JP6975941B2 - Game consoles and computer programs used for them - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game machine or the like capable of creating a medium and paying out to a user.

Information is read from a medium such as a card presented by the user, a character corresponding to the obtained information is made to appear in the game, the user is made to play the game, and information on the character grown according to the play is recorded. There is known a game machine in which a medium is created by a medium creating means such as a printer and the medium is paid out to a user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-46746

In a game machine that reads information recorded on a medium and advances the game using the obtained information, the advantages and disadvantages of the game change depending on what kind of medium the user uses. Therefore, in order to motivate the user to play the game, it is desirable to appropriately give the user an opportunity to obtain the medium. A game machine equipped with a medium creation means can appropriately create and pay out a wide variety of media as compared with a game machine of a type that pays out pre-stocked completed media. If it functions as one of the means of selling media to the game, it will be convenient to expand the acquisition opportunities. However, it takes a certain amount of time to create the medium. If the original function of the game machine, that is, the provision of the game, is interrupted and the game machine is made to function as a means for selling the medium, the operating efficiency and profitability of the game machine may decrease. In particular, when creating and selling multiple media, or when creating and selling a medium with a special decorative effect, the time required to create a medium for sale increases, and the operating efficiency and operation efficiency are increased. It may have a greater impact on profitability.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine or the like that can effectively function as a means for selling a medium to a user while suppressing the influence on the original function of providing a game as much as possible. do.

The game machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes an information reading means for reading information recorded on a medium presented by a user, a medium creating means for creating a medium on which predetermined information is recorded, and paying out to the user. The game is advanced based on the information read by the information reading means, and the medium creating means is controlled so that a predetermined medium is created and paid out to the user when a predetermined creation condition is satisfied in the game. In a game machine provided with the game control means, the game control means receives a purchase process for receiving an instruction from the user regarding the purchase of a new medium different from the medium created in response to the establishment of the creation condition. The purchase process execution means to be executed and the medium creation control means for controlling the medium creation means so that the new medium is created and paid out to the user according to the instruction received in the purchase process are provided. The purchase process execution means executes the purchase process at a time preceding the end time of the game by a time length required for creating a new medium in a quantity that can be purchased in the purchase process. be.

The computer program for a game machine according to one aspect of the present invention is an information reading means for reading information recorded on a medium presented by a user, and a medium for creating a medium on which predetermined information is recorded and paying out to the user. A computer of a game machine equipped with a creating means advances a game based on the information read by the information reading means, and a predetermined medium is created when a predetermined creation condition is satisfied in the game. A computer program for a game system configured to function as a game control means for controlling the medium creation means so as to be paid out to a user, and the game control means is created in response to the establishment of the creation conditions. The purchase process execution means for executing the purchase process that accepts the user's instruction regarding the purchase of a new medium different from the medium to be used, and the new medium is created and paid out to the user according to the instruction received in the purchase process. As described above, the purchase processing execution means further functions as a medium creation control means for controlling the medium creation means, in order to create a new medium in a quantity that can be purchased in the purchase process with respect to the end time of the game. It is configured to execute the purchase process at a time preceding the time required for the computer.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system including the game machine which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the game machine which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the appearance of the card operation part provided on the upper surface side of a card reader. The figure which shows an example of the operation which changes the position of a player card and changes the value of a control parameter meter. The figure which shows an example of the reading sign provided on the back side of a player card. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the main part of a card reader. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the 2nd monitor provided in the card reader. The block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the control system of a game machine. The functional block diagram which shows an example of the structure of a game control part. The figure which shows the relationship between the control of the play of a game in a game machine, and the control of the sale of a player card. A flowchart showing an example of a game processing procedure executed by the game control unit. The flowchart following FIG.

Hereinafter, an example of a game system including a game machine according to one embodiment 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 client devices that can be connected to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5, and a plurality of user terminal devices 4. The center server 2 is configured as one logical server device by combining the server units 2A, 2B, etc. as a plurality of 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 an example of a game device, and 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. There is. This type of game machine 3 is sometimes referred to as an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is installed in a predetermined facility such as a store 6 for the main purpose of causing a large number of users to repeatedly play a game to generate profits. The game machine 3 is configured as a baseball game machine for providing a simulation-type baseball game in which a role as a manager is played through instructions and training to players. The game machine 3 is not limited to the baseball game, and various games may be provided as appropriate. However, the description will be continued below with an example of providing a baseball game.

The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for personal use by the user. For example, a stationary or book-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a 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 that can be connected to a network and are used for personal use by users, such as stationary home-use game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the user terminal device 4. You can do it. By implementing various computer software, the user terminal device 4 can allow the user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2.

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, the Internet 5A as a WAN and the LANs 5B and 5C connecting each of the center server 2 and the game machine 3 to the Internet 5A are connected via the 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 communicably 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 in place of LAN5C or additionally by WAN5A.

The center server 2 provides various game machine services to the game machine 3 or its users. The service for the game machine includes a distribution service for distributing and updating the program or data of the game machine 3 via the network 5. The center server 2 appropriately distributes various programs or data necessary for providing a baseball game to each game machine 3 through such a distribution service.

The service for the game machine may also include a service that receives the identification information of the user from the game machine 3 and authenticates the user. Further, it may include a service of receiving and storing the play data of the authenticated user from the game machine 3 or providing the play data to be saved to the game machine 3. Further, the service for a game machine may include a matching service for matching users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5, a billing service for collecting a fee from the user, and the like. Similarly, the center server 2 may provide various Web services to the user of the user terminal device 4 via the network 5. Web services include a game information service that provides various information about a game provided by a game machine 3, a distribution service that distributes various data or software (including updates of data, etc.) to each user terminal device 4, and a user. It may include services such as a community service that provides a place for exchange such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing, and a service that assigns a user ID for identifying each user.

Next, the configuration of the game machine 3 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of one game machine 3. The game machine 3 in the illustrated example has a housing 10. The housing 10 is provided with a first monitor 11, a control panel 12, and a printer unit 13. The first monitor 11 is a well-known display device that displays a game screen for providing a baseball game. The first monitor 11 is arranged so as to be located in front of the user who is playing the baseball game. The control panel 12 is arranged below the first monitor 11. The control panel 12 is provided with various input devices for receiving user operations or instructions regarding the game or acquiring information necessary for the game from the user. In the illustrated game machine 3, the card reading device 14 is provided. ing. Details of the card reader 14 will be described later.

The printer unit 13 is arranged on the side of the control panel 12, for example, on the left side of the user facing the first monitor 11. The printer unit 13 functions as an example of a medium creating means by creating a player card as an example of a medium in which predetermined information is recorded and paying out the player card from the payout port 13a to the user. The player card is also used as an example of an operating member used by the user to play a baseball game. In addition, various output devices or input devices may be connected to the game machine 3 in the same manner as known game machines. For example, a reader, push button switch or other physical operating or input device that reads user authentication information unique to each user held in an authentication medium for authenticating the user, or cash, alternative coins, medals, electronic currencies. The control panel 12 may be provided with various devices such as an input unit of at least a part of the consideration collection device for collecting the consideration required for the game from the user by using the above.

Next, the details of the card reading device 14 will be described. The card reading device 14 is configured as a device that reads various information necessary for advancing the baseball game from each of a plurality of player cards used by the user in the baseball game and detects the position of the player card. ing. In the following, for the understanding of the card reading device 14, the interface (input / output portion) realized by the card reading device 14 for receiving the user's operation or instruction using the player card in the baseball game is shown in FIGS. 3 and 3. 4 will be described, and then the configuration of the card reading device 14 will be described. FIG. 3 shows the main part of the interface presented on the upper surface side of the card reader 14. Further, FIG. 4 shows how the player card is used to change the control parameters of the player.

As shown in FIG. 3, a card operation unit 20 is set on the upper surface side of the card reading device 14, and a plurality of card areas 21 in which a player card CP (see FIG. 4) should be arranged are set in the card operation unit 20. Are set side by side at a constant pitch in the left-right direction. The number of card areas 21 is set to 10 (including designated hitters) according to the number of positions in actual baseball. Each of the card areas 21 has a rectangular shape that is generally long in the vertical direction, and the shapes of the card areas 21 are equal to each other. The width of each card area 21 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the width in the left-right direction when the player card CP is arranged vertically. The card area 21 is provided as an area for the user to specify a player to participate in a baseball game by using the player card CP, or to give an instruction to the player during the game. A registration area 22 is provided below the card area 21, and an instruction area 23 is provided above the registration area 22.

In the registration area 22, a player card CP corresponding to a player to be entered in the game by the user is arranged, and the information recorded in the player card CP is read by the game machine 3 to specify a player to participate in the game. It is set as the area of. The registration area 22 is set to have almost the same shape and size as the player card CP. The order of the registered areas 22 corresponds to the batting order of the game, the batting order of the leftmost registered area 22 is the first batter, the second registered area 22 from the left is the second batter, and so on. The rightmost registration area 22 is an area in which the information of the player card CP corresponding to the player to be entered as a pitcher should be read. The numerical values of "1", "2" ... Displayed in the center of each registration area 22 in the vertical direction indicate the batting order, and the letter "P" indicates that the pitcher is a pitcher. It may be always displayed in the actual card area 21, or the display may be omitted as appropriate. In the following, the act of arranging the player card CP in the registration area 22 and having the information read is called player registration, and the player who participates in the game through the player registration may be called a registered player. The registered player has a one-to-one correspondence with the card area 21, and the player registered as a player in any one of the registration areas 22 is called a registered player in the card area 21 including the registration area 22. There is. It is also possible to replace the registered players in the card area 21 in the middle of the game, for example, in a pinch hitter, a pinch runner, or a pitcher change. In that case, the player card CP of the player to be newly entered may be placed in the registration area 22 and the player may be registered.

The instruction area 23 is an area for changing the value of the control parameter set for the player registered as a player in the registration area 22 associated below the player according to the operation of changing the position of the player card CP by the user. It is provided. That is, for each of the players who can appear in the baseball game, a plurality of types of state parameters indicating the state of the player are set as an example of the control parameters. The instruction area 23 is set as an area for changing the respective values of the first and second state parameters selected from those state parameters according to the position of the player card CP. The instruction area 23 is shown on the display surface 15s in a manner that can be visually recognized by the user. For example, the instruction area 23 may be shown as a display element in the image displayed on the display surface 15s, or the instruction area 23 may be shown by printing or other display means on the display surface 15s.

The state parameters are the player's power, meet ability (power to catch the ball), running power, physical strength, endurance, throwing power or throwing power, ball speed, degree of ability such as ball control power, specific batting action such as bunt, running base. As a player's attributes that can affect the player's behavior in the game, such as the degree of skill, the degree of good or bad, the degree of physical condition, the degree of energy, etc. regarding the action or the throwing action of a specific ball type such as a curve or slider. Various state variables that are predefined and should be considered in calculating the progress of the match. Among these state parameters, the values of the state parameters selected as the first and second state parameters are appropriately changed according to the position of the player card CP in the instruction area 23. In order to enable such a change, the length of the instruction area 23 in the vertical direction is set sufficiently larger than the length in the long side direction (vertical direction) of the player card CP. That is, the instruction area 23 is set as an area indicating a range in which the position of the player card CP can be changed in order to change the value of the state parameter of the registered player, and corresponds to an example of the operation area. The player card CP to be placed in the instruction area 23 does not necessarily have to be the same card as the player card CP used for player registration in the registration area 22.

The first and second state parameters that can be changed in the designated area 23 may be appropriately selected. As an example, in the case of a batter, power is selected as the first state parameter and meat is selected as the second state parameter. In the case of a pitcher, as an example, the ball speed is selected as the first state parameter and the ball control force is selected as the second state parameter. In the case of a batter, if you aim for a hit that prioritizes power, the meet will be sacrificed, and in the case of a pitcher, if you aim for a pitch that prioritizes ball speed, the ball control power will be sacrificed. It has a contradictory relationship with the state parameter of that it is inappropriate or difficult to give priority to both. That is, a set of state parameters having a relationship that makes it appropriate to increase one value and decrease the other value is selected as the first and second set of state parameters. Further, the batter (or fielder) and the pitcher are examples of a plurality of types of characters having different roles in a baseball game, and the first and second state parameters are appropriately changed according to the roles of such characters. good. The "role" here can be distinguished from various viewpoints such as the function played in the game, the scene used in the game, the influence on the progress of the game, and the type and value of the state parameter according to the distinction. If the distribution of the game and others are concepts that should be differentiated, they can be regarded as "roles".

At the center of the instruction area 23 in the vertical direction, a reference sign 23a having almost the same shape and size as the player card CP is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, when the player card CP is placed in accordance with the reference sign 23a as the basic position, if the player card CP is in the basic position, the card area 21 including the reference sign 23a is included. The first and second state parameters of the registered athlete are set to the basic values corresponding to the registered athlete. The basic value will be described later.

When the user moves the player card CP upward from the basic position, the value of the first state parameter increases from the basic value and the second state parameter decreases from the basic value according to the movement amount. In the example of FIG. 4, the power value is increased by 1 and the meat value is decreased by 1. On the other hand, when the user moves the player card CP downward from the basic position, the value of the second state parameter increases from the basic value and the value of the first state parameter decreases from the basic value according to the movement amount. .. In the example of FIG. 4, the meat value is increased by 1 and the power value is decreased by 1. Further, as is clear from FIGS. 3 and 4, when the player card CP is arranged in the instruction area 23, the registered player in the card area 21 including the registered area 22 is set in the registered area 22. Of the multiple types of status parameters, the values of at least some of the status parameters are displayed. The state parameters set as display targets include first and second state parameters that should be changed according to the position of the player card CP. As a result, the registration area 22 functions as an example of the parameter display area.

As shown at the right end of FIG. 4, it is also possible to move the player card CP to the registration area 22 after the player registration. In this case, the process of applying the boost skill to the registered player is performed. Boost skill means a process that has the effect of temporarily increasing the value of some of the state parameters related to registered players, and certain restrictions are set for its application. For example, a limit on the number of times such as once in one game is set, or the application of the boost skill is permitted only when certain conditions are met such as achieving a predetermined result in the game.

Returning to FIG. 3, gauge levels are displayed above and below the indicated area 23. Gauge level is a concept associated with the ratio of the amount of change in the state parameter to the amount of change in the position of the player card CP. In other words, the amount of change in the value of the state parameter when the position of the player card CP is changed in the designated area 23 differs depending on the gauge level. The gauge level is increased or decreased according to the state of the baseball game. For example, the gauge level increases when the registered player shows a good result such as hitting a hit as a batter in a match, and the gauge level decreases when the registered player shows an unfavorable result such as striking out as a batter. The gauge level is controlled for each designated area 23 according to the state of the game. When the gauge level rises, at least one of the processes of increasing the above-mentioned ratio for the state parameter that increases when the player card CP is operated in one direction and the process of decreasing the above-mentioned ratio for the decreasing state parameter Applies. For example, when the player card CP is moved upward by a certain amount, the power changes by +3 and the meat changes by -3 before the gauge level rises, but when the gauge level rises, the player card CP moves upward. If you operate the same amount, the power will be +5, the meat will be -3, and so on.

Above the instruction area 23, a change amount display area (area surrounded by an imaginary line in the figure) 24 is further provided. The change amount display area 24 is provided as an area for displaying the change amount in a timely manner when the value of the state parameter is changed according to the change in the position of the player card CP. As a result, the change amount display area also functions as an example of the parameter display area. The state parameter is changed using the instruction area 23 by selecting any one of the card areas 21 as the target area. For the selection, for example, the card area 21 corresponding to the batting order is selected at the time of attack, and the card area 21 (right end in FIG. 3) to which the pitcher should be registered is selected at the time of defense. As shown in FIG. 3, the card operation unit 20 also displays a selection index 25 indicating the card area 21 selected as the target for operating the player card CP to change the value of the state parameter. In FIG. 3, the selection index 25 is shown as a frame-shaped index surrounding the card area 21, but the selection index 25 differentiates various visual elements such as colors, patterns, and the like from the non-target card area 21. Anything is fine.

As described above, the card reading device 14 reads the information of the player card CP arranged in the registration area 22, detects the position of the player card CP in the instruction area 23, or states the registered player in each card area 21. It has a function to dynamically change and display information such as parameter settings, amount of change, and gauge level.

Next, a configuration for reading information from the player card CP will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the back surface of the player card CP. A reading marker M that can be observed only in the wavelength range of infrared light is printed on the back surface of the player card CP. The reading marker M is arranged on the inner circumference of the common portion M1 on the outer peripheral side formed in the same pattern regardless of the difference in the player card CP, and the unique portion M2 having a different pattern for each player card CP. Includes. The common portion M1 is used, for example, to determine whether or not the player card CP is an appropriate card that can be used in a baseball game, and to determine the position of the player card CP. The unique portion M2 includes a unique pattern associated with a card ID as an example of card identification information uniquely set for each player card CP. By reading the pattern, the card ID of the player card CP can be specified, and the basic value of the state parameter of the player associated with the card ID can be determined. Although not shown, the image, name, ability, and other player information of the player to be associated with the card ID of the player card CP are printed on the surface of the player card CP in a manner that can be visually recognized by the user. There is.

As shown in FIG. 6, the card reading device 14 includes a second monitor 15, a pair of lighting devices 16 arranged along a side edge portion on the lower surface side of the second monitor 15, and a second monitor 15. It is provided with a photographing device 17 arranged below. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the second monitor 15 forms a frame surrounding the glass plate 15a constituting the surface layer, the liquid crystal panel 15b, the light diffusing panel 15c, and the outer periphery of the light diffusing panel 15c. It has a configuration in which four backlights 15d arranged are superposed in the vertical direction. The upper surface of the glass plate 15a functions as the display surface 15s of the second monitor 15. By appropriately controlling the direction of each liquid crystal element of the liquid crystal panel 15b, it is possible to control the transmittance at each position of the second monitor 15. The light diffusion panel 15c is a semi-transmissive type panel that transmits visible light (white light as an example) emitted from the backlight 15d while diffusing it. The glass plate 15a and the light diffusion panel 15c have transparency in the wavelength range of infrared light. Therefore, if the orientation of the liquid crystal element of the liquid crystal panel 15b is controlled to the transmission side, infrared light can be transmitted from the display surface 15s of the second monitor 15 to the back surface of the light diffusion panel 15c.

Returning to FIG. 6, the lighting device 16 is provided so as to irradiate infrared light to a range including at least the entire area of the card operation unit 20 in the display surface 15s of the second monitor 15. As the lighting device 16 of this type, an infrared light irradiation type LED lighting device can be used. The photographing device 17 uses an image sensor such as a CCD or COMS to capture an image in the infrared region of the back surface of the player card CP arranged in each card area 21, and photoelectrically converts the image to perform photoelectric conversion on the back surface of the player card CP. Output an electronic image. The shooting range of the shooting device 17 is set so that all the card areas 21 can be shot. However, by providing a plurality of photographing devices 17, the card area 21 may be shared for imaging.

As described above, the card reading device 14 includes a configuration in which a second monitor 15 whose display contents can be appropriately changed and a photographing device 17 for reading information recorded on the back surface of the player card CP are combined. There is. Therefore, among various display elements to be displayed on the card operation unit 20, display elements whose display contents and display positions should be appropriately changed according to the progress of the baseball game, for example, should be displayed in the registration area 22. The display of the second monitor 15 is controlled with respect to the set value of the state parameter, the change amount of the state parameter to be displayed in the change amount display area 24, the gauge level value to be displayed in the instruction area 23, and the selection index 25. This makes it possible to change the display as appropriate. As a result, appropriate information is presented to the user in the card operation unit 20 according to various operations to be performed by the card operation unit 20 to support the user's smooth operation, or the user for the operation method and operation result. Can enhance your understanding. In particular, regarding the operation in the instruction area 23, the user can easily grasp the correspondence between the position of the player card CP and the values of the first and second state parameters by displaying the registration area 22 and the change amount display area 24. be able to. Moreover, the registration area 22 and the change amount display area 24 are arranged at positions adjacent to the instruction area 23 in the vertical direction, which is the direction in which the position of the player card CP should be changed, around the instruction area 23. Therefore, the user can easily and surely understand how the values of the state parameters such as power and meet change when the vertical position of the player card CP is changed, and the user's operation is facilitated. And it is possible to improve the understanding of the operation.

In the image displayed on the second monitor 15 of the card reading device 14, the display contents and display positions of the components of the card operation unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 are appropriately changed according to the progress of the baseball game. It suffices to include display elements that should be included. For example, when the range of the card operation unit 20, the range of each card area 21, the range of the registration area 22 and the range of the instruction area 23 are unchanged during the game, those ranges are shown on the display surface 15s of the second monitor 15. Borders and other display objects may be displayed regardless of the image by using printing or other display means. As for the change amount display area 24, since the change amount displayed in the area changes dynamically, it is necessary to include it in the setting image as a display element in the second monitor 15, but the range of the change amount display area 24 is shown. The frame line and other display elements may be displayed as a fixed display object on the display surface 15s without depending on the image of the second monitor 15, or the display itself may be omitted. That is, as long as the change amount of the state parameter is displayed in the area adjacent to the designated area 23 above, the change amount display in the setting image in which a certain range including the display position is displayed on the second monitor 15. It can be understood that it is set as the area 24.

Next, the configuration of the control system of the game machine 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. As shown in FIG. 8, the game machine 3 is provided with a control device 30 and a storage device 31. The control device 30 is configured as a computer in which a CPU as an example of a processor that executes various arithmetic processes and operation controls according to a predetermined computer program, and an internal memory and other peripheral devices necessary for the operation are combined. The storage device 31 is an external storage device for the control device 30, and is a storage device including a magnetic disk storage device, a flash memory, and other non-volatile storage media capable of holding storage.

The storage device 31 records a game program PG and a game data DG as an example of a computer program that causes the control device 30 to execute various processes necessary for providing a baseball game to a user. The game data DG includes players and other characters as examples of various objects appearing in a baseball game, image data for displaying a stadium where a game is played, image data to be used for directing a baseball game, and sound data. Contains various data. The game data DG further includes the player data DC. In the player data DC, data recording the values of the various state parameters described above to be set for the player corresponding to each player card is recorded in a manner in which the card ID of the player card CP and the correspondence relationship can be determined. There is.

The play data DP is also recorded in the storage device 31. The play data DP is stored in the center server 2 in association with the user ID, which is the identification information of the user, and is provided to the game machine 3 and stored in the game machine 3 on condition that the user authenticates when the user plays the game on the game machine 3. Recorded in device 31. The play data DP recorded in the storage device 31 is updated at an appropriate timing according to the progress of the game in the game machine 3, and is provided from the game machine 3 to the center server 2 and stored when the game ends. .. The user ID is identification information uniquely set for each user. When a user plays a game on the game machine 3, the user ID or another ID associated with the user ID is acquired on the game machine 3, and the user's play data DP is acquired using the ID. NS. In the play data DP, the content of the user's play on the game machine 3 is appropriately recorded.

The control device 30 is provided with a game control unit 32 as a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware resource of the control device 30 and the game program PG as the software resource. The game control unit 32 functions as an example of the game control means by executing various processes necessary for playing the game on the game machine 3 according to the game program PG. The details of the game control unit 32 will be described later. The first monitor 11 shown in FIG. 1, the second monitor 15 of the card reading device 14, the photographing device 17, and the printer unit 13 are connected to the control device 30, and the communication control device 18 is connected to the control device 30. The communication control device 18 is a device for controlling communication between the control device 30 and the center server 2. In addition to the above, an appropriate input / output device may be connected to the control device 30, but the description thereof will be omitted here.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a specific configuration of the game control unit 32. The game control unit 32 is further provided with a card discrimination unit 40, a player management unit 41, a progress control unit 42, a first image generation unit 43, a second image generation unit 44, and a card creation control unit 45 as further logical devices. .. The card discrimination unit 40 detects the common portion M1 or the unique portion M2 of the reading marker M on the back surface of the player card CP from the image captured by the photographing device 17, and information according to the detection result, for example, the position of the common portion M1. Alternatively, the information recorded in the unique unit M2 is provided to the player management unit 41. Therefore, the photographing device 17 and the card discriminating unit 40 function as an example of the information reading means. The player management unit 41 manages the above-mentioned player registration and the set values of the player status parameters according to the information provided by the card discrimination unit 40. In order to set or change the value of the state parameter, the player management unit 41 appropriately refers to the player data DC recorded in the storage device 31. The progress control unit 42 executes various arithmetic processes for advancing the baseball game while referring to the registered players provided by the player management unit 41 and the set values of the state parameters. For example, the progress control unit 42 calculates the actions of each player in the game with reference to the state parameters of each player, and calculates the result to be determined according to those actions. The progress control unit 42 advances the progress of the game at each stage from before the start of the game to after the end of the game while referring to information from, for example, an input device provided on the control panel 12 or a device for collecting the consideration for the game. Control. However, the illustration regarding the correspondence relationship between these input devices and the like and the progress control unit 42 is omitted.

The first image generation unit 43 repeatedly generates a game image to be displayed on the first monitor 11 based on the calculation result of the progress control unit 42 according to the frame rate of the first monitor 11, and the generated image is displayed. The display content of the first monitor 11 is controlled. As an example, the first image generation unit 43 repeatedly generates a game image similar to the case of watching an actual baseball game on a television broadcast according to the calculation result of the progress control unit 42, and displays this on the first monitor 11. Let me. Before the start and end of the game, the first image generation unit 43 generates various images such as guiding the user to the procedure of advancing the game according to the instruction from the progress control unit 42, or requesting the user's instruction or selection. It may be displayed on the first monitor 11.

The second image generation unit 44 repeatedly generates an image to be displayed on the second monitor 15 of the card reading device 14 according to the frame rate of the second monitor 15 according to the instruction from the player management unit 41, and the generated image is displayed. The display content of the second monitor 15 is controlled so as to be so. That is, the second image generation unit 44 displays the setting image necessary for registering the player via the card reading device 14 or changing the value of the state parameter according to the position of the player card CP on the second monitor 15. Execute the process to make it. The second image generation unit 44 may display an appropriate image on the second monitor 15 in addition to the setting image for forming the card operation unit 20 shown in FIG.

The card creation control unit 45 generates print data necessary for printing the player card CP according to the instruction from the progress control unit 42, and outputs the data to the printer unit 13, so that the progress control unit 42 instructs. The printer unit 13 is controlled so that the player card CP is created and paid out to the user. As a result, the card creation control unit 45 functions as an example of the medium creation control means. The printing of the player card CP by the printer unit 13 is performed when a predetermined creation condition is satisfied in the baseball game. This printing is performed when the conditions stipulated in advance that the player card CP should be printed and paid out in the game program PG are satisfied, and the player card scheduled in connection with the progress of the baseball game. Printing and paying out CP. For example, when the game is finished playing, the creation conditions are set so that one player card CP is paid out, or when a predetermined result is achieved in the game play, one player card CP is paid. Creation conditions are set so that they can be issued, and when those creation conditions are met, the player card CP is printed and paid out.

On the other hand, apart from the payout of the player card CP corresponding to the establishment of the creation condition, the game machine 3 is given an opportunity to purchase the player card CP to the user, and the player card CP is given according to the purchase contents of the user. A function to print and pay out is implemented. In the following, the function may be referred to as a card sales function. The processing related to the card selling function is executed so that the influence on the progress of the game is minimized while the game machine 3 is providing the game to the user. Hereinafter, the card selling function will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the correspondence between the control of the game play in the game machine 3 and the card sales control. In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the user starts the game at the time ts and the game ends at the time te when the play period Tp has elapsed from the start. Before the time ts and after the time te, it is a waiting stage waiting for the user to start the game. In the standby stage, for example, playback of a moving image for demonstration is appropriately performed. The play period tp processes the preparation stage (time ts to tp) for preparing the preparation necessary for playing the game according to the instruction of the user, the play stage (time tp to tq) for the user to play the game, and the play result of the game. It is divided into end stages (time tq to te) at which the game play is ended. In play control, various processes are performed so that the game ends in sequence through each stage.

On the other hand, in the control of card sales, various processes for selling the player card CP are performed during the play period Tp in the play control. The player card CP in this case is a player card whose parameters are set based on the initial values recorded in the player data DC, and corresponds to an example of a new medium. However, the parameters on the player card CP created by the card sales function may be appropriately changed with respect to the initial values recorded in the player data DC. The processing in the card sales control is divided into a purchase processing, a printing processing and a payout processing. The execution time of these processes is controlled so that they are completed by the end time te of the game. For example, when the maximum quantity of player card CPs that can be sold while the user is playing a game is X, the time required for purchase processing, printing and payout of the quantity X is set as the maximum processing period Tmax. The purchase process is started at the time tx that precedes the maximum processing period Tmax from the end time te of the game, or at a time even earlier than that. Further, the purchase process is executed so as to end at the start time tp of the game play stage or a time earlier than that.

Pattern A in FIG. 10 shows an example in which the purchase process, the print process, and the payout process are continuously performed. In this case, the time tx starts the purchase process at the time tx that precedes the game end time te by the maximum processing period Tmax. do it. However, the card sales control is not limited to the example of pattern A. For example, as shown as pattern B, even when the purchase process, the print process, and the payout process are continuous, the card sale process may be controlled so that the payout process is completed at a time earlier than the game end time te. Alternatively, as shown as pattern C, at least a part of the purchase process, the print process, and the payout process, unless the start time of the purchase process is after the game start time ts and the payout time does not exceed the game end time te. There may be a period during which the processing is interrupted. Even when the number of player card CPs purchased is less than the maximum number of purchased cards X, a period during which the processing is interrupted may be interposed between at least a part of the purchasing process, the printing process, and the payout process.

The purchase process is a process of determining the purchase content according to the user's instruction. Therefore, it is desirable that the purchase process be executed so as to end at or before the start time tp of the play stage so as not to interfere with the user's play of the game regardless of the pattern. In FIG. 10, the purchase process is interposed between the preparation stage and the play stage in the play control, but such a setting is only an example. The purchase process may be executed at an appropriate time before the start of play, and the purchase process may be executed in the middle of the preparation stage. However, even in the play stage, if it is a position that should be an appropriate delimiter for playing the game, for example, a delimiter position between stages when the game is played so as to sequentially pass through a plurality of stages, the user plays. At least part of the purchase process may be performed as long as it does not interfere with. For example, a process of requesting the user to make a final confirmation regarding the purchased content may be intervened in the middle of the play stage. Further, by executing a part of the preparation stage as a background process and executing at least a part of the purchase process as a foreground process during the execution, the preparation stage in the play control and the purchase process in the card sales control are parallel. May be executed. That is, in FIG. 10, the preparation stage and the purchase process may be executed in duplicate for a part of the period.

When controlling the card sales function as described above, the purchase process of the player card CP is performed at an appropriate time within the play period Tp, and the player card CP is created (printed) in parallel with the play stage and the end stage. ) And payout. Therefore, compared to the case where the control of each of the preparation stage, the play stage, and the end stage associated with the play of the game is interrupted, and all the purchase processing, the printing processing, and the payout processing necessary for selling the card are exclusively executed. Then, while minimizing the influence of the sale of the player card CP on the original function of the game machine 3 to provide the game, the operation efficiency and profitability of the game machine 3 are maintained and improved, and the game machine 3 is used. Can be effectively used as a means of selling player card CP. In particular, when the purchase process is executed before the start of the play stage, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the user's play of the game is impaired by the control of the card selling function. In addition, at the play stage, printing of the player card CP is advanced as background processing, and the player card CP is paid out at the end stage of the play control, so that the player does not impair the play of the user's game. It is possible to sell card CP.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, an example of a game processing procedure executed by the game control unit 32 in order to sell the player card CP during the game will be described. The illustrated process is a process executed in response to an operation of a user instructing the start of a game, and is a process performed mainly by a progress control unit 42. When the process of FIG. 11 is started, the progress control unit 42 first authenticates the user (step S11). As an example, user authentication is performed by reading user authentication information (authentication ID) from an authentication medium possessed by the user and identifying the user in cooperation with the center server 2. When the user authentication is completed, the progress control unit 42 executes a process for settling the game play fee (step S12). For example, the play fee is collected from the user by cash, tokens such as medals, or electronic currency. If the user does not own the authentication medium in step S11, the user authentication can be skipped based on the user's instruction. The user authentication and the settlement of the play fee are carried out by displaying an appropriate screen on the first monitor 11 as an example, but the specific procedure may be the same as that of a known game machine.

When the payment of the play fee is completed, the progress control unit 42 determines whether or not the user requires the initial card (step S13). If the play data DP (however, the data of the baseball game provided by the game machine 3) corresponding to the user who has completed the user authentication does not exist in the center server 2, the user authentication is skipped in step S11. If so, it is determined that an initial card is required. When it is determined that the initial card is necessary, the progress control unit 42 accepts the user's selection regarding one player card CP to be provided as the initial card (step S14), and then, as the initial card according to the user's selection. A player card CP is determined and printing is instructed to the card creation control unit 45 (step S15). In response to this, the card creation control unit 45 controls the printer unit 13 so that printing of the player card CP instructed by the progress control unit 42 is started. In step S14, as an example, the user is made to select the team to which the player belongs, and in step S15, one player belonging to the selected team is randomly selected, and based on the player data DC corresponding to the selected player. Print data is created and provided to the printer unit 13.

Subsequently, the progress control unit 42 causes the first monitor 11 to display an image explaining the game playing method and the like via the first image generation unit 43 (step S16), and then pays out the initial card to the user. Whether or not it is completed is determined via the card creation control unit 45 (step S17). If the payout is not completed, the process returns to step S16 to continue the explanation of the game. The processes of steps S16 and S17 are processes performed to make the user understand the game contents by utilizing the time required for printing and paying out the initial card. The creation and payout of the player card CP realized by steps S13 to S17 is a process performed based on the success or failure of the conditions set in association with the game, and the conditions determined in step S13 are the creation conditions. Corresponds to one example.

When the payout of the initial card is completed in step S17, the progress control unit 42 instructs the player management unit 41 to execute the player registration, and in response to this, the player management unit 41 uses the registration area 22 in FIG. Then, the player registration is executed (step S18). When the player registration is completed, the progress control unit 42 displays a screen asking the user whether to additionally purchase the player card CP on the first monitor 11 via the first image generation unit 43, and selects the user. Accept (step S19). In this case, when the user selects the purchase of the player card CP, the purchase content is also selected by the user. As the purchase content, the user may be able to select only the number of purchases, or in addition to selecting the quantity, the content of the player card CP such as the team to which the player belongs, the fielder, or the pitcher corresponding to the player card CP to be purchased. The user may be able to appropriately select the associated options. The number of purchases that can be specified by the user in step S19 is limited to the maximum number of sheets associated with the maximum processing period Tmax shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the progress control unit 42 determines the content of the additional purchase of the player card CP (step S20). In this case, the fee generated by the additional purchase may be settled at the same time. The processes of steps S19 and S20 may be executed for a limited time required for the processes. When the purchase content is confirmed, the game process proceeds to step S21 in FIG. In step S21, the progress control unit 42 instructs the card creation control unit 45 to print the additionally purchased player card CP, and in response to this, the card creation control unit 45 is instructed by the progress control unit 42 to print the player card CP. The printer unit 13 is controlled so that printing of the card CP is started. In this case, the player data DC corresponding to the player card CP to be paid out to the user is determined based on the purchase content confirmed in step S20, and print data is created based on the player data DC and provided to the printer unit 13. NS. In response to this, the printer unit 13 starts printing the additionally purchased player card CP.

When printing is started in step S21, the progress control unit 42 starts playing the baseball game (step S22). In the processes up to this point, at least the processes of steps S11 to S18 correspond to an example of the preparation stage in the play control, and the processes of steps S19 to S21 correspond to an example of the purchase process in the card sales control. While the processes of steps S19 to S21 are being performed, various arithmetic processes and the like necessary for starting a baseball game game based on the result of player registration in step S18 are used as background processes in the progress control unit 42. Others may be performed in parallel as appropriate. In this case, the preparation stage in play control and the purchase process in card sales are performed in parallel.

When the play is started in step S22, the baseball game game proceeds according to a predetermined procedure. During this time, various arithmetic controls necessary for the progress of the game are executed while referring to the operation of changing the position of the player card CP in the instruction area 23. With the start of play in step S22, the game play control shifts from the preparation stage to the play stage. Then, when the match is over, the progress control unit 42 shifts the play control from the play stage to the end stage, and the play result, for example, the score of the match, the result display, etc., is transmitted to the user via the first image generation unit 43. A process of displaying on the first monitor 11 (step S23) is executed, and then a process of displaying a predetermined end image or the like for ending the game play on the first monitor 11 via the first image generation unit 43 is performed. Execute (step S24).

After starting the display of the image in step S24, the progress control unit 42 instructs the card creation control unit 45 to pay out the player card CP instructed to start printing in step S21, that is, the player card CP additionally purchased by the user. In response to this, the card creation control unit 45 instructs the printer unit 13 to pay out the player card CP additionally purchased by the user (step S25). As described with reference to FIG. 10, printing of the player card CP purchased by the user is completed before the end of the game, and at the stage of step S25, all the player card CPs printed corresponding to the purchase contents of the user are printed. Will be paid out in a lump sum. Since the player card CPs are printed one by one, when the user purchases a plurality of player card CPs, the printed player card CPs may be stocked up to step S25. If the user does not select the purchase of the player card CP in step S19, the processes of steps S20, S21 and S25 related to the purchase of the player card CP may be skipped.

In the above embodiment, the progress control unit 42 functions as an example of the purchase processing execution means by executing the processes of steps S19 and S20 in FIG. 11, and the card creation control unit 45 performs the player card in step S21 of FIG. By starting printing of CP, it functions as an example of a medium creation control means.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be carried out in various modified or modified forms. For example, in the above embodiment, steps S19 and S20, which are player card CP purchase processes, are executed between the game preparation stage and the play stage, but the purchase process is earlier than the start of play in step S22. However, as long as it precedes the time required for printing and paying out the player card CP in the quantity that can be purchased by the user (time length Tmax in FIG. 10) with respect to the end time of the game, the purchase is made. The process may be executed at an appropriate time. For example, the purchase process may be executed prior to the process of step S18 in FIG. Alternatively, the processes of steps S19 and S20 are executed following step S11, and then, if step S13 is affirmatively determined, step S17 is processed and then the process of step S21 is executed, and step S13 is negatively determined. If so, the process of step S21 may be subsequently executed. When step S13 is determined affirmatively, the processes of steps S19 and S21 may be executed until step S17 is determined affirmatively.

The processes of steps S13 to S17 in FIG. 11 are not essential and may be omitted as appropriate. When the purchase process is executed prior to step S12, the fee required for the additional purchase of the player card CP may be settled in addition to the settlement of the game play fee in the process of step S12.

In the above embodiment, the information reading means is realized by the combination of the photographing device 17 and the card discriminating unit 40, but the information reading means is not limited to such an example. For example, the information reading means may be configured to photograph the display surface 15s from above and read the information of the player card CP, or to read the information from a recording medium such as an IC chip embedded in the player card CP. The medium is not limited to the player card CP, and can be appropriately modified as long as the information necessary for controlling the game can be appropriately recorded. For example, a three-dimensional piece or other article may be used as a medium. The medium creating means is not limited to a printer unit for a card or other two-dimensional medium, and a device capable of creating and paying out a three-dimensional medium such as a 3D printer may be used as the medium creating means.

In the above embodiment, a game machine that plays a baseball game using a player card CP is taken as an example, but the game machine of the present invention is not limited to such a game machine. The present invention is appropriately used as long as it is a game machine provided with a medium creating means for advancing the game based on the information read from the medium and for creating and paying out the medium when a predetermined creation condition is satisfied in the game. It is possible to apply to. In that case, the creation conditions may be appropriately set in association with the game as described above. The medium created and paid out when the creation condition is satisfied may be a medium in which initial information is recorded, such as an initial card in which control parameters are set based on player data DC, or a game play. It may be a medium in which the updated information is recorded. Alternatively, a medium having a different appearance from the normal player card CP may be created and paid out according to the establishment of the creation conditions. Such a medium is not necessarily limited to a medium in which information that can be read by a game machine is recorded, and may be created as a medium that is valuable for the user to own as a collection. Further, the creation and payout of the medium based on the establishment of the creation conditions may be executed at the end stage of the game. On the other hand, the medium sold to the user in accordance with the present invention is not limited to the medium in which the initial information based on the player data DC is recorded, and the medium in which appropriate information is recorded may be sold as a new medium. Further, the appearance design of the new medium may be changed as appropriate. When the medium is created as a background process while the user is playing the game, it is possible to allow a relatively large margin in the creation time. Therefore, it is possible to apply a process that requires a relatively long time to prepare (for example, a special process relating to the appearance and the surface) to the medium. Even if the game machine does not have a function to create and pay out media in response to the establishment of the creation conditions associated with the game, as long as the media creation means is provided, the game starts from the start. At any time until the end of the game, the purchase process is executed based on the user's instruction as in the present invention, and the game is created and paid out according to the purchase contents in parallel with the game play and the like. By configuring the machine, it is possible to make the game machine function as a means of selling media without impairing the original function of providing the game.

Various embodiments of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, the corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, whereby the present invention is limited to the illustrated form. It's not something.

The game machine (3) according to one aspect of the present invention creates an information reading means (17, 40) for reading information recorded on a medium (CP) presented by a user, and a medium on which predetermined information is recorded. The game is advanced based on the media creating means (13) to be paid out to the user and the information read by the information reading means, and a predetermined medium is created when a predetermined creation condition is satisfied in the game. In a game machine provided with a game control means (32) that controls the medium creation means so as to be paid out to the user, the game control means is a medium created in response to the establishment of the creation condition. The purchase process execution means (42, S19, S20) that executes the purchase process that accepts the user's instruction regarding the purchase of the new medium different from the above, and the new medium is created according to the instruction received in the purchase process. A medium creation control means (45, S21) that controls the medium creation means so as to be paid out to the user is provided, and the purchase processing execution means is at the end time of the game (time te in FIG. 10 as an example). On the other hand, the purchase process is executed at a time preceding the time length (time length Tmax in FIG. 10 as an example) required to create a new medium in a quantity that can be purchased in the purchase process.

In the computer program (PG) for a game machine according to one aspect of the present invention, information reading means (17, 40) for reading information recorded on a medium (CP) presented by a user and predetermined information are recorded. A computer (30) of a game machine (3) provided with a medium creating means (13) for creating a medium and paying out to the user is used to advance the game based on the information read by the information reading means, and the game is advanced. For a game system configured to function as a game control means (32) that controls the medium creation means so that a predetermined medium is created and paid out to the user when a predetermined creation condition is satisfied in the game. Is a computer program of the above, and the purchase process execution means for executing the purchase process for receiving the user's instruction regarding the purchase of a new medium different from the medium created in response to the establishment of the creation condition (the game control means). 42, S19, S20), and as a medium creation control means (45, S21) that controls the medium creation means so that the new medium is created and paid out to the user according to the instructions received in the purchase process. To function, the purchase processing execution means has a time length required to create a new medium in a quantity that can be purchased in the purchase processing with respect to the end time of the game (time te in FIG. 10 as an example). As an example, the purchase process is configured to be executed at a time preceding the time length Tmax) of FIG.

According to the above aspect, the purchase process is determined by performing the purchase process at a time that precedes the end time of the game by a time that precedes the time required for creating a new medium in a quantity that can be purchased by the user. The process of creating a new medium according to the purchased contents and paying out can be executed in parallel as appropriate until the game is played and finished. Therefore, it is given to the original function of the game machine to provide the game, as compared with the case where various processes necessary for playing the game are interrupted and the process for exclusively selling the new medium to the user is executed. It is possible to effectively function the game machine as a means of selling the medium to the user while suppressing the influence as much as possible to maintain and improve the operating efficiency and profitability of the game machine.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing a computer program according to the present invention on a computer, the game system of the present invention can be realized by using the computer. The storage medium for storing the computer program may be a non-transient storage medium such as a CDROM.

In the above aspect, the game control means has a preparatory step of preparing necessary preparations for playing the game while referring to the instruction of the user, a play step of causing the user to play the game based on the read information, and the play. The progress of the game is controlled so that the game ends in sequence through the end stage of processing the play result of the stage and ending the play of the user's game, and the purchase processing execution means is more than the play stage. The purchase process may be executed at an early stage. In this case, since the purchase process is performed prior to the start of the game play, there is no risk that the user's game play will be impaired by the user's instructions or selection operations required for the card purchase process. can do.

Further, the medium creation control means may control the medium creation means so that the creation of the new medium proceeds in parallel with the play of the game in the play stage. According to this, it is possible to proceed with the creation of the medium as a background process at the play stage, whereby the game machine can be more efficiently utilized as a means of selling the new medium.

Further, the medium creation control means may control the medium creation means so that the new medium is dispensed at the end stage. According to this, since the new medium is paid out at the end stage of the game, the risk that the user's play is impaired by being distracted by the payout of the new medium during the game play is eliminated, and the user is concentrated on the game play. It is possible to make it.

1 Game system 3 Game machine 13 Printer unit (media creation means)
14 Card reader 17 Imaging device (information reading means)
30 Control device (computer)
32 Game control unit (game control means)
42 Progress control unit (purchase processing execution means)
45 Card creation control unit (media creation control means)
CP player card (medium)

Claims (3)

A game control means that controls the progress of the game played by the user,
An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction for creating a medium from the user,
A medium creating means for creating and paying out the medium according to the instruction for creating the medium received by the instruction receiving means.
Guidance means for limiting the quantity of the medium to be instructed by the user to within the maximum quantity of the medium that can be created and paid out while the user is playing the game.
Equipped with
A game machine that executes the instruction receiving means at a time that precedes the end time of the game by a time length required for the medium creating means to create and pay out the maximum quantity of the medium. A game control means that controls the progress of the game played by the user,
An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction for creating a medium from the user,
A computer of a game machine provided with a medium creating means for creating and paying out the medium according to an instruction for creating the medium received by the instruction receiving means.
The function as a guidance means for limiting the quantity of the medium to be instructed by the user to within the maximum quantity of the medium that can be created and paid out while the user is playing the game. Let me
It is configured to execute the instruction receiving means at a time preceding the end time of the game by a time length required for the medium creating means to create and pay out the maximum quantity of the medium. Computer program. A game control means that controls the progress of the game played by the user,
An instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction for creating a medium from the user,
A computer of a game machine provided with a medium creating means for creating and paying out the medium according to an instruction for creating the medium received by the instruction receiving means.
Execute a guidance procedure that limits the quantity of the medium that can be instructed by the user to be within the maximum quantity of the medium that can be created and paid out while the user is playing the game. Let me
A control method for executing the instruction receiving means at a time preceding the end time of the game by a time length required for the medium creating means to create and pay out the maximum quantity of the medium.

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