GB2445123A

GB2445123A - Dartboard apparatus with display and player ID card reader.

Info

Publication number: GB2445123A
Application number: GB0805690A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masataka Noda; Rie Tomimatsu
Original assignee: Sega Corp
Current assignee: Sega Corp
Priority date: 2003-10-31
Filing date: 2004-10-28
Publication date: 2008-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-28
Also published as: GB2445123B; GB0805690D0

Abstract

A games machine comprises arrows, e.g. darts, which are thrown by a plurality of players, a target. e.g. a dartboard, which is divided into a plurality of areas with indicators, a sensor 101 for detecting an area of the target which is hit by one of the arrows, a control unit 100 for receiving a detected result from the sensor, a display monitor controlled by the control unit, and a card reader CD for reading ID (identity) cards of the players. A game is played according to the indicators, and an image specified by an indicator being hit by one of the arrows is displayed on the monitor. The control unit automatically handicaps a winner of a first game in the next game. The playing order of players may be automatically changed during a plurality of rounds of the game. Each area of the target may be partially allocated to each of the players. The control unit may calculate points awarded to players, may further eliminate players and may also terminate the game.

Description

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Specification

Title of the Invention

Game Machine

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game machine adopting "darts" or other target hitting games.

Prior Art

For example, darts is a traditional game having a history of 500 years mainly aiming at competition of each player's skill of arrow throwing. In the darts, when a player throws the arrow, other players must generally keep quiet, so darts is somewhat serious rather than entertaining. For a newly joining beginner darts is poor in such atmosphere that players have much entertaining fun and a sense of unity.

Recently, there has been a spread of electric darts machines which automatically detect a hit area of the target so as to record and totalize players' points. However, since such darts machines follow the game of the traditional darts, easy entertaining fun and excitement cannot be expected, similarly to conventional darts.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is intended to alleviate the above conventional problems and has an object to provide a game machine for a game adopting a target hitting game wherein a beginner can easily join and feel a lot of entertainment.

According to the present invention, there is provided a game machine comprising arrows thrown by a plurality of players; a target toward which said arrows are thrown and which is divided into a plurality of areas with indicators; a sensor for detecting said area of said target where said arrow hits when a said arrow hits said target and providing an output indicative of the detecting result and thereby the result of the players' throws; a card reader for reading ID cards of said players so as to identify each of said players; a control unit to which said detection result is input so as to execute a plurality of successive games according to said result of players' operation; a display monitor controlled by said control unit, in which an image specified by said indicator of said area hit by said arrow to represent said result of players' operation, is displayed, characterised in that said control unit successively executes a plurality of said games, and automatically gives to the player who is the winner in a first of said games a handicap in the next game.

In the described machine the control unit comprises an initial point setting means for setting an initial value for a point of each of said players; an addition means, a subtraction means, and a calculation means for controlling the operation of the addition and subtraction means in accordance with the output of the sensor; and an eliminating means for eliminating said player when said point thereof becomes zero; said calculation means being operable in a first game mode of said control unit so that a point corresponding to said indication of said area where each said player hits is added to said point of said player if said area is allocated to said player, and a point corresponding to said indication of said area where each player hits is subtracted from said point of said player if said area is allocated to another of said players.

In the described machine, the players are identified by said ID cards, and a playing order of said players is automatically changed during execution of a plurality of rounds of said game.

In the described machine, said control unit is operable in a second game mode to cause said addition means to add a first point increment corresponding to said indication of said areas where each said player hits, to a first point of said player; and said control unit, to execute said second game mode, further comprise a judging means for judging whether said first point of said player becomes equal to a first point of another player due to said addition of said first point increment corresponding to said indication; a decreasing means for decreasing said first point of said another player if said first point of said player becomes equal to a first point of said another player due to said addition of said first point increment; a second point giving means for giving a predetermined second point to said player if said first point of said player becomes equal to a first point of said another player due to said addition of said first point increment, and for giving a predetermined second ( point to said player if said first point of said player becomes a predetermined upper limit due to said addition of said first point increment; a first point returning means for returning said first point to an initial point value if said first point of said player becomes said predetermined upper limit due to said addition Qf said first point increment; and a decreasing means for decreasing said first point of said player if said first point of said player exceeds said predetermined upper limit due to said addition of said first point increment.

In the described machine, to execute a third game mode, said control unit comprises: a first area giving means for giving said area hit by said player and an area relevant to said hit area, to said player when said indication of said hit area is a predetermined indication, a second area giving means for giving said area repeatedly hit a predetermined number of times in one round by said player and an area relevant to said hit area, to said player when said indication of said hit area is a predetermined indication; a first point giving means for giving a predetermined point to said player when said player obtains said area; a second point giving means for giving a point of said area hit by said player to said player when said hit area is already obtained by another player; and a game terminating means for terminating said game when all said areas are owned by said players.

In the described machine, to execute a fourth game mode, said control unit comprises: a card distributing means for distributing a plurality of cards to each said players; a card deleting means for deleting one of said cards when said indication of said area hit by said player corresponds to said card; a card transfer means for transferring a predetermined number of said cards to another said player when said indication of the area hit by said player is a predetermined indication; and a game terminating means for terminating said game when any one of said players loses all said cards.

In the described machine, to execute a fifth game mode said control unit comprises: a symbol distributing means for distributing symbols of castles, symbols of castles' possessions and symbols of castle walls to said players, an index giving means for giving indexes to each said castle and its walls; a wall damage influencing means for influencing damage on said castle wall when said index of said area hit by said player corresponds said index given to said castle wall; a wall eliminating means for eliminating said castle wall when said castle wall is of a predetermined damage; a castle damage influencing means for influencing damage on said possessions of said castle when said index of said area hit by said player corresponds said index given to said castle and said castle walls of said castle are completely distinguished; a castle eliminating means for eliminating said castle when said possessions are of determined damage; and a restoring means for restoring said eliminated castle walls when said index of said area hit by said player corresponds to said index given to said castle and said castle walls of said castle are completely eliminated.

In the described machine, to execute a sixth game mode said control unit comprises: an index allocating means for allocating an index to each of a plurality of panels; a panel specifying means for determining a part of said plurality of panels to be specified panels; a panel displaying means for displaying said panels and indicating said specified panels; a first panel giving means for giving said specified panel to said player when said indication of said area hit by said player corresponds to said index of said specified panel; a second panel giving means for giving said panel owned by another said player to said player when said player obtains panels on opposite sides of said panel owned by another said player; and a third panel giving means for giving said panel to said player when said index of said area hit by said player corresponds to said index of said specified panel and said specified panel is hit by said player in said same round.

In the described machine, to execute a seventh game mode said control unit comprises: a designating means for designating a plurality of said areas; an area giving means for giving said area to said player when said area is said designated area hit a plurality of times by said player and said area is ownerless; a point giving means for giving point corresponding to said indication of said area to said player when said area is said designated area hit a plurality of times by said player and said area is owned by said player; and a point giving means for giving point corresponding to said indication of said area to all the other players than said player when said area hit by said player is not said designated area.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a network including a game machine according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view showing the game machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a construction of the game machine in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevation view showing a target of the game machine in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the total flow of a game executed in the game machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 shows a display image (displayed on the CRT 312) of the first game (named "SURVIVOR") executed in the game machines GM1 to GMn.

Fig. 7A shows a display image of the second game executed in the game machines GM1 to GMn.

Fig. lB shows another display image of the second game executed in the game machines GM I to GMn.

Fig. 8 shows a display image of the third game executed in the game machines GM! to GMn.

Fig. 9 shows a display image of the fourth game executed in the game machines GMI to GMn.

Fig. 10 shows a display image of the fifth game executed in the game machines GM! to GMn.

Fig. 11 shows a display image of the sixth game executed in the game machines GMI to GMn.

Fig. 12 shows a display image of the seventh game executed in the game machines GM I to GMn.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of the first game.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing of the second game.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing for giving numbers to opponent players.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing when a player overtakes an opponent.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing of the first game.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing of the fourth game.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing of the fifth game.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing of the sixth game.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing of the seventh game.

Preferred Embodiment of the Present Jnvention Next, the best mode for carrying out the invention is described with reference to the drawings.

Game Machine Fig. I is a block diagram showing a network including a game machine according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is an elevation view showing the game machine of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a construction of the game machine in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 is an elevation view showing a target of the game machine in Fig. I. In Fig. 1, a plurality of game machines GMI, GM2, ..., GMn are connected to a network IN to which a server SV, one or more personal computers PC, a handy phone PH or other communication terminals are connected.

The server SV inputs and outputs various information to and from the game machines GMI to GMn connected to the network and controls a game when necessary. Players (not shown) of the game machines GM I to GMn perform operation and inputting by means of a control unit 1000 included in the game machines GMI to GMn for executing the game on the game machines GM I to GMn.

The game machine GMI is described representatively. The game machine GMI includes a target TG of the darts as one of target hitting game, a sensor 101 for detecting area where an arrow (not shown) hits, an encoder 102 for converting a detecting result of the sensor 101 into a numeral data and an interface 103 for inputting a signal of the encoder 102 to a control unit 100.

Therefore, darts itself or other games adapting darts can be controlled by the control unit 100.

A card reader CD and a cash-box CB are connected to the control unit 100 so that the control unit 100 detects fee (coin) inserted for executing the game and so that the control unit 100 detects an ID card identifying a player so as to obtain the player's own information from the server SV.

The personal computer PC, the handy HP and other communication terminals can obtain various information concerning the game such as statistical result of the game machines GM I to GMn, a ranking of the players and event information.

In Fig. 2, the target TG, a CRT 312, the card reader CD and the cash-box CB are provided on the front face of the game machine GM1. The player inserts the coin and his own ED card into the cash-box CB and the card reader CD, respectively. The card reader CD is provided with a plurality of (for example, 4) slots SL1 to SL4 so that a plurality of players can join the same game. It is also possible that a plurality of cards are inserted into each of i0 the slots SLI to SM for team competition such as "doubles".

The CRT 312 displays information concerning the game and has a function of a game display when a game adopting the darts is executed.

The target TG is not only a target hit by the arrow but also a tool by which players obtain points, areas or numerals by arrow throwing.

A button PB is provided on the game machine GM I for "Player Change" of the darts, which is used as an operation input switch 305 (Fig. 3) for the control unit 100. A Joystick or other input means may be provided in the game machine GM1 as the operation input switch 305.

In Fig. 3, the control unit 100 includes a CPU 301, a boot ROM for storing a program for starting up the control unit 100 and a system memory 302 for storing a program executed by the CPU 301 and data.

The control unit 100 is provided with a rendering processor 307 for generating and for controlling ah image to be displayed. A graphic memory 308 is provided in the control Unit 100 for storing the generated image and material images for the generated image. The rendering processor 307 displays the generated image on the CRT 312.

Various information concerning a game being executed is displayed on the CRT 312. In the control unit 100, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303, rendering processor 307 and graphic memory 308 cooperatively perform a function as a display control means, for controlling the display on the CRT 312.

A sound processor 309 for generating sound and a sound memory 310 for storing sound to be generated are provided in the control unit 100. The sound processor 309 generates a digital signal of the sound according to the

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data stored in the sound memory 310 so that the sound is output from a speaker 313 or a headphone (not shown).

A program data memory device or memory medium 303 is provided in the control unit 100. Game programs and data are transfer into the system memory 302, graphic memory 308 and sound memory 310.

The data stored in the memory medium 303 includes information concerning games.

A communication interface 311 and a MODEM 314 are provided in the control unit 100. The control unit 100 is connected through the MODEM 314 to the network iN.

The above components of the control unit 100 are connected to a bus and are arbitrated by a bus arbiter in communication.

A virtual player as subjective player representing the player may be registered in the ID card so that the virtual players play a match against one another.

In Fig. 4, the target TO is a well-known target (darts board) of darts, which has "bull" area of small circle in the center. The remaining area around the bull area is divided along the circumference into 20 equal fan shape areas.

Each fan shape area is divided into 4 areas along the radius.

The innermost area 402 of the fan shape area and the third from the area 403 from the area 402 are rather wide area called "single". The second area 405 from the area 402 is a rather narrow area called "triple ring" and the outermost area 404 is a narrow area called "double ring".

The bull area is radially divided into 2 so that 2 inner and outer ring-shaped areas 406 and 407 are shaped. In the bull area, the inner area 406 is called "double bull" or "inner bull" and the outer area 407 is called "single bull" or "outer bull". Generally, the area 406 is of higher point than the area 407.

Basic numerals are allocated to the fan-shape areas, that is, upper most center area is given "20" and the other areas are given "5", "12", "9", " 4", "1 1", "8", "16", "3", "17", "2", "1 "10", "6", "4", "18" and "1" along the circumference in the anticlockwise direction from the area "20". These numerals are shown by a display in the outer area 401. The location of the display is not limited to the area 401 and the location may be the single area etc. Next, an embodiment showing the total flow of the total games executed in the game machine GMI to GMn is described.

Game Method Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the total flow of a game executed in the game machine of Fig. 1.

Step S501: The game method provides a plurality of game manners of "Normal", "Change Playing Order" and "Select Playing Order & Game".

The players select one of the manners. Naturally, other types of manners may be provided.

When "Normal", "Change Playing Order" and "Select Playing Order & Game" are respectively selected, the processing is advanced to the Step S502, S505 and S510, respectively.

Step S502: According to the game manner of "Normal", the playing order is determined by some method and the processing is advanced to the Step S503.

Step S503: A game is selected and executed.

Step S504: A players' ranking of the game executed in the step S503 is decided.

Step S505: According to the manner of "Change Playing Order", the game is to be executed twice or more times. First, the first playing order is decided by some method.

Step S506: The first game is executed. Then the processing is advanced to the Step 507.

Step S507: The playing order is changed. Then, the processing is advanced to the step S508. When the players' order is manually changed, it is necessary to insert the ID cards into the card reader in the new playing order, after the players are identified by the ID cards. Alternatively, when the "Change Playing Order" is selected, the playing order is automatically changed and the ID cards order change is unnecessary. Since the first player is usually at an advantage in darts, the playing order change is very necessary.

In the step of automatic playing order change, the playing order is changed from the first game to the next game. However, it is also possible that the players' ranking is decided for the first game and the loser becomes first player of the next game according to the first ranking. Then, the winner is automatically handicapped.

Step S508: The next game is executed and processing is advanced to the Step 509.

ILF

Step S509: The players' ranking of the game executed in the step S508 is decided.

Step S510: According to the manner of "Select Playing Order & Game", either the game selection or the playing order selection is selected.

First, the first determining player is determined by some method and the processing is advanced to the step S5 11.

Step S5 11: The first determining player selects either the game kind selection or the first order. When the first determining player selects the first order, the processing is advanced to the step S5 12, and when the game kind is selected, the processing is advanced to the step S5 13.

Step S512: When the first determining player selects the first order, the other (second order) player selects the game kind and the processing is advanced to the step S5 14.

Step S51 3: When the first player selects the game kind, the player selects a game and the processing is advanced to the step S5 14.

Step S514: The selected game is executed and the processing is advanced to the step S515.

Step S515: The players' ranking of the game executed in the step S514 is determined.

Step S516: Following to the steps S504, S509 and S515, it is determined whether the game is terminated or not. When the game is to be terminated, the processing is terminated, and when continued, the processing is returned back to the step S501.

According to the above game method, .a.ptrl ty of (for example 7) games can be executed. Next, a game method of each game is described.

Game "SURVIVOR" Fig. 6 shows a display image (displayed on the CRT 312) of the first game (named "SURVIVOR") executed in the game machines GM I to GMn.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of the first game.

In Fig. 6, 4 players (or 4 teams of players) can join the first game.

Each player tries to get the fan-shaped area of the target TG in each turn (called "round").

In the display image, display boxes 602, 603, 604 and 605 are displayed for indicating the areas obtained by the players. In the display box 602, a number "17" is shown for identifying the first player's area. In the display box 603, numbers "10", "15" and "2" identifying the second player's area are shown. In the display box 604, numbers "3", "19" and "7" identifying the third player's area are shown. In the display box 605, numbers "16", "8" and "11" identifying the fourth player's area are shown. The plural numbers in one display box are neighboring and successive three areas in the target TG In the display image, other display boxes 608, 609, 510 and 611 are shown for identif'ing players' points (called "life Li").

In the display image, there are shown a display 601 indicating the current round and the total rounds (In the figure, 1/10 means the first round among the ten rounds.), a display 606 indicating the finished arrows of the current player in the current round, and a display 607 imitating the target for indicating areas obtained by each player. The display 606 has three circles representing the total number of throws in one round, and circles corresponding to the finished throw are changed in color, for example. In the display 607, players' areas are distinguished by different colors.

In Fig. 13, the first game is executed through the following steps.

Step SI 301: The life Li, current round R, current player PYi etc. are initialized and values are given to them. The total number of players is judged by number of ID cards inserted into the card reader CD.

For initializing the Life Li etc., the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as an initializing means.

Step S 1302: Next to the step S1301, the players' areas Ai{} in each round are set and each player throws the arrows.

Step S1303: Next to the step S1302, the area in the target TG is detected where the arrow hits, and it is judged whether the hit area is the opponent player's PYJ (other players' than the current player) or not. If the area is not the opponent's PYJ, the processing is jumped to the step S 1306. If the opponent's PYJ, it is judged whether the area is the center or side area among the three neighboring areas. Among the neighboring three areas "10", "15" and "2", the area "15" is the center and the areas "10" and "2" are the side. When a player possesses just one area, the area is handled as the center.

When the center, the processing is advanced to the step Si 304, and when the side, the processing is advanced to the step S 1305.

Step SI 304: It is judged which area of single, double, triple or bull is hit by the arrow. When single, the processing is advanced to the step SI 306, when double, advanced to the step Si 307 and when triple, advanced to the step S1308. r7

Step S1305: It is judged which area is hit of "single", "double" or "triple" by the arrow. When single, the processing is advanced to the step SI 309, when double, advanced to the step S 1310 and when triple, advanced to the step SI3II.

Step S 1306: Point 2 is subtracted from the life Li of the current player, and the processing is advanced to the step Si 312.

Step S1307: Point 4 is subtracted from the life Li of the current player, and the processing is advanced to the step S1312.

Step S 1308: Point 6 is subtracted from the life Li of the current player, and the processing is advanced to the step Si 312.

For subtraction of the Life Li, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a subtracting means.

Step Si 309: Point 1 is subtracted from the life Li of the current player, and the processing is advanced to the step SI 312.

Step SI 310: Point 2 is subtracted from the life Li of the current player, and the processing is advanced to the step SI 312.

Step S 1311: Point 3 is subtracted from the life Li of the current player, and the processing is advanced to the step SI 312.

Step SI 312: It is judged whether the hit area is the player's PYi (The players currently throwing the arrow.) or not. If the area is not the player's PYi, the processing is jumped to the step S1316. If the player's PYi, it is judged which of "single", "double" or "triple" the area is.

When single, the processing is advanced to the step SI 313, when double, advanced to the step S1314 and when triple, advanced to the step S1315.

Step S1313: Point I is added to the life Li of the current player PYi, and the processing is advanced to the step SI 316.

For addition of the Life Li, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as an adding means.

Step S1314: Point 2 is added to the life Li of the current player PYi, and the processing is advanced to the step SI 316.

Step S13l5: Point 3 is added to the life Li of the current player PYi, and the processing is advanced to the step SI 316.

Step S 1316: If there is an opponent whose life Li becomes zero by the processing of the steps Si 306 to Si 311, the processing is advanced to the step Si 317, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step Si 318.

Step S1317: The opponent of the life Li of zero is eliminated and the step is advanced to the step S1318.

For eliminating players, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as an eliminating means.

Step S1318: When one player remains by the processing of the step Si 317, the game is finished. Then, the processing is jumped to the step SI 324.

Step Si 319: When it is judged that two or more players remain in the step Si 318, then it is judged whether the current player has finished the arrow

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throwing or not. Each player pushes the player change button PBon finishing the three times arrow throwing of one round. Then, the game machine GM I detects that the three times arrow throwing has been finished.

If the player is to be changed, the processing is advanced to the step S 1320, otherwise, returned to the step Si 302.

Step Si 320: It is judged whether all the players have finished the arrow throwing of the current round or not, that is, whether the game is to be advanced to the next round or not. When it is to be advanced to the next round, the processing is advanced to the step S 1322 and when theround is not finished, the processing is advanced to the step SI 321.

Step SI 321: The player to throw the arrows is changed to the player of the next turn and the processing is advanced to the step S 1302.

Step S 1322: It is judged whether the current round reaches the final round Rmax (round limit) or not. If the current round reaches Rmax, the processing is advanced to the step S 1322, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S1323.

Step S 1323: The player to throw the arrow is returned to the first player and the processing is returned to the step SI 302.

Step S 1324: The game is judged to be terminated, the players' ranking is shown and the processing is terminated.

The first game makes even a beginner easily join arid is highly entertaining since neighboring targets (areas) of a predetermined range are aimed at adopting the target hitting game.

The areas in the target TG are got by a player as well as by opponents, and one same area may be set for a player and an opponent. Therefore, the * 20 game is interesting from high strategy, active as well as dynamic point of view.

2" Game SPLATI8J" Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B show display images (displayed on the CRT 312) of the second game (named "SPLATI8I") executed in the game machines GMI to GMn. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing of the second game. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing for giving numbers to opponent players and Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing when a player overtakes an opponent.

In Fig. 7A, 4 players (or 4 teams of players) can join the second game. Each player gets a point of an area hit by the arrow. The total point of each player is limited by an upper limit "181" so that the total point recurs between "0" and "181". For example, when the total point of a player overtakes a total point of an opponent, the player gets virtual coins as game money. Each player competes with other plays for the number of virtual coins the player gets.

In the display image, display boxes 707, 708, 709 and 710 are displayed for indicating the total points obtained by the players. In the display boxes 707, 708, 709 and 710, the first player's total point "26", the second player's total point "75", the third player's total point "21" and the fifth player's total point "20" are shown, respectively.

In the display image, display boxes 702, 703, 704 and 705 are further shown for displaying relative points, which correspond the first, second, third and fourth player, respectively. In the display box 704 of the current player

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(the third player), there are shown the difference "160" between the maximum point "181" and the current point, and a title "PLAYER3 TO 181" showing the number is the difference.

As for the display boxes corresponding to other players than the current player, only in the display boxes of the higher points than the current player's, the point differences from the current player's to the others' are shown. For example, in Fig. 7A, the point difference "54" is shown in the display box 703 because the second player's point is higher than the third player's point.

If the third player gets point "5" by the arrow throwing, his total point becomes "26", overtaking the first player's total point. Then, a message "SPLAT!" is shown in the display boxes 702 and 707 meaning that the player is overtaken by an opponent as shown in Fig. 7B. The player overtaken by the opponent is given a demerit mark that the total point is decreased to be half.

After the display of "SPLAT!", the decreased point "13"(not shown) is displayed.

In the display image, there are shown a display 701 indicating the current round and the total rounds (In Figs. 7A and 7B, the second round among the ten rounds.), a display 706 indicating the finished arrows of the current player in the current round. The display 706 has three white circles representing the total number of arrow throws in one round, and circles corresponding to the finished throw are changed to be black, for example.

In Fig. 14, the second game is executed through the following steps.

Step S 1401: The point P1, current round number R, player number PYi, number of coins Ci etc. are initialized and values are given to them. The * 22 total number of players is judged by a number of ID cards inserted into the card reader CD.

Step SI 402: Next to the step SI 01, numbers of opponent players (other players than the current player throwing the arrows, hereafter) are set.

When a player's point overtakes another player's point, the player gels a coin and the opponent loses points in the second game. The numbers are indicators set for identifying opponent when the player starts game. The processing of the opponents' number is described in detail referring to Fig. 15.

Here, the player throws the arrow toward the target.

Step Si 403: Next to the step Si 402, the area (AHh, hereafter) in the target TO hit by the arrow is detected and the player gets a point P(AHh) of the area.

Step S 1404: The point P(AHh) is added to the point P1 of the player FYI and the processing is advanced to the step S 1405.

For addition of the point Pi, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control Unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as an adding means.

Step S 1405: If the point Pi overtakes an opponent's point, the "processing on overtaking opponent" of Fig. 16 is executed.

For judging whether the point P1 overtakes opponent's point Pj, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit cooperatively perform a function as a judging means.

Step S1406: It is judged whether the player's point Pi reaches the maximum point Pmax (=18 1) or not. If Pi=Pmax, the processing is advanced to the step SI 4078, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step Si 408. * 23

Step S1407: When Pi=Pmax, number Ci of coins is increased by two and the point Ri is returned to "0".

The number of coins Ci can be defined as the second point following to the point P1. For giving the coin to the players, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a second point giving means. While, for the processing of restoring the point Pi to zero, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a first point restoring means.

Step S 1408: It is judged whether the number of coins Ci reaches a predetermined maximum Cmax (for example 7) due to coins obtained in the step S 1407 or not. When Ci=Cmax, the processing is advanced to the step S1409, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S 1410.

Step S 1409: It judged that the game is to be terminated and the processing is terminated.

Step Si 410: It is judged whether the point Pi exceeds Pmax or not. If Pi>Pmax, the processing is advanced to the step S1411, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S1412.

Step S1411: The point Pi is decreased by a surplus point Pi higher than Pmax, that is, Pi=2*Pmax_Pi is calculated.

For the subtraction of the point Ri, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a subtracting means.

Step S 1412: It is judged whether the current player has finished the arrow throwing or not. Each player pushes the player change button PB on * 24 finishing the three times arrow throwing of one round. Then, the game machine GMI detects that the three times arrow throwing has been finished.

If the player is to be changed, the processing is advanced to the step S 1413, otherwise, returned to the step S 1403.

Step SI 413: It is judged whether all the players have finished the arrow throwing of the current round or not, that is, whether the game is to be advanced to the next round or not. When it is to be advanced to the next round, the processing is advanced to the step S 1415 and when the round is not finished, the processing is advanced to the step S 1414.

Step S1414: The player to throw the arrows is changed to the player of the next turn and the processing is advanced to the step S 1403.

Step S1415: It is judged whether the current round reaches the final round Rmax (round limit) or not. If the current round reaches Rmax, the processing is advanced to the step Si 409, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S 1416.

Step S 1416: The player to throw the arrow is returned to the first * player and the processing is returned to the step SI 403.

In Fig. 15, the processing of the step S 1402 is executed through the following steps.

Step S1501: A counter k is initialized to "1" for setting the numberjk of the opponent players.

Step S 1502: in order to set jk starting from the number "i" of the player PYi, jk is substituted by "i" first processing of this step. * 25

Step S1503: "I" is added to jk. At first, a number next to 4i" is the first opponent number, and the opponent number is advanced by "I" on every recurrent processing of this step.

Step S 1504: It is judged whether jk exceeds the final number (assuming the total number of players is 4) or not. Since, If"i" is not "1", the opponent number is returned to "1" halfway, the processing is advanced to the step S 1505 when jk reach the final number. When jk does not exceed the final number, the processing is jumped to the step SI 506.

Step S1505: jk is returned to "1".

Step S1506: K is increased by "1".

Step S 1507: It is judged whether k exceeds the maximum or not, that is, whether all opponents PYj (j is not i) are given the opponent number or not.

If the opponent numbers are given to all the opponents, the processing is terminated, otherwise, the processing is returned to the step SI 503.

In Fig. 16, the processing of the step SI 405 is executed through the following steps.

Step S 1601: First, the counter k is initialized to "1" for successively searching an opponent whose point is equal to the player' point.

Step S 1502: It is judged whether a point Pjk of an opponent PYjk is equal to the player's pint Pi or not. If equal, the processing is advanced to the step S1603, otherwise, the step is jumped to the step S1606.

Step S1603: If Pjk=Pi in the step S1602, that is, the point of the player PYi overtakes the point of PYj, the number Ci of coins is increased by Step S1604: The point Pjk of opponent PYjk is decreased to half because the opponent PYjk is overtaken by the player PYJ.

For the subtraction of the point Pi, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a subtracting means.

Step S1605: The point Pjk of the opponent PYjk may due to decrement be equal to another opponent's point. In this case, the other opponent's point is also decreased. For this processing, a point decrement flag "flag" is registered in the number "dk" of the overtaken opponent.

Step S 1607: The counter k is increased by "1".

Step S 1607: his judged whether k exceeds the maximum by the step S 1605 or not, that is, whether the player's point has been compared with the points of all the opponents PYjk (jk is not i) or not. If the comparison has been completed, the processing is advanced to the step Si 606, otherwise, the processing is returned to the step S 1602.

Step S 1608: In order to search whether an opponent's decreased point becomes equal to another opponent's point or not, the counter k is initialized to "1" first.

Step SI 609: It is judged whether "dk" is substituted by "flag" or not.

If substituted, the processing is advanced to the step Si 612, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S1615.

Step S 1610: A counter "m" is initialized to "I" of other opponents than PYjk to be compared with the opponent PYjk.

Step S 1611: It is judged whether the point Pjk of the opponent PYjk is equal to the point Pm of another opponent PYm or not. If equal, the * 27 processing is advanced to the step Si 612, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S1615.

Step S1612: If Pm=Pjk in the step S 1611, that is, the point of the opponent PYjk is decreased to the point Pm, the number Ci of the coins of the player PYi is increased by "1".

Step S1613: The point Pm of the opponent PYm is decreased to half because the point of the opponent PYjk is equal to Pm.

Step S1614: The point Pm of the opponent PYm may due to decrement be equal to further another opponent's point. In this case, the second other opponent's point is also decreased. For this processing, a point decrement flag "flag" is registered in the number "ddk" of the second overtaken opponent.

Step S 1615: The counter m is increased by "I".

Step S1616: It is judged whether the process result m of the step Si 605 exceeds the maximum or not, that is, the comparison with all the opponents is completed or not. If the comparison is completed, the step is advanced to the step Si 617, otherwise, the step is returned to the step SI 611.

Step S 1617: The counterk is increased by "1".

Step S1618: It is judged whether the process result k of the step Si 605 exceeds the maximum or not, that is, the comparison with all the opponents PYjk is completed or not. If the comparison is completed, the step is advanced to the step S 1619, otherwise, the processing is returned to the step S 1609.

I

Step Si 619: In order to judge whether the decreased point in the steps SI 609 to SI 618 of the opponent PYm becomes equal to another opponent's point or not, the counter k is initialized to "1", first.

Step Si 620: It is judged whether the number "ddk" of the other opponent is substituted by "flag" or not. If substituted, the processing is advanced to the step SI 620, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S1627.

Step SI 621: The counter "m" is initialized to "1" of other opponents than PYjk to be compared with the opponent PYjk.

Step S1622: It is judged whether the point Pjk of the opponent PYjk is equal to the point Pm of another opponent PYm or not. If equal, the processing is advanced to the step Si 621, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S1627.

Step S 1623: If Pm=Pjk in the step SI 622, that is, the point of the opponent PYjk is decreased to the point Pm, the number Ci of the coins of the player PYi is increased by "1".

Step Si 624: The point Pm of the opponent PYm is decreased to half because the point of the opponent PYjk is equal to Pm. If the number of the players is four at most, the point coincidence of decreased point of the fourth stage with another opponents' point never occurs. Therefore, the flag of the third stage coincidence is not set.

Step S 1625: The counter mis increased by "I".

Step S1626: It is judged whether the process result m of the step S1605 exceeds the maximum or not, that is, the comparison with all the * 2 opponents is completed or not. If the comparison is completed, the step is advanced to the step SI 627, otherwise, the step is returned to the step S 1622.

Step S 1627: The counter k is increased by "1".

Step Si 628: It is judged whether the process result k of the step S1605 exceeds the maximum or not, that is, the comparison with all the opponents PYjk is completed or not. If the comparison is completed, the processing is terminated, otherwise, the processing is returned to the step S1620.

The second game makes even a beginner easily join and is highly entertaining since not only high but also accurate point is preferable.

Further, the circulation of the points is analogous to a competition around a circulated track. The possibility of coincidence of the points is high due to circulated points and a lot of coin may be obtained by one arrow throw.

Therefore, active and dynamic interest is excited.

3h1 Game "PIZZAREA" Fig. 8 shows a display image (displayed on the CR1 312) of the third game (named "PIZZA.REA") executed in the game machines GMI to GMn.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing of the first game.

In Fig. 8, 4 players (or 4 teams of players) can be join the third game.

Each player tries to get the fan-shaped areas of the target TG and points corresponding to the hit areas.

A display area 802 analogous to the target TO may be shown in the display image in which areas 802A, 802B, 802C and 802D obtained by the players are distinguished by different colors. The players will be highly interested in the game and the distinction is convenient for strategic planning.

In the display image, display boxes 803, 804, 805 and 806 are displayed for indicating the players' points. In the display boxes 803, 804, 805 and 806, points 121", "80", "140" and "86" of the first, second third and fourth player's are shown, respectively. One of the display boxes is colored by a predetermined color for indicating the current player (the second player in Fig. 8) throwing the arrow. In the display box of the highest point (the third player in Fig. 8), a mark 807 is shown.

In the display image, there are shown a display 801 indicating the current round and the total rounds (In the figure, 4/15 means the fifth round among the fifteen rounds.), a display 808 indicating the finished arrows of the current player in the current round, and a display 809 to 811 describing the game rule briefly. The display 808 has circles of number of three meaning the total arrow throwing in one round, and circles corresponding to arrows hit onto the target are changed in color.

In the display box 809, a point of "2" corresponding to the "single" area and "1" corresponding to the "double" or "triple" area. In the display box 810, a point of "1" when the arrow hit the "bull" area. In the display box 811, a penalty "-20" when the arrow is outboard.

In Fig. 17, the third game is executed through the following steps.

Step SI 701: The point Pi, current round R, current player PYi, obtained area etc. are initialized and values are given to them. The total number of players is judged by number of ID cards inserted into the card reader CD.

Step S1702: Next to the step SI701, the area in the target TG where the arrow hit is detected and a number of the area is obtained.

Step Si 703: Next to the step S 1702, it is judged which of a area of the current player PYI (the player throwing the arrows), opponent's area or ownerless, the hit area is. When the area is player's (PYi), the processing is advanced to the step Si 709, when opponent's, the processing is advanced to the step Si 704 and when ownerless, the processing is advanced to the step SI 706.

Step Si 704: When the hit area of the opponent PYj is "single", the processing is advanced to the step Si 705, and when the opponent's area is "double" or "triple", the processing is advanced to the step SI 708.

Step S1705: A point of the hit area is added to the point of the opponent PYJ having the hit area and the processing is advanced to the step S1711.

Step S 1706: When the hit area is "single", the processing is advanced to the step S1707 and when "double" or "triple", the processing is jumped to the step S1708.

Step SI 707: It is judged whether the hit area is hit twice in the current round. If the area is twice hit, the processing is advanced to the step Si 708, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step SI 711.

Step SI 708: The hit area is obtained by the player PYi. and point "20" is added to the player's point Pi. The processing is advanced to the step SI 711, next. *

Step Si 709: It is judged whether the hit area has been already got, by the player PYI in the current round. If the area has been got in the current round, the processing is advanced to the step SI 710, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S1711.

Step SI 710: The point of the hit area is added to the point Pi of the player PYi and the step is advanced to the step Si 711.

For giving the point Pi, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a point giving means. There are two types of point giving means, that is, processing according to the step SI 704 and S 1707. Here, the former is called the first point giving means and the latter the second point giving means.

Step SI 711: It is judged whether the current player PYi has finished the arrow throwing of the current round or not. Each player pushes the player change button PB on finishing the three times arrow throwing of one round.

Then, the game machine GMI detects that the three times arrow throwing has been finished.

If the player is to be changed, the processing is advanced to the step Si 712, otherwise, returned to the step SI 702.

Step SI 712: It is judged whether the arrow hits the target three times in the current round. If the arrow hits the target less than three times, it is regarded that the outboard occurred and a point "20" is given to the opponent.

I

Step S1713: The point "20" is given to the opponent and the processing is advanced to the step S1714.

Step S1714: If each of the total areas is owned by any one of players, the processing is jumped to the step SI 719 for termination.

Step S 1715: It is judged whether all the players have finished the arrow throwing of the current round or not, that is, whether the game is to be advanced to the next round or not. When it is to be advanced to the next round, * the processing is advanced to the step S1322 and when the round is not finished, the processing is advanced to the step S1716.

Step S 1716: The player to throw the arrows is changed to the player of the next turn and the processing is advanced to the step SI 702.

Step S 1717: It is judged whether the current round reaches the final round Rrnax (round limit) or not. If the current round reaches Rmax, the processing is advanced to the step S1719, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S 1718.

Step Si 718: The player to throw the arrow is returned to the first player and the processing is returned to the step SI 702.

Step S1719: The game is judged to be terminated, the players' ranking is shown and the processing is terminated.

For judging the termination of the game in the step S1714 and S1719, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a terminating means.

The third game is highly entertaining since the point is given when one same area is successively and repeatedly hit, adopting a target hitting game.

Therefore, the game is interesting from high strategy, active as well as dynamic point of view.

Since there are player's area and opponents' areas in the target, the arrow throw may be analogous to an attack on the opponent's area. Since the opponent's areas are increased or decreased during playing, an active and dynamic interest is exited.

4th Game "7 CARDS" Fig. 9 shows a display image (displayed on the CRT 312) of the fourth game (named "7 CARDS") executed in the game machines GMI to GMn. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing of the fourth game.

In Fig. 9, 4 players (or 4 teams of players) can join the fourth game.

Each player tries to transfer his own cards to opponents so as to decrease the cards, and the player wins when the total cards have been discharged (transferred to the opponents).

In the display image, display boxes 902, 903, 904 and 905 for indicating each player's cards may be shown so that each player can watch totally the situation of the game and interest in the game is excited. For example, in Fig. 9, cards "1 8", "16", "16", "15", "18", "17", "16", "1 5" and "14" held by the first player are indicated in the display box 902, cards "20", "18", "16", "16", 15h1, "20", "1 "16", "16" and "1 5", "18" held by the second player are indicated in the display box 903, cards "20", "19", "16", "14", "20", "17", "15" and "18" held by the third player are indicated in the display box 904 and cards "19", "17", "16", "15", "18", "16" and 15" held by the fourth player are indicated in the display box 905.

In the display image, display boxes 906, 907, 908 and 909 are displayed for indicating number of card held by the players. One of the display boxes is colored by a predetermined color for indicating the current player (the fourth player in Fig. 9) throwing the arrow. In the display box of the highest point (the fourth player in Fig. 9), a mark 910 is shown.

In the display image, there are shown a display 901 indicating the current round and the total rounds (In the figure, 2/10 means the second round among the ten rounds.), a display 911 indicating the finished arrows of the current player in the current round, and a display 607 imitating the target for indicating areas obtained by each player. The display 911 has three white circles representing the total number of arrow throws in one round, and circles corresponding to the finished throw are changed to black.

In Fig. 18, the fourth game is executed trough the following steps.

Step Si 801: The point Pi, current round R, current player PYi, number CDi of cards held by the player are initialized and values are given to them. The total number of players is judged by number of ID cards inserted into the card reader CD.

Step S1802: Next to the step S1801, the area in the target TG is detected where the arrow hits and a number of the area is obtained.

Step S 1803: It is judged which area of single, double, triple or bull is hit by the arrow. When single, the processing is advanced to the step S1804, when double, advanced to the step S 1805 and when triple, advanced to the step S 1806, when bull, the processing is advanced to the step S1807.

Step S1804: When the area hit by the arrow is single, one card held by the player PYi of the number corresponding to the hit area is deleted.

For eliminating the card, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a card eliminating means.

Step SI 805: When the area hit by the arrow is double, two cards held by the player PYi of the number corresponding to the hit area are deleted.

Step SI 806: When the area hit by the arrow is triple, three cards held by the player FYi of the number corresponding to the hit area are deleted.

Step Si 807: When the area hit by the arrow is bull, two cards held by the player FYi of the number can be transferred to opponents.

For transferring the card, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a card transferring means.

Step S1808; Following to the steps S1804 to S1807, it is judged whether there is a player having no cards or not. If there is a player with no cards, the processing is jumped to the step Si 814, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step SI 809.

Step SI 809: It is judged whether the current player has finished the arrow throwing or not. Each player pushes the player change button PB on finishing the three times arrow throwing of one round. Then, the game machine GMI detects that the three times arrow throwing has been finished.

If the player is to be changed, the processing is advanced to the step Si 810, otherwise, returned to the step S 1802.

Step SI 810: It is judged whether all the players have finished the arrow throwing of the current round or not, that is, whether the game is to be advanced to the next round or not. When to be advanced to the next round, the * 31 processing is advanced to the step Si 811 and when the round is not finished, the processing is advanced to the step SI 812. Step Si 811: The player to throw the arrows is changed to the player of

the next turn and the processing is advanced to the step SI 802.

Step S 1812: It is judged whether the current round reaches the final round Rmax (round limit) or not. If the current round reaches Rinax, the processing is advanced to the step Si 814, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S1813.

Step Si 813: The player to throw the arrow is returned to the first player and the processing is returned to the step Si 802.

Step S1814: The game is judged to be terminated, the players' ranking is shown and the processing is terminated.

For judging the termination of the game in the step S 1809 and S 1814, the CPU 301, system memoiy 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a terminating means.

The fourth game makes even a beginner easily join and is highly entertaining with adopting a target hitting game.

Since the areas of the target TG correspond to players and players' cards, the arrow throwing has an image of attack on the opponents and opponents' card deletion. Active and dynamic interest are exited.

15th Game "CASTLE BOMBER"] Fig. 10 shows a display image (displayed on the CRT 312) of the fifth game (named "CASTLE BOMBER") executed in the game machines GM1 to GMn. Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing the processing of the fifth game. * 3c

In Fig. 10, 4 players (or 4 teams of players) can be join the fifth game.

Each player tries to attack on opponents' castle according to numbers of the areas in the target TG in the display image, there are shown castles 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1012, walls 1002, 1003, 1004 and 1005 of the castles 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1012, respectively, and bombs 1007, 1009, 1011 and 1013 stored in the castles 1006, 1008, 1010 and 1012, respectively.

For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the wall 1002 is constructed by an image expressing stone walls of number of "5", "8", "10", "9", "2", "1", "9" and "7", the wall 1003 is constructed by an image expressing stone walls of number of "9", "8", "3", "4", "10', "2", "8" and "7", the wall 1004 is constructed by an image expressing stone walls of number of "8", "9", "1", "2", "3", "4", "3", "2" and "1" and the wall 1005 is constructed by an image expressing stone walls of number of"1", "8", "4", "4", "8", "5" and "6".

In the display image, display boxes 1014, 1015, 1016 and 1017 are displayed for indicating the total points "17", "16", "15" and "19" obtained by the first, second, third and fourth player, respectively. One of the display boxes is colored by a predetermined color for indicating the current player (the third player in Fig. 10) throwing the arrow.

In the display image, there are shown a display 1001 indicating the current round and the total rounds (In the figure, 1/10 means the first round among the ten rounds.) and a display 1014 indicating the finished arrows of the current player in the current round. The display 1014 has circles of number of three meaning the total arrow throwing in one round, and circles corresponding to arrows hit in the target TG are changed in color, for

example.

in Fig. 19, the fifth game is executed through the following steps.

Step S 1901: The point Pi, current round R, current player PYI, castle number CSi, castle wall number Wij, bomb number BNi, number of castle walls WM etc. are initialized and values are given to them. The total number of players is judged by number of ID cards inserted into the card reader CD.

Then, items (symbols) are distributed to the players. For distributing the symbols, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a symbol distributing means. By setting the numbers of castles and castle walls, indexes are given to the castles and castle walls. For giving the indexes, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit cooperatively perform a function as an index giving means.

Step S1902: Next to the step S1901, the area in the target TG where the arrow hit is detected and a number of the area is obtained.

Step S 1903: Next to the step S 1903, it is judged whether the hit area is bull or not. If the area is bull, the processing is advanced to the step S 1904, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S 1905.

Step SI 904: In the case that the hit area corresponds to the top castle walls, when the area is single, only the top castle wall is deleted, when the area is double, vertical two castle walls of the top castle wall and the castle wall under the top are deleted, and when the area is triple, vertical three castle walls from the top castle to the third layer are deleted 4.0 The castle walls are influenced corresponding to the hit areas in the processing of steps from Step Sl905 to S1911 and from S1915 to S1827, as follows.

In the case that the hit area corresponds to the second layer from the top or lower layer castle wall, when the area is single, the castle wall is cracked by the first hit, when the area is double, the castle wall and adjacent upper castle wall to the above castle wall are cracked and when the area is triple, the castle wall and upper and lower adjacent castle walls area cracked.

While, when the castle wall corresponding to the area has already been cracked, the castle wail is deleted.

When the hit area is bull, all the cracked castle walls of both the current player and the opponents are deleted.

Step Si 905: It is judged whether the number of the hit area is a castle number or not. When the hit area is a castle number of an opponent, the processing is advanced to the step SI 906, when the player's castle number, the processing is advanced to the step SI 915 and when the castle wall number (other numbers), the processing is advanced to the step Si 917.

Step S 1906: Next to the step SI 905, it is judged whether the opponent's castle of the hit number has remaining castle walls or not, If the castle has no castle walls, the processing is advanced to the step S1907, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S 1912.

Step S1907: It is judged which area of single, double or triple is hit by the arrow. When single, the processing is advanced to the step S 1908, when double, advanced to the step S1909 and when triple, advanced to the step S1910. *

Step SI 908: One bomb is deleted of the castle of the hit number and the processing is advanced to the step SI 911.

Forjudging the termination of the game in the step S1809 and S1814, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a terminating means.

Step SI 909: Two bombs are deleted of the castle of the hit number and the processing is advanced to the step SI 911.

Step SI 910: Three bombs are deleted of the castle of the hit number and the processing is advanced to the step SI 911.

Step S191 1: The number of the deleted bombs is subtracted from the number of bombs BNk and the processing is advanced to the step S 1912.

Step S 1912: It is judged whether the number of bombs BNIC is zero or not. If BNk is zero, the processing is advanced to the step Si 913, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step SI 914.

Step S 1913: When the number of bombs BNk is zero, the player PYk is deleted and the step S 1914 is advanced to the step S1914.

For eliminating the castle, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a castle eliminating means.

Step S 1914: 11 is judged whether the player PYi is only one due to deletion of the player PYk or not. If PYi is only one, the processing is advanced to the step S1933, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S 1927.

Step S1915: Next to the step S 1905, it is judged whether or not one or more castle walls of the player are deleted. When there is a castle wall L2 deleted, the processing is advanced to the step SI 916, when all the castle walls are remaining, the processing is advanced to the step Si 917.

Step S1916: When the hit area is single, "1" is added to the number of castle walls WiJ of the player, when double, "2" is added to Wij and when triple, "3" is added to Wij. Then, the processing is advanced to the step S 1917.

The number of castle walls Wij is limited by a maximum.

For restoring the castle walls, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a castle walls restoring means.

Step S1917: It is judged whether the hit area is single, double or triple. When single, the processing is advanced to the step S1918, when double, to the step S1919 and when triple, to the step S1920.

Step S1918: The castle wall of the number of the hit area is influenced. The influence is that the top castle walls are deleted by the first his and that the second layer castle walls or the lower from the top are cracked by the first hit and deleted by the second hit.

Step SI 919: The castle walls of the number of hit area and the lower adjacent castle wall to the above castle wall are influenced.

Step S 1920: When the top castle wall is the hit number, the castle wall of the hit number and the adjacent castle walls of lower two layers are influenced. When the second layer castle walls or the lower from the top is the hit number, the castle wall of the hit number and the adjacent castle walls of upper and lower layers are influenced.

Step S 1921: It is judged whether any top castle walls are influenced in the steps from S 1918 to S 1920. If a top castle wall is influenced, the processing is advanced to the step SI 922, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S 1923.

Step S 1922: Influenced top castle walls are deleted and the processing is advanced to the step SI 923.

Step S1923: it is judged whether any cracked castle walls are influenced in the steps from S1918 to S1920. If a cracked castle wall is influenced, the processing is advanced to the step S1924, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S 1925.

Step SI 925: The influenced (not deleted) castle walls are cracked and the processing is advanced to the step SI 926.

Step S 1926: Number of deleted castle walls of opponents is subtracted from WNk and the step is advanced to the step SI 927.

Step S1927: Points of (number of deleted castle walls)xI+( number of deleted bombs)x5 is added to the point Pi of the player PYi and the step is advanced to the step SI 928.

Step S 1928: It is judged whether the current player has finished the anow throwing or not. Each player pushes the player change button PB on finishing the three times arrow throwing of one round. Then, the game machine GM 1 detects that the three times arrow throwing has been finished.

If the player is to be changed, the processing is advanced to the step Si 929, otherwise, returned to the step Si 902.

Step S 1929: II is judged whether all the players have finished the arrow throwing of the current round or not, that is, whether the game is to be advanced to the next round or not. When to be advanced to the next round, the * L*4-processing is advanced to the step SI 931 and when the round is not finished, the processing is advanced to the step Si 930.

Step S 1930: The player to throw the arrows is changed to the player of the next turn and the processing is advanced to the step S 1902.

Step SI 931: It is judged whether the current round reaches the final round R.max (round limit) or not. If the current round reaches Rmax, the processing is advanced to the step S 1933, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step SI 932.

Step S1923: The player to throw the arrow is returned to the first player and the processing is returned to the step SI 902.

Step S1933: The game is judged to be terminated, the players' ranking is shown and the processing is terminated.

The fifth game makes even a beginner easily join and is highly entertaining with adopting the target hitting game.

Since the areas in the target correspond to the castles or castle walls of the player and opponents, the arrow throw may be analogous to defense and offense. An active and dynamic interest is exited.

6th Game REVERSE36" Fig. 11 shows a display image (displayed on the CRT 312) of the sixth game (named "REVERSE36") executed in the game machines GM1 to GMn. Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the processing of the sixth game.

In Fig. ii, 4 players (or 4 teams of players) can join the first game.

Each player tries to get panels corresponding to areas of the target TG In the image display, thirty-six panels arranged in a square of 6 rows and 6 columns are shown. Each panel has a number corresponding to an area of the target TCi In each round of each player, a panel on one side of right or left is brightened adjacent to a panel the current player got. When the player hit an area in the target TG corresponding to the brightened area, the player obtains the brightened panel. When the player gets two panels adjacent to an opponents panel on both sides of right and left or upper and lower, the player obtains the opponent's panel.

The matrix of the panel is divided into a center area 1102 of 4 rows and 4 columns and a area 1103 surrounding the area 1102 of peripheral or border panels. The area 1102 corresponds to single and the area 1103 corresponds to double or triple.

In the display image, display boxes 1104, 1105, 1106 and 1107 indicating number of panels obtained by the first, second, third and fourth players, respectively. One of the display boxes is colored by a predetermined color for indicating the current player (the fourth player in Fig. 11) throwing the arrow.

In the display image, there are shown a display 1101 indicating the current round and the total rounds (In Fig. 11, 1/10 means the first round among the ten rounds.), a display 1108 indicating the finished arrows of the current player in the current round, and a display 1109 imitating the hit area ("9" of single in the figure). The display 1108 has three white circles representing the total number of arrow throws in one r'ound, and circles corresponding to the finished throw are changed to black. L-(0

In Fig. 20, the sixth game is executed through the following steps.

Step S2001: The point Pi, current round R, current player PYi and panel etc. are initialized and values are given to them. The total number of players is judged by number of ID cards inserted into the card reader CD.

The indexes are allocated to the players. For allocating the indexes, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as an index allocating means.

Step S2002: Next to the step S2001, one of panels not got by the opponents is set as a "brightened panel".

For specifying the panels, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a panel specifying means. And for displaying the panels, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a panel displaying means.

Step S1303: Next to the step S 1302, the area in the target TG is detected where the arrow hits, and it is judged whether the hit area is the opponent player's PYj (other players' than the current player) or not. If the area is not the opponent's PYj, the processing is jumped to the step S1306. If the opponent's PYj, it is judged whether the area is the center or side area among the three neighboring area. Among the neighboring three areas "10", "15" and "2", the area "15" is the center and the areas "10" and "2" are the side. When a player possesses just one area, the area is handled as the center.

Step S2003: Next to the step S2002, the area in the target TG is detected where the arrow hits and the number of the area is obtained.

Step S2004: Next to the step S2003, it is judged which of "brightened panel", "panel on an opposite side of opponent's panel to a side adjacent to a player's panel", "opponent's panel" and "bull" the area is. When "brightened panel", the processing is advanced to the step 2005, when "panel on an opposite side of opponent's panel to a side adjacent to a player's panel", to the step S2006, when "opponent's pane?', to the step S2007 and when "bull", to the step S2008.

Step S2005: When "brightened panel", the player obtains the panel and the processing is advanced to the step S2010. Then, "1" is added to the point Pi of the player PYi.

For obtaining the panel in the step S2005, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a first panel giving means.

Step S2006: When "panel on an opposite side of opponent's panel to a side adjacent to a player's panel", the player obtains the opponent's panel and the processing is advanced to the step S2010. Then, a point "1"of the obtained panel and a point "1" of the opponent's point the opponent got when he obtained the panel are added to the point Pi of the player PYi. While, a point "1" corresponding to the panel took by the player PYi is subtracted from the point Pj of the opponent PYJ.

For obtaining the panel in the step S2006, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a second panel giving means.

Step S2007: When "opponent's panel", it is judged whether "bull" is hit and the opponent's panel is hit first time after the bull hit in the current round. If this condition is fulfilled, the processing is advanced to the step S2003, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S201 0.

For obtaining the panel in the step S2007, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a third panel giving means.

: Step S2008: When "bull" is hit and the opponent's panel is hit first time after the bull hit in the current round, a point "1" of the obtained panel and a point "I" of the opponent's point the opponent got when he obtained the panel are added to the point Pi of the player PYi. Meanwhile, a point "1" corresponding to the panel took by the player PYi is subtracted from the point Pj of the opponent PYj.

Step S2009: When "bull", the "bull hit" is recorded for the step S2008 that may be executed in the current round.

Step S2010: Following to the steps from S2005 to S2009, it is judged whether the player PYi has obtained more than half of the total panels or not, that is, whether PY1 has obtained 19 panels more than 36/2 or not. If more than half of the panels are obtained by the player, the processing is jumped to the step S201 6, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S201 1.

Step S20 11: It is judged whether the current player has finished the arrow throwing or not. Each player pushes the player change button PB on finishing the three times arrow throwing of one round. Then, the game machine GM 1 detects that the three times arrow throwing has been finished.

If the player is to be changed, the processing is advanced to the step S2012, otherwise, returned to the step S2002.

Step S20l2: It is judged whether all the players have finished the arrow throwing of the current round or not, that is, whether the game is to be advanced to the next round or not. When to be advanced to the next round, the processing is advanced to the step S2013 and when the round is not finished, the processing is advanced to the step S2014.

Step S201 3: The player to throw the arrows is changed to the player of the next turn and the processing is advanced to the step S2002.

Step S20 14: It is judged whether the current round reaches the final round R.max (round limit) or not. If the current round reaches Rmax, the processing is advanced to the step S2016, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S2015.

Step S201 5: The player to throw the arrow is returned to the first player and the processing is returned to the step S2002.

Step S2016: The game is judged to be terminated, the players' ranking is shown and the processing is terminated.

The sixth game makes even a beginner easily join and is highly entertaining with adopting the target hitting game.

Since the panels can be got by various manners, the players compete with one another not only in an-ow throwing skill but also in high order strategic operation. The panel can be obtained by two panels on opposite sides of opponent panel, so superiority and inferiority may be easily overturned at the final phase. *

7th Game "RESERVATiON" Fig. 12 shows a display image (displayed on the CRT 312) of the seventh game (named "RESERVATION") executed in the game machines GMI to GMn. Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the processing of the first game.

In Fig. 12, 4 players (or 4 teams of players) can join the seventh game. Each player tries to get the fan-shaped area of the target TG and to get points by hitting player's area.

In the display image, ten panels 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1208, 1209, 1210 and 1211 (their numbers are called "target No.") partially corresponding to the fan-shaped areas of the target TG Panels (areas) got by the opponents are distinguished by a predetermined color.

In the display image, display boxes 1213, 1214, 1215 and 1216 are shown for indicating players' points. For example, a point "52" of the first player is shown in the display box 1213, a point "138" of the second player is shown in the display box 1214, a point "150" of the third player is shown in the display box 1215 and a point "76" of the fourth player is shown in the display box 1216.

In the display image, there are shown a display 1201 indicating the current round and the total rounds (In the figure, 2/10 means the second round among the ten rounds.), a display 1212 indicating the finished arrows of the current player in the current round. The display 1212 has three circles representing the total number of arrow throws in one round, and circles corresponding to the arrows which hit the target are changed in color.

In Fig. 21, the seventh game is executed through the following steps.

Step S2 101: The point Pi, current round R, current player PYi, target No. are initialized and values are given to them. The total number of players is judged by number of ID cards inserted into the card reader CD.

For setting number of targets, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a setting means.

Step S2 102: Next to the step S2 101, the area in the target TG is detected where the arrow hits and a number of the area is obtained.

For obtaining the areas, the CPU 301, system memory 302, program data memory medium 303 of the control unit 100 cooperatively perform a function as a area giving means.

Step S2 103: Next to the step S2 101, it is judged whether the hit area is the area of the target No. If the area is the area of the target No., the processing is advanced to the step S2104, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S2112.

Step S2104: It is judged whether the hit area is the player's area or not. If the area is the player's area, the processing is advanced to the step S21 05, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S2 107.

Step S2105: It is judged whether the hit area has been already got, by the player PYi in the current round, If the area has been got in the current round, the processing is advanced to the step S2 106, otherwise, the processing is jumped to the step S211 3.

Step S2106: The number of the hit area is added to the point Pi of the player PYi and the processing is advanced to the step S2 113. *

Step S2107: It is judged whether the hit area is the player's area or not. If the area is the player's area, the processing is advanced to the step S2108, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S2 109.

Step S2108: The number of the hit area is added to the point P1 of the player PYi and the processing is advanced to the step S2 113.

Step S2109: The number of times of arrow hit in the hit area. As for other areas than opponents' areas, each player obtains an area by hitting twice in one or more rounds. The area hit first is "reserved" (It is reserved that the area is obtained by the next hit.). When the area is first hit, the processing is advanced to the step S2 110 for the "reserve". When the reserved area is hit, the processing is advanced to the step S2 111 for obtaining the area. When a hit area has been already reserved by an opponent, the opponent's "reserve" is cancelled and the player's "reserve" is effective.

Step S2 110: The hit area is reserved for the player PYI.

Step S211 1: The player PYi obtains the reserved area where the anow hits and the processing is advanced to the step S2213.

Step S21 12: The number of the hit area is added to the points of all the opponents and the processing is advanced to the step S2213.

Step S2 113: It is judged whether the cuirent player has finished the arrow throwing or not. Each player pushes the player change button PB on finishing the three times arrow throwing of one round. Then, the game machine CMI detects that the three times arrow throwing has been finished.

If the player is to be changed, the processing is advanced to the step S2 114, otherwise, returned to the step S2 102.

Step S2 114: Ii is judged whether the arrow hits the target three times in the current round. If the arrow hits the target less than three times, it is regarded that the outboard occurred and a point "50" is given to the opponent.

Step S2115: The point "50" is given to the opponent and the processing is advanced to the step S2116.

Step S21 16: It is judged whether all the players have finished the arrow throwing of the current round or not, that is, whether the game is to be advanced to the next round or not. When to be advanced to the next round, the processing is advanced to the step S2118 and when the round is not finished, the processing is advanced to the step S2 117.

Step S2 117: The player to throw the arrows is changed to the player of the next turn and the processing is advanced to the step S2102.

Step S2 118: It is judged whether the current round reaches the final round Rmax (round limit) or not. If the current round reaches Rmax, the processing is advanced to the step S2 120, otherwise, the processing is advanced to the step S2 119.

Step S2119: The player to throw the arrow is returned to the first player and the processing is returned to the step S2 102.

Step S2120: The game is judged to be terminated, the players' ranking is shown and the processing is terminated.

The seventh game makes even a beginner easily join and is highly entertaining.

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Since the areas in the target correspond to player's and opponents' areas, the arrow throw may be analogous to offense and defense and, an active and dynamic interest is exited.

However, in the above embodiment, "darts" is adopted as a target hitting game, any other target hitting game may be adoptable. The indexes (indicators) of areas in the target are not limited to from numerals from "1"to "20", and any other characters, words and pictures may be applied.

The games executed in the game machine are not limited to the above, any games executed on a display monitor adopting a target hitting game may be applied.

Advantages According to the present invention, a beginner can easily join and feel a lot of entertainment in a game adopting a target hitting game.

Claims

Claims I. A game machine comprising: arrows thrown by a plurality of

players; a target toward which said arrows are thrown and which is divided into a plurality of areas with indicators; a sensor for detecting said area of said target where said arrow hits when a said arrow hits said target and providing an output indicative of the detecting result and thereby the result of the players' throws; a card reader for reading ID cards of said players so as to identify each of said players; a control unit to which said detection result is input so as to execute a plurality of successive games according to said result of players' operation; a display monitor controlled by said control unit, in which an image specified by said indicator of said area hit by said arrow to represent said result of players' operation, is displayed, characterised in that said control unit successively executes a plurality of said games, and automatically gives to the player who is the winner in a first of said games a handicap in the next game.
2. A game machine according to claim 1, further comprising one operation means operated successively by said plurality of players for said players' operation.
3. A game machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said control unit comprises; an initial point setting means for setting an initial value for a point of each of said players; an addition means, a subtraction means, and a calculation means for controlling the operation of the addition and subtraction means in accordance with the output of the sensor; and an eliminating means for eliminating said player when said point thereof becomes zero;

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said calculation means being operable in a first game mode of said control unit so that a point corresponding to said indication of said area where each said player hits is added to said point of said player if said area is allocated to said player, and a point corresponding to said indication of said area where each player hits is subtracted from said point of said player if said area is allocated to another of said players.
4. A game machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said control unit comprises: an addition means for adding a first point increment corresponding to said indication of said areas where each said player hits, to a first point of said player; a judging means for judging whether said first point of said player becomes equal to a first point of another player due to said addition of said first point increment corresponding to said indication; a decreasing means for decreasing said first point of said another player if said first point of said player becomes equal to a first point of said another player due to said addition of said first point increment; a second point giving means for giving a predetermined second point to said player if said first point of said player becomes equal to a first point of said another player due to said addition of said first point increment, and for giving a predetermined second point to said player if said first point of said player becomes a predetermined upper limit due to said addition of said first point increment; a first point returning means for returning said first point to an initial point value if said first point of said player becomes said predetermined upper limit due to said addition of said first point increment; and a decreasing means for decreasing said first point of said player if said first point of said player exceeds said predetermined upper limit due to said addition of said first point increment.

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5. A game machine according to claim I or claim 2, wherein said control unit comprises: a first area giving means for giving said area hit by said player and an area relevant to said hit area, to said player when said indication of said hit area is a predetermined indication, a second area giving means for giving said area repeatedly hit a predetermined number of times in one round by said player and an area relevant to said hit area, to said player when said indication of said hit area is a predetermined indication; a first point giving means for giving a predetermined point to said player when said player obtains said area; a second point giving means for giving a point of said area hit by said player to said player when said hit area is already obtained by another player; and a game terminating means for terminating said game when all said areas are owned by said players.
6. A game machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said control unit comprises: a card distributing means for distributing a plurality of cards to each said players; a card deleting means for deleting one of said cards when said indication of said area hit by said player corresponds to said card; a card transfer means for transferring a predetermined number of said cards to another said player when said indication of the area hit by said player is a predetermined indication; and a game terminating means for terminating said game when any one of said players loses all said cards.
7. A game machine according to claim I or claim 2, wherein said control unit comprises:

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a symbol distributing means for distributing symbols of castles, symbols of castles' possessions and symbols of castle walls to said players, an index giving means for giving indexes to each said castle and its walls; a wall damage influencing means for influencing damage on said castle wall when said index of said area hit by said player corresponds said index given to said castle wall; a wall eliminating means for eliminating said castle wall when said castle wall is of a predetermined damage; a castle damage influencing means for influencing damage on said possessions of said castle when said index of said area hit by said player corresponds said index given to said castle and said castle walls of said castle are completely distinguished; a castle eliminating means for eliminating said castle when said possessions are of determined damage; and a restoring means for restoring said eliminated castle walls when said index of said area hit by said player corresponds to said index given to said castle and said castle walls of said castle are completely eliminated.
8. A game machine according to claim I or claim 2, wherein said control unit comprises: an index allocating means for allocating an index to each of a plurality of panels; a panel specifying means for determining a part of said plurality of panels to be specified panels; a panel displaying means for displaying said panels and indicating said specified panels; a first panel giving means for giving said specified panel to said player when said indication of said area hit by said player corresponds to said index of said specified panel; a second panel giving means for giving said panel owned by another said player to said player when said player obtains panels on opposite sides of said panel owned by another said player; and a third panel giving means for giving said panel to said player when said index of said area hit by said player corresponds to said index of said specified panel and said specified panel is hit by said player in said same round.
9. A game machine according to claim I or claim 2, wherein said control unit comprises: a designating means for designating a plurality of said areas; an area giving means for giving said area to said player when said area is said designated area hit a plurality of times by said player and said area is ownerless; a point giving means for giving point corresponding to said indication of said area to said player when said area is said designated area hit a plurality of times by said player and said area is owned by said player; and a point giving means for giving point corresponding to said indication of said area to all the other players than said player when said area hit by said player is not said designated area.
10. A memory medium in which is recorded a program comprising program codes for causing a game machine according to claim 1 to execute a game control method which comprises; a detecting step for detecting the result of players' throws by detecting the area of the target where said arrow hits said target, a reading step for reading said ID cards of said players so as to identify each of said players, a game executing step for executing a plurality times of games according to said result of players' operation, a displaying step for displaying said image according to said result of players' operation, and bO a handicapping step for automatically giving to the player who is a winner in a first of said games a handicap in the next game.