JP3098225B2 - Game system, communication control method therefor, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a game system provided with a communication device for exchanging characters and items.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a small-sized (about 32 dots or less per side) liquid crystal display has been provided in a portable case.
Various portable game machines equipped with an input device and a control device to play a predetermined game on a display have been developed and commercialized. Also, in this type of game machine, it is becoming common to enable data communication between a plurality of game machines using, for example, a communication cable or infrared communication. By providing a data communication function,
For example, new enjoyment such as exchanging game characters between a plurality of game machines is added to the game machines.

[0003]

However, the characteristics of characters and items appearing in a game are generally defined by parameters of many digits. for that reason,
A lot of data needs to be transmitted to make a particular character or item appear on another game machine without changing its characteristics. In that case, the data communication time significantly increases and the attractiveness of the communication is lost. The use of a device with a high communication speed reduces the communication time, but such a device is expensive and is not suitable for a relatively small game system such as a portable game machine. In addition, portable game machines rely solely on batteries for their power supplies, so when using a high-speed communication device, the power consumption is large and the battery life is significantly shortened.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system capable of completing communication in a short time while minimizing the amount of data required for communication.

[0005]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a display device (3) for displaying a game screen and a plurality of operation members (6a to 6d, 7,
(8), (9), an input device (4) for outputting a signal corresponding to the operation state of the operation member, and a plurality of game elements that can appear on a screen of the display device during a game are specified. Storage device (25, 2) for storing data for
6) a game control device (20) for executing a game according to a predetermined procedure on a screen of the display device with reference to an output signal from the input device and data stored in the storage device; A communication device (5, 24) for performing communication with a system, wherein the game control device determines at least one of the plurality of game elements based on a player's instruction given via the input device. An element selecting means for selecting a game element to be transmitted from a transmittable range allocated to a part thereof, and classifying the game elements included in the transmittable range into a predetermined number of groups smaller than the total number of the game elements. The identification information assigned to the group to which the game element to be transmitted belongs when distinguished by the unique identification information, A transmission control means for transmitting the identification information transmitted from the other game system to the communication device, and a reception control means for causing the communication device to receive the identification information. The above-mentioned problem is solved by a game system including a communication result determination unit that determines a game element to appear in a game.

According to the present invention, the information for specifying the group to which the game element to be transmitted belongs is transmitted without transmitting the information for specifying the game element itself selected as the transmission target. Therefore, communication can be completed quickly by reducing the amount of data. For example, if game elements included in the transmittable range are classified into two groups, it is theoretically only necessary to transmit 1-bit data as identification information. Then, by referring to the received identification information, a certain association can be provided between the game element selected on the transmission side and the game element appearing on the reception side. The player can be given the impression that the game element is exchanged.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a game screen is displayed.
It has a display device and a plurality of operation members, and
An input device that outputs a signal according to an operation state, and during a game
A plurality of game elements that can appear on the screen of the display device
Storage device for storing data for specifying each of
And an output signal from the input device and the storage device
On the screen of the display device with reference to the data
A game control device for executing the game according to the procedure of
Communication device for communicating with another game system
The game control device comprises:
Based on the player's instructions given through
Submissions assigned to at least some of the number game elements
Element selection to select the game element to send from the possible range
Means, and the game element included in the transmittable range.
Classify them into a certain number of groups
When each group is distinguished by unique identification information
Assigned to the group to which the game element to be transmitted belongs
The identification information to be transmitted from the communication device to the other game.
Transmission control means for causing the system to transmit, and the other game
The identification information transmitted from the system is transmitted to the communication device.
Refer to the reception control means to be received and the received identification information.
The game that appears during the game as a result of the communication.
Communication result determination means for determining a game element , wherein the communication result determination means selects a game element to appear in the game as a result of the communication from a group corresponding to the received identification information. It is characterized by.

According to the present invention, the game element selected as a transmission target on the transmission side and the game element appearing on the reception side belong to the same group, and the relevance between them can be maintained higher. On the other hand, since the same game element as the game element selected as the transmission target on the transmission side does not always appear on the reception side, game characteristics also occur in the communication result,
New fun can be given to players.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game system according to the second aspect , a plurality of types of games that can be executed by the game control device (20) are provided, and the transmission control means includes the game information together with the identification information. The information for specifying the type of the game executed by the control device is transmitted. When the information for specifying the type of the game is received by the communication device (5, 24), the information is also transmitted. In consideration of the above, the communication result determining means determines a game element to appear in the game as a result of the communication.

According to the present invention, if different types of games are executed in each of the plurality of game systems, the result of communication with each game system is variously affected by the type of each game. It will change. Therefore, the pleasure of communication can be further enhanced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game system according to the first or second aspect , when the communication result determining means determines a game element to appear during the game, the game element selected as the transmission target is determined. The game control device (20) is characterized in that the game control device (20) is provided with an element deleting means for prohibiting the subsequent appearance on the screen.

According to the present invention, when the identification information is successfully received, the game element selected as the transmission target does not appear, so that the player feels that the game element has moved to another game system by communication. Can be given to.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the game system according to the first or second aspect , the game control device (2
0) executes a game in which a predetermined game character set as an operation target of the player is caused to act in a virtual field on the game in accordance with an instruction from the player given via the input device (4). Is possible,
The game element is set as an item that affects the action of the game character in the field according to a combination with the game character.

According to the present invention, since the items that appear as a result of the communication affect the behavior of the game character, the behavior of the game character is diversified more than in a game system having no communication function, and the enjoyment of the game is improved. Can be enhanced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game system according to the fifth aspect, the game control device (20) stores a predetermined game value according to an amount of action of the game character in the field. Storage means, game value reduction means for reducing the game value each time the identification information is transmitted and received via the communication device (5, 24), and when the game value is stored in a predetermined amount or more, Communication frequency control means for permitting transmission and reception of the identification information via a communication device, and prohibiting transmission and reception of the identification information via the communication device when the game value is less than a predetermined amount. Features.

According to the present invention, if the player repeats the communication without operating the game character and acting in the field, the game value becomes insufficient and the communication becomes impossible. In order to enable communication again from a state where communication is not possible, it is necessary to operate a game character to act in the field to accumulate game value. Thereby, the original play of the game and the communication can be appropriately balanced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the game system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the display device (3), the input device (4), and the storage device are provided in a portable case (2). (25, 26), the game control device (2
0) and the portable game machine to which the communication device (5, 24) is attached. According to the present invention, since the amount of data during communication is small, the communication device can be configured at a low cost, and the communication is completed in a short time. Therefore, even if a battery is used as a power source, consumption due to communication can be effectively suppressed.
These effects are most remarkably exhibited when the game system is configured as a portable game machine.

The invention according to claim 8 is a display device (3) for displaying a game screen, and a plurality of operation members (6a to 6d, 7,
(8), (9), an input device (4) for outputting a signal corresponding to the operation state of the operation member, and a plurality of game elements that can appear on a screen of the display device during a game are specified. Storage device (25, 2) for storing data for
6) a game control device (20) for executing a game according to a predetermined procedure on a screen of the display device with reference to an output signal from the input device and data stored in the storage device; A communication control method applied between a pair of game systems including a communication device (5, 24) for performing communication with the system, wherein one of the pair of game systems includes the input device. Based on a player's instruction given via, a game element to be transmitted is selected from a transmittable range assigned to at least a part of the plurality of game elements, and the game elements included in the transmittable range are selected. The game elements selected as the transmission targets when classified into a predetermined number of groups smaller than the total number and each group is distinguished by its own identification information. Only identification information assigned to the group to which it belongs, is transmitted from the communication device to the other of the pair of game system, in the other game system,
The above-mentioned problem is solved by causing the communication device to receive the transmitted identification information and determining a game element to appear in the game as a result of the communication with reference to the received identification information. The invention of claim 9
Is a display device for displaying a game screen, and a plurality of operation members
And outputs signals according to the operation state of those operation members
An input device to be displayed on the screen of the display device during a game.
To identify each of the possible game elements
A storage device for storing data, and an output from the input device
Referring to the signal and the data stored in the storage device,
Run the game according to the specified procedure on the screen of the display device
Between the game controller and other game systems
And a communication device for performing communication.
A communication control method applied between systems, comprising:
One of a pair of game systems, via the input device
Based on the player's instructions given by the
Sent to be assigned to at least some of the game elements
Select the game element to be sent from the range and send it
Less than the total number of their these the game elements to be within the scope
There are no predetermined number of groups and each group is individually
As the transmission target when distinguished by unique identification information
Assigned to the group to which the selected game element belongs
A pair of game systems from the communication device.
The other game system, and in the other game system,
Causing the communication device to receive the transmitted identification information;
With reference to the identification information obtained, the
The received identification information of a game element to appear in the game
Select from the group corresponding to
The above-mentioned problems are solved by the communication control method of the
I decided.

According to the present invention, similar to the game system according to the first aspect, the data amount can be reduced and the communication can be completed quickly, and the game element selected on the transmitting side and the game element appearing on the receiving side can be saved. Can be given a certain relationship, and the communication can give the player the impression that game elements such as characters and items are exchanged.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there are provided data for specifying each of a plurality of game elements which can appear on a screen of a display device (3) of a game system, and an output from an input device (4) of the game system. A program for executing a game in accordance with a predetermined procedure on the screen of the display device while referring to the signal and the data, and controlling a communication device provided in the game system to communicate with another game system; Is a computer-readable storage medium (25, 26) on which at least one of the plurality of game elements is stored, based on an instruction of a player given via the input device. Element selecting means for selecting a game element to be transmitted from a transmittable range assigned to a unit; included in the transmittable range Only identification information assigned to the game element in the group game element of the transmission object belongs when distinguished each group is classified into a predetermined number of groups smaller than the total number of those in the identification information unique to each of the Transmission control means for transmitting to the other game system via the communication device; reception control means for receiving the identification information transmitted from the other game system via the communication device; and referring to the received identification information. The above-mentioned problem is solved by a computer-readable storage medium configured to function as communication result determination means for determining a game element to appear in the game as a result of the communication. Claim 11
Invention can appear on the screen of a display device of a game system.
Data to identify each of multiple game elements
And an output signal from an input device of the game system and the
A predetermined hand is displayed on the screen of the display device while referring to the data.
The game is executed in the order
Other game systems by controlling communication devices
Computer with a program for communicating with the
A data readable storage medium, wherein the program
Is provided with the computer via the input device.
The plurality of game requests
From the transmission range assigned to at least a part of the element
Element selecting means for selecting a game element to be transmitted;
The number of the game elements included in the communicable range is determined by their total number.
Each group into a predetermined number of groups
The transmission target when distinguished by unique identification information
Information assigned to the group to which the game element belongs
Information to the other game system via the communication device.
Transmission control means for transmitting; from the other game system
Receiving the transmitted identification information via the communication device.
Receiving control means; and referring to the received identification information,
A game that appears during the game as a result of the communication
Function as a communication result determining means for determining the element
And the communication result determination means is configured to
As a result, the game element to appear during the game is
Select from the group corresponding to the received identification information
Computer-readable storage medium characterized by the following:
Thus, the above-described problem has been solved.

According to the present invention, the game system according to the first aspect of the present invention can be realized by causing a computer to read and execute a program recorded on a storage medium.

[0023]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of a portable game machine to which the present invention is applied, wherein (a) is a front view and (b) is a rear view. This game machine 1 has a portable case 2
And a liquid crystal panel 3 attached to an upper front portion of the case 2, an input device 4 attached to a lower front portion, and a communication connector 5 provided on a rear surface. Case 2
Is made of resin, and an upper end thereof is provided with an eye 2a for attaching a key chain or the like.

The input device 4 includes four push-button switches 6a to 6a.
It has a direction indicating device 6 constituted by arranging 6d in the up, down, left and right directions of the liquid crystal panel 3, and three push button switches 7, 8, 9 arranged to the right thereof. In the following, the push button switch 6a is the upper button, the push button switch 6b is the lower button, the push button switch 6c is the left button, the push button switch 6d is the right button, the push button switch 7 is the A button, the push button switch 8 is the B button, and the push button switch 9 is the C button. Call it a button. A reset switch 10 for instructing a system reset or the like is provided near the B button 8.

The communication connector 5 includes a ground terminal 5a and communication terminals 5 provided symmetrically with respect to the ground terminal 5a.
b, 5b. At four locations around the communication connector 5, projections 11a, 11a and depressions 11b, 11b of a size to which the projections 11a can be fitted are arranged in a diagonal direction. With the pair of game machines 1 back to back, one projection 11a, 11a is replaced with the other depression 11b, 1
1b, the ground terminals 5a,
5a and the communication terminals 5b and 5b contact each other, and data communication between the game machines 1 becomes possible.
Since two communication terminals 5b are provided, transmission and reception between the two game machines 1 can be processed in parallel.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the game machine 1. As is clear from this figure, the control system of the game machine 1 has a CPU 20 mainly composed of a small microprocessor unit of about 4 or 8 bits. The CPU 20 has a direction indicating device 6 via a bus 21.
And push button switches 7 to 9 are connected. Also, CPU
Reference numeral 20 denotes a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 22, a sound control circuit 23, a communication control circuit 24, a RAM 25 functioning as a temporary storage device via a bus 21, a ROM 26 for storing a program and data for executing a game, and a game machine. In order to make 1 function as a clock, clock circuits 27 for counting real time are connected. The drive circuit 22
A desired image is displayed by controlling the gradation of each part of the liquid crystal panel 3 according to an instruction from the CPU 20. The sound control circuit 23 outputs a desired sound from a speaker 28 built in the case 2 according to an instruction from the CPU 20. The communication control circuit 24 controls communication via the connector 5 according to an instruction from the CPU 20.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a game executed in accordance with the game program recorded in the ROM 26. The game executed on the game machine 1 is a so-called role-playing game, in which a hero set as a game character to be operated by the player inputs a multi-layered building (dungeon) according to an instruction given from the player via the input device 4. A floor is searched (step S1), items placed on the floor are collected (step S2), a battle or negotiation is performed with the monsters appearing on the floor (step S3), and the next floor is used using the stairs. (Step S4). The game shown in FIG. 3 is repeated until the main character reaches the final destination. In the hero,
Various parameters such as hit points (hereinafter, referred to as HP) are set, and these parameters increase or decrease according to the way of playing the game. For example, HP decreases in battle with monsters. When the HP decreases to a predetermined level (generally 0), the game is over. The floor is set as a virtual field, and the item is set as a game element.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3 of the game machine 1. FIG. 4A is an example of a main screen displayed during execution of the game. As is clear from this figure, the liquid crystal panel 3 has, for example,
It has a dot matrix section 3a of 28 horizontal dots and pattern display sections 3b and 3c provided above and below it.
In the dot matrix section 3a, for example, an image 10
0 or the image 10 of the floor that the hero is currently searching for
1 and the like are displayed. On the pattern display sections 3b and 3c, information that is helpful in proceeding with the game, for example, icons for notifying the player of the state of the main character and the like are displayed as necessary. FIG. 4A shows a state in which all icons are displayed for explanation. If there is no operation on the input device 4 for a certain period of time (for example, 15 seconds) during the execution of the game, the display of the dot matrix section 3a of the liquid crystal panel 3 is displayed on the clock screen 110 shown in FIG. Switch. When the clock screen 110 is displayed, the CPU 20 obtains the current time from the clock circuit 27 and controls the display of the dot matrix section 3a.

In order to advance the game according to the procedure shown in FIG.
26 is pre-recorded with data as shown in FIGS. FIG. 5 shows some examples of map data defining the configuration of the floor searched by the main character of the game. Many map data are prepared in advance, and each time the hero advances to the next floor, any one of the data is selected according to a predetermined condition to define a play environment for the next floor.

FIG. 6 shows an example of monster data defining the characteristics of the monsters appearing on each floor. Each monster data is numbered and managed. Each monster data contains the number of floors on which monsters appear,
Graphics data to be displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3, name, parameters such as HP, attack power, defense power, etc. as elements for determining the result of the battle with the hero of the game, and elements for determining the movement of the monster on the floor And the negotiation conditions as factors determining the result of the negotiation with the hero.

The relationship between a monster and the number of floors where the monster appears is determined as shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, most monsters appear over multiple floors, but on the 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th, and 30th floors, monsters that appear only on those floors are determined one by one. ing. These monsters are positioned as relatively powerful enemy characters that appear at milestones of the game, and are distinguished from other monsters by, for example, being named “Guardian”. An "emblem" can be obtained when the hero defeats a guardian that appears only on the last floor, the 30th floor. Game machine 1 of the present embodiment
In, there are prepared a plurality of versions in which the game content is changed by an operation such as changing a monster, and the type of “emblem” obtained for each version is also different.

FIG. 8 shows some of the items that the hero can possess. Of the items shown in the figure,
With respect to the six types of items of "sword", "shield", "medicine", "ring", "magic book", and "magic guide", seven items are prepared for each type. These items will be equipped by the main character of the game or used in battles with monsters, depending on the player's choice. Equipment or use of an item causes a change such as increasing or decreasing a player's attack power or defense power, but details differ depending on the item. The effect of an item may be constant at all times, or may vary with each use or equip of the item. These items are obtained when the hero searches the floor or communicates with other game machines. Although not shown in FIG. 8, some special items can be obtained only by communication.

In the list of FIG. 8, "gold coins", "bows and arrows", "oil", and "monster eggs" are also included as "other" items that can be possessed by the hero in addition to the above-mentioned six types of items. include. Of these,
"Arrow" and "oil" are items necessary for battle with monsters and for searching the floor. The “gold coin” is an item that functions as a currency in the game, and is required when negotiating with or communicating with a monster.
The unit of the gold coin is set to, for example, G (gold). "Gold coins" are dropped on the floor or dropped by monsters.
When the player finds "gold coins" by operating the hero, the hero's possession increases. If the hero wins the battle and the defeated monster drops the "gold coin", the "gold coin" becomes the property of the hero. The “monster egg” is an item that is necessary when fighting monsters instead of the hero when fighting monsters. The protagonist can have, for example, up to eight “monster eggs”.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing of the game executed by the CPU 20. This process is started when the player simultaneously presses down the A button 7 and the C button 9 while the clock screen 110 of FIG. 4B is displayed. In this processing, a turn-based system is used in which the game is performed while changing the order (turn) between the player and the CPU.

When the processing of FIG. 9 is started, the CPU 20
First, it is determined whether or not data of a game executed in the past is recorded in the RAM 25 (step S11). If there is no data, initial data is read by the CPU 20, and if there is data of a past game, the CPU 20 reads the data. Required to start the operation (step S12,
13). Thereafter, a game screen is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3 (step S14), and it is determined whether or not it is a player's turn (step S15). If it is the player's turn, it is determined whether any operation has been performed on the input device 4 (step S16). Step S1 when there is an operation
Then, the process proceeds to step S7 to perform a process according to the operation. There are various processes executed here. As an example, when the direction indicating device 6 is operated, a process of moving the hero by a predetermined amount in the operation direction is performed.

When the processing in step S17 is completed, it is determined whether or not the turn is changed by the above operation (step S18). For example, when equipment is used or used, or when negotiations are made with a monster, a turn change is not performed. When the hero moves on the floor, a turn change is performed. When it does not correspond to turn alternation, the process returns to step S16, and when it corresponds to turn alternation, the process proceeds to step S21.

If it is determined in step S15 that it is not the player's turn, the action of the monster is determined (step S19), and thereafter, the flow proceeds to step S21. The action on the monster side is, for example, movement within the floor.

In step S21, the result of the action of the hero or the monster is calculated. For example, step S1
If the processing corresponding to the battle between the hero and the monster is performed in step 7, the hero or monster H
Calculate changes in parameters such as P. Subsequent step S2
In R2, the data indicating the progress of the game at that time is represented by R
The game is saved in a predetermined area of the AM 25, and then it is determined whether or not the game is over based on the saved data (step S23). For example, if the main character's HP is 0 as described above, it is determined that the game is over. If it is determined in step S23 that the game is not over, it is determined whether the condition for the hero to move to the next floor is satisfied (step S24). If not, the turn is switched in step S25. Then, the process returns to step S15.

When it is determined in step S23 that the game is over, the process proceeds to step S26, where a predetermined game over process is executed, and the game process ends. If it is determined in step S24 that the condition for moving the floor is satisfied,
The process proceeds to step S30 of 0. In step S30, it is determined whether or not the hero has moved to the last floor (30th floor). If not, the process proceeds to step S31 to set a play environment for the next floor.
The process returns to step S14. On the other hand, when it is determined that the hero has moved to the last floor, the process proceeds to step S32, and it is determined whether or not the hero has acquired the “emblem”. If it has been acquired, the ending A is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3 otherwise, and the ending B is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3 (steps S33, S34). The two types of endings A and B are provided in order to make a difference in the impression at the end of the game between the case where the “emblem” is obtained and the case where the “emblem” is not obtained.
After the display of the ending, the game processing of FIGS. 9 and 10 ends. If the B button 8 and the C button 9 are simultaneously pressed down during the above processing, the CPU 20 determines that the game interruption has been instructed, and stores the progress state of the game at that time in a predetermined area of the RAM 25. Save and Figure 4
The clock screen 110 of (b) is displayed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the cursor selection process executed as the process of step S17 in response to the operation of pressing down the C button 9 detected in step S16 of FIG. The outline of this processing is as follows: HP screen 120 in FIG. 12, map display screen 130 in FIG. 13, weapon icon selection screen 140 in FIG.
The tool icon selection screen 150 of FIG. 15 and the negotiation item selection screen 160 of FIG. 16 are selectively displayed in accordance with the operation of the C button 9 or the A button 7, and the screens 120 and 1 are displayed.
When the direction indicating device 6 is operated in a state where 30, 140, 150 or 160 is displayed, a screen corresponding to the operation direction is displayed.

When the cursor selection process shown in FIG. 11 is started, the CPU 20 first displays the HP screen 120 shown in FIG. 12 on the liquid crystal panel 3 (step S51). First H
The reason why the P screen 120 is displayed is that it is desirable to be able to confirm with a minimum number of operations from the state in which the main screen of FIG. is there.

After displaying the HP screen 120, step S52 is performed.
Then, it is determined whether or not the input device 4 has been operated. When there is an operation, it is determined in order whether each of the B button 8, the C button 9, the A button 7, or the direction indicating device 6 has been operated (steps S53 to S56). If it is determined that the C button 9 has been operated, The screen currently displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3 is changed to the screen 120 → 130 → 140 → 150 → 1
The screen is switched to the next screen according to the switching order of 60 (step S57). On the other hand, when it is determined that the A button 7 has been operated, the screen currently displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3 is switched to the previous screen in the above switching order (step S58). When it is determined that the B button 8 has been operated, the cursor selection process is stopped and the process returns to the process of FIG. If it is determined that the direction indicating device 6 has been operated while the screens 120, 130, 140, 150 or 160 are displayed (if a positive determination is made in step S56), the process proceeds to step S60, and the operation direction of the direction indicating device 6 is determined. Is displayed, and the cursor selection process ends. The negotiating item selection screen 160 is displayed only when the conditions for negotiating with the monster are satisfied (for example, when the hero and the monster are adjacent on the floor), otherwise the display is skipped. You may.

Here, FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Step S60 will be described in detail. First, when the upper button 6a of the direction indicating device 6 is pressed while the HP screen 120 of FIG.
However, when the lower button 6b is pressed, the screen 122 is displayed, when the left button 6c is pressed, the screen 123 is displayed, and the right button 6d is displayed.
Is pressed, a screen 124 is displayed. When the upper button 6a of the direction indicating device 6 is pressed while the map display screen 130 of FIG. 13 is displayed, the screen 131 is displayed.
However, when the down button 6b is pressed, the screen 132 is displayed, when the left button 6c is pressed, the screen 133 is displayed, and the right button 6d is displayed.
Is pressed, a screen 134 is displayed. When a predetermined operation is performed in a state where the screen 132 is displayed, a communication process is started. In the communication process, one of the six types of items from "weapon" to "magic wand" shown in FIG. 8 or one of the monster eggs owned by the protagonist is transferred to each player of the pair of game machines 1, 1. , And information indicating the selection result is mutually transmitted, and an item corresponding to the received information is transmitted to each game machine 1.
Is a process to appear in. Details will be described later.

When the upper button 6a of the direction indicating device 6 is pressed while the weapon icon selection screen 140 of FIG. 14 is displayed, the screen 141 is displayed when the lower button 6b is pressed, and the left button is displayed. Screen 14 when 6c is pressed
When the right button 6d is pressed, a screen 144 is displayed. Here, the weapon icon selection screen 140
Displays four icons 140a to 140d in the same arrangement as the operation buttons 6a to 6d. Upper icon 14
0a represents a sword, the lower icon 140b represents a shield, the left icon 140c represents a ring, and the right icon 140d represents an egg. The screen 141 has a sword possessed by the hero, the screen 142 has a shield possessed by the hero, the screen 143 has a ring possessed by the hero, and the screen 144 has a sword possessed by the hero. Each monster's egg is displayed. That is, each icon 140
a to 140d and their icons 140a to 140d
Has a visual relevance with the items displayed on the screens 141 to 144 called when is selected. Moreover, the arrangement of the icons 140a to 140d and the screen 14
Push button switch 6 to be operated to call 1-144
Since the arrangement of a to d matches, the player can intuitively grasp the correspondence between the icons 140a to 140d and the push button switches 6a to 6d, and
144 can be called without hesitation.

When the upper button 6a of the direction indicating device 6 is pressed while the tool icon selection screen 150 of FIG. 15 is displayed, the screen 151 is displayed when the lower button 6b is pressed, and the screen 152 is displayed when the lower button 6b is pressed. Screen 15 when 6c is pressed
When the right button 6d is pressed, a screen 154 is displayed. Here, the tool icon selection screen 150
Also, four icons 150a to 150d are displayed in the same arrangement as the operation buttons 6a to 6d.
a is a medicine, the lower icon 150b is a character SP, the left icon 150c is a document, and the right icon 150d.
Represents each cane. The screen 151 has the medicine possessed by the hero, the screen 152 has the special items possessed by the hero, the screen 153 has the magic book possessed by the hero, and the screen 154 has the medicine possessed by the hero. The magic wand you are playing is displayed. Therefore, the player can select the icons 150a to 150d and the pushbutton switches 6a to 6d.
d can be intuitively grasped and the target screen 15
1 to 154 can be called without hesitation.

After the screens 141 to 144 and 151 to 154 are displayed, the screen of items such as swords displayed on the screen changes according to the operation on the direction indicating device 6. Then, when the player performs a predetermined decision operation, for example, an operation of pressing down the A button 7 in a state in which a desired item is displayed, the item displayed at that time is selected and equipped to the main character, or a monster is displayed. Or used.

When the upper button 6a of the direction indicating device 6 is pressed while the screen 160 of FIG.
When the down button 6b is pressed, a screen 162 is displayed. These screens 160 and 161 are displayed to allow the player to select either gold coins or other items as items to be passed to the other party in negotiations with the monster. By the way, as is clear from the bargaining condition column in FIG. 6, some monsters negotiate with both gold coins and other items, some monsters only negotiate, and some monsters do not. When the negotiations are completed, the monster turns into an egg and becomes the property of the hero.

FIG. 17 shows a state of processing executed subsequently when the icon 144d is selected from the screen 140 of FIG. 14 and the screen 144 is called.
That is, when the screen 144 is called, a mode in which monsters fight each other instead of the hero as described above is set.
When a predetermined operation is performed on the input device 4 in a state where the screen 144 is displayed, the display switches to a screen 145 for confirming whether or not to use the egg of the monster possessed by the hero (FIG. 17C )). When the player pushes down the A button 7 while the desired egg is displayed, a screen 146 in which the monster possessed by the hero attacks the enemy.
Is displayed (FIG. 17 (d)), and thereafter, a screen 147 for counterattacking the enemy monster is displayed (FIG. 17 (e)).
The monster eggs used in this way are removed from the hero's ownership.

FIGS. 18 to 20 are flowcharts showing a procedure of a communication control process executed when a predetermined operation is performed from a state where the screen 132 of FIG. 13 is displayed.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a change in a screen displayed according to the communication control process.

When the communication control process shown in FIG.
The PU 20 first determines that the hero has a predetermined communication fee (for example, 10
G) is checked (step S10).
1) If it is determined that the user does not have the possession, step S10
In step 2, a message indicating that communication is not possible is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3 and the communication process is terminated. The communication fee was required because the player was not allowed to repeat the communication until the desired item appeared, deviating from the original purpose of the game. To get them to do it. In other words, if a certain fee is collected for each communication, the money will be insufficient while repeating the communication, and it will be necessary to search the floor and fight monsters to collect "gold coins". Is surely executed.

If it is determined in step S101 in FIG. 18 that there is a communication fee, the process proceeds to step S103, where a selection screen 13 for selecting an item to be sent to the other party by communication is provided.
5 (FIG. 21C) is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3. Subsequently, it is determined in step S104 whether or not an item selection operation has been performed on the input device 4, and if not, in step S105, it is determined whether or not a predetermined cancel operation has been performed. If there is a cancel operation, the communication process is terminated. If there is no cancel operation, step S104
Return to If it is determined in step S104 that a selection operation has been performed, the selected item is identified as an item to be transmitted (step S106). The items that can be selected here are limited to those that are registered as a property of the protagonist, and in addition, any one of a total of 42 items of six types from “sword” to “magic stick” in FIG. Limited to any of the monster's eggs owned by the hero. This range corresponds to the transmittable range.

After the processing in step S106, the player confirms whether the selected item can be determined as a transmission target (step S107). If the player performs a rejection operation on the input device 4, step S1
Returning to step S04, when the player has performed the determination operation on the input device 4, the process proceeds to step S108. Step S1
At 08, a screen 136 for confirming the communication fee (FIG. 21)
(D)) is displayed, and the player confirms whether or not to approve the collection (step S109). When the player performs a rejection operation on the input device 4, step S
Returning to 103, when the determination operation is performed, step S11
0 to display on the liquid crystal panel 3 an image instructing connection with the opponent's game machine 1 (step S11).
0), it is determined whether or not the player has performed a predetermined communication execution operation (for example, an operation of pressing down the A button 7) (step S111). If there is no execution operation, it is determined in step S112 whether a cancel operation (for example, an operation of pressing down the B button 8) has been performed. If there is a cancel operation, the communication process is terminated. If there is no cancel operation, step S11 is performed.
Return to 1.

When the player receives the message displayed in step S110 and combines the pair of game machines 1 back to back and performs a predetermined communication execution operation, a predetermined communication process is executed (step S113). Figure 2 shows the communication process
This is performed by controlling the communication control circuit 24 according to the procedure of FIG. As described above, since the connector 5 is provided with two communication terminals 5b, the processing in FIG. 20 is performed in parallel on the transmitting side and the receiving side separately.

In the process on the transmitting side, first, an attempt is made to detect a predetermined detection signal sent from the receiving side in order to confirm whether or not communication is possible (step S201). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the detection signal has been detected within a predetermined time (step S202). If the detection signal has not been detected, it is regarded that communication has failed, and the process ends (step S203). On the other hand, when the detection of the detection signal is successful, the process proceeds to step S204, and dummy data for synchronizing communication is transmitted. Subsequently, a predetermined communication start code is transmitted (step S205), and further, actual data is transmitted (step S206). The actual data is composed of 4 bits, the lower 3 bits indicate information indicating the version (type) of the game executed on the game machine 1, and the upper 1 bit belongs to the item selected as the transmission target. Group identification information is shown. The identification information relating to the item is “0” when the transmission target is any of the six types of “sword” to “magic guide”, and “1” when the transmission target is “monster egg”. That is, in this example, transmission targets are classified into two groups, and the identification information is limited to one bit. After the transmission of the actual data, a predetermined communication end code is transmitted, and the transmission processing ends.

On the other hand, in the processing on the receiving side, first, data "1" is continuously transmitted as a detection signal for detecting the communicable state on the transmitting side (step S221). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not dummy data sent from the transmitting side has been received (step S222), and if not, it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (step S223). If it is not time-out, the process returns to step S222, and if it is time-out, it is regarded as communication failure and the process is terminated (step S224).

If it is determined in step S222 that the dummy data has been received, a process of receiving the dummy data transmitted in order to synchronize with the transmission side in units of bits is started (step S225), and then the communication start code is received. Is determined (step S226). When the communication start code is detected, 4-bit data transmitted subsequently is received and extracted as actual data (step S).
227), and the 4-bit data transmitted next is taken out as code data (step S22).
8). Then, it is determined whether or not the extracted code data is a communication end code (step S229). If the code data is a communication end code, the process is terminated assuming that the reception is successful, otherwise, it is regarded as a communication failure and the process is terminated (step S229). S22
4). During the above communication processing, a communication screen 138 shown in FIG. 21 (f) is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3.

When the processing in FIG. 21 ends, the CPU 20 proceeds to FIG.
Proceeding to step S114 in FIG. 9, it is determined whether the communication has been successful. If communication has failed, the character "ERROR" is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 3 in step S115, and a predetermined error process is performed in step S116, and the communication control process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S114 that the communication has succeeded, the flow advances to step S121 to display a screen 138 (FIG. 21 (f)) including the character "OK" on the liquid crystal panel 3. In a succeeding step S122, the item selected by the player as a transmission target is deleted from the hero's possession. In the next step S123, the received actual data is analyzed to determine whether the least significant bit is "0" or "1".
Based on the result, it is determined whether or not an item other than the “monster egg” has been transmitted (step S124).
That is, if the least significant bit is “0”, it is determined that an item other than “monster egg” has been transmitted, and if the least significant bit is “1”, “monster egg” has been transmitted. When the “monster egg” is transmitted, it is determined whether or not the number of eggs possessed by the hero is the maximum value (for example, eight) (step S125), and items other than the “monster egg” are determined. Is transmitted, it is determined whether or not the hero possesses all items from "sword" to "magic guide" in FIG. 8 (step S130).

If a negative determination is made in step S125, the process proceeds to step S126, and the type of egg that appears as a result of the communication is determined according to predetermined conditions. The conditions at this time can be variously changed. For example, the appearance rate may be set in advance for each egg, and the appearance frequency of each egg may be adjusted so that the appearance rate is reflected. The determination may be made using a random number. Set multiple communication fees and let the player choose,
The appearance rate may be changed so that the higher the fee, the more attractive items appear in the game.

On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S130, the process proceeds to step S131, where the main character is "emblem".
It is determined whether or not you already have. If not, the process proceeds to step S132, and the type of item to appear as a result of the communication is determined according to a predetermined condition. The conditions in this case may be the same as those for the eggs described above. The item that appears in step S132 is “sword” in FIG.
Either one of the forty-two items from “to the magic wand” or one of a plurality of special items that appear only through communication.

If it is determined in step S131 that the user possesses the "emblem", the upper three
By analyzing the bits, the version of the game machine 1 on the other end of the communication is identified (step S133). Then, a “legendary item” corresponding to the specified version is generated as an item obtained through communication (step S13).
4). The “legendary item” is a special item that is generated as a reward for playing until the player obtains the “emblem”.
Is clearly differentiated from the items shown in. In addition, the type of the “legendary item” that appears varies depending on the version of the other party. From now on, even after the player gets the emblem, which is a temporary break on the game,
It is possible to provide the pleasure of finding unknown “legendary items” by communicating with various versions of the game machine 1.

Step S126, S132 or S1
After the item is determined in the process of step 34, step S140
Then, a screen 139 (see FIG. 21 (g)) for notifying the player of the item that has appeared as a communication result is displayed. Then, in the following step S141, the communication result is stored in the RAM.
25, and the communication control process ends.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be implemented in various forms. For example, the communication means is not limited to the connector 5 and may be wireless communication using a communication cable, infrared rays, or the like. In the above embodiment, the type of item to be transmitted is distinguished by 1-bit information. However, the information may be extended to 2 bits or more according to the number of classifications of the item. The present invention is not limited to portable game machines, but can also be applied to desktop video game machines and the like.

[0064]

As described above, according to the present invention, only information for specifying which group a game element selected as a transmission target belongs to is transmitted. Communication can be completed quickly by reducing the amount of data. Then, by referring to the received identification information, a certain association can be provided between the game element selected on the transmission side and the game element appearing on the reception side. The player can be given the impression that the game element is exchanged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of a portable game machine to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the portable game machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of how to advance a role playing game executed by the CPU of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of map data recorded in a ROM of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of monster data recorded in a ROM of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view showing data specifying a correspondence between a monster prepared in a game executed by the CPU of FIG. 2 and a floor where the monster appears.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a list of items that the hero can possess in the game executed by the CPU in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a game executed by the CPU of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a cursor selection process executed by the CPU as a subroutine process in FIG. 9;

12 is a diagram showing an HP screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel by the cursor selection process of FIG. 11, and a screen displayed when the direction indicating device is operated while the HP screen is displayed.

13 is a diagram showing a map display screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel by the cursor selection process of FIG. 11, and a screen displayed when the direction indicating device is operated while the map display screen is displayed.

14 shows a weapon icon selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel by the cursor selection processing of FIG. 11, and a screen displayed when the direction indicating device is operated while the weapon icon selection screen is displayed. FIG.

15 shows a tool icon selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel by the cursor selection process of FIG. 11, and a screen displayed when the direction indicating device is operated while the tool icon selection screen is displayed. FIG.

16 is a diagram showing a negotiation selection screen displayed on the liquid crystal panel by the cursor selection process of FIG. 11, and a screen displayed when the direction indicating device is operated while the negotiation selection screen is displayed.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a state in which when a monster egg is selected on the weapon icon selection screen in FIG. 14, a monster is subsequently selected and a battle is executed.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when performing communication by combining the portable game machines of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart following FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of each of a transmitting side and a receiving side executed as a subroutine of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state where a screen is switched when executing communication.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 portable game machine (game system) 2 case 3 liquid crystal panel (display device) 4 input device 5 communication connector (communication device) 5a ground terminal 5b communication terminal 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d push button switch (operation member) 7, 8, Reference Signs List 9 push button switch (operation member) 20 CPU (game control device) 24 communication device 25 RAM (storage device, storage medium) 26 ROM (storage device, storage medium)

Continued on the front page (56) References Nintendo Official Guidebook Pocket Monster Red / Green / Blue All-Compatible Revised Edition, November 10, 1997, 10th printing, Shogakukan, p. 6-13 Microcomputer BASIC Magazine separate volume challenge! ! PC adventure game & role-playing game III, published on November 20, 1987, Denshi Shimbun, Akira Yamashita, p. 233 PlayStation® Resident Evil 2, March 31, 1998, First Edition, Shueisha Co., Ltd. 17 (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 13/00-13/12

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] A display device for displaying a game screen; an input device having a plurality of operation members and outputting a signal corresponding to an operation state of the operation members; and an input device which appears on a screen of the display device during a game. A storage device that stores data for specifying each of a plurality of possible game elements, and a predetermined signal on the screen of the display device with reference to an output signal from the input device and data stored in the storage device. A game control device for executing a game according to a procedure, and a communication device for communicating with another game system, wherein the game control device responds to a player's instruction given via the input device. Element selection means for selecting a game element to be transmitted from a transmittable range assigned to at least a part of the plurality of game elements based on the transmittable range. Wherein each game element to each group are classified into a predetermined number of groups smaller than the total number of them only identification information assigned to the group to which the game element of the transmission object belongs when distinguished by unique identification information, A transmission control unit that causes the communication device to transmit to the another game system; a reception control unit that causes the communication device to receive the identification information transmitted from the other game system; A communication result determining means for determining a game element to appear in the game as a result of the communication. A display device for displaying a game screen; and a plurality of operation members.
An input device that outputs the same signal, and a plurality of games that can appear on a screen of the display device during a game.
Store data to identify each of the
A storage device, an output signal from the input device, and the storage device store
A predetermined hand is displayed on the screen of the display device while referring to the data.
Communication device for communicating between a game control device that executes a game in order and another game system
If, comprising a, the game control device, instructs the group of players given via the input device
To at least a part of the plurality of game elements.
Select the game element to be sent from the sendable area
Element selection means for selecting the game elements included in the transmittable range.
Classify into a predetermined number of groups smaller than the total number, and
When each group is identified by unique identification information,
Assigned to the group to which the target game element belongs
Identifying information from the communication device to the other game system
Transmission control means for transmitting the identification information transmitted from the other game system.
With reference to the reception control means for causing the communication device to receive, and the received identification information, as a result of the communication,
Communication results that determine game elements to appear during the game
Comprising a determining unit, wherein the communication result determining means to claim 1, characterized in that selecting a game element to appear in the game as a result of the communication from the group corresponding to the received identification information The described game system. 3. A plurality of types of games that can be executed by the game control device are provided, and the transmission control unit transmits information for specifying the type of the game executed by the game control device together with the identification information. When the information for specifying the type of the game is received by the communication device, the communication result determination unit sets a game element that appears in the game as a result of the communication in consideration of the information. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the decision is made.
The game system according to 1. 4. When the communication result determining means determines a game element to appear during the game, the element deleting means for prohibiting the subsequent appearance of the game element selected as the transmission target on the screen is provided. the game system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the game control device comprises. 5. The game control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined game character set as an operation target of the player acts in a virtual field on the game in response to an instruction from the player given via the input device. It is capable of executing a game for the game elements, claim 1, characterized in that it is set as an item that affect behavior within the field of the game character in accordance with the combination of the game character or 3. The game system according to 2 . 6. The game control device includes: a game value storage unit configured to store a predetermined game value according to an amount of action of the game character in the field; and transmission and reception of the identification information via the communication device. Means for reducing the game value each time the game value is accumulated, and when the game value is accumulated to a predetermined amount or more, transmission and reception of the identification information via the communication device is permitted, and the game value is less than a predetermined amount. 6. The game system according to claim 5, further comprising: a communication frequency control unit that prohibits transmission / reception of the identification information via the communication device. 7. A portable game machine in which the display device, the input device, the storage device, the game control device, and the communication device are mounted on a portable case. 7. The game system according to any one of 6. 8. A display device for displaying a game screen, an input device having a plurality of operation members and outputting a signal corresponding to an operation state of the operation members, and an input device which appears on the screen of the display device during a game A storage device for storing data for specifying each of the plurality of possible game elements, and a predetermined signal on the screen of the display device with reference to an output signal from the input device and data stored in the storage device. A communication control method applied between a pair of game systems, comprising: a game control device that executes a game according to a procedure; and a communication device that performs communication with another game system. In one of the game systems, a transmittable range assigned to at least a part of the plurality of game elements based on a player's instruction given via the input device. When a game element to be transmitted is selected, the game elements included in the transmittable range are classified into a predetermined number of groups smaller than the total number thereof, and each group is discriminated by unique identification information. Only the identification information assigned to the group to which the game element selected as the target belongs is transmitted from the communication device to the other of the paired game systems, and the other game system transmits the transmitted identification information to the communication device. A communication control method for a game system, comprising: receiving a game, and referring to the received identification information to determine a game element to appear in the game as a result of the communication. 9. A display device for displaying a game screen, and a plurality of display devices.
Operating members according to the operating state of those operating members.
An input device for outputting a signal; and
Identify each of multiple game elements that can appear on the screen
Storage device for storing data for performing
And the data stored in the storage device.
While illuminating, follow the predetermined procedure on the screen of the display
A game control device that executes a game and another game system
And a communication device for performing communication with the system.
A communication control method applied between a pair of game systems.
Thus, on one of the pair of game systems, the input device
Based on the player's instructions given through
Submissions assigned to at least some of the number game elements
Select the game element to be sent from the possible range and send it
The game elements included in the possible range are calculated from their total number.
And divide each group into a predetermined number of groups
When distinguished by unique identification information,
Assigned to the group to which the selected game element belongs
The communication device sends a pair of game systems
The other game system transmits the identification information to the other game system.
Information to the communication device and refer to the received identification information.
And appear in the game as a result of the communication
A group corresponding to the received identification information for the game element
Game system communication characterized by selecting from within
Control method. 10. The display while referring to data for specifying each of a plurality of game elements that can appear on a screen of a display device of a game system, an output signal from an input device of the game system, and the data. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing a game in accordance with a predetermined procedure on a screen of the device and controlling a communication device provided in the game system to communicate with another game system. Wherein the program selects the game element to be transmitted from the transmittable range assigned to at least a part of the plurality of game elements based on an instruction of a player given via the input device. Element selecting means; the number of the game elements included in the transmittable range is smaller than the total number thereof Only the identification information assigned to the group to which the game element to be transmitted belongs when the groups are classified into a predetermined number of groups and each group is distinguished by unique identification information via the communication device is used as the other game system. A transmission control means for transmitting the identification information transmitted from the other game system via the communication device; and referring to the received identification information, the result of the communication is referred to during the game. A computer-readable storage medium configured to function as: a communication result determining unit that determines a game element to appear in a computer. 11. On a screen of a display device of a game system,
To identify each of several possible game elements
Data and the output signal from the input device of the game system
On the screen of the display device while referring to
Run the game according to the specified procedure,
By controlling the communication device provided in the system,
System and a program for communicating with the system.
A computer-readable storage medium, The program causes the computer to: Based on the player's instructions given through the input device
To at least a part of the plurality of game elements.
The game to be sent from the applicable sendable area Select element
Element selection means for selecting; The game elements included in the transmittable range are
Classify into a predetermined number of groups smaller than the total number, and
When each group is identified by its own unique identification information,
Assigned to the group to which the target game element belongs
The identification information is transmitted to the other game system via the communication device.
Transmission control means for causing the system to transmit; The identification information transmitted from the other game system is
Receiving control means for receiving via the communication device;
With reference to the received identification information,
Communication result determination to determine game elements to appear during the game
Setting means; Is configured to function as The communication result determination means may include the game as a result of the communication.
The received identification information of a game element to appear in the game
Select from the group corresponding to
Computer-readable storage medium.