JP2000245958A - Game system and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set and confirm a multi-player game environment item by transmitting the multi-player game environment items set in a transmission side game device to a reception side game device and setting the environment item as a reception side multi-player game environment item. SOLUTION: Various game arithmetic processings such as a coin payment reception processing, a game mode setting processing or a game progress processing are executed by a game arithmetic part 110 in the processing part 100 of the game device of a horse race game or the like. Besides, the various processings for setting the multi-player game environment item (game charge or a game condition or the like) are executed in a game environment setting part 112. Then, the game environment item of the transmission side game device is transmitted to the reception side game device by a transmission processing part 114, and the game environment item from the transmission side game device is received and earthquake game environment item is set based on the received game environment items.

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 allowing a plurality of players to play a multiplayer game using a plurality of game devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, game systems have been developed and put into practical use in which a plurality of players can play a multiplayer game using a plurality of game devices.

In this game system, each of a plurality of game devices is assigned to each player, and each game device outputs a game image and a game sound to each player. Each player enjoys battle play and joint play with another player by watching the game image and listening to the game sound. For example, in the case of a game system in which a player can enjoy a racing game by car, for example, a player drives a car that he or she drives on a course in a game space, and the other player or a computer drives the car in the same game space. Compete with cars running on the course and enjoy multiplayer games.

In such a game system, game fees and game conditions (difficulty level, etc.) can be set for each game device. When a plurality of players play a multiplayer game in the same game space, it is necessary to set the multiplayer game environment items such as game fees and game conditions to be the same among the game devices. If these multi-player game environment items are different from one another among game devices, unfairness may occur among a plurality of players who play the multi-player game, or a malfunction may occur in the operation of the game system.

[0005] However, if such multi-player game environment items are individually set by the amusement facility operator for each game device, there is a problem that the setting work of the operator becomes very complicated. There is also a problem that various inconveniences occur when a game system in which the setting contents of the multiplayer game environment item are inappropriate is included in the game system.

As a solution to such a problem, a conventional technique disclosed in, for example, JP-A-8-323043 is known. In this conventional technique, a multiplayer game environment item set on a game device on a transmission side (master) is transmitted to a game device on a reception side (slave). Then, the receiving-side game device sets the content of the transmitted multiplayer game environment item as the content of its own multiplayer game environment item. This allows the multiplayer game environment items to be the same among the game devices without the operator setting the multiplayer game environment items individually for each game device. Therefore, the above problem that the setting operation of the multiplayer game environment item becomes complicated can be solved to some extent.

However, this conventional technique still has the following problems.

First, in the above-described conventional technique, an operator operates a multi-player game environment item displayed on a receiving game device to determine whether or not the multi-player game environment item has been properly transmitted to the receiving game device. Player game environment items must be checked one by one. For this reason, the setting operation of the multi-player game environment item still remains complicated. In particular, the number of multiplayer game environment items is generally very large. Therefore, as the number of connected game devices increases, the burden of checking multi-player game environment items becomes very heavy.

Second, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, the multi-player game environment item of the transmitting game device is forcibly set as
It is set as a multi-player game environment item for all other game devices. That is, regardless of the state of the other game device on the receiving side, the multiplayer game environment item of the transmitting game device is forcibly set as its own multiplayer game environment item.
For this reason, there is a problem that flexible operation of the amusement facility cannot be realized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game system and an information storage medium capable of simplifying the setting and checking of a multiplayer game environment item. Is to do.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a game system and an information storage medium which enable flexible and various operations of an amusement facility.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a game system in which a plurality of players play a multi-player game using a plurality of game devices, Means for setting each multi-player game environment item in each game device in the device, and a receiving device based on the transmitting multi-player game environment item set in the transmitting game device in the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmitting multiplayer game environment item to the receiving game device to set a receiving multiplayer game environment item on the game device; and transmitting the receiving multiplayer game environment item to the receiving multiplayer game environment item. The operator can identify at least one of a match and a mismatch with the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item. Another information, characterized in that it comprises a means for outputting in addition to the reception side multi-player gaming environment item. Further, an information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item set by the transmission-side game device is transmitted to the reception-side game device, and the transmitted transmission-side multiplayer game environment item is transmitted to the reception-side multiplayer game environment. Can be set as an item. According to the present invention, the identification information (color, blinking) for identifying whether the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item and the reception-side multiplayer game environment item match or not (both may be used or only one may be used). ,
(Identification information using brightness, sound, etc.) is added to (associated with, associated with) the receiving multiplayer game environment item.
Output (for example, output as an image or output as a sound). Therefore, the operator has to set the game environment items one by one.
By simply checking this identification information without checking, it is possible to immediately and surely check whether the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item matches the reception-side multiplayer game environment item. As a result, the setting work and the confirmation work of the operator can be remarkably labor-saving.

Further, in the game system and the information storage medium according to the present invention, the identification information is added to each of the receiving-side multiplayer game environment items. In this way, it is possible to more quickly check which multi-player game environment items match or mismatch.

Further, in the game system and the information storage medium according to the present invention, when the identification information matches the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item and the reception-side multiplayer game environment item, the identification information is displayed in the first color. And the color information is the color information that becomes the second color when they do not match. In this way, the operator can confirm whether the multi-player game environment items match or not, only by distinguishing the color difference.

Further, the present invention is a game system for a plurality of players to play a multiplayer game using a plurality of game devices, wherein each of the plurality of game devices has a multiplayer game. Means for setting an environment item; and setting a receiving multiplayer game environment item on the receiving game device based on the transmitting multiplayer game environment item set on the transmitting game device among the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmission-side multi-player game environment item to the reception-side game device, and a transmission-side multi-player game environment item confirmation screen displayed on the transmission-side game device. When the confirmation screen is switched from the confirmation screen to the second confirmation screen, the reception screen displayed on the reception-side game device is displayed. Means for switching a confirmation screen for a multiplayer game environment item from a third confirmation screen corresponding to the first confirmation screen to a fourth confirmation screen corresponding to the second confirmation screen. . Further, an information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, the transmitting multiplayer game environment item transmitted from the transmitting game device can be set as the receiving multiplayer game environment item. According to the present invention, when the confirmation screen of the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item displayed on the transmission-side game device switches from the first confirmation screen to the second confirmation screen, the reception-side game device Is switched from the third confirmation screen corresponding to the first confirmation screen to the fourth confirmation screen corresponding to the second confirmation screen. As described above, by linking the page switching of the confirmation screen, it is possible to save labor for the operator to confirm the multiplayer game environment items.

In the game system and the information storage medium according to the present invention, an operator identifies at least one of a match and a mismatch between the receiving multiplayer game environment item and the transmitted multiplayer game environment item transmitted. Means for adding the identification information to the receiving-side multiplayer game environment item and outputting the information, or information for realizing the means. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce the labor required for the operator to check the multiplayer game environment items.

The present invention also relates to a game system for a plurality of players to play a multiplayer game using a plurality of game devices, wherein each of the plurality of game devices has a multiplayer game. Means for setting an environment item; and setting a receiving multiplayer game environment item on the receiving game device based on the transmitting multiplayer game environment item set on the transmitting game device among the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item to the reception-side game device, and the plurality of game devices,
A first group in which its own multiplayer game environment item is set based on the transmission side multiplayer game environment item transmitted from the transmission side game device, and the transmission side multiplayer game transmitted from the transmission side game device; Means for grouping into a second group in which a multiplayer game environment item is not set based on the environment item or a multiplayer game environment item different from the first group is set. And Further, an information storage medium according to the present invention is characterized by including information for realizing (executing) the above means.

According to the present invention, the transmission-side multi-player game environment item transmitted from the transmission-side game device can be set as the reception-side multi-player game environment item. According to the present invention, a plurality of game devices can be grouped into a first group in which the own multiplayer game environment item is set based on the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item and a second group in which the multiplayer game environment item is not set. . This makes it possible to set the multi-player game environment item using the transmission-side multi-player game environment item at a different time between the first group and the second group. This enables flexible operation of the amusement facility. Further, according to the present invention, a plurality of game devices can be grouped into first and second groups in which different multi-player game environment items are set. Thereby, for example, it is possible to divide the game device into a group of event game devices and a group of game devices for normal game play, or a group of game devices for advanced users and a group of game devices for beginners. Will be possible. As a result, the operation of the amusement facility can be diversified.

Further, in the game system and the information storage medium according to the present invention, a game device in which a player is playing a game or a game device in which an operator is inputting a multiplayer game environment item is grouped into the second group. It is characterized by the following. In this manner, even when the game devices of the second group are playing a game or inputting a multi-player game environment item,
The setting operation of the multiplayer game environment item using the transmission side multiplayer game environment item can be performed only between the game devices of the first group.

[0022]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where the present invention is applied to a horse racing game will be mainly described by way of example, but the present invention can be applied to various games other than the horse racing game.

1. 1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows a configuration example when this embodiment is applied to an arcade game system. FIG. 2 shows an example of a game image generated according to the present embodiment.

The player rides a ride (housing) 900 made to resemble a horse. Then, while watching the game image shown in FIG. 2 projected on the display unit 162, the ride 900 is swung, so that the horse 20 on the screen is operated,
Run 0. Then, the user enjoys a horse racing game by competing with horses 22 and 24 operated by another player or computer.

In this case, when the ride 900 is quickly swung back and forth, the horse 20 on the screen runs fast, and when the ride 900 is shaken slowly, the horse 20 on the screen runs slow. So, for example, in the first half of the race, the ride 900 was shaken slowly to preserve horse stamina,
In the latter half of the race, the ride 900 can be enjoyed, such as quickly swinging the ride 900 and overtaking the other horses 22, 24. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to cause the player to virtually experience a feeling as if he / she were a real jockey in the real world.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of independent game devices 10-1 to 10-8, each of which can independently enjoy a single player game, are connected to the IEEE 139.
As shown in FIG. 3, they are connected in a tree shape by a bus interface conforming to the four standards.

That is, the I / O of the game device (PCB) 10-1
The O port IP2 is connected to the I / O port IP1 of the game device 10-2 via a bus (communication line). Also,
IP2 of the game device 10-2 is a repeater (PCB) 12-1.
, And the repeater 12-1 is connected to the repeater 12-2. Then, the IP2 of the game device 10-3 is connected to the IP1 of the game device 10-4, and the IP2 of the game device 10-4.
Is connected to the repeater 12-2. Game device 10-5 ~
The same applies to the connection relationship between 10-8 and repeaters 12-3 and 12-4.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a block diagram of the game device. In the figure, the game device of the present embodiment only needs to include at least the processing unit 100 and the communication unit 174, and the other blocks can be optional components.

Here, the processing unit 100 controls the entire apparatus,
It performs various processes such as instruction of commands to each block in the device and game calculation.
It can be realized by hardware such as ISC type, RISC type), DSP, or ASIC (gate array or the like), or a given program (game program).

The operation section 130 is for inputting operation information, and includes a player operation section 132, a coin insertion section 1
34, including an operator operation unit 136. Here, the player operation section 132 is for the player to input operation information, and its function can be realized by hardware such as the ride 900 and operation buttons in FIG. The coin insertion unit 134 is for a player to insert coins, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a coin insertion slot, a hopper, and a coin counter. The operator operation unit 136 is used by an operator of the amusement facility to perform various settings such as a multiplayer game environment item, and the function can be realized by hardware such as a test mode switch group.

The storage section 140 serves as a work area for the processing section 100, the image generation section 160, the sound generation section 170, the communication section 174, and the like, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as a RAM.

An information storage medium (a storage medium from which information can be read by a computer) 150 stores information such as programs and data, and functions as an optical disk (CD, DVD) or a magneto-optical disk (MO). ),
It can be realized by hardware such as a magnetic disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or a semiconductor memory (ROM). The processing unit 100 performs various processes of the present invention (the present embodiment) based on the information stored in the information storage medium 150. That is, the information storage medium 150 stores various information for realizing the means (particularly, the blocks included in the processing unit 100) of the present invention (the present embodiment).

A part or all of the information stored in the information storage medium 150 is stored in the storage unit 1 when the power of the apparatus is turned on.
40. The information storage medium 150
The information stored in the program includes program codes, image information, sound information, display object shape information, table data, list data, player information for performing the processing of the present invention, and information for instructing the processing of the present invention. And at least one of information for performing processing in accordance with the instruction.

The image generating section 160 generates various images according to an instruction from the processing section 100 and the like, and
The function is the ASI for image generation.
It can be realized by hardware such as C, CPU, or DSP, a given program (image generation program), and image information.

The sound generation section 170 generates various sounds in accordance with instructions from the processing section 100 and outputs the sounds to the sound output section 172. The functions of the sound generation section 170 include a sound generation ASIC,
It can be realized by hardware such as a CPU or a DSP, a given program (sound generation program), and sound information (waveform data and the like).

The communication section 174 performs various controls for communication, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a communication ASIC or CPU, or a given program (communication program).

The buffer memory 175 temporarily stores received data and transmitted data.
It can be realized by hardware such as AM.

The communication unit 174 transmits data received from another game device via the I / O port IP1 or IP2.
Write to the buffer memory 175. If the received data is data necessary for the game device,
The communication unit 174 instructs the processing unit 100 to read the received data. Then, the processing unit 100 reads the received data from the buffer memory 175 and performs various processes based on the read received data.

When the game device transmits data to another game device, the processing unit 100 writes the transmission data into the buffer memory 175. Then, the communication unit 174 reads out the written transmission data,
The data is transmitted to another game device via the / O port IP1 or IP2.

When the communication unit 174 can communicate with a remote host device via a network such as the Internet, the information for realizing the processing of the present invention (the present embodiment) is transmitted to the host device. May be distributed from the information storage medium of the game device to the information storage medium of the game device via the network and the communication unit 174. Such use of the information storage medium of the host device and use of the information storage medium of the game device are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, part or all of the functions of the processing unit 100 may be performed by the image generation unit 160, the sound generation unit 170, or the communication unit 1.
74 may be realized. Or,
Image generation unit 160, sound generation unit 170, or communication unit 174
Some or all of the functions may be realized by the function of the processing unit 100.

The I / F unit 176 exchanges information with a memory card (broadly speaking, a portable information storage device including a portable mini game device) 180 in accordance with an instruction from the processing unit 100 or the like. The function can be realized by a slot for inserting a memory card, a controller IC for data writing / reading, and the like. In addition, memory card 1
In a case where information exchange with the device 80 is realized using wireless communication such as infrared light, the function of the I / F unit 176 can be realized by hardware such as a semiconductor laser and an infrared sensor.

The processing unit 100 includes a game calculation unit 110, a game environment setting unit 112, a transmission processing unit 114, a reception processing unit 116, an identification information adding unit 118, and a confirmation screen switching unit 1.
20, and a grouping unit 122.

Here, the game calculation section 110 receives coin payment (payment of payment), game mode setting processing, game progress processing, selection screen setting processing, and the position of a moving object (horse, character, etc.). And processing to determine the direction,
Processing to determine the viewpoint position and gaze direction, processing to reproduce the motion of the moving object, processing to place objects in object space, hit check processing, game results (achievements)
, A process for a plurality of players to play in a common game space, or various game calculation processes such as a game over process, by operating information from the operation unit 130, information from the memory card 180, a game program And so on.

When the present invention is applied to a game other than the horse racing game, the moving object may be a robot, a tank,
Various things such as airplanes and cars can be considered.

The payment of the price in the present invention includes not only payment of money such as coins, but also payment by electronic money, a prepaid card, a postpay card, a credit card, and the like. In the case of a configuration in which the game device is connected to a network, it is desirable to pay the price using such electronic money.

The game environment setting section 112 performs various processes for setting a multi-player game environment item. Here, the multi-player game environment items are various items (for example, game fees and game conditions) that determine the game environment for the multi-player game, and are commonly set between game devices in performing the multi-player game. Environment items (hereinafter, multi-player game environment items are simply referred to as game environment items as appropriate).

The transmission processing unit 114 performs a process for transmitting the game environment item of the transmitting game device to the receiving game device (for example, a process of creating transmission data). On the other hand, the reception processing unit 116 performs a process for receiving a game environment item from the transmitting game device.

When the game device is the transmitting side,
The function of the transmission processing unit 114 transmits the game environment item to another game device on the receiving side. Then, another game device sets its own game environment item based on the transmitted game environment item. On the other hand, when the game device is a receiving side, the function of the reception processing unit 116
A game environment item is received from another game device on the transmission side. Then, the game device sets its own game environment item based on the received game environment item.

The identification information adding section 118 receives identification information for the operator to identify at least one of a match and a mismatch between the game environment item of the game device on the transmitting side and the game environment item of the game device on the receiving side. A process for adding (attaching and relating) to the game environment item of the game device on the side is performed. More specifically, a matching item is displayed in yellow (first color), for example,
Items that do not match are displayed, for example, in red (second color). Alternatively, the matching items may be displayed non-blinking, and the items not matching may be displayed blinking. Alternatively, brightness and transparency may be set to normal values for items that match, and brightness and transparency may be changed for items that do not match. Alternatively, a sound may be used as the identification information.

It is desirable that the identification information be added to each of the game environment items. If you do this,
This is because it is easy to distinguish between items that match and items that do not match.

The confirmation screen switching unit 120 confirms the game environment items displayed on the receiving game device when the game environment item confirmation screen displayed on the transmitting game device is switched to the next page. The screen also performs processing for switching to the next page.

The grouping unit 122 divides the plurality of game devices into a first group in which the game environment items of the game device are set based on the game environment items transmitted from the transmitting game device, A process for grouping the game environment items into the second group in which their own game environment items are not set is performed based on. Alternatively, a process for grouping a plurality of game devices into the first group and a second group in which a game environment item different from the first group is set is performed.

Note that the connection configuration of the game devices in the game system of the present embodiment is not limited to the tree type shown in FIG. For example, as the connection form of the game device, FIG.
Various connection forms such as a ring (loop) type and a star type as shown in FIGS. Note that one of the connected game devices may function as the host device.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, a server may be connected under the host device, a game device may be connected under the server, and the host device, the game device, and the server may perform distributed processing. Good. Then, the information for realizing the processing of the present embodiment (the present invention) may be stored in the information storage medium of the host device or the server instead of the information storage medium of the game device. Alternatively, the present embodiment (the present invention)
Information for realizing the processing of the host device, the server,
The information may be stored separately in the information storage medium of the game device.

2. Features of the present embodiment In the present embodiment, prior to the start of the game play of the player, settings such as a game fee and game conditions are performed. This setting is performed by an operator who manages the amusement facility using the operator operation unit 136 in FIG.

That is, each of the game devices constituting the game system is provided with an operation door dedicated to the operator in a place hard to be seen by the player. When the operator opens the operation door using a dedicated key or the like, the test mode switches functioning as the operator operation unit 136 are exposed.

When the operator turns on the test switches (switches for shifting to the test mode) in the test mode switch group, a menu screen as shown in FIG. Then, the game device shifts to the test mode.

The operator operates the selection switch and the selection confirmation switch in the test mode switch group while looking at the menu screen of FIG. 6 to set the game fee and the game conditions.

For example, when the operator selects C shown in A1 of FIG.
When OIN OPTIONS is selected, a game charge setting screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. For example, B1 in FIG.
B2 is used to set how many coins are required for each game play, and B2 is used to switch on / off the free play that allows free game play.

The operator inputs the GA shown in A2 of FIG.
When ME OPTIONS is selected, a game condition setting screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. For example, C1 in FIG. 8 is for setting the difficulty level of the game (easy, medium, or difficult). C2 is for setting whether or not to perform a live broadcast, and C3 is for setting whether or not to output a sound in the attract mode. C4 is for setting a default cursor position when the player selects a course. C5 is for switching the event mode on and off. When the event mode is turned on, game play in a race in which a race name, a course length, and the like are customized by the operator becomes possible. Also C6
Is for setting whether or not to keep a record or result of the game, and C7 is for setting the weather (clear, cloudy,
It is for setting how to change the condition of the course (rain, etc.) and the course (baba state).

The operator sets game charges and game conditions while viewing the screens shown in FIGS. When the setting is completed, the test switch in the test mode switch group is turned off, the operation door is closed, and the lock is applied. Then, after that, the player will set the game fee,
You will be able to play games under game conditions.

Such setting of the game fee, the game conditions, and the like can be performed relatively easily when the game apparatus is in the single player mode.

On the other hand, in a multi-player mode in which a plurality of players play using a plurality of game devices, game environment items (multi-player game environment items) such as game charges and game conditions are the same among the plurality of game devices. Must be set to If the game fees and the game conditions are different between the game devices, the game conditions may be unfair among a plurality of players who play the multiplayer game, or the game system may be defective.

However, such a game environment item is
If the operator of the amusement facility sets individually for each game device, the operation of the operator becomes very complicated.

In the present embodiment, the transmitting game device transmits the game environment item, and the receiving game device sets its own game environment item based on the transmitted game environment item. ing.

More specifically, first, the operator turns on the test switch of the game device on the transmitting side (master) to display the menu screen of FIG. And FIG.
Is selected, and the other screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. Next, the operator selects ALLSEATSETUP shown in D1 of FIG. Then, Figure 1
A confirmation screen (all sheet setup screen) for the game environment item as shown in FIG.

On this confirmation screen, the current setting state of the game environment item in the transmitting game device is displayed. For example, as shown at E1 in FIG. 10, in the current state, one game play is possible with two coins. Further, as shown in E2 and E3, the free play is turned off, and the difficulty level is set at a medium level.

On the other hand, the operator operates on the receiving side (slave).
In this game device, the test switch is turned on and the menu screen is displayed.

Then, on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10 of the game machine on the transmitting side, the operator sets the TR shown in E16.
Select ANSMIT. Then, the all-seat setup operation starts, and the game environment item of the transmitting game device is transmitted to the receiving game device. Then, the receiving game device sets the transmitted game environment item as its own game environment item.

By using the above-described all-seat set-up operation, it is possible to eliminate the need for the operator to individually set game environment items for the game device on the receiving side. That is, the game environment items can be made the same between the game devices without the operator individually setting the game environment items for each game device. Therefore, the problem of complicated setting work of the game environment item can be solved to some extent.

However, when transmitting the game environment items using such an all-seat setup operation, the operator needs to check each game environment item displayed on the confirmation screen of the game machine on the receiving side. Occurs. Therefore, there has been a problem that the task of confirming the game environment items becomes very complicated. In particular, in a game system in which eight game devices are connected as shown in FIG. 1, the display section of the game device 10-1 and the game device 10-1
The distance of the -8 display will be very large. Therefore,
The operation of checking the correctness of each of a large number of game environment items while looking at the confirmation screen displayed on such a remote display unit becomes very complicated.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the identification information for the operator to identify whether the game environment item of the game device on the transmitting side matches the game environment item of the game device on the receiving side is identified by the operator. The output is added to the item. More specifically, colors are assigned such that when the game environment items (the setting contents of the game environment items) match, they are displayed in yellow, and when they do not match, they are displayed in red.

For example, FIG. 11 shows an example of a game environment item confirmation screen displayed on the receiving game device. FIG.
Is an example of a confirmation screen before transmission of the game environment item (before the operator selects TRANSMIT of E16 in FIG. 10 on the transmission-side game device).

Here, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 11 which is a game environment item confirmation screen of the receiving game device with FIG. 10 which is a game environment item confirmation screen of the transmitting game device, FIG. , F4, F6, F7, F9-F1
2, the game environment item of F15, and E2, E4,
The game environment items of E6, E7, E9 to E12, and E15 match. On the other hand, F1, F3, F5, F8, and F in FIG.
13, F14 game environment items and E1, E in FIG.
The game environment items of 3, E5, E8, E13, and E14 do not match. For example, in F1 of FIG. 11, the setting is "one game play with one coin", whereas in E1 of FIG. 10, the setting is "one game play with two coins". Has become. Also, while the difficulty level is set to “easy” in F3 of FIG.
At E3 of 0, the difficulty level is set to “medium”.

Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the game environment items F2, F4, F6, F7, F9 to F12, and F15 are displayed in yellow, while the game environment items are displayed in yellow.
The game environment items indicated by 1, F3, F5, F8, F13, and F14 are displayed in red. That is, a game environment item that matches the game device on the sending side is displayed in yellow, while a game environment item that does not match the game device on the sending side is displayed in red.
Color-code. This allows the operator to quickly and surely confirm which game environment items match and which game environment items do not match.

On the other hand, FIG. 12 shows the game environment items displayed on the receiving game device after the transmission of the game environment items (after the operator selects TRANSMIT of E16 in FIG. 10 on the transmitting game device). The example of a confirmation screen is shown.

In FIG. 12, all game environment items indicated by G1 to G15 are displayed in yellow. This corresponds to E in FIG.
Game environment items shown in 1 to E15 and G1 to G1 in FIG.
5 means that all game environment items match.
This means that all game environment items in the game device on the transmitting side and the game device on the receiving side match. Therefore, the operator does not have to check the setting contents of the game environment items one by one, but simply confirms that there is no portion displayed in red on the confirmation screen of FIG. Successful transmission (all sheet setup operation) can be quickly and reliably confirmed.

For example, the setting work of the game environment item by the operator in the present embodiment will be briefly described as follows.

First, the operator operates the game apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
Turn on all the test switches 0-1 to 10-8. Next, for example, a game environment item setting operation for the game device 10-1 (or another game device) may be performed. Then, on the menu screen of FIG. 6 displayed on the game device 10-1, "OTHERS" of A3 is selected. Then, the other screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and D1 ALLSEATS is displayed.
Select ETUP. Then, a game environment item confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display unit of the game device 10-1 on the transmitting side. On the other hand, the game devices 10-2 to 10-8 on the receiving side display color-coded game environment item confirmation screens as shown in FIG. The operator can see at a glance how the confirmation screen of FIG.
-Match or mismatch of game environment items between -2 to 10-8,
Be able to check quickly.

Next, on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10 displayed on the game device 10-1, the operator selects the E16 TRANSM
Select IT. Then, the game environment items of the game device 10-1 are automatically transmitted to the game devices 10-2 to 10-8. Then, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the game devices 10-2 to 10-8. In this case, when the transmission of the game environment item is successful, G1 to G15 in FIG.
Are displayed in yellow. on the other hand,
If it fails, the red part will be mixed. Therefore, the operator can immediately and surely recognize whether or not the game environment item is successful only by checking whether or not there is a red display portion on the confirmation screen in FIG. That is, it is possible to save the trouble of checking the game environment items one by one for all the confirmation screens displayed on the game devices 10-2 to 10-8 in FIG. As a result, the task of setting and confirming the game environment items can be significantly reduced in labor.

In the present embodiment, the following method is also employed for improving the efficiency of setting the game environment items.

For example, when the transmitting game apparatus is displaying the first confirmation screen shown in FIG.
When NEXT PAGE is selected, a second confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. That is, the page of the confirmation screen is switched from the first to the second.

In FIG. 13, a confirmation screen for the operator's customization information regarding the race performed in the event mode is displayed. That is, in the game condition setting screen of FIG.
When the operator turns on the event mode of C5, the tournament number (see H1 in FIG. 13), the type of race (see H2), and the length of the course (H3)
), And a race name (see H4) can be input. Therefore, the operator inputs the tournament number, race type, course length, and race name desired by the operator. And
By holding a facility-specific event (race tournament),
Attract many players and diversify the operation of amusement facilities.

Inputting such customizing information (particularly inputting a race name) is a very time-consuming operation.
According to the present embodiment, if the customizing information is input on the transmitting game device, the customizing information can be automatically transmitted to the receiving game device as a game environment item. Therefore, the input operation of the customization information can be made much more efficient.

In this embodiment, when the transmitting game device switches from the first confirmation screen shown in FIG. 10 to the second confirmation screen shown in FIG. 13, the receiving game device also switches to the second confirmation screen shown in FIG. From the third confirmation screen shown in FIG.
Is switched to the confirmation screen. At this time, I1 and I2 in FIG.
As shown in (1), game environment items (customization information) different from the game device on the transmission side are displayed in red.
Therefore, even on the confirmation screen after the page is switched, the operator can immediately and surely confirm different game environment items on the transmission side and the reception side.

On the other hand, after the game environment item is transmitted from the transmission side to the reception side game device, when the transmission side game device switches from the first confirmation screen in FIG. 10 to the second confirmation screen in FIG. The game device on the side switches from the third confirmation screen in FIG. 12 to the fourth confirmation screen in FIG. In this case, in FIG. 15, all game environment items are displayed in yellow. Therefore, the player can easily confirm that the transmission of the game environment item has succeeded.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the game device on the transmitting side switches from the first confirmation screen to the second confirmation screen, the game device on the receiving side also interlocks with the first confirmation screen. From the third confirmation screen corresponding to the confirmation screen
Is switched to the fourth confirmation screen corresponding to the confirmation screen of (4). As a result, the setting work of the game environment items by the operator can be made more efficient.

In the present embodiment, the first group in which its own game environment item is set based on the game environment item from the transmitting side, and its own game environment item based on the game environment item from the transmitting side are set. A plurality of game devices can be grouped into a second group that is not used.

For example, in FIG.
For -1, 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4, the game environment items are set by the all-seat setup (for example, the game environment item of the game device 10-1 is set to the game device 10-1).
-2, 10-3, and 10-4). On the other hand, the game devices 10-5, 10-6, 1 in which the player is currently playing the game.
In 0-7 and 10-8, the setting of the game environment item by the all seat setup is not performed.

That is, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-323043, the setting of the game environment item is forcibly performed for all the game devices. Therefore, if there is a game device in which the player is playing a game, the game environment item must be set after the player has finished playing the game. For this reason, the time period in which the setting operation of the game environment item is possible is limited, for example, before opening or after closing the amusement facility,
Efficient operation of amusement facilities cannot be realized.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (A), when the game devices 10-5 to 10-8 are playing a game, all of the game devices 10-1 to 10-4 are all required without waiting for the end of the game play. Game environment items can be set by seat setup. Therefore, efficient operation of the amusement facility can be achieved.

In the present embodiment, game devices for which the operator is inputting game environment items are also grouped as the second group. For example, in FIG. 16B, the game devices 10-5 to 10-8 for which the operator is currently inputting game environment items are grouped into a second group, and are set from the game environment item setting targets by the all-seat setup. Excluded. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent a problem that the setting of the game environment item by the all-seat setup and the setting of the game environment item individually input by the operator conflict with each other and cause a malfunction of the game system. .

In this embodiment, the first group in which the first game environment item is set by the all-seat setup, and the second group in which the game environment item different from the second group is set by the all-seat setup. It is also possible to divide a plurality of game devices into groups.

For example, in FIG. 17, a first game environment item is set by the all-seat setup for the game devices 10-1 to 10-4 used for the event. On the other hand, for the game devices 10-5 to 10-8 used for normal game play, the second game environment item is set by the all-seat setup.

For example, game devices 10-1 to 10-1 for an event
In 0-4, free play is turned on, game play is free, and event mode is turned on, so that the player can play a race customized by the operator.

On the other hand, a game device 1 for normal game play
In 0-5 to 10-8, free play is turned off, game play is charged, and a player can play a race set by default (a race prepared by the manufacturer).

Alternatively, the game device 10 of the first group
In the case of -1 to 10-4, the difficulty level, which is a game environment item, is set to "difficult", while the game device 1 of the second group is set.
In the case of 0-5 to 10-8, the difficulty level may be set to "easy". This makes it possible to deal with both advanced players who prefer games with a high degree of difficulty and beginners who prefer games with a low degree of difficulty.

For example, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-323043, the setting of the game environment item is compulsorily performed for all the game devices. Therefore, when the game environment items are set by the all-seat setup, the settings of all the game devices become the same. Therefore, when using the all seat setup,
Grouping as shown in FIG. 17 cannot be realized. That is, in the case of realizing the grouping as shown in FIG. 17, the operator must individually set the game environment item for each one game device, and the game environment items by the operator are eventually set. The setting work becomes very complicated.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the game devices 10-1 to 10-4 of the first group are provided.
, A first game environment item is set using an all-seat setup, and a second group of game devices 10-5 to 10-8 are similarly set using an all-seat setup. Grouping such as setting game environment items becomes possible. Therefore, without complicating the operation of setting the game environment items by the operator, both a game device for an event and a game device for normal game play can be prepared, and a game device for an advanced player and a game device for a beginner can be prepared. It becomes possible to prepare both. This enables flexible operation of the amusement facility.

3. Processing Example Next, a detailed processing example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the game machine on the transmitting side (master).

First, it is determined whether or not the operator has turned on the test switch (step S1). Then, when the test switch is turned on, a menu screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed and an input from the operator is accepted (steps S2 and S3).

Then, it is determined whether or not the operator has selected OTHERS on the menu screen of FIG. 6 (step S).
4) If another command is selected, another mode (for example, game charge setting mode, game condition setting mode, etc.)
(Step S5).

On the other hand, when the operator selects OTHERS, an other screen is displayed as shown in FIG. Then, on this others screen, the operator
It is determined whether or not EATSETUP has been selected (step S6). If another command has been selected, a transition is made to another mode (for example, a test mode of the main board) (step S7).

On the other hand, if the operator sets ALLSEATSET
If UP is selected, a game environment item confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed, and the all-seat setup flag is turned on (step S8). As shown in FIG. 21, the all-seat setup flag is a flag included in a group of state determination flags in a packet transmitted and received between game devices. That is, in this embodiment, a packet (communication information) as shown in FIG. 21 is transmitted and received between all the game devices every frame. Then, all the game devices can determine the status of each of the other game devices in each frame by checking the content of the status determination flag in this packet.

The game environment item confirmation screen shown in FIG.
Is displayed, a determination is made as to which command the operator has selected (step S9). Then, for example, when NEXT PAGE shown at E17 in FIG. 10 is selected, a next page confirmation screen (second confirmation screen) as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, and the page change flag is turned on (step S17). S10). This page change flag is also included in the packet of FIG. 21 and transmitted to another game device.

On the other hand, when the operator selects TRANSMIT shown at E16 in FIG. 10, the game environment item transmission flag is turned on (step S11). This game environment item transmission flag is also included in the packet of FIG.
It will be transmitted to another game device.

When the operator selects EXIT shown at E18 in FIG. 10, the process ends.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are flowcharts showing a processing example of the game machine on the receiving side (slave).

First, it is determined whether or not the operator has turned on the test switch (step U1). When the test switch is turned on, a menu screen as shown in FIG.
The mode shifts to the mode according to the input by the operator (steps U2, U3, U4).

At this time, the game device on the receiving side constantly monitors the state determination flag group in the packet shown in FIG.
Then, as shown in step S8 in FIG. 18, when the transmitting-side game device turns on the all-seat setup flag, it determines this (step U5). When the all-seat setup flag is on, it is determined whether or not the menu screen is displayed on the game device on the receiving side (self) (step U6). If the menu screen is displayed, the process shifts to the receive mode in which the game environment items are set by the all-seat setup (step U7).

By doing so, FIG. 16A,
(B), grouping as described with reference to FIG. 17 becomes possible. That is, when the player is playing a game in the game device of interest, the test mode switch should not be turned on in that game device. Therefore, the game device cannot shift to the receive mode. When the operator is inputting a game environment item in the game device of interest, the menu screen should not be displayed in the game device. Therefore, the game device cannot shift to the receive mode. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the setting of the game environment item by the all-seat setup is not performed for the game device during the game play or the game environment item input. Become.

Note that the grouping as shown in FIG. 17 can also be realized as follows. That is, when setting the first game environment item by the all seat setup,
The test switches of the game devices 10-1 to 10-4 are turned on while the test switches of the game devices 10-5 to 10-8 are turned off. When the second game environment item is set by the all-seat setup, the game device 1
While the test switches 0-5 to 10-8 are turned on, the test switches of the game devices 10-1 to 10-4 may be turned off.

When the game device shifts to the receive mode in step U7 of FIG. 19, acceptance of the input of the operator by the game device is prohibited (step U8). Thereby, it is possible to prevent a situation where mutually inconsistent game environment items are set twice.

Next, a process of displaying a game environment item confirmation screen on the receiving-side game device is performed (step U9 in FIG. 20). First, it is determined whether or not the page change flag included in the packet of FIG. 21 is turned on (step U10). If it is turned on, a process of setting the confirmation screen to be displayed to the next page is performed. (Step U1
1). That is, when the page change flag is turned on in step S10 of FIG. 18, the page of the confirmation screen of the game device on the receiving side is switched. That is, when the confirmation screen of the game device on the transmitting side is switched from, for example, FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, the confirmation screen of the game device on the receiving side is also switched from, for example, FIG. 11 to FIG.

Next, it is determined whether or not the game environment item transmission flag included in the packet of FIG. 21 is turned on (step U12). The environment item is read and set as its own game environment item (step U13). That is, when the game environment item transmission flag is turned on in step S11 of FIG. 18, the receiving game device reads the game environment item of the transmitting game device. More specifically,
The game environment item of the transmitting game device is included in the packet as shown in FIG. 21, and the receiving game device can read the game environment item of the transmitting game device from the packet. become. In the present embodiment, all game devices always write the current state of their game environment items in the packet.
Therefore, all game devices can always know the state of the game environment items of all other game devices by checking the contents of the packet.

Next, it is determined whether or not the game environment item of the game device on the transmitting side matches the game environment item of its own (step U14). If they match, the game environment items are displayed in yellow, and if they do not match, they are displayed in red (steps U15 and U16).
As a result, color classification as described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 becomes possible.

Next, it is determined whether or not the display of all game environment items has been completed (step U17). If not completed, the process returns to step U14, and if completed, the process returns to step U10.

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

For example, in the invention according to the dependent claims of the present invention, a configuration in which some of the constituent elements of the dependent claims are omitted may be adopted. In addition, a main part of the invention according to one independent claim of the present invention may be made dependent on another independent claim.

The configuration of the game system of the present invention is particularly preferably the one described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5A, 5B, and 5C, but is not limited thereto.

The multiplayer game environment items of the present invention are particularly preferably those described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 10, but are not limited thereto.

The identification information to be added to the multi-player game environment item is particularly desirably the one described in the present invention, but various equivalent identification information can be considered.

In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which a plurality of game devices are grouped into two groups. However, a case in which the game devices are grouped into three or more groups is also included in the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be applied not only to horse racing games but also to various games (competition games, sports games, fighting games, battle games, role playing games, shooting games, quiz games, etc.).

The present invention can be applied to various game systems such as a simulator and a large attraction device in which many players participate.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the present embodiment is applied to an arcade game system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game image generated by the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection mode of a game device.

FIG. 4 is an example of a block diagram of a game device.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams showing another example of the connection form of the game device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a game fee setting screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a game condition setting screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an other screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game environment item confirmation screen displayed on the transmitting game device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game environment item confirmation screen displayed on a receiving-side game device before transmission of the game environment item.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game environment item confirmation screen displayed on the receiving game device after the transmission of the game environment item.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of a next page of a game environment item displayed on the transmitting game device.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of a next page of the game environment item displayed on the receiving game device before the transmission of the game environment item.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen for the next page of the game environment item displayed on the receiving game device after the transmission of the game environment item.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams for describing an example of grouping of game devices.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing another example of grouping of game devices.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing example of a game device on the transmission side.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing example of the game device on the receiving side.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing example of the game device on the receiving side.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a packet transmitted and received between game devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10-1 to 10-8 Game device 12-1 to 12-4 Repeater 100 Processing unit 110 Game calculation unit 112 Game environment setting unit 114 Transmission processing unit 116 Reception processing unit 118 Identification information addition unit 120 Confirmation screen switching unit 122 Grouping Unit 130 Operation unit 132 Player operation unit 134 Coin insertion unit 136 Operator operation unit 140 Storage unit 140 Information storage medium 160 Image generation unit 162 Display unit 170 Sound generation unit 172 Sound output unit 174 Communication unit 175 Buffer memory 176 I / F unit 180 memory card

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A game system in which a plurality of players play a multiplayer game using a plurality of game devices, wherein each multiplayer game environment item in each game device among the plurality of game devices is Means for setting, and setting a receiving multiplayer game environment item on the receiving game device based on a transmitting multiplayer game environment item set on the transmitting game device among the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item to the reception-side game device; and at least a match or mismatch between the reception-side multiplayer game environment item and the transmitted transmission-side multiplayer game environment item. One of the identification information for the operator to identify, the receiving multi-player game environment item And a means for outputting by adding to the game system. 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is added to each of the receiving-side multiplayer game environment items. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the identification information has a first color when the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item and the reception-side multiplayer game environment item match, and does not match. In a case, the game information is color information that becomes a second color. 4. A game system for a plurality of players to play a multiplayer game using a plurality of game devices, wherein each of the multiplayer game environment items in each of the plurality of game devices is Means for setting, and setting a receiving multiplayer game environment item on the receiving game device based on a transmitting multiplayer game environment item set on the transmitting game device among the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item to the reception-side game device; and a transmission-side multiplayer game environment item confirmation screen displayed on the transmission-side game device, comprising: a first confirmation screen Is switched to the second confirmation screen, the reception-side multi-player displayed on the reception-side game device. Means for switching a confirmation screen of the player game environment item from a third confirmation screen corresponding to the first confirmation screen to a fourth confirmation screen corresponding to the second confirmation screen. system. 5. The identification information for allowing an operator to identify at least one of a match and a mismatch between the reception-side multiplayer game environment item and the transmitted transmission-side multiplayer game environment item according to claim 4, A game system comprising means for adding and outputting to the receiving-side multi-player game environment item. 6. A game system in which a plurality of players play a multiplayer game using a plurality of game devices, wherein each of the plurality of game devices has a multiplayer game environment item. Means for setting, and setting a receiving multiplayer game environment item on the receiving game device based on a transmitting multiplayer game environment item set on the transmitting game device among the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item to the reception-side game device; and transmitting the plurality of game devices based on the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item transmitted from the transmission-side game device. First where the multiplayer game environment items are set
And the own multiplayer game environment item is not set based on the transmission side multiplayer game environment item transmitted from the transmission side game device, or a multiplayer game environment item different from the first group is set. Means for grouping into a second group. 7. The game according to claim 6, wherein a game device in which a player is playing a game or a game device in which an operator is inputting a multi-player game environment item is grouped into the second group. system. 8. An information storage medium which is readable by a computer and is used in a game system in which a plurality of players play a multi-player game using a plurality of game apparatuses, wherein the plurality of games are provided. Means for setting each multi-player game environment item in each game device in the device; and a receiving side based on a transmission-side multi-player game environment item set in a transmission-side game device among the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmitting multiplayer game environment item to the receiving game device to set a receiving multiplayer game environment item on the game device; and transmitting the receiving multiplayer game environment item to the receiving multiplayer game environment item. At least one of a match and a mismatch with the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item is Means for adding identification information for identifying the data to the receiving-side multiplayer game environment item and outputting the information, and information for realizing the following. 9. The information storage medium according to claim 8, wherein the identification information is added to each of the receiving-side multiplayer game environment items. 10. The system according to claim 8, wherein the identification information has a first color when the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item and the reception-side multiplayer game environment item match, and does not match. An information storage medium, which is color information that becomes a second color in such a case. 11. An information storage medium that is readable by a computer and is used in a game system for playing a multiplayer game by a plurality of players using a plurality of game devices, wherein the plurality of games Means for setting each multi-player game environment item in each game device in the device; and a receiving side based on a transmission-side multi-player game environment item set in a transmission-side game device among the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item to the reception-side game device to set a reception-side multiplayer game environment item on the game device; and the transmission displayed on the transmission-side game device. The confirmation screen for the multi-player game environment item switches from the first confirmation screen to the second confirmation screen In this case, the confirmation screen of the receiving-side multiplayer game environment item displayed on the receiving-side game device is changed from the third confirmation screen corresponding to the first confirmation screen to the second confirmation screen. Means for switching to a fourth confirmation screen, and information for realizing the following. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein identification information for an operator to identify at least one of a match and a mismatch between the reception-side multiplayer game environment item and the transmitted transmission-side multiplayer game environment item, An information storage medium including information for realizing means for adding and outputting to the receiving-side multiplayer game environment item. 13. An information storage medium which is readable by a computer and is used in a game system in which a plurality of players play a multi-player game using a plurality of game apparatuses, wherein the plurality of games are provided. Means for setting each multi-player game environment item in each game device in the device; and a receiving side based on a transmission-side multi-player game environment item set in a transmission-side game device among the plurality of game devices. Means for transmitting the transmission-side multiplayer game environment item to the reception-side game device in order to set a reception-side multiplayer game environment item on the game device; and transmitting the plurality of game devices to the transmission-side game device. The own multiplayer game environment based on the transmitting multiplayer game environment item transmitted from the device. The first item is set
And the own multiplayer game environment item is not set based on the transmission side multiplayer game environment item transmitted from the transmission side game device, or a multiplayer game environment item different from the first group is set. Means for grouping the information into a second group, and information for realizing the following. 14. The information according to claim 13, wherein a game device in which a player is playing a game or a game device in which an operator is inputting a multi-player game environment item is grouped into the second group. Storage medium.