JP2007082626A - Game system and game management server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend a valid period even when a game is not played in an arcade game machine in a game system provided with a game machine for business and a game management server, and a game management server for constituting the game system. <P>SOLUTION: The game system 100 comprises a database server 103 provided with a management means for managing game data for each player, and a game machine 1 and a game machine 112 for a household which are provided with a game progress control means for advancing the game using the game data managed in the data base server 103. Then, the database server 103 performs setting processing for extending the valid period of the game data when the game machine 112 for the household is connected or data are transmitted from the game machine 112 for the household, and extends the valid period of the game data subjected to the setting processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system having an arcade game machine and a game management server, and a game management server constituting the game system.

Conventionally, a technique for electronically managing the deadline is known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a grace period is given to a membership card that has expired to extend the validity period, and a message prompting renewal is output when the membership card is used during the grace period. Thus, a customer management system that can prevent the generation of a membership card that becomes invalid due to forgetting to renew is disclosed. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a server having a function of extending the usable period of authority for restricting character information related to characters in terms of time, area, and contents.
JP 7-152833 A JP 2002-366778 A

  By the way, in recent years, stationary commercial game machines (arcade game machines) placed in game centers and amusement spaces (hereinafter referred to as “game centers, etc.”) and games that manage game progress and data necessary for games There is a management system, and there is a gaming system in which a player can play a game using a membership card issued by registering predetermined information such as name and address. Even in this type of gaming system, the deadline is electronically managed Yes.

  However, in this type of gaming system, the game management server sets an expiration date that allows the game to be effective for the data required to execute the game, and the period when the game is not played on the arcade game machine is longer than a certain period and is effective. When the deadline has passed, the game may be disabled by deleting the data. Therefore, in the conventional gaming system, in order for the player to continue the game, it is effective to go to the game center where the arcade game machine is installed and play the game on the arcade game machine, thereby avoiding data erasure. There was an inconvenience that the deadline had to be extended.

  In addition, due to reasons such as the game center being far away, players may not be able to go there, or even if they can go there, there may be cases where the game cannot be played and the expiration date cannot be extended due to short business hours. Even in such a case, if the game cannot be performed uniformly because of the expiration of the expiration date, it will be harsh for the player who wants to continue playing the game.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and in a game system having a game machine for gaming and a game management server and a game management server constituting the game system, it is not necessary to play a game on an arcade game machine. The purpose is to be able to extend the expiration date.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a game management server having management means for managing game data used for a game for each player, and game data managed by the game management server. A game system having a business game machine and a user game machine having a game progress control means to be advanced, and the game management server is connected to the user game machine or when data is transmitted from the user game machine A setting processing means for performing a setting process for extending the expiration date of the game data managed by the management means, an update processing means for updating the expiration date of the game data subjected to the setting processing by the setting processing means, A gaming system further comprising:

  In this gaming system, when a user gaming machine is connected to the gaming management server or data is transmitted from the user gaming machine, the gaming management server performs a setting process for extending the expiration date of the gaming data. When the setting process is performed, a process for updating the expiration date of the game data is performed. Therefore, when data transmission such as access to the game management server, an extension request, or transmission of an e-mail is performed using the user gaming machine, the expiration date of the game data is extended.

  In addition, when the expiration date has not been updated before the expiration date has passed, the game management server uses game data whose expiration date has not been updated. It is preferable to further include notification control means for performing progress notification to the user gaming machine that advances the game.

  In this way, even if the notification deadline has passed, if the expiration date has not been extended, the user gaming machine will make a progress notification.

  Furthermore, the setting processing means preferably performs the setting process so that the expiration date is shorter when the game is played using the user gaming machine than when the game is played using the commercial gaming machine.

  Thereby, even if the expiration date can be extended, the expiration date is shorter when the game is played using the user gaming machine than when the game is played using the commercial game machine.

  In addition, the game management server updates the expiration date when the game played using the user gaming machine is performed in the charging mode performed using the game value information, and sets the expiration date when the game is not performed in the charging mode. It is preferable to further have an update control means for controlling not to update.

  In this case, even if the expiration date is extended, when the game is played using the user gaming machine, the expiration date is extended only when the game is performed in the charging mode.

  Then, the present invention comprises a management means for managing game data used for a game for each player, and a business game having a progress control means for advancing a game using the game data managed by the management means A game management server that constitutes a gaming system together with a machine and a user gaming machine, and the expiration date of the game data managed by the management means when the user gaming machine is connected or data is transmitted from the user gaming machine There is provided a game management server having a setting processing means for performing a setting process for extending the time limit, and an update processing means for updating the expiration date of the game data for which the setting processing has been performed by the setting processing means.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the gaming system having the arcade gaming machine and the gaming management server, and the gaming management server constituting the gaming system, the expiration date can be set without playing the game on the arcade gaming machine. Can be extended.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol is used for the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Overall configuration of game system)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a game system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a plurality of game machines 1 and a card vending machine 6. A game system (game system) 100 includes a total of three store servers 2 installed in one and two game stores A and B, respectively, and a plurality of units (communicable) connected via a dedicated line 3 ( In the present embodiment, the game machine 1 and the card vending machine 6 are connected to the in-store router 7 installed in the game stores A and B, the in-store router 7, the communication line 4a, and the Internet 4. And a center server group 5. Furthermore, the Internet 4 is connected to a base station 110 connected to the mobile phone 111 via a wireless line and a consumer game machine 112.

  In each of the game stores A and B, the store server 2, the game machine 1 and the card vending machine 6 are connected by a dedicated line 3 to form an in-store LAN (Local Area Network), and this in-store LAN is an in-store router 7 It is connected to the Internet 4 via A store gaming system 8 is configured by the store server 2 and the eight game machines 1 connected to the store server 2 through a dedicated line. In addition, although the game store here has mainly shown the game center, if it is a store in which a game machine can be installed, it may be a store of other business formats.

  This game system 100 is a game system according to the present invention, in which a plurality of players (players in the present embodiment) of the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112 participate in a character battle game. Is for. However, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, one player operates one game machine 1 installed in the game store A, and another player operates the home game machine 112, A case where the same character battle game is played by the two players and the CPU player will be described as an example.

  The character battle game aims to expand the territory of each country by leading the army and entering other countries where other players rule while each player governs his country as a general. In addition, the character battle game progresses in real time while referring to an image common to each player. There are four types of countries: the land country, the water country, the fire country, and the wind country, and the player selects one of the generals.

(Game machine configuration)
The game machine 1 is a stationary business game machine (first game machine) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a field map described later by a plurality of army characters C1 to C4 belonging to a battle country described later. Each army character has image display means for displaying an image of a battle state while moving on 125, and performs operations such as progression, attack, and defense according to player operations (mainly touch operations on touch panel 11a described later). It is configured to cause C1 to C4 to perform. The movements of the respective army characters C1 to C4 are determined according to the player's operation, but the AI technology is used so that the movements of the respective army characters C1 to C4 are not interrupted even when there is no operation by the player. The autonomous movement of each army character C1 to C4 is determined by.

  Each army is organized by soldier characters having various abilities such as warriors and wizards, and these soldier characters are governed by one leader character. The player instructs the army to perform various operations by giving instructions to the leader character.

  The characters (i.e., army characters) C1 to C4 indicating the army can be displayed by both the same character as the leader character and a plurality of characters including the leader character and the soldier character. It can be switched by changing the display format (see FIG. 17).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game machine 1 has a main display 11 having a liquid crystal display device on the front surface of the housing 10. In addition, the upper portion of the main display 11 has a sub-display 12 that is also provided with a liquid crystal display device, and speakers 13L and 13R that output sounds used for game effects are arranged on the left and right sides thereof.

  The main display 11 displays a game image (for example, a field map 120) corresponding to each stage of the game (details will be described later). The sub-display 12 is configured to display a description of the character battle game and an image at a specific stage of the game.

  Further, the game machine 1 has an operation panel 14 below the main display 11 and a table 15 on the front side of the operation panel 14. The operation panel 14 has a coin insertion slot 16 for inserting coins (game media such as coins and game medals) necessary for executing a game, and a card slot 18 for inserting an ID card 17. ing.

  Each game machine 1 constituting the game system 100 is assigned a machine ID unique to the game machine 100. This machine ID has a server ID unique to each store server 2 and an ID unique to each game machine 1. For example, in the case of each game machine 1 installed in the store A, A01, A02, A03 ... and so on.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the game machine 1 mainly showing the internal configuration. The game machine 1 has a plurality of components centering on a microcomputer 31.

  The microcomputer 31 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 34. The main CPU 32 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 34, and inputs signals from each component provided on the operation panel 14 via the I / O port 39, while receiving signals from other components. Input / output is performed to control the operation of the entire game machine 1. The RAM 33 stores data and programs (application data and game data described later in this embodiment) used when the main CPU 32 operates. The ROM 34 stores a control program executed by the main CPU 32 and permanent data.

  The game machine 1 also includes a random number generator 35, a sampling circuit 36, a clock pulse generation circuit 37, and a frequency divider 38. The random number generator 35 operates according to an instruction from the main CPU 32 to generate a certain range of random numbers. The sampling circuit 36 extracts an arbitrary random number from random numbers generated by the random number generator 35 in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU 32, and inputs the extracted random number to the main CPU 32. The clock pulse generation circuit 37 generates a reference clock for operating the main CPU 32, and the frequency divider 38 inputs a signal obtained by dividing the reference clock at a constant period to the main CPU 32.

  The game machine 1 further includes a touch panel 11a, a coin sensor 16a, a card reader 18a, a communication control unit 21 and a communication processing unit 22, and further includes an image control circuit 71 and a sound control circuit 72. ing.

  The touch panel 11 a is provided so as to cover the display screen of the main display 11, detects the position of the place touched by the player's finger, and inputs a position signal corresponding to the detected position to the main CPU 32. The player uses the touch panel 11a to input an operation mainly for giving a command to the leader character (for example, causing the army character to escape from the enemy character, or causing the army character to go to reinforcements). For example, in the touch panel 11a, a conductive material is applied to the surface of a rectangular transparent plate, a voltage is applied from the electrodes arranged on the squares of the transparent plate, and a slight current change caused by touching a player's finger is applied to the electrodes. Detect and detect the position of the part touched by the player's finger.

  The coin sensor 16a detects a coin inserted from the coin insertion slot 16, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the detection to the main CPU 32. The card reader 18 a reads card information such as a player ID recorded on the ID card 17 inserted into the card slot 18 and inputs the read card information to the main CPU 32.

  The communication control unit 21 operates according to an instruction from the main CPU 32 and controls connection and disconnection of a line for communicating with the store server 2. The communication processing unit 22 operates in accordance with an instruction from the communication control unit 21 and executes transmission / reception of data performed via the dedicated line 3.

  The image control circuit 71 controls the image display on each of the main display 11 and the sub display 12 to display an image on the main display 11 indicating that the army character battles on a field map described later. Displays a description of the character battle game and an image for production.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image control circuit 71 includes an image control CPU 71a, a work RAM 71b, a program ROM 71c, an image ROM 71d, a video RAM 71e, and a VDP (Video Display Processor) 71f. The image control CPU 71a is based on the parameters set in the microcomputer 31 and is stored in the main display 11 and the sub display 12 in accordance with an image control program (related to display on the main display 11 and the sub display 12) stored in advance in the program ROM 71c. Determine the image to be displayed. The work RAM 71b is configured as a temporary storage unit when the image control CPU 71a executes the image control program.

  The program ROM 71c stores an image control program, various selection tables, and the like. The image ROM 71d stores dot data for forming an image. The video RAM 71e is configured as a temporary storage unit when an image is formed by the VDP 71f. The VDP 71f has a control RAM 71g, forms images according to the display contents of the main display 11 and the sub display 12 determined by the image control CPU 71a, and outputs the formed images to the main display 11 and the sub display 12. .

  The sound control circuit 72 inputs sound signals for outputting sound from the speakers 13L and 13R to the speakers 13L and 13R. From the speakers 13L and 13R, for example, a sound for exciting the game is output at an appropriate time after the game is started.

(Configuration of store server, card vending machine, in-store router)
As shown in FIG. 6, the store server 2 has a CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, communication processing unit 204, communication control unit 205, and data storage unit 206 that stores application data. The CPU 201 operates while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 203 according to a program stored in the ROM 202, while the communication control unit 205 operates the communication processing unit 204 according to an instruction from the CPU 201. The store server 2 transmits and receives data to and from each game machine 1 installed in each game store A and B via the dedicated line 3, and transmits (downloads) application data to each game machine 1, Relay of data transmission / reception between the game machines 1 and the center server group 5 is performed. The application data includes various types of data (such as game image data) used to execute a character battle game performed on the game machine 1.

  The card vending machine 6 has an operation unit for a player to input personal information and a card issuing unit, and the card issuing unit performs a game unique to each player by a predetermined input operation using the operation unit. The card information including the person ID is stored and the ID card 17 is issued.

  The in-store router 7 connects the in-store LAN formed in each of the game stores A and B and the Internet 4.

(Configuration of center server group)
The center server group 5 includes a plurality of game servers (two game servers 101 and 102 in FIG. 1) installed corresponding to each game, and a database server 103, and each game server has a dedicated line 104. Are connected to each other to form a LAN, and the LAN is connected to the Internet 4 via a router (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 7, the game server 101 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a communication processing unit 304, a communication control unit 305, and a data storage unit 306. In the game server 101, the CPU 301 operates while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 303 according to a program stored in the ROM 302, while the communication control unit 305 operates the communication processing unit 304 according to an instruction from the CPU 301.

  The game server 101 transmits / receives data including game information to / from each store server 2 and the home game machine 112 via the Internet 4. This game information includes information relating to the current game state (that is, the latest game state) (for example, information that any player's army character has moved to a certain point, or any player's army character is Information about the use of magic). In other words, the game server 101 transmits / receives game information to / from the game machine 1 via the store server 2 and also transmits / receives game information to / from the home game machine 112, thereby playing the battle game. The game is synchronized between the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112 and the game state is shared.

  In addition, the game server 101 receives entry data transmitted from the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112, receives a player's participation (entry) in the character battle game, and updates the player's participation information. The player who becomes the opponent is determined, and the result of the opponent determination is transmitted to the database server 103.

  The game server 102 is installed to execute another game (for example, a game according to second to fourth embodiments to be described later), and data and programs stored in comparison with the game server 101 are stored. Although different, the game server 101 has the same configuration.

  The database server 103 is a game management server according to the present invention, and includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, a communication processing unit 404, a communication control unit 405, and a data storage unit 406. In the database server 103, the CPU 401 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 402 while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 403, and serves as a setting processing unit, an update processing unit, a notification control unit, and an update control unit that are features of the present invention. On the other hand, the communication control unit 405 operates the communication processing unit 404 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 401 to transmit / receive data via each store server 2 and the Internet 4. The data storage unit 406 stores a player ID, a password used for player authentication, a game type, and game data for each player. The player ID includes one that is read from the ID card 17 by the game machine 1 and transmitted, and one that is input and transmitted by the player using the consumer game machine 112.

  The database server 103 stores the game data in the data storage unit 406, while the CPU 401 updates the stored game data in accordance with the progress of the game and the extension request data described later. I manage. In other words, the CPU 401 and the data storage unit 406 constitute a management unit in the present invention.

  The game data includes the power parameters (values determined by the attack power and defense power) for each army character and data indicating the history of the character battle game for each player. This game data is transmitted from the database server 103 to the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112 at the start of the game, and is used in a character battle game, and corresponds to game data in the present invention.

  The game data is managed by the database server 103 for each player (that is, classified so as to be identified by the player ID). In addition, the game data is set with an expiration date (for example, three months after the setting) in which the character battle game can be effectively performed. As will be described later, this expiration date can also be extended by the consumer game machine 112 if the game machine 1 plays a character battle game within the expiration date or if an extension condition such as transmission of extension request data described later is satisfied. . However, when the game machine 1 does not play the character battle game within the expiration date, and the expiration date of the machine date managed by the database server 103 is not satisfied, the game data is instructed by the CPU 401. It is erased from the data storage unit 406.

  The player ID includes information that can determine the type of terminal used in the game, so that even if the player is the same player, when the device for playing the game is different, it is set with different contents. Game data is managed in association with each player ID. The database server 103 determines from the received player ID whether the transmission source device is the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, or the mobile phone 111, and shares the determination result with the game server 101. Yes.

(Game machine operation details)
Next, the operation content of the game machine 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of game processing from the start to the end of the game in the game machine 1. In FIG. 8 and FIGS. 9 to 12 and 14 described later, step is abbreviated as S. In the following description, a player who actually operates is also referred to as a self player, and a player who is an opponent of the self player is also referred to as an enemy player. It is assumed that the self player is a real player, but the enemy player can be a CPU player, which will be described later, in addition to a real player, in the absence of a real player.

  The game machine 1 transmits a download request for application data to the store server 2 when the power is turned on. On the other hand, when the store server 2 receives the download request, the game machine 1 transmits the application data to the game machine 1 that has transmitted the download request.

  When the game machine 1 receives the application data, the game machine 1 stores the application data in the RAM 33. In the game machine 1, when the main CPU 32 reads the application data, the game machine 1 operates as a game progress control means, and advances the character battle game in accordance with the player's operation input.

  When the game machine 1 starts the game process, the game machine 1 proceeds to step 1 and includes a coin insertion, an ID card insertion, a password input, and a game start process to be described later including a process of receiving the result of the opponent determination by the game server 101 and the like. I do. In step 2, an army formation process is performed by the player's operation. In this army formation process, the country 1a in which the player of the game machine 1 serves as a general (hereinafter also referred to as “own country”. Note that the countries 1b, 1c, and 1d in which the enemy player serves as a general are also referred to as “enemy country”) Organize soldier characters in the army that belong to. When the army formation process is performed in this way, the army character operated by the player of the game machine 1 is determined, and the player of the game machine 1 proceeds with the army character or performs a battle.

  Next, it progresses to step 3 and the character battle process mentioned later is performed. When the character battle process is completed, it is determined in step 4 whether or not to determine the victory or defeat in all the stages described later or whether the player of the game machine 1 has input an end instruction. If not, the process returns to step 3 to execute the character battle process again. Proceeding to step 5, from the result of the character battle process performed so far, a rank determination process for determining the rank of each player who has participated in the character battle game is performed. In the subsequent step 6, based on the result of the character battle process. Then, a parameter change process for changing the parameters of each character is performed.

  Further, when proceeding to step 7, while displaying the character battle game result such as the battle result, the database server 103 receives the data indicating the character battle game result via the store server 2 in order to update the game data. Post-processing to be sent to 103 is performed. In the subsequent step 8, the card return process is performed, and when the ID card 17 inserted by the player of the game machine 1 is returned from the card slot 18, the game process ends.

  When starting the character battle process, the main CPU 32 proceeds to step 21 as shown in FIG. 10 to perform a world map display control process, and to display a world map image 90 to be described later on the main display 11. Then, the world map image 90 is displayed on the main display 11 as shown in FIG. In subsequent step 22, the process waits until stage selection for designating any of stage images 91, 92, 93, 94,... Described later included in world map image 90 is performed. The stage selection information indicating the stage selected in the stage selection (hereinafter referred to as “selected stage”) is transmitted to the game server 101, while the stage selection information is received from the game server 101. Next, it progresses to step 24 and a selection stage battle | competition process is performed. At the time of starting the game, for example, the same number of stages are assigned to the countries 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d so that the powers antagonize.

  The selected stage battle process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the selected stage battle process is started, the main CPU 32 proceeds to step 35 and performs display control of the field map in the selected stage. Here, for example, if a stage indicated by a stage image 91 described later is a selected stage, a field map 120 as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed on the main display 11. In the subsequent step 36, it is determined whether or not a battle instruction is input based on information input from the touch panel 11a.

  Here, the battle instruction is mainly an instruction related to a battle between an army character and another army character by the player, and if there is an input of the battle instruction, the process proceeds to step 37, but the battle instruction is not input. For example, the process proceeds to step 38 without executing step 37.

  In step 37, character attack / defense processing is performed according to the battle instruction input in step 36, and another country (for example, country 1b) is assigned to the team led by the army character (for example, the army character of country 1a) according to the battle instruction. ) Attack or defend against army characters. Next, when proceeding to step 38, it is determined whether or not there is a character contact where armed characters belonging to different countries (for example, country 1a and country 1b) are in contact with each other. The battle process is performed, but if there is no character contact, the process proceeds to step 40 without executing step 39.

  In step 40, it is determined whether or not the selected stage is a home stage to be described later, and if it is the home stage, the process proceeds to step 41. If not, the process proceeds to step 43, and the base winner determination condition constituting the battle condition described later is Control to be changed.

  Then, in step 41, it is determined whether or not the character of the home country 1a has reached one of the bases described later (the base winner determination condition for the home stage is that the character of the home country has reached one of the bases). Equivalent). When the character of the home country 1a reaches one of the bases, the winner at that base is determined to be the home country 1a, and the base winner determination condition is satisfied. At this time, the process proceeds to step 42 to update a base securing management table 80 described later. Otherwise, the selected stage battle process is terminated without executing step 42.

  Further, when the process proceeds to step 43 (in this case, the selected stage is an away stage described later), the character in the home country 1a defeats any character in the enemy countries 1b, 1c, 1d protecting the base, and the base is It is determined whether or not it has been suppressed (defeating a character in the enemy country that protects the base by the home country character corresponds to the base winner determination condition in the away stage). When the character of the home country defeats the character of the enemy country that protects the base, the winner at the base is determined to be the home country, and the base winner determination condition is satisfied. At this time, the process proceeds to step 42 to update the base securing management table. Otherwise, the selected stage battle process is terminated without executing step 42.

  The base winner determination condition is a condition for determining a winner at each base, and is set for each base with the above contents. Further, the base winner determination condition is not limited to the above-described condition as long as the selected stage is set to a different condition for the home stage and the away stage. For example, in the case of the home stage, the flag set at each base is taken, and in the case of the away stage, the character of the enemy country protecting the base is defeated and the flag is taken.

  When the selected stage battle process is completed, the process returns to FIG. 10 and proceeds to step 25 where a battle result reflecting process for reflecting the result of the selected stage battle process on the field map 120 is performed, and the field map 120 according to the result of the selected stage battle process. Is updated. That is, if the base is controlled, this is reflected in the field map 120 by the processing of the main CPU 32, and the changed field map is displayed on the main display 11.

  Next, proceeding to step 26, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not a castle base to be described later is suppressed and the castle base winner determination condition is satisfied in the selection stage. If the castle base is not suppressed, the process proceeds to step 27. However, when the castle base is controlled, that is, when the winner of the selected stage is determined by the control of the castle base, the process proceeds to step 28 without executing step 27. Further, when proceeding to step 27, it is determined whether or not all the bases in the selected stage are suppressed, and when all the bases are suppressed and the winner of the selected stage is determined, the process proceeds to step 28. . Otherwise, the main CPU 32 operates as a special character control means to perform a special character lottery process (step 31) described later, and then returns to step 24 to repeat the above process.

  Proceeding to step 28, in order to determine the winner of the selected stage by controlling the castle base or all the bases, a winning country determination process is performed to determine the country that has won the selected stage. In this case, the winner of the selected stage is the country that has controlled the castle base or the country that has the largest number of bases that have been controlled.

  In order to execute step 28, a positive determination (YES) needs to be made in step 26 or step 27. Thus, the main CPU 32 as the battle condition setting means sets the battle condition using the base winner determination condition and the castle base winner determination condition.

  In the following step 29, the reward management table as a reward management means for managing the rewards acquired by each country in the selected stage battle process is updated, and the reward acquisition process accompanying the end of the stage is performed. Further, when proceeding to step 30, the main CPU 32 operates as an assigning means and assigns the selected stage according to the result of the selected stage battle process (character battle at the selected stage), so that the selected stage is newly added to the winning country. Assign to. In this case, the main CPU 32 updates the country area 80b in which the base name area 80a in the base securing management table 80 is the castle base to the country that has won. In addition, the main CPU 32 performs an update process for assigning the world map to the content after the assignment, and thereafter, the updated world map image 90 is displayed on the main display 11. When step 30 ends, the character battle process ends.

(World map image and stage image)
Here, the world map image 90 and the stage images 91, 92, 93, 94. The world map image 90 is an image showing a world map that is a stage of a character battle game by the game machine 1, and serves as one unit when the character battle game is executed. Are included (a plurality of stages including stages indicated by the stage images 91, 92, 93, 94). Note that the stage images 91, 92, 93, and 94 indicate the stages assigned to the countries 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, respectively.

  In addition, each stage included in the world map is assigned to each country, for example, the same number immediately after the start of the character battle game so that the power of each player antagonizes, and the stage assigned to each country is the stage ( Governance stage). As described above, according to the result of the character battle, the allocation of the stage to each country changes and the world map is updated, so the power distribution in each country changes at any time. Each stage is governed by any country, so from the character that belongs to the country that governs that stage, it is the home stage (local battle area) that is governed by the country to which it belongs. From the viewpoint of a character belonging to a country that does not rule the stage, it is an away stage (enemy battle zone) that is governed by a country to which it does not belong.

  Furthermore, in each stage, there are set bases that influence the progress of the character battle game and are the targets of the character army of each country. Each base is set by the main CPU 32 as the base setting means so that the arrangement is different for each stage. The base is assumed to be a facility that is made up of buildings related to local industries, such as an ironworks and a woodworking plant, and materials can be obtained by controlling them. Further, the obtained material is registered and managed in the reward management table. In each stage, the castle of the country to which the stage is assigned and becomes the governing country is arranged in the center, and each base is arranged around the castle. As shown in FIG. 16, in the stage image (FIG. 16 shows a field map 120 corresponding to the stage indicated by the stage image 91), a castle image 121 showing a central castle and a base image 122 showing each base. , 123, 124..., And a route image 121 a indicating a route connecting the castle image 121 and the base images 122, 123, 124.

  The base securing management table 80 is a base securing management means, which is a country that has controlled the base or castle base provided in each stage, that is, the base winner determination condition or the castle base winner determination condition is satisfied. It is a table for managing the country. As shown in FIG. 18, this base securing management table 80 includes a management area 80c in which a base name area 80a in which a base name indicating each base is registered and a country area 80b in which a suppressed country is registered are associated. It is provided for each stage, and in each item, initial values are registered at the beginning of the character battle game. According to the base securing management table 80 shown in FIG. 18, at the stage indicated by the stage image 91 (displayed as stage 91. The stage 92 is indicated by the stage image 92), the country 1a controls the castle base 121. The bases 122, 123, and 124 are managed as being controlled by the countries 1a, 1b, and 1a, respectively. That is, in the stage shown by the stage image 91, the countries 1a, 1b, and 1a satisfy the base winner determination conditions for the bases 122, 123, and 124, and the castle base winner determination conditions are satisfied. Is country 1a.

  On the other hand, the main CPU 32 executes an interrupt process that interrupts the character battle process every predetermined time (for example, 1 ms) according to the flowchart shown in FIG. When starting the interrupt process, the main CPU 32 proceeds to step 111, temporarily saves the program being executed stored in the storage area (register) in the memory, and proceeds to step 112. In step 112, the main CPU 32 determines whether or not there is a battle screen touch. If there is a battle screen touch, the process proceeds to step 113 to control the display of the battle screen, and the process proceeds to step 114. For example, the process proceeds to step 114 without executing step 113. In step 114, it is determined whether or not there has been a field map touch. If there has been a field map touch, the process proceeds to step 115 to control the display of the field map, and the process proceeds to step 116. Without proceeding to step 116. Then, the register of the program saved at step 116 is restored, and the character battle process is resumed from the point where it was interrupted (saved).

  Here, the battle screen touch means a touch operation for switching the field map displayed on the main display 11 to the battle screen during the selected stage battle process. The field map touch means a touch operation for switching the battle screen to the field map. For example, when the field map 125 as shown on the left side of FIG. 17 is displayed on the main display 11, a finger or the like is touched on the position indicated by the arrow a (the battle message displaying the character string “in battle”). Is touched, a battle screen 126 as shown on the right side of FIG. 17 is displayed. In addition, when the battle screen 126 is displayed, a field map 125 is displayed by touching and touching the position indicated by the arrow b (map window 127) with a finger or the like.

  The field map 125 is displayed on the main display 11 when a character battle is being performed at the selected stage, and the leader characters of each country face each other on the route indicated by the route image 121a in addition to the respective sites. It is an image showing that. In addition, the battle screen 126 is an image showing details of a character battle that is being performed at a location designated by touching the battle screen (a state in which soldier characters from various countries are confused and battle each other).

  As described above, in the gaming machine 1, as shown in steps 40 to 43 in the stage battle process of FIG. 11, when a character belonging to the country plays a character battle at the home stage and when a character battle is played at the away stage And the battle condition is changed. Therefore, in the gaming machine 1, when a player plays a character battle at each of a plurality of stages, the strategy or tactics in the character battle can be changed depending on whether the stage is a home stage or an away stage. Therefore, the gaming machine 1 is adapted to give instructions to the player for the player character in the case of the home stage and the away stage in accordance with the stage attribute (whether the stage is the home stage or the away stage). (For example, in the case of a home stage, a strategy that prioritizes base control is adopted), and the strategy or tactics that the player takes can be made diverse. In this way, the game machine 1 has improved the playability of the character battle game.

  In the case of the game machine 1, since the battle condition is set using the base winner determination condition and the castle base winner determination condition, the battle condition is configured by a plurality of conditions, and the battle condition itself varies. Can have sex. Also in this respect, the game machine 1 is improved in the playability of the character battle game.

  Further, the game machine 1 has a base securing management table 80 as a base securing management means, and manages the countries that have met the base winner determining condition or the castle base winner determining condition by the base securing management table 80. . Therefore, it is possible to reliably manage whether or not the base winner determination condition or the castle base winner determination condition is satisfied, and which country satisfies the condition.

(Game start process)
The game start process of step 1 is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the game start process.

  When the game start process is started, the main CPU 32 proceeds to step 11 to perform a message output process and instructs the image control circuit 71 to send a predetermined message (coin insertion request, ID card insertion request and password input request) to the main display 11. ) Is displayed. Subsequently, steps 12 and 13 are executed.

  In order to start the game, the player inserts a coin from the coin insertion slot 6, inserts the ID card 17 into the card slot 18, and inputs a password using the touch panel 11a or the like. Then, a detection signal of the inserted coin is input from the coin sensor 16a to the main CPU 32, and card information stored in the ID card 17 is input from the card reader 18a. When all these inputs are received, the process proceeds to step 13 where the main CPU 32 instructs the communication control unit 21 to operate the communication processing unit 22 and transmits the read card information and the input password to the store server 2.

  In subsequent step 14, the process waits until a response signal indicating an authentication result indicating that the player is a registered player is received from the center server group 5. When the response signal is received, the process proceeds to step 15. In step 15, it waits until it receives the opponent determination data which shows the result of the opponent determination by the game server 101, and will progress to step 16 if the opponent determination data is received. While waiting to receive the opponent determination data, the game machine 1 displays an image indicating that it is waiting on the main display 11.

  Next, when proceeding to step 16, it is determined from the received opponent determination data whether or not four players as opponents are gathered. When four players are gathered, the game start process is ended. To do. If four people are not gathered, the process proceeds to step 17 and waits until a predetermined waiting time elapses. When the waiting time elapses, the process proceeds to step 18 and the main CPU 32 has insufficient capacity (four players) (this) Is a player set by the process of the main CPU 32 and is also referred to as a CPU player), the game start process ends.

(Composition of home game machine)
The home-use game machine 112 is a user game machine (second game machine) according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is owned or borrowed by an individual player having an operating environment connectable to the Internet 4. Is a dedicated home video game machine. This home-use game machine 112 has substantially the same configuration as the game machine 1 so as to realize substantially the same operation as the above-described game machine 1, and mainly includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, and a communication processing unit 504. , A communication control unit 505, a data storage unit 506, a display 507, and an input device 508 (see FIG. 13), and a game progress control means similar to the game machine 1.

  The CPU 501 of the home game machine 112 corresponds to the main CPU 32 and the image processing CPU 71a of the game machine 1, the ROM 502 of the home game machine 112 corresponds to the ROM 34, the program ROM 71c, etc. of the game machine 1, and the home game machine 112. The RAM 503 corresponds to the RAM 33 and work RAM 71b of the game machine 1. Further, the communication processing unit 504 and the communication control unit 505 of the consumer game machine 112 correspond to the communication processing unit 22 and the communication control unit 21 of the game machine 1, respectively.

  The data storage unit 506 of the consumer game machine 112 is a hard disk, and stores application data. The application data includes various types of data (such as game image data) used to execute a character battle game played on the consumer game machine 112. The input device 508 is, for example, a game controller, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, and corresponds to the touch panel 11a of the game machine 1.

  In the consumer game machine 112, the communication control unit 505 operates the communication processing unit 504 according to an instruction from the CPU 501, so that data can be transmitted to and received from the center server group 5 via the Internet 4. Yes. At this time, the data to be transmitted is a charging mode in which the character battle game by the home-use game machine 112 is performed using game value information (payment information that allows the character battle game to be executed), or game value information is not used. Mode data indicating whether the mode is free is included. Further, in the home game machine 112, when the player performs a predetermined operation input using the input device 508 according to the input operation screen displayed on the display 507, the CPU 501 operates and the expiration date of the game data is set. Extension request data for extension is transmitted to the communication processing unit 504, and an extension request according to the present invention is made.

(Operation contents of home game machines)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of game processing from the start to the end of the game in the home game machine 112. As can be seen from this flowchart, the home game machine 112 is basically the above-described game machine. The same operation as 1 is performed. That is, when the game processing is started in the home game machine 112, the CPU 501 proceeds to step 51 to receive the input of the ID and password from the player from the input device 508 and the result of the opponent determination by the game server 101. Substantially the same game start process as the game start process of the above-mentioned game machine 1 including the process to receive is performed (refer FIG. 9). In step 52, an army formation process is performed by the player's operation. In this army formation process, a soldier character in the army belonging to the country in which the player himself / herself of the home game machine 112 serves as a general is formed. When the army formation process is performed in this way, the army character operated by the self player of the home game machine 112 is determined, and the self player of the home game machine 112 proceeds and battles with this army character. .

  Next, the CPU 501 proceeds to step 53, and performs a character battle process substantially similar to the character battle process of the game machine 1 described above (see FIG. 10). When the character battle process is completed, it is determined in step 54 whether or not a decision to win or lose in all stages to be described later or whether the player of the home-use game machine 112 has input an end instruction is performed. The process proceeds to step 55, but if not, the process returns to step 53 to execute the character battle process again. When the process proceeds to step 55, a rank determination process for determining the rank of each player who has participated in the character battle game is performed from the result of the character battle process performed so far, and in the subsequent step 56, based on the result of the character battle process. Then, a parameter change process for changing the parameters of each character is performed.

  Further, when proceeding to step 57, while displaying the character battle game results such as the battle results, post processing for transmitting data indicating the character battle game results to the database server 103 for updating the game data in the database server 103 is performed. And the game process ends.

(Game server operation)
The operation of the game server 101 will be described in association with the operations of the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112 described in detail above.

  When the game start process is completed, the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 start the actual game process based on the application data stored in each of them. Then, each of the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112 transmits the latest game state information (that is, game information) to the game server 101 at the timing when the game state transitions or a predetermined time elapses. To do. Then, based on the game information received from the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112, the game server 101 adds game information for reflecting the latest game state corresponding to the game information to the other party. , To the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112, respectively.

  The game server 101 repeats such transmission / reception of game information between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 until the game ends. Therefore, a character battle game can be played in real time between the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112 while referring to an image common to each player.

  In other words, in the game system 100, the game server 101 not only transmits / receives game information to / from the game machine 1 installed in the game store A, but also between the game server 100 held by the user. But it sends and receives gaming information. Thereby, as described above, a character battle game between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 is realized.

  That is, in the game system 100, a player can play a game with the player of the game machine 1 and the player of the consumer game machine 112. Therefore, not only the player of the game machine 1 but also the player of the consumer game machine 112 can participate in the character battle game. Thus, since the player of the home game machine 112 participates in the character battle game, the game system 100 participates in comparison with the conventional game system in which the player of the home game machine 112 cannot participate in the character battle game. Increase in the number of people is realized.

  The application data stored in the home game machine 112 may be partly limited in function compared to application data stored in the store server 2 and executed in the game machine 1. It does not have to be. Specifically, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, the number of soldier characters constituting one army can be increased to 100, whereas in the application data of the home game machine 112, for example, , The number is limited to 90 people. Or, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, all items and magic can be used, whereas in the application data of the consumer game machine 112, high-level items and It is restricted so that magic cannot be used (or there is a limit to the number of times it can be used). Further, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, each parameter of the strength can be increased up to a maximum of 10, whereas in the application data of the consumer game machine 112, each parameter of the strength can be increased only up to a maximum of 9. As limited.

  Here, a case is considered where the application data of the game machine 1 and the application data of the home game machine 112 are the same, and the player can play a game on the same conditions on the game machine 1 or the home game machine 112. In this case, the player can enjoy the game while staying at home with the home-use game machine 112, without spending time and effort to go to the game store A where the game machine 1 is installed. It is thought that the number of players who enjoy games at home with the home game machine 112 will increase. In that case, even if the game store A, B side prepares the dedicated game machine 1 having an operation environment suitable for the game, there is a complaint that the player does not enjoy the game on the dedicated game machine 1. .

  Therefore, as described above, if the application data of the home game machine 112 is limited and the game functions that can be performed on the home game machine 112 are limited as compared to the game functions that can be performed on the game machine 1, the game machine 1 It is more advantageous to play a game than to play a game on the home game machine 112. For this reason, many players who want to achieve good results in battles want to play a battle game on the game machine 1. As a result, the player of the home game machine 112 is prompted to go to the game stores A and B in order to play the game with the game machine 1. In order for a player to play a game on the game machine 1, coins or the like must be inserted for each game. Therefore, from the store manager side, the player of the consumer game machine 112 can play a game machine. There is an advantage that the income increases by playing the game by 1.

  In the above description, only a mode in which one player operates the game machine 1 and another player operates the home game machine 112 is shown, but the players of a plurality of game machines 1 play a battle. And a mode in which players of a plurality of home game machines 112 play against each other, and a mode in which a player of a plurality of game machines 1 and a player of a plurality of home game machines 112 play against each other. May be. In particular, the number of participants can be further increased by adding one or two players of the game machine 1 to the above-described embodiment.

(First related game system)
Next, a first related game system that is different from the game system 100 described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  The game related to the first related game system is a labyrinth battle game as shown in FIG. 19, and a plurality of players (for example, four players) move the character 201 in the labyrinth 202 along the route selected by each player. On the other hand, it is a game in which another character other than himself is played, the items possessed by the character are competing, all the items are collected, and then the final target character is defeated. In this labyrinth match game, the player who has become the right to shift can insert the shift wall portion 204 into the labyrinth from a predetermined direction a within the time limit 203, whereby the structure of the labyrinth is improved as the game progresses. It has game characteristics that change. Each character's score (referred to as “life”) 205 moves up and down in accordance with the battle result and the progress of the game, and the character that has lost the score becomes a loser.

  Also in the first related game system, like the game system 100, the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112, when the predetermined game start process is completed, each match the actual labyrinth game based on the stored application data. Start the game process.

  Then, each of the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112 transmits game information to the game server 101 at a timing when the game state transitions or a predetermined time elapses. Then, based on the game information received from the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112, the game server 101 adds game information for reflecting the latest game state corresponding to the game information to the other party. , To the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112, respectively.

  The game server 101 repeats such transmission / reception of game information between the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112 until the labyrinth battle game ends. Therefore, the labyrinth battle game can be played in real time between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 while referring to an image common to each player.

  That is, also in the first related game system, the game server 101 not only transmits / receives game information to / from the game machine 1 installed in the game store A, but also a home game machine owned by the user. The game information is also transmitted / received to / from 112. Thereby, as described above, a labyrinth battle game between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 is realized. Therefore, this game system, like the game system 100, realizes an increase in the number of participants compared to the conventional game system in which the player of the consumer game machine 112 cannot participate in the labyrinth battle game.

  In the first related game system, the application data stored in the consumer game machine 112 has one function compared to the application data stored in the store server 2 and executed in the game machine 1. The part may or may not be restricted. When restricted, specifically, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, a critical attack (an attack that causes more damage to the opponent than a normal attack) occurs at a probability of 1/32 during the battle. On the other hand, in the application data of the consumer game machine 112, the probability is limited to 1/64. Or, for example, the application data of the game machine 1 can be played in all of the prepared labyrinths, whereas the application data of the consumer game machine 112 has only a part of the prepared labyrinths. You are restricted from playing. Further, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, all items and magic can be used, whereas in the application data of the consumer game machine 112, high-level items that can be used for advantageous battles, It is restricted so that magic cannot be used (or there is a limit to the number of times it can be used).

  Therefore, even in this first related game system, many players who want to get good results in the battle will want to play the game on the game machine 1, and the player of the home game machine 112 In order to play a game with the machine 1, the player is prompted to go to the game stores A and B.

(Second related game system)
Next, a second related game system that is different from the game system 100 and the first related game system described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  The game in the second related game system is a phantom battle game as shown in FIG. 20, and a plurality of players (for example, four players) can play phantom characters with their own cards (or virtual cards 301 on the display). This is a game in which the player battles each other while summoning and manipulating 302 and competes for the number of defeated enemy phantom characters 303, the number of occupied magic stones scattered on the battle map, and the like.

  Also in the second related game system, similarly to the game system 100 described above, the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112, when the predetermined game start process is completed, are based on the application data stored therein. Start the actual phantom battle game process.

  Then, each of the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112 transmits game information to the game server 101 at a timing when the game state transitions or a predetermined time elapses. Then, based on the game information received from the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112, the game server 101 adds game information for reflecting the latest game state corresponding to the game information to the other party. , To the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112, respectively.

  The game server 101 repeats such transmission / reception of game information between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 until the phantom battle game ends. Therefore, a phantom battle game can be performed in real time between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 while referring to an image common to each player.

  That is, also in this second related game system, the game server 101 not only transmits / receives game information to / from the game machine 1 installed in the game store A, but also a home game machine owned by the user. The game information is also transmitted / received to / from 112. Thereby, as described above, a phantom battle game between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 is realized. Therefore, this game system, like the game system 100, realizes an increase in the number of participants compared to the conventional game system in which the player of the consumer game machine 112 cannot participate in the phantom battle game.

  In the second related game system, the application data stored in the consumer game machine 112 has one function compared to the application data stored in the store server 2 and executed in the game machine 1. Department is restricted. Specifically, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, if the strength parameter of the phantom character summoned by the player is 100, the strength parameter is limited to 90 in the application data of the home game machine 112. . Or, for example, the application data of the game machine 1 can be played with all the prepared battle maps, whereas the application data of the consumer game machine 112 is one of the prepared battle maps. It is restricted so that only the part can be played. Further, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, all items and magic can be used, whereas in the application data of the consumer game machine 112, high-level items that can be used for advantageous battles, It is restricted so that magic cannot be used (or there is a limit to the number of times it can be used) (however, it does not have to be restricted).

  Therefore, in this second related game system, many players who want to get good results in the battle will want to play a battle game on the game machine 1, and the player of the home game machine 112 In order to play a game with the game machine 1, the user is prompted to go to the game stores A and B.

(Third related game system)
Next, a third related game system that is different from the game system 100 and the first and second related game systems described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  A game related to the third related game system is an action role playing game as shown in FIG. 21, and a plurality of players (for example, four players) set the level of their main character 401 by battle with the enemy character 402. The game is a game in which the main character 401 has an adventure according to a scenario prepared in advance and solves the mystery hidden in each scenario while gradually increasing.

  Also in the third related game system, similarly to the above-described game system 100, the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112, when the predetermined game start process is completed, are based on the application data stored therein. Start the actual game process.

  Then, each of the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112 transmits game information to the game server 101 at a timing when the game state transitions or a predetermined time elapses. Then, based on the game information received from the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112, the game server 101 adds game information for reflecting the latest game state corresponding to the game information to the other party. , To the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112, respectively.

  The game server 101 repeats such transmission / reception of game information between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 until the game ends. Therefore, it is possible to play a game in real time between the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112 while referring to an image common to each player.

  That is, also in the third related game system, the game server 101 not only transmits / receives game information to / from the game machine 1 installed in the game store A, but also uses a home game machine 112 owned by the user. Game information is also sent to and received from. Thereby, as described above, a game between the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112 is realized. Therefore, this game system, like the game system 100, realizes an increase in the number of participants compared to a conventional game system in which the player of the consumer game machine 112 cannot participate in the game.

  In the third related game system, the application data stored in the consumer game machine 112 is part of the function compared to the application data stored in the store server 2 and executed in the game machine 1. Is restricted (but not necessarily restricted). Specifically, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, if the increase amount of each strength parameter at the time of the character level-up is 10, the increase amount of the strength parameter is 9 in the application data of the consumer game machine 112. Limited. Or, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, the character can obtain all items including rare items, but the application data of the home game machine 112 is restricted so that rare items cannot be obtained. Has been. Further, for example, in the application data of the game machine 1, the player can freely arrange the character's occupation and clothes, while in the application data of the home game machine 112, the character's occupation and clothes can be selected. Is limited.

  Accordingly, even in the third related game system, many players who want to achieve good results in battles or create characters that suit their tastes want to play games on the game machine 1, A player of the game machine 112 is urged to go to the game stores A and B to play a game with the game machine 1.

(Embodiment related to extension of game data expiration date)
Next, an embodiment relating to the extension of the expiration date of game data, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described. As described above, an expiration date is set for the game data, and the game data is deleted from the data storage unit 406 when the machine date has passed the expiration date, and the player who has played the character battle game using the game data Since then, the character battle game cannot be performed. However, in the game system 1, the expiration date can be extended by the expiration date extension process described below, and the character battle game can be played even if the expiration date before the extension of the machine date has passed.

  The time limit extension process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 22 when the CPU 401 in the database server 103 operates according to the program stored in the ROM 402. This time limit extension process is executed by the CPU 401 by interrupting a main process (not shown) every predetermined time (for example, 1 ms).

  When starting the term extension process, the CPU 401 proceeds to step 121, temporarily saves the program being executed stored in the storage area (register) in the memory, and proceeds to step 122. In step 122, the CPU 401 extracts game data to be extended. In this case, the CPU 401 refers to the expiration date of each game data stored in the data storage unit 406 to obtain a date one week before the expiration date, and when the obtained date matches the machine date. Game data is extracted as an extension target. One week before the expiration date in this case corresponds to the notification deadline in the present invention for performing progress notification to be described later (of course, the previous one week is an example of the notification time limit, and the notification time limit is from one week. May be shorter or longer than the expiration date).

Then, it progresses to step 123, it is determined whether there exists the game data extracted at step 122, and if there is extracted game data, it will progress to step 124, and if it does not exist, it will progress to step 132. Since the expiration date of the game data extracted at step 123 has not been updated before the notification deadline (one week before the expiration date in this embodiment) has passed, the CPU 401 operates as a notification control unit. Then, when such game data is extracted, the subsequent step 128 is executed to control the progress notification data to be transmitted.
Then, in step 124, whether the extracted game data is game data of the home game machine 112 (game data corresponding to a player playing a character battle game on the home game machine 112) or not. If it is determined based on the player ID and the game data is from the consumer game machine 112, the process proceeds to step 127. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 125. The process proceeds to step 125 when the player is playing a character battle game with the game machine 1. In this case, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the character battle game has been played within the expiration date, and if it is within the expiration date, the CPU 401 proceeds to step 126 and normally extends as an extension period for extending the expiration date. A period (3 months in the present embodiment) is set, and then the process proceeds to step 131. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 132.

  In step 127, the CPU 401 operates as an update control unit to determine whether or not the character battle game is being played in the charging mode based on the mode data. Proceed to step 128, otherwise proceed to step 132. As a result, the CPU 401 controls the expiration date to be renewable if the character battle game is played in the charging mode, and the expiration date cannot be updated if it is not performed in the charging mode (when performed in the free mode). is doing.

  Next, when proceeding to step 128, the CPU 401 instructs the communication control unit 405 to operate the communication processing unit 404, and provides progress notification data for performing progress notification indicating that the expiration date may soon be passed. To the game machine 112. When the home-use game machine 112 receives the progress notification data, the home-use game machine 112 displays an image indicating a predetermined message (an expiration date will expire in one week) on the display 507, for example.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 129, in which the CPU 401 determines whether or not the extension request data from the consumer game machine 112 has been received. If the extension request data is received, the process proceeds to step 130; move on. The process proceeds to step 130 when the player plays the character battle game with the home game machine 112 in the billing mode and operates the home game machine 112 to transmit the extension request data to the database server 103.

  That is, in the game system 100 according to the present embodiment, the extension condition for updating the expiration date by the consumer game machine 112 is performed in the character battle game in the charging mode, and the extension request data is transmitted to the database server 103. It is said. When this extension condition is satisfied, the CPU 401 operates as a setting processing unit and performs setting processing for setting a period for extending the expiration date. However, in step 130, the CPU 401 uses the above-mentioned normal period as an extension period so that the expiration date is shorter when the character battle game is played using the home game machine 112 than when the game is played using the game machine 1. A short-term extension period (one month in this embodiment) shorter than the extension period is set.

  In step 131 following step 126 or step 130, the CPU 401 operates as an extension processing unit and updates the expiration date using the normal extension period or the short-term extension period set in step 126 or step 130. Update processing is performed. In this case, for example, if the expiration date before the update is June 10, 2005, and the player is playing a character battle game with the game machine 1 within the expiration date, the expiration date is 3 months after 2005 It will be updated on September 10th. If the expiration date before the update is also June 10, 2005, and the player has played a character battle game on the home game machine 112 within the expiration date, the character battle game is played in the charging mode. In addition, if the extension request data is transmitted between June 3 and 10, 2005, the expiration date is updated on July 10, 2005. However, the expiration date is not updated when the character battle game is being played in the free mode or when the extension request data has not been transmitted between June 3 and 10, 2005.

  As described above, in the game system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the database server 103 sets a short-term extension deadline when an extension condition such as transmission of extension request data from the consumer game machine 112 is satisfied. The expiration date of the game data is updated using the set short-term extension deadline. Therefore, not only the player who is playing the character battle game with the game machine 1 but also the player who is playing the character battle game with the home game machine 112 is effective if the extension request data is transmitted and the extension condition is satisfied. The deadline can be updated. Therefore, in the game system 100, the expiration date can be extended even if there is a situation where the player cannot go because the game center is far away. Therefore, it is meaningful for a player who wants to continue to play a character battle game in that the expiration date can be extended regardless of the place, and an incentive to continuously execute the character battle game is provided. It can also be given to the player.

However, when the player is playing the character battle game using the home game machine 112, the expiration date is made shorter than when the player is playing the game machine 1 using the character battle game. A player who strongly desires continuous execution of the character battle game can be urged to play the character battle game with the game machine 1 by reducing the extension of the expiration date not depending on the game machine 1.
In addition, since the expiration date can be updated by the home-use game machine 112 only when the character battle game is being played in the charging mode, even if the character battle game is being played, the expiration date is not available in the free mode. Not updated. As a result, a situation in which the character battle game is continuously performed for a long time by a player who does not pay money is prevented, and the operation of the game center or the game system 100 is not hindered. It has become.

  Further, in the game system 1, when the expiration date has not been extended even after the notification deadline has elapsed, the home game machine 112 notifies the progress under the control of the database server 103. Informing the players who are unable to visit the center etc. that the expiration date can be passed to alert them to the expiration of the expiration date, and to prevent the expiration of the expiration due to carelessness etc. Can be done.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, although a consumer game machine has been described as an example of a user game machine, any terminal that can execute game application data and send / receive game information to / from the game server 101 is shown in FIG. The mobile phone 111 may be a personal computer, a portable game terminal, a portable information terminal, or the like. In order to enable the mobile phone 111 to extend the expiration date, the mobile phone 111 may be provided with a function for transmitting mode data and extension request data.

  The store gaming system is not limited to eight as long as it has at least one commercial game machine, and may be increased or decreased as appropriate. Further, the store gaming system may be a system in which at least one commercial game machine and a store server are integrally formed. Further, the store gaming system may be a single commercial game machine having the same function as the store server. However, when multiple game machines are communicably connected to a game server via a store server, network traffic is less than when individual game machines and game servers directly send and receive game information. This is preferable in that the reduction is achieved and the transmission / reception time shift between the game machines is suppressed.

  Moreover, although the game machine 1 includes the main display 11 and the sub display 12, the main display 11 and the sub display 12 may be separated.

In the above-described embodiment, transmission of the extension request data by the consumer game machine 112 is transmitted by the player performing a predetermined operation input using the input device 508 according to the input operation screen displayed on the display 507. However, other than that, for example, sending an e-mail from the database server 103 to the consumer game machine 112 and sending a reply mail of the e-mail to the player may correspond to the transmission of the extension request data. The database server 103 may execute step 130 when data transmission from the consumer game machine 112 is performed. Furthermore, the player may access a site established in the database server 103 and perform a predetermined input operation may correspond to transmission of extension request data.
In addition, the database server 103 simply causes step 130 to be executed when there is an access from the consumer game machine 112, not due to an active operation by the player such as transmission of extension request data. Good. In this way, not only when the player intends to extend the expiration date but also sends extension request data or an e-mail, the game console 112 can transfer the database server 103 to the database server 103 even if the player does not intend to extend the expiration date. If you access it, the expiration date will be extended, and the expiration date will be automatically extended.

  Furthermore, when the database server 103 manages the game data by dividing it by attribute, and the expiration date is extended by the consumer game machine 112, the game data to be extended is not all but part ( For example, it may be data regarding characters that can be commonly used in each game such as an avatar.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a game system according to the present invention. It is a perspective view showing a plurality of game machines and a card vending machine. It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of a game machine. It is a block diagram of the game machine which mainly shows an internal structure. It is a block diagram which shows an example of an internal structure of an image control circuit. It is a block diagram which shows a store server. It is a block diagram which shows a game server and a database server. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the game process from the start of a game in a game machine to completion | finish. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a game start process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a character battle process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of a selection stage battle | competition process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of an interruption process. It is a block diagram showing a consumer game machine. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the game process from the start of a game in a consumer game machine to completion | finish. It is a figure which shows an example of a world map. It is a figure which shows an example of a field map. It is a figure which shows an example of a field map and a battle screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a base ensuring management table. It is the figure which showed the screen of the game which concerns on a 1st related game system. It is the figure which showed the screen of the game which concerns on a 2nd related game system. It is the figure which showed the screen of the game which concerns on a 3rd related game system. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the time limit extension process in a database server.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Game machine, 2 ... Store server 5 ... Center server group, 8 ... Store game system 11 ... Main display, 11a ... Touch panel 12 ... Sub-display, 17 ... ID card 31 ... Microcomputer 32 ... CPU, 33 ... RAM, 34 ... ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Game system, 101,102 ... Game server 111 ... Mobile phone, 112 ... Home-use game machine

Claims (5)

Business provided with a game management server provided with a management means for managing game data used for a game for each player, and a game progress control means for advancing a game using the game data managed by the game management server A gaming system having a gaming machine and a user gaming machine,
The game management server performs a setting process for extending the expiration date of the game data managed by the management means when the user gaming machine is connected or data is transmitted from the user gaming machine Setting processing means to perform;
The game system further comprising: update processing means for updating an expiration date of the game data on which the setting processing is performed by the setting processing means.   The game management server, when the expiration date has not been updated before the expiration date for elapse notification indicating that the expiration date can elapse, has passed, the game data for which the expiration date has not been updated The game system according to claim 1, further comprising notification control means for performing the progress notification to the user gaming machine that advances the game using the game machine.   The setting processing means performs the setting process so that the expiration date is shorter when the game is played using the user gaming machine than when the game is played using the commercial gaming machine. The gaming system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that.   The game management server updates the expiration date when the game performed using the user gaming machine is performed in a charging mode performed using game value information, and when the game is not performed in the charging mode. The game system according to claim 1, further comprising an update control unit that controls the expiration date not to be updated. A business gaming machine and a user gaming machine comprising a management means for managing game data used for a game for each player, and a progress control means for proceeding a game using the game data managed by the management means A game management server that forms a game system together with
A setting processing means for performing a setting process for extending the expiration date of the gaming data managed by the management means when the user gaming machine is connected or when data transmission from the user gaming machine occurs;
A game management server comprising update processing means for updating an expiration date of the game data for which the setting processing has been performed by the setting processing means.

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