JP6734601B2 - game machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game machine with a dance theme.

As a game machine configured so that the player takes a dance step in accordance with music, the game machine has a stage on which at least two players can ride, and a plurality of inputs capable of detecting the trampling motion of the player are provided on the stage. The parts are arranged side by side, front and rear, and the position of the input part that the player should step on is sequentially instructed as the music played during the game progresses, and the detection result of the stepping motion of the player and the instruction to the player are compared. There is known a game machine in which a player's step is evaluated (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2000-037490, A

In a conventional game machine, assuming that a plurality of players play at the same time, a plurality of play areas are arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the game machine, an input unit is provided for each play area, and a dance operation instruction is given to the player. Is also distinguished for each play area. That is, the conventional game machine is configured such that a plurality of players take the dance step while being arranged side by side. However, in the actual dance, it is not uncommon for a plurality of dancers who are lined up front and back to perform a complex performance by collaborating or collaborating on steps. Conventional game machines are difficult to produce this kind of performance, and there is room for further study in terms of directing others to dance.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine capable of inducing the player to take steps with high performance and enhancing the interest of the game.

In the game machine according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of play areas are set by shifting positions in the front-back direction when the direction facing the display device is the front-back direction, and at least one player should take a dance step. A stage having a tread surface in which each play area is set as a range, and a step position as a position at which the player should tread on the tread surface in each of the plurality of play areas are set in accordance with the progress of the game. And a step instructing means for changing the step position in the play area and for instructing the player separately for each of the play areas via the display device.

The figure showing an example of the game system containing the game machine concerning one form of the present invention. The figure which shows the structure of a game machine. The figure which shows a stage sensor. The functional block diagram which shows the principal part of the control system of a game machine. The figure which shows an example of a structure of sequence data. The figure which shows an example of the game screen containing the guide image displayed based on sequence data. The figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the guidance image of FIG. 6, and the determination area|region set on the tread of a stage. The figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the instruction sign corresponding to a short step, and the step which a player should perform. The figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the instruction sign corresponding to a long step, and the step which a player should perform. The figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the instruction mark corresponding to a slide, and the step which a player should perform. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the evaluation process which a dance evaluation part performs. The figure which shows the modification of a game machine. The figure which shows the modification regarding arrangement|positioning of the play area|region on the tread of a stage. The figure which shows the other modification regarding arrangement|positioning of the play area|region on the tread of a stage. The figure which shows the further another modified example regarding arrangement|positioning of the play area|region on the tread of a stage. The figure which shows the modification regarding the shape and arrangement|positioning of the play area|region on the tread of a stage.

Hereinafter, an example of a game system including a game machine according to an aspect of the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device, a plurality of game machines 3 as a client device connectable to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5, and a plurality of user terminal devices 4. In addition, the term of the user is a general term for a person who uses the game system 1, and a user who plays a game on the game machine 3 may be referred to as a player. The center server 2 is configured as one logical server device by combining a plurality of server units 2A, 2B... As computer devices. However, the center server 2 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured by using cloud computing.

The game machine 3 is configured as a commercial (commercial) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee.
This type of game machine 3 is sometimes called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is a computer device installed in a predetermined facility such as the store 6 mainly for the purpose of making many users play the game repeatedly and increasing profits. The game machine 3 instructs the player to perform various actions that make up the dance, for example, to take steps in a predetermined order in accordance with music, and evaluate the actions actually performed by the player in response to these instructions. It is configured as a dance game machine for playing the game.

The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is provided for personal use of the user. For example, a stationary or book-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 4a or a mobile terminal device 4b such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 4. In addition, various computer devices such as a stationary home game machine, a portable game device, and a portable tablet terminal device, which are network-connectable and provided for the user's personal use, are used as the user terminal device 4. You may The user terminal device 4 can allow the user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by mounting various computer software.

The network 5 may be appropriately configured as long as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 can be connected to the center server 2. As an example, the network 5 is configured to realize network communication using the TCP/IP protocol.
Typically, it is constructed by connecting the Internet 5A as a WAN and LANs 5B and 5C connecting the center server 2 and the game machine 3 to the Internet 5A via a router 5D. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A with an appropriate configuration. A local server may be installed between the game machine 3 and the router 5D of the store 6, and the game machine 3 may be communicatively connected to the center server 2 via the local server. The server units 2A, 2B... Of the center server 2 may be connected to each other by a WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

Next, the configuration of the game machine 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows an example of one game machine 3. The illustrated game machine 3 has a housing 10. The housing 10 includes a stage 11 that is installed on a horizontal plane on which the game machine 3 is to be installed, such as a floor of a facility such as a store 6, and a standing wall 12 that extends substantially vertically from the end of the stage 11. And has a generally L-shaped appearance. A display device 13 is attached to the upper part of the front surface of the standing wall 12 so that its display surface 13a faces the stage 11 side. The display device 13 is, for example, a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. The direction orthogonal to the display surface 13a of the display device 13 is the front-rear direction of the game machine 3, and the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction on a horizontal plane is orthogonal to the left-right direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction of the game machine 3, respectively. Is the vertical direction of the game machine 3. However, regarding the front, rear, left, and right of the game machine 3, the front side, the rear side, the right side, and the left side are defined on the basis of the state where the game machine 3 is viewed so as to face the display surface 13a. For example, the side toward the display surface 13a is the front side, and the side away from the display surface 13a is the rear side.

As an example, the stage 11 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape that is long in the front-rear direction. On the upper surface of the stage 11, two players PL1 and PL2 (hereinafter, may be represented by PL) are stepped in a size large enough to take a dance step while being aligned in the front-rear direction of the game machine 3. It is configured as a surface 11a. Corresponding to the configuration in which the two players PL are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction, the tread surface 11a of the stage 11 is divided into two play areas AR1 and AR2 (hereinafter, It may be represented by AR.) is set. In FIG. 2, the boundary position between the play areas AR1 and AR2 is indicated by a one-dot chain line BL.

As an example, each play area AR is set as a range in which one player PL should take a dance step. Each play area AR has the same shape and size. The size of one play area AR may be appropriately set according to the age group, physique range, etc. of the player PL assumed as the target of the dance game. As an example, in the case of providing a dance game targeting an adult player PL, the player PL changes the position in the left-right direction and steps in one play area AR to change the step position in the front-rear direction. When the dance game is configured so as not to be performed, one play area AR may be set to approximately 0.5 m or larger in the front-rear direction. In that case, the size in the left-right direction may be appropriately set depending on how much the step position is changed. When the game machine 3 is configured for children, the play area AR may be set smaller than the above range. However, the size of the play area AR is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and it depends on what layer of the player PL the dance game sets as a target and what step is configured to ask the player PL. It may be configured to have an appropriate width. Further, the stage 11 is provided with a stage sensor 14 as an example of a step detection unit that outputs a signal according to an actual step position as a position at which the player PL is actually stepping on the tread 11a. The stage sensor 14 will be described later.

The display surface 13a of the display device 13 may be arranged at the same level as the line of sight of the player PL standing on the tread surface 11a when looking horizontally forward. The height of the line of sight of the player PL changes according to the age group and physique of the player PL, but here, the display surface so that the player PL of the age group targeted for the dance game can easily observe the image on the display surface 13a. The height of 13a may be set.

A mirror 15 is attached to the standing wall 12 of the housing 10 so as to be located below the display device 13. The mirror 15 is arranged so as to face the chest or abdomen below the player PL standing facing the display surface 13a. Therefore, the player PL1 located in the play area AR1 on the front side of the stage 11 can use the mirror 15 to visually recognize what step the player PL2 located in the play area AR2 on the rear side is taking. is there.

The standing wall 12 of the housing 10 is further provided with a speaker device 16 for reproducing dance music and sound effects of a game, and a camera 17 for photographing the player PL on the step surface 11a of the stage 11. The camera 17 is capable of capturing a moving image, and functions as an example of a dance image acquisition unit that acquires a dance image of a player PL dancing during a game. The camera 17 is arranged above the display device 13 and substantially at the center in the left-right direction so that the player PL is photographed obliquely from above in the front. It should be noted that a plurality of cameras 17 may be attached to the standing wall 12 to photograph the player PL from a plurality of viewpoints. Alternatively, a frame-shaped structure may be provided around the stage 11, and a camera 17 for photographing the player PL from the side or the rear may be provided on the structure.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the stage sensor 14. The stage sensor 14 has a rectangular frame 14 a that surrounds the periphery of the step surface 11 a of the stage 11. Infrared light, which is an example of scanning light focused into a beam, is emitted to each of one long side (the left side in FIG. 3) and one short side (the upper side in FIG. 3) of the frame 14a. A plurality of light emitting portions 14b are provided at a predetermined pitch (arrangement interval), and a light receiving portion 14c for receiving the infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion 14b is provided on each of the other long side and short side as the light emitting portion 14b. They are provided at the same pitch.
Although only a part of the light emitting portion 14b and the light receiving portion 14c are shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting portion 14b and the light receiving portion 14c are actually provided from one end to the other end in the long side direction and the short side direction of the frame 14a. It is provided at a fixed pitch. The emission direction of infrared light from the light emitting section 14b provided on the long side of the frame 14a is parallel to the short side direction of the frame 14a, and the infrared light of these light emitting sections 14b is received in the short side direction. It is incident on the portion 14c. The emission direction of infrared light from the light emitting portion 14b provided on the short side of the frame 14a is parallel to the long side direction of the frame 14a, and the infrared light of these light emitting portions 14b is received in the long side direction. It is incident on the portion 14c. Therefore, the space on the step surface 11a of the stage 11 is scanned vertically and horizontally by infrared light in a grid pattern.

The light receiving unit 14c outputs different signals depending on whether infrared light is detected or not detected. As an example, the light receiving unit 14c outputs an ON signal when infrared light is detected, and outputs an OFF signal when infrared light is not detected. When the player PL steps on any position on the tread 11a, the foot of the player PL prevents infrared light from entering some of the light receiving sections 14c. Therefore, by determining ON/OFF of the output signal of each light receiving unit 14c, it is possible to detect which position on the tread 11a the player PL is stepping on. The pitches of the light emitting unit 14b and the light receiving unit 14c may be appropriately set according to the resolution related to the detection of the foot position of the player PL, that is, the accuracy with which the foot position needs to be detected. .. The pitch of the light emitting portion 14b and the light receiving portion 14c in the long side direction of the frame 14a and the pitch of the light emitting portion 14b and the light receiving portion 14c in the short side direction of the frame 14a may be the same or different. ..

As described above, on the tread surface 11a of the stage 11, two play areas AR1 and AR2 are set with the boundary line BL that bisects the tread surface 11a in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) interposed therebetween. In FIG. 3, the play area AR2 on the rear side of the stage 11 is hatched. Furthermore, in each play area AR, a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) determination areas DA are set by shifting the position in the left-right direction. Therefore, a total of eight determination areas DA are set on the tread 11a. In FIG. 3, the determination area DA in the play area AR1 on the front side is distinguished by attaching reference numerals DA11, DA12, DA13, DA14 in order from the left, and the determination area DA in the play area AR2 on the rear side is sequentially processed from the left. Reference numerals DA21, DA22, DA23, and DA24 are given to distinguish them, but when they are not distinguished, they are referred to as a determination area DA. The determination area DA is an area that serves as a unit for instructing the player PL about the step position and determining the suitability of the actual step position. That is, in the game machine 3, the player PL is instructed to step on the tread 11a in any of the determination areas DA, and the player's stepping motion is detected in the instructed determination area DA. Whether or not the player PL is properly stepping on the instruction is determined based on whether or not the instruction is given.

Unique sensor numbers are assigned to the light receiving portions 14c, and the control unit 20 is previously provided with data that associates the sensor numbers with the determination areas DA. Therefore, the control unit 20 determines which determination area DA the position where the player PL is stepping on the tread 11a belongs to by determining the sensor number of the light receiving unit 14c that outputs the OFF signal. be able to. The determination areas DA may be set so that their outer peripheries overlap each other, or may be set so that their outer peripheries contact each other. Alternatively, some gap may be set between the determination areas DA. Further, each light emitting unit 14b does not necessarily need to be arranged such that infrared light passes through only a single determination area DA in each of the play areas AR1 and AR2. In the case where the determination areas DA are allowed to overlap with each other, some of the light emitting units 14b may be arranged so that infrared light passes through the overlapping portions. The foot to be detected by the player PL has a certain size, and when the player PL is instructed to step on any one of the determination areas DA, a determination area other than the instructed determination area DA is provided. It is terrible to ask for strict steps that keep DA from getting in the way. Therefore, in the game machine 3, as long as the step is detected in the instructed determination area DA, it is determined that the step as instructed is stepped. Therefore, both overlapping a part of the determination area DA and arranging the light emitting unit 14b so that infrared light passes through the overlapping portion are allowed.

The play areas AR1, AR2 and the respective judgment areas DA may be visually distinguished on the tread 11a so that the player PL can visually distinguish them, or may not be clearly marked. Further, the stage sensor 14 may use light in a wavelength range other than infrared light, such as visible light, as the scanning light.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the game machine 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the main part of the control system of the game machine 3. The game machine 3 is provided with a control unit 20 and a storage device (storage means) 21. The control unit 20 is configured as a computer in which a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as internal storage devices (ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor are combined. The storage device 21 is a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk storage device or a flash memory capable of storing and holding. The storage device 21 stores a game program PG to be executed by the control unit 20 and game data GD to be referenced by the program PG.

The game program PG is an application program that operates on the operating system of the game machine 3 in order to cause the game machine 3 to function as a dance game machine in which a predetermined dance game can be played. The game data GD includes various data such as image data necessary for drawing a game screen in accordance with the game program PG and music data necessary for reproducing music composing a dance game. The game data GD includes sequence data SD. The sequence data SD is data for each piece of music that describes actions such as a series of steps that should be instructed to the player according to the piece of music played during the game. The contents of the sequence data SD will be described later. The dance video data DM is further stored in the storage device 21 as needed. The dance video data DM is moving image data in which a dance video of the player captured by the camera 17 during the play of the dance game is stored in a predetermined format.

The game machine 3 is provided with a card reader 22 as an input device for the control unit 20 in addition to the stage sensor 14 and the camera 17 shown in FIG. The card reader 22 reads predetermined information from the card 7 carried by the user and provides it to the control unit 20. The card 7 includes a storage medium in which a unique card ID is recorded for each card. The card ID is used as identification information when, for example, the play data in which the history of the game played by the user on the game machine 3 is recorded is stored in the center server 2 or the play data is acquired from the center server 2 to the game machine 3. To be done. Further, the game machine 3 is provided with the display device 13 and the speaker device 16 shown in FIG. 2 as output devices for the control unit 20. Further, a network control device 23 is connected to the control unit 20. The network control device 23 is a communication control unit that connects the control unit 20 to the network 5 and controls processing necessary for establishing communication procedures and transmitting/receiving data when communicating with the center server 2 or another game machine 3. ..

The control unit 20 includes a dance instruction unit 25, a dance evaluation unit 26, and a video processing unit 27 as a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware resources of the control unit 20 and the game program PG as software. And are provided. Based on the sequence data SD, the dance instruction unit 25 causes the display surface 13a of the display device 13 to display a guide image for instructing a series of dance actions to be performed by each of the players PL1 and PL2 during the dance game. The dance instruction unit 25 instructs the player PL to perform a dance action by distinguishing between the play areas AR1 and AR2 based on the sequence data SD. The instruction given by the dance instruction unit 25 includes an instruction of a position (step position) at which the player PL should step on the tread 11a during the dance game. The instructed position appropriately changes within each play area AR according to the progress of the music, and the step position is instructed to the player PL separately for each play area AR. Thereby, the dance instruction unit 25 functions as an example of step instruction means. The dance evaluation unit 26 functions as an example of an evaluation unit that evaluates the player PL based on the comparison between the instruction situation of the step position by the dance instruction unit 25 and the detection situation of the actual step position by the stage sensor 14. As an example, the dance evaluation unit 26 evaluates based on the comparison between the instruction of the time and the determination area of the series of steps of the dance described in the sequence data SD and the detection result of the time and the position of the actual step by the stage sensor 14. To do. The evaluation method will be described later.

The image processing unit 27 appropriately saves the dance image acquired by the camera 17 during the play of the game in the storage device 21 or appropriately transmits it to the network 5 via the network control device 23. Thereby, the video processing unit 27 functions as an example of a video transmission unit. The destination of the dance video may be appropriately selected from the center server 2, another game machine 3, or the user terminal device 4. By delivering the dance video to the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 immediately or at an appropriate time, the user of the game system 1 can watch the dance video of another person. Alternatively, the user can confirm his/her own dance video through the user terminal device 4 or the like.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the sequence data SD. The sequence data SD is a set of records describing actions such as steps to be performed by the player PL during the play of the dance game. The sequence data SD includes a step record RS that specifies a step to be performed by the player PL during play. In the step record RS, information designating the time at which the step should be performed, information designating the foot on which the player PL should step, the information designating the determination area DA on which the step should be stepped, and the information designating the type of step. Are recorded in association with each other. The time information is, for example, information that specifies the elapsed time from the start of reproduction in the music played in the dance game or the position in the music. The information specifying the foot is information specifying whether the player PL should take a step with the right foot or the left foot. The information of the determination area DA is information that specifies any of the eight determination areas DA shown in FIG.

The information designating the type of step is information designating the step to be performed by the player PL from a plurality of types of steps. Examples of the types of steps include a short step of stepping once, a long step of keeping a foot in a predetermined position for a predetermined time length, and a slide of sliding a foot between a plurality of determination areas DA. Details thereof will be described later. In the step record RS corresponding to the long step, the time when the step should start and the time when the step should end are specified. Further, in the step record RS corresponding to the slide, the time when the step should start and the time when the step should end are specified, and the determination area DA for starting the slide and the determination area DA for ending the slide are specified. ..

The dance instruction unit 25 shown in FIG. 4 sequentially reads the records included in the sequence data SD during the game play, and displays a guide image for instructing the player PL to perform dance actions in a predetermined cycle (for example, a display device) according to the records. It is repeatedly generated at a frame rate of 13) and is displayed on the display surface 13a of the display device 13. FIG. 6 shows an example of a game screen including a guide image generated by the dance instruction section 25. The game screen 30 of FIG. 6 includes a guide image 31 generated based on the sequence data SD, an information image 32 indicating the evaluation of the player PL, and a background image 33 for rendering the game. The guide image 31 includes an instruction mark 35 indicating a step described in each record of the sequence data SD, and a reference mark 36 indicating the current time of the game. The reference sign 36 is displayed as a strip-shaped image extending in the left-right direction of the guide image 31. In the guide image 31, the instruction mark 35 is directed toward the reference mark 36 as the music progresses in a predetermined movement area 37 so that the instruction mark 35 overlaps with the reference mark 36 at the time when an action such as a step should be performed. By gradually moving it, the player PL is instructed the time at which an action such as a step should be performed. The length of the indicator mark 35 changes depending on the length of time that the action should be continued. This is the same as the method of instructing the operation time or time in various known music games or dance games.

The guide image 31 shows how the player PL works for any of the determination areas DA depending on the position of the instruction mark 35 in the left-right direction and the display mode of the instruction mark 35, in addition to the instruction of the time and duration of the operation described above. Configured to indicate what kind of steps to take. Hereinafter, the relationship between the instruction mark 35 and the steps to be performed by the player PL will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. FIG. 7 shows an example of a correspondence relationship between the guide image 31 and the determination area DA on the tread 11a. In FIG. 7, the moving area 37 is shown in a state of being developed on the paper surface. In order to create a sense of depth, the guide image 31 of FIG. 6 is displayed in a state in which the moving region 37 appears to be tilted such that the upper end side of the moving region 37 is located at the back and the lower end side is located at the front. Further, in FIG. 7, the indicator marks 35 are shown by being distinguished from each other by subscripts A to D. FIG. 7 shows the correspondence between the guide image 31 and the judgment area DA, and the dimensional relations in the drawing do not necessarily show those of the actual game machine 3. For example, the determination area DA is shown with some clearance left from the inner circumference of the stage sensor 14, but there is no clearance, in other words, the circumference of the determination area DA is the inner circumference of the stage sensor 14. It may be set in a matched state. The vertical and horizontal dimensions of the tread 11a may also be appropriate.

As is clear from FIG. 7, in the movement area 37, four lanes LN1 to LN4 (hereinafter, LN) are aligned with the four determination areas DA11 to DA14 and DA21 to DA24 in the left and right directions in the play areas AR1 and AR2, respectively. May be represented by.) is set. The leftmost lane LN1 corresponds to the leftmost determination areas DA11 and DA21. The other lanes LN2 to LN4 also correspond to the determination areas DA12 to DA14 and DA22 to DA24, respectively, according to the arrangement order in the left-right direction. The instruction mark 35 is displayed in the lane LN corresponding to the determination area DA designated by the step record RS. However, when the type of step is slide, the indicator mark 35 is displayed so as to gradually shift from the lane LN corresponding to the slide start position to the lane LN corresponding to the end position. In the example of FIG. 7, the indicator marks 35C and 35D correspond to the slide.

Further, the instruction mark 35 is visually differentiated and displayed so that it can be distinguished which of the play areas AR1 and AR2 corresponds to which of the left foot and the right foot of the player PL. In FIG. 7, the indicator marks 35 are distinguished by the difference in hatching, but the indicator marks 35 may be distinguished by using various visual elements such as colors, patterns and the like. That is, the position of the determination area DA in which the step should be stepped is specified by the position of the indicator mark 35 in the left-right direction. In addition, depending on the visual element such as the color and pattern of the instruction mark 35, which of the play areas AR1 and AR2 is the determination area DA on which the step should be stepped, and which of the left foot and the right foot should be stepped on. Is instructed. The instruction mark 35 for instructing the step of the left foot for the same play area AR does not necessarily need to be located on the left side of the display surface 13a with respect to the instruction mark 35 for the step of the right foot. That is, it is allowed that the indicator mark 35 is displayed so that the left-right direction of the stage 11 and the left-right relationship of the foot to be stepped are reversed. By appropriately mixing such instructions, it is possible to guide the player PL to turn to turn his/her back to the display surface 13a and step.

At the lower end portion of the instruction mark 35, an identification portion 35a for indicating to the player PL which of the left foot and the right foot the player PL should perform is attached. For example, the letter "L" is displayed in the identification unit 35a when the step to be performed with the left foot is indicated, and the letter "R" is displayed when the step to be performed with the right foot is indicated. In FIG. 7, the instruction mark 35 in which the letters “L” or “R” are represented by black characters is represented in the play area AR1 on the front side, and the letters “L” or “R” are represented by outline characters. The indicated indicators 35 correspond to the rear play areas AR2, respectively.

The length and shape of the instruction mark 35 change according to the type of step described in the step record RS of the sequence data SD. For example, the instruction marks 35A and 35B correspond to long steps, and the instruction marks 35C and 35D correspond to slides, respectively. Hereinafter, the relationship between the indicator mark 35 and the type of step will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 show examples of instructing the step of the right foot with respect to the determination area DA of either one of the front and rear play areas AR. FIG. 8 shows an example of a correspondence relationship between the instruction mark 35 corresponding to the short step and the step to be performed by the player PL. The instruction mark 35 corresponding to the short step has the same length as the reference mark 36. In this case, the player PL stomps the determination area DA corresponding to the lane LN in which the instruction mark 35 is displayed as indicated by the semicircular arrow with the right foot RF at the time Tx when the instruction mark 35 overlaps with the reference mark 36. Just do it.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a correspondence relationship between the instruction mark 35 corresponding to a long step and the step to be performed by the player PL. The instruction mark 35 corresponding to the long step is longer than the reference mark 36, and has a length corresponding to the time length from the time Tx when the step should be started to the time Ty when the step should be ended. In this case, the player PL stomps the determination area DA corresponding to the lane LN in which the instruction mark 35 is displayed as indicated by the semicircular arrow with the right foot RF at the time Tx when the instruction mark 35 overlaps with the reference mark 36. After that, it is necessary to continue stepping on the determination area DA with the right foot RF until the time Ty at which the instruction mark 35 passes the reference mark 36.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the correspondence between the instruction mark 35 corresponding to the slide and the steps to be performed by the player PL. The instruction mark 35 corresponding to the slide is longer than the reference mark 36 and has a length corresponding to the time length from the time Tx at which the step should start to the time Ty at which the step should end. Moreover, the instruction mark 35 corresponding to the slide is displayed so as to gradually move from the lane LN corresponding to the determination area DA where the slide should be started to the determination area DA where the slide should be ended. In response to such an instruction, the player PL determines the determination area DA corresponding to the lane LN in which the instruction mark 35 is displayed as indicated by a semicircular arrow at time Tx when the instruction mark 35 overlaps with the reference mark 36. Is stepped on with the right foot RF, and then the right foot RF is slid on the step surface 11a as indicated by a straight arrow in accordance with the change of the judgment area DA, and the final judgment is made by the time Ty when the reference mark 36 passes. It is necessary to complete the movement of the right foot RF to the area DA.

As described above, in the guide image 31, the vertical and horizontal positions of the indicator mark 35, visual elements such as the color and pattern of the indicator mark 35, characters displayed on the identification unit 35a, and the like are used. The player PL is instructed the time at which the step should be taken, the length of time the step should be continued, the judgment area DA at which the step should be taken, and the foot at which the step should be taken. In the dance instruction section 25 of FIG. 4, a time within a range of a predetermined time length (for example, a time corresponding to two measures of a music piece) from the current time to the future is designated from the records described in the sequence data SD. These records are read, the position of the indicator 35, the display mode, the characters of the identification unit 35a, etc. are determined according to the information described in these records, and the indicator 35 is displayed on the guide image 31 according to the determined contents. Thereby, the dance instruction unit 25 functions as an example of step instruction means.

According to the above configuration, in the step record RS, at least one of the determination areas DA11 to DA14 and DA21 to DA24 can be selected and designated as the determination area DA on which the step should be stepped. Therefore, it is possible to instruct various steps for each of the front and rear play areas AR1 and AR2 separately for each of the play areas AR1 and AR2. For example, it is possible to instruct the players PL1 and PL2 arranged in front and behind to take the same step or different steps while cooperating or cooperating with each other. As a result, the player PL can be guided to take steps that are complex and have high performance. For example, the front and back players PL1 and PL2 are alternately moved left and right, and the front and back players PL2 are left and right, and the rear player PL2 is moved left and right. The player PL can be guided to perform a dance-specific performance such as stepping on. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the interest of the dance game.

As is clear from FIGS. 6 and 7, since the lane LN is shared by the front and rear play areas AR1 and AR2, at least a part of the instruction mark 35 for each play area AR overlaps on the same lane LN. There is. Further, since the instruction mark 35 for instructing the slide is displayed so as to cross the plurality of lanes LN at an angle, it may overlap with another instruction mark 35. In such an overlapping portion, the instruction marks 35 are displayed so as to be mixed so that the player PL can recognize any of the instruction marks 35. In the example of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the indicator signs 35B and 35C overlap on the lane LN2 from their lower ends to the middle, and further, the indicator sign 35D crosses the overlapping portion of the indicator signs 35B and 35C from the lane LN4 at the right end. Thus, it extends to the lane LN1 at the left end. In these overlapping portions, the display of the instruction mark 35 is controlled so that the visual elements such as colors and patterns unique to each instruction mark 35 alternately appear in various forms such as a staggered shape, a stripe shape, and a lattice shape.

In the above, the case where the player PL is instructed to perform a dance step has been described. However, in the game machine 3, various actions constituting a dance are instructed to the player PL via the guide image 31 in addition to the action of stepping. Good. For example, the player PL may be instructed to jump from the tread 11a. When a jump is instructed, the information specifying the foot on which the step is to be performed and the information specifying the determination area DA in the step record RS may be empty information having no value. Whether or not the player PL has jumped can also be determined from the output signal of each light receiving unit 14c of the stage sensor 14. That is, from the state in which the foot of the player PL is detected at any position in the play area AR in which the jump is designated, to the state in which all the light receiving units 14c are ON signals, that is, the foot is not detected. If it changes, it can be considered that the player PL jumped. Further, an action other than the action of moving the foot of the player PL, for example, a bending-down motion or a crouching motion may be instructed via the guide image 31. Whether or not such an operation is performed can be determined based on, for example, the image of the camera 17.

Next, an example of an evaluation process executed by the dance evaluation unit 26 to evaluate the player PL will be described with reference to FIG. The process of FIG. 11 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle, and the dance evaluation unit 26 functions as an example of an evaluation unit by executing the evaluation process.
When the process of FIG. 11 is started, the dance evaluation unit 26 determines whether or not the change of the output signal from ON to OFF is detected by any of the light receiving units 14c of the stage sensor 14 (step S11). This determination is to determine whether or not the player PL has newly stepped on any position on the tread 11a. The dance evaluation unit 26 ends the evaluation process this time unless a change in the output signal of the light receiving unit 14c is detected. On the other hand, when the change in the output signal of the light receiving unit 14c is detected, the dance evaluation unit 26 determines the detection time and the detection position of the change (step S12). In this case, the detection position may be determined as long as the determination area DA corresponding to the light receiving unit 14c in which the change from ON to OFF is detected is determined. The determination area DA detected here is the actual step position of the player PL.

Then, the dance evaluation unit 26 determines whether or not the step corresponding to the time and the actual step position determined in step S12 are designated by the sequence data SD (step S13). In this case, it is determined whether the sequence data SD includes a step record RS in which a time within a predetermined evaluation range is designated with respect to the detected time and a determination area DA identical to the actual step position is designated. Just make a decision. When the determination in step S13 is affirmative, the dance evaluation unit 26 evaluates the step of the player PL according to the type of step designated by the step record RS (step S14). The evaluation in step S14 is performed separately for each play area AR.

The evaluation according to the type of step is performed as follows, for example. When the short step is specified in the step record RS, the short step is successful if the deviation amount between the detection time determined in step S12 and the time specified in the step record RS is within a predetermined allowable range. It is judged that it did. The smaller the deviation amount, the higher the step may be evaluated.
Regarding the short step, when the output signal of the light receiving section 14c corresponding to the determination area DA designated within the allowable range for the designated time changes from ON to OFF, the designated step is stepped. Just make a decision. If such a change is detected, even if the OFF signal is continuously output even after the instruction mark 35 for instructing the short step has passed the reference mark 36, the evaluation should not be affected. You can However, in the case where taking the step of the short step and then releasing the foot from the tread 11a into the evaluation element is taken as an example, even if the short step exceeds the allowable range for the designated time, the same determination area DA is obtained. It may be possible to determine whether or not the tread surface 11a is continuously stepped on the basis of the output signal of the stage sensor 14, and if it is continued, it is determined as failure or the evaluation is lowered.

When the long step is specified in the step record RS, the output signal of the light receiving unit 14c of the stage sensor 14 is continuously monitored and within the allowable range for the end time of the long step specified in the step record RS. It is determined whether or not the player PL continues to step on the same determination area DA of the tread 11a until the time of, and if it can be confirmed that the player has continued to step, it is determined that the long step has succeeded. The smaller the respective deviation amounts of the start time and the end time of the step, the higher the step may be evaluated. It should be noted that if all the output signals of the light receiving unit 14c in the same determination area DA are changed to ON by the player PL raising his/her feet before reaching the time within the allowable range with respect to the end time, it is determined that the long step has failed. To be judged. Regarding the long step, the long step is started after the output signal of the light receiving unit 14c corresponding to the determination area DA designated within the allowable range for the designated time is changed from ON to OFF, and then the long step is designated. It is sufficient to evaluate whether or not the OFF signal is output within the allowable range for the end time and the step is continued for a predetermined period. Therefore, even if the OFF signal is continuously output even after the instruction mark 35 for instructing the long step has passed the reference mark 36, it can be processed as having no influence on the evaluation. That is, even if the determination area DA in which the long step is designated is continuously depressed after the end time, the evaluation may be unquestioned. However, in the case where taking the step of the long step and then releasing the foot from the tread 11a into the evaluation element is taken as an example, the same determination area DA is passed even if the allowable range for the time at which the long step is to be ended is exceeded. It may be possible to determine whether or not the tread surface 11a is continuously stepped on the basis of the output signal of the stage sensor 14, and if it is continued, it is determined as failure or the evaluation is lowered.

When the slide is designated by the step record RS, the output signal of the light receiving unit 14c of the stage sensor 14 is continuously monitored, and the time within the allowable range with respect to the end time of the slide designated by the step record RS. The player PL continues to step on the tread 11a, and it is determined whether the determination area DA has changed from the determination area DA at the start of sliding to the determination area DA at the end of sliding. If those actions can be confirmed, it is determined that the slide is successful. The smaller the respective shift amounts of the slide start time and the slide end time, the higher the step may be evaluated. It should be noted that when the player PL raises his/her feet before reaching the time within the allowable range with respect to the end time, and all the output signals of the light receiving unit 14c of the determination area DA designated as the object of sliding change to ON. It is determined that the slide has failed. If no change in the detected position from the determination area DA at the start of slide to the determination area DA at the end of slide cannot be confirmed, it is determined that the slide has failed. For the slide, the output signal of the light receiving unit 14c corresponding to the determination area DA designated within the allowable range for the designated time is changed from ON to OFF, the step is started, and then the designated end is performed. It suffices to evaluate whether or not a change in the detection position of the OFF signal indicating the slide from the determination area DA for starting the step to the determination area DA for ending the step is detected within the allowable range with respect to time. Therefore, even if the OFF signal is continuously output even after the instruction mark 35 for instructing the slide has passed the reference mark 36, it can be processed as having no influence on the evaluation. That is, even after the end time, even if the determination area DA for which the slide should be finished is continuously stepped on, the evaluation may be unquestioned. However, in the case of incorporating the fact that the foot is once released from the tread 11a after the end of the slide as an evaluation element, as an example, in the determination area DA where the slide should be finished even if the allowable range for the time when the slide should be finished is passed. It may be determined whether or not the tread surface 11a is continuously stepped on the basis of the output signal of the stage sensor 14, and if the tread surface 11a is continuously stepped, it may be determined as a failure or the evaluation may be lowered.

After evaluating the step of the player PL in step S14, the dance evaluation unit 26 saves the evaluation result of step S14 in the internal memory of the control unit 20 or the storage device 21 (step S15), and ends the current evaluation process. If it is determined in step S13 that there is no instruction for the corresponding step, the dance evaluation unit 26 skips steps S14 and S15 and ends the evaluation process this time. That is, when a step other than the designated step is stepped on, the step is not evaluated by the evaluation process of FIG. 11. Therefore, even if the player PL steps on the tread 11a at a position different from the determination area DA indicated by the instruction mark 35, the action is ignored by the dance evaluation unit 26 and does not affect the evaluation.

In the process of FIG. 11, the processes in and after step S12 are executed on condition that the output signal of one of the light receiving units 14c of the stage sensor 14 changes from ON to OFF. Therefore, in response to the instruction of the step via the guide image 31, the player PL needs to once raise his/her foot from the tread 11a and newly step on the determination area DA designated by the instruction mark 35. However, the evaluation process of the dance evaluation unit 26 is not limited to the example in which the step is evaluated by using the change of the output signal of the light receiving unit 14c from ON to OFF as a trigger. For example, based on the step record RS of the sequence data SD, whether or not the step of the player PL is detected correctly at the designated time and the determination area DA may be determined. Good. In this case, in addition to the case where the player PL once raises his/her foot and then newly steps on the designated determination area DA, the player PL does not raise his/her foot and reaches the designated determination area DA on the tread surface 11a. Even if the foot slips, it is determined that the step is performed correctly. When a jump is designated as one of the steps, whether or not the output signals of all the light receiving units 14c in the play area AR in which the jump is designated are ON is adjusted to the time when the jump is designated. You can judge it. In addition to the step of the player PL, the dance evaluation unit 26 determines whether or not the player PL is performing an action such as bending down as instructed by using the image captured by the camera 17 or the like. Good.

In the process of FIG. 11, it is not determined which of the left and right feet the player PL is stepping on the designated determination area DA. That is, even if the guide image 31 specifies a foot to be stepped on, whether or not the player PL steps on the specified foot is not evaluated. Therefore, for example, even if the player PL takes a step with the left foot on the instruction mark 35 in which the right foot is designated, the step of the player PL is appropriate if the time and position of the step match the instruction of the step record RS. Is evaluated. However, it is also possible to detect whether the step is performed with the left foot or the right foot, and add to the evaluation target whether or not the step is performed with the foot on the instructed side. If the resolution of the stage sensor 14 is sufficiently high, the right foot or the left foot can be discriminated by a pattern in which the stage sensor 14 detects the foot, that is, a light receiving portion 14c outputting an ON signal and a light receiving portion outputting an OFF signal. It can be determined based on how the parts 14c are distributed. Alternatively, the orientation of at least a part of the body of the player PL (lower body or face as an example) may be determined based on the image of the player PL captured by the camera 17, and the left foot or the right foot may be distinguished based on the determination result. The left foot or the right foot may be distinguished by integrating the direction determined from the image of the camera 17 and the detection status of the stage sensor 14. Of course, in addition to the stage sensor 14 and the camera 17, sensors that can detect the left foot or the right foot separately may be used.

Further, in the process of FIG. 11, even when the two players PL1 and PL2 are playing, it is not determined which player PL took the step. Therefore, even if the front player PL1 steps in the rear determination areas DA21-24, or vice versa, the rear player PL2 steps in the front determination areas DA11-14, the time of that step is reached. And if the positions match, it is determined that an appropriate step has been taken. Therefore, it is possible for the two players PL1 and PL2 to cooperate with each other to play the dance. Alternatively, one player PL is allowed to play so as to cover both the front and rear play areas AR1 and AR2. Furthermore, by giving a sufficient margin to the tread 11a of the stage 11, it is possible to allow a plurality of players PL to take a dance step in at least one play area AR.

As is clear from the above description, the play area AR is an area set as a range in which at least one player PL should take a dance step. It is possible to logically determine what range is set as one play area by checking the size of the play area and the step instruction given via the display device 13.
That is, in the above-described embodiment, the steps are instructed with the four front determination areas DA11 to DA14 as one unit, and the steps are instructed with the rear four determination areas DA21 to DA24 as different units. The play area AR can be considered for each instruction unit. The play areas AR may be set so as to be displaced in the front-rear direction. In the above embodiment, a plurality of determination areas DA are set by changing the position in the left-right direction with respect to one play area AR, but a plurality of determination areas DA are set in the front-rear direction within one play area AR. The player PL may be guided to step forward or backward in one play area AR by appropriately changing the step position instruction forward or backward. In that case, the player PL can be directed to step forward, backward, leftward, and rightward within each play area AR arranged to be shifted forward and backward, and the player PL can be guided to perform a dance with higher performance. The number of determination areas DA in the left-right direction is not limited to four and can be changed as appropriate. The number of play areas AR in the front-rear direction can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the plurality of determination areas DA are fixedly set in each of the play areas AR1 and AR2, but the determination areas DA may be set to change dynamically. For example, the arrangement of the determination area DA may be appropriately changed during the game play. Also, the size of the determination area DA may be changed appropriately. For example, the size of the determination area DA may change depending on the difficulty level set for the game, the level of the player PL, the skill, or the like. As an example, the determination area DA may be narrowed as the level of difficulty of the player PL increases or the level of the player PL increases, so that the suitability of the position at which the player PL steps is more strictly evaluated. In that case, the width of the indicator mark 35 in the left-right direction may be changed according to the change in the size of the determination area DA in the left-right direction. Further, the lane LN in which the indicator mark 35 moves does not necessarily need to be set to be constant. For example, while omitting the setting of the lane LN, the left and right position where the indicator mark 35 is to be displayed in the sequence data SD is designated in association with the left and right position of the light receiving unit 14c, and the designated position is specified. By specifying how much the light receiving portion 14c in the left-right direction should be set as the determination area DA as a reference, the left-right direction range of the determination area DA is dynamically set based on the left-right position of the indicator mark 35. Can be changed to. When a plurality of judgment areas DA are set in the front-rear direction in each play area AR and the player PL is instructed to perform a step in the front-rear direction, the judgment areas DA may be dynamically changed in the front-rear direction.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described modes, and can be appropriately modified or changed. For example, in the above embodiment, the steps are evaluated separately for each of the play areas AR1 and AR2, but the play areas AR1 and R2 are not distinguished, and the determination area DA is actually specified only in the left-right direction. A match or a mismatch with the detected determination area DA may be determined. For example, when a step is instructed to the leftmost determination area DA11 of the front play area AR1, and when a step is detected in the leftmost determination area DA21 of the rear play area AR2, the step position instruction and actual operation are performed. It may be considered that the step positions coincide with each other. In short, as long as a step is instructed for each play area AR so that the step position is appropriately changed in each of the front and rear play areas AR1 and AR2, a plurality of players PL arranged in front and behind are combined while cooperating or collaborating. It is possible to guide the player PL so that the player PL takes a step that is objective and highly directive, thereby increasing the interest of the game.

The dance instruction section 25, which is an example of a step instruction means, relatively moves the instruction mark 35 and the reference mark 36 in a predetermined direction within the guide image 31 to instruct the time and position of a step or the like. Is not limited to such an example. For example, the step instructing means may be configured such that an image in which a predetermined character is dancing is presented as a guide image, and the player takes steps in accordance with the image. In the above embodiment, the moving area 37 of the guide image 31 is shared between the front and rear play areas AR1 and AR2, but the step instructing means instructs the step or the like for each play area in different areas of the display device. By displaying an image, the steps and the like may be instructed separately for each play area.

In the above-mentioned form, the dance evaluation section 26 is provided in the control unit 20 of the game machine 3 to evaluate the player PL, but instead of or in addition to this, the dance video distributed via the network 5 is provided. A mechanism may be provided in which the user of the game system 1 evaluates the player PL by using. That is, the dance evaluation unit 26 is not always necessary in the game machine 3. When the player PL is evaluated through the distribution of the dance video, the step detecting means such as the stage sensor 14 can be omitted. Further, even when the step detecting means is provided in the game machine 3, not only the stage sensor 14 using infrared rays, but various sensors may be used as the step detecting means as long as the actual step position of the player PL can be detected. For example, the actual step position may be detected via the camera 17.
Alternatively, a load sensor or the like may be arranged on the tread 11a to detect which position is stepped on.

In the above embodiment, the dance evaluation unit 26, which is an example of an evaluation unit, detects the time and position of the step instructed by the dance instruction unit 25 (determination area DA) and the time and position of the actual step detected by the stage sensor 14. Although the player PL is evaluated by comparing the above, the evaluation means can be appropriately modified as long as the player PL is evaluated based on the comparison between the instruction status of the step and the detected status of the step actually performed. For example, the evaluation means may be configured to compare the time of the instruction of the step and the time of the actually detected step and evaluate the player PL regardless of whether the positions match or not. As described above, the evaluation means can be appropriately omitted in the game machine 3.

The mirror 15 of the game machine 3 is not limited to the example arranged below the display device 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, mirrors 15 may be provided along the left and right side portions of the standing wall 12 of the housing 10. In that case, the mirror 15 below the display device 13 may be omitted. The stage 11 is not limited to the configuration in which the two play areas AR are arranged in front and back, and the arrangement of the play areas AR can be appropriately changed as long as the plurality of play areas AR are arranged to be displaced in the front-rear direction. .. For example, the plurality of play areas AR are arranged in a triangular shape (FIG. 13), a square shape (FIG. 14), a rhombus shape (FIG. 15), or a staggered shape when viewed from above. Modifications such as FIG. 16) are possible. As is clear from the example of FIG. 16, the play area AR is not limited to the rectangular shape, but may be an elliptical shape or any other appropriate shape. The front and rear play areas AR may partially overlap each other. The mirror 15 is not limited to a physical mirror that reflects the optical image of the player PL. For example, an electronic mirror that displays the image of the player PL captured by the camera 17 as an electronic reflection image on the screen of the display device may be provided. The display device in that case may be provided, for example, at the position of the mirror 15 in FIG. 2 or 12, or may be provided by utilizing a part of the display device 13 in FIG. 2 or 12.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

In the game machine (3) according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of play areas (AR1, AR2; AR) are set by shifting the position in the front-back direction when the direction facing the display device (13) is the front-back direction. In each of the plurality of play areas, the stage (11) has a tread (11a) in which each play area is set as a range in which at least one player (PL) should take a dance step. With respect to the step position as a position to be stepped on the tread, while changing the step position in each play area as the game progresses, the player is distinguished for each play area through the display device. And a step instructing means (25) for instructing to.

According to the game machine of the above aspect, the player is instructed to take appropriate steps in each of the plurality of play areas. Since the play areas are set to be offset in the front-rear direction, by adjusting the instructions for each play area so that the players cooperate with each other or take steps in cooperation while locating the plurality of players in the front-rear direction. , It is possible to guide the player to take steps that are complex and have high performance.
Thereby, it is possible to enhance the interest of the game from the viewpoint of showing the dance to another person.

In the game machine according to the above aspect, a mirror (15) may be provided so as to face the player. According to this, it is possible for the player located in the front play area to visually recognize the state of the rear player, for example, what step the rear player is taking using a mirror. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a game machine having a configuration suitable for the front and rear players to perform a coordinated or coordinated dance. For example, the front player can easily perform an ad lib action in accordance with the movement of the rear player.

Further, the mirror may be arranged below the display device. According to this, the player facing the display device can easily visually recognize at least the feet of the player behind.

In the game machine according to the above aspect, at least two play areas may be arranged in the front-rear direction with respect to the display device. According to this, based on a state in which a plurality of players are lined up in the front and rear, the players are guided to perform such a performance that they are synchronized left and right or alternately stepped left and right. be able to.

The game machine according to the above aspect may further include a dance video acquisition means (17) for acquiring a dance video of the player on the tread surface. According to this, it is possible to provide an opportunity to show the dance step to others through the dance video, and further enhance the interest of the game.

The game machine provided with the dance video acquisition means may further include video transmission means (27) capable of transmitting the dance video via a predetermined network (5). According to this, many viewers can view the dance video through the network, and the interest of the game can be further enhanced. It is also possible to distribute a dance video through a network, evaluate the dance using the feedback, or activate communication between users, and it is possible to further enhance the interest of the game by utilizing the network.

In the game machine according to the above aspect, the step detection means (14) for outputting a signal according to the actual step position at which the player is actually stepping on the tread in each play area, and the step instruction means for outputting the signal. You may further comprise the evaluation means (26) which evaluates the said player based on the comparison of the instruction|indication situation of a step position and the detection situation of the said actual step position by the said actual step detection means. According to this, it is possible to give an incentive to the player to evaluate how the player steps on the step instruction and to play the game in order to obtain a high evaluation on the game machine.

1 Game System 2 Center Server 3 Game Machine 4 User Terminal Device 5 Network 10 Housing 11 Stage 11a Stage Tread 13 Display Device 14 Stage Sensor (Step Detection Unit)
15 mirror 17 camera (dance video acquisition means)
20 control unit 25 dance instruction section (step instruction means)
26 Dance Evaluation Department (Evaluation Means)
27 Video processing unit (video transmission means)
31 guidance image 35, 35A to 35D instruction mark 36 reference mark AR, AR1, AR2 play area DA11 to DA14, DA21 to DA24 determination area

Claims (4)

A stage installed on the floor and configured with the upper surface as a tread ,
A display device provided so that the display surface faces the stage side,
Comprising the steps instruction means for instructing before Symbol player via the front Symbol display device flop layers a step position as a position to tread on the tread surface, and
When the direction on the tread surface facing the display surface of the display device when viewed from the player is the front-back direction, the tread surface has a plurality of regions as units for instructing the player about the step position. Is set by shifting the position in each of the front-back direction and the left-right direction with respect to the front-back direction,
The step instructing means causes the display device to display a guide image in which a plurality of lanes are arranged side by side in the left-right direction in accordance with the arrangement order in the left-right direction of each of the plurality of regions, and is displayed in one of the lanes. By providing relative movement in the guide image and a reference sign indicating the current time during the game, provided to indicate the position and time of the step on which the player should step,
Furthermore, the step instruction means displays the instruction mark so that it can be distinguished which area in the front-rear direction the step position instruction corresponds to.
game machine. A step detecting means before Symbol player outputs a signal corresponding to the actual step position which is actually squished the tread surface,
Evaluation means for evaluating the player based on a comparison between the situation of indication of the step position by the step instruction means and the situation of detection of the actual step position by the step detection means,
The game machine according to claim 1 , further comprising: The game machine according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a dance video acquisition unit that acquires a dance video of the player on the tread surface. The game machine according to claim 3 , further comprising video transmission means capable of transmitting the dance video via a predetermined network.