Abstract: A game apparatus and method quickens the progress of a game when controlling, based on an elapsed time, permission to execute action that can be performed by a game character. In the game apparatus and method, a game character which executes an action after a preset time elapses, and the preset time, are stored in a memory, with the game character corresponding to the preset time. By reading and adjusting a preset time for at least one game characters excluding the present game character, it is determined whether the corresponding game character is permitted to execute an action In accordance with whether the adjusted preset time elapses.

Abstract: When a player designates a magic attack, it is judged whether a player character possesses an “area” item corresponding to the designated magic attack. Depending on whether the player character possesses such an “area” item, a designation manner of one or more enemy characters is changed between a single enemy designation mode and an area designation mode. In the area designation mode, an attack area is set based on attack area data (shape and size of attack area) prestored corresponding to each of magic attacks selectable by the player. Then, one or more enemy characters located in the attack area are designated as one or more attack targets. The attack area can be moved in accordance with an operation inputted by the player.

Abstract: A memory of a video game apparatus stores durability data and discipline degree data of weapon items and armor items possessed by a player character. When the player character makes an attack using an equipped weapon item in response to an operation inputted by a player, the durability of the corresponding weapon item is reduced. On the other hand, when the player character receives a damage greater than a preset magnitude due to an attack from an enemy character, the durability of an equipped armor item is reduced. When the durability of the weapon or armor item becomes “0”, the weapon or armor item is changed to a preset different item according to the discipline degree of the former item at that time. Instead of the discipline data, change probability may be used for determining a new item which replaces the former item.