JP2013099481A - Game machine, and control method and computer program used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine capable of suppressing an influence due to delay in information reception.SOLUTION: A plurality of game machines 2 are applied to a game system 1 for advancing a game among the plurality of game machines 2 connected via a network 5. In addition, each game machine 2 includes an external storage 20 for storing sequence data 28 including an appearance position instruction part 28g for mutually relating each operation period of an own machine during the game to an operation period in another machine during a match. Furthermore, each game machine 2 guides an operation period thereof such that a moving passage W of an object 60 for instructing the operation period of the own machine changes according to an operation result of the object 60 related to the operation period of the own machine based on the appearance position instruction part 28g, and in response to a time lag, changes operation information to be used for changing the moving passage W to information corresponding to the operation period of another faster machine from information based on the appearance position instruction part 28g.

Description

  The present invention is applied to a game system in which a game progresses between a plurality of terminals connected via a communication line based on a play action by a player of each terminal, and functions as one of the plurality of terminals. The present invention relates to a possible game machine, a control method used therefor, and a computer program.

  A game system is known in which a battle-type game is advanced between a plurality of game machines connected via a communication line (see, for example, Patent Document 1). On the other hand, there is a game machine in which one play result during a battle affects the progress of the other game. As such a game machine, a game machine in which an operation unit is alternately operated in accordance with a music rhythm is known (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2011-087649 A JP 2003-236243 A

  In the game system of Patent Document 1, a battle with a large number of players is realized via a network. However, in such a game system, information received from the opponent's game machine, such as the play result of the opponent, may be delayed due to a communication failure or the like. On the other hand, in the game machine of Patent Document 2, since one play result during a battle affects the progress of the other game, one play result is used for the progress of the other game for the convenience of the progress of the other game. There is a limit to the time that can be done. Therefore, when such a game machine is applied to a game system as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a case where the progress of the game is hindered due to a communication failure or the like.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine capable of suppressing the influence due to delay in information reception, a control method used therefor, and a computer program.

  The game machine of the present invention is applied to a game system (1) in which a game is advanced between a plurality of terminals (2) connected via a communication line (5) based on a play action by a player of each terminal. A game machine capable of functioning as one of the plurality of terminals, wherein at least one reference time for executing the play action in the player's own machine during the game; and as another terminal of the game system Relation information storage means (20) for storing relation information (28g) for associating at least one reference time for executing the play action in another functioning machine, and the own machine based on the relation information In accordance with the play action corresponding to the reference time of the other machine associated with the reference time of the other machine, each reference time is set so that the guide mode of the reference time of the own machine changes. The reference time guide means (10), and when the predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action for the reference time guide means to change the guide mode, And a relationship changing means (10) for changing from the reference time of the other machine based on the relationship information to a reference time earlier than the reference time of the other machine.

  According to the present invention, when a predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference time of the other aircraft to be used for changing the guidance mode of the own aircraft is based on the original relationship information and is earlier than that. Changed to the time. For this reason, for example, in consideration of a communication failure or the like, the correspondence relationship of the reference time between the own device and the other device can be slightly shifted from the original relationship. More specifically, it is possible to delay the time to use information related to the play action of other machines. As a result, the time at which the progress of the game is affected by the reception delay can be delayed, so that the influence of the information reception delay can be suppressed.

  In one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the relationship changing means changes the reference time of the other machine based on the relationship information to a reference time earlier than the reference time of the other machine, and then sets a predetermined recovery condition. When satisfied, the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action to change the guidance mode is changed from the earlier reference time to the reference time of the other machine based on the relationship information. You may return. In this case, by using a condition that can be determined that the delay in information reception has been eliminated as a predetermined recovery condition, the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action and the reference time of the own machine that reflects it as a change in the guidance mode It is possible to restore the original relationship from the shifted relationship. Thereby, since it can suppress that a relationship is shifted unnecessarily, a game can be advanced more appropriately.

  In one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, a predetermined time difference is compared between the predetermined time limit and the acquisition time by comparing the predetermined time limit and the acquisition time of the information related to the play action of the other machine. A time difference determining means (10) for determining whether or not the time difference has occurred is further provided, and the predetermined change condition may be satisfied when the predetermined time difference is generated based on a determination result of the time difference determining means. . Moreover, in this aspect, a time limit calculating means (10) for calculating the predetermined time limit based on the reference time of the own device may be further provided. In these cases, it is possible to more appropriately shift the relationship between the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action and the reference time of the own machine that reflects it as a change in the guidance mode.

  Any number may be applied as the reference time of the own device and the number of reference times of the other devices related by the relationship information. For example, the relationship information storage means may store information associating a plurality of reference times of the own device and a plurality of reference times of the other device with each other as the relationship information.

  In one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the relationship changing means is based on a reference time of the own machine that changes the guidance mode, and immediately before the reference time of the own machine among the reference times for the own machine. Information to be used for changing the guide mode so that the reference time guide means uses a predetermined guide mode as the guide mode for the immediately previous reference time. You may change from the information based on the said play action corresponding to the operation time of another machine to predetermined information. By shifting the relationship between the reference time of other aircraft that use play action and the reference time of the own aircraft that reflects it as a change in the guidance mode, the reference time of other aircraft needs more than the reference time of the own aircraft Or it may occur that they are used redundantly. There is also a problem that when the reference time of another machine that should use the play action is the first time, there is no previous reference time. In this case, it is possible to use predetermined information rather than information regarding the play act immediately before the relationship between the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action and the reference time of the own machine that reflects it as a change in the guidance mode is shifted. it can. As a result, problems such as first-time problems and redundant use can be solved.

  Any guidance mode may be used as the predetermined guidance mode. For example, in one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the predetermined guidance mode is used when the play act is not properly executed or when the play act is not executed within a predetermined time. The information associated with the guidance mode may be used as the predetermined information so that the guidance mode is used.

  In one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, an input device (9) having at least one operation unit for inputting an operation as the play action, a display device (8) for displaying a game screen (50), The related information storage means further includes an operation time for the operation unit of the own device as an operation time of the own device and an operation time for the operation unit of the other device as an operation time of the other device according to the relationship information. Sequence data (28) described so as to be associated with each other, and the reference time guide means includes a first reference portion (55A) corresponding to the operation portion of the own device and an operation portion of the other device. A second reference part (55B) corresponding to the game area presenting means (10) for displaying a game area (52) arranged at an interval on the game screen, and instructing each operation time Each of the operation instruction signs (60) along the one of a plurality of movement paths (W) connecting the first reference part and the second reference part, the operation time for the operation part of the own machine is Each operation time is displayed by moving each operation instruction mark in the game area so as to reach the second reference unit at the operation time for the operation unit of the other machine. Sign display control means (10) for guiding the operation indication sign, the sign display control means corresponding to the operation time of the other machine associated with the operation time of the own machine based on the relation information. In response to the operation result, the change direction of the operation time of the own device is changed by changing the movement route along which the operation instruction mark corresponding to the operation time of the own device moves, , The sign display The control unit changes the reference time of the other machine corresponding to the operation instruction sign that uses the operation result to change the movement route from the reference time of the other machine based on the relationship information to the earlier operation time. May be. In this case, an operation instruction mark that moves along one of a plurality of movement paths between the first reference unit and the second reference unit is displayed to guide each operation time to each player of the own device and the other device. Can reduce the effects of delayed information reception

  In one aspect of the game machine of the present invention, an audio output device (14) for reproducing and outputting sound, a music data storage means (20) for storing music data (25) for reproducing music, and the music data And a music playback means (10) for playing back the music from the audio output device, and each time in the music may be used as each reference time. In this case, in the music game, it is possible to suppress the influence due to the delay in information reception.

  The control method of the present invention is applied to a game system (1) in which a game is advanced between a plurality of terminals (2) connected via a communication line (5) based on a play action by a player of each terminal. A game machine (2) capable of functioning as one of the plurality of terminals, wherein at least one reference time to execute the play action in the game machine in the game; A game machine computer comprising relationship information storage means (20) for storing relationship information (28g) for associating at least one reference time for executing the play action in another device functioning as a terminal of 10), according to the play action corresponding to the reference time of the other machine associated with the reference time of the own machine based on the relationship information, A reference time guidance process for guiding each reference time so that the guidance mode of the period changes, and the play act to change the guidance mode in the reference time guidance process when a predetermined change condition is satisfied And a relationship changing step of changing the reference time of the other device using the reference time from the reference time of the other device based on the relationship information to a reference time earlier than the reference time of the other device.

  In addition, the computer program for a game machine of the present invention is a game system in which a game is advanced between a plurality of terminals (2) connected via a communication line (5) based on a play act by a player of each terminal. A game machine (2) that is applied to (1) and is capable of functioning as one of the plurality of terminals, wherein at least one reference time for executing the play action in the player's own machine during the game; And a relation information storage means (20) for storing relation information (28g) for associating at least one reference time with which the play action is to be executed in another machine functioning as another terminal of the game system. The game machine computer (10) is connected to the reference time of the other machine associated with the reference time of the own machine based on the relation information. The reference time guide means for guiding each reference time and the reference time guide means when the predetermined change condition is satisfied so that the guide mode of the reference time of the aircraft changes according to the act. A relationship change that changes the reference time of the other device that uses the play action to change the guidance mode from the reference time of the other device based on the relationship information to a reference time earlier than the reference time of the other device. It is comprised so that it may function as a means. By executing the control method or the computer program of the present invention, the game machine of the present invention can be realized.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference time of the other aircraft to be used for changing the guidance mode of the own aircraft is based on the original relation information. It is changed from the one to the reference time earlier than that. For this reason, for example, in consideration of a communication failure or the like, the correspondence relationship of the reference time between the own device and the other device can be slightly delayed from the original relationship. As a result, the time at which the progress of the game is affected by the reception delay can be delayed, so that the influence of the information reception delay can be suppressed.

1 is a diagram showing a game system to which a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. The figure which shows the physical structure of a game machine. The functional block diagram of a game machine. The figure which showed typically the game screen of the music game performed with a game machine. The figure for demonstrating the area | region of an object. The figure which shows an example of the content of sequence data. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the time lag control which a game machine performs, Comprising: The figure for demonstrating the case where the relationship between operation information and a display is shifted. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the time lag control which a game machine performs, Comprising: The figure for demonstrating the case where the relationship between operation information and a display is returned. The functional block diagram of the game control part for implement | achieving time lag control. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of an operation detection process routine. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a sequence processing routine. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a route correction process routine. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart following FIG. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a time lag monitoring process routine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the game machine according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a game system to which a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the game system 1, a plurality of game machines 2 and a center server 3 are respectively connected to a network 5 via a router 4. The center server 3 is not limited to an example configured by a single physical device. For example, one logical center server 3 may be configured by a server group as a plurality of physical devices. Each game machine 2 functions as a terminal device (or client) of the game system 1 by being connected to the network 5. As the network 5, the Internet is used. The network 5 may be any network that uses a communication line, and is not limited to the Internet. The communication line may be either wired or wireless.

  Each game machine 2 is configured as a business game machine that permits play of a predetermined range of games in exchange for payment of a play fee. An appropriate number of game machines 2 are installed in a commercial facility such as a store 6. The router 4 is installed in association with each store 6 and the center server 3. Game machines 2 in the same store are connected to a network 5 through a common router 4. A local server may be installed between the game machine 2 and the router 4 of the store 6, and the game machine 2 may be connected to the center server 3 via the local server.

  The center server 3 is provided with a control unit (not shown). The control unit includes a microprocessor, a ROM in which a program such as an operating system to be executed by the microprocessor is recorded, and an internal storage device (not shown) such as a RAM that provides a work area for the microprocessor. Configured as a computer. The center server 3 is connected to an external storage device (not shown). The external storage device stores various server programs to be executed by the control unit and various data referred to by the programs.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a physical configuration of the game machine 2. The game machine 2 includes a housing 7 and a monitor 8 as a display device disposed on the upper surface of the housing 7 so as to be inclined toward the player P side. A transparent touch panel 9 is superimposed on the surface of the monitor 8. The touch panel 9 is a known input device that outputs a signal corresponding to the contact position when the player P touches with a finger or the like. In addition to the above, the game machine 2 is provided with various input devices and output devices that are included in a normal business game machine such as a button for selecting or determining, a power switch, a volume operation switch, and a power lamp. However, these are not shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the game machine 2. As shown in FIG. 3, a control unit 10 as a computer is provided inside the housing 7. The control unit 10 includes a game control unit 11 as a control subject, a display control unit 12 that operates according to an output from the game control unit 11, and an audio output control unit 13. The game control unit 11 is configured as a unit in which a microprocessor and various peripheral devices such as an internal storage device (for example, ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor are combined. The display control unit 12 draws an image corresponding to the image data supplied from the game control unit 11 in the frame buffer, and outputs a video signal corresponding to the drawn image to the monitor 8, whereby a predetermined signal is displayed on the monitor 8. Display an image. The audio output control unit 13 generates an audio reproduction signal corresponding to the audio reproduction data given from the game control unit 11 and outputs the audio reproduction signal to the speaker 14 as an audio output device connected to the control unit 10. To play a predetermined sound (including music).

  An external storage device 20 is connected to the game control unit 11. As the external storage device 20, a storage medium that can hold the storage without power supply, such as an optical storage medium such as a DVDROM or a CDROM, or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as an EEPROM, is used.

  The external storage device 20 stores a game program 21 and game data 22. The game program 21 is a computer program necessary for executing a music game according to a predetermined procedure on the game machine 2. When the game machine 2 is activated, the game control unit 11 executes various operation settings stored in the internal storage device, thereby executing various initial settings necessary to operate as the game machine 2. Then, by reading the game program 21 from the external storage device 20 and executing it, an environment for executing the music game according to the game program 21 is set. The game control unit 11 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program. The game control unit 11 performs processing necessary for the music game such as instructing the player to perform an operation in accordance with the reproduction of music (music) selected by the player, or generating a sound effect in accordance with the player's operation. Further, the game control unit 11 evaluates the player's operation, and also executes processing for causing a change in the game according to the evaluation result.

  The game data 22 includes various data to be referred to when executing a music game according to the game program 21. As such various data, for example, the game data 22 includes music data 25, sound effect data 26, and image data 27. The music data 25 is data necessary for reproducing and outputting music to be played from the speaker 14. Although one type of music data 25 is shown in FIG. 3, in practice, the player can select music to play from a plurality of music. In the game data 22, a plurality of pieces of music data 25 are recorded with information for identifying each music piece. By storing the music data 25, the external storage device 20 functions as music data storage means.

  The sound effect data 26 is data in which a plurality of types of sound effects to be output from the speaker 14 in response to the operation of the player are recorded in association with unique codes for each sound effect. Sound effects include musical instruments and various other types of sounds. The sound effect data may be prepared for a predetermined number of octaves by changing the pitch for each type. The image data 27 is data for causing the monitor 8 to display a background image, various objects, icons, and the like in the game screen.

  The game data 22 further includes sequence data 28. The sequence data 28 is data for instructing an operation timing to the player. At least one sequence data 28 is prepared for one piece of music data. Details of the sequence data 28 will be described later.

  Next, an outline of a music game executed on the game machine 2 will be described. The game machine 2 is a battle type in which two players (including a case in which the game machine 2 functions as one player) execute an operation according to music, and the operation time of the two players is evaluated and competed. It is configured as a music game machine. In addition, the game machine 2 is configured such that a player of the own machine and a player of another game machine 2 (other machine) connected via the network 5 can play through such a music game. .

  Before the game is started, a matching request for seeking an opponent is transmitted from the game machines 2 to the center server 3 via the network 5. Based on the matching request from each game machine 2, the center server 3 matches two players who are opponents with each other. When an opponent is determined based on the designation of the center server 3, a battle using communication between the game machines 2 is started between those players.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a game screen of a music game executed on the game machine 2. The game screen 50 includes a game area 52 for guiding the operation timing to the player, and an information area 53 for displaying game information including scores of the two matched players. The game area 52 is formed in a rectangular shape. In the vicinity of both ends 52U and 52B in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) of the game area 52, a first reference portion 55A and a second reference portion 55B as reference portions are arranged to face each other. Each of the reference portions 55A and 55B extends linearly in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the game area 52.

  Each of the reference portions 55A and 55B is used as a reference for the current time on the game by both players playing the two matched game machines 2. Specifically, the first reference portion 55A is a player of the own device (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first player), and the second reference portion 55B is a player of another device that is an opponent (hereinafter referred to as a second player). Each function as a sign indicating the current time reference. Here, in the example of FIG. 4, the game screen 50 is drawn with the front side down and the back side up as viewed from the first player. Further, different colors are used for the respective reference portions 55A and 55B in order to distinguish each player. In the example of FIG. 4, a red straight line is used as the first reference portion 55A, and a blue straight line is used as the second reference portion 55B. The information area 53 is arranged around the game area 52, and one end side in the longitudinal direction of the game area 52 is used to display the score of one player, and the other end side displays the score of the other player. Used to do.

  Each of the reference portions 55A and 55B includes a plurality of repulsion points arranged at a predetermined interval. As indicated by broken lines in the figure, the plurality of repulsion points R1 included in the first reference portion 55A and the plurality of repulsion points R2 included in the second reference portion 55B are connected to each other by a plurality of paths W, respectively. ing. Specifically, a plurality of paths W from one repulsion point R1 of the first reference portion 55A to a plurality of repulsion points R2 included in the second reference portion 55B are also one of the second reference portions 55B. A plurality of paths W are provided from the repulsion point R2 to a plurality of repulsion points R1 included in the first reference portion 55A. In FIG. 4, only some of the repulsion points R1 and R2 are illustrated, but actually, a large number of repulsion points R1 and R2 exist at regular intervals along the reference portions 55A and 55B.

  A plurality of paths W extending from the repulsion point R1 of the first reference portion 55A extends to the upper end portion 52U on the second reference portion 55B side while passing through the repulsion point R2. Further, the plurality of paths W extending from the repulsion point R2 of the second reference portion 55B extends to the lower end portion 52B on the first reference portion 55A side while passing through the repulsion point R1. Focusing on one repulsion point R1 of the first reference portion 55A, the repulsion point R1 is directed toward the three repulsion points R2 included in the second reference portion 55B as a plurality of paths W with respect to the repulsion point R1. Three paths W1, W2, and W3 extending from are provided. While the music game is being executed, that is, while the reproduction of the music is in progress, an object 60 as an operation instruction indicator for instructing an operation is displayed according to the sequence data 28 on the path W connecting the repulsion point R1 and the repulsion point R2. Is done. In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, each of the routes W1, W2, and W3 is indicated by a broken line, but none of the plurality of routes W is displayed on the actual game screen 50.

  The object 60 appears at the repulsion point R1 or the repulsion point R2 at an appropriate time in the music, and moves toward the repulsion points R1 and R2 located on the opposite side from the rebound points R1 and R2 that appear as the music progresses. Then, it moves on the path W extending from each rebound point R1, R2 that has appeared. When an appropriate operation is executed in accordance with the arrival of the object 60, the object 60 disappears. In exchange for the disappearance of the object 60, the next object 60 appears at the repulsion points R1 and R2 of the reference portions 55A and 55B where an appropriate operation has been performed. That is, when an appropriate operation is performed, the position (repulsion point) where the object 60 has reached functions as the appearance position of the next object 60. The object 60 moves along any one of a plurality of routes W set for one repulsion point R1 (or R2). A procedure for selecting one route W from the plurality of routes W will be described later.

  The object 60 that has appeared at the appearance position moves toward the repulsion points R1 and R2 located on the opposite side from the appearance position. For this reason, when an appropriate operation is performed, the object 60 repeatedly moves alternately between the reference portions 55A and 55B so as to repel each repulsion point R1 and R2. On the other hand, when an appropriate operation is not performed, the object 60 passes through the reference portions 55A and 55B along each path W and moves to the upper end portion 52U or the lower end portion 52B. And the position where the object 60 of each end 52U, 52B arrives functions as the appearance position of the next object 60. For this reason, if an appropriate operation is not performed, the object 60 is repelled at each end 52U, 52B from the end 52U, 52B toward the reference portion located on the opposite side. Change the direction of movement. The movement path of the object 60 after rebounding at the end portions 52U and 52B is set to a path that does not pass through the side walls 52L and 52R and has the minimum distance to the rebound point to be reached next.

  As an appropriate operation described above, each player is required to perform a touch operation for touching the position at which the object 60 of each reference portion 55A, 55B has reached, in accordance with the arrival of the object 60 to each reference portion 55A, 55B. . When each player performs a touch operation, a time difference between the time when the object 60 coincides with each of the reference portions 55A and 55B and the time when each player performs the touch operation is detected. The smaller the deviation time, the higher the player's operation is evaluated. In addition, sound effects are reproduced from the speaker 14 in response to the touch operation. A well-known method may be applied as a method for reproducing sound effects. For example, as a well-known method of reproducing sound effects, there is a method of adding sound effects from the top of the music while playing the music, and a method of playing sound effects corresponding to the mistake operation while muting the music if a mistake is made . Also, for example, when a music piece is divided and assigned to each operation time and an appropriate operation is performed, the part of the music assigned to the operation time is played (the music is played by an appropriate operation for each operation time). For this reason, there is a method in which if a mistaken operation is performed, the part of the musical piece assigned at the time of the operation is not reproduced).

  In the example of FIG. 4, the object 60 is moving toward the repulsion point R2 of the second reference portion 55B on the route W1. As the object 60 reaches the second reference portion 55B, the second player has the object 60 of the second reference portion 55B displayed on the game screen 50 of the other device (from the second player's own device). What is necessary is just to touch the position to reach. In addition, the object 60 is displayed in a color corresponding to each reference portion 55A, 55B ahead. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the object 60 is displayed in blue until it reaches the repulsion point R2 of the second reference portion 55B, and the next object 60 that appears at the reached rebound point R2 is displayed in red. In the present embodiment, a plurality of operation units are formed by a combination of the reference units 55A and 55B on the monitor 8 and the touch panel 9 superimposed thereon. Hereinafter, the reference portions 55A and 55B may be used as terms representing the operation unit. The second reference unit 55B is a reference unit corresponding to the operation unit of the game machine 2 (another machine) of the opponent player.

  The selection of the path W along which the object 60 moves is determined based on the position of the object 60 when the reference portions 55A and 55B are touched. In order to facilitate position comparison, the object 60 is divided into a plurality of regions. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the area of the object 60. The broken lines in FIG. 5 indicate the paths W1, W2, and W3, respectively, and the alternate long and short dash line 62 indicates the boundary between the regions.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the object 60 includes a contact area S in the vicinity of a contact point that first comes into contact with each of the reference portions 55A and 55B, a right area R, a left area L, and other areas located on the left and right of the contact area S It is divided into four areas of O. Then, the path W on which the object 60 should proceed next is selected according to which area the player has touched. That is, when the touch area is touched in the contact area S or other area O (including each of these areas) as the movement path along which the object 60 should travel, the straight path W2 that goes to the shortest distance to R1 is the left area. When the vicinity of L (including the area) is touched, the first right path W3 toward the R1 via the right side wall 52R in the longitudinal direction of the game area 52 is near the right area R (including the area). ) Is touched, the first left path W1 toward the R1 via the left side wall 52L in the longitudinal direction of the game area 52 is selected. The distances of the movement paths W1 to W3 are different from each other. Accordingly, depending on the positional relationship between the operation position and the position of the object 60, a difference occurs in the moving distance for the object 60 to move to the next reference portions 55A and 55B. On the other hand, the operation time when the object 60 should be touched regardless of the movement path, that is, the time when the object 60 should reach the reference portions 55A and 55B is constant. Therefore, the path W and the moving speed of the object 60 moving toward the other player change according to the touch operation of one player. As a result, the difficulty level of the game changes, and each player is required to perform an operation in consideration of the influence on the opponent player.

  FIG. 4 shows a state where only a single object 60 is displayed in the game area 52. However, in the game area 52, a plurality of objects 60 having different positions, speeds, or paths may be displayed. In that case, control related to display and movement of the object 60 such as the appearance position, movement path, and disappearance position of each object 60 is performed for each object 60 according to the above-described example.

  Next, the details of the sequence data 28 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of sequence data. As shown in FIG. 6, the sequence data 28 includes a condition definition unit 28a and an operation sequence unit 28b. The condition definition unit 28a includes information for specifying different game execution conditions for each music piece, such as music tempo, beat, track, and information for specifying sound effects to be generated when the object 60 is touched. Described. In FIG. 6, the condition defining unit 28a is provided only at the beginning of the sequence data 28. However, the condition defining unit 28a may be added at an appropriate position in the middle of the operation sequence unit 28b. As a result, it is possible to realize processing such as changing the tempo in a song and changing the allocation of sound effects.

  On the other hand, in the operation sequence unit 28b, information indicating the time when the object 60 should be touched and the player who should perform the touch operation (in other words, which of the reference units 55A and 55B should be reached by the object 60). Information indicating one reference part) is described in association with each other. The operation sequence unit 28b also includes information for instructing the appearance position of the object 60.

  6, in this example, the operation sequence unit 28b includes an operation time unit 28c for instructing a time (operation time) as a reference time during which an operation should be performed in the music, Record position information 28d for distinguishing each record from the display position instruction unit 28e that instructs the player to start displaying the object 60 (in other words, one of the reference parts to start displaying the object 60) A part 28h and an appearance position instruction part 28g as relation information for instructing the appearance position of the object 60. That is, the operation sequence unit 28b is configured as a set of a plurality of records described so that these pieces of information are associated with each other.

  The operation time is described by separating a bar number in the music, the number of beats, and a value indicating the time of the beat with a comma. The time during a beat is the elapsed time from the beginning of one beat, and is expressed by the number of units from the beginning of that beat when the time length of one beat is equally divided into n unit times. For example, when n = 100, the second beat of the first measure of the music and a time that has passed by ¼ from the beginning of the beat is designated as the operation time, “01, 2, 025” is described. Is done.

  In the display position instruction unit 28e, an instruction as to which player side to start displaying the object 60 is described. Specifically, “P1” is used when indicating the first reference portion 55A side corresponding to the first player, and “P2” is specified when indicating the second reference portion 55B side corresponding to the second player. , Respectively. Further, since the object 60 moves between the reference parts 55A and 55B, the instruction of the player to start display corresponds to the instruction of the reference part that requests a touch operation. Specifically, when the first reference portion 55A side is designated as the display start position, the object 60 that has started display moves toward the second reference portion 55B on the opposite side, so the second reference portion This corresponds to a touch operation instruction to 55B. Similarly, when the second reference portion 55B side is instructed as the display start position, the touch operation is instructed to the second reference portion 55A located on the opposite side, that is, in the moving direction of the object 60 that has started display. Applicable. Furthermore, the player's instruction to start displaying the object 60 also corresponds to the instruction of the color of the object 60 to be displayed. When the object is “P1”, the blue object 60 is red, and when the object is “P2”, the red object 60 Are displayed respectively.

  In the record information section 28h, numbers corresponding to the arrangement order are described for each record. That is, as the record information, “1” is assigned to the first record, and thereafter, unique numbers such as “2” and “3” are assigned to the records in order from the top.

  Information for designating a record number is described in the appearance position instruction section 28g. That is, numbers such as “1”, “2”, “3”, etc. are described as information indicating the appearance position. When “1” is described in the appearance position instruction unit 28g, the arrival position of the object 60 indicated by the record having “1” in the record information unit 28h is instructed as the appearance position. Specifically, the position where the object 60 corresponding to the number 1 in the record information section 28h is appropriately touched or the position reached by the mistake operation is described as “1” in the appearance position instruction section 28g. It is indicated as the appearance position of the object 60 corresponding to the record. Similarly, “2” is described in the record information portion 28h when “2” is described in the appearance position indicating portion 28g, and “3” is stored in the record information portion 28h when “3” is described. However, the position where the object 60 corresponding to each attached record is appropriately touched or reached is indicated as the appearance position.

  Further, the information described in the appearance position instruction unit 28g also corresponds to an appearance time instruction. Specifically, the appearance position at the time when the object 60 corresponding to the record with “1” added to the record information portion 28h is appropriately touched (or the time when the object 60 reaches each end 52U, 52B). The display of the object 60 corresponding to the record described as “1” in the instruction unit 28g is started. That is, in order to produce the continuity of the object 60, the appearance position instruction unit 28g is the time when the object 60 corresponding to one record arrives (or the time when the touch operation is appropriately performed), and the reached position. An instruction for associating one record with a record corresponding to the next object 60 is described so that the next object 60 starts to be displayed (or a position where the touch operation is appropriately performed). The appearance position of the object corresponding to the first record describes information indicating a fixed position as the initial appearance position. For example, as information indicating such an initial appearance position, an alphabet such as “S” is described in the appearance position instruction unit 28g.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the red object 60 that reaches the second reference portion 55B appears at the initial appearance position of the first reference portion 55A at the time when “010” has elapsed from the start time of the fourth beat of the first measure. Is instructed. The arrival position and time of the object 60 (or the position and time at which the touch operation is appropriately performed) reaches the second reference portion when the time corresponding to “016” has elapsed from the start time of the fourth beat of the first bar. It is instructed to function as the appearance position and the appearance time of the blue object 60.

  Next, time lag control executed by the game machine 2 when a battle with another game machine 2 is being executed via the network 5 will be described. When a battle with another game machine 2 is being executed via the network 5, for example, reception of operation information (operation information from another machine) of the second player is delayed due to the influence of the communication environment or the like. There is. In such a case, the game machine 2 executes time lag control in order to eliminate the problem caused by communication delay.

  As described above, in the music game executed on the game machine 2, the first player and the second player perform operations alternately. Further, the appearance position, path, and speed of the object 60 that the first player should perform the operation change according to the operation result of the second player. On the other hand, the time when the object 60 should reach the respective reference portions 55A and 55B is designated in advance by the sequence data 28 and does not change. Therefore, there is a temporal limitation in determining the appearance position, appearance time, and movement path of the object 60 that should reach the first reference portion 55A. For this reason, even if the game machine 2 receives the operation information of the second player after the arrival time (operation time) designated for the object 60 that should reflect the operation information, it is received as the object 60. It cannot be reflected. In addition, before that, in such a case, there is no information for determining the appearance position, appearance time, and route of the object 60 moving to the first reference portion 55A, so that the object 60 appears appropriately and moves. I can't let you. The time lag control is executed to solve such a problem.

  Therefore, the time lag control is executed when the operation information of the second player cannot be acquired from the other device within the time in which the operation information of the second player can be reflected on the object 60. Specifically, in such a case, a predetermined position, a predetermined time, and a route set in advance are applied to the object 60 to which the operation information of the second player is to be reflected by time lag control. That is, the appearance position, appearance time, and route of the object 60 to be determined according to the operation information of the second player by time lag control are changed to the predetermined time, the predetermined position, and the route instead of the operation information of the second player. , Determined based on a predetermined route.

  The time lag control will be further described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the time lag control executed by the game machine 2. As described above, in each game machine 2 in the battle, the operation is executed alternately, and the operation result on the opponent side (the other machine side) is reflected on the own machine side. That is, the display on the own device side is determined based on the operation information on the opponent side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the elements for displaying the game screen 50 are divided into the own side and the opponent side, and the opponent side displays information displayed on the own side and the opponent. Can be classified into operations that are actually executed on the side. Hereinafter, the contents realized by the time lag control will be described in order.

  As described above, each player is prompted to perform an operation alternately through the movement of the object 60, and therefore, the operation of the player on the own device side and the operation on the opponent side (other device side) are considered as a pair. In FIG. 7, a pair of common operation numbers such as “operation 1”, “operation 2”, and the like are assigned to the pair of operations. That is, “operation 1” on the opponent side causes “operation 1” on the opponent side. Further, the next operation on the own aircraft side is prompted by the operation on the opponent side. Therefore, the next operation on the own device side, that is, “operation 2” is prompted by “operation 1” on the opponent side. Thus, it is considered that the music game proceeds in a pair of operation units.

  In the example of FIG. 7, a case where communication and display are appropriate in the pair of “operation 1” is shown. That is, the time lag control is not executed for these “operations 1”. In this case, the display on the own aircraft side corresponding to the opponent side is an appropriate one that actually reflects the operation information on the opponent side (in FIG. 7, this is the case for the display column and operation on the opponent side). It is expressed by placing an ellipse across the column).

  On the other hand, a pair of “operation 2” shows a case where the operation information of the other party is received after the time limit. That is, the case where time lag control is performed is shown. As shown in FIG. 7, in this case, the actual operation on the opponent side and the display on the own device side corresponding to the opponent side are separated. That is, the actual operation on the opponent side is not reflected on the object 60 for instructing the player on the own device side (first player) to perform the next operation. In this case, the object 60 for instructing the next operation to the player on the own device appears at a predetermined position, moves along a predetermined route, and guides the operation time to the first player. The predetermined position and the predetermined route at this time are irrelevant to the actual “operation 2” of the second player (the other player on the opponent side). The time when the object 60 appears is a predetermined time such as a time limit of time limit.

  In this way, the information on the actual “operation 2” by the second player is separated, and the “operation 3” of the next first player is guided. On the other hand, the information on the “operation 2” of the second player is the operation information on the object 60 that should reflect the information on the “operation 3” of the second player when communication delay occurs in the next “operation 3”. Used as Specifically, when the operation information of “operation 3” of the second player cannot be received within the time limit, the operation information that is the previous operation information of the second player is substituted for the operation information of “operation 3”. 2 "information is used. That is, in the display on the own aircraft side corresponding to the opponent side, the information of “operation 2” is reflected instead of the information of “operation 3”, and the appearance position and route are based on the information of “operation 2”. It is determined. The same applies to “operation 3” and thereafter. In this way, when there is a delay in receiving information due to time lag control, the display on the own aircraft side corresponding to the opponent side so that the operation information acquired late can be reflected in the route of the object 60 and the like. And the information to be reflected in it are shifted.

  Since the communication delay mainly depends on the communication environment, when the delay occurs at the beginning, there are many cases where the communication delay is not solved after that. Accordingly, until the match is over, a relationship shifted by a predetermined interval (in the above, one operation portion) is maintained between the display and the reflection of the operation information. However, if the communication delay is temporary, the communication delay during the battle may be resolved. In such a case, the shifted relationship is restored by time lag control.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a case where the relationship between operation information and display is restored. As shown in FIG. 8, until the “operation 11”, in order to eliminate the communication delay, as the operation information to be reflected on the next object 60, the previous operation information, that is, the operation of the “operation 10” of the second player. Information is being used. Then, in the next “operation 12”, it is assumed that the communication delay is eliminated and the operation information corresponding to the “operation 12” of the second player is received within the time limit in which the operation information can be reflected on the next object 60. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the information of the “operation 12” of the second player is reflected in the object 60 for instructing the “operation 13” of the first player. That is, by acquiring the operation information of “operation 12” of the second player within the time limit, the shifted relationship to “operation 11” is eliminated. As a result, the operation information of “operation 11” of the second player has no reflection destination, and is discarded as information. Thus, when the communication delay is eliminated, the information acquired by the elimination is immediately used, and the shifted relationship between the display and the operation information is eliminated. As a result, the relationship between the display and the operation information is restored.

  As described above, in order to solve the problem due to communication delay by time lag control, when communication delay occurs, the relationship between display and reflection of operation information is shifted by a predetermined number, while communication delay has been solved. In some cases, the shifted relationship is restored. In this way, the game machine 2 realizes a battle with another game machine 2 via the network 5 while solving the problem of communication delay.

  Next, a configuration for realizing the time lag control will be described with reference to FIG. The time lag control is executed by the game control unit 11. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the game control unit 11 for realizing the time lag control. As shown in FIG. 9, the game control unit 11 includes a storage unit 63, a time lag monitoring unit 64, a switching control unit 65, a position calculation unit 66, and an image generation unit 67. The operation information of the game machine (other machine) 2 of the own machine and the opponent is stored in the storage unit 63. The time lag monitoring unit 64 determines whether each operation information is operation information obtained within a predetermined time limit based on the operation information stored in the storage unit 63. The time lag monitoring unit 64 gives the determination result to the switching control unit 65.

  Then, the switching control unit 65 specifies operation information to be used for determining the appearance position of the object 60 based on the determination result of the time lag monitoring unit 64 and each operation information stored in the storage unit 63. At this time, when it is determined by the time lag monitoring unit 64 that a time lag has occurred, the switching control unit 65 is configured so that the operation information used is switched from the normal one to the one used at the time lag. Identify. The switching control unit 65 gives the specific result to the position calculation unit 66. The position calculation unit 66 calculates the position (coordinates) on the game screen 50 where each object 60 is to be placed based on the identification result of the switching control unit 65. The calculation result is given to the image generation unit 67. Then, the image generation unit 67 generates and outputs image data based on the calculation result of the position calculation unit 66 so that the game screen 50 in which each object 60 is arranged at each calculated position is displayed. Thereby, when the reception of the operation information of the game machine 2 of the opponent is delayed, the predetermined position or the like includes the object 60 in which the operation information deviated by a predetermined number until the reception delay is resolved thereafter. A game screen 50 is displayed on the monitor 8. Further, when the reception delay is eliminated, the operation information shift is eliminated, and the game screen 50 on which the operation information of the immediately preceding opponent game machine 2 is reflected is displayed on the monitor 8.

  Next, various processes executed by the game control unit 11 in order to execute time lag control will be described. The game control unit 11 executes the operation detection processing routine of FIG. 10, the sequence processing routine of FIG. 11, and the subroutines of FIGS. 12 to 14 in order to execute the time lag control. The game control unit 11 performs various other known processes necessary for executing the music game, such as a matching process and a process for evaluating each player's operation, but the description thereof is omitted. To do.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of an operation detection processing routine executed by the game control unit 11. The game control unit 11 repeatedly executes the routine of FIG. 10 at a predetermined cycle. The routine in FIG. 10 is a process executed to acquire the contents (operation position and operation timing) of the touch operation of the first player and the second player.

  When the routine of FIG. 10 is started, the game control unit 11 first determines whether or not the first player has performed a touch operation after the end of the previous routine by referring to the output of the touch panel 9 in step S1. When the touch operation is performed, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S2. In step S <b> 2, the game control unit 11 obtains the position where the first player touched and the time when the touch operation was performed, generates operation information recording them, and stores the operation information in the storage unit 63. Remember. In subsequent step S3, the game control unit 11 transmits the operation information stored in step S2 to the opponent game machine 2.

  In the next step S4, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not operation information has been received from the opponent game machine 2 after the end of the previous routine. When receiving, the game control part 11 progresses to step S15, and memorize | stores the received operation information in the memory | storage part 63 with the information of reception time. When the process of step S5 is completed, the game control unit 11 ends the current process. On the other hand, when the determination result of step S11 is a negative result, that is, when the touch operation is not performed, step S2 and step S3 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S4. Furthermore, when step S4 is a negative determination result, that is, when operation information is not received, the game control unit 11 skips step S5 and ends the current routine. Each operation time of the first player and the second player included in the operation information stored by the routine of FIG. 10 is treated as an actual operation time of each player.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a sequence processing routine executed by the game control unit 11. The routine of FIG. 11 is a process executed for moving and displaying the object 60 in the game area 52. The game control unit 11 repeatedly executes the routine of FIG. 11 at a predetermined cycle. The cycle is equal to the cycle of drawing the game screen 50, that is, the frame rate. Note that the cycle in which the routine of FIG. 11 is executed is equal to or longer than the cycle in which the routine of FIG. 10 is executed.

  When the routine of FIG. 11 is started, the game control unit 11 first acquires the current time on the music in step S11. For example, the current time is measured from the internal clock of the game control unit 11 on the basis of the playback start time of the music, and is obtained from the value of the internal clock. The time on the music may be specified by the elapsed time from the playback start time, or may be specified by another value correlated with the elapsed time. For example, the time may be specified using the number of beats of the music from the playback start time of the music, the number of frames of the game screen 50, and the like.

  In subsequent step S12, the game control unit 11 acquires, from the sequence data 28, operation time data existing for a time length corresponding to the display range of the game area 52 to be drawn in the next frame, and stores it in the internal storage device. Hold. For example, the display range is set to a time range corresponding to two measures of music from the current time (however, the time at the time of drawing the next frame) to the future. In the next step S13, a subroutine for determining each path on which all the objects 60 to be drawn in the next frame are to be arranged is executed. Details of this subroutine will be described later.

  In the next step S14, the game control unit 11 calculates the coordinates of each object 60 to be drawn in the next frame. The calculation is performed as follows as an example. First, based on the processing result of step S13, each route W in which each object 60 included in the display range is to be arranged is determined. Next, according to the moving direction corresponding to each object 60 (each reference portion 55A, 55B to be reached) and the time difference between each operation time and the current time, the time axis direction from each reference portion 55A, 55B (that is, The position of each object 60 in the movement direction of the object 60 is determined. Thereby, the coordinates of each object 60 necessary for arranging each object 60 on each path W along the time axis from each reference portion 55A, 55B can be acquired.

  In the next step S15, the game control unit 11 generates image data necessary for drawing the game area 52 based on the coordinates of each object 60 calculated in step S14. Specifically, image data is generated so that each object 60 is arranged at each calculated coordinate. An image such as the object 60 may be acquired from the image data 27. In subsequent step S <b> 16, the game control unit 11 outputs image data to the display control unit 12. Thereby, the display of the game area 52 on the monitor 8 is updated. When the process of step S16 is completed, the game control unit 11 ends the current routine. By repeatedly executing the above processing, each object 60 appears at a predetermined position in the game area 52, proceeds along the path W according to the operation of each player as the music progresses, and at a predetermined operation time. The display of the object 60 is controlled so as to reach the reference portions 55A and 55B.

  Next, the route determination processing routine will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating an example of a flowchart of the route determination processing routine. This routine is called and executed in step S13 as a subroutine of the routine of FIG. The routines of FIGS. 12 and 13 are processes for determining a route on which each object 60 is to be arranged according to the operation result of each player. Further, the game control unit 11 executes this routine mainly through the switching control unit 65.

  When the routine of FIG. 12 is started, the game control unit 11 first determines whether or not there is an unprocessed record in step S21. The unprocessed record means each record of the sequence data 28 acquired in step S12 of the routine of FIG. 11, that is, a record that has not been processed and set in each operation time. That is, it means an operation time in which the route W on which the object 60 is to be arranged has not yet been determined among the operation times included in the display range. If step S21 is a negative result, that is, if there is no unprocessed record at each operation time of the display range, the game control unit 11 ends the current routine and returns to the routine of FIG.

  On the other hand, the game control part 11 progresses to step S22, when step S21 is a positive result (ie, when an unprocessed record exists). In step S22, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the unprocessed record to be processed is a record for the own device. This determination is performed based on, for example, the display position instruction unit 28e included in the sequence data 28. Specifically, the game control unit 11 plays a record for the own device when the record to be processed, that is, the display position instruction unit 28e associated with the operation timing of the process target is “P1”, and battles when it is “P2”. It is distinguished from the record for the other machine. If the determination result is a positive result, that is, if the record to be processed is a record for the own device, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S23.

  In step S <b> 23, the game control unit 11 includes, in each operation information stored in the storage unit 63, operation information including the operation time of the record associated with the record to be processed as a record instructing the appearance position within a certain range. It is determined whether or not there is. As described above, in the sequence data 28, there are operation times associated with each other through the appearance position instruction unit 28g. For example, among these associated records, a record indicating the appearance position is called an instruction record, and a record indicating the appearance position is called an instruction record. In step S23, it is determined whether or not there is operation information that includes the operation time corresponding to the instruction record of the record to be processed within a certain range. This is because the operation result for the object 60 corresponding to the instruction record is reflected in the object 60 corresponding to the record to be processed. In addition, the certain range here is a time range set as an allowable range that can be considered that an appropriate operation has been performed with respect to the operation time described in the sequence data 28, and each standard. This is a distance range set as an allowable range in which it can be considered that the object 60 is touched with respect to the arrival position of the object 60 with respect to the part 55A (or 55B) (a repulsion point as a movement target). If the determination result is a positive result, that is, if there is operation information that includes the operation time of the instruction record within a certain range, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, the game control unit 11 determines the route W on which the object 60 corresponding to the processing target record is to be placed as a normal route. Specifically, the normal route is determined based on the operation information as follows. First, the positional relationship between the position of the touch operation and the position of the object 60 is determined based on the determined operation information, and the path W is determined based on the positional relationship. In this determination, as described above, the route is determined based on whether the position of the touch operation belongs to any of the four regions O, R, S, and L shown in FIG. It is. The relationship between each region O, R, S, and L and the determined route is as described above. And the appearance position instruct | indicated by the above-mentioned instruction | indication record is employ | adopted for the appearance position in a normal path | route. That is, the normal route is determined based on the position of the touch operation included in the operation information and the appearance position indicated by the instruction record.

  In subsequent step S25, the game control unit 11 sets the record to be processed and the used operation information as processed (or used), and returns to the process of step S21. Thereby, the operation result for the object 60 corresponding to the instruction record is reflected in the object 60 corresponding to the record to be processed.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S23 is a negative result, that is, if there is no operation information that includes the operation time of the instruction record within a certain range, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the game control unit 11 determines the route W on which the object 60 corresponding to the record to be processed is to be placed as a miss route. If there is no operation information that includes the operation time of the instruction record within a certain range, it means that an appropriate operation has not been performed on the object 60 corresponding to the instruction record. In this case, the object 60 of the instruction record corresponding to the record to be processed reaches either one of the both end portions 52U and 52B. Therefore, for example, as a missed path in such a case, it extends from the position of the end 52U (or 52B) where the object 60 of the instruction record has reached to the reference portion 55A (or 55B) on the opposite side at the shortest distance. The path W is adopted. In this case, the position of the end portion 52U (or 52B) where the object 60 of the instruction record has reached is used as the appearance position of the object 60 corresponding to the record to be processed. And the game control part 11 will progress to step S25, after finishing the process of step S30.

  Furthermore, if the determination result in step S22 is a negative result, that is, if the record to be processed is a record for an opponent machine, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S27 in FIG. In step S27, the game control unit 11 executes a subroutine for monitoring the time lag. Details of this subroutine will be described later.

  In subsequent step S28, the game control unit 11 uses the processing result in step S27 to determine whether a time lag has occurred in the operation information corresponding to the instruction record associated with the unprocessed record to be processed. . If the determination result is affirmative, that is, if a time lag has occurred, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S29.

  In subsequent step S <b> 29, the game control unit 11 acquires a predetermined range of operation information from among the operation information stored in the storage unit 63. This predetermined range is set based on, for example, an unprocessed record to be processed, that is, an operation timing of the process target. Specifically, for example, the predetermined range is set so that operation information corresponding to the operation time for the other machine a predetermined number of times before the instruction record associated with the operation time to be processed is included. In other words, as the predetermined range, a range including a time that is a certain period before the predetermined number of operation times for other devices from the instruction record associated with the unprocessed record to be processed is used. Note that a predetermined number of pieces of operation information indicating the previous time may be set as a predetermined range based on the operation time to be processed.

  In subsequent step S30, the game control unit 11 specifies the operation timing for the other machine a predetermined number of times from an unprocessed record to be processed, that is, an instruction record of the operation timing to be processed. For example, “1” is employed as the predetermined number. That is, as the operation time for the other machine a predetermined number of times ago, for example, the operation time for the previous other machine is specified from the instruction record associated with the operation time to be processed. In the next step S31, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation information corresponding to the operation time specified in step S30 is included in each operation information acquired in step S29. As the operation information corresponding to the operation time for the other machine a predetermined number before, operation information including the operation time for the other machine a predetermined number before in a certain range is used. Therefore, for example, as the operation information corresponding to the operation time for the previous other machine, in step S31, the operation time including the operation time within a certain range on the basis of the operation time for the previous other machine. Information is specified as a discrimination target. In step S31, it is determined whether or not the operation information to be specified is included in each operation information acquired in step S29. If this determination result is an affirmative result, that is, if there is operation information corresponding to the operation timing for the other machine a predetermined number before, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation information specified in step S31 is used operation information. “Used” means operation information used for determining the route W. That is, it means the operation information used as the operation information for determining the route W in the past through the routine of FIG. If the determination result is a positive result, that is, if the specified operation information has already been used, the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the game control unit 11 determines a predetermined route (and a predetermined appearance position) as a route W on which the object 60 corresponding to the operation time to be processed is to be placed. As the predetermined route and the predetermined appearance position, for example, the following route W and the appearance position are adopted.

  As described above, in the sequence data 28, the operation times associated with each other exist through the appearance position instruction unit 28g. Therefore, there is also an instruction record for the operation timing to be processed. The object 60 corresponding to the instruction record has the path W already determined (if the path W has not been determined, the process returns to step S32 and the predetermined number is changed from “1” to “2”, etc. You may change so that the record in which the path | route W is determined may be obtained, and after the change, what is necessary is just to use the predetermined number after a change in subsequent routines. Then, as the predetermined route, a route W extending from the repulsion point R2 (or R1) located on the route W applied to the instruction record to the reference portion on the opposite side with the shortest distance is adopted. In addition, the repulsion point R2 (or R1) is applied as a predetermined appearance position where the object 60 corresponding to the operation time to be processed should appear. That is, in the process of step S33, the game control unit 11 determines the repulsion point R2 (or R1) on the route W applied to the instruction record as the appearance position of the object 60 corresponding to the unprocessed record, A route W extending from the shortest distance therefrom is determined as a predetermined route. In step S33, as an example, such a predetermined route (and a predetermined appearance position) is determined as the route W and the appearance position to be applied to the target unprocessed record. Further, the record to be processed in this case, that is, the operation timing of the process target functions as the immediately preceding reference time of the present invention. Note that, as the predetermined position or the like, the same route or the like as in the case of a mistake operation may be adopted.

  When the process of step S33 is completed, the game control unit 11 returns to step S25 of FIG. And the game control part 11 performs the above processes in step S25.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S31 is a negative result, that is, if there is no operation information to be specified, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S34. The case where it is determined that there is no operation information by the process of step S31 is, for example, a case where an appropriate operation is not performed on the object 60 corresponding to the instruction record. Therefore, in this case, the game control unit 11 determines, in step S34, the route W on which the object 60 corresponding to the record to be processed is to be placed as a miss route, as in step S26. And the game control part 11 will return to step S25 of FIG. 12, after finishing the process of step S34.

  Furthermore, if the determination result in step S32 is a negative result, that is, if the operation information specified in step S31 is not yet used, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S35. In step S30 and step S31, the same number is adopted as the predetermined number every time. Therefore, if it is determined that the operation information specified in step S32 has been used, this means that the process in step S33 has not been executed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the specified operation information is not yet used, the predetermined route in step S33 is used instead of using the operation information, that is, in the routine up to the previous time. It means that a time lag has already occurred.

  Therefore, in step S35, the game control unit 11 determines a route W on which the object 60 corresponding to the record to be processed is to be arranged as a time lag route. Specifically, the route W determined based on the operation information specified in step S31 is adopted as the time lag route. That is, the positional relationship between the position of the touch operation and the position of the object 60 is determined based on the specified operation information, and the path W is determined based on the positional relationship. In this determination, as described above, the route is determined based on whether the position of the touch operation belongs to any of the four regions O, R, S, and L shown in FIG. It is. The relationship between each region O, R, S, and L and the determined route is as described above. Similarly, the position where the object 60 of the instruction record arrives is adopted as the appearance position. That is, the determination of the route or the like is executed in the same manner as the determination of the normal route when no time lag occurs. The difference is that the operation information used for determining the route or the like does not correspond to the instruction record (the operation time for the other device associated with the appearance position indicating unit 28g), but the operation for the other device a predetermined number of times ago. The point is operation information corresponding to the time. In this case, the operation time for the other machine a predetermined number before functions as an early reference time of the present invention. And the game control part 11 will return to step S25 of FIG. 12, after finishing the process of step S35.

  If the determination result in step S28 is a negative result, that is, if it is determined that the time lag has not occurred as a result of the process in step S27, the game control unit 11 returns to step S23 in FIG. When it is determined that the time lag has not occurred in the process of step S27, the operation information within the time limit can be acquired. In this case, the same processing as that for the record for the own device is possible. Therefore, in this case, the game control unit 11 returns to step S23, and executes the processes after step S23 as described above. Further, the case where it is determined that the time lag has not occurred functions as a case where the predetermined recovery condition of the present invention is satisfied.

  In step S25, the game control unit 11 sets the operation information used in the current process to “used” and executes a process of deleting the operation information corresponding to the operation timing for the other machine of a predetermined number before. May be. Alternatively, the operation information before the operation information corresponding to the predetermined target record may be erased uniformly. When the process of step S25 is performed via step S28 of FIG. 13, the case where the time lag is eliminated after the time lag occurs is included. In such a case, unused operation information that should not be used for the operation information included in the storage unit 63 remains. By executing the above processing, misuse of unnecessary operation information is suppressed.

  By executing the routines of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the route W on which the objects 60 corresponding to the own game machine and the opponent game machine are to be arranged is determined. In addition, for a game machine of the opponent, when a time lag occurs, a predetermined route is used, and operation information that should be originally used is not used for determining the route of the object 60 and the like. On the other hand, when a time lag has already occurred, for example, operation information shifted by a predetermined number, such as the previous operation information, is used to determine the route of the object 60 and the like. Further, when the time lag is eliminated, the operation information that should be originally used is used, and a normal route or the like is used as the route or the like of the object 60.

  Next, a time lag monitoring process routine will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a time lag monitoring process routine. The routine of FIG. 14 is called and executed in step S27 of FIG. The routine of FIG. 14 is a process for determining whether or not a time lag that causes a problem in the use of appropriate operation information has occurred. The game control unit 11 executes this routine mainly through the time lag monitoring unit 64.

  When the routine of FIG. 14 is started, the game control unit 11 first obtains operation information (of the second player) of the opponent game machine 2 stored in the storage unit 63 in step S41. This acquisition range may be all operation information or a part thereof. In some cases, the operation is performed so that the operation time of the instruction record corresponding to the record to be processed and the time within a certain range from the operation time are included. In subsequent step S42, the game control unit 11 calculates a time limit that can appropriately reflect the operation information of the second player. This calculation is executed as follows, for example. First, the game control unit 11 calculates the difference between the record to be processed, that is, the operation time to be processed and the current time. Next, based on the calculated difference, an appearance time at which the object 60 corresponding to the operation time to be processed should appear on the reference unit 55A (or 55B) is calculated. Then, the time limit is calculated by adding a predetermined allowable time (a time in which a time difference that can occur in display can be allowed) to the calculated appearance time. Note that a predetermined time set in advance may be used as the time limit. In that case, the process of step S42 may be omitted.

  In the next step S43, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation information including the operation time of the instruction record associated with the record to be processed within a certain range is included in the operation information acquired in step S41. . This process is the same as step S22 in the routine of FIG. If the determination result is a positive result, the process proceeds to step S44.

  In step S44, the game control unit 11 compares the calculation result of step S42 with the reception time when the operation information is received, and determines whether or not the operation information determined in step S43 is information received within the time limit. Determine. If the determination result is a negative result, that is, if the operation information is not received within the time limit (when a predetermined time difference has occurred), the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the game control unit 11 outputs time lag occurrence information, that is, information that a time lag has occurred, and returns to step S27 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S44 is a positive result, that is, if the operation information is received within the time limit (when a predetermined time difference has not occurred), the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S46. . In step S46, the game control unit 11 outputs time lag non-occurrence information, that is, information that no time lag has occurred, and returns to step S27 in FIG.

  Furthermore, if the determination result in step S43 is a negative result, that is, if there is no operation information that includes the operation time of the instruction record associated with the record to be processed within a certain range, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S47. In step S47, the game control unit 11 determines whether the time limit has come based on the current time and the time limit calculated in step S43. If this determination result is a negative result, that is, if the time limit has not yet arrived, the process control unit 11 returns to step S21 in FIG. Execute the process.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S46 is a positive result, that is, if the time limit has come, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S45 and executes the above-described processing. This is because it is possible to determine that a time lag has occurred when the operation information that should be determined in step S44 has not been received even when the time limit is reached. Note that even if the second player has not been operated, it can correspond to a positive determination result in step S47, but the operation information indicating that the second player has not been operated is reflected in the next object 60 by the time lag control.

  When the process of step S45 or step S46 is completed, the game control unit 11 returns to the routine of FIG. 13 and executes the determination of step S28 using the processing result of step S47. Thereby, it is determined whether or not a time lag that causes a problem in the use of appropriate operation information has occurred, and the routine of FIG. 13 is executed based on the determination result.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when a time lag that causes a problem in the use of operation information occurs when the player battles with another device via the network 5, time lag control is performed. Is executed. When a time lag occurs due to the time lag control, a predetermined route or the like is used instead of the operation information of the second player to be originally used. In other words, there is no need to wait for an inappropriate display to occur when receiving the operation information of the second player. For this reason, it is possible to display the object 60 to be displayed on the own device within an appropriate time by reflecting the operation information of the second player. Thereby, the display delay caused by the time lag can be eliminated.

  On the other hand, the operation information of the second player that has not been used due to the time lag is reflected in the path of the object 60 and the like after a predetermined delay. That is, even if a time lag occurs, the operation information of the second player can be reflected on the display of the own device with a predetermined number of delays. Thereby, since the influence by a time lag can be suppressed, the interest property of a competitive game can be maintained.

  In addition, as a method for eliminating the influence of the time lag, a method of correcting the position of the object 60 according to the operation information after acquiring operation information of another device is also conceivable. In this case, the operation information of the other device can be used appropriately, but the moving speed of the object 60 may become too fast depending on the acquisition time. According to this embodiment, such a problem can be solved.

  Further, when the time lag is eliminated, the predetermined number of delays are eliminated, and the operation information of the second player is appropriately reflected. That is, even if a time lag occurs, if it is resolved, it is possible to return to a display that appropriately reflects the operation information. Thereby, the shift | offset | difference between the display and operation information which arise by time lag can be suppressed to the minimum.

  In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 functions as a music playback unit through the audio output control unit 13. Further, when the control unit 10 executes the routine of FIG. 11 through the game control unit 11, it functions as a game area presenting means, a sign display control means, and a reference time guiding means. Similarly, the control unit 10 functions as a relationship changing unit by executing the routines of FIGS. 12 and 13 through the game control unit 11. Furthermore, when the control unit 10 executes the routine of FIG. 14 through the game control unit 11, it functions as a time difference determination unit and a time limit calculation unit. On the other hand, the external storage device 20 functions as a relational information storage unit by storing the sequence data 28.

  This invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, It can implement with a suitable form. In the above-mentioned form, the case where the time lag (predetermined time difference) has arisen as a predetermined change condition is employ | adopted. For this determination, the routine of FIG. 14 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the routine in FIG. 14 may be omitted, and a predetermined number in consideration of the time lag may be set in advance. That is, the predetermined change condition may be satisfied by executing a predetermined setting. In the above-described embodiment, a predetermined number is used to shift the relationship between the operation information to be used and the actual display in time lag control such as step S30 in FIG. The predetermined number is set in advance, for example, “1”. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, based on the processing result of the time lag monitoring processing routine shown in FIG. 14, the predetermined number may be determined by calculating from the time required for receiving information of the other device.

  In the above embodiment, the time lag monitoring process routine shown in FIG. 14 is executed as the subroutine of FIG. 13 at the same cycle as that of FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the time lag monitoring process routine may be executed only at the time of transmission / reception of the first information as a routine different from FIG. In this case, based on the determination result of the first time lag monitoring process routine, the predetermined route shown in step S33 of FIG. 13 is used only for the first time, and in the subsequent routine of FIG. May be. In this case, the process of step S28, that is, the process of appropriately returning the relationship between the operation information and the display when the time lag is eliminated may be omitted.

  In the above-described form, the touch panel 9 is used to input an operation as a play action of the player. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, as a device for inputting a play action, a camera that shoots the action of the player, a detection means that detects the action of the player based on the shooting result, and a specifying means that specifies the play action based on the detection result An apparatus using the above may be applied. Therefore, the play act is not limited to the act of operating the operation unit.

  In addition to the object 60, other operation instruction signs may be displayed during the game. As one of such operation instruction signs, for example, when a predetermined display condition is satisfied (for example, when a predetermined operation is executed, a predetermined score is obtained, a predetermined option is acquired, etc.) Special objects may be displayed). When the operation information for the special object of the other device cannot be received within the time limit, the operation information may be used as the operation information for the special object displayed next on the own device, If possible, it may be used as operation information for the normal object 60 displayed next on the own device.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the game machine 2 is configured as a music game machine in which music is played and the operation instruction mark moves toward the reference unit based on the performance time of the music. However, the game machine 2 is limited to such a configuration. It is not something. The game machine 2 is a game that progresses at a plurality of terminals via a communication line, and various games in which one play act affects the progress of the other game can be executed. As such a game, for example, a role playing game, an action game, a sports game, a shooting game, and the like may be applied. Furthermore, the game machine of the present invention may be realized in an appropriate form such as an arcade game machine installed in a commercial facility, a home-use game machine, or a portable game machine.

1 game system 2 game machine 5 network (communication line)
8 Monitor (display device)
9 Touch panel (input device, operation unit)
10 control unit (computer, reference time guide means, relationship change means, time difference determination means, time limit calculation means, game area presentation means, sign display control means)
14 Speaker (Audio output device)
20 External storage device (related information storage means, music data storage means)
21 Game Program 22 Game Data 25 Music Data 28 Sequence Data 50 Game Screen 52 Game Area 60 Object (Operation Instruction Sign)
28g Appearance position indicator (related information)
55A First reference part (operation part)
55B Second reference part (operation part)
W route (movement route)

Claims (11)

A game that can be applied to a game system that progresses a game between a plurality of terminals connected via a communication line based on a play action by a player of each terminal, and can function as one of the plurality of terminals. Machine,
At least one reference time for executing the play action in the player's own device in the game and at least one reference time for executing the play action in another device functioning as another terminal of the game system, Relationship information storage means for storing relationship information for association;
In accordance with the play action corresponding to the reference time of the other machine associated with the reference time of the own machine based on the relationship information, each reference time is set so that the guide mode of the reference time of the own machine changes. A reference time guidance means for guiding;
When the predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action for the reference time guide means to change the guidance mode is determined from the reference time of the other machine based on the relationship information. And a relationship changing means for changing the reference time to a reference time earlier than the reference time in the other machine.   The reference time guide means when the predetermined recovery condition is satisfied after the reference time of the other machine based on the relation information is changed from the reference time of the other machine to a reference time earlier than the reference time of the other machine. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action to change the guidance mode is returned from the early reference time to the reference time of the other machine based on the relationship information. . Time difference determination means for comparing a predetermined time limit and an acquisition time of information related to the play action of the other device to determine whether or not a predetermined time difference has occurred between the predetermined time limit and the acquisition time Further comprising
The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined change condition is satisfied when the predetermined time difference is generated based on a determination result of the time difference determination unit.   The game machine according to claim 3, further comprising time limit calculating means for calculating the predetermined time limit based on a reference time of the own machine.   The relation information storage unit stores information associating a plurality of reference times of the own device and a plurality of reference times of the other device with each other as the relationship information. The game machine described in the item.   When the relationship changing means guides the immediately preceding reference time corresponding to immediately before the reference time of the own machine among the reference times for the own machine, based on the reference time of the own machine that changes the guidance mode. In addition, the play corresponding to the operation time of the other device is used as information used to change the guide mode so that the reference time guide means uses a predetermined guide mode as the guide mode for the immediately preceding reference time. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein information is changed from information based on an action to predetermined information.   As the predetermined guidance mode, the guidance mode used when the play behavior is not properly executed or when the play behavior is not performed within a predetermined time is used. The game machine according to claim 6, wherein information associated with an aspect is used as the predetermined information. An input device having at least one operation unit for inputting an operation as the play action;
A display device for displaying a game screen;
The relation information storage means associates, based on the relation information, an operation time for the operation unit of the own device as a reference time of the own device and an operation time for the operation unit of the other device as an operation time of the other device. Sequence data written to be stored,
The reference time guide means displays a game area in which a first reference part corresponding to the operation part of the own machine and a second reference part corresponding to the operation part of the other machine are arranged at an interval. The game area presenting means to be displayed above and each operation instruction indicator for instructing each operation time are arranged along one of a plurality of movement paths connecting the first reference portion and the second reference portion. Each operation instruction mark is provided in the game area so as to reach the first reference unit at the operation time of the operation unit of the machine and the second reference unit at the operation time of the operation unit of the other machine. A sign display control means for guiding each operation time by displaying while moving, and
The sign display control means sets the operation time of the own machine according to the operation result of the operation instruction mark corresponding to the operation time of the other machine associated with the operation time of the own machine based on the relationship information. By changing the movement route along which the corresponding operation instruction mark moves, the guidance mode of the operation time of the own machine is changed,
The relationship changing means is configured to determine a reference time of the other device corresponding to the operation instruction sign that uses the operation result for the sign display control means to change the movement route, based on the relationship information. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is changed from a reference time to the earlier operation time. An audio output device for reproducing and outputting audio;
Music data storage means for storing music data for reproducing music;
Music playback means for playing back the music from the audio output device based on the music data;
The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each time in the music is used as each reference time. A game that can be applied to a game system that progresses a game between a plurality of terminals connected via a communication line based on a play action by a player of each terminal, and can function as one of the plurality of terminals. And at least one reference time to execute the play action on the player's own machine in the game, and at least one reference to execute the play action on another machine functioning as another terminal of the game system. In a game machine computer having relationship information storage means for storing relationship information for associating time with each other,
In accordance with the play action corresponding to the reference time of the other machine associated with the reference time of the own machine based on the relationship information, each reference time is set so that the guide mode of the reference time of the own machine changes. A reference time guidance process to guide,
When a predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action to change the guidance mode in the reference time guide step is set as the reference time of the other machine based on the relation information. And a relationship changing step of changing to a reference time earlier than the reference time of the other machine. A game that can be applied to a game system that progresses a game between a plurality of terminals connected via a communication line based on a play action by a player of each terminal, and can function as one of the plurality of terminals. And at least one reference time to execute the play action on the player's own machine in the game, and at least one reference to execute the play action on another machine functioning as another terminal of the game system. A game machine computer comprising relationship information storage means for storing relationship information for associating time with each other;
In accordance with the play action corresponding to the reference time of the other machine associated with the reference time of the own machine based on the relationship information, each reference time is set so that the guide mode of the reference time of the own machine changes. The reference time guide means for guiding, and when the predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference time of the other machine that uses the play action for the reference time guide means to change the guide mode in the relation information. A computer program for a game machine configured to function as a relationship changing means for changing from a reference time of the other machine to a reference time earlier than the reference time of the other machine.

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