Patents Assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX Co., LTD.)
  • Publication number: 20190270012
    Abstract: Players are allowed to urge them to cooperate with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Tomoya ASANO, Masashi TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20190247750
    Abstract: A network game system includes a server apparatus and a plurality of video game apparatuses connected to the server apparatus. A party includes player characters of a plurality of players. When the party battles with an opponent character, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits movie playback information to each video game apparatus for starting playback of a movie. Each of the players can skip the movie at a desired timing. A screen is displayed on each video game apparatus that has skipped the movie until the battle starts. When information is received from each video game apparatus that indicates playback of the movie has ended, the server apparatus simultaneously transmits battle start information to each video game apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Yoichi KURODA, Ryoko KATO
  • Publication number: 20190240574
    Abstract: A video game processing apparatus is provided. The video game processing apparatus includes a processor for controlling progress of a video game. The video game includes at least one virtual mission which a first player cannot execute. The processor informs a second player different from the first player of an existence of the first player corresponding to the at least one virtual mission. A display displays a game screen including an image. The image informs the first player corresponding to the at least one virtual mission that the at least one virtual mission has been played by the second player. The processor specifies a first privilege to be given to the second player, and the first privilege is determined in accordance with at least one of a difference in level between the first player and the second player and a relationship between the first player and the second player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Hajime TABATA, Masayasu NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20190217201
    Abstract: A video game processing program product causes a user terminal to realize functions to control progress of a video game. The functions include: an updating function configured to update a position of a character; a first displaying function configured to display, in a normal mode, a normal game screen; and a second displaying function configured to display, in a photographing mode, a photographing game screen based on a photographing operation. In a first case where a user operates the user character to change position while the photographing screen is displayed in the photographing mode, a change in position of the user character does not affect a status of the normal mode. The status of the normal mode of the video game is configured to be updated in a second case while the photographing screen is displayed in the photographing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Kei ODAGIRI, Hiroaki OHNO
  • Publication number: 20190160376
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a video game processing program product for causing a computer to realize functions to control progress of a video game on a basis of an operation of a controller by a user in a predetermined space including a plurality of display areas is provided. Operation information that contains a position and a direction of the controller in the predetermined space is obtained. In a case where the position or the direction of the controller is changed, a determination area is generated in a virtual space corresponding to the predetermined space on the basis of the operation information corresponding to the change. A positional relationship between a determination target and the determination area that are arranged in the virtual space is determined. An image corresponding to a determination result in the display area is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Kazuki ITO, Yuya NAGAI
  • Publication number: 20190160374
    Abstract: A game machine with a display which serves as a touch panel type input is provided. The game machine includes a character display for displaying at least two characters on a screen of the display. A finger contact detector detects a contact between a fingertip of a player and the screen. A cursor movement controller locates a cursor on the basis of a coordinate position of the fingertip when the finger contact detector detects the contact. The cursor movement controller controls movement of the cursor on the basis of movement of the coordinate position. A character selector sets a character, with which the cursor is contacted, to a selection state. The character becomes a controlled object when a predetermined selection fixed operation is received, and the character selector keeps the selection state of the character when the fingertip is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventor: Hidetoshi AOYAGI
  • Patent number: 10286317
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a program product for causing a user terminal to realize functions to control progress of a video game is provided. A set constituted by at least one game element is used in the video game. A user owns the at least one game element in the video game. The functions include: a specifying function configured to specify an event to be carried out by the user; an organizing function configured to refer to the event to organize a recommended set, the recommended set being constituted by a game element configuration that satisfies a predetermined condition; and a displaying function configured to display an image, the image causing the user to recognize information regarding the recommended set organized by the organizing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (ALSO TRADING AS SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventor: Jin Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20190134510
    Abstract: A video game processing program product for causing a server to realize functions to control progress of a video game is provided. The functions include: a function to generate content in which at least one of the user or a character operated by the user is allowed to participate, in a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied; a function to store the number of participants who participate in first content and a clear time indicating a time required to clear the first content in a predetermined storage medium; a function to set up the degree of difficulty for second content indicating content to be generated newly; and a function to detect whether a generation condition contained in the predetermined condition to generate the second content is satisfied or not. The generating function includes a function to generate the second content with the degree of difficulty thus set up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi GONDAI, Masatoshi ISHIKAWA, Tsuyoshi YOKOZAWA, Takashi SUGI
  • Publication number: 20190103106
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a command processing program for causing a computer to realize functions to generate a command for carrying out an indication against an operation target in a virtual space on the basis of an input by a user using a natural language is provided. The functions include: a text data obtaining function configured to obtain text data on the basis of the input by the user using the natural language; a syntax analyzing function configured to extract a command from the obtained text data, the user wanting to carry out the command; a command analyzing function configured to generate a primitive type command from the command extracted by the syntax analyzing function; and a specific viewpoint information obtaining function configured to obtain specific viewpoint information at least at a time of an input operation by the user using the natural language.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Gautier Boeda, Eric Johnson, Remi Driancourt
  • Publication number: 20190070503
    Abstract: Video game processing apparatuses, media, and methods are provided for controlling progress of a video game. Player character related information is stored in a memory and changes in accordance with progress of the video game. Initial area information is stored in the memory and indicates an initial state of each of a plurality of areas. Updated area information is stored in the memory and indicates a progress status of the video game in each of the areas. The updated area information is updated in accordance with the progress of the video game. It is determined whether to use the initial area information or the updated area information corresponding to a selected area in response to an operation of the player character. The game is progressed in the selected area using a corresponding one of the initial area information and the updated area information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventor: Yoshiki KASHITANI
  • Publication number: 20190022525
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for displaying content are provided. According to a content-related information display system, a first memory stores content. A first processor outputs a drawing command for displaying the content on a first display, and generates progress status information which is related to a progress status of the content. A second memory stores content-related information which is related to the content. A second processor specifies the content-related information according to the progress status information generated by the first processor. A second display displays the content-related information according to a player input received by the second processor. The first processor generates the progress status information in response to at least one of a predetermined condition being satisfied in relation to the progress status of the content or a specific operation being received by the first processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventor: Kazuhiro OOYA
  • Publication number: 20180318717
    Abstract: A game apparatus is provided which has a convenience where another function, such as photo taken by a camera, can be used while playing a game by causing a game program and another program to work together. The game apparatus increases interest of the game by relating a result of execution of the other program to the contents of the game. For example, when a camera icon displayed on a display is selected by an operation of a touch panel, a program for controlling a camera function launches, and an image can be captured at an arbitrary timing. The captured image is converted according to a predetermined condition. The converted image is displayed on a display screen and image data is stored in a flash memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Takashi TOKITA, Masayoshi SOKEN
  • Publication number: 20180311579
    Abstract: A video game processing apparatus is provided for controlling progress of a video game while displaying a player character on a display screen of a display device provided with a touch panel. The video game processing apparatus is provided with a virtual controller information memory for storing virtual controller information on a virtual controller. The display device is caused to display the virtual controller on the display screen on the basis of the virtual controller information. In a case where an operational input to the virtual controller displayed on the display screen is received, the video game processing apparatus updates a shape of the virtual controller on the basis of the virtual controller information, and controls an action of the player character on the basis of the received operational input. The operational input may include a slide operation and a tap operation, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Ryoma MATSUI, Toshio AKIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20180286111
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a cross determining program for causing a computer to execute processes to divide a drawing screen into a plurality of frustum bodies and determine whether each of the frustum bodies crosses an object defined and arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space or not is provided in order to determine whether the object influences on a drawing point of the drawing screen to carry out culling. The processes include: a frustum body coordinate obtaining process configured to obtain a spatial coordinate of a frustum body; an object coordinate obtaining process configured to obtain a spatial coordinate of an object; an expansion/contraction process configured to expand and contract a space in which the frustum body and the ellipsoidal body are arranged; and a cross determining process configured to carry out cross determination between the spherical body and the frustum body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventor: Yusuke TOKUYOSHI
  • Publication number: 20180280804
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a program for causing a server to realize functions to control progress of a video game including a three-dimensional virtual space, the three-dimensional virtual space having a boundary through which a player character is allowed to move to another three-dimensional virtual space is provided. The functions include: a specifying function configured to specify a position of the player character in the three-dimensional virtual space; and a displaying function configured to change a scare of a boundary object on the basis of the position of the player character to display the boundary object, the boundary object being an object that is provided on or near the boundary. further, the displaying function includes a function configured to change a positron of the boundary object on the basis of a change in the position of the player character to display the boundary object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Hiroshi MINAGAWA, Kei MUTA, Kei ODAGIRI
  • Publication number: 20180161677
    Abstract: A video game processing program product causes a user terminal to realize functions to control progress of a video game in response to an operation of a user. The functions include: an updating function configured to update a position of a character on a virtual space on the basis of a moving operation by a user; a first displaying function configured to display a normal screen corresponding to the user on the basis of an update result; a second displaying function configured to display a photographing screen, on which an object other than a user character carries out a photographing action when the photographing operation is carried out, on the basis of a photographing operation; and a storing function configured to store at least a part of the photographing screen in a predetermined storage region on the basis of a storing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Kei ODAGIRI, Hiroaki OHNO
  • Publication number: 20180111045
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Hiroshi MINAGAWA, Kazutoyo MAEHIRO
  • Publication number: 20180071629
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a video game processing program product for causing a server to realize functions to control progress of a video game in response to an operation of a user is provided. The functions include: a motion control function configured to refer to a storing section to cause an object to carry out a motion specified by the user, a series of actions (hereinafter, referred to as a “motion”) being stored in the storing section in advance, the object being to be caused to carry out the series of actions; a stopping function configured to cause the motion, which the object is carrying out, to stop on the way on the basis of an operation of the user; and a proceeding function configured to cause the video game to proceed in a state where the motion of the object is stopped on the way on the basis of the stopping function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventors: Hiroaki OHNO, Kei ODAGIRI
  • Publication number: 20180065036
    Abstract: An assessment information gathering system provides an assessment on content of a game with an operation in real-time when a player or a tester finds that the content of the game is “Good” or “Bad” during the playing of the game. Assessment information and operator guidance information input by the player is transmitted to a server. Game progressing processing, such as a virtual combat between a player character and an enemy character or the occurrence of an event, is executed in the server in accordance with a prescribed program based on the operator guidance information. Results of the game progressing processing are transmitted to the player. A game image obtained by perspective transformation of a virtual 3-dimensional space on a virtual screen is displayed on a display screen based on the results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventor: Akinari SHIMADA
  • Publication number: 20180056182
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a program product for causing a server to realize functions to control progress of a video game is provided. The functions include: an obtaining function configured to obtain communication quality information regarding a communication quality of one of user terminals; a determining function configured to determine a display condition of a character on the basis of the communication quality information; and a displaying function configured to cause the one user terminal to display a game image based on the determined display condition. In this case, the determining function includes a function configured to determine a condition regarding the number of characters included in the game image as the display condition, and the displaying function includes a function configured to cause the one user terminal to display the game image that satisfies the condition regarding the number of characters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA SQUARE ENIX (also trading as SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.)
    Inventor: Tatsuya HOTAKA