signal displays a screen prompting the guest to enter the chat room, and the expected guest can join the chat by transmitting an enter room signal to a database. At this time, a chat answer signal indicating that the expected guest accepts the invitation from a chairman is transmitted from the expected guest to the chairman.

Method and apparatus for joining electronic conference

According to the present invention, even while a chat opening process is in progress, users can join chats by means of a simple procedure from a video game machine . Once a chat has been opened, an invitation signal can further be transmitted to other chat guests. A video game machine of an expected guest receiving the invitation signal displays a screen prompting the guest to enter the chat room, and the expected guest can join the chat by transmitting an enter room signal to a database. At this time, a chat answer signal indicating that the expected guest accepts the invitation from a chairman is transmitted from the expected guest to the chairman.

In a main area of a display device, buttons and a map display area where a map is scrolled are provided. A cursor can be moved to an arbitrary position of the main area according to directional input received from an input device. When a decision input is performed with the input device when the cursor points to each button, processing assigned to the button to which the cursor points is performed. When a user inputs a direction and a special input button is not selected, the cursor is moved throughout the main area. When the user inputs a direction while the special input button is selected, the cursor is moved only within the map display area and the map is scrolled as required.

Scroll control according to input of cursor movement

The present invention enables restriction of content of information in a message, which has been prepared by a user and is provided in an information service system for the viewing by a group of users, in accordance with a use purpose. The message information is prepared by selecting and combining words from a word group prepared in advance. The information for viewing is prepared by a game device.

Terminal device, information viewing method, information viewing method of information server system, and recording medium

Multiple characters in a video game can be displayed in a field so as to be easily distinguished, allowing the video game to proceed smoothly while maintaining realism. When an action content command and an action target character are received, a control section and a graphics processor carry out the control to display a target line for notifying the category of action in an action content specified by the action content command and a character that a player character specifies as the action target. In this way, by viewing an image in which a target line is in turn drawn from the player character to the target character, a player of the video game can quickly and easily recognize an action entity and an action target. This makes it possible to display the multiple characters in a field so as to be easily distinguished, and therefore, the video game can proceed smoothly while maintaining realism.

Video game processing apparatus, a method and a computer program product for processing a video game

A profile server group determines whether any request for status notification is received from the client. If there is a request for status notification, a handle name included in the request is obtained, and a status flag corresponding to the handle name is extracted from the hard disk. Next, the status flag is checked. If the on-line flag is set to 'ON', the user status is checked. If the user status is not 'IN HIDING', the user status is notified. On the other hand, when the on-line flag is set to &#x201c;OFF&#x201d;, the client with the handle name relating to the request notifies that it is offline.

Status notifying method in communication system, status notifying server and communication system

When an upper part of a cross key is operated with a controller, a cursor is moved to an object name above an initial position where the cursor was located in a list, and an icon is moved to a corresponding object in an object display area. When a lower part of the cross key is operated, the cursor is moved to an object name below the initial position, and the icon is moved to the corresponding object in the object display area. When a right part of the cross key is operated, the icon is moved to the object to the right of an initial position where the icon was in the object display area, and the cursor is moved to the corresponding object name in the list. When a left part of the cross key is operated, the icon is moved to the object to the left of the initial position in the object display area, and the cursor is moved to the corresponding object name in the list.

Object selecting method

A message exchange method can realize a chat easily in an interface with users who are on-line using a chat window. First status information of a receiving client that will receive a message is confirmed. Then, when the receiving client is connected to a message server, a sender is asked whether chat should be carried out. A chat window is displayed in accordance with a chat instruction received from the sender, and then, the message is stored in a message log, displayed on the chat window and sent to the receiving client.

Message exchange

When an action content command and an action target character is received, a control section and a graphics processor identify action executing standby time in accordance with a predetermined time identifying rule. The control section and the graphics processor then identify an action executable range in which a player character can execute the received action content in accordance with a predetermined range identifying rule, and determines whether or not an action target character that is a target of the received action content exists within the identified action executable range. The control section and the graphic processor execute the received action content against the action target character in the case where it is determined that the action target character exists within the action executable range when action executing standby time is clocked.

A movement determining map is stored in addition to a field display map. The field display map is a three-dimensional map for displaying a field of the video game on the image display screen. The movement determining map is a two-dimensional map in which an enterable region. An unenterable region is distinguishably provided for the characters existing in the field. A control section determines a movement route of the sub character, in which no unenterable region exists, using the movement determining map when a predetermined movement route determining condition is met. The sub character is caused to move in accordance with the determined movement route. The predetermined movement route determining condition is met every predetermined period of time or in the case where the main character moves apart from the sub character in a predetermined distance or more.

Growing community of inventors

Tokyo, Japan

Kazutoyo Maehiro