Computer-readable storage medium, display control apparatus, display control method and display control system for controlling displayed virtual objects with symbol images

A display control apparatus for displaying, on a display screen, a plurality of character objects in a first display area of the display screen and a plurality of symbol images in a second display area of the display screen, which each corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of character objects, the display control apparatus comprising:

• a processing system that includes at least one processor coupled to a memory, the processing system configured to:
• output the plurality of symbol images to the second display area of the display screen for concurrent display thereon according to an order thereof, such that no other symbol images are visible when the plurality of symbol images are concurrently displayed on the display screen;
• place all of the plurality of character objects at respective positions in the first display area of the display screen, which are based on the order used to concurrently display the plurality of symbol images in the second display area of the display screen, in a virtual space, so that the positional relationship of every one of the concurrently displayed plurality of symbol images corresponds a respective one of the plurality of character objects that has been placed in the virtual space;
• and when the plurality of symbol images are being concurrently displayed, concurrently output all of the plurality of character objects to the first display area of the display screen for concurrent display thereon,
• automatically control a first virtual character displayed in the first display area of the display screen to move to different locations within the virtual space independently of a position of the corresponding symbol image and a move operation of the corresponding symbol image while a move operation for the corresponding symbol image displayed in the first display area of the display screen is not in progress,
• wherein each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images is visually distinguishable from other ones of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images in the second display area of the display screen, and each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed character objects is visually distinguishable from other ones of the plurality of concurrently displayed character objects in the first display area of the display screen, and generate each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images corresponding to a respective character of the plurality of characters, by rendering at least a part of the respective character.

A display control method for displaying, on a display screen, a plurality of character objects in a first display area of the display screen and a plurality of symbol images in a second display area of the display screen, which respectively correspond to the plurality of character objects, the display control method comprising:

• concurrently displaying the plurality of symbol images on the display screen at the second display area of the display screen, according to an order thereof, where no other symbol images are concurrently visible by a user when the displayed plurality of symbol images are concurrently displayed;
• placing each one of the plurality of character objects at predetermined positions in the first display area of the display screen, which are based on the order used to display the plurality of symbol images in the second display area of the display screen, in a virtual space, so that the positional relationship of every one of the concurrently displayed plurality of symbol images corresponds the respective one of the plurality of character objects that has been placed in the virtual space;
• and
• with the concurrent display of the plurality of symbol images, concurrently displaying all of the plurality of character objects in the first display area of the display screen,
• automatically controlling a first virtual character displayed in the first display area of the display screen to move to different locations within the virtual space independently of a position of the corresponding symbol image and a move operation of the corresponding symbol image while a move operation for the corresponding symbol image displayed in the second display area of the display screen is not in progress,
• wherein each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images is visually distinguishable from other ones of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images in the second display area of the display screen, and each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed character objects is visually distinguishable from other ones of the plurality of concurrently displayed character objects in the first display area of the display screen, and
• generating each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images corresponding to a respective character of the plurality of characters, by rendering at least a part of the respective character.

A display control system comprising:

• a display device that includes a display screen, the display device configured to display, on the display screen, a plurality of virtual characters in a first display area of the display screen and a plurality of symbol images in a second display area of the display screen that respectively correspond to the plurality of virtual characters;
• and
• a processing system that includes at least one processor, the processing system configured to:
• output, to the display screen of the display device for concurrent display thereon, the plurality of symbol images to different positions on the second display area of the display screen in accordance with a determined order, where no other symbol images are output for concurrent display while the plurality of symbol images are output for concurrent display on the device;
• for every one of the plurality of symbol images that is concurrently displayed on the second display area of the display screen of the display device, locate a corresponding virtual character from the plurality of virtual characters at a location of the first display area of the display screen within a virtual space, the location corresponding to the determined order of the corresponding symbol image within the plurality of symbol images;
• and
• output, to the display screen of the display device for display thereon in a first display area of the display screen, every one of the located plurality of virtual characters, where the positional relationship of every one of the located plurality of virtual characters in the first display area of the display screen has a corresponding symbol image that is currently being output for display on the second display area of the display screen of the display device,
• automatically control a first virtual character displayed in the first display area of the display screen to move, while a move operation for the corresponding symbol image displayed in the second display area of the display screen is not in progress, to different locations within the virtual space independently of:
• 1) a position of the corresponding symbol image, and 2) a move operation of the corresponding symbol image,
• wherein each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images is visually distinguishable from other ones of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images in the second display area of the display screen, and each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed virtual characters is visually distinguishable from other ones of the plurality of concurrently displayed virtual characters in the first display area of the display screen, and
• generate each one of the plurality of concurrently displayed symbol images corresponding to a respective character of the plurality of characters, by rendering at least a part of the respective character.