JP5202799B2 - Game system and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system and a program, and more particularly to a game system and a program in a game apparatus having a communication function.

  Communication between the parent device and a plurality of child devices using a game device having both a communication function and a function of reading data from a game card (memory card or the like: also called a game cartridge) as a recording medium There is a game system for playing games.

  As a first form of the game system, there is a form shown in FIG. That is, referring to FIG. 6, a game card is mounted on all game devices participating in the communication game, and one of the game devices reads and executes a game program for the master unit recorded on the game card. It functions as a master unit and functions as a master unit by reading and executing a game program for a slave unit by another game device, and the master unit receives up to a prescribed number of entries from the slave unit (request to join a game). Accepting, a form in which a communication game is established between the parent device and the plurality of child devices is exemplified.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the communication flow in the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, the game device functioning as the parent device starts accepting an entry from the child device in accordance with the parent device game program. On the other hand, a game device that functions as a child device searches for a parent device in accordance with a child device game program, connects to the parent device, and enters a game. When the entry is permitted from the parent machine, a communication session is established between the parent machine and its child machine, and a communication game is started after a prescribed number of entries are permitted or after a predetermined operation.

  As a second form of the game system, there is a form shown in FIG. That is, referring to FIG. 8, the game card is mounted only on the parent machine, and the parent machine reads and executes the parent machine game program recorded on the game card. Further, the slave unit reads out the slave device game program recorded on the game card and transmits it to the plurality of slave units, so that each slave unit executes the received game program. As a result, a form in which a communication game is established between the parent device and the plurality of child devices can be cited.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the communication flow in the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, the game device functioning as the parent device starts distributing parent device information and the like to the child device in accordance with the download program of the parent device game program. On the other hand, a game device that functions as a child device searches for a parent device in accordance with a download program among the child device game programs, and connects to the parent device to enter a game. When entry is permitted from the parent device, downloading of the game program is permitted, a download communication session is established between the parent device and the child device, and the game program is supplied from the parent device to the child device. The The download communication session is a communication session for downloading a game program from the parent device to the child device and sending a request for the game program from the child device to the parent device. (Packet) data amount is larger than the data amount in the reverse direction (upward direction).

  When the slave unit notifies the master unit of the completion of download, the communication session is switched to the battle session. Since the battle communication session is a communication session for exchanging data used for game processing between the parent machine and the child machine, the amount of data in the direction from the parent machine to the child machine (downward) and the reverse direction ( Packets having the same amount of data in the upstream direction are allocated. For this reason, the parent device requests the child device to restart, and the communication is reconnected while the entry information is retained.

  In the parent machine, the session is switched to a battle session, and after automatically confirming the connected child machine entry based on the stored entry information, the communication game is started at a predetermined timing.

The following Patent Document 1 shows an example of the second form of the game system.
Japanese Patent No. 3679111 Game software "Bomberman Panic Bomber" (PSP version) instruction manual, Hudson Co., Ltd., issued on June 23, 2005

  By the way, as a third form of the game system, as shown in FIG. 10, it is necessary to download a game program which is composed of a game apparatus with a game card attached and a game apparatus with no game card attached. A form in which both a slave unit and an unnecessary slave unit are mixed. In the third mode, in the slave unit in which the game card that does not require downloading of the game program is installed, the download program as described above is not executed, and the game card that requires downloading of the game program is installed. Entry to the game is not made to the parent machine at the same timing as the child machine that is not.

  Therefore, when the game system is in the third form, in addition to the entry at the time of the download request for the game program as the first stage entry, the second stage entry is used for the game to the necessary slave unit. At the timing when the download of the program is completed and the communication between the parent device and the child device is reconnected, the parent device can accept the entry from the child device participating in the communication game again. However, in order to execute such processing in the parent device, the download program for the parent device game program used in the first and second embodiments cannot be used as it is. However, there is a problem that a more advanced program for downloading the game program for the parent device is required.

  In addition to the operation of permitting entry at the time of entry at the first stage, the parent device user needs to perform two-stage entry operation such as the operation of permitting entry at the time of entry at the second stage. There is a problem that the operation becomes complicated.

  In addition, in the case of a game with a limited number of participants, if the number of entries reaches the limit in the first stage entry, the second stage entry will not be accepted, and a game card that does not require downloading of a game program is installed. There is a problem that the handset that was made may not be able to participate.

  The communication game method in the game system disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 downloads a game program by performing one-to-one communication with a child device that has requested download of a game program from the parent device. Later, participation in the communication game is solicited, and entry is permitted to the recruited slave units. Therefore, the parent device user downloads a game program for each requested child device, and, after that operation, invites participation in the communication game and permits / denies entry for each child device, It was a complicated operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a game system and a program capable of playing a communication game in various forms.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a game system is a game system including a recruiting device that recruits participation in a communication game, and a game device that participates in the communication game. The first game device that receives and executes the first game program, and the second game that stores and executes the second game program that can execute the communication game in cooperation with the first game program. A recruitment device for sending a communication game recruitment notification to the game device; an application notification receiving unit for receiving an application notification for the recruitment notification from the game device; A participation game device determination means for determining a participation game device that is a game device participating in the communication game based on the application notification received by the notification reception device; First game program storage means for storing a program, and first game program transmission means for transmitting the first game program to at least the first game apparatus among the participating game apparatuses. A first game program receiving means for receiving a first game program from the first game program transmitting means after transmitting the application notice; And a first game program executing means for executing the first game program received by the first game program receiving means, and the second game device further stores the second game program in its own device. After the storage means and the application notice are transmitted, the second game stored in the second game program storage means. Second game program execution means for executing the program, and the communication game is executed by at least each participating game device determined by the participating game device determination means. The first game device of the participating game devices The communication game is executed by the cooperation of the one game program executing means and the second game program executing means of the second game device.

  The recruiting device further includes participation game device determination means for determining the participation game device, and the participation game device determination means is received by the application notification reception means until the participation game device is determined by the participation game device determination means. The participation game device is determined based on the submitted notification, and the first game program transmission means transmits the first game program after the participation game device is determined by the participation game device determination means, and at least the participation game device. It is preferable that the communication game is executed by each participating game device determined by the determination means.

  The recruiting device further includes completion notification receiving means for receiving a completion notification of preparation for starting the communication game from the participating game device, and the first game program transmitting means is completed from each of the participating game devices by the completion notification determining means. The first game program is transmitted to the participating game devices until it is determined that the notification has been received, and the first game device further completes reception of the first game program by the first game program receiving means. A first completion notification means for transmitting a completion notification to the recruitment device, and the second game device further transmits a communication game preparation completion notification after the recruitment notification is transmitted. It is preferable to provide a notification means.

  The recruiting device solicits participation in the communication game and determines a participating game device based on the application for the participation. The recruiting device transmits the first game program to at least the first game device among the participating game devices.

  Furthermore, it is more preferable that the first game program transmitting means transmits the first game program to the participating game devices by broadcasting. That is, the recruiting device may transmit the first game program to the second game device among the participating game devices, or the first game program may be transmitted without distinguishing between the first game device and the second game device. You may send it. In these cases, the second game device may not receive the first game program, or may not receive and use it.

  The first game device executes the received first game program, and the second game device executes the second game program stored in the own device. Normally, a game device that has applied for one recruitment of one recruitment device is determined as a group of participating game devices in the recruitment device, and the first game program or the second game in each of the participating game devices belonging to the first group. A program is executed, and a communication game is executed between the groups by the cooperation of these programs. The communication game may be executed by exchanging data through direct communication between participating game devices, or the communication game may be executed by exchanging data via a relay device (for example, a recruiting device). May be. In the former case, the group of configuration information determined by the participating game device determination means (for example, device identification information and user information) is notified to each participating game device, and between the participating game devices based on the configuration information. Data may be exchanged by direct communication. In the latter case, the configuration information may be notified at least to the relay device (this notification is not necessary when the recruiting device becomes a relay device).

  The game device also stores a program that causes the first game program, the second game program, and the game device to function as recruitment notification transmission means, application notification reception means, participation game device determination means, and first game program transmission means. Preferably, the recruiting device or the second game device is obtained by selectively executing either the second game program or the functioning program.

  The recruiting device further stores a third game program communicable with the first game program and the second game program, and after processing by the application notification receiving means, the participating game device determining means, and the first game program transmitting means. It is preferable to execute the communication game together with the participating game devices by executing the third game program.

  The recruitment device may simply perform the communication game recruitment process and the first game program transmission process, but the recruitment device itself may participate in the communication game. In the latter case, a communication program may be executed by executing a game program (third game program) and cooperating with the third game program, the first game program, and the second game program.

  Further, the application request transmitting means may transmit the application request and identification information of the own device, and the participating game apparatus determining means may determine the participating game apparatus based on this identification information (in this case, identification of the participating game apparatus) An information group becomes the above-mentioned configuration information). In addition, the completion notification transmission unit transmits a completion notification and identification information of the own device, and the first game program transmission unit determines whether or not the completion notification is received from each participating game device based on the individual device-specific information. You may make it judge.

  The first game program, the second game program, and the third game program may be the same program, or may be different programs that can communicate with each other.

  In addition, the game apparatus can be detachably mounted with a game cartridge storing a game program, and executes the game program stored in the mounted game cartridge, and recruits the first game program and the game apparatus. A game device equipped with a program that functions as a notification transmission unit, an application notification reception unit, a participating game device determination unit, and a first game program transmission unit is a recruiting device, and a game device without a game cartridge is a first game device. A game device equipped with a game cartridge storing two game programs becomes a second game device, and each game device stores a program that causes the game device to function as first game program receiving means in a nonvolatile manner in the device. Is preferred.

  Furthermore, the game device can be detachably mounted with a game cartridge storing a game program, and executes the game program stored in the mounted game cartridge. The first game program, the second game program, And a game device equipped with a program that causes the game device to function as recruitment notification transmission means, application notification reception means, participation game device determination means, and first game program transmission means, selectively selects the second game program or the above-described function program. The game device that is executed and becomes the recruiting device or the second game device, and the game device to which no game cartridge is attached becomes the first game device, and each game device has a program for causing the game device to function as the first game program receiving means. Non-volatile storage More preferable.

  In this case, it is more preferable that the first game program transmitting means transmits the first game program without distinguishing between the first game device and the second game device.

  The second game device stores a second game program, and stores the second game program so that the second game program can be electrically read from its own processing device. For example, it may be stored in a game cartridge that is detachable and electrically connected at the time of mounting, or may be stored in a non-volatile manner in storage means inside the game device. In the latter case, it may be stored at the time of product manufacture or downloaded from a network.

  In the case of a game device that is detachable from the game cartridge, a program that makes it function as recruitment notification transmission means, application notification reception means, participation game device determination means, and first game program transmission means, the first game program, and the second game program are separately However, it may be stored in one game cartridge and selectively executable. Further, a third game program may be stored in the game cartridge.

  When the first game program, the second game program, and the third game program are the same program or partly the same program, the same part may be shared.

  The first game device receives the first game program after transmitting the application notification, and transmits a completion notification when receiving completion is determined. After the application request is transmitted, the second game device transmits a reception completion notification without determining whether or not reception of the first game program is completed (for example, after a predetermined notification is received from the recruiting device, You may send a completion notification immediately or after a certain amount of time). The recruiting device, after closing the application request for the participation request, notifies each participating game device of the start of transmission of the first game program, and then transmits the first game program so that the second game is transmitted. The apparatus may transmit a completion notification after the transmission start is notified.

  In addition, the recruitment notification transmission means transmits information about the own device together with the recruitment notification, and the first game apparatus further transmits information on the recruitment apparatus that transmits the recruitment notification based on the information received by the collection notification reception means. Display control means for displaying on the screen, and selection means for allowing the user to select one recruitment device from the information displayed on the screen, the application notification transmission means for the recruitment device selected by the selection means It is preferable to send an application notice.

  The recruitment notification transmission means transmits the identification information of the communication game together with the recruitment notification, and the second game device differs from the first game program and the second game program in that the fourth game program cannot communicate with these programs. Can be stored and executed in the own device instead of the second game program, and the second game device can further store the information in the own device based on the information received by the recruitment notification receiving means. Display control means for displaying information on a recruiting apparatus that recruits a communication game that can communicate with an executable game program on the screen, and selection means for allowing the user to select one recruiting apparatus from the information displayed on the screen It is preferable that the application notification transmission unit transmits the application notification to the recruiting device selected by the selection unit.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the program is executed by the processing unit of the recruiting device, so that the recruiting device is sent as a recruitment notification transmitting unit, an application notification receiving unit, a participating game device determining unit, and a first game program. It functions as a transmission means.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the program is executed by the processing unit of the first game device, thereby causing the first game device to function as an application notification transmission unit and a first game program reception unit.

When the game system according to the present invention is configured as described above and the above-described program is executed on the game device, the game system first determines a participating game device, and then the necessary game device receives the game program. In addition, since the communication game is executed between the participation game devices determined at the beginning, the download process and the participation recruitment process can be completed only once, so that the procedure by the user is not complicated. In addition, when the recruitment process is separately performed after the download process, the following inconvenience can be avoided. That is, the first game device and the second game device can participate in the battle game fairly.
(1) When the game device to be downloaded and the game device to participate in the communication game are determined independently, a situation occurs in which a game device that was not initially planned has been recruited and the downloaded game device cannot participate. The inconvenience that there is a possibility.
(2) When a game device (second game device) that stores a game program is about to apply, when a game device to be downloaded is determined as a game device that participates in a communication game and then a separate participation recruitment process is performed. In addition, there is an inconvenience that there may be a situation where the number of participants is already maximum and cannot be participated.

  Alternatively, in the game system according to the present invention, first, after determining the game device to participate, the first game program is transmitted, so the procedure for determining the participating game device is simplified, the processing of the device is simplified, User confusion can be prevented.

  Alternatively, in the game system according to the present invention, since the recruiting device can handle the first game device and the second game device without distinction, the processing burden on the recruiting device is reduced, and the recruiting device / first game device is reduced. -The burden of the whole preparation process of the communication game by a 2nd game device can be reduced.

  Alternatively, in the game system according to the present invention, since the recruiting device transmits the first game program to the participating game devices all at once, the transmission time can be shortened.

  Alternatively, in the game system according to the present invention, the same type of game device is any one of the recruitment device, the first game device, and the second game device, so that a plurality of types of game devices and recruitment devices are not required. The game system of the present application can be realized.

  Alternatively, in the game system according to the present invention, since one game device is selectively selected as either the recruiting device or the second game device, a communication game can be performed in accordance with the situation at that time. For example, a communication game can be performed according to the situation at that time, such as a second game device if someone is a recruiting device, and a recruiting device if no one is a recruiting device.

  Alternatively, in the game system according to the present invention, when there are a plurality of recruiting devices, the first game device can select which recruiting device to apply for the communication game.

  Alternatively, in the game system according to the present invention, when there are a plurality of recruiting devices, the second game device selects which of the recruiting device communication games that can communicate with its own game program. be able to.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, which is one specific example of a game apparatus included in the game system according to the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, game device 1 according to the present embodiment is roughly a first housing 2 that is an upper housing, and a lower housing that is connected to first housing 2 by a hinge (not shown). The second housing 3 is included. When the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 are rotated by a predetermined angle along the hinge, the game apparatus 1 is in an open state or a closed state. In FIG. 1, the open state of the game apparatus 1 is shown. Both the first housing 2 and the second housing 3 have the surface shown in FIG.

  A first LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 21 that is a first display unit is disposed on the top surface of the first housing 2, and a second LCD 31 that is a second display unit is disposed on the top surface of the second housing 3. The first display unit and the second display unit are not limited to a display device using an LCD, and may be a display device using EL (Electro Luminescence), for example. The resolution is not limited, and a preferable specific resolution is 256 dots × 192 dots.

  Furthermore, left and right sound release holes 25R and 25L for releasing sound output from the built-in left and right speakers 23R and 23L (see FIG. 2) are formed on the upper surface of the first housing 2.

  Further, on the upper surface of the second housing 3, a cross switch 33a, a start switch 33b, a select switch 33c, an A button 33d, a B button 33e, an X button 33f, a Y button 33g, and a touch panel 35 (FIG. 1) constituting the input unit. And a power switch 37 is arranged. Further, an R button 33R and an L button 33L constituting an input unit are arranged on the side surface of the second housing 3. The arrangement of the button group 33 is not limited, and a preferable specific arrangement is that the buttons 33a, d, e, f, and g are held when the left and right ends of the second housing 3 are held by the left and right hands, respectively. In addition, the positions where the thumbs of the left and right hands are easy to touch are mentioned. Further, for the R button 33R and the L button 33L, the positions where the index fingers of the left and right hands are easy to touch are mentioned.

  Further, a game card (memory card or the like: also called a game cartridge) 50 as a recording medium is inserted into a recording medium connector (hereinafter referred to as a connector) 39 (see FIG. 2) on the back surface of the second housing 3. And an insertion port for storing the stick 60 is provided. In FIG. 1, the state in which the game card 50 and the stick 60 are inserted is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The game card 50 records a game program and is detachably attached to an insertion port on the back surface of the second housing 3.

  The touch panel 35 outputs coordinate data corresponding to a position touched by a stick 60, a pen (stylus pen), a finger, or the like. The method employed in the touch panel 35 is not limited, and preferable specific methods include a resistive film method, an optical method such as an infrared method, a capacitive coupling method, and the like. The resolution of the touch panel 35 that is the touch position detection accuracy is also not limited, and a preferable specific resolution may be 256 dots × 192 dots as in the second LCD 31. Note that the resolution of the touch panel 35 does not necessarily match the resolution of the second LCD 31.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific example of the device configuration of the game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 2, game device 1 includes an electronic circuit board 10 in which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 is mounted in first housing 2 or second housing 3. The CPU 11 is connected via a bus 19 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a first GPU (Graphics processing Unit) 13a and a second GPU 13b, an LCD controller 15, a wireless communication unit 17, an I / F (interface) circuit 18, a boot ROM ( Read Only Memory) 20 and connector 39 are connected. The first GPU 13a and the second GPU 13b are connected to the LCD controller 15 via a first VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 14a and a second VRAM 14b, respectively.

  A game card 50 is detachably connected to the connector 39. The game card 50 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 51 that stores a game program, and a RAM 53 that stores backup data in a rewritable manner.

  The CPU 11 loads the game program stored in the ROM 51 of the game card 50 into the RAM 12 and executes it by executing the initial program stored in the boot ROM 20. The RAM 12 is a load destination of the game program and also serves as a work area when the CPU 11 executes the game program, and stores temporary data obtained by executing the game program and data for generating a game image. .

  The I / F circuit 18 is connected to the left and right speakers 23L and 23R constituting the audio output unit, the touch panel 35 and the button group 33 constituting the input unit, and an operation signal input from the input unit is transmitted to the bus 19 To the CPU 11 via In addition, an audio signal input from the CPU 11 via the bus 19 is input to the left and right speakers 23L and 23R. In accordance with the execution of the program, the CPU 11 outputs a control signal to each unit connected based on the operation signal and controls it.

  The first GPU 13a generates a first game image based on data for generating a game image stored in the RAM 12 in accordance with a control signal input from the CPU 11, and draws the first game image in the first VRAM 14a. Similarly, the second GPU 13b generates a second game image based on data for generating a game image stored in the RAM 12 in accordance with a control signal input from the CPU 11, and draws it in the second VRAM 14b.

  The LCD controller 15 includes a register 16. The register 16 stores 0 or 1 according to the control signal input from the CPU 11. When the value stored in the register 16 is 0, the LCD controller 15 outputs the first game image drawn in the first VRAM 14 a to the first LCD 21, and outputs the second game image drawn in the second VRAM 14 b to the second LCD 31. To do. On the other hand, when the value stored in the register 16 is 1, the first game image drawn in the first VRAM 14 a is output to the second LCD 31, and the second game image drawn in the second VRAM 14 b is output to the first LCD 21.

  The wireless communication unit 17 communicates with a wireless communication unit of another game device, and transmits / receives a game program, data used for game processing, and the like. The communication method employed in the wireless communication unit 17 is not limited, and a preferable specific communication method includes a communication method according to the IEEE802.11 wireless local area network (LAN) standard. Further, the wireless communication unit 17 may include a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) or a predetermined browser to perform communication via a network such as the Internet.

  The appearance and device configuration of the game apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are one specific example of the game apparatus according to the present invention, and the game system and the game program according to the present invention have communication functions and recordings. The present invention can be applied to other computer systems having both functions of reading data from a medium.

  The initial program includes a slave program. The game program includes a master program, a slave program, a master game program, and a slave game program. Here, a program that causes the game device 1 to function as a parent device that is a recruitment device that requests recruitment of other game devices and invites participation in the game is a program for the parent device, and the game device 1 is the recruitment notification. A program that notifies an application to function as a child machine participating in the game is called a child machine program, a program that realizes game processing as a parent machine is a game program for parent machine, and a game process is realized as a child machine The program is called a handset game program. Further, in the following description, the parent machine program is executed to issue a recruitment notice to the communication game, an entry (application notice) from another game device is received, and the parent machine game program is executed to execute the game. The game device 1 that performs processing is referred to as a parent device. Further, the game device 1 that executes the child device program to request entry to the parent device and executes the child device game program to perform the game process is referred to as a child device. Further, among the slave units, a slave unit that downloads and acquires a game program from the master unit without the game card 50 attached is referred to as a communication slave unit, and the game program is installed from the game card 50 with the game card 50 attached. A child device that obtains the above is called a pseudo child device. The pseudo slave unit will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in game device 1 according to the present embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is started when the game apparatus 1 is turned on, and the CPU 11 stores the initial program stored in the boot ROM 20 and the game card 50 attached as necessary. This is realized by reading and executing the game program being executed and functioning according to the program.

  Referring to FIG. 3, when the game apparatus 1 is turned on and processing is started, first, the CPU 11 reads an initial program stored in the boot ROM 20 and starts execution (step S101).

  In accordance with the initial program, a selection is made as to whether to read out the game program from the loaded game card 50 or to download the game program from the parent device and acquire the game program (step S103). If the game program is read from the attached game card 50 (YES in step S103), the process proceeds to step S107. If the game program is downloaded from the parent machine (NO in step S103), the process proceeds to step S105. Proceed. Here, a selection screen (not shown) is displayed on the first LCD 21 or the second LCD 31 to accept a user instruction from the input unit, and the process branches depending on the input content.

  Note that the process of step S103 may be skipped when the game card 50 is not loaded in the game apparatus 1, and may proceed to step S105. Even in the case where the game card 50 is mounted on the game apparatus 1, it may be selected in step S103 to download the game program from the parent machine and acquire the game program, and the process may proceed to step S105.

  In step S105, the CPU 11 starts execution of the communication slave unit program included in the initial program in order to download the game program from the master unit and acquire the game program. By executing the communication slave unit program, the communication flow described above with reference to FIG. 9 is established between the game apparatus 1 functioning as a communication slave unit and the master unit.

  In step S107, the CPU 11 reads out the game program stored in the attached game card 50 and starts executing it (step S107). Here, when the game program stored in the game card 50 is not a battle-type game program that executes a game while communicating with another game device, that is, a game program for one person, or a user's selection, etc. When the game program stored in the game card 50 is not executed as a battle type, that is, when it is executed as a single-player game (YES in step S109), the CPU 11 stores the game stored in the game card 50. The game program for one person out of the programs is read and executed (step S111). The processing according to the game program for one person is not limited in the present invention.

  When the game program stored in the game card 50 is a battle-type game program, or when the game program stored in the game card 50 is executed as a battle-type by user selection or the like (step S109). NO), the game program for battle among the game programs stored in the game card 50 is read out and started to be executed (step S113).

  When the execution of the battle game program is started in step S113, first, the CPU 11 displays a selection screen for selecting whether the game apparatus 1 functions as a parent device or a child device as the first LCD 21 or the first one. 2 Displayed on the LCD 31, receives a user instruction from the input unit, and branches the process depending on the input content (step S115). In step S115, in addition to displaying a selection screen and accepting a user operation to branch the process, a hardware configuration for accepting a selection from the user may be provided, and the process may be branched based on the selection by the device. Alternatively, a non-volatile memory may be provided, which process may be stored in advance in the non-volatile memory, and the process may be automatically branched based on the stored contents. Further, the processing may be branched by other methods.

  That is, when the game device 1 functions as a child device, that is, when an entry request is made for entry acceptance of a parent device that is another game device in accordance with the battle game program (YES in step S115), the CPU 11 Starts executing the program for the pseudo slave unit among the game programs stored in the attached game card 50 (step S119). Processing according to the pseudo-child device program will be described with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, when causing the game apparatus 1 to function as a parent machine, that is, when accepting an entry from another game apparatus in accordance with the battle game program (NO in step S115), the CPU 11 applies to the game card 50 mounted. Of the stored game programs, execution of the master program is started (step S117). By executing the master program in step S117, the communication flow described above with reference to FIG. 9 is established with another game device functioning as a slave.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in the game apparatus 1 functioning as a pseudo slave unit when the execution of the pseudo slave unit program is started in step S119. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is realized by the CPU 11 reading out and executing the pseudo-slave device program stored in the attached game card 50 to the RAM 12 and functioning according to the program.

  Referring to FIG. 4, when the execution of the program for the pseudo slave unit is started in step S119, first, CPU 11 searches for the master unit by analyzing the data received by wireless communication unit 17 (step S1). S201).

  From the parent device whose execution of the parent device program is started in step S117, a parent device notification packet called a beacon is output according to the parent device program. The beacon includes common data and download-specific data, and the shared data is data according to a format shared by the game apparatus 1 and includes data necessary for the child device to connect to the parent device. The download unique data includes a beacon number and information related to the parent device. Specifically, information relating to the parent device includes identification information for identifying the parent device, information indicating that the game device functions as the parent device, identification information for identifying the game accepting the entry, and current information The information indicating that the type of communication is a download session is included. The parent device information that is the download unique data has a large size, and is divided into a plurality (first to Nth (N is a natural number)) and transmitted. The number of the beacon indicates 1 to N described above and indicates what number the transmitted data is. The beacon is transmitted from the 1st to the Nth, and the information regarding the parent device is acquired by collecting the download unique data included in the 1st to Nth beacons. Note that the information of N, which is the total number of divisions of the parent device information, is transmitted simultaneously with the beacon number. Based on the N information, the slave unit determines whether all N received master unit information is available.

  The CPU 11 of the game apparatus 1 functioning as a pseudo-slave device analyzes the data received by the wireless communication unit 17, and if the beacon as described above is received, the master device is detected (step S203). YES), the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the CPU 11 connects the communication in the download communication session to the parent device detected in step S203 via the wireless communication unit 17, and outputs an entry request. The entry request output here includes information for requesting participation in the game (such as identification information of the game apparatus 1) and a download request for a game program for executing the game. The entry request output in step S205 is the same as the entry request output from the communication slave that has started execution of the communication slave device program in step S105.

  When the entry request output in step S205 is permitted by the parent device and the download of the game program is permitted, the communication child device and the pseudo child device are distinguished from the parent device, similarly to the processing for the communication child device. Instead, the game program is transmitted to the game apparatus 1 by broadcast. When the CPU 11 analyzes the data received by the wireless communication unit 17 and detects that the game program is transmitted from the parent device (step S207), the CPU 11 wirelessly stores the received game program in the RAM 12 without storing it. A download completion notification is output from the communication unit 17 to the parent device (step S209). If the game program is downloaded every packet of a predetermined size, the pseudo slave unit stores the packet in the RAM 12 every time it is detected that the game program for one packet has been transmitted. The download completion notification may be sent to the master unit without repeating the process until the final packet is transmitted.

  When a restart request is made from the parent machine (step S213), the CPU 11 disconnects the connection to the parent machine according to the request (step S215), switches the communication session to the battle session, and again becomes the parent machine. Communication is connected to the communication (step S217). When the predetermined timing is detected, the game is started in accordance with the pseudo slave device program (step S219).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a communication flow in the game system according to the present embodiment, which is established by executing the above-described processing in accordance with the pseudo slave device program in the game apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. is there.

  Referring to FIG. 5, a game device that functions as a parent device by executing a parent device program distributes a parent device notification packet to the child device, and executes a communication child device program as a communication child device. Both the functioning game device and the game device functioning as a simulated child device by executing the program for the simulated child device search for the parent device by detecting the packet and connect to the parent device.

  When receiving the entry request from the slave unit, the master unit displays the entry request on the display unit and accepts an operation for permitting the entry from the user. Downloading of the game program is permitted and the game program is transmitted to the handset whose entry is permitted.

  Here, the communication slave unit receives the game program transmitted from the master unit, stores it in the RAM 12, and sequentially requests the master unit for packets of the game program. When the CPU 11 detects that the download of the game program has been completed, the completion is notified to the parent device.

  On the other hand, by executing the above processing, the pseudo slave unit does not store the game program transmitted from the master unit in the RAM 12 and immediately downloads it to the master unit as the pseudo download is completed. To notify that the download is complete.

  When the download completion is notified from all the slave units, in the game system, in order to switch the communication session from the download communication session to the battle session, communication of all the game devices is once disconnected and restarted. Here, the information regarding the entry received earlier is held in each game device.

  After restarting, the parent machine executes the parent machine game program, switches the communication session from the download communication session to the battle session, and performs battle communication with the child machine.

  The communication child device executes the communication child device game program acquired from the parent device, and connects communication to the parent device that requested the entry first based on the information about the stored entry.

  The simulated child device executes the simulated child device game program stored in the attached game card 50 and communicates with the parent device that requested the entry first based on the information about the stored entry. Connect.

  The parent device automatically checks whether or not the connected child device is the child device that has received the entry first, and starts the communication game at a predetermined timing.

  When the above processing is executed in the game device according to the present embodiment and the communication flow is established in the game system, the game system needs to download a game program in which no game card is mounted. Even in the third mode (FIG. 10) in which the slave device and the slave device to which the game card is attached and need not be downloaded coexist, the slave device to which the game card is attached and does not need to be downloaded is simulated. In a game device that functions as a parent device by performing the same behavior as a child device that requires download, a communication game is performed by performing the same processing as the processing in the communication flow described with reference to FIG. Can be executed. That is, even if the game system is in the third form, it is possible to execute a communication game using a conventional parent device program without requiring a dedicated and higher-level parent device program.

  Further, as described above, since the operation for allowing the entry by the parent device user is only the operation for requesting the download of the game program in the same manner as the operation for executing the conventional communication game, There is no loss of operability.

  Furthermore, the process in the game device for realizing the communication flow in the above-described game system can be provided as a program. In order for such a program to execute processing in the computer of the game apparatus, a game medium such as a recording medium such as a game card, a flexible disk attached to the computer, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), a ROM In addition, the program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a RAM and a memory card and provided as a program product. Alternatively, the program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk built in the computer. A program can also be provided by downloading via a network.

  A program module is prepared as a part of a computer operation system (OS), and in an application program, necessary modules are generally called at a predetermined timing in a predetermined arrangement to proceed with processing. In such a case, the program itself does not include the module, and the communication flow in the game system is realized only when the computer cooperates with the OS. That is, when the communication flow is realized using a computer employing a general OS, it is not necessary to provide a program including the module, and a program not including the module is also included in the present invention. It can be said that it constitutes such a game program.

  The provided program product is installed in a program storage unit such as a boot ROM and executed. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the game device 1 concerning embodiment. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific example of a device configuration of the game apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a specific example of processing in game device 1. It is a flowchart which shows the specific example of the process in the game device 1 which functions as a pseudo | simulation subunit | mobile_unit. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication flow in the game system concerning embodiment. It is a figure showing the 1st form of a game system. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication flow in the 1st form of a game system. It is a figure which shows the 2nd form of a game system. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the communication flow in the 2nd form of a game system. It is a figure which shows the 3rd form of a game system.

Explanation of symbols

  1 game device, 2 first housing, 3 second housing, 11 CPU, 12, 53 RAM, 13a first GPU, 13b second GPU, 14a first VRAM, 14b second VRAM, 19 bus, 15 LCD controller, 16 register, 17 wireless Communication part, 18 I / F circuit, 20 Boot ROM, 21 1st LCD, 31 2nd LCD, 23R Right speaker, 23L Left speaker, 25R Right sound release hole, 25L Right sound release hole, 33a Cross switch, 33b Start switch, 33c Select switch, 33d A button, 33e B button, 33f X button, 33g Y button, 35 touch panel, 37 power switch, 33R R button, 33L L button, 39 recording medium connector, 50 game card, 51 ROM, 6 0 stick.

Claims (13)

A game system including a recruiting device for recruiting participation in a communication game, and a game device participating in the communication game,
The game device stores and executes a first game device that receives and executes the first game program, and a second game program that can execute the communication game in cooperation with the first game program. And a second game device that
The recruiting device is:
Recruitment notification transmitting means for transmitting the communication game recruitment notification to the first game device and the second game device;
An application notification receiving means for receiving an application notification for the application notification from the game device;
Based on the application notification received by the application notification receiving means, participation game device determining means for determining a participating game device that is the game device participating in the communication game;
First game program storage means for storing the first game program;
A first game program transmission means for transmitting the first game program to the participating game device which has received the pre-SL application notification,
Each of the first game device and the second game device is
An application notification transmitting means for transmitting the application notification in response to the application notification;
The first game device further includes:
First game program receiving means for receiving the first game program from the first game program transmitting means after transmitting the application notification;
A notification means for transmitting a notification that the first game program has been received to the recruiting device;
First game program executing means for executing the first game program received by the first game program receiving means;
The second game device further includes:
Second game program storage means for storing the second game program in its own device;
A notification means for transmitting a notification that the first game program has been received to the recruiting device;
A second game program executing means for executing the second game program stored in the second game program storage means instead of the first game program transmitted after the application notification is transmitted;
The communication game is executed by each of the participating game devices determined by at least the participating game device determining means, and the first game program executing means of the first game device and the first of the participating game devices. Executing the communication game in cooperation with the second game program executing means of the two-game device ;
The recruitment apparatus further Ru comprising a completion notification receiving means for receiving a notification of the reception of the first game program from the participating game devices, the game system. The participation game apparatus determining means is based on the application notice received by the application notice receiving means after the recruitment notice transmitting means starts sending the recruitment notice and ends receiving the application notice. Determining the participating game devices;
The first game program transmission means transmits the first game program after the participation game apparatus is determined by the participation game apparatus determination means,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication game is executed by each participating game device determined by at least the participating game device determination means. Before Symbol first game program transmitting means, until said completion of reception of the notification of the reception of the first game program from each of the participating game devices by the notification receiving means has been is determined, the participant game device that sends the first game program against the game system according to claim 1.   The game system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first game program transmitting means transmits the first game program by broadcast to the participating game devices. The game device includes:
The first game program, the second game program, and a program that causes the game device to function as the recruitment notification transmission unit, the application notification reception unit, the participation game device determination unit, and the first game program transmission unit are stored. And
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the recruiting device or the second game device is obtained by selectively executing either the second game program or the functioning program.   The recruiting device further stores a third game program communicable with the first game program and the second game program, the application notice receiving means, the participating game apparatus determining means, and the first game program transmitting means, 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication game is executed together with the participating game device by executing the third game program after the process according to 1. The game device is detachably mountable with a game cartridge storing a game program, and executes the game program stored in the mounted game cartridge,
A program for causing the game device to function as the first game program, the recruitment notification transmission means, the application notification reception means, the participating game device determination means, and the first game program transmission means; It becomes the recruitment device by executing,
The game device to which the game cartridge is not attached becomes the first game device,
The game device equipped with the game cartridge storing the second game program is the second game device,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein each of the game devices stores a program that causes the game device to function as the first game program receiving unit in a nonvolatile manner. The game device is detachably mountable with a game cartridge storing a game program, and executes the game program stored in the mounted game cartridge,
The game device as the first game program, the second game program, the recruitment notification transmission means, the application notification reception means, the participating game device determination means, and the first game program transmission means By selectively executing the first game program, the second game program, or the function program, among the programs that function, the recruitment device or the second game device is obtained.
The game device to which the game cartridge is not attached becomes the first game device,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein each of the game devices stores a program that causes the game device to function as the first game program receiving unit in a nonvolatile manner.   2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the first game program transmission unit transmits the first game program without distinction to the first game device and the second game device. The recruitment notification transmission means transmits information on the own device together with the recruitment notification,
The first game device further includes:
Display control means for displaying information on the recruiting device that is sending the recruitment notification on a screen;
Selecting means for allowing the user to select one of the recruiting devices from the information displayed on the screen;
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the application notification transmission unit transmits the application notification to the recruiting device selected by the selection unit. The recruitment notification transmission means transmits identification information of the communication game together with the recruitment notification,
Unlike the first game program and the second game program, the second game device stores a fourth game program that cannot communicate with these programs in its own device instead of the second game program. Is possible to perform
The second game device further includes:
Display control means for displaying information on the recruiting device that recruits the communication game capable of communicating with a game program that can be stored and executed in its own device on a screen;
Selecting means for allowing the user to select one of the recruiting devices from the information displayed on the screen;
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the application notification transmission unit transmits the application notification to the recruiting device selected by the selection unit.   A program that, when executed by a game device, causes the game device to function as the recruiting device that constitutes the game system according to claim 1, wherein the program sends the game device to the recruitment notification transmission unit. , A program that functions as the application notice receiving means, the participating game apparatus determining means, and the first game program transmitting means. A program that, when executed by a game device, causes the game device to function as the second game device that constitutes the game system according to claim 1, wherein the program notifies the game device of the application notification. A program that functions as transmission means , notification means, and second game program execution means.

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