JP6719349B2 - Game device, program and article providing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game device, a program, and an item providing system, and more particularly to a game device that ejects an item according to a game content.

There is a game system in which a capsule vendor that sells an article for data recording, which has a three-dimensional shape such as a character corresponding to the game content, is provided close to a game device that provides the game content (Patent Document 1). ..

JP, 2008-246242, A

In the game system described in Patent Document 1, the article is a medium for recording data relating to the game play, but the article was only purchased by the user at an arbitrary timing regardless of the game play. .. That is, the acquisition of the article and the game content are not linked in any way, and the interest in the game play is not improved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game device, a program, and an article providing system that provide an article in a mode that enhances the interest of game content.

The game apparatus of the present invention is provided with a first ejecting means capable of ejecting a first type of article, and an operation input capable of ejecting a second type of article and ejecting the second type of article. and second discharge means for chromatic input means for accepting, a game apparatus Ru provided with, obtains a detection means for detecting payment of consideration, the engagement Ru information on the game to be a payment of consideration as a requirement An acquisition unit and a control unit for controlling the discharge by the first discharge unit and the discharge by the second discharge unit are provided , and the control unit sets the first discharge unit in response to the payment of the consideration. When the type 1 article is ejected and the game-related information satisfies a predetermined condition, the input unit controls the second discharging unit so as to receive the operation input, and the game-related information satisfies the predetermined condition. If no, that Gyosu control the second exhaust means so that the input means does not accept an operation input.

According to the present invention having such a configuration, it is possible to provide an article in a mode that improves the interest of the game content.

The figure which showed the external view of each apparatus which comprises the article provision system which concerns on embodiment and modification of this invention. Block diagram showing the functional configuration of each device of the article providing system according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention The flowchart which illustrated the provision process performed with the game device 100 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which illustrated the provision process performed with the game device 100 which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which illustrated the structure of the various data which concerns on embodiment and modification of this invention.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example of an article providing system, and a game device 100 capable of ejecting a first type of article and a first charm ejecting device 200 capable of ejecting a second type of article. An example will be described in which the present invention is applied to a system that is provided with the second charm discharging device 300 and provides a game service. However, the present invention can be applied to any device that can directly or indirectly control the discharge of the first type of articles and the discharge of the second type of articles.

<<Structure of the goods providing system>>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of an article providing system according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the article providing system includes a game device 100, and a first charm discharging device 200 and a second charm discharging device 300 arranged adjacent to the game device 100. At least the first charm discharging device 200 of the charm discharging devices is connected to the game device 100 so that information and signals can be transmitted and received. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the first charm discharging device 200 is electrically connected to the game device 100 and the second charm discharging device 300 is not electrically connected to the game device 100. Further, from the viewpoint of appearance and space saving, the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300 are configured to be vertically stacked.

In the article providing system according to the present embodiment, each of the game device 100, the first charm discharging device 200, and the second charm discharging device 300 can be used for the game for which the game play is provided in the game device 100. Eject possible items. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the first type of article discharged by the game device 100 is a "card" and the second type of article is a "charm (small ornament)". It goes without saying that each article such as a thing or a toy may be in any form. Further, in the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that the first type article and the second type article are different types of articles, but in the implementation of the present invention, the first type article and the second type article are It does not exclude the possibility that the article is the same type of article. In the case of the same type of article, it is preferable to differentiate between the articles discharged by each of the game device 100 and the charm discharging device, such as different handling in the game.

The cards discharged by the game device 100, the charms discharged by the first charm discharging device 200, and the charms discharged by the second charm discharging device 300 are respectively the game discharge port 115 and the first discharge port from the article storage section. It is guided to the discharge port 206 and the second discharge port 306. The game ejection port 115, the first ejection port 206, and the second ejection port 306 are spaces for ejecting articles which are configured to be accessible from the outside, and when the article exists in the ejection port, the user ejects the article. Can be obtained. In the example of FIG. 1, a storage unit (not shown) for cards discharged from the game device 100 is present at a position visually shielded from the outside, and discharged from the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300. The stored charms (the first charm storage part 204 and the second charm storage part 304) are configured such that the stored charms or capsules for packaging the charms can be visually recognized from the outside. Since the game device 100, the first charm discharging device 200, and the second charm discharging device 300 include a configuration that realizes conceptually similar functions as described later, in order to distinguish them, the game device 100 has The configuration is identified by adding a "game", the configuration of the first charm discharging device 200 is denoted by "first", and the configuration of the second charm discharging device 300 is denoted by "second".

Further, the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300 of the present embodiment have the same points of discharging the charm and the basic appearance, but are different in the following points.

First, the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300 are configured such that the discharged charms are articles of the same type but have different values in the game. The value in a game refers to a degree (usefulness) that makes the game progress advantageous when used in game play, and a charm that can be discharged by the first charm discharging device 200 can be discharged by the second charm discharging device 300. It should be more useful than charm. Note that the usefulness may be simply the so-called rarity defined in the game, and the charm whose correlating character or item is determined to have a high rarity is stored in the first charm storage unit of the first charm discharging device 200. It is configured to be stored in 204.

Further, the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300 have the second slot 307 for the second charm discharging device 300 to accept payment of the consideration, and the game device 100 does not have a corresponding structure. Different in points. This means that the second charm discharging device 300 is in a state capable of discharging the charm in response to the payment of the consideration, while the first charm discharging device 200 is in a state capable of discharging in accordance with the signal received from the game device 100. It is configured to be. As will be described later, the user cannot switch the first charm discharging device 200 from the non-discharging state unless a predetermined condition is satisfied in the game play. On the other hand, with regard to the second charm discharging device 300, the user can switch from the non-dischargeable state to the dischargeable state as long as the user pays the price. That is, the second charm discharging device 300 is configured to be able to discharge the charm at a timing desired by the user, independently of the game play in the game device 100.

<Functional configuration of each device>
Next, the functional configurations of the game device 100, the first charm discharging device 200, and the second charm discharging device 300 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The game control unit 101 is, for example, a CPU and controls the operation of each block included in the game device 100 and the operation of each block included in the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300. Specifically, the game control unit 101 controls the operation of each block by, for example, reading the operation program of each block recorded in the recording medium 102, loading the program in the memory 103, and executing it.

The recording medium 102 is a recording device such as a non-volatile memory or an HDD that can hold data permanently. The recording medium 102 includes, in addition to the operation program of each block included in the game device 100, information such as parameters necessary for the operation of each block, various graphics data used in the game executed by the game device 100, and the game. Store programs etc. The memory 103 is a storage device used for temporary data storage, such as a volatile memory. The memory 103 is used not only as an expansion area for the operation program of each block, but also as a storage area for temporarily storing the data output in the operation of each block.

The game payment detection unit 104 detects that the game device 100 has paid the consideration. The payment of the consideration is, for example, that a predetermined amount of coins or a corresponding coin has been inserted into the coin insertion slot (game insertion slot 116), or the completion of settlement of accounts based on communication with a chip relating to predetermined electronic money. May be determined by detecting.

The card ejecting unit 105 has a predetermined drive mechanism and the like, and performs an ejecting operation of guiding the card accommodated in the accommodating unit (not shown) to the game ejecting port 115. In the game device 100 of the present embodiment, one card is provided to the user for each game play based on the payment of consideration. Each of the cards that can be ejected or used in the game device 100 of the present embodiment is associated with a predetermined character that appears in the game, and an image of the character is attached. .. Information (character ID) for identifying the character is attached to the card, and the card recognizing unit 109, which will be described later, recognizes the information so that the information can be acquired. Information may be given to the card by printing a specific pattern such as a one-dimensional or multidimensional code image obtained by converting the information on the surface of the card, or an IC chip included in the card. Alternatively, the information may be readablely recorded in a recording device such as the above. In the game device 100 of the present embodiment, the ejected card will be described as having a fixed design that is printed and issued in advance in a factory or the like, but the ejected card is dynamically designed by so-called on-demand printing. It may be changeable.

The charm communication unit 106 communicates with a charm placed on a charm placement unit provided at a predetermined position on the operation panel of the game device 100, for example. The term "communication" as used herein includes communication in the contact state as well as communication in the non-contact state. In the article providing system of the present embodiment, the charm that can be discharged from the first charm discharging device 200 or the second charm discharging device 300 includes a rewritable recording device. By using the charm at the time of playing the game, the user can record the result of the game play, the play history, etc., and retain (save) the progress of the game over a plurality of times of the game play. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the information recorded in the charm is associated with the charm ID 501 for identifying the charm and the user ID 502 for identifying the user, and the save data 503 indicating the progress status of the game, the user, and the like. May include avatar information 504 for specifying the appearance of an avatar used in the game, and a play count 506 indicating the number of times the user has played the game. The charm ID 501 may be recorded in advance in the recording device of each charm before being provided for each charm, or may be given when the communication with the charm is made for the first time. At the time of game play, the user communicates the charm with the game device 100 via the charm communication unit 106 to load the save data 503 and the avatar information 504, and to display the continuation of the previous game play and the game play contents so far. The game can be restarted in the reflected state. In addition, in order to improve the durability and reliability of the recording device, or to enhance the fun by using various kinds of charms, the number of saves using one charm is limited to a predetermined number (finite number). To be done. For this reason, the information recorded in the charm includes the number of saves 507 indicating the number of times the same is performed. Like a card, a charm can be associated with an item that is predetermined as an item that appears in the game. For example, a property that manages an item that the user obtained in game play or an item that can be used in sub-contents The item information 505 may be included in the information recorded in the charm. The item is not limited to the item obtained in the game, but may be the one that records the information of the item, for example, when the appearance of the charm is an item. In this aspect, it is possible to intuitively inform the user of the items that can be introduced in the game by using the charm. In the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the recording device included in the charm records the game play result (save data, etc.) of the user and the item information, but the present invention is not limited to this. It's easy to understand. That is, depending on the game content or the progress of the game, any of these may not be recorded, and the target in the game to which the charm is associated is not limited to the item, but is similar to the card. It may be a character.

The avatar DB 107 is a database that manages information on a plurality of types of parts provided for each user for various parts of the avatar. The information on the parts includes, for example, the physical characteristics of the avatar such as the hairstyle and face (eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows, contours), as well as information on clothes and accessories. The item given to (correlated with) the charm may include a part that can be set for the avatar.

The item DB 108 is a database that manages information related to items given to the charms. The item DB 108 may manage various information in association with an item ID that identifies an item, for example. The item is not limited to the item that can be used in the game provided in the game device 100, but can be used in the related service or the game that is provided by the server that is accessible through the communication terminal used by the user, for example. It may be an item.

The card recognition unit 109 recognizes the character corresponding to the card based on the information (card information) acquired from the card when playing the game provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment. The information is acquired in the same housing as the game apparatus 100 or via the reader 120 detachably connected to the outside of the game apparatus 100, and is converted into a format suitable for use in the game processing through a predetermined data conversion processing or the like. Converted and retrieved. The reader 120 detects that a card is placed on a predetermined part and acquires information from the card by using, for example, an imaging device and predetermined image processing.

The character DB 110 is a database that manages character information including various kinds of information necessary for game play for each of the characters that are predetermined to appear in the game provided by the game device 100. The character information managed for one character may have a data structure as shown in FIG. 5B, for example. In the example of FIG. 5B, various parameters 512 relating to the game, such as a character name, stage, skill, and provided music, which are predetermined for the character in association with the character ID 511 for identifying the character, and the character are displayed on the game screen. Drawing information 513 including various drawing data necessary for drawing is managed, and added item information 514 indicating items that can be added when a game is played with the character is managed. .. The drawing information 513 may be configured as the information of the avatar for the character, and in this case, the drawing information 513 includes identification information that identifies the information of the parts managed by the avatar DB 107. Good. Similarly, the granted item information 514 may be composed of an item ID that specifies information managed by the item DB 108.

The display control unit 111 is a drawing device that generates a screen related to a game by performing a drawing process such as GPU. The display control unit 111 draws a game screen related to the game provided by the game device 100. Specifically, the display control unit 111 is configured to display necessary drawing objects according to the information indicating the display content in the status other than the game and the information such as the in-game parameter according to the progress status of the game during the execution of the providing process described later. Is read, appropriate arithmetic processing is executed, and drawing is performed. The generated game screen is output to the display unit 130, which is a display device that is detachably connected to the same housing as the game apparatus 100 or outside the game apparatus 100, and is displayed in a predetermined display area so that the user can display the game screen. Presented to.

The charm discharge control unit 112 controls the state and operation of the charm discharge device connected to the game device 100. In this embodiment, the charm discharge control unit 112 is configured to control the state of the first charm discharge device 200, and the charm discharge control unit 112 discharges the charm by the first charm discharge device 200. It becomes possible by controlling the state in which it can be discharged. The first charm discharge device 200 is controlled by the charm discharge control unit 112 to a state in which the charm can be discharged, so that the charm of the first charm input unit 203 can be discharged in response to an operation input to the first operation input unit 203 as described later. Discharge. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the charm is discharged from the first charm discharging device 200 in response to an operation input to the first operation input unit 203 after being controlled to a dischargeable state. As described, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the configuration may be such that the charm discharge operation from the first charm discharge device 200 is performed in response to a discharge command from the charm discharge control unit 112.

The game operation input unit 113 is a user interface included in the game device 100, such as an operation member for inputting a direction, an operation member for inputting a decision, various sensors, and the like. When the game operation input unit 113 detects that an operation input has been made to the operation member, the game operation input unit 113 outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the game control unit 101. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, the game apparatus 100 is described as including various physical interfaces as various interfaces, but includes, for example, a touch input detection sensor that detects a touch input made on the screen of the display unit 130. Good.

The game communication unit 114 is a communication interface that realizes data transmission/reception with an external device connected via a predetermined network such as the Internet. The game communication unit 114 transmits/receives information to/from an external device with which a communication connection has been established, in accordance with a predetermined communication method. In addition, the game communication unit 114 may also serve as or include a communication interface that realizes information transmission/reception with the first charm discharging device 200 or the second charm discharging device 300.

The audio output unit 140 is an output device such as a speaker that outputs an audio signal reproduced by the game device 100. The audio output unit 140 includes a driver that receives the audio signal based on the reproduction of the audio data in each status defined for the game provided in the game device 100 and controls the vibrator and the like. And the driver realizes an operation related to audio output.

The first controller 201 included in the first charm discharging device 200 controls the operation of each block included in the first charm discharging device 200. The operation control of each block may be realized by, for example, reading a program stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) included in the first control unit 201, expanding the program in a volatile memory, and executing the program. In the present embodiment, the first control unit 201 receives a control signal related to the state control by the charm discharge control unit 112 and controls various states of the first charm discharge device 200.

The first charm discharging unit 205 has a predetermined driving mechanism and the like, and performs a discharging operation of guiding the charm stored in the first charm storing unit 204 to the first discharging port 206. As described above, in the article providing system according to the present embodiment, the first charm discharging device 200 does not have a slot for accepting payment of consideration. That is, the discharge operation by the first charm discharge unit 205 is not performed according to the payment of the consideration, but becomes possible only when the charm discharge control unit 112 controls the discharge possible state as described above. Further, the discharging operation may be realized in response to an operation input to the first operation input unit 203 such as a rotatably provided handle. The first operation input unit 203 is brought into a rotatable state by the first control unit 201 when the first charm discharging device 200 is brought into a dischargeable state.

Similarly, the second control unit 301 included in the second charm discharging device 300 controls the operation of each block included in the second charm discharging device 300. The operation control of each block may be realized by, for example, reading a program stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) included in the second control unit 301, expanding the program in a volatile memory, and executing the program. Unlike the first charm discharging device 200, the second charm discharging device 300 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to discharge the charm without receiving a control signal from the charm discharging control unit 112 for making a transition to a dischargeable state. To be done. The second charm discharging device 300 is in a state where the charm can be discharged in response to the fact that the payment for the second charging port 307 has been paid by the second payment detecting unit 302. More specifically, when the payment of the consideration is detected, the second control unit 301 controls various states of the second charm discharging device 300. That is, the state control of the second charm discharging device 300 is controlled independently of the game play in the game device 100, and, for example, during or during the game play by one user in the game device 100. Even before or after, another user can use the second charm discharging device 300 to acquire the charm.

Similar to the first charm discharging device 200, the second charm discharging unit 305 has a predetermined drive mechanism and the like, and performs a discharging operation of guiding the charm stored in the second charm storing unit 304 to the second discharge port 306. The discharging operation by the second charm discharging unit 305 becomes possible in response to the payment for the second charging port 307 being paid. Further, the discharging operation may be realized by an operation input to the second operation input unit 303 such as a rotatably provided handle. The second operation input unit 303 is rotatable by the second control unit 301 when the second payment detection unit 302 detects the payment of the consideration and makes the second charm discharging device 300 ready for discharging. It is said that

In the present embodiment, the game device 100, the first charm discharging device 200, and the second charm discharging device 300 will be described as separate devices that are separable from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not limited to. The device communicable with the game device 100 may be configured integrally with the game device 100, or may be a device having a plurality of control systems even if it is not communicable. May be integrally formed. Further, in the present embodiment, the game device 100 is described as including a device for ejecting cards, but it will be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the device for ejecting the card may be another device that is separable from the game device 100, and ejects the card in response to payment of the consideration in the game device 100, that is, the payment of the value. It may be arranged to eject at least one card per game play offered for payment.

《Game outline》
In the article providing system of the present embodiment, a game in which the game play is mainly provided to the user by the game device 100 is associated with a character (avatar) that is a user's alter ego and a card on which information is acquired (scanned). The character provides a game experience related to a series of games such as a so-called rhythm game in which buttons are operated in accordance with music.

The avatar is composed of a predetermined parts set, a parts set selected by lottery, and parts selected for each part from a limited parts group by the user at the time of the first play or a play in which save data is not reflected. It consists of a set of parts. In addition, when playing the game that reflects the save data, that is, when the game is played based on the past play results when information is acquired from the charm during the game play, the parts set used or changed during the previous play Can be used to use avatars with corresponding configurations.

In addition, the card is a series of games before the start of the game related to the game or after the end of the tutorial so that other characters can appear in the game even when the user does not own the card for the first time. It may be discharged at a predetermined timing after the start of the game related to the game. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that one card is ejected per game play, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Therefore, as will be described in detail in the provision processing described later, in the game provided to the user in the article providing system according to the present embodiment, basically, for example, after payment for the game play is paid,
・Card ejection ・Acquire save data (Charm recognition (read from charm))
・Getting characters (card recognition)
・Execution of game processing related to a series of games ・Saving of game play result this time (writing to charm)
Is performed.

Note that the game content provided by the game play in the article providing system of the present embodiment is not limited to the rhythm game described above, and any game genre may be used as long as it is a game content accompanied by article discharge.

<Provision process>
Regarding the providing process for providing the game play in the article providing system of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, a specific process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process corresponding to the flowchart can be realized by the game control unit 101, for example, by reading a corresponding process program stored in the recording medium 102, loading the program in the memory 103, and executing the program. It should be noted that the present providing process will be described as being started, for example, when the game payment detection unit 104 detects that payment for the game play has been paid.

In S301, the game control unit 101 causes the card ejection unit 105 to eject the card related to the current game play. In the providing process of this embodiment, the card is discharged after payment of the consideration, but the timing of card discharge is not limited to this, as described above. For example, cards may be ejected at the end of a game experience related to a series of games (after the end of game processing related to game play). In this case, at the time of the first play, one character among the predetermined characters for the first play may appear in the game without performing the card scan.

In S302, the game control unit 101 determines whether or not the user uses the charm for the current game play. Specifically, the game control unit 101 inquires of the user whether or not to use the charm in order to restart (continue play) the game from the progress state which is the result of the previous game play of the user. At this time, the display control unit 111, under the control of the game control unit 101, generates a screen for inquiring about the use of the charm and displays it on the display unit 130. Whether or not to use the charm is determined by whether or not the game operation input unit 113 detects an operation input indicating that the charm is to be used within a predetermined time when the screen is displayed, or the charm communication unit 106. May be determined based on whether or not a communicable charm has been detected. The game control unit 101 moves the process to S<b>303 when it is determined that the charm is used for this game play, and moves the process to S<b>304 when it is determined that the charm is not used.

In S303, the game control unit 101 stores the information in the memory 103 after the information is acquired from the recording medium of the charm via the charm communication unit 106. The game control unit 101 also configures various parameters related to the user, such as the configuration of the avatar (user character), based on the save data 503, the avatar information 504, and the owned item information 505 included in the stored information. The information of the configured user character is added to a character table that manages the information of the character to appear in the game, which is generated in the memory 103, for example. The possessed item information 505 may be used, for example, to change the appearance of the avatar, or to change the parameter used to determine the game progress of the user character to a value that favors the game progress.

In step S304, the game control unit 101 registers a character (other than the user character) to appear in the game during the current game play. Specifically, the game control unit 101 refers to the recognition result by the card recognition unit 109 based on the card information acquired from the card, and adds information of various parameters related to the corresponding character (NPC character) to the character table. The NPC character information may be configured based on the character information managed by the character DB 110 in association with the character ID included in the recognition result.

In S305, the game control unit 101 executes a game process of providing a user experience related to a series of games for the current game play. The game process is controlled and executed so that the user character and the NPC character registered in the character table are made to appear, and the display control unit 111 generates a corresponding game screen and presents it on the display unit 130. Game play is possible. When the game processing is completed (end of a series of games), the game control unit 101 moves the processing to S306.

In S306, the game control unit 101 determines whether or not a predetermined condition for controlling the first charm discharging device 200 to a state in which the charm can be discharged is satisfied. In the article providing system of the present embodiment, the predetermined condition for controlling the state in which the charm can be discharged is that the number of times the user has played the game provided by the article providing system has reached a predetermined number, or during the game, for example. It is assumed that the present game play such as charm/card recognition is judged according to whether or not the player has won in the lottery process executed at a predetermined timing before this step. All of these pieces of information are determined for each game play, and are stored in, for example, the memory 103 as information indicating the play content related to the game play, and can be referred to in this step. Here, the number of times of play is obtained by adding 1 to the number of times of play 506 of the information acquired from the charm, but if the charm is not used for this game play, it is possible to judge based on only the lottery result. Good. It should be noted that the predetermined condition is not limited to this, and may be determined based on at least one of the number of plays and the lottery result, and other various determination factors during the game and the past discharge. The determination may be made based on other items related to the play content, such as the situation. If the game control unit 101 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S307, and if it is determined that the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to S308.

In step S307, the charm discharge control unit 112 outputs a control signal to the first charm discharge device 200 under the control of the game control unit 101 to put the first charm discharge device 200 into a state in which the charm can be discharged. The first control unit 201 controls the first operation input unit 203 to be rotatable based on the reception of the control signal. At this time, under the control of the game control unit 101, the display control unit 111 generates a notification screen indicating that the charms can be discharged from the first charm discharging device 200 based on the play content, and the display unit 130 displays the notification screen. indicate. The game control unit 101 shifts the processing to S308 after a lapse of a predetermined time period in which it is determined that the user has discharged and acquired the charm.

In S308, the game control unit 101 determines whether to save the play result related to the current game play. Specifically, the game control unit 101 causes the display control unit 111 to generate and display on the display unit 130 a screen inquiring whether or not to save the play result in the charm. Then, based on the user's operation input on the screen, the game control unit 101 makes the determination in this step. If the game control unit 101 determines to save the play result, the game control unit 101 moves the process to S<b>309 in response to the game communication unit 114 determining that communication with the save target charm has become possible. If the game control unit 101 determines not to save the play result, the game control unit 101 completes the providing process.

In step S<b>309, the game control unit 101 generates charm recording information (having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5A, for example) and transmits it to the game communication unit 114, and the charm recording device in a communicable state. To record. After the recording is completed, the game control unit 101 completes the present providing process.

As described above, the article providing system of the present embodiment can provide an article in a mode that improves the interest of the game content. More specifically, the above-described provision process does not simply discharge the play result recording charm in response to the payment of the consideration, but switches the presence/absence of the discharge depending on the content of the game play performed. Since it is possible to realize that the game content is provided and the charm is provided in a manner linked to this, it is possible to further enhance the interest of the game content.

[Embodiment 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the first charm discharging device 200 is controlled to be in a state capable of discharging the charm when the information indicating the play content such as the number of times the game has been played and the lottery result satisfies a predetermined condition. .. In other words, in the article providing system according to the above-described embodiment, unless the information indicating the play content satisfies the predetermined condition, the first charm discharging device 200 cannot discharge the charm as in the state in which the game is not being played. It is in a state. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user does not notice that the first charm discharging device 200, which is normally in a state that cannot be discharged, is ready to discharge the charm, and may leave the game device 100 while recognizing that the game has ended. is there. In other words, even if the charm is available, the user may not notice it and may miss the opportunity to obtain it. In the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent such a disadvantage of the user regarding the acquisition of the charm and to improve the interest of the game content by providing a mode different from the mode in which the charm can be discharged according to the payment of the consideration. Will be described.

<<Functional configuration of each device>>
The configuration of the article providing system and the functional configuration of each device according to the present embodiment are the same as the functional configuration of each device according to the above-described embodiment, and the first charm discharging device 200 has a first discharge detecting unit 211 shown by a broken line in FIG. Another difference is that there is an external management server (not shown) that manages information related to charm acquisition for each user.

The first discharge detection unit 211 detects whether or not the charm is actually discharged in the first charm discharging device 200. For example, when the first charm discharge device 200 is in a state where the charm can be discharged, the first discharge detection unit 211 detects that an operation input related to discharge to the first operation input unit 203 has been made or a predetermined sensor detects 1 It is detected that the charm is discharged to the discharge port 206. When the first discharge detection unit 211 detects the discharge of the charm, the first discharge detection unit 211 transmits the detection result to the first control unit 201.

Further, when the first control unit 201 of the present embodiment receives the detection result regarding the charm discharge by the first discharge detection unit 211, it transmits a detection signal indicating that the charm discharge has been performed, to the game device 100. By doing so, in the article providing system of the present embodiment, the game control unit 101 can recognize that the first charm discharging device 200 has discharged the charm.

<Provision process>
Hereinafter, with regard to the providing process of this embodiment, a specific process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It should be noted that, in the providing process of the present embodiment, steps that perform the same processes as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. Only explained.

After causing the charm discharge control unit 112 to control the first charm discharge device 200 to a state in which the charm discharge is possible in S307, the game control unit 101 receives a detection signal related to charm discharge from the first charm discharge device 200 in S403. If not, it is determined whether or not a predetermined period of time, which is considered to be that the charm has not been acquired, has elapsed. For the measurement of the elapsed time, for example, the charm discharge control unit 112 has discharged a control signal for controlling the first charm discharge device 200 to a dischargeable state, or the first charm discharge device 200 can be discharged. It may be started when the response signal output from the first control unit 201 is received in response to the change. When the game control unit 101 determines that the predetermined time has passed while the detection signal related to the charm discharge has not been received, the process proceeds to S404. Further, the game control unit 101 repeats the processing of this step until a predetermined time has elapsed, and when determining that the detection signal related to the charm discharge has been received, moves the processing to S308.

In step S404, the game control unit 101 generates information indicating that the charm discharge related to the first charm discharge device 200 has not been performed (non-discharge information), and causes the game communication unit 114 to display the user of the user who performed the game play. The ID is sent to the management server together with the ID. In the management server, the received non-ejection information is recorded in the recording medium of the management server in association with the user ID. After transmitting the undischarged information, the game control unit 101 causes the charm discharge control unit 112 to transmit a control signal that makes the first charm discharge device 200 in a state in which the charm cannot be discharged, and moves the process to S308. When the process of S404 is executed, the user may determine that the game play has ended and may have already separated from the game device 100, and thus the process of S308 is not performed and the provision process is completed. Good. Alternatively, the game control unit 101 may complete the providing process on condition that a time limit corresponding to the inquiry about the saving of the play result in the process of S308 is further provided and the time corresponding to the time limit has elapsed.

On the other hand, the non-ejection information recorded in the management server in this way is used for enabling the charm ejection by the first charm ejection device 200 when the user who has played the corresponding game plays the game again. To be Specifically, after the information is acquired from the recording medium of the charm and the user character is registered in S303, the game control unit 101 manages the undischarged information associated with the user related to the current game play in S401. Determine if it exists on the server. More specifically, the game control unit 101 transmits the user ID 502 included in the information acquired from the charm to the game communication unit 114, and makes the management server inquire whether or not there is information associated with the user ID 502. At this time, in the management server, when there is undischarged information associated with the user ID included in the inquiry, the management server returns response information indicating that it exists to the game device 100, and records the corresponding undischarged information. The operation related to deletion from the medium is performed. In addition, when there is no undischarged, an operation related to returning response information indicating that there is no discharge to the game device 100 is performed. The game control unit 101 makes a determination based on the response information received from the management server. The game control unit 101 moves the process to S<b>402 when determining that the undischarged information associated with the user relating to the current game play exists in the management server, and moves the process to S<b>304 when determining that the information does not exist.

In step S402, the charm discharge control unit 112 outputs a control signal to the first charm discharge device 200, under the control of the game control unit 101, to bring the first charm discharge device 200 into a state in which the charm can be discharged. The first control unit 201 controls the first operation input unit 203 to be rotatable based on the reception of the control signal. Further, at this time, the display control unit 111 generates a notification screen indicating that the undischarged charms can be discharged from the first charm discharging device 200 under the control of the game control unit 101, and displays the notification screen on the display unit 130. Then, the game control unit 101 waits the process until it receives a detection signal related to the charm discharge from the first charm discharging device 200, and moves the process to S304 in response to the reception of the detection signal.

By doing so, even if the user who does not notice that the charms can be discharged by the first charm discharging device 200 has left the game device 100 without performing the operation input related to the charms, he/she can play the game again. When playing, you can secure the chance of charm discharge. Further, when the game is played again, a notification can be given before the execution of the game process is started to prompt the user to discharge the charm, so that the user can easily understand that the discharge is the charm.

The method of guaranteeing the charm acquisition opportunity of the user illustrated in the providing process of the present embodiment is premised on that the user is identified. For example, a card ID that uniquely identifies the card is With the attached mode, even when the game is not played by using the charm, the acquisition opportunity can be similarly guaranteed. More specifically, if a card ID that uniquely identifies the card is attached to each card, the card ID of the card used to register the NPC character may be information that can identify the user. Therefore, by recording the undischarged information in the management server in association with the card ID, at least when the game is played again using the same card, the first charm is discharged similarly when the NPC character is registered. The user can be authorized to eject the charms from the device 200.

[Modification 1]
In the above-described Embodiments 1 and 2, it has been described that the user character and the NPC character are simply controlled to appear in the game provided so as to be playable in the game processing. On the other hand, in the article providing system, the charm discharge from the first charm discharge device 200 can be controlled based on the information indicating the play content, unlike the second charm discharge device 300. Therefore, for example, in a mode in which the presence or absence of the charm discharge is determined based on the lottery processing performed during the game processing or before the game processing, the game progress after the winning is confirmed is an effect of acquiring any item. It may be controlled to be performed. By doing so, it is possible to provide the effect of a suitable game experience while making the user understand that the charm can be discharged.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described modification 1, the game progress is controlled so as to obtain the item, but when the first charm discharging device 200 is configured to be able to discharge a plurality of types of charms, the charms to be discharged are uncertain. Therefore, the user could not recognize the charm to be obtained until the charm was discharged.

For example, as in the conventional capsule vending machine, a predetermined number of charms are guided to the first discharge port 206 by the first charm discharge unit 205 by a mechanism provided at the bottom of the first charm storage unit 204. When the first charm discharge device 200 is configured as described above, at least the next charm to be discharged does not change. In the article providing system of the present modification, the first charm discharge device 200 communicates with the charm to be discharged next, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 2, and recognizes which charm is the charm recognition unit. Further has 212. Further, the first control unit 201 acquires the recognition result of the charm to be discharged next by the charm recognition unit 212, and transmits the information to the game device 100.

By configuring the first charm discharging device 200 with such a configuration, the game control unit 101 can know which charm is discharged next. Therefore, for example, when the winning is confirmed in the lottery process, the game progress may be controlled so that an item corresponding to the charm is made to appear in the game after the game process or the item is obtained. As a result, it is possible to clearly show that the game content and the first charm discharging device 200 are linked, and it is possible to make the user experience related to the game play more entertaining.

[Modification 3]
By the way, as shown in FIG. 1, the first charm discharging device 200 and the second charm discharging device 300 are provided close to each other, and the second charm discharging device 300 is independent of the execution of the game play, and the The following inconveniences may occur when the charms can be discharged according to the payment. As shown in the figure, in the article providing system shown in FIG. 1, the second charm discharging device 300 has the second input port 307 for receiving the payment of the consideration, while the first charm discharging device 200 has the corresponding configuration. do not do. Therefore, when the timing when the user (purchasing user) pays the price to the second charm discharging device 300 and the timing when the first charm discharging device 200 is controlled to be in a state capable of charm discharging overlap, game play is performed. Trouble due to misunderstanding may occur between the user (play user) who was performing the game and the purchase user. For example, when the play user's operation input related to charm discharge to the first charm discharging device 200 is performed before the purchase user operation input related to charm discharge to the second charm discharging device 300, the purchase user himself/herself. It is possible to get the impression that the play user has been deprived of the authority to discharge the charm based on the payment of consideration (although it exists). On the contrary, when the purchase user's operation input related to the charm discharge to the second charm discharging device 300 is performed before the play user operation input related to the charm discharge to the first charm discharging device 200, the play user It is possible to obtain the impression that the purchasing user has deprived the authority to discharge the charm acquired through the game play (although it still exists).

In this modification, in order to reduce the occurrence of troubles due to such misunderstanding, in the article providing system, the game device 100 and the second charm discharging device 300 are communicably connected, and the second charm discharging device 300 is the charm. Information indicating that it is in a dischargeable state is transmitted to the game device 100 by the second control unit 301. More specifically, the second control unit 301 controls the second charm discharging device 300 to be in a state in which the charm can be discharged, when the second payment detecting unit 302 detects that the consideration has been paid. , And sends information indicating that the second charm discharging device 300 is in a state capable of discharging charm to the game device 100.

Then, when the game control unit 101 causes the charm discharge control unit 112 to transmit the control signal for setting the first charm discharge device 200 to the charm discharge possible state in S307 of the providing process, the charm discharge based on the game play is the lower charm. The sound signal notifying that the discharge device (the first charm discharge device 200) is to be played is output to the sound output unit 140 as sound. The audio signal is output as audio at a volume that can be recognized by the purchase user and the play user. In addition to this, the voice output is left as it is, that the charm discharged from the upper discharging device (the second charm discharging device 300) is not the play user's/the purchase user's charm discharging from the upper discharging device. The audio signal may be included or replaced by the audio signal.

Further, when the second charm discharging device 300 has the second discharge detecting unit 311 indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2, the output timing of the control signal for enabling the first charm discharging device 200 to discharge the charm, or the first charm discharging device 200. The timing at which the control unit 201 controls the first operation input unit 203 to be operable may be set to wait until the charm discharge in the second charm discharge device 300 is completed. Specifically, in S307 of the providing process, when the second charm discharging device 300 is in a state capable of discharging the charm, the charm discharging control unit 112 sets the first charm until the information indicating that the charm has been discharged is received. The charm discharging device 200 may cooperate with the first control unit 201 so as not to make the charm discharging device 200 ready for charm discharging.

[Modification 4]
In addition, when a plurality of (two) users of the game apparatus 100 simultaneously support game play (competitive play or cooperative play), operation member groups for each user are provided at different positions on the operation panel. Sometimes. In the game device 100 shown in FIG. 1, an operation member group for each user is provided on the left and right of the operation panel with the reader 120 interposed therebetween. When the operation panel is configured as described above and the first charm discharging device 200 is provided adjacent to one side surface of the game device 100 as shown in the drawing, the charm discharging based on the play content for any player. It is difficult to determine whether it has become possible, and a different user may accidentally acquire the charm from the first charm discharging device 200.

In the article providing system of the present modification, when a plurality of people play the game, the game control unit 101 controls to execute the processing set of S306 to S309 of the providing processing for each user. That is, after the end of the game process related to the game play this time, the game control unit 101 controls to perform the process set for one user and then perform the same process set for the next user. At this time, the game control unit 101 controls, based on the information indicating the installation mode of the article providing system, to receive an operation input when executing the processing set by the operation member group on the side close to the first charm discharging device 200, and The display control unit 111 is controlled so that the user is notified via the display unit 130 if necessary to change the operation position. By doing so, when the first charm discharging device 200 is controlled to be able to discharge the charm according to the play content, the corresponding player is guided to move to the vicinity of the first charm discharging device 200. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the mistake of charms from occurring between users.

As above, various modes of implementing the present invention have been described by being divided into Embodiments 1 and 2 and Modifications 1 to 4, but the elements according to these modes are shown separately for the purpose of illustration. It goes without saying that the elements may be combined in any manner.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The game device according to the present invention can also be realized by a program that causes a computer, to which a discharging device for discharging the first type article or the second type article is connected, to function as the game device. The program can be provided/distributed by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium or through an electric communication line.

100: game device, 200: first charm discharging device, 300: second charm discharging device, 101: game control unit, 102: recording medium, 103: memory, 104: game payment detecting unit, 105: card discharging unit, 106 : Charm communication unit, 107: avatar DB, 108: item DB, 109: card recognition unit, 110: character DB, 111: display control unit, 112: charm discharge control unit, 113: game operation input unit, 114: game communication Section, 120: reader, 130: display section, 140: audio output section

Claims (12)

A second ejecting means capable of ejecting the first type of article, and an input means capable of ejecting the second type of article and having an input means for receiving an operation input for ejecting the second type of article A game device including:
Detection means for detecting payment of consideration,
Acquisition means for acquiring information relating to a game executed on the condition that payment of consideration is required;
Control means for controlling the discharge by the first discharge means and the discharge by the second discharge means,
The control means is
Causing the first discharging means to discharge the first type of article in response to payment of the consideration,
When the information related to the game satisfies a predetermined condition, the input unit controls the second discharging unit so as to receive an operation input, and when the information related to the game does not satisfy the predetermined condition, A game device for controlling the second discharging means such that the input means does not accept an operation input. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the information related to the game is at least one of the number of times the game has been played and a lottery result of the game. Each of the items of the first type is associated with a character predetermined for the game,
The game device is
First recognition means for recognizing a character corresponding to the first type of article in the game play related to the game;
The game device according to claim 1, further comprising: an execution unit that executes a process related to the game so that the character recognized by the first recognition unit appears. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the second discharging unit is arranged adjacent to the first discharging unit. Further comprising a third ejecting means different from the second ejecting means for ejecting the second type article,
The third discharging means is irrespective of whether or not the game play relating to the game is being performed, and the item of the second type is provided in response to payment of the consideration relating to the third discharging means. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game device discharges The third ejecting means is disposed adjacent to the first ejecting means,
The game apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second ejecting unit and the third ejecting unit are configured to be vertically stacked. 7. The game device according to claim 5, wherein the second discharging device is electrically connected to the game device, and the third discharging device is not electrically connected to the game device. 8. The game device according to claim 5, wherein the second discharging means does not have a receiving means for receiving the payment of the consideration, and the third discharging means has a receiving means for receiving the payment of the consideration. .. 6. The usefulness in the game is different between the second type of articles discharged by the second discharging means and the second type of articles discharged by the third discharging means. 8. The game device according to any one of items 8. 10. The game device according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the second discharging device and the third discharging device is configured to be separable from the game device. Program for causing a computer having a discharging means for discharging the articles of the article or the second type of the first type, as each unit of the game device according to any one of claims 1 to 1 0. A first ejecting device capable of ejecting the first type of article, and a second ejecting means capable of ejecting the second type of article, and having an input means for receiving an operation input for ejecting the second type of article And a game device to which the first discharging device and the second discharging device are connected,
The game device is
Detection means for detecting payment of consideration,
Acquisition means for acquiring information relating to a game executed on the condition that payment of consideration is required;
Control means for controlling the discharge in the first discharge device and the discharge in the second discharge device,
The control means is
Causing the first discharging device to discharge the article of the first type in response to payment of the consideration,
When the information related to the game satisfies a predetermined condition, the input unit controls the second discharging device to receive an operation input, and when the information related to the game does not satisfy the predetermined condition, An article providing system that controls the second discharging device such that the input unit does not receive an operation input.

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