JP2003062324A - Game system and game program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a player from feeling as if brought back to a real world and failing to concentrate on a virtual world of a game when he confirms that a saving memory is connected or not by a letter or an image, or the like, displayed on a display. SOLUTION: When a player character is detected to be in a detection area in a first area, whether or not an external memory is connected to a connector is detected, and when this connection is detected, a second area is generated.

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 more particularly to a game system in which a user plays by performing various events while moving a player character in a virtual world and stores the game data in an external memory. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional game system of this type, a question as to whether game data is to be saved (saved) is displayed on a display, and a user operates a controller to issue a save command. In response, he was saving the game data. At that time, if the external memory for storage was not connected, the explanation such as "Please connect the memory." Was displayed on the display.

[0003]

In the case of a game played while moving a player character in a virtual space, the player enjoys the game by playing as if he / she is in the virtual space. However, when confirming whether or not the memory for storage is connected by the characters or pictures displayed on the display, the player feels that he / she has been pulled back to the real world, and it is difficult to immerse himself in the virtual world of the game. May be.

Since the prior art is not aware of such a problem at all, it goes without saying that a solution to it is also required.
No teaching or suggestion.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a game system capable of confirming the connection status of a memory for storing data without interrupting the game.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game program capable of confirming the connection status of a memory for storing data without interrupting the game.

[0007]

A game system of a first invention (an invention according to claim 1) includes an input section (100) operated by a user, and a player is based on an operation state of the input section. A game system for displaying a virtual world, in which a character (1000) is moved, on a display unit (300), the external memory unit (600,
68), connector means (3) to which external memory means is connected
4), a first area (village data area 40 in FIG. 4) in which the player character can move at the start of the game in the virtual world.
First area generating means (step S2 in FIG. 7) for generating a village as shown in FIG. 9 represented based on the data of No. 2 and the position of the player character is within the detection area of the first area. Whether or not the external memory means is connected to the connector means when the player character position detecting means (step S402 in FIG. 12) for detecting and the character position detecting means detect that the player character is within the detection area When detecting that the external memory unit is connected by the external memory detecting unit (step S404 in FIG. 12) that detects the second area in the virtual world (island data in FIG. 4). (Correct) storage area 404a and island data (secondary) storage area 40
The second area generating means (step S424 in FIG. 14) for generating the island shown in FIG.

A game program according to a second aspect of the present invention (claim 8) includes a connector means (34) to which an external memory (600, 68) is connected and a player character (100).
0) is operated by the user to move (0)
0), which is a game program executed by a game system including a first area generation for generating a first area (a village data area 402 in FIGS. 9 and 4) in which a player character can move at the start of the game. Program (step S2 of FIG. 7), a player character position detection program (step S4 of FIG. 12) for detecting that the position of the player character is within the detection area of the first area.
02), an external memory detection program for detecting whether or not the external memory means is connected to the connector means when the character position detection program detects that the player character is within the detection area (step of FIG. 12). S404) and a second area generation program (step S424 in FIG. 14) for generating a second area in the virtual world when the external memory detection program detects that the external memory means is connected. .

[0009]

According to the first invention (claims 1 to 7),
Rather than displaying characters or pictures indicating the connection status of the external memory on the screen during the game, it is expressed by changing the area in the virtual world in which the player character can move, which impairs the world view of the game. Without the need for the user to focus on the virtual world of the game.

Further, by using the first memory means and the second memory means, the storage location of data can be determined according to the purpose.

Further, by using the first memory means and the second memory means, the second memory means storing the data not stored in the first memory while the first memory means is in use. By connecting to the connector, it becomes possible to play a game using the data regarding the new second area.

Further, by storing the data in the second memory means in the first memory means, even if the data in the second memory is lost, the data can be restored by the first memory means.

According to the second invention (Claim 8), it is possible to provide a program capable of realizing the above-mentioned effects.

The above-mentioned objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the game system of this embodiment includes a portable game machine 100 and a video game machine 200. To the video game 200, the portable game machine 100 is connected by the communication cable 400, and the CRT 300 is connected by the video cable 500.
The DVD medium 30 in which the game program is stored is
It is mounted on the video game machine 200. Further, the memory card 800 in which the game data is stored is attached to the video game machine 200. The game program provides the player with a predetermined game world by being executed by the video game machine 200 and the portable game machine 600. The portable game machine 600 is used as an external memory and as a portable terminal for performing individual processing, and the player performs game operations by reading and writing game data from the portable game machine 600.

The game world (virtual world of the game) is CR
Displayed on T300. An image based on the execution of the program downloaded from the video game machine 200 is displayed on the LCD 70 provided in the portable game machine 600.

The portable game machine 600 and the video game machine 200 are specifically constructed as shown in FIG. The portable game machine 600 is provided with a connector 62, and the video game machine 200 is provided with a plurality of connectors 34.
The connector 62 is a CP via the I / O interface 64.
The connector 34 is connected to the U66, and the connector 34 is connected to the CPU 38 via the I / O interface 36. Connectors 400a and 40 provided at both ends of the communication cable 400
0b is connected to connectors 62 and 34, respectively, which enables communication between CPU 66 and CPU 38.

The DVD drive 32 is also connected to the I / O interface 36 of the video game machine 200. DV
As shown in FIG. 3, the D medium 30 is a video game machine 2
The game program / data for 00 and the game program / data for the portable game machine 600 are stored,
These programs / data are read by the DVD drive 32. In addition, I of video game machine 200
To the / O interface 36, through the connector 35,
The memory card 800 is also connected. Memory card 800
The contents of will be described in detail later.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the DVD medium 30, in the program area 301, a main program, which is a basic program for operating the game,
A tailor program for creating clothes at a tailor, a design program for designing (for video game machine 200 and portable game machine 600), a transfer program for data transfer between video game machine 200 and portable game machine 600 , An island program for displaying islands, transmitting and receiving island data, and other programs are stored. The image data area 302 stores various data (polygons, textures, etc. necessary for graphic display of a game) regarding a player character, a village object, an island object, and an object to be designed. Various data relating to the sound expression of the game is stored in the sound data area. Various other data are stored in the other areas.

Returning to FIG. 2, the game program / data for the video game machine 200 is stored in the RAM 40. Referring to FIG. 4, in the RAM 40, the program area stores a main program that is a program transferred from the DVD medium 30, and a tailor program, a design program, and an island program are stored according to the currently executed program. The RAM 68 stores a program transfer program for transferring the program, and the like. The village data area 402 stores data on the village in which the player character should live in the virtual space of the game. Specifically, it is the data of the villagers, the data of the player character's house, the data of the scenery and the state of the village, and the like. The design data area 403 is a player (user)
The design data designed by is stored. The island data (primary) storage area 404a and the island data (secondary) storage area 404b store data regarding islands.
Specifically, it is data such as items that the player character has deposited at the island depository, and data such as characters on the island. The object list area 405 stores information on objects required to form one frame image. An image of one frame is stored in the frame memory area 407. Other data is stored in the other area 407.

Referring to FIG. 5, in memory card 800, village data, design data and island data stored in RAM 40 are stored in village data area 801, design data area and island data area 803. These data are stored as game backup data. Further, other data is stored in the other area 804.

The image processing unit 42 draws the game world in the frame memory area 406 based on the polygon data and texture data of the objects stored in the object list area 405 stored in the RAM 40, and the data is sent to the encoder 46. Send. The encoder 46 reads out image data created by a large number of objects (game world, characters, etc.) from the frame memory area 406 and converts the read image data into a composite image signal. The converted composite image signal is CR via the video cable 500.
Given to T300, the game screen is displayed on CRT300.

The game program (design program, etc.) and data for the portable game machine 600 stored in the DVD medium 30 are read by the video game machine 200, and then the communication cable 40 is transmitted to the portable game machine 600.
0, and is stored in the RAM 68. RAM6
8 is represented by a memory map as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 6, in RAM 68, program area 681 stores a main program, a design program, and other programs transferred from video game machine 200. Design storage area 68
2 stores design data created when the design program is executed. Island data storage area 683
Stores the island data created by the video game machine 200. Other data is stored in the other area 685.

The CPU 68 requests the image processing unit 72 to perform image processing in order to display the game screen on the LCD 70. In addition, A buttons 60a, B provided on the operation device 60
When the button 60b or the direction instruction key 60c is operated, the image processing unit 72 is requested to update the image according to the operation state.

The image processing unit 72 draws in the VRAM 74 an image according to the data stored in the RAM 68 and the operating state of the operating device 60. LCD driver 76 is VRA
The LCD 70 is driven according to the image data drawn in M74. As a result, the game screen is displayed on the LCD 70.

The CPU 38 of the video game machine 200 executes the program according to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 7, 10, 12, 14 and 17. Portable game console 600
The CPU 66 executes the program according to the flowchart shown in FIG. The processing of the CPU 38 is shown in FIG.
Is executed according to the game program / data for the video game machine shown in FIG. 4, and the processing of the CPU 66 is executed according to the game program / data for the portable game machine.

First, the outline of the game of this embodiment will be described. When the DVD media 30 is attached to the video game machine 200 and the power is turned on, the initial screen of the game is displayed on the CRT 30.
Displayed at 0. The player selects "play for the first time" or "continue to the previous" on the controller 100 on the initial screen.
Operate to select. When "Play for the first time" is selected, the data of the village in which the player character lives will be created in the RAM 40. At this time, the CPU 38 generates a random numerical value, sets it as a village ID, and stores it in the RAM 40 as a part of the village data as a unique number of the village. If "Continue to the previous" is selected, the CPU 38
Reads the village data stored in the memory card 800 and stores it in the RAM 40. The village data at this time includes the village ID.

The image of the village and the player character are CR
When it is displayed on T300, the player uses the controller 10
Operate 0 to move the player character in the village. Inside the village is your own house, tailor, pier, etc.
The player character leaving the house can enter the tailor according to the operation of the player. When you enter the tailor shop, various clothes are on display, and you can choose and buy your favorite clothes. When the player character calls out to the store clerk there and tells him that he wants to design by himself, the design program is executed. The player can design the cloth pattern of the clothes by operating the controller 100 while watching the edit screen displayed on the CRT 300 and selecting colors. There are also times when the player wants to design not only at home but at school or during work, or in a room without the video game machine 200. At that time, the player operates the controller 100 to talk to the clerk of the tailor or input a command to input that he / she wants to create a design on the portable game machine. Then, the video game machine 200 sends the design program to the connected portable game machine 600. This design program enables the player to design the pattern of the cloth for clothes on the portable game machine 600. In addition, the design created by the portable game machine 600 is applied to the video game machine 20.
When the data is to be transferred to 0, the data transfer is executed by notifying the clerk of the tailor not to create the design but to input the design. When the play or character moves freely in the village and approaches the pier, or approaches the pier to some extent, the CPU 38 confirms whether or not the portable game machine 600 is connected to the video game machine 200. If not connected, there is no ship even if the player character arrives at the pier. However, if connected, there are ships and captains on the pier. When the player character tells the captain that he wants to cross the island, he can get on the ship and cross the island. If you are new to the island, CPU38
Creates the island data in the RAM 40. At this time, C
The PU 38 stores the village ID in the RAM 40 as a part of the island data as an identification ID of the island. By thus providing the island ID, it is possible to identify whether the island in which the player character is present is his own island or another person's island. If it is not the first time to cross the island, the island data stored in the portable game machine 600 or the island data stored in the memory card 800 is stored in the RAM 40. The game on the island is played based on the island data in the RAM 40.

When the player character crosses the island, it can move freely on the island as well as on the village. There is a warehouse on the island, and the player character can store items and clothes used in the game.

When the player character leaves the island, data such as items and clothes in the warehouse is stored in the portable game machine 600 as island data together with data regarding other islands. However, when the player does not want to store the island data, the player can return to the village without storing the island data in the portable game machine 600.

The player brings the portable game machine 600 storing the island data to a friend's house, for example, and connects it to the video game machine in which the friend is playing. And
When a friend's player character rides a boat from the pier of a friend's village and crosses the island, the island is not his friend's island, but his own island that has stored the island data. Your friend's player character can move freely around the island, enter the warehouse,
You can also take items that you have placed. As a result, you can give items you own to your friends.

When the friend player character leaves the island, the island data is stored in the portable game machine 600, and the island data in the video game machine 200 is rewritten to the island data created in the friend's village. This is to prevent accidentally writing the data of the friend's island to the memory card 800 when the village data and the island data are stored in the memory card 800 later. After enjoying the game, before ending the game, save the data of the villages and islands that have been played so far in the memory card 800 and end the game. The above operation will be described in detail with reference to a flowchart.

Referring to FIG. 7, in step S1,
The CPU 38 performs initialization processing of the video game machine 200.

In step S2, the CPU 38 checks whether or not there is backup data in the memory card 800, and if there is backup data, transfers the village data in the village data area 801 to the village data area 402 in the RAM 40, The island data in the data area 803 is converted to the island data (primary) area 404a and the island data (sub) area 40 in the RAM 40.
4b. (At this time, the island data (correct) area 40
4a and the data stored in the island data (sub) area 404b are the same data. ) If there is no backup data, the CPU 38 creates new village data and stores it in the village data area 402. FIG. 8 is a visual illustration of this data transfer. The upper square represents the memory space of the RAM 40 of the video game machine 200, the left square therein represents the village data area 402 storing the village data, and the second circle from the right stores the island data. The island data (primary) area 404a is represented, and the first circle from the right represents the island data (sub) area 404b in which the island data is stored. The lower left square represents the memory space of the memory card 800, of which the upper square represents the village data area 801 that stores the village data, and the lower circle the island data area 803 that stores the island data. It represents. The lower right square represents the RAM 68 of the portable game machine.

In this way, the RA from the memory card 800
Based on the village data read in M40, the image representation of the village (first area), which is the virtual space of the game as shown in FIG. 9, is possible. The player character 1000 can move freely in the village. For example, it is possible to enter the tailor 1002 and tailor clothes, or go to the dock 1004 and board the boat. A square 1008 surrounded by a dotted line
Is a detection range described later. A square 1010 surrounded by a dotted line is a display range of a landing point which will be described later.

In step S3, the CPU 38 executes tailor processing. The tailor processing is executed by the player character 1000 entering the tailor 1002. The tailor process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In step S302, the CPU 38
Causes the CRT 300 to display a selection screen. This selection screen is a screen that allows the player to select what kind of processing is to be performed next. For example, what kind of clothes do you buy? Do you design clothes? Etc. The player operates the controller 100 to select the next process.

In step S304, it is determined whether the player has chosen to design the clothes. If you do not choose to design the clothes, you must perform other processing, so proceed to step S306,
Perform other processing. The other processing is processing such as buying and wearing clothes and going out of the store. After step S306,
Go to step S4. When the player selects the design of clothes, the process proceeds to step S308.

In step S308, the CPU 38
Determines whether the portable game machine 600 is connected to the video game machine 200. If not connected, the process proceeds to step S306, and if connected, step S3.
Go to 10.

In step S310, the CPU 38
Determines whether the player will newly design. This determination may be performed based on the option selected by the player in step S302, or may be performed by newly allowing the player to select. If a new design is made, the process proceeds to step S312.

In step S312, the CPU 38
Judges whether or not the design program is stored in the program area 681 of the RAM 68 of the portable game machine 600, and if stored, the process proceeds to step S314. In step S314, the CPU 38 stores, for example, the basic design data of the design of the clothes for the player to edit in the design data area 68 of the RAM 68.
Transfer to 2. Then, the process proceeds to step S306.

If the design program is not stored in step S312, the process proceeds to step S316, and the CPU 38 stores the design program in the RAM 68.
Of the design data to the program area 681 of
The data is transferred to the design data area 682 of the AM68. Then, the process proceeds to step S306.

If it is determined in step S310 that a new design is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step S318, and the CPU 38 determines whether design data is stored in the design data area 682 of the RAM 68 of the portable game machine 600. If it is not stored, the process proceeds to step S306. If stored, step S320
Proceed to.

In step S320, the design data stored in the design data area 682 of the RAM 68, which is the data of the design already created by the player, is transferred to the RAM 40 of the game machine 200, and the step S320 is performed.
Proceed to 306.

Next, the operation of the portable game machine 600 to which the design program is transferred will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In step S330, the CPU 66 determines that the CPU
Read the design program transferred by No. 38,
It is stored in the program area 681 of the RAM 68. In step S332, CPU 66 has step S330.
Waits until the operation is completed, and if it is determined that the operation is completed, the process proceeds to step S334.

In step S334, the CPU 66
Starts the execution of the design program. Step S
At 336, the CPU 66 controls the player's controller 60.
The operating state of is detected and the LCD displays an image according to the operating state. Specifically, the player moves the cursor displayed on the design screen and moves the operation device 60 to specify various shapes and colors to display the original design on the screen. Then, when the player specifies “save”, the CPU 66 saves the completed design in the design data area 682 of the RAM 68.

In step S338, the CPU 66
It is determined whether or not there is a design data transmission request from the CPU 38 of the game machine 200. If there is no design data transmission request, the process returns to step S336, and if there is, the process proceeds to step S340.

In step S340, the CPU 66
Design data area 682 in the CPU 38 of the game machine 200
Send the design data stored in.

In step S342, the CPU 66
Until step S340 is completed.
Returning to 340, if it is determined that the process is completed, the process proceeds to step S334.

In step S344, other processing is executed, and the design processing ends. The other process is, for example, a process of selecting whether or not to perform a process other than the design process.

Next, the island process of step S4 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to flowcharts 4 and 17. First, it is assumed that the player character 1000 is heading from the upper right to the lower left pier as shown in FIG. At this time, FIG.
In step S402 of, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the player character is within the detection range 1008. Specifically, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the coordinate position of the player character is within the coordinate range of the detection range 1008. In the case of FIG. 9, the player character is in the detection range 100.
Since it is outside 8, the process proceeds to step S5. Next, when the player character moves from the upper right to the lower left in FIG. 9 and the player character is within the detection range 1008, the process proceeds to step S404.

In step S404, the CPU 38
It is detected whether or not the portable game machine 600 is connected to the connector 34 via the cable 400. If not connected, the process proceeds to step S5, and if connected, the process proceeds to step S406. The determination method of step S404 is the same as that of step S308.

In step S406, the CPU 38
It is determined whether the player character is within the captain display range 1010. If it is not the captain display range, the process proceeds to step S5,
If it is the captain display range, the process proceeds to step S408. The captain display range is a range in which the captain 1012 in FIG. 13 can be displayed. Specifically, the player character 1000 approaches the ship on which the captain 1012 is riding and the player character 100.
This is a range in which 0 and the captain 1012 can be simultaneously displayed in a certain size.

In step S408, the CPU 38
Causes the image processing unit 42 to create image data, and C
The captain 1012 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the RT 300.
When the portable game machine 600 is not connected, such a captain 1012 is not displayed.

In step S410, the CPU 38
The player who causes the captain 1012 to inquire the player character 1000 as to whether or not to cross the island on the CRT 300 (or outputs by voice) is a player.
According to the display (or voice), the controller 100
Operate to indicate whether or not to cross the island.

In step S412, the CPU 38
Detects the operation status of the controller 100 and determines whether or not the player is about to cross the island. If the player is trying to cross the island, the process proceeds to step S414, and if not, the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S414, the CPU 38
Is connected to the connector 34 by connecting the portable game console 600 to the cable 40
If it is not connected, the process proceeds to step S5, and if it is connected, the process proceeds to step S416.

In step S416, the CPU 38
Is the island data area 68 of the RAM 68 via the CPU 66.
It is determined whether or not island data is stored in 4. When the island data has been written, the CPU 38 transfers the island data in the island data area 683 to the island data (primary) area 404a in the RAM 40. At that time, island data (sub) area 4
In 04b, the island data of the memory card 800 is stored or there is no data. A visual representation of this data transfer is shown in FIG. The square in the lower right is a visual representation of the memory space of the RAM 68 of the portable game machine 600, and the circle written as b island in it is
The island data area 683 is shown. The arrows indicate the movement of data within the area.

In step S420, the CPU 38
Instructs the image processing unit 42 to display on the CRT 300 an image in which the player character 1000 gets on a boat and leaves for the island.

When the CPU 38 determines in step S416 that there is no island data in the RAM 68, the process proceeds to step S422, and the CPU 38 determines whether or not island data is stored in the memory card 800. If the island data is stored, the CPU 38 converts the island data stored in the island data area 803 of the memory card 800 to the island data (primary) area 404a and the island data (secondary data) of the RAM 40 as described in FIG. ) Store in area 404b,
It proceeds to step S420. If the island data is not stored, the process proceeds to step S426, the CPU 38 creates new island data, and the island data (correct) area 4 of the RAM 40.
04a and the island data (sub) area 404b, and also transferred to the island data area 684 of the portable game machine 600,
It proceeds to step S420. The island data at this time is Village I
Contains the same island ID as D. The village ID is a number of the village currently stored in the memory card 800, and is data indicating a different number for each village played by each player.
The island ID is data indicating the same number as the village ID of the village when the island was created. Therefore, the village ID for each player
And the island ID are the same number (or related number),
Portable game console 600 connected to video game console 200
This is useful for distinguishing whether the island data inside is the data of your own island or that of another person.

After step S420, the CPU 38
The image as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the CRT 300. The player character 1000 can descend to the island and move around the island. There is a warehouse 1014 on the island,
The player character can enter into it and wear the items and the like that have been placed, or can leave the items that it has. In this way, the data of the items placed in the warehouse 1014 is stored in the island data (correct) area 404a as island data. At that time, island data (sub) area 4
The data of 04b cannot be rewritten. When the player character finishes his business, he goes to the captain 1012 on the jetty ship to return to the village. Then, if the captain 1012 is informed that he wants to return, the boat will depart and return to the village.
A program for operating the CPU 38 at this time is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of.

In step S450, the CPU 38
Is detected by the captain 1012 when the player character 1000 detects that the player character 1000 has come to the pier.
CR display at 00 to inquire whether to cross the island
Display on T300 (or output by voice). The player operates the controller 100 in accordance with the display (or sound) to display an intention to cross the island. The CPU 38 detects the operation status of the controller 100 and determines whether or not the player is about to return to the village. If not returning to the village, proceed to step S452, C
The PU 38 performs an operation such as the player character moving in the island according to the operation status of the controller 100 of the player, and proceeds to step S5. If returning to the village, proceed to step S454.

In step S454, the village ID stored in the village data area 402 of the RAM 40 is compared with the island ID stored in the island data (correct) area 404a. If they do not match, the process proceeds to step S456. Village I
The fact that the D and the island ID do not match means that the connected portable game machine 600 and the connected video game machine 200 are not created in the same village. Specifically, while one player was playing a game in the village A on the video game machine 200, another player was playing a game in the village B using another memory card 800. The portable game machine 600 storing the data of the island b created in the village is connected.

In step S456, the CPU 38
Determines whether or not the portable game machine 600 is connected to the video game machine 200, waits until the portable game machine 600 is connected, and when the portable game machine 600 is connected, the step S458.
Proceed to.

In step S458, the CPU 38
Transfers the island data stored in the island data (correct) area 404a of the RAM 40 to the island data area 683 of the RAM 68 for storage. A visual representation of this data transfer is shown in FIG. In Figure 15, Island data (correct) area 4
Although the b island data is stored in 04a, the b island data is rewritten to the b'island data by the operation of the player, and the b'island data is the island data area 68 of the RAM 68 as shown in FIG.
3 is stored.

Next, in step S460, the CPU
38 transfers the island data in the island data (sub) area 404b of the RAM 40 to the island data (primary) area 404a. In this way, by transferring the island data, it is possible to prevent the data of other players from being left in the RAM 40, and when the data of other players is stored in the memory card 800, which will be described later, the data of the other players will be stored in the memory card. It is possible to prevent the writing to 800. (See Figure 19)

On the other hand, in step S454, if the village ID in the village data area 402 and the island ID in the island data (correct) area 404a match, the process proceeds to step S462. When the village ID and the island ID match, it means that the island data of the connected portable game machine 600 and the island data of the memory card 800 of the video game machine 200 are created in the same village. ing.

In step S462, the CPU 38
Causes the CRT 300 to display (or output by voice) a display asking the player whether to save the island data. The player displays (or sounds) its
According to the above, the controller 100 is operated to indicate whether or not to save the island data. The CPU 38 detects the operation status of the controller 100 and determines whether or not the player is trying to save the island data. If not to save, proceed to step S5, and to save, step S4
Proceed to 64.

In step S464, the CPU 38
Judges whether or not the portable game machine 600 is connected to the video game machine 200, waits until the portable game machine 600 is connected, and when it is connected, the step S466.
Proceed to.

In step S466, the CPU 38
Transfers the island data stored in the island data (correct) area 404a of the RAM 40 to the island data area 683 of the RAM 68, stores the island data, and the process proceeds to step S5. A visual representation of this data transfer is shown in FIG. Although the islands b and b'are shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, the island ID
= In order to explain the case of the village ID, it will be described as an island a and an island a '. In FIG. 15, the island data (correct) area 404a
The island data was stored in the
The island data is rewritten to a'island data, and the a'island data is stored in the island data area 683 of the RAM 68 as shown in FIG.

Next, in step S5 of FIG.
U38 performs other game processing. Specifically, for example, the CPU 38 performs a process of causing the player object 1000 to move around in the village, a process of talking to a resident of the village, a process of setting various parameters, and the like.

In step S6, the CPU 38 determines whether or not the game is over. If the game is over, the process proceeds to step S3. If the game is over, the process proceeds to step S7.

In step S7, the CPU 38 backs up the data of the game that has been played,
Terminate the execution of the game program. With reference to FIG.
More specifically, the CPU 38 uses the island data (correct) area 404a of the RAM 40 to copy the island data of the memory card 80.
0 is transferred to the island data area 803, and the village data 402 of the RAM 40 is transferred to the village data area 801 of the memory card 800. The island data to be transferred is rewritten during the game when the connected portable game machine 600 is owned by the player (when the island data of the village currently being played is stored). When the connected portable game machine 600 is owned by a player other than the player (when the island data of another village is stored), the village data area 80
It is the same data as the data stored in 1. Also,
In the embodiment of the present application, the backup is performed after the game ends, but the backup may be performed at any timing during the game. In particular, when the CPU 38 transfers the island data in the island data (primary) area 404a to the island data area 683 at the timing of step S466, it may also transfer the island data (secondary) area 404b and the island data area 803. . By doing so, even when various portable game machines 600 are connected or disconnected during the game, the island data corresponding to the updated village can be surely backed up.

Although the island data is stored in the portable game machine in this embodiment, it may be a backup memory (flash memory, RAM with power supply, magnetic storage medium, etc.) instead of the portable game machine.

[0076]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a game system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a memory map of the DVD medium 30.

FIG. 4 is a memory map of a RAM 40.

5 is a memory map of the memory card 800. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a memory map of a RAM 68.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a main routine of the game program of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram visually showing a method of transferring game data (village data and island data).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a virtual space of a game over a relatively wide range.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of tailor processing executed by the video game machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a design process executed by the portable game machine.

FIG. 12 is a part of a flowchart of island processing executed by the video game machine.

FIG. 13 is an example of an image displayed on a CRT by island processing.

FIG. 14 is a part of a flowchart of island processing executed by the video game machine.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram visually showing a method of transferring game data (island data).

FIG. 16 is an example of an image displayed on a CRT by island processing.

FIG. 17 is a part of a flowchart of island processing executed by the video game machine.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram visually showing a method for transferring game data (island data).

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram visually showing a method of transferring game data (village data and island data).

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... operation device 38, 66 ... CPU 40, 68 ... RAM 70 ... LCD 42, 72 ... Image processing unit 74 ... VRAM 30 ... DVD media 32 ... DVD drive 600 ... Portable game machine 200 ... video game machine 300 ... CRT 400 ... Communication cable 500 ... video cable

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 23, 2001 (2001.8.2)
3)

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

[Fig. 13]

FIG. 11

[Fig. 12]

FIG. 14

FIG. 16

FIG. 15

FIG. 18

FIG. 17

FIG. 19

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A game system including an input unit operated by a user, which displays on a display unit a virtual world in which a player character is moved based on an operating state of the input unit, the game system storing external game data. Memory means, connector means to which the external memory is connected, first area generating means for generating a first area in the virtual world in which the player character can move at the start of the game, and the position of the player character is A player character position detecting means for detecting that the player character is in the detection area of the first area; and when the character position detecting means detects that the player character is in the detection area,
The external memory detecting means for detecting whether or not the external memory means is connected to the connector means, and the virtual world when the external memory detecting means detects that the external memory means is connected. To the second
And a second area generating means for generating the area. 2. The game system according to claim 1, further comprising data transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the external memory via the connector means. 3. The external memory detection means uses the data transmission / reception means to transmit a detection signal to the memory means and receive a predetermined signal from the external memory means, whereby the memory means is The game system according to claim 2, wherein it is detected whether or not it is connected to the connector means. 4. The game system according to claim 2, further comprising a first area storage means for storing data on the first area and a second area storage means for storing data on the second area. 5. The data transmitting / receiving means is responsive to the position of the player character being in the second area and the user performing a predetermined operation on the input section, and the second means is stored in the memory means. The game system according to claim 4, wherein the data stored in the area storage means is transmitted. 6. The data stored in the first area storage means and the second area storage means for storing the data stored in the first area storage means and the second area storage means. A second memory means for storing
The described game system. 7. The data transmitting / receiving means receives data relating to a first area and a second area from a first memory means at the start of a game, and the first area storing means and the second area, respectively. Storing in the storage means, transmitting the data stored in the second area storage means to the second memory means when the player character moves from the second area to the first area, and storing The game system according to claim 6, wherein the game system is operated. 8. Connector means to which an external memory is connected,
A game program executed by a game system including an input section operated by a user to move a player character, the first area generating a first area in which the player character can move at the start of the game. A generation program, a player character position detection program for detecting that the position of the player character is within the detection region of the first region, and the character position detection means detects that the player character is within the detection region. When
An external memory detection program for detecting whether or not the external memory means is connected to the connector means, and the virtual world when the external memory detection means detects that the external memory means is connected. A second area generation program for generating a second area in
A game program that includes.