JP2002273050A - Game device, game control method, recording medium and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game equipment that helps a player be aware of game execution time, and prevent continuation of a game for unexpectedly many hours. SOLUTION: The game equipment has a game time setting means (S4, S15) which sets the play time of a game and the remaining play time of the game on the basis of this setting means is measured at a time measuring part before an event execution (S6-S7) or during a game data saving (S10-S11). The remaining play time of the game during the execution thus measured is automatically displayed on at least a part of a game screen. Further, when remaining play time becomes a full period, the remaining time is also displayed (S19-S7).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device and a game control method for advancing a game according to a game program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, RPG (Role Playing Game) has been known as one of game genres in video games. In the RPG, a character manipulated by a player (hereinafter, referred to as "own character") encounters or breaks up with a fellow character, and experiences a battle with an opposing character (hereinafter, referred to as "enemy character"). Grow by doing.

[0003] Further, the player competes for hegemony in the virtual world provided by the game through his own character, and unravels the mysteries and secrets of the world. Thus, RPG
Generally indicates a game that has a growth factor of the player character and has a narrative character.

[0004] In the RPG, the player character often battles with an enemy character in accordance with a predetermined rule, and grows in stages by gaining battle experience. As a game in which a battle between the player character and the enemy character is performed in accordance with a predetermined rule as described above, in addition to the RPG, a simulation game (hereinafter referred to as S
There are various genres such as LG (Simulation Game) and adventure games (hereinafter, ADG; Adventure Game).

[0005] In these games, specific events are prepared as the game progresses, and in many cases, game play cannot be effectively interrupted during the event period. In addition, when playing a network game with another game machine via the Internet, a communication fee is accumulated during the game.

[0006] Further, spectacle type display devices have also appeared, and it has been found that such devices should not be used for a long time from the viewpoint of eye protection. For this reason, it is necessary to grasp the execution time of the game and to avoid running the continuous game for a longer time than expected.

[0007]

However, once the game is started, the player forgets the execution time of the game and is absorbed in the game, staring at the screen continuously for a long time, causing eyestrain, or In the case of playing a game with another game machine via a network, a communication fee is increased.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and solves the above-mentioned problems, and determines the relationship between a game scheduled time scheduled by a player in advance and an actual game time during a game. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game device and a game control method capable of accurately recognizing a game device. For example, the following configuration is provided as a means for achieving the object.

That is, a game time setting means for setting a play time of a game to be executed, and a calculating means for automatically calculating a remaining play time of the running game based on the play time of the game set by the game time setting means. Display means for automatically displaying, at a predetermined timing, the remaining play time of the running game automatically calculated by the calculation means on at least a part of the game screen being played.

[0010] For example, the display means automatically displays the remaining play time of the running game automatically calculated by the calculation means at the time of saving the execution state of the running game.

[0011] For example, the display means is a game which is being executed automatically calculated by the calculation means at a timing prior to the start of processing in which the progress processing of the game being executed is restricted by the game progress operation for a predetermined time. The remaining play time is automatically displayed.

Further, for example, the display means may display a remaining time of the running game automatically calculated by the calculating means at a timing when a remaining play time of the running game automatically calculated by the calculating means becomes a predetermined break time. The play time is automatically displayed.

[0013] For example, the game time setting means includes:
At the start of the execution of the game, a play time of a game to be executed is set. Alternatively, the game time setting means can set a play time of a game to be executed later during the execution of the game.

The play time of the game to be executed can be set, and the remaining play time of the running game is automatically calculated based on the set play time of the game, and the remaining time of the automatically calculated running game is calculated. There is provided a means for automatically displaying a play time on at least a part of a game screen being played at a predetermined timing.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description describes an example in which the present invention is applied to a home game device,
A specific game will be described using RPG as an example. However, the game is not limited to RPG,
The present invention can be applied to a game that may be executed in real time with another game machine, such as a table game.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game device 1 is roughly divided into a game device main body 2 having a main function of the game device 1,
An input device (for example, including a keypad and a controller) 3 for inputting an operation instruction to the game device main body 2 and a memory card 5 for storing game data such as game progress data and game environment setting data
And an output device (e.g., a display screen 61 for displaying a game scene or the like and a speaker 62 for outputting a sound signal) based on a video signal or an audio signal from the game device main body 2. 6).

The game apparatus body 2 has a CD-ROM for storing programs, image data, sound data, and the like for realizing processing relating to the game described later.
(Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 4 is mounted.

The game apparatus body 2 has a CPU (Central Pr
ocessing Unit; ROM (Read)
Main control unit 11 incorporating Only Memory (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, Interface unit 13, Sound processing unit 14, Graphic processing unit 15, CD-RO
CD-R with M4 removably mounted to access contents
An OM drive 16, a communication interface 17 for performing data communication with another game machine via a communication medium (network) 100, a hard disk drive (HDD) 18, a clock unit 19, A bus 20 is provided for interconnecting the cables.

The RAM 12 is a main storage device used by the CPU of the main control unit 11 to execute a program.
A program to be executed by the CPU and data necessary for the execution are stored. The RAM 12 is also used as a work area when executing a program.

The interface section 13 is configured so that the input device 3 and the memory card 5 can be detachably connected. The interface unit 13 controls data transfer between each unit (mainly the main control unit 11) connected to the bus 19 and the input device 3 or the memory card 5.

[0021] The sound processing unit 14 is provided with a BGM (Bac
This is a circuit that performs processing for playing back audio data such as (k Ground Music) and sound effects. This sound processing unit 14
Generates an audio signal based on the data stored in the RAM 12 according to a command from the main control unit 11, and supplies the audio signal to the output device 6.

The graphic processing unit 15 includes a frame buffer (not shown), and draws an image according to a command from the main control unit 11 on the frame buffer. Further, the graphic processing unit 15 generates a video signal by adding a predetermined synchronization signal to the image data drawn in the frame buffer, and supplies the video signal to the output device 6.

The CD-ROM drive 16 is a reading device for reading data stored on a CD-ROM 4 as a recording medium. The game device 1 includes a game device main body 2
By executing the control according to the game program recorded in the D-ROM 4, the control regarding the game described later is realized.

The communication interface 17 controls various data exchanges with other communicable devices connected to the network 100, for example, other game devices, and communication control when performing a linked game. For example, the communication interface 17
Controls transmission and reception of information (programs and data) between the game apparatus body 2 and the communication network 100. Game programs and data downloaded from the external communication network 100 via the communication interface 17 and the communication line 99 can be stored in the HDD 18.

The HDD 18 is an auxiliary storage device used by the CPU of the main control unit 11 to execute a program. The HDD 18 can store various data and programs, such as information downloaded using the communication interface 17 and information read from the CD-ROM 4.

The clock section 19 receives via the bus 20 a clock signal generated based on a timing signal output every predetermined period from an oscillator incorporated in the main control section 11, and a counter incorporating the received clock signal. The time is measured by counting according to.

The timekeeping section 19 is configured so that the time can be set by the main control section 11, and the elapsed time with respect to the time set by the main control section 11 (the progress time up to the present with respect to the set time, or the setting time). The time until the time is reached is configured to be output.

As described above, the CD-ROM 4 stores programs for implementing processing relating to the game, image data, sound data, and the like. The game program includes a program that causes the game device 1 to execute the method according to the present embodiment. CD-RO
The game software stored in M4 is a CD-ROM
The drive 16 is activated and read, and the main control unit 11 is operated according to the read program.

This game software is preinstalled on the HDD 18. In accordance with a command from the main control unit 11, an audio signal is generated based on the data stored in the RAM 12 and supplied to the output device 6. The game device 1 can also store the game software in the HDD 18.

The graphic processing unit 15 has a frame buffer (not shown), and draws a game image on the frame buffer under the control of the main control unit 11. Further, the graphic processing unit 15 generates a video signal by adding a predetermined synchronization signal to the image data drawn in the frame buffer, and supplies the video signal to the output device 6.

The input device 3 includes a controller operated by a player to input various instructions relating to the game to the game device main body 2. The input device 3
A command signal corresponding to the operation is sent to the game apparatus main body 2 via the interface unit 13.

In this embodiment, a game progress instruction input is performed by the controller, and an example in which the input is performed by the controller 30 as the input device 3 will be described below. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a controller as the input device 3 in the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the input device of the present embodiment. FIG.
(B) shows the back surface. In FIG. 2, a controller 30 has a cross key 3 for inputting movement information and the like.
1 and operation keys for inputting various instructions to the game apparatus main body 2 (for example, a button 32, a button 33,
□ button 34, × button 35, start button 36, select button 42) are provided. The controller 30 is also provided with a joystick 37 for inputting movement information. As shown in FIG. 2B, a plurality of operation keys (R1
Buttons 38, an R2 button 39, an L1 button 40, and an L2 button 41).

All the operation keys except the start button 36 and the select button 42 are of a pressure-sensitive type. Further, the controller 30 has a vibration (vibration) function. In other words, the controller 30 has a built-in motor, and operates by receiving a predetermined control signal from the game apparatus main body 2.
Can be vibrated as a whole.
Thereby, the vibration can be transmitted to the player holding the controller 30. The game device main body 2 can also adjust the strength of vibration, and has three levels of vibration strength of “strong”, “medium”, and “weak”. Controller 3
The vibration of 0 is intermittent, and it is also possible to control so that vibration having any strength is generated randomly.

The memory card 5 is an auxiliary storage device composed of a flash memory and controlled by the game device main body 2 to store game data. Memory card 5
The main controller 11 controls writing of data into the memory card and reading of data from the memory card 5 via the interface unit 13.

The output device 6 displays a game image based on a video signal and a sound signal from the game device main body 2 and outputs sound. In the present embodiment, for example, a monitor device with a built-in speaker (or a home television receiver (TV) set) can be used as the output device 6. Alternatively, it is possible to use a pseudo large screen experience type output device such as a glasstron, in which a small speaker is disposed on a vine portion of a spectacle type such as glasses and a small liquid crystal screen is disposed on a spectacle portion. .

The output device 6 displays an image on the display screen 61 in response to the video signal from the graphic processing unit 15, and outputs sound from the speaker 62 in response to the sound signal from the sound processing unit 14. Therefore,
The output device 6 functions as both a display device and an audio output device.

The main control section 11 is based on the basic software stored in the built-in ROM and the game software read from the CD-ROM 4 by the CD-ROM drive 16 and stored in the RAM 12, based on the game software.
Control the operation of. For example, the CPU 12 executes a CD-RO
The graphic data is read from M4, transferred to the graphic processing unit 15, and the graphic processing unit 15 is instructed to generate an image. In response to this instruction, the graphic processing unit 15 generates a video signal using the graphic data. This video signal is sent to the output device 6. Thereby, an image is displayed on the display screen of the output device 6.

The game device of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is also configured to be able to communicate with another game device via the network 100. A network game capable of participating in one game is configured. In this case, the game program is a CD
-It is configured not only to read from the ROM 4 but also to download from another communication device (server device) connected to the network.

The configuration of a network game system when a network game is executed using the above functions will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a network game system for providing a network-compatible game service according to the present embodiment.

In the network game system according to the present embodiment, a game device 1 having the configuration shown in FIG.
a, 1b, 1c, 1d are connected to a server group 102 via a network system via a communication medium, for example, the Internet 100. It should be noted that the number of connected game devices is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3, and the number of connected game devices is not limited in accordance with the content of the game. Of course, it can be done.

The server group 102 provides, for example, an authentication server group 111 for performing account management for user authentication, an interface between the game apparatus 1 and another server group, and a content browsing service such as audio and video. Server group 112 for providing a chat or messenger environment, and mail server group 1 for providing an e-mail service
14, a profile server group 115 for managing a user's profile, a game server group 116 for providing a game environment, and the like. These server groups 111 to 116 are mutually connected via a LAN 117. The configuration of this server group is not limited to the above example.
Further, the assignment may be further divided.

The game server group 116 includes a lobby server for executing the game according to the present embodiment. When the game device 1 is connected to the lobby server, a screen representing a virtual “lobby” is displayed on the display device 6. On this lobby screen, the player's own character and the characters of other players connected to the lobby server are displayed. Players can chat, thereby interacting with other players and searching for a partner to play the game with.

In this embodiment, a message selected by the player from predetermined candidates can be continuously displayed near the player character, in addition to a chat message that displays character information input by the player in real time. .

Next, the CPU of the main control unit 11
RAM 1 which is read from ROM 4 and is a main memory
2 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the storage contents and storage area of the CD-ROM 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CD-ROM 4 has a program storage area 4a for storing a game program executed by the main control section 11, a related data storage area 4b for storing data necessary for the progress of various games, and a tertiary data storage area. An image data storage area 4c for storing modeling data of the original model and two-dimensional image data used as a background, and a sound data storage area 4 for storing sound data such as sound effects.
d, an icon data storage area 4e for storing icon information unique to the game, such as characters appearing in the game.

In this embodiment, this C
Of the data stored in each storage area of the D-ROM 4, some data necessary for the progress of the game in a certain stage is loaded into the RAM 12, and the game is advanced based on the data loaded into the RAM 12. You.

If the next data is necessary for the progress of the game, the next data necessary for the progress of the game among the data stored in each storage area of the CD-ROM 4 at that time is stored in the RAM 12. Will be loaded.

When a network game is being executed, the game progress control is based on the control of the game server group 116 in the server group 102 from the lobby server for executing the game. Done,
CD-ROM according to the progress control from the lobby server
4 is loaded into the RAM 12 and stored in the RAM 12.
The game is advanced based on the data loaded in.

Next, the main controller 11 controls the CD-ROM 4
And the programs and data read from the RAM 12 and stored in the RAM 12 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory configuration of the RAM 12. As shown in FIG.
Storage area 1 for storing programs to be executed
2a, a related data storage area 12b for storing data necessary for executing various processes, an image data storage area 12c for storing modeling data of a three-dimensional model, image data relating to two-dimensional image data used as a background, and the like, a sound effect. And a sound data storage area 12d for storing sound data.

The game control in the game apparatus according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the game control of the present embodiment. This processing is performed by the game device main body 2 executing the game program stored in the CD-ROM 4.

In FIG. 6, first, in step S1, a CD-ROM 4 on which a game program is recorded is set in the game apparatus main body 2. Thereby, step S2
The necessary programs are read out from the CD-ROM 4 and stored in the RAM 12, and basic processing including display of an initial screen (such as a maker logo), check of the memory card 5, display of a title screen, data loading, and the like are performed. Will be

Subsequently, in step S3, the game to be executed is selected on the game selection screen displayed at the time when the basic processing is completed. When a game is selected, the process proceeds to step S4, and a game execution time setting screen to be executed is displayed. FIG. 7 shows an example of the game execution time setting screen. FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an example of a game execution time setting screen according to the present embodiment.

For this reason, the player refers to the game execution time setting screen and sets and inputs the scheduled execution time of the game to be executed. When the confirmation input is made in accordance with the confirmation display shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, the set game execution time becomes valid, the set time is set in the timer 19, and thereafter the timer 1
Reference numeral 9 starts timing, and can output the remaining executable game time corresponding to the execution time of the game executed thereafter.

When the setting of the game execution time is completed, the process proceeds to step S5, and the selected game is executed. In step S6, when the game is executed as it is, if the game proceeds as it is, it is determined whether the timing of the progress of the game being executed has reached a timing prior to the start of the process restricted by the progress operation of the game for a predetermined time, that is, until the game is cleared. It is determined whether it is time to start an event requiring a long game operation.

If it is time to start an event that requires a long game operation before clearing, the flow advances to step S7 to read remaining executable game time information from the timer unit 19 and to execute a part of the game screen. Is displayed as "remaining play time". The remaining play time is "x
If it is x hours and yy minutes, for example, it is displayed as “remaining play time xx: yy” in a rectangular double frame. Then, the process returns to step S5.

If the player sees this display and determines that there is not enough time left to clear the event, the player may operate to prevent the game scenario from proceeding, avoid event execution, and acquire experience. Game operation, such as executing only the necessary operation, and the game can be ended in the initial set game time.

On the other hand, if it is not time to start an event requiring a long game operation before clearing in step S6, the process proceeds to step S10, and the game is automatically operated by operating the controller 30 or the like or as the game progresses. It is determined whether it is time to save the progress information.

If it is determined in step S10 that it is time to save the game progress information, the process proceeds to step S11, and the timer 19 is executed in the same manner as in step S7.
The remaining game time information that can be executed is read out and displayed as “remaining play time” on a part of the game screen. Then, in the subsequent step S12, the game information being executed is saved in, for example, the memory card 5, so that even if the game is interrupted, the game can be started from the time of saving. Then, the process returns to step S5 to execute the game.

If the player confirms the remaining game execution time and decides to end the game here,
By giving an instruction to end the game at the end of the save, the game can be ended.

In the above description, an example has been described in which the remaining game execution time display and save are controlled by a bell. However, the present invention is not limited to the above example. The execution time may be displayed. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the remaining game execution time is simultaneously displayed on a part of the save screen on the save screen. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a screen display example when the remaining game execution time is simultaneously displayed on the save screen according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, since the remaining game execution time can be displayed together with the display indicating that the game is being saved, the player can easily check the remaining game execution time.

On the other hand, if it is not the time to save the game progress information in step S10, the flow advances to step S14 to check whether or not the controller 30 has requested the display of the system screen. If the controller 30 has requested the display of the system screen, the process proceeds to step S15 to display the system screen.

FIG. 9 shows a display example of the system screen.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an example of a system screen according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to re-enter the play time together with various status displays and instruction input displays.
Here, when the play time is re-entered and confirmed, the game time previously set in step S4 can be updated.

When an instruction input according to the display of the system screen is performed in step S15, the process proceeds to step S16, and it is determined whether the instruction input is a game time reset input. If it is a reset input, the process proceeds to step S17, the reset time is set in the timer, and the process returns to step S5. In the system screen shown in FIG. 9, what is displayed as the play time before the input is the remaining play time at the present time,
By checking this time, it can be determined whether or not to reset the play time.

On the other hand, if the input in step S17 is not the game time reset input, step S1 is executed.
Proceeding to step S8, a process corresponding to the instruction input is executed. Then, the process returns to step S5 as necessary, and the game is executed.

On the other hand, in step S14, the controller 30
If the request for displaying the system screen has not been made, the process proceeds to step S19, and it is determined whether or not the remaining game time has reached the break time. The break time is a so-called good time, for example, every 15 minutes or every 30 minutes, 15 minutes before the game ends, 10 minutes before, 5 minutes before the game, and 0 minutes at the end of the game. If the remaining game time is not the break time, the process returns to step S5 to continue the game.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the remaining game time is the delimiter time, the process proceeds to step S7, in which the remaining executable game time information is read from the timer unit 19, and the "remaining play time" is displayed on a part of the game screen. Display as If the remaining play time is 0 minutes and the set game time has ended, for example, the end of the play time shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on a part of the game screen for a predetermined time.

In the present embodiment, when the set game time has ended, for example, when the game is in a battle or when an event is being executed, the end of the game time is immediately displayed. Instead of displaying the game time end after the battle or event ends.
Thus, it is possible to minimize the game time display from hindering the progress of the game.

In this embodiment, even if the set time has elapsed, only the end of the game time is displayed on the game screen, so that the game is not automatically interrupted. Then, even after the end of the game time, the game time can be reset on the system screen in step S15.

Note that step S4 or step S4
In the setting of the game time of 15, the game time is set to “00”.
When "00 minutes" is set and input, the game mode can be shifted to an operation mode for canceling the game time measurement and display control, instead of immediately displaying the end of the game time. Therefore, if it is not desired to display the game time, the game time may be set and input as “00 hours 00 minutes”.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the player can constantly recognize the execution time of the game, and it is possible to prevent the game from continuing for a long time against his or her will. For this reason, for example, even when a network game is executed as a game, it is possible to prevent a communication fee from being charged more than expected, and a planned game can be executed.

Further, it is possible to prevent eyestrain by continuing to watch the display screen for a long time. Even if the game is executed using an eyeglass-type output device, the game can be reliably executed. The time can be recognized, and the user can concentrate on the game with peace of mind.

Further, the game time display can be canceled as required, and the display of the game time does not prevent the player from being able to concentrate on the game when the display is troublesome or unnecessary. Further, even if the remaining game time becomes "0 hours", the game is not interrupted, so that the game can be ended at an optimum timing by the player's intention.

Further, since the game time can be confirmed before executing an event for which a long continuous game is required to be executed, it is possible to prevent the player from being interrupted halfway and feeling frustrated. Also, if the functions of the present embodiment are used, for example, a game machine can be used instead of a clock, and when a user wants to go out or perform another job from a specific time, the user can start broadcasting from a specific time. Even when the user wants to watch the game, he can surely grasp the remaining time while concentrating on the game, and can effectively prevent a situation where he is absorbed in the game and misses the timing.

[Other Embodiments] Although the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments and the modifications thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the modifications thereof. Needless to say, it can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment and its modifications, the case where the present invention is realized using a home game machine as a platform has been described. It may be realized.

In the above-described embodiment and its modifications, programs and data for realizing the present invention are stored on a CD.
-Stored in a ROM, and this CD-ROM was used as an information recording medium. However, the information recording medium is a CD-RO
The storage medium is not limited to M, but may be another magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory that can be read by a computer, such as a magnetic disk or a ROM card.

The programs and data for realizing the present invention are not limited to the form provided by a medium such as a CD-ROM that is detachable from a game machine or a computer. Save data is
Other devices connected via a communication line or the like, for example, may be received from a server group and recorded in a memory, or may be a memory of another device connected via a communication line or the like. Alternatively, the program or data may be recorded on the computer and the program or data may be used via a communication line or the like.

[0079]

As described above, according to the present invention, the player can constantly recognize the execution time of the game,
This prevents the game from continuing for an unexpectedly long time. For this reason, for example, even when a network game is executed as a game, it is possible to prevent a communication fee from being charged more than expected, and a planned game can be executed.

As a result, for example, even when the game is executed using the glasses-type display device, the game execution time can be recognized with certainty, and the user can concentrate on the game with confidence. .

Further, since the game time can be confirmed before executing an event for which a long continuous game is required to be executed, it is possible to prevent the player from being interrupted on the way and feeling frustrated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the input device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a network game system that provides a network-compatible game service according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of a CD-ROM according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a memory configuration of a main memory shown in FIG. 2 of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining game control according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a game execution time setting screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a screen display example when the remaining game execution time is simultaneously displayed on the save screen of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing an example of a system screen according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an example of a screen display when a set game time according to the present embodiment has elapsed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game device 2 Game device main body 3 Input device 4 CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) 5 Memory card 6 Output device 11 Main control part 12 RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 Interface part 14 Sound processing part 15 Graphic processing unit 16 CD-ROM drive 16 17 Communication interface 18 HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 19 Clock unit 20 Bus 30 Controller 31 Four-way controller 32 ○ button 33 △ button 34 □ button 35 × button 36 Start button 37 Joystick 38 R1 button 39 R2 button 40 L1 button 41 L2 button 42 Select button 61 Display screen 62 Speaker 99 Communication line 100 Network (Internet)

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A game time setting means for setting a play time of a game to be executed, and a calculating means for automatically calculating a remaining play time of a running game based on the play time of the game set by the game time setting means. A display device for automatically displaying, at a predetermined timing, the remaining play time of the running game automatically calculated by the calculation unit on at least a part of the game screen being played. 2. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the display unit automatically displays the remaining play time of the running game automatically calculated by the calculation unit at a timing of saving the execution state of the running game. The game device according to 1. 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is configured to calculate a running game automatically calculated by the calculating unit at a timing prior to a start of a process in which a progress process of the running game is restricted by a progress operation of the game for a predetermined time. 3. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining play time is automatically displayed. 4. The remaining play of the running game automatically calculated by the calculating means at a timing when the remaining play time of the running game automatically calculated by the calculating means reaches a predetermined time interval. 4. The game device according to claim 1, wherein a time is automatically displayed. 5. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game time setting means sets a play time of a game to be executed at the time of starting the execution of the game. 6. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game time setting means can set a play time of a game to be executed later during the execution of the game. . 7. A play time of a game to be executed can be set, and the remaining play time of the running game is automatically calculated based on the set play time of the game, and the remaining time of the automatically calculated running game is calculated. A game control method, wherein a play time is automatically displayed at a predetermined timing on at least a part of a game screen being played. 8. The game according to claim 7, wherein the automatic display of the remaining play time of the running game on the game screen is automatically performed at the time of saving the execution state of the running game. Control method. 9. The display of the remaining play time of the running game is performed at a timing prior to the start of the processing in which the progress processing of the running game is restricted by the game progress operation for a predetermined time. The game control method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein 10. The display of the remaining play time of the currently executed game is performed at a timing when the automatically calculated remaining play time of the currently executed game reaches a predetermined time interval. The game control method according to claim 9. 11. The game control method according to claim 7, wherein the setting of the play time of the game to be executed is performed when the execution of the game is started. 12. The play time of the game to be executed can be set even during the execution of the game, and the play time of the game to be executed thereafter is set.
A game control method according to claim 11. 13. A computer program for realizing the function according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 14. A computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program sequence for realizing the functions according to claim 1. Description: