JP6661176B1 - Game system, computer program used therefor, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system capable of suppressing tiredness of a user. SOLUTION: The game system is a competitive game of a music game that guides the execution time of a touch operation through a play guide screen that displays the movement of an object toward each reaching position index and evaluates the actual touch operation time. Provide as a game. Then, when the user satisfies the switching condition, the game system sets a start time as a time when the difficulty level of the game should be switched in the competitive game played by the opponent of the user, S202, and the start thereof. The difficulty level of the battle-type game played by the opponent during the period is changed from the current difficulty level corresponding to the current sequence data to another difficulty level corresponding to sequence data different from the current sequence data, more specifically. Switches to a higher difficulty level S204. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention provides an input device for inputting a user's play action and a display for displaying a guidance screen for guiding each execution time based on sequence data in which each execution time to execute the play action is described. A game that is connected to the device and guides each execution time through the guidance screen, and evaluates the time of the actual play action of the user input via the input device based on each execution time, to play a game through the evaluation result. The present invention relates to a game system and the like provided as a battle-type game against an opponent.

  An input device for inputting a user's play action, and a display device for displaying a guidance screen for guiding each execution time based on sequence data in which each execution time to execute the play action is described. Connected, a game that guides each execution time through the guidance screen and evaluates the time of the actual play action of the user input via the input device based on each execution time is played against the opponent through the evaluation result. There is a game system provided as a battle-type game. For example, as such an instruction sign, a reference sign, a guidance screen, and a play action, a score display, a judgment display, a game screen, and an operation on a button of a controller are used, respectively, and the difficulty of the music in accordance with a level-up condition or the like is used. A music game that changes the degree and the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, Patent Document 2 also exists as a prior art document related to the present invention.

JP 2001-246156 A JP 2000-218046 A

  In the music game of Patent Literature 1, the judgment display moves toward each musical score display, the timing of operation on the button is guided by the coincidence timing of those positions, and the timing is evaluated. When the level-up condition is satisfied based on the evaluation result, the difficulty level of the music is increased, while when the level-down condition is satisfied, the music level is reduced. However, such a change in the degree of difficulty of a song is based solely on the evaluation result (skill) of the player's own play. For this reason, such a change may be inferred in advance from the player's own playing situation, and is often included in the category of the user's expectation. In addition, the timing of such a change in the degree of difficulty is often fixed, and there is a high possibility that the timing of such a change is easily memorized. As a result, the user may be bored early.

  In the music game of Patent Document 2, the operation timing of the operation button is guided by the arrival of the timing mark to the lower end of the track, and the time lag between the arrival time and the depression time of the operation button is evaluated. . Such a timing mark includes an event timing mark, and an event may occur according to an evaluation result of such an event timing mark. Also, such events include those in which the timing marks are masked by a masking area, and such masking areas may be used when two players compete for a score in response to one player's operation result. The message may be displayed so as to obstruct the player. In the music game of Patent Literature 2, the degree of difficulty is changed by displaying such a masking area. However, such a masking area merely hides the display of the current timing mark, and does not change the number of timing marks, in other words, the sequence data. For this reason, such a change in the degree of difficulty may be used as a bargaining element. There is a possibility that the change will be included in the category, and there is room for improvement in interest.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like that can suppress the user from getting tired.

  The game system according to the present invention includes an input device for inputting a user's play action and a guidance screen for guiding each execution time based on sequence data in which each execution time to execute the play action is described. A display device for displaying the game, the game device guiding each execution time through the guidance screen, and evaluating the actual play time of the user input through the input device based on each execution time. Is provided as an opponent-type game that competes with an opponent through an evaluation result, wherein, when the user satisfies a switching condition in the opponent-type game, the opponent of the user plays Time setting means for setting a start time as a time at which the difficulty level of the game should be switched in the game of the type, Difficulty of switching the difficulty level of the competitive game played by the opponent at the time from the current difficulty level corresponding to the current sequence data to another difficulty level corresponding to different sequence data from the current sequence data Degree switching means.

  On the other hand, a computer program of the present invention is configured to cause a computer connected to the input device and the display device to function as each unit of the game system described above.

  Further, the control method of the present invention includes an input device for inputting a user's play action, and a guide for guiding each execution time based on sequence data in which each execution time to execute the play action is described. And a display device that displays a screen, and guides each execution time through the guidance screen, and evaluates the time of the actual play action of the user input through the input device based on each execution time. When the user satisfies the switching condition in the competitive game, a computer that is incorporated in a game system that provides the game to be played as a competitive game that competes with the opponent through the evaluation result. When setting a start time as a time at which the difficulty of the game should be switched in the competitive game to be played A setting procedure, and determining the difficulty level of the competitive game played by the opponent at the start time from the current difficulty level corresponding to the current sequence data to another sequence data corresponding to the current sequence data. And a difficulty level switching procedure for switching to the difficulty level.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main part of a control system of the game machine. The figure which shows an example of a home screen typically. The figure which shows an example of a team selection screen typically. The figure which shows an example of the guidance screen for play typically. The figure which shows typically an example of the guidance screen for a play which is providing the selection opportunity. The figure which shows an example of a partner selection screen typically. The figure which shows an example of a dance screen typically. The figure which shows typically an example of the guidance screen for a play providing the switching notice. The figure which shows typically an example of the guidance screen for play in which an opponent is providing the dance screen. The figure which shows an example of an automatic setting screen typically. The figure which shows an example of a character screen typically. The figure which shows typically an example of the character screen in which the skill selection column is displayed. The figure which shows an example of a lottery result screen typically. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of a character set for a character regarding dance skills. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a start period and an end period that occur in an opponent when a user satisfies a switching condition first. Description for explaining an example of a start period and an end period that occur in an opponent when the user satisfies the switching condition after the opponent requests the activation of the dance skill but before the dance skill is actually activated. FIG. The figure which shows an example of a structure of sequence data. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a screen switching process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a difficulty level switching process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of guidance omission processing. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of guidance maintenance processing. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a moving image presentation process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a special evaluation process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a screen return process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a difficulty return process. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an evaluation exclusion process.

  Hereinafter, an example of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 and a plurality of game machines 3 as client devices connectable to the center server 2 via a predetermined network NT. The center server 2 is configured as one logical server device by combining server units 2A, 2B,... As a plurality of computer devices. However, the center server 2 may be constituted by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

  The network NT may be appropriately configured as long as the game machines 3 can be connected to the center server 2 respectively. As an example, the network NT may include various types of connection facilities or devices such as an Internet as a WAN, a LAN that connects each of the center server 2 and the game machine 3 to the Internet, or an access point AP.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the game machines 3A, 3B, and 3C are shown as the game machines 3. Each of the game machines 3 is an example of a game device that provides a game. The game machine 3A is installed in a facility such as an amusement store, and is configured as an arcade game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined price. This type of game machine is sometimes called an arcade game machine. A game machine 3A of this type (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an arcade game machine 3A) is installed in a predetermined facility such as a store for the main purpose of making a large number of users repeatedly play a game to increase profit. There are many. On the other hand, the game machines 3B and 3C are stationary game machines for home use or portable game machines provided for personal use of the user. Such a game machine 3B, 3C (hereinafter, may be referred to as a stationary game machine 3B or a portable game machine 3C, respectively. If these are not distinguished, they may be referred to as a user terminal device-type game machine 3. ), A mobile phone such as a smartphone or a portable information terminal (including a tablet terminal and a personal computer) may function. In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of types of game machines 3 are connected to the center server 2, but the number of game machines 3 connected to the center server 2 may be one.

  The game machine 3 provides a character training game. The character breeding game is a type of game for breeding characters in the game. As such a character, a person having various jobs such as a monster, an athlete, or a warrior, and various objects such as a car and an animal may be used. The character to be bred may be a single character or a plurality of characters. Hereinafter, as an example, a case will be described in which the game machine 3 provides a character breeding game of a type for cultivating a dance unit (a team of a plurality of characters).

  In such a character breeding game, each character forming a dance unit is bred through various elements in the game. Such upbringing elements include mini-games. That is, each character is nurtured through playing such a mini game. Such mini-games may include various games, but include a music game as an example. Music games are a type of timing game. The timing game is a type of game that evaluates the execution time of an appropriate play action. In the case of a music game, an execution time at which the appropriate play action should be executed is provided together with the music. In a music game, a time corresponding to the rhythm of a music piece is used as an execution time. In other words, the music game is a type of game in which the user is guided to a time when an appropriate play action should be performed in accordance with the rhythm of the music, and the time when the play action is actually performed is evaluated. Also, for example, a music game has a plurality of songs prepared for play, and a song selected therefrom is used for actual play. For example, such a music game is provided through a game screen displayed on a display device. Specifically, such a game screen includes an instruction sign corresponding to each execution time and a reference sign that functions as a reference of the current time, and uses these instruction signs and the reference sign to indicate the instruction sign at each execution time. Then, each execution time is guided by causing a relative displacement between the instruction marker and the reference marker so that the positions of the reference markers match.

  The user terminal device 4 may be connected to the game system 1 via the network NT. The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is provided for a user's personal use. For example, a stationary or book-type personal computer 4A or a mobile terminal device 4B such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 4. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to a network and are used for personal use of a user, such as a stationary home game machine, a portable game machine, and a portable tablet terminal device, are used as the user terminal device 4. May be. The user terminal device 4 can allow a user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by installing various computer software. Note that such a user terminal device 4 may function as the game machine 3 through computer software.

  The center server 2 provides various game machine services to the game machine 3 or its user. The game machine service includes a distribution service for distributing and updating a program or data of the game machine 3 via the network 5. The center server 2 appropriately distributes various programs or data necessary for providing the character breeding game to each game machine 3 through such a distribution service. In addition, the game machine service includes a matching service for matching users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5. The game system 1 provides a character breeding game (including a part of a character breeding game such as a music game) as a multi-play game in which progress is shared among a plurality of users through such a matching service. There is.

  The game machine service may also include a service that receives the identification information of the user from the game machine 3 and authenticates the user. Further, a service for receiving play data of the authenticated user from the game machine 3 and storing the play data, or providing the stored play data to the game machine 3 may be included. Further, a billing service for collecting a fee from the user may be included. Similarly, the center server 2 may provide various Web services to the user of the user terminal device 4 via the network 5. The Web service includes a game information service for providing various information related to a game provided by the game machine 3, a distribution service for distributing various data or software to each user terminal device 4 (including an update of data and the like), and a user service. It may include a service such as a community service that provides a place for interaction such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing, and a service that assigns a user ID for identifying each user.

  Next, a main part of a control system of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the center server 2 is provided with a control unit 21 and a storage unit 22 as storage means. The control unit 21 is configured as a computer in which a CPU as an example of a processor that executes various arithmetic processes and operation controls according to a predetermined computer program is combined with an internal memory and other peripheral devices necessary for the operation.

  The storage unit 22 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 22 may be configured to hold all data in one storage unit, or may be configured to store data in a distributed manner in a plurality of storage units. In the storage unit 22, a program PG1 is recorded as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 21 to execute various processes necessary for providing various services to the user. The storage unit 22 stores server data necessary for providing various services. Such server data includes various data for the character breeding game. In the example of FIG. 2, as one type of such various data, moving image data MD and sequence data QD are shown.

  Each of the moving image data MD and the sequence data QD is data for a music game. Specifically, the moving image data MD is data for displaying a moving image during a music game. Such a moving image includes a dance moving image (including a dance animation by each character). Such dance (movement) of the character of the dance moving image may be realized at any time by the program PG1 based on the moving image data MD. It may be realized by a trajectory based on the trajectory. In such a case, the moving image data may be configured as data for reproducing an operation based on the detection result of such a motion sensor. Further, each moving image may be configured as a photographing result of photographing a virtual three-dimensional space. In this case, each moving image is a moving image (a moving image in which each character moves around the virtual camera) based on the shooting result of the virtual camera at a fixed position (the shooting direction and the angle of view may be appropriately changed). Included), or may be configured as a moving image based on the result of a movable virtual camera whose position changes so as to go around a suitable character (or a plurality of characters). That is, the moving image data MD may be appropriately configured based on a known technique.

  The sequence data QD is data in which each execution time at which a user should perform a play in a music game is described. The sequence data QD is used to guide the user to each of such execution times. Further, when the user actually performs the play, the play is evaluated based on the execution time of the sequence data QD. That is, guidance of each execution time and its evaluation are executed based on the sequence data QD. For this reason, the sequence data QD is described in such a manner that each execution time and information on an appropriate play action to be executed at the execution time are associated with each other. When a plurality of music pieces or a plurality of difficulty levels are prepared in a music game, the sequence data QD is prepared for each music piece or each difficulty level. Details of the sequence data QD will be described later.

  Note that the server data may include, for example, various data for realizing various services. For example, such data may include music data, play data, ID management data, and the like. The music data is data for reproducing music used in a music game. The play data is data in which information on the past play results of each user is described. The play data is used, for example, to take over the previous play result (past performance) from the next time onward, or to take over settings unique to each user. The ID management data is data for managing various IDs such as a user ID. However, their illustration is omitted.

  The control unit 21 is provided with a game machine service management unit 24 as a logical device realized by a combination of a hardware resource of the control unit 21 and a program PG1 as a software resource. The game machine service management unit 24 executes various processes for realizing the above-described game machine service for the game machine 3. Note that an input device such as a keyboard, an output device such as a monitor, and the like can be connected to the control unit 21 as necessary. However, their illustration is omitted.

  On the other hand, the game machine 3 is provided with a control unit 31 as a computer and a storage unit 32 as storage means. The control unit 31 is configured as a computer in which a CPU as an example of a processor that executes various processes according to a predetermined computer program is combined with an internal memory and other peripheral devices necessary for the operation. Various logical devices are configured in the control unit 31 by a combination of the hardware resources of the control unit 31 and the program PG2 as software resources. Then, through the logical devices, various processes required for providing the character breeding game (including processes required for enjoying the game machine service provided by the game machine service management unit 24 of the center server 2) are executed. However, in the example of FIG. 2, a guidance control unit 33, a moving image control unit 34, and an evaluation unit 35 are shown as logical devices related to the music game.

  The guidance control unit 33 is a logical device that performs various processes for controlling guidance of each execution timing through the instruction marker and the reference marker. For example, the guidance control unit 33 executes various processes for controlling the display (including relative displacement) of the instruction marker and the reference marker. Such processing includes screen switching processing, difficulty switching processing, guidance omitting processing, guidance maintaining processing, screen return processing, and difficulty return processing. The moving image control unit 34 is a logical device that performs various processes for presenting a moving image on a game screen for a music game. Such processing includes moving image presentation processing. The evaluation unit 35 is a logical device that performs various processes for evaluating each playing action of the user in the music game. Such processing includes special evaluation processing and evaluation exclusion processing. The procedures of the screen switching process, the difficulty switching process, the guidance omitting process, the guidance maintaining process, the screen returning process, the difficulty returning process, the moving image presentation process, the special evaluation process, and the evaluation exclusion process will be described later.

  The storage unit 32 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk and a semiconductor storage device. In the storage unit 32, together with the program PG2 described above, game data necessary for providing the character training game is recorded. Such game data also includes various data for a music game. In the example of FIG. 2, moving image data MD and sequence data QD are shown as a part of such music game data. I have. Both the moving image data MD and the sequence data QD are provided from the center server 2 through a distribution service. The game data further includes image data for displaying various images for games, BGM data for reproducing various BGMs, and the like. However, these are not shown.

  Further, the game machine 3 may be appropriately provided with various output devices and input devices according to the type of the arcade game machine 3A or the user terminal device type game machine 3, etc. However, in the example of FIG. The monitor 37 as a device and the speaker SP are shown as output devices provided in the game machine 3. The monitor 37 and the speaker SP are a well-known display device for displaying a game screen and the like and a well-known sound reproducing device for reproducing sound, respectively. Similarly, in the example of FIG. 2, an input device 36 for inputting a user's playing action is shown as an input device provided in the game machine 3. The input device 36 may be appropriately configured according to the type of the game machine 3. For example, in the case of the arcade game machine 3A, a stage with a push button that is pressed as if by a foot may be used as the input device 36. Then, on this stage, the user may play a music game. Alternatively, a control panel provided with a plurality of push buttons may be prepared. In such a case, the operation of pressing the push button with the foot or hand is used as a play action. Further, a touch pad or a touch panel display may be used as the input device 36. In this case, the act of touching these with a hand or foot, or a touch pen (a so-called stylus pen) is used as a play act.

  On the other hand, for example, in the case of the stationary game machine 3B, a keyboard including a plurality of push buttons or a dedicated controller (including a mat controller mainly laid on a floor or the like for operation by foot) is used as the input device 36. May be. In this case, the operation of pressing these push buttons is used as a play action. Similarly, for example, in the case of the portable game machine 3C, for example, a touch panel that outputs a signal corresponding to a user's touch operation (touch operation with a finger) may be used as the input device 36. In this case, the touch operation and its position are used as a play action. Further, a dedicated controller (including the mat controller described above) may be connected to the portable game machine 3C by wire or wirelessly and used.

  In addition, in addition to the above, for example, the arcade game machine 3A collects a predetermined price necessary for the game from the user using cash, substitute coins, medals, electronic currency (including points), a credit card function, and the like. May be provided as an input device. Such a device may collect various charges such as an electronic currency via a card that records the remaining amount of the electronic currency. Also, for example, in the case of the user terminal device type game machine 3, the user terminal device type game machine 3 provides a music game for a fee (including a case where a part of the game is paid for playing an additional range, etc.). Alternatively, it may be provided free of charge (including the case where software is purchased in advance). When the music game is provided for a fee, the user terminal device-type game machine 3 may collect the price through various well-known settlement processes.

  Next, a game screen for providing a character breeding game will be described with reference to FIGS. More specifically, a game screen related to a music game among game screens for a character breeding game will be described. Such game screens include a home screen, a character screen, a music game screen, and a lottery result screen. Hereinafter, an example of a game screen displayed on the monitor 37 of such a portable game machine 3C will be described, taking the portable game machine 3C using a touch panel as the input device 36 as an example.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the home screen. The home screen 40 is a game screen that mainly functions as a starting point to another game screen. For this reason, the home screen 40 displays an icon (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a transition icon) that functions as a touch position (a position where a touch operation is to be performed) for transitioning to each screen. In addition, the home screen 40 may be provided with other management functions and information. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the home screen 40 includes a “STORY” icon 41, a “DANCER” icon 42, a “TEAM” icon 43, a “lottery” icon 44, an “use” icon 45, and a “DANCE BATTLE” icon. 46, a "MISSION" icon 47, an information area 48, and a character image CA.

  The “STORY” icon 41 is a transition icon for transitioning to a story screen (not shown). The story screen is a game screen for selecting and viewing a story (story) animation (moving image) set for each character such as an individual history of each character in the game or a conversation scene of a plurality of people. Such a story may include a newly unlocked (viewable) depending on the playing situation, such as a reward obtained in the game or a level of each character.

  The “TEAM” icon 43 is a transition icon for transitioning to a team (unit) formation screen (not shown). The team formation screen is a game screen for selecting each character forming a dance unit. One dance unit may be formed by an appropriate number of characters. Hereinafter, a case where one dance unit is formed by three characters will be described.

  The “use” icon 45 is a transition icon for transitioning to a use screen (not shown). The use screen is a game screen for providing a use event. The use event is an event for acquiring various items, and is provided with consumption of a predetermined value set in the game. For example, a physical strength value among the parameters set by the user is used as such a predetermined value. The physical strength value is a value that recovers to an upper limit value (may change according to the level or the like) over time, and is a value consumed for using various events. Since the physical strength value is worth increasing with time (recovering to the upper limit value), actively consuming it often leads to effective use of time for the user. For this reason, by using such a physical strength value for providing a use event, it is possible to promote the use of a character (for example, a character that is rarely used) for the use event. Further, when a period is set for an old event, use of characters used for the old event during that period may be restricted. In such a case, it is possible to promote the use of a character that is rarely used, even if the old man can be used without consuming the physical strength value. Further, the value of the item obtained by the event may be changed so that the value becomes higher (or more) as the length of the period increases. Similarly, the items obtained by the event may be determined randomly in addition to or irrespective of such a period, or may be determined according to a play situation or the like.

  The “MISSION” icon 47 is a transition icon for transitioning to a mission screen (not shown). The mission screen is a game screen for providing information about the mission, such as a list of missions prepared during the game, achievement conditions, rewards for achievement, or achievement history. A mission is a type of event for providing a user with a predetermined reward by satisfying (achieving) an achievement condition. During the game, such missions range from those that can be determined to be achieved for each play to those that are intended for relatively long-term play that cannot be achieved only by playing this time (once). May be. For example, if there is a concept corresponding to time in the game, such a concept of time may be considered as a mission achievement condition. Specifically, for example, as a kind of long-term mission, a mission in which an achievement condition is satisfied in an appropriate period such as every day or every week in a concept of time during a game may be prepared. Alternatively, similar long-term missions may be realized utilizing real-world time concepts. Note that the “MISSION” icon 47 is not a transition icon but an additional area (a so-called pop-up area) such as a mission information column (an area for presenting information similar to the above-described mission screen) on the home screen 40 due to a touch operation. ) May function as an icon for adding a new item.

  Similarly, a “DANCER” icon 42 is a character screen, a “Lottery” icon 44 is a lottery result screen, and a “DANCE BATTLE” icon 46 is a transition icon for transitioning to a music game screen. Details of the music game screen, character screen, and lottery result screen will be described later.

  On the other hand, the information area 48 is an area for presenting various information related to the game. The information area 48 includes, for example, a name area 48A, a rank area 48B, a physical strength value area 48C, and a currency area 48D. The name area 48A includes a name (“gogo”) of the user during the game and various titles for the user prepared during the game (when the play situation satisfies various grant conditions, the condition is satisfied). Are often provided to correspond to some of the ranks described below, and often function as a type of information indicating the user's rank, but are provided independently of the rank. This is an area for displaying the title (“Red Crane Gakuen Gold Student”) given to the user who is playing the game (“Mayor”).

  The rank area 48B is provided according to the rank prepared during the game (in the case where the play situation satisfies various grant conditions as in the case of the title, depending on the fulfilled conditions), and is assigned to some ranks at predetermined intervals. Is an area for displaying the rank (“1”) acquired by the user who is playing during the game (often a title is provided). The rank is a value indicating the degree of growth of the user's game, and the larger the value, the more often the game has been played.

  The currency area 48D is an area for displaying information relating to a currency value that functions as currency in the game (hereinafter, may be referred to as in-game currency). The in-game currency is a value that is consumed to use a predetermined function such as purchase of an item or provision of various lottery opportunities. The in-game currency is purchased, for example, with the consumption of real currency (which may be collected as well as the price for play). In the currency area 48D, for example, a currency balance area 48D1 and a currency purchase icon 48D2 are provided. The currency balance area 48D1 is an area for presenting the balance (“0”) of the in-game currency currently owned by the user. The currency purchase icon 48D2 is an icon that functions as a touch position for purchasing in-game currency (increasing the balance). Specifically, the currency purchase icon 48D2 functions as a touch-operated position for requesting purchase of in-game currency. With the touch operation on the currency purchase icon 48D2, for example, an additional area (so-called pop-up) for selecting a purchase amount or confirming whether or not to execute the purchase may be further presented.

  The physical strength value area 48C is an area for displaying information on the physical strength value of the user. In the physical strength value area 48C, for example, a physical strength value presentation area 48C1 and a recovery icon 48C2 are provided. The physical strength value presentation area 48C1 is an area for presenting the current value and the upper limit of the physical strength value of each character. In the example of FIG. 3, “30” is presented as the current physical strength value (the numerator of “30/30”) and the upper limit value (the denominator of “30/30”) of the character. The recovery icon 48C2 is an icon that functions as a touch position for recovering a physical strength value. More specifically, the recovery icon 48C2 functions as a position where a touch operation is performed to request recovery of the physical strength value. With the touch operation on the recovery icon 48C2, for example, an additional area (so-called pop-up) for selecting an item or confirming whether or not the item can be used may be further presented. As described above, the physical fitness value is consumed, for example, by playing an old event or playing a music game.

  The character image CA is an image corresponding to each character. On the home screen 40, a character image CA corresponding to each character constituting the dance unit to be bred is appropriately displayed. In the example of FIG. 3, the home screen 40 displays three character images CA corresponding to three (all) characters constituting the dance unit.

  In the physical strength value presentation area 48C1, information on physical strength values related to characters that meet appropriate conditions, such as a character specified by a predetermined specifying unit such as a cursor, is not limited to the physical strength value of the user. May be presented. Alternatively, the physical strength values of all characters may be presented in the physical strength value presentation area 48C1. Similarly, the arrangement of each character image CA on the home screen 40 may be arbitrary. For example, a character (a so-called pushing member) most recommended by the user is determined in accordance with advance designation or a condition such as a play situation, and even if the character image CA of such a character is arranged at the foreground on the home screen 40. Good. Alternatively, the arrangement of each character image CA may be determined based on the designation of the user.

  4 to 11 schematically show examples of the music game screen. Each of the music game screens is a game screen related to the play of the music game. Specifically, the music game screen includes a team selection screen, a play guidance screen, a partner selection screen, a dance screen, and an auto setting screen. Among these, FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the team selection screen. The team selection screen 50A is a game screen for selecting a dance unit (team) used for playing a music game. That is, the team selection screen 50A is used to select a dance unit to be trained through playing a music game. As shown in FIG. 4, such a team selection screen 50A includes a team formation icon 50A1, a team presentation area 50A2, a switching instruction icon 50A3, an automatic designation area 50A4, and a determination instruction icon 50A5.

  The team formation icon 50A1 is one of the icons for transition, and has the same function as the “TEAM” icon 43. The team presentation area 50A2 is an area for presenting detailed information of the currently selected team. The team presentation area 50A2 further includes, for example, a character information area 50A6 and a team information area 50A7. The character information area 50A6 is an area for presenting the characteristics of each character constituting the selected team for each character. For this reason, the character information area 50A6 includes a character image CA indicating each character (the character image CA may be either a still image or a moving image, and may have a different posture, a plurality of positions, or the like depending on a game screen or a situation). , And feature information. In addition, various characteristics that lead to the characteristics of each character may be set for each character. In the example of FIG. 4, as one of such characteristic information, some information of parameters defining each character is used. It is shown. On the other hand, the team information area 50A7 is an area for presenting the characteristics of each team (dance unit). As such a feature, the total value of the parameters of each character presented in the character information area 50A6 is used. That is, the total value of the parameters presented in the character information area 50A6 is presented in the team information area 50A7 for each parameter.

  The switching instruction icon 50A3 is an icon functioning as a touch position for executing a request to switch the currently selected team to another selectable team. When there is a selectable team, the selected team is switched to another team as a selection candidate team in response to a touch operation on the switching instruction icon 50A3. That is, with the touch operation on the switching instruction icon 50A3, the display content of the team presentation area 50A2 is switched to the content of another team. On the other hand, the determination instruction icon 50A5 is an icon that functions as a touch position for executing a request to determine the team to be played to the currently selected team. With the touch operation on the determination instruction icon 50A5, the currently selected team (the team being presented via the team presentation area 50A2) is determined as the team to be played.

  The auto designation area 50A4 is an area for presenting information regarding auto play. The auto play is one of play modes (modes) prepared for a music game, and is a mode in which the evaluation of a play action to be performed by each user is automatically processed as a predetermined evaluation result. That is, when the music game is played in the auto play, the user is given a predetermined evaluation result (or a predetermined score if the evaluation result is given as a score) without performing the play action. Such an auto play can be selected (played) when the auto play condition is satisfied. As such an auto play condition, for example, use of a specific item (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a ticket) may be used. In this case, with the use (consumption) of the ticket, designation of the auto play becomes possible. In this case, the auto designation area 50A4 includes, for example, a propriety information area 50A8 and a ticket purchase icon 50A9. The propriety information area 50A8 is an area for presenting information on the propriety of the selection of the auto play. In the availability information area 50A8, for example, information on the number of owned tickets is presented. The ticket purchase icon 50A9 is an icon that functions as a touch position for purchasing a ticket that enables auto play (increase the number of remaining tickets). For this reason, an additional area (so-called pop-up) for selecting the number of purchases or confirming whether or not to execute the purchase may be further presented, for example, in accordance with the touch operation on the ticket purchase icon 50A9.

  In the example of FIG. 4, “0” is displayed as the possession number (ownership number) of the ticket in the availability information area 50A8. That is, the user does not have any tickets. In this case, a ticket purchase icon 50A9 is displayed in the auto designation area 50A4, and the ticket is purchased through a touch operation or the like on the ticket purchase icon 50A9. On the other hand, if the user owns the ticket, an auto play instruction icon (not shown) for instructing auto play may be displayed in the auto designation area 50A4 instead of the ticket purchase icon 50A9. Then, such an auto play instruction icon may function as a transition icon for transitioning to an auto setting screen.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the play guidance screen. The play guidance screen 50B is a type of game screen for actually causing the user to play the music game, and is a game screen for actually guiding the user to the execution time of the play action to be performed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the play guidance screen 50B includes the object 51, the determination line 52, and the character image CA. The character image CA is an image corresponding to each character as described above. The play guidance screen 50B displays a character image CA of each character corresponding to the dance unit determined on the team selection screen 50A. In addition, each character image CA functions as a moving image (animation) dancing in accordance with the rhythm of the music. That is, a character image CA (moving image) performing a dance is displayed on the play guidance screen 50B. The object 51 is an image that functions as an instruction marker, appears at the back of the play guidance screen 50B at an appropriate time, and moves toward the front. The size of the object 51 also changes so as to gradually increase as it moves from the back side to the near side.

  On the other hand, the determination line 52 is an image that functions as a reference marker, and is arranged at a fixed position on the near side of the play guidance screen 50B. The determination line 52 is provided with a plurality of arrival position indicators 52A. Each arrival position index 52A is an image that functions as an index indicating the arrival position of each object 51, and is formed in the same form as each object 51, that is, in the same size and shape as each object 51 at that position. In other words, each arrival position index 52A functions as a passing position of a path (not shown) for each object 51 extending from the back side to the near side of the play guidance screen 50B, and each object 51 has such a path. At each execution time so as to coincide with the position of each arrival position index 52A. Then, each user is required to perform a touch operation on the position of each arrival position index 52A whose position matches each object 51 in accordance with the coincidence between each object 51 and each arrival position index 52A. In addition, such a touch operation is evaluated higher as the difference between the arrival time of each object 51 at each arrival position index 52A (the execution time of the sequence data QD) and the actual touch operation time is smaller. . In other words, a higher score is given to the user as the shift time is shorter.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the determination line 52 is formed in an arc shape on the near side of the play guidance screen 50B, and has four arrival position indicators 52A. These four arrival position indicators 52A are associated with each character of the dance unit. For example, the first arrival position index 52A from the left is associated with the character of the leftmost character image CA and the character of the adjacent central character image CA at 70% and 30%, respectively. Similarly, for example, the right end reaching position index 52A is associated with 70% of the character of the rightmost character image CA and 30% with the character of the central character image CA. As described above, each arrival position index 52A is associated with each character with an appropriate inclination. Then, such an association is associated with the growth of each character. Specifically, the evaluation result of the touch operation on each arrival position index 52A is assigned to the growth of each character according to such association. In this example, the play guidance screen 50B functions as the guidance screen of the present invention.

  Note that the association between each arrival position index 52A and each character may be set as appropriate. For example, three arrival position indicators 52A may be associated with three characters one by one, respectively. In this case, the remaining one arrival position index 52A may be equally associated with the three characters so as to be substantially averaged, or may be associated with an appropriate character with an appropriate inclination. Alternatively, an appropriate number of arrival position indices 52A may be provided on the determination line 52. For example, the number of arrival position indices 52A may be three so as to correspond to the number of characters. Further, the correspondence between each arrival position index 52A and each character is not limited to the arrangement of each character image CA. For example, the correspondence between each arrival position index 52A and each character may be set under appropriate conditions such as designation by the user. Alternatively, the arrangement itself of each character image CA may be determined under appropriate conditions such as designation by the user. By such association, the arrangement position of each character or the result of a touch operation for each arrival position index (in other words, the characteristics of the music) can be associated with the growth of each character. That is, the arrangement position and the like of each character can be used as factors that affect the growth of the character. As a result, it is possible to give personality according to the play situation of each user to the growth of each character. Further, when such an arrangement or the like is based on the designation of the user, the intention of the user can be reflected in such growth. Then, it is possible to increase the degree of involvement of the user in the growth, for example, by devising the character arrangement when forming the team.

  Further, for each character, a parameter (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a score system parameter) related to the score size per one object 51 is prepared, and a play result of a music game (hereinafter, referred to as a score system parameter) is prepared based on such a score system parameter. Score) may be affected. In such a case, when a music piece has a large number of objects 51 reaching the left end reaching position index 52A, it is urged to arrange each character image CA such that a character having a high score system parameter is associated with the reaching position index 52A. it can. This allows the user to consider the character placement strategy according to the difference in the number of objects 51 that reach each arrival position index 52A, such as for each song (or for each difficulty level). It can be given as a game element.

  When a predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the play of the music game, in other words, during the play through the play guidance screen 50B, the music game screen is switched from the play guidance screen 50B to the dance screen. The dance screen is a game screen for providing a special moving image in which dance units (sometimes not all members) perform a special dance according to the skills (characteristics) of each character. The details of the dance moving image will be described later together with the dance screen, but before switching to the dance screen, a selection opportunity is provided for selecting which character of the dance unit is to be displayed on the dance screen.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the play guidance screen 50B during which such a selection opportunity is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the play guidance screen 50B during which such a selection opportunity is being provided corresponds to each character of the dance unit that is dancing on the play guidance screen 50B, as compared to the example of FIG. The display of the character icon 53 has been added. The character icon 53 is an icon that functions as an option for selecting a main character in the dance moving image. Specifically, with the touch operation on the character icon 53 corresponding to each character, the character corresponding to the character icon 53 is determined as the main character in the dance moving image. The character icon 53 also functions as a transition icon for transitioning to the partner selection screen. In other words, the screen changes to a partner selection screen in response to a touch operation on the character icon 53. After the touch operation on the character icon 53, a pop-up or the like for confirming whether or not to confirm the selection result may be appropriately presented.

  In the example of FIG. 6, an image corresponding to the head of the character image CA is displayed on each character icon 53, and a dance pattern image 54 is provided. The dance pattern image 54 is an image showing, as a symbol, the characteristics of the dance moving image when the character corresponding to each character icon 53 is the main character. In the case of the example of FIG. 6, the dance pattern image 54 shows a dance by two characters as a feature of the dance moving image. Each user selects a main character while referring to such a dance pattern image 54.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the partner selection screen. The partner selection screen 50C is a game screen for selecting a character to be a partner (cooperator) of the main character in the dance moving image. For this reason, the partner selection screen 50C is provided when the dance moving image corresponds to dance by some characters of the dance units. The example of FIG. 7 shows a case where the character icon 53 located in the middle in the example of FIG. 6 is selected. On the character icon 53, a dance pattern image 54 indicating a dance by two characters is displayed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the partner selection screen 50C includes a main character area 55 and a partner candidate icon 56.

  The main character area 55 is an area indicating a main character in a dance moving image. The partner candidate icon 56 is an area indicating each of the main character partner candidates. The partner candidate icon 56 also functions as a touch position for requesting determination of a partner in the dance operation. That is, with the touch operation on the partner candidate icon 56, the character corresponding to the touched partner candidate icon 56 is determined as the partner of the main character.

  In the example of FIG. 7, a character image CA (mainly only the head) corresponding to each character is displayed in both the main character area 55 and the partner candidate icon 56. Further, two partner candidate icons 56 respectively corresponding to the other two characters of the main character are displayed. Therefore, with a touch operation on one of these, the character corresponding to the partner candidate icon 56 that has been touched is determined as a partner in the dance moving image. A count information area 57 is also provided on the partner selection screen 50C. The count information area 57 is an area indicating the remaining time for partner selection through the partner selection screen 50C. Then, when the remaining time (“3”) in the count information area 57 becomes zero, the character of the partner candidate icon 56 located above the two partner candidate icons 56 is automatically determined as the partner. . Note that the selection of the partner on the partner selection screen 50C is not limited to the time, and may be ended according to an appropriate condition such as a user's end instruction. Also, when dance by three characters is selected, the partner selection screen 50C is displayed, and the main partner may be selected from two characters other than the main character. On the other hand, when dance by three characters is selected, display of partner selection screen 50C may be omitted. In this example, two characters (two character images CA) respectively corresponding to the two partner candidate icons 56 function as two or more characters of the present invention.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the dance screen. The dance screen 50D is a game screen for displaying a special moving image as described above. The special moving image is a dance moving image performed by the main character and the partner character. In such a special moving image (dancing moving image), a dance corresponding to the skill of the main character is performed. For this reason, each character performs an operation (dance) that is not performed during normal play, in other words, is not performed on the play guidance screen 50B. The dance screen 50D is a game screen switched from the play guidance screen 50B when the switching condition is satisfied. The switching condition may be, for example, a designation operation for designating user switching (for example, a specific operation corresponding to such designation, an operation depending on the type of input device, and a designation operation of the present invention including such an operation. (For example, a limit of a predetermined number of times such as once for each character may be set in a predetermined range such as a single play range or a predetermined period). Alternatively, a play status is provided in which a value indicating whether switching to the dance screen 50D is possible and a gauge indicating the amount are provided, and the value is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, or the acquired score is equal to or more than a predetermined value. May correspond to the predetermined situation, the switching condition may be satisfied. In addition, the switching condition may be satisfied when a user's designation is executed after the corresponding play situation.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in such a dance screen 50D, as compared with the play guidance screen 50B in the example of FIG. ) Are omitted and are not displayed. That is, on the dance screen 50D, the guidance of the execution time of the play action (touch operation) is omitted so that the user is more conscious of watching the dance moving image (the viewing of the dance moving image is prioritized). In the example of FIG. 8, not only the display of the object 51 and the determination line 52 but also other various information is not displayed. That is, all images (including information) other than the character image CA in the play guidance screen 50B are omitted so that the dance moving image is most prominent by the character image CA. On the other hand, a dance moving image information column DI is added to the dance screen 50D. The dance video information column DI displays information (“overhead”) on the type of dance video (in other words, the type of dance expressed through the dance video). In this example, the dance screen 50D functions as a special screen of the present invention. Further, the two character images CA (or the two characters corresponding to them) displayed on the dance screen 50D function as further characters of the present invention.

  The dance screen 50D may be appropriately configured as long as the dance moving image stands out as compared with the play guidance screen 50B. For example, on the play guidance screen 50B, a guidance image layer (which may be determined to be an image area) including the object 51 and the determination line 52 and a character image CA (in other words, a dance moving image) for displaying the character image CA are displayed. Image layer. The dance image layer is provided, for example, in a case where a gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor is provided in the portable game machine 3C and the user's operation can be detected (for example, a similar sensor is used in the stationary game machine 3B and the arcade game machine 3A). The same applies when the user's operation can be detected, such as when a used head-mounted display or the like is used.) In some cases, the position of the virtual camera changes in accordance with the user's operation. In such a case, the size and orientation of the character image CA (display of the dance image layer) need to be appropriately changed according to the user's operation, but the object 51 and the like are not affected by such a change. It is preferable that the display position and the like (the image layer for guidance) be displayed in a fixed manner. For this reason, they are configured as separate layers in this way. The same applies to the dance screen 50D. In the example of FIG. 8, only the guide image layer corresponding to the object 51 and the like is not displayed (transparent layer). That is, a screen that hides only the guide image layer of the play guide screen 50B functions as the dance screen 50D. However, the configuration in which the dance moving image stands out is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the dance screen 50D may be configured by arranging another image layer so as to hide the object 51, the determination line 52, and the like on the play guidance screen 50B. Alternatively, all the image layers including the dance image layer on the play guidance screen 50B may be replaced with another image layer corresponding to the dance moving image. Furthermore, the dance screen 50D does not have to have a configuration in which the object 51 and the determination line 52 are not displayed as long as the dance moving image stands out as compared with the play guidance screen 50B. For example, in the dance screen 50D, only one of the object 51 and the determination line 52 may be hidden, or the entire play guidance screen 50B (for example, a part of the object 51 and the determination line 52, etc.) may be displayed. The display may be reduced. That is, the dance screen 50D may reduce the entire play guidance screen 50B or the like and display it in parallel on the image layer displaying the special moving image or in another area.

  Since the dance screen 50D is also a part of the music game screen, the music game continues even while the dance screen 50D is being displayed, and each user is originally required to perform an appropriate play. On the other hand, on the dance screen 50D, both the object 51 and the determination line 52 are hidden so that the dance moving image is more conspicuous, so that the guidance of the play action itself is omitted, and it is difficult for the user to grasp an appropriate execution time. For this reason, during the display of the dance screen 50D, the evaluation of the play action that should be performed by the user, in other words, the evaluation of each execution time that should be guided through the play guidance screen 50B should be a predetermined. Processed automatically according to rules. The predetermined rule may be set in various ways. For example, a predetermined evaluation result is used as the predetermined rule. In this case, in the dance screen 50D, each execution time corresponding to the sequence data QD being played through the play guidance screen 50B is processed as a predetermined evaluation result.

  Specifically, for example, the evaluation result is defined as “PERFECT !!” before and after the execution time of the sequence data QD, and “GREEAT” when a predetermined range further before and after the predetermined range is “GREAT”. Is defined as “GOOD” based on the range of “GOOD”, and “MISS” is defined as the outside of the range based on the range of “GOOD”. ! ”Is used. In other words, on the dance screen 50D, the evaluation result of each object 51 heading toward each arrival position index 52A as the music progresses while being not displayed is uniformly processed as "PERFECT !!". The evaluation result is not limited to “PERFECT !!”, and an appropriate evaluation result such as “GREAT” may be used as the predetermined evaluation result. Alternatively, non-evaluation may be adopted as the predetermined rule. That is, on the dance screen 50D, each execution time may be excluded from the evaluation target, and may be treated as not existing in the sequence data QD. On the other hand, when the display of the object 51 or the like can be confirmed, for example, when the play guidance screen 50B is displayed in a reduced size, such processing may be omitted. In other words, the user may be provided with a normal action (or an appropriate action for reducing the burden) even while the dance screen 50 is displayed. In this case, such action may function as a predetermined rule. .) May be requested (for example, the requested play may change from a touch operation to a button operation or the like as one type of appropriate treatment). Further, a request for a play act during the display of such a dance screen 50 is made when the user has an intention to perform the play act, such as when the user performs an appropriate play act on the object 51 or the like. It may be limited to.

  The music game may be provided to one user as a single play (simply as an element for fostering each character), or may be provided to a plurality of users as a multiple play. In the case of multiple play, the music game may be provided as a cooperative play type game in which a plurality of users (which may include a computer) cooperate with each other, or may be provided as a competitive type game in which the users compete with each other. Even so, in many cases, a plurality of users are played so that the progress is common. Even if at least the display of each character image CA and the operation (dance) thereof are different so as to correspond to the dance unit for each user, guidance of each execution time based on the sequence data QD is common in many cases. Hereinafter, an example of the play guidance screen 50B when a music game is provided as a competitive game will be described. When a plurality of users (persons) other than the computer play in such a music game as opponents, each user may be matched through, for example, a matching service. The matching service may be realized by the game machine 3A such that one game machine 3A matches a nearby user or a user of another game machine 3A in the same facility. That is, the game machine 3A may function as the center server 2.

  In an opponent-type game, the opponent user may satisfy the switching condition (the opponent user may be provided with the dance screen 50D). Also, when the music game is provided as a battle game, the difficulty level of the music game of the opponent changes while the dance screen 50D is being displayed (in other words, while the skill of the main character is being activated). Specifically, while the dance screen 50D is being displayed, as an effect associated with the activation of the skill, another difficulty in which the difficulty of the music game of the opponent is higher than the current difficulty (before the activation of the skill) is obtained. Switch to Such switching may be realized by an appropriate method. For example, in a competitive game, guidance based on the sequence data QD of the difficulty level selected by the user, and guidance of the next higher difficulty level while being hidden. The guidance based on the sequence data QD is executed simultaneously so as to be parallel. Then, in accordance with the switching to the dance screen 50D, the guidance based on the sequence data QD of the one difficulty level that was not displayed is displayed, and the guidance based on the sequence data QD of the difficulty level selected by the user is not displayed. , Respectively. In other words, the guidance in the non-display state and the guidance in the display state are switched by switching to the dance screen 50D. In order to prepare for the switching of the degree of difficulty, a switching notice is provided to the user of the opponent who is playing the same game through the play guidance screen 50B with the provision of the switching condition. The switching notice is information indicating in advance that the game screen of the opponent is switched from the play guidance screen 50B to the dance screen 50D, in other words, the difficulty level of the music game currently being played increases.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the play guidance screen 50B for which the switching notice is being provided. As shown in FIG. 9, when the opponent user switches to the dance screen 50D, a switch notice icon 58 is displayed on the play guidance screen 50B before such switching. The switching notice icon 58 is an icon that functions as information indicating the above-described switching notice. In addition, during a notice period (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a start period) from when the switch notice icon 58 is displayed until the game screen of the opponent is actually switched to the dance screen 50D, a start for preparing for a change in difficulty is started. Preparation may be performed. Specifically, for example, a continuous action such as a play action in which the sequence data QD maintains (continues) (continues to touch) the touch operation on the arrival position index 52A over a predetermined period, or a play action in which the touch operation is repeated, or When the information of the execution period corresponding to the request of the repetition operation is included, such a continuation operation or the repetition operation may straddle the change of the difficulty level. A change in the difficulty level corresponds to a change in the sequence data QD, and an execution period that spans such switching of the difficulty level may be lost after the switching, so that special measures are required. In this case, a process related to an execution period that spans such difficulty level switching is executed as start preparation.

  Similarly, a preparation period is required when returning from the dance screen 50D to the play guidance screen 50B, that is, when returning to the original difficulty level. Therefore, also when returning from the dance screen 50D to the play guidance screen 50B, an end period is set after returning to the play guidance screen 50B. Then, in the end period, end preparation may be performed. For example, the execution period straddling the difficulty level switching as described above may occur at the end (at the end of the dance screen 50D). For this reason, for example, even when such a process relating to the execution period spanning the difficulty level switching is completed, the process is also executed as the completion preparation. Details of the start preparation and the end preparation will be described later.

  In addition, for example, when three types of “EASY”, “NORMAL”, and “HARD” are prepared for the user to select the difficulty level, “SUPER” above “HARD” is exclusively used for switching to the dance screen 50D. A fourth type of difficulty may be provided. That is, a difficulty level (not selectable) dedicated to switching to the dance screen 50D may be provided separately from the user's selection. Further, the switching of the difficulty level is not limited to the method of switching the two difficulty levels guided in parallel between the non-display state and the display state as described above. Switching of the difficulty level may be realized by an appropriate method. For example, guidance based on the sequence data QD having a high degree of difficulty may be started from the switching to the dance screen 50D. Alternatively, it may be realized by appropriately adding the execution time (in other words, the object 51) to the guidance based on the current sequence data QD. That is, sequence data QD of another difficulty level may be generated based on the current sequence data QD.

  Further, the switching of the difficulty level is not limited to the increase in the difficulty level. For example, the difficulty level may be switched in a direction in which the difficulty level decreases. In this case, the number of objects 51 also decreases as the difficulty level decreases, which can lead to a decrease in the total score of the opponent. Alternatively, such switching may be used simply to disrupt the opponent's pace due to a change in rhythm accompanying the switching of difficulty. In addition, during the switching of the difficulty level (for example, the number of objects 51 to be operated often increases at a high difficulty level, and vice versa at a low difficulty level). The evaluation result for each object 51 may be appropriately adjusted so that the obtainable score (the denominator of the score obtainable by the game) is the same. Specifically, for example, during switching, the score per one of the objects 51 (the score to be given to the user when an appropriate play action is performed on one object 51) is changed (the number of objects 51 increases). Small in the case, and large in the case of a small number). Since the higher difficulty level generally has a larger number of objects 51, if the same score is used uniformly, the higher difficulty level may be more advantageous in terms of the acquired score. In this case, the effect can be suppressed, and the fairness can be relatively ensured in terms of the effect accompanying the skill activation. Alternatively, while the difficulty level is being switched, the evaluation result (acquired score per object) of each object 51 may increase. In this case, the score obtained with an appropriate play action increases, but the score lost with a failure also increases, so that the user's sense of tension can be increased. Further, even when a predetermined parameter is subtracted due to a failure in an appropriate play action, the same effect can be obtained by increasing the evaluation result (subtraction amount per object) for each object 51. On the other hand, such switching of the difficulty level may be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the play guidance screen 50B in which the opponent is providing the dance screen 50D. As shown in FIG. 10, a situation presentation area 59 is added to the play guidance screen 50B in which the opponent is providing the dance screen 50D, as compared with the example of FIG. The situation presentation area 59 is an area indicating that the opponent is providing the dance screen 50D. In other words, the situation presentation area 59 also functions as an area indicating that the difficulty level currently being played is higher than the original difficulty level (the difficulty level selected by the user). The situation presentation area 59 includes a main character notification area 59A, a partner character notification area 59B, and a dance skill notification area 59C. The main character notification area 59A and the partner character notification area 59B are areas for notifying the information of the main character and the partner character performing a dance on the dance screen 50D of the opponent, respectively. In these areas, for example, character images CA (mainly only the head) of the main character and the partner character are displayed as information. The dance skill notification area 59C is an area for notifying the type (for example, “overhead”) of a dance (dance accompanying skill activation) being performed by the main character and the partner character. Then, it is understood that the degree of difficulty is increasing by the presentation of the situation presentation area 59.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the auto setting screen. The auto setting screen 50E is a game screen for making settings relating to auto play. The transition to the auto setting screen 50E occurs when the auto play instruction icon is touched on the team selection screen 50A as described above. As shown in FIG. 11, the auto setting screen 50E includes an auto setting area 60 for executing various settings related to auto play. The auto setting area 60 includes a “UI display” switch icon 60A, an “opponent display” switch icon 60B, and a “skill activation” switch icon 60C. The “UI display” switch icon 60A is an icon that functions as a switch as to whether or not to display the object 51 and the determination line 52 included in the play guidance screen 50B during the auto play. That is, in the case of the auto play, the user sets the display and non-display of the object 51 and the like on the play guidance screen 50B through the “UI display” switch icon 60A. The “UI display” switch icon 60A may also function as a switch as to whether or not to display various UIs (user interfaces) such as acquired score information.

  The “opponent display” switch icon 60B is an icon that functions as a switch as to whether or not to display each character image CA corresponding to the opponent's dance unit during auto play. On the play guidance screen 50B, the character image CA may be switched from its own dance unit to that corresponding to the character of the opponent's dance unit at an appropriate timing (there are many character images CA corresponding to the own dance unit). Is preferably displayed). The “opponent display” switch icon 60 </ b> B functions as a switch for selecting whether or not to execute such switching even in the auto play when such switching is performed.

  The “skill activation” switch icon 60C is an icon that functions as a switch for selecting whether or not to switch to the dance moving image accompanying the skill activation, that is, the dance screen 50D also in the auto play. When the “skill activation” switch icon 60C is set to “ON”, the screen is switched to the dance screen 50D at an appropriate timing also in the auto play based on the activation condition. That is, the skill of each character is activated at an appropriate timing. On the other hand, when the “skill activation” switch icon 60C is set to “OFF”, switching to the dance screen 50D is not performed in the auto play. In other words, no special movie is provided with the skill activation.

  Note that "ON" and "OFF" of the "skill activation" switch icon 60C may be set in units of both teams (both teams are uniform) or may be set separately for each team. Further, in the auto play, all play actions required in the music game based on the sequence data QD may be processed according to a predetermined rule. Specifically, as in the above-described provision of the dance screen 50D, all play actions may be uniformly processed as a predetermined evaluation result such as “PERFECT !!”. For this reason, in the case of auto play, a uniform score may be given to the user in units of the selected music (or difficulty). Further, a reward may be given to the user based on the obtained score. When the "skill activation" switch icon 60C is set to "OFF", a process may be performed in which the skill is activated but the accompanying moving image (dance screen 50D) is not displayed. In this case, the "skill activation" switch icon 60C can satisfy the desire of the user who wants to watch only a normal dance.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the character screen. The character screen 70 is a game screen for presenting details of each character. Many characters are prepared in the music game, and details of each character are displayed on the character screen 70. As described above, the character screen 70 shifts to the character screen 70 when the “DANCER” icon 42 is touched on the home screen 40. As shown in FIG. 12, the character screen 70 includes a character image CA and a character detail area 71. The character image CA is an image corresponding to each character as described above. The character detail area 71 is an area for displaying detailed information of each character. The character detail area 71 is provided for each character image CA so as to correspond to each character. Each character detail area 71 includes a character name area 72, a parameter area 73, a dance skill area 74, and a costume area 75.

  The character name area 72 is an area for displaying the name of each character. The parameter area 73 is an area for displaying parameter information of each character. The dance skill area 74 is an area for displaying information on the dance skills of each character. Specifically, a lot of skills (dance skills) related to the dance are prepared in the music game, and at least one skill is set for each character. Such dance skills may be duplicated between a plurality of characters (including a case where some characters are different) or may be uniquely different. In the dance skill area 74, information on such dance skills for each character is displayed. The costume area 75 is an area for displaying information on the costume worn by each character.

  In the example of FIG. 12, in the parameter area 73, the same information as the character information area 50A6 in the team selection screen 50A is displayed as parameter information of each character. In addition, information of “overhead” is displayed as a dance skill in the dance skill area 74 of each character. In this case, when any character provides a dance moving image (special moving image) on the dance screen 50D as the main character, it performs a dance corresponding to “overhead”. When a plurality of dance skills are set for each character, the dance skill area 74 also functions as an icon for popping up a skill selection field. In the costume area 75, costume information such as "dedicated wear (reiji)" is displayed. These correspond to the same dedicated wear, even if there are portions that are different for each character. For this reason, all the characters wear the same costume, although there are differences in how they are dressed. When there are a plurality of costumes to be worn, the costume area 75 also functions as an icon for popping up an costume selection column (not shown; another screen may be used). In the costume selection field, a costume to be worn by each character, in other words, each character image CA, is selected from a plurality of costumes for wearing candidates. The change of the costume changes the costume worn by the character image CA. In addition, the costume selection column may be configured to allow the user to select whether or not to wear the costume, and the character image CA of a shirtless body may be displayed in accordance with such selection without wearing.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the character screen 70 displaying the skill selection field. As shown in FIG. 13, the skill selection field 76 includes a skill selection icon 78 and a cancel icon 79. The skill selection icon 78 is an icon indicating a dance skill of a selection candidate. For this reason, the skill selection icon 78 is provided for each selection candidate dance skill. Further, the skill selection icon 78 also functions as a touch position for setting the dance skill of each selection candidate to the dance at the time of activating the skill (change from the current skill). That is, with the touch operation on the skill selection icon 78, the dance skill corresponding to the touched skill selection icon 78 is determined as the dance to be shown on the dance screen 50D. On the other hand, the cancel icon 79 functions as a touch position for canceling a change in dance skill (pop-up in the skill selection field 76). That is, with the touch operation on the cancel icon 79, the display of the skill selection field 76 disappears, and the screen returns to the character screen 70 of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 13, two skill selection icons 78 corresponding to “overhead” and “slide cinderella” are displayed in the skill selection column 76. In this case, with the touch operation on each skill selection icon 78, “overhead” and “slide cinderella” are determined as dances to be performed on the dance screen 50D. The dance pattern image 54 is displayed on the skill selection icon 78 in the same manner as the character icon 53 on the play guidance screen 50B in each selection opportunity state. More specifically, a dance pattern image 54 indicating “overhead” and a dance pattern image 54 indicating “slide cinderella” are displayed on the two skill selection icons 78, respectively. The “overhead” dance pattern image 54 shows a dance by two characters, and the “slide cinderella” dance pattern image 54 shows a dance by three characters.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a lottery result screen. The lottery result screen 80 is a game screen for providing a lottery game for providing various elements related to the character training game by lottery. The lottery result screen 80 is transited when the “lottery” icon 44 is touched on the home screen 40 as described above. Specifically, when the “lottery” icon 44 is selected on the home screen 40, the screen transits to a lottery selection screen (not shown) in which a plurality of options are displayed. Is selected by the user, and in-game currency is consumed as needed. Then, after a lottery (a lottery screen may be separately provided) is appropriately executed, the screen transits to a lottery result screen 80. The example of FIG. 14 shows a case where a lottery game of a type in which a card corresponding to each character is drawn as an element related to the character breeding game is provided. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the lottery result screen 80 includes, for example, a card image 81 and a lottery icon 82.

  The card image 81 is an image showing a card obtained by the current lottery. In the card image 81, a character image CA corresponding to each character is displayed. In addition, when the same card as the already acquired card is acquired as a result of the lottery game, the duplicated card is automatically combined with the already acquired card, and the card image 81 corresponding to the acquired card is displayed. Information indicating the number of synthesis times (for example, a number such as “2”) is displayed. With the combination, the parameters of the cards that have already been obtained or the upper limit values thereof are increased by a predetermined amount, while the association between the cards that have been obtained repeatedly and the user is released. In addition, at the time of synthesis, an increase in a parameter or the like may be omitted.

  On the other hand, the lottery icon 82 is an icon that functions as a touch position for requesting execution of a lottery game, in other words, a lottery of a card. That is, a lottery game is provided in accordance with a touch operation on the lottery icon 82, and a lottery of a card is actually executed. The lottery game may be provided with consumption of an appropriate value, but as an example, a predetermined amount of in-game currency is consumed for one lottery for the lottery game.

  In the example of FIG. 14, ten card images 81 are displayed on the lottery result screen 80. In other words, this indicates that the user has obtained ten cards in the current lottery. In addition, one of the ten card images 81 displays information such as "item conversion" instead of the character image CA. This means that the corresponding card (card image 81) has been converted into an item. Each card image 81 has a right to be converted into an item when a predetermined number of card images 81 of the same type are collected (when the same type of cards are synthesized a predetermined number of times and reaches a preset upper limit of the number of times of synthesis). Is given. When this right is exercised, the card image 81 is converted into an item, and information (such as “item conversion”) indicating such conversion is displayed on the card image 81. The item to be converted may be changed (including a change in value) depending on the type or scarcity (rareness) of the card used for the conversion, or may be the same item uniformly. Further, after the right to convert to the item is given, the item to be given may be drawn at any timing, and an item according to the result of the drawing may be given.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 14, each card image 81 is configured to be different in type depending on a difference in posture, pluralities, and the like of each character. On the other hand, such use of the card image 81 itself in a music game or the like is not assumed. That is, each card image 81 is collected in a so-called bromide manner, and is displayed only for viewing. However, with the acquisition of each card image 81, the costume worn by the character of each card image 81 can be selected as the costume of each character when playing the music game. That is, with possession of each card image 81, the costume of the card image 81 is displayed, for example, in the costume area 75 of the character screen 70 and used as a dance costume or the like when the skill is activated. For this reason, the lottery game is played to obtain such a costume in addition to the ornamental bromide and its collection.

  In addition, various characteristics may be set for each character in dance skills (a type of characteristics). Such properties may include growth-related properties. For example, a character with a high rarity (so-called rarity) may be given a characteristic of growing faster than other characters even if the same experience is gained. Furthermore, the dance skill may include a skill that is given (unbanned) only when various conditions such as a play situation are satisfied. Further, each card image 81 may be used for playing in a game instead of for viewing. For example, each card image 81 may be configured to cause a character corresponding to the card image 81 to appear in a game through selection on a team formation screen or the like. Specifically, a card image 81 corresponding to a character having a different skill or rarity level as described above (including a case where the same character has a different skill or the like) is displayed in a play state or a lottery. It may be given according to appropriate conditions. Then, characters having different skills or the like may be reproduced in the game based on such a card image 81. Further, such a card image 81 may be actually generated (issued) as a physical card by an appropriate method.

  Next, details of start preparation and end preparation will be described. The start preparation and the end preparation are generated by switching between the dance screen 50D and the play guidance screen 50B when the music game is provided as a competitive game as described above. For this reason, before and after switching between the dance screen 50D and the play guidance screen 50B, a start period in which start preparation is executed and an end period in which end preparation is executed are set. First, in the start period, when the execution period is guided in the music game, the guidance of the execution period over the switching is omitted as the start preparation, and such an execution period is also excluded from the evaluation target. In other words, a period during which such omission and exclusion are performed functions as a start period. Therefore, such a start period is set based on the execution period. Specifically, a period having the same length as the execution period is set as the start period. The start period may be fixed or variable. For example, the length may be fixedly set as the start period based on the longest execution period in the music game. Alternatively, in accordance with the provision of the switching condition, the presence or absence of an execution period extending over the switching time may be determined, and a start period corresponding to the execution period may be set according to the presence or absence.

  Also, in the case where the start period (start period of the opponent) accompanying the switching conditions of the opponent is satisfied, the user performs the start preparation. As the opponent's dance skill is activated, the difficulty level of the music game is switched, and the guidance sequence data QD is also switched. For this reason, when the switching sequence data QD guides the execution period over the switching, the user performs a process of hiding such an execution period and excluding it from the evaluation target as preparation for starting. . Note that the execution period that is not displayed in the start period is not excluded from the evaluation target, and may be processed as a predetermined evaluation result.

  In the start period, an opportunity to select a partner character performing a dance in the special moving image (including an opportunity to select a partner via the partner selection screen 50C) is also provided. For this reason, such a selection opportunity is limited to a period corresponding to the start period (even if the start period is variable, a certain period is ensured to secure the user's selection time in the selection opportunity). Similarly, during the start period, a notice of the opponent is also notified. In the start period, various kinds of guidance such as the execution timing and the execution period may be appropriately omitted. Specifically, for example, in the start period, guidance for all execution times and all execution periods may be omitted. For example, if the length of the start period is shorter than the length of the execution period, it may be difficult to determine in advance whether there is an execution period that spans the switching. That is, depending on the length of the start period, it may be preferable that the execution period is not displayed. Further, when a notice is given along with the activation of the dance skill of the opponent, the user may need to consider whether to activate the dance skill so as to oppose it. For example, in such a case, the guidance of the execution timing and the execution period may be omitted. Alternatively, in the start period, the guidance of the execution timing and the execution period of the not-displayed (scheduled to be displayed) may be omitted. Further, only one of the guidances such as the execution time and the execution period may be omitted. In these cases, the non-display execution time and the like may be processed as a predetermined evaluation result or may be excluded from the evaluation target. That is, they may be processed as appropriate. In such a case, the start period (the same applies to an end period described later) is not limited to the execution period, and may be set as appropriate.

  On the other hand, on the dance screen 50D, the display of the object 51 and the like (guidance of each execution time) is omitted, and during that time, they are automatically processed as a predetermined evaluation result according to a predetermined rule. For this reason, in the end period, when the execution period is guided, the evaluation of the execution period over the switching is automatically processed as the end preparation. That is, even after returning from the dance screen 50D to the play guidance screen 50B (a game screen in which the display of the object 51 and the like returns and the automatic processing ends), only the evaluation of the execution period over the switching is performed for a certain period. Automatic processing continues. Such a fixed period functions as an end period.

  Also, when the end period of the opponent falls, the user prepares for the end. Contrary to when the dance skill is activated, the difficulty level of the music game returns to the original difficulty level and the guidance sequence data QD returns to the original level as the opponent's dance skill ends. For this reason, when the return period data QD informs the user of the execution period over the switching, such guidance of the execution period is maintained on the user side as preparation for termination. In other words, such a guidance of the execution period may not exist as a result of the switching of the sequence data QD, but there is a possibility that the playing action is continued by the user. For this reason, in the end period, the display of the object 51 that guides such an execution period is maintained so that the guidance of the execution period over such switching is continued.

  On the other hand, if the execution time arrives immediately after returning, the difficulty of the guidance of the execution time increases, and the guidance of the execution time is omitted in the end period. That is, in the end period, the display of the object 51 corresponding to each execution time of the sequence data QD returned to the original state is not displayed. Further, when there is an execution period that extends over the end time at the end of the end period in the sequence data QD returned to the original state, such guidance of the execution period is also omitted. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17, an example of a pattern of a start period and an end period that occurs when an opponent is a computer (including the case of auto play) will be described. As in the case of the start period, the execution period that is hidden in the end period may not be excluded from the evaluation target and may be processed as a predetermined evaluation result.

  Note that the start preparation and the end preparation in the start period and the end period are not limited to the above-described forms, and may be requested by the user such as the user of the dance skill activation such as the activation of the user or the opponent, and the execution time or the execution period. The various processes in the start preparation and the end preparation described above may be appropriately combined and realized according to the combination of the types of the play actions (in other words, the types of the objects 51) to be performed. For example, non-display, display, predetermined evaluation, evaluation exclusion, and the like may be appropriately set according to the type of play action, such as when the user wants to execute only a specific play action even during the start period. On the other hand, such start preparation and end preparation, in other words, the start period and the end period may be appropriately omitted (including the case of only one of them). That is, the start period and the end period are not set. For example, immediately after the end of the dance screen 50, guidance based on the original sequence data QD is normally started for the user, and a normal touch operation may be similarly requested. .

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of the character set for the character regarding the dance skill. As shown in FIG. 15, each character is set with respect to the dance skill so as to include a tendency related to three types of classification, “permissible”, “time”, and “during partner execution”. “Availability” is a tendency regarding whether or not to activate (accept) dance skills. For this reason, the classification of “permitted” includes the categories of “permitted” and “not permitted”. “Time” is a tendency regarding the time when the dance skill is activated. The classification of “time” includes, for example, “early”, “middle”, “end”, and “advantageous”. “Early”, “middle”, and “late” correspond to the early, middle, and late stages of the music game, respectively. “Advantageous time” corresponds to a time that is advantageous for activating the dance skill. For example, when a favorable timing may occur in a part of the music according to the characteristics of the character, such a timing is used as a favorable timing.

  “Opponent execution” is a tendency regarding whether or not the opponent activates the dance skill so as to compete when the opponent activates the dance skill. For this reason, the classification of “when the opponent is running” includes the categories of “compete” (activate the skill to compete) and “do not compete”. Characters are set to each character so as to include tendencies based on these combinations (there are no combinations after the dance skill is activated, so there are nine combinations of 4 × 2 + 1). When the character is set as the leader of the dance unit, the character of each character is reflected on the dance unit. The leader of the dance unit may be set under appropriate conditions. For example, it may be set based on the user's designation on the team formation screen, or may be automatically set according to the arrangement order at the time of team formation. Further, the character such as “whether or not” is merely a tendency. For example, even if the “early” classification is set as the character in the “time” classification, a dance with a 100% probability is provided at the beginning of the music game. There is no need to activate skills. That is, a probability is set for each character such that the set tendency is easily selected by the computer. Characters having similar tendencies may have different set probabilities. In addition, whether to activate the dance skill or not ("No") may be set as a probability setting (for example, activation probability of 5%) that does not tend to activate. In this case, the tendency of “time” or “at the time of partner activation” may be set in the setting of not activating (“no”).

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram for describing an example of a start period and an end period generated for an opponent when the user satisfies the switching condition first. In the example of FIG. 16, for example, in a dance unit of an opponent (computer), a character whose divisional character is set to “oppose” to the classification of “at opponent execution” is a leader (hereinafter, may be referred to as a leader character). May occur). In this case, as shown in FIG. 16, the music game is switched to the dance screen 50 </ b> D when the switching condition is satisfied (the dance skill is activated), and the switching (dance skill is activated) is completed when the ending condition is satisfied (FIG. 16). The screen returns to the original play guidance screen 50B). The end condition is satisfied, for example, when a predetermined period according to the dance skill has elapsed. In this case, this predetermined period functions as the activation period of the dance skill. Then, the pattern of the start period and the end period generated in the opponent (computer) when the user satisfies the switching condition first includes three patterns of pattern 1, pattern 2, and pattern 3.

  Pattern 1 corresponds to a case where the activation period of the dance skill of the opponent (the period of providing the dance screen 50D, in other words, the length of the special moving image) matches the activation period of the dance skill of the user. In this case, the timing of the dance skill activation period of the opponent is adjusted so as to match the timing of the skill activation period of the user. Specifically, the timing of the start period that should be given to the opponent is adjusted so that the timing of the skill activation period matches that of the user. That is, the start period of the opponent is shortened so that the start time of the skill activation period matches that of the user. In the start period, for example, start preparation, selection opportunity, and notice are executed as described above, but these are not necessary for the computer over the same period as the user. Therefore, the length of the start period is adjusted to match the timing of the skill activation period.

  On the other hand, the activation period of the dance skill may be uniformly the same period, or may be set to be different depending on the skill of the main character. In pattern 2 and pattern 3, the activation period of the dance skill is set to be different according to the skill of the main character, and the activation period of the dance skill of the user is different from the activation period of the opponent's dance skill. Applicable. Specifically, pattern 2 is when the activation period of the opponent's dance skill is longer than that of the user, and conversely, pattern 3 is when the activation period of the opponent's dance skill is shorter than that of the user. Applicable to each. In any of these patterns 2 and 3, the start period is adjusted so that the start time of the dance skill of the user matches that of the opponent, as in pattern 1. As a result, in Pattern 2, the user finishes activating the dance skill (providing the dance screen 50D) earlier than the opponent. For this reason, the user is required to return to the play guidance screen 50B (providing his / her own ending condition) and then to end the activation period of the opponent's dance skill (providing the ending condition of the opponent) until the skill of the opponent is completed. It requires a high degree of difficulty in playing. On the other hand, in pattern 3, the opponent finishes activating the dance skill earlier than the user. For this reason, the user can request the opponent to play with a high degree of difficulty accompanying the skill activation until the user's dance skill activation period ends after returning to the play guidance screen 50B. As described above, when the opponent is a computer, the start period of the computer is adjusted so as to match the start timing of the skill activation as much as possible by adjusting the start period of the opponent. As a result, disadvantages to the user, for example, a period during which high difficulty play is required are reduced as much as possible. As a result, the user can enjoy the game more comfortably. In this example, the time when the end condition is satisfied (return time) functions as the return time of the present invention.

  FIG. 17 shows a start period generated for an opponent when the user satisfies the switching condition after the opponent has requested the activation of the dance skill (the switching condition is provided) and before the dance skill is actually activated. It is an explanatory view for explaining an example of an end period. That is, the example of FIG. 17 illustrates an example of the start period of the opponent when the user requests the activation of the dance skill so as to oppose the activation of the dance skill of the opponent. In such a case as well, the timing of activating the dance skill of the opponent (computer) is adjusted according to the start time of the dance skill of the user, as in the example of FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, when the user requests the activation of the dance skill to oppose the activation of the dance skill of the opponent, the pattern of the start period and the end period generated in the opponent (computer) is as follows. Pattern 3, Pattern 5, and Pattern 6 are included.

  Pattern 4 is when the activation period of the dance skill is the same between the user and the opponent, pattern 5 is when the activation period of the dance skill of the opponent is longer than that of the user, and pattern 6 is the opposite. Each case corresponds to a case where the activation period of the user's dance skill is longer than that of the opponent. That is, although there is a difference whether the activation of the dance skill is triggered by the user or the opponent, the patterns 4 to 6 respectively correspond to the patterns 1 to 3 in the example of FIG. On the other hand, since there is a difference that the opponent activates the dance skill first as compared with the example of FIG. A waiting period is provided until the skill starts to be activated. Specifically, in any of Patterns 4 to 6, unlike Patterns 1 to 3, a predetermined start period is provided similarly to the user. Then, when the switching condition is satisfied by the user during the start period, the standby period is set so as to coincide with the activation start time of the dance skill of the user. That is, the activation start time of the dance skill is adjusted by the waiting period so that they coincide with each other. In this way, the activation start timing of the dance skill is appropriately adjusted such that the timing of the skill activation period of the opponent matches that of the user as much as possible.

  Note that a plurality of attributes having an inferior relationship may be prepared in the music game, and such attributes may be set for each character. As described above, when the timings of the activation periods of the dance skills of the user and the opponent match (have suffered), even if the scores (evaluation results) obtained there differ depending on the superiority between the attributes of the main character. Good. Specifically, for example, based on the case where the dance skill is activated alone, if the attribute of the main character of the user is superior to that of the opponent, a score of 20% is added to the standard, and conversely, If the attribute of the user's main character is inferior to that of the opponent, the criterion may be reduced by 20%.

  Next, details of the sequence data QD will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the sequence data QD. The sequence data QD is prepared for each music piece and each difficulty level. That is, the sequence data QD includes a plurality of sequence data QDa, QDb, QDc,... Respectively corresponding to a plurality of songs having different degrees of difficulty. Since the difficulty level of each sequence data QD depends on the number of execution periods (the same applies to the number of execution periods when an execution period is included), the number of execution periods and the like often differ from each other between these. I have. The example of FIG. 18 shows an example of the sequence data QD when both the execution time and the execution period are guided in the music game. In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, each sequence data QD includes a sequence record RS for managing information on a time when an appropriate play action should be performed. Further, the sequence record RS includes a first sequence record RS1 and a second sequence record RS2.

  The first sequence record RS1 is a sequence record RS that manages information on an execution time as information on a time when an appropriate play action should be executed. The first sequence record RS1 includes information on “execution time”, “path”, and “type”. “Execution time” is information indicating an execution time to be guided to each user. For example, in the “execution time”, information in which values indicating the bar number in the music, the number of beats, and the time during the beat are separated by commas is described as the execution time information. “Route” is information indicating each route. Information for identifying each route is described as the information of “route”. Specifically, for example, when each route is distinguished from the left by numbers such as 1 to 4 so as to correspond to the arrival position index 52A, such a number is described as route information. Further, each arrival position index 52A also functions as information on a position where a touch operation should be performed as an appropriate play action. For this reason, the “route” information indicating the route corresponding to each arrival position index 52A also functions as information indicating an appropriate play action. “Type” is information indicating the type of the object 51. For example, each execution time and each execution period are guided by different types of objects 51. Therefore, information for distinguishing these types is described as type information.

  The second sequence record RS2 is a sequence record RS that manages information of an execution period as information of a time when an appropriate play action should be executed. The second sequence record RS2 includes information on “execution period”, “path”, and “type”. The “path” and “type” information is the same as the “path” and “type” information of the first sequence record RS1. On the other hand, the “execution period” is information indicating a period in which an appropriate play action should be continued as an appropriate play action. The information of the “execution period” includes, for example, information of the execution start time and the execution end time (in this case, the execution start time and the execution end time may be grasped as the execution time, respectively). In addition, as the information on the execution start time and the execution end time, similarly to the execution time, information in which values indicating the bar number in the music, the number of beats, and the time during the beat are separated by commas is used. The various kinds of information described above are recorded in the sequence record RS so as to be associated with each other. It should be noted that the information on the “route” may be replaced by various types of information. For example, information on the appearance position and arrival position of the object 51 may be used as the information on the “route”. Similarly, when the information of the “execution period” functions as the information of the type of the object 51, the information of the “type” may be omitted.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 19 to 27, a screen switching process, a difficulty switching process, a guidance omitting process, a guidance maintaining process, a video presenting process, a special evaluation process, a screen return process, a difficulty return process, and an evaluation exclusion are described. The processing will be described. The screen switching process is a process for switching the game screen from the play guidance screen 50B to the dance screen 50D. When the switching condition is satisfied during the provision of the play guidance screen 50B, the guidance control unit 33 starts the screen switching processing of FIG. 19, and first provides a selection opportunity (step S101). The selection of each character is realized by, for example, a touch operation on the character icon 53. For this reason, the guidance control unit 33 provides a selection opportunity by displaying the character icon 53 corresponding to each character on the play guidance screen 50B.

  Subsequently, the guidance control unit 33 sets a start time of switching to the dance screen 50D (step S102). When the start period is fixed to the predetermined period due to the provision of the switching condition, the guidance control unit 33 sets the start time at the end time of the start period so that such a start period is formed before the switching. . Next, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not a start condition for starting switching to the dance screen 50D is satisfied (step S103). As an example, the start condition is satisfied at the end of the start period. That is, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not the end time of the start period has come as a start condition. If the end time has not come, the guidance control unit 33 returns to step S103 again, and repeatedly executes the processing of step S103 until the end time comes. That is, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not the end time of the repetition start period has come until the end time.

  On the other hand, when the start condition is satisfied, that is, when the end time of the start period has come, the guidance control unit 33 switches the game screen from the play guidance screen 50B to the dance screen 50D (step S104). More specifically, the guidance control unit 33 changes the play guidance screen 50B to the dance screen 50D by hiding the object 51 and the determination line 52 (including the arrival position index 52A) of the guidance screen for play 50B. Switch. Then, after this switching, the guidance control unit 33 ends the current screen switching process. Thereby, the switching of the game screen according to the fulfillment of the switching condition is realized. More specifically, when the switching condition is satisfied, a start period is set, and after the start period elapses, the play guidance screen 50B is switched to the dance screen 50D. Also, during the start period, a selection opportunity is provided. The selection opportunity may include a partner selection opportunity (eg, presentation of the partner selection screen 50C), or the provision of such an opportunity may be realized by another process.

  The difficulty level switching process is for switching (changing) the difficulty level of the music game in accordance with the activation of the opponent's dance skill while the dance screen 50D is being provided (during the activation of the dance skill) as one of the effects of the dance skill. Processing. When the switching condition is satisfied by the opponent during the provision of the play guidance screen 50B, the guidance control unit 33 starts the difficulty level switching process of FIG. 20, and first specifies the current difficulty level and the difficulty level after the switching. (Step S201). The difficulty of the music game depends on the contents of the sequence data QD. For this reason, the guidance control unit 33 specifies the current sequence data QD and the switching sequence data QD as the current difficulty and the difficulty after switching. In the music game, for such switching, guidance based on the current sequence data QD (display) and guidance based on the switching sequence data QD are executed in parallel while being hidden. Therefore, the guidance control unit 33 specifies these sequence data QD as the current sequence data QD and the switching sequence data QD. In this case, the current sequence data QD and the switching sequence data QD function as the current sequence data of the present invention and another sequence data, respectively. Similarly, the current difficulty corresponding to these and the difficulty after switching function as the current difficulty of the present invention and another difficulty.

  Subsequently, the guidance control unit 33 sets the start time of the difficulty level switching (step S202). When the start period is fixed to the predetermined period due to the provision of the switching condition, the guidance control unit 33 sets the start time at the end time of the start period so that such a start period is formed before the switching. . Alternatively, when the start time is set in step S102 of the screen switching process in FIG. 19, the guidance control unit 33 may acquire the processing result and set the same start time. Next, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether a start condition for starting the difficulty level switching is satisfied (step S203). As an example, the start condition is satisfied at the end of the start period. That is, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not the end time of the start period has come as a start condition. If the end time has not come, the guidance control unit 33 returns to step S203 again, and repeatedly executes the processing of step S203 until the end time comes. That is, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not the end time of the repetition start period has come until the end time.

  On the other hand, when the start condition is satisfied, that is, when the end time of the start period has come, the guidance control unit 33 switches the difficulty level of the music game (step S204). Specifically, the guidance control unit 33 switches the guidance sequence data QD from the current sequence data QD to the switching sequence data QD used for guidance in parallel with the current sequence data QD while hiding it. That is, the guidance based on the current sequence data QD is switched to non-display, and the guidance based on the switching sequence data QD is switched to display. Then, after this switching, the guidance control unit 33 ends the current difficulty level switching process. As a result, the difficulty level is switched with the activation of the dance skill of the opponent.

  The guidance omission process includes a start period (a start period associated with the opponent's skill activation, that is, including the opponent's start period) or an end period (an end period associated with the opponent's skill activation, that is, the opponent's end period). ) Is a process for realizing start preparation or end preparation. More specifically, the guidance omission processing is performed when the start period includes an execution period that extends over the switching or when the execution period that extends over the end of the end period is included. This is a process for omitting (hiding) the guidance. Alternatively, the guidance omitting process is a process for omitting the guidance of the execution timing based on the sequence data QD in the end period. The guidance control unit 33 repeatedly starts the guidance omitting process of FIG. 21 at a predetermined cycle in a start period or an end time, and first determines whether the omitting condition is satisfied (step S301). The omission condition is satisfied, for example, when there is an execution period that extends over switching at the start time. In addition, the omission condition is satisfied, for example, in a case where an execution period is included in the end period or an execution period that extends over the end time of the end period exists in the end period. That is, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not there is an execution period that spans the switching in the start period, whether or not the execution period is included in the end period in the end period, and whether the execution period that spans the end time is It is determined whether it exists or not.

  Subsequently, the guidance control unit 33 specifies an omission target (Step S302). Specifically, an execution period or an execution time that satisfies the omission condition in the start period and the end period is specified. Next, the guidance control unit 33 omits the specified guidance for the omission target (step S303). Specifically, the guidance control unit 33 realizes this guidance by hiding (including transparent display) the display of the object 51 corresponding to the specified execution period of the omission target. After omitting the guidance to be omitted, the guidance control unit 33 ends the current guidance omitting process. As a result, start preparation and end preparation in the start period (including those of the opponent) and the end period are realized. More specifically, in the start period, the guidance of the execution period over the switching is omitted. In the end period, the guidance of each execution time and the guidance of the execution period over the end time of the end period are omitted.

  The guidance maintaining process is a process for realizing the end preparation in the end period when the execution period is guided based on the sequence data QD. More specifically, the process is a process for maintaining the display of the execution period spanning the return from the dance screen 50D to the play guidance screen 50B in the end period. The guidance control unit 33 repeatedly starts the guidance maintaining process of FIG. 22 at a predetermined cycle at the end time, and first determines whether the maintenance condition is satisfied (step S401). The maintenance condition is satisfied, for example, when there is an execution period spanning the return time. In the case of the end period of the opponent, the presence or absence of such an execution period is determined based on the sequence data QD before returning. That is, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not there is an execution period that extends over the return period in the end period.

  Subsequently, the guidance control unit 33 specifies a maintenance target (step S402). Specifically, the guidance control unit 33 specifies, as a maintenance target, an execution period that satisfies the maintenance condition, that is, an execution period that straddles the return time. Next, the guidance control unit 33 maintains the specified guidance for the maintenance target (step S403). Specifically, the guidance control unit 33 implements this guidance by continuing to display the object 51 corresponding to the specified maintenance target execution period until the execution period ends. Then, the guidance control unit 33 ends the current guidance maintaining process after maintaining the guidance to be maintained. Thus, preparation for termination is realized in the termination period when the execution period is guided based on the sequence data QD. More specifically, the guidance of the execution period straddling the return period in the end period is maintained. In the guidance maintaining process of FIG. 22, the execution period may be guided even in the termination period by the normal guidance in the case of the termination period of the user. Therefore, in such a case, the guidance maintaining process of FIG. 22 may be omitted. That is, the guidance maintaining process of FIG. 22 may be executed only in the case of the end period of the opponent (when the difficulty level is switched).

  The moving image presentation process is a process for presenting a special moving image on the dance screen 50D. That is, the moving image presentation process is a process for displaying a dance moving image accompanying the dance skill activation on the dance screen 50D. When switching to the dance screen 50D is performed, the moving image control unit 34 starts the moving image presentation process of FIG. 23, and first obtains a selection result of a selection opportunity and, if a partner selection opportunity has been given, obtains the selection result. (Step S501). More specifically, the moving image control unit 34 acquires information on the dance skill to be activated, the main character that activates the skill, and the partner character as the selection result.

  Subsequently, the moving image control unit 34 determines the music being played (step S502). Next, the moving image control unit 34 specifies a moving image to be presented on the dance screen 50D (Step S503). The moving image data MD is configured to be able to reproduce a plurality of special moving images, for example, for each song, each dance skill, and each combination of characters (which may be distinguished for each difference between the main character and the partner character). For this reason, the moving image control unit 34 executes this identification based on, for example, the dance skills acquired in step S501, the information on the main character and the partner character, and the music determined in step S502. That is, the moving image control unit 34 specifies a moving image corresponding to the combination as a special moving image to be presented on the dance screen 50D from a plurality of moving images, based on the dance skill to be activated, the main character, and the partner character.

  Subsequently, the moving image control unit 34 presents the specified moving image on the dance screen 50D (Step S504). That is, the moving image control unit 34 displays a moving image (dance animation by each character) on the dance screen 50D based on the moving image data MD corresponding to the specified moving image. Then, the moving image control unit 34 ends the present moving image presentation process after this presentation. As a result, a special moving image (a dance moving image corresponding to the activation of the dance skill) by the dance skill, the main character, and the partner character selected by the user is displayed on the dance screen 50. That is, display of the dance screen 50 (activation of dance skill) is realized.

  The special evaluation process is a process for performing the evaluation of each execution time according to a predetermined rule while the dance screen 50D is being displayed (during the activation of the dance skill). The example of FIG. 24 shows a case where a predetermined evaluation result is used as a predetermined rule and each execution time is processed as a predetermined evaluation result. In this case, the evaluation unit 35 repeatedly starts the special evaluation process of FIG. 24 at a predetermined cycle while the dance screen 50D is displayed, and first determines whether or not there is an evaluation target (step S601). The evaluation target is the execution time corresponding to the object 51 that should arrive at each arrival position index 52A during the display of the dance screen 50D while not being displayed, that is, the execution time at which the time comes during the display of the dance screen 50D. For this reason, the evaluation unit 35 determines whether or not each object 51 has reached the arrival position index 52A while the dance screen 50D is not displayed while the dance screen 50D is being displayed, or whether there is an execution time corresponding to the current time. In addition, when the execution period over the switching or the execution period over the return is evaluated, these may also be specified as evaluation targets. The same applies to the case where the execution time or the like included in the start period or the end period is processed in accordance with a predetermined rule (in other processes, the target is similarly set appropriately according to the contents of the start preparation or the end preparation). May be). When there is no object 51 that has reached the arrival position index 52A, or when there is no execution time corresponding to the current time, the evaluation unit 35 determines that there is no evaluation target. Then, the evaluation unit 35 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current special evaluation processing.

  On the other hand, when the evaluation target exists, that is, when each object 51 that has reached the arrival position index 52A exists, or when there is an execution time corresponding to the current time, the evaluation unit 35 determines the evaluation of the evaluation target. (Step S602). That is, the evaluation unit 35 determines the evaluation of the execution time and the like (for example, the execution period) corresponding to the object 51 as a predetermined evaluation result. More specifically, the evaluation unit 35 uses, for example, “PERFECT” as a predetermined evaluation result, and determines such an evaluation of each execution time to be “PERFECT”. In addition, when there is an execution period that extends over switching or an execution period that extends back as an evaluation target, the evaluation is similarly determined to be “PERFECT” even if the execution period has not ended.

  Subsequently, the evaluation unit 35 actually gives the evaluation determined in step S602 to the user (step S603). This is achieved by giving points. That is, the evaluation unit 35 actually gives the user a score corresponding to "PERFECT" determined in step S602. Then, the evaluation unit 35 terminates the current special evaluation process after giving such an evaluation. Thereby, the evaluation of each execution time is processed as a predetermined evaluation result while providing the dance screen 50D. That is, in addition to providing the special moving image, the effect of activating the dance skill that a predetermined evaluation result can be obtained over a certain period without performing the play action is provided.

  The screen return process is a process for returning the game screen from the dance screen 50D to the play guidance screen 50B. When the provision of the dance screen 50D is started, the guidance control unit 33 repeatedly starts the screen return processing of FIG. 25 at a predetermined cycle, and first determines whether or not the end condition is satisfied (step S701). The end condition is satisfied, for example, after a lapse of a predetermined period from the start of switching to the dance screen 50D (start of activation of dance skill). The predetermined period is set according to the dance skill being activated. For this reason, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not the predetermined period corresponding to the activated dance skill has elapsed from the start of the provision of the dance screen 50D in order to determine whether the end condition is satisfied. Then, when the end condition is not satisfied, that is, when the predetermined period has not elapsed from the start of providing the dance screen 50D, the guidance control unit 33 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current screen return processing.

  On the other hand, when the end condition is satisfied, that is, when a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of providing the dance screen 50D, the guidance control unit 33 sets an end period (step S703). Specifically, the guidance control unit 33 uses, for example, a uniform period as the end period, and sets the uniform period as the end period after the elapse of the predetermined period. Subsequently, the guidance control unit 33 returns the game screen to the original screen (Step S703). That is, the guidance control unit 33 switches the game screen from the dance screen 50D to the play guidance screen 50B. Then, after returning the game screen to the play guidance screen 50B in this way, the guidance control unit 33 ends the current screen return processing. Thus, the game screen is returned to the original play guidance screen 50B after the dance screen 50D (in other words, a special dance moving image) is provided for a predetermined period according to the dance skill. Also, an end period during which the end preparation is to be performed after such a return is set.

  The difficulty return process is a process for returning the difficulty level of the opponent (returning to the original difficulty level) with the end of the dance screen 50D (the end of the activation of the dance skill). When the provision of the dance screen 50D is started, the guidance control unit 33 repeatedly starts the difficulty level return process of FIG. 26 at a predetermined cycle, and first determines whether or not the end condition is satisfied (step S801). The end condition is satisfied, for example, after a lapse of a predetermined period from the start of switching to the dance screen 50D (start of activation of dance skill). The predetermined period is set according to the dance skill being activated. For this reason, the guidance control unit 33 determines whether or not the predetermined period corresponding to the activated dance skill has elapsed from the start of the provision of the dance screen 50D in order to determine whether the end condition is satisfied. Then, when the end condition is not satisfied, that is, when the predetermined period has not elapsed from the start of providing the dance screen 50D, the guidance control unit 33 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current screen return processing.

  On the other hand, when the end condition is satisfied, that is, when a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of providing the dance screen 50D, the guidance control unit 33 returns the difficulty level of the music game to the original level (step S802). As described above, the difficulty level of the music game mainly depends on the content of the sequence data QD. In the difficulty level switching process, the switching is performed by changing the guidance sequence data QD so that the switching sequence data QD is used for guidance. Has been realized. Therefore, the guidance control unit 33 realizes this return by returning the sequence data QD for guidance to the original sequence data QD. Specifically, the guidance control unit 33 hides the guidance (object 51) based on the switching sequence data QD, and returns the original sequence data QD (the current sequence data QD in the difficulty level switching process in FIG. Then, the return is realized by displaying the guidance (object 51) based on the sequence data QD selected for play by the user. Thus, the difficulty level of the music game is returned to the original level with the end of the dance screen 50D of the opponent (end of the dance skill activation).

  The evaluation exclusion process is a process for excluding an execution time and the like included in the sequence data QD to be evaluated in the start period or the end period from the evaluation target. More specifically, the evaluation exclusion process is performed in order to exclude the execution period extending over the switching in the start period, the execution periods included in the end period in the end period, and the execution period extending in the end period. You. When the start period or the end period starts, the evaluation unit 35 repeatedly starts the evaluation exclusion process of FIG. 27 at a predetermined cycle, and first determines whether or not there is an exclusion target (step S901). Specifically, the evaluation unit 35 has an execution period that extends over the switching in the start period in the sequence data QD to be evaluated (current sequence data QD, in other words, sequence data QD selected by the user for play). Is determined. In the end period, the evaluation unit 35 determines whether there is an execution time belonging to the end period in the sequence data QD to be evaluated (the original sequence data QD, in other words, the sequence data QD selected for play by the user). It is determined whether or not there is an execution period that extends over the end time. Then, when there is no such exclusion target, that is, when there is no execution period that extends over the switching in the start period, when there is no execution time that belongs to the end period in the end period, and when the execution period that extends over the end time is If not, the evaluation unit 35 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current evaluation exclusion processing.

  On the other hand, the evaluation unit 35 performs the process when the exclusion target exists, that is, when there is an execution period that extends over the switching in the start period, when there is an execution time that belongs to the end period in the end period, and when the execution period If there is a period, these execution periods and the like are specified as exclusion targets (step S902). Subsequently, the evaluation unit 35 excludes the execution period and the like of the specified exclusion target from the evaluation target (Step S903). Specifically, the evaluation unit 35 realizes such exclusion by excluding, from the total score to be given as a play result of the music game, the score to be given by these exclusion targets. That is, the score obtained by these exclusion targets is excluded from the denominator of the score obtained as the evaluation result. Then, after performing such exclusion, the evaluation unit 35 ends the current evaluation exclusion process. As a result, the execution period or the like of the exclusion target in the start period or the end period is excluded from the evaluation target. More specifically, in the start period, the execution period extending over the switching is excluded from the evaluation targets, and in the end period, the entire execution period belonging to the end period and the execution period extending over the end period are excluded from the evaluation targets. That is, a part of the start preparation and the end preparation is realized. In addition, when an execution time or the like that crosses a switching time (start time) is processed in one of the evaluation target (special evaluation processing) and the exclusion target processing, the processing need not be the target of the other processing. For example, when any of these execution timings is to be evaluated and there is no exclusion target, the processing in FIG. 27 may be omitted.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the switching condition is satisfied in the music game, the play guide screen 50B including the display of the object 51 and the like is replaced by the dance screen 50D including the display of the object 51 and the like. Can be switched to Then, on the dance screen 50, a special moving image, that is, a dance moving image accompanying the activation of dance skills is displayed instead of the guidance of each execution time and the like based on the object 51 and the like. For this reason, it is possible to visually prioritize the display of such a special moving image through the dance screen 50D over the guidance of each execution time or the like based on the object 51 or the like. Also, in such a dance screen 50D, the evaluation of each execution time and the like which should be guided through the play guidance screen 50B is replaced with a predetermined rule, more specifically, a predetermined rule, instead of the evaluation based on the actual touch operation of each user. Is processed as the evaluation result. That is, in the dance screen 50D, each execution time and the like are processed as a predetermined evaluation result according to a predetermined rule without the user's awareness. For this reason, the special moving image can be prioritized over the guidance of each execution time based on the object 51 and the like, even with the user's intention. As a result, the special moving image can be provided to the user through the dance screen 50D with priority over the guidance such as the execution time based on the object 51 and the like. Thereby, the degree of freedom in game development can be improved as compared with the case where guidance of each execution time and the like is required.

  When the switching to the dance screen 50D is performed based on the user's designated operation (when the switching condition is satisfied with the execution of such a designated operation), it is possible to reflect the user's intention at the time of the switching. it can. As a result, such switching can be used as game characteristics. On the other hand, the dance screen 50D ends when the end condition is satisfied. Therefore, the period for providing the dance screen 50D can be limited to a part of the music game. Thereby, a strategy such as where to switch in the music game can be given to the switching to the dance screen 50D.

  Further, switching to the dance screen 50D or returning from the dance screen 50D to the play guidance screen 50B may have various effects, for example, when an execution period spanning such switching is guided. . On the other hand, the guidance of the execution period or the like over such switching or the like is not displayed (guidance is omitted) through, for example, start preparation or end preparation. For this reason, such an influence can be suppressed through the setting of the start period in which the start preparation is performed or the end period in which the end preparation is performed.

  On the other hand, when such a music game is provided as a battle game, the difficulty level of the game of the opponent is higher than the current difficulty level due to the switching to the dance screen 50D on the user side. Can be switched at any time. That is, from the viewpoint of the opponent, the difficulty level of the game changes regardless of the player's own play. For this reason, it is possible to make it more difficult for the opponent to predict the timing of switching the difficulty level and the like, as compared with the case where the difficulty level is switched based on the player's own play. Thereby, the user's tiredness can be relatively suppressed. Further, when such a difficulty level switch is performed based on a user's designated operation, such a switch can be used as a bargaining element such as where to switch in the music game. As a result, the interest of the game can be improved by these.

  In the above embodiment, the guidance control unit 33 of the game machine 3 functions as the display switching unit of the present invention by executing the processing of step S104 in FIG. In addition, the guidance control unit 33 of the game machine 3 functions as the guidance control unit of the present invention by executing the process of step S303 in FIG. Similarly, the guidance control unit 33 of the game machine 3 functions as the screen return unit of the present invention by executing step S703 in FIG. On the other hand, the evaluation unit 35 of the game machine 3 functions as the timing processing unit and the period processing unit of the present invention by executing the processing of step S602 in FIG. In addition, the moving image control unit 34 of the game machine 3 functions as an image presenting unit of the present invention by executing step S504 in FIG. Furthermore, the guidance control unit 33 of the game machine 3 functions as a time setting unit and a difficulty level switching unit by executing the processing in FIG. Specifically, the guidance control unit 33 executes step S202 in FIG. 20 as the time setting unit of the present invention, and executes the processing of step S204 in FIG. Function. Similarly, the guidance control unit 33 of the game machine 3 functions as the difficulty return unit of the present invention by executing step S803 in FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be embodied in an appropriately modified or changed embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a special moving image (a special dance moving image) is displayed on the dance screen 50D as an effect of activating the dance skill. However, the image displayed on dance screen 50D is not limited to such a moving image. For example, various still images related to the dance skill of each character may be displayed on dance screen 50D. Furthermore, the screen switched from the play guidance screen 50B is not limited to the dance screen 50D that displays such a dance moving image. For example, an appropriate game element such as another mini-game or a story about each character may be prioritized over the guidance of each execution time on a screen that is switched from the play guidance screen 50B.

  In addition, the center server 2 may execute all or a part of the roles (various processes and the like) of the game machine 3 in the above-described embodiment. That is, the game system of the present invention may be configured such that the center server 2 and the game machine 3 cooperate appropriately to realize the functions of the game machine 3 and the center server 2 of the present embodiment. On the other hand, the center server 2 may be omitted. In this case, one game machine 3 may function as the game system of the present invention.

  Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, corresponding members illustrated in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, but the present invention is limited to the illustrated embodiment. Not something.

  The game system of the present invention guides each execution time based on an input device (36) for inputting a user's play action and sequence data (QD) in which each execution time to execute the play action is described. And a display device (37) for displaying a guidance screen (50B) for performing each of the execution times through the guidance screen, and the user's actual play action input through the input device. The game system (1) which provides a game that evaluates the time based on each execution time as a competitive game that competes with an opponent based on the evaluation result. In the competitive game, the user sets a switching condition. In the case of satisfying, in the competitive game played by the opponent of the user, the timing at which the difficulty level of the game should be switched Time setting means (33) for setting a start time; and calculating the difficulty level of the competitive game played by the opponent at the start time from the current difficulty level corresponding to the current sequence data. And a difficulty level switching means (33) for switching to another difficulty level corresponding to another sequence data.

  According to the present invention, when the switching condition is satisfied, the start time is specified in the game of the opponent of the user who satisfies the switching condition, and the difficulty of the game is different from the current difficulty at the start time. Can be switched to difficulty. That is, from the viewpoint of the opponent, the difficulty level of the game changes regardless of the player's own play. For this reason, it is possible to make it difficult for the opponent user to predict the timing of switching the difficulty level and the like, as compared with the case where the difficulty level is switched based on the player's own play. As a result, the user's tiredness can be relatively suppressed, and the interest of the game can be improved.

  The start timing (difficulty switching timing) may be set immediately after the switching condition is satisfied, or may be set after a predetermined period has elapsed. When the start time is set after the elapse of a predetermined period, the predetermined period may be fixed or variable. Such a predetermined period may be set to an appropriate period. For example, when a predetermined period such as a continuation period in which the play action should be continued is guided, a determination is made based on such a period (when such a period is determined in advance, (Including both cases determined based on the processing). More specifically, for example, as one aspect of the game system of the present invention, information on an execution period indicating a period in which the play action is to be continuously executed or a period in which the play action is to be repeatedly executed is described in the current sequence data. In the case where the execution period is guided via the guidance screen, the guidance of the execution period across the start time in the start period so that the start period based on the execution period is formed before the start time. May be further provided with a guidance control means (33) omitting the above. In this case, a start period based on the execution period is set before the difficulty level is switched. For this reason, for example, switching can be realized such that an execution period that does not straddle such switching does not occur. Alternatively, such an execution period can be excluded from the guidance target and the evaluation target. That is, it is possible to suppress the influence of the execution period that extends over the switching through the start period.

  As described above, the difficulty level may be switched so that an execution period that does not straddle the switching does not occur. Alternatively, when such an execution period occurs, such an execution period may be excluded from the guidance target. In this case, such an execution period may be excluded from the evaluation target, or may be evaluated according to an appropriate rule. Specifically, for example, as a mode in which a start period is formed, when guidance is omitted by the guidance control unit, a period processing unit (35) that performs an evaluation of an execution period across the start timing according to a predetermined rule. ) May be adopted.

  The difficulty level may be switched from another difficulty level to the original difficulty level again, or may be switched to another difficulty level. Alternatively, another difficulty level may be maintained as it is. Specifically, for example, as one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when an end condition is satisfied in the competitive game of the different difficulty level, the difficulty level of the game corresponds to the different sequence data. A mode may be further provided that includes difficulty return means (33) for returning the current difficulty level corresponding to the current sequence data from the different difficulty level. In this case, the switching to the difficulty level can be limited to a part of the music game. This makes it possible to give strategicity to the difficulty level switching.

  Various conditions may be adopted as the termination condition. For example, a condition that is satisfied irregularly (a period of a special screen is randomly set) may be adopted as the end condition, or a condition that is satisfied according to the play situation may be adopted. Further, such a play situation may include an elapsed time (play time). Alternatively, a condition based on the user's selection result may be adopted. Specifically, for example, in an aspect using the end condition of the present invention, the end condition may be satisfied when a predetermined period has elapsed from the start time.

  In the case where the difficulty level returns from another difficulty level to the original difficulty level, the guidance and evaluation of each execution time may return to the normal level immediately after switching to another difficulty level, or may be performed by a special processing. May return as usual after a predetermined period has been executed. Then, as such a special process, for example, a process of excluding an appropriate target included in the predetermined period from the display target and the evaluation target or treating the target as a predetermined evaluation result may be used. For example, in an aspect in which the difficulty level returns to the original difficulty level from another difficulty level, the guidance control unit determines that the execution period spans a return time when the difficulty level of the game returns from the different difficulty level to the current difficulty level. Is included in the sequence data, and when guided at the different difficulty level, the execution period of the execution period that straddles the return period in the end period so that an end period based on the execution period is formed after the return period. The guidance may be further omitted. In this aspect, the guidance control means may further omit guidance for all execution times included in the current sequence data in the end period. Further, in this aspect, the period processing means may further process at least one of an execution period that straddles the return time in the end period and an evaluation of the total execution time according to the predetermined rule.

  Various conditions may be used as the switching condition. For example, a condition that is randomly satisfied or a condition that is satisfied according to a play situation may be used as the switching condition. Alternatively, in one aspect of the game system according to the present invention, when the input device allows an input of a designated act of designating switching of the difficulty level of the game, the designated act is input by the user. It may be satisfied when entered at the current difficulty level via a device. In this case, such switching can be used as an element of bargaining with the opponent.

  On the other hand, a computer program (PG2) of the present invention is configured to cause a computer (31) connected to the input device and the display device to function as each unit of the game system.

  In addition, the control method of the present invention provides an input device (36) for inputting a user's play action and each execution time based on sequence data (QD) describing each execution time at which the play action is to be executed. And a display device (37) for displaying a guidance screen (50B) for guiding the user. The display device (37) guides each execution time through the guidance screen, and inputs the user's actual information input through the input device. A computer (31) incorporated in a game system (1) that provides a game that evaluates the time of play based on each execution time as a competitive game that competes with an opponent based on the evaluation result, In the case where the user satisfies the switching condition, the difficulty level of the game is cut off in the competitive game played by the opponent of the user. A time setting procedure for setting a start time as a time to be replaced, and a difficulty of the competitive game played by the opponent at the start time based on a current difficulty corresponding to current sequence data. And a difficulty level switching procedure for switching to another difficulty level corresponding to sequence data different from the sequence data.

(Reference example)
An input device for inputting a user's play action, and a display device for displaying a guidance screen including an instruction sign corresponding to an execution time at which the play action is to be executed and a reference sign corresponding to the current time; Then, based on the sequence data in which each execution time is described, a relative displacement is generated between the indication mark and the reference mark so that the positions of the indication mark and the reference mark coincide at each execution time. There is a game system that provides a game that guides each execution time and evaluates a time of a user's actual play act input via an input device based on each execution time. For example, as such an instruction sign, a reference sign, a guidance screen, and a play action, a music game using an object, a determination sign, a base game screen, and an operation of pressing a rotation button is known (for example, Japanese Patent No. 6030712). Reference).

  In the music game disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6030712, each determination mark moves toward each object, and the time when the rotation button should be pressed is guided by the coincidence time of the positions, and the time is evaluated. For this reason, the user's consciousness is mainly directed to each determination sign and each object, and is displayed so as to be most noticeable (conspicuous) even on the normal game screen. On the other hand, in such a music game, there is a possibility that an element that should be recognized by the user with higher priority than the instruction sign or the reference sign, in other words, the music game play itself may occur. For example, such a music game may be provided as a part of various games. In such a case, even if the music game is being played, it is better to make the user recognize the instruction sign or the reference sign, that is, the user, in preference to the music game play itself according to the progress of the entire game. Good elements can occur.

  Therefore, an aspect exemplified below has an object to provide a game system or the like which can provide other game elements to a user with priority over guidance of each execution time based on an instruction sign and a reference sign.

  The game system according to the present reference example includes an input device (36) for inputting a user's play act, an instruction sign (51) corresponding to an execution time at which the play act should be executed, and a reference sign corresponding to the current time. And a display device (37) for displaying a guidance screen (50B) including (52A), and the positions of the instruction marker and the reference marker are determined based on the sequence data (QD) describing each execution time. By giving a relative displacement between the instruction marker and the reference marker so as to match at each execution time, each execution time is guided through the guidance screen, and the user input via the input device is displayed. A game system (1) for providing a game for evaluating the actual play time of a game based on each execution time, wherein a switching condition is satisfied in the game. A display switching means (33) for switching the display of the display device from the guide screen to a special screen (50D) in which the display of the instruction mark and the reference mark is less noticeable than the guide screen, and a display of the display device Timing processing means (35) for processing the evaluation of each execution time to be guided through the guidance screen in accordance with a predetermined rule instead of the evaluation based on the actual play action when the special screen is switched to the special screen; It is provided with.

  According to the present reference example, when the switching condition is satisfied in the game, the display on the display device is switched from the guidance screen to a special screen on which the display of the instruction marker and the reference marker is less noticeable than the guidance screen. For this reason, other game elements can be visually prioritized through the special screen, rather than the guidance of each execution time based on the instruction sign and the reference sign. In such a special screen, the evaluation of each execution time to be guided through the guidance screen is processed according to a predetermined rule instead of the evaluation based on the actual play action. That is, in the special screen, the evaluation of each execution time is processed according to the predetermined rule without the user being conscious. For this reason, other game elements can be prioritized over the guidance of each execution time based on the instruction marker and the reference marker, even with the user's intention. As a result, other game elements can be provided to the user through such a special screen in preference to the guidance of each execution time based on the instruction sign and the reference sign. As a result, the degree of freedom in game development can be improved, and the fun of the game can be improved.

  Appropriate elements may be provided to the user in preference to the guidance of each execution time based on the instruction sign and the reference sign according to the type of the game and the like. For example, game story descriptions, background displays, other mini-games, or communications with other users (e.g., email or chat) may be provided as part of a game, such as a game element (e.g., chatting with a user). As long as it is possible, it does not have to be an element constituting the game itself). Alternatively, when a character appears in a game, for example, various elements related to such a character, such as introduction of the character and various actions, may be provided to the user with higher priority than guidance for each execution time. For example, as one aspect of the game system of the present reference example, when the game includes a plurality of characters having different characteristics and proceeds through some of the plurality of characters, An image presenting means (34) for presenting an image (CA) related to the characteristic on the special screen so as to stand out more than the instruction sign and the reference sign may be further provided. The characters may include not only anthropomorphic objects such as persons, but also objects such as cars and animals.

  The characteristics of the character may be appropriately set according to the type of the game. For example, in the case of a game of a type in which a plurality of characters battle, characteristics relating to such battles may be set for each character. Alternatively, in the case of a game of a type in which a character is bred, characteristics relating to a breeding element may be set for each character. For example, if the training target is a baseball player, characteristics related to hitting and pitching, if a soccer player, various kicking characteristics such as dribbling, passing, and shooting, or characteristics related to goalkeepers, if idol, characteristics such as singing and dancing. May be set, and various images (including moving images) related to the impact and the like may be presented on the special screen so as to be more prominent than the instruction sign and the reference sign. Similarly, for example, in a mode in which an image related to the characteristics of the character is presented on a special screen, the image presenting means is configured as a music game in which the game guides each execution time in accordance with the rhythm of music. A moving image in which a character image corresponding to the part of the character performs a dance corresponding to the characteristic of the part of the character in accordance with the rhythm of the music is presented as an image related to the characteristic of the part of the character. You may.

  The animation of the dance may be provided by any number of characters. For example, such a moving image may be provided by one character, or may be provided by a plurality of characters. Further, when provided by a plurality of characters, the plurality of characters may be determined randomly or may be determined according to a play situation. Alternatively, such a plurality of characters may be determined according to a user's selection. Specifically, for example, in a mode in which a moving image of a dance is presented on a special screen, the display switching unit switches from the guidance screen to the special screen when the some characters include two or more characters. Before, a selection opportunity for selecting some of the two or more characters as objects of the dance may be provided.

  The switching from the guidance screen to the special screen may be performed immediately after the switching condition is satisfied, or may be switched after a predetermined period has elapsed. When switching is performed after the elapse of a predetermined period, the switching time may be fixed or variable. Further, such a switching period may be set to an appropriate period. For example, when a predetermined period such as a continuation period in which the play action should be continued is guided, a determination is made based on such a period (when such a period is determined in advance, (Including both cases determined based on the processing). Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present reference example, the display switching means includes an execution period indicating a period in which the play action is to be continuously executed or a period in which the play action is to be repeatedly executed in the sequence data. Is described, and when the execution period is also guided through the guidance screen, a start period based on the execution period is formed before switching from the guidance screen to the special screen, The timing of switching may be adjusted based on the execution period. In this case, a start period based on the execution period is set before switching from the guidance screen to the special screen. For this reason, for example, switching can be realized such that an execution period that does not straddle such switching does not occur. Alternatively, such an execution period can be excluded from the guidance target and the evaluation target. That is, it is possible to suppress the influence of the execution period that extends over the switching through the start period.

  As described above, the switching from the guidance screen to the special screen may be realized so that an execution period that does not cross the switching occurs. Alternatively, when such an execution period occurs, such an execution period may be excluded from the guidance target. In this case, such an execution period may be excluded from the evaluation target, or may be evaluated according to an appropriate rule. Specifically, for example, as a mode in which a start period is formed, when the start period is formed in the switching, guidance control means for omitting guidance of the execution period included in the start period from the guidance screen An aspect further including (33) may be adopted.

  Various conditions may be used as the switching condition. For example, a condition that is randomly satisfied or a condition that is satisfied according to a play situation may be used as the switching condition. Alternatively, in one aspect of the game system of the present reference example, when the input device allows input of a designated act of designating switching to the special screen, the designated act is performed via the input device. May be satisfied when input is made on the guidance screen. In this case, such switching can be used as game characteristics.

  The special screen may be configured by various methods so that the display of the instruction sign and the reference sign is less noticeable than the guidance screen. For example, on the special screen, the indication markers and the reference markers may be displayed smaller than the guidance screen. Alternatively, the display of the instruction marker and the reference marker may be hidden. In this case, the non-display of the instruction marker and the reference marker may be realized by various methods. For example, a special screen that does not include the display of an instruction sign or the like may be displayed over the guidance screen so as to cover the guidance screen, or a guidance screen in which an image of the instruction sign or the like is hidden functions as a special screen. You may. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the present reference example, the display switching unit uses a screen that hides the instruction marker and the reference marker as the special screen when the switching condition is satisfied, The guidance screen may be switched to the special screen.

  Various rules may be used as the predetermined rule. For example, a rule that excludes each execution time from the evaluation target may be adopted as the predetermined rule. That is, on the special screen, the evaluation at each execution time may be processed so as to be excluded from the evaluation target. Alternatively, a predetermined evaluation result may be used as the predetermined rule. That is, on the special screen, the evaluation of each execution time may be processed as a predetermined evaluation result. In this case, the predetermined evaluation result may be different in some execution time periods or may be the same in all execution time periods according to various conditions such as a play situation. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present reference example, the timing processing means uses a predetermined evaluation result as the predetermined rule, and uniformly evaluates each execution timing according to the predetermined evaluation result. It may be processed as.

  The special screen may be switched to return to the guidance screen again, or may be switched to another screen. Alternatively, the special screen may be maintained as it is. Specifically, for example, as one mode of the game system of the present reference example, a screen return unit (33) that returns the display of the display device from the special screen to the guide screen when an end condition is satisfied in the special screen. ) May be adopted. In this case, switching to the special screen can be limited to a part of the music game. As a result, the switching to the special screen can be given a strategic property.

  Various conditions may be adopted as the termination condition. For example, a condition that is satisfied irregularly (a period of a special screen is randomly set) may be adopted as the end condition, or a condition that is satisfied according to the play situation may be adopted. Further, such a play situation may include an elapsed time (play time). Alternatively, a condition based on the user's selection result may be adopted. Specifically, for example, in a mode using the end condition of the present reference example, the end condition may be satisfied when a predetermined period has elapsed from the start of the display of the special screen.

  When returning from the special screen to the guidance screen, such guidance and evaluation of each execution time may be performed at an appropriate time similarly to the switching from the guidance screen to the special screen. For example, the guidance and evaluation of each execution timing may return to the original immediately after the end condition, or a predetermined period may be provided until the guidance and evaluation of each execution timing return. For example, in a mode in which the screen returns from the special screen to the guide screen, the timing processing unit includes information on an execution period indicating a period in which the play action is to be continuously executed or a period in which the play action is to be repeatedly executed, When the execution period is also guided via the guidance screen, the end period based on the execution period is formed after switching from the special screen to the guidance screen. The evaluation may be processed as a predetermined evaluation result instead of the evaluation based on the actual play action.

  On the other hand, the computer program (PG2) of the present embodiment is configured to cause the computer (31) connected to the input device and the display device to function as each unit of the game system described above.

  Further, the control method according to the present embodiment corresponds to an input device (36) for inputting a user's play action, an instruction sign (51) corresponding to an execution time at which the play action is to be executed, and a current time. And a display device (37) for displaying a guidance screen (50B) including a reference marker (52A), and based on sequence data (QD) describing each execution time, the instruction marker and the reference marker are displayed. Each execution time is guided through the guide screen by causing a relative displacement between the instruction mark and the reference mark so that the position matches at each execution time, and is input via the input device. A computer (31) incorporated in a game system (1) for providing a game that evaluates the actual playing time of each user based on each execution time. A display switching procedure for switching the display of the display device from the guidance screen to a special screen in which the display of the instruction marker and the reference marker is less noticeable than the guidance screen when the switching condition is satisfied; and When the display is switched to the special screen, a timing processing procedure of processing the evaluation of each execution time to be guided through the guidance screen according to a predetermined rule instead of the evaluation based on the actual play action. It is to let. The game system of the present embodiment can be realized by executing the computer program or the control method of the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game system 3 Game machine 31 Control unit (computer)
33 guidance control unit (display switching means, guidance control means, screen return means, time setting means, difficulty switching means, difficulty return means)
34 Video control unit (image presentation means)
35 Evaluation unit (time processing means, period processing means)
36 input device 37 monitor (display device)
51 Objects (indicative signs)
52A arrival position index (reference sign)
50B Play Guide Screen (Guidance Screen)
50D dance screen (special screen)
CA Character image (character, image)
QD sequence data PG2 program (computer program)

Claims (10)

An input device for inputting a user's play action, and a display device for displaying a guidance screen for guiding each execution time based on sequence data in which each execution time to execute the play action is described. A game that is connected and guides each execution time through the guidance screen, and that evaluates the actual play time of the user input through the input device based on each execution time. A game system provided as a battle-type game to play against,
When the user satisfies the switching condition in the competitive game, a time setting for setting a start time as a time at which the difficulty level of the game should be switched in the competitive game played by the opponent of the user. Means,
At the start time, the difficulty level of the competitive game played by the opponent is changed from the current difficulty level corresponding to the current sequence data to another difficulty level corresponding to another sequence data different from the current sequence data. A difficulty level switching means for switching,
When the current sequence data describes a period during which the play action is to be continuously executed, or information of an execution period indicating a period to be repeatedly executed, and the execution period is guided through the guidance screen, Guidance control means for omitting guidance for an execution period that spans the start time in the start period so that a start period based on the execution period is formed before the start time;
A game system comprising: When said guide is omitted by the guide control means further comprises a time processing unit for processing the evaluation of the execution period across the start timing according to a predetermined rule, the game system according to claim 1. When the termination condition is satisfied in the competitive game of the different difficulty level, the difficulty level of the game is changed from the different difficulty level corresponding to the different sequence data to the current level corresponding to the current sequence data. 3. The game system according to claim 2 , further comprising a difficulty return unit that returns the difficulty level to the difficulty level. The game system according to claim 3 , wherein the end condition is satisfied when a predetermined period has elapsed from the start time. The guidance control means may include an execution period spanning a return time when the difficulty level of the game returns from the different difficulty level to the current difficulty level in the different sequence data, and the guidance may be provided at the different difficulty level. If the return as end period based on the execution period after the timing is formed, further omitted guidance execution period straddling the return timing in the end period, the game system according to claim 3 or 4 . The game system according to claim 5 , wherein the guidance control unit further omits guidance on all execution times included in the current sequence data in the end period. 7. The game system according to claim 6 , wherein the period processing unit further processes at least one of an execution period that extends over the return time in the end period and an evaluation of the total execution time according to the predetermined rule. 8. The switching condition is such that, when the input device allows input of a designated act of designating switching of the game difficulty, the designated act is input by the user at the current difficulty level via the input device. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , which is satisfied when the game is performed. A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to the input device and the display device to function as each unit of the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . An input device for inputting a user's play action, and a display device for displaying a guidance screen for guiding each execution time based on sequence data in which each execution time to execute the play action is described. A game that is connected and guides each execution time through the guidance screen, and that evaluates the actual play time of the user input through the input device based on each execution time. A computer built into a game system provided as a battle-type game against
When the user satisfies the switching condition in the competitive game, a time setting for setting a start time as a time at which the difficulty level of the game should be switched in the competitive game played by the opponent of the user. Instructions,
At the start time, the difficulty level of the competitive game played by the opponent is changed from the current difficulty level corresponding to the current sequence data to another difficulty level corresponding to another sequence data different from the current sequence data. The difficulty switching procedure,
When the current sequence data describes a period during which the play action is to be continuously executed, or information of an execution period indicating a period to be repeatedly executed, and the execution period is guided through the guidance screen, A guidance control procedure for omitting guidance for an execution period that straddles the start time in the start period so that a start period based on the execution period is formed before the start time;
Control method.

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