JP2003071128A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game apparatus in which the game content can have a wide variety. SOLUTION: When an input is carried out by an operation on a controller 300 by a player, a game direction part 114 carries out various event processes or the like according to the content of the input. A timing judging part 118 judges whether it is a printing timing of necessary information for a game operation, working with the game operation process by the game direction part 114. If it is printing timing, information necessary for a game operation (e.g. a whole map of a game space in a role-playing game or the like) is printed by a printer 250.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device to which a printer is connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a game device to which a printer is connected has been known. This printer is used, for example, for printing a decisive moment during the progress of a game or for printing the result of a game. Recently, printers dedicated to game devices have been released, but few are actually on the market. For this reason, the game played using the conventional game device has a content that can be played without a printer. Therefore, a one-sided printer that only outputs some information from the game device as described above. It remains to be used.

[0003]

By the way, as described above, since the game played using the conventional game device has a content that can be played without a printer, the printer is effectively used. However, there is a problem that the game contents cannot be changed even if the printer is connected. In other words, by printing a decisive moment during the progress of the game or printing the game result, the player can enjoy watching them, but the content cannot be reflected in the progress of the game. There is no direct relation between the presence or absence of a printer and the progress of the game, and it cannot be said that the printer is effectively used.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game device capable of changing the contents of a game.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the game device of the present invention outputs the information necessary for the progress of the game from the printer and reflects the output contents in the subsequent progress of the game. There is. Further, the game device of the present invention includes an operation unit that receives an input operation by a player,
A printer that prints and outputs information related to the progress of the game on a print medium, and when an input operation that reflects the information printed on the print medium is performed using the operation unit, a predetermined value corresponding to the input content is given. And a game calculation means for performing a game calculation. By making the printer an indispensable configuration requirement, it is possible to set the game content that reflects the information printed by the printer, which enables new game development that has never existed before and changes in the game content. Can be made.

Further, when the information printed on the print medium is indispensable information that is indispensable for the subsequent game progress, the above-mentioned game calculation means performs an input operation reflecting this indispensable information using the operation means. It is desirable to delay or interrupt the progress of the game when not obeyed. Alternatively,
When the information printed on the print medium is privilege information that is advantageous to the player in the subsequent game progress, the game calculation means described above is operated when an input operation reflecting the privilege information is performed using the operation means. It is desirable to perform a game calculation that is advantageous to the player. It is possible to avoid the game contents that are disadvantageous to the player, such as delaying or interrupting the game progress, or to obtain the game contents that are advantageous to the player by the input operation that reflects the print contents, so that the printed information can be ensured. It is possible to realize a game with unprecedented content by reflecting it on the progress of the game.

Further, the above-mentioned game calculation means generates a print content at the print timing determined by the timing determination means for determining the print timing of the information necessary for the subsequent game progress in the middle of the game progress. It is desirable to include a print processing unit for performing the above. As a result, it becomes possible to output necessary information from the printer at a necessary timing during the progress of the game, so that it becomes possible to provide individual information according to the progress of the game and to advance the game in which the provided individual information is reflected. It is possible to change the game contents.

Further, it is desirable that the game calculation means described above further comprises an input determination means for determining whether or not the content of the input operation using the operation means is based on the information printed on the print medium. By making such a determination, the printed information can be surely reflected in the game progress.

Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned information printed on the print medium is a map of the game space which is the object of the subsequent game progress. In a conventional game device that plays a role playing game or the like, a map of the game space is displayed on a display screen when a predetermined operation is performed. However, this causes the game progress screen and the map screen to overlap, and because the resolution of the screen is usually low, it is difficult to see the display contents, or when switching the display and displaying these screens alternately Becomes complicated and the operability deteriorates. However, by printing a map of the game space on the print medium with a printer having a higher resolution than the screen, it is possible to see the map that is a printed matter separately from the game progress screen, and it is possible to improve the visibility. become. Further, since the map once printed can be viewed at any time when it is necessary, it is not necessary to switch the screens required for viewing the map and the operability can be improved.

In particular, the above-mentioned map is a divided view in which the entire view is divided into a plurality of parts, and it is desirable that the entire view is completed by combining the divided views output by a plurality of printing operations by the printer. Since the whole figure is completed by performing printing a plurality of times, the player manually performs an operation of storing the obtained divided figures and combining the obtained divided figures to complete the whole figure. You can Therefore, it is possible to realize a game content in which the player can experience a feeling that cannot be obtained by merely operating the game screen.

Further, it is desirable that the above-mentioned information printed on the print medium makes sense by three-dimensionally processing the print medium. A player who wants to proceed smoothly or advantageously in the game must process the print medium on which the information is printed as intended by the game developer, and has a problem of a content different from the game played only on the screen. Since it is possible to set, it is possible to change the game content.

Further, it is desirable that the information printed on the above-mentioned print medium is task information used by the player for repeated practice. For example, when the score of a question in a music game using a controller simulating a musical instrument is used as the task information, the player can perform repetitive practice while watching the printed score. It is possible to realize game contents that can be enjoyed away from the device.

Further, when the information printed on the print medium is image information showing items necessary for the game progress,
It is desirable to further include a reading unit for reading the content of the image information. As a result, a simulated experience of actually picking up an item during the progress of the game becomes possible, and it is possible to realize a game content that is more realistic than when the game is played only on the game screen.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A game device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the game device according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection state between the game device of the present embodiment and peripheral devices. In this embodiment, for example, a home-use game machine will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the game device of this embodiment executes a predetermined game calculation by executing a game program stored in a CD-ROM as an information storage medium to display a game screen. A game device main body 100 for outputting a video signal necessary for printing, a printer output signal necessary for printing, or an audio signal such as various sound effects, a television monitor device 200 and a printer 250 connected to the game device main body 100, It is configured to include a controller 300 that the player operates at hand.

The TV monitor device 200 converts a sound signal input from the display unit 210, which displays a game screen on the display screen based on a video signal output from the game device body 100, into a sound. And a speaker 220 that emits the light into the air. The display unit 210 is composed of, for example, a CRT (cathode ray tube), an LCD (liquid crystal display device), a liquid crystal projector, or the like.

The printer 250 also prints predetermined print information on a print medium (eg, paper) 252 based on a printer output signal output from the game apparatus main body 100.
The controller 300 includes a cross key 310 that can arbitrarily point in eight directions, and a plurality of push button switches 320 that are selectively pressed as needed.

The game device body 100 includes a game calculation section 1
10, a video output unit 180, an audio output unit 182, a printer output unit 184, and a disk reading unit 186. The game calculation unit 110 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM and an RA.
It is realized by executing a game program using M. The detailed configuration of the game calculation section 110 will be described later.

The video output section 180 is configured to include a VRAM, and reads out the image data generated by the game calculation section 110 and stored in the VRAM in the scanning order and converts the image data into an NTSC signal, thereby the television monitor device 200. The video signal is output to the display unit 210 of.

The voice output unit 182 is the game calculation unit 110.
Various audio data output from the speaker are converted into analog audio signals, and the speaker 22 in the television monitor device 200 is converted.
Output toward 0. The printer output unit 184 converts the print data generated by the game calculation unit 110 into a printer output signal for printing and outputs it to the printer 250.

The disc reading unit 186 is for reading various data stored in the loaded CD-ROM 188. A game program including image data necessary for high-definition graphic display is recorded in the CD-ROM 188, and the disc reading unit 186 sends the game program read from the CD-ROM 188 to the game calculation unit 110. The above-mentioned C is used as an information storage medium for recording the game program.
You may make it use the thing (for example, DVD-ROM etc.) other than D-ROM.

The game calculation section 110 is for performing game calculations relating to the progress of the game and the occurrence of various events, and the input processing section 112, the game effecting section 114, the display image generating section 116, and the timing determining section 118. , A print information generation unit 120, and an input determination unit 122.

The input processing section 112 is a controller 300.
The contents of the input operation by the player performed using are determined. The game effecting unit 114 advances the game based on the input operation content of the player determined by the input processing unit 112, and causes various events as necessary.
Further, the game production unit 114 calculates the arrangement and orientation of various three-dimensional objects such as player characters and enemy characters appearing in the game at regular time intervals.

The display image generation unit 116 is the game production unit 1
A perspective projection conversion process in which the position of the player's viewpoint is taken into consideration is performed on various types of three-dimensional objects whose positions and orientations have been calculated by 14, to generate a two-dimensional image that is a pseudo three-dimensional image. The timing determination unit 118 determines the print timing required for the subsequent game progress during the game progress. For example, in a role-playing game, when the game progresses to some extent, the timing of printing the entire map, which is a hint for the subsequent game progress,
The print timing of an essential item (for example, a key required to open a specific door) in the subsequent game progress is determined.

The print information generator 120 generates print contents at the print timing determined by the timing determiner 118. For example, in the above-mentioned example, the print information including the entire map and various items is generated at a predetermined timing. The input determination unit 122 determines whether the content of the input operation performed using the controller 300 is based on the information printed on the print medium 252 by the printer 250.

The above-mentioned controller 300 is the operating means, the game calculating section 110 is the game calculating means, the timing determining section 118 is the timing determining means, the print information generating section 120 is the print processing means, and the input determining section 122 is the input determining. Corresponds to each means. The game device of this embodiment has such a configuration, and its operation will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation procedure of the game device of this embodiment. When a power switch or a reset switch (not shown) is pressed, the game calculation unit 110
Sends an instruction to the disc reading unit 186 to send the CD-ROM 18
The game program is read from 8 and executed to start a predetermined game calculation. After that, the following processing is repeated until the game is over (step 100).

The game production section 114 is provided with the controller 30.
It is determined whether or not 0 has been operated by the player and any input has been made (step 101), and if any input operation has been made, various event processing and the like according to the input contents are performed (step 102).

After that, or when no input operation is performed by the player using the controller 300, after the negative determination is made in the determination in step 101, the timing determination unit 118 determines whether it is the print timing (step). 103). This determination is made by the game production unit 11
This is performed in conjunction with the game progress processing in 4. If it is the print timing, an affirmative decision is made, and then the printing process of the information necessary for the progress of the game is carried out (step 10).
4). This print processing is performed by outputting the print information generated by the print information generation unit 120 from the printer output unit 184 to the printer 250.

After the printing process is completed, or when there is no information to be printed, a negative determination is made in step 103, and then the display image generation unit 116 is executed.
Generates a game image according to the progress of the game. The game image is converted into a video signal of a predetermined format by the video output unit 180, then sent to the television monitor device 200, and displayed on the display unit 210 (step 105).

In this way, the necessary information is generated by the print information generating unit 120 and printed on the print medium 252 by the printer 250 at a predetermined print timing during the progress of the game. This information is necessary for the subsequent game progress, and the player can reflect this information in the subsequent game progress by operating the controller 300 while seeing this information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a printing example of the printer 250. In FIG. 4, an overall map of a game space such as a role playing game is shown. The player can obtain this general map when he / she clears a predetermined task during the progress of the game, and can indicate the traveling direction of the player character while looking at this general map in the subsequent progress of the game. . That is, the printer 2
This general map output from 50 is privilege information that is advantageous to the player in the subsequent game progress, and by operating the controller 300 based on the content of this general map, the contents of this general map will be changed in the future. It is possible to reflect the game progress and realize a game development that is advantageous to the player himself.

5 to 8 are views showing other printing examples of the printer 250. Each of FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 is a division map (division view) showing a part of a game space such as a role playing game. The player can obtain these divided maps at different print timings when a predetermined task is cleared during the course of the game. Figure 8
Shows a part of an overall map (overall view) obtained by cutting out only the relevant portions of the divided maps shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 from the print medium 252 and combining them. The location of the treasure is shown on this general map, and the player can finally find the treasure by obtaining and combining the divided maps one after another during the course of the game.

Similar to the general map shown in FIG. 4, each of these divided maps is privilege information advantageous to the player in the subsequent game progress, and the controller 300 is operated based on the content of this general map. This makes it possible to reflect the contents of this entire map in the future game progress and realize a game development advantageous to the player himself.
In particular, even if these divided maps are simultaneously displayed on the screen at respective print timings, it is difficult for the player to assemble the entire map in his head just by looking at it. In addition, each divided map printed and cut out is
Since it is necessary to complete the entire map by guessing the correct placement method from the shape of the road, etc., if the combination of the placement is complicated, the fun of solving a puzzle is added.
In this way, each divided map is printed at a predetermined print timing, and the player plays the game based on the print content, which gives a feeling that cannot be obtained with the conventional game device that displays the map only on the display screen. It becomes possible to realize the game contents that can be enjoyed.

By the way, in the above example, the printer 25
The player who sees the information printed by 0 can proceed the game from that point onward with considerable advantage, but it is possible to reach the treasure location or the target point by accident without looking at the printed overall map. There is also. In contrast, the printer 25
By inputting information (for example, a keyword) to be printed by 0 and determining whether the input content matches the expected value, the printed information may be surely reflected in the subsequent game progress. .

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of the game device when the matching judgment of the input information is performed. The flow chart shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to step 10 in the flow chart shown in FIG.
The difference is that steps 200 and 201 are added between step 1 and step 102. Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on this difference.

When the player operates the controller 300 to perform any input operation, step 101
In the determination of No, an affirmative determination is made, and then the input determination unit 12
Step 2 determines whether or not an input request has been made in consideration of the content printed by the printer 250 (step 200). If such an input request has not been made, a negative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step 102,
Various event processes and the like according to the input contents are performed.

If an input request is made in consideration of the contents printed by the printer 250, an affirmative judgment is made in the judgment at step 200, and then the input judgment unit 122 is accepted by the input processing unit 112. A match determination is performed by comparing the input content using the controller 300 and the expected content (expected value) (step 201). Then, in consideration of the comparison result (match or mismatch), various event processes according to the input content in step 102 are performed. As a result, when the match determination is performed, the game development after that is advantageous to the player, and when the mismatch determination is performed, the game development after that is disadvantageous to the player.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printing example of the printer 250. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional model obtained by cutting out the printed matter shown in FIG. 10 with scissors. Figure 1
On the printed matter shown in FIG. 0, a figure in a developed state of the solid model shown in FIG. 11 is drawn. That is, the three-dimensional model shown in FIG. 11 is completed by cutting out the developed figure with scissors or the like, bending it at a predetermined position, and adhering it at the glue margin N. This three-dimensional model has a predetermined character string (Fig. 1
In the example shown in FIG. 1, “NINJA”) is drawn, and the player who sees this character string operates the controller 300 to input the character string. The input determination unit 122 receives the input character string and the character string “NI
NJA ”is compared. When they match, it is possible to give bonus points to the player and obtain hints necessary or advantageous for the game progress. On the contrary, in the case of disagreement, such a player cannot be favorably treated.

As described above, by causing the player to perform an input operation based on the content printed by the printer 250, comparing the input content with a predetermined expected value, and causing the game to proceed according to the match or mismatch. It is possible to reliably reflect the print content in the game progress. In particular,
As shown in FIG. 0 and FIG. 11, by incorporating the elements of paper craft, it becomes possible to incorporate new game contents that cannot be experienced by conventional game devices.

By the way, in the above-described example, when the printed content is reflected in the subsequent game progress, even if the input operation according to the printed content is not performed, the game development is disadvantageous to the player. However, the content to be printed is set as indispensable information (indispensable information) for the subsequent game progress, and when the input operation according to the printed content is not performed, the game progress after that is delayed or interrupted. By doing so, the input operation according to the print content may be surely performed.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of the game device when the input operation according to the print content is surely performed. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is different in that step 201 is replaced with the process of step 202 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, description will be made focusing on this difference.

If the input request considering the content printed by the printer 250 is made, step 2
In the determination of 00, an affirmative determination is made, and then the input determination unit 122 determines whether the input content using the controller 300 accepted by the input processing unit 112 and the expected content (expected value) match. It is determined (step 202). If they match, an affirmative determination is made, and the process proceeds to step 102 to perform various event processes and the like. If they do not match, a negative determination is made in step 202, and the processing from step 101 onward is repeated until the expected input operation is performed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a printing example of the printer 250. In the printing example shown in FIG. 13, three types of keys P1, P2, and P3 are printed by the printer 250 in the progress of the game until then. The player can obtain various items such as the keys P1 to P3 as printed materials while the game is in progress. In addition, the player can continue the game after that by using these keys at a predetermined timing. However, in the case of using the printed matter on which the key is drawn, it is desirable to add a means for reading the contents of these printed matter, unlike the input of a character string or the like.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modification of the game device. The game device shown in FIG. 14 is different from the game device shown in FIG. 1 in that an image reading unit 400 is added. As the image reading section 400, a scanner or a camera that optically reads image information is used. For example, the player causes the image reading unit 400 to read the key P2 shown in FIG. 13 at a predetermined timing,
The subsequent games can be continued, and if the key P2 is not obtained at that time, it becomes impossible to proceed to the subsequent games. The image reading unit 40
0 corresponds to the reading means.

As described above, by advancing the game on condition that the contents printed by the printer 250 are input, the printed information can be surely reflected in the progress of the game. In addition, by using the printer 250 and the image reading unit 400 in combination, it is possible to have a simulated experience of actually picking up an item during the course of the game, which is more realistic than when the game is played only on the game screen. A certain game content can be realized.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the printer 250 prints a map advantageous to the game progress and items such as keys that are advantageous or essential to the game progress. There are many other possibilities. For example, an image that gives a simple hint in a role-playing game as shown in FIG. 15 or an image of a score showing a task song in a music game as shown in FIG. 16 may be printed. By obtaining the hint image shown in FIG. 15, the player can advantageously proceed with the subsequent game development. Further, by obtaining the image of the musical score shown in FIG. 16, the player can perform repetitive practice while looking at the musical score (task information) in a state where he / she is away from the game device, and in a state of being away from the game device. You can realize the game contents that you can enjoy at.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the game content reflecting the information printed by the printer is set, it is possible to develop a new game which has never been possible before.
The contents of the game can be changed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection state between a game device and peripheral devices.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the game device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a printing example of a printer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another printing example of the printer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another printing example of the printer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another printing example of the printer.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another printing example of the printer.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the game device when a match determination of input information is performed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a printing example of a printer.

11 is a diagram showing a three-dimensional model obtained by cutting out the printed matter shown in FIG. 10 with scissors.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the game device in the case of surely performing an input operation according to print contents.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a printing example of a printer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a modified example of the game device.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a printing example of a printer.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a printing example of a printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 game console body 110 Game calculation unit 112 Input processing unit 114 Game production department 116 Display image generation unit 118 Timing determination unit 120 Print Information Generation Unit 122 Input determination unit 180 Video output section 182 Audio output section 184 Printer output section 200 TV monitor 250 printer 300 controller 400 image reading unit

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Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A game device characterized in that information necessary for game progress is output from a printer, and the output content is reflected in the subsequent game progress. 2. An operating unit that receives an input operation by a player, a printer that prints and outputs information related to the game progress on a print medium, and an input operation that reflects the information printed on the print medium. And a game calculation means for performing a predetermined game calculation corresponding to the input contents. 3. The information according to claim 2, wherein the information printed on the print medium is indispensable information that is indispensable for the subsequent game progress, and the game calculation means performs the operation in which the input operation reflecting the indispensable information is performed. A game device for performing a game operation for delaying or interrupting a game progress when not performed using a means. 4. The information printed on the print medium according to claim 2, is privilege information that is advantageous to a player in a game proceeding thereafter, and the game calculation means is configured to perform an input operation that reflects the privilege information. A game machine, characterized by performing a game operation advantageous to a player when the game is performed using the operation means. 5. The timing calculation means according to claim 2, wherein the game calculation means determines a print timing of information necessary for the subsequent game progress during the game progress, and the timing determiner. And a print processing unit that generates print content at the print timing determined by the game apparatus. 6. The game calculation means according to claim 2, wherein the game calculation means determines whether or not the content of the input operation using the operation means is based on the information printed on the print medium. A game device further comprising input determining means for performing the operation. 7. The game device according to claim 2, wherein the information printed on the print medium is a map of a game space, which is a target of the subsequent game progress. 8. The map according to claim 7, wherein the entire map is divided into a plurality of divided maps, and the divided map output by a plurality of printing operations by the printer is combined to obtain the entire map. A game device characterized by being completed. 9. The game device according to claim 2, wherein the information printed on the print medium makes sense by three-dimensionally processing the print medium. 10. The game device according to claim 2, wherein the information printed on the print medium is task information used for repeated practice by the player. 11. The information according to claim 2, wherein the information printed on the print medium is image information indicating an item necessary for proceeding with the game, further comprising a reading unit for reading the content of the image information. A game device characterized by the above.