Split-screen video game with character playfield position exchange

A method for controlling a multiplayer competition video game for use with a system which includes a video display screen, a user-controlled graphics controller, digital memory and at least one user input device;

• wherein the video game involves multiple game characters each traversing a scrollable playfield in response to the user input device;
• wherein the playfield is displayed as a series of scrolled video screen displays;
• and wherein progress of the game characters in traversing the playfield is indicated by scrolling the video display screens of the playfield behind the characters, the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a first display region of the video display screen in which the scrollable playfield can be displayed;
• providing a second display region of the video display screen in which the scrollable playfield can be displayed;
• displaying a first character in the first display region;
• displaying a second character in the second display region;
• scrolling the playfield in the first display region to show progress of the first character in traversing the playfield;
• scrolling the playfield in the second display region to show progress of the second character in traversing the playfield;
• displaying an exchange object in a portion of the scrollable playfield displayed in at least one of the first and second display regions;
• activating the exchange object;
• interchanging respective playfield displays in the first display region and the second display region, such that following said step of interchanging, progress of the first character in traversing the playfield and progress of the second character in traversing the playfield are exchanged.