JP4002936B2 - GAME SYSTEM AND GAME DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system and a game apparatus installed in a game facility such as a casino.

As this type of game system, for example, a system described in Patent Document 1 is known. This system includes a server that stores a plurality of game programs and a plurality of clients as gaming terminals, and the server can execute a plurality of game programs. A plurality of game programs executed on the server can be accessed from each client, and the game screen of the accessed game program is displayed on the display unit of the client.
A player can select a game program to be played from among a plurality of game programs stored in the server by a game selection operation at an operation reception unit of a gaming terminal as a client. And a player can play the game of the said game program currently performed by the server by performing game operation with respect to a client.

US Pat. No. 6,409,602

In such a game system, it is said that it takes time for a player who operates the operation reception unit of the gaming terminal to perform a game selection operation by wondering about a selection of a game to play or taking time to select an operation to select. Problems arise.
In addition, such a problem is not limited to a game system including a server and a plurality of clients, but may be an independent game device that stores a plurality of game programs and can select a game to be played by a player. It is a problem that occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the time required for a game selection operation when a player selects a game to be played by the operation reception unit. It is to provide a game system or a game device.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to a server device including a program storage unit that stores a plurality of types of game programs and a player information storage unit that stores player identification information, and the player information storage unit. Or an input receiving unit that accepts input of the player specifying information prior to the start of the game for comparison with the recorded player specifying information, a game according to the progress of the game that is progressed by the execution of the game program A display unit that displays an image, and a plurality of gaming terminals including an operation reception unit that receives a game operation for changing a progress of the game and a game program to be executed. The server device and the plurality of gaming terminals are connected to be capable of bidirectional communication Each gaming terminal is a terminal communication process in which each gaming terminal performs a transmission process of transmitting a use request for a game program corresponding to the game selection operation to the server device when the operation reception unit receives the game selection operation. The server device includes a server communication processing unit that performs a reception process of receiving the use request transmitted from each gaming terminal, and the use is provided in any of the gaming terminals and the server device. A control unit that executes a game program corresponding to the request, and further relates to execution of the game program executed by the control unit in cooperation between the gaming terminal that has received the input of the player specifying information and the server device A specific operation history is stored in the player information storage unit in association with the received player identification information. An operation history processing unit for the assist display image based on the specific operation history corresponding to the player identification information accepted, before the operation accepting unit accepts the game selection operation, the display of the gaming terminal A display processing unit for displaying on the unit, at least one of the server device and the plurality of gaming terminals.
In this game system, a specific operation history (play history) of each player is stored in association with the player specifying information, and the input receiving unit inputs the player specifying information before the operation receiving unit receives a game selection operation. When received, an assist display image based on the specific play history corresponding to the received player specifying information is displayed before the operation receiving unit receives the game selection operation. A player often selects a game to play with reference to his / her play history, such as the type of game played in the past, the number of times played for each type, and the play results. As in this game system, the play history for each player is stored, and when the player makes a game selection, the player confirms his / her play history by displaying an assist display image based on his / her play history. It is possible to reduce the time for the player to lose his game selection.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the game system of the first aspect, the specific operation history includes the number of executions of each game program.
In this game system, the player can confirm an assist display image based on the number of times each game is played when selecting a game.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game system of the first or second aspect, the specific operation history includes a game result of each game program.
In this game system, an operation history including a game result is stored, and the player sees an assist display image based on the assist information generated using the game result, so that the player can obtain his / her past play results for each game. Can be confirmed.

The invention according to claim 4 is the game system according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the display processing unit is the player specifying information received by the input receiving unit instead of or together with the assist display image. Display processing for causing the display unit of the gaming terminal to display an assist display image based on the operation history corresponding to the player specifying information other than the game reception operation before the operation reception unit receives the game selection operation. It is a feature.
In this game system, it is possible to display an assist display image based not only on the play history of each player but also on the play history of other players. Can confirm the assist display image based on information including the play history of other players.

Further, the invention of claim 5 is a server device comprising a program storage unit for storing a plurality of types of game programs and a player information storage unit for storing player identification information, and is recorded or recorded in the player information storage unit. An input receiving unit that accepts the input of the player specifying information prior to the start of the game, a display unit that displays a game image according to the progress of the game progressed by the execution of the game program, And a plurality of gaming terminals including an operation receiving unit for receiving a game operation for changing the progress of the game and a game selection operation for selecting a game program to be executed, the server device and the plurality of gaming terminals. A game system connected to a gaming terminal so that bidirectional communication is possible, The gaming terminal includes a terminal communication processing unit that performs a transmission process of transmitting a use request for a game program corresponding to the game selection operation to the server device when the operation reception unit receives the game selection operation, The server device includes a server communication processing unit that performs reception processing for receiving the use request transmitted from each gaming terminal, and the game program corresponding to the use request is provided in any one of the gaming terminals and the server device. And the gaming terminal that has received the input of the player specifying information and the server device cooperate with each other, so that the operation receiving unit receives the input of the player specifying information by the input receiving unit. The specific operation history received by the operation reception unit before the reception of the game selection operation by The operation history processing unit for storing in the player information storage unit in association with the player specifying information received by the input receiving unit, and the operation based on the specific operation history stored in the player information storage unit An operation omission processing unit for omitting at least part of the operations repeatedly received by the operation receiving unit among the past operations received by the operation receiving unit until the game selection operation is received by the receiving unit; It is provided in at least one of the apparatus and the plurality of gaming terminals.
In this game system, an operation of a past operation (operation before game selection) accepted by the operation accepting unit until the operation accepting unit accepts a game selection operation for determining a game to be played by each player in association with the player specifying information. The history is stored, and when the input receiving unit receives the input of the player specifying information before the operation receiving unit receives the game selecting operation, the game selection is performed based on the operation history corresponding to the received player specifying information. The operations that are repeatedly performed in the previous operation are omitted. As the player repeats the game selection operation, the operation until the game selection operation for determining the game to be played may become a specific pattern to some extent. A player whose pattern is determined repeats the same operation along the pattern every time, which is troublesome for the player.
In this game system, it is possible to grasp the pattern from the operation history of each player's pre-game operation to the game selection operation for each player. Then, by omitting at least a part of the repeated operation based on the operation history, the player can perform the same operation as the repeated operation without being forced to perform the repeated operation. Thereby, the operation until the player performs the game selection operation can be simplified.

The invention of claim 6 is a program storage unit for storing a plurality of types of game programs, a player information storage unit for storing player identification information, and recording in the player information storage unit or recorded player identification information. In contrast to the above, an input receiving unit that receives the input of the player identification information prior to the start of the game, a display unit that displays a game image according to the progress of the game that is progressed by the execution of the game program, and the game An operation receiving unit that receives a game operation for changing the progress of the game and a game selection operation for selecting a game program to be executed, when the operation receiving unit receives the game selection operation A control unit for executing a game program corresponding to the game selection operation, and the control unit An action history processing unit for storing in the player information storage unit a specific action history related to the execution of the executed game program in association with the received player specifying information, and the specific action corresponding to the received player specifying information A display processing unit for displaying an assist display image based on a history on the display unit before the operation receiving unit receives the game selection operation.
In this game apparatus, a specific operation history (play history) of each player is stored in association with the player specifying information, and the input receiving unit inputs the player specifying information before the operation receiving unit receives a game selection operation. When received, an assist display image based on the specific play history corresponding to the received player specifying information is displayed before the operation receiving unit receives the game selection operation. A player often selects a game to play with reference to his / her play history, such as the type of game played in the past, the number of times played for each type, and the play results. Like this game device, the play history for each player is stored, and when the player selects a game, the player confirms his / her play history by displaying an assist display image based on his / her play history. It is possible to reduce the time for the player to lose his game selection.

The invention of claim 7 includes a program storage unit for storing a plurality of types of game programs, a player information storage unit for storing player specifying information, and recording in the player information storing unit, or recorded player specifying information. In contrast to the above, an input receiving unit that receives the input of the player identification information prior to the start of the game, a display unit that displays a game image according to the progress of the game that is progressed by the execution of the game program, and the game An operation receiving unit that receives a game operation for changing the progress of the game and a game selection operation for selecting a game program to be executed, when the operation receiving unit receives the game selection operation A control unit that executes a game program corresponding to the game selection operation, and the input receiving unit. The specific operation history received by the operation receiving unit from the reception of the player specifying information by the unit to the reception of the game selection operation by the operation receiving unit is associated with the player specifying information received by the input receiving unit. Based on the operation history processing unit for storing in the player information storage unit and the specific operation history stored in the player information storage unit, the operation reception unit is configured to receive the game selection operation by the operation reception unit. An operation omission processing unit for omitting at least a part of the operations repeatedly accepted by the operation accepting unit among the accepted past operations is provided.
In this game apparatus, operations of past operations (operations before game selection) received by the operation receiving unit until the operation receiving unit receives a game selection operation for determining a game to be played by each player in association with the player specifying information. The history is stored, and when the input receiving unit receives the input of the player specifying information before the operation receiving unit receives the game selecting operation, based on the operation history corresponding to the received player specifying information, before the game selection Do not repeat operations that are repeated in the operation. In the same game system, the player may repeat a selection of a game to be played until a game selection operation for determining a game to be played becomes a specific pattern to some extent. A player whose pattern is determined repeats the same operation along the pattern every time, which is troublesome for the player.
On the other hand, in this game apparatus, it is possible to grasp a pattern from the operation history of each player's pre-game operation to the game selection operation for each player. Then, by omitting at least a part of the repeated operation based on the operation history, the player can perform the same operation as the repeated operation without being forced to perform the repeated operation. Thereby, the operation until the player performs the game selection operation can be simplified.

According to the first to seventh aspects of the invention, since the time for the player to lose the game selection can be shortened, an excellent effect that the time for the game selection operation can be shortened is achieved.
According to the invention of claim 2, there is an excellent effect that the player can select a game with reference to an assist display image based on the number of times each game program is played.
Further, according to the invention of claim 3, there is an excellent effect that the player in each game can select the game with reference to his / her past play results.
According to the invention of claim 4, there is an excellent effect that the player can select a game with reference to an assist display image based on information including the play history of other players.
In addition, according to the invention of claim 5, since it is possible to simplify the operation until the player performs the game selection operation, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the player until the game selection operation. There is an excellent effect that can be shortened.
According to the invention of claim 6, since the time for the player to lose the game selection can be shortened, there is an excellent effect that the time for the game selection operation can be shortened.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the operation until the player performs the game selection operation can be simplified, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the player until the game selection operation. There is an excellent effect that can be shortened.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an embodiment (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “Embodiment 1”) in which the present invention is applied to a casino game system of a certified casino that is a casino facility will be described.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the casino game system according to the first embodiment.
The casino game system includes a plurality of gaming terminals 1 that do not have a game board and a server device 50 that stores a plurality of types of game programs. A game based on a game program executed on the server device 50 is displayed on each gaming terminal. It is a thin client type game system that can be played with 1. The gaming terminal 1 serves as an interface with a player when playing a game, and is installed on a casino floor where the player is located. On the other hand, the server device 50 is installed, for example, in a security room where players are prohibited from entering. This security room is strictly managed by the casino operator.
Each gaming terminal 1 and the server device 50 are connected via a communication network so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. In the case where a part or all of the functional parts carried by the server device 50 are installed at a place away from the casino, a communication network realized by a public telephone line, a dedicated telephone line, a cable TV line, a wireless communication line, etc. You may make it connect via.

[Configuration of Server Device 50]
First, the server apparatus 50 which comprises this casino game system is demonstrated.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the server device 50 according to the first embodiment.
The server device 50 includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, a system bus 54, an information storage device 55, an input device 56, an output device 57, a server communication device 58, and the like. Components such as the CPU 51 and the RAM 52 exchange data and program instructions with each other via the system bus 54. A program for operating the server device 50 in accordance with a predetermined procedure is stored in the ROM 53 or the information storage device 55, and is called up and executed in the work area on the CPU 51 or the RAM 52 as necessary. The information storage device 55 stores a plurality of types of game programs A, B, C... That can be selectively played on the gaming terminal 1. By operating the input device 56 by the operator of the casino operator, a new game program can be added to the information storage device 55 or a game program that has already been stored can be deleted. Examples of these game programs include a game program for a slot machine and a game program for a table game such as blackjack or poker, but are not limited to these games.

  As will be described later, when the server device 50 receives game selection operation information from the gaming terminal 1, the CPU 51 executes a type of game program specified by the game selection operation information. Image information and sound information corresponding to the progress of the game based on the executed game program are transmitted from the server communication device 58 to the gaming terminal 1 that is the transmission source of the game selection operation information. When the gaming terminal 1 receives these image information and sound information, the game screen based on the image information, a production sound based on the sound information, and the like are output. Further, when the player performs a game operation on the gaming terminal, the game operation information is transmitted to the server device 50. The CPU 51 of the server device 50 that has received the game operation information performs control to change the progress of the game based on the game operation information. Thereby, the player can play the game which progresses according to the game program executed by the server device 50 on the gaming terminal 1.

  The server device 50 may be configured as a dedicated control device or may be configured using a general-purpose computer system. Further, it may be configured by a single computer, or may be configured by connecting a plurality of computers each having a plurality of functions via a network.

[Configuration of gaming terminal 1]
Next, the gaming terminal 1 constituting the casino game system will be described.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the gaming terminal according to the first embodiment.
The gaming terminal 1 includes a box-shaped casing 2 and a front panel 3 attached to the front side of the casing 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. On the front panel 3, a display window 4 for visually recognizing the monitor 11 from the outside, a coin insertion slot 5a and a bill insertion slot 5b, a spin button 6a, a credit settlement button 6b, and a player pays a coin to the gaming terminal for a game. There are provided various BET buttons 7a and 7b, a game selection button 8, a coin tray 9 having a coin payout box 9a, various lamps 10a and 10b, and the like. The spin button 6a, the credit check button 6b, the various BET buttons 7a and 7b, and the game selection button 8 are lamp buttons each having a light emitting unit.

  A monitor 11 is provided inside the gaming terminal 1. The monitor 11 displays a game screen based on the image information of the game screen transmitted from the server device 50. For example, in the case of a slot game, a plurality of identical or different symbols arranged in a predetermined order are displayed in each of the five symbol display areas 11a. The monitor 11 is composed of a CRT display, but may be composed of a plasma display or a liquid crystal display. Further, the monitor 11 is operated with a credit display unit 11b for displaying a credit amount corresponding to the amount of money (amount of money) inserted by the player from the coin insertion slot 5a or the bill insertion slot 5b, and various BET buttons 7a and 7b. A BET display portion 11c for displaying the BET amount that the player has placed as a BET, and an acquired amount display portion 11d for displaying the acquired amount acquired by the player according to the result of the game are displayed at the upper part of the five symbol display areas 11a. Also, inside the gaming terminal 1, there are an inspection device for confirming whether received coins and banknotes are fake, a coin withdrawal device (not shown) having a hopper capable of storing a large number of coins, a speaker as a sound output unit, etc. It has been incorporated. However, in the first embodiment, the control unit that executes the game program and advances the game is not provided in the gaming terminal 1 but is provided in the server device 50 as described above.

  In addition, a card insertion slot 13 and a display device 14 for inserting a house card as a portable recording medium used in a casino are provided on the upper portion of the gaming terminal 1. The house card is used for managing personal information registered by a player at a casino reception or the like, and an ID, which is individual player identification information, is recorded for each player. This house card is used, for example, to manage points according to the amount spent for the game by the player, etc., by the server device 50 or the like. Thereby, according to the point, privileges, such as providing services, such as a free accommodation ticket, can be provided to a player. Further, the display device 14 displays points and the like possessed by the player.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the main control board 20 configuring the gaming terminal 1.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the sub-control board 30 configuring the gaming terminal 1.
The input / output port 21 a of the main control board 20 is used for communication with the sub control board 30. The input / output port 21b of the main control board 20 communicates with the monitor 11, the various lamps 10a and 10b, the speaker 15, the various buttons 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b and 8, and the coin withdrawal device 16. Used. The external input / output port 21c of the main control board 20 is used for communication with the server device 50 via the communication network. The ROM 22 stores various programs such as a communication program executed by the CPU 21 and outputs them to the CPU 21. However, no game program is stored in the ROM 22. The RAM 23 temporarily stores the arithmetic processing result of the CPU 21 and the like. The video driver 25 performs display control on the monitor 11 under the control of the CPU 21. The illumination control unit 26 performs lighting control of the various lamps 10a and 10b under the control of the CPU 21. The sound control unit 27 controls announcements, production sounds, and the like by sound output from the speaker 15 under the control of the CPU 21. Under the control of the CPU 21, the payout control unit 28 controls the coin payout device 16 in order to pay back coins from the coin payout tray 9 a to the coin tray 9.
The CPU 21 of the main control board 20 is also connected to a spin button 6a, a credit settlement button 6b, various BET buttons 7a and 7b, a game selection button 8 and the like provided on the gaming terminal 1, and these operation signals are Input from the input / output port 21b. The CPU 21 is similarly connected to an inserted amount counting device (not shown) that counts the amount inserted into the coin insertion slot 5a and the bill insertion slot 5b.

  The sub-control board 30 includes a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, card reader 34, display driver 35, input / output ports 36a and 36b, and the like. The ROM 32 stores various programs used by the CPU 31 and data such as various databases, and outputs them to the CPU 31. The RAM 33 temporarily stores the arithmetic processing result of the CPU 31 and the like. The card reader 34 reads the ID recorded on the house card inserted from the card insertion slot 13 and outputs the ID to the CPU 31. The display driver 35 performs display control of the display device 14 under the control of the CPU 31. The input / output port 36 a is used for data communication with the main control board 20. The input / output port 36b is used for communication with the display device 14.

As shown in the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the gaming terminal 1 according to the first embodiment mainly includes an operation reception unit 41, a terminal communication processing unit 42, a display unit 43, and an input reception unit 71.
The operation reception unit 41 includes a spin button 6a, a credit check button 6b, various BET buttons 7a and 7b, a game selection button 8, and the like. When a button operation is performed by the player, an operation signal is sent from the input / output port 21b. It is sent to the CPU 21 of the main control board 20. This operation includes a game selection operation for selecting the type of game program to be executed by the server device 50.
The terminal communication processing unit 42 is for performing bidirectional communication with the server device 50, and is mainly configured by the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, external input / output port 21c, etc. of the main control board 20. When the operation receiving unit 41 receives a game selection operation described later, the terminal communication processing unit 42 sends game selection operation information (use request) for specifying the type of game program to be executed by the server device 50 to the server device. Performs transmission processing for transmission. Further, when the operation accepting unit 41 accepts various game operations, a transmission process for transmitting game operation information for changing the progress of the game based on the game program being executed on the server device 50 to the server device is performed. Furthermore, the terminal communication processing unit 42 also performs reception processing for receiving image information and sound information corresponding to the progress of the game based on the game program being executed by the server device.
The display unit 43 includes CPUs 21 and 31 as display processing units, ROMs 22 and 32, RAMs 23 and 33, a video driver 25, a display driver 35, and the like, and includes a monitor 11, a display device 14, and the like. The display unit 43 displays a game image based on the image information received by the terminal communication processing unit 42 on the monitor 11 or the display device 14. Further, the display unit displays a game selection screen, which will be described later, on the monitor 11.
The input receiving unit 71 includes a card insertion slot 13, a card reader 34, and the like, and receives an ID that is player identification information stored in a house card. Specifically, the ID stored in the house card inserted in the card insertion slot 13 is read by the card reader 34 and the ID is transmitted to the terminal communication processing unit 42. The terminal communication processing unit 42 outputs the ID received from the input receiving unit 71 to the server device 50.

On the other hand, the server device 50 mainly includes a storage unit 61, a control unit 62, a server communication processing unit 63, an identification information storage unit 64, an identification information selection unit 65, and an operation history processing unit 72.
The storage unit 61 includes a RAM 52, a ROM 53, an information storage device 55, and the like, and stores a plurality of types of game programs A, B, C,.
The control unit 62 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a system bus 54, and the like, and has a configuration capable of simultaneously executing at least two game programs. When receiving an execution command from the identification information selection unit 65 (to be described later), the control unit 62 reads out the game program of the type related to the execution command from the storage unit 61 and executes it. At this time, even when another execution command is received during execution of the game program for one gaming terminal 1, the latter game program is also executed in parallel with the execution of the former game program being continued. In addition, the control unit 62 transmits image information and sound information corresponding to the progress of the game based on the game program to the server communication processing unit 63 toward the gaming terminal 1 that transmitted the game selection operation information about the game program. To control. Further, when the server communication processing unit 63 receives game operation information, control is performed to change the progress of the game based on the game operation information.
The server communication processing unit 63 is for performing bidirectional communication with each gaming terminal 1, and mainly includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a system bus 54, a server communication device 58, and the like. The server communication processing unit 63 performs reception processing for receiving game selection operation information and game operation information transmitted from each gaming terminal 1. In addition, transmission processing is performed for transmitting image information and sound information corresponding to the progress of the game based on the game program executed by the control unit 62 to the gaming terminal.

The identification information storage unit 64 includes a RAM 52, a ROM 53, an information storage device 55, and the like, and stores a plurality of different pieces of identification information for the same type of game program. That is, there are two or more identification information about the game program A, two or more identification information about the game program B, and two or more identification information about the game program C. However, a game program having only one corresponding identification information or a game program having no corresponding identification information may be included.
The identification information selection unit 65 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a system bus 54, and the like, and a plurality of game programs of a type corresponding to the game selection operation information (use request) received by the server communication processing unit 63. When there is unselected identification information in the identification information, the process of selecting one identification information from the unselected identification information according to a predetermined selection condition is performed. As will be described later, the selection condition in the first embodiment is that identification information corresponding to the notification image specified by the notification image selection information sent together with the game selection operation information from each gaming terminal 1 is unselected identification information. If there is, the condition is that the identification information is selected. The predetermined selection condition is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined selection condition may be a condition that selection is made by lottery from unselected identification information. The condition may be that the selection is made sequentially according to the order.
Further, when the identification information selection unit 65 selects the identification information, the identification information selection unit 65 sets an already selected flag for the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 64. The identification information selection unit 65 determines whether each identification information is selected identification information or unselected identification information depending on whether an already selected flag is set.
Further, when the identification information selection unit 65 selects the identification information, the identification information selection unit 65 outputs an execution command for causing the control unit 62 to execute the type of game program corresponding to the identification information.

  The operation history processing unit 72 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a system bus 54, and the like. The identification information corresponding to the game program executed by the control unit 62 and the server communication processing unit 63 received from each gaming terminal. A process of storing specific operation history information (play history information) during execution of the game program in the identification information storage unit 64 in a state associated with the ID. That is, a process of storing the play history of each player in the identification information storage unit 64 is performed.

Next, a process flow when the player plays a game on the gaming terminal 1 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a sequence flow diagram illustrating a processing flow when the player plays a game on the gaming terminal 1.
When a player tries to start game play on a certain gaming terminal 1, the game screen of the game that was played immediately before on that gaming terminal 1 is usually displayed on the monitor 11 of that gaming terminal 1. ing. The player can play this game as it is, but can also play other types of games stored in the storage unit 61 of the server device 50. When trying to play another type of game, first, the player performs an operation for calling the game selection screen to the operation reception unit 41. Thereby, the CPU 21 of the gaming terminal 1 executes the game selection program, and first reads the game selection screen information stored in the ROM 22 or the RAM 23 to display the game selection screen on the monitor 11. In addition, although this Embodiment 1 demonstrates the case where game selection screen information is memorize | stored in each gaming terminal 1, you may memorize | store in the server apparatus 50. FIG. If the game selection screen information is stored in the server device 50, the game selection screen information can be centrally managed. Therefore, when the game selection screen information needs to be changed as a new game program is added or an existing game program is deleted, the change is made There is an advantage that it becomes easy.

  On the game selection screen, a list of games that the player can play on the gaming terminal 1 is displayed. When the player views the game selection screen, operates the game selection button 8, and performs a game selection operation for selecting a game he / she wants to play on the operation reception unit 41, game selection operation information corresponding to the operation is selected. Is transmitted from the terminal communication processing unit 42 to the server device 50. Here, it is assumed that the player has selected a slot game. When the game selection operation information is received by the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50, the CPU 51 of the server device 50 executes a predetermined notification processing program, refers to the identification information storage unit 64, and executes the game. It is investigated whether or not an already selected flag is set for each piece of identification information corresponding to the type of game program specified by the selection operation information. Thereafter, the CPU 51 performs control to transmit the already-selected flag information indicating the investigation result from the server communication processing unit 63 to the gaming terminal 1 that is the transmission source of the game selection operation information. Then, in the gaming terminal 1 that has received the selected flag information by the terminal communication processing unit 42, the CPU 21 that executes a predetermined notification processing program causes the display unit 43 to display a virtual machine selection screen based on the selected flag information. . The virtual platform selection screen displays a plurality of virtual platform images (notification images) respectively corresponding to the identification information about the game selected by the player through the game selection operation in a state where they can be distinguished from each other.

  In the first embodiment, a notification process for performing a notification process for displaying each virtual platform image (notification image) on the display unit 43 of the gaming terminal 1 through cooperation between the gaming terminal 1 and the server device 50. The server includes the CPU 52 and the server communication processing unit 58 that configures the server communication processing unit 63, and the external input / output port that configures the terminal communication processing unit 42 of the gaming terminal 1, such as the RAM 52 that configures the identification information storage unit 64 of the server device 50 21c and CPU21.

  In the first embodiment, the virtual platform images on the virtual platform selection screen are displayed at different positions on the virtual platform selection screen. For each virtual platform image, for example, an image made up of a slot machine pattern or the like is used, or images with different virtual platform numbers assigned to the slot machine pattern. In the present embodiment, an image in which different virtual machine numbers are assigned to the designs of the slot machine is used as each virtual machine image. Each virtual platform image may be composed of the same pattern or may be composed of different patterns. However, in the first embodiment, at least the virtual table image corresponding to the identification information (selected identification information) already selected by the identification information selection unit 65 and the identification not yet selected by the identification information selection unit 65 The virtual platform image corresponding to the information (unselected identification information) is different from each other. Specifically, the virtual platform image corresponding to the unselected identification information is displayed in color, and the virtual platform image corresponding to the selected identification information is displayed in gray.

  The specific control will be described. The CPU 21 of the gaming terminal 1 that executes a predetermined notification processing program, based on the already-selected flag information received by the terminal communication processing unit 42, identifies each identification information corresponding to the game program. It is determined whether or not is already selected. Then, a virtual table selection screen in which the virtual table image corresponding to the identification information determined to be already selected is displayed in gray and the virtual table image corresponding to the identification information determined to be unselected is displayed in color is displayed on the display unit. 43. Then, the player performs a virtual table selection operation (notification image selection operation) for selecting the virtual table image of the desired virtual table number with respect to the operation reception unit 41 while viewing the virtual table selection screen. At this time, the operation reception unit 41 receives a virtual table selection operation for selecting a virtual table image (color display virtual table image) corresponding to the unselected identification information, but the virtual table image corresponding to the selected identification information. The virtual table selection operation for selecting (virtual table image displayed in gray) is not accepted. Note that the virtual display image displayed in gray from the beginning may not be selected. When the virtual table selection operation is received by the operation reception unit 41, virtual table selection operation information corresponding to the operation is transmitted from the terminal communication processing unit 42 to the server device 50.

  When the virtual table selection operation information is received by the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50, the identification information selection unit 65 of the server device 50 refers to the identification information storage unit 64 and receives it based on the selected flag. It is determined whether or not the virtual base selection operation information is unselected identification information. If it is determined that the identification information is not selected, an already selected flag is set for the identification information, and a game program of a type corresponding to the identification information is given to the control unit 62, that is, the server communication processing unit 63. Outputs an execution command for executing the type of game program specified by the game selection operation information received earlier.

  When receiving the execution command from the identification information selection unit 65, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 reads out the type of game program related to the execution command from the storage unit 61 and executes it. Thereby, the slot game is advanced to the gaming terminal 1 that is the transmission source of the virtual table selection operation information. The control unit 62 of the server device 50 sends image information corresponding to the progress status of the slot game based on the executed game program to the server communication processing unit 63 toward the gaming terminal 1 that is the transmission source of the virtual table selection operation information. Control to send. The gaming terminal 1 that has received the image information by the terminal communication processing unit 42 displays a game screen based on the image information on the display unit 43. Thereby, the player can play the slot game selected by the player.

  In the first embodiment, the game program executed by the control unit 51 of the server device 50 is the same regardless of which virtual platform image is selected on the virtual platform selection screen described above by the player. However, since it is not possible to select a virtual table image on the virtual table selection screen before starting the play of this slot game or to select a virtual table image already selected by another person, each virtual The work of selecting a table image has a feeling as if selecting an actual game table. As a result, the player who plays the slot game based on the game program executed on the server device 50 is given a feeling that the slot game is being played on the virtual game stand (virtual stand) selected by the player. Can do.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the slot game based on the game program executed on the server device 50.
First, when an unillustrated coin is inserted into the coin insertion slot 5a of the gaming terminal 1 or a bill is inserted into the bill insertion slot 5b by the player, the inserted amount is counted by an inserted amount counting device (not shown). Then, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 of the gaming terminal 1 performs a credit addition process for adding an amount of credit corresponding to the input amount counted by the input amount counting device to the credit data in the RAM 23.

  When the player determines the desired BET amount, the player operates the BET buttons 7a and 7b of the gaming terminal 1 (S1). When the bet operation (game operation) is received by the operation receiving unit 41, the bet operation information (game operation information) is transmitted from the terminal communication processing unit 42 to the server device 50. When the bet operation information is received by the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 accepts a spin operation (game operation) for the spin button 6a according to the bet operation information. Change the progress of the slot game so that it becomes possible. Specifically, from the server communication processing unit 63, image information in which the BET amount displayed on the BET display unit 11c of the game screen displayed on the monitor 11 of the display unit 43 is the BET amount related to the bet operation information is obtained from the server communication processing unit 63. Transmit to the gaming terminal 1. In the gaming terminal 1 that has received this image information by the terminal communication processing unit 42, the BET related to the bet operation information is displayed on the BET display unit 11c of the game screen displayed on the monitor 11 of the display unit 43 according to the received image information. The amount is displayed. When the bet operation is accepted by the operation accepting unit 41, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 of the gaming terminal 1 performs a process of reducing the credit amount corresponding to the bet operation from the credit data in the RAM 23 (S2). .

  Thereafter, when the player operates the spin button 6a of the gaming terminal 1 (S3), the operation reception unit 41 receives the spin operation (game operation). Thereby, the spin operation information (game operation information) is transmitted from the terminal communication processing unit 42 to the server device 50. When the spin operation information is received by the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 is displayed in the five symbol display areas 11a in the display unit 43 according to the spin operation information. The progress situation of the slot game is changed so that the change display which sequentially switches the symbols is made. Specifically, image information of variable display for sequentially switching symbols displayed in the five symbol display areas 11 a on the monitor 11 of the display unit 43 is transmitted from the server communication processing unit 63 to the gaming terminal 1. In the gaming terminal 1 that has received this image information by the terminal communication processing unit 42, a variable display is performed in which the symbols displayed in the five symbol display areas 11a on the monitor 11 of the display unit 43 are sequentially switched according to the received image information. (S4).

  The control unit 62 of the server device 50 that has received the spin operation information by the server communication processing unit 63 generates five random numbers (S5), and performs a process of determining a symbol to be stopped and displayed in each symbol display area 11a. Specifically, the control unit 62 compares the generated five random numbers against a predetermined stop position table. This stop position table is prepared individually for each symbol display area 11a. And the control part 62 determines the stop position of the variable display in each symbol display area 11a with each random number and each stop position table.

  Further, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 that has received the spin operation information by the server communication processing unit 63 has won a predetermined prize by checking the combination of the five random numbers against a predetermined winning determination table. A lottery process is performed to determine whether or not (S6). In the first embodiment, the awards are roughly classified into a prize for paying a predetermined amount of credits to a player, a prize for transitioning to an event in a special game state, a bonus game, or a feature game. Then, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 determines a prize to be won in the current slot game or a loser when no prize has been won, based on the combination of random numbers and the winning determination table. In the following description, only the former award will be described.

  In the first embodiment, each winning determination table has a symbol corresponding to the same prize in an arbitrary one symbol display area and another symbol display area adjacent thereto, in a stop display, in relation to the stop position table. If it is done, it is created so that it can win. That is, the stop symbol pattern that is stopped and displayed in the all symbol display area 11a determined by the generated five random numbers and the stop position table is adjacent to any one symbol display area in the all symbol display area 11a. If a symbol corresponding to the same prize is included in symbols stopped and displayed in other symbol display areas, the winning combination for the same prize is associated with the combination of the five random numbers. Yes.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a stop symbol pattern when determining winning. In this example, five prizes are won. In the following, for the sake of explanation, the five symbol display areas 11a are arranged in order from the left in the figure: the first symbol display area, the second symbol display area, the third symbol display area, the fourth symbol display area, and the fifth symbol display. A zone.
As described above, in the first embodiment, if a symbol corresponding to the same prize is stopped and displayed in any one symbol display area and another symbol display area adjacent thereto, a prize is won. Referring to FIG. 8, “1st symbol” is stopped and displayed in the entire symbol display area. Therefore, the first prize corresponding to the five “1st symbols” has been won. In addition, since “W symbol” is stopped and displayed in the second symbol display area, this “W symbol” can be handled as “1st symbol”, and five “1st symbols” as described above. The first prize corresponding to is further won. In addition, “K symbol” is stopped and displayed in the entire symbol display area. Therefore, the King Award corresponding to the five “K symbols” has been won. In addition, since the “W symbol” is stopped and displayed in the second symbol display area, this “W symbol” can also be handled as “K symbol”. "The King Award corresponding to" Further, “2nd symbol” is stopped and displayed in the third symbol display area and the fourth symbol display area, and “W symbol” is stopped and displayed in the second symbol display area. Since this “W symbol” can also be handled as “2nd symbol”, the second prize corresponding to three “2nd symbols” is won.
In the first embodiment, the winning is limited to the case where the number of adjacent symbol display areas including symbols corresponding to the same prize is 3 or more. Accordingly, when FIG. 8 is viewed, “A symbol” is stopped and displayed in the first symbol display area and the second symbol display area, but “A symbol” and “W symbol” are also displayed in the second symbol display area. There is no such thing as an ace prize. Of course, the adjacent number may not be 3 or more, but may be 2 or more or 4 or more.
In the first embodiment, even prizes corresponding to the same kind of symbols are treated as different prizes depending on the number of symbols. That is, for example, even a prize corresponding to the same “1st symbol”, a first prize corresponding to three “1st symbols”, a first prize corresponding to four “1st symbols”, and five “1st symbols” The first prize corresponding to the “design” is a different prize. Therefore, the payout amount when winning is different, and the more the number of symbols, the higher the payout amount.

  In the first embodiment, a special slot game is illustrated in which a winning is achieved when a symbol corresponding to the same prize is stopped and displayed in any one symbol display area and another symbol display area adjacent thereto. Not limited to this. In addition to a general slot game in which a winning is made when the same symbol is stopped and displayed on a winning line set so as to span the entire symbol display area, any slot game can be adopted.

  When the lottery process is completed in this way, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 has a stop position determined by the five random numbers and each stop position table after a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the spin operation information. The progress status of the slot game is changed so as to stop the variable display in each symbol display area 11a. Specifically, image information at which the variable display of the five symbol display areas 11 a on the monitor 11 of the display unit 43 stops is transmitted from the server communication processing unit 63 to the gaming terminal 1. In the gaming terminal 1 that has received this image information by the terminal communication processing unit 42, display is performed such that the variable display of the five symbol display areas 11a on the monitor 11 of the display unit 43 is stopped according to the received image information ( S7).

  On the other hand, in the lottery process, when the winning of a prize for paying a predetermined amount of credit to the player is determined (S8), the control unit 62 of the server device 50 receives the winning information indicating that fact in the server communication process. Transmit from the unit 63 to the gaming terminal. In the gaming terminal that has received the winning information at the terminal communication processing unit 42, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 performs a payout process (S9). Specifically, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 performs a payout process in which credits corresponding to the winning prize are added to the credit data recorded in the RAM 23. In the first embodiment, the winning information includes a lamp control command, information on sound effects for production, and the like. Therefore, in the gaming terminal that has received such winning information by the terminal communication processing unit 42, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 sends a control command according to the lamp control command to the illumination control unit 26 and the acoustic control unit 27. Output. Thereby, the illumination control unit 26 is a lamp button having a light emitting unit such as the various lamps 10a and 10b and the spin button 6a that are turned on, the credit settlement button 6b, the BET buttons 7a and 7b, and the game selection button 8. Is controlled so as to blink in a blinking pattern corresponding to the control command. Further, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 sends information on the sound effect to the sound control unit 27. Thereby, the sound control unit 27 performs control to temporarily stop the music output from the speaker 15 as the effect sound and output the sound effect corresponding to the information of the sound effect from the speaker 15. Thereby, various lamp buttons of the gaming terminal 1 are controlled to be turned on, and sound effects are output from the speaker 15.

  When a player who is playing the slot game as described above on the gaming terminal 1 wants to play another game, he performs an operation for calling the game selection screen on the operation reception unit 41. As a result, the game selection screen is displayed on the monitor 11 as described above, another game is selected by operating the game selection button 8, and the virtual table selection operation is performed when the virtual table selection screen is displayed. When the virtual stand image of the virtual stand number that he / she wishes to play is selected, the selected other game can be played.

  Thus, in a game system in which a player can arbitrarily select a game program to be executed from among a plurality of game programs, some support is required when there are too many choices of games that can be played. When choosing a game to play from many options without any support, there is a problem that the game selection operation takes time because the player chooses the game to play or takes time to select it Arise. If the game selection operation takes time, the player's time is wasted. Moreover, as a game facility, although the game terminal 1 has a player, a game does not progress, and this leads to a substantial decrease in operating rate.

[Example 1]
Next, a first example for supporting the game selection operation of the player in the game system of the first embodiment will be described.
In the first embodiment, when the player inputs an ID to the input receiving unit 71, the control unit 62 reads specific operation history (play history) information of the player, and generates assist information for selection assistance based on the play history. . Then, the assist information is transmitted to the gaming terminal 1 that has received the ID, and the gaming terminal 1 that has received the assist information displays an assist image based on the assist information on the display unit 43.
As the play history information, the play history such as the number of times the game based on the game program has reached a specific progress status in the past predetermined period and the type of the specific progress status is associated with the ID input before the play. Stored in the identification information storage unit 64. Specifically, in the game based on the game program executed by the control unit 62 of the server device 50, for example, the number of times a large amount of credits have been paid out, the number of times a specific event has occurred, and the type thereof. Taking the slot game described above as an example, for example, the number of times of winning an award that shifts to an event or bonus game or feature game, the type of the prize, and the like are stored as play history information.

  Then, when the server device 50 receives the input of the ID from the gaming terminal 1, the control unit 62 generates assist information based on the play history information stored in association with the ID, and this assist information is stored in the gaming device. Transmit to terminal 1. The gaming terminal that has received the assist information displays a display image of the assist information (hereinafter referred to as an assist image) on the display unit 43 before the operation receiving unit 41 receives a game selection operation. Thereby, since the player can select a game with reference to the assist image, the player can be prompted to select a game.

The play history information stored in the identification information storage unit 64 includes, for each game type or virtual table, the number of times played (for example, within one month), the number of wins and losses, and the number of bonus games acquired for slot machines, For example, the maximum payout amount. In addition, if the game system has a link system that has a prize that is not directly related to the progress of the game to be played, such as a jackpot, the game or virtual table that has won the prize, such as a jackpot, along with the number of times Stored in the identification information storage unit 64.
In addition, although it illustrated about the case where it takes a play history when the progress state of a game turns into the specific progress state based on a game program in this way, if taking a play history is a meaningful operation, it will be in the above Not limited.

  As an example of the assist image displayed on the display unit 43, there is one that digitizes and displays the play history information. Specifically, when displaying an icon that can be recognized for each game (or virtual machine) that can be played on the selection screen, the numerical value of the play history information is displayed at a position associated with each icon. The numerical value displayed here may be all or a part of the specific play history information stored in the identification information storage unit 64.

In addition, the assist image displayed on the display unit 43 may be an image processed based on the play history information as well as a numerical value of the play history information.
For example, when an ID is received, a ranking table can be recognized so that the types of games (or virtual machines) can be recognized in descending order based on the number of executions for each game program executed after the previous ID input. Such an assist image is displayed on the display unit 43. In addition to the ranking table, when a recognizable icon is displayed for each game (or virtual table) that can be played on the selection screen, a game program that is frequently executed as an assist image that makes it easy to select a game with high play frequency. Only the icon for executing the above may be displayed on the display unit 43.

Further, the tendency (preference) of the player's game selection may be estimated from the past number of plays for each game, and the game may be displayed so that it can be easily selected. Here, there are game categories such as poker and slot, manufacturers, and series works as factors for guessing a player's game selection tendency.
Then, as an assist image that allows the player to easily select a favorite game, a selection screen in a state where the game category, maker, series, or the like is narrowed down to a game that is common to games with a large number of plays is displayed on the display unit 43.
In the case of a series work, when a game program of a new game that is a sequel to a game with a high play frequency of the player is added to the server device 50, an assist image for notifying the arrival of the new game is displayed on the display unit 43. Also good. Furthermore, the game program related to the new game may be easily executed by selecting a button on the image of the display unit 43 as well as the notification.
In addition, when various game programs are stored in the server device 50, the player is more likely to take time to select a game to play. Therefore, as described above, the selection screen is displayed on the display unit 43 in a state of focusing on the game presumed to be the player's preference, thereby promoting the player's selection of the game and reducing the time required for the game selection. Is possible.

  It is not limited to the one that makes it easy to select a game with a high play frequency, and conversely, an assist image that makes it easy to select a game with a low play frequency, a game category with a low play frequency, a maker, etc. .

  In addition, based on the game type or the winning / losing data for each virtual platform, specifically, the data comparing the input amount and the acquired amount, the game type or virtual platform that is compatible with the player is calculated, and the player himself An assist image capable of recognizing the type of game or the virtual stand that is compatible with the display may be displayed on the display unit 43. The winning / losing data here is not limited to the total win / loss, but if it is a slot game, it may be the number of times the bonus game was drawn, the maximum amount paid out at one time, etc. Calculate the type of game or virtual stand that is good. A game in which the difference between the amount acquired and the amount inserted, the number of bonus games acquired, the maximum amount paid out at a time, etc., are not less than a predetermined value without calculating a compatible game type or virtual platform. Only an icon for recognizing can be displayed on the display unit 43. As a result, the player can determine whether the game is good or bad for him.

The number of executions executed after inputting the ID in the past is not limited to the number of executions of each game program, and assist information may be generated based on the number of executions of the game program of the entire game system. Specifically, the assist information is generated based on the number of times the game program of the entire game system has been executed, that is, the total number of times the player has played on the game system. A player whose total number is equal to or greater than a predetermined number is set as a VIP player, and an assist image different from that of the VIP player is displayed on the display unit 43. For example, a game selection screen that enables selection of a VIP-only game, a privilege video, and the like are displayed on the display unit 43.
Further, for VIP players, customer representatives carefully analyze the player's tendency based on the play history, create dedicated assist information, and associate the identification information with the VIP player's ID information. You may memorize | store in the memory | storage part 64. FIG. In this case, after the dedicated assist information is stored in the identification information storage unit 64, when the VIP player ID information is input to the input receiving unit, an assist image based on the dedicated assist information is displayed on the display unit 43. indicate.
Note that the VIP player is not limited to the total number of times played, but may be the total number of visits to the game facility, the total time played, the total amount charged, and the like.

In addition, the game system is equipped with a search function for performing content search according to a player's request and history data search.
In content search, when a player's ID is accepted, a normal selection screen or assist image is displayed. If the player requests information other than the displayed information, the information is listed in various ways. From there, you can choose a game to play. Information cuts include the game category, manufacturer, year of manufacture, and rate. As the selection of the game by the content search, for example, by selecting a slot machine from the type of game and selecting a lower rate by selecting a low rate or a high rate, a game corresponding to the selected condition is selected. Only the information regarding is displayed on the display unit 43. By narrowing down the conditions in this way, it is easy to select a desired game when selecting a game to be played from a variety of types, promoting the player's game selection, and reducing the time required for game selection It becomes possible. The conditions used for narrowing down may include conditions for narrowing down based on the player's play history, such as “games played in the past week”.
The history data search can confirm a list of games played in the past based on the player's play history. As a result, when a player wants to play a game that has been played in the past again, the game can be searched from the list even if the name of the game is unknown.

In the identification information storage unit 64 described above, play histories of all the players whose IDs are registered are recorded. Therefore, when the control unit 62 generates assist information, the assist unit generates not only the play history corresponding to the ID received by the input receiving unit 71 but also information including the play history corresponding to another ID. Also good. For example, an assist image that displays current popular models in an easy-to-understand manner such as a trendy game at a game facility or a game availability TOP10 ranking may be displayed on the display unit 43 to prompt the player to select a popular game. .
In addition, when not only the type of game but also a virtual platform can be identified as in the first embodiment, the play history of all players may be stored in association with each virtual platform. When playing history information corresponding to the identification information related to each virtual table image is displayed on the virtual table selection screen in a state of being associated with each virtual table image, the play history information includes not only oneself but another person's Some are based on play. In this case, the player can grasp which prize has won and how many times in the game played within each virtual stand within a predetermined period including not only himself but other players.

  Further, not only assist information based on the play history stored in the identification information storage unit 64 but also recommended information set by the game facility side is displayed as an assist image, and a recommended game is selected more than other games. It may be displayed on the display unit 43 in an easy state to prompt the player to select a recommended game.

  Further, a concierge character may be stored in association with the ID of each player. This concierge character is selected and registered by the player. When the input ID 71 of the player is received, the concierge character stored in association with the ID is displayed on the display unit 43 together with the game selection image, and the concierge character assists the game selection operation. Make a production like this.

[Example 2]
Next, a first example for supporting the game selection operation of the player in the game system of the first embodiment will be described.
The operation history processing unit 72 according to the second embodiment receives the game selection operation information for determining the game program to be executed by the server communication processing unit 63 from the operation receiving unit 41 before the control unit 62 receives the game selection operation information from each gaming terminal 1. A process of storing specific operation history information (operation history information before game selection) in the identification information storage unit 64 in a state in which the operation history information is associated with the ID received from each gaming terminal 1 is performed. That is, the process of storing the operation history information before game selection of each player in the identification information storage unit 64 is performed.
When the player inputs an ID to the input receiving unit 71, the control unit 62 reads out the operation history information before game selection of the player, and the operation (pattern operation) repeatedly received by the operation receiving unit 41 in the operation history information before game selection. It is determined whether or not there is. If there is a pattern operation in the operation history information before game selection, the control unit 62 generates a pattern omission signal that omits at least a part of the pattern operation as an operation omission processing unit, and sends this pattern to the gaming terminal 1 that has received the ID. Send a skip signal. The gaming terminal 1 that has received the pattern omission signal displays a pattern omission operation image on the display unit 43 based on the pattern omission signal.

  In the game system of the second embodiment, it is possible to grasp the pattern operation from the operation history of the operation before game selection of each player until the game selection operation for each player is performed. Then, the player performs the pre-game selection operation using the pattern omission image that can omit a part of the repetitive operation based on the operation history, so that the player is not required to perform the repetitive operation. You can do the same. Thereby, the operation until the game selection operation is performed can be simplified, and the player can be prompted to select a game.

As the pattern operation, for example, if the player selects a specific game every time, there is a pre-game selection operation performed before the game selection operation of the specific game.
If you can select a variety of games that make it difficult to display all of the selectable games on a single screen, you can narrow down the choices hierarchically by game category, manufacturer, etc., and ultimately play Select a game. If the pattern operation cannot be omitted, even if the player wants to play the same specific game as usual, the player will repeat the same patterned operation every time according to the same selection screen as other players. This is a cumbersome operation.

  On the other hand, in the game system of the second embodiment, when the input receiving unit 71 receives the ID of the player who selects a specific game every time, the control unit 62 stores the operation history information before game selection stored in association with the ID. Determine that there is a pattern operation. Then, a pattern omission signal for omitting this pattern operation is generated, the pattern omission signal is transmitted to the gaming terminal that has received the ID, and the gaming terminal 1 generates a pattern omission operation image based on the received pattern omission signal. It is displayed on the display unit 43. When the player inputs the ID to the input receiving unit 71, the display unit 43 can confirm the pattern omitted image. As the pattern omission image, when the player inputs an ID to the input receiving unit 71, there is an image that displays a message asking whether or not to play the specific game (for example, a YES / NO button display). Then, when the player performs an operation of selecting a specific game (for example, selecting a YES button), the control unit 62 receives game selection operation information and executes a game program corresponding to the specific game. Thereby, the player can play a specific game that is always played without repeating the operation patterned according to the same selection screen as other players.

In addition, as the pattern operation, for example, if the player performs an operation for displaying specific information on the display unit 43 every time before the game selection operation, there is a pre-game selection operation performed until the specific information is displayed. .
As in the game system of the first embodiment, if the player can select and play a plurality of game programs and can confirm information useful for game selection at the time of game selection, the player Information that is frequently checked is different for each. Specifically, there may be a player who confirms from his / her past play history and a player who confirms from the ranking of recent popular games. Furthermore, a player who selects a game to play without confirming any information may be considered. And if there is so much information that the player can check so that not all information useful for game selection can be displayed on one screen, for example, an operation for displaying a screen for confirming information from the normal selection screen is performed, and information from there Select options hierarchically according to the type of information, and finally select the information you want to check. If the pattern operation can not be omitted, even if the player wants to confirm the same specific information as usual, the player will repeat the same pattern operation almost every time according to the same selection screen as the other players, This is a cumbersome operation.

  On the other hand, in the game system of the second embodiment, when the input receiving unit 71 receives the ID of a player who confirms specific information every time, the control unit 62 stores the operation history information before game selection stored in association with the ID. Determine that there is a pattern operation. Then, a pattern omission signal for omitting this pattern operation is generated, the pattern omission signal is transmitted to the gaming terminal that has received the ID, and the gaming terminal 1 generates a pattern omission operation image based on the received pattern omission signal. It is displayed on the display unit 43. When the player inputs the ID to the input receiving unit 71, the display unit 43 can confirm the pattern omitted image. As the pattern omission image, when the player inputs an ID to the input receiving unit 71, the specific information is displayed on the display unit 43. Further, when a plurality of pieces of information are confirmed each time instead of one specific information, an icon such as a shortcut that can immediately confirm each piece of information may be displayed on the display unit 43. Thereby, the player can confirm specific information that is always confirmed without repeating the operation patterned according to the same selection screen as other players.

As described above, according to the first example of the first embodiment, the operation history processing unit 72 receives the specific operation history (play history) related to the execution of the game program executed by the control unit 62 by the input reception unit 71. The player identification information is stored in the identification information storage unit in association with the player identification information ID. And when the input reception part 71 receives input of ID, the play history corresponding to ID received is called, and the assist display image based on this play history is displayed before the operation reception part 41 receives game selection operation. Displayed on the unit 43. In other words, the play history for each player is stored, and when the player selects a game, an assist display image based on his / her play history can be displayed, so that the player can be prompted to select a game.
Further, according to the second example of the first embodiment, the specific operation history (game) received by the control unit 62 from the operation receiving unit 41 before the server communication processing unit 63 receives the game selection operation information. (Operation history before selection) is stored in the identification information storage unit, which is the player information storage unit, in association with the ID that is the player identification information received by the input reception unit 71 by the operation history processing unit 72. And the control part 62 calls the operation history before game selection corresponding to ID received when the input reception part 71 received the input of ID, and the operation (41) which operation reception part 41 received repeatedly to this operation history before game selection ( If there is a pattern operation), a process of omitting at least a part of the pattern operation is performed. In other words, the operation history before game selection for each player is stored, and when the player performs the operation before game selection, his / her pattern operation can be omitted, so the operation until the player performs the game selection operation is simplified. And can prompt the player to select a game.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the same casino game system as in the first embodiment (hereinafter, this embodiment is referred to as “second embodiment”) will be described.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the casino game system according to the second embodiment.
The casino game system stores a plurality of types of game programs in the server device 50, downloads the game program selected by the player at each gaming terminal 1 from the server device 50, and executes the game program on the gaming terminal. A game system of the type. Each gaming terminal 1 executes a game by executing a game program downloaded from the server device 50, and is installed on a casino floor where players are located. The server device 50 is installed in the security room as in the first embodiment. Each gaming terminal 1 and the server device 50 are connected via a communication network so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. In the case where a part or all of the functional parts carried by the server device 50 are installed at a place away from the casino, a communication network realized by a public telephone line, a dedicated telephone line, a cable TV line, a wireless communication line, etc. You may make it connect via.
Note that the hardware configurations of the gaming terminal 1 and the server device 50 are substantially the same as in the case of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The gaming terminal 1 according to the second embodiment includes a control unit 70 in addition to the operation reception unit 41, the terminal communication processing unit 42, and the display unit 43 that are also included in the first embodiment.
When the operation reception unit 41 receives a game selection operation, the terminal communication processing unit 42 according to the second embodiment transmits game selection operation information for specifying the type of game program downloaded from the server device 50 to the server device. Perform transmission processing. Also, a reception process for receiving a game program corresponding to the game selection operation information is performed.
The control unit 70 executes the game program received by the terminal communication processing unit 42, and the progress of the game based on the game program being executed according to the game operation information generated when the operation receiving unit 41 receives the game operation. Control to change. In addition, the control unit 70 performs control such that a game image corresponding to the progress of the game is displayed on the monitor 11 or the display device 14 and sound such as effect sound is output from the speaker 15. That is, the control unit 70 of the second embodiment performs control to advance the game in the same manner as the control unit 62 provided in the server device of the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the control unit 70 provided in each gaming terminal 1 only needs to be able to execute a single game program, and a plurality of games such as the control unit 62 provided in the server device of the first embodiment. There is no need to be able to run the program in parallel. Therefore, the processing capability required for the control unit 70 in the second embodiment is much lower than the processing capability required for the control unit 62 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the control unit 70 according to the second embodiment can be configured much cheaper than the control unit 62 according to the first embodiment. The casino game system according to the first embodiment described above is different from the conventional general game system configured by a plurality of independent game tables (actual game devices) that execute unique game programs. Since many of the functions provided are omitted from the individual gaming terminals 1 and concentrated on the server device 50, the cost of the individual gaming terminals 1 can be greatly reduced, resulting in a reduction in the overall system cost. it can. Even in the casino system according to the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the cost close to that of the casino game system according to the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, the server device 50 according to the second embodiment does not include the control unit 62 provided in the first embodiment. That is, the server device 50 according to the second embodiment does not have a function of executing a game program and progressing the game. Other functions are almost the same as the functions of the server device 50 of the first embodiment.

Next, a process flow when the player plays a game on the gaming terminal 1 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a sequence flow diagram illustrating a processing flow when the player plays a game on the gaming terminal 1.
When a player tries to start game play on a certain gaming terminal 1, the game screen of the game that was played immediately before on that gaming terminal 1 is usually displayed on the monitor 11 of that gaming terminal 1. ing. The player can play this game as it is, but can also play other types of games stored in the storage unit 61 of the server device 50. When trying to play another type of game, the player performs an operation for calling the game selection screen to the operation reception unit 41 as in the case of the first embodiment. Thereby, a game selection screen is displayed on the monitor 11. Note that the case where the game selection screen information is stored in each gaming terminal 1 will also be described in the second embodiment, but the point that may be stored in the server device 50 is the same as in the case of the first embodiment. .

  The player looks at the game selection screen displayed on the monitor 11, operates the game selection button 8, and performs a game selection operation for selecting a game he / she wants to play on the operation reception unit 41. Then, game selection operation information corresponding to the operation is transmitted from the terminal communication processing unit 42 to the server device 50. Here again, it is assumed that the player selects the slot game, as in the case of the first embodiment. When this game selection operation information is received by the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50, the CPU 51 of the server device 50 executes a predetermined notification processing program, and as in the case of the first embodiment described above, It is investigated whether or not an already selected flag is set for each piece of identification information corresponding to the type of game program specified by the game selection operation information, and the already selected flag information indicating the result of the investigation is obtained from the server communication processing unit 63. Control is performed to transmit the game selection operation information to the gaming terminal 1 that is the transmission source. In the gaming terminal 1 that has received the already-selected flag information by the terminal communication processing unit 42, the CPU 21 that executes a predetermined notification processing program is based on the already-selected flag information as in the case of the first embodiment described above. A virtual stand selection screen is displayed on the display unit 43.

  When the player performs a virtual table selection operation (notification image selection operation) for selecting the virtual table image of the desired virtual table number on the operation reception unit 41 while viewing the virtual table selection screen, the operation corresponds to the operation. Virtual table selection operation information is transmitted from the terminal communication processing unit 42 to the server device 50. When this virtual table selection operation information is received by the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50, the identification information selection unit 65 of the server device 50 receives the received virtual table selection operation as in the case of the first embodiment described above. If it is determined that the information is unselected identification information, an already selected flag is set for the identification information, and an execution command for causing the control unit 62 to execute the type of game program corresponding to the identification information is output. .

When receiving the execution command from the identification information selection unit 65, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 reads out the game program of the type related to the execution command from the storage unit 61, and reads this from the transmission source of the virtual table selection operation information. Transmit to the gaming terminal 1. The gaming terminal 1 that has received the game program at the terminal communication processing unit 42 temporarily stores the game program in the game program storage area of the RAM 23. Thereafter, the control unit 70 of the gaming terminal 1 executes the game program stored in the RAM 23 and proceeds with the slot game. Specifically, the control unit 70 performs a process of causing the display unit 43 to display a game screen corresponding to the progress status of the slot game based on the executed game program. Thereby, the player can play the slot game selected by the player. Then, the slot game progresses while the game progress status is changed by the player performing a game operation such as the above-described bet operation or spin operation on the operation receiving unit 41.
Note that the control of the slot game is the same as that in the first embodiment except that the control unit 70 provided in the gaming terminal 1 executes the game program and the game proceeds, and thus the description thereof is omitted. .

  The game program temporarily stored in the game program storage area of the RAM 23 may be deleted when the player selects another game as the next game to be played. In this case, since the capacity of the game program storage area of the RAM 23 is sufficient for one game program, the cost can be reduced. Further, when the remaining capacity of the game program storage area of the RAM 23 becomes smaller than the data amount of the downloaded game program, a part of the game programs stored in the game program storage area (for example, the first downloaded game) Program) or all of them may be deleted. In this case, when the game program of the game selected by the player remains in the RAM 23, the game program may be executed without transmitting the game selection operation information to the server device 50. According to this, the amount of information communication between each gaming terminal 1 and the server device 50 can be reduced, and it is effective in suppressing a decrease in the performance of the entire casino game system.

[Modification]
Next, a modification of Embodiments 1 and 2 described above will be described.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a game system including the server device 50 and the gaming terminal 1 has been described. However, a plurality of types of game programs stored in the storage unit by the game device alone are described. Similarly, the present invention can be applied to a stand-alone game device in which a game program related to a game selection operation performed by a player playing on the game device is selected and executed.
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the stand-alone game device 100 of the present modification.
In the game system of the first embodiment, since the server device 50 and the gaming terminal 1 are separate bodies, the server communication processing unit 63 and the terminal communication processing unit 42 are provided to transmit and receive information to and from each other. On the other hand, the modified game device 100 is configured to realize the functions provided in the server device 50 and the gaming terminal 1 in the first embodiment alone.

In each of the above-described embodiments (including the above-described modification examples, the same applies hereinafter), the case where the operation receiving unit 41 is configured with buttons has been described, but a touch panel provided on the monitor 11 may be used. .
In each of the above-described embodiments, when the player performs a game selection operation when the game selection screen is displayed, the display is switched to the virtual table selection screen that displays a plurality of virtual table images corresponding to the game related to the game selection operation. In the above description, the game is started by causing the player to perform a virtual table selection operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a game selection screen displaying virtual table images corresponding to two or more games is displayed from the beginning, and an operation for selecting a virtual table image on the game selection screen is performed, the virtual table image is selected. You may make it transmit the game selection operation information to the effect of having selected the game corresponding to the virtual table image to the server apparatus 50 with virtual table selection operation information. In this case, the player can complete the selection of the game and the selection of the virtual table image with a single operation, and the operation can be simplified.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments and modified examples, the case where the virtual platform images are displayed in a state where they can be distinguished from each other on the monitor 11 configuring the display unit 43 is illustrated, but may be displayed on the display device 14. Good. In this case, a virtual platform selection operation for determining which virtual platform image to select from among the virtual platform images displayed on the display device 14 is performed on the operation reception unit 41.
Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments and modifications, the configuration in which each virtual platform is processed in a state where each virtual platform can be distinguished from each other has been described. However, the configuration is not limited to identifying each virtual platform, and is identified for each type of game. There may be. In this case, the player does not select each virtual platform, but selects a game to be played for each type of game program. When the number of players who can play one type of game at a time is limited, the already-selected flag information is set for each type of game, not for each virtual table. In addition, when the number of players who can play one type of game at the same time is not limited, the process of setting the already-selected flag information becomes unnecessary.

1 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of a casino game system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. The block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the server apparatus which comprises the casino game system. 1 is an external view of a gaming terminal that constitutes the casino game system. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a main control board constituting the gaming terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a sub-control board constituting the gaming terminal. The sequence flow figure which shows the flow of a process when a player plays a game with the gaming terminal. The flowchart which shows the flow of the slot game based on the game program run with the server apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of a stop symbol pattern when deciding winning in the slot game. The functional block diagram which shows the main structures of the casino game system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. The sequence flow figure which shows the flow of a process when a player plays a game with the gaming terminal which comprises the casino game system. The functional block diagram which shows the main structures of the game device in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gaming terminal 8 Game selection button 11 Monitor 13 Card insertion slot 14 Display apparatus 20 Main control board 30 Sub control board 34 Card reader 41 Operation reception part 42 Terminal communication processing part 43 Display part 50 Server apparatus 61 Storage part 62 Control part 63 Server Communication processing unit 70 Control unit 71 Input reception unit 72 Operation history processing unit

Claims (7)

A server device comprising a program storage unit for storing a plurality of types of game programs and a player information storage unit for storing player identification information;
An input receiving unit that accepts input of the player specifying information prior to the start of the game for recording in the player information storage unit or for comparison with the recorded player specifying information, a game that is progressed by executing the game program A plurality of gaming devices comprising: a display unit that displays a game image according to a progress state; and an operation reception unit that receives a game operation for changing the progress state of the game and a game selection operation for selecting a game program to be executed. A terminal,
A game system in which the server device and the plurality of gaming terminals are connected to be capable of bidirectional communication,
Each gaming terminal includes a terminal communication processing unit that performs a transmission process of transmitting a use request of a game program corresponding to the game selection operation to the server device when the operation reception unit receives the game selection operation,
The server device includes a server communication processing unit that performs a reception process of receiving the use request transmitted from each gaming terminal,
Each of the gaming terminals and the server device includes a control unit that executes a game program corresponding to the use request,
Further, the gaming terminal that has received the input of the player specifying information and the server device cooperate with each other and associate the specific operation history related to the execution of the game program executed by the control unit with the received player specifying information. Before the operation reception unit receives the game selection operation, an operation history processing unit for storing in the player information storage unit and an assist display image based on the specific operation history corresponding to the received player identification information And a display processing unit for displaying on the display unit of the gaming terminal in at least one of the server device and the plurality of gaming terminals. The game system according to claim 1,
The game system characterized in that the specific operation history includes the number of times each game program is executed. The game system according to claim 1 or 2,
The game system characterized in that the specific operation history includes a game result of each game program. The game system according to claim 1, 2 or 3,
The display processing unit receives the operation reception of the assist display image based on the operation history corresponding to the player specifying information other than the player specifying information received by the input receiving unit instead of or together with the assist display image. Before the unit accepts the game selection operation, a display system for displaying on the display unit of the gaming terminal is performed. A server device comprising a program storage unit for storing a plurality of types of game programs and a player information storage unit for storing player identification information;
An input accepting unit that accepts input of the player specifying information prior to the start of the game for recording in the player information storage unit or for comparison with the recorded player specifying information, progress of the game that is progressed by execution of the game program A plurality of gaming terminals comprising: a display unit that displays a game image according to a situation; and an operation reception unit that receives a game operation for changing the progress of the game and a game selection operation for selecting a game program to be executed. And
A game system in which the server device and the plurality of gaming terminals are connected to be capable of bidirectional communication,
Each gaming terminal includes a terminal communication processing unit that performs a transmission process of transmitting a use request of a game program corresponding to the game selection operation to the server device when the operation reception unit receives the game selection operation,
The server device includes a server communication processing unit that performs a reception process of receiving the use request transmitted from each gaming terminal,
Each of the gaming terminals and the server device includes a control unit that executes a game program corresponding to the use request,
Further, the gaming terminal that has received the input of the player specifying information and the server device cooperate with each other, so that the input of the player specifying information by the input receiving unit to the reception of the game selection operation by the operation receiving unit. An operation history processing unit for storing the specific operation history received by the operation receiving unit in the player information storage unit in association with the player specifying information received by the input receiving unit;
Based on the specific operation history stored in the player information storage unit, the operation reception unit has repeatedly received the past operations received by the operation reception unit until the game selection operation is received by the operation reception unit. An operation omission processing unit for omitting at least a part of an operation is provided in at least one of the server device and the plurality of gaming terminals. A program storage unit for storing a plurality of types of game programs;
A player information storage unit for storing player identification information;
An input receiving unit that receives the input of the player specifying information prior to the start of the game for comparison with the recording to the player information storage unit or the recorded player specifying information;
A display unit for displaying a game image corresponding to the progress of the game progressed by the execution of the game program;
A game device having a game operation for changing the progress of the game and an operation reception unit for receiving a game selection operation for selecting a game program to be executed;
A control unit that executes a game program corresponding to the game selection operation when the operation reception unit receives the game selection operation;
An operation history processing unit for storing in the player information storage unit in association with the player specifying information that has received a specific operation history related to the execution of the game program executed by the control unit;
A display processing unit for causing the display unit to display an assist display image based on the specific operation history corresponding to the received player specifying information before the operation receiving unit receives the game selection operation;
A game apparatus comprising: A program storage unit for storing a plurality of types of game programs;
A player information storage unit for storing player identification information;
An input receiving unit that receives the input of the player specifying information prior to the start of the game for comparison with the recording to the player information storage unit or the recorded player specifying information;
A display unit for displaying a game image corresponding to the progress of the game progressed by the execution of the game program;
A game device having a game operation for changing the progress of the game and an operation reception unit for receiving a game selection operation for selecting a game program to be executed;
A control unit that executes a game program corresponding to the game selection operation when the operation reception unit receives the game selection operation;
Corresponding to the player specifying information received by the input receiving unit, the specific operation history received by the operation receiving unit from the input receiving of the player specifying information by the input receiving unit to the reception of the game selection operation by the operation receiving unit In addition, an operation history processing unit for storing in the player information storage unit,
Based on the specific operation history stored in the player information storage unit, the operation reception unit has repeatedly received the past operations received by the operation reception unit until the game selection operation is received by the operation reception unit. An operation omission processing unit for omitting at least a part of the operation.

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