JP4993422B2 - Game system and game program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a game system, and more particularly to a game system in which a user plays by performing various events while moving a player character in a virtual world and stores the game data in an external memory.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the conventional game system of this type, a question as to whether or not to save (save) game data is displayed on the display, and in response to the user issuing a save command by operating the controller, Game data was saved. At that time, if the external memory for storage is not connected, an explanation such as “Please connect the memory” is displayed on the display.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case of a game that is played while moving the player character in the virtual space, the player enjoys the game by playing with the feeling of being placed in the virtual space. However, when confirming whether or not a storage memory is connected by characters or pictures displayed on the display, it becomes difficult for the player to be drawn back to the virtual world of the game because it feels like being pulled back to the real world. May be.
[0004]
Since the prior art is completely unaware of such problems, it naturally does not teach or suggest a solution.
[0005]
Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a game system capable of confirming the connection status of a memory for storing data without interrupting the game.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a game program capable of confirming the connection status of a memory for storing data without interrupting the game.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The game system of the first invention (the invention according to claim 1) includes an input unit (100) operated by a user, and a virtual character in which the player character (1000) is moved based on the operation state of the input unit. A game system for displaying the world on the display unit (300), external memory means (600, 68) for storing game data, connector means (34) to which the external memory means is connected, and game start in the virtual world First region generating means (step S2 in FIG. 7) for generating a first region (a village as shown in FIG. 9 represented based on the data in the village data region 402 in FIG. 4) where the player character can sometimes move. Player character position detecting means for detecting that the position of the player character is within the detection area of the first area (step S402 in FIG. 12), character position detection External memory detecting means (step S404 in FIG. 12) for detecting whether or not the external memory means is connected to the connector means when the player character is detected to be in the detection area by the step, and the external memory When it is detected by the detecting means that the external memory means is connected, the second area (the island data (primary) storage area 404a and the island data (secondary) storage area 404b in FIG. 4) is entered in the virtual world. Second area generating means (step S424 in FIG. 14) for generating an island as shown in FIG. 16 is provided.
[0008]
The game program of the second invention (invention 8) is an input operated by a user to move a connector means (34) to which an external memory (600, 68) is connected and a player character (1000). A game program executed by a game system including a unit (100), wherein a first area (a village data area 402 in FIGS. 9 and 4) in which a player character can move at the start of the game is generated. The area generation program (step S2 in FIG. 7), the player character position detection program (step S402 in FIG. 12) for detecting that the position of the player character is within the detection area of the first area, and the character position detection program When it is detected that the character is within the detection area, the external memory means When the external memory detection program (step S404 in FIG. 12) for detecting whether or not the external memory means is connected is detected by the external memory detection program (step S404 in FIG. 12) and the external memory means is connected to the virtual world. A second area generation program (step S424 in FIG. 14) for generating the area is included.
[0009]
【Effect of the invention】
According to the first invention (claims 1 to 7), instead of displaying characters or pictures indicating the connection status of the external memory on the screen during the game, the area in the virtual world to which the player character can move is changed. Therefore, the user can concentrate on the virtual world of the game without impairing the game world view.
[0010]
Further, by using the first memory means and the second memory means, the data storage location can be determined according to the purpose.
[0011]
Further, by using the first memory means and the second memory means, the second memory means storing the data not stored in the first memory is connected to the connector while the first memory means is in use. By doing so, it becomes possible to play a game using data relating to the new second area.
[0012]
Furthermore, if the data in the second memory means is stored in the first memory means, even if the data in the second memory disappears, the data can be restored by the first memory means.
[0013]
According to the second invention (invention 8), it is possible to provide a program capable of realizing the above-described effects.
[0014]
The above object, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
【Example】
Referring to FIG. 1, the game system of this embodiment includes a portable game machine 100 and a video game machine 200. The portable game machine 100 is connected to the video game 200 through the communication cable 400 and the CRT 300 is connected through the video cable 500. The DVD medium 30 storing the game program is attached to the video game machine 200. The memory card 800 in which game data is stored is attached to the video game machine 200. The game program is executed by the video game machine 200 and the portable game machine 600 to provide a predetermined game world to the player. The portable game machine 600 is used as an external memory and a portable terminal for performing individual processing, and a player reads and writes game data from the portable game machine 600 to perform game operations.
[0016]
The game world (game virtual world) is displayed on the CRT 300. On the LCD 70 provided in the portable game machine 600, an image based on the execution of the program downloaded from the video game machine 200 is displayed.
[0017]
The portable game machine 600 and the video game machine 200 are specifically configured as shown in FIG. The portable game machine 600 is provided with a connector 62, and the video game machine 200 is provided with a plurality of connectors 34. The connector 62 is connected to the CPU 66 via the I / O interface 64, and the connector 34 is connected to the CPU 38 via the I / O interface 36. Connectors 400a and 400b provided at both ends of the communication cable 400 are connected to the connectors 62 and 34, respectively, thereby enabling communication between the CPU 66 and the CPU 38.
[0018]
A DVD drive 32 is also connected to the I / O interface 36 of the video game machine 200. As shown in FIG. 3, the DVD medium 30 stores a game program / data for the video game machine 200 and a game program / data for the portable game machine 600, and these programs / data are read by the DVD drive 32. . Furthermore, a memory card 800 is also connected to the I / O interface 36 of the video game machine 200 via the connector 35. The contents of the memory card 800 will be described in detail later.
[0019]
Referring to FIG. 3, in DVD medium 30, program area 301 includes a main program that is a basic program for operating a game, a tailor program for creating clothes at a tailor, and design. Design program (for video game machine 200 and portable game machine 600), transfer program for data transfer between video game machine 200 and portable game machine 600, island for displaying islands and transmitting / receiving island data Programs and other programs are stored. The image data area 302 stores various data relating to player characters, village objects, island objects, and objects to be designed (polygons and textures necessary for game graphic display). In the sound data area, various data relating to the sound expression of the game are stored. Various other data are stored in other areas.
[0020]
Returning to FIG. 2, the game program / data for the video game machine 200 is stored in the RAM 40.
Referring to FIG. 4, in RAM 40, a program area stores a main program that is a program transferred from DVD medium 30, and a tailor program, a design program, or an island program according to the currently executed program. And a program transfer program for transferring the program to the RAM 68 are stored. The village data area 402 stores data on villages where the player character should live in the game virtual space. Specifically, it is villager data, player character house data, village scenery and state data, and the like. The design data area 403 stores design data designed by the player (user). The island data (primary) storage area 404a and the island data (secondary) storage area 404b store data relating to islands. Specifically, it is data such as items that the player character has deposited with the depository on the island, and data such as a character that is on the island. The object list area 405 stores object information necessary to construct one frame image. The frame memory area 407 stores an image of one frame. The other area 407 stores other data.
[0021]
Referring to FIG. 5, in memory card 800, village data, design data, and island data stored in RAM 40 are stored in village data area 801, design data area, and island data area 803. These data are stored as game backup data. Other data is stored in the other area 804.
[0022]
The image processing unit 42 draws the game world in the frame memory area 406 based on the polygon data and texture data of the object stored in the object list area 405 stored in the RAM 40, and transmits the data to the encoder 46. The encoder 46 reads image data created by a large number of objects (game world, character, etc.) from the frame memory area 406, and converts the read image data into a composite image signal. The converted composite image signal is given to the CRT 300 via the video cable 500, and a game screen is displayed on the CRT 300.
[0023]
The game program (design program, etc.) and data for the portable game machine 600 stored in the DVD medium 30 are read by the video game machine 200, transferred to the portable game machine 600 via the communication cable 400, and stored in the RAM 68. Remembered. The RAM 68 is represented by a memory map as shown in FIG.
[0024]
Referring to FIG. 6, in RAM 68, program area 681 stores a main program, a design program, and other programs transferred from video game machine 200. The design storage area 682 stores design data created when the design program is executed. In the island data storage area 683, island data created by the video game machine 200 is stored. The other area 685 stores other data.
[0025]
The CPU 68 requests the image processing unit 72 to perform image processing in order to display the game screen on the LCD 70. Further, when the A button 60a, the B button 60b or the direction instruction key 60c provided on the operation device 60 is operated, the image processing unit 72 is requested to update the image according to the operation state.
[0026]
The image processing unit 72 draws an image corresponding to the data stored in the RAM 68 and the operation state of the operation device 60 on the VRAM 74. The LCD driver 76 drives the LCD 70 according to the image data drawn on the VRAM 74. As a result, a game screen is displayed on the LCD 70.
[0027]
The CPU 38 of the video game machine 200 executes the program as shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The CPU 66 of the portable game machine 600 executes the program as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The process of the CPU 38 is executed according to the game program / data for the video game machine shown in FIG. 4, and the process of the CPU 66 is executed according to the game program / data for the portable game machine.
[0028]
First, the outline of the game according to the present embodiment will be described. When the DVD media 30 is mounted on the video game machine 200 and the power is turned on, an initial game screen is displayed on the CRT 300. The player operates the controller 100 to select “play for the first time” or “continue before” on the initial screen. When “play for the first time” is selected, data on the village where the player character will live will be created in the RAM 40. At this time, the CPU 38 generates a random numerical value, sets the numerical value as a village ID, and stores it in the RAM 40 as a part of the village data as a village-specific number. When “Continue to previous” is selected, the CPU 38 reads out the village data stored in the memory card 800 and stores it in the RAM 40. The village data at this time includes a village ID.
[0029]
When the village image and the player character are displayed on the CRT 300, the player operates the controller 100 to move the player character in the village. In the village, there are your own house, tailor and pier. A player character that has left his / her house can enter a tailor in accordance with the player's operation. When you enter the tailor, various clothes are displayed, and you can choose and buy your favorite clothes. When the player character speaks to the store clerk at this location and tells him that he / she wants to design, the design program is executed. The player can design the cloth pattern of the clothes while operating the controller 100 while viewing the edit screen displayed on the CRT 300 and selecting a color. In addition, the player may want to design not only at home but also at school or commuting time, or in a room without the video game machine 200. At that time, the player operates the controller 100 and speaks to the clerk of the tailor or inputs a command to input that he / she wants to create a design on the portable game machine. Then, the video game machine 200 transmits a design program to the connected portable game machine 600. With this design program, the player can design the pattern of the fabric of clothes with the portable game machine 600. Further, when a design created by the portable game machine 600 is to be transferred to the video game machine 200, data transfer is executed when notifying the tailor's clerk not to create a design but to input a design. When the play or character moves freely in the village and approaches the pier or approaches the pier to some extent, the CPU 38 checks whether the portable game machine 600 is connected to the video game machine 200 or not. When not connected, there is no ship even if the player character arrives at the pier. However, when connected, there is a ship and a captain on the pier. When the player character tells the captain that he wants to cross the island, he can get on the boat and cross the island. When it is the first time to cross the island, the CPU 38 creates the island data in the RAM 40. At this time, the CPU 38 stores the village ID in the RAM 40 as a part of the island data as the identification ID of the island. Thus, by providing the island ID, it is possible to identify whether the island where the player character exists is his own island or the island of another person. If it is not the first time to cross the island, the island data stored in the portable game machine 600 or the island data stored in the memory card 800 is stored in the RAM 40. The game on the island is performed based on the island data in the RAM 40.
[0030]
When the player character crosses the island, it can move freely on the island as well as the village. There is a warehouse on the island, and the player character can store items, clothes, etc. used in the game.
[0031]
When the player character leaves the island, data such as items and clothes in the warehouse are stored in the portable game machine 600 as island data together with data relating to other islands. However, if the player does not want to store the island data, the player can return to the village without storing the island data in the portable game machine 600.
[0032]
The player takes the portable game machine 600 storing the island data, for example, at a friend's house and connects it to a video game machine where the friend is playing. Then, when a friend's player character takes a boat from the pier of the friend's village and crosses the island, the island is not his friend's island but his own island where the island data is stored. The friend's player character can move freely around the island, enter the warehouse, and take items that have been placed. As a result, items you have can be given to your friends.
[0033]
When the friend's player character leaves the island, the island data is stored in the portable game machine 600, and the island data in the video game machine 200 is rewritten with the island island data created in the friend's village. This is to prevent the data of the friend's island from being erroneously written to the memory card 800 when the village data and the island data are stored in the memory card 800 later.
After enjoying the game, before ending the game, the village or island data played so far is saved in the memory card 800 and the game is ended.
The operation as described above will be described in detail using a flowchart.
[0034]
Referring to FIG. 7, in step S <b> 1, CPU 38 performs an initialization process for video game machine 200.
[0035]
In step S2, the CPU 38 checks whether there is backup data in the memory card 800. If there is backup data, the CPU 38 transfers the village data in the village data area 801 to the village data area 402 in the RAM 40, and the island data area 803. Is transferred to the island data (primary) area 404a and the island data (sub) area 404b of the RAM 40. (At this time, the data stored in the island data (primary) area 404a and the island data (secondary) area 404b are the same data.) If there is no backup data, the CPU 38 creates new village data, Store in the data area 402. FIG. 8 is a visual illustration of this data transfer. The upper square represents the memory space of the RAM 40 of the video game machine 200, the left square therein represents the village data area 402 for storing village data, and the second circle from the right stores island data. The island data (primary) area 404a is represented, and the first circle from the right represents an island data (sub) area 404b for storing island data. The lower left square represents the memory space of the memory card 800, the upper square among them represents the village data area 801 for storing village data, and the lower circle represents the island data area 803 for storing island data. Represents. The lower right square represents the RAM 68 of the portable game machine.
[0036]
In this way, based on the village data read from the memory card 800 into the RAM 40, an image representation of the village (first area) which is the virtual space of the game as shown in FIG. 9 can be performed. The player character 1000 can move freely in the village. For example, you can enter a tailor 1002 and tailor clothes, or you can go to the dock 1004 and board the ship. A square 1008 surrounded by a dotted line is a detection range described later. A square 1010 surrounded by a dotted line is a display range of the landing point described later.
[0037]
In step S3, the CPU 38 performs tailor processing. This tailor process is executed when the player character 1000 enters the tailor 1002. The tailor process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0038]
In step S302, the CPU 38 causes the CRT 300 to display a selection screen. The selection screen is a screen that allows the player to select what processing is to be performed next. For example, what kind of clothes do you buy? Do you design clothes? Etc. The player operates the controller 100 to select the next process.
[0039]
In step S304, it is determined whether or not the player has chosen to design clothes. If the user does not choose to design clothes, other processing must be performed, and thus the process proceeds to step S306, and other processing is performed. The other processing is processing such as buying clothes and going out of the store. After step S306, the process proceeds to step S4. If the player has selected a clothing design, the process proceeds to step S308.
[0040]
In step S <b> 308, the CPU 38 determines whether the portable game machine 600 is connected to the video game machine 200. If not connected, the process proceeds to step S306, and if connected, the process proceeds to step S310.
[0041]
In step S310, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the player will newly design from now on. This determination may be performed based on the option selected by the player in step S302, or may be performed by causing the player to make a new selection. If a new design is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S312.
[0042]
In step S312, the CPU 38 determines whether or not a design program is stored in the program area 681 of the RAM 68 of the portable game machine 600. If it is stored, the process proceeds to step S314. In step S <b> 314, the CPU 38 transfers, for example, basic design data of clothing design for editing by the player to the design data area 682 of the RAM 68. Next, the process proceeds to step S306.
[0043]
If the design program is not stored in step S312, the process proceeds to step S316, and the CPU 38 transfers the design program to the program area 681 of the RAM 68 and transfers the design data to the design data area 682 of the RAM 68. Next, the process proceeds to step S306.
[0044]
If it is determined in step S310 that a new design is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step S318, in which the CPU 38 determines whether design data is stored in the design data area 682 of the RAM 68 of the portable game machine 600 and stores the design data. If not, the process proceeds to step S306. If stored, the process proceeds to step S320.
[0045]
In step S320, the design data stored in the design data area 682 of the RAM 68, which is the design data already created by the player, is transferred to the RAM 40 of the game machine 200, and the process proceeds to step S306.
[0046]
Next, the operation of the portable game machine 600 to which the design program is transferred will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
In step S330, the CPU 66 reads the design program transferred by the CPU 38 and stores it in the program area 681 of the RAM 68. In step S332, the CPU 66 waits until the operation in step S330 is completed, and proceeds to step S334 when determining that the operation has been completed.
[0047]
In step S334, the CPU 66 starts executing the design program. In step S336, the CPU 66 detects the operation state of the player's operation device 60, and displays an image corresponding to the operation state on the LCD. Specifically, the player designates various shapes and colors while moving the operation device 60 with the cursor displayed on the design screen, and displays the original design on the screen. When the player designates “save”, the CPU 66 saves the completed design in the design data area 682 of the RAM 68.
[0048]
In step S338, the CPU 66 determines whether or not there is a design data transmission request from the CPU 38 of the game machine 200. If there is no request, the process returns to step S336, and if there is, the process proceeds to step S340.
[0049]
In step S 340, the CPU 66 transmits the design data stored in the design data area 682 to the CPU 38 of the game machine 200.
[0050]
In step S342, the CPU 66 returns to step S340 until the operation of step S340 is completed, and proceeds to step S334 when determining that the operation has been completed.
[0051]
In step S344, other processing is executed, and the design processing is terminated. The other process is, for example, a process for selecting whether or not to perform a process other than the design process.
[0052]
Next, the island process in step S4 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that the player character 1000 is moving from the upper right to the lower left pier. At this time, in step S402 in FIG. 12, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the player character is within the detection range 1008. Specifically, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the coordinate position of the player character is within the coordinate range of the detection range 1008. In the case of FIG. 9, since the player character is outside the detection range 1008, the process proceeds to step S5. Next, when the player character moves from the upper right to the lower left in FIG. 9 and the player character is within the detection range 1008, the process proceeds to step S404.
[0053]
In step S404, the CPU 38 detects whether or not the portable game machine 600 is connected to the connector 34 via the cable 400. If it is not connected, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is connected, the process proceeds to step S406. The determination method in step S404 is the same as that in step S308.
[0054]
In step S406, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the player character is in the captain display range 1010. If it is not the captain display range, the process proceeds to step S5, and if it is the captain display range, the process proceeds to step S408. The captain display range is a range in which the captain 1012 in FIG. 13 can be displayed. Specifically, the range is such that the player character 1000 approaches the ship on which the captain 1012 rides and the player character 1000 and the captain 1012 can be displayed at a certain size at the same time.
[0055]
In step S408, the CPU 38 causes the image processing unit 42 to create image data and causes the CRT 300 to display a captain 1012 as shown in FIG. When the portable game machine 600 is not connected, such a captain 1012 is not displayed.
[0056]
In step S410, the CPU 38 causes the CRT 300 to display (or output by voice) such that the captain 1012 inquires whether or not the player character 1000 will cross the island. The player follows the display (or audio) according to the display (or voice). Operate 100 to indicate whether or not to cross the island.
[0057]
In step S412, the CPU 38 detects the operation status of the controller 100 and determines whether or not the player is going to the island. If the player is going to cross the island, the process proceeds to step S414, and if not, the process proceeds to step S5.
[0058]
In step S414, the CPU 38 detects whether or not the portable game machine 600 is connected to the connector 34 via the cable 400. If it is not connected, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is connected, the process proceeds to step S416.
[0059]
In step S416, the CPU 38 determines whether or not island data is stored in the island data area 684 of the RAM 68 via the CPU 66. When the island data has been written, the CPU 38 transfers the island data in the island data area 683 to the island data (primary) area 404 a of the RAM 40. At this time, the island data (secondary) area 404b stores the island data of the memory card 800 or has no data. FIG. 15 is a visual representation of this data transfer. The lower right square visually represents the memory space of the RAM 68 of the portable game machine 600, and the circle written as “b island” therein represents the island data area 683. Arrows indicate the movement of data within the area.
[0060]
In step S <b> 420, the CPU 38 instructs the image processing unit 42 to display an image of the player character 1000 on the ship and leaving the island on the CRT 300.
[0061]
In step S416, when the CPU 38 determines that there is no island data in the RAM 68, the process proceeds to step S422, and the CPU 38 determines whether or not island data is stored in the memory card 800. If the island data is stored, the CPU 38 converts the island data stored in the island data area 803 of the memory card 800 into the island data (primary) area 404a and the island data (secondary data) of the RAM 40 as described in FIG. ) Store in area 404b and proceed to step S420. If the island data is not stored, the process proceeds to step S426, and the CPU 38 creates new island data, stores it in the island data (primary) area 404a and the island data (secondary) area 404b of the RAM 40, and the portable game. The data is also transferred to the island data area 684 of the machine 600, and the process proceeds to step S420. The island data at this time includes the same island ID as the village ID. The village ID is a village number stored in the current memory card 800 and is data indicating a different number for each village where each player is playing. The island ID is data indicating the same number as the village ID of the village when the island is created. Therefore, for each player, the village ID and the island ID are the same number (or a related number), and the island data in the portable game machine 600 connected to the video game machine 200 is the data of one's own island or another person's This is useful for distinguishing between island data.
[0062]
Following step S420, the CPU 38 causes the CRT 300 to display an image as shown in FIG. The player character 1000 can descend on the island and move around the island. There is a warehouse 1014 on the island, and the player character can enter the item and wear items that have been placed on them, or can place items they have. Thus, the item data stored in the warehouse 1014 is stored as island data in the island data (primary) area 404a. At this time, the data in the island data (sub) area 404b is not rewritten. When the player character completes the task, he goes to the captain 1012 in the pier ship to return to the village. Then, when the captain 1012 is told that he wants to return, the ship will leave and return to the village. A program for operating the CPU 38 at this time will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0063]
In step S450, when the CPU 38 detects that the player character 1000 has come to the pier, the CPU 38 causes the CRT 300 to display a display that asks the player character 1000 whether or not to cross the island. ) In accordance with the display (or sound), the player operates the controller 100 to indicate whether or not to cross the island. The CPU 38 detects the operation status of the controller 100 and determines whether or not the player is going back to the village. If it does not return to the village, the process proceeds to step S452, and the CPU 38 performs an operation such as movement of the player character in the island according to the operation status of the controller 100 of the player, and then proceeds to step S5. If it returns to a village, it will progress to step S454.
[0064]
In step S454, the village ID stored in the village data area 402 of the RAM 40 is compared with the island ID stored in the island data (primary) area 404a. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S456. The fact that the village ID and the island ID do not match indicates that the connected portable game machine 600 and the video game machine 200 are not made in the same village. Specifically, while a player is playing a game set in Village A on the video game machine 200, another player plays a game set in Village B using another memory card 800. Thus, a state is shown in which a portable game machine 600 storing the data of island b created in the village is connected.
[0065]
In step S456, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the portable game machine 600 is connected to the video game machine 200, and waits until the portable game machine 600 is connected. When the portable game machine 600 is connected, the process proceeds to step S458.
[0066]
In step S458, the CPU 38 transfers the island data stored in the island data (primary) area 404a of the RAM 40 to the island data area 683 of the RAM 68 for storage. FIG. 18 is a visual representation of this data transfer. In FIG. 15, the island b data is stored in the island data (correct) area 404a, but the island b data is rewritten to the b ′ island data by the operation of the player, and the b ′ island data is stored in the RAM 68 as shown in FIG. Stored in the island data area 683.
[0067]
Next, in step S460, the CPU 38 transfers the island data in the island data (sub) region 404b of the RAM 40 to the island data (primary) region 404a. As described above, by transferring the island data, it is possible to prevent other players 'data from being left in the RAM 40. When the data is stored in the memory card 800, which will be described later, the other players' data is stored in the memory card. Writing to 800 can be prevented. (See Figure 19)
[0068]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S454 that the village ID of the village data area 402 matches the island ID of the island data (primary) area 404a, the process proceeds to step S462. A match between the village ID and the island ID indicates that the island data of the connected portable game machine 600 and the island data of the memory card 800 of the video game machine 200 are created in the same village. ing.
[0069]
In step S <b> 462, the CPU 38 causes the CRT 300 to display a display that asks the player whether or not to save the island data (or to output it by voice). In accordance with the display (or sound), the player operates the controller 100 to indicate whether or not to save the island data. The CPU 38 detects the operation status of the controller 100 and determines whether or not the player is trying to save the island data. If not stored, the process proceeds to step S5, and if stored, the process proceeds to step S464.
[0070]
In step S464, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the portable game machine 600 is connected to the video game machine 200, waits until the portable game machine 600 is connected, and proceeds to step S466 when connected.
[0071]
In step S466, the CPU 38 transfers and stores the island data stored in the island data (primary) area 404a of the RAM 40 to the island data area 683 of the RAM 68, and proceeds to step S5. FIG. 18 is a visual representation of this data transfer. In FIGS. 15 and 18, the islands b and b ′ are shown. However, in order to explain the case where the island ID = the village ID, the islands a and a ′ are described. In FIG. 15, the island a data is stored in the island data (correct) area 404 a, but the island a data is rewritten to the a ′ island data by the operation of the player, and the a ′ island data is stored in the RAM 68 as shown in FIG. 18. Stored in the island data area 683.
[0072]
Next, in step S5 of FIG. 7, the CPU 38 performs other game processes. Specifically, for example, a process in which the CPU 38 causes the player object 1000 to move around the village, a process to talk with a village resident, a process for setting various parameters, and the like.
[0073]
In step S6, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the game has ended. If it has not ended, the process proceeds to step S3, and if it has ended, the process proceeds to step S7.
[0074]
In step S7, the CPU 38 backs up the game data that has been played so far, and ends the execution of the game program. Specifically, the CPU 38 transfers the island data in the island data (primary) area 404 a of the RAM 40 to the island data area 803 of the memory card 800 and transfers the village data 402 of the RAM 40 to the island data area 803 of the memory card 800. Transfer to the village data area 801. The transferred island data is rewritten during the game when the connected portable game machine 600 is owned by the player (when storing the island data of the village currently being played) When the connected portable game machine 600 is owned by a player other than the player (when island data of another village is stored), the data is the same as the data stored in the village data area 801. In the embodiment of the present invention, the backup is performed after the game is over, but the backup may be performed at an arbitrary timing during the game. In particular, when the CPU 38 transfers the island data in the island data (primary) area 404a to the island data area 683 at the timing of step S466, it may be transferred to the island data (sub) area 404b and the island data area 803 as well. . By doing so, the island data corresponding to the updated village can be surely backed up even when various portable game machines 600 are connected or disconnected during the game.
[0075]
In this embodiment, the island data is stored in the portable game machine, but it may be a simple backup memory (flash memory, RAM with power source, magnetic storage medium, etc.) instead of the portable game machine.
[0076]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a game system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a memory map of the DVD medium 30;
FIG. 4 is a memory map of a RAM 40;
5 is a memory map of the memory card 800. FIG.
6 is a memory map of a RAM 68. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a main routine of the game program according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram visually representing a transfer method of game data (village data and island data).
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a virtual space of a game over a relatively wide range.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of tailor processing executed by the video game machine.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of design processing executed by the portable game machine.
FIG. 12 is a part of a flowchart of island processing executed by the video game machine.
FIG. 13 is an example of an image displayed on a CRT by island processing.
FIG. 14 is a part of a flowchart of island processing executed by the video game machine.
FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram visually showing a transfer method of game data (island data).
FIG. 16 is an example of an image displayed on a CRT by island processing.
FIG. 17 is a part of a flowchart of island processing executed by the video game machine.
FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram visually representing a game data (island data) transfer method.
FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram visually representing a transfer method of game data (village data and island data).
[Explanation of symbols]
100 ... Operator
38, 66 ... CPU
40, 68 ... RAM
70 ... LCD
42, 72 ... Image processing unit
74 ... VRAM
30 ... DVD media
32 ... DVD drive
600 ... portable game machine
200 ... Video game machine
300 ... CRT
400: Communication cable
500 ... Video cable

Claims (10)

A game system including an input unit operated by a user and displaying a virtual world in which a player character is moved based on an operation state of the input unit on a display unit,
External memory means for storing game data;
Connector means to which the external memory means is connected;
A first region generating means for generating a first region in which the player character can move at the start of the game in the virtual world displayed on the display unit;
Player character position detecting means for detecting that the position of the player character is within the detection area of the first area;
External memory detecting means for detecting whether before Kigaibu memory means is connected to said connector means, and
When the character position detecting means detects that the player character is within the detection area and the external memory detecting means detects that the external memory means is connected to the display unit, A game system comprising: second area generating means for generating a second area in the displayed virtual world. 2. The game system according to claim 1, further comprising data transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the external memory means via the connector means. The external memory detecting means transmits a detection signal to the external memory means using the data transmitting / receiving means and receives a predetermined signal from the external memory means, whereby the external memory means is connected to the connector means. The game system according to claim 2, wherein it is detected whether or not it is connected to the game system. The game system according to claim 2, further comprising: a first area storage unit that stores data related to the first area; and a second area storage unit that stores data related to the second area. In response to the position of the player character being in the second area and a user performing a predetermined operation on the input unit, the data transmission / reception means stores the second area storage means in the external memory means. 5. The game system according to claim 4, wherein the data stored in is transmitted. The external memory means stores the data stored in the first area storage means and the second area storage means and stores the data stored in the first area storage means and the second area storage means. 5. A game system according to claim 4, comprising two memory means. The data transmission / reception means receives data relating to the first area and the second area from the first memory means at the start of the game, and stores them in the first area storage means and the second area storage means, respectively. When the player character moves from the second area to the first area, the data stored in the second area storage means is transmitted to and stored in the second memory means. The game system according to claim 6. Includes a connector means for external memory means is connected, and an input unit used for user to operate the game system of the computer to be displayed on the display unit the virtual world moving the player character based on the operation state of the input section A game program executed by
The computer,
A first region generating means for generating a first region in which the player character can move at the start of the game in the virtual world displayed on the display unit ;
Player character position detecting means for detecting that the position of the player character is within the detection area of the first area;
External memory detecting means for detecting whether before Kigaibu memory means is connected to said connector means, and
When the character position detecting means detects that the player character is within the detection area and the external memory detecting means detects that the external memory means is connected to the display unit, A game program which functions as a second area generating means for generating a second area in the displayed virtual world. A game device including an input unit operated by a user, and displaying a virtual world in which a player character is moved based on an operation state of the input unit on a display unit,
Connector means to which external memory means for storing game data is connected;
A first region generating means for generating a first region in which the player character can move at the start of the game in the virtual world displayed on the display unit;
Player character position detecting means for detecting that the position of the player character is within the detection area of the first area;
External memory detecting means for detecting whether the external memory means is connected to the connector means; and
When the character position detecting means detects that the player character is within the detection area and the external memory detecting means detects that the external memory means is connected to the display unit, A game apparatus comprising: second area generating means for generating a second area in the displayed virtual world. A game processing method used in a game device including an input unit operated by a user and displaying a virtual world in which a player character is moved based on an operation state of the input unit on a display unit,
A first region generating step of generating a first region in which the player character can move at the start of the game in the virtual world displayed on the display unit;
A player character position detecting step for detecting that the position of the player character is within the detection area of the first area;
An external memory detecting step for detecting whether or not an external memory means for storing game data is connected to a connector means provided in the game apparatus; and
When it is detected in the character position detection step that the player character is within a detection area, and the external memory detection step detects that the external memory means is connected, the display unit A game processing method comprising: a second area generation step of generating a second area in the displayed virtual world.

Images