JP2007029624A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system preventing a reset of a game progress by a reason irrelevant to the game progress, or the deterioration of communication state, and capable of improving a game property. <P>SOLUTION: This game system including a plurality of game devices (an own machine 1 and other machines 2-4) each having a function capable of executing a simultaneous play game (a racing game), when detecting in respective game devices that the communication state with either of the other game devices is deteriorated, displays the deterioration of the communication and continues the simultaneous play game without suspending it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system capable of playing a game by wireless communication between a plurality of game devices.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a game system in which a plurality of game devices are connected to each other with a cable and data is transmitted / received by wired communication to play a battle game between a plurality of players. On the other hand, when data is transmitted / received by wired communication, it takes time to connect the cable, or the game device can be connected only by a limited number of nodes. Therefore, there is a game system that transmits and receives data by wireless communication (see Patent Document 1).

  According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, each game device is provided with transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from another game device by wireless communication. As a result, it is possible to save the trouble of connecting a plurality of game devices to each other with a cable, and more game devices can be connected than when data is generally transmitted and received by wired communication. Game nature can be improved.

JP 10-151274 A (paragraph number [0004], FIG. 1)

  However, in the case of transmitting and receiving data by wireless communication, for example, an arbitrary player goes out of the wireless radio wave communication range, and the game device owned by the player and the game device owned by another player When the communication state deteriorates, a communication error occurs as a whole, and the game progress is forcibly reset.

  If the game progress is reset for reasons unrelated to the progress of the game, that is, the deterioration of the communication state, the player who is likely to win the game will be very dissatisfied. In addition, a player who has caused the game progress to be reset due to his own negligence feels bad at other players. Thus, making each player feel uncomfortable has been one of the factors that impair the game performance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to prevent the game progress from being reset for reasons unrelated to the progress of the game, that is, the deterioration of the communication state, thereby improving the game performance. To provide a game system capable of

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a game system including a plurality of game devices having a function capable of executing a simultaneous play game, and each game device is connected to any other game device. When it is detected that the communication state has deteriorated, a message to that effect is displayed and the simultaneous play game is continued without being stopped.

  More specifically, the present invention provides the following.

  (1) including a plurality of game devices having a function capable of executing a simultaneous play game, wherein each game device includes a communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from each other by wireless communication with the plurality of game devices; Control means for advancing the simultaneous play game according to the program, and display means for displaying a first operation object to be operated by the player along the progress of the simultaneous play game. The means is operated by a player playing on the other game device based on the data transmitted from the other game device simultaneously playing the simultaneous play game among the plurality of game devices and received by the communication means. An operation object that is a target to be reproduced as a second operation object on the display means. Each of the game devices further includes a communication state detection means for detecting a communication state with the other game device, and the control means is configured to allow the simultaneous play game to be performed during the progress of the simultaneous play game. When the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated, the display unit displays that effect and cancels the simultaneous play game. A game system characterized by continuing without any problems.

  According to the present invention, in a game system including a plurality of game devices having a function capable of executing a simultaneous play game, a communication means for transmitting and receiving data by wireless communication to each game device and the simultaneous play game are advanced. Control means and display means for displaying the first operation object to be operated by the player itself are provided, of which the control means plays on another game device based on the data received by the communication means. The display means is configured to reproduce the second operation object to be operated by the player. Each game device is further provided with communication state detection means for detecting a communication state with another game device, and the communication state with any of the other game devices is detected by the communication state detection means. When it is detected that the game has deteriorated, the control means described above displays the fact on the display means, and the simultaneous play game is continued without being stopped, so that the game performance can be improved. .

  That is, for example, even when an arbitrary player goes out of the radio wave communication range and the communication state between the game device owned by the player and the game device owned by another player deteriorates, This is displayed by the control means provided on the game device, and the simultaneous play game is continued without being stopped, so the game progresses forcibly for a reason unrelated to the progress of the game that the communication state deteriorates. Will never be reset. Therefore, a player who is likely to win the game will not be dissatisfied, and any player will not cause a reset of the game progress due to negligence. Since it is not lost, gameability can be improved.

  Here, “stop” is a concept for forcibly terminating the game in the middle, and does not include the concepts of “interrupt” and “pause”. Therefore, to continue the simultaneous play game without “stopping” means to continue the simultaneous play game without forcibly ending the game. Therefore, in order to continue the simultaneous play game without “stopping”, after the progress of the simultaneous play game is interrupted for a certain period of time, the simultaneous play game is continued or the progress of the simultaneous play game is in progress. This includes stopping the game once and then continuing the simultaneous play game.

  (2) When the control unit detects that the communication state has deteriorated with respect to any of the other game devices while the simultaneous play game is in progress, (1) The game system according to (1), wherein communication with the game device is canceled and the simultaneous play game is continued independently of the other game devices.

  According to the present invention, when it is detected that the communication state has deteriorated with respect to any of the other game devices while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the communication with the other game devices is canceled by the control means described above. Since the simultaneous play game is continued independently of the other game devices, the game performance can be improved.

  For example, a player whose only player has gone out of the communication range of the wireless radio wave can continue the simultaneous play game by himself / herself independently of the other players. At this time, the operation object to be operated by another player may stop without moving at all, or may disappear from the display screen.

  (3) When the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the control unit The simultaneous play game is continued while the communication with the game device other than the game device whose communication state has deteriorated is maintained while the communication with the game device with the deteriorated game state is canceled (1) The described game system.

  According to the present invention, when it is detected that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the game device whose communication state has deteriorated by the control means described above. Since the simultaneous play game is executed in a state in which communication with other game devices other than the game device whose communication state has deteriorated is maintained while communication with respect to is released, the game performance can be improved.

  For example, when only one player out of a plurality of other players comes out of the radio wave communication range, the game owned by the player who is in the radio wave communication range except for the game device owned by the player. The simultaneous play game can be continued only with the device. At this time, the operation object to be operated by the player who has gone out of the communication range of the radio wave may stop at all without moving, or may disappear from the display screen.

  (4) The game system according to (3), wherein the control means takes over the operation of the second operation object related to the game device whose communication state has deteriorated and automatically controls the operation.

  According to the present invention, the operation of the second operation object related to the game device whose communication state has deteriorated is taken over by the control means described above, and this is automatically controlled. It is possible to prevent the number of operation objects participating in the game from being reduced on the display screen due to stop or disappearance of the operation objects to be operated by the player who has been lost, and thus preventing deterioration of the game characteristics. Can do.

  (5) When the communication state detecting unit detects that the communication state with the game device whose communication state has deteriorated is detected while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the control unit notifies the fact that An operation object to be displayed on the display means and operated by a player playing on the game apparatus whose communication state has deteriorated is displayed on the display means as a third operation object instead of the second operation object related to the game apparatus. The game system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the game system is reproduced.

  According to the present invention, when it is detected that the communication state with the game apparatus whose communication state has deteriorated is detected while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the control means described above displays the fact on the display means. And an operation object to be operated by a player playing on the game device whose communication state has deteriorated is reproduced on the display means as a third operation object instead of the second operation object related to the game device. Therefore, for example, when a player who has gone out of the radio wave communication range returns to the communication range again, the third operation object to be operated by the player is reproduced on the display means of the game device of each player. Thus, the simultaneous play game can be continued as it is, and the game performance can be improved.

  (6) When each of the game devices further detects that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated by the communication state detection means during the progress of the simultaneous play game, Measuring means for measuring the elapsed time, wherein the control means causes the display means to reproduce the third operation object on condition that the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time (5) The described game system.

  According to the present invention, when it is detected that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated while the simultaneous play game is in progress, each game device is provided with a measuring means for measuring the elapsed time. Since the third operation object is reproduced on the display means by the above-described control means on the condition that the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time, for example, a player who has gone out of the radio wave communication range However, even if the player returns to the communication range again, the player cannot participate in the simultaneous play game if the predetermined time has not passed since the player went out of the communication range, and has given a certain penalty to the player. Can be imposed. In this way, the game performance can be improved.

  (7) The measuring unit measures the elapsed time for each of the game devices whose communication state has deteriorated, and the control unit determines the elapsed time for each of the game devices whose communication state has deteriorated. (6) The game system according to (6), wherein the display unit reproduces the third operation object on condition that time has been reached.

  According to the present invention, the elapsed time described above is measured for each of the game devices whose communication state has deteriorated by the above-described measuring means, and predetermined for each of the game devices whose communication state has deteriorated by the above-described control means. Since the third operation object is reproduced on the display means on the condition that time has passed, for example, when there are a plurality of players who have gone out of the communication range of the radio wave, these players are again Even when returning to the communication area, it is not possible to participate in the simultaneous play game unless a predetermined time has elapsed since going out of the communication area. Therefore, different penalties can be imposed for each player. In this way, the game performance can be improved.

  The “predetermined time” may be the same for a plurality of players who have gone out of the radio wave communication range, or may be different for each player. For example, beginners set a predetermined time short, and advanced users set a predetermined time long.

  (8) When the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated during the simultaneous play game, the control unit performs the simultaneous play. The game is temporarily interrupted, and a guidance display for allowing the player to select a continuation mode related to the simultaneous play is displayed on the display means, and the simultaneous play game is continued in a continuation mode related to the selection operation by the player. The game system according to any one of (1) to (7).

  According to the present invention, when it is detected that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the simultaneous play game is temporarily interrupted by the control means described above. At the same time, a guidance display for allowing the player to select a continuation mode related to the simultaneous play game is displayed on the display means, and the simultaneous play game is continued in the continuation mode related to the selection operation by the player. The player can select whether or not to join the player again in the simultaneous play game when the player who has gone out of the communication range of the radio wave returns to the communication range again. Therefore, the intention of each player can be sufficiently reflected in the simultaneous play game, and the game performance can be improved.

  Here, the “continuation mode” related to the simultaneous play game is, for example, “continuation mode for automatically controlling an operation object related to a game device whose communication state has deteriorated” or “operation object related to a game device whose communication state has deteriorated” Means a mode indicating how to continue the simultaneous play game, such as “continue mode not reproducing” or “continuation mode in which the simultaneous play game is ended when the communication state deteriorates”.

  As described above, the present invention is a game system including a plurality of game devices having a function capable of executing a simultaneous play game, even if the communication state with other game devices deteriorates. Since it is continued without stopping, it is possible to prevent the game progress from being reset for reasons unrelated to the progress of the game, such as the deterioration of the communication state, and improve the game performance.

[Overview]
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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

  As shown in FIG. 1A, a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a game device (hereinafter referred to as “own device”) 1 and a game device (hereinafter referred to as “other”) owned by another player. 2), 3 and 4). These own device 1 and other devices 2 to 4 each have a function capable of executing a simultaneous play game (in this embodiment, a four-player simultaneous racing game, etc.). Can be sent and received.

  Further, the own device 1 has a radio wave communication area 100 (dotted line frame in FIG. 1). That is, the other devices 2 to 4 can normally transmit and receive data to and from the own device 1 by wireless communication only when the other devices 2 to 4 are in the communication area 100.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1B, consider a case where, for example, a player who owns the other device 3 goes out of the communication area 100. In this case, in the case of a conventional game system, a communication error occurs as a whole due to the deterioration of the communication state between the own device 1 and the other device 3, and the game progress is forcibly reset. For this reason, players who are likely to win the game will have a lot of dissatisfaction, and the player who owns the other device 3 will cause the game progress to be reset, so that the other players feel bad. Will do.

  However, according to the game system according to the present embodiment, even in the above-described case, first, “others” are displayed on the LCDs 13 (see FIG. 2) of the own device 1, the other device 2, and the other device 4, respectively. “The player who owns the machine 3 has gone out of the communication area 100” is displayed. Then, between the own machine 1, the other machine 2, and the other machine 4, the simultaneous play game is continued only between these, and the other machine 3 is continued with the other machine 3 alone. As a result, the simultaneous play game is continued without being stopped.

  Therefore, since the game progress is not forcibly reset for reasons unrelated to the progress of the game such as the deterioration of the communication state, the game performance is improved without causing the player to feel uncomfortable feeling as before. Can be made.

[Details]
Hereinafter, the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Here, a four-player simultaneous racing game (hereinafter referred to as “racing game”) is considered as the simultaneous play game.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of a game device used in the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in FIG. 2, although the external appearance of the own apparatus 1 is shown, it is the same also about the other apparatuses 2-4.

  2, the own device 1 has a game apparatus main body 11, a communication unit 12, and a power supply unit (not shown) such as a battery. Note that a game cartridge 50 (see FIG. 3) in which a game program of a racing game is stored is mounted on the back side of the own device 1.

  An LCD 13 that displays numbers, characters, character images, and the like is provided at the center of the game apparatus body 11. In particular, the LCD 13 displays a first operation object (the operation object in the racing game is a “car”) to be operated by the player of the player 1 as the racing game progresses. The LCD 13 also displays a second operation object to be operated by a player who plays with the other devices 2 to 4.

  On the left side of the LCD 13, there is an operation lever 14 for operating the above-described first operation object up and down, left and right, and a selection operation on a predetermined selection screen, and a built-in battery or an external power source (neither shown). A power switch 16 for turning on / off the power supply from the light source and a light emitting device 17 for emitting light in conjunction with the on operation of the power switch 16 are arranged.

  On the right side of the LCD 13, a speaker 18 that outputs sounds used in a racing game, BGM, and the like, and a missile is fired from the first operation object described above in the racing game, and a determination operation is performed on a predetermined selection screen. An operation button 15a for jumping the first operation object described above to avoid an obstacle in the racing game, and an operation button 15b for canceling operation on a predetermined selection screen are arranged. .

  The communication unit 12 is a unit for transmitting and receiving data by wireless communication with each of the other devices 2 to 4, and is provided integrally with the game apparatus main body 11. In the present embodiment, the communication unit 12 and the game apparatus body 11 are integrally provided. However, for example, the player may attach the communication unit 12 to the game apparatus body 11.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the own device 1 and the other devices 2 to 4 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the game device used in the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention. 3 shows the electrical configuration of the own device 1, the same applies to the electrical configurations of the other devices 2-4.

  In FIG. 3, the game apparatus body 11 executes the game program of the racing game, and when the CPU 22 that controls the integrated control of each part of the game apparatus body 11 and the power switch 16 of the game apparatus body 11 are turned on. A boot ROM 24 that stores a boot program for realizing an initial operation such as detecting whether or not the game cartridge 50 is mounted, and a RAM 23 that functions as a working area of the CPU 22.

  Further, the game apparatus body 11 receives a display command from the CPU 22, receives a sound output command from the CPU 22 and an LCD drive control circuit 19 that transmits a drive signal to the LCD 13 based on the display command, Based on the sound output command, the sound reproduction control circuit 21 that transmits a reproduction signal to the speaker 18 and the light emission command from the CPU 22 are received, and the light emission signal is transmitted to the light emitting device 17 based on the light emission command. And a light emission control circuit 20.

  Furthermore, it also has a connector 25 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the communication unit 12 and a connector 26 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the game cartridge 50. As described above, the game apparatus body 11 includes the operation lever 14, the operation buttons 15a and 15b, and the power switch 16, and these operation signals are input to the CPU 22 via the bus.

  The game cartridge 50 attached to the connector 26 of the game apparatus body 11 stores a game program for a racing game executed by the game apparatus body 11 and image data and sound data related to images and sounds used in the racing game. The stored ROM 51 and a backup RAM 52 for storing the progress of the racing game and the game results are stored.

  The game apparatus body 11 and the communication unit 11 are integrally configured via a connector 25 and a connector 32, and data is transmitted and received between the game apparatus body 11 and the communication unit 11 via these. .

  The communication unit 12 includes, for example, an IC 31 such as a base band IC, an RF (Radio Frequency) IC 33, and a memory 34. Note that the communication unit 12 may be equipped with a battery (not shown), and DC power (direct current) may be supplied to each component of the communication unit 12 by this battery. Power may be supplied via the connector 26. Further, the communication unit 12 has a configuration independent of the game apparatus main body 11, but each electronic component may be incorporated in advance as a part of a circuit in the game apparatus main body 11. Good.

  In the IC 31, a transmission program for wirelessly transmitting data received from the game apparatus body 11 to each of the other devices 2 to 4 via the RFIC 33, and wirelessly transmitted from each of the other devices 2 to 4 via the RFIC 33. Various operation programs such as a transfer program for transferring the received data to the game apparatus main body 11 are incorporated, and the IC 31 operates according to those operation programs.

  The memory 34 functions as a working area when the IC 31 operates. Further, the RFIC 33 modulates data received from the game apparatus body 11 and transmits radio waves from the antenna 35 based on the modulated data.

  The antenna 35 receives radio waves transmitted from the other devices 2 to 4, and the RFIC 33 demodulates the modulation data transmitted from the antenna 35 and transmits the demodulated data to the IC 31. The IC 31 decodes the demodulated data and transfers the restored data to the game apparatus body 11 via the connector 32.

  Here, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 makes an inquiry to the other device 2 in order to establish communication with the other device 2, for example. More specifically, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 transmits an inquiry command for establishing communication with the other device 2 to the IC 31. Then, the inquiry command passes through the components of the RFIC 33 of the own device 1 → the antenna 35 of the own device 1 → the antenna 35 of the other device 2 → the RFIC 33 of the other device 2 (during this time, various conversion processes as described above are performed. Applied) to the CPU 22 of the other machine 2 by the IC 31 of the other machine 2.

  When receiving the inquiry command, the CPU 22 of the other device 2 transmits response data to the IC 31 of the other device 2. Then, the response data passes through the components of the RFIC 33 of the other device 2 → the antenna 35 of the other device 2 → the antenna 35 of the own device 1 → the RFIC 33 of the own device 1 (during this time, various processes as described above are performed). The data is transferred to the CPU 22 of the own device 1 by the IC 31 of the own device 1.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 22 of the other device 2 does not receive the inquiry command described above, that is, the player who owns the other device 2 has gone out of the communication area 100, and the CPU 22 of the other device 2 has been described above. When the inquiry command cannot be received, the response data is not transferred from the other device 2 to the CPU 22 of the own device 1. Therefore, at this time, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 recognizes that communication with the other device 2 cannot be established by not transmitting the response data (within a predetermined time) even though the inquiry command is transmitted. .

  Also, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 acquires coordinate data (for example, coordinate data indicating the position of the second operation object on the LCD 13) related to the second operation object of the other device 2 while the racing game is being performed. Next, the coordinate data is requested to the other device 2. More specifically, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 transmits a coordinate data request command for acquiring coordinate data related to the second operation object of the other device 2 to the IC 31. Then, the coordinate data request command passes through the components of the RFIC 33 of the own device 1 → the antenna 35 of the own device 1 → the antenna 35 of the other device 2 → the RFIC 33 of the other device 2 (during this time, various processes as described above are performed). Is transferred to the CPU 22 of the other device 2 by the IC 31 of the other device 2.

  When receiving the coordinate data request command, the CPU 22 of the other device 2 accesses the RAM 23 of the other device 2 and determines the position of the first operation object of the other device 2 (corresponding to the second operation object as viewed from the own device 1). The coordinate data shown is read, and this coordinate data is transmitted to the IC 31 of the other device 2. Then, the coordinate data passes through the components of the RFIC 33 of the other device 2 → the antenna 35 of the other device 2 → the antenna 35 of the own device 1 → the RFIC 33 of the own device 1 (while the various processes described above are performed). The data is transferred to the CPU 22 of the own device 1 by the IC 31 of the own device 1. Then, the CPU 22 sets this coordinate data in the RAM 23.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 22 of the other device 2 has not received the coordinate data request command described above, that is, the player who owns the other device 2 has gone out of the communication area 100, and the CPU 22 of the other device 2 has When the coordinate data request command described above cannot be received, the coordinate data is not transferred from the other device 2 to the CPU 22 of the own device 1. Therefore, at this time, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 recognizes the communication error because the coordinate data is not transferred (within a predetermined time) even though the coordinate data request command is transmitted, and the communication error (communication) is transmitted to the RAM 23. Set an error flag).

  Therefore, when the CPU 22 of the own device 1 can access the RAM 23 and read the coordinate data, it can detect that the communication state with the other device 2 is good and can read the communication error. It is possible to detect that the communication state with the other device 2 has deteriorated.

  Here, the mechanism for establishing communication between the own device 1 and the other device 2 and the mechanism for acquiring coordinate data related to the second operation object of the other device 2 have been described, but the same applies to the other devices 3 and 4. Can think.

  Next, the system operation of the game system will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a system operation flow of the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the system operation is described focusing on only the own device 1, but the same applies to the case of focusing on the other devices 2 to 4.

  In FIG. 4, first, the power switch 16 is turned on (step S1). More specifically, when the player presses the power switch 16 of the player 1, an operation signal of the power switch 16 is input to the CPU 22. Upon receiving this operation signal, the CPU 22 transmits a power supply command to a battery (not shown), reads out and executes a boot program from the boot ROM 24, and whether the game cartridge 50 is mounted via the connector 26. Make a decision. In this embodiment, since the game cartridge 50 is already mounted, the CPU 22 reads the game program of the racing game stored in the game cartridge 50 and executes it. Then, a racing game standby screen is displayed on LCD 13 of own device 1.

  Next, communication is established (step S2). More specifically, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 makes an inquiry to the other devices 2 to 4 in order to establish communication with the other devices 2 to 4. At this time, as described above, communication is established with the other device to which the response data has been transferred, whereas communication is not established with the other device to which the response data has not been transferred. In this case, the racing game starts with the other machine to which the response data has been transferred, except for the other machine to which the response data has not been transferred.

  In this embodiment, communication is established for all of the other machines 2 to 4, and a racing game is performed by four players, a player who plays with the own machine 1 and a player who plays with each of the other machines 2-4. (See FIG. 5).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a racing game is being performed by four people.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), a road is displayed in the center of the LCD 13 of the aircraft 1, and there are four cars (P1 to P4), two rocks and one on the road. Obstacles such as bombs are displayed. P1 is a first operation object to be operated by the player 1 playing on the own device 1, and P2, P3, and P4 are the player 2 playing on the other device 2, the other device 3, and the other device 4, respectively. Reference numerals 3 and 4 denote second operation objects to be operated.

  In this racing game, the vehicle can be operated up, down, left and right by operating the operation lever 14, and the missile can be fired from the vehicle by pushing the operation button 15a to destroy obstacles. Furthermore, by pushing the operation button 15b, the vehicle can be jumped and an obstacle can be avoided. Further, the remaining energy of P1 to P4 is displayed on the right side of the center portion of the LCD 13, and the remaining energy is reduced when it collides with an obstacle such as a rock or a bomb.

  Next, it is determined whether or not an operation request has been made by a player playing on the own device 1 (step S3). More specifically, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 determines whether or not an operation signal of the operation lever 14 or the operation buttons 15a and 15b is input. If the CPU 22 determines that these operation signals have been input, the CPU 22 analyzes the input operation signals and displays the analysis result (for example, the operation lever 14 to avoid an obstacle) at the position of the first operation object on the LCD 13. Is moved to the right and the coordinate data reflecting the fact that the car has been moved to the right by one scale is set in the RAM 23 (step S4).

  When the coordinate data is set in the RAM 23 and the display mode is updated in step S12 described later, the display screen of the LCD 13 (see FIG. 5A) is, for example, as shown in FIG. Change. FIG. 5 (b) shows that two rocks and one bomb are moving down due to the four cars P1 to P4 moving forward (moving up), In addition, the P1 car is moving to the right by one scale to avoid the obstacle rock.

  Next, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 makes a request for coordinate data to the other device 2 in order to acquire coordinate data related to the second operation object of the other device 2 (step S5), and then responds from the other device 2. It is determined whether or not there has been (step S6). More specifically, as described above, the CPU 22 sends a coordinate data request command to request coordinate data from the other device 2 and then receives coordinate data from the other device 2 within a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not there is a response from the other device 2 depending on whether or not it is transferred.

  If the CPU 22 of the own device 1 determines that the coordinate data related to the second operation object is transferred from the other device 2 within a predetermined time and has received a response from the other device 2, the transferred coordinate data (for example, other In the machine 2, the operation lever 14 is operated downward to reflect the obstacle bomb, reflecting the fact that the car is moved down one scale) is set in the RAM 23 (step S7).

  When the coordinate data is set in the RAM 23 and the display mode is updated in step S12 to be described later, the display screen (see FIG. 5A) of the LCD 13 is shown in FIG. 5C, for example. It turns into a thing. In FIG. 5 (c), two rocks and one bomb are moving down due to the four cars P1 to P4 moving forward (moving up), And the P1 car has moved one scale to the right to avoid obstacle rocks, and the P2 car has moved one scale to avoid obstacle bombs. Yes.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the coordinate data related to the second operation object has not been transferred from the other device 2 within a predetermined time and there is no response from the other device 2, a communication error is set in the RAM 23 (step S8).

  Next, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 determines whether or not all coordinate data requests to other devices have been completed (step S9). More specifically, in the present embodiment, since the other devices 2 to 4 are considered, the above-described processing of step S5 to step S8 is also repeatedly executed for the other devices 3 and 4.

  Here, the coordinate data request is made in the order of the other machine 2 → the other machine 3 → the other machine 4, but this may be in any order. In the present embodiment, it is determined that there is no response only from the other device 3, and as a communication error, only the communication error related to the other device 3 is stored in the RAM 23 (that is, the other device 3 is owned). Suppose that the player has moved out of the communication area 100 (see FIG. 1)).

  Next, when all the coordinate data requests to the other devices 2 to 4 are completed, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 accesses the RAM 23 and determines whether or not the communication error set in the process of step S8 exists in the RAM 23. (Step S10). In the following, it is assumed that a communication error relating to the other device 3 is set.

  In the present embodiment, since the CPU 22 of the own device 1 determines that the communication error related to the other device 3 is set, the CPU 13 notifies the communication state deterioration on the LCD 13 (step S11). More specifically, when the CPU 22 reads a communication error related to the other device 3 from the RAM 23, the CPU 22 sends a display command for displaying that the communication state with the other device 3 has deteriorated to the LCD drive control circuit 19. Send. Then, the LCD drive control circuit 19 transmits a drive signal to the LCD 13 and displays on the LCD 13 that the communication state with the other device 3 has deteriorated (see FIG. 6). In the following, it is assumed that communication with the other device 3 is canceled together with the display of the communication error related to the other device 3.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the fact that the communication state with the other device 3 has deteriorated is displayed on the LCD 13.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (a) → FIG. 6 (b), the character “The communication state with P3 has deteriorated” is displayed on the left side of the center of the LCD 13 to display other characters. The deterioration of the communication state with the machine 3 is notified. Note that when the CPU 22 does not read a communication error from the RAM 23, the communication state deterioration notification (step S11) is not performed.

  Next, the display mode is updated (step S12). More specifically, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 accesses the RAM 23 to coordinate data related to the first operation object (coordinate data indicating the position of P1) and coordinate data related to the second operation object (positions of P2 and P4). ) And a communication error (communication error related to the other device 3) are read out. Based on these, the display mode of the LCD 13 is updated via the LCD drive control circuit 19.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (b) → FIG. 6 (c), on the left side of the central portion of the LCD 13, a character “communication with P3 has been released” is displayed and The two operation object (P3) disappears from the LCD 13. In the present embodiment, the other machine 2 and the other machine 4 are also processed in the same manner as the own machine 1, that is, the display mode is updated in parallel at any time. The display mode of the LCD 13 in the own device 1 and the display mode of the LCD 13 in the other device 2 and the other device 4 are the same. That is, the second operation object (P3) of the other machine 3 disappears from the LCD 13 of the other machine 2 and the other machine 4.

  Next, the coordinate data is transmitted to the other device (step S13). More specifically, the first operation object in the own device 1 with respect to the other device 2 and the other device 4 whose communication state has not deteriorated. As a result, the movement of the first operation object of the own machine 1 is reproduced on the LCDs 13 of the other machine 2 and the other machine 4 that have received the coordinate data.

When the transmission of the coordinates data is completed with respect to the other machine 2-4, the process goes to step S3. That is, it is again determined whether or not there has been an operation request from a player playing on the player 1.

  If it is determined that there is no particular operation request from the player playing on the own device 1, it is determined whether coordinate data has been received from the other devices 2 to 4 (step S14). If it is determined that the coordinate data from the other devices 2 to 4 has been received, the coordinate data related to the second operation object is set in the RAM 23 (step S15), and the coordinate data is read out to control the LCD drive. The display mode of the LCD 13 is updated via the circuit 19 (step S16). If it is determined that coordinate data has not been received from the other devices 2 to 4, the processes in steps S15 and S16 are not performed.

  As described above, by performing the processing from step S14 to step S16, the second operation object (P2 to P2) on the LCD 13 of the own device 1 can be obtained even if the player playing the own device 1 does not operate the operation lever 14 at all. In P4), the display mode changes every moment.

  Next, when the update of the display mode shown in step S16 is completed, the process proceeds to step S3. That is, it is again determined whether or not there has been an operation request from a player playing on the player 1.

  As described above, according to the game system according to the present embodiment, even if the player playing with the other device 3 goes out of the communication range 100 of the own device 1, the LCD 13 of the own device 1 is displayed. Is notified that the communication state with the other device 3 has deteriorated (see step S11, FIG. 6B), and the second operation object (P3) of the other device 3 disappears from the LCD 13 (step S12). 6c), only between the first operation object (P1) of the own device 1, the second operation object (P2) of the other device 2, and the second operation object (P4) of the other device 4. The racing game will continue.

  Therefore, even in such a case, the racing game will continue without being stopped, and the game progress will not be reset for reasons unrelated to the progress of the racing game, which is a deterioration of the communication state. Game nature can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the second operation object (P3) of the other device 3 disappears from the LCD 13, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, P3 may stop without moving at all. , P3 may be automatically controlled. The latter will be described in more detail. In step S12 (see FIG. 4), when the CPU 22 of the own device 1 accesses the RAM 23 and reads a communication error related to the other device 3, the game cartridge 50 is read. The automatic control program (not shown in FIG. 3) related to the second operation object of the other device 3 is read from the ROM 51 of the other machine 3 and is executed while the RAM 23 is used as a working area. The LCD drive control circuit 19 is set based on the execution result. The display mode of the LCD 13 is updated via

  That is, the operation of the second operation object (P3) of the other device 3 is taken over by the CPU 22 and RAM 23 of the own device 1 and the ROM 51 of the game cartridge 50, and this is automatically controlled. Therefore, the number of operation objects participating in the game on the LCD 13 can be prevented from decreasing, and as a result, the game performance can be improved.

[Modification]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display screen of the LCD 13 in the own device 1 in a game system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 6), it is considered that only the player who owns the other device 3 has gone out of the communication area 100 (see FIG. 1), but this embodiment (see FIG. 7). Then, it is assumed that not only the player who owns the other device 3 but also each player who owns the other device 2 and the other device 4 has gone out of the communication area 100.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (a) → FIG. 7 (b), the characters “The communication status between P2, P3, and P4 has deteriorated” are displayed to the left of the center of the LCD 13. Thus, the deterioration of the communication state between the other machine 2, the other machine 3, and the other machine 4 is notified. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 (b) → FIG. 7 (c), characters “P2, P3, P4 communication has been released” are displayed on the left side of the center of the LCD 13, The second operation objects (P2, P3, P4) of the other machine 2, the other machine 3, and the other machine 4 disappear from the LCD 13. However, as shown in FIG. 7C, since the first operation object (P1) of the own device 1 remains, the player who plays with the own device 1 can continue the racing game alone.

  In this way, even if all the other players are out of the communication range 100 of their own device 1, the racing game can be continued by themselves independently of the other players. , Can improve the game.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a system operation flow of a game system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 6), it is considered that the player who owns the other device 3 has gone out of the communication area 100 (see FIG. 1), but this embodiment (see FIG. 8). Now, consider a case where this player returns to the communication area 100 again.

  In FIG. 8, first, similarly to the above-described steps S1 to S4 (see FIG. 4), the power switch 16 is turned on (step S21), communication is established (step S22), and the player 1 plays. When there is an operation request from the player who performs the operation (step S23), the coordinate data after reflecting the operation request is set in the RAM 23 (step S24).

  Next, as in step S5 and step S6 described above, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 requests coordinate data from the other device 2 in order to acquire coordinate data related to the second operation object of the other device 2. After (step S25), it is determined whether or not there is a response from the other device 2 (step S26).

  If the coordinate data related to the second operation object is not transferred from the other device 2 within a predetermined time and it is determined that there is no response from the other device 2, a communication error related to the other device 2 is set in the RAM 23 (step S30).

  On the other hand, when the coordinate data related to the second operation object is transferred from the other device 2 within a predetermined time and it is determined that there is a response from the other device 2, the coordinate data is transferred from the other device from which communication has been canceled. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step S27). More specifically, when the coordinate data is transferred, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 accesses the RAM 23 to identify the other device related to the set communication error, and the transferred coordinate data is It is determined whether or not the data is transferred from another device related to the communication error.

  If the data is not transferred from another device related to the communication error (the other device 3 in this embodiment), that is, if there is a response from the other device in which communication is maintained, the transferred coordinate data (first The coordinate data relating to the two operation objects) is set as it is in the RAM 23 (step S28). On the other hand, if the communication error has been transferred from the other device (other device 3 in this embodiment), that is, if there is a response from the other device that has been disconnected, the communication is canceled. In place of the coordinate data related to the second operation object related to the other device 3 displayed on the LCD 13 or the coordinated data related to the second operation object related to the other device 3 that has been automatically controlled, the coordinate data related to the third operation object is displayed. It is set in the RAM 23 (step S29). That is, the other device 3 returns to the game. The third operation object may have the same display mode as the second operation object on the display screen of the LCD 13 or may have a different display mode (see FIG. 9C described later).

  Next, the CPU 22 of the own device 1 determines whether or not all coordinate data requests to other devices have been completed (step S31), and if all have been completed, the process proceeds to step S32.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a communication error exists in the RAM 23 (step S32). If the communication error is set in the RAM 23, the deterioration of the communication state is notified (step S33). However, in this embodiment, as described above, since the coordinate data related to the third operation object is set in the RAM 23 for the other device 3 instead of the communication error, the deterioration of the communication state is not notified.

  On the other hand, if no communication error is set in the RAM 23, it is subsequently determined whether or not coordinate data related to the third operation object is set in the RAM 23 (step S34). When the CPU 22 of the own device 1 determines that the coordinate data related to the third operation object is set in the RAM 23, the LCD 13 notifies the communication state recovery on the LCD 13 (step S35), and the RAM 23 displays the coordinate related to the third operation object. If it is determined that no data is set, the process of step S35 is not performed.

  Here, since it is considered that coordinate data related to the third operation object of the other device 3 is set in the RAM 23, the fact that the communication state has been recovered is notified (see, for example, FIG. 9).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how the LCD 13 displays that the communication state with the other device 3 has been recovered.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (a) → FIG. 9 (b), the characters “Communication with P3 has been recovered” are displayed on the left side of the center portion of the LCD 13, whereby the other device 3 Recovery of the communication state between the two is notified.

  Subsequently, the display mode is updated (step S36) and the coordinate data is transmitted (step S37) in the same manner as the above-described steps S12 to S13 (see FIG. 4). In addition, the description from step S38 to step S40 corresponding to step S14 to step S16 (see FIG. 4) described above is omitted.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (b) → FIG. 9 (c), the characters “Maintain communication with P3” are displayed to the left of the center of the LCD 13 and Three operation objects (P3R) appear on the LCD 13.

  The third operation object (P3R) of the other device 3 has a display mode different from that of the second operation object (P3) on the display screen of the LCD 13. Thus, when the operation of the second operation object of the other device 3 is automatically controlled and the communication state with the other device 3 is restored, the operation of the third operation object of the other device 3 is performed by the other device 3. It can be clearly distinguished from the case where it is manually controlled by the player who plays.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a system operation flow of a game system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, in the above-described embodiment (see FIG. 8), when the player who owns the other device 3 once goes out of the communication area 100 and then returns to the communication area 100 again, it is unconditionally. Although the communication state is recovered, in this embodiment (FIG. 10), the communication state is not recovered even if the communication area 100 returns to the communication area 100 until a predetermined time elapses.

  In FIG. 10, first, the processes of steps S51 to 64 corresponding to the above-described steps S21 to S34 are performed.

  Next, when the CPU 22 of the own device 1 determines that the coordinate data related to the third operation object of the other device 3 is set in the RAM 23, the CPU 22 for a predetermined time (for example, after the communication state with the other device 3 deteriorates) It is determined whether or not (30 seconds) has elapsed (step S65). More specifically, when the CPU 22 of the own device 1 notifies the player of the deterioration of the communication state with the other device 3 (step S63), the CPU 22 starts measuring time while using the RAM 23 as a working area ( Timer function may be provided). When the CPU 22 determines that the coordinate data related to the third operation object of the other device 3 is set in the RAM 23, the CPU 22 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed by this time measurement.

  When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the communication state recovery notification is performed (step S66). This is the same processing as step S35 described above. When the communication state recovery notification is performed, the above-described time measurement by the CPU 22 is reset.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the communication state recovery notification in step S66 is not performed. In other words, if the player who owns the other device 3 once goes out of the communication area 100, the communication state is maintained even if the player returns to the communication area 100 until a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) elapses. Cannot be recovered. As a result, a certain penalty can be imposed on the player who owns the other machine 3, and the game performance can be improved.

  Here, it is considered that only the player who owns the other device 3 is out of the communication area 100. However, for example, if each player who owns the other devices 2, 3, and 4 is out of the communication area 100, A predetermined time may be measured for each of the machines 2, 3, and 4. Thereby, for example, if a predetermined time different for each player is set, different penalties can be imposed depending on the player, and the variety of racing games can be enriched.

  In addition, in the system operation flow of the game system according to another embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. 10, once the other device whose communication state has deteriorated, the elapsed time based on the above time measurement has a predetermined time. The game cannot be returned to the simultaneous play game unless it exceeds, but conversely to this flow, the game may not be returned to the simultaneous play game unless the elapsed time is within a predetermined time. According to this, for example, when the game progress status by the player whose communication status has not deteriorated and the game progress status by the player whose communication status has deteriorated significantly differ, the player whose communication status has deteriorated The confusion of the game progress due to returning to the game can be avoided.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the fact that the communication state with the other device 3 has deteriorated is displayed on the LCD 13 and a guidance display regarding the continuation mode of the racing game is displayed on the LCD 13. FIGS. 11A and 11B are the same as FIGS. 6A and 6B.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (b) → FIG. 11 (c), after the “notification” “The communication state with P3 has deteriorated” is displayed on the LCD 13 of the own device 1, “Please select one” is displayed. The player who plays with the player's own device 1 operates the operation lever 14 and the operation button 15b to display “2. P3 is turned off” or “2. P3 is automatically controlled as the display mode of the second operation object of the other device 3. Any one of "N" can be selected and determined.

  When “1. Delete P3” is selected and determined, as described with reference to FIG. 6C, the second operation object (P3) of the other device 3 is displayed on the LCD 13 when the display mode is updated. It will disappear from the screen. On the other hand, if “2. P3 is automatically controlled” is selected and determined, as described above, the second operation object (P3) of the other machine 3 is updated by the CPU 22, RAM 23, ROM 51 when the display mode is updated. It will be automatically controlled by etc. Note that the racing game may be temporarily interrupted while the player playing on the own device 1 selects and determines the display mode of the second operation object of the other device 3.

  As described above, when it is detected that the communication state with the other device 3 has deteriorated, the racing game is temporarily suspended, and the continuation mode of the racing game is changed from a predetermined one (here, two patterns) to the player. The guidance display to be selected is displayed on the LCD 13, and the racing game is continued in a continuation manner related to the selection operation by the player who plays with the player 1, so that the intention of each player can be sufficiently reflected in the racing game. As a result, game nature can be improved.

  The game system according to the present invention is useful as a device that can prevent the game progress from being reset for reasons unrelated to the progress of the game, that is, the deterioration of the communication state, and thus improve the game performance.

It is a figure showing roughly the whole game system composition concerning an embodiment of the invention. 1 is an external view of a game device (own device) used in a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the game device (own machine) used for the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the system operation | movement of the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the racing game is performed by four people. It is a figure which shows a mode that the fact that the communication state between other apparatuses deteriorated is displayed on LCD. It is a figure which shows the display screen of LCD in an own machine in the game system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the system operation | movement of the game system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the fact that the communication state between other apparatuses has recovered | restored is displayed on LCD. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the system operation | movement of the game system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the guidance display regarding the continuation aspect of a racing game (play) is displayed on LCD while the fact that the communication state between other machines deteriorated is displayed on LCD.

Explanation of symbols

1 Game device (own machine)
2,3,4 game devices (other machines)
11 Game device body 12 Communication unit 13 LCD
14 Operation lever 15a, 15b Operation button 16 Power switch 17 Light emitting device 18 Speaker 19 LCD drive control circuit 20 Light emission control circuit 21 Sound reproduction control circuit 22 CPU
23 RAM
24 Boot ROM
25, 26, 32 Connector 31 IC
33 RFIC
34 Memory 35 Antenna 50 Game cartridge 51 ROM
52 Backup RAM

Claims (8)

Including a plurality of game devices having a function capable of executing a simultaneous play game;
Each of the game devices is
Communication means for transmitting / receiving data to / from each other by wireless communication with the plurality of game devices;
Control means for advancing the simultaneous play game according to a predetermined program;
Display means for displaying a first operation object to be operated by the player along the progress of the simultaneous play game, and
The control means is a player that plays on the other game device based on data transmitted from the other game devices simultaneously playing the simultaneous play game among the plurality of game devices and received by the communication means. A game system configured to cause the display means to reproduce an operation object to be operated as a second operation object,
Each of the game devices is
Communication state detecting means for detecting a communication state with the other game device is further provided, and the control means is configured to detect the other game device by the communication state detection means while the simultaneous play game is in progress. When it is detected that the communication state with any of the above has deteriorated, a message to that effect is displayed on the display means, and the simultaneous play game is continued without being stopped.   When the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state has deteriorated for any of the other game devices while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the control unit applies to the other game device. 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein communication is canceled and the simultaneous play game is continued independently of the other game devices.   When the control means detects that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated by the communication state detection means while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the communication state has deteriorated. The game according to claim 1, wherein the simultaneous play game is continued in a state in which communication with a game device other than the game device whose communication state has deteriorated is maintained while communication with the game device is canceled. system.   4. The game system according to claim 3, wherein the control means takes over the operation of the second operation object related to the game device whose communication state has deteriorated and automatically controls the operation.   When the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state with the game device whose communication state has deteriorated is recovered while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the control unit notifies the display unit to that effect. And causing the display means to reproduce an operation object to be operated by a player playing on the game device whose communication state has deteriorated as a third operation object instead of the second operation object according to the game device. The game system according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the game devices further includes an elapsed time when the communication state detection means detects that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated while the simultaneous play game is in progress. Equipped with measuring means to measure
6. The game system according to claim 5, wherein the control means causes the display means to reproduce the third operation object on condition that the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time. The measuring means measures the elapsed time for each of the game devices in which the communication state has deteriorated,
The control means causes the display means to reproduce the third operation object on the condition that the elapsed time has reached a predetermined time for each of the game devices whose communication states have deteriorated. 6. The game system according to 6. When the communication state detection unit detects that the communication state with any of the other game devices has deteriorated while the simultaneous play game is in progress, the control unit temporarily plays the simultaneous play game. A feature is characterized in that the display unit displays a guidance display for allowing the player to select a continuation mode related to simultaneous play from predetermined ones, and to continue the simultaneous play game in a continuation mode related to a selection operation by the player. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.