JP4563481B2 - GAME DEVICE AND GAME PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game device and a game program, and more specifically to a portable game device and a game program that allow a plurality of players to play a game and advance the game.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are game systems for playing a game with a large number of people using a plurality of portable game devices. Patent Document 1 discloses a game device that connects a plurality of portable game devices via a communication cable to execute a Go game, a shogi game, a golf game, or the like.
JP 2004-41559 A

  Conventionally, like the game device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a game device is required for each player. That is, when there is only one game device, a game cannot be executed by a plurality of people. Further, when there are only two game devices, only two people can participate in the game.

  For example, when friends gather, there may be a person who carries the game device and a person who does not. In this case, a person carrying the game device can play the game, but a person who does not have to watch the game. The portable game device has an advantage that a game can be played immediately on the spot when friends gather even if they are away from home. However, when friends gather on the go, there are various situations, and not all people carry game devices, and there are almost no game devices for the number of people. Even when the number of game devices is sufficient, there may be a case where the number of communication devices such as communication cables is insufficient and multiplayer play cannot be performed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game device that can play a game with a larger number of players than the number of prepared game devices.

The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. In addition, reference numerals in parentheses and supplementary explanations in this column show correspondence with embodiments described later in order to help understanding of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention. A first invention is a portable game device in which a game progresses in a game world in which a plurality of player characters appear by communicating with another game device. This game apparatus includes an operation means (operation switch 15) integrated with the game apparatus , setting means (S41 to S46, S47 to S51), character selection means (S60), and control data setting means (S63, S64, S66) and operation determining means (S70). Setting means, among the plurality of player characters are operated by a plurality of players, a player character operated by the own apparatus, and at least one set for each player, set the player character operated by the other game apparatus To do. The character selection means selects one player character to be controlled from among the player character operated by the own device set by the setting means and the player character operated by another game device. The control data setting means sets the control data of the player character based on the operation data from the operation means of the own machine when the player character selected by the character selection means is a player character operated by the own machine. (S64) When the player character selected by the character selection means is a player character operated by another game device, the control data of the player character is set based on the data received from the other game device (S66). ). The action determining means determines the action of the player character selected by the character selecting means based on the control data set by the control data setting means.

In the second invention, the game device may further include table storage means (WRAM 26) for storing a table (player table) in which the player character and the game device are associated with each player character. At this time, setting means, to associate the player character and the own device to be operated by the own apparatus and the other game device player character the player character operated by the other game apparatus is operated By creating a table so as to be associated with each other, a plurality of player characters operated by the player's own machine are set . Control data setting means, if not the player character that the player character which has been selected by the character selecting means is operated by the own apparatus, based on data received from the game apparatus which is associated with the player character in the table the The control data for the player character is set.

  In addition, said invention may be provided as a game program which makes a game device implement | achieve said function by being performed in the said game device.

According to the first aspect, even if the portable game apparatus has only one, a plurality of players participate in the game. In other words, it is possible to play a game with a larger number of players than the number of prepared game devices, thereby increasing the chances of enjoying the game with a large number of players.

According to the second aspect , since the game device stores the correspondence between the player character and the game device capable of operating the player character for all the player characters, a plurality of players use a plurality of game devices to play a game. It is also possible to perform.

  A game device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This game device allows a plurality of players to enjoy the game at the same time. Here, there are two ways in which a plurality of players can enjoy the game at the same time. One is a method in which a plurality of players play a game by using one game device, and the other is a method in which a plurality of players are played. Is a method of playing a game using one game device. The game device according to the present invention includes a non-communication mode in which each player plays a game by using one game device, and each player uses one game device between each game device. Two modes, a communication mode for playing a game by communication, are set. The game apparatus according to the present invention enables a plurality of players to play a game in two ways by these two modes. The number of players may be any number, but in the following embodiment, a case where two players, a first player and a second player, play a game will be described as an example. That is, in the following, in the non-communication mode, two players play a game using one game device, and in the communication mode, two players play a game using one game device each. A case of playing will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of a game system configured by the game device according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the game system includes two game devices, a first game device 12a and a second game device 12b. Here, a plurality of game devices are required when the game is played in the communication mode. When playing a game in the non-communication mode, a plurality of game devices are not necessary. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first game device 12a and the second game device 12b have the same configuration. In addition, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first game device 12a and the second game device 12b, the first game device 12a or the second game device 12b may be simply referred to as the game device 12.

In FIG. 1, the game system includes a first game device 12a, a first game cartridge (hereinafter, “game cartridge” is simply referred to as “cartridge”) 11a, a second game device 12b, and a second cartridge 11b. The cable 10 is provided. The cartridge 11 is used as an information storage medium for storing game programs and the like. By mounting the cartridge 11 on the game apparatus 12, the semiconductor memory or the like (ROM 31 and backup RAM 32 shown in FIG. 2) included in the cartridge 11 and the game apparatus 12 are electrically connected. A cartridge insertion hole (not shown) for detachably mounting the cartridge 11 is formed in the upper rear portion of the game apparatus 12, and a connector for electrically connecting the cartridge 11 near the bottom of the insertion opening. (Connector 29 shown in FIG. 2) is provided. Further, the first game device 12 a and the second game device 12 b are connected by a cable 10. The game apparatus 12 is provided with a connector (connector 23 shown in FIG. 2), and the cable 10 is attached to this connector. When each game device is connected by the cable 10, communication data received from one game device is output to the other game device, and communication data output from the other game device is sent to the one game device. Sent. In the present embodiment, each game device is connected by a cable 10 that is wired, but communication between the game devices may be performed by wireless communication.

  The game apparatus 12 includes a housing. A liquid crystal display (LCD) 13 is formed in a central region of one main surface (the surface shown in the drawing), and a speaker 14 is formed on an outer empty region sandwiching the LCD 13 and a side surface of the housing. Operation switches 15a to 15g are provided. The operation switches 15a to 15g have different contents for giving operation instructions depending on the contents of the game program processed by the game apparatus 12.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game apparatus 12. In FIG. 2, the game apparatus 12 includes a central processing unit (CPU core) 24, a boot ROM (not shown), an LCD controller 25, a working RAM (WRAM) 26, and a video RAM (VRAM) in addition to the components described above. 27, a peripheral circuit 28, and a sound circuit 22. The cartridge 11 includes a ROM 31 and a backup RAM 32.

  The ROM 31 stores a game program in which the contents of game processing executed by the game apparatus 12 are described, and image and sound data used in the game processing. The ROM 31 also stores a game serial number (GSN) indicating the type of the game program and a game name. The CPU core 24 operates in the game processing mode based on the game program stored in the ROM 31. The CPU core 24 is connected to each component via a predetermined bus, and is also connected to the connectors 23 and 29. Data input from these connectors 23 and 29 is output to the CPU core 24. Data processed by the CPU core 24 can also be output to the connectors 23 and 29.

  The CPU core 24 processes the boot program stored in the boot ROM and operates in the game processing mode based on the game program stored in the ROM 31. That is, when the cartridge 11 is mounted on the game apparatus 12, the CPU core 24 accesses the ROM 31 via the connector 29. Further, the CPU core 24 executes a game process based on the operation signal input from the operation switch 15 and the game program, stores data being processed in the WRAM 26, and temporarily stores image data in the VRAM 27.

  When the CPU core 24 operates in the game processing mode, the WRAM 26 stores a game program, processing data, a transmission frame describing data to be transmitted to another game device, and the like. Timely used as a storage area necessary for game processing. Further, when the game apparatus 12 transmits a transmission frame to another game apparatus, the transmission frame stored in the WRAM 26 is used. Specifically, the transmission frame is output to the cable 10 via the connector 23 based on an instruction from the CPU core 24. The received frame received by the game device (first game device 12a in FIG. 2) from another game device (second game device 12b in FIG. 2) via the cable 10 is processed by the CPU core 24. It is stored in the WRAM 26 in a timely manner.

  The sound circuit 22 includes a D / A conversion circuit and an amplification circuit, converts sound data based on the processing result of the game program of the CPU core 24 into a sound signal (analog signal), and appropriately amplifies the sound data from the speaker 14. Output as sound effect.

  The CPU core 24 performs image processing using the storage areas of the WRAM 26 and the VRAM 27. The CPU core 24 draws a game image to be displayed on the LCD 13 using these. That is, game image data to be displayed on the LCD 13 is generated and stored in the VRAM 27. The LCD controller 25 performs display control for causing the LCD 13 to display the image data stored in the VRAM 27 and causes the LCD 13 to display the image data. The VRAM 27 temporarily stores image data processed by the CPU core 24.

  The peripheral circuit 28 performs processing such as voice processing, DMA (direct memory access), timer or input / output control.

  On the other hand, the ROM 31 of the cartridge 11 stores a game program, various data used for the game program, GSN, and a game name. In the backup RAM 32, game data obtained by executing the game program is rewritable and stored in a nonvolatile manner via the connector 29. The game data stored in the backup RAM 32 includes, for example, backup data indicating the progress when the game is finished. Note that the backup RAM 32 may be configured with a flash memory or the like.

  Hereinafter, the game process executed in the game apparatus 12 by the game program stored in the cartridge 11 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen of the game device according to the present embodiment. In the following, game processing will be described by taking a golf game as shown in FIG. 3 as an example. In this golf game, the game progresses when each player operates a player character operated by the player. Here, the player character operated by the first player is called a first player character, and the player character operated by the second player is called a second player character.

  In the present embodiment, any one of the communication mode and the non-communication mode is selected before the start of the golf game. The mode is selected by the player. Specifically, the game apparatus 12 selects a mode for the player by displaying, for example, “Do you play a communication battle or do you play a non-communication battle” before starting the golf game? Prompt. In response to this display, the player selects one of the communication mode and the non-communication mode. Since only one game device is used in the non-communication mode, the player can select the non-communication mode even if the game device is not in a state where it can communicate with other game devices. When the player selects the non-communication mode, the golf game is started thereafter.

  On the other hand, since a plurality of game devices are used in the communication mode, in order to start the game in the communication mode, when the player selects the communication mode, the game device is not in a state where it can communicate with other game devices. Don't be. Accordingly, when the player selects the communication mode, the game device checks whether the cable and the other game device are connected to the own device. Then, after it is confirmed that the cable and other game devices are connected to the player's own machine, the golf game is started.

In order to start the game in the communication mode, it is also necessary for the player to select the communication mode in any one of the plurality of game devices connected in a communicable manner. That is, when the communication mode is selected in the own device, the game device makes a request to set the communication mode (mode setting request) to other game devices. Other game devices that have received this mode setting request start the golf game assuming that the communication mode has been selected even if the mode has not been selected by itself. Therefore,
The game device starts the game in the communication mode when the communication mode is selected in the game device or when a mode setting request is received from another game device.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when a communication mode is selected by a player in one game device, the game mode is forcibly changed to a communication mode in another game device connected so as to be able to communicate. The That is, since it is not necessary for all the players having each game device to perform an operation of selecting a mode, the mode selection operation is simplified for the player. In another embodiment, the condition for starting the game in the communication mode may be that the communication mode is selected by the player in all of the plurality of game apparatuses connected to be communicable. At this time, if the communication mode is selected in the own device, each game device notifies other game devices that the communication mode has been selected. The game device starts the game in the communication mode after confirming that the communication mode is selected in the other game device based on the notification from the other game device.

  Next, an outline when the player plays the golf game in each mode will be described. First, a case where the player plays a golf game in the non-communication mode will be described. Here, the game performed in the present embodiment is a game that progresses when a plurality of players perform game operations one by one. Therefore, when starting the game, first, the order of operation of the player character in the initial state is determined. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first player character is the operation target first, and then the second player character is the operation target. Therefore, when the game starts, the first player first performs a game operation. The game operation in the present embodiment is a shot operation that causes the player character to make a golf shot. In the non-communication mode, when the first player finishes his shot operation, the first player hands over the game device to the second player. The second player who has received the game device performs a shot operation. Thereafter, a player character to be operated is selected according to a predetermined rule in the game program. For example, as in a normal golf game, the player character with the longest distance from the ball to the pin is selected as the operation target. In the non-communication mode, the game device is handed over to the player who operates the player character selected as the operation target, and the player who is handed over the game device performs a shot operation. In the non-communication mode, the golf game progresses as the player repeats the shot operation and the operation of handing over the game device.

  On the other hand, in the communication mode, as in the non-communication mode, the order of operation of the player character in the initial state is determined when the game is started. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first player character is the operation target first, and then the second player character is the operation target. Here, in the communication mode, a plurality of (here, two) game devices are connected, and each player has his own game device. Therefore, the first player performs a shot operation using the operation switch of the game device that the first player has. The result of the shot operation is reflected in each game device, and the game process is performed so that the game progress is the same in all game devices. In addition, a change in the game image due to a shot operation (such as movement display of a shot ball) is displayed on each game device. After the shot operation by the first player, the shot operation by the second player is performed. However, in the communication mode, the first player does not need to give the game device to the second player. That is, the second player performs a shot operation using the operation switch of the game device that the second player has. Thereafter, in the communication mode, similarly to the non-communication mode, a player character to be operated is selected according to a rule predetermined in the game program. In the communication mode, the golf game progresses when each player performs a shot operation using the operation switch of the game device that the player has.

The game screen shown in FIG. 3 includes a golf course, character images 41 and 42, and a cursor 43. The character image 41 is an image showing the first player character, and the character image 42 is an image showing the second player character. The cursor 43 indicates the player character that is the operation target at that time. That is, the player character indicated by the character image surrounded by the cursor 43 is the player character that is the operation target at that time. At the time when the image shown in FIG. 3 is displayed, the first player character is the operation target. Therefore, at this time, the first player performs a game operation such as a golf shot operation. Note that the game screen shown in FIG. 3 includes information indicating the current hole (“1H” at the lower right of the game screen shown in FIG. 3) and information indicating the specified number of hits of the current hole (right of the game screen shown in FIG. 3). “PAR4” below). In addition, as an image showing the result of the motion processing of each player character so far, the current number of hits of each player character is displayed below each character image, and the ball position of each player character is shown on the golf course image. A ball image is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, by displaying the cursor 43, it is possible to notify the player of the player who should perform the game operation. That is, the player can determine the player who performs the next game operation by looking at the display of the cursor 43. In the non-communication mode, it can be determined to which player the game device should be given. In the communication mode, it is possible to determine who is performing the shot operation. In other embodiments, for example, the character image of the player character that is the operation target may be blinked, or the color of the character image of the player character that is the operation target may be changed.

  The rules for selecting the player character to be operated, that is, the rules for determining the player who performs the game operation differ depending on the content of the game, and may be anything. For example, in the case of a mahjong game, the game proceeds so that the player performs game operations in order. In the case of a shogi game or a go game, the game progresses so that two players perform game operations alternately.

  In the present embodiment, the game device can switch modes while the game is in progress. Specifically, when communication between game devices becomes impossible during communication execution in the communication mode, the game device switches to the non-communication mode. More specifically, when a communication error occurs in communication between game devices, the game device accepts subsequent game operations only with its own operation switch. As a result, the player can continue the game even after communication between the game devices becomes impossible. At this time, the game device continuously executes the game in the non-communication mode by using the intermediate result of the game in the communication mode.

  Next, details of processing performed in the game device according to the present embodiment will be described. When the power of the game apparatus is turned on, the CPU core 24 of the game apparatus executes a startup program stored in the boot ROM, and initializes each unit such as the WRAM 26. Then, the game program stored in the cartridge 11 is read into the WRAM 26, and execution of the game program is started. The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 etc. shows processing after the above processing operation.

4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the flow of game processing executed in the game device. First, in step S10, a notification is sent to the player to select whether to play a single-player golf game or a plurality of golf games. Specifically, a sentence “Do you want to play a one-player game or do you play a battle game?” Is displayed on the LCD 13. In subsequent step S11, the CPU core 24 accepts a selection input performed by the player in response to the display in step S10. Specifically, selection input is performed using the operation switch 15, and the CPU core 24 receives operation data from the operation switch. In subsequent step S12, it is determined whether or not a battle game is selected in step S11. If it is determined in step S12 that the battle game is not selected, that is, a single-player game is selected, the process of step S13 is performed. In step S13, a game process for a golf game for one person is performed, and then the game process ends. In addition, since the game process of the golf game for 1 person is not directly related to this invention, the detail of the said game process is abbreviate | omitted.

  On the other hand, if the battle game is selected in the determination in step S12, the process in step S14 is performed. In step S14, a notification for prompting the player to select a mode is given. That is, a sentence “Do you want to play a communication battle or do you play a non-communication battle?” Is displayed on the LCD 13. In response to this, the player uses the operation switch 15 to input a mode selection, that is, an input for selecting whether to play the game in the communication mode or the non-communication mode. In the following step S15, the CPU core 24 waits for a mode selection input for a predetermined time. In step S16, it is determined whether or not a mode selection has been input. If it is determined in step S16 that mode selection has been input, the process in step S17 is skipped, and the process in step S20 shown in FIG. 5 is performed.

  On the other hand, if there is no mode selection input in the determination in step S16, the process in step S17 is performed. That is, in step S <b> 17, the CPU core 24 determines whether or not the mode setting request has been transmitted from another game device to the own device. If it is determined in step S17 that the mode setting request has been transmitted, the process of step S20 shown in FIG. 5 is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S17 that the mode setting request has not been transmitted, the process of step S15 is performed. That is, the game device repeats the processes of steps S15 to S17 until there is a mode selection input at its own operation switch or a mode setting request is transmitted from another game device.

  In step S20 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not a communication battle is selected. That is, in step S20, it is determined whether the communication mode is determined or the non-communication mode is determined. Specifically, the game device determines that the communication battle has been selected when the communication mode is selected by the player in the game device or when a mode setting request is transmitted from another game device. Further, when the non-communication mode is selected by the player on the own device, it is determined that the non-communication battle is selected.

  If it is determined in step S20 that a non-communication battle has been selected, the process of step S21 is performed. That is, in step S21, the communication battle flag stored in the WRAM 26 is set to OFF. The communication battle flag is a flag indicating a mode set at that time. Specifically, when the current mode is the communication mode, the communication battle flag is set on, and when the current mode is the non-communication mode, the communication battle flag is set off. The processes after step S21 are game processes in the non-communication mode. After step S21, the process of step S29 is performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S20 that the communication battle has been selected, the process in step S22 is performed. That is, in step S22, the communication battle flag stored in the WRAM 26 is set to ON. The process after step S22 is a game process in the communication mode.

After step S22, the CPU core 24 checks whether or not the cable and other game devices are connected to the own device. That is, in step S23, it is determined whether or not a cable is connected to the own device. If it is determined in step S23 that the cable is not connected to the own device, the process of step S24 is performed. That is, in step S24, a notification for prompting the connection of the cable is given to the player. Specifically, the text “Please connect the cable” is displayed on the LCD 13. After step S24, the process of step S23 is performed again, and the processes of steps S23 and S24 are repeated until the cable is connected to the game device. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the cable is connected to the own device, the process in step S25 is performed.

  In step S25, it is determined whether another game device is connected to the cable. If it is determined in step S25 that no other game device is connected to the cable, the process of step S26 is performed. That is, in step S26, a notification that prompts the user to connect another game device is given to the player. Specifically, a sentence “Please connect another game device” is displayed on the LCD 13. After step S26, the process of step S25 is performed again, and the processes of steps S25 and S26 are repeated until another game device is connected to the cable. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S25 that another game device is connected to the cable, the process in step S27 is performed.

  In step S27, it is determined whether or not a mode setting request has been received from another game device in step S17 described above. If it is determined in step S27 that the mode setting request has been received, the process of step S28 is skipped and the process of step S29 is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S27 that the mode setting request has not been received, the process of step S28 is performed. That is, in step S28, a mode setting request is transmitted to another game device. That is, when the communication mode is selected by the player in the game machine, the game apparatus transmits a mode setting request to the other game apparatus in step S28, and the communication mode is selected by the mode setting request from the other game apparatus. If this is the case, the mode setting request is not transmitted. By this mode setting request, the game is started in the communication mode also in other game devices.

  Through the above steps S10 to S28, the mode is selected before the game is started. That is, either the communication mode or the non-communication mode is selected by the player. In subsequent step S29, a battle game process is performed. The battle game process includes a player character determination process and a golf game process, which will be described later. The details of the battle game process will be described below.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a detailed process flow of step S29 shown in FIG. In the competitive game process, first, in step S30, a player character determination process is performed. The player character determination process is a process for each player to determine a player character operated by the player. Determining the player character for each player is also useful for indicating that the order of each player has been reached using an image corresponding to the player character, as will be described later. In this embodiment, a different player character may be assigned to each player (a player character that has already been selected by another player may not be selected). Note that, when it is possible to assign the same player character to a plurality of players, the image may be different for each player (changing colors, etc.) even for the same player character. In the embodiment to be described later, the player character is selected from the player characters prepared in advance. However, the player may create the player character data (name data and image data). In subsequent step S31, a golf game process is performed. The golf game process is a process in which each player advances the golf game by operating his / her player character. Hereinafter, details of the player character determination process and the golf game process will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed processing flow of step S30 shown in FIG. In the player character determination process, first, in step S40, it is determined whether or not the communication battle flag stored in the WRAM 26 is on. Step S40 is a process for determining whether the current mode is the communication mode or the non-communication mode. If it is determined in step S40 that the communication battle flag is off, that is, if the current mode is the non-communication mode, player character determination processing for the non-communication mode (steps S41 to S46) is performed. . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that the communication battle flag is on, that is, if the current mode is the communication mode, player character determination processing for the communication mode (steps S47 to S52) is performed. .

  In the player character determination process for the non-communication mode, the value of the counter N stored in the WRAM 26 is set to “1” in step S41. In the subsequent step S42, a notification for prompting selection of a player character (Nth player character) of the Nth player is given to the player. Specifically, together with a plurality of player character candidate images prepared in advance, “Please select the Nth player character (actually, the value of N at that time is displayed)”. The text is displayed on the LCD 13. Further, in the subsequent step S43, the CPU core 24 accepts a player character selection input by the player. For example, the player character selection input is performed by an operation of designating one of the player character candidates displayed on the LCD 13. Each player character prepared in advance is associated with data such as a character name, a character image, and attribute values (shot power and shot accuracy). Each player selects a player character in consideration of them. Further, in step S44, the Nth player character is determined based on the player character selection input in step S43. A golf game process to be described later is performed using the character name, character image, and attribute value data for the player character determined in step S44. In the present embodiment, the identification information for identifying each player character (character identification information; for example, an identification number assigned to each player character prepared in advance) is a game device capable of operating the player character. Are set in the form of a table (see FIG. 8 described later).

  Following step S44, in step S45, it is determined whether the value of the counter N is equal to the number of players. Note that the number of players may be determined in advance in the game program, or may be set by the player. If it is determined in step S45 that the value of the counter N is equal to the number of players, the player character determination process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S45 that the value of the counter N is not equal to the number of players, the process of step S46 is performed. That is, in step S46, the value of the counter N is incremented. Thereafter, the processes in steps S42 to S46 are repeated until the value of the counter N becomes equal to the number of players. Through the above steps S41 to S46, the player character of each player is determined.

In the above steps S41 to S46, first, the first player is selected from the player character candidates in response to an indication “Please select the first player character” (step S42 when N = 1). The player character is selected from (Step S43 when N = 1). As a result, the first player character is determined (step S44 when N = 1). Next, the second player selects his / her player character from the player character candidates in response to the display “Please select the second player character” (step S42 when N = 2). (Step S43 when N = 2). As a result, the second player character is determined (step S44 when N = 2). In this embodiment, the number of players is described as two. However, even if the number of players is three or more, the processes in steps S41 to S46 are the same as described above.

  On the other hand, in the player character determination process for the communication mode (steps S47 to S52), in step S47, a notification for urging the player to select the player character of the player is given to the player. Specifically, a sentence “Please select a player character” is displayed on the LCD 13 along with a plurality of player character candidates. Further, in the subsequent step S48, the CPU core 24 accepts a player character selection input by the player. Further, in step S49, the player character of the player is determined based on the player character selection input in step S48. The processes in steps S47 to S49 are the same as those in steps S42 to S44 described above. In the communication mode, the processes in steps S47 to S49 are also performed in other game devices. Therefore, in each game device, the player character of the player who uses the game device is determined.

  Following step S49, in step S50, the character setting information is transmitted to another game device. The character setting information indicates a set of game device identification information for identifying a game device and character identification information for identifying a character type. That is, in step S50, the game apparatus transmits game apparatus identification information indicating the own apparatus and character identification information indicating the player character of the player of the own apparatus to other game apparatuses. In subsequent step S51, character setting information is received from another game device. By the processing in step S51, each game device can know a player character corresponding to another game device, that is, a set of another game device and a player character operated by the other game device.

  In step S52, the order of player characters to be operated is determined. The order determined here is the order at the start of the game. This order may be determined at random, may be determined in accordance with a predetermined rule in the game program, or may be determined in any way. After the end of step S52, the player character determination process ends.

  In the present embodiment, in the communication mode, the order of the player characters to be operated is determined to be the order of the player who selected the player character.

Further, information indicating a set of the game device and the player character operated using the game device determined by the player character determination process is stored in each game device as a player table. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the player table. FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example of the player table in the communication mode, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example of the player table in the non-communication mode. As shown in FIG. 8A, in the communication mode, the player character operated by each player is associated with a different game device, that is, a game device possessed by the player operating the player character. Specifically, the first player character is associated with the first game device, and the second player character is associated with the second game device. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, in the non-communication mode, the player character operated by each player is associated with a single game device. Specifically, both the first and second player characters are associated with the first game device. In the non-communication mode, the player table may not be stored.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of step S31 shown in FIG. In the golf game process, first, in step S60, a player character to be operated at the present time is determined. Specifically, the player character to be operated is determined according to the order determined at the start of the game or according to a rule predetermined in the game program. In the present embodiment, the first player character is determined as the operation target first, and the second player character is determined as the operation target second. For the third and subsequent players, the player character with the longest distance from the ball to the pin is selected as the operation target. Hereinafter, the player character determined in step S60 is referred to as an operation target character.

  After step S60, in step S61, a game image indicating the operation target character is displayed on the LCD 13. Specifically, the cursor is displayed so as to surround an image indicating the operation target character among the player characters determined in the player character determination process (see FIG. 3). Thereby, the player can easily recognize who is the player character to be operated next, that is, who will perform the next operation.

  Following step S61, in step S62, it is determined whether or not the communication battle flag is on. When the communication battle flag is OFF in the determination in step S62, the processes in steps S63 and S64 are performed. That is, in step S63, the CPU core 24 acquires operation data from its own operation switch. In subsequent step S64, a shot parameter is calculated based on the operation data acquired in step S63. Here, the operation data is data indicating the presence / absence of input for each of the operation switches 15a to 15g. The shot parameter is a parameter used for calculating the movement of the golf ball (calculation of flight distance, trajectory, etc.). The shot parameters include, for example, parameters such as shot strength and hit point position. For example, operation data for selecting a golf club, or operation data for determining the strength to be shot (for example, a power gauge may be displayed and the strength of a shot may be determined by a plurality of button press timings). A shot parameter is determined based on a plurality of operation data.

  On the other hand, if the communication battle flag is on in the determination in step S62, the process in step S65 is performed. That is, in step S65, it is determined whether or not the operation target character is a player character operated by the operation switch of the own device (a player character that can be operated by the own device). The determination in step S65 is performed by referring to the player table described above. That is, if the player's own device is associated with the operation target character in the player table, it is determined that the operation target character is a player character that can be operated with the player's own device. Conversely, if another game device is associated with the operation target character in the player table, it is determined that the operation target character is not a player character that can be operated by the player's own device. If it is determined in step S65 that the operation target character is a player character that can be operated by the player's own machine, the processes in steps S63 and S64 described above are performed. That is, when it is determined that the player character can be operated by the player's own machine, the process proceeds to step S63 regardless of the communication mode or the non-communication mode.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S65 that the operation target character is not a player character that can be operated by the player's own machine, the process of step S66 is performed. In this case, other game devices perform the same processing as steps S63 and S64. That is, in another game device, a shot operation is performed by a player, and a shot parameter is calculated based on operation data of the shot operation. Further, the shot parameters calculated by other game devices are transmitted to the own device (see step S74 described later). Accordingly, in step S66, the game apparatus receives shot parameters from another game apparatus.

  Following step S66, in step S67, it is determined whether a communication error has occurred. Specifically, it is determined that a communication error has occurred when data has not been transmitted within a predetermined time in step S66 or when there is an error in the transmitted data. If it is determined in step S67 that no communication error has occurred, the process of step S70 is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S67 that a communication error has occurred, the process of step S68 is performed. That is, in step S68, the game device notifies the player that the game is to be continued on another game device. Specifically, a sentence “Please play with another game device” is displayed on the LCD 13. After step S68, the game process in the game device ends. As described above, in the present embodiment, when a communication error occurs, the game device that receives the shot parameter stops the game process. Note that the game processing is continued in another game device that is the side that transmits the shot parameters.

  In step S70, the player character's action process is performed based on the shot parameter acquired in step S64 or step S66. That is, the action of the player character according to the game operation by the player and the movement of the ball by the action are displayed on the LCD 13. Specifically, first, the movement calculation of the golf ball is performed based on the shot parameters. Next, in accordance with the result of the movement calculation, an image showing the action of the player character shooting the ball and the state of the golf ball flying is displayed.

  In subsequent step S71, the change of the game image in step S70 is completed, and the result of the action process of the player character is displayed. The result of the motion process, that is, the screen after the golf ball has moved is displayed in the next step S61. That is, the next player can see the result of the shot operation of the previous player. Further, in step S71, data obtained as a result of the action process of the player character, that is, data indicating the position of the golf ball after movement is stored in the WRAM 26.

  In step S72, it is determined whether or not the communication battle flag is on. When the communication battle flag is OFF in the determination in step S72, the processes in steps S73 to S78 are skipped, and the process in step S79 is performed. That is, in the non-communication mode, the processes in steps S73 to S78 are skipped.

  On the other hand, if the communication battle flag is ON in the determination in step S72, the game device performs processing for transmitting the shot parameter calculated in the own device to another game device (steps S73 and S74). Specifically, when the communication battle flag is on in the determination of step S72, the process of step S73 is performed. In step S73, it is determined whether or not the operation target character is a player character that can be operated by the player's own machine. The process of step S73 is the same as the process of step S65. If the determination result of step S73 is negative, the process of step S79 is performed. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S73 is affirmative, the process of step S74 is performed. That is, in step S74, the shot parameter calculated in step S64 is transmitted to another game device.

Following step S74, it is determined in step S75 whether a communication error has occurred. Here, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the game device that has received the shot parameter transmits a communication result indicating whether or not the communication has been successful to the transmission source game device. The determination in step S75 is made based on the communication result. That is, in step S75,
If the communication result indicates a communication error, or if the communication result is not transmitted within a predetermined time after transmitting the shot parameter, it is determined that a communication error has occurred.

  If it is determined in step S75 that no communication error has occurred, the process of step S79 is performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S75 that a communication error has occurred, the processes in steps S76 to S78 are performed. The processes in steps S76 to S78 are processes for changing the communication mode to the non-communication mode. Specifically, first, in step S76, the communication battle flag is changed to OFF. In subsequent step S77, the contents of the player table are updated. Specifically, the game device associated with each player character is changed to the game device (own device) that is the transmission source of the shot parameters. More specifically, taking FIG. 8 as an example, the contents of the player table are changed from the contents shown in FIG. 8A to the contents shown in FIG. 8B. By the processing in steps S76 and S77, the subsequent game processing can be performed in the communication mode. Further, in step S78, the game device notifies the player that the mode has been changed, specifically, that the game device (own device) that is the source of the shot parameters is played. More specifically, a sentence “Please play with this game device” is displayed on the LCD 13. After step S78, the process of step S79 is performed. When the mode is changed by the processes of S76 to S78, the subsequent golf game process is performed using data indicating the position of the golf ball of each player character before the mode change. Thereby, even if it is a case where a communication state worsens and there exists a communication error, a golf game can be played continuously.

  As described above, as shown in steps S74 to S78, in the present embodiment, when a communication error occurs, the game process is continued in the game device that has transmitted the shot parameter. Thereby, even when a communication error occurs, the game process is not stopped and the player can continue the game. Further, in the present embodiment, the game device that continues the game process is the game device that has transmitted the shot parameter. In this game apparatus, since the game operation (shot operation) performed immediately before is reflected in the game process, the player does not need to perform the game operation performed immediately before again. That is, the game operation performed immediately before the communication error occurs is not wasted.

  In step S79, it is determined whether or not to end the game. For example, when all the player characters have finished one round of the golf course, or when the player gives an instruction to end the game, the golf game is ended. If it is determined in step S79 that the game is not to be ended, the process of step S60 is performed. Thereafter, the processing of steps S60 to S79 is repeated until it is determined that the game is to be ended. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S79 that the game is to be ended, the golf game process is ended.

  In the above flowchart, when a communication error occurs, the game is continued on the game device that is the transmission source of the shot parameter, but the game is continued on the game device that is the transmission destination of the shot parameter. Also good. Specifically, if the determination in step S67 in FIG. 9 is affirmative, the processes in steps S76 to S78 may be performed.

  As described above, according to the game device according to the present embodiment, the two modes of the communication mode and the non-communication mode can be switched. Therefore, the player can play the game in the non-communication mode in which one game device is reused when the number of game devices is small, and can play the game in the communication mode when the number of game devices is sufficient. .

In this embodiment, the golf game has been described as an example. However, in other embodiments, the content of the game is operated by one player selected according to a predetermined rule among a plurality of players. Any content can be used as long as it is a game like this. The game content may be, for example, a mahjong game, a shogi game or a go game.

  Further, in this embodiment, the case where two players play using one or two game devices has been described as an example. However, according to the game device in this embodiment, one more player is used. It is also possible to play using the above game apparatus. For example, three players can play using two game devices. At this time, one game device is used by two players, and the other game device is used exclusively by one player. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a player table when three players use two game devices. In the player table shown in FIG. 10, a player who operates the first player character and a player who operates the second player character use the first game device, and a player who operates the third player character uses the second game device. It shows that

  The player can use the two modes in accordance with the number of game devices that can be prepared, and can also use the two modes for the purpose of improving the game performance. For example, by selecting the non-communication mode, it is possible to prevent other players from seeing the game operation performed by the player and the screen display of the result of the game operation. Taking a golf game as an example, the trajectory of a golf ball by one's own shot operation can be kept secret from other players. That is, by playing in the non-communication mode, it is possible to prevent other players from seeing their own strategy, so it is possible to improve the game strategy and the game performance.

  The game device of the present invention can be used for the purpose of playing a game with a larger number of players than the number of prepared game devices.

External view of a game system configured by the game device according to the present embodiment Functional block diagram of game device 12 The figure which shows an example of the game screen of the game device in this embodiment The flowchart which shows the flow of the game process performed in a game device The flowchart which shows the flow of the game process performed in a game device The flowchart which shows the flow of the detailed process of step S29 shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the detailed process of step S30 shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of a player table The flowchart which shows the flow of the detailed process of step S31 shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the player table in case three players use two game devices.

Explanation of symbols

11 Game cartridge 12 Game device 13 LCD
15 Operation switch 24 CPU core 26 WRAM
41, 42 Character image 43 Cursor

Claims (3)

A portable game device in which a game progresses in a game world in which a plurality of player characters appear by communicating with another game device,
Operating means integrated with the portable game device ;
Among the plurality of player characters, setting means for a player character operated by the own apparatus to be operated by a plurality of players, and at least one set for each player, set the player character operated by the other game apparatus When,
Character selection means for selecting one player character to be controlled from among the player character operated by the own machine set by the setting means and the player character operated by another game device;
When the player character selected by the character selection means is a player character operated by the own machine, control data of the player character is set based on operation data from the operation means of the own machine, and the character Control data setting means for setting control data of the player character based on data received from the other game device when the player character selected by the selection means is a player character operated by the other game device;
A portable game device comprising: action determining means for determining an action of the player character selected by the character selecting means based on the control data set by the control data setting means. Table storage means for storing a table in which player characters and game devices are associated with each player character;
The setting means includes a player character operated by the other game device and another game device operated by the player character so as to associate the player character operated by the own device with the own device. By creating the table to be associated with each other, a plurality of player characters operated by the player's own machine are set,
If the player character selected by the character selection means is not a player character operated by the player's own device, the control data setting means may include data received from the game device associated with the player character in the table. 2. The portable game device according to claim 1, wherein control data of the player character is set based on the game character. A game program to be executed by a portable game device in which a game progresses in a game world in which a plurality of player characters appear by communicating with another game device,
The portable game device includes operation means integrated with the game device ,
Among the plurality of player characters, setting step of the player character operated by the own apparatus to be operated by a plurality of players, and at least one set for each player, set the player character operated by the other game apparatus When,
A character selection step of selecting one player character to be controlled from among a player character operated by the own machine set in the setting step and a player character operated by another game device;
When the player character selected in the character selection step is a player character operated by the own machine, the control data of the player character is set based on operation data from the operation means of the own machine, and the character A control data setting step for setting control data of the player character based on data received from the other game device when the player character selected in the selection step is a player character operated by the other game device;
A game program for causing the game device to execute an action determining step for determining an action of a player character selected in the character selection step based on the control data set in the control data setting step.

Images