JP3236800B2 - Network game device and portable game machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network game machine in which a portable game machine and a game master machine are connected by a mobile communication line, and more particularly to a network in which a PHS machine can be effectively used to enjoy a pet raising game. It relates to a game device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various game machines have been proposed and widely used mainly by young people. Is installed. As a game to be mounted on a portable game machine, for example, a pet breeding game in which a pet is fed or taken for a walk is widely preferred.

[0003]

However, such a pet breeding game has a drawback that the game is completed exclusively in a portable game machine and has no spread or depth as a game. With the rapid spread of mobile phones and the Internet, if these devices are effectively used, more innovative games can be realized. The present invention has been made by paying attention to this point, and by connecting a portable game machine and a game master machine with a mobile communication line, it is possible to realize a revolutionary and innovative game. A network game device is provided.

[0004]

That is, the present invention relates to a network game apparatus for connecting a portable game machine and a game master machine via a mobile communication line as required, and comprises a portable game machine and a game machine. The control data transmitted and received between the parent machine includes an identification number given to the owner of each portable game machine, a personality value defining the personality of the character appearing in the game, and a status value indicating the current state of the character. Doo is contained, after the start of the operation or the start of operation of the portable game machine, the control data from the game master unit is assigned,
Each portable game machine progresses the game based on the personality value.
And updates the status value according to the progress of the game
Has become so, then, while capable of transmitting the control data to the game parent device from the portable game machine, the game master unit is to be sent back by changing a part in the transmitted control data , Depending on the control data returned
To change the progress of the game.

According to the present invention, a storage section (8) for storing a game program, a control section (10) for controlling the operation of each section based on the stored game program, and display of the progress of the game. A display unit (6), an input unit (7) for giving a predetermined effect to a character appearing in the game, and control data required for the game progress in response to a command from the control unit. A portable game machine (3) including a communication unit (5) for transmitting and receiving data between the portable game machines, wherein the control data includes an identification number assigned to an owner of each portable game machine and a personality of a character appearing in the game. And a status value indicating the current state of the character, and the identification number and the individuality value are assigned by the game master device by an initial setting operation,
The game progresses based on the personality value, and the game progress
The status value is updated accordingly.
The control data is transmitted through a mobile communication line as necessary.
And send it to the game master.
Control data received from
The control data has an effect on the progress of the game.
I can get it .

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network game device EQU according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this game device EQU, a game parent machine MS composed of a host computer 1 and a PHS exchange 2 comprises:
Portable game machine 3 and PHS machine 4 (Personal Handy-phone S
game handset GM ₁ ~GM _n consisting a ystem), and is configured by connecting a mobile communication line. Each of the portable game machines 3... 3 operates as an independent game machine after receiving individual control data (hereinafter referred to as DNA data in particular) from the host computer 1 as an initial operation. The configuration shown is provided. That is, the portable game machine 3 includes a communication control unit 5 for exchanging data with the PHS machine 4, a display unit 6 formed of a liquid crystal screen, an input unit 7 formed of push buttons, a ROM 8 storing a game program and the like, SRAM 9 for storing control data and the like necessary for the progress of the game, and CPU 10 for controlling the operation of each unit
It is composed of

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the portable game machine 3 and the PHS machine 4 are connected by the communication cable 11. FIG. 3 shows a selection button 7A and a decision button 7
B and an input unit 7 comprising a return button 7C and a display unit 6 comprising a monochrome liquid crystal screen with a resolution of about 80 dots × 48 dots are specifically shown. A menu screen having a tree structure (see FIG. 4) is successively displayed on the display unit 6 in accordance with an operation of the input unit 7. That is, every time the selection button 7A is pressed, the cursor cyclically moves on the menu screen. When the determination button 7B is pressed at an appropriate cursor position, the CPU 10 executes the processing displayed on the menu screen, or The structure hierarchy is further deepened by one. On the other hand, each time the return button 7C is pressed, the hierarchy of the tree structure is reduced one by one. The menu screen will be described more specifically. For example, when “communication operation” is selected on the first menu screen D1 and the enter button 7B is pressed, the portable game machine 3 and the host computer 1 are connected by the operation of the CPU 10. At the same time, the display unit 6 displays a second menu screen D2. In addition, the second menu screen D2 includes any of (a) a fostering function, (b) a marriage function, (c) a foster parent function, (d) a shopping function, (e) a travel function, and (f) a home search function. A menu screen for selecting is displayed. (A) ~
Each function of (f) will be further described later.

[0008] The communication control unit 5 sends a control command to the PHS machine 4, receives the operation status of the PHS machine 4,
This is a part for realizing the transfer of DNA data between the PHS machine 4 and the portable game machine 3, and the communication control unit 5 is configured to execute the processing when communication with the game master machine MS is selected by the determination button 7B. To work. That is, when a process involving communication with the game master device MS is selected, the CPU 10
Sends the telephone number of the game master device MS to the PHS device 4 via the communication control unit 5 together with a command for dialing. In response to this, the PHS machine 4 transmits a dial signal to the game master machine MS, and thereafter, when a communication line with the game master machine MS is established, notifies the communication control section 5 of the fact. . Therefore, the CPU 10 transmits the DNA data stored in the SRAM 9 to the game master MS via the constructed mobile communication line, or conversely, the DNA data transmitted from the game master MS. Receive data. The communication standard is not particularly limited. For example, the PIAFS standard is used.

FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of DNA data. The DNA data includes an identification number assigned to the owner of each portable game machine, a personality value defining the personality of the character appearing in the game, a status value indicating the current state of the character, and other values. Have been. The identification number is an ID number of several bytes assigned to each of the portable game machines 3..., And corresponds to the data in the “user ID” column in FIG. The personality value defines the personality of a character appearing in the game, and specifically, “personality”, “growth pattern”, “form”, “biorhythm pattern”, “generation”, “gender” , "Birthday" corresponds to the data in each column. The data in the column of "character" specifies the character's innate character, such as anger, selfishness, loneliness, etc. Specifically, it affects the expression and behavior of the character in the pet breeding process. "Growth patterns"
6 shows the growth rate from birth to adult marriage and subsequent generation change. As shown in FIG. 6, a standard A pattern, a precocious type B pattern, and a late There are a plurality of patterns such as a type C pattern and an inferior type D pattern.

The data in the "shape" column specifies the character's innate shape and its change. For example, there are N types of character appearance patterns (SH ₁
~ SH _n ), and when the character's appearance or shape is changed every time the level of growth G1-G4 in FIG. 6 is reached, R
The OM 8 has 5 × N types of image data for each gender. Then, according to the data ij in the “shape” column of the DNA data, the character to be displayed is changed to the shape pattern S
It is specified is of growing level j of H _i.
The data in the “biorhythm pattern” column indicates the phase shift of the biorhythm curve as shown in FIG. For example, several types of phase shifts are provided for the standard pattern ST (ST1, ST2,...), And the temporal change in the physical condition of the character is specified by the data in the “biorhythm pattern” column. . The data in the “generation” column specifies how many generations of the currently active character are. If the first generation character is married and has a child, the child is born. Will be the second generation. The data in the “gender” column indicates the gender of the character, and the data in the “birthday” column indicates the date and time when the portable game machine started operating. The start of the operation of the portable game machine means the time when DNA data including a user ID and the like is received from the game master machine MS as initial settings.

The status value indicates the current state of the character in the course of the game, and corresponds to the data in the “current state” column in FIG. According to the data in the “current state” column, where the character is located on the growth curve in FIG. 6 and how old, where in the biorhythm curve in FIG. The information indicates whether the character is in action, what kind of emotional state the character is in, and whether or not the character has gone to the parent machine and is disappearing. The other values correspond to data in the column of “random number seed”. The data in the column of “random number seed” corresponds to a seed of a random number generated in the portable game machine, and is given from the game master machine MS at the time of initial setting. Each portable game machine causes the character to perform various actions while generating a random value, but since the random number seed is different for each portable game machine, the generated random number sequence is different for each game machine, and each game machine has a unique characteristic. Can be realized. The “general area” and “spare” fields are used as needed, and the “check sum” area is used to detect a trouble during data reception.

Next, a game procedure in the portable game machine 3 will be described. The host computer 1 of the game master device MS
Has DNA data to be provided to each portable game machine 3... 3. [Initial Setting] When starting a game on the portable game machine 3, an initial setting operation is performed by the main game machine MS to DN.
A data needs to be received. That is, when the portable game machine 3 and the PHS machine 4 are connected and the power is turned on, an initial setting screen is displayed on the display unit 6 of the portable game machine 3, so that the player selects the initialization processing by button operation. . Then, the CPU 10 operates to establish a communication line between the portable game machine 3 and the game master device MS, and thereafter receives the DNA data transmitted from the game master device MS and stores it in the SRAM 9. The identification number of the player (the portable game machine) is determined based on the DNA data, and the personality value (character, growth pattern, figure, biorhythm pattern,
Generation, gender, birthday, etc.). Note that the character at the time when the initial setting operation is completed is, of course, the first generation and the age is 0 years old. In addition, since a random number seed is also given in this initial setting operation, the generation pattern of a random number sequence generated after the start of the game is also determined.

[Game Operation] When the above initial settings are completed, the portable game machine 3 can operate independently.
The game can be started with the PHS machine 4 disconnected. When the game starts, the display section 6 displays the DNA
A character with a personality determined by the data appears. Therefore, the player performs various kinds of care so as to encourage the growth of the character while appropriately selecting the menu screen of the display unit 6. Depending on the care of the player, the character's mood changes, and the expression and movement change.
Determines the action of the character according to the character or biorhythm pattern assigned to the character. The character grows as the game progresses, and the growth speed is determined by the growth pattern shown in FIG. When the degree of growth reaches a predetermined level G _i, figure pattern of the character will change slightly.

[Communication Operation] By the way, in this portable game machine 3, a character can be taken out of the house in accordance with a player's selection.
(a) Fostering function, (b) Marriage function, (c) Foster function, (d)
It has a shopping function, (e) travel function, and (f) home search function. All of these functions are realized by connecting the portable game machine 3 and the PHS machine 4, and involve transmitting and receiving DNA data between the portable game machine 3 and the host computer 1. (a) The nursing agency function consists of a character, a nursery, a nursery,
It is a function that can enter and exit facilities such as kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, high school, university, preparatory school, vocational school, and company. When the player selects this nurturing agency function, the D at that time
The NA data is registered in the management table of the host computer 1. Then, on the side of the host computer 1, some change is given to the registered DNA data, for example, the personality and biorhythm pattern are changed. On the other hand, since no character exists on the side of the portable game machine 3, the player must select the upbringing substitute function again and bring the character home again. When the changed DNA data is received by the portable game machine 3, the character is restored in the portable game machine 3, and thereafter, the operation based on the changed DNA data is restarted.
Note that the host computer 1 manages the elapsed time after the transmission of the DNA data. If the player does not take the character home after a certain period of time, the character runs away and is lost. I'm going to be.

(B) The marriage function is a function that can be selected on condition that the character raised by the portable game machine 3 has reached a certain age, and is used when it is desired to change the generation of the character. When the player selects the marriage function, the DNA data at that time is registered in the management table of the host computer 1 and is synthesized with the DNA data of another character who wants to marry. As for the synthesis of the DNA data, for example, male data and female data may be arbitrarily combined with respect to personality, growth pattern, biorhythm pattern, and the like. After selecting the marriage function, the portable game machine 3 continues to cultivate the original character, but occasionally contacts the game master machine MS to check whether or not the marriage was successful. And if you are married and have children, you will receive this next generation of characters. Specifically, the new DNA data is stored in the game master MS
Is transmitted to the portable game machine 3. In the portable game machine 3, the character having the new personality (such as a figure or character) is restored and restarts the operation based on the DNA data. It should be noted that there is also a case where the player has not been married even after contacting the game master device MS, and in such a case, the original character grows lonely and older.

(C) The foster parent function is a function for a third party to pick up a child born using the marriage function when the child is not picked up by the original parent. That is, if the parent does not take over the child after a certain period of time, despite the fact that the marriage has been established on the side of the game parent machine MS and the next generation of characters has been born, the child is assumed to be a foster parent. Will be deposited. This foster parent function is used when the character being raised is not liked (for example, in the case of the growth pattern D) and the generation is forcibly changed. The more the generation of the characters, the more special things will happen in the game.

(D) The shopping function is a function to buy things to the character. If you select the shopping function,
After the communication line with the game master MS has been established, the portable game machine 3 instructs the host computer 1 of the desired product by data transmission. On the other hand, the host computer 1 checks whether or not the product desired to be purchased is in stock,
Data indicating whether or not the purchase is possible is transmitted to the portable game machine 3.
If the product is in stock, the character has bought something, which affects the subsequent action, character, and appearance of the character. On the other hand, if there is no product inventory,
The character cannot buy things, which adversely affects the character's subsequent actions.

(E) The travel function is a function that allows the character to go on a trip, and functions in the same manner as the above-described surrogate substitution function. During the trip, the character disappears from the portable game machine 3, but the character returning from the trip is
Some change has occurred in its character, behavior and appearance. If the player has not picked up the character at the game master device side even after a certain period of time, the character is missing. (f) The runaway search function is a function for making a search request for a missing character. If the runaway search function is used, the game base machine immediately searches for the character and returns the corresponding DNA data, so that the game can be resumed on the portable game machine 3 thereafter.

As described above, according to the present invention, the portable game machine 3 and the game master machine MS are connected by a communication line as needed, so that DNA data necessary for the progress of the game is shared. Therefore, if a homepage of the Internet is opened on the game master device MS side, it is possible to see the current state of the character during the nurturing agency, traveling, or missing on the Internet. In this case, how the character behaves in a nursery, school, etc., specifically, crying, anger, bullying, joy, laughter, walking, running, thinking, being bullied, bullying, studying, exercising, working ,sleep,
Playing and other actions can be checked on the video, increasing the fun of the game. Also, if you access the homepage,
The type of character who wants to get married, the stock status of shopping, and the like can also be viewed on the Internet. It is needless to say that a similar function may be realized by personal computer communication instead of using the Internet.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the gist of the present invention is that a portable game machine and a game master machine are
It is connected with a communication line as needed to transmit and receive control data (DNA data) necessary for the progress of the game. Other than that can be appropriately changed. For example, the communication control unit in FIG. 2 does not necessarily need to be provided in the portable game machine 3, but may be provided in the PHS machine 4. In this case, DNA data can be easily exchanged between the portable game machines 3. In the embodiment, the PHS machine is used, but other mobile phones may be used. In the above embodiment,
In the initial setting operation of each portable game machine, control data is received. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, control data may be stored from the beginning in each portable game machine, a game may be started based on the control data, and then control data may be received from the base game machine at a timing such as a generation change. Similarly, in the above-described embodiment, while the game is in progress, the portable game machine calls the game base machine to exchange control data. In addition to this operation, the game base machine calls the portable game machine. A mode may be added. When a call is made to the PHS machine from the game base machine, the PHS machine displays, for example, "data reception". Thereafter, the portable game machine is connected to the PHS machine and the control data from the game master machine is transmitted. You just need to receive it. In this embodiment, the game program is stored in a ROM
8, but the game program may be downloaded from the host computer at the time of initial setting. The game content does not need to be limited to the pet breeding game, and the structure of the DNA data and the growth curve do not limit the present invention at all.

[0021]

According to the present invention, the portable game machine and the base game machine are connected by a communication line as necessary to transmit and receive control data necessary for the progress of the game. An exciting game can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a portable game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a connection state between the portable game machine and the PHS machine.

FIG. 4 illustrates a tree structure of a menu screen in the portable game machine.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of DNA data.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a growth curve.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a biorhythm curve.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 portable game machine 5 communication unit (communication control unit) 6 display unit 7 input unit 8 storage unit (ROM) 10 control unit (CPU) MS main game machine GM game child machine

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-8-829 (JP, A) JP-A-8-280934 (JP, A) JP-A-8-24440 (JP, A) JP-A 9-155062 (JP) , A) JP-A-10-322775 (JP, A) JP-A-10-271562 (JP, A) JP-A 7-160853 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB A63F 13/00-13/12 A63F 9/24 H04B 7/26 H04Q 7/38

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A network game device for connecting a portable game machine and a game base machine via a mobile communication line as required, comprising: control data transmitted and received between the portable game machine and the game base machine. Contains an identification number assigned to the owner of each portable game machine, a personality value that defines the personality of the character appearing in the game, and a status value indicating the current state of the character. operation start or after the start of operation of the machine, the control data from the game master unit is assigned, the portable game machine
Progresses the game based on the personality value,
The status value is updated according to the
Ri, then, while capable of transmitting the control data to the game parent device from the portable game machine, the game master unit, the system <br/> sent so as to return to change some of your data And the game progress is changed by the returned control data.
Network game apparatus characterized by being so that. 2. The network game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the control data is transmitted from the portable game machine, the game base machine can change the personality value and the status value. . 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the personality value is set according to a game progress.
The growth pattern that determines the growth speed of a long character
3. The network according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
Game . 4. The personality value includes a figure of a character.
And the character's growth rate
4. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the appearance and shape are changed.
2. The network game device according to item 1. 5. A storage section (8) for storing a game program, a control section (10) for controlling the operation of each section based on the stored game program, and a display section (6) for displaying the progress of the game. ), An input unit (7) for giving a predetermined effect to a character appearing in the game, and control data necessary for the progress of the game in accordance with a command from the control unit. A portable game machine (3) including a communication unit (5), wherein the control data includes an identification number assigned to an owner of each portable game machine, and a personality defining a personality of a character appearing in the game. And a status value indicating the current state of the character. The identification number and the personality value are assigned by the game master device by an initial setting operation, and are based on the personality value.
Progresses the game, and the status value corresponds to the progress of the game.
The control data is transmitted through a mobile communication line as needed.
And send it to the game master.
Control data received from
The control data has an effect on the progress of the game.
A portable game machine characterized by being able to read . 6. The portable game machine according to claim 4, wherein the game is a pet raising game.