JP3535246B2 - Data update game system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present application relates to a two-way broadcasting system using a two-way network using a telephone line and a CATV (hereinafter, referred to as video on demand) which allows a viewer to watch an arbitrary program at an arbitrary time, or The present invention relates to a data update game system that can play a single game over a long period of time by receiving game data using a unidirectional broadcasting system such as CATV, terrestrial broadcasting and satellite broadcasting. More specifically, the present invention relates to a data update game system capable of supplying additional scenario data in an adventure game, additional scenario (event) data in a role playing game, additional map data in an action game, a puzzle game, and a simulation game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional game software for home-use game machines and the like are supplied by a fixed and non-volatile storage medium such as a ROM cartridge, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and normally one game software is stored in one storage medium. Was remembered. However, a game system that can play one game over a long period of time by additionally purchasing a storage medium that stores game data related to a specific game has already been put into practical use. For example, in the case of “NES old story Shinonigashima” released by the applicant in September 1987, a magnetic disk storing game data called “second part” is newly released, and the user additionally purchases the magnetic disk. This allowed us to play one game over a long period of time.

FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of a conventional data update game represented by an adventure game such as the above-mentioned "Nintendo Shinki gashima". First, the user plays a game based on the basic program stored in the floppy disk 1 and the scenario 1, and is required to replace the floppy disk when the scenario 1 is cleared. The user exchanges the floppy disk 1 for the floppy disk 2 so that the scenario 2 can be played. Further, the user replaces the floppy disk 3, the floppy disk 4 with the floppy disk in accordance with the request of the program and advances the game with the scenario 3 and the scenario 4. Such game systems are frequently used in game software for personal computers.

In the multi-cassette system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-220684, a system has been proposed in which game data is supplied at a lower cost than a new main cassette by additionally purchasing a sub-cassette. New information related to the main cassette is stored in the sub cassette, and the new information can be used by connecting the sub cassette to the connector inside the main cassette. This system has been applied to a baseball game and has already been put to practical use. The player data of the latest 12 professional baseball teams is stored in the sub-cassette, and the player can always play the baseball game with the latest player data by additionally purchasing the sub-cassette.

On the other hand, a network system for distributing games using a telephone line has been put into practical use. The user can obtain and play the game at home by selecting the desired game from the menu on the screen. With this,
Since the game program can be purchased without using the storage medium, the user can save the trouble of setting the storage medium in the game machine.

[0006]

In the conventional game data adding system shown in FIG. 1, the game is "one line" in consideration of the user's time to replace the floppy disk.
There is no choice but to transform. Such a one-pitch game has the disadvantage that it can be played like watching a magnificent drama, but has a low degree of freedom and lacks interactivity. In addition, if the degree of freedom of the game is increased, it is necessary to frequently replace the floppy disk in a home-use game machine having a relatively small storage capacity, which is troublesome and the game is temporarily interrupted, so that the atmosphere of the game is deteriorated. . Furthermore, if the user misorders the floppy disks, the game cannot continue.

If the file name of the data to be added is set in advance in the basic game software,
It is impossible to add more data, and it is difficult to compose the game data because it is difficult to understand the setting conditions of the scenario that should be realized in the game data and the items that should be possessed when executing the game data. There is. This tendency increases as the degree of freedom of the game and the number of added data increase, and it causes confusion for users by providing inconsistent story development and game data with events that can not be executed depending on the items held. There is a risk.

In the system utilizing Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-220684, it is necessary to always turn off the power of the game machine once the sub-cassette is replaced, so that a game with a high degree of freedom can be performed using a plurality of sub-cassettes. It's even harder to play. That is, in this system,
There is no choice but to compose one complete game with one game data and basic program, and it is impossible to compose a single long game by integrating a plurality of game data.

In the network system for distributing games using the above-mentioned telephone line, all the games to be distributed are completed by themselves, and there is no distribution of game data. In addition, game software (product name Habitat) that adventures in a simulated world by constantly communicating with a host computer via a network
Has been put to practical use, but in this case, since the data that constitutes the main pseudo world is all on the host computer, corresponding data communication is required each time the player operates. Therefore, the reaction speed to the operation is slow, and the game cannot be played unless the telephone line is connected, and the player bears a large cost burden. There is also a problem that a large-scale host computer is required to process communication data of many players at the same time.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system which can provide a long game which has a high degree of freedom and which does not bother the user. Another object of the present invention is to provide a game system in which the situation in which the game data is executed can be easily grasped and the user's confusion due to a setting error can be prevented. Further, another object of the present invention is a game system which has a fast reaction speed to the operation, minimizes the cost burden on the player even when a pay line is used, and does not require a large-scale host computer on the transmission side of the game data. Is to provide.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a game system proposed by the present invention has a basic program storing means for storing a basic program of a game and operation information for inputting operation information of a game player. Input means, central processing means for advancing the game based on the basic program and the operation information, progress status storage means for storing the progress status of the game, and game data used for the basic program of the game Data receiving means, game data storage means for storing game data input from the data receiving means, and condition information storage for receiving and centrally storing a plurality of condition information indicating conditions for using each game data Means for comparing the condition information with the progress of the game prior to receiving the game data. Means, by the condition judging means,
It has a game data activating means that enables reception of game data determined to meet the conditions.

[0012]

The central processing means executes the game based on the basic program stored in the basic program storage means, advances the game based on the operation information from the operation information input means, and determines the progress status of the game. It is stored in the storage means. Further, the central processing means receives the condition information indicating the condition for using the game data and stores it in the condition information storing means, and the condition determining means compares the progress status of the game with the condition information. The condition is met by the condition determination means
The game data activation means allows the game data determined to be received. The game data permitted to be received is stored in the game data storage means via the data receiving means.

By using the game system of the present invention, the game data can be provided by the data receiving means regardless of the storage medium, so that a long game can be performed, and the condition determining means can execute the game in the current game progress situation. Since only the game data can be received, the user does not execute wrong game data. Further, since the condition information of each game data is stored in a unified manner, the game data can be received with the minimum required number of data receptions even if the degree of freedom of the game is increased, and the user is not bothered. In addition, since each game data can be accessed at any time if the conditions are met, the game does not become "straight road" and a highly flexible game system can be provided. Further, since the condition information and the game data can be supplied at the same time, it is possible to provide an evolutionary game system in which the game data can be easily created and the contents of the game can be gradually expanded.

Further, in the game system of the present invention, since the basic program is stored in the basic program storage means, the response to the operation is fast and it is not necessary to frequently receive the data. Therefore, the pay line is used. Even in this case, the cost burden on the user can be reduced. Further, since it has the condition determining means, the game data transmitting side only needs to send out the condition information and the game data, and there is no need to install a large-scale host computer on the transmitter side. The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0015]

EXAMPLE FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of the present case. Since the basic program storage means needs to change the contents for each game, it is supplied by a storage medium such as the cartridge 6. The condition information storage means for storing the conditions for using the game data and the game data storage means for storing the game data also store the information relating to each game, and thus are preferably included in the cartridge 6. The progress of the game is normally stored in the main body 2 of the game machine, but when data backup is necessary, it is transferred to the cartridge 6 and stored as information relating to the basic game. The central processing means, the condition determination means, and the game data activation means are mounted on the game machine body 2. To the game machine body 2, a controller 8 is connected as an operation information input means and a broadcast receiving adapter 4 is connected as a data receiving means.

The game data transmitting station side sends a condition information file together with a plurality of game data files. The condition information provided by the condition information file is stored in the condition information storage means by the central processing unit, and compared with the progress status of the game by the condition determination means. The condition information includes a reception permission condition for a plurality of game data, and is used to determine whether reception is permitted for each game data. When there are a plurality of game data for which the conditions are determined to have a predetermined relationship, the game data is displayed in a format selectable by the user (for example, a name list or a visual symbol such as an icon). In this case, Japanese Patent Application No. 6
By using the menu display / selection method disclosed in -261652, game data can be received and executed without impairing the atmosphere of the game.

In FIG. 2, the condition information file is supplied by the data receiving means similarly to the game data file, but may be supplied by a storage medium separately from the game data. Even in this case, the updated condition information needs to be constantly supplied when the number of supplied game data changes or when the condition for receiving the game data changes. The game data files A, B, ... Basically have no permutation, and the game data permitted by the condition determining means can be received at any time.

FIG. 3 shows an external view of the system of the present invention.
A satellite broadcast receiving adapter 4, a memory cartridge 6, and a controller 8 for a user to play a game are connected to the game console body 2. Satellite broadcasting is received by the BS antenna 10, and the BS tuner 12 selects an arbitrary broadcasting channel. The subcarrier signal of the selected broadcast channel is demodulated by the BS tuner and output as a bitstream signal described later. The distributor 14 divides the bit stream signal from the BS tuner 44 into two, and supplies one of them to the satellite broadcast receiving adapter 4.
Video and audio signals from the game console 2 are TV1
It is output to 6 and displayed. The AC adapter 18 is connected to the satellite broadcast receiving adapter 4 and supplies power to the satellite broadcast receiving adapter 4, the game console body 2, and the cartridge 6.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. The BS antenna 10 receives broadcast radio waves from broadcast satellites. The sub-carrier of the specific channel included in the broadcast wave is tuned by the BS tuner 12 and demodulated into the 64-bit broadcast packet shown in FIG. The BS tuner 12 also transmits 32 broadcast packets.
Accumulate and configure the broadcast packet data matrix,
By scanning this vertically, a total of 2048
Generate a bitstream signal of bits.

The generated bit stream signal is passed through the data channel decoder 20 and the PCM decoder 22.
Given to. The PCM decoder 22 extracts voice information from the PCM voice data part of the bit stream signal after BCH error correction, and reproduces voice by DA conversion. The reproduced analog audio signal is given to the game machine body 2. On the other hand, the BCH error-corrected bit stream signal is given from the PCM decoder 22 to the data channel decoder 20. The frame synchronization, control code, and range bit of the bit stream signal are control signals used when reproducing voice and data.

The data channel decoder 20 reorganizes only the data channel portion of the bit stream signal into the above-mentioned broadcast packet data matrix format to form a data matrix of 15 bits × 32 broadcast packets. 1
One data matrix is called one frame, and a continuous data matrix for nine frames is called one superframe. As shown in FIG. 6, the data channel decoder 20 accumulates nine data matrices of each frame,
Build a data matrix for superframes. This data matrix is scanned diagonally as shown to generate a total of 288-bit data packets. Since the scanning in the diagonal direction is performed in 15 columns in parallel, 15 data packets are generated in one superframe.

In the data packet shown in FIG. 6, 11
Bit error correction code 1 is used for BCH error correction for LCI1. LCI1 is an identification code of the data packet, and the data channel decoder 20 uses the LCI.
The packet is discriminated based on 1 and stored in the buffer.
L C I2 is a preliminary identification code of a packet, and is used for discriminating and storing a packet, like LCI 1. The scramble control code SCC is a flag designating the presence or absence of scramble, and the continuity index CI and the data group control code DCT are used for constructing data group data described later.

The data channel decoder 20 uses the 82-bit error correction code 2 to perform SDSC error correction on the entire data packet. Also, 176-bit broadcast data is accumulated as shown in FIG. 7 to construct one data group. The data group control code DCT described above is an identification flag indicating the first packet and the end packet of the data group, and the continuity index CI is a count value for confirming the continuity of each data packet.

The data group includes a data group header, data group data, and CRC data. The data group header is an identification code for identifying the data group, a continuous transmission code indicating the number of continuous transmissions, and a data group link code that is a control signal for accumulating a plurality of data groups to form a larger data group. And a data group serial number and a data group size indicating the number of data in the data group. These broadcasting formats are described in detail in Document 67-14 of the Satellite Data Broadcasting Committee Report of the Telecommunications Technology Council.

The data channel decoder 20 has a CRC.
A CRC check is performed on the entire data group using the data to confirm that the data in the data group is error free. The data group data constitutes one data file in this part, and stores condition information and game data. The data file assembled (or in the process of being assembled) by the data channel decoder 20 is stored in a buffer in the data channel decoder 20 and transferred to each memory by the CPU 24. When the content of the data file is condition information indicating the condition for using each game data, the data is WORK RAM2.
6 or PS-RAM 44, and if the content of the data file is game data, it is stored in the flash memory 42.

The ROM 46 stores a basic program for the game. When executing the game, the CPU 24
Image data and sound data for the game are generated based on the basic game program stored in the OM 46. Further, the CPU 24 changes the image data and the audio data based on the operation information of the game player input from the controller 8 via the port 40, and advances the game. When the game reaches the important point in the game, the CPU 24 uses the information indicating that the important point has been reached as work progress data WORK.
It is recorded in the RAM 26. The CPU 24 further uses the data channel decoder 20 based on the basic program.
To access the condition information file and store the condition information data in the WORK RAM 26 or the PS-RAM 44.

The progress status data and the condition information data are compared by the CPU 24, and game data that matches the condition is selected. The identification code indicating the selected game data is stored in the WORK RAM 26 or the PS-RAM 44 in the form of a game data menu table. The identification code indicating each game data on the game data menu table is displayed on the game map in the form of a list or in the form of a visual symbol that does not make the game feel uncomfortable. The game player operates the main character of the game, for example, and instructs execution of the game data by superimposing the coordinate position on the visual symbol. When the execution of the game data is instructed, the CPU 24 receives the instructed game data via the data channel decoder 20 and stores it in the flash memory 42. After that, the CPU 24 generates image data and audio data based on the game data stored in the flash memory 42 and advances the game.

The image data generated by the CPU 24 is stored in the video RAM 30 via the PPU 28. The PPU 28 cooperates with the DA converter and the video encoder to generate a video signal based on the data in the video RAM 30, and supplies it to the TV 16. Similarly CPU2
The audio data generated by 4 is stored in the audio RAM 36 via the APU 34, and is output as an audio signal by the APU 34. The audio data output from the APU 34 is converted into an analog signal by the DA converter. The mixer 38 mixes the analog audio signal from the APU 34 and the analog audio signal from the PCM decoder 22, and supplies the analog audio signal to the TV 16.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a game screen using the present invention. The main character 50 of the game is a character that can be operated by the game player, and performs various actions based on operation information from the controller 8. Protagonist 5
0 is damaged when it contacts the enemy 52, and the game is over when the damage exceeds a certain amount. Protagonist 50
The damage received by is displayed by the damage gauge 54. The A button item display window 56 displays items that the game player can use by using the A button of the controller 8. In FIG. 8, it is shown that the sword can be used with the A button. The number "3" displayed on the upper right of the sword indicates the sword level, which means the current strength of the sword. Similarly, in the B button item display window 58, items that the game player can use by using the B button of the controller 8 are displayed, and in FIG. 8, it is shown that boomerang can be used. Further, in the map window 60, a reduced view of the game map and a marker indicating the current location of the hero 50 are displayed.

On the game map 62, rocks 64, trees 66, pits 68, etc. which the hero 50 cannot normally pass through are displayed. Such obstacles that cannot be normally passed can be passed by obtaining the corresponding specific item. Further, a cave 70 for instructing to receive and execute specific game data is displayed on the game map. The cave 70 is a visual symbol for executing game data, which is not displayed at the start of the game but is displayed at this position only when the progress of the game satisfies a certain condition. The game player advances the game by operating the hero 50 and defeating the enemy 52 using a sword, a boomerang, and various other items.

Some important points are prepared in advance in the game. For example, when the protagonist 50 falls into the pit 68, a specific scenario is executed, and an event to defeat an enemy boss or acquire a special item is developed. In this way, the scenario unrelated to the game data is already incorporated in the basic program, and by advancing the game based on this basic program,
The condition for receiving the game data is satisfied. For example, when a specific item is acquired, a flag indicating that fact is WORK as progress data.
It is set in the RAM 26. Of course, regardless of the basic program, it is also possible to configure the game so that the important points generated in one game data satisfy the condition that another game data can be received.

It should be noted that the cave 70 may be displayed in advance from the start of the game, and the condition information and the progress information may be confirmed only when the main character 50 selects it. Even in this case, if the conditions are not met, reception / execution of game data is prohibited. If the type and number of game data to be supplied are already decided at the time of creating the basic data, such a method is effective, but there is a drawback that the number of game data cannot be increased any more. is there.

FIG. 9 is an item selection screen of a game using the present invention. Instead of the boomerang set in the B button item display window 58, the game player can select any item from the item selection window 71 and set it so that it can be used with the B button. Items that can be selected at the stage of FIG. 9 include a scoop 72, an ocarina 74, a wing 76, a medal 78 showing the magic of bomber, a medal 80 showing the magic of ether, a bow and arrow 82, a hook shot 84, and a lamp 86.
Is included. To select an item, use the item cursor 88
Done by

Each item has a unique function and is used as a weapon or a tool for improving the ability of the hero 50. For example, the game player has feathers 76
Alternatively, if the hook shot 84 is selected and used in front of the pit 68, the hero 50 can jump over the pit 68. Also, using the lamp 86 in front of the tree 66 causes the tree to burn and extinguish, allowing the protagonist 50 to go to the other side of the tree. Thus, the hero 50 can overcome obstacles by using a specific item, but if he does not have this item, the hero 50 cannot move over obstacles. Therefore, if the user enters the cave 70 without getting the item, there is a possibility that he / she cannot get out of the cave 70 due to an obstacle. When the player cannot get out of the cave 70, the game cannot be continued any more, and thus the game player must restart the game from the beginning.

In order to prevent such a problem, the game system of the present invention, before receiving and executing the game data,
A game that can be executed by receiving the condition information that describes what kind of item is required when executing the game data and comparing it with the progress data that describes what kind of item is currently held. Pre-sort only data. Further, since the state of the hero 50 when the game data is executed can be easily confirmed by the condition information, the game data can be easily created.

Furthermore, there is an execution order for the above-mentioned event such as defeating the enemy boss. For example, in a scenario where the next boss B cannot be defeated without the information obtained when defeating the enemy boss A, before receiving and executing the game data including the event of defeating the boss B, It is necessary to confirm whether or not boss A has been defeated. Further, depending on the scenario, it may be necessary to prevent the game data once cleared from being executed again. In addition to the subjugation of each boss, an independent event such as rescue of a princess may be supplied by game data. Execution of such independent events is an indispensable element for increasing the degree of freedom of the game. As the number of independent events increases and the degree of freedom of the game increases, the execution condition of the game data including the event increases. It will be difficult to manage. In this case,
Since the scenario conditions corresponding to each independent data are collectively managed as condition information, it is possible to realize a game with a high degree of freedom without erroneous progress order. In addition, the scenario information when the specific game data is executed can be easily confirmed by the condition information, so that the game data can be easily created.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of broadcast data. The broadcast data includes one condition information file and a plurality (N) of game data files for each game. Each condition information file is composed of a game name for specifying a game to be used for the game data, the total number (N) of the supplied game data, and game data related information regarding each game data. Where the game name is
Although it means a name unique to each game stored in the ROM 46, a number or code unique to each game may be used instead.

The related information of each game data is composed of the name of the game data, the scenario number of the game data, the program number of the game data, the condition information of the game data, and the comment data about the game data. The game data name and comment data are identification codes used when the user selects desired game data, and may include visual information such as an icon and audio information.
When the identification code is displayed as the cave 70 as shown in FIG. 8, the data indicating the position on the map and the character code designating the graphic data of the cave 70 are stored in the comment data. The additional scenario number indicates the number registered as cleared in the progress data after the scenario is cleared. The game data program number is an identification number required to read the corresponding game data file when this game data is selected, and LCI1 and LCI2 in the data packet of FIG. 6 are designated based on this program number. It

The game data condition information is set for each game and consists of items common to one game, and whether the existence of the game data should be shown to the user or whether the game data can be read. Alternatively, it includes condition information for determining whether the data should be executed as actual game data. In FIG.
An example of the game condition information shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be disclosed. In the clear scenario number section, the scenario number that must be cleared before executing the game data is specified. Further, in the item of non-clear scenario number, the scenario number which must not be cleared in executing the game data is specified. For example, in order to specify that the same game data cannot be executed again after the game data is executed and cleared, the scenario number of the game data is specified in the non-clear scenario number section. The princess rescue and boss C strategy sections specify whether or not these events should have occurred regardless of whether or not the scenario has been cleared. Game data 1 of FIG.
Then, it is set as a condition for receiving and executing that the princess has already been rescued from the enemy and that the boss C has not been defeated. This means that, for example, since an event in which the princess and the boss C appear appears in this scenario, such condition settings are made so that the scenario flow is intimidating.

In the sword level item, the strength of the sword required to clear the game data is specified. When the current sword level is 3 as displayed in the A button item display window 56 of FIG. 8, the condition of this item is satisfied. Similarly in hookshots and magic terms,
The possession of the hook shot and the magic bomber is set as a condition, and when the hook shot and the magic bomber are possessed as shown in FIG. 9, the condition of this item is satisfied. Items that do not require condition determination are not described in the condition information. It is necessary to satisfy all of these conditions, and if any of the conditions is not satisfied, reception and execution of the game data are prohibited.

FIG. 11 shows a memory map of the CPU when the game shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is executed. ROM46
Includes a basic game program and a broadcast receiving program. The basic game program includes a game title display routine, an operation information input routine, a game main routine program, basic scenario data, basic image data, and basic voice data. The broadcast reception program includes a reception control program, a condition determination program, and a game data menu display program. This broadcast receiving program is usually installed in the same cartridge as the basic program, but it may be supplied to the user in a cartridge different from the game cartridge and executed as a program completely different from the game. In this case, the user needs to replace the cartridge 8 when playing the game and when receiving the game data. The received game data is set in a cartridge for a game in the form of a sub-cassette as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-220684.
The memory area of the flash memory 42 in FIG. 11 is filled.

The flash memory 42 includes a game data storage area and a data backup area. An EEP-ROM, a battery-backed S-RAM, or the like can be substituted for these areas. The game data storage area stores the game data received by the condition determination and received. The data backup area has a function of copying and storing the progress data in the work area, so that even if the power of the game machine is turned off once, the game can be started from the saved state when the next game is played. When playing a large program using game data such as this case, a data backup area for storing the game state over a long period of time is particularly important. As described above, the game data storage area and the data backup area of the flash memory 42 may be supplied to the game cartridge 8 as a detachable sub-cassette. In this case, the broadcast reception program cartridge is supplied in a form in which the sub-cassette can be attached / detached similarly to the game cartridge, and the game data of the game stored in the sub-cartridge and the saved progress status data are used as the game cartridge. Share.
Even in this case, since the game data is received after confirming the condition information, it is possible to prevent unexecutable data from being inserted into the game cartridge as a sub-cassette.

The PS-RAM 44 is provided with a condition information reception buffer and a game data menu table.
The condition information reception buffer functions as a reception buffer for reading condition information and receiving condition determination prior to receiving game data. As a result of the condition determination, the relevant information of the game data determined to be executable is registered in the game data menu table. The game data menu table stores the game data name, the scenario number, the game data program number, and the game data comment shown in FIG. 10 as the related information of the game data. In addition, WOR
If the K RAM 26 has a sufficient storage capacity, the condition information reception buffer and the game data menu table are installed in the WORK RAM 26, and the PS-RAM 44
Can be deleted. Further, as described above, when the broadcast receiving program is supplied by a cartridge different from the game cartridge, the PS-RAM including the condition information receiving buffer and the game data menu table.
Reference numeral 44 is mounted in a cartridge on the broadcast receiving program side.

The input / output port area is PPU 28, APU
34, a port 40, a PCM decoder 22, and a data channel decoder 20 are included in the memory mapped I / O area for controlling from the CPU 24. WORK
A work area is provided in the RAM 26. The work area is a temporary storage information area for temporarily storing the position data of the player character and the enemy character, the current scenario number, the state of the map, the state of the item, etc., and the current game to be compared with the game data condition information. And a progress area for storing the progress status of.

For example, in the case of the games shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the progress area, the scenario numbers that have already been cleared, the events such as the rescue of princesses have been completed or have not been completed, and the bosses A to E have not yet completed or have been completed. Data and flags indicating items such as sword level, lamps, boomerangs, hook shots, etc., a list of currently owned magic, etc. are stored. In the case of the progress status shown in FIG. 11, the condition of the game data 1 shown in FIG. 10 is satisfied, so that the user is permitted to execute the game data 1.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the broadcast receiving program. In S2, first, the TCD is received in order to know the logical channel numbers (LCI1 and LCI2) of the game data information file. TCD
Is program table data called transmission control data, and stores a list of programs currently being broadcast. Also, TC
D stores, for each program, logical channels LCI1 and LCI2 for designating a data packet forming the program in association with the program number, and therefore is always referred to in advance when the program is received. A dedicated program number is set in advance in each data file corresponding to a specific game, and in S4, the logical channels LCI1 and LCI2 are searched from the TCD based on the program number.
If there is no search result, that is, if the program is not broadcast, measures such as displaying an error message to the user are taken. If the program is being broadcast, the logical channels LCI1 and L
Using CI2, the condition information file is read into the condition information reception buffer shown in FIG. In addition S8, in order to perform conditional determination for sequential each game data in S 12 ~S20, initializes the game data number variable X.

In S12, when the condition determination program operates, the game data information stored in the game data information reception buffer is compared with the progress information stored in the work area, and the menu display of the game data is permitted. It is determined whether or not. If the conditions are not met, execution of the game data is prohibited, and the program proceeds to S18. If the conditions are met, S1
At 6, the game data number is registered in the menu table. As a result, only game data satisfying the conditions is registered in the menu table.

The game data number variable X is incremented in S18, and is compared with the total number N of game data in S20. When X is N or less, it means that the condition information to be compared and considered still remains, and the process returns to S12. If X exceeds N, it means that the determination of all condition information is completed, and the process proceeds to S22. At this point, the menu table holds a list of game data that meets the conditions, and in S22, the name or visual symbol of the game data is displayed. S2
When specific game data is designated by the user in 4, the game data file is read into the game data area in S26.

In the flowchart of FIG. 12 , the selection of the game data menu is performed within the broadcast receiving program,
The basic program displays a visual symbol for designating game data on the game map, and the player character touches this visual symbol in the main routine of the game to select a menu and receive the selected game data. You may do it. As a result, the game data can be executed without impairing the atmosphere of the game.

The example of performing the present invention by data broadcasting using satellite broadcasting has been described above. The broadcast receiving adapter 4
By changing to a modem, you can easily transfer to a network that uses a telephone line. In this case, each data file is supplied from the host computer of the network in response to a request from the game machine main body 2. However, once the condition is judged and the menu table is created, when the game data is read later, However, since access to the host computer does not occur, it is not necessary to always connect the telephone line, and the user's cost burden can be reduced.
Further, since the condition judgment is performed by each game machine main body, the host computer only has to send out the instructed file, and a relatively small-scale host computer can cope with it.

[0051]

According to the game system of the present invention, the condition file and the game data are supplied by using the network or the data broadcasting, so that the user does not need to replace the floppy disk. Further, since the condition information file is provided and automatically read to determine the condition, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally reading the game data in which the game cannot proceed. In addition, since each additional scenario can be accessed at any time as long as the conditions are met, the game does not become "one-track", and a highly flexible game system can be provided. Further, it is possible to provide a game system which has a fast reaction speed to the operation, minimizes the cost burden on the player even if a pay line is used, and does not require a large-scale host computer on the game data transmitting side. Further, in the game system of the present invention, since the condition file and the game data can be supplied at the same time, it is easy to create the game data and the contents of the game can be gradually expanded. Therefore, it is possible to provide an evolutionary game system in which the game itself gradually grows and becomes larger in scale.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional data update game.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external view of a system for carrying out the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram for implementing the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bitstream signal configuration diagram illustrating a bitstream signal generation process and a data structure.

FIG. 6 is a data packet configuration diagram showing a data packet generation process and a data structure.

FIG. 7 is a data file configuration diagram showing a process of generating a data file.

FIG. 8 is a game screen using the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an item selection screen of a game using the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a condition information configuration diagram showing a configuration of a condition information file.

FIG. 11 is a CPU memory map of a game using the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a broadcast receiving program.

Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP-A-61-221851 (JP, A) JP-A-3-127295 (JP, A) JP-A-2-166875 (JP, A) JP-A-6-274325 (JP , A) JP-A-6-327835 (JP, A) Utility model registration 3001942 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 9/24 A63F 13/00-13 / 12 G06F 13/00 351 H04H 1/08

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. In a data update game system capable of playing a game by updating the game data by receiving the game data, a basic program storing means for storing a basic program of the game and operation information of a game player are input. Operation information input means, central processing means for advancing the game based on the basic program and the operation information, progress status storage means for storing the progress status of the game, and a plurality of types of game programs used for the basic program of the game. Data receiving means for receiving game data; condition information storing means for receiving and storing condition information indicating conditions of usable ones of the plurality of types of game data; the condition information and the progress status of the game; And the condition determining means for comparing the Game data and a game data storage means for storing, data updating the game system. 2. In a data update game system capable of playing a game by updating the game data by receiving the game data, a basic program storing means for storing a basic program of the game and operation information of the game player are input. Operation information input means, central processing means for advancing the game based on the basic program and the operation information, progress status storage means for storing the progress status of the game, and game data used for the basic program of the game. Data receiving means for receiving, game data storing means for storing game data input from the data receiving means, and condition for receiving and centrally storing a plurality of condition information indicating conditions for using each game data An information storage unit, and the condition information, prior to receiving the game data, It includes a condition determining means for comparing the progress of the serial game, by the condition determining means, and a game data activating means allowing the reception of game data that is determined to meet the condition, data updating the game system. 3. The data update game system according to claim 1, wherein the data receiving means receives game data from a two-way communication or broadcasting network. 4. The data update game system according to claim 1, wherein said data receiving means receives game data from a unidirectional communication or broadcasting network. 5. The condition information includes the condition for each of the plurality of types of game data.
The data update game system described in. To enable wherein visual identification by gate Mupureiya, the game visual game data is determined to be in relation the progress and the condition of a given by the condition determining means from the data The operation information input means inputs the operation information of the game player based on the visual information, and the game data storage means stores the game information corresponding to the operation information of the game player based on the visual information. The data update game system according to claim 5, which stores data. 7. The data update game system according to claim 1, wherein the basic program storage means includes a data reception program for receiving the condition information and the game data. 8. The data update game system according to claim 1, wherein the condition information includes information on a scenario that must be cleared or information on a scenario that must not be cleared. 9. The data update game system according to claim 1, wherein the condition information includes a condition that a predetermined event has already occurred or has not occurred. 10. The data update game system according to claim 1, wherein the condition information includes a condition that a predetermined item is held. 11. A game is received by receiving game data.
Update the game data to update the game data
In the game system, Basic program memory that stores basic game programs
Means and Operation information input means for inputting operation information of the game player
When, A game based on the basic program and the operation information
Central processing means to proceed, Progress status storage means for storing the progress status of the game, Based on the condition information indicating the condition of using each game data
Then, the condition information and the progress status are compared to meet the condition.
Game day that receives the game data that was determined to match
A data update game system including a data receiving means.