JP2007167307A - Game system, game server and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To advance a game in real time even when transmission delay is generated between a portable game machine and a game server. <P>SOLUTION: The game system 100 comprises the game server 101, a game machine 1 provided with a game advance control means for advancing a game by using game data managed in a database server 103, a game machine 112 for household use and a portable telephone set 111. When the portable telephone set 111 is turned to a transmission delay state, the game server 101 instructs changeover so as to switch an operation form from a normal operation form to a simple operation form to the portable telephone set 111 or to switch the operation form from the normal operation form to a detailed operation form to the game machine 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming system having a portable gaming machine and a gaming server, a gaming server and a gaming machine constituting the gaming system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a gaming system having a configuration including a plurality of gaming machines is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a gaming system composed of a portable gaming machine and a commercial gaming machine, in which a gaming result is transferred to the commercial gaming machine and has a character capability. There is disclosed a gaming system that is set and that allows a breeding simulation game to be played on a commercial game machine according to the set character ability. Patent Document 2 discloses a mobile phone functioning as a portable game machine carried by a player, and a horse race as a commercial game machine installed in a game center or amusement space (hereinafter referred to as “game center”). A gaming system including a game machine is disclosed.
JP 2000-342851 A JP 2002-325960 A

  By the way, in recent years, with the spread of mobile communication terminal devices such as mobile phones, for example, as in the gaming system disclosed in Patent Document 2, the mobile communication terminal device stores programs and data necessary for game execution. A mobile communication terminal device can be used to play a game, and a game system is configured to include a portable game machine including the mobile communication terminal device. In this type of gaming system, in addition to a mobile communication terminal device, a game server and an arcade game machine are often connected via a network such as the Internet. When trying to perform, the mobile communication terminal device accesses the game server via the network.

  However, in this type of gaming system, when a real-time game is played in which a player operating the mobile communication terminal device proceeds in real time while playing against a player operating a commercial game machine, the mobile communication terminal device Is always connected to the game server through the network during the game, and the game must be able to proceed simultaneously between the game machines (mobile communication terminal device and commercial game machine). The player who operates the communication terminal device has to operate the mobile communication terminal device in a so-called area where radio waves reach.

  However, since mobile communication terminal devices communicate wirelessly unlike commercial game machines, the status of communication is likely to be affected by the weather and surrounding environment, and data transmission may be delayed. If it does so, it will become impossible to ensure the synchronization of the game which should advance in real time between a commercial game machine and a mobile communication terminal device, for example, a player will fight each other character, manipulating each other's character. When a battle game of a type to be played is executed, there is a problem that the battle may be interrupted.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a gaming system having a portable gaming machine and a gaming server having a wireless communication function such as a mobile communication terminal device, a gaming server and a gaming system constituting the gaming system. An object of the present invention is to allow a game to proceed in real time even if a transmission delay occurs between the portable game machine and the game server.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a portable game machine having a mobile communication function, a fighting game machine different from the portable game machine, and the portable game machine and the fighting game machine via a network. A connection system managing means for managing a connection status of a portable gaming machine, and a connection status management means for the game system that can provide a real-time game that progresses in real time. Determining whether or not the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state based on the connection status of the portable gaming machine managed by When it is determined that there is an operation mode for executing a real-time game on the portable gaming machine determined by the determination unit, the operation mode is changed from the normal operation mode to the normal operation mode. And wherein the game system having a switching instruction means for performing a switching instruction for causing switching to reduce possible simple operation mode a physical time.

  In this gaming system, when the gaming server determines that the portable gaming machine is in the transmission delay state, the gaming server causes the portable gaming machine to switch the operating mode from the normal operating mode to the simple operating mode. Switching instruction is performed.

  The present invention also relates to a portable gaming machine having a mobile communication function, a gaming machine different from the portable gaming machine, and a game in which the portable gaming machine and the gaming machine are connected via a network. A gaming system comprising a server and capable of providing a real-time game that progresses in real time, wherein the gaming server is managed by a connection status management means for managing the connection status of portable game machines and the connection status management means Based on the connection status of the portable game machine, a determination unit that determines whether the portable game machine is in a transmission delay state, and the determination unit determines that the portable game machine is in a transmission delay state. Sometimes, a game machine for a battle is switched from a normal operation mode to a detailed operation mode that requires more processing time than the normal operation mode. Providing a gaming system having a switching instruction means for performing a switching instruction for.

  In this gaming system, when the gaming server determines that the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state, the gaming server causes the gaming machine to switch the operating mode from the normal operating mode to the detailed operating mode. Is switched.

  In the case of the above gaming system, the gaming server calculates a transmission time difference of data from the portable game machine between the transmission delay state and the non-transmission delay state, and the transmission time difference calculated by the calculation unit. It is preferable to further include notification control means for notifying the portable game machine or the fighting game machine determined to be in the transmission delay state of the time difference information shown.

  By doing this, the transmission time difference between when the game server is in the transmission delay state and when it is not in the transmission delay state is calculated, and time difference information indicating the calculated transmission time difference is notified to the portable game machine or the game machine for competition. .

  In the present invention, a portable game machine having a mobile communication function and a fighting game machine different from the portable game machine are connected via a network, and together with the portable game machine and the fighting game machine, real time A game server that constitutes a gaming system capable of providing a real-time game that progresses rapidly, a connection status management means for managing the connection status of portable game machines, and a portable game machine managed by the connection status management means The determination means for determining whether or not the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state based on the connection status of the mobile terminal, and when the determination means determines that the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state The operation mode for executing a real-time game can be shortened from the normal operation mode to the portable game machine determined by the means from the normal operation mode. Providing a gaming server and a switching instruction means for performing a switching instruction for causing switching in a simple operation mode.

  When the gaming server determines that the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state, the gaming server instructs the portable gaming machine to switch the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the simple operation mode.

  The game server transmits a time difference information indicating a transmission time difference calculated by the calculation means, and a calculation means for calculating a transmission time difference of data from the portable game machine between the transmission delay state and the non-transmission delay state. It is preferable to further include notification control means for notifying a portable gaming machine or a fighting gaming machine determined to be in a delayed state.

  The gaming server calculates a transmission time difference between the transmission delay state and the non-transmission delay state, and notifies the portable game machine or the game machine for time difference information indicating the calculated transmission time difference.

  Further, the present invention provides a game system that can provide a real-time game that proceeds in real time together with a portable game machine having a mobile communication function and a game server to which the portable game machine is connected via a network. Detailed operation mode that requires a processing time from the normal operation mode to the normal operation mode when a switching instruction for switching the operation mode for executing the real-time game is issued from the game server There is provided a gaming machine having an operation mode switching means for switching to.

  When there is a switching instruction from the gaming server, this gaming machine switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the detailed operation mode.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a portable gaming machine having a wireless communication function such as a mobile communication terminal device and a gaming system having a gaming server, a gaming server and a gaming machine constituting the gaming system, Even if a transmission delay occurs between the gaming machine and the game server, the game can proceed in real time.

  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 mobile phone 111 as a portable gaming machine according to the present invention, a base station 110 connected 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. Note that the game store here mainly means a game center, but may be a store in another business as long as it is a store where a gaming machine can be installed.

  The game system 100 is a game system according to the present invention, in which a plurality of players (players) who operate each of the game machine 1 and the home-use game machine 112 and, in some cases, a plurality of players who operate the mobile phone 111 ( In this embodiment, four players) can participate and provide each player with a real-time game that progresses in real time as characters that act in response to the operation of each player appear and play against each other or compete with each other It has become. However, in the following description, for convenience of explanation, a certain player operates one game machine 1 installed in the game store A, and the home game machine 112 and the mobile phone 111 are respectively separate players. Are operated, and the same character battle game is played by the three players and the CPU player.

  The character battle game is one of the real-time games in the present invention, in which each player competes with each other and becomes a general of the opponent countries 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d who are divided into opponents and fight against each other. A team having a plurality of soldier characters led by the team is formed, and the player competes with other players as opponents to compete against each other while giving instructions to the leader characters of the formed team. In addition, the character battle game progresses in real time while referring to an image common to each player. In the case of the game machine 1, four countries, a country of land, a country of water, a country of fire, and a country of wind, are prepared as opponents, and the player becomes one of the generals. .

(Game machine configuration)
The game machine 1 is a stationary commercial game machine, and displays an image of a state in which a plurality of army characters C1 to C4 belonging to a battle country described later are fighting while moving on a field map 125 described later. It has a display means, and is configured to cause each of the army characters C1 to C4 to perform operations such as progression, attack, and defense according to the player's operation input (mainly touch operation of the touch panel 11a described later). Note that each army character C1 to C4 behaves according to the player's operation, but even if there is no operation by the player, the respective army characters C1 to C4 will not be interrupted by the AI technique. Autonomous behavior has been determined.

  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 has a plurality of game servers (two game servers 101 and 102 in FIG. 1) installed corresponding to each game, and a database server 103. 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).

  The game server 101 is a game server according to the present invention, and 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 as shown in FIG. 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, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 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). That is, 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 and the mobile phone 111, As a result, the game is synchronized among the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 that are playing the character battle game, and the game state is shared.

  In addition, the game server 101 receives entry data transmitted from the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111, receives a player's participation (entry) in a character battle game, and stores player participation information. Update is performed, the player who becomes the opponent is determined, and the result of the opponent determination is transmitted to the database server 103.

  Further, in the game server 101, the CPU 301 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 302 while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 303, and connection status management means, determination means, switching instruction means, calculation means, and notification, which are features of the present invention. Acts as a control means.

  The game server 102 is installed to execute another game (for example, a character game performed in second to fourth related game systems described later), and stores it in comparison with the game server 101. Although the data and programs are different, the game server 101 has the same configuration.

  The database server 103 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 while reading / writing data from / to the RAM 403 according to the program stored in the ROM 402, and the communication control unit 405 operates the communication processing unit 404 according to the instruction from the CPU 401, via the Internet 4. Each store server 2 and data (for example, operation mode switching instruction information to be described later) are transmitted and received. 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 home game machine 112 and the mobile phone 111.

  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 management means.

  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, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 at the start of the game, and is used in the character battle game.

  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, if the game machine 1 does not play a character battle game within the expiration date, and if the machine date managed by the database server 103 has passed the expiration date without satisfying the extension condition, 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, 14, and 23 to 26 described later, the 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 opponent player 1a (hereinafter also referred to as "own country") in which the player of the game machine 1 serves as a general is referred to as the opponent country 1b, 1c, 1d in which the enemy player serves as a general. 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 self player of the game machine 1 is determined, and the self player of the game machine 1 proceeds and battles with the army character.

  Next, it progresses to step 3 and the character battle process mentioned later is performed. When the character battle process is completed, the process proceeds to step 4 to determine whether or not to determine the victory or defeat in all stages to be described later or whether the player of the game machine 1 has input an end instruction. Proceed to step 5, but if not, return to step 3 and 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 by stage selection (hereinafter referred to as “selected stage”) is transmitted to the store server 2, while the stage selection information in the other game machines 1 and mobile phones is received from the store server 2. To do. 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 each of the opponent 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 the army character and the army character of another country by the player, and if there is an operation input (battle instruction input) indicating the battle instruction, the process proceeds to step 37. If no battle instruction is input, the process proceeds to step 38 without executing step 37.

  In step 37, character attack / defense processing is performed in accordance with the battle instruction input in step 36, and another battle country (for example, the battle character 1 (for example, the battle character of the battle country 1a) is assigned to the team led by the battle instruction. Attack or defend against the army character of the opponent country 1b). Next, when proceeding to step 38, it is determined whether or not there is a character contact in which military characters belonging to different opponent countries (for example, the opponent country 1a and the opponent country 1b) are in contact with each other. The compulsory 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, return to step 24 and 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 a castle base to the winning country. 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). The stage images 91, 92, 93, and 94 indicate the stages assigned to the opponent countries 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d, respectively.

  In addition, each stage included in the world map is assigned to each opponent 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 opponent country is the opponent country. Is the stage that governs. As described above, according to the result of the character battle, the allocation of the stage to each battle country is changed, and the world map is updated. Therefore, the power distribution of each battle country is changed at any time. Each stage is governed by one of the opponents, so when viewed from the character belonging to the opponent that governs the stage, the home stage (local battle zone) that is governed by the opponent From the viewpoint of a character belonging to an opponent that does not rule the stage, it is an away stage (enemy battle area) that is ruled by an opponent that does not belong to the player.

  Furthermore, in each stage, there is set a base that influences the progress of the character battle game and is a target of the character army of each battle 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 opponent country that is assigned to the stage and is the governing country is located in the center, and each base is located 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 fighting country that conquers a base or castle base provided in each stage, that is, a base winner determination condition or a castle base winner determination condition. It is a table for managing the opponent countries. As shown in FIG. 18, this base securing management table 80 is a management area in which a base name area 80a in which base names indicating the respective bases are registered and a fighting country area 80b in which the suppressed fighting countries are registered. 80c is provided for each stage, and an initial value is registered in each item at the beginning of the character battle game. According to the base securing management table 80 shown in FIG. 18, in the stage indicated by the stage image 91 (shown as stage 91. The stage 92 is indicated by the stage indicated by the stage image 92), the castle base 121 is displayed by the opponent country 1a. The bases 122, 123, and 124 are managed as being controlled by the opponent countries 1a, 1b, and 1a. In other words, in the stage indicated by the stage image 91, it is the opponent countries 1a, 1b, and 1a that satisfy the base winner determination conditions of the bases 122, 123, and 124, and the castle base winner determination condition is satisfied. It is the opponent 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. In addition to the bases, the leader characters of the battle countries face each other on the route indicated by the route image 121a. It is an image that shows 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 game machine 1, as shown in Step 40 to Step 43 in the stage battle process of FIG. 11, when the characters belonging to the battle country play a character battle on the home stage, they play a character battle on the away stage. Sometimes, the battle conditions are 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.

  Furthermore, the game machine 1 has a base securing management table 80 as a base securing management means. The base securing management table 80 manages the opponent countries that meet the base winner determination condition or the castle base winner determination condition. Yes. 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 opponent is satisfied.

(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, and proceeds to step 15 when the response signal is received. 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 home-use game machine that is owned or borrowed by an individual player having an operation environment connectable to the Internet 4. 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 home 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 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 battle country in which the player himself / herself of the home-use 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 the game at home using 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, a mode in which one player operates the game machine 1 and another player operates the home game machine 112 is shown. However, players who operate a plurality of game machines 1 A mode in which a game is played, a mode in which players who operate a plurality of home game machines 112 battle each other, a player who operates a plurality of game machines 1, and a player who operates a plurality of home game machines 112 May be a mode in which they compete against each other. In particular, the number of participants can be further increased by adding one or two players who operate the game machine 1 to the above-described aspect.

  In the above description, the operation content has been described mainly with the game machine 1 and the consumer game machine 112. However, in the game system 100, a player who operates the mobile phone 111 (hereinafter referred to as “first player”). A character (hereinafter referred to as “first character”, which corresponds to the target character in the present invention) that acts in response to an operation input from the mobile phone 111 by the player appears, and is used as an operation input by a player who operates the game machine 1. A character battle game may be played in a mode in which a character acting in response to the character or a character acting in response to an operation input by a player operating the consumer game machine 112 is played. In that case, an operation mode switching instruction process which is a feature of the present invention is performed. Hereinafter, an operation mode switching instruction process which is a feature of the present invention will be described.

(Operation mode switching instruction process)
Then, in the action mode switching instruction process, the player acts as an opponent of the first character in accordance with an operation input from the game machine 1 by a player who operates the game machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as “second player”). A case where a character (hereinafter referred to as “second character”) appears will be described as an example. In this case, the game machine 1 constitutes a battle gaming machine according to the present invention. Of course, in addition to the game machine 1, when the player who is the opponent of the first player is operating, the home gaming machine 112 also constitutes the gaming machine for the present invention, and the mobile phone 111 A mobile phone different from the above also constitutes a game machine for battle in the present invention.

  The first player plays a character battle game while operating the mobile phone 111, but the mobile phone 111 communicates wirelessly and connects to the Internet 4, unlike the game machine 1 and the home gaming machine 112. . For this reason, in the game system 100, the mobile phone 111 is likely to be affected by the weather, the surrounding environment, and the like in the wireless communication status for connecting to the Internet 4, and delays data transmission with the game server 101. There is also. Then, when the mobile phone 111 is in a transmission delay state with the game server 101, for example, a battle between the second player who operates the game machine 1 and the first player who operates the mobile phone 111. Will be interrupted.

  Therefore, in the game system 100, the game server 101 performs the following operation mode switching instruction processing, and the mobile phone 111 switches the operation mode from the normal operation mode to the simple operation mode according to the instruction processing, or the game machine 1 The operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to the detailed operation mode.

  Here, the mobile phone 111 has a mobile communication function and a wireless connection environment to the Internet 4, and communicates with the game server 101 and the store server 2 via the base station 110, so that the above-described game machine 1 and home Operation similar to that of the game machine 112 can be realized. However, unlike the game machine 1 and the home game machine 112, the mobile phone 111 has a wireless connection environment to the Internet 4, so that a character battle game can be played in places other than the game stores A and B. This constitutes a portable game machine.

  The mobile phone 111 is located in a wireless zone covered by a base station 110 installed in a general call area under the control of a control station (not shown), and is a mobile communication system together with other mobile phones (not shown). And can perform voice communication with each other while performing wireless communication via the base station 110.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the mobile phone 111 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, a RAM 603, an operation input unit 604, and a liquid crystal display unit 605. In addition, the mobile phone 111 includes a data storage unit 606, a voice conversion processing unit 607, a communication control unit 608, a wireless communication unit 609, a speaker 610, and a microphone 611. The CPU 601 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 602 and controls operation of the entire mobile phone 111. The ROM 602 stores a program executed by the CPU 601, for example, a communication control program for the mobile phone 111 to perform wireless communication. The RAM 603 stores a game control program for controlling the execution of the character battle game and data necessary for the execution of the program by the CPU 601 such as the game data described above.

  The operation input unit 604 has a plurality of operation input buttons, and inputs data input by the input operation of each operation input button to the CPU 601. For example, the operation input unit 604 includes a plurality of character input buttons, a call button, an incoming button, a received mail confirmation operation button, an Internet 4 connection operation button, and the like. The liquid crystal display unit 605 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a driving unit thereof, and is an image display unit that displays an image of characters, figures, symbols, and the like. For example, the telephone number of the other party when making a call, current time, incoming call history, received mail, standby image, and images such as game execution screens when playing various games provided from the game server 101 are displayed. indicate.

  The data storage unit 606 stores various data. Since the mobile phone 111 does not have the coin insertion slot 16 and the card slot 18 unlike the game machine 1, it is not possible to insert coins and insert the ID card 17. Therefore, in order to make it possible to play a character battle game without inserting coins, the deposit information based on the deposit process performed in advance by the player is managed by the game server 101, and the balance information of the deposit information is data. Stored in the storage unit 606. The data storage unit 606 stores card information stored in the ID card 17 and the like. By storing such information in the data storage unit 606, the cellular phone 111 can perform the character battle game without using the ID card 17 itself as in the case of executing the character battle game on the game machine 1. It has become.

  The voice conversion processing unit 607 expands the voice data and outputs it to the speaker 610, while converting and compressing the analog voice signal input from the microphone 611 into digital voice data and inputs the digital voice data to the wireless communication unit 609. The communication control unit 608 operates in response to an instruction from the CPU 601 and controls connection and disconnection of a line for communicating with the base station 110. A wireless communication unit 609 is a wireless communication unit that executes transmission / reception of data wirelessly under the control of the communication control unit 608. That is, the information to be transmitted to the base station 110 is converted into a signal handled by the mobile communication network, and then transmitted while being superimposed on the radio wave, while the radio wave is received from the base station 110 and superimposed on the received radio wave. Information is extracted from the signal. The speaker 610 is a voice output unit that outputs a voice of a conversation partner or a voice during game execution, and the microphone 611 inputs a voice such as a conversation content of the user and converts it into an electric signal.

  The operation mode switching instruction process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 23 when the CPU 301 in the game server 101 operates according to the program stored in the ROM 302. This operation mode switching instruction process is executed by the CPU 301 by interrupting a main process (not shown) every predetermined time (for example, 1 ms). Note that the operation mode switching instruction process is for the mobile phone 111 (when the mobile phone 111 instructs to switch from the normal operation mode to the simple operation mode) and for the game machine 1 (game machine). 1, when switching from the normal operation mode to the detailed operation mode is instructed), the case where the mobile phone 111 is first targeted will be described.

  When the CPU 301 starts the operation mode switching instruction process, the CPU 301 proceeds to step 120, temporarily saves the program being executed stored in the storage area (register) in the memory, and proceeds to step 121. In step 121, the CPU 301 operates as a connection status management unit to check the connection status of the mobile phone 111. The CPU 301 checks the I / O port by, for example, a polling method, checks the connection status of the mobile phone 111 by input from the mobile phone 111 through the communication processing unit 304, and transmits the transmission time when the mobile phone 111 is connected. Ask for. In addition, the CPU 301 may transmit a short message to the mobile phone 111, and then check the connection status of the mobile phone 111 by a request transmitted from the mobile phone 111, and the specific method and method are not limited to the above. .

  In step 122, the CPU 301 operates as a calculation unit to calculate a transmission time difference. In this case, as shown in FIG. 27, the game server 101 transmits / receives data (data transmission) to / from each store server 2, the consumer game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111, but transmission delay occurs. Is data transmission between the base station 110 and the mobile phone 111 in which communication is performed wirelessly. Therefore, if the transmission time for data transmission from the game machine 1 to the game server 101 is Pt and the transmission time for data transmission from the game server 101 to the base station 110 is Qt, there is no transmission delay for Pt and Qt. There is no difference between the (non-transmission delay state) and the transmission delay state, but there is a difference between the transmission time Nt in the non-transmission delay state from the base station 110 to the mobile phone 111 and the transmission time Lt in the transmission delay state. obtain. Therefore, the CPU 301 calculates the transmission time difference Dt = Lt−Nt, and sets the transmission delay state when the transmission time difference Dt becomes positive and the non-transmission delay state otherwise.

  In step 123, the CPU 301 operates as a determination unit. Based on the transmission time difference Dt calculated in step 122, it is determined whether the mobile phone 111 is in a transmission delay state. When it is determined, the process proceeds to step 124, and when it is not determined, the process proceeds to step 126.

  In step 124, the CPU 301 operates as a switching instruction unit and instructs the communication control unit 305 to cause the mobile phone 111 to transmit operation mode switching instruction information to the communication processing unit 304. This switching instruction information indicates that the operation mode for executing the character battle game is changed from the normal operation mode to the simple operation mode (the operation mode, the normal operation mode, and the simple operation) due to a transmission delay with respect to the mobile phone 111. The switching instruction according to the present invention is performed by transmitting the switching instruction information with information for switching the mode to a later-described mode and accelerating the processing.

  In step 125, the CPU 301 operates as a notification control unit, instructs the communication control unit 305, and sends the time difference information indicating the transmission time difference Dt calculated in step 122 to the communication processing unit 304. Send it.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds to step 126, it is determined whether or not the operation mode in the mobile phone 111 is the normal operation mode depending on whether or not the switched information described later is received. In step 127, the CPU 301 operates as a return instruction unit to instruct the communication control unit 305, and sends a return instruction information for instructing the mobile phone 111 to return the operation mode to the normal operation mode. In step 304, the process proceeds to step 128 without executing step 127. A return instruction is performed by transmitting the return instruction information.

  In step 128, the saved register of the program is restored, and the program is resumed from the point of interruption. When step 128 is executed, the operation mode switching instruction process ends.

  On the other hand, in response to the game server 101 executing the operation mode switching instruction process, the mobile phone 111 performs the operation mode switching check process and the operation mode switching process as follows.

  The operation mode switching check process is executed by the CPU 601 by interrupting the game process shown in FIG. 8 every predetermined time (for example, 1 ms). When the mobile phone 111 starts the operation mode switching check process, the mobile phone 111 proceeds to step 140 as shown in FIG. 24, and temporarily saves the program being executed stored in the storage area (register) in the memory. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 141 where the CPU 601 determines whether or not the above-described operation mode switching instruction information has been received from the game server 101, and when it is determined that the operation mode switching instruction information has been received, the process proceeds to step 142. Otherwise, go to step 143. When the processing proceeds to step 142, the CPU 601 sets data indicating that switching is performed in a switching flag indicating whether or not switching of the operation mode is performed, and further displays switched information indicating that switching is performed. Send to.

  Next, in step 143, the CPU 601 determines whether or not the return instruction information for returning to the normal operation mode is received from the game server 101. When the return instruction information is received, the process proceeds to step 144; Proceed to step 145. In step 144, the main CPU 32 clears the switching flag. In step 145, the saved program registers are restored and resumed from the point at which the program was interrupted.

  The operation mode switching process is also executed by the CPU 601 by interrupting the game process shown in FIG. 8 every predetermined time (for example, 1 ms). When the mobile phone 111 starts the operation mode switching process, the mobile phone 111 proceeds to step 140 as shown in FIG. 25, and temporarily saves the program being executed stored in the storage area (register) in the memory in the same manner as described above. . Next, in step 151, it is determined whether or not data indicating that switching is to be performed is set with reference to the switching flag (whether or not the switching flag is set), and the switching flag is set. If not, the process proceeds to step 152. If not set, the process proceeds to step 153. In step 152, the CPU 601 controls the game process after the operation mode switching process to be executed in the simple operation mode. In step 153, the CPU 601 controls the game mode to be executed in the normal operation mode. . Thus, in the mobile phone 111, the CPU 601 operates as the operation mode switching means, and the operation mode is switched between the normal operation mode and the simple operation mode according to the switching flag. That is, as shown in FIG. 28 (a), when the game process is initially started in the normal operation mode, the operation mode is switched to the simple operation mode by setting the switching flag. When the switching flag is cleared, the operation mode returns to the normal operation mode.

  Here, a normal operation mode, a simple operation mode, and a detailed operation mode will be described. As described above, in the game system 100, the game is synchronized between the game machine 1 that performs a real-time game and the mobile phone 111. The machine 1 and the mobile phone 111 perform the same processing, and the same processing is performed by the game machine 1 and the mobile phone 111 except for the processing related to the operation input (however, in order to limit the application) Except for the processing differences involved). In this embodiment, the difference between the normal operation mode, the simple operation mode, and the detailed operation mode is observed in the processing after inputting a command transmitted / received between the game machine 1 or the home game machine 112 and the mobile phone 111. Be able to.

  Here, the operation mode is an operation mode for executing a real-time game such as image display, sound output, and operation input such as a command in the mobile phone 111, the game machine 1, and the home game machine 112, and is a normal operation. The mode is a mode of operation in a normal state before switching due to transmission delay. On the other hand, the simple operation mode is an operation mode in which the processing time can be reduced as compared with the normal operation mode in order to eliminate the influence of the transmission delay from the mobile phone 111. The detailed operation mode is an operation that requires more processing time than the normal operation mode in order to eliminate the influence of the transmission delay from the mobile phone 111 by performing the processing in the game machine 1 or the home game 112 in detail. It is an aspect.

  For example, in the above selection stage battle process, when a player's battle instruction input (input of battle instruction command) is performed, a character attack / defense process corresponding to the battle instruction is performed in step 37. Differences between the respective operation modes will be described with reference to FIG. 29 as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 29, when a player performs a command input a indicating a battle instruction, a process performed on the command input a (for example, checking the content of the command) in any of the normal, detailed, and simple operation modes. Etc.) are equal, but there is usually a difference according to the time difference Dt in the detailed and simple operation modes for the subsequent performance operation. That is, the time required for processing the detailed performance operation b1 in the detailed operation mode is, for example, increased by increasing the number of displayed images as compared to the time required for processing the normal performance operation b2 in the normal operation mode. On the contrary, the time required for the processing of the simple rendering operation b3 in the simple operation mode is shortened by the transmission time difference Dt, for example, by reducing the number of displayed images. Further, the battle operation c is performed and the next command input d is performed. The battle operation c and the command input d are normally performed in the same manner in both the detailed and simple operation modes. As for the effect operation performed following the command input d, there is usually a difference according to the transmission time difference Dt in the detailed and simple operation modes. That is, the time required for processing the detailed performance operation e1 is increased by the transmission time difference Dt, and the time required for processing the simple performance operation e3 is shortened by the transmission time difference Dt, compared to the time required for the processing of the normal performance operation e2. Subsequent battle operation e is performed in the same manner.

  As described above, in the simple operation mode as compared with the normal operation mode, the processing time is reduced according to the transmission time difference Dt. Therefore, even if a transmission delay occurs until a command is input on the portable gaming machine 111 and the command is transmitted to the game machine 1 as a battle gaming machine, the rendering operation on the portable gaming machine 111 is performed. By switching the mode to the simple operation mode b3, the processing time can be shortened, so that real-time game synchronization can be ensured. In addition, since the time to be shortened depends on the transmission time difference Dt, even if the processing in the portable game machine 111 is delayed due to the transmission delay, the processing is shortened by the time corresponding to the delay. The end times of the normal performance operations can be aligned without delay, and real-time game synchronization can be reliably ensured.

  Next, a case where the operation mode switching instruction process is performed for the game machine 1 will be described. Compared to the above, the operation mode switching instruction processing in this case is such that the operation mode switching instruction information is transmitted to the game machine 1 in step 124, and the operation mode in the game machine 1 is changed to the normal operation mode in step 126. Whether or not it is determined is different from that in which the return instruction information is transmitted to the game machine 1 in step 127, and otherwise the same processing is performed.

  Further, in the game machine 1, the operation mode switching check process is performed in the same manner as described above, and the operation mode switching process is performed as follows along the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, in the game machine 1, the main CPU 32 performs the operation mode switching process. In this operation mode switching process, step 154 is executed instead of step 152, and the game process after the operation mode switching process is completed. Similar processing is performed except that it is controlled to be executed in the detailed operation mode. Then, in the gaming machine 1, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), when the game process was initially started in the normal operation mode, the operation mode is changed to the detailed operation mode by setting the switching flag. After that, when the switching flag is cleared, the operation mode returns to the normal operation mode.

  When the game machine 1 performs the operation mode switching check process and the operation mode switching process, the processing time of the game machine 1 can be lengthened, and the time to be lengthened depends on the transmission time difference Dt. For this reason, even if the processing in the portable gaming machine 111 is delayed due to the transmission delay, the processing becomes longer by the time corresponding to the delay. Therefore, it is possible to align the end time of the normal performance operation with the game machine 1, and to ensure the synchronization of the real-time game.

  As described above, in the game system 100, when the first character appears in response to the operation of the first player who operates the mobile phone 111, the mobile phone 111 enters a transmission delay state with the base station 110. Then, the game server 101 issues a switching instruction, and according to the switching instruction, the mobile phone 111 or the game machine 1 switches the operation mode and adjusts the processing time according to the transmission delay. Therefore, even if the mobile phone 111 is in a transmission delay state, the battle between the first character and another character is not interrupted according to the operation of the first player, and real-time game synchronization is ensured. become able to.

  Further, since the game server 1 notifies the mobile phone 111 or the game machine 1 of the time difference information, the mobile phone 111 or the game machine 1 sets the processing time for the time corresponding to the transmission delay based on the notified time difference information. It can be shortened or lengthened, and the end time of the normal performance operation can be aligned with the game machine 1 to ensure the real-time game synchronization.

(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 according to the first related game system is one of the character games in the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 19, each player's operation along the route selected by each of a plurality of players (for example, four players). A game in which the character 211 acting in response to the character moves in the labyrinth 212, fights against other characters other than himself, scrambles for the items that the character has, collects all the items, and then defeats the final target character (hereinafter “ A labyrinth match game). In this labyrinth fighting game, the player who has become the right to shift can put the shift wall 214 into the labyrinth from the predetermined direction a within the time limit shown on the display unit 213, so that the game progresses. At the same time, it has game characteristics that change the structure of the labyrinth. Each character's score (referred to as “life”) 215 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, as with the game system 100, the game machine 1, the home-use game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111, when the predetermined game start process is completed, are based on the application data stored therein. Start the actual labyrinth battle game process.

  Then, the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 each transmit game information to the game server 101 at a timing when the game state transitions or a predetermined time elapses. The game server 101 then reflects the latest game state corresponding to the game information on the other party based on the game information received from the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111. The game information is transmitted to the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111, respectively.

  The game server 101 repeats such transmission / reception of game information with the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 until the labyrinth battle game ends. Therefore, it is possible to play a labyrinth battle game in real time between the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 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 and the mobile phone 111. Thereby, as described above, the labyrinth battle game is provided to the players who operate the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111, respectively. 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 players of the home game machine 112 and the mobile phone 111 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.

  In addition, the first character acting in response to the operation of the first player who operates the mobile phone 111 may appear in the labyrinth battle game. In that case, the game server 101 performs the operation mode switching instruction processing in the same manner as described above, and the mobile phone 111 or the game machine 1 performs the processing corresponding to the operation mode switching check processing and the operation mode switching processing in the same manner as described above. Even when 111 is in a transmission delay state, the labyrinth battle game can be executed in such a manner as to achieve the above-described effects.

(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 also one of the character games in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of players (for example, four people) each have their own cards (or virtual on the display). The card 311) summons the phantom monster characters 312 that act in accordance with each operation, and battles each other while manipulating them. It is a game that competes (hereinafter referred to as the “Genma Battle Game”).

  Also in the second related game system, similarly to the game system 100 described above, the game machine 1, the home-use game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 each store an application stored when a predetermined game start process ends. The actual phantom battle game process is started based on the data.

  The game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 each transmit game information to the game server 101 at a timing when the game state transitions or a predetermined time elapses. The game server 101 then plays a game for reflecting the latest game state corresponding to the game information on the other party based on the game information received from the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111. The business information is transmitted to the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111, respectively.

  The game server 101 repeats such transmission / reception of game information with the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 until the phantom battle game ends. Therefore, a phantom battle game can be performed in real time between the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 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 and received between the mobile phone 112 and the mobile phone 111. Thereby, provision of a phantom battle game to a player who operates the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 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 players of the home game machine 112 and the mobile phone 111 cannot participate in the 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.

  In addition, the first character acting in response to the operation of the first player who operates the mobile phone 111 may appear in the phantom battle game. In that case, the game server 101 performs the operation mode switching instruction processing in the same manner as described above, and the mobile phone 111 or the game machine 1 performs the processing corresponding to the operation mode switching check processing and the operation mode switching processing in the same manner as described above. Even if 111 becomes in a transmission delay state, the phantom battle game can be executed in such a way as to achieve the above-described effects.

(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.

  The 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 411 by playing against the enemy character 412. It is a game in which the main character 411 performs an adventure in accordance with a scenario prepared in advance and solves the mystery hidden in each scenario (hereinafter referred to as “mystery solving character game”) while gradually increasing.

  Also in the third related game system, similarly to the game system 100 described above, the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 each store an application stored when a predetermined game start process ends. The actual game processing is started based on the data.

  The game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 each transmit game information to the game server 101 at a timing when the state of the mysterious character game transitions or a predetermined time elapses. The game server 101 then reflects the latest game state corresponding to the game information on the other party based on the game information received from the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111. The game information is transmitted to the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111, respectively.

  The game server 101 repeats such transmission / reception of game information with the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 until the game ends. Therefore, a mysterious character game can be performed in real time between the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 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 transmitted to and received from the mobile phone 111. Thereby, provision of a mysterious character game for players who respectively operate the game machine 1, the home game machine 112, and the mobile phone 111 is realized. Therefore, this game system, like the game system 100, realizes an increase in the number of participants as compared to a conventional game system in which players of the home game machine 112 and the mobile phone 111 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.

  In addition, the first character that acts in response to the operation of the first player who operates the mobile phone 111 may appear in the mysterious character game. In that case, the game server 101 performs the operation mode switching instruction processing in the same manner as described above, and the mobile phone 111 or the game machine 1 performs the processing corresponding to the operation mode switching check processing and the operation mode switching processing in the same manner as described above. Even if 111 is in a transmission delay state, the mystery-solving character game can be executed in such a way as to achieve the above-described effects.

(Explanation regarding extension of game data expiration date)
Next, the extension of the expiration date of game data 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 expiration date of the machine date has passed, and a character game such as a character battle game is performed using the game data. The player who has been playing cannot play the character game thereafter. 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. 30 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 the CPU 401 starts the term extension process, the CPU 401 proceeds to step 120, temporarily saves the program being executed stored in the storage area (register) in the memory, and proceeds to step 161. In step 161, 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 a notification deadline for performing progress notification described later (of course, the previous one week is an example of the notification time limit, and the notification time limit is shorter than one week). Or it may be longer as long as it does not exceed the expiration date).

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step 162, where it is determined whether or not there is game data extracted in step 161. If there is extracted game data, the process proceeds to step 163, but if there is no game data, the process proceeds to step 129. Since the expiration date of the game data extracted in step 162 has not been updated before the notification deadline (one week before the expiration date in this embodiment) elapses, the CPU 401 operates as a notification control unit. Then, when such game data is extracted, the subsequent step 167 is executed to control the progress notification data to be transmitted.

  In step 163, whether the extracted game data is game data of the home game machine 112 (game data corresponding to a player playing a character game on the home game machine 112) or not is determined. If the game data of the home-use game machine 112 is determined based on the person ID, the process proceeds to step 166. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 164. The process proceeds to step 164 when the player is playing a character game using the game machine 1. In this case, the CPU 401 determines whether or not the character game has been played within the expiration date. If it has been performed within the expiration date, the CPU 401 proceeds to step 165 to extend the expiration date as a normal extension period. (In this embodiment, 3 months) is set, and then the process proceeds to step 170. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step 129, the saved program register is restored, and the program is resumed from the point where it was interrupted. .

  In step 166, the CPU 401 operates as an update control unit to determine whether or not the character game is being played in the charging mode based on the mode data. Proceed to 167, otherwise proceed to step 129. As a result, the CPU 401 controls the expiration date to be renewable if the character game is played in the charging mode, and the expiration date cannot be updated if the character game is not performed in the charging mode (when performed in the free mode). ing.

  Next, when proceeding to step 167, 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 168, 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 169; otherwise, the process proceeds to step 129. move on. The process proceeds to step 169 when the player performs a character game in the charging mode using the home game machine 112 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, the extension condition for updating the expiration date by the consumer game machine 112 is to perform the character game in the charging mode and transmit the extension request data to the database server 103. 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 169, the CPU 401 sets the above-described normal extension as an extension period so that the expiration date is shorter when the character game is played using the consumer 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 period is set.

  In step 170 following step 165 or step 169, the CPU 401 operates as an extension processing means, and updates the expiration date using the normal extension period or the short-term extension period set in step 165 or step 169. Update processing is performed. In this case, for example, when the expiration date before renewal is June 10, 2005, and the player is playing a character game with the game machine 1 within the expiration date, the expiration date is 3 months after 2005 Updated on the 10th of the month. Further, if the expiration date before the update is also June 10, 2005, and the player has played the character battle game on the home game machine 112 within the expiration date, the character game is played in the charging mode. Furthermore, 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 game is played in the free mode or when the extension request data is not transmitted between June 3 and 10, 2005.

  As described above, in the game system 100, when an extension condition such as transmission of extension request data from the consumer game machine 112 is satisfied, the database server 103 sets a short-term extension deadline, and sets the short-term extension deadline thus set. Use to update the expiration date of the game data. Therefore, not only a player who is playing a character game with the game machine 1 but also a player who is playing a character game with the home-use game machine 112 satisfies the extension condition such as transmitting extension request data. 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 the character game in that the expiration date can be extended regardless of the place, and the player has an incentive to continuously execute the character game. Can also be given to.

  However, when the player is playing the character game using the home game machine 112, the expiration date is shorter than when the player is playing the game machine 1 using the character game. A player who strongly desires continuous execution of the character game can be urged to play the character game with the game machine 1 by reducing the extension of the expiration date not depending on 1.

  Further, the expiration date can be updated by the home-use game machine 112 only when the character game is being played in the charging mode, so even if the character game is being played, the expiration date is not updated in the free mode. . As a result, a situation in which the character 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. ing.

  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, the home game machine 112 may be a personal computer, a portable game terminal, a portable information terminal, or the like. Further, the portable gaming machine in the present invention may be a gaming machine having a mobile communication function, and is not necessarily limited to the cellular phone 111.

  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.

  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.

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 mainly showing 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 block diagram which shows the internal structure of the mobile telephone which comprises a game system with another main component. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the operation | movement mode switching instruction | indication process in a game server. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the operation mode switching check process performed with a mobile telephone or a game machine corresponding to an operation mode switching instruction | indication process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the operation mode switching process performed with a mobile telephone corresponding to an operation mode switching instruction | indication process. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the operation mode switching process performed with a game machine corresponding to an operation mode switching instruction | indication process. It is the figure which showed typically the difference in the transmission time in a non-transmission delay state and a transmission delay state. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement aspect when operation | movement mode switching is performed, (a) is a figure in the case of a mobile telephone, (b) is a figure which shows the case of a game machine. It is the figure which showed typically the difference in the processing time in each of a detailed operation | movement aspect, a normal operation | movement aspect, and a simple operation | movement aspect. 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, 401 ... CPU, 33,403 ... RAM
34, 402 ... ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Game system, 101, 102 ... Game server 103 ... Database server 111 ... Mobile phone, 112 ... Home-use game machine

Claims (6)

A portable gaming machine having a mobile communication function, a gaming machine different from the portable gaming machine, and a gaming server to which the portable gaming machine and the gaming machine are connected via a network; A gaming system capable of providing a real-time game that progresses in real time,
A connection status management means for managing the connection status of the portable gaming machine by the gaming server;
Determining means for determining whether or not the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state based on a connection situation of the portable gaming machine managed by the connection situation managing means;
When the determining means determines that the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state, an operation mode for executing the real-time game on the portable gaming machine determined by the determining means is provided. A gaming system comprising: a switching instruction means for issuing a switching instruction for switching from a normal operation mode to a simple operation mode capable of reducing the processing time as compared with the normal operation mode. A portable gaming machine having a mobile communication function, a battle game machine different from the portable game machine, and a game server to which the portable game machine and the battle game machine are connected via a network; A gaming system capable of providing a real-time game that progresses in real time,
A connection status management means for managing the connection status of the portable gaming machine by the gaming server;
Determining means for determining whether or not the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state based on a connection situation of the portable gaming machine managed by the connection situation managing means;
When the determination means determines that the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state, an operation mode for executing the real-time game is changed from the normal operation mode to the normal operation for the battle gaming machine. A gaming system comprising switching instruction means for issuing a switching instruction for switching to a detailed operation mode that requires more processing time than the mode. The gaming server is
Calculating means for calculating a transmission time difference of data from the portable game machine between the transmission delay state and the non-transmission delay state;
And further comprising notification control means for notifying the portable gaming machine or the gaming machine for battle determined to be in the transmission delay state of the time difference information indicating the transmission time difference calculated by the calculating means. The game system according to claim 1 or 2. A portable game machine having a mobile communication function and a fighting game machine different from the portable game machine are connected via a network, and a real-time game that progresses in real time together with the portable game machine and the fighting game machine A game server constituting a game system capable of providing
Connection status management means for managing the connection status of the portable gaming machine;
Determining means for determining whether or not the portable gaming machine is in a transmission delay state based on a connection situation of the portable gaming machine managed by the connection situation managing means;
An operation mode for executing the real-time game on the portable game machine determined by the determination means when the determination means determines that the portable game machine is in the transmission delay state. And a switching instruction means for issuing a switching instruction for switching from a normal operation mode to a simple operation mode capable of shortening the processing time compared to the normal operation mode. Calculating means for calculating a transmission time difference of data from the portable game machine between the transmission delay state and the non-transmission delay state;
And further comprising notification control means for notifying the portable gaming machine or the gaming machine for battle determined to be in the transmission delay state of the time difference information indicating the transmission time difference calculated by the calculating means. The game server according to claim 4. A gaming machine comprising a portable gaming machine having a mobile communication function and a gaming server to which the portable gaming machine is connected via a network, and a gaming system capable of providing a real-time game that proceeds in real time,
When there is a switching instruction for switching the operation mode for executing the real-time game from the game server, the operation mode is switched from the normal operation mode to a detailed operation mode that requires more processing time than the normal operation mode. A gaming machine comprising operation mode switching means.

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