JP7176779B2 - Game system and computer program used therefor - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law 1. Exhibition Date February 11, 2018 Exhibition Name Japan Amusement Expo 2018 Venue Makuhari Messe 2. Disclosure through telecommunication lines Date of website publication: March 26, 2018 Website address: https://www. youtube. com/watch? v = O60UKO408283. Disclosure through the start of provision Date of start of provision: March 29, 2018 Place of start of provision: Stores where target game machines are installed

The present invention includes an input device used for inputting a play action, a display device for displaying a game screen including an instruction indicator corresponding to the execution time when the play action should be executed and a reference indicator corresponding to the current time, so that the positions of the indicator and the reference marker match each other at the execution time based on the sequence data described in association with the path of relative displacement that should occur between the indicator and the reference marker at the execution time. Each user is guided to the execution time through the game screen by causing a relative displacement along the route, and the timing of the actual play action of each user input through the input device is evaluated based on the execution time. The present invention relates to a game system or the like for providing a group of users with a plurality of users as one group so as to change the route to a different route when a change condition for changing the route is satisfied.

connected to an input device used for inputting a play action, and a display device displaying a game screen including an instruction indicator corresponding to the execution time when the play action should be executed and a reference indicator corresponding to the current time, Based on the sequence data described in association with the path of relative displacement that should occur between the indicator and the reference marker at the execution time, along the path so that the positions of the indicator and the reference marker match each other at the execution time. A game in which each user is guided to the execution time through the game screen by causing relative displacement, and the timing of the actual play action of each user input through the input device is evaluated based on the execution time. There are game systems that provide a group of users with a plurality of users to change the route to a different route if the change conditions for changing the route are satisfied. For example, such instruction indicators, reference indicators, paths, game screens, sequence data, and play behaviors may be operation instruction indicators, timing indicator indicators, position indicator areas, game images, timing data, and push button operations, respectively. A game device that provides a music game is known (see Patent Literature 1, for example).

Japanese Patent No. 6380644

In the game device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the difficulty level and the music are the same, the game image is displayed based on the same timing data. ) tend to be the same. For this reason, an experienced user habitually memorizes such an arrangement, and as a result, there are many cases in which the practical difficulty level is lowered. Also, the possibility of getting bored with the game increases. As such a countermeasure, in a music game such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, there are cases where the route along which each instruction mark is to be arranged is changed at random according to the user's wishes. In this case, although there is no change in the execution timing corresponding to each instruction sign, the layout of the instruction signs is changed, so that it is possible to reduce user's familiarity.

On the other hand, music games such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1 may be played by a plurality of users so as to compete with each other for results. In such a case, if the layout of the indication signs is changed at random, the degree of difficulty will differ, which may make fair comparison of the results difficult. If such a layout change is based on the user's selection, the difference in difficulty is due to the user's desire, and the user who desires such a change is often an expert, so a random layout is used. User satisfaction may not be affected even if fairness is not ensured between the user who uses the system and other users. On the other hand, such multiple users may include two or more users who wish to change the layout. Such selection is often made among skilled users, and there is a need among these users to ensure fairness of the results even when they request a layout change. However, if different layout changes are performed by such two or more users, fair comparison of results becomes difficult. Alternatively, even if it is not such a battle-type game, there is also a need for two or more users to play in synchronism through a game screen after a layout change, for example. In other words, there are various needs to match the changed instruction sign layouts between two or more users in a group.

Therefore, when a game is played in a group and the relationship between the execution time and the route described in the sequence data is changed, two or more users of the group can change the execution time and the changed execution time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system or the like that can match a relationship with a route.

A game system of the present invention displays a game screen including an input device used for inputting a play action, an instruction indicator corresponding to the execution time when the play action should be executed, and a reference indicator corresponding to the current time. a display device connected to the indication marker and the reference marker at the execution time based on sequence data described in association with a path of relative displacement that should occur between the indication marker and the reference marker at the execution time; By causing the relative displacement along the path so that the positions of the reference markers match each other, each user is guided to the execution time through the game screen, and each input via the input device is performed. A game that evaluates the timing of a user's actual play behavior based on the execution timing, such that the route is changed to a route different from the route when a change condition for changing the route is satisfied, A game system that provides a plurality of users as one group to the group, wherein the same common route is used as the separate route for two or more users identified based on specific conditions among the plurality of users. information acquisition means for acquiring common route information for specifying the common route as the different route; and when the change condition is satisfied, each of the two or more users of the group plays information using means for using the common route information to change the route so that the route is changed to the common route in the game.

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

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the essential parts of the control system of the game system; The figure which shows typically an example of the game screen for providing a music game. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of a random musical score mode. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for matching random musical scores between two or more users U; FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game providing unit and a game machine service management unit for realizing the procedure of the example of FIG. 5; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a person to whom a random musical score is provided when four songs are used in a battle-type music game; The figure which shows an example of a structure of sequence data. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of musical score standardization processing. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of data generation processing;

An example of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, referring to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. A game system 1 includes a center server 2 and a plurality of game machines 3 as client devices connectable to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5 . The center server 2 is configured as one logical server device by combining server units 2A, 2B, . . . as a plurality of computer devices. However, the center server 2 may be composed of a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

The game machine 3 is an example of a game machine, and is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee. there is This type of game machine 3 is sometimes called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is a computer device installed in a predetermined facility such as a store 6 for the main purpose of making a large number of users repeatedly play the game to make a profit. The game machine 3 is configured as a game machine that provides music games, for example. A music game is a kind of timing game. A timing game is a type of game that evaluates when to perform appropriate play actions. In the case of a music game, the execution time when the appropriate play action should be performed is provided with the music. Also, in the music game, the timing that matches the rhythm of the music is used as the execution timing. In other words, the music game is a type of game that guides the user when to perform appropriate play actions in accordance with the rhythm of music, and evaluates when the play action is actually performed. Also, for example, a music game is prepared with a plurality of songs for play, and a song selected from the songs is used for actual play. For example, such music games are provided through game screens displayed on the display device. Specifically, such a game screen includes an instruction sign corresponding to each execution time and a reference sign that functions as a reference for the current time. Each execution time is guided by causing a relative displacement between the instruction mark and the reference mark so that the positions of the reference marks match each other.

A user terminal device 4 may be connected to the game system 1 via a network 5 . The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for personal use by the user. 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 smart phone) is used as the user terminal device 4. FIG. In addition, various computer devices such as stationary home game machines, portable game machines, portable tablet terminals, etc., which can be connected to a network and are used for personal use by users, are used as the user terminal device 4. you can The user terminal device 4 can allow users to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by installing various computer software.

The network 5 may be configured appropriately as long as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 can be connected to the center server 2 . As an example, the network 5 is configured to implement network communications using the TCP/IP protocol. Typically, 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 are connected via a router 5D. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A with an appropriate configuration. 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, .

The center server 2 provides various game machine services to the game machines 3 or their users. Game machine services include distribution services and matching services. The distribution service is a service that distributes and updates programs or data for the game machine 3 via the network 5 . The center server 2 appropriately distributes various programs or data necessary for providing music games to each game machine 3 through such a distribution service. The matching service is a service for matching (grouping) users with each other when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5 . The game machine service may also include a service for receiving user identification information from the game machine 3 and authenticating the user. Further, the service may include a service of receiving play data of the authenticated user from the game machine 3 and storing it, or providing the game machine 3 with the play data to be stored. Furthermore, the game machine service may include a billing service for collecting fees from the user.

Similarly, the center server 2 provides various web services to users of the user terminal devices 4 via the network 5 . The web service includes a game information service that provides various types of information about games provided by the game machine 3 . Through such a game information service, the center server 2 provides the user terminal device 4 with various types of information that assist the playing of the music game. In addition, the Web service also includes a distribution service for distributing various data or software (including updates of data, etc.) to each user terminal device 4, and a community that provides a place for interaction such as transmission, exchange, and sharing of information by users. It may also include a service, a service for assigning a user ID for identifying each user, and the like.

Next, the main part of the control system of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the center server 2 is provided with a control unit 21 and a storage section 23 as storage means. The control unit 21 is configured as a computer that combines a CPU as an example of a processor that executes various arithmetic processing and operation control according to a predetermined computer program, and an internal memory and other peripheral devices required for the operation.

The storage unit 23 is an external storage device implemented by a storage unit including a nonvolatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 23 may be configured to hold all data in one storage unit, or may be configured to store data in a distributed manner in a plurality of storage units. A program PG1 is recorded in the storage unit 23 as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 21 to execute various processes necessary for providing various services to the user. The storage unit 23 also records server data necessary for providing various services. Such server data includes various data for music games, and in the example of FIG. 2, music data MD and sequence data QD are shown as types of such various data.

The music data MD is data for reproducing music used in the music game. The sequence data QD is data describing each execution time at which the user should execute a play act in the music game. The sequence data QD is used to guide the user to each execution time. Further, when the user actually performs a play action, the play action is evaluated based on the execution timing of the sequence data QD. In other words, each execution time is guided and evaluated based on the sequence data QD. For this reason, the sequence data QD is described so as to associate each execution time and appropriate play action information to be executed at that execution time. Also, in a music game, when a plurality of songs or a plurality of difficulty levels are prepared, the sequence data QD is prepared for each song or difficulty level. Details of the sequence data QD will be described later. Note that the server data may include, for example, various other data for realizing various services. For example, such data may include play data, ID management data, and the like. The play data is data describing information about the past play performance of each user. The play data is used, for example, to hand over the play results (past achievements) up to the last time, or to hand over the settings unique to each user. The ID management data is data for managing various IDs such as user IDs. However, illustration of them is omitted.

The control unit 21 is provided with a game machine service management section 24 as a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware resources of the control unit 21 and the program PG1 as software resources. The game machine service management unit 24 executes various processes for realizing the above-described game machine service for the game machine 3 . Specifically, the game machine service management unit 24 executes music score sharing processing as part of various processes for realizing the game machine service, for example. The procedure for this processing will be described later. An input device such as a keyboard, an output device such as a monitor, and the like may be connected to the control unit 21 as necessary. However, illustration of them is omitted.

On the other hand, the game machine 3 is provided with a control unit 31 as a computer and a storage section 32 as storage means. The control unit 31 is configured as a computer that combines a CPU as an example of a processor that executes various arithmetic processing and operation control according to a predetermined computer program, and an internal memory and other peripheral devices required for the operation. The control unit 31 is provided with a game providing section 33 as a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware resources of the control unit 31 and the program PG2 as software resources. The game providing unit 33 executes various processes necessary for progressing the game, and also executes various processes necessary for enjoying the game machine services provided by the game machine service management unit 24 of the center server 2. . Specifically, the game providing unit 33 executes data generation processing, for example, as part of various types of processing necessary for progress of such a game. The procedure for this processing will be described later.

The storage unit 32 is an external storage device implemented by a storage unit including a nonvolatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. In the storage unit 32, game data necessary for providing a music game are recorded together with the program PG2 described above. As part of such game data, the example of FIG. It is Both the music data MD and the sequence data QD are provided from the center server 2 through a distribution service. The game data also includes image data for displaying various images for the game, BGM data for reproducing various BGM, and the like. However, illustration of these is omitted.

The game machine 3 is also provided with a monitor MO as a display device and a speaker SP as output devices. The monitor MO and speaker SP are a well-known display device for displaying game screens and the like, and a well-known sound reproducing device for reproducing sound, respectively. The game machine 3 is also provided with an input device 36 for inputting the user's play action. As an input device, for example, a touch panel that outputs a signal corresponding to a user's touch operation (touching operation with a finger) may be used. In addition, the game machine 3 may be provided with various input devices and output devices that are provided in commercial game devices.

Next, the details of the music game will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a game screen for providing a music game. As shown in FIG. 3, the game screen 50 includes an object 51 as an instruction marker, a determination line 52 as a reference marker, and multiple paths 53 . The determination line 52 is configured as a line extending linearly in the left-right direction, and is positioned on the lower end side of each path 53 so as to straddle all the paths 53 . Each path 53 functions as a moving path for the object 51 . More specifically, the object 51 appears on the upper end side of each path 53 at an appropriate time, and moves along each path 53 so as to reach the determination line 52 on the lower end side at the execution time of the sequence data QD. . Therefore, each path 53 also functions as a time axis. Each execution time is guided by the arrival of the object 51 at the determination line 52 , in other words, the relative displacement of the object 51 moving toward the determination line 52 . In addition, the user is required to perform an appropriate play action when the object 51 reaches the judgment line 52 . More specifically, for example, when a touch panel is used as the input device 36, the reaching position of the object 51 (the coincidence position between the judging line 52 and the object 51) is adjusted as the object 51 reaches the judging line 52. A touching touch operation is required as a proper play action. Such a touch operation is evaluated so that the shorter the lag time between the timing of the touch operation (actual play action) and the timing of execution of the sequence data QD, the higher the evaluation.

As described above, the timing (execution timing) at which each object 51 should reach the determination line 52 is described in advance in the sequence data QD. Since it also corresponds to the position to be operated, it functions as appropriate play action information), and each object 51 is arranged on each path 53 according to the description of the sequence data QD. Since the layout of each object 51 on the game screen 50 (in other words, the path 53 on which each object 51 is arranged) is determined by the relationship between each object 51 and each path 53, such a relationship (or the game screen 50 Layout of each object 51 in) may be referred to as musical score below, but normal musical score mode using musical score (hereinafter sometimes referred to as normal musical score) according to the description of such sequence data QD, and random The music game includes a musical score mode. The random musical score mode is a musical score in which the relationship between each object 51 and each path 53 in the normal musical score, more specifically, the path 53 in which each object 51 should be placed is changed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a random musical score). This mode is used to play If the same normal musical score is played many times, the user may become accustomed to the normal musical score. The random musical score mode functions as a mode to eliminate such familiarity.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of the random musical score mode. The example of FIG. 4 shows an example of a procedure for starting play in a music game. As shown in FIG. 4, the procedure for starting playing the music game includes five steps A to E. Then, when the user U selects play in the random musical score mode in step D, a music game based on the random musical score instead of the normal musical score, that is, a music game in the random musical score mode is provided.

Specifically, in order to start playing the music game, the user U first requests the game machine 3 to start playing (process A). Such a request is realized, for example, by a predetermined initiation operation and payment (collection) of a predetermined consideration. Subsequently, after receiving such a request, the game machine 3 provides a song list as play song candidates (step B). In other words, the game machine 3 provides the user U with a music selection opportunity for selecting music for play by presenting such a music list. When presented with a song list, the user U selects a song for play from such a song list (in other words, at a song selection opportunity) (step C). After such selection, the game machine 3 provides a random musical score selection opportunity (step D). The random score selection opportunity is configured to perform a selection of whether or not to use a random score. More specifically, the game machine 3 causes the monitor 37 to display a selection screen including options of "YES" for wanting to use the random score and "NO" for not wanting to use such a score. to provide The game machine 3 also accepts selections for such selection screens via the input device 36 . Then, the game machine 3 provides the play of the music game after receiving the selection on the selection screen via the input device 36 (step E).

Also, the selection result at the random score selection opportunity is reflected in the play of the music game (step E). That is, the musical score used in the music game changes according to the selection result of the random musical score selection opportunity. Specifically, when "NO" is selected at the random musical score selection opportunity, a music game corresponding to normal musical scores, in other words, a music game in a normal musical score mode is provided. Therefore, the music game is provided through a game screen 50 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a normal score screen 50A) corresponding to the normal score (displaying the normal score). On the other hand, if "YES" is selected at the random musical score selection opportunity, a music game corresponding to the random musical score, in other words, a music game in a random musical score mode is provided. Therefore, the music game is provided through a game screen 50 (which may be hereinafter referred to as a random musical score screen 50B) corresponding to the random musical score (displaying the random musical score). The random musical score is generated by randomly changing the path 53 based on the normal musical score, for example. More specifically, the random musical score is a musical score in which each path 53 of the normal musical score is changed by lottery using pseudo-random numbers. For this reason, the layout of the objects 51 (contents of the game screen 50) differs between the normal musical score mode and the random musical score mode, even though the music is the same (with the same degree of difficulty, of course).

The example of FIG. 4 shows a case where the game screen 50 of the example of FIG. 3 functions as a normal musical score screen 50A. Therefore, when "NO" is selected at the random musical score selection opportunity, a music game (in other words, normal musical score mode) is provided through the normal musical score screen 50A showing musical scores similar to those in the example of FIG. On the other hand, when "YES" is selected in the random music selection opportunity, the random music screen 50B is used for playing the music game (providing the random music score mode), but the random music is different from the normal music. , the arrangement of the objects 51 on the random music screen 50B is different from that on the normal music screen 50A. For example, the normal music screen 50A and the random music screen 50B similarly include nine paths 53 from the first path 53a to the ninth path 53i. Five objects 51 are arranged on each path 53 . On the other hand, in the random musical score screen 50B, five objects 51 are arranged in five paths 53 of a fourth path 53d and a sixth path 53f to a ninth path 53i. More specifically, the five objects 51 arranged respectively in the first path 53a to the fifth path 53e of the normal music screen 50A are arranged in the fourth path 53d and the sixth path 53f to the ninth path 53f in the random music screen 50B. 53i. That is, although the timing (execution timing) at which each object 51 should reach the determination line 52 does not change, the path 53 of each object 51 until reaching the determination line 52 changes at random. As a result, different musical scores (different game screens 50) are used to play the same piece of music. In this example, each of the first route 53a to the fifth route 53e of the normal musical score screen 50A is the route of the present invention, and the fourth route 53d and the sixth route 53f to the ninth route 53i of the random musical score screen 50B. Each path functions as another path of the present invention. Also, the random musical score selection opportunity functions as the selection opportunity of the present invention.

The game system 1 may match a plurality of game machines 3 (in other words, users U) through a matching service and provide each of these game machines with a battle-type music game. When providing such a battle-type music game, each game machine 3 provides the music game so as to allow selection of the random musical score mode. In other words, selection of the random musical score mode is permitted even when such a type of music game in which a plurality of users U play against each other is provided. Furthermore, when a change condition is satisfied in such a battle-type music game, a random music score is generated so that a common random music score is used by two or more game machines 3 out of the plurality of game machines 3. mode is provided. In other words, a music game is provided such that at least two or more users U out of a plurality of users U have the same random musical score. For example, as such a change condition, a selection result requesting play in the random musical score mode is used. More specifically, the change condition is satisfied when two or more of the users U playing the competitive music game at the random music score selection opportunity request to play the random music score mode. Then, play in a random musical score mode in which the random musical score is commonly used by the two or more users U is provided.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for matching random musical scores between two or more users U. As shown in FIG. The example of FIG. 5 shows a case where four game machines 3 are matched as one group (mutual opponents) through a matching service, and a competitive music game is played by these four game machines 3. ing. In addition, in the example of FIG. 5, two game machines 3 (in other words, two users U using them) out of these four game machines 3 satisfy the change condition, and these two game machines 3 These two game machines 3 have the same random musical score, that is, a case in which a common random musical score is used between these two game machines 3 . In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, first, four game machines 3 are matched (grouped) through the matching service of the center server 2, and a seed value common to the group is issued. A seed value is a value for generating a pseudo-random number based on a predetermined algorithm. Therefore, a common pseudo-random number is generated from a common seed value. Such a seed value is commonly provided to the four game machines 3 (the entire group) in matching units.

Of the four game machines 3, the two game machines that do not request the play in the random music score mode (the two game machines 3 on the left in the example of FIG. 5) generate the sequence data QD ( A music game is played based on the normal sequence data QD1 hereinafter. That is, on these game machines 3, the normal music screen 50A is displayed based on the normal sequence data QD1, and the music game is played through such normal music screen 50A. On the other hand, out of the four game machines 3, the two game machines (the two game machines 3 on the right side in the example of FIG. 5) that requested the play in the random musical score mode, the sequence data QD ( A music game is played based on the random sequence data QD2 hereinafter. Such random sequence data QD2 is common between these two game machines 3 because it is generated based on the normal sequence data QD1 and pseudo-random numbers.

Specifically, the path 53 of the object 51 in the normal sequence data QD1 is randomly changed based on the pseudo-random numbers to generate the random sequence data QD2. That is, random sequence data QD2 is generated from normal sequence data QD1 based on pseudorandom numbers. Also, such pseudo-random numbers are generated based on seed values provided by the center server 2 . Such seed values match between the two game machines 3 . Therefore, the same pseudo-random numbers are generated between these two game machines 3 . As a result, the same pseudo-random number is applied to the same normal sequence data QD1. That is, the random sequence data QD2 is generated based on the same normal sequence data QD1 and the same pseudo-random number. As a result, between these two game machines 3, the same random sequence data QD2 having common contents (the relationship between the object 51 and the path 53) is generated. In other words, the random sequence data QD2 is common between these two game machines 3 . These two game machines 3 display the random score screen 50B based on such common random sequence data QD2. That is, the users U of these two game machines 3 (users U who have selected the random musical score mode) play the music game through the common random musical score screen 50B having the same content. As an example, even in such a battle-type music game in which a plurality of game machines 3 play against each other, the selection of the random score mode is allowed, and when the change condition is satisfied, a further random score is selected between two or more game machines 3. The musical score screen 50B is shared. In this example, each path 53 on which an object 51 of a random musical score screen 50B (similar to the example in FIG. 4) is arranged and a seed value for obtaining the same are used in common in the two game machines 3. It functions as a common route of invention and common route information. Also, two users U respectively corresponding to the two game machines 3 displaying such a random musical score screen 50B function as two or more users of the present invention.

Note that the change condition is not limited to the case where two or more users U request to play the random music score mode at the random music score selection opportunity, and may be satisfied in any appropriate case. The user U who uses the common random musical score is not limited to the user U who requested the random musical score mode, and may be appropriately specified based on the specific conditions for specifying the provision target of the random musical score. For example, the change condition may be satisfied when one user U requests the random musical score mode. In this case, the random musical score may be provided to all the users U (belonging to the same group) who play the competitive music game, or the random musical score may be provided to any two or more users U among them. good. In other words, the specific condition is not limited to the selection result in the random music selection opportunity (random music mode play request situation), and is configured to appropriately identify each user U regardless of the random music mode play request. may For example, as such a specific condition, a lottery result or a game play situation (including past performance) may be used. Specifically, two or more users U who use a common random music score may be determined at random, for example, or may be selected based on their past achievements, such as a predetermined number of top performers, or users with achievements exceeding a predetermined number. may be determined on the basis of Similarly, the change condition is not limited to the condition of using the selection result in the random musical score selection opportunity. For example, the change condition may be satisfied based on lottery results or play situations.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the game providing section 33 and the game machine service management section 24 for realizing the procedure of the example of FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the game providing unit 33 includes a progress control unit 33a, a random number generating unit 33b, a data generating unit 33c, and an image generating unit 33d. A generator 24b is provided, respectively, as a further logical device. The progress control unit 33a receives various input signals corresponding to play actions and the like via the input device 36, and progresses the music game according to the input signals. For example, such input signals include matching requests, selection results at random score selection opportunities, or play start instructions. Then, for example, when a request for matching is executed, the progress control unit 33a provides the request to the matching unit 24a of the game machine service management unit 24. FIG. In accordance with such a request, the matching unit 24a matches each game machine 3 executing a similar request, and provides the result to the progress control unit 33a. The matching unit 24a also provides the matching result to the common information generation unit 24b. Upon acquiring the matching result, the common information generation unit 24b generates a seed value for each matching (group) unit according to the matching result, and provides a common seed value to each game machine 3 that has been matched.

On the other hand, the progress control unit 33a provides the request result to the random number generation unit 33b, for example, when the play in the random music mode is requested at the random music selection opportunity. The random number generation unit 33b generates a pseudo-random number while referring to the seed value provided from the center server 2 when the play in the random musical score mode is requested based on the request result. Specifically, the random number generator 33b generates a pseudorandom number from a seed value common to such groups according to a predetermined algorithm. Then, the random number generator 33b provides the generated pseudorandom number to the data generator 33c. The data generator 33c generates random sequence data QD2 based on the normal sequence data QD1 based on such a pseudo-random number.

Similarly, when the user U issues a predetermined play start instruction after the matching is completed and the selection of the play mode at the random musical score selection opportunity is completed, the progress control section 33a outputs the instruction result to the image generation section 33d. provide to In addition, the progress control unit 33a instructs the display of the random music screen 50B when the random music mode ("YES" in the example of FIG. 4) is selected at the random music selection opportunity, and the normal music mode ("YES" in FIG. 4). In the example, "NO") is selected, the instruction result is provided to the image generator 33d so as to include an instruction to display the normal music screen 50A. Upon receiving the play start instruction from the progress control unit 33a, the image generation unit 33d repeatedly generates a game screen 50 to be displayed on the monitor 37 according to the instruction from the progress control unit 33a according to the frame rate of the monitor 37, and generates the generated game. The display of the monitor 37 is controlled so that the screen 50 is displayed. That is, the image generator 33d generates the normal music screen 50A when display of the normal music screen 50A is instructed, and the random music screen 50B when display of the random music screen 50B is instructed. The screen 50 is displayed on the monitor 37 . With such a configuration, the random musical score screen 50B in the example of FIG. 5 can be shared.

Also, in a battle-type music game such as the example of FIG. 5, music for play may be appropriately selected. For example, in such a battle-type music game, one common song may be played, or a plurality of common songs may be played. When multiple songs are played, they may be different or the same song. When a plurality of different songs are played, each song may be selected from a common difficulty level or from different difficulty levels. Also, when a plurality of songs are used, the object of random musical score provision may be changed for each musical piece, or the object of random musical score provision may be changed for all or part of the musical piece. Similarly, the random music score mode may be applied to the entire piece of music, or may be applied to an appropriate part of the piece. Furthermore, these songs may be set according to appropriate conditions such as lottery results and user selection. Then, the ranking may be appropriately determined according to the play results of such songs, and when a team is formed in part, a team competition (total value of each user in the team or the best score in the team) (including individual play in which each user plays individually so that the result is calculated based on the result, etc., and cooperative play in which the team cooperates with each other) may be realized.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a person to whom a random musical score is provided when four songs are used in a battle-type music game. Also, the example of FIG. 7 shows a case where four songs are selected based on the selection of each user U. In FIG. Specifically, four users U each select a desired piece of music. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, an opportunity to select a random musical score is provided for each song, and the target audience for the random musical score is specified for each song based on the selection result. Then, when there are a plurality of people targeted for the random musical score, in other words, when two or more game machines 3 (two or more users U) desire to play the random musical score mode, the two or more games A random musical score common to machine 3 is provided.

Specifically, in the example of FIG. 7, four game machines 3, namely, a first game machine 3 to a fourth game machine 3 corresponding to four users U are matched. P songs (difficulty level "NORMAL"), Q songs (difficulty level "HARD"), R songs (difficulty level "EASY"), and S songs (difficulty level "EXHARD") that differ from each other depending on the user U) is selected as a song to play. In addition, at the random music score selection opportunity, the user U of the first game machine 3 plays all songs, the user U of the second game machine 3 plays two relatively low difficulty P songs and R songs, and the third game machine The user U of No. 3 requests to play only the R song, which has the lowest difficulty level, and the user U of the fourth game machine 3 requests three songs other than the S song, which has the highest difficulty level, to play in the random musical score mode. As a result, when playing the P song, the three game machines 3 other than the third game machine 3, and when playing the Q song, on the second game machine 3 of the first game machine 3 and the fourth game machine 3, the R song , a common random music score (common random music screen 50B) is used in all the game machines 3 respectively. On the other hand, since only the user U of the first game machine 3 requests to play the S music in the random music score mode, only the first game machine 3 plays the random music score (other game machines 3) when playing the S music. (usually sheet music) is used. As an example, a battle-type music game is provided in which a common random musical score is appropriately used according to the selection result of the random musical score selection opportunity while allowing the use of songs with different degrees of difficulty. In this example, for example, two users U corresponding to the first game machine 3 and the fourth game machine 3 in the Q music function as two or more applicants of the present invention.

It should be noted that the random score selection opportunity is not limited to each piece of music, and may be provided at an appropriate frequency. For example, the random score selection opportunity may be provided only once as a common opportunity for all songs. In this case, whether or not to use the random musical score may be checked for each song, or whether or not to use the random musical score may be checked for each song. Similarly, the seed value is not limited to being issued in group units (matching units). For example, a seed value may be issued for each song in play within a group. On the other hand, the information for sharing the random musical score between two or more game machines 3 is not limited to the seed value. Various information that can generate common random sequence data QD2 may be used in place of the seed value. Alternatively, the information provided to each game machine 3 is not limited to indirect information for sharing such random sequence data QD2 (in other words, random musical score). For example, the random sequence data QD2 may be generated by the center server 2 and the common random sequence data QD2 itself (direct information) may be provided to each game machine 3 .

Next, details of the sequence data QD will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of sequence data QD. Sequence data QD is prepared for each piece of music and for each degree of difficulty. That is, the sequence data QD includes a plurality of sequence data QDa, QDb, QDc, . Since the difficulty level of each sequence data QD depends on the number of execution periods, the numbers of execution periods are often different between them. Further, the example of FIG. 8 shows a case where the information of the path 53 indicating the position of the appropriate touch operation on the judgment line 52 is used as the information of the appropriate play action. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, each sequence data QD includes information indicating the position at which an appropriate touch operation should be performed at each execution time, that is, a sequence record RS for managing the path 53. there is Also, the sequence record RS includes information on "time of execution" and "path".

“Execution time” is information indicating the execution time when each user U should be guided. For example, in the "execution time", information in which a bar number in a piece of music, the number of beats, and a value indicating the time during the beat are separated by commas is described as the information of the execution time. “Path” is information indicating each path 53 . Information for identifying each route 53 is described as information of “route”. Specifically, for example, when each route 53 is distinguished by a number such as 1 to 9 in order from the left, such a number indicating each route 53 is described. These pieces of information are recorded in the sequence record RS so as to be associated with each other. It should be noted that the "route" information may be replaced by various types of information. For example, information on the appearance position and arrival position of the object 51 corresponding to each execution time may be used as information on the "route". In this case, the route identified by these appearance positions and arrival positions may function as the route of the present invention.

Next, musical score standardization processing and data generation processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. The musical score sharing process is a process for sharing a random musical score between two or more game machines 3 playing a battle-type music game. The example of FIG. 9 shows a case where a common seed value is used for sharing random musical scores. Also, the example of FIG. 9 shows a case where such a seed value is issued (generated) for each group. That is, it shows a case where a common seed value is repeatedly used for each song in order to generate a random musical score for each song. Furthermore, the example of FIG. 9 shows a case where a seed value is generated along with fulfillment of the change condition. In this case, when the selection result is transmitted to the center server 2 after at least one random musical score selection opportunity is provided in the group, the game machine service management unit 24 starts the musical score standardization process of FIG. First, the selection result of the random musical score selection opportunity is acquired (step S101).

Subsequently, the game machine service management unit 24 identifies the group (each matched game machine 3) to which the game machine 3 that transmitted the selection result acquired in step S101 belongs (step S102). This identification is realized by obtaining matching results. Next, the game machine service management unit 24 determines whether or not the selection results of the random musical score selection opportunity have been transmitted from all the game machines 3 belonging to the group specified in step S102 (step S103). If the transmission from all the game machines 3 has not ended, the game machine service management unit 24 repeats the determination (the process of step S103) until the transmission from all the game machines 3 ends. Note that the game machine service management unit 24 may end the current process even if the transmission from all the game machines 3 is not finished when the interruption condition such as elapse of a predetermined time is satisfied.

On the other hand, when the transmission from all the game machines 3 is completed, the game machine service management unit 24 determines whether or not the change condition is satisfied (step S104). As described above, the change condition is satisfied, for example, when two or more game machines 3 (two or more users U) request play in the random musical score mode at a random musical score selection opportunity. Therefore, in step S104, the game machine service management unit 24 determines whether or not two or more game machines 3 request the random score mode play. When the play in the random musical score mode is not requested from two or more game machines 3 (the change condition is not satisfied), the game machine service management unit 24 skips the subsequent processes and terminates the current process.

On the other hand, when two or more game machines 3 request to play the random score mode (the change condition is satisfied), the game machine service management unit 24 generates a seed value common to the target group (step S105). Subsequently, the game machine service management unit 24 provides the seed value generated in step S105 to all the game machines 3 belonging to the group (step S106). As a result, a common seed value for generating the random music is generated for each group so that the random music in the random music mode is shared within the group, and provided to all the game machines 3 within the group. . Note that the seed value may be generated regardless of whether the change condition is present or not. In this case, the change conditions may be determined separately, and each game machine 3 may be provided with information on whether the change conditions are met or not.

The data generation process is a process for generating random musical scores. The example of FIG. 10 shows a case where each game machine 3 generates random sequence data QD2 corresponding to a random musical score from normal sequence data QD1 based on a seed value. In this case, when the seed value is transmitted from the center server 2, the game providing unit 33 starts the data generation process of FIG. 10, and first acquires the transmitted seed value (step S201). Subsequently, the game providing unit 33 acquires the selection result of the user U (self) at the random musical score selection opportunity (step S202). Next, the game providing unit 33 determines whether or not the user U requests to play the random musical score mode at the random musical score selection opportunity based on the acquisition result (step S203). If the play in the random music score mode is not requested, the game providing unit 33 skips the subsequent processes and ends the current process.

On the other hand, when the play in the random musical score mode is requested, the game providing unit 33 generates a pseudo-random number based on the seed value acquired in step S201 (step S204). Subsequently, the game providing unit 33 generates random sequence data QD2 based on the pseudo-random numbers generated in step S204 (step S205). Specifically, the game providing unit 33 randomly changes the musical score (the relationship between the object 51 and the path 53) of the normal sequence data QD1 by applying the pseudorandom number to the normal sequence data QD1. Then, the sequence data QD corresponding to the changed musical score (random musical score) is acquired as the random sequence data QD2. As an example, the game providing unit 33 generates random sequence data QD2 in this way. After such generation, the game providing unit 33 terminates the current process. As a result, when a random musical score mode play is requested, random sequence data QD2 for realizing such a play is generated based on a seed value common to the group, and such random sequence data QD2 A random musical score (random musical score screen 50B) is provided based on. As a result, when two or more game machines 3 in a group require the random musical score mode, the two or more game machines 3 share the random musical score.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the normal sequence data QD1 is changed to the random sequence data QD2 when, for example, a music game is played in one matched group, four players belonging to the same group A seed value for generating the common random musical score is obtained so that the same common random musical score is used as the random musical score for two or more users U who have selected the random musical score mode among the users U of the first name, and the A seed value is used to generate a random musical score in a music game for those two or more users U. Since such a seed value is configured such that the same pseudo-random number is generated from the same seed value, common random sequence data QD2 is generated from the common seed value. That is, the random sequence data QD2 are matched between two or more users U in the group based on the common seed value. As a result, even if the random music score mode play is requested when the music game is played in the group, at least two or more users U who also request the random music music mode play the random music score in the random music score mode. can be matched. As a result, even if the random musical score mode is selected in a competitive music game in which each user U competes within such a group, at least the two or more users U who request such a random musical score mode are fair. can be guaranteed. Accordingly, it is possible to achieve both suppression of boredom of the user U and fairness.

In particular, when the selection result in the random music selection opportunity as described above is used as the change condition and the specific condition, it is possible to reflect the wishes of each user U on the use of random music and the sharing of such random music. can. Thereby, satisfaction of each user U can be improved. Also, as described above, when a plurality of sequence data QD having different numbers of execution times and different degrees of difficulty are selected for play, when sharing a random musical score between two or more users U in a group Also, it is possible to allow the use of various combinations of sequence data QD, including combinations with different degrees of difficulty. These can improve the interest of the game.

In the above embodiment, the game machine service management section 24 of the center server 2 functions as the information acquisition means and the information use means of the present invention by executing the procedure of FIG. More specifically, the procedure of FIG. 9 is executed mainly through the common information generation section 24b of the game machine service management section 24. FIG. Therefore, the common information generation unit 24b functions as an information acquisition unit by executing step S105 of FIG. Similarly, the common information generating unit 24b functions as information using means by executing step S106 in FIG. 9 so that the procedure in FIG. 10 is executed in each game machine 3.

The present invention is not limited to the forms described above, and may be implemented in forms with appropriate modifications or changes. For example, the game machine 3 is not limited to an arcade game machine, and a stationary so-called home-use game machine, a user terminal device 4 or the like may be used as the game machine 3 . Also, the game machine 3 may be configured as a game machine that virtually operates on a server such as the center server 2 while using the user terminal device 4 or the like as a remote input/output device. Such gaming devices (including user terminals 4) may or may not be part of a gaming system. Therefore, the center server 2 may function as the game system of the present invention. On the other hand, a game device or the like may function as the center server 2 . That is, the game device such as the game machine 3 may perform all or part of the role (various processes, etc.) of the center server 2 in the above-described form. Moreover, in the above-mentioned form, the game machine 3 provides the music game. However, the games provided by the game machine 3 are not limited to music games, and may be various games that can function as timing games.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the embodiments and modifications described above are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, corresponding members illustrated in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is thereby limited to the illustrated form. not a thing

The game system of the present invention comprises an input device (36) used for inputting a play action, an instruction indicator (51) corresponding to the execution time when the play action should be executed, and a reference indicator (52) corresponding to the current time. and a display device (37) for displaying a game screen (50) comprising: a display device (37) connected to a display device (37) for displaying a game screen (50) including: By causing the relative displacement along the path so that the positions of the instruction mark and the reference mark match each other at the execution time based on the sequence data (QD) described in the game screen In order to change the route of the game in which each user (U) is informed of the execution time and the timing of the actual play act of each user input through the input device is evaluated based on the execution time. A plurality of users are provided as one group to the group so that the route is changed to routes (53d and 53f to 53i) different from the route (53a to 53e) when the change condition of is satisfied. In the game system, the same common (53d and 53f to 53i) paths are used as the different paths for two or more users identified based on specific conditions among the plurality of users, Information acquiring means (24b) for acquiring common route information (seed value) for specifying the common route as another route; and each of the two or more users of the group when the change condition is satisfied. and information using means (24b) for using the common route information to change the route so that the route is changed to the common route in the game played by.

According to the present invention, when the relationship between the execution time and the route described in the sequence data is changed when a game is played in a group, a plurality of users belonging to the same group are identified based on a specific condition. Common route information for specifying the same common route as the changed route of two or more users is acquired, and the common route information specifies that the route of the sequence data in the game of those two or more users is the same common route Used to force a route change. In other words, the changed routes of two or more users are matched based on the common route information. As a result, even if the relationship between the execution time and the route described in the sequence data is changed when the game is played in a group, at least two or more users of the group can share the changed execution time and route. can match the relationship with As a result, even if such a relationship is changed in, for example, a competitive game, fairness can be ensured between at least two or more users. As a result, it is possible to achieve both suppression of boredom and the like and fairness of the results, thereby improving the interest of the game.

Various conditions may be adopted as the change condition. For example, the change condition may be a condition using the play situation (including past performance) or a condition using various selection results by each user. Alternatively, the change condition may be a condition using the lottery result. Similarly, various conditions may be employed as specific conditions. For example, the specific condition may be a play situation, a selection result, or a condition for using a lottery. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the change condition provides each user of the group via the display device and the input device with a choice opportunity to select whether or not to change the route. the number of applicants as users who chose to change the route at the selection opportunity is used, and when the number of applicants is two or more, the information acquisition means obtains the specific condition and the two or more applicants are specified as the two or more users, the common route is used as the another route for the two or more applicants. so that the common route information is acquired, and the information using means changes the route to the common route in the game played by each of the two or more applicants of the group. Common route information may be used to change the route. In this case, the user's desire can be reflected in the change of the route and the sharing of the route after the change.

Only one sequence data may be prepared for the game, or a plurality of sequence data may be prepared. Also, the number of execution times of the plurality of sequence data may be the same or may be different. Furthermore, the difficulty levels of those sequence data (difficulty levels of the game when each sequence data is used) may be the same or different. These various types of sequence data may be used when a group is played so as to change the route, that is, to change the relationship between the execution timing and the route described in the sequence data. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when the game uses a plurality of sequence data (QDa to QDc, etc.) each including a plurality of descriptions of execution times with different numbers, , the means for using information is provided to allow use of different sequence data among said two or more users, wherein said means for using information determines said path in said game played by each of said two or more users based on said different sequence data. The common route information may be used to change the route such that is changed to the common route. In this case, it is possible to allow the use of various combinations of sequence data even when two or more users in a group share routes after change. Further, in such an aspect, the information using means includes sequence data (QDa to QDc, etc.) having different degrees of difficulty according to the difference in the number of the plurality of execution times. When the game is provided so as to allow the above users to use the sequence data with different degrees of difficulty, each of the two or more users plays based on the sequence data with different degrees of difficulty. The common route information may be used to change the route so that the route is changed to the common route in the game. In this case, even when two or more users in the group share a changed route, it is possible to allow the use of sequence data of combinations with different degrees of difficulty.

Gaming systems may be configured in various ways to provide games to groups. For example, the game system may be configured as a single game machine and directly provide games. Alternatively, the gaming system may be connected to a single gaming machine and indirectly provide games through that gaming machine. In these cases, one gaming machine may be shared by the group. On the other hand, the gaming system may be connected to multiple gaming machines and indirectly provide games through them. In this case, each game machine may be used by one user or may be used by multiple users. Groups may then be formed by various techniques (matching, use of various information to identify groups, etc.). Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the information acquisition means includes a plurality of devices each having the input device and the display device so as to provide the game to the plurality of users of the group. acquire the common route information so that the common route is used as the separate route in the two or more game machines respectively corresponding to the two or more users when connected to the game machine (3) of and the information using means uses the common route information so that the route is changed to the common route in the game played by each of the two or more users via the two or more game machines. May be used to change routes.

The information acquisition means may acquire common route information in various ways. For example, the information acquisition means may acquire common route information directly by generating common route information. Alternatively, for example, when a plurality of game machines are connected to the game system, common route information may be generated in some of these game machines and the common route information may be obtained from the game machines. The same is true for information usage means. For example, if the game system consists of one game machine, the information using means may directly use the common path information by changing the path of the sequence data to the common path. Alternatively, if the gaming system is connected to multiple gaming machines, the information usage means indirectly by providing common route information to those gaming machines for use in changing routes. may be used to change routes. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the information acquiring means acquires the common route information by generating the common route information, and the information using means uses the two or more said common route to said two or more game machines so that said two or more game machines execute said change when said game machines change said route to said common route based on said common route information; The common route information may be used to modify the route by providing information.

On the other hand, the computer program of the present invention is configured to cause the computer (21) connected to the input device and the display device to function as each means of the game system described above. The game system of the present invention can be realized by executing the computer program of the present invention.

1 game system 3 game machine 21 control unit (computer)
36 input device 37 monitor (display device)
50 game screen 51 object (instruction sign)
52 Judgment line (reference mark)
53 path 24b common information generator (information acquisition means, information use means)
U User QD Sequence data PG1 Program (computer program)

Claims (2)

connected to an input device used for inputting a play action, and a display device for displaying a game screen including an instruction indicator corresponding to the execution time when the play action should be executed and a reference indicator corresponding to the current time; and determining the positions of the indicator and the reference marker relative to each other at the execution time based on sequence data described in association with a path of relative displacement that should occur between the indicator and the reference marker at the execution time. By causing the relative displacement along the path to match, the user is guided through the game screen to the execution time, and the user 's actual play input via the input device. A game in which the timing of an action is evaluated based on the execution timing is multiplied such that, if a change condition for changing the route is satisfied, the route is changed to a different route by lottery . A game system provided to a number of users,
Information for acquiring common route information for specifying the common route as the separate route so that the same common route is used as the separate route for at least two users out of the plurality of users acquisition means;
changing the common route information so that the route is changed to the common route in the game played by each of the two or more users of the plurality of users when the change condition is satisfied; and the information usage means used to
A game system with A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to the input device and the display device to function as each means of the game system according to claim 1 .

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