JP2003062337A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To impart the pleasure for raising an objective to be raised in a game to a player, in a game system wherein a game value in response to the progress of the game is put out. SOLUTION: This game system wherein the game value in response to the progress of the game is put out is equipped with a raising means (201), a competition advancing means (101), and a game value putting out means (203). In this case, the raising means (201) raises the objective to be raised in the game in response to a bet of the game value by the player. The competition advancing means (101) makes the objective to be raised perform a competition in the game. The game value putting out means (203) puts out the game value in response to the result of the objective to be raised in the competition, to the player. The raising means (201) generates a raising result in response to the betting quantity of the game value, which has been bet by the player, to the objective to be raised. Then, the objective to be raised displays an ability in response to the raising result, in the competition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine which pays out a game value according to the progress of a game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A medal game machine to which a horse racing game is realized as a medal game is known. In such a medal game machine, a player can purchase a betting ticket by betting a medal in anticipation of the order of arrival in the race. In addition, in the game, there is also known a medal game machine in which a player purchases a racehorse and becomes a horse owner, and the owned horse can be run in a race (see, for example, GONE Classic Winds, a product of Konami Co., Ltd.).

[0003]

However, in the medal game machine as described above, the player could not train his own horse and intervene in its ability.

An object of the present invention is to provide a player with the enjoyment of nurturing a nurturing target in a game in a game machine which pays out a game value according to the progress of the game.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a game machine (1) installed in an arcade for paying out a game value according to the progress of a game, a player bets the game value according to the bet of the game value. A fostering means (201) for fostering a fostering target in the game, a competition advancing means (101) for promoting a competition in the game, and the fostering target participating in the competition and the fostering result of the fostering target in the competition. A game control means (101) for controlling the competition advancing means so as to exert the ability according to the above, and a game value payout means (203) for paying out to the player a game value according to the performance of the training target in the competition. , And the operation for raising the training target by the player and the participation of the training target in the races that are sequentially held according to a predetermined cycle. When a player interrupts the game and restarts the game after that, a plurality of stations (3) for accepting the operation to be performed are provided. It is characterized in that the play of the training target is restarted after delaying the elapsed time in the game according to the operating time.

The invention of claim 2 comprises a main control device (101) for performing processing for sequentially holding races according to a predetermined cycle, and a station control device (201) connected to the main control device. , The station control device is provided in each of a plurality of stations (3) that receives an operation for raising a raising target by a player and an operation for allowing the raising target to participate in the race, and each station control device includes: A game machine (1) installed in an arcade, which is configured to perform processing necessary for a player's game play, and when the player interrupts the game and restarts it after that, regarding the training target during the interruption period, The elapsed time on the game is the elapsed time on the game that matches the operating time of the game machine during the interruption period. Characterized in that in terms of delayed remote resuming play of the development target.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game machine according to the second aspect, the player data including the game history for ensuring the continuity of the interrupted game is connected to the SRAM (which is connected to the main controller). 105) or flash memory (106), and when restarting play,
The stored game history is transmitted to the station control device.

It should be noted that, in this specification, in a game system for paying out a game value according to the progress of a game, a game object to be trained in a game in a training game space set in the game in accordance with a bet of the game value by a player. A training means (201) for training the game and a competition progress means (1) for promoting the competition in the game in the competition game space set in the game.
01), and game control means (101, 201) for controlling the competition advancing means so that the training object participates in the competition and the training object exerts the ability according to the training result in the competition. A game value payout means (203) for paying out a game value corresponding to the performance of the training target in the competition to the player, and the time elapsed in the training space while the player participates in the game play. After the player has interrupted the game play by matching the elapsed time in the competitive game space,
When restarted, the invention includes an invention in which the game is restarted after delaying the time elapsed in the training space during the game play suspension period from the time elapsed in the competition space during the suspension period.

According to the present invention, when the player resumes the game play after the interruption, the time elapse in the training space during the interruption period of the game play is delayed after the time elapses in the competition space during the interruption period. Since the game is restarted, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by the fact that the game time for the training target is too long during the game play interruption period in which the player is not involved in the game in the training space.

In the above game system, the competition progress means (101) repeatedly executes a group of competition events in the game space as one cycle, and the player interrupts the game play for the elapsed time of the training space during the interruption period. The time from the phase of the cycle at the time point to the phase of the cycle at the time when the player resumes the game play may be set to be equal.

In this case, when the game play is restarted after the interruption period, it is possible to give the player a feeling that the game is continuously played from the game before the interruption.

In the above game system, the elapsed time may be set to a time equal to or shorter than the cycle.

In this case, the progress of the game in the breeding space during the interruption period can be suppressed to the minimum, so that the player hardly loses the game time.
You can fully enjoy the game.

In the above-mentioned game system, a field (2) is provided as a competitive game space, and the competition progress means (101) moves the running body representing the training object in the field (2) to compete in the game. May be expressed.

In the above game system, the stations for accepting the player's operation for raising the raising target by the raising means (201) and the player's operation for causing the raising target to participate in the field (2) as the competitive game space, respectively. A plurality of (3) may be provided.

In the above-mentioned game system, the breeding target may be a race horse owned by a player in the game, and the competition may be a race set in the game.

In the above-mentioned game system, a race horse owned by a player in the game is to be trained, a group of competition events executed by the competition progress means (101) is a horse race set for one year, and each competition event is It may be a race.

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a game system of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the game system of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the game system of the present invention is applied to a so-called medal game machine installed in a game center (arcade) or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine 1 is provided with a field 2 provided in the central portion and a plurality of stations 3 provided so as to surround the field 2.

The field 2 is provided with a racetrack 22 provided with a race gate 21, and a plurality of model horses (not shown) are run in the racetrack 22 to develop a race just like a real horse race. Around the field 2, a plurality of speaker systems 26 for outputting the voice of the live call of the race and the like are arranged.

In each station 3, a display 31 for displaying a game screen according to the progress of the game, and a touch panel 32 overlaid on the display surface of the display 31.
And are provided. When the player touches a predetermined position on the game screen displayed on the display 31 according to the instruction on the game screen, the touch panel 32 detects the position, and the game machine 1 recognizes the operation content of the player. In addition, a medal insertion unit 3 into which a player inserts a medal as a game value into each station 3.
3, a medal payout opening 34 for paying out medals to the player, and a magnetic card insertion opening 35 for inserting a magnetic card.

As shown in FIG. 1, above the field 2, a display unit 23 for displaying a game name and the like, and an illuminating device 24 for illuminating the field 2 are supported by a support column 25.

Next, the outline of the contents of the game using the game machine 1 will be described. In the game machine 1, a race having the same name as an actual central horse race is sequentially held according to a predetermined cycle. About 60 races are prepared as one year's race, and for each race, time for betting, that is, time for purchasing a betting ticket, time for racing using a model horse, and race The time for displaying the results is secured. The time when the race is held varies depending on the distance of each race. The race for one year will be completed in about two hours, and when the race for one year is over,
The next year's races will start continuously.

The player can predict the order of arrival in each race and purchase the betting ticket freely. The betting ticket is purchased by betting medals, and if the purchased betting ticket matches the result of the race, medals of the amount (the number) according to the bet number of the medals and the odds are paid out. The purchase of a betting ticket here refers to the act of putting a medal on the expected order of arrival.

Also, the player can participate in the game as a horse owner. That is, the player can select a favorite horse from among a plurality of prepared competitive horses, pay the predetermined number of medals, and purchase the horse. In addition, the horse stables purchased can be selected by the player. The name of the purchased horse is created by combining a name selected from among those stored in the game machine body in advance and the name input by the player (for example, the player's name). The player trains the purchased horse,
Buy horses can be raised. In addition, the trained horse can be run in a race desired by the rider, and a jockey can be selected when running.

In order to ensure the continuity of the game play when the owner of the game participates in the game, the game machine 1 uses a magnetic card storing the player's ID code and the like. The result of the player's past game play is stored in the game machine 1 as player data, and I
By matching the D code and the like with the ID code included in the recorded player data, necessary player data is read and used in the game. Therefore, the player can enjoy the continuation of the game at any time by carrying the magnetic card.

As described above, in the game machine 1, races are continuously performed according to the actual domestic race schedule, and the player can buy a betting ticket as a spectator for any race, and also as a horse owner. You can also purchase race horses and train them to participate in the race.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a main control unit for integrally controlling the operation of the game machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a station control unit provided for each station 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main control unit arranged on the side of the field 2 includes a main control device 101, a field control unit 102 for controlling traveling of a model horse in the field 2, and a field 2 A lighting device 103 for illuminating the vehicle, a sound device 104 for generating sound for reproducing the atmosphere of the racetrack, an SRAM 105 for storing player data, and a flash memory 10.
6 and a ROM 107 in which programs necessary for the game and various databases are stored. Sound device 10
4 includes a speaker system 26 (FIG. 1). ROM1
In the database stored in 07, for example, 256 kinds of horse names selected by the player and their voice data,
And various data about each horse, race schedule, etc.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main controller 101
Are connected to the field control unit 102, the lighting device 103, the audio device 104, the SRAM 105, the flash memory 106, and the ROM 107, respectively.

The SRAM 105 is always backed up by a battery or the like. In addition, SRAM1
05 and 2 flash memories 106 each, 2
Since the same data is stored in the two SRAMs 105 and the flash memory 106, even if one of the data is destroyed, the data is not lost.

As shown in FIG. 2, the SRAM 105 and the flash memory 106 each include two units 1.
05A, 105B and units 106A, 106B are provided so that the other unit can be used as a backup when the unit fails or is replaced.

As shown in FIG. 3, the station controller provided for each station 3 includes a station controller 201, the above-described display 31, a medal management device 203 for managing the payout of medals, and a magnetic card difference. The magnetic card drive device 204 for driving the magnetic card inserted into the insertion slot 35, and the touch panel 3 described above.
2, a medal insertion sensor 206 for detecting medals inserted through the medal insertion unit 33, a RAM 207 for temporarily storing player data, and magnetic information of a magnetic card inserted in the magnetic card insertion slot. And a magnetic information writing device 209 for writing magnetic card information on this magnetic card.

As shown in FIG. 3, the station control device 201 includes a display 31, a medal management device 203,
Magnetic card driving device 204, touch panel 32, medal insertion sensor 206, RAM 207, magnetic information reading device 2
08 and the magnetic information writing device 209, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the station control device 201 of each station 3 is connected to the main control device 101 and is required between the station control device 201 and the main control device 101. It is possible to communicate.

FIG. 4A shows a data structure of player data stored and managed for each player. The player data includes information on the game status and history. As shown in FIG. 4A, the player data is an ID code assigned to each player, personal information that is information about the player, owned horse information that is information about the horse owned by the player, and the player finally plays the game. It consists of last play date information for specifying the date played, rewrite information for recording data update, and a check code for the purpose of preventing falsification of the magnetic card.

In this embodiment, the ID code and the check code are used as the specific information.

The ID code is a number assigned to one player, and is set so as not to overlap with the IDs of other player data.

The personal information is information about the player, such as the name of the player and the total number of plays. The personal information is used not only as data reflected in the game contents but also as customer management data. The player's name is also used as a crown name added to the name of the owned horse included in the owned horse information.

The owned horse information is, for each owned horse, a name code for specifying the owned horse name, sex, horse type information specified as a growth curve, age, number of runs, speed, stamina, condition, accumulated prize money. It consists of the amount, the record of each past race (for example, 1st, 2nd or outside) and the training type determined by the selected stable.

The last play date indicates the date when the game was last played using the player data. Specifically, it indicates the number of days that have passed since a certain day in the past, for example, January 1, 1999. Since it is possible to confirm the contradiction by comparing the last play date with the player data, it is possible to use the last play date data for the purpose of preventing fraud.

The personal information, owned horse information, and last play date information are used as a game history for ensuring the continuity of the interrupted game.

The rewriting information is a numerical value that increases every time the player data is updated by the training process described later. In the normal case, that is, when the player data is updated based on the game play in the station 3, an even number is stored as the rewriting information. However, if the main controller 101 is finally updated due to some circumstances, such as an accident at the station 3, this value will take an odd value until the next update.

The player data is stored in the SRAM 105 or the flash memory 106. Further, when a player plays a game at the station 3, necessary player data is read into the RAM 207 of the corresponding station 3 and used for various processes in the station 3.

The check code is an ID code, personal information,
An error detection code created based on each data of the owned horse information, the last play date, and the rewriting information. Whether the magnetic card has been tampered with or there is an accident, or the player between the station 3 and the main control device 101 side. It is used to check items such as whether data is transmitted and received correctly.

FIG. 4B shows specific information recorded on the magnetic card. Of these, the specific information is information used to specify the player, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the specific information includes an ID code and a check code of the player data. Other data that constitutes player data is not recorded on the magnetic card. This makes it possible to prevent fraud caused by falsification of magnetic card information. As shown in FIG. 4B, it is also possible to record information that is not used for creating the error detection code, such as screen layout information that is not related to the game progress, on the magnetic card. -Explanation of operation-

A part of the operation of the game machine 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that various input operations performed by the player in accordance with the display on the display 31 are recognized by the station control device 201 based on the signals output from the touch panel 32. ,
The description is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the cycle control processing executed in the main control unit 101. The cycle control process is a process for causing annual races to be performed in a predetermined order, and for instructing a switching timing of various processes included in each race.

In the cycle control process, the main control device 101 performs a bet process for each race, that is, a process for purchasing a betting ticket, a race process in which each horse runs and races, a finish order of races, odds, etc. Is controlled so as to sequentially execute the race result display processing for displaying "", the latest player data transmitted from each station 3, and the data updating processing for updating the player data in the SRAM 105.

By the above processing, while the game machine 1 is in operation, each race in the year held in the country is completed in a predetermined order.
The cycle is sequentially performed in a cycle of about 2 minutes. The breeding process to be described later is executed in parallel with these processes during a predetermined period within the cycle (see FIG. 15). FIG. 15 shows a part of the race cycle controlled by the cycle control process.

Next, details of the cycle control process will be described. In step S1 of FIG. 5, the start of the betting process is instructed. In response to this instruction, the bet processing is executed in the station control device 201 of each station 3. Next, in step S2, the process waits until the end time of the bet process arrives, and the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the start of race processing is instructed. In response to this command, movements such as running of model horses,
Various processes (not shown) for realizing the output of necessary sound and the like are executed under the control of the main control device 101. Next, at step S4, the process waits for the end time of the race processing to proceed to step S5.

In step S5, the start of the race result display process is instructed. In response to this command, the main controller 1
In 01, a predetermined process (not shown) for displaying the finish order, odds, payout, etc. of the race on the display 31 is executed. Next, at step S6, the process waits for the end time of the race result display to come to step S7.

In step S7, a data update command for updating the player data is transmitted, and in step S8, the end of the data update process is waited for, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the race is updated to the next race and the process returns to step S1. In step S8, if the data update end flag set in the data update process is on,
It is determined that the data update processing has been completed, and step S9
Then, the data update end flag is turned off. The data update process will be described later.

Next, the processing of the station controller 201 when the magnetic card is inserted into the magnetic card insertion slot 35 of the station 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S101 of FIG. 6, after the magnetic card is inserted into the card insertion slot 35, the process proceeds to step S102, and it is determined whether or not the inserted magnetic card is a new card. If this determination is denied, the process jumps to step S109. If this determination is positive, the magnetic card drive device 204 and the magnetic information reading device 208 are controlled in step S103, and the ID of the magnetic card is determined.
Read code and check code.

Next, in step S104, the ID and check code of the inserted magnetic card are transmitted to the main controller 101, and the same ID as the ID code of the magnetic card is sent to the main controller 101.
Request a search for code player data (Fig. 6
"A"). In response to this request, the main control device 101 searches for the ID code, and this processing will be described later.

Next, in step S105, after waiting for a reply from the main control device 101, the process proceeds to step S106, in which a new I sent from the main control device 101 is sent.
The D code is saved in the RAM 207. The reply from the main control device 101 (“B” in FIG. 6) will be described later.

Next, in step S107, when it is determined that the player data having the same ID exists as a result of the search by the main control device 101, step S107
If it is determined that the player data having the same ID does not exist by jumping to 110, step S108.
In, the player is notified by displaying on the display 31, for example, that the contents of the magnetic card are invalid or the past information has expired and is deleted. In the following step S109, new personal information is created, and the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S110, processing necessary for the player's game play is performed. The raising process (FIG. 7) described later is included in this process. The process of step S110 is continued until it is determined in step S111 that the play has ended.

If it is determined in step S111 that the play has ended, a check code is created based on the latest player data, and a new (current) ID code and check code are written on the magnetic card (step S1
13) The magnetic card is ejected (step S114).

In step S115, the final game state and history (player data) stored in the RAM 207 are transmitted to the main control device 101, and if it is confirmed that they have been transmitted correctly (step S11).
6), in step S117, the player data in the RAM 207 is erased, and the process of FIG. 6 ends. The game state and history (player data) transmitted in step S115 are stored in the SRAM 105 and stored until the player plays the game next time.

The breeding process in step S200 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the breeding process (step S200) executed in the station control device 201.

In step S201 of FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the player has selected the purchase of owned horses. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S202. In step S202, it is determined by referring to the player data stored in the RAM 207 whether or not the player already owns eight horses. If the determination is affirmative, the process returns to step S201, and if the determination is negative. Step S20
Go to 3. If the player already owns eight horses, no additional horses can be purchased.

The process of step S203 will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a horse selection screen, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a stable selection screen, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a horse name selection screen.

In step S203, a process for causing the player to purchase a horse owned by the player is performed. In this process, first, R
The owned horse selection screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display 31 with reference to the player data of the AM 207.

In the area 301 on the left side of the horse selection screen,
The horses already owned by the player are displayed (three horses are displayed in FIG. 8). In the area 302 on the right side, information about three horses as candidates for horses to be purchased is displayed. In addition, the area 302 allocated to each candidate horse
In each area, a bet button 302a indicating the number of bets required for purchasing each horse is displayed. In a region 303 provided above the region 301, a comment about one of the horses displayed as a candidate is displayed. This comment is the corresponding horse comment button 302
It is displayed when the player operates b.

Although three horses are displayed in the area 302 in FIG. 8, the number of horses may be set to a larger value, or the horses may be displayed at a predetermined timing or by the operation of the player. The number of selectable heads can be increased by sequentially switching the candidates.

When the purchase button 302a is operated by the player, the horse corresponding to the purchase button 302a is selected as a owned horse and purchased. The number of bets (the number of medals) paid by the player at the time of purchasing a horse is set to a value according to the ability of each horse, and the bet number is larger for a strong horse.

As shown in the display of the area 302, each horse is set with a growth type such as precocious or late and aptitude for distance, etc., and the player selects a breeding method according to the characteristics of the horse or races to run. Can be selected. Note that, as shown in the process of step S202,
Players cannot own more than 9 horses.

The horse displayed in the area 302 can be changed for each station 3, and the displayed horse may be changed according to the current credits held. For example,
Stations 3 with low credits may display many horses with low purchase prices, and stations 3 with high credits may display many horses with high purchases. Further, only horses within the range that can be purchased with the current credits may be presented in the area 302 of each station 3. in this way,
By changing the horses to be displayed according to the credits held, the number of horses to be displayed can be reduced and the screen display can be simplified. Also, since only horses that the player can actually purchase are displayed, the player's operation becomes easy. The current credit count is displayed in the area 306 in the lower right corner of the owned horse selection screen.

The purchase of the owned horse is stored by updating the player data in the RAM 207.

During game play, as shown in FIG. 8, the right end portion of the screen is used to switch the game play mode (betting ticket purchase mode, owned horse breeding mode) at the station 3 and the like. Area 307 is reserved. When the player operates the button in the area 307, the mode is switched to the mode corresponding to the operated button, and the display 31 displays a predetermined game screen corresponding to the mode. The data display, owned horse purchase, running mode, and training modes constituting the training mode are also switched by operating the area 307.

After purchasing the owned horse, the stable selection screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display 31 with reference to the player data in the RAM 207. On the right side of the stable selection screen are areas 304A and 304B for selecting three types of stables, a normal stable, a stamina stable and a speed stable.
And 304C are provided. A determination button 304a is provided in each area allocated to each stable, and when the player operates the determination button 304a, the stable corresponding to the determination button 304a is selected.

Information on the horse purchased this time is displayed in the area 305 provided on the upper right side of the stable selection screen, and the player can select the stable while referring to the information.

As shown in areas 304A-304C, selecting stamina stables for long range horses, speed stables for short range horses, and normal stables for long range and short range horses. The horses are trained to be horses of average character that are not biased to any of the types.

The selection of the stables is stored by rewriting the player data in the RAM 207.

After selecting the stable, the horse name selection screen shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display 31 with reference to the player data in the RAM 207. Here, as the horse name used for the owned horse name, one horse name is selected from a total of 256 types of horse names prepared. On the right side of the horse name selection screen,
An area 311 for searching a horse name from the initials is provided. Also, below the area 311, a button 311a is provided.
An area 312 is provided in which three horse names corresponding to the initials selected by are displayed. As shown in FIG.
In the area 312, for example, a name in which the horse name “Idle” is added with the crown name “Konami” is displayed. This crown name is nothing but the name of the player included in the personal information (see FIG. 4 (a)). By operating the buttons 312c and 312d provided in the area 312, the horse names arranged in the Japanese syllabary order can be sequentially replaced. When the enter button 312a provided in the area 312 is operated by the player, the owned horse name displayed on the left hand of the button 312a is selected as the official name of the owned horse purchased this time.

The horse name included in the owned horse name is voice-outputted through the audio device 104 in the live call when the horse is started in the race, and the presence of the race is increased. In this way, a horse name selected from a predetermined 256 types and a crown name are combined to create a owned horse name, and only the horse name is output by voice, thereby duplicating with other players. No, while ensuring a unique horse name, it enables natural voice output during live calls.

The horse name of the owned horse is stored as player data in the RAM 207.

After the above processing is completed, step S20
The process returns from step 3 to step S201 (FIG. 7).

On the other hand, if the determination in step S201 is negative, the process proceeds to step S204, and it is determined whether or not the player has selected to run in the race. If this judgment is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S205,
Determine if you already own a horse. If this determination is affirmed, the procedure proceeds to step S206, and if not, the procedure returns to step S201.

The process of step S206 of FIG. 7 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. Figure 11
Shows a race selection screen, and FIG. 12 shows a jockey selection screen.

In step S206, a process for selecting a race in which the owned horse is to be run is performed. In this processing, first, referring to the player data in the RAM 207, as shown in FIG.
The race selection screen shown in is displayed on the display 31.
An area 321 for displaying a list of horses owned by the player is provided on the left side of the race selection screen, and the player can operate the buttons 321a and 321b of the area 321 to scroll the display of owned horses in the vertical direction. it can. The currently selected horse is displayed in the uppermost area 321c.

On the right side of the race selection screen, there are provided an area 322 for displaying a race name and an area 323 for displaying which horses can participate in each race displayed in the area 322. . As shown in FIG. 11, the area 322 includes 1 in each race along with the race name.
The prize money and entry conditions for the first or second place are displayed. In the area 323, “Registered” indicating that the corresponding horse has already been registered for running, “Running possible” indicating that the corresponding horse is ready to run, and that the corresponding horse does not meet the running conditions Four types of wording are displayed: "conditions not shown" and "deadline" indicating that the race registration is deadline. This allows the player to recognize whether or not each horse can participate.

For the horse displayed in the area 321c, that is, the selected horse, a button that displays the number of bets to be paid by the player as a condition for race entry for races that can be raced, in addition to the above four types of wording. 323a is provided. When the button 323a is operated by the player, horse entry registration for the race corresponding to the operated button 323a is performed for the selected horse. For example, when the button 323a corresponding to "Derby" in FIG. 11 is operated, the horse displayed in the area 321c is registered as a horse to run in "Derby". By operating the buttons 323b and 323c, it is possible to scroll the race names arranged in the order of dates in the left and right directions.

Above the area 321c, an area 324 for displaying information about the currently selected horse is provided. By operating the retreat button 324a in the area 324, the horse displayed in the area 321c is displayed. Can be retired.

Next, the jockey selection screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display 31. On this screen, a jockey riding a horse registered for running is selected. Since each horseman has different abilities, the winning percentage of the race changes depending on the selected horseman. Further, since the riding tactics differ depending on the jockey, it is necessary to judge the compatibility with the leg quality etc. of the horse to run. Therefore, the same skills as in actual horse racing are required,
The realism of the game can be increased.

Each jockey is treated according to his ability,
That is, the share of the jockey when the horse that has entered the race wins the prize money is set. For example, in the case of a first-class jockey, the win rate is high, but the jockey's allowance is 60%, the player's share is 40%, and in the case of a third-class jockey, the win rate is low, but the player's share is 100%.
It is set as a percentage. In this case, for example, if the prize money is a race of 200 medals, 80 medals are won when the first-class jockey wins the race, and 200 medals when the third-class jockey is used for the race.
Each player can get a piece.

Therefore, the player can select the jockey in consideration of not only the win / loss of the medal game but also the win / loss of the race. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide the player with various ways to enjoy the game.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the area 324, the jockey's name, the percentage of the jockey's allowance, and the riding method (leading type, drive-in type, etc.) are displayed. You can choose the jockey. When the player operates the button 324a arranged in the area 324, the jockey corresponding to the button 324a is set as the jockey riding on the race.

The riding jockey is stored by rewriting the player data in the RAM 207.

After the above processing is completed, step S20
Return to 1.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S204 is negative, the process proceeds to step S207, and it is determined whether or not the player has performed an operation of selecting training of the owned horse. If this judgment is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, it is determined whether or not the horse is already owned by referring to the player data in the RAM 207. If the determination is affirmative, the training process in step S209 is performed, and if the determination is negative, the process returns to step S201.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 13, step S209
The training processing of will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a training processing screen.

In the training process, the player's horse is trained by betting medals owned by the player. The larger the bet number of medals, the better the horse's ability after training. For example, you can bet 1 to 3 medals,
Training results can be obtained according to the number of medals. By betting medals and training, the horse's ability can be improved and the winning rate in the race can be increased, so that the player can train the horse by saving money on the horse.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the horse owned can be trained, the player can enjoy the fun of raising his own horse and raising it to a strong racehorse. .

The ability of the owned horse is represented by a plurality of parameters (stamina, speed, condition). In the training process, the player cannot select which parameter among these parameters should be increased and how much. Also, training menu (contents of training)
Players cannot be involved in the selection of. Which parameter value is increased to what extent is determined by the station control device 201 in accordance with, for example, the selected stable and the number of bets. As a result, it is possible to train a horse without requiring complicated input operations.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the lower area 331 of the training processing screen, a list showing the sex, age, prize money, parameters, stables, and previous training method of the owned horse is displayed. . This list is displayed by button 331a.
It is possible to scroll by operating the and buttons 331b. In the uppermost row 331c of the area 331, the horse currently selected as a training target is displayed.
Each parameter of this horse is also displayed in the area 332 on the upper left side of the training processing screen as a training result. In the area 332, the display 332a indicates stamina and the display 332a indicates
The speed b and the condition 332c are indicated by the number of lit stars, respectively, and are added to the horse ability.

On the upper right side of the training processing screen, an area 333 in which an explanation of the training method is displayed and an area 334 in which buttons for selecting the training method are arranged are provided. Area 334
Has buttons 334a to 334e displaying training methods of "rest,""horse,""strengthen,""full," and "same as last time," respectively. The training method corresponding to each button is selected by operating.

When "rest" is selected, the training is not performed this time. If "Horse" is selected, the training is performed with less fatigue but less ability.
If "One cup" is selected, training is performed in which the fatigue is great but the ability is dramatically increased. When "Strength" is selected, training of an intermediate character between "horse" and "full" is performed. If "Same as last time" is selected, the same method of training as the previous training is performed on the same horse. This can save the trouble of input operation.

When the training process as described above is completed, the process returns to step S201.

The training processing in step S209 described above is
As shown in FIG. 15, it is performed only from the start of the bet process to the start of the next bet process. With the arrival of the start time of the next bet process, the training process is forcibly terminated, and the process returns from step S209 to step S201. Further, it is configured such that training can be performed only once in each period, and training cannot be repeated twice or more. Therefore, it is not possible to rapidly raise the owned horse by ignoring the passage of time that is assumed by the race cycle, and this gives reality to the owned horse raising speed.

The selected training method and the training result obtained by this training are stored by rewriting the player data in the RAM 207.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S207 is negative, the process proceeds to step S210. In step S210, it is determined whether or not the end of the breeding process has been selected by the operation of the player, and if the determination is negative, step S210
Proceed to 211.

In step S211, it is determined whether or not the data display process is selected by the player's operation. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S212. If denied, the process returns to step S201.

When the process of step S212 ends, the process returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S210 is affirmative, the process returns and proceeds to step S111 (FIG. 6).

The above data display is executed by referring to the player data stored in the RAM 207.

After the player data storage method is described below, the process of FIG. 16 and the data update process (FIG. 7) will be described.

Since the storage destination of the player data is distributed as described above, in this embodiment, the SRAM 105 is preferentially used as the storage destination of the player data, and when the capacity of the SRAM 105 becomes insufficient, the update is made last. The player data is moved from the oldest to the flash memory 106 in order, and a free space is created in the storage area of the SRAM 105. Further, the player data stored in the flash memory 106 is manually deleted, or is automatically deleted when a predetermined period has passed since the last update. As a result, the free space of the flash memory 106 is secured. The period during which it is guaranteed that the player data is saved without being erased should be notified to the player as the valid period of the game play. By setting the balance between the period until the erasure is performed and the capacities of the SRAM 105 and the flash memory 106 within an appropriate range, it is possible to appropriately manage the player data.

If the player data that has been moved to the flash memory 106 is reused and updated due to the player's return, the player data is stored in the flash memory 106, as will be described later in the description of the processing of FIG. To SRAM 105. If the player frequently plays the game and the update interval of the player data is short, the player data is not moved to the flash memory 106 during that time and the SRAM 10
It will continue to be stored in 5.

Next, the collation processing will be described with reference to FIG. The collation process is a process that is started in response to the request of step S104 (FIG. 6) of the station control device 201, and is executed by the main control device 101.

In step S301 of FIG. 16, SRAM1 is used.
The player data saved in 05 is searched. Next, in step S302, it is determined whether player data including the same ID code as the ID code requested to be searched in step S104 is found. If this determination is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S303 and step S1.
It is determined whether or not the check code transmitted in 04 matches the check code of the player data found in the SRAM 105. If this judgment is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S314, and if not, the process returns to step S301.

If the determination in step S302 is negative, the process proceeds to step S304 to search the player data stored in the flash memory 106. Next, in step S305, it is determined whether player data including the same ID code as the ID code requested to be searched in step S104 is found. If this determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S310, and it is determined whether or not the check code transmitted in step S104 matches the check code of the player data found in the flash memory 106. If this judgment is affirmed, step S
If the determination is negative, the procedure returns to step S304.
In step S311, it is determined whether or not the SRAM 105 has a free area, and if the determination in step S311 is negative, the player data that has not been updated in the SRAM 105 for the longest time is moved to the flash memory 106 (step S312). It proceeds to step S313. If the determination in step S311 is affirmative, step S313
Skip to. In step S313, the state and history (player data) of the game found in the flash memory 106 are copied to the SRAM 105, and the step S3
Proceed to 14.

In step S314, a new ID code is created, and in the following step S315, the new ID code, the above search result, and the found game history or the newly created history are sent to the station control device 101. Then, the processing of FIG. 16 ends. This step S
The ID code transmitted in the process of 315 is step S10.
6 (FIG. 6). Further, the determination in step S107 and the processing in step S108 are performed in step S315.
It is executed based on the transmission contents of.

Next, the data update process will be described with reference to FIG. The data update process is a process that starts upon receiving the data update command (FIG. 5) in step S7, and is executed in the main controller 101.

In step S401 of FIG. 17, a command for requesting transmission of player data, that is, a player data transmission command is sent to the station control device 201 of each station 3. Upon receiving the player data transmission command, the station control device 201 of each station 3 executes a process of transmitting the player data to the main control device 101.

Next, in step S402, after waiting for the player data to be received from all the stations 3, the process proceeds to step S403. In step S403,
The player data stored in the SRAM 105 is rewritten with the player data transmitted from the station control device 201 of each station 3, and step S404
Go to.

Next, in step S404, it is determined whether or not the update of the player data has been completed for all the stations 3 to which the player data has been transmitted to the main control device 101. If this determination is denied, the process proceeds to step S405, the target of rewriting the player data in the ARAM 105 is switched to the next station 3, and the process returns to step S401. If this determination is positive, the data update end flag is turned on in step S406, and the process ends. As described above, the data update end flag is a flag to be determined in step S8 in the cycle process of FIG. 5, and if the data update end flag is on, the process proceeds from step S8 to step S9. Therefore all stations 3
When the update of the player data is completed, the process will proceed to the next race.

As described above, in this embodiment, the state and history of the game up to the previous time are saved as player data, so that when the player returns, the game can be restarted from the continuation of the previous time. However, while the game machine 1 is operating, annual races are sequentially carried out in the game machine 1, and one year of the game elapses in 2 to 3 hours. Therefore, for example, if a player ends play at the Yayoi Award (March) race, returns a few days later, and resumes play at the Derby (June) race, the game time will be over Years are flowing. At this time, if it is assumed that the game time has elapsed according to the operating time of the game machine 1 and the play is restarted, the horse will not be trained for a dozen years, and only the age will be added. Therefore, the player's interest in the game is lost.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the elapsed time in the game is managed independently for each player, and in the above case, the Yayoi prize race in which the player interrupted play and the derby of the same year as the race were interrupted by the player. It is treated as if the play was restarted at the time of the race, and the horse is considered to have been resting for 3 months in the game. This allows
Even if the game is interrupted, the player's horse performance can be fully exerted in the player's return play, and the player can fully enjoy the central horse racing schedule. Since it is not preferable to reverse the flow of time in the game, for example, if you interrupt play during the Derby (June) race and resume play during the Yayoi Award (March) race, Is considered to be the Yayoi Award (March) for the following year. That is, the owned horse is 9
It is treated as having been rested for a month.

FIG. 18 shows a bet screen displayed on the display 31 in the bet processing. As described above, the betting process allows the player to purchase a betting ticket for the race (see FIGS. 5 and 15). As shown in FIG. 18, an area 351 for displaying a race name is displayed on the upper left side of the bet screen, an area 352 is displayed on the upper right side of the bet screen for displaying information on horses participating in a race, and a lower area of the bet screen is on the lower side of the bet screen. Areas 353 for displaying race odds are provided respectively. In the betting process, the player can operate a predetermined part of the area 252 to purchase a betting ticket.

Here, the display method of the bet screen may be changed according to the performance of the horse owned by the player. For example, when the horse owned by the player wins the G1 race, the display image of the owned horse displayed in the area 352 may be different from that of other horses, or the display layout of the owned horse may be changed. Can be different from the horse.

In this embodiment, the play state and history are stored on the game machine 1 side instead of the magnetic card. Therefore, when each game machine 1 is installed independently,
Unless the same game machine 1 is always used, the continuation of the game cannot be played. Therefore, a plurality of game machines may be connected to each other through some communication means so that the player data can be transferred. By transferring the player data, the player can play the rest of the game using another game machine.

The game state and history may be stored in a portable recording medium such as a magnetic card or a card with a built-in IC. In this case, since the game can be continued using the information stored in the portable storage medium, the game machine used when the game is continued is not limited. Therefore, the player can enjoy the rest of the game at another place where the game machine is installed.

In this embodiment, the ID code is changed every time the game play is interrupted (step S31).
4) It is not always necessary to change the ID code every time.
Also, because the check code change process can prevent unauthorized use of the magnetic card, the ID code is not changed.
A fixed ID code may be fixedly set on one magnetic card. Alternatively, only the ID code may be used as the specific information.

In the present embodiment, a game for breeding a horse race has been described as an example of breeding. However, for example, a player can enjoy the process of tuning up a car participating in a race and the process of improving the ability of a bicycle racer. The present invention can also be applied to such games. In the present specification, the “cultivation” includes the concept of improving the ability of, or controlling the ability of, all objects appearing in the game.

[0131]

According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by too much time in the game with respect to the breeding object during the game play interruption period.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an embodiment in which a game system according to the present invention is applied to a medal game machine.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing a main controller of the game machine.

FIG. 3 is a control block diagram showing a station control unit of the game machine.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of player data and magnetic card information, FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a data structure of player data, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a data structure of magnetic card information.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing cycle control processing.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing in the station control device after the magnetic card is inserted.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a growing process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a horse selection screen.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a stable selection screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a horse name selection screen.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a race selection screen.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a jockey selection screen.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a training processing screen.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a data display screen.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a game progress cycle.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a matching process.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a data update process.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a bet screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 fields 3 stations 101 Main controller 105 SRAM 104 audio equipment 106 flash memory 107 ROM 201 Station controller 203 Medal Management Device (Payout Means) 207 RAM 208 Magnetic information reader (reading means) 209 Magnetic information writing device (writing means)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A game machine installed in an arcade, which pays out a game value according to the progress of a game, and a training means for training a game object to be raised in accordance with a bet of the game value by a player, and a game And a game control means for controlling the competition advancing means so that the training object participates in the competition and the training object exerts the ability according to the training result in the competition. A game value payout means for paying out a game value corresponding to the performance of the training target to the player in the competition, and an operation for training the training target by the player,
If there are multiple stations that accept operations to participate in the training target in the competition that is sequentially held according to a predetermined cycle, and the player interrupts the game and restarts after that,
The game elapsed time for the training target during the suspension period may be delayed from the game elapsed time corresponding to the operating time of the game machine during the suspension period, and then the play for the training target may be resumed. Characteristic game machine. 2. A main control device for performing processing for sequentially holding races according to a predetermined cycle, and a station control device connected to the main control device, wherein the station control device is an object to be trained by a player. Provided for each of the plurality of stations for accepting the operation for raising the trainee and the operation for allowing the trainee to participate in the race, and each station control device is configured to perform the processing necessary for the player's game play, A game console installed in an arcade, where the player interrupts the game and then resumes,
The game elapsed time for the training target during the suspension period may be delayed from the game elapsed time corresponding to the operating time of the game machine during the suspension period, and then the play for the training target may be resumed. Characteristic game machine. 3. Player data including a game history for ensuring continuity of the interrupted game is stored in an SRAM or a flash memory connected to the main control device, and when the play is restarted, the player data is stored. The game machine according to claim 2, wherein the game history is transmitted to the station control device.