JP2019126710A - Game system, and computer program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game system capable of imparting to a player, motivation for paying a consideration by generating a privilege to duration of a game from a viewpoint different from hitherto.SOLUTION: A game system is provided with means for: permitting play of a game within a prescribed play range to players PL1 to PL 4, and permitting duration of the play to the players under the condition of payment of a consideration necessary for duration of the play, when the play within the play range is finished; and generating a privilege on the play after duration of the game to the players to whom duration is permitted, on condition that duration of the play is permitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system which permits continuation of play on condition of payment of compensation when play of a predetermined play range ends.

  As a game system that plays a game in exchange for payment of a consideration, paying a continue fee as a consideration necessary for continuing the game, that is, continuing to play a game once completed using electronic currency In this case, a game system that generates a privilege for discounting the continuation fee is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-120539 A

  The benefit of discounting the continue fee can reduce the financial burden when the player determines whether or not to continue the game, and can give the player the motivation to pay the continue fee. However, if the discount amount is small, sufficient motivation cannot be given, and if the discount amount is excessively large, the profitability of the game system may be unnecessarily impaired.

  Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game system and the like capable of generating a bonus for continuation of a game from a conventional point of view and giving the player a motivation to pay the compensation.

  The game system according to an aspect of the present invention allows the player to play the game in a predetermined play range, and when the play in the play range is over, the payment of the compensation necessary for the continuation of the play is a condition A play range control means for permitting the player to continue the play, and a benefit is issued to the player for which the continuation is permitted on condition that the play range control means permits the continuation of the play. A privilege control means.

  A computer program for a game system according to an aspect of the present invention allows a computer provided in a game system to play a game in a predetermined play range for a player, and when the play of the play range ends, A play range control means for permitting the player to continue the play on condition of payment of a compensation necessary for the continuation of the play, and a condition that the continuation of the play is permitted by the play range control means It is configured to function as privilege control means for generating a privilege for a player permitted to continue.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The perspective view of the game machine contained in the game system of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the process sequence of the game provided with the game machine of FIG. The figure which shows an example regarding the setting of life. The figure which shows an example regarding a privilege. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the control system of a game machine. The functional block diagram which shows an example of the specific structure of the game control part of FIG. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the play start control process performed in a game control part. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the play range control process performed in a game control part.

  Hereinafter, an example of the game system comprised including the game machine which concerns on one form of this invention is demonstrated. First, the overall configuration of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device, and a plurality of game machines 3 and a plurality of user terminal devices 4 as client devices connectable to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5. In addition, a user's term is a general term of the person who uses the game system 1, and the user who uses the game machine 3 may be called a player especially below. The center server 2 is configured as a single logical server device by combining server units 2A, 2B... As a plurality of computer devices. However, the center server 2 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

  The game machine 3 is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee (an example of consideration). Yes. This type of game machine 3 may be called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is installed in a predetermined facility such as a store 6 for the purpose of making a large number of users play a game repeatedly to increase profits. The game machine 3 is configured such that a plurality of players can participate in and play a common game. The game provided by the game machine 3 may be selected as appropriate. In the game machine 3 according to the present embodiment, a game configured to selectively play a plurality of mini games is provided as an example. This point will be described later.

  The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is provided for a user's personal use. For example, a mobile terminal 4b such as a stationary or book type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 4a or a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal 4. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to the network and provided for personal use of the user, such as stationary home game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminals, are used as the user terminal 4 It's okay. The user terminal device 4 can allow the user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by installing various computer software.

  The network 5 may be appropriately configured as long as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 can be connected to the center server 2 respectively. As an example, the network 5 is configured to realize network communication using a TCP / IP protocol. Typically, it is constructed by connecting the Internet 5A as a WAN, and the LANs 5B and 5C connecting the center server 2 and the game machine 3 to the Internet 5A via the router 5D. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A with an appropriate configuration. A local server may be installed between the game machine 3 and the router 5D of the store 6, and the game machine 3 may be communicably connected to the center server 2 via the local server. The server units 2A, 2B,... Of the center server 2 may be connected to each other by the WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of one game machine 3. The game machine 3 in the illustrated example has a housing 10. The housing 10 is provided with a monitor 11 for displaying a game image, and a control panel 12 is provided in front of and below the monitor 11. The control panel 12 is provided with a plurality of, for example, four stations ST1 to ST4. Hereinafter, the stations ST1 to ST4 may be collectively referred to as a station ST. Each station ST is set as a place where one player plays a game. Therefore, in one game machine 3, up to four players can play the game at the same time. Each station ST is provided with an input device 13 that receives an operation of the player. The input device 13 includes, as an example, a pair of left and right button switches 14L, 14R, and a single wheel switch 15 disposed rearward between the button switches 14L, 14R. The button switches 14L and 14R output signals corresponding to the player's pressing operation. The wheel switch 15 outputs signals corresponding to each of the rotation operation and the depression operation by the player. However, the configuration of the input device 13 may be changed as appropriate. The number of stations ST may be changed as appropriate. The control panel 12 is further provided with a card reader 16 and a coin slot 17. The card reader 16 is a device for reading information required for payment using electronic currency of user authentication and play fee from a recording medium such as a card possessed by the user. However, the card reader 16 may have a writing function for overwriting information on a recording medium possessed by the user. That is, the card reader 16 may function as a reader / writer. The coin slot 17 is provided as an insertion slot for coins as a currency, or medals and tokens as an alternative currency. Further, speakers 18 are provided on the left and right sides of the monitor 11.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, characteristics relating to a game procedure in the game machine 3 will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of game processing in the game machine 3. The game provided by the game machine 3 includes an entry stage, an initialization stage, a stage of playing at least one stage, a continue stage, and a continuation stage. Hereinafter, each step will be described in order.

  The entry stage is a stage for accepting entry (participation) of the user into the game, and is started by payment of a play fee. In FIG. 3, the entry of the entry is started when one player PL1 pays the play fee PF, and the three players PL2, PL3, and PL4 perform the necessary operations for the entry accordingly, so that a total of four players are received. An example is shown in which players PL1 to PL4 (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as player PL) are entered in the game. There may be two or more players PL who pay the play fee PF, but as a result of the coin slot 17 being shared between the four stations ST, coins (or substitutes) are inserted into the coin slot 17. However, the game machine 3 cannot specify which player PL pays. Therefore, it does not matter which player PL paid the play fee. In the payment using the electronic currency, it may be possible to determine the subject of the toll payment, but even in that case, it does not matter which player PL paid the play fee.

  A unit is set for the play fee to be paid at the entry stage (ie, at the start of the game). For example, 100 yen is set as one unit. In the game machine 3, play is permitted by paying one unit of play fee regardless of the number of players PL entering the game. That is, the amount of play fee of one unit corresponds to the amount of the minimum unit to which the game play should be permitted. When the play fee of the minimum unit is paid, a plurality of players PL can play a game at the same time within a range up to the number of stations ST. For example, when one unit is set to 100 yen, a maximum of four players PL can play a game when a play fee of 100 yen is paid. Of course, it is allowed to play the game with only one player PL. In addition, although it may be possible to pay a play fee of two units or more at the start of entry, it may be possible to pay only for one unit of play fee.

  In the entry stage, user authentication using the card reader 16 is also performed as necessary. For example, the player PL holds the card storing the identification information for user authentication over the card reader 16 to make the game machine 3 read the identification information, and then the player PL causes the input device 13 of one of the stations ST to When a predetermined operation is performed, a correspondence is set between the identification information of the user and the station ST. The entry phase is completed when a predetermined time limit has passed or the player PL performs a confirmation operation.

  At the initial setting stage, a process of dividing the players PL entered in the game into teams is performed. For example, in FIG. 3, the players PL1 and PL2 are divided into the team TM1, and the players PL3 and PL4 are divided into the team TM2. A team is an example of a group as a unit to compete for game play. That is, the game of the game machine 3 is advanced so as to compete for scores and the like between teams. The number of teams is not limited to two, and the number of players PL in the same team may be changed as appropriate. For example, when three players PL enter the game, a total of three teams may be provided by assigning one player PL per team. It is not always necessary for the number of players PL of each team to be set equal to each other. For example, when four players PL enter the game, two players PL may constitute one team, and the remaining players PL may be divided into different teams one by one. Alternatively, three players PL may constitute one team, and the remaining one player PL may constitute another team. Alternatively, a total of four teams may be provided by dividing the player PL into different teams one by one.

  In the initial setting stage, a life LF is set for each player PL. The life LF is an example of an index value that defines a range (play range) in which each player PL can play a game. The life LF gradually decreases as the game is played, and when the value of the life LF reaches a predetermined value, the game is temporarily ended. That is, when the life LF is exhausted, subsequent play is restricted. For example, when the play of the player PL satisfies a predetermined consumption condition, the life LF is consumed by a predetermined amount, and when the life LF reaches a predetermined lower limit (0 as an example), the game is temporarily ended. The life LF is managed separately for each player PL. The player PL is permitted to continue playing the game by paying a predetermined continuation fee, which will be described later. The value of the life LF set at the initial setting stage is set based on the play fee paid by the player PL and the number of players PL entering the game. Further, the value of the life LF is set equal to each player PL. For example, when the play fee is the same, the default life LF is set smaller as the number of players PL increases. On the other hand, when the number of players PL is the same, the default life LF is set larger as the play fee increases.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of life in the initial setting. In the example of FIG. 4, if the play fee of 100 yen equivalent to one unit is paid at the entry stage, 5 lifes if there are one player PL, 3 lives if there are 2 players, 3 lives In the case of 2 people, 1 life is set. That is, when four players PL who are the maximum number play the game by the payment of the play fee of the minimum unit, the life is set to 1 which is the minimum value. As the number of players PL decreases, the value of life given by the initial setting increases. When the payment of a play fee of two or more units is permitted, the life value may be set to increase by an integral multiple from the setting example of FIG. 4 according to the number of units of the paid play fee. Note that FIG. 4 is an example, and the index value may be appropriately set according to the paid play fee and the number of players PL. In order to make the burden on the payment amount of the play fee per player equal, the value obtained by dividing the paid play fee by the number of players PL (that is, the payment amount of the play fee per person) is large. The life may be set so that the set value of life increases, that is, the play range is expanded. The index value is not limited to the example expressed by the word “life”. The index value may be expressed by appropriate words such as physical strength and hit points. Further, the index value may be expressed using the number of stages, dungeons or other units that can be divided, which means a game break. For example, the index value can be set to 5 stages and 3 stages. The amount of the paid play fee may be an amount corresponding to the sum of the plurality of players PL paying the play fee.

  When paying a play fee by inserting coins (or alternatives) into the coin slot 17, the payable play fee is an integral multiple of the minimum unit, but when paying a play fee using electronic currency It is possible to pay the play fee in finer units as compared with the payment by coins. For example, when the unit of payment using coins is set to 100 yen, the play fee can be paid in fine units such as 10 yen or 1 yen when paying with electronic currency. In such a case, the payout ratio is calculated by dividing the amount of the actually paid play fee by the amount of the minimum unit while setting the minimum unit equal to the amount of the minimum unit of payment by coin. A process of increasing the life setting value according to the magnification may be performed. For example, when the minimum unit is set to 100 yen and there is a payment of 150 yen, it is possible to calculate the set value of the life by setting the payout rate to 1.5. However, even if payment is made using electronic currency, payment can be made only with the minimum unit play fee as with coins, or the play fee can be paid only by an integral multiple of the minimum unit. May be set.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued. When team division and life setting are performed in the initial setting stage, the process proceeds to the stage playing stage and game play is started. At each stage, one of the mini-games prepared from a plurality of types of mini-games is provided according to the selection of the player PL or according to the selection of the game machine 3. To play the same mini game. In the mini game, for example, at least one of the button switches 14L and 14R of the input device 13 is pushed down, or the wheel switch 15 is rotated or pushed in continuously, and according to those operations. It may be configured to be a relatively simple and easy-to-understand content in which the score is gradually added. Note that the mini game and the stage do not need to be associated one-on-one. For example, one type of mini game may include a plurality of stages, or a plurality of types of mini games may be provided in one stage.

  The play result of the mini game in each stage is calculated for each player PL separately (or independently), for example, as a score acquired in the mini game. Further, the score for each team is also calculated based on the score for each player PL. The result for each team is indicated by the gauge amount of the evaluation gauge EG, for example. The gauge amount of the evaluation gauge EG may be, for example, a cumulative value of scores acquired by the player PL in the same team. The larger the gauge, the better the team's performance. The game is advanced by competing the values of the evaluation gauge EG between the teams. The life LF of each player PL is appropriately consumed (subtracted) for each player PL according to the play result of the mini game. For example, the value of the life LF is reduced by 1 for the player PL that satisfies a predetermined consumption condition in the mini game. The consumption condition is satisfied when, for example, the lowest score is recorded among the players PL, or when the score of the mini game does not reach a predetermined level, for example, a standard score that should be cleared of the mini game, As described above, it may be set as a penalty when the score of the mini game is relatively inferior among players or inferior to an absolute standard. The consumption condition may be set so as to be satisfied for at least one player PL in at least one stage. Depending on the result of each player PL, it may not be satisfied for any player PL, or all players may be satisfied. You may set so that the case where PL is materialized may arise. When the consumption condition is satisfied for at least one player PL in each stage, for example, if 1 life is set for each player PL in the initial setting stage, at least one player PL is played in the first stage. The game will end once the range is exhausted. The consumption of the life LF is controlled according to the rules defined in the mini game regardless of the value of the life LF given in the initial setting. Therefore, as the life LF given by the initial setting is smaller, the possibility that the life LF disappears and an opportunity for continuing is generated earlier increases.

  In the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that a plurality of stages are sequentially played from the first stage 1 (first stage), and that the life LF has disappeared (that is, the life LF has decreased to 0) with respect to the player PL2 in the stage M. The game advances to a stage for accepting continue (continuation of the game) regarding the player PL2. At the stage of accepting a continuation, payment of a continuation fee is requested for the player PL whose life LF has disappeared. A predetermined confirmation operation is performed on the input device 13 of the station ST of the player PL (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the player PL to be continued) in which the predetermined continue fee has been paid and the life LF has disappeared. The game play by the player PL is allowed to continue. Regarding the players PL other than the continuation target player PL, the game can be continuously played as long as the player's life LF does not disappear regardless of whether or not the continuation target player PL continues to play.

  As an example, the continue fee may be set to the same amount as the minimum unit in the initial setting stage. However, in the case of payment by electronic currency, the payment of the continue fee may be allowed in a smaller amount than the minimum unit amount. It should be noted that the payment of the continue fee should be made by the player PL that is the continuation target whose life LF has disappeared. However, as described above, even if a coin or the like is inserted into the coin slot 17, it is not possible to specify which player PL pays. Therefore, if the continue fee is paid, the subject of the payment may be unquestioned. In the case of payment using electronic currency, the subject of payment may be unquestioned, payment by the player PL to be continued may be required, or alternative payments by other players PL are allowed. May be.

  If the game is allowed to continue (continuation of play), the process proceeds to the continuation setting stage. In the continuation setting stage, an amount of life LF corresponding to the continuation fee paid is newly added for the player PL to be continued, and the life LF of the player PL is recovered. Further, as the continue fee is paid, a benefit is given to the player PL to be continued. Further, a benefit is also given to other players PL belonging to the same team as the player PL to be continued. In the example of FIG. 3, a benefit is given to each of the player PL2 who is permitted to continue the game and the other player PL1 belonging to the same team TM1 as the player PL2. The benefit for the player PL to be continued may be set so as to create an advantageous situation for the player PL in the play after the continuation so as to motivate the user to pay the continue fee.

  An example of a privilege for the player PL to be continued is shown in FIG. In the illustrated example, a plurality of types of benefits A to D are prepared. As privilege A, “decrease in penalty in the next stage” is set. The penalty here is a decrease in life, and a decrease in penalty means that an advantageous treatment is made regarding the decrease in life. For example, when the play result in the mini game is to reduce the life, the reduction amount of the life is reduced, or the life is not reduced. However, such handling is limited to the "next stage", that is, the stage played first after the continuation. As privilege B, in addition to a decrease in penalty in the next stage, “score up” in the subsequent stage is set. The score up means that the calculation rule of the score is changed so that the player PL can obtain a higher score, for example, in the next stage or later. However, the range in which the effect of increasing the score continues is limited. As the privilege C, “3 stage continuation penalty penalty” is set. This means that the "reduction of penalty" is dealt with continuously in three stages played after the continuation. As privilege D, “score up” is set in addition to “penalty reduction by continuing 3 stages”. The value of each of the privileges A to D, that is, the advantageous influence on the play of the game after the continuation is different between the privileges, and the value gradually increases in the order of the privileges A, B, C, and D. Which kind of privilege is granted by payment of the continue fee may be selected by an appropriate method. For example, any of benefits A to D may be selected by lottery. Alternatively, the benefit may be selected in association with the number of continuation fee payments so that a higher value benefit may be provided as the continue fee payment is repeated. In addition, the privilege of FIG. 5 is an example to the last, and the content of a privilege is not restricted to this. For example, an item that can be used at an arbitrary timing during play or at a predetermined timing may be given as a privilege. Instead of or in addition to the benefits related to play, a form that provides benefits not related to play, such as providing digital content and providing cards, may be employed.

    On the other hand, the privilege to be given to another player PL may be related to game play or may not be related to game play. Further, the privilege for the other player PL may be the same as the privilege for the continuation target player PL, or may be differentiated. For example, any of the benefits A to D in FIG. 5 may be applied to the other player PL as well for the next and subsequent stages. Alternatively, a privilege that a predetermined amount of life of another player PL is recovered may be given.

  Regardless of whether or not continuation of play is permitted for the continuation target player PL, when the continuation stage and the continuation setting stage (however, only when the continuation fee is paid) are passed, The game proceeds to the next stage. Thereafter, the play of the stage is repeated until the life LF of any player PL does not disappear, or until the number of times of play reaches a predetermined number of times even if the life LF remains. When continuation is permitted for the continuation target player PL, the mini game of each stage is played so as to include the player PL. When the continue fee is not paid, it is considered that the player PL to be continued has withdrawn from the game, and the subsequent stages are played among the remaining players PL.

  In the above example, it is possible to play a common game with a plurality of players PL by paying the minimum unit play fee necessary to play the game. In the conventional game machine, the minimum unit play fee is set as the play fee per person, and when a plurality of players PL play the game, the play fee of the sum of the minimum unit play fee multiplied by the number of players It is customary to pay for this. Compared to such a conventional example, according to the above example, it is possible to reduce the feeling of financial burden when a plurality of players PL play a game and reduce barriers to entry into a game to thereby reduce the number of players PL. Can provide an environment where users can easily enjoy games. On the other hand, as the number of players PL who enter the game increases, the life LF value given in the initial setting is set smaller. For this reason, the greater the number of players PL, the earlier the play range runs out and the opportunity for continuation occurs. Therefore, even if the amount of payment for the per-person play fee at the time of entry decreases, the decrease in the amount of revenue per unit time of the game machine 3 is suppressed by early payment of the continue fee. Therefore, the operating rate of the game machine 3 can be increased or the profitability can be improved. It is also possible to suppress or eliminate the risk of unfairness and inequality associated with the play range.

  On the other hand, when the continue fee is paid, a benefit is given to the player PL to be continued. Since the privilege is advantageous in the mini-game play in the next and subsequent stages, for example, in the player PL where the life LF has been lost by losing the mini-game, the next stage is played in an advantageous situation to earn a score. Can be motivated to pay for the continue fee. In addition, when the continue fee is paid, a privilege is also given to other players PL in the same team. As a result, the player PL, which is the continuation target, can be conscious of contributing to the other player PL, thereby giving stronger motivation regarding the payment of the continue fee.

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the game machine 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a main part in the control system of the game machine 3. The game machine 3 is provided with a control device 20 and a storage device (storage means) 21. The control device 20 is configured as a computer in which a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as internal storage devices (ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor are combined. The storage device 21 is a non-volatile storage device capable of storing and retaining data, such as a hard disk storage device or a flash memory, for example. The storage device 21 stores a game program PG to be executed by the control device 20 and game data DG to be referred to by the program PG. The game program PG includes mini game modules Pm for providing each of a plurality of types of mini games, and the game data DG includes data Dm for each mini game to be referred to in each mini game module Pm. Further, the play data DP is also recorded in the storage device 21 as appropriate. The play data DP is data that stores a player's play history, and is stored in the center server 2 in association with user identification information. When the player performs user authentication on the game machine 3, the play data DP is provided from the center server 2 to the game machine 3 and recorded in the storage device 21. By referring to the play data DP in the game machine 3, the player can play the game from the continuation of the previous time, or the play history of the current game can be recorded in the play data DP and stored in the center server 2. It becomes possible.

  The input device 13 for each station ST shown in FIG. 2, the card reader 16 and the coin selector 22 are connected to the control device 20 as the input device. The coin selector 22 determines the type of coin (or its substitute) inserted from the coin slot 17 and provides the control device 20 with a signal indicating the type of inserted coin and the number of inserted coins. The control device 20 is connected to the monitor 11 and the speaker 18 shown in FIG. 2 as output devices. In addition to the above, an input / output device such as a network control device for controlling communication with the center server 2 is connected to the control device 20, but the illustration thereof is omitted.

  The control device 20 is provided with a game control unit 23 as a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware resources and the game program PG as software. FIG. 7 shows a specific example of the game control unit 23. The game control unit 23 includes a charge management unit 25, an entry management unit 26, a play range control unit 27, a play control unit 28, and a privilege control unit 29 as further logical devices. The charge management unit 25 refers to the output of the coin selector 22, the card reader 16, and the input device 13 of each station ST, and performs processing necessary for charging the player, in other words, collecting the play fee and continue fee from the player. . The entry management unit 26 executes the process at the entry stage described with reference to FIG. 3, that is, the process necessary for accepting entry into the game with reference to the output of the input device 13. The play range control unit 27 manages a life as an example of an index value that determines the play range of each player. That is, the play range control unit 27 executes processing such as setting of life at the start of the game, life updating according to play at each stage, and recovery of life at continuation. The play control unit 28 selects a mini game to be played at each stage and executes processing related to the mini game play at each stage, such as calculating the score of the mini game while referring to the output of the input device 13 . The play range control unit 27 and the play control unit 28 appropriately access the log data LG to read or update it. The log data LG is data in which the processing content of the play range control unit 27 or the play control unit 28 is recorded as a game history, and is held in the internal storage device of the control device 20. The log data LG may be recorded in the storage device 21 as necessary. Further, at least part of the information of the log data LG may be recorded in the play data DP as necessary. A history of processing of each of the charge management unit 25 and the entry management unit 26 may be recorded in the log data LG as necessary.

  Next, an example of the control procedure of the game in the game control unit 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows an example of the procedure of a play start control process executed by the game control unit 23 in order to start playing the game. The play start control process in FIG. 8 is started when the player performs an operation necessary for payment of the play fee on the game machine 3. For example, the processing of FIG. 8 may be started when the player inserts coins into the coin slot 17 or performs an operation for starting payment by electronic currency. In the process of FIG. 8, the charge management unit 25 first refers to the output signal of the coin selector 22 or the card reader 16 to determine whether or not the minimum unit play fee has been paid (step S1). When based on the output signal from the coin selector 22, it may be determined whether or not a coin corresponding to the minimum unit has been inserted. In the case of payment by electronic currency, for example, based on the information read from the card reader 16, it may be determined whether the consumption of the play fee equivalent to the minimum unit has succeeded. In addition, a publicly known method may be appropriately used for settlement using electronic currency. For example, when balance information of monetary value is recorded on a storage medium such as a card possessed by the player and the play fee is collected by consuming the balance, the card reader 16 is provided with a writer function, and the user's The play fee may be collected by overwriting the balance recorded on the card or the like. Alternatively, when the balance information of monetary value is held in the center server 2 in association with the user identification information recorded in the storage medium possessed by the player, the identification information is read via the card reader 16; What is necessary is just to consume the monetary value equivalent to the play fee from the balance information corresponding to the identification information. As a mechanism that enables payment using electronic currency, a reader that outputs a signal equivalent to the coin selector 22 to the control device 20 on the condition that electronic currency corresponding to the payment amount by coins or the like has been consumed. There is also an example in which a payment terminal device is provided. Such an example may be adopted in the game machine 3 of the present embodiment.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the fee has not been paid, the game control unit 23 ends the process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the play fee of at least the minimum unit amount has been paid, the charge management unit 25 notifies the entry management unit 26 of that effect. In response to this, the entry management unit 26 executes user authentication on the user who paid the play fee (step S2). In the user authentication, the user identification information is read from a storage medium such as a card possessed by the player, provided to the center server 2 to obtain the play data DP from the center server 2, and the play data DP to the center server 2 This is a process for enabling the storage of. In the user authentication, in order to specify at which station ST the authenticated user plays, in association with the reading operation of the identification information, a predetermined selection operation is performed on the input device 13 in any of the stations ST. The player is instructed to perform When the player performs a selection operation at any of the stations ST in response to the instruction, the station ST and the user identification information are associated with each other and recorded in the internal storage device of the game machine 3. User authentication is not essential, and omission may be possible when the player does not want or when the player does not acquire identification information. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which user authentication is performed only for the first player in step S2.

  When the user authentication process is finished, the entry management unit 26 starts counting the time limit set for the entry process (step S3). Subsequently, the entry management unit 26 receives the entries of the second and subsequent players (step S4). For example, an entry is accepted by a player who wishes to enter by performing a predetermined participation operation on the input device 13 of the station ST to which no player has been assigned yet. At this time, user authentication may be performed for the second and subsequent players by causing the card reader 16 to read the identification information. After starting to receive the entry, the entry management unit 26 determines whether or not a predetermined time limit has elapsed based on the value of the time count started in step S3 (step S5). If it has not elapsed, the entry management unit 26 determines whether there is an entry of another player (step S6), and if there is no entry, the process returns to step S5. If it is determined in step S6 that an entry has been made by another player, the entry management unit 26 determines whether an entry confirmation operation has been performed by any player (step S7). If the confirmation operation has not been performed, the entry management unit 26 returns to the process of step S5.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the time limit has elapsed, or if it is determined in step S7 that the confirming operation has been performed, the entry stage is completed, and the entry management unit 26 selects the players who have entered so far. Confirm as a participant in the game. Thereafter, the entry management unit 26 divides the determined players into teams (step S8), and further provides the entry result to the play range control unit 27. The play range control unit 27 sets a life for each player based on the determined number of players and the play fee paid in step S1 (step S9). The setting may be as described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that additional payment of the play fee may be permitted before entry confirmation, or such payment may be rejected. When additional payment is permitted, life may be set according to the play fee including the additional amount.

  When the life is set, the play range control unit 27 provides the play control unit 28 with the entry result and the set value of the life to instruct the play start (step S10). As a result, the initial setting of FIG. 3 is completed, and the game processing proceeds to the stage of sequentially playing each stage thereafter. The play control unit 28 performs the selection of the mini game on each stage, the calculation of the score according to the operation of the player, and the like. When play start is instructed in step S10, the process in FIG. 8 ends.

  FIG. 9 shows a play range control process performed by the game control unit 23 to manage a life value as an example of the play range. The process of FIG. 9 is repeatedly performed by the game control unit 23 during the game play, that is, while each stage is sequentially played in FIG. For example, the process of FIG. 9 is performed when the play of each stage is completed. However, the process of FIG. 9 may be repeatedly executed even during stage play. When the processing of FIG. 9 is started, the play range control unit 27 first acquires the play status of each player from the play control unit 28 (step S21). Next, the play range control unit 27 updates the life value of each player according to the acquired play situation (step S22). For example, for a player that satisfies a predetermined consumption condition, the life value is updated by 1 at the end of the stage, and for a player that does not satisfy the consumption condition, the life value is maintained at the same value.

  Next, the play range control unit 27 determines whether or not a predetermined addition condition is satisfied based on the play situation acquired in step S21 (step S23). The addition condition will be described later. If the addition condition is not satisfied, the play range control unit 27 determines whether or not there is a player whose life value has disappeared, that is, has reached 0 (step S24). If there is a player whose life has been extinguished (the player who is the continuation target), the play range control unit 27 notifies the play control unit 28 to that effect and holds the progress to the next stage, and continues The process is started (step S25). Along with the start of the continuation process, the play range control unit 27 starts measuring the time limit assigned to the continuation process, and charges the continuation target player with a predetermined continuation fee to the charge management unit 25. To instruct. Next, the play range control unit 27 determines whether or not the time limit that has started counting in step S25 has elapsed (step S26). If the time limit has not elapsed, the charge management unit 25 sets a predetermined continuation fee. It is determined whether or not payment has been accepted (step S27). If the continue fee has not been paid, the play range control unit 27 returns to the process of step S26.

  If it is determined in step S26 that the time limit has elapsed, or if it is determined in step S27 that the continuation fee has been paid, the play range control unit 27 determines the life corresponding to the continuation fee for the continuation target player. Are added (step S28). The life of the continuation target player is recovered by the process of step S28, and the player can continue to play the next and subsequent stages. When the process of step S28 ends, the play range control unit 27 notifies the privilege control unit 29 that the continuation fee has been paid and the continuation of the player can be continued. The privilege control unit 29 receives the notification and gives a privilege to the continuation target player (step S29), and also gives a privilege to other players belonging to the same team as the player (step S30). The contents of the privilege can be appropriately set as described with reference to FIG. The grant of the benefit is notified from the benefit control unit 29 to the play range control unit 27 or the play control unit 28 and the processing performed by the play range control unit 27 or the play control unit 28 reflecting the notified benefit This can be realized by executing. For example, if the penalty is decreased, the play range control unit 27 may limit the decrease in life in the subsequent processing of step S22. If the score is increased, the play control unit 28 may add the score of the player to be continued Good.

  When the process of step S30 ends, the process related to the continuation and continuation setting is completed, and the play control unit 28 advances the process to the next stage play that has been suspended. In parallel with this, the play range control unit 27 records the current processing result in the log data LG as a continuation history (step S31). Thereby, the process of FIG. 9 is completed. When it is determined in step S23 that the addition condition is satisfied, the play range control unit 27 adds a predetermined value (for example, 1) to the lives of all players (step S32), and then proceeds to the process of step S31. . The addition condition is, for example, satisfied when the play statuses of all the players reach a special state such that the sum of scores of all the players participating in the game exceeds a predetermined reference value. It may be set to hold. When such an addition condition is set, for example, when the life of any player disappears at the stage of its establishment, the player is motivated to pay the continuation fee by attracting the satisfaction of the addition condition. It is possible to give If it is determined in step S24 that there is no player whose life has disappeared, the play range control unit 27 skips steps S25 to S30 and proceeds to step S31. If it is determined in step S36 that the time limit has elapsed, the play range control unit 27 determines that the player who is the continuation target does not select the continue and withdraws from the game, and notifies the play control unit 28 to that effect. (Step S33), and then the process proceeds to Step S31. Upon receiving the notification in step S33, the play control unit 28 excludes the withdrawn player and causes the remaining players to play the next and subsequent stages.

  The continuation history information recorded in the log data LG in step S31 in FIG. 9 can be used as information to be referred to when selecting a mini game in each stage by grasping the level of the continuation rate for each mini game. is there. For example, at the end of each stage, the play control unit 28 selects a mini game of the next stage and gives a notice of it, and plays the result as to whether or not the player to be continued has selected continue to the notice. It is discriminated by the range control unit 27 and recorded in the log data LG as a continue history. The record is associated with the type of mini game selected in the next stage. The continuation history is provided from the game machine 3 to the center server 2 at an appropriate timing and stored in the database. By referring to the database, it is possible to determine the level of continuation rate for each mini game. Therefore, for example, in the game machine 3, when a continuation occurs with respect to any player, the possibility that the player selects the continuation by selecting a mini game having a relatively high continuation rate as a mini game of the next stage is selected. As a result, it is possible to improve the operation rate or return rate of the game machine 3. In the case where one kind of mini game is played continuously over a plurality of stages, the notice of the mini game provided in the next stage is omitted, and the player's life is reduced and disappears in the near future. It is also possible to perform processing such as increasing the possibility that the player selects a continue by selecting a mini game having a relatively high continue rate at a stage as expected.

  In the above embodiment, the play range control unit 27 functions as an example of the play range control means by executing the processing of step S10 of FIG. 8 and step S28 of FIG. 9, and the benefit control unit 29 performs the step of FIG. It functions as an example of privilege control means by executing the processing of S29 and S30. Further, the entry management unit 26 functions as an example of a grouping unit by executing the process of step S8 in FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and may be implemented with appropriate modifications or changes. For example, in the above embodiment, a case where a plurality of players participate in a common game has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to continuation of play when only one player plays a game. It is. In the above embodiment, the players are divided into teams at the initial stage, but the process of team division is not essential, and game play may be started omitting this. A common game in which a plurality of players participate is not limited to a match-type game in which the player competes with each other, and may be a game including an element in which the players cooperate with each other. The game may be a mode in which each player plays in parallel or together, or may include a so-called turn-based element in which each player plays in order.

  In the above form, it is assumed that the payment of the play fee as an example of the consideration is required even at the start of the game, but the present invention is a payment of the consideration necessary for continuation of the play and a privilege to be generated along with the payment. Anything that is applicable is sufficient. Therefore, it is possible to make a modification in which a consideration is not calculated for a play in the first play range, and a payment for the consideration is requested at the time of continuing. In the above embodiment, the payment using the physical medium such as a coin or its substitute and the payment using the electronic currency can be selected with regard to the payment of the compensation necessary for the continuation, Only payment may be allowed. Or the generation | occurrence | production of a privilege may be controlled in connection with a payment method so that a privilege is generated only when a consideration is paid using an electronic currency. The conditions for generating a benefit may be set to include the payment for the continuation and the permission for the continuation as the minimum requirement, and the additional requirement is added to the condition for generating a benefit. Is not excluded. Further, the present invention does not exclude the application of a privilege such as discounting the consideration necessary for continuation. Therefore, along with the benefit that occurs on the condition that the continuation of the play is permitted by the payment of the compensation, the discount of the compensation itself may be set as a part of the benefit. Note that, as described above, the benefit generated on condition that the continuation of the play is permitted may be related to the play after the continuation, and is not related to the play after the continuation, Also good. The generation of a benefit to another player different from the player to be continued is not necessarily essential, and may be omitted as appropriate. Even when generating a benefit for another player, the benefit may or may not be related to the game play.

  In the above embodiment, the play range is set as the life and the life is decreased by one when the consumption condition is satisfied in the game play, but the control of the play range is not limited to such a form. A control may be applied such that the index value of the play range is reduced by a predetermined amount each time the game advances to a certain range, and the change amount of life per one time (consumption as an example) is not limited to a constant value and is dynamically It may be changed. The change in the index value of the play range is not limited to a change that decreases the index value, but may be a change in the direction of increase.

  In the above embodiment, the game is advanced for each stage and the mini game is played for each stage. However, a common game in which a plurality of players participate is not limited to such an example. For example, the game may be configured to advance one type of game sequentially over a plurality of stages.

  In the above embodiment, the life value is updated each time the stage ends, but the change of the play range may be performed at an appropriate timing while the game is played. While the play range of some players is exhausted and the continue process is being executed, the progress of the game may be controlled so that other players continue to play the game.

  In the above form, while allowing a plurality of players to play the game on condition that the minimum unit price has been paid, the play range of each player is changed according to the paid price and the number of players. Although set, such a setting is not essential in the present invention. The game may be configured to require payment of a minimum unit price for each player. The minimum unit of the play fee is set as the minimum amount required for one player to play the game, but the minimum unit consideration is not necessarily the minimum value of consideration when targeting one player It does not have to be set. For example, in the case of a game configured on the assumption that at least two players participate and play, the minimum amount of play fee required for the two players to play the game is the smallest unit. It may be set as a consideration for That is, the value of the minimum unit means an absolute minimum value of the price required to play the game provided by the game system, and does not change according to the number of players.

  In the above embodiment, the play range is expressed by the value of life, but the concept of the play range should be understood as the value provided to the player in exchange for the value. For example, the playable time length, the number of playable stages, and the like may be used as a measure of value, but the concept of the play range is not limited to such a measure. For example, in the case where a plurality of types of mini-games are prepared, even when the range of types of mini-games that can be selected by the player is increased or decreased, the value provided in exchange for consideration remains unchanged. Such an aspect is also included in the concept of play range. Instead of or in addition to the mini game, the play range such as the range of items that the player can use in the game may be set with an appropriate matter as a scale.

  In the above embodiment, the case where a plurality of players simultaneously play a game on one stationary type game machine has been described as an example, but a plurality of game terminals connected via a network, for example, FIG. The present invention is applicable even when each of the plurality of players uses the user terminal device 4 to play a common game. When playing a game using a plurality of stationary game machines connected via a network, or one or more stationary game machines and one or more user terminal devices 4 via a network The present invention can be applied even when connected to play a game. Alternatively, even when one player accesses a server on the network and plays a game, the present invention can be applied with regard to the continuation of the play.

  Various aspects of the invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and variations are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, corresponding components shown in the attached drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is thereby limited to the illustrated form. It is not something.

  A game system according to an aspect of the present invention allows a player (PL1 to PL4 of FIG. 3 as an example) to play a game in a predetermined play range (life LF of FIG. 3 as an example), and the play of the play range is When it ends, the play range control means (27, S10, S28) which permits the player to continue the play on condition of the payment of the compensation necessary for the continuation of the play, and the play range control means Provided with a privilege control means (29, S29, S30) for generating a privilege for the player who is permitted to continue, on condition that the continuation of play is permitted.

  A computer program according to an aspect of the present invention is a computer (20) provided in a game system (1), which is used as a player (PL1 to PL4 in FIG. 3 as an example) for a predetermined play range (life as an example in FIG. 3). Play range control means (27) for permitting the player to continue the play on condition that the player pays for the continuation of the play when the play of the play range is permitted. , S10, S28), and benefit control means (29, S29, S30) for generating a benefit for the player permitted to continue on condition that the continuation of the play is permitted by the play range control means ), And is configured to function as:

  According to the above aspect, since it is assumed that the reward is generated when the compensation necessary for the continuation of the play is paid and the continuation is permitted, the continuation of the play is triggered by the continuation of the play, with the benefit being obtained. The player can be given a motivation to pay the necessary price.

  Note that the computer program according to an aspect of the present invention may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium. If this storage medium is used, for example, the computer program according to the present invention is installed and executed in a computer, whereby the game system of the present invention can be realized using the computer. The storage medium storing the computer program may be a non-transitory storage medium such as a CDROM.

  In the above aspect, a common game in which a plurality of players can participate and play is provided as the game, and the play range control means processes, for each player, the continuation of the play according to the payment of the value. The privilege control means participates in the common game in addition to the player when the continuation of the play is permitted with respect to any player (for example, the player PL2 in FIG. 3). A privilege may be generated for at least one other player (for example, the player PL1 in FIG. 3). According to this, since a privilege is also given to other players other than the player who is the continuation target, the consciousness of selecting to continue the play for the continuation target player and contributing to or cooperating with other players Can be generated. By stimulating such consciousness of the player, the player can be given more motivation to pay the price necessary for continuation.

  In the above aspect, grouping means (26, 26) for dividing a plurality of players participating in the common game into a plurality of groups (for example, teams TM1 and TM2 in FIG. 3) as units to compete for the play of the common game. S8), and when the continuation is permitted for any player (as an example, the player PL2 in FIG. 3), the privilege control means (see as an example) The player PL1) in FIG. 3 may be used as the other player to generate a privilege related to the game play. According to this, by configuring the game to compete the game play between the groups, when the play of the play range for any player is finished, the play is continued and the group's score is increased. Consciousness to continue, and to further contribute to the group by stimulating other players in the same group as the play continues, or to stimulate consciousness to cooperate Can do. Thereby, it is possible to give a motivation for paying a consideration and continuing the play more strongly and reliably with respect to the continuation target player.

  In the above aspect, the play range control means sets an index value (as an example, the value of the life LF in FIG. 3) that defines the play range at the start of play of the game for each player, and allows each player to play Accordingly, the index value may be differentiated for each player and changed, and it may be determined that the player's play in the play range is finished for the player whose index value has reached the predetermined value. According to this, by controlling the index value for each player separately, it is possible to reflect the play contents of the player, the play result, or the like in the control of the play range. Therefore, it is possible to differentiate, for example, that a player who has performed well in a game can play the game for a longer time than a player who has a poor performance, thereby enhancing the interest of the game. .

1 game system 2 center server 3 game machine 20 control device (computer)
23 Game control unit 25 Charge management unit 26 Entry management unit (grouping means)
27 Play range control unit (play range control means)
28 play control unit 29 benefit control unit (feature control means)

Claims (1)

The player is permitted to play the game in a predetermined play range, and when the play in the play range is finished, the player is permitted to continue the play on condition that the player pays the compensation necessary for the continuation of the play. Range control means;
On the condition that the play range control means allows the continuation of the play, a privilege control means for generating a privilege for the player allowed to continue,
A game system with

Images