JP2017119083A - Game device, program, and article providing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article in a mode for enhancing fun of game content.SOLUTION: A game device controls discharge of a first type article in a first discharge device, and discharge of a second type article in a second discharge device. The game device allows the first discharge device to discharge the first type article according to payment of value, and controls the second discharge device to a state in which the second type article can be discharged without setting the payment of the value to be an important matter, according to information relating to a game executed with the payment of the value as the important matter, and indicating play content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a game apparatus, a program, and an article providing system, and more particularly, to a game apparatus that discharges articles according to game contents.

  There is a game system in which a capsule vendor that sells a data recording article having a three-dimensional shape such as a character corresponding to a game content is provided close to a game device that provides the game content (Patent Document 1). .

JP 2008-246242 A

  In the game system described in Patent Document 1, an article is a medium for recording data relating to game play, but the article is only purchased by a user at an arbitrary timing regardless of the game play. . That is, the acquisition of goods and the game content are not linked at all, and the interest related to the game play is not improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a game device, a program, and an article providing system that provide an article in an aspect that improves the interest of game content.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a game apparatus according to the present invention includes a first discharge unit that discharges a first type of article and a second discharge unit that discharges a second type of article. A device for detecting payment of consideration, acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a play content related to a game executed with payment of the requirement as a requirement, discharge by the first discharge means, and second Control means for controlling discharge by the discharge means, and the control means causes the first discharge means to discharge the first type of goods in response to payment of the value, and indicates the play contents Accordingly, the second discharging means is controlled so as to be able to discharge the second type of goods without requiring the payment of the compensation.

  With this configuration, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an article in a manner that improves the interest of game content.

The figure which showed the external view of each apparatus which comprises the article | item provision system which concerns on embodiment and the modification of this invention. The block diagram which showed the function structure of each apparatus of the goods provision system which concerns on embodiment and the modification of this invention. The flowchart which illustrated the provision process performed with the game device 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which illustrated the provision process performed with the game device 100 which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which illustrated the composition of various data concerning the embodiment of the present invention, and a modification.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the embodiment described below, as an example of an article providing system, a game apparatus 100 that can discharge a first type of article and a first charm discharge apparatus 200 that can discharge a second type of article. An example in which the present invention is applied to a system that includes a second charm discharge device 300 and provides a game service will be described. However, the present invention can be applied to any device that can directly or indirectly control the discharge of the first type of article and the discharge of the second type of article.

《Configuration of article provision system》
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an article providing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the article providing system includes a game device 100 and a first charm discharge device 200 and a second charm discharge device 300 arranged adjacent to the game device 100. Among the charm discharging devices, at least the first charm discharging device 200 is connected to the game device 100 so that information and signals can be transmitted and received. In the present embodiment, the first charm discharge device 200 is electrically connected to the game device 100, and the second charm discharge device 300 is described as having no electrical connection with the game device 100. Further, from the viewpoint of appearance and space saving, the first charm discharge device 200 and the second charm discharge device 300 are configured in a manner in which they are deposited in the vertical direction.

  In the article providing system of the present embodiment, each of the game device 100, the first charm discharge device 200, and the second charm discharge device 300 can be used for a game for which game play is provided in the game device 100. Drain possible goods. In the present embodiment, the first type of article discharged by the game apparatus 100 is described as a “card”, and the second type of article is a “charm (small ornament)”. Needless to say, each article such as an object or a toy may be in any form. In the present embodiment, the first type of article and the second type of article are described as different types of articles. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first type of article and the second type of article are different. The possibility that the article is the same type of article is not excluded. In the case of articles of the same type, it is preferable to differentiate between articles discharged by each of the game device 100 and the charm discharge device, such as different handling on the game.

  Each of the card discharged by the game device 100, the charm discharged by the first charm discharge device 200, and the charm discharged by the second charm discharge device 300 is respectively connected to the game discharge port 115 and the first It is guided to the discharge port 206 and the second discharge port 306. The game discharge port 115, the first discharge port 206, and the second discharge port 306 are an item discharge space configured to be accessible from the outside, and the user can remove the item when the item exists in the discharge port. Can be acquired. In the example of FIG. 1, a storage unit (not shown) for cards ejected from the game apparatus 100 is present at a position visually blocked from the outside, and is ejected from the first charm ejector 200 and the second charm ejector 300. The charm storage sections (the first charm storage section 204 and the second charm storage section 304) are configured such that the stored charms or capsules for packing the charms are visible from the outside. Note that the game device 100, the first charm discharge device 200, and the second charm discharge device 300 include a configuration that realizes a conceptually similar function as will be described later. The configuration is identified by prefixing “game”, the configuration of the first charm discharge device 200 with “first”, and the configuration of the second charm discharge device 300 with “second”.

  In addition, the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300 of the present embodiment are common in the point of discharging the charm and the basic appearance, but are configured differently in the following points.

  First, the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300 are configured so that the charms to be discharged are the same type of article but have different values in the game. The value in the game refers to the degree (usefulness) of making the game progress advantageous when used in game play, and the charm that can be discharged by the first charm discharging device 200 can be discharged by the second charm discharging device 300. Assume that it is more useful than a charm. The usefulness may simply be a so-called rarity determined in the game, and a charm that is determined to have a high rarity of the associated character or item is used as the first charm storage unit of the first charm discharging device 200. It is configured to be stored in 204.

  In addition, the first charm discharge device 200 and the second charm discharge device 300 have a second input port 307 for accepting payment of the second charm discharge device 300, and the game device 100 does not have a configuration corresponding thereto. It is different in point. This is because the second charm discharge device 300 is in a state in which the charm can be discharged in accordance with payment of the consideration, while the first charm discharge device 200 is in a state in which it can be discharged in accordance with the signal received from the game device 100. By being configured. As will be described later, the first charm discharging device 200 cannot be switched from a state in which the user cannot discharge unless a predetermined condition is satisfied in the game play. On the other hand, as for the second charm discharge device 300, the user can switch from a state in which it cannot be discharged to a state in which it can be discharged, as long as the user pays the price. That is, the second charm discharge device 300 is configured to be able to discharge the charm at a timing desired by the user independently of the game play in the game device 100.

<Functional configuration of each device>
Next, functional configurations of the game device 100, the first charm discharge device 200, and the second charm discharge device 300 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  The game control unit 101 is a CPU, for example, and controls the operation of each block included in the game device 100 and the operation of each block included in the first charm discharge device 200 and the second charm discharge device 300. Specifically, the game control unit 101 controls the operation of each block by, for example, reading the operation program of each block recorded on the recording medium 102 and developing it in the memory 103.

  The recording medium 102 is a recording device that can hold data permanently, such as a nonvolatile memory or an HDD. In addition to the operation program for each block of the game device 100, the recording medium 102 includes information such as parameters necessary for the operation of each block, various graphics data and games used in the game executed by the game device 100 Stores programs and the like. The memory 103 is a storage device used for temporary data storage such as a volatile memory. The memory 103 is used not only as a development area for the operation program of each block, but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data output in the operation of each block.

  The game payment detection unit 104 detects that the payment has been made in the game device 100. The payment of the consideration is, for example, that a predetermined amount of coins or corresponding coins have been inserted into the coin insertion slot (game insertion slot 116), or completion of settlement processing based on communication with a chip related to predetermined electronic money. It may be determined by detecting.

  The card discharge unit 105 has a predetermined drive mechanism and the like, and performs a discharge operation for guiding a card stored in a storage unit (not shown) to the game discharge port 115. In the game device 100 of the present embodiment, one card is provided to the user for one game play based on payment of the consideration. Each card discharged or usable in the game apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is associated with a character that is predetermined as appearing in the game, and an image of the character is attached to the card. . Further, information (character ID) for identifying the character is attached to the card, and the information can be acquired by being recognized by a card recognition unit 109 described later. Information may be given to the card by printing a specific pattern such as a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional code image obtained by converting the information on the card surface, or an IC chip included in the card. For example, the information may be recorded on a recording device such as readable information. In the game apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the discharged card is described as having a fixed design that is printed and issued in advance in a factory or the like, but the discharged card is dynamically designed by so-called on-demand printing. It may be changeable.

  The charm communication unit 106 communicates with a charm placed on a charm placement unit provided at a predetermined position such as on the operation panel of the game apparatus 100, for example. Here, “communication” includes communication by connection in a non-contact state as well as connection in a contact state. In the article providing system of the present embodiment, a rewritable recording device is included in the charm that can be discharged from the first charm discharge device 200 or the second charm discharge device 300. By using the charm at the time of playing the game, the user can record the result of the game play, the play history, etc., and can keep (save) the progress of the game over a plurality of game play. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the information recorded in the charm includes save data 503 indicating the progress of the game, etc. in association with a charm ID 501 that identifies the charm and a user ID 502 that identifies the user, May include avatar information 504 for specifying the appearance of the avatar used in the game, and the number of times of playing 506 indicating the number of times the user has played the game. The charm ID 501 may be recorded in advance in the charm recording device before providing each charm, or may be given at the first communication with the charm. When playing the game, the user communicates the charm with the game device 100 via the charm communication unit 106 to load the save data 503 and the avatar information 504, and the continuation of the previous game play and the contents of the game play so far are loaded. The game can be resumed in the reflected state. In addition, the number of saves using one charm is limited to a predetermined number (finite number of times) in order to improve the durability and reliability of the recording device, and the interest by using various types of charms. Is done. For this reason, the information recorded in the charm includes a save count 507 indicating the number of times the chamois are performed. In addition, like a card, a charm can be associated with an item predetermined as appearing in a game. For example, a charm manages an item obtained by a user in game play or an item that can be used in sub-contents. Item information 505 may be included in the information recorded in the charm. The item is not limited to the item obtained in the game, and for example, in an aspect in which the appearance of the charm is an item, information on the item may be recorded. In this aspect, it is possible to intuitively let the user know items that can appear in the game by using the charm. In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that the game play results (save data, etc.) and item information are recorded in the recording device included in the charm, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. That will be easily understood. That is, depending on the game content or the progress of the game, any of these may not be recorded, and the target in the game to which the charm is associated is not limited to the item, and is similar to the card. It may be a character.

  The avatar DB 107 is a database that manages information on a plurality of types of parts provided for various parts of the avatar provided for each user. The part information includes, for example, information such as clothes and decorations in addition to the physical characteristics of the avatar such as a hairstyle and a face (eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows, contours). The item given (associated) to the charm may include parts that can be set for the avatar.

  The item DB 108 is a database that manages information related to items given for the charm. The item DB 108 may manage various types of information in association with, for example, an item ID that identifies an item. The item is not limited to an item that can be used in a game provided in the game device 100, but can be used in a related service or game provided by a server that can be accessed via a communication terminal used by the user, for example. It may be an item.

  The card recognition unit 109 recognizes a character corresponding to the card based on information (card information) acquired from the card when playing the game provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment. The information acquisition is performed through a reader 120 that is detachably connected in the same housing as the game apparatus 100 or outside the game apparatus 100, and is in a format suitable for use in the game process through a predetermined data conversion process or the like. Converted and acquired. The reader 120 detects that a card is placed on a predetermined part and acquires information from the card using, for example, an imaging device and predetermined image processing.

  The character DB 110 is a database that manages character information including various kinds of information necessary for game play for each character that is predetermined as appearing in a game provided by the game apparatus 100. The character information managed for one character may have a data structure as shown in FIG. 5B, for example. In the example of FIG. 5B, various parameters 512 relating to the game such as the character name, stage, skill, provided music, etc., which are predetermined for the character in association with the character ID 511 for identifying the character, and the character are displayed on the game screen. The drawing information 513 including various kinds of drawing data necessary for drawing on the screen and the grant item information 514 indicating items that can be given when the game play with the character is performed are managed. . The drawing information 513 may be configured as character avatar information. In this case, the drawing information 513 includes identification information for specifying part information managed in the avatar DB 107. Good. Similarly, the granted item information 514 may be configured with an item ID that specifies information managed in the item DB 108.

  The display control unit 111 is a drawing device that generates a screen related to a game by performing a drawing process such as a GPU. The display control unit 111 draws a game screen related to a game provided by the game apparatus 100. Specifically, the display control unit 111 performs necessary rendering objects according to information such as information indicating display contents in a status other than the game and information such as in-game parameters according to the progress of the game during execution of a providing process described later. Is read out, appropriate calculation processing is executed, and drawing is performed. The generated game screen is output to the display unit 130 which is a display device that is detachably connected in the same housing as the game device 100 or outside the game device 100, and is displayed in a predetermined display area, thereby displaying the user. Presented to.

  The charm discharge control unit 112 controls the state and operation of the charm discharge device connected to the game apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the charm discharge control unit 112 is configured to control the state of the first charm discharge device 200, and the charm discharge control unit 112 discharges the charm by the first charm discharge device 200. This is made possible by controlling the state so that it can be discharged. The first charm discharge device 200 is controlled so that the charm can be discharged by the charm discharge control unit 112, so that an operation input to the first operation input unit 203 is made as will be described later. Discharge. In the present embodiment, the discharge of the charm from the first charm discharge device 200 is performed in response to an operation input to the first operation input unit 203 after being controlled to a dischargeable state. As will be described, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a charm is discharged from the first charm discharge device 200 in accordance with a discharge command from the charm discharge control unit 112.

  The game operation input unit 113 is a user interface that the game apparatus 100 has, such as an operation member for direction input, an operation member for determination input, and various sensors. When the game operation input unit 113 detects that an operation input to the operation member has been made, the game operation input unit 113 outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the game control unit 101. In the present embodiment, the game apparatus 100 is described as including physical operation members as various interfaces, but includes, for example, a touch input detection sensor that detects touch input made on the screen of the display unit 130. Also good.

  The game communication unit 114 is a communication interface that realizes data transmission / reception with an external device connected via a predetermined network such as the Internet. The game communication unit 114 transmits / receives information to / from an external device that has established a communication connection according to a predetermined communication method. In addition, the game communication unit 114 may also serve as or include a communication interface that realizes information transmission / reception with the first charm discharge device 200 or the second charm discharge device 300.

  The audio output unit 140 is an output device that outputs an audio signal reproduced in the game apparatus 100 such as a speaker. The audio output unit 140 includes a driver that controls the vibrator and the like by receiving the audio signal based on the reproduction by reproducing the audio data in each status determined for the game provided in the game apparatus 100. The driver may realize an operation related to audio output.

  The first control unit 201 included in the first charm discharge device 200 controls the operation of each block included in the first charm discharge device 200. The operation control of each block may be realized by, for example, reading a program stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory included in the first control unit 201, developing the program in a volatile memory, and executing the program. In this embodiment, the 1st control part 201 receives the control signal which concerns on the state control by the charm discharge | emission control part 112, and performs various state control of the 1st charm discharge | emission apparatus 200. FIG.

  The first charm discharge unit 205 has a predetermined drive mechanism and the like, and performs a discharge operation for guiding the charm stored in the first charm storage unit 204 to the first discharge port 206. As described above, in the article providing system of the present embodiment, the first charm discharge device 200 does not have an input port for accepting payment of a price. In other words, the discharging operation by the first charm discharging unit 205 is not performed in response to the payment of the price, but becomes possible only when the charm discharging control unit 112 controls the discharging state as described above. Further, the discharging operation may be realized in response to an operation input to the first operation input unit 203 such as a handle provided rotatably. The first operation input unit 203 can be rotated by the first control unit 201 when the first charm discharge device 200 is in a dischargeable state.

  Similarly, the 2nd control part 301 which the 2nd charm discharge device 300 has performs operation control of each block which the 2nd charm discharge device 300 has. The operation control of each block may be realized by, for example, reading a program stored in a non-illustrated non-volatile memory included in the second control unit 301, developing the program in a volatile memory, and executing the program. Unlike the 1st charm discharge apparatus 200, the 2nd charm discharge apparatus 300 of this embodiment is comprised so that charm discharge | emission is possible, without receiving the control signal for changing to the state which can be discharged from the charm discharge control part 112 Is done. The second charm discharge device 300 is in a state in which the charm can be discharged in response to the second payment detection unit 302 detecting that the consideration has been paid to the second insertion port 307. More specifically, when the payment of the price is detected, the second control unit 301 controls various states of the second charm discharge device 300. That is, the state control of the second charm discharge device 300 is controlled independently of the game play in the game device 100. For example, during the game play by one user in the game device 100 or during Even before and after, another user can use the second charm discharging device 300 to obtain the charm.

  Similar to the first charm discharge device 200, the second charm discharge unit 305 has a predetermined drive mechanism and the like, and performs a discharge operation for guiding the charm stored in the second charm storage unit 304 to the second discharge port 306. The discharging operation by the second charm discharging unit 305 becomes possible in response to the payment of the price to the second insertion port 307. Further, the discharging operation may be realized by, for example, an operation input to the second operation input unit 303 such as a handle provided rotatably. The second operation input unit 303 can be rotated by the second control unit 301 when the second payment detection unit 302 detects payment of the value and the second charm discharge device 300 is in a state in which it can be discharged. It is said.

  In the present embodiment, the game device 100, the first charm discharge device 200, and the second charm discharge device 300 will be described as separate devices configured to be separable. It is not limited to. The device configured to be communicable with the game device 100 may be configured integrally with the game device 100, or may be any device having a plurality of control systems, even if not configured to be communicable. May be formed integrally. In the present embodiment, the game apparatus 100 has been described as having a card discharging device, but it will be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the card discharging device may be another device configured so as to be separable from the game device 100, and the card is discharged in response to the payment made in the game device 100. It may be configured to eject at least one card per game play provided for payment.

Game overview
In the article providing system of this embodiment, a game in which game play is mainly provided to the user by the game device 100 is associated with a character (avatar) serving as a user's alternation and a card on which information acquisition (scanning) has been performed. For example, a game experience related to a series of games such as a so-called rhythm game in which buttons are operated in conjunction with music is provided.

  The avatar is composed of parts selected for each part from a predetermined parts set, a parts set selected by lottery, and a limited part group by the user at the time of the first play or play not reflecting save data. It consists of parts set. Also, when playing the game reflecting the saved data, that is, when playing the game, information is obtained from the charm and the game play is performed based on the past play result, the parts set used or changed at the previous play And a corresponding configuration avatar can be used.

  Also, the card is a series of games before the start of a series of games or after the end of the tutorial so that other characters can appear in the game even when the user does not own the card for the first time. It may be discharged at a predetermined timing after the start of the game related to the game. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that one card is discharged per game play. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this.

Therefore, although the details will be described in the providing process described later, in the game provided to the user in the article providing system of this embodiment, basically, for example, after payment for the game play is made,
-Card ejection-Save data acquisition (Charm recognition (read from charm))
・ Get characters (card recognition)
-Execution of game processing related to a series of games-Save the game play result of this time (write to charm)
Is performed.

  In addition, the game content provided by the game play in the article providing system of the present embodiment is not limited to the rhythm game described above, and any game genre may be used as long as it is a game content accompanied by article discharge.

《Provision processing》
A specific process of providing processing for providing game play in the article providing system of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process corresponding to the flowchart can be realized by the game control unit 101 reading, for example, a corresponding processing program stored in the recording medium 102, developing it in the memory 103, and executing it. The present providing process will be described as being started when, for example, the game payment detection unit 104 detects that the payment for the game play has been paid.

  In S301, the game control unit 101 causes the card discharge unit 105 to discharge a card related to the current game play. Note that, in the providing process of the present embodiment, the card is discharged after the payment of the consideration. However, as described above, the card discharge timing is not limited to this. For example, the card may be discharged at the end of the game experience related to a series of games (after the end of the game process related to game play). In this case, at the time of the first play, one of the characters predetermined for the first play may be configured to appear in the game without performing a card scan.

  In S302, the game control unit 101 determines whether the user uses the charm for the current game play. Specifically, the game control unit 101 inquires of the user whether or not to use the charm in order to resume (continuous play) the game from the progress status that is the previous game play result for the user. At this time, under the control of the game control unit 101, the display control unit 111 generates a screen for inquiring about use of the charm and displays the screen on the display unit 130. Whether to use the charm depends on whether the game operation input unit 113 detects an operation input indicating that the charm is used within a predetermined time when the screen is displayed, or the charm communication unit 106. It may be determined based on whether or not a communicable charm is detected. If the game control unit 101 determines that the charm is used for the current game play, it moves the process to S303, and if it determines that the charm is not used, moves the process to S304.

  In S <b> 303, the game control unit 101 stores information in the memory 103 after obtaining information from the recording medium of the charm via the charm communication unit 106. The game control unit 101 configures various parameters related to the user, such as the configuration of the avatar (user character), based on the save data 503, the avatar information 504, and the owned item information 505 included in the stored information. The configured user character information is added to, for example, a character table that is generated in the memory 103 and manages information on characters to appear in the game. Note that the possessed item information 505 may be used, for example, for changing the appearance of the avatar or changing a parameter used for determining the game progress of the user character to a value that favors the game progress.

  In S304, the game control unit 101 registers a character (other than the user character) to appear in the game according to the current game play. Specifically, the game control unit 101 refers to the recognition result by the card recognition unit 109 based on the card information acquired from the card, and adds information on various parameters related to the corresponding character (NPC character) to the character table. The NPC character information may be configured based on the character information managed in the character DB 110 in association with the character ID included in the recognition result.

  In S305, the game control unit 101 executes a game process that provides a user experience related to a series of games for the current game play. The game process is controlled and executed so that the user character and the NPC character registered in the character table appear, and the display control unit 111 generates a corresponding game screen and presents it on the display unit 130, so that the user's Game play is possible. When the game process is completed (the end of a series of games), the game control unit 101 moves the process to S306.

  In S <b> 306, the game control unit 101 determines whether or not a predetermined condition for controlling the first charm discharge device 200 to a state where charm discharge is possible is satisfied. In the article providing system of the present embodiment, the predetermined condition for controlling the state in which the charm can be discharged is that the number of times the user has played the game provided by the article providing system has reached a predetermined number of times, Description will be made on the assumption that the current game play such as during charm / card recognition is determined according to whether or not a lottery process is executed at a predetermined timing before this step. These pieces of information are determined for each game play, and are stored in, for example, the memory 103 as information indicating the play contents related to the game play, and can be referred to in this step. Here, the number of times of play can be obtained by adding 1 to the number of times of play 506 in the information acquired from the charm, but if the charm is not used for the current game play, the number of times of play can be determined based only on the lottery result. That's fine. Note that the predetermined condition is not limited to this, and may be determined based on at least one of the number of times of play and the lottery result. Judgment may be made based on other items related to the play content such as the situation. If the game control unit 101 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, it moves the process to S307, and if it determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, it moves the process to S308.

  In step S <b> 307, the charm discharge control unit 112 outputs, to the first charm discharge device 200, a control signal that makes the first charm discharge device 200 ready for charm discharge under the control of the game control unit 101. The first control unit 201 performs control for enabling the first operation input unit 203 to rotate based on reception of the control signal. At this time, the display control unit 111 generates a notification screen indicating that the charm can be discharged from the first charm discharge device 200 based on the content of play under the control of the game control unit 101, and displays on the display unit 130. indicate. The game control unit 101 moves the process to S308 after a predetermined time for determining that the user has acquired charm discharge.

  In S308, the game control unit 101 determines whether or not to save the play result relating to the current game play. Specifically, the game control unit 101 causes the display control unit 111 to generate a screen for inquiring whether or not to save the play result in the charm and display the screen on the display unit 130. Then, based on the user operation input made on the screen, the game control unit 101 makes a determination in this step. If the game control unit 101 determines to save the play result, the game control unit 101 moves the process to step S309 in response to the determination that the game communication unit 114 can communicate with the charm to be saved. If the game control unit 101 determines not to save the play result, the present providing process is completed.

  In S309, the game control unit 101 generates charm recording information (for example, having the configuration shown in FIG. 5A), transmits the information to the game communication unit 114, and is in a communicable state recording apparatus. To record. After the recording is completed, the game control unit 101 completes the present providing process.

  As described above, the article providing system of the present embodiment can provide articles in a manner that improves the interest of game content. More specifically, the above-described providing process does not simply discharge the play result recording charm according to the payment of the consideration, but switches the presence / absence of discharge according to the content of the game play performed, thereby playing the game Since it is possible to realize performing charm and providing charm in a manner linked to this, it is possible to further enhance the interest of the game content.

[Embodiment 2]
In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the first charm discharging device 200 is controlled to be in a state capable of charm discharge when information indicating the play contents such as the number of game plays and lottery results satisfies a predetermined condition. . In other words, in the article providing system according to the above-described embodiment, as long as the information indicating the play content does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the first charm discharge device 200 cannot discharge the charm without changing from the state where the game play is not performed. State. Therefore, there is a possibility that the first charm discharge device 200, which is normally unable to discharge, may leave the game device 100 while recognizing that the game has ended without the user noticing that the charm can be discharged. is there. In other words, even if the charm can be obtained, the user may be unaware of it and miss the opportunity to obtain it. In the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the disadvantage of the user related to the acquisition of the charm, and to improve the interest of the game content by providing a mode different from the mode in which the charm can be discharged according to the payment of the price. A configuration for further enhancing the above will be described.

<Functional configuration of each device>
The configuration of the article providing system of this embodiment and the functional configuration of each device are the functional configuration of each device of the above-described embodiment, and the first charm discharge device 200 includes a first discharge detection unit 211 indicated by a broken line in FIG. Another difference is that there is an external management server (not shown) that manages information related to charm acquisition for each user.

  The first discharge detection unit 211 detects whether or not charms are actually discharged in the first charm discharge device 200. For example, when the first charm discharge device 200 is in a state in which charm discharge is possible, the first discharge detection unit 211 indicates that an operation input related to discharge to the first operation input unit 203 has been performed, or that a predetermined sensor detects the first discharge. It is detected that charm has been discharged to one discharge port 206. When detecting the discharge of the charm, the first discharge detection unit 211 transmits the detection result to the first control unit 201.

  In addition, when the first discharge detection unit 211 receives a detection result relating to charm discharge, the first control unit 201 of the present embodiment transmits a detection signal indicating that the charm discharge has been performed to the game device 100. By doing in this way, in the article provision system of this embodiment, it becomes possible for the game control part 101 to grasp | ascertain that the charm discharge | emission was made in the 1st charm discharge | emission apparatus 200. FIG.

《Provision processing》
Hereinafter, specific processing of the providing processing of the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart of FIG. In addition, about the step which performs the process similar to embodiment mentioned above in the provision process of this embodiment, the same reference number is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted, and about the step which performs the process characteristic to this embodiment below. Only explained.

  In step S307, after causing the charm discharge control unit 112 to control the first charm discharge device 200 so that the charm can be discharged, the game control unit 101 receives a detection signal related to charm discharge from the first charm discharge device 200 in step S403. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed when it is considered that the charm has not been acquired. The elapsed time is measured, for example, when the charm discharge control unit 112 discharges a control signal for controlling the first charm discharge device 200 to a dischargeable state, or the first charm discharge device 200 is dischargeable. It may be triggered by the reception of the response signal output from the first control unit 201 in response to the fact that it has become. If the game control unit 101 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving a detection signal related to charm discharge, the game control unit 101 moves the process to S404. Further, the game control unit 101 repeats the process of this step until a predetermined time elapses, and if it is determined that the detection signal relating to the charm discharge has been received, the process proceeds to S308.

  In S <b> 404, the game control unit 101 generates information (non-discharge information) indicating that the charm discharge related to the first charm discharge device 200 has not been performed, and the user of the user who played the game on the game communication unit 114. It is transmitted to the management server together with the ID. In the management server, the received undischarged information is recorded on a recording medium of the management server in association with the user ID. After transmitting the non-discharge information, the game control unit 101 causes the charm discharge control unit 112 to transmit a control signal that makes the first charm discharge device 200 incapable of discharging the charm, and moves the process to S308. When the process of S404 is executed, it is determined that the user has finished the game play, and there is a possibility that the user is already away from the game apparatus 100. Therefore, the providing process is completed without performing the process of S308. Also good. Alternatively, a time limit may be provided for the play result save inquiry in the process of S308, and the game control unit 101 may complete the providing process on condition that the time corresponding to the time limit has elapsed.

  On the other hand, the non-discharge information recorded in the management server in this way is used to enable charm discharge by the first charm discharge device 200 when the user who has played the corresponding game plays the game again. It is done. Specifically, after information acquisition from the recording medium of the charm and registration of the user character in S303, the game control unit 101 manages undischarged information associated with the user related to the current game play in S401. Determine if it exists on the server. More specifically, the game control unit 101 transmits the user ID 502 included in the information acquired from the charm to the game communication unit 114, and causes the management server to inquire whether there is information associated with the user ID 502. At this time, in the management server, when there is undischarged information associated with the user ID included in the inquiry, response information indicating that it exists is returned to the game apparatus 100, and the corresponding undischarged information is recorded. An operation related to deletion from the medium is performed. Further, when there is no undischarged, an operation related to returning the response information indicating that it does not exist to the game apparatus 100 is performed. The game control unit 101 makes a determination based on the response information received from the management server. If the game control unit 101 determines that the undischarged information associated with the user related to the current game play exists in the management server, the game control unit 101 moves the process to S402, and if the game control unit 101 determines that it does not exist, moves the process to S304.

  In step S <b> 402, the charm discharge control unit 112 outputs a control signal for setting the first charm discharge device 200 to a state in which the charm discharge device 200 can be discharged under the control of the game control unit 101. The first control unit 201 performs control for enabling the first operation input unit 203 to rotate based on reception of the control signal. At this time, the display control unit 111 generates a notification screen indicating that an undischarged charm can be discharged from the first charm discharge device 200 under the control of the game control unit 101, and displays the notification screen on the display unit 130. And the game control part 101 makes a process wait until it receives the detection signal which concerns on charm discharge | emission from the 1st charm discharge | emission apparatus 200, and moves a process to S304 according to reception of a detection signal.

  In this way, even if the user has not left the game apparatus 100 without noticing that the charm discharge in the first charm discharge apparatus 200 is possible and does not perform the operation input related to the charm, the game is repeated. At the time of play, the chance of charm discharge can be secured. Further, when the game is played again, the user can be notified before starting the execution of the game process to prompt the user to discharge the charm, so that the user can easily understand that the charm is discharged.

  Note that the method of guaranteeing the user's charm acquisition opportunity exemplified in the provision processing of the present embodiment is based on the premise that the user is identified. For example, a card ID that uniquely identifies the card is provided for each card. If it is the attached mode, even if the game is not played using the charm, the acquisition opportunity can be guaranteed in the same manner. More specifically, if a card ID that uniquely identifies the card is assigned to each card, the card ID of the card used to register the NPC character may be information that can identify the user. Therefore, by recording the non-discharge information in the management server in association with the card ID, when the game is played again using at least the same card, the first charm is discharged in the same manner when registering the NPC character. The authority to discharge the charm from the apparatus 200 can be given to the user.

[Modification 1]
In the first and second embodiments described above, the game provided to be playable by the game process has been described as being controlled so that the user character and the NPC character simply appear. On the other hand, in the article providing system, the charm discharge from the first charm discharge device 200 can be controlled based on the information indicating the play content unlike the second charm discharge device 300. For this reason, for example, in the aspect in which the presence / absence of charm discharge is determined based on a lottery process performed during the game process or before the game process, an effect of acquiring any item is performed for the game progress after the winning is confirmed. You may control to be made. By doing so, it is possible to provide a presentation effect related to a suitable game experience while allowing the user to understand that the charm can be discharged.

[Modification 2]
In the first modification described above, the game progress is controlled so as to acquire an item. However, when the first charm discharging device 200 is configured to be capable of discharging a plurality of types of charms, the discharged charms are uncertain. Therefore, the user cannot recognize the charm to be obtained until the charm is discharged.

  For example, as in a conventional capsule vending machine, the order of the charms guided to the first discharge port 206 by the first charm discharge unit 205 is determined by a mechanism provided at the bottom of the first charm storage unit 204. When the first charm discharging apparatus 200 is configured as described above, at least the next discharged charm does not change. In the article providing system of the present modification, the first charm discharge device 200 communicates with the next discharged charm and recognizes which is the charm, as indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 212 is further included. In addition, the first control unit 201 acquires a recognition result of the next discharged charm by the charm recognition unit 212 and transmits the information to the game apparatus 100.

  By configuring the first charm discharging device 200 as described above, the game control unit 101 can grasp which charm is to be discharged next. Therefore, for example, when winning is confirmed in the lottery process, the game progress may be controlled so that an item corresponding to the charm appears in the game after the game process or an effect of obtaining the item is made. Thereby, it can be clearly shown that the game content and the first charm discharge device 200 are linked, and the user experience related to the game play can be made more interesting.

[Modification 3]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, the first charm discharge device 200 and the second charm discharge device 300 are provided close to each other, and the second charm discharge device 300 is charged independently of the execution of the game play. When it is configured to be able to discharge charms according to payment, the following inconvenience may occur. As shown in the figure, in the article providing system shown in FIG. 1, the second charm discharge device 300 has a second input port 307 for accepting payment of the consideration, while the first charm discharge device 200 has a corresponding configuration. do not do. Therefore, when the timing at which the user (purchasing user) pays the second charm discharging device 300 and the timing at which the first charm discharging device 200 is controlled so as to be able to discharge the charm overlap, the game play Troubles due to misunderstandings may occur between the user (play user) who has performed the purchase and the purchase user. For example, when the operation input related to charm discharge by the play user to the first charm discharge device 200 is performed before the operation input related to charm discharge by the purchase user to the second charm discharge device 300, the purchase user himself It is possible to receive the impression that the user has been deprived of the authority to discharge the charm based on the payment made by the player (although it exists). On the other hand, when the operation input related to charm discharge by the purchase user to the second charm discharge device 300 is performed before the operation input related to charm discharge by the play user to the first charm discharge device 200, the play user The user can get the impression that the purchase user has been deprived of the authority to discharge the charm acquired through game play (although it still exists).

  In this modification, in order to reduce the occurrence of trouble due to such misunderstandings, in the article providing system, the game device 100 and the second charm discharge device 300 are communicably connected, and the second charm discharge device 300 is connected to the charm. Information indicating that the discharge is possible is transmitted to the game apparatus 100 by the second control unit 301. More specifically, the second control unit 301 controls the second charm discharge device 300 to be in a state in which the charm can be discharged when the second payment detection unit 302 detects that the compensation has been paid. Then, information indicating that the second charm discharge device 300 is in a state in which the charm can be discharged is sent to the game device 100.

  Then, when the game control unit 101 transmits a control signal for setting the first charm discharge device 200 to the charm discharge state in the charm discharge control unit 112 in S307 of the providing process, the charm discharge based on the game play is the lower charm. A sound signal notifying that the discharge device (the first charm discharge device 200) is notified is reproduced and the sound output unit 140 outputs the sound. The audio signal is output as audio at a volume that can be recognized by the purchase user and the play user. In addition to the voice output, the charm discharged from the upper discharge device (second charm discharge device 300) is not that of the play user / the purchase user's charm is discharged from the upper discharge device. An audio signal may be included or replaced with the audio signal.

  In addition, when the second charm discharge device 300 includes the second discharge detection unit 311 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the output timing of the control signal that enables the first charm discharge device 200 to discharge the charm, or the first You may make it make the timing which the control part 201 controls the 1st operation input part 203 so that operation is possible until the charm discharge in the 2nd charm discharge device 300 is completed. Specifically, in S307 of the providing process, when the second charm discharge device 300 is in a state in which charm discharge is possible, the charm discharge control unit 112 performs the first discharge until receiving information indicating that the charm has been discharged. It may cooperate with the 1st control part 201 so that charm discharge device 200 may not be made into the state where charm discharge is possible.

[Modification 4]
Further, when a plurality of (two) users of the game apparatus 100 are compatible with game play (match play or cooperative play) at the same time, operation member groups for each user are provided at different positions on the operation panel. Sometimes. In the game apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, operation member groups for each user are provided on the left and right sides of the operation panel with the reader 120 interposed therebetween. When the operation panel is configured in this way and the first charm discharge device 200 is provided adjacent to one side surface of the game device 100 as shown in the drawing, for any player, the charm discharge based on the play content is performed. It is difficult to determine whether it has become possible, and there is a possibility that a different user mistakenly performs charm acquisition from the first charm discharge device 200.

  In the article providing system of the present modification, when a game play is performed by a plurality of people, the game control unit 101 performs control so that the processing set of S306 to S309 of the providing process is executed for each user. That is, after the game process related to the current game play is completed, the game control unit 101 performs a process set for one user, and then controls to perform the process set for the next user. At this time, based on the information indicating the installation mode of the article providing system, the game control unit 101 performs control so that an operation input when executing the processing set is received by the operation member group on the side close to the first charm discharge device 200. If necessary, the display control unit 111 is controlled to notify the user through the display unit 130 that prompts the user to change the operation position. By doing in this way, when the first charm discharging device 200 is controlled to a state in which the charm can be discharged according to the play content, the corresponding player is guided to move near the first charm discharging device 200. Therefore, it is possible to prevent occurrence of a misunderstanding of charms among users.

  As described above, the various aspects according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described in the first and second embodiments and the first to fourth modifications. However, the elements according to the embodiments are illustrated separately for the purpose of illustration. Needless to say, the elements may be implemented in any combination.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The game device according to the present invention can also be realized by a program that causes a computer connected to a discharge device for discharging the first type of article or the second type of article to function as the game device. The program can be provided / distributed by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium or through a telecommunication line.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100: Game device, 200: 1st charm discharge device, 300: 2nd charm discharge device, 101: Game control part, 102: Recording medium, 103: Memory, 104: Game payment detection part, 105: Card discharge part, 106 : Charm communication unit, 107: Avatar DB, 108: Item DB, 109: Card recognition unit, 110: Character DB, 111: Display control unit, 112: Charm discharge control unit, 113: Game operation input unit, 114: Game communication Part, 120: reader, 130: display part, 140: audio output part

Claims (18)

A game device having a first discharge means for discharging a first type of article and a second discharge means for discharging a second type of article,
A detection means for detecting payment of the consideration;
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the play content relating to a game executed with payment of a consideration as a requirement;
Control means for controlling discharge by the first discharge means and discharge by the second discharge means,
The control means includes
In response to payment of the consideration, the first discharging means discharges the first type of goods,
According to the information indicating the play contents, the game device is characterized in that the second discharging means is controlled to be able to discharge the second type of goods without requiring payment of consideration.   The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information indicating the play content is information indicating at least one of the number of times the game is played and a lottery result performed in connection with the game. Each of the first type of articles is associated with a character predetermined for the game,
The game device includes:
A first recognizing means for recognizing a character corresponding to the first type of article for game play relating to the game;
The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising execution means for executing processing related to the game so that the character recognized by the first recognition means appears. Each of the second type of articles has a recording medium capable of writing and reading information,
The game device is connected to the second type of article, and records at least one of information indicating a play result relating to the game and information indicating any item predetermined for the game. The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising communication means for writing to the medium.   5. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the first type of article and the second type of article are different types of articles. 6. The second discharging means has an input means for receiving an operation input for discharging the second type of article,
The control means controls the second discharging means so that the input means accepts an operation input when the information indicating the play contents satisfies a predetermined condition, and the information indicating the play contents is the predetermined information. The game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the condition is not satisfied, the second discharging unit is controlled so that the input unit does not accept an operation input. Identification means for identifying a user who plays the game;
First notification means for notifying that the second type of article can be discharged;
The control means has an operation input for discharging the second type of articles until a predetermined time has elapsed since the second discharging means is in a state where the second type of articles can be discharged. If not, the second discharging means is controlled so that the second type of articles cannot be discharged;
When the game play is performed again for the user related to the game play controlled so that the second type of articles cannot be discharged,
The control means controls the second discharge means to a state in which the second type of articles can be discharged;
The game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first notifying unit notifies that the second type of article is in a dischargeable state. Each of the second type of articles is associated with a character or item predetermined for the game,
The game device includes:
Second recognition means for recognizing a character or item corresponding to the second type of article to be discharged next by the second discharge means;
Second notification means for notifying the character or item corresponding to the article recognized by the second recognition means before the second type of article is discharged by the second discharge means; The game apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Each of the second type of articles is associated with a character or item predetermined for the game,
The game device includes:
Second recognition means for recognizing a character or item corresponding to the second type of article to be discharged next by the second discharge means;
9. The execution unit according to claim 1, further comprising an execution unit that executes a process related to the game so that the character or item recognized by the second recognition unit appears. Game device. A third discharging means for discharging the second type of article, which is different from the second discharging means;
The third discharging means is the second type of article in response to payment of the consideration related to the third discharging means, regardless of whether or not the game play relating to the game is being performed. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game device is discharged. The third discharging means transitions to a state in which the second type of article can be discharged in response to payment of the consideration related to the third discharging means,
The game apparatus is controlled so that the third discharge means can discharge the second type of article, and the second discharge means can discharge the second type of article. 11. The game apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising third notification means for notifying that the second discharge means is ready to be discharged based on the game play relating to the game. .   The game device according to claim 10, wherein the detection unit detects payment of a price for each of the first discharge unit and the third discharge unit.   The game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the second discharge means and the third discharge means is configured to be separable from the game apparatus.   When configured so as to be separable from the game device, the second discharging means does not have a receiving means for accepting payment of the consideration, and the third discharging means has a receiving means for receiving the payment of the consideration. The game device according to claim 13.   The game apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second discharge unit and the third discharge unit are configured to be stacked in a vertical direction. Each of the second type of articles has predetermined usefulness in the game,
The item of the second type discharged by the second discharging means is determined to be more useful in the game than the item of the second type discharged by the third discharging means. The game device according to claim 10, wherein the game device is a game device.   The program for functioning as a means of the game device of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 16 the computer which has the discharge means which discharges | emits a 1st type article | item or a 2nd type article | item. A game in which a first discharge device that discharges a first type of article, a second discharge device that discharges a second type of article, and the first discharge device and the second discharge device are connected. An article providing system having a device,
The game device includes:
A detection means for detecting payment of the consideration;
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the play content relating to a game executed with payment of a consideration as a requirement;
Control means for controlling discharge in the first discharge device and discharge in the second discharge device,
The control means includes
In response to the payment of the consideration, the first discharge device discharges the first type of article,
According to the information indicating the play contents, the article providing system is configured to control the second discharge device to a state in which the second type of articles can be discharged without requiring payment of a consideration.

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