JP2002177645A - Game system and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system allowing players to play games repeatedly for a long period without losing interest. SOLUTION: The game device comprises ROM 22 for storing version up information of game contents, and an operation part 20 for automatically reading out the version up information based on specified conditions to update the version of the game contents.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an improvement in a game system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game device, especially a business game device, has been required to have a high operating rate without being tired of a player for a long time.

For this reason, various game systems have conventionally been developed and put into practical use, and a high customer attracting effect has been realized.

However, once the conventional game device is once shipped and installed in a game center or the like, the game content is basically unchanged. For this reason, as the players repeatedly challenge the game and become proficient in the contents of the game, there is a problem that even if the game is interesting at first, the player gradually gets tired, and the operating rate of the game often decreases. .

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a game system and a control method thereof, in which a player can repeatedly play a game without getting tired for a long time. .

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a game system according to the present invention comprises a storage means for storing version-up information of a game content, a means for storing play information of a player, Version upgrade means for reading the version upgrade information based on the upgrade condition and upgrading the game content.

The version upgrade means sets a predetermined number of plays as the version upgrade condition, and performs the version upgrade when the number of plays reaches the predetermined number of plays.

The game system control method according to the present invention includes a procedure for preparing version upgrade information of a game content, a version upgrade procedure for reading the version upgrade information based on a predetermined version upgrade condition, and upgrading the game content. ,including.

In the version upgrade procedure, a predetermined number of plays is set as the version upgrade condition,
The version upgrade is performed when the number of plays reaches the predetermined number of plays.

[0010] The game content may be a game content for performing a game in which a moving object moves on a game course.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A game system according to the present embodiment has a storage means for storing version-up information of game contents, and a version for automatically reading out the version-up information based on predetermined conditions and upgrading the game contents. Up means.

As described above, the present system automatically upgrades the content of a game based on a predetermined condition, so that a game system that does not tire the player for a long time and has a high operating rate can be realized. .

[0013] Here, it is preferable that the version upgrade information is formed in relation to the essential game content, whereby the essential content of the game changes every time the version is upgraded, and the player is provided with the game content. Strong motivation to take on new challenges.

In particular, the present system is preferably applied to a game system for business use, whereby a game system having a high operating rate for a long time and a high profitability can be realized.

[0015] The system may include a timer unit having a timer function, and the version upgrade unit may adopt a configuration in which the version upgrade operation is performed when the counted time reaches a predetermined version upgrade condition. is there.

The version upgrade means may adopt a configuration in which a predetermined date and time is set as the version upgrade condition.

In the present game system, when the time measured by the time measuring means meets a predetermined version upgrade condition, version upgrade information is called from the storage means to upgrade the game content. This makes it possible to determine, based on the time condition, the point in time at which the player has become proficient in the game content and is no longer motivated to re-challenge the game based on the time condition, and the game content is automatically upgraded .

In particular, by setting a predetermined date and time as a version upgrade condition, for example, the game content of the game system shipped to the market can be changed to a specific date and time (for example, 12
It can be automatically upgraded on Christmas Eve on March 24). By doing so, the game content of each game system individually shipped to a plurality of game centers can be simultaneously upgraded regardless of the shipping time, and the game content between the game centers can be uniformly updated. Variations in the contents can be prevented. Furthermore, according to this system, the date when the version of the game content is upgraded can be converted into an event in advance, and the fun of the game can be enhanced. For example, one month before the game version upgrade, a notice that the game content will be upgraded will be displayed on the display of the game system on an attract screen, etc., to attract the player's interest in the game after the version upgrade, and again You can give strong motivation to take on the challenge.

The present system includes a storage means for storing the play information of the player, wherein the version upgrade means performs the version upgrade operation when the stored play information meets a predetermined version upgrade condition. It is also possible to adopt.

The system may include a means for storing the number of plays as the play information in the storage means, and the upgrade means may adopt a configuration in which a predetermined number of plays is set as the upgrade condition. It is possible.

The storage means includes means for storing a game result of each player as the play information, wherein the version upgrade means sets a reference average game result as the version upgrade condition, and stores a predetermined average stored in the storage means. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the version-up operation is performed when the average game result within the period exceeds the reference average game result.

The game system stores player's play information, and upgrades the game content when the stored play information meets a predetermined version upgrade condition.

Thus, when there are a plurality of shipped game systems, it is possible to upgrade the version reflecting the play situation for each game system.

That is, generally, in a game system, there is often a difference in the level of a player for each area where the game system is installed. For example, a game system installed in a game center in a city center and a game system installed in a suburb often have different proficiency levels of players. In such a case, if the version upgrade operation of the game system is performed in accordance with the game center in the city center where the level of the player is often improved in a short period of time, the game system installed in the suburban game center or the like often becomes a problem. At a stage where the player has not yet mastered the game content, a situation may occur in which the game content is upgraded.

On the other hand, in the present system, the play information of the player is stored for each game system, and when the play information becomes a predetermined version upgrade condition, the game content is individually upgraded. Do.
By doing so, it is possible to upgrade the game content according to the area of the installed game center, the level of the player who challenges the game system, and the like.

In particular, the number of plays is stored as play information, and the version upgrade operation of the game is performed when the total number of plays reaches a predetermined number set as a version upgrade condition ( For example, when the total number of plays of the game reaches 1000 times, the version upgrade operation is automatically performed), and the version of the game can be reliably upgraded with a simple configuration. .

In the present system, a reference average game score is set as a version upgrade condition, and when a player's average game score within a certain period exceeds the reference average game score, a game content version upgrade operation is performed. With this configuration, the version of the game can be upgraded based on the average performance of the players who challenge the game and the timing at which the percentage of players who are familiar with the game increases, so that the game An efficient version-up operation that accurately reflects the situation can be performed.

According to the present system, in any one of the above-mentioned game systems in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a predetermined game course, information for adding or changing a course is stored as the version upgrade information. It is also possible to adopt the configuration described above.

According to this system, information for adding or changing a course is stored as version upgrade information. Thereby, for example, a course can be added from a certain time, or a course can be changed from a summer course to a winter course in which the road surface is frozen, or a version upgrade can be performed such as replacing a certain section with an advanced course,
Strong motivation to re-challenge the game can be given to a player who is accustomed to the content of the game.

The additional or change course information is formed as gradually growing course information, and the version upgrade means forms an additional or change construction course that gradually grows in the game space based on the course information. It is also possible to adopt a configuration of performing the operation.

According to this system, a course to be added or changed does not suddenly occur at the time of version upgrade, but a course under construction for addition or change gradually grows in the game space, and a predetermined condition (for example, Completion) is released as an upgrade condition to the player of the added or changed course.

As a result, even before the version upgrade, the players are more willing to challenge the upgraded game while watching the course under construction, and as a result, many players re-challenge the game after the version upgrade. You can give a strong motivation to
This system is characterized in that, in any one of the above-described game systems in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a predetermined game course, storage means for storing course-out information of the moving body at a predetermined position of the game course is stored. The version upgrade information is formed as information of a third course that gradually grows from a predetermined position of the game course, and the version upgrade means is configured to generate the third course that gradually grows in a game space based on the course out information. It is also possible to adopt a configuration of forming a course.

In the present system, in a game course, for example, course-out information of a moving body at a predetermined position which is easy to go out of the course is stored in a storage means.

Then, based on the course out information,
A third course extending in a predetermined direction from a course-out position of the game course is formed in the game space.
The course will gradually grow based on the course-out information. Then, under predetermined conditions (for example, completion of the third course)
Is released to the player as a condition for version upgrade.

Thus, for example, when many players are out of the course due to a hairpin curve, a course like an animal trail is gradually formed. Course will be completed. If the third course is effectively used, the time of the game can be reduced by, for example, a time attack, and an interesting game environment can be provided to the player.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with an example of a game device that races on a racing course set in a three-dimensional game space.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit race type game system according to the embodiment. The game system according to the embodiment includes a plurality of independent game devices 1-1, 1-2,.
They are connected to one another via data transmission lines.

Each game device is formed so that a player-controlled racing car controlled by a player competes with another player or a racing car controlled by a computer in a virtual three-dimensional game space.

Each game device is formed similarly to the driver's seat of an actual racing car. And the player
While sitting on the seat 18 and looking at the pseudo three-dimensional image (game screen) 200 displayed on the display 32, the user operates the handle 14, the accelerator 15, the shift lever 16, the brake, and the like provided on the operation unit 10 to create an imaginary image. Drive the racing car and play the game.

On the game screen 200, a scene in a virtual three-dimensional space viewed from the viewpoint of a virtual player located at the driver's seat of the player car is displayed in a realistic manner.

FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of the game device.

The arcade video game device of the embodiment has an operation unit 10, a calculation unit 20, a ROM 22, and a RAM 24.
, An image synthesizing unit 30, a display 32, and a speaker 42 of a voice synthesizing unit 40.

The operation unit 10 includes a handle 14 shown in FIG.
A member operated by the player, such as the shift lever 16 and other pedals.

The ROM 22 stores map data of a three-dimensional game space including a predetermined racing course and other terrain, a predetermined game program, and the like.

Based on the game program and an operation signal input from the operation unit 10, the arithmetic unit 20 performs a control on a racing car set in the game space between a player car operated by the player and another racing car. Perform game operations to compete. In the present embodiment, a plurality of game apparatuses 1-1, 1-2,... Are connected to each other via a data transmission line. There will be competition with the driving computer cars. The calculation results of the position and state of the player car and other computer cars in the game space are:
The data is output to the image synthesizing unit 30 and the voice synthesizing unit 40, and is transmitted to another game device via a transmission line (not shown). The RAM 24 is used for a work area for the calculation at this time and other uses.

The image synthesizing unit 30 calculates image data of the scenery of the virtual three-dimensional game space viewed from the viewpoint of the virtual player located at the driver's seat of the player car based on the input signal from the arithmetic unit 20, and calculates this. The game screen 200 is displayed on the display 32.

The voice synthesizing section 40 synthesizes a voice signal for a game effect based on the input signal from the arithmetic section 20 and outputs the voice from a speaker 42.

Thus, the player can operate the display 32
While watching the game screen 200 displayed above, and while listening to the sound output from the speaker 42, a racing game having a sense of reality similar to that of an actual racing course can be played.

FIG. 3A shows an example of a racing course 210 used in the embodiment. At the shipping stage of the game apparatus 1, the racing course 210 is set in the game space, and the player can run on the course 210 while competing with other racing cars and enjoy the game.

The feature of this embodiment is that version upgrade information of the game contents is stored in the ROM 22, and the arithmetic unit 20 automatically calls up the version upgrade information based on predetermined conditions to upgrade the game contents. It is characterized by doing.

Therefore, in the game device of the embodiment, the RO
FIG. 3 (A) as information for version upgrade in M22
And the predetermined version upgrade conditions are stored. This version upgrade condition can be set arbitrarily as needed. In the present embodiment, a time condition is set as the version upgrade condition. For this reason, the game device of the embodiment is provided with a timekeeping unit 50 having a timekeeping function, and its output is input to the arithmetic unit 20.

Further, a specific date and time is set as the version upgrade condition. For example, 199
Christmas Eve on December 24, 2006 is set as a version upgrade condition.

Thus, when the date and time output from the timer 50 reaches the date and time set as the version upgrade condition, the arithmetic unit 20 calls the upgrade information stored in the ROM 22 and calls the additional course 220
In the game space. Accordingly, the player can run not only the normal racing course 210 but also the additional course 220, and as a result, it is possible to realize a game device that keeps the player's interest in the game and does not tire the player for a long time. it can.

In particular, when the version upgrade date and time is set in advance as in the present embodiment, the version upgrade itself can be converted into an event before the version upgrade to appeal to the player, thereby increasing interest in the game. .

Further, in this embodiment, the additional course 220 for upgrading is stored as a form of a course under construction scheduled to connect two places 210a and 210b of the course 210, and the course 220 itself has a plurality of courses. Are configured as a combination of the segment courses 220-1, 220-2. That is, when the game device is shipped, the arithmetic unit 20 calls the segment courses of the additional course 220 from the ROM 22 in the order of 220-1, 220-2,... Based on the date and time data output from the clock unit 50. A course under construction constructed up to the date and time is set in the game space. At this time, a road sign of closing road is provided at the entrance of the course 220 under construction,
The game is set so that each racing car cannot enter this course 220.

The course 220 under construction is extended day by day to completion. In other words, the course 220 for version upgrade that is gradually completed
Can be viewed from a player car traveling on the racing course 210, thereby increasing the player's interest in the upgraded game.

The course 220 is completed on the version upgrade date and time, here, on December 24, 1996, and is opened to allow the player to run as shown in FIG. 3B, and the version upgrade is completed.

At this time, each player car can selectively pass both the old course of the racing course 210 and the added version-up course 210.

If necessary, the racing course 21
Course 220 upgraded version 0
And the course itself may be changed.

Also, if necessary, the racing course 210
The whole may be formed so as to be replaced with an upgraded racing course.

As described above, by configuring each of the game apparatuses 1 to be upgraded at the same time at a predetermined date and time, even if a plurality of game apparatuses are shipped to different game centers or the like, for example, each game center can be upgraded. Since all the placed game devices 1 are upgraded at the same time on the same day, it is possible to avoid occurrence of variation in the game content of the game devices between the game centers.

As the version upgrade condition, various conditions other than the above can be adopted as needed. For example, when each game device is shipped, the timer unit 50 may be reset, and the content of the game may be upgraded three months after that. By doing so, a game device shipped earlier is upgraded earlier, and a game device shipped later is upgraded later. Version upgrade can be performed in consideration of variations.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where a time condition is adopted as the version upgrade condition has been described as an example. However, a play data memory 26 is provided as shown in FIG. By sequentially writing the play information, the play information can be set as a version upgrade condition.

For example, in the play data memory 26,
It is also possible to write the total number of plays since the game apparatus 1 was installed, and to automatically upgrade the version when the number of plays reaches, for example, 10,000.

For example, in the play data memory 26, the game time and the game result for each play are sequentially accumulated, and when the total game time and the game result reach a predetermined reference value, the game time and the game result are automatically calculated. It can also be formed so that the version is upgraded.

As a result, it is possible to upgrade the version reflecting the playing situation of each game device.

The game data of each player is stored in the play data memory 26, and the version is automatically upgraded when the average game result of the players within a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined reference result. May be formed. For example, the average playing time of the player, the point at which the game progresses, and the like are stored in the memory 26 as performance data. For example, when the average performance per day exceeds the reference level, the version upgrade is automatically performed. It can be shaped to do so. As a result, the average player's game results are improved, and the version is automatically updated when the player is proficient in the game content, thereby providing the player with a new upgraded game environment. It is possible to realize a game device with a high operating rate that does not get tired for a long time by challenging the game again.

In a game system of a type in which a plurality of game apparatuses 1-1, 1-2,... 1-4 play a game while mutually transmitting data as shown in FIG. The game results of each game device are stored in the play data memory 26 of one game device, and the game devices 1-1, 1-2,..., 1-4 are configured to be upgraded at the same time. Is preferred.

FIG. 4 shows another aspect of the game device according to the present embodiment.

In this game device, the hairpin curve position 210 of the game course 210 stored in the ROM 22
In a, the course information of the third course 230 is set as version upgrade data. This third course 2
30 is configured as a shortcut course connecting the corners 210a and 210b of the hairpin curve, and the course itself has a plurality of segment courses 230-1 and 230-.
2 ... 230-6.

The arithmetic unit 20 stores the number of course outs in the memory 26 each time the racing car goes out of the course without being able to turn at the corner 210a of the course 210.
To memorize it. And this hairpin curve 210
Each time the number of course outs at
The segment course information of the third course 230 is read from M22 and set in the game space.

Therefore, every time the number of course outs reaches a certain number, the third course 230 moves from the hairpin curve 210 to the corner part ahead, as in the case of an animal trail. , 230-3 ...
Formed in the order of 230-6.

The time point when the last segment 230-6 is formed is a version upgrade condition for adding the third course 230. At this time point, the course 210
The shortcut course 230 that connects the corner 210a of the vehicle and the corner 210b on the other side is opened.

As described above, in the present embodiment, each time the player leaves the course at the corner 210a, the player can play while watching the shortcut course 230 being gradually completed, and the player changes each time the player plays the game. In the game environment, you can challenge the racing course without getting tired of the game.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the course of addition and change of the course has been described as an example of the version-up information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A plurality of courses having different conditions, such as an easy winter course, may be stored as version upgrade information.

In the above embodiment, the game device itself is
Although the case where the version upgrade operation is performed has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this, and each game device installed in the game center is directly connected to a host center that manages each game center via a communication line. It can also be applied to the game system. In this case, it is preferable that the host computer be configured to control version upgrade of each game terminal collectively.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a device for performing a racing game has been described by way of example. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to other various games.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view of an external appearance of a game system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game system of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a version upgrade of the game system according to the embodiment. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of a racing course before the version upgrade, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of a racing course after the version upgrade.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a version upgrade of the game system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating a course before the version upgrade, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a course after the version upgrade.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 Game device 10 Operation unit 20 Operation unit 22 ROM 24 RAM 26 Play data memory 50 Clock unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] Storage means for storing version-up information of a game content; means for storing play information of a player; version upgrade for reading the version-up information based on a predetermined version-up condition to upgrade the game content; A game system, wherein a predetermined number of plays is set as the version upgrade condition, and the version upgrade is performed when the number of plays reaches the predetermined number of plays. . 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game content is a game content for performing a game in which a moving object moves on a game course. 3. A procedure for preparing version upgrade information of a game content, and a version upgrade procedure of reading out the version upgrade information based on a predetermined version upgrade condition and upgrading the game content, wherein the version upgrade procedure includes: A control method for a game system, wherein a predetermined number of plays is set as the version upgrade condition, and the version upgrade is performed when the number of plays reaches the predetermined number of plays. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the game content is a game content in which a game in which a moving object moves on a game course is performed.