JP2000153067A - Game system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system with which the construction of a game from the start to the end can be sufficiently enjoyed by players of the beginner level to the higher-level and motivation to challenge the game again can be effectively given to the player. SOLUTION: This game system is provided with a game operating part 110 for performing arithmetic processing for playing the game of moving an object steered by a player on a course inside a game space and a game time setting part 120 for setting the game time from the game start to the game end as time not to be suspended in the middle of the course and performing processing to finish the game after the expiration of the game time. The game time is set as the time required for a beginner from the start of the moving object to the goal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game system and an information storage medium for playing a game in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional racing game system, a plurality of time extension points are provided in the course of a course, and each time a player motorcycle or the like passes this point within a time limit, one after another. And the game time is extended so that a goal can be finally achieved.

[0003] In this type of game system, there is a pleasure for an advanced player to clear time extension points one after another and reach a final goal, but for a beginner, the game time is increased before reaching the first time extension point. There is a problem that even if the game is finished or the first time extension point can be passed, the time extension point after the next time cannot be passed and the goal cannot be reached many times.

[0004] In particular, in recent game systems, various game effects are performed from the start to the goal-in, and various game effects are often performed in order to excite the game ending in the latter half of the game. There is a problem that the player often gets tired of playing the game several times at the beginning without being able to enjoy the game effects in the latter half of the course.

In recent game systems, development often takes time and money. For this reason, with regard to the developed game system, the player who played the game first enjoyed the performance from the beginning to the end of the game sufficiently, repeatedly challenged the game, and increased the operating rate of the game system itself. Is required to be increased.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its purpose is to allow beginners to advanced users to enjoy the production of a game from beginning to end.
An object of the present invention is to provide a game system and an information storage medium that can effectively give a player a motivation to challenge a game again.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a game system according to the present invention comprises: means for performing arithmetic processing for performing a game in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course in a game space; Means for setting the game time from the game start to the game end as a time that is not extended in the course of the course, and performing processing for ending the game after the game time has elapsed.

Further, the computer-readable information storage medium of the present invention includes information for performing an arithmetic process for performing a game in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course, and information for executing a game from a game start to a game end. The game time is set as a time that is not extended in the course of the course, and information for performing a process for ending the game after the game time has elapsed is included.

Further, the game system of the present invention has an operation means for allowing a player to control a moving body in a game space, and a game system for allowing a moving body controlled by the player to move in a course in a game space. Means for performing arithmetic processing, and means for setting the game time from the game start to the game end as a time that is not extended in the course of the course, and performing processing for ending the game after the game time has elapsed It is characterized by the following.

The game system according to the present invention further comprises an operating means for outputting a steering signal of the motorcycle-type moving body by the player performing the straddling and tilting operation, and outputting an accelerator operation signal and a brake signal by the operation of the player. Based on a signal from the operating means, a means for performing arithmetic processing for performing a game in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course in a game space, and a game time from a game start to a game end, in the course of the course. Means for setting the time as not to be extended and performing a process for terminating the game after the game time has elapsed.

[0011] Here, it is preferable that the game time is set within a range of time required for a beginner and an intermediate player to start the moving body and finish the game.

According to the present invention, even a beginner or an average player at an intermediate level who is unfamiliar with the game can enjoy the game from the start of the moving body controlled by the player to the goal-in.

In particular, according to the present invention, even beginners and intermediate players can fully enjoy the second half of the game effect set in the game space, so that the player who has finished the game is challenged again. It can provide strong motivation.

[0014] Furthermore, for intermediate players or more, especially for advanced players, the moving object can be scored with a sufficient margin. Therefore, when playing a game while competing with other player cars or computer cars. , So that players can enjoy the game from start to finish with plenty of time, and as a result, intermediate and higher level players can enjoy the game sufficiently and motivate them to try the game again. .

In particular, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a business game system capable of giving a strong motivation to a player to re-challenge a game, so that the operating rate of the entire system can be increased.

In the present invention, the operation of the operation means may be set to a high level of difficulty for a beginner or an intermediate player.

For example, the operating means outputs an operation signal by the player performing a straddling and tilting operation on the simulated motorcycle body in the same manner as when the player operates an actual motorcycle, and further outputs an accelerator operation signal by an accelerator and a brake operation.
With the one formed to output the brake operation signal, it is possible to enjoy the same operational feeling as an actual motorcycle, but to enjoy the same operational difficulty as when operating a simulated motorcycle. .

In such a game system in which it is difficult to reach the goal without passing through a time extension point when such an operation means that makes it difficult to operate the player is employed, beginners and intermediate players The player ends the game without being able to enjoy the game to the end as described above.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, even when such difficult-to-operate operation means is employed, the player can give a general game effect from the start point set in the game space to the vicinity of the goal. You can have fun. Therefore, the player can enjoy the operation feeling of the operation means with high reality, and at the same time, can fully enjoy the game effects set in the game space from the beginning to the end, and as a result, challenge the game again. Strong motivation for the player.

Further, even if the game itself is difficult for beginners as well as the game operation means, an average beginner or intermediate player needs a sufficient time for the game to start at the start. With this setting, the player can enjoy the game effect to the end, and from this aspect, the player can be strongly motivated to challenge the game again.

[0021]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, a case where the present invention is applied to a motorcycle game will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various games in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course are described. Applicable to the system.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a game device of the present embodiment for playing a motorcycle game.

The operation unit 10 is used by a player to input operation data by operating, for example, a button, a steering wheel, an accelerator, a clutch, and the like.
The operation data obtained at 0 is input to the processing unit 100.

The processing section 100 controls the entire game device,
It performs various processes such as instruction of commands in each block in the game device, calculation of a motorcycle game, and the like, and its functions are a CPU (CISC type, RISC type), a DSP, and an AS.
It can be realized by hardware such as an IC or a given program (game program).

An information storage medium (a storage medium from which information can be read by a computer) 190 stores various information such as programs and data. The function of the information storage medium 190 is, for example, an optical disc (CDROM,
DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, game cassette, IC card, semiconductor memory, and other hardware.
The processing unit 100 performs various processes based on the program and data from the information storage medium 190.

The processing section 100 functions as a game calculation section 110 and a game time setting section 120.

The game calculation unit 110 performs a game calculation in which the player bike runs while competing with the other player bikes and the computer bike on the course shown in FIG. 3 based on the operation data from the operation unit 10. The screen is displayed on the display unit 12. Specifically, game mode setting processing, game progress processing, processing for determining the position and direction of a moving object (a player's motorcycle, a motorcycle operated by a computer, a motorcycle operated by another player, and the like), a viewpoint position and a line-of-sight direction , Processing for arranging objects in an object space, processing for calculating a game score, processing for a plurality of players to play in a common game space, and the like. This is performed based on a game program or the like.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an external view of the game apparatus of the embodiment.

The game device of the embodiment includes a simulated racing motorcycle 2 simulating an actual racing motorcycle, and a display unit 12 disposed in front of the simulated racing motorcycle.

The simulated racing motorcycle 2 is configured to be tiltable left and right as indicated by an arrow A in the figure, and a player straddling the motorcycle 2 moves its center of gravity right or left to move the motorcycle body. It is configured to tilt left and right to steer a motorcycle running in the game space.
Further, the motorcycle 2 is provided with various operation means such as a steering wheel, an accelerator, a clutch, and a brake. Then, the inclination angle of the motorcycle 2 in the left-right direction, the steering wheel,
The operation signals of the accelerator, brake and clutch are transmitted to the operation unit 1
It is input to the processing unit 100 as an operation signal from 0.

The simulated motorcycle 2 of the embodiment is configured such that when tilted in the left-right direction, a restoring force corresponding to the traveling speed of the player motorcycle traveling in the game space is applied as a reaction force toward the neutral position. As a result, the player can obtain the same operational feeling as riding an actual motorcycle, and also experience the difficulty of operating the motorcycle as if operating a real racing motorcycle. .

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a specific example in which the simulation motorcycle 2 is operated to steer a racing car in the game space.

When the player's motorcycle in the game space is steered rightward, the motorcycle 2 is tilted rightward as shown in FIG. 2A shows a state in which the simulated motorcycle 2 is in the neutral position, FIG. 2B shows a state in which the simulated motorcycle 2 is tilted rightward, and FIG. 1C shows a state in which the simulated motorcycle 2 is further tilted rightward. ing.

Thus, the processing unit 100 performs a game calculation of a state in which the player's motorcycle similarly leans and turns rightward in the game space, and displays, for example, a game screen shown in FIG.

When steering the player's motorcycle in the game space to the left, the motorcycle 2 is tilted to the left as shown in FIG. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the simulated motorcycle 2 has begun to lean leftward from the neutral position, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the simulated motorcycle 2 is leaning leftward.

Thus, the processing section 100 performs a game calculation of a state in which the player's motorcycle similarly leans and turns leftward in the game space, and displays, for example, a game screen shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a game space used in the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a circuit course 200 as shown in FIG. 3 is set in a three-dimensional object space.

In the game apparatus of this embodiment, when the player inserts coins and starts the game, the player's motorcycle, which is controlled by the player, departs from the start point S and joins the orbiting course 200. It is configured to travel the number of times, for example, four times and to reach the goal G.

Then, the players compete in the order with the total time from the start to the goal-in.
For example, when a multi-player game is played by communication with another player, the ranking as the final result is determined based on the total time from the start to the goal-in, and this is displayed on the display.

By the way, in such a game apparatus, it is often difficult for a beginner or an intermediate person to operate the simulated motorcycle 2 shown in FIG. 2, and particularly, as shown in FIGS. It is difficult to steer a player bike smoothly.

In such a case, in a system such as a conventional game system in which time extension points are provided at a plurality of points in a course and the game time is added each time a check point is passed, a beginner or the like cannot However, there is a problem in that the game time elapses before the player bike passes the first check point, the game ends, and the game can hardly be enjoyed.

Also, for intermediate-level players,
Although the first checkpoint is passed, the game is over at the same place every time, and it is often impossible to enjoy the game to the end. For this reason, the processing unit 100 of the present embodiment includes a game time setting unit 120
It is configured to function as.

The game time setting section 120 sets the game time from the start to the end of the game as a fixed time that is not extended in the middle of the game, and sets the game time as an average beginner or intermediate level. The player of the player level starts the player's bike from the start point S, makes a predetermined number of rounds of the orbiting course 200, and finishes the goal G
Set within the time required to reach the goal.

At this time, the game time is set to an average time required from the start of the average intermediate player to the goal-in, or from the start of the average beginner to the goal-in. May be determined as appropriate depending on the difficulty of operating the operation unit 10 or the difficulty of the game.

In the game device according to the present embodiment, since the player operates the simulated motorcycle 2 in a state of completely straddling the simulated motorcycle 2, the operation of the operation unit 10 becomes extremely difficult. For this reason, in the game device of the present embodiment, the average time required from the start of the player bike to the goal-in by the average beginner is set as the game time per play.

Thus, even if a beginner unfamiliar with the game straddles the simulated motorcycle 2 shown in FIG. 2 and plays the game while operating a player motorcycle in the game space, most of the beginner players start the lap course. 2
00 can be made a predetermined number of rounds to achieve the goal. For this reason, even a beginner can enjoy the effects of the entire game in the first play to the end.

Further, since the advanced player can make a goal within the game time with plenty of time, the player plays the game while enjoying the game with other player's motorcycle during the game and the pace distribution of the entire race. be able to.

As explained above, all players, from beginners to advanced players, can enjoy the game effects of the entire game.
Strong motivation to try the game again can be given, and the operating rate of the game device itself can be increased.

In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an area a1 in which the course is set to a crank (chicane) and areas a2 and a3 of sharp curves are set in the course 200. I have. Such an area a
It is extremely difficult for a beginner to pass at 1, a2, and a3 without leaving the course and without losing time. In addition, operating through these areas a1, a2, and a3 while controlling the speed and tilting the simulated motorcycle 2 in the same manner as a real motorcycle,
It is fun for beginners as well as advanced players, and is a major factor in increasing the fun of the game.

In this embodiment, even a beginner can challenge the game so that he / she can pass through these areas a1, a2, and a3 with a sufficient time allowance. A racing game in the game space using the simulated motorcycle 2,
From beginner to advanced, it is possible to enjoy with plenty of time.

Next, a specific processing example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when the player straddles the simulated motorcycle 2 and inserts coins, the player's motorcycle, together with other player's motorcycles and the computer motorcycle operated by the computer, is arranged at the start point S and enters a standby state waiting for a signal to start. Become. At this time, the game time setting unit 120
The game time per play is set as described above.
(Step S10) Then, when the signal at the start point displayed on the game screen turns green, the game starts and all the vehicles start from the start point all at once. From the time of this start, the game time setting unit 120 measures the lapse of the game time per play set in step S10.

The game calculation section 110 performs a game calculation in which the player motorcycle runs on the course shown in FIG. 3 while competing with other motorcycles, based on an operation signal of the player motorcycle input from the operation section 10 and a predetermined game program. Then, the game screen is displayed on the display unit 12 (step S12).

The player controls the player's motorcycle while watching the game screen displayed on the display unit 12 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, and aims at the goal while competing with other player's motorcycles.

At this time, in the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the set game time has elapsed (step S1).
4) If it is determined that the time is within the game time, then it is determined in step S16 whether or not the player motorcycle has scored a goal.

If the goal has not been reached, the processes of steps S12 to S14 are repeated.

In the present embodiment, since the game time is set in accordance with the average beginner level, almost all players make four laps in the lap course and finish in, and rank with other players. You can compete.

If it is determined in step S16 that the player's motorcycle has scored a goal, then in step S18, the results such as the rank of the player's motorcycle are displayed, and the play ends.

If the player bike repeatedly falls over the course and uses time, and as a result it is determined in step S14 that the game time has elapsed before the goal-in, the following process is performed. Step S20
To display a continuation selection display screen on the display unit 12 to allow the player to select whether or not to continue the game from the current state.

At this point, if the player inserts a coin and selects continuation, it is determined in step S22 that the continuation selection has been made, and in the next step S24, the game time for the continuation game is set. The game is restarted from the state at the time when the game time has elapsed (step S12).

Therefore, if it is determined that the player's motorcycle has reached the goal within the continuation game time (step S16), the result of the player's motorcycle is displayed in the same manner in the next step S18.

If it is determined in step S22 that continue has not been selected, the result of the player is displayed in step S18. In this case, the player's rank is not displayed, but the player's technology during the game, such as the display of the best lap or the corner exit speed, is evaluated specifically, and the player's technology is evaluated. The result is displayed as a technical hint to get better results.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the device shown in the figure, the CPU 1000, the ROM 1002, the RA
M1004, information storage medium 1006, sound generation IC 100
8, image generation IC 1010, I / O port 1012, 1
014 are connected to each other via a system bus 1016 so that data can be transmitted and received therebetween. And the image generation IC1
010 is connected to a display 1018, and the sound generation I
A speaker 1020 is connected to C1008, a control device 1022 is connected to I / O port 1012, and a communication device 1024 is connected to I / O port 1014.

The information storage medium 1006 mainly stores programs, image data for expressing a display object, sound data, and the like. For example, in a home game device, a CD-R is used as an information storage medium for storing a game program and the like.
OMs, game cassettes, DVDs and the like are used. In the arcade game machine, a memory such as a ROM is used. In this case, the information storage medium 1006 is the ROM 1002.

The control device 1022 corresponds to a game controller, an operation panel, and the like, and is a device for inputting a result of a determination made by a player in accordance with the progress of a game to the main body of the device.

The program stored in the information storage medium 1006, the system program (initialization information of the apparatus main body) stored in the ROM 1002, the control apparatus 102
CPU 1000 according to a signal input by
Controls the entire apparatus and performs various data processing. RAM10
Reference numeral 04 denotes storage means used as a work area or the like of the CPU 1000. The information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 10
02, or the calculation result of the CPU 1000 or the like is stored. A data structure having a logical configuration for realizing the present embodiment is constructed on the RAM or the information storage medium.

Further, this type of device includes a sound generation IC 100
8 and an image generating IC 1010 are provided so that a suitable output of game sounds and game images can be performed.
The sound generation IC 1008 includes the information storage medium 1006 and the ROM 1
This is an integrated circuit that generates game sounds such as sound effects and background music based on the information stored in 002, and the generated game sounds are output by the speaker 1020. The image generation IC 1010 includes a RAM 1004,
An integrated circuit that generates pixel information to be output to the display 1018 based on image information sent from the ROM 1002, the information storage medium 1006, and the like. Note that a so-called head-mounted display (HMD) can also be used as the display 1018.

The communication device 1024 exchanges various kinds of information used inside the game device with the outside. The communication device 1024 is connected to another game device to transmit and receive given information according to the game program. It is used for transmitting and receiving information such as a game program via a communication line.

The various processes described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 include an information storage medium 1006 storing a program for performing the processes shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, a CPU 1000 operating according to the program, and an image generation IC 101.
0, the sound generation IC 1008 and the like. Note that the processing performed by the image generation IC 1010, the sound generation IC 1008, and the like may be performed by software using the CPU 1000, a general-purpose DSP, or the like.

FIG. 2 shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game device. In this case, the system board 1106 built in the apparatus includes C
A PU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted.

The information for performing the arithmetic processing for performing the game in which the moving body controlled by the player moves on the course and the game time of one play from the game start to the game end are extended in the course of the course. Information including information that is set as a time without occurrence and that performs processing for ending the game after the game time has elapsed is stored in a memory 1108 which is an information storage medium of the system board 1106.

Hereinafter, such information is referred to as stored information. These stored information include a program code for performing the above various processes, image information, sound information, shape information of a display object,
It includes at least one of table data, list data, player information, and the like.

FIG. 10A shows an example in which the present embodiment is applied to a home game machine. The player looks at the game image displayed on the display 1200,
The game controller 1202 and 1204 are operated to enjoy the game. In this case, the stored information is stored in the CD-ROM 1206, which is an information storage medium detachable from the main unit.
It is stored in C cards 1208, 1209 and the like.

FIG. 10B shows a host device 1300,
An example in which the present embodiment is applied to a game device including this host device 1300 and terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n connected via a communication line 1302 will be described. in this case,
The storage information is stored in an information storage medium 1306 such as a magnetic disk device, a magnetic tape device, or a memory that can be controlled by the host device 1300. Terminal 1304-1 ~
If the CPU 1304-n has a CPU, an image generation IC, and a sound generation IC and can generate a game image and a game sound in a stand-alone manner, the host device 1300 can generate a game image and a game sound. Are delivered to the terminals 1304-1 to 1304-n. on the other hand,
If it cannot be generated standalone, the host device 1
300 generates a game image and a game sound, and
The data is transmitted to 304-1 to 1304-n and output at the terminal.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made.

For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a motorcycle game has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various games (competition games, sports games, battle games, role playing games, shooting games, etc.) Applicable to

The present invention is not limited to home and business game machines, but also includes a simulator, a large attraction device in which a large number of players participate, a personal computer,
The present invention can also be applied to various image generating apparatuses such as a multimedia terminal and a system board for generating a game image.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the operating means which is difficult for a beginner to use is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied.

[0079]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an example of a functional block diagram of a game device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of a game device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a racing course set in a game space.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a series of operations in which a player riding a simulated motorcycle steers the motorcycle rightward while shifting weight.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of a series of operations in which a player riding a simulated motorcycle steers the motorcycle leftward while shifting weight.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a game screen in a state where a player motorcycle turns a right curve and escapes a corner.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a game screen in a state where a player motorcycle turns a left curve and escapes a corner.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing example of the present embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the present embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of various types of apparatuses to which the present embodiment is applied. FIGS.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 operation unit 12 display unit 100 processing unit 110 game calculation unit 112 game time setting unit 190 information storage medium

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Satoshi Inoue 2-8-5 Tamagawa, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Namco Corporation (72) Inventor Akira Yasui 2-8-5 Tamagawa, Ota-ku, Tokyo Namco Corporation F term (reference) 2C001 AA00 AA09 BA00 BA02 BB00 BB04 BB07 BC00 BC01 BC03 CA05 CA09 CB01 CB08 CC02 CC08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A means for performing arithmetic processing for performing a game in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course in a game space, and extending a game time from a game start to a game end in the course of the course. Means for setting as a time without the game, and performing a process for ending the game after the game time has elapsed. 2. Operating means for a player to control a moving body in a game space, means for performing arithmetic processing for performing a game in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course in a game space, Means for setting a game time from a game start to a game end as a time that is not extended in the course of the course, and performing processing for ending the game after the game time has elapsed. . 3. An operation means for outputting a steering signal of a motorcycle-type moving body by a player performing a straddling and tilting operation, and outputting an accelerator operation signal and a brake signal by an operation of the player, based on a signal from the operation means. Means for performing an arithmetic process for performing a game in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course in a game space; and a time period from a game start to a game end which is not extended in the course of the course. Means for performing a process for terminating the game after the game time has elapsed. 4. The game time according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game time is set within a time range required for a beginner and an intermediate player to start the moving body and finish the goal. A game system characterized in that: 5. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the operation means is set to a high level of difficulty for a beginner or intermediate player. 6. The information for performing arithmetic processing for performing a game in which a moving body controlled by a player moves on a course and the game time from the game start to the game end are not extended in the course of the course. A computer-readable information storage medium, comprising: information set for a time period and a process for ending the game after the game time has elapsed.