JP3308963B2 - Game system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game system for paying out a game value according to the progress of a game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are known medal game machines to which a horse racing game is realized as a medal game. In such a medal game machine, a player can purchase a betting ticket by betting medals in anticipation of the order of arrival in a race. There is also known a medal game machine in which a player can purchase a racehorse, become a horse owner, and run his horse for a race in the game (see, for example, G1 Classic Winds, a product of Konami Corporation).

[0003]

However, in the above-described medal game machine, the player cannot develop his own horse and intervene in the ability.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system for paying out a game value according to the progress of a game, so that a player can be given a pleasure of cultivating a breeding target in the game.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a main control device for sequentially holding a race according to a predetermined cycle, and a station control device provided for each of a plurality of stations where a player plays a game. In a medal game machine installed in an arcade,
The main controller performs the betting process for purchasing a betting ticket using medals for each race.
From the station control device, from a race result display process for displaying a race result such as the order of arrival of the race, odds, etc. it's including the information, each stearyl
The player connected to the main control device by transmitting player data indicating the result of game play in the game.
Sequentially perform the data update process for updating the player data of憶device, the station control device, by the operation of the player, between the purchase mode of betting the mode of game play, and development mode of horse And in the case of the purchase mode, the main control device.
The station controller according to the command from the station
Run the bet process, in the case of the training mode, the
A process of instructing the bet process by the main control device ,
The race processing, in parallel with the execution of the race result display process and the data <br/> data updating process, the station control instrumentation
The training process is performed by the player, and in the training process, the process of selecting a race in which the player runs a horse and the training process of training the owned horse by betting a medal owned by the player are performed by the station control. Equipment
The stomach is capable of executing, in the station, the payout means to be out to pay a medal in accordance with the results in the player provided in the race of the retention horse, after training the larger the bet number of medals in the training process Processing to improve horse performance is performed by the station controller.
It is characterized by being performed.

[0006]

[0007]

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

[0020] The invention of claim 2 is the gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the training process, the bet process for the next race begins from said betting process is started for one race It is characterized in that it can be performed only once during the period.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the game system of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the game system of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the game system of the present invention is applied to a so-called medal game machine installed in a game center (arcade) or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine 1 includes a field 2 provided at a central portion, and a plurality of stations 3 provided so as to surround the field 2.

The field 2 is provided with a racetrack 22 having a horse race gate 21. By running a plurality of model horses (not shown) in the racetrack 22, a race similar to a real horse race is developed. Around the field 2, a plurality of speaker systems 26 for outputting a sound of a live call of the race and the like are arranged.

Each station 3 has a display 31 for displaying a game screen according to the progress of the game, and a touch panel 32 superimposed on the display surface of the display 31.
Are provided. When the player touches a predetermined position on the game screen displayed on the display 31 according to the instruction on the game screen, the touch panel 32 detects the position, and the game machine 1 recognizes the operation content of the player. In addition, each station 3 has a medal insertion unit 3 into which a medal as a game value is inserted by a player.
3. A medal payout port 34 for paying out medals to the player, and a magnetic card insertion slot 35 for inserting a magnetic card are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, a display section 23 for displaying a game name and the like, and an illumination device 24 for illuminating the field 2 are supported above the field 2 by support columns 25.

Next, the outline of the contents of the game using the game machine 1 will be described. In the game machine 1, a race having the same name as the actual central horse race is sequentially held according to a predetermined cycle. Approximately 60 races are prepared for one year, and for each race, time for betting, that is, time for purchasing a betting ticket, time for racing using a model horse, and Time is provided for displaying the results. The time during which the race is performed varies depending on the distance of each race and the like. The race for one year is completed in about 2 hours, and when the race for one year is completed,
The next year's race will be started continuously.

The player can predict the order of arrival for each race and freely purchase a betting ticket. A betting ticket is purchased by betting medals, and if the purchased betting ticket matches the result of the race, a medal of an amount (number) according to the number of medals bet and odds is paid out as a payout. Here, the purchase of a betting ticket represents an act of placing a medal in an expected order of arrival.

The player can participate in the game as a horse owner. That is, the player can select a favorite horse from among a plurality of racehorses prepared and purchase the horse by paying a predetermined number of medals. Further, the stable of the purchased horse can be selected by the player's will. The name of the purchased horse is created by combining a name selected from among the names stored in the game machine in advance with a name input by the player (for example, the name of the player). The player trains the purchased horse,
Can purchase horses. In addition, the bred horse can run in a race desired by the user, and can select a jockey when running.

In order to ensure the continuity of game play when participating in a game as a horse, the game machine 1 uses a magnetic card storing an ID code or the like of a player. The result of the player's past game play is stored in the game machine 1 as player data,
By comparing the D code or the like with the ID code included in the recorded player data, necessary player data is read and used for the game. Therefore, the player can enjoy the continuation of the game at any time by carrying the magnetic card.

As described above, in the game machine 1, a race according to an actual domestic race schedule is continuously performed, and a player can buy a betting ticket as a spectator for an arbitrary race, You can also purchase and train racehorses and participate in races.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a main control unit for integrally controlling the operation of the game machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a station control unit provided for each station 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main control unit disposed on the field 2 side includes a main control device 101, a field control unit 102 for controlling running of a model horse in the field 2, and the like. Lighting device 103, a sound device 104 for generating sound for reproducing the atmosphere of a racetrack, an SRAM 105 for storing player data, and a flash memory 10
6 and a ROM 107 in which programs necessary for the game and various databases are stored. Sound device 10
4 includes a speaker system 26 (FIG. 1). ROM1
07 stores, for example, 256 types of horse names selected by the player and their voice data,
And various data on each horse, race schedule, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main controller 101
Are connected to the field control unit 102, the lighting device 103, the sound device 104, the SRAM 105, the flash memory 106, and the ROM 107, respectively.

The power supply of the SRAM 105 is always backed up by a battery or the like. Also, SRAM1
05 and two flash memories 106 respectively.
Since the same data is stored in the two SRAMs 105 and the flash memory 106, even if one of the data is destroyed, the data is not lost.

As shown in FIG. 2, the SRAM 105 and the flash memory 106 each have two units 1
05A, 105B and units 106A, 106B are provided so that the other unit can be used as a backup when a unit fails or is replaced.

As shown in FIG. 3, a station control unit provided for each station 3 includes a station control device 201, the above-described display 31, a medal management device 203 for managing payout of medals, etc. A magnetic card driving device 204 for driving a magnetic card inserted into the slot 35;
2, a medal insertion sensor 206 for detecting a medal inserted through the medal insertion unit 33, a RAM 207 for temporarily storing player data, and reading magnetic information of a magnetic card inserted into a magnetic card slot. And a magnetic information writing device 209 for writing magnetic card information to the magnetic card.

As shown in FIG. 3, the station control device 201 includes a display 31, a medal management device 203,
Magnetic card driving device 204, touch panel 32, medal insertion sensor 206, RAM 207, magnetic information reading device 2
08 and a magnetic information writing device 209.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the station control device 201 of each station 3 is connected to the main control device 101, and is required between the station control device 201 and the main control device 101. It is possible to communicate.

FIG. 4A shows a data structure of player data stored and managed for each player. The player data includes game state and history information. As shown in FIG. 4A, the player data includes an ID code assigned to each player, personal information that is information about the player, horse information that is information about the player's horse, and the player who plays the game last. It consists of last play date information for specifying the date of the play, rewrite information for recording data updates, and check codes for preventing tampering of the magnetic card.

In this embodiment, an ID code and a check code are used as specific information.

The ID code is a number assigned to one player, and is set so as not to overlap with IDs of other player data.

The personal information is information relating to the individual of the player, such as the name of the player and the total number of plays. The personal information is used not only as data reflected in the game content but also as customer management data. Note that the player's name is also used as a crown attached to the name of the owned horse included in the owned horse information.

The owned horse information includes, for each owned horse, a name code for identifying the name of the owned horse, gender, horse type information identified as a growth curve, age, number of starts, speed, stamina, condition, and accumulated prize money. It consists of the amount, the results of each past race (for example, first place, second place or non-placed), training type determined by the selected stable, and the like.

The last play date indicates the date of the last game played using the player data. Specifically, it indicates the number of days that have passed since a certain past date, for example, January 1, 1999. Since the last play date and the player data can be compared to confirm the presence or absence of inconsistency, the last play date data can be used for fraud prevention purposes.

The personal information, horse information, and last play date information are used as a game history for ensuring the continuity of the interrupted game.

The rewrite information is a numerical value that increases each time the player data is updated by a training process described later. In the normal case, that is, when the player data is updated based on the game play in the station 3, an even number is stored as the rewrite information. However, if the update is finally performed on the side of the main control device 101 due to some circumstances, for example, an accident at the station 3 or the like, the numerical value will take an odd value until the next update.

The player data is stored in the SRAM 105 or the flash memory 106. When a player plays a game at the station 3, necessary player data is read into the RAM 207 of the corresponding station 3 and used for various processes at the station 3.

The check code is an ID code, personal information,
An error detection code created based on the data of the horse information, the last play date, and the rewrite information. Whether the magnetic card has been tampered with or an accident has occurred, or the player between the station 3 and the main controller 101 It is used to check items such as whether data transmission / reception is performed correctly.

FIG. 4B shows specific information recorded on the magnetic card. Among these, the specific information is information used to specify a player, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the specific information is composed of an ID code and a check code in the player data. Other data constituting the player data is not recorded on the magnetic card. As a result, it is possible to prevent improper operation due to tampering of the magnetic card information. As shown in FIG. 4B, information that is not used for creating an error detection code, such as screen layout information that is not related to the progress of the game, can be recorded on the magnetic card. -Explanation of operation-

Hereinafter, a part of the operation of the game machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the player's various input operations performed in accordance with the display on the display 31 are recognized by the station control device 201 based on signals output from the touch panel 32. In the following description, processing for recognizing individual input operations will be described. ,
The description is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a cycle control process executed in the main control device 101. The cycle control process is a process for causing an annual race to be performed in a predetermined order and for instructing a switching timing of various processes included in each race.

In the cycle control process, the main control device 101 performs a bet process for each race, ie, a process for purchasing a betting ticket, a race process for running a race with each horse running, a finishing order of the race, odds, and the like. Is displayed, and the latest player data is transmitted from each station 3 and the data updating process for updating the player data in the SRAM 105 is sequentially executed.

According to the above-mentioned processing, while the game machine 1 is operating, each year's race in Japan is performed in a predetermined order.
The cycle is performed sequentially at a cycle of about 2 minutes. The breeding process, which will be described later, is executed for a predetermined period in the cycle in parallel with these processes (see FIG. 15). FIG. 15 shows a part of a race cycle controlled by the cycle control process.

Next, the details of the cycle control process will be described. In step S1 of FIG. 5, the start of betting processing is instructed. In response to this command, the betting process is executed in the station control device 201 of each station 3. Next, in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3 after waiting for the end time of the bet processing to arrive.

In step S3, the start of the race process is instructed. In response to this command, operations such as running a model horse,
Various processes (not shown) for realizing necessary sound output and the like are executed under the control of the main control device 101. Next, in step S4, the process proceeds to step S5 after waiting for the end time of the race process to arrive.

In step S5, a command to start the race result display processing is issued. In response to this command, the main controller 1
At 01, a predetermined process (not shown) for displaying the arrival order, odds, payout, and the like of the race on the display 31 is executed. Next, in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7 after waiting for the end time of the race result display to arrive.

In step S7, a data update command for updating the player data is transmitted, and in step S8, the flow advances to step S9 after the completion of the data update process. In step S9, the race is updated to the next race, and the process returns to step S1. In step S8, if the data update end flag set in the data update process is on,
It is determined that the data update processing has been completed, and step S9
Then, the data update end flag is turned off. The data update processing will be described later.

Next, the processing of the station controller 201 when a magnetic card is inserted into the magnetic card slot 35 of the station 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S101 of FIG. 6, the flow advances to step S102 after waiting for the magnetic card to be inserted into the card slot 35, and it is determined whether or not the inserted magnetic card is a new card. If this determination is denied, the process jumps to step S109. If this determination is affirmed, in step S103, the magnetic card driving device 204 and the magnetic information reading device 208 are controlled to control the ID of the magnetic card.
Read the code and check code.

Next, in step S104, the ID and the check code of the inserted magnetic card are transmitted to the main controller 101, and the same ID as the ID code of the magnetic card is transmitted to the main controller 101.
Request search for player data of code (Fig. 6
"A"). Upon receiving this request, the main control device 101 searches for an ID code. This process will be described later.

Next, in step S105, the process waits for a reply from the main control device 101, and then proceeds to step S106, where a new ID transmitted from the main control device 101 is transmitted.
The D code is stored in the RAM 207. The reply from the main control device 101 (FIG. 6B) will be described later.

Next, in step S107, when it is determined that the player data of the same ID exists as a result of the search in the main control device 101, the process proceeds to step S107.
The process jumps to step S108, and if it is determined that there is no player data with the same ID, step S108
, The player is notified that the contents of the magnetic card are illegal or that the past information has expired and has been deleted, for example, by displaying it on the display 31. In a succeeding step S109, personal information is newly created, and the process proceeds to a step S110.

In step S110, processing necessary for the player to play the game is performed. The rearing process (FIG. 7) described later is included in this process. The process of step S110 is continued until it is determined in step S111 that the play has ended.

If it is determined in step S111 that the play has ended, a check code is created based on the latest player data, and a new (current) ID code and check code are written on the magnetic card (step S1).
13), the magnetic card is ejected (step S114).

In step S115, the final game state and history (player data) stored in the RAM 207 are transmitted to the main controller 101, and if it is confirmed that the transmission was successful (step S11).
6) In step S117, the player data in the RAM 207 is deleted, and the processing in FIG. 6 ends. The game state and the history (player data) transmitted in step S115 are stored in the SRAM 105 and are stored until the next time the player plays the game.

Hereinafter, the breeding process of step S200 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the training process (step S200) executed in the station control device 201.

In step S201 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the player has performed an operation of selecting purchase of a possessed horse. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, by referring to the player data stored in the RAM 207, it is determined whether the player already has eight horses. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S201; if the determination is negative, the process returns to step S201. Step S20
Proceed to 3. If the player already has eight horses, no additional horses can be purchased.

Hereinafter, the processing in step S203 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a view showing a horse selection screen, FIG. 9 is a view showing a stable selection screen, and FIG. 10 is a view showing a horse name selection screen.

In step S203, a process for causing the player to purchase a horse is performed. In this processing, first, R
With reference to the player data of AM 207, the display 31 displays the owned horse selection screen shown in FIG.

In the area 301 on the left side of the horse selection screen,
The horses owned by the player are displayed (three horses are displayed in FIG. 8). In the area 302 on the right side, information about three horses is displayed as horse candidates to be purchased. The area 302 allocated to each candidate horse
In each area, a bet button 302a indicating the number of bets required to purchase each horse is displayed. In a region 303 provided above the region 301, a comment on one of the horses displayed as candidates is displayed. This comment is the comment button 302 of the corresponding horse.
It is displayed when the player operates b.

Although three horses are displayed in the area 302 in FIG. 8, the number of horses may be set to a larger value, or displayed at a predetermined timing or by a player's operation. By sequentially replacing the candidates, the number of selectable heads can be increased.

When the purchase button 302a is operated by the player, the horse corresponding to the purchase button 302a is selected as a possession horse and purchased. The number of bets (number of medals) paid by the player when purchasing a horse is set to a value according to the ability of each horse, and the stronger the horse, the greater the bet number.

As shown in the display of the area 302, each horse is set with a growth type such as early ripening or late aging, distance suitability, etc., and the player selects a breeding method according to the characteristics of the horse, or races to run. Can be selected. In addition, as shown in the process of step S202,
Players may not have more than 9 horses.

It is also possible to change the horse displayed in the area 302 for each station 3, and the displayed horse may be changed according to the current credit. For example,
The station 3 with low credit may display many horses with low purchase amount, and the station 3 with high credit may display many horses with high purchase price. Alternatively, only horses in a range that can be purchased with the current credit may be presented in the area 302 of each station 3. in this way,
By changing the horses to be displayed according to the credits possessed, the number of displayed horses can be reduced and the screen display can be simplified. Further, since only the horses that can be purchased by the player are displayed, the operation of the player is simplified. The current credit amount is displayed in the area 306 at the lower right corner of the horse selection screen.

The purchase of the owned horse is stored by updating the player data in the RAM 207.

During the game play, as shown in FIG. 8, the right end of the screen is used for switching the game play mode (bet ticket purchase mode, horse breeding mode) at the station 3 and the like. An area 307 is secured. When a player operates a button in the area 307, the mode is switched to a mode corresponding to the operated button, and a predetermined game screen corresponding to the mode is displayed on the display 31. In addition, switching of each mode of the training mode, that is, data display, horse purchase, running mode, and training mode is also performed by operating the area 307.

After purchasing the owned horse, the stable selection screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display 31 with reference to the player data in the RAM 207. On the right side of the stable selection screen, areas 304A and 304B for selecting three types of stables, a normal stable, a stamina stable and a speed stable, respectively.
And 304C are provided. An enter button 304a is provided in the area assigned to each stable, and when the enter button 304a is operated by the player, the stable corresponding to the enter button 304a is selected.

The information of the horse purchased this time is displayed in an area 305 provided on the upper right side of the stable selection screen, and the player can select a stable while referring to the information.

As shown in the areas 304A to 304C, when the stamina stable is selected, a long-distance type horse is selected when the speed stable is selected, and a long-distance type horse is selected when the normal stable is selected. Each horse is bred to a horse of average character not biased to any of the types.

The stable selection is stored by rewriting the player data in the RAM 207.

After the stable is selected, a horse name selection screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display 31 with reference to the player data in the RAM 207. Here, one horse name is selected from a total of 256 horse names prepared as the horse names used for the owned horse names. On the right side of the horse name selection screen,
An area 311 for searching for a horse name from an initial is provided. A button 311a is located below the area 311.
An area 312 is displayed in which three horse names corresponding to the initial selected by are displayed. As shown in FIG.
In the area 312, for example, a name in which “Konami” as a crown is added to “Idol” as a horse name is displayed. This crown name is nothing but the name of the player included in the personal information (see FIG. 4A). By operating the buttons 312c and 312d provided in the area 312, horse names arranged in alphabetical order can be sequentially replaced. When the decision button 312a provided in the area 312 is operated by the player, the horse name displayed to the left of the button 312a is selected as the official name of the horse purchased this time.

The horse names included in the horse names are output as voices through the audio device 104 in a live call when a horse runs in a race, so that the realism of the race is increased. As described above, the horse name selected from the predetermined 256 types and the crown name are combined to create a possession horse name, and only the horse name is output as voice, thereby overlapping with other players. This allows for natural voice output during live calls, while maintaining unique horse names.

The horse name of the owned horse is stored as player data in the RAM 207.

After completing the above processing, step S20
3 returns to step S201 (FIG. 7).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S201 is negative, the process proceeds to step S204, in which it is determined whether or not the player has performed an operation of selecting running in a race. If this judgment is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S205,
Determine if you already have a horse. If this determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S206, and if it is denied, the process returns to step S201.

The processing in step S206 in FIG. 7 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Is a view showing a race selection screen, and FIG. 12 is a view showing a jockey selection screen.

In step S206, a process of selecting a race in which a horse is run is performed. In this process, the player data in the RAM 207 is first referred to
Is displayed on the display 31.
On the left side of the race selection screen, there is provided an area 321 in which a list of horses owned by the player is displayed. By operating the buttons 321a and 321b in the area 321, the display of the horses held can be scrolled up and down. it can. The currently selected horse is displayed in the uppermost area 321c.

On the right side of the race selection screen, there are provided an area 322 for displaying a race name and an area 323 for displaying which horses are available for each race displayed in the area 322. . As shown in FIG. 11, in the area 322, a race name and one
The prize money and the running conditions when the player enters the second or second place are displayed. In the area 323, "registered" indicating that the corresponding horse has already been registered, "running possible" indicating that the corresponding horse can be run, and that the corresponding horse does not meet the running conditions are displayed. Four types of wording are displayed: "condition not met" and "deadline" indicating that registration for running is closed. Thus, the player can recognize whether each horse can participate.

For the horse displayed in the area 321c, that is, for the selected horse, the button indicating the number of bets to be paid by the player as a condition for running registration is displayed for races that can run in addition to the above four words. 323a are provided. When this button 323a is operated by the player, horse registration for the selected horse in the race corresponding to the operated button 323a is performed. For example, when the button 323a corresponding to “Derby” is operated in FIG. 11, the horse displayed in the area 321c is registered as a horse running in “Derby”. By operating the buttons 323b and 323c, the race names arranged in the order of the dates can be scrolled in the left-right direction.

Above the area 321c, there is provided an area 324 in which information about the currently selected horse is displayed. By operating the retirement button 324a in the area 324, the horse displayed in the area 321c is displayed. Can be retired.

Next, the jockey selection screen shown in FIG. On this screen, a jockey riding on a horse registered for running is selected. Since the abilities vary depending on the jockey, the winning rate of the race varies depending on the selected jockey. Further, since the riding strategy differs depending on the jockey, it is necessary to judge compatibility with the running characteristics of the horses running. For this reason, skills similar to actual horse racing are required,
The realism of the game can be increased.

Each jockey is given an allowance according to his ability and the like.
That is, the share of the jockey when the horse that has entered the race wins the prize is set. For example, a first-class jockey has a high win rate, but the jockey's allowance is 60%, the player's share is 40%, and a third-class jockey has a low win rate, but the player's share is 100%.
It is set as a percentage. In this case, for example, if the prize money is a race of 200 medals, 80 medals are won when the first-class jockey wins the race, and 200 medals are bought when the third-class jockey is bought.
Players can win each one.

Therefore, the player can select a jockey in consideration of winning or losing in a race as well as winning or losing as a medal game. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide the player with various ways of enjoying the game.

As shown in FIG. 12, the area 324 displays the jockey's name, the percentage of the jockey's treatment, and the riding method (advance type, run-in type, etc.). You can choose a jockey. When the button 324a arranged in the area 324 is operated by the player, the jockey corresponding to the button 324a is set as a jockey riding a race.

The jockey riding a horse is stored by rewriting the player data in the RAM 207.

After completing the above processing, step S20
Return to 1.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S204 is negative, the process proceeds to step S207, and it is determined whether or not the player has performed an operation to select the training of the possessed horse. If this determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, it is determined whether or not a horse is already owned by referring to the player data in the RAM 207. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to the training process in step S209, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step S201.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 13, step S209 will be described.
Will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a training processing screen.

In the training process, the horse is trained by betting medals owned by the player. The greater the number of medals, the better the horse's performance after training. For example, 1 to 3 medals can be bet,
Training results according to the number of medals can be obtained. By training the game by betting medals, the ability of the possessed horse is improved, and the winning rate in the race can be increased. Therefore, the player can train the possessed horse by saving money in the possessed horse.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the training can be performed on the horses owned by the player, the player can enjoy the pleasure of nurturing his own horses and growing them into strong racehorses. .

The horse's ability is represented by a plurality of parameters (stamina, speed, condition). In the training process, the player cannot select how much the numerical value of any of these parameters should be increased. Also, training menu (contents of training)
No player can be involved in the selection of Which parameter value should be increased by how much is determined in the station controller 201 according to, for example, the selected stable or the number of bets. Thus, the training of the horse can be performed without requiring a complicated input operation.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the area 331 on the lower side of the training processing screen, a list displaying the sex, age, winning prize, parameters, stables, and the previous training method of the owned horse is displayed. . This list is displayed by pressing the button 331a.
By operating the and buttons 331b, scrolling can be performed. The horse currently selected as a training target is displayed in the uppermost row 331c of the area 331.
Each parameter of this horse is also displayed as a training result in the upper left area 332 of the training processing screen. In the area 332, the display 332a indicates stamina, and the display 332a
b indicates speed, display 332c indicates condition, and the number of stars respectively lit, and is added to the horse's performance.

[0104] On the upper right side of the training processing screen, there are provided an area 333 in which an explanation of the training method is displayed and an area 334 in which buttons for selecting the training method are arranged. Region 334
Buttons 334a to 334e on which training methods "rest,""horse,""strength,""full," and "same as last time" are displayed, and the player can use buttons 334a to 334e. By operating the button, a training method corresponding to each button is selected.

If “rest” is selected, the current training is not performed. If "Horse" is selected, training is performed with little fatigue but the ability does not increase much,
When "full" is selected, training is performed in which the fatigue is large but the ability is dramatically increased. When "strong" is selected, training of an intermediate character between "horse" and "full" is performed. When "same as last time" is selected, the same horse is trained in the same manner as the last time the same horse was trained. Thereby, the trouble of the input operation can be saved.

When the training process described above is completed, the process returns to step S201.

The training process in step S209 is as follows.
As shown in FIG. 15, the processing is performed only from the start of the bet processing to the start of the next bet processing. The training process is forcibly terminated with the arrival of the start time of the next bet process, and the process returns from step S209 to step S201. In addition, it is configured that only one training can be performed in each period, and two or more trainings cannot be repeated. Therefore, it is not possible to rapidly breed the possessed horse ignoring the passage of time assumed by the race cycle, and the breeding speed of the possessed horse is given a reality.

The selected training method and the training result provided by the current training are stored by rewriting the player data in the RAM 207.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S207 is negative, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, it is determined whether or not the end of the breeding process is selected by the operation of the player.
Proceed to 211.

In step S211, it is determined whether or not data display processing has been selected by the operation of the player. If the determination is affirmative, the flow proceeds to data display processing in step S212. If not, the process returns to step S201.

Hereinafter, step S212 will be described with reference to FIG.
The data display process will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a data display screen displayed on the display 31 in the data display processing. In an area 341 provided above the data screen display, a list display 341a of the win / loss status of the G1 race and a result display 341b of the leading jockey are arranged. In addition, an area 342 for displaying a list of horse performances is provided below the data display screen. As shown in FIG. 14, in the area 342, the name, age, gender, winning prize, and past results of each horse are displayed.

When the processing in step S212 ends, the flow returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the judgment in step S210 is affirmative, the routine returns and shifts to step S111 (FIG. 6).

The data display described above is executed by referring to the player data stored in the RAM 207.

Hereinafter, after describing the method of storing the player data, the processing of FIG. 16 and the data updating processing (FIG. 7) will be described.

In the game machine 1, two storage devices, an SRAM 105 and a flash memory 106, are prepared as storage destinations of the player data (FIG. 4A). The SRAM 105 has a relatively high unit price per capacity, but has a high access speed and a long life for rewriting.
For this reason, in the present embodiment, the player data that may be frequently rewritten is stored in the SRAM 105. On the other hand, a large-capacity flash memory 106 with a low unit price per capacity stores player data whose last play date in the past is relatively old.

In order to sort the storage destination of the player data as described above, in the present embodiment, the SRAM 105 is preferentially used as the storage destination of the player data, and when the capacity of the SRAM 105 is insufficient, the update is performed last. The player data is moved to the flash memory 106 in order from the oldest player data, so that a space is made in the storage area of the SRAM 105. Further, the player data stored in the flash memory 106 is manually deleted or automatically deleted when a predetermined period has elapsed since the last update. Thereby, the free space of the flash memory 106 is secured. It is desirable that the period during which the player data is guaranteed to be stored without being deleted is notified to the player as the validity period of the game play. By setting the balance between the period until the deletion is performed and the capacities of the SRAM 105 and the flash memory 106 in an appropriate range, the management of the player data can be performed appropriately.

When the player returns, the player data already moved to the flash memory 106 is used again and updated, and as described later in the description of the processing in FIG. To the SRAM 105. If the player plays the game frequently and the update interval of the player data is short, the player data is not moved to the flash memory 106 during that time, and the SRAM 10 is updated.
5 will continue to be stored.

Next, the collation processing will be described with reference to FIG. The collation process is a process that starts upon receiving a request from the station control device 201 in step S104 (FIG. 6), and is executed by the main control device 101.

In step S301 of FIG.
Search for player data stored in 05. Next, in step S302, it is determined whether or not player data including the same ID code as the ID code requested to be searched in step S104 has been found. If this determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S303, and step S1
It is determined whether the check code transmitted in 04 matches the check code of the player data found in the SRAM 105 or not. If this determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S314, and if it is denied, the process returns to step S301.

If the determination in step S302 is negative, the flow advances to step S304 to search for player data stored in the flash memory 106. Next, in step S305, it is determined whether or not player data including the same ID code as the ID code requested to be searched in step S104 is found. If this determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S310, and it is determined whether or not the check code transmitted in step S104 matches the check code of the player data found in the flash memory 106. If this determination is affirmative, step S
Proceed to 311; if not, return to step S304.
In step S311, it is determined whether or not there is an empty area in the SRAM 105. If the determination in step S311 is negative, the player data that has not been updated for the longest time on the SRAM 105 is moved to the flash memory 106 (step S312). Proceed to step S313. If the determination in step S311 is positive, step S313
Skip to. In step S313, the game state and history (player data) found in the flash memory 106 are copied to the SRAM 105, and the process proceeds to step S3.
Proceed to 14.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S305 is negative, it is determined in step S306 that the player is a new player or that the player data in the flash memory 106 has already been deleted. next,
In step S307, it is determined whether or not there is an empty area in the SRAM 105. If the determination in step S307 is negative, the player data that has not been updated for the longest time on the SRAM 105 is moved to the flash memory 106 (step S308). Proceed to step S309. If the determination in step S307 is affirmative, step S309
Skip to. In step S309, the state and history (player data) of the game found in the flash memory 106 are copied to the SRAM 105, and the process proceeds to step S3.
Proceed to 14.

In step S 314, a new ID code is created. In step S 315, the new ID code, the above search result, the found game history, or a newly created history is transmitted to the station control device 101. Then, the processing in FIG. 16 ends. This step S
The ID code transmitted in the process of 315 is the
6 (FIG. 6). The determination in step S107 and the processing in step S108 are performed in step S315.
Is executed based on the content of the transmission.

Next, the data update processing will be described with reference to FIG. The data update process is a process that is started in response to the data update command (FIG. 5) in step S7, and is executed by the main control device 101.

In step S401 of FIG. 17, a command for requesting transmission of player data, that is, a command for transmitting player data, is transmitted to the station control device 201 of each station 3. Upon receiving the player data transmission command, the station control device 201 of each station 3 executes a process of transmitting the player data to the main control device 101.

Next, in step S402, the process waits for player data to be received from all stations 3, and then proceeds to step S403. In step S403,
The player data stored in the SRAM 105 is rewritten to the player data transmitted from the station control device 201 of each station 3, and step S404
Proceed to.

Next, in step S404, it is determined whether or not the update of the player data has been completed for all the stations 3 to which the player data has been transmitted to the main control device 101. If this determination is denied, the process proceeds to step S405, the target for rewriting the player data in the ARAM 105 is switched to the next station 3, and the process returns to step S401. If this determination is affirmed, the data update end flag is turned on in step S406, and the process ends. As described above, the data update end flag is a flag to be determined in step S8 in the cycle processing of FIG. 5, and if the data update end flag is on, the process proceeds from step S8 to step S9. Therefore all stations 3
When the update of the player data is completed, the process moves to the next race.

As described above, in this embodiment, since the state and history of the game up to the previous time are stored as player data, the game can be restarted from the previous time when the player returns. However, while the game machine 1 is in operation, annual races are sequentially performed on the game machine 1, and one year on the game elapses in two to three hours. Therefore, for example, if a player finishes playing at the time of the Yayoi Award (March) race, returns several days later, and resumes playing at the time of the derby (June) race, more than ten times Years are flowing. At this time, if play is resumed assuming that the time on the game has elapsed in accordance with the operating time of the game machine 1, if the horse is not trained for more than ten years, only the age is added. As a result, the player loses interest in the game.

For this reason, in this embodiment, the elapsed time in the game is managed independently for each player. In the above case, the derby in the same year as the Yayoi Prize race in which the player interrupted the play Is considered to have resumed play during the race, and the game assumes that the horse was resting for three months. This allows
Even if the game is interrupted, the ability of the horse possessed in the player's return play can be fully exhibited, and the player can fully enjoy the schedule of central horse racing. Since it is not preferable to reverse the flow of time in the game, for example, if the play is interrupted during the derby (June) race and resumed during the Yayoi Award (March) race, Is considered to be the Yayoi Award (March) for the following year. That is, the horse is 9
It is treated as having been rested for a month.

FIG. 18 shows a bet screen displayed on the display 31 in the betting process. As described above, in the betting process, the player can purchase a race betting ticket (see FIGS. 5 and 15). As shown in FIG. 18, an area 351 for displaying a race name is displayed on the upper left side of the betting screen, an area 352 for displaying information on horses running in the race is displayed on the upper right side of the betting screen, and an area 352 is displayed on the lower side of the betting screen. An area 353 for displaying the odds of the race is provided. In the betting process, a player can purchase a betting ticket by operating a predetermined portion of the area 252.

Here, the display method of the bet screen may be changed according to the player's horse performance. For example, when the player's horse wins the G1 race, the display image of the horse displayed in the area 352 is different from other horses, or the display layout of the horse is changed to another. Horses can be different.

In the present embodiment, the play state and the history are stored not on the magnetic card but on the game machine 1 side. Therefore, when each game machine 1 is installed independently,
If the same game machine 1 is not always used, the continuation of the game cannot be played. Therefore, a plurality of game machines may be connected to each other via some communication means so that player data can be transferred. By transferring the player data, the player can play the continuation of the game using another game machine.

The state and history of the game may be stored on a portable recording medium such as a magnetic card or a card with a built-in IC. In this case, since the game can be continued using the information stored in the portable storage medium, the game machine used when the game is continued is not limited. Therefore, the player can enjoy the continuation of the game at another place where the game machine is installed.

In the present embodiment, the ID code is changed each time game play is interrupted (step S31).
4), it is not always necessary to change the ID code every time.
Further, since the unauthorized use of the magnetic card can be prevented by the check code changing process, the ID code is not changed.
A fixed ID code may be fixedly set on one magnetic card. Further, only the ID code may be used as the specific information.

In the present embodiment, a game for breeding horse racing horses has been described as an example of breeding. However, for example, players can enjoy a process of tuning up a car participating in a race and a process of improving the ability of a bicycle racer. The present invention can be applied to such a game. In the present specification, “cultivation” includes the concept of improving the ability of all objects appearing in the game or controlling the ability.

According to the invention of claim 1, in the training process,
The greater the number of medals bet, the better the horse's ability after training
As a result, the winning rate in the race is increased, so that it is possible to give the player the pleasure of fostering a horse in the game. In addition, because the decision of whether to bet the soil degree of medals for the training is left to the player, it is possible to enhance the gameplay.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an embodiment in which a game system according to the present invention is applied to a medal game machine.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a main control unit of the game machine.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a station control unit of the game machine.

4A and 4B are diagrams showing the data structures of player data and magnetic card information, wherein FIG. 4A shows the data structure of player data, and FIG. 4B shows the data structure of magnetic card information.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a cycle control process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the station control device after a magnetic card is inserted.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a training process.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a horse selection screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a stable selection screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a horse name selection screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a race selection screen.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a jockey selection screen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a training processing screen.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a data display screen.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a game progress cycle.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a collation process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a data update process.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a bet screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Field 3 Station 101 Main control device 105 SRAM 104 Sound device 106 Flash memory 107 ROM 201 Station control device 203 Medal management device (payout means) 207 RAM 208 Magnetic information reading device (reading device) 209 Magnetic information writing device (writing device)

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (56) References JP-A 8-829 (JP, A) JP-A 10-127947 (JP, A) Classic Road II: Ultimate Book, Japan, KK Bestsellers, 1995 March 5, P.S. 24−53, 62 (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 9/00 A63F 9/14 A63F 13/00-13/12

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A medal game machine installed in an arcade, comprising: a main control device for sequentially holding a race according to a predetermined cycle; and a station control device provided for each of a plurality of stations where a player plays a game. The main controller performs the betting process for purchasing a betting ticket using medals for each race.
From the station control device, from the station control device, to a race result display process for displaying race results such as the order of arrival and odds of the race. it's including the information, each stearyl
The player connected to the main control device by transmitting player data indicating the result of game play in the game.
Player data sequentially executes the data update processing for updating the憶device, said station controller, by the operation of the player, and the purchase mode of betting the mode of game play, with the development mode of horse Switch and purchase
In the case of the mode, it follows the command from the main control unit.
The station controller executes the betting process
In the case of the breeding mode, the main control device
The bet process, the race process,
In parallel with the race result display process and execute <br/> of the data updating process, the station control unit executes the development processing, the nurturing process, a process of selecting a race for candidacy the horses have players , A training process that trains a horse by betting a medal owned by the player
Wherein it is executable in the station control device, to the station, pay to be out paid medals corresponding to the performance in the race of the retention horse to the player
Out means are provided, the training processing process for improving the horse's ability after training the more bets number of medals in said station control
A medal game machine executed on a device . 2. The training process can be performed only once between the start of the bet process for one race and the start of the bet process for the next race. Item 6. The medal game machine according to Item 1.