JP6676234B2 - Game system and computer program therefor - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a game system that permits continuation of play on condition that payment is paid when play in a predetermined play range ends.

  As a game system of the type of playing the game in exchange for payment of the price, pay the continuation fee using the electronic currency as the price required when continuing the game, that is, when continuing to play the game once completed In such a case, a game system that generates a privilege for discounting the continuation fee is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2017-120439

  The benefit of discounting the continuation fee is to reduce the financial burden when the player determines whether or not to continue the game and to give the player motivation to pay the continuation fee. However, if the discount amount is small, sufficient motivation cannot be given, and if the discount amount is excessively large, the profitability of the game system may be unnecessarily impaired.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like that can generate a privilege for continuation of a game from a different point of view and give a player motivation to pay for the reward.

  The game system according to one aspect of the present invention allows a player to play a game in a predetermined play range, and when the play in the play range is completed, on condition that payment for the continuation of the play is paid. Play range control means for permitting the player to continue the play; and generating a privilege for the player permitted to continue the play on condition that the play range control means permits the play to be continued. Privilege control means.

  A computer program for a game system according to one aspect of the present invention provides a computer provided in a game system, in which a player is allowed to play a game in a predetermined play range, and when the play in the play range ends, A play range control unit that permits the player to continue the play on condition that payment for the play necessary for the continuation of the play is provided, and a condition that the continuation of the play is permitted by the play range control unit. It is configured to function as a privilege control means for generating a privilege for a player permitted to continue.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of a game machine included in the game system of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing an example of a processing procedure of a game provided by the game machine of FIG. 2. The figure which shows an example regarding the setting of life. The figure which shows an example regarding a privilege. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control system of the game machine. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of a game control unit in FIG. 6. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a play start control process executed by the game control unit. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a play range control process executed by the game control unit.

  Hereinafter, an example of a game system including a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device, and a plurality of game machines 3 and a plurality of user terminal devices 4 as client devices connectable to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5. Note that the term user is a general term for a person who uses the game system 1, and a user who uses the game machine 3 may be particularly called a player below. The center server 2 is configured as one logical server device by combining a plurality of server units 2A, 2B,... As 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 game machine 3 is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game in a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee (an example of a consideration). I have. This type of game machine 3 may be called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is installed in a predetermined facility such as the store 6 for the main purpose of increasing profits by repeatedly playing a game by a large number of users. The game machine 3 is configured so that a plurality of players can participate in and play a common game. The game provided by the game machine 3 may be appropriately selected. In the game machine 3 of the present embodiment, a game configured to selectively play a plurality of mini-games is provided as an example. This will be described later.

  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 (hereinafter referred to as PC) 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 users, such as stationary home game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the user terminal devices 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.

  The network 5 may be appropriately configured as long as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 can be connected to the center server 2, respectively. As an example, the network 5 is configured to realize network communication using a TCP / IP protocol. Typically, it is constructed by connecting the Internet 5A as a WAN and LANs 5B and 5C connecting the center server 2 and the game machine 3 to the Internet 5A via a router 5D. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A by an appropriate configuration. Note that a local server may be installed between the game machine 3 and the router 5D of the store 6, and the game machine 3 may be communicably connected to the center server 2 via the local server. The server units 2A, 2B,... Of the center server 2 may be connected to each other by a WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of one game machine 3. The illustrated game machine 3 has a housing 10. A monitor 11 for displaying a game image is provided on the housing 10, and a control panel 12 is provided in front of and below the monitor 11. The control panel 12 is provided with a plurality, for example, four stations ST1 to ST4. Hereinafter, the stations ST1 to ST4 may be collectively referred to as a station ST. Each station ST is set as a place where one player plays a game. Therefore, up to four players can play the game at the same time with one game machine 3. Each station ST is provided with an input device 13 for receiving a player's operation. The input device 13 includes, for example, a pair of left and right button switches 14L and 14R, and a single wheel switch 15 disposed rearward between the button switches 14L and 14R. The button switches 14L and 14R output signals corresponding to the player's pressing operation. The wheel switch 15 outputs a signal corresponding to each of a rotation operation and a pressing operation by the player. However, the configuration of the input device 13 may be appropriately changed. The number of stations ST may be changed as appropriate. The control panel 12 is further provided with a card reader 16 and a coin slot 17. The card reader 16 is a device that reads information necessary for user authentication and payment using the electronic currency of the play fee from a recording medium such as a card possessed by the user. However, the card reader 16 may have a writing function for overwriting information on a recording medium possessed by the user. That is, the card reader 16 may function as a reader / writer. The coin slot 17 is provided as a coin slot as a currency, a medal as an alternative currency, and a token slot. Further, speakers 18 are provided on the left and right of the monitor 11.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, features relating to a game procedure in the game machine 3 will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of a game process in the game machine 3. The game provided by the game machine 3 includes an entry stage, an initial setting stage, a stage of playing at least one stage, a continue stage, and a continuation setting stage. Hereinafter, each step will be described in order.

  The entry stage is a stage of accepting a user's entry (participation) in a game, and is started by paying a play fee. In FIG. 3, reception of an entry is started by one player PL1 paying a play fee PF, and three players PL2, PL3, PL4 perform operations required for entry in response to the entry, so that a total of four players PL1. Of players PL1 to PL4 (hereinafter may be collectively referred to as a player PL) enter a game. The player PL who pays the play fee PF may be two or more players, but as a result of the coin slot 17 being shared between the four stations ST, coins (or substitutes) are inserted into the coin slot 17. Also, the game machine 3 cannot specify which player PL pays. Therefore, it does not matter which player PL has paid the play fee. In the case of payment using electronic currency, it may be possible to determine the entity of the fee payment, but even in that case, it does not matter which player PL has paid the play fee.

  A unit is set for the play fee to be paid at the entry stage (that is, at the start of the game). For example, 100 yen is set as one unit. In the game machine 3, play is permitted by paying one unit of play fee regardless of the number of players PL who enter the game. That is, the amount of one unit of the play fee corresponds to the amount of the minimum unit to be allowed to play the game. When the minimum unit play fee is paid, a plurality of players PL can play the game at the same time within the range of the number of stations ST as an upper limit. For example, if one unit is set at 100 yen, a maximum of four players PL can play the game when a play fee of 100 yen is paid. Of course, it is permissible to play the game with only one player PL. At the start of the entry, it may be possible to pay two or more units of the play fee, but it may be possible to pay only one unit of the play fee.

  In the entry stage, user authentication using the card reader 16 is also performed as necessary. For example, the player PL holds the card on which the identification information for user authentication is recorded over the card reader 16 and causes the game machine 3 to read the identification information, and then the player PL sends the identification information to the input device 13 of one of the stations ST. When a predetermined operation is performed for the user, a correspondence is set between the user identification information and the station ST. The entry stage is completed when a predetermined time limit elapses or when the player PL performs a determination operation.

  At the stage of the initial setting, a process of dividing the players PL who have entered the game into teams is performed. For example, in FIG. 3, the players PL1 and PL2 are divided into a team TM1, and the players PL3 and PL4 are divided into a team TM2. A team is an example of a group as a unit to compete for game play. That is, the game of the game machine 3 is advanced in such a manner that the teams compete for scores and the like. The number of teams is not limited to two, and the number of players PL in the same team may be appropriately changed. For example, when three players PL enter the game, three teams may be provided in total by allocating one player PL per team. It is not always necessary that the number of players PL of each team be set equal to each other. For example, when four players PL enter the game, two players PL may form one team, and the remaining players PL may be divided into different teams one by one. Alternatively, one team may be configured by three players PL, and another team may be configured by the remaining one player PL. Alternatively, the player PL may be divided into different teams one by one to provide a total of four teams.

  In the initial setting stage, a life LF is set for each player PL. Life LF is an example of an index value that defines a range (play range) in which each player PL can play a game. The life LF gradually decreases as the game is played, and once the value of the life LF reaches a predetermined value, the game ends once. That is, when the life LF runs out, the subsequent play is restricted. For example, when the play of the player PL satisfies a predetermined consumption condition, a predetermined amount of the life LF is consumed, and when the life LF reaches a predetermined lower limit (0 as an example), the game is temporarily ended. The management of the life LF is performed separately for each player PL. The player PL is allowed to continue playing the game by paying a predetermined continuation fee, which will be described later. The value of the life LF set in the initial setting stage is set based on the play fee paid by the player PL and the number of players PL who enter the game. Further, the value of the life LF is set equal to each player PL. For example, when the play fee is the same, the life LF of the initial setting is set smaller as the number of players PL increases. On the other hand, when the number of players PL is the same, as the play fee increases, the life LF of the initial setting is set to be larger.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the life in the initial setting. In the example of FIG. 4, when a play fee of 100 yen corresponding to one unit is paid at the entry stage, if the number of the player PL is one, five lives are provided, if two players are provided, three lives are provided, and three players are provided. In this case, two lives are set, and in the case of four people, one life is set. That is, when the maximum number of four players PL play the game by paying the minimum unit play fee, the life is set to 1, which is the minimum value. As the number of players PL decreases, the value of the life given in the initial setting increases. When the payment of the play fee of two or more units is permitted, the value of the life may be set so as to increase by an integral multiple from the setting example of FIG. 4 according to the number of units of the paid play fee. FIG. 4 is an example, and the index value may be appropriately set according to the paid play fee and the number of players PL. In order to equalize the sense of burden regarding the payout amount of the play fee per player, a value obtained by dividing the paid play fee by the number of players PL (that is, the payout amount per player) is large. It is only necessary that the life is set so that the set value of the life increases, that is, the play range increases. The index value is not limited to the example expressed by the word “life”. The index value may be expressed by appropriate words such as physical strength and hit points. Alternatively, the index value may be expressed using the number of stages, dungeons, and other units that can be classified, which indicate a break in the game. For example, setting such as five stages and three stages is possible as an index value. When the plurality of players PL have paid the play charges, the amount of the paid play charges may be an amount corresponding to the sum thereof.

  When paying a play fee by inserting a coin (or its substitute) into the coin slot 17, the payable payable is an integral multiple of the minimum unit, but when paying the play fee using electronic currency, It is possible to pay the play fee in smaller units as compared with the payment by coins. For example, when the unit of payment using coins is set to 100 yen, in the payment using electronic currency, the play fee can be paid in small units such as 10 yen or 1 yen. In such a case, while setting the minimum unit to be the same as the minimum unit of payment by coin, the amount of play fee actually paid is divided by the minimum unit amount to calculate the payment ratio, and Processing such as increasing the set value of life according to the magnification may be performed. For example, if a payment of 150 yen is made when the minimum unit is set to 100 yen, the life setting value can be calculated by setting the payment magnification to 1.5 times. However, even in the case of payment using electronic currency, payment can be made only in the minimum unit of play fee as in the case of payment with coins, or play fee payment so that play fee can be paid only in integral multiples of the minimum unit May be set.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued. When the team division and the life setting are performed at the initial setting stage, the process proceeds to the stage playing stage, and the game play is started. At each stage, one of the plurality of types of mini-games prepared in advance is provided according to the selection of the player PL or the selection of the game machine 3, and each player PL is provided with the input device 13. To play the same mini-game. In the mini game, for example, at least one of the button switches 14L and 14R of the input device 13 is pressed down, or the wheel switch 15 is rotated or pressed, and the operation is continuously performed. The content may be configured to have a relatively simple and easy-to-understand content in which scores are gradually added. Note that the mini-game and the stage do not need to be associated one-to-one. For example, one type of mini game may include a plurality of stages, or one type of mini game may be provided.

  The play result of the mini game in each stage is calculated as a score obtained in the mini game, for example, separately (or independently) for each player PL. Further, the results for each team are also calculated based on the scores for each player PL. The performance of each team is indicated, for example, by the gauge amount of the evaluation gauge EG. The gauge amount of the evaluation gauge EG may be, for example, a cumulative value of scores obtained by the players PL in the same team. The greater the gauge amount, the better the team's performance. The game proceeds in such a manner that the value of the evaluation gauge EG competes between the teams. The life LF of each player PL is appropriately consumed (subtracted) for each player PL according to the play result of the mini game. For example, the value of the life LF is reduced by 1 for a player PL satisfying a predetermined consumption condition in the mini game. The consumption condition is satisfied, for example, when the lowest score is recorded between the players PL, or is satisfied when the score of the mini game does not reach a predetermined level, for example, a standard score for clearing the mini game. For example, a penalty when the score of the mini game is relatively inferior among the players or inferior to the absolute reference may be set. The consumption condition may be set to be satisfied at least for one player PL in at least one stage, or may not be satisfied for any player PL depending on the performance of each player PL, or may be set for all players PL. It may be set so that a case where the condition holds for PL may occur. If it is assumed that the consumption condition is satisfied for at least one player PL in each stage, for example, if one life is set for each player PL in the initial setting stage, at least one player PL plays in the first stage. The game ends once the range is exhausted. The consumption of the life LF is controlled according to the rules defined in the mini game, regardless of the value of the life LF given in the initial setting. Therefore, as the life LF given in the initial setting is smaller, the possibility that the life LF disappears and the chance that continuation is required is increased earlier.

  In the example of FIG. 3, assuming that a plurality of stages are sequentially played from the first stage 1 (first stage), and the life LF disappears (that is, the life LF decreases to 0) with respect to the player PL2 at the stage M. The game proceeds to a stage of receiving a continuation (continuation of the game) regarding the player PL2. At the stage of receiving continuation, payment of the continuation fee is required for the player PL whose life LF has disappeared. When a predetermined confirmation operation is performed on the input device 13 of the station ST of the player PL (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a continuation target player PL) for which a predetermined continuation fee has been paid and the life LF has disappeared. Then, the continuation of the game play by the player PL is permitted. Regarding players PL other than the continuation target player PL, regardless of whether or not the continuation target player PL continues to play, the player can continue to play the game as long as his or her own life LF does not disappear.

  As an example, the continuation fee may be set to the same amount as the minimum unit in the initial setting stage. However, in the case of payment in electronic currency, payment of the continuation fee with a smaller amount than the minimum unit amount may be allowed. Note that the continuation fee is to be paid by the continuation target player PL whose life LF has disappeared. However, as described above, even if a coin or the like is inserted into the coin slot 17, it is not possible to specify which player PL will make the payment. Therefore, if the continuation fee is paid, the subject of the payment may be irrelevant. In the case of payment using electronic currency, the subject of payment may be irrelevant, payment by the player PL to be continued may be required, and alternative payment by another player PL is allowed. May be done.

  When continuation of the game (continuation of play) is permitted, the process proceeds to the continuation setting stage. In the continuation setting stage, with respect to the continuation target player PL, an amount of life LF corresponding to the paid continuation fee is newly added, and the life LF of the player PL is recovered. In addition, by paying the continuation fee, a privilege is given to the player PL to be continued. Further, a privilege is also given to another player PL belonging to the same team as the player PL to be continued. In the example of FIG. 3, a privilege is given to each of the player PL2 permitted to continue playing the game and the other players PL1 belonging to the same team TM1 as the player PL2. The privilege for the continuation target player PL may be set so as to give an incentive to pay the continuation fee so that a situation advantageous to the player PL occurs in the play after the continuation.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a privilege for the continuation target player PL. In the illustrated example, a plurality of types of benefits A to D are prepared. As the privilege A, “decrease in penalty in the next stage” is set. The penalty here is a decrease in life, and a decrease in penalty means that an advantageous treatment is performed with respect to a decrease in life. For example, when the play result of the mini-game is to reduce the life, the life is reduced or the life is not reduced. However, such handling is limited to the “next stage”, that is, the stage that is played first after the continuation. As the privilege B, “score up” in the subsequent stage is set in addition to the decrease in the penalty in the next stage. An increase in score means that, for example, the calculation rule of the score is changed so that the player PL can acquire a higher score in the next stage and thereafter. However, the range in which the effect of the score up continues is finite. As the privilege C, “the penalty is reduced by continuing three stages” is set. This means that the treatment of “decrease in penalty” is continuously performed in the three stages played after the continuation. As the privilege D, “score up” is set in addition to “penalty decreases by continuing three stages”. The value of each of the benefits A to D, that is, the advantageous effect on the game play after the continuation is different between the benefits, and the value gradually increases in the order of the benefits A, B, C, and D. Which kind of privilege is given by payment of the continuation fee may be selected by an appropriate method. For example, any of the benefits A to D may be selected by lottery. Alternatively, a benefit may be selected in association with the number of payments of the continuation fee, so that a higher value benefit is provided as payment of the continuation fee is repeated. Note that the privilege in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and the content of the privilege is not limited to this. For example, an item or the like that can be used at an arbitrary timing during play or at a predetermined timing may be given as a privilege. Instead of or in addition to the benefits related to play, a mode of providing benefits that are not related to play, such as providing digital contents and providing cards, may be adopted.

    On the other hand, the privilege to be given to another player PL may be related to game play or may not be related to game play. In addition, the privilege for another player PL may be the same as the privilege for the continuation target player PL, or may be differentiated. For example, with respect to another player PL, any of the benefits A to D in FIG. 5 may be applied to the next and subsequent stages. Alternatively, a privilege such that the life of another player PL is recovered by a predetermined amount may be given.

  Regardless of whether or not continuation of the play is permitted for the continuation target player PL, the continuation stage and the continuation setting stage (executed only when the continuation fee is paid) have passed. The game proceeds to the next stage. Thereafter, as long as the life LF of any one of the players PL does not disappear, or even when the life LF remains, the play of the stage is repeated until the number of times played reaches a predetermined number. If the continuation target player PL is permitted to continue, the mini-game of each stage is played so as to include the player PL. If the continuation fee has not been paid, it is considered that the player PL to be continued has withdrawn from the game, and subsequent stages are played between the remaining players PL.

  In the above example, it is possible for a plurality of players PL to play a common game by paying a minimum unit play fee necessary for playing the game. In a conventional game machine, the minimum unit play fee is set as a per-person play fee, and when a plurality of players PL play a game, the play fee is the minimum unit play fee multiplied by the number of players. Is usually required. Compared to such a conventional example, according to the above example, the financial burden when a plurality of players PL play the game is reduced, and the barriers relating to entry to the game are reduced, and the plurality of players PL are reduced. Can provide an environment where they can easily enjoy games. On the other hand, as the number of players PL who have entered the game is larger, the value of the life LF given in the initial setting is set smaller. Therefore, as the number of players PL increases, the play range is exhausted earlier, and a continuation opportunity occurs. Therefore, even if the per-person play fee payment at the time of entry is reduced, the continuation fee is paid early, thereby suppressing a decrease in the amount of income per unit time of the game machine 3. Therefore, the operating rate of the game machine 3 can be increased, or profitability can be improved. It is also possible to suppress or eliminate the possibility that unfairness and inequality may occur in the play range.

  On the other hand, when the continuation fee is paid, a privilege is given to the continuation target player PL. Since the benefit is advantageous in playing the mini game in the next and subsequent stages, for example, in the player PL who has lost the mini game and has lost the life LF, the player gains a score by playing the next stage in an advantageous situation. And thus motivation to pay for the continuation fee. Moreover, when the continuation fee is paid, the privilege is also given to other players PL in the same team. Thereby, the player PL who has become a continuation target is caused to be conscious of contributing to the other players PL, thereby giving a stronger motivation regarding the payment of the continuation fee.

  Next, a configuration of a control system of the game machine 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a main part in a control system of the game machine 3. The game machine 3 is provided with a control device 20 and a storage device (storage means) 21. The control device 20 is configured as a computer in which a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as internal storage devices (ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor are combined. The storage device 21 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk storage device or a flash memory that can store and hold data. The storage device 21 stores a game program PG to be executed by the control device 20 and game data DG to be referred to by the program PG. The game program PG includes a mini game module Pm for providing each of a plurality of types of mini games, and the game data DG includes data Dm for each mini game to be referred to in each mini game module Pm. Further, the play data DP is appropriately recorded in the storage device 21. The play data DP is data that stores a player's play history, and is data that is stored in the center server 2 in association with user identification information. When the player authenticates the user at the game machine 3, the play data DP is provided from the center server 2 to the game machine 3 and recorded in the storage device 21. By referring to the play data DP in the game machine 3, the player can play the game from the continuation of the previous game, or record the play history of the current game in the play data DP and save it in the center server 2. It becomes possible.

  The input device 13 for each station ST shown in FIG. 2, the card reader 16, and the coin selector 22 are connected to the control device 20 as the input device. The coin selector 22 determines the type of coin (or its substitute) inserted from the coin slot 17, and provides a signal indicating the type of inserted coin and the number of inserted coins to the control device 20. The monitor 11 and the speaker 18 shown in FIG. 2 are connected to the control device 20 as its output devices. In addition to the above, an input / output device such as a network control device for controlling communication with the center server 2 and the like is connected to the control device 20, but these are not shown.

  The control device 20 is provided with a game control unit 23 as a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware resources and a game program PG as software. FIG. 7 shows a specific example of the game control unit 23. The game control unit 23 includes a charge management unit 25, an entry management unit 26, a play range control unit 27, a play control unit 28, and a privilege control unit 29 as further logical devices. The charge management unit 25 refers to the output of the coin selector 22, the card reader 16, and the input device 13 of each station ST, and executes processing necessary for charging the player, in other words, collecting the play fee and the continuation fee from the player. . The entry management unit 26 executes the process at the entry stage described with reference to FIG. 3, that is, the process required for accepting an entry to the game while referring to the output of the input device 13. The play range control unit 27 manages a life as an example of an index value that determines a play range of each player. That is, the play range control unit 27 performs processing such as setting the life at the start of the game, updating the life according to the play at each stage, and restoring the life at the time of continuation. The play control unit 28 executes processing related to the play of the mini game in each stage, such as selecting a mini game to be played in each stage and calculating the score of the mini game with reference to the output of the input device 13. . The play range control unit 27 and the play control unit 28 appropriately access the log data LG to read or update the log data LG. The log data LG is data in which the processing content of the play range control unit 27 or the play control unit 28 is recorded as a game history, and is stored in the internal storage device of the control device 20. The log data LG may be recorded in the storage device 21 as needed. Further, at least a part of the information of the log data LG may be recorded in the play data DP as needed. Note that the processing history of each of the charging management unit 25 and the entry management unit 26 may be recorded in the log data LG as needed.

  Next, an example of a game control procedure in the game control unit 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows an example of a procedure of a play start control process executed by the game control unit 23 to start playing the game. The play start control process of FIG. 8 is started when the player performs an operation necessary for paying a play fee at the game machine 3. For example, the process in FIG. 8 may be started when the player inserts a coin into the coin slot 17 or performs an operation for starting payment by electronic currency. In the process of FIG. 8, first, the charging management unit 25 determines whether or not the minimum unit play fee has been paid by referring to the output signal of the coin selector 22 or the card reader 16 (step S1). When it is based on the output signal from the coin selector 22, it may be determined whether a coin or the like corresponding to the minimum unit has been inserted. In the case of payment in electronic currency, it may be determined whether or not the consumption of the play fee corresponding to the minimum unit has been successfully completed based on information read from the card reader 16, for example. A known method may be appropriately used for settlement by electronic currency. For example, when monetary value balance information is recorded on a storage medium such as a card possessed by the player and a play fee is collected by consuming the balance, the card reader 16 is provided with a writer function, and the user is provided with a writer function. A play fee may be collected by overwriting the balance recorded on a card or the like. Alternatively, when the balance information of the monetary value is held in the center server 2 in association with the user identification information recorded on the storage medium owned by the player, the identification information is read via the card reader 16, The monetary value equivalent to the play fee may be consumed from the balance information corresponding to the identification information. In addition, as a mechanism that enables payment using the electronic currency, a reader or the like that outputs a signal equivalent to the coin selector 22 to the control device 20 on condition that the electronic currency corresponding to the payment amount by coins or the like is consumed is provided. There are also examples of providing a payment terminal device. Such an example may be adopted in the game machine 3 of the present embodiment.

  If it is determined in step S1 that the fee has not been paid, the game control unit 23 ends the processing in FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the play fee of at least the minimum unit has been paid, the charging management unit 25 notifies the entry management unit 26 of that fact. In response, the entry management unit 26 executes user authentication for the user who has paid the play fee (step S2). In the user authentication, the identification information of the user is read from a storage medium such as a card possessed by the player, and provided to the center server 2 to obtain the play data DP from the center server 2 and the play data DP to the center server 2. This is a process for making it possible to save the data. In the user authentication, in order to identify at which station ST the authenticated user plays, a predetermined selection operation is performed on the input device 13 at any of the stations ST in association with the reading operation of the identification information. Is given to the player to perform the following. When the player performs a selection operation at any of the stations ST in response to the instruction, the station ST and the identification information of the user are recorded in the internal storage device of the game machine 3 in association with each other. User authentication is not essential, and may be omitted if the player does not wish or the player has not acquired identification information. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which user authentication is performed only by the first player in step S2.

  When the user authentication process is completed, the entry management unit 26 starts measuring the time limit set for the entry process (step S3). Subsequently, the entry management unit 26 receives entries of the second and subsequent players (step S4). For example, an entry is accepted when a player who desires an entry performs a predetermined participation operation on the input device 13 of the station ST to which no player has been assigned yet. At this time, by causing the card reader 16 to read the identification information, the user authentication may be performed for the second and subsequent players. After starting the entry reception, the entry management unit 26 determines whether or not a predetermined time limit has elapsed based on the time value started in step S3 (step S5). If the time has not elapsed, the entry management unit 26 determines whether there is an entry of another player (step S6), and if there is no entry, the process returns to step S5. If it is determined in step S6 that there is another player's entry, the entry management unit 26 determines whether or not any player has performed an entry confirmation operation (step S7). If the confirmation operation has not been performed, the entry management unit 26 returns to the process of step S5.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the time limit has elapsed, or if it is determined in step S7 that the confirmation operation has been performed, the entry stage is completed, and the entry management unit 26 determines the player who has entered so far. Confirm as a participant in the game. Thereafter, the entry management unit 26 divides the determined player into teams (step S8), and provides the entry result to the play range control unit 27. The play range control unit 27 sets a life for each player based on the determined number of players and the play fee paid in step S1 (step S9). The setting may be as described using FIG. 4 as an example. Note that additional payment of the play fee may be permitted or such payment may be refused before the entry is confirmed. If additional payment is allowed, the life may be set according to the play fee including the additional payment.

  When the life is set, the play range control unit 27 provides the entry result and the set value of the life to the play control unit 28, and instructs the play start (step S10). Thereby, the initial setting of FIG. 3 is completed, and thereafter, the game process proceeds to a stage of sequentially playing each stage. The selection of a mini game in each stage, the calculation of a score according to the operation of the player, and the like are performed by the play control unit 28. When the start of play is instructed in step S10, the processing in FIG. 8 ends.

  FIG. 9 shows a procedure of a play range control process executed by the game control unit 23 to manage a life value as an example of a play range. The process of FIG. 9 is repeatedly performed by the game control unit 23 during the game, that is, while each stage is sequentially played in FIG. For example, the process of FIG. 9 is performed when the play of each stage ends. However, the process of FIG. 9 may be repeatedly executed during the play of the stage. When the processing of FIG. 9 is started, first, the play range control unit 27 acquires the play situation of each player at that time from the play control unit 28 (step S21). Next, the play range control unit 27 updates the value of the life of each player according to the acquired play situation (Step S22). For example, for a player who satisfies a predetermined consumption condition, the life value is updated so as to decrease by 1 at the end of the stage, and for a player who does not satisfy the consumption condition, the life value is maintained at the same value.

  Next, the play range control unit 27 determines whether or not a predetermined addition condition is satisfied based on the play situation acquired in step S21 (step S23). The addition condition will be described later. If the addition condition is not satisfied, the play range control unit 27 determines whether or not there is a player whose life value has disappeared, that is, there is a player who has reached 0 (step S24). If there is a player whose life has disappeared (a player who is a continuation target), the play range control unit 27 notifies the play control unit 28 of that fact and suspends the progress to the next stage, and continues. The process starts (step S25). With the start of the continuation process, the play range control unit 27 starts counting the time limit assigned to the continuation process, and charges a predetermined continuation fee to the charging management unit 25 for the continuation target player. To instruct. Next, the play range control unit 27 determines whether or not the time limit for starting the clocking in step S25 has elapsed (step S26). If the time limit has not elapsed, the charging management unit 25 sets the predetermined continuation fee. It is determined whether or not payment has been accepted (step S27). If the continuation fee has not been paid, the play range control unit 27 returns to the process of step S26.

  If it is determined in step S26 that the time limit has elapsed, or if it is determined in step S27 that the continuation fee has been paid, the play range control unit 27 provides the continuation target player with a life corresponding to the continuation fee. Is added (step S28). The life of the continuation target player is recovered by the processing of step S28, and the player can continue to play the next and subsequent stages. When the processing in step S28 ends, the play range control unit 27 notifies the privilege control unit 29 that the continuation fee has been paid and the continuation target player can continue playing. Upon receiving the notification, the privilege control unit 29 grants a privilege to the player to be continued (step S29), and also grants a privilege to other players belonging to the same team as the player (step S30). The contents of the privilege can be appropriately set as described with reference to FIG. 5 as an example. To grant the privilege, the privilege control unit 29 notifies the play range control unit 27 or the play control unit 28 of the privilege content, and the play range control unit 27 or the play control unit 28 performs a process reflecting the notified privilege. It can be realized by executing. For example, if the penalty decreases, the play range control unit 27 may limit the decrease in life in the subsequent processing of step S22, and if the score increases, the play control unit 28 may add the score of the continuation target player. Good.

  When the process of step S30 is completed, the process related to the continue and the continuation setting is completed, and the play control unit 28 advances the process to the play of the next held stage. In parallel with this, the play range control unit 27 records the processing result of this time in the log data LG as a continuation history (step S31). Thus, the process of FIG. 9 ends. If it is determined in step S23 that the addition condition is satisfied, the play range control unit 27 adds a predetermined value (for example, 1) to the lives of all the players (step S32), and then proceeds to the processing in step S31. . The addition condition is determined when the play status of all players reaches a special state, such as when the total value of the scores of all players participating in the game exceeds a predetermined reference value. It may be set to be established. When the addition condition is set in such a manner, for example, when the life of any player is extinguished at a stage near the establishment, the satisfaction of the addition condition is triggered to motivate the player to pay the continuation fee. It is possible to give If it is determined in step S24 that there is no player whose life has disappeared, the play range control unit 27 skips steps S25 to S30 and proceeds to step S31. If it is determined in step S36 that the time limit has elapsed, the play range control unit 27 determines that the continuation target player has withdrawn from the game without selecting continue, and notifies the play control unit 28 of that. (Step S33), and thereafter, the process proceeds to step S31. The play control unit 28 that has received the notification of step S33 excludes the player who has left, and causes the remaining players to play the next and subsequent stages.

  The information of the continuation history recorded in the log data LG in step S31 of FIG. 9 can be used as information to grasp the level of the continuation rate for each mini game and to refer to when selecting the mini game in each stage. is there. For example, at the end of each stage, the play control unit 28 selects a mini-game of the next stage and gives a preview of the mini-game. The determination is made by the range control unit 27 and recorded in the log data LG as a continuation history. The record is associated with the type of the mini game selected in the next stage. The continuation history is provided from the game machine 3 to the center server 2 at an appropriate timing and stored in the database. By referring to the database, it is possible to determine the level of the continuation rate for each mini game. Therefore, for example, in the game machine 3, when a continuation occurs for any of the players, the mini game having a relatively high continuation rate is selected as the mini game of the next stage, thereby reducing the possibility that the player selects the continuation. Therefore, the operating rate or the profit rate of the game machine 3 can be improved. When one type of mini-game is played continuously over a plurality of stages, the notice of the mini-game provided in the next stage is omitted, and the life of the player is reduced, and the player will disappear in the near future. At an expected stage, by selecting a mini game with a relatively high continuation rate, it is also possible to increase the possibility that the player selects continuation.

  In the above embodiment, the play range control unit 27 functions as an example of the play range control unit by executing the processing of step S10 in FIG. 8 and step S28 in FIG. The functions of S29 and S30 function as an example of privilege control means. The entry management unit 26 functions as an example of a grouping unit by executing the process of step S8 in FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented with appropriate modifications or changes. For example, in the above embodiment, a case where a plurality of players participate in a common game has been described as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to continuation of play when only one player plays a game. It is. In the above-described embodiment, the players are divided into teams in the initial stage. However, the process of dividing the teams is not essential, and the game may be started by omitting the processing. A common game in which a plurality of players participate is not limited to a battle-type game in which results and the like are competed, and may be a game including elements in which players proceed in cooperation. The game may be a mode in which each player plays simultaneously or concurrently, or a mode including a so-called turn-based element in which each player plays sequentially.

  In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the play fee must be paid as an example of the consideration even at the start of the game.However, the present invention requires the payment of the consideration necessary for the continuation of the play and the benefits to be generated with the payment. It is sufficient if it applies to Therefore, it is also possible to adopt a modification in which the player is not required to pay for the play in the first play range, and is required to pay for the continuation. In the above-mentioned form, with respect to payment for the continuation, payment using a physical medium such as a coin or a substitute thereof and payment using an electronic currency can be selected. May only be allowed. Alternatively, the generation of the privilege may be controlled in association with the payment method, such that the privilege is generated only when the consideration is paid using the electronic currency. The conditions for generating the award need only be set to include the minimum requirement that the payment for the continuation has been paid and the continuation has been permitted, and additional requirements will be added to the conditions for generating the award Is not excluded. Further, the present invention does not exclude the application of a privilege such as discounting the price required for continuation. Therefore, in addition to the privilege that is generated on condition that the continuation of the play is permitted by payment of the consideration, the discount of the consideration itself may be set as a part of the benefit. As described above, the privilege that is generated on condition that the continuation of the play is permitted may be related to the play after the continuation, or may not be related to the play after the continuation. Is also good. The generation of a privilege for another player different from the continuation target player is not always essential, and may be omitted as appropriate. Even when a privilege is generated for another player, the privilege may or may not be related to game play.

  In the above embodiment, the play range is set as the life, and the life is decreased by one when the consumption condition is satisfied in the game play, but the control of the play range is not limited to such an embodiment. Control may be applied such that the index value of the play range is decreased by a predetermined amount each time the game advances by a certain range, and the amount of change in life (consumption as an example) per time is not limited to a constant value, and is dynamically changed. It may be changed. The change in the index value of the play range is not limited to a change that decreases the index value, and may be a change in a direction in which the index value is increased.

  In the above embodiment, the game is advanced for each stage, and the mini game is played at each stage. However, the common game in which a plurality of players participate is not limited to the example in which the game proceeds in such a manner. For example, the game may be configured to sequentially advance one type of game over a plurality of stages.

  In the above embodiment, the life value is updated each time the stage ends, but the play range may be changed at an appropriate timing while the game is being played. The progress of the game may be controlled such that another player continues to play the game while the continuation process is being performed with the play range of some players running out.

  In the above embodiment, while allowing a plurality of players to play the game on condition that the minimum unit price is paid, the play range of each player is changed according to the paid price and the number of players. Although set, such a setting is not essential in the present invention. The game may be configured to require the payment of the minimum unit price for each player. Note that the minimum unit of the play fee is set as the minimum amount required for one player to play the game, but the minimum unit price is not necessarily the minimum value for one player. Does not have to be set. For example, in the case of a game that is configured on the assumption that at least two players participate and play, the initial play fee required for the two players to play the game is the minimum unit. May be set as consideration. That is, the minimum unit price means the absolute minimum value of the price required to play the game provided by the game system, and does not change according to the number of players.

  In the above-described embodiment, the play range is represented by the value of the life, but the concept of the play range should be considered as a value provided to the player in exchange for a price. For example, the length of playable time, the number of playable stages, and the like may be used as a measure of value, but the concept of a play range is not limited to such a measure. For example, in a case where a plurality of types of mini-games are prepared, even when the range of the types of mini-games that can be selected by the player is increased or decreased, the value provided in exchange for the price remains unchanged. Such an aspect is also included in the concept of the play range. Instead of or in addition to the mini-game, the play range, such as the range of items that can be used by the player in the game, may be set using an appropriate item as a scale.

  In the above embodiment, a case where a plurality of players simultaneously play a game on one stationary game machine has been described as an example. However, a plurality of game terminals connected via a network, for example, FIG. The present invention can be applied to a case where a plurality of players each use the user terminal device 4 to play a common game. When a game is played using a plurality of stationary game machines connected via a network, or one or more stationary game machines and one or more user terminal devices 4 are connected via a network. The present invention can be applied to a case where a game is played by connecting. Alternatively, even when one player accesses a server on the network and plays a game, the present invention can be applied to the continuation of the play.

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

  The game system according to an aspect of the present invention allows a player (for example, PL1 to PL4 in FIG. 3) to play a game in a predetermined play range (for example, life LF in FIG. 3), and the play in the play range is permitted. When the game is over, the play range control means (27, S10, S28) for permitting the player to continue the play on condition that payment for the continuation of the play is required, and the play range control means Privilege control means (29, S29, S30) for generating a privilege for the player permitted to continue the play on condition that the continuation of the play is permitted.

  The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention provides a computer (20) provided in a game system (1) to a player (for example, PL1 to PL4 in FIG. 3) in a predetermined play range (for example, the life LF in FIG. 3). ), The play range control means (27) for permitting the player to continue the play on condition that payment for the continuation of the play is completed when the play of the play range is completed. , S10, S28), and privilege control means (29, S29, S30) for generating a privilege for the player permitted to continue, provided that the continuation of the play is permitted by the play range control means. ), Is configured to function as

  According to the above aspect, since the reward is generated when the consideration necessary for the continuation of the play is paid and the continuation is permitted, the continuation of the play is triggered by the fact that the privilege is obtained if the continuation of the play is continued. Can be provided to the player.

  Note that the computer program according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided in a state stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing the computer program according to the present invention on a computer, the game system of the present invention can be realized using the computer. The storage medium storing the computer program may be a non-transitory storage medium such as a CDROM.

  In the above aspect, a common game in which a plurality of players can participate and play is provided as the game, and the play range control unit processes continuation of the play according to payment of the consideration for each player. When the continuation of the play is permitted for any of the players (for example, the player PL2 in FIG. 3), the privilege control means participates in the common game in addition to the player. A privilege may be generated for at least one other player (the player PL1 in FIG. 3 as an example). According to this, the privilege is also provided to the player other than the player who is the continuation target, so that the continuation target player selects the continuation of the play to contribute to the other player or to cooperate with the other player. Can be caused. By stimulating such awareness of the player, the player can be more motivated to pay for the continuation.

  In the above aspect, the grouping means (26, 26) which divides the plurality of players participating in the common game into a plurality of groups (for example, the teams TM1 and TM2 in FIG. 3) as units to compete in playing the common game. S8), and when the continuation is permitted for any of the players (for example, the player PL2 of FIG. 3), the privilege control unit may determine that the player is divided into the same group as the player (for example, The player PL1) in FIG. 3 may be used as the other player to generate a privilege related to playing the game. According to this, by configuring the game so as to compete for game play between the groups, when the play of the play range is completed for any of the players, the play is continued to improve the performance of the group. Stimulating the consciousness of the player who will continue to play, as well as contributing or cooperating with the group by giving benefits to other players in the same group as play continues. Can be. As a result, it is possible to more strongly and reliably give a motivation to pay for the continuation target player and continue the play.

  In the above aspect, the play range control means sets, for each player, an index value (for example, the value of the life LF in FIG. 3) that determines the play range at the start of playing the game, and Accordingly, the index value may be differentiated and changed for each player, and a player whose index value has reached a predetermined value may be determined to have finished playing in the play range of the player. According to this, by controlling the index value separately for each player, the play content of the player, the play result, and the like can be reflected in the control of the play range. Therefore, it is possible to differentiate, for example, that a player who has performed well in the game can play the game for a longer time than a player who has poor performance, and thereby the interest of the game can be enhanced. .

Reference Signs List 1 game system 2 center server 3 game machine 20 control device (computer)
23 Game control unit 25 Charge management unit 26 Entry management unit (grouping means)
27 Play Range Control Unit (Play Range Control Means)
28 play control unit 29 privilege control unit (privilege control means)

Claims (4)

A play that permits the player to play the game within a predetermined play range and, when the play in the play range is completed, a play that allows the player to continue the play on condition that payment for the continuation of the play is required. Range control means;
Privilege control means for generating a privilege for the player permitted to continue, provided that the continuation of the play is permitted by the play range control means;
And means for accepting the payment of pre-Symbol consideration,
With
As the game, a common game in which a plurality of players can participate and play is provided,
The receiving means is provided so as to be able to receive payment of the consideration in electronic currency,
The play range control means processes the continuation of the play according to the payment of the consideration for each player, and when the accepting means accepts the payment of the consideration, the payment is performed by any player. Provided to allow each player to continue the play regardless of what has been done,
The benefits control means if it is continued permission of any of the play with respect to the player, benefits in addition to the player, even to at least one of up layers of other players participating in the common game Generating game system. The game apparatus further includes a grouping unit that divides a plurality of players participating in the common game into a plurality of groups as units that should compete for playing the common game,
2. The privilege control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the continuation is permitted with respect to any one of the players, a privilege related to the play of the game is generated with a player that is divided into the same group as the player as the other player. The described game system.   The play range control means sets, for each player, an index value that defines the play range at the start of the game play, and changes the index value for each player according to the play of each player, 3. The game system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the player whose index value has reached a predetermined value has finished playing in the play range of the player. The computer provided in the game system,
A play that permits the player to play the game within a predetermined play range and, when the play in the play range is completed, a play that allows the player to continue the play on condition that payment for the continuation of the play is required. Range control means,
Means accepting a payment of pre-Symbol consideration, and on condition that the continuation has been permitted of the play in the play range control means, privilege control means for generating a benefit to the player that the continuation is allowed,
Function as
As the game, a common game in which a plurality of players can participate and play is provided,
The receiving means is provided so as to be able to receive payment of the consideration in electronic currency,
The play range control means processes the continuation of the play according to the payment of the consideration for each player, and when the accepting means accepts the payment of the consideration, the payment is performed by any player. Allow each player to continue the play regardless of what was done,
The benefits control means if it is continued permission of any of the play with respect to the player, benefits in addition to the player, even to at least one of up layers of other players participating in the common game Raises the
Computer program for a game system configured as described above.

Images