JP2003103041A - Game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game device in which a bonus due to the good results of a game is given to a player as an hour when a game can be played and it can be stored. SOLUTION: The game device in which a game can be played until the remaining hour data are gone by subtracting the hour data based on a timekeeper, wherein the hour data are added and subtracted according to the game state of a player apart from subtracting based on the timekeeper and the hour data are stored as data, which the player can distinguish, when the player chooses the end of a game play before the remaining hour data are gone.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game device which stores data on a time when a game can be played.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, cash coins and medals for games are used in the use of game machines in facilities such as game centers, and they can be used by inserting these coins and medals into game machines. It is like this. The player inserts these coins and the like to play the game. When a good result is obtained, the player can leave a name or the like as a top performer, obtain a prize according to the game result, or obtain a medal.

On the other hand, it is also desirable for the player to acquire a playable time in which the game can be played, as in the case of acquiring a prize or the like. For example, in a race game, if you can clear the course within the target time,
As a bonus for good performance, there is also a bonus that the playable time is extended by a predetermined time. In that case, you will be able to continue playing the next lap.

[0004]

However, in the conventional race game, the playable time as a bonus can only be used continuously within the play, and nothing can be used for the next and subsequent plays. Therefore, it has not been possible to motivate the player to continue visiting the game center.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a game device in which a bonus due to a good result of a game is given to a player as a time when the game can be played and the bonus can be stored. The purpose is to provide. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game device in which the time obtained as a bonus is stored in the game device or in the facility, and the player cannot take it out of the game device or out of the facility.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the invention described in claim 1, by subtracting time data based on a timer, game play can be performed until the time data does not remain. In addition to the subtraction based on the timer, the game device adds and subtracts the time data according to the game situation of the player, and when the player selects the end of the game play before the remaining time data, The time data is stored as data that can be identified by the player. With this configuration, the time data is stored as data that can be identified by the player, so that the time data can be used in the next and subsequent plays.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the time data comprises purchase time data obtained by paying a consideration and bonus time data added / subtracted according to the game situation, and the time data remains. When the player selects the end of the game play before disappearing, the bonus time data is stored as player identifiable data. With such a configuration, bonus time data, which is a bonus (value value) due to a good result of the game, can be stored in the game device or in the facility as player identifiable data, and the player takes it out of the game device or out of the facility. There is no such thing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the time data comprises purchase time data obtained by paying a consideration and bonus time data added / subtracted according to the game situation, and the time data remains. When the player selects the end of the game play before the end of the time, the purchase time data is stored in a portable storage medium. With this configuration, the purchase time data obtained by paying the consideration can be carried by the player and can be used in another game device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the time data is composed of purchase time data obtained by paying a consideration, and bonus time data added / subtracted according to the game situation, and the time data is subtracted. When performing, the bonus time data is subtracted first. With this configuration, if there is bonus time data, the bonus time data is decreased first, and the purchase time data obtained by the player paying the consideration does not decrease during that time, so that the player's financial burden can be lightened. .

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example of a game device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modification thereof. FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram showing the inside of the game device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the system shown in FIG. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the operation of the modified example.

First, FIG. 1 will be described. 20 in the figure
Numerals 0-1, 200-2, ..., 200-n (hereinafter referred to as 200) are arcade game machines installed in facilities such as game centers, 100 is bonus time data 101 that is player identifiable data (hereinafter, ID). A storage unit 300 is stored as related data), and a communication line 300 is used for transmitting and receiving information between the arcade game machine 200 and the storage unit 100.
According to the game device having such a configuration, when there is bonus time data 101 obtained by playing a game on a certain arcade game machine 200 and gaining good results in the game, the ID related data is stored in the storage unit 100 at the end of the game play. Since it is stored as, the other arcade game machine 20 connected to the storage section 100 by the communication line 300.
If it is 0, the bonus time data 101 can be used again at the next game play.

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 100-1, 100-, which stores the bonus time data 101 as ID-related data in each arcade game machine 200, does not have the configuration using the communication line 300. 2, ..., 100-n (hereinafter referred to as 100) may be provided. According to this configuration, the bonus time data 101 acquired by this arcade game machine 200 is different from the system configuration of FIG. 1 in that it can be used only here, but otherwise it is exactly the same. For example, it may be applied in a facility having a small number of arcade game machines 200 installed.

Next, the detailed internal structure of this game device will be described with reference to FIG. This game device is C
PU10, operation unit 20, operation monitoring unit 22, RAM30,
ROM 32, storage unit 100, image generation unit 42, display unit 4
4, a sound generation unit 46, a sound output unit 48, an interface (I / F) unit 50, and a storage medium 60.

The CPU 10 performs various kinds of processing such as control of the entire game device, instruction to each block in the game device, game calculation, etc., according to programs and data stored in the ROM 32, the RAM 30, and the storage unit 100. Has become.

The operation unit 20 is for inputting various operation data of the player in the game. The operation data also includes operation data associated with the start and end of storage of the game. The function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, and a keyboard.

The operation monitoring section 22 monitors the presence or absence of the player's input from the operation section 20. Its function is
It can be realized by hardware such as various sensors or a given program. The function of the operation monitoring unit 22 is C
It may be realized by the PU 10.

The image generation unit 42 generates various images according to instructions from the CPU 10 and outputs them to the display unit 44. The functions thereof are ASIC for image generation and DS.
It can be realized by hardware such as P, a given program (image generation program), or image information.

The sound generation unit 46 generates various sounds according to an instruction from the CPU 10 and outputs the sounds to the sound output unit 48. The functions thereof are hardware such as ASIC for sound generation, DSP, and the like. It can be realized by a given program (sound generation program) and sound information (waveform data, etc.).

The RAM 30 is adapted to appropriately receive programs and data required for the CPU 10 to perform various processes from the ROM 32 and the storage unit 100 and store them. It also serves as a work area for the image generation unit 42, the sound generation unit 46, and the like.

The ROM 32 stores information such as programs and data, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a semiconductor memory. The CPU 10 performs various processes based on the programs and data stored in the ROM 32. A program related to the timer function is also stored.

The storage unit 100 stores the bonus time data 10
1 is stored as ID related data, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a hard disk device and an optical disk device. The CPU 10 reads the bonus time data 101 stored as ID related data in the storage device 100 into the RAM 30 to enable game play. As described above, this storage unit 100
2 may be provided in the game machine 200 as shown in FIG. 2, or may be provided in a location accessible by radio or the like.

Storage medium (hereinafter referred to as game card) 6
0 stores various data used for the game. The various data includes purchase time data 61, player identification information such as ID, and the like. In addition, purchase time data 6
1 may be data of a modification associated with the above ID or the like. Further, it may have an area capable of storing information necessary for each game. The function of the game card 60 can be realized by hardware such as an IC card, a magnetic card, and a memory card in addition to the rewritable card as in the present embodiment. The game card 60 is purchased from a dedicated card vending machine 70.

The interface (I / F) unit 50 is a C
It is about to input / output data regarding the game card 60 and the player according to an instruction from the PU 10. Depending on the form of the game card 60, appropriate hardware is connected to the I / F unit 50. For example, when the game card 60 is a rewritable card, a rewritable card reader / writer is connected to the I / F unit 50, and data can be input to and output from the rewritable card.

The display section 44 is, for example, a CRT, LCD, H
MD (head mounted display) etc. are suitable,
A speaker or the like is suitable for the sound output unit 48.

In the game device of this embodiment, the CP
U10 is a data extraction means 12 for extracting various data by a program stored in the RAM 30 and the ROM 32,
It functions as addition / subtraction means 13 for adding / subtracting the time data according to the game situation of the player, and storage updating means 14 for storing the time data as player identifiable data when the end of the game play is selected.

The data extracting means 12 performs a process of extracting various data necessary for game play. That is, I
D, time data, ID related data, etc. are extracted from the respective stored locations and stored in the RAM 30 or the like.

The addition / subtraction means 13 changes the time data according to preset conditions according to the game progress of the player. For example, when a player obtains a certain special item A in a role playing game, a change process of increasing the bonus time data by 30 seconds is performed.

When the player receives an instruction to end the game play before the remaining time data runs out, the memory updating means 14 stores the time data stored in the RAM 30 or the like at that time in the storage unit 100 or the game card. Write to 60. That is, the bonus time data 101 is written in the storage unit 100 as player identifiable data, and the purchase time data 61 is written in the game card 60.

Next, an example of a procedure for playing a game on the game device of this embodiment will be described. The player (purchaser) first purchases the game card 60 at the card vending machine 70. The player chooses the desired purchase time and pays a predetermined amount (for example, 1000 yen for 30 minutes),
The game card 60 in which the purchase time data 61 corresponding to the purchase time is stored is issued. This game card 60 uses a rewritable card, and the purchase time is entered on the rewritable display surface on the front surface. That is, here, the money is converted into time data, and thereafter, the game play can be managed by time data. The purchase time data 61 can be increased by further paying money at the card vending machine 70.

Until the purchase time data 61, which is time data, runs out, the player can freely play the game on the game device of this embodiment. Furthermore, as described above, this time data includes the bonus time data 101 in addition to the purchase time data 61, and if either one of these two types of time data remains, game play is possible. The bonus time data 101 increases according to the results of various events during the game and the scores such as scores.

When the game is started for the first time after the game card 60 is inserted, the purchase time data 61 is decreased according to the timer in the game device because the time data is only the purchase time data 61. As the game progresses, for example, when the number of points is exceeded or a special item is acquired, the bonus time data 101 is given to the player for a predetermined time. When there is the purchase time data 61 and the bonus time data 101, the time data to be reduced may be set in advance.

Then, when the player wants to end the game play at the time when the saving can be completed in the middle of the game, the decrease of the time data is stopped, and the remaining bonus time data 101 at that time is related to the ID. The purchase time data 61 is updated and stored in the storage unit 100 as data, and the game card 60 is ready to be taken out, and the game ends.

As described above, the player can temporarily end the game by leaving the time data before the time data runs out (hereinafter, referred to as zero). The player is
Purchase time data 61 of the game card 60 and the storage unit 10
Until both the bonus time data 101 of 0 becomes zero, the game can be played again using the game card 60.

The game card 60 for which the purchase time data 61 has become zero can be re-purchased at the card vending machine 70, and can be used again in the same game by increasing the time by a predetermined time. .

Further, since the system of this game device manages the game play by the player according to time, the game card 60 is not limited to one type of game but can be used for various games. That is, there is no difference between a game card dedicated to a racing game and a game card dedicated to a role playing game. Therefore, using the purchase time data 61 of the game card 60 and the bonus time data 101 of the storage unit 100, it is possible to use all the game devices in the facility. Furthermore, not only one facility, but also multiple facilities can be connected by dedicated facilities lines, etc., and if the whole is managed comprehensively as a group of facilities, it becomes a common game card that can be used at any facility, It is very convenient. Also in this case, the player does not take the bonus time data 101 out of the facility group.

Next, the operation of the game apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The game card 60 is set in the card reader / writer provided in the arcade game machine 200 of this system (step S501).
When the game card 60 is set, the game card 6
In order to determine whether 0 is a proper one that can be used in this arcade game machine 200, the data extraction means 12 extracts the ID of the game card 60 (step S502).

When the game card 60 is proper, the purchase time data 61 is continuously read from the game card 60.
Is confirmed (step S503), and if there is a residual, the data extracting means 12 extracts the purchase time data 61,
The data is stored in the RAM 32 (step S504). In the present embodiment, when the purchase time data 61 is zero, the game cannot be started and the game card 60 is ejected and ended (step S506). If the ID is incorrect in step S502, the game card 60 is similarly used for the arcade game machine 200.
It is discharged from and ends. Next, the data extracting means 12 extracts the corresponding ID-related data in the storage unit 100 and stores the bonus time data 101 in the RAM 32 (step S505). If the corresponding ID-related data does not exist in the storage unit 100, the process proceeds to the next step.

At least when the purchase time data 61 is not zero, the game is executed (step S510).
During the game, the time data is decreased according to the count of the timer, and the addition / subtraction means 13 increases the bonus time data 101 based on the game situation, for example, the result of the event or the score. When both the bonus time data 101 and the purchase time data 61 exist, the decrease of the purchase time data 61 is stopped and the bonus time data 101 is decreased first.

The CPU 10 constantly monitors whether or not the time data has become zero during the execution of the game (step S).
512 and step S513). That is, when both the bonus time data 101 and the purchase time data 61 become zero, the game ends (step S520).

Further, the player can select the end of saving the game at a predetermined scene during the execution of the game. The predetermined scene refers to, for example, when a route is selected in a role-playing game, when a battle ends, or the like. When the player selects to end the game storage (step S511), the presence / absence of the bonus time data 101 at that time is confirmed (step S514).
If the bonus time data 101 remains, it is confirmed whether the ID related data for writing the data exists in the storage unit 100 (step S515), and if it does not exist, a new ID related data is created ( In step S516, the bonus time data 101 is written (step S517). If ID-related data already exists, the data is updated and written there. If the bonus time data 101 is zero in step S514, no new ID related data is created, and if ID related data already exists, it is deleted (step S518). This completes the process of storing the bonus time data 101 in the storage unit 100, and the game ends (step S520). Finally, the remaining purchase time data 61 is written in the game card 60 (step S521) and discharged (step S52).
2).

Next, a modified example in which the game card 60 does not have an ID will be described with reference to FIGS. Purchase time data 61 is stored in the game card 60. When the game card 60 is set in the card reader / writer provided in the arcade game machine 200 (step S
601), the purchase time data 61 is confirmed to remain from the game card 60 (step S602), and if there is any, the data extraction means 12 extracts the purchase time data 61 and R
It is stored in the AM 32 (step S603). Even in this modification, the game cannot be started when the purchase time data 61 is zero, and the game card 60 is ejected and ended (step S607). In addition,
In step S602, even when the remaining purchase time data 61 cannot be confirmed, it is determined that the game card itself is invalid, and the game card 60 is similarly discharged from the arcade game machine 200 and ends.

Next, the ID related data has already been stored in the storage unit 100.
In order to confirm whether or not the player has it, the CPU 10 requests the player to input the ID and password (step S60).
4). When the ID or the like input by the player is proper (step S605), the data extraction means 12 causes the storage unit 1 to operate.
The corresponding ID related data in 00 is extracted and the bonus time data 101 is stored in the RAM 32 (step S6).
06). If the corresponding ID related data does not exist in the storage unit 100, the ID related data is not extracted and the process proceeds to the next step.

In the subsequent operation, the description of the same parts as those of the previously described embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be omitted, and only different parts will be described. In step S614, when the bonus time data 101 remains, the ID related data for writing the data is stored in the storage unit 100.
Whether or not it exists (step S615),
If ID-related data already exists, it is updated and written there (step S617).

If the ID-related data does not exist, the CPU 10 creates new ID-related data including the ID (step S616). Then, the player is presented with an ID, and thereafter, settings are made to enable the player to properly use the ID-related data, for example, a password is set, and this password is written together with the bonus time data 101 as ID-related data ( Step S6
17). It should be noted that even if the bonus time data 101 remains, if it is not desired to save it, the bonus time data 101 may not be saved.

In this way, the game card 60 is I
It becomes a general-purpose card that does not include D, and can have no special value or the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, an event that reduces the time data at once during the game may be prepared. This will increase the tension in the game and make it even more interesting for the player. Also, the degree of decrease of the time data may be changed depending on the game scene. For example, it is effective to not decrease the time data for a fixed time while referring to the game help screen, or to not decrease the time data when the operation monitoring unit 22 determines that the player is not in the operating state for the fixed time. Is.

In the present embodiment, when both the bonus time data 101 and the purchase time data 61 remain, the bonus time data 101 is reduced first. However, on the contrary, the purchase time data 61 is decreased. May be decreased first, or the player may be allowed to select which one is decreased first.

In the present embodiment, the game cannot be started unless the purchase time data 61 remains, but if either the purchase time data 61 or the bonus time data 101 remains, the game is started. You may be able to start.

For example, in a role-playing game, it is desirable to store the progress of the game so that the next play can be continued from that point. In that case, a storage area different from the storage area for storing the purchase time data 61 may be created and stored in the game card 60. Further, it may be stored as ID related data in the storage unit 100.

Further, the arcade game machine 200 may be configured to be able to extend the playable time with not only the game card 60 but coins or medals.

Further, the game card 60 may have a free storage area which can be arbitrarily used for each game type. If you do so, the competition results, athletic ability, etc. when you provide games such as competitive fighting games, war simulation games, racing games, quiz games, casino games,
Equipment, strength data, machine data, level, etc. can be stored efficiently.

[0052]

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, since the time data is stored as the data identifiable by the player, there is an effect that it can be used at the next and subsequent plays. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the bonus time data corresponding to the bonus (value of value) due to the good performance of the game can be stored as the player identifiable data in the game device or the facility, and the player can play the game device. It has the effect of not being taken outside or outside the facility.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the purchase time data obtained by paying the consideration can be carried by the player and can be used in another game device.

According to the invention described in claim 4, if there is bonus time data, the bonus time data is reduced first, and the purchase time data obtained by the player paying the consideration does not decrease during that time, so the player's economic burden is reduced. It has the effect of making it lighter.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example of a game device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modified example of a game device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram showing the internal configuration of the game device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a part of a flowchart showing the operation of the system shown in FIG.

5 is a part of a flowchart showing the operation of the system shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing the operation of a modified example.

FIG. 7 is a part of a flowchart showing the operation of a modified example.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 CPU 12 Data extraction means 13 Addition / subtraction means 14 Memory update means 60 Storage medium (game card) 61 Purchase time data 100 storage 101 ID related data (bonus time data)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game device which allows game play by subtracting time data based on a timer until the remaining time data runs out, in addition to the subtraction based on the timer, depending on the game situation of the player. A game device, wherein the time data is added and subtracted, and the time data is stored as player identifiable data when the player selects the end of the game play before the time data remains. 2. The time data comprises purchase time data obtained by paying a consideration, and bonus time data that is added / subtracted according to the game situation, and the player plays the game before the time data runs out. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the bonus time data is stored as player-identifiable data when the end of play is selected. 3. The time data is composed of purchase time data obtained by paying a consideration and bonus time data that is added or subtracted according to the game situation, and the player plays the game before the time data runs out. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the purchase time data is stored in a portable storage medium when the end of play is selected. 4. The time data is composed of purchase time data obtained by paying a consideration, and bonus time data added / subtracted according to the game situation. When subtracting the time data, the bonus time data is added. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the subtraction is performed first.