JP7185305B2 - Game system, computer program used therefor, and control method - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law 1. Disclosure through the start of provision Date of start of provision December 2, 2019 Place of start of provision Stores where target game machines are installed

In the present invention, when a predetermined start procedure for playing a predetermined range corresponding to a predetermined consideration in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration is executed via an input device, the predetermined range is played. The present invention relates to a game system or the like that provides a game via an output device.

When a predetermined start procedure for playing a predetermined range corresponding to a predetermined consideration in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration is executed via the input device, the output device is operated so that the predetermined range is played. There are gaming systems that provide games via. For example, in such a game, the position of the input section to be stepped on by the player is guided along with the progress of the music in the game so that the player performs dance steps in time with the music, and the timing of evaluating the position and timing. A game device that provides a game is known (see Patent Document 1, for example). In addition, Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2 exist as prior art documents related to the present invention.

JP-A-2000-037490

How to play Puyo Quest-01-Basic play free, Publisher's comment section (below the video), [online], April 20, 2014, SEGA, [searched February 26, 2020], Internet, < URL: https://youtube. com/watch? v=SQwZIwabLoo> "SAO Arcade Deep Explorer" Free first play from September 5th! Limited-time Gasha "GGO Pickup Gasha" and "Moon Viewing Bunny Support Log Gasha" held, title column, [online], August 30, 2019, KADOKAWA Game Linkage, [searched February 26, 2020 ], Internet, <URL: https://WWW. famitsu. com/news/201908/30182309. html>

In the game of Patent Literature 1, a song is selected after a coin is inserted (collected), and play within a range corresponding to the coin (reward) is provided. It is unclear whether the game offers a smaller range of play than the coin-redeemable range, or if there is a separate procedure for playing such a smaller range. For this reason, the game disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be played by, for example, playing the game for a short period of time and then playing the range associated with inserting coins. In particular, the timing game of Patent Literature 1 tends to have higher hurdles for inexperienced players than games of other genres. Therefore, there is a high demand for such a flow.

There are also games that offer basic play or first play for free. The games of Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2 belong to this type of game. For example, Non-Patent Literature 1 discloses a game that is played for free until the value of "energy" disappears, and Non-Patent Literature 2 discloses a game that provides the first play for free. However, in the game of Non-Patent Document 1, for example, after the "energy" is lost, the play cannot be continued unless the "energy" is recovered by paying credits (consideration), and in this game, the payment of credits is not the continuation of the game. It's just a price for. As a result, this game can only be played in the flow of free play and its continuation by payment of credits, and play accompanied by payment of credits is nothing more than a continuation of the same play opportunity as free play. Similarly, in the game of Non-Patent Document 2, the first play is only provided free of charge for a campaign (advertising activity), and from the second play onwards, only the range of play accompanied by payment of consideration is allowed. Conceivable. As a result, there is no difference in the play range between the free first play and the second and subsequent plays. Also, there is no difference in the procedure except whether it is free or not, and from the second time onwards, the procedure is exactly the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game system or the like that can provide a play opportunity to play a smaller range before playing a predetermined range.

In the game system of the present invention, when a predetermined start procedure for playing a predetermined range corresponding to a predetermined consideration is executed via an input device in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration, the predetermined range is played. A game system that provides a game via an output device such that the game is played in a range smaller than the predetermined range when a procedure different from the predetermined start procedure is executed , opportunity providing means for providing a play opportunity to play the small range in accordance with the execution of the another procedure, and play the game in the predetermined range when a predetermined start condition is satisfied in the play opportunity. game providing means for providing the game separately from the play opportunity as the game opportunity to be played.

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

Further, in the control method of the present invention, when a predetermined start procedure for playing a predetermined range corresponding to a predetermined consideration in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration is executed via an input device, the predetermined range When a procedure different from the predetermined start procedure is executed in a computer incorporated in a game system that provides a game via an output device so that the game is played in a range smaller than the predetermined range is played, an opportunity providing procedure for providing a play opportunity to play the small range along with the execution of the another procedure, and when a predetermined start condition is satisfied in the play opportunity, in the predetermined range and a game providing procedure for providing the game separately from the play opportunity as a game opportunity to play the game.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. The perspective view which shows an example of the external appearance of a game machine. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the essential parts of the control system of the game system; The figure which shows an example of a game screen typically. Explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a plurality of types of start procedures. Explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a trial play play time and a trial game screen. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a trial play process procedure; 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of game switching 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.

As the game machine 3, an appropriate computer device (including, for example, a user terminal device 4 described later) that provides games may be used, but in the example of FIG. 1, a commercial (business) game machine is used. . A commercial game machine is an example of a game machine, and is a 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. This type of game machine 3 is sometimes called an arcade game machine, and is 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 increase profits.

The game machine 3 may provide appropriate games such as action games, role-playing games, simulation games, shooting games, sports games, or puzzle games, and provides a timing game as an example. A timing game is a type of game that guides and evaluates when to perform appropriate play actions. In the timing game, each execution time can be appropriately guided through various output devices such as guidance through sound from a speaker, but each execution time is generally guided through a game screen displayed on a display device. 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 epoch is guided by creating a relative displacement along the path between the marker and the reference marker. The timing game is configured appropriately according to the type of play action to be requested, the method of guiding the execution time, the method of evaluation, and the like. The game machine 3 may provide such an appropriate timing game, but as an example, it provides a music game and is configured as a music game machine that provides a music game.

A music game is a kind of timing game, and is a type of game that provides an execution timing for executing an appropriate play act together with music. Specifically, the music game uses the timing that matches the rhythm of the music 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 one or more songs selected therefrom are used for actual play. Music games will be discussed further below.

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 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. The game machine service includes a distribution service for distributing and updating 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 games to each game machine 3 through such a distribution service. 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 matching service for matching users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5, or a billing service for collecting fees from users.

Similarly, the center server 2 provides various web services to users of the user terminal devices 4 via the network 5 . The web services include a game information service that provides various information related to the game provided by the game machine 3, a distribution service that distributes various data or software (including updates of data, etc.) to each user terminal device 4, and a service provided by the user. A community service that provides a place for interaction such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing, and a service that assigns a user ID for identifying each user may be appropriately included.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the game machine 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the game machine 3 has a housing BX. Various output devices and input devices provided in an arcade game machine may be appropriately provided in the housing BX, but in the example of FIG. 2, a monitor MO, a control panel CP, and a speaker SP are provided. Specifically, the monitor MO is attached to the housing BX so that the display surface is inclined upward. A control panel CP and a speaker SP are arranged on the front side and the back side (upper side) of the monitor MO so as to sandwich the monitor MO.

The monitor MO is a well-known display device that displays various images such as game screens for music games. Also, the speaker SP is a well-known sound reproduction device that reproduces various sounds for music games. Similarly, the control panel CP is a well-known device including an input device for inputting various game-related operations such as user's playing actions. In a music game, various actions such as actions input via a camera may be used as play actions, but in the example of FIG. 2, operations input via the control panel CP are used as play actions. In addition, the control panel CP may be provided with various input devices for inputting various operations adopted as play actions, but in the example of FIG. ing.

The operation input device IP is keyboard-shaped, and extends from one end to the other in the horizontal direction of the monitor MO as seen from the user when the user stands in front of the housing BX facing the monitor MO. are arranged as follows. Specifically, the operation input device IP has a plurality of key portions OI, and each key portion OI is formed in a rectangular shape extending from the back side to the front side. Each key portion OI is configured to receive a pressing operation of pressing downward from above as an operation portion to which a user's operation is input. These key portions OI are arranged in parallel from one end portion to the other end portion in the horizontal direction of the monitor MO so as to extend in parallel with each other. These key parts OI are arranged to be distinguished into white key parts and black key parts corresponding to the white and black keys of a keyboard instrument (shorter than the white keys and arranged between adjacent white keys). However, as an example, there is no such distinction and they are all configured in the same way.

In addition to the operation input device IP, various input devices or output devices may be appropriately provided on the control panel CP, but in the example of FIG. 2, a coin slot CO is provided. The coin slot CO is an opening for guiding coins to a coin collection mechanism (not shown) that collects coins. In the game machine 3, various kinds of consideration such as electronic consideration may be appropriately used as consideration for playing the music game. Coins (consideration) are collected.

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 22 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 22 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a nonvolatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 22 may be configured to hold all data in one storage unit, or may be configured to store data in a distributed manner in a plurality of storage units. A server program PG1 is recorded in the storage unit 22 as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 21 to execute various processes necessary for providing various services to users. The storage unit 22 also records server data SD necessary for providing various services. The server data SD includes various data necessary for providing various services. Such data may include various data for a music game, such as a part or all of game data GD, which will be described later, but play data PD is shown in the example of FIG. The play data PD is data describing information on various achievements related to each user's game. The play data PD is used, for example, to hand over the play results (play results) up to the previous time to the next and subsequent times, or to hand over the setting specific to each user.

Further, the control unit 21 is provided with various logical devices realized by combining the hardware resources of the control unit 21 and the server program PG1 as software resources. Such logical devices include game machine service manager 24 and web service manager 25 . The game machine service management unit 24 is a logical device that executes processing for providing the game machine service described above. The web service management unit 25 is a logical device that executes processing necessary to provide the web service described above. 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, which is an example of a processor that executes various processes according to a predetermined computer program, and an internal memory and other peripheral devices that are necessary for its operation. The control unit 31 is provided with various logical devices realized by a combination of the hardware resources of the control unit 31 and the game program PG2 as software resources. A demo control 37 is shown. The game control unit 36 and the demonstration control unit 37 are both logical devices that execute various types of processing related to the music game (including processing necessary for receiving game machine services provided by the center server 2). is.

Specifically, the game control unit 36 executes various processes for providing a music game. For example, such processing includes a sequence process that guides when to perform each play action, and an evaluation process that evaluates when to actually perform each play action based on the execution time. On the other hand, the demonstration control section 37 executes various processes for introducing the music game. Such processing includes processing for displaying a demo video (attraction video) introducing the music game on the monitor MO, and processing for providing a trial play for introducing the music game. The demo video may be provided at an appropriate time, but as an example, it is provided during the waiting time (the period between when a predetermined range corresponding to a predetermined price is played and when the predetermined range is played next time). be. Similarly, the trial play may be provided at an appropriate time, but as an example, it is provided when a predetermined procedure is executed while the demonstration video is being displayed. As processing for providing such a trial play, the demonstration control unit 37 provides, for example, trial play processing and game switching processing. The details of the trial play process and the game switching process 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. Various data are recorded in the storage unit 32 together with the above-described game program PG2. In the example of FIG. 3, game data GD is shown. The game data GD is data necessary for allowing the user to play the music game according to the game program PG2. The game data GD may include various data such as image data for displaying various images for a music game and BGM data for reproducing various BGM. , music data MD, and sequence data QD. The play data PD (as well as other game data GD if stored in the center server 2) are provided from the center server 2 through a distribution service so as to include necessary portions.

The music data MD is data for reproducing music used for playing the music game. The sequence data QD is data describing each execution time at which appropriate play actions should be executed 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. That is, the sequence data QD is used for guidance and evaluation of each execution timing. 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. For example, in the sequence data QD, information indicating each key part OI (or a path on which each instruction mark should be arranged) or a plurality of types of instruction marks are prepared as information of such an appropriate play action. Information indicating the type of each instruction mark in is described so as to be associated with each 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.

In addition, the game machine 3 is appropriately provided with various output devices and input devices necessary for the arcade game machine, and can be connected to the control unit 31. In the example of FIG. A reader RD, an operation input device IP, and a touch panel TP are shown as input devices, respectively. As described above, the monitor MO and speaker SP display various screens (images) such as game screens and reproduce various sounds such as music in accordance with output signals from the control unit 31 . As described above, the operation input device IP also outputs a signal corresponding to each key portion OI to the control unit 31 when a pressing operation is input to each key portion OI. The touch panel TP is a well-known input device that outputs (inputs) a signal corresponding to a user's touch operation (touching operation with a finger) to the control unit 31 . The touch panel TP is arranged on the monitor MO so that a touch operation is performed at each position forming the game screen.

The reader RD is a well-known device for acquiring information from a recording medium owned by the user (medium for recording various information). The recording medium may be configured appropriately, and the reader RD may also be configured appropriately according to the type of recording medium (or recording method). In the example of FIG. 3, the card C is used as the recording medium. Information may be recorded on the card C by an appropriate method such as a code (pattern) generated according to a predetermined rule or various electronic recording means. The card C may include appropriate cards such as play cards for reproducing music, items, or characters in the game, and appropriate information may be recorded thereon via an IC chip. , includes an ID card for recording a user ID for identifying a user as an example.

Similarly, as the reader RD, various devices such as a camera for reading codes or a suitable receiver for receiving information from electronic recording means through various short-range wireless communication standards may be used, As an example, a receiver conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard adapted for reading IC chips is used. The reader RD acquires various kinds of information recorded on the card C by reading the IC chip.

Next, the music game will be further described with reference to FIG. A music game is a type of timing game that guides each execution time described in the sequence data QD in accordance with the rhythm of music (music) as described above, and evaluates the timing of each user's actual play behavior. . FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of a game screen for providing such a music game. As shown in FIG. 4, the game screen 40 includes a lane 41 as a route of relative displacement, an object 42 as a direction marker, and a judgment line 43 as a reference marker. An appropriate number of objects 42 appear in appropriate lanes 41 on the game screen 40 , and move along the appearing lanes 41 toward the determination line 43 . In other words, the lane 41 functions as a time axis, and each execution time is guided by the arrival of the object 42 moving along the lane 41 (time axis) to the judgment line 43 .

Specifically, each lane 41 may be formed as appropriate, including cases where it is not explicitly displayed, but in the example of FIG. It is shown explicitly as a curve. As a result, each lane 41 is configured to present a virtual three-dimensional space having depth on the back side. Each lane 41 is appropriately associated with each key portion OI of the operation input device IP. For example, each lane 41 may be associated with each key portion OI in a one-to-one correspondence, or each lane 41 may be associated with a predetermined number of key portion OIs (many-to-one). An appropriate number of key portions OI (all key portions OI adjacent to each other) are associated with one lane 41 so that the number changes for each lane 41 . An appropriate number of lanes 41 may be provided according to the number of key portions OI, but nine lanes 41 are provided in the example of FIG.

The determination lines 43 may be arranged in an appropriate number and in an appropriate shape in an appropriate position according to the shape of each lane 41 as the movement destination of each object 42 (which may be an arrival position or a passing position). In the example of FIG. 2, it is configured as one determination line 43 extending linearly so as to intersect (perpendicularly) each lane 41 , and is arranged near the lower end side of each lane 41 .

The object 42 may appear at an appropriate position on each lane 41, but as an example, it appears on the upper end side of each lane 41 and moves toward the judgment line 43 on the lower end side. More specifically, each object 42 is determined along each lane 41 so as to reach the determination line 43 at the operation timing (execution timing) at which the key portion OI (plurality) corresponding to each lane 41 should be pressed. Move towards line 43 . Then, when the object 42 and the judgment line 43 match, the operation timing is guided, and the lane 41 on which the object 42 is arranged guides the appropriate key portion OI for which the pressing operation should be performed. In this case, the user is requested to press the key portion OI corresponding to the lane 41 in which the object 42 is arranged in accordance with the match timing of the object 42 and the judgment line 43 .

The object 42 may include a plurality of types of objects 42 that each require a plurality of types of play actions (operations), but in the example of FIG. there is Such objects 42 may be arranged for each lane 41 so as to fit in one lane 41, but are arranged so as to straddle a plurality of lanes 41 in the example of FIG. For example, the leftmost object 42 in the example of FIG. 4 is arranged so as to straddle the entire leftmost lane 41 and the left half of the lane 41 adjacent to it on the right. In this case, when the object 42 reaches the judgment line 43, the key portion OI corresponding to the leftmost lane 41 and the key portion OI corresponding to the left half of the lane 41 adjacent to the right side of the key portion OI are selected. is required. Then, the shorter the lag time between the requested time (the execution time of the sequence data QD) and the actual pressing operation when the user presses the key part OI, the higher the evaluation. evaluated as

Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the starting procedure for playing the music game will be described. In the music game, a plurality of types of start procedures are prepared as start procedures for starting play. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of such multiple types of start procedures. As shown in FIG. 5, the start procedure for starting play of the music game includes two types of start procedures, a normal start procedure and a special start procedure. Both the normal start procedure and the special start procedure are procedures that the user should perform to start the game, but the normal start procedure is the normal start procedure generally required in arcade game machines. On the other hand, the special start procedure is a special start procedure prepared separately from the normal start procedure for starting the music game via trial play.

Specifically, the normal start procedure may appropriately include various procedures according to the type of game, etc., but in the example of FIG. 5, it includes “payment of consideration” and “preparation”. Also, the order of "payment of consideration" and "preparation" may be reversed or appropriately, but in the example of FIG. 5, "payment of consideration" and "preparation" are executed in this order. “Payment of consideration” is a procedure indicating payment of a predetermined consideration required for providing a music game. That is, in order to start playing the music game, the user is first required to insert coins (an amount corresponding to a predetermined consideration) into the coin slot CO.

“Preparation” is a procedure indicating various preparations for starting the music game. In other words, in the "preparation", the user executes such various preparations. Such preparations may be arbitrarily configured, for example, a music game may include various selections (or settings) to start, but one example is selection of a song to play, and selection of a difficulty level. contains. In other words, following the payment of the price, the user is required to select a piece of music to play and select a difficulty level in preparation for playing the music game. Then, after such "preparation", play of the music game is started, and the user is actually provided with the game play of playing the music game, which in the example of FIG. is shown as In other words, "game play" is a procedure indicating the actual play of the game (start of the game) by the user. In this example, the normal initiation procedure serves as the predetermined initiation procedure of the present invention. In addition, the input device of the present invention includes the coin slot CO through which the "payment of consideration" of the normal start procedure is executed, the operation input device IP through which the "preparation" is executed, or the control panel CP provided with them. function as appropriate.

On the other hand, the special start procedure may be configured by an appropriate procedure so as to be different from the normal start procedure, but in the example of FIG. and "payment of consideration" in that order. "Preparation" and "payment of consideration" are the same as "preparation" and "payment of consideration" in the normal initiation procedure. "Preparation" and "payment of consideration" may be performed in the order of "preparation" and "payment of consideration" in the special start procedure as well, but as an example, "preparation" and "payment of consideration" are executed in this order. In other words, in the special start procedure, the order of "preparation" and "payment of consideration" is reversed compared to the normal start procedure. In addition, procedures such as "special operation" are included before these "preparations" and the like, and they are executed along with the procedure of "special operation". For this reason, the special start procedure differs from the normal start procedure in the number of steps and its first step.

Specifically, "special operation" is a procedure indicating a special operation requested by a user who wishes to play a trial play. It is also a procedure for In other words, the user is first required to perform a special operation in order to start the trial play (or start the special start procedure). The timing at which the special operation should be performed may include a suitable timing, but includes standby time as an example. The waiting time is the time during which the game is waiting for the provision of the game (time outside the game). including the period up to At any time during the standby time, the execution of the special operation may be permitted (recognized as an operation instructing the start of the trial play). is recognized as a special operation limited to As such a special operation, an appropriate operation may be employed, and as an example, an operation of pressing one of the key portions OI of the operation input device IP is employed. That is, when an operation of pressing the key OI corresponding to the play act is input via the operation input device IP at a specific time, it is recognized as a procedure of execution of a special operation, that is, a "special operation".

The specific timing may be an appropriate timing of the waiting time. For example, during the standby time, various presentations (including both auditory presentation and visual presentation) such as guidance of game titles, guidance of game makers, guidance of other various types of introductory information, etc. are provided periodically as appropriate. can be executed to The execution of the special operation may be appropriately limited to some of these various effects. Limited to demo videos. More specifically, the demonstration video may appropriately include various videos (images) introducing the music game, and includes the game screen 40 as an example. In this demo video, the game screen 40 also includes objects 42 and the like as in the case of playing the music game, and guides through them the timing of the operation to press each key OI in time with the rhythm of the music. That is, the demo game screen 40 included in the demo moving image is configured as a moving image (transition of the game screen 40) that expresses such movement of the object 42 and the like. A special operation for starting the trial play is limitedly permitted while the demo game screen 40 is being displayed. Appropriate notification information such as "You can play the trial" may be presented during the period in which the special operation for playing the trial play is permitted, that is, while the demo game screen 40 is being displayed. As an example, the presentation of such information is omitted.

"Trial play" is a procedure indicating provision of trial play. A trial play is an opportunity to play a part of the music game as a trial version. Therefore, in the "trial play", the trial play is actually played by the user who performed the special operation. The range to be played in the trial play may be appropriate, for example, if the predetermined range (range corresponding to the predetermined consideration) to be played in exchange for a predetermined consideration is a song unit, the playing time of the song If a plurality of songs are played in a short appropriate time, or in a predetermined range, it may be a part of those songs. Also, the range played in the trial play is a part of the lanes 41 in the case where a plurality of lanes 41 on the game screen 40 are used to indicate each key OI, or a plurality of types of objects 42 on the game screen 40. It may be a part of the information described in the sequence data QD, such as a part of the object 42 when prepared. Similarly, when the use of a plurality of items is permitted in a music game, only some of those items may be within the permitted range. The small range may be any suitable part of the music game, as long as it is less than the play, but as an example a time less than the predetermined range is used.

As the time shorter than the predetermined range, an appropriate time such as one minute (a time shorter than the performance time of a general piece of music) may be uniformly adopted, but for example, the remaining time of the demonstration moving image is adopted. Specifically, as described above, the special operation is executed while the demo game screen 40 is being displayed. A display period is set for the included game screen 40 (or demo video). This display period may be constant, or may vary according to the type of demonstration moving image. In any case, when a special operation is executed, a remaining time is generated in the display period based on the timing of the special operation. The remaining time functions as the play time (small range) of the trial play. That is, the play time of the trial play is limited to the remaining time of the display period of the game screen 40 (demonstration moving image) at the time when the special operation was performed. Therefore, the timing at which the execution of the special operation is permitted may be limited to a case where the remaining time is equal to or greater than a certain amount while the game screen 40 is being displayed in the demonstration video. Special operations are allowed during the display of 40 regardless of the remaining time. On the other hand, within this playing time range, the game is played in the same manner as the music game within the predetermined range. In other words, each execution time is guided in the same manner as the music game play within a predetermined range, and when a play action (operation of pressing the key OI) is actually executed at each execution time, the actual execution time is within the predetermined range. is evaluated in the same way as the play of

In the trial play, a "preparation" procedure may be provided in the same manner as a predetermined range of play provided in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration, but as an example, the "preparation" procedure is omitted. In addition, various play conditions to be selected in the "preparation" may be determined according to predetermined rules such as random selection other than the "preparation". In the play, the music game is played under conditions similar to those provided by the demo game screen 40 (various selection results to be executed as preparation). Specifically, the game screen 40 for demonstration is provided so as to correspond to a specific difficulty level and music. , and songs as well. For example, demo videos often use the latest music and game screens 40 corresponding to normal difficulty so as to attract the user's attention. A music game is played with a song and normal difficulty. The music used in the demo game screen 40 or the difficulty level may be uniform (common) in any of the periodically switched demo videos. , resulting in a difference in at least part of the plurality of demonstration videos prepared for the waiting time.

The “start operation” is a procedure indicating a start operation for switching (starting play within a predetermined range) from the trial play to the original music game play (play within a predetermined range). The trial play is a trial version (experimental version) of playing the music game as described above, but is provided to guide the player to the original play. Therefore, during the trial play, a start operation for starting such original play (play within a predetermined range) is allowed. In addition, the switching from the trial play to the original play is not limited to the start operation, for example, various play situations such as when a specific result is achieved in the trial play, or various start conditions such as random lottery results However, as an example, it is implemented when a start operation is performed. Such a start operation may be allowed at an appropriate time, such as before or after the trial play, in the play opportunity for playing the trial play. For example, after the trial play, a message such as "Would you like to play the game?" is displayed for a predetermined period of time to confirm whether or not to officially play the game, and the start operation is performed only while the message is being displayed. may be accepted. In this way, the start operation may be allowed at an appropriate time of the play opportunity (in other words, the play opportunity may include not only the play time of the trial play but also the time before and after the trial play). However, as an example, it is allowed at any time during the trial play. The start operation in this example serves as the predetermined start condition of the present invention.

As the start operation, various operations that can be input through the operation input device IP or the like may be appropriately adopted, and as an example, a touch operation on the touch panel TP is adopted. Specifically, on the game screen for trial play (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the trial game screen), there is a start touch area for starting the original play (a predetermined range displayed during play). The game screen 40 includes a non-set area), and a touch operation to the touch area functions as a start operation. Then, when such a touch operation (start operation) to the touch area is executed, the process proceeds to "game play" via the above-described "preparation" and "payment of consideration". In other words, in the case of the special start procedure as well, following the start operation in the trial play, the same preparations as in the case of the normal start procedure and the collection of a predetermined consideration are executed, and after that, the music game is played within a predetermined range. be started. In this example, the special initiation procedure (or the "special operation" procedure included therein) serves as another procedure of the present invention.

Next, the play time of the trial play and the trial game screen will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a trial play play time and a trial game screen. The example of FIG. 6 shows a play time and a trial game screen when an operation of pressing the key part OI during display of the game screen 40 in the demo video is adopted as the special operation. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the display of the monitor MO is switched from the demo video (demonstration game screen 40) to the trial game screen 50 in accordance with the operation (special operation) of pressing the key OI. A trial play is provided through the screen 50, but the play time is limited to the remaining time of the display period during which the demonstration video should have been originally displayed if the key OI was not pressed. Then, when the start operation is executed in such a trial play, the original game play (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a game opportunity) is provided. On the other hand, when the start operation is not executed at the play opportunity of the trial play, the original waiting time is returned to, and various effects such as the demonstration moving image are displayed again in a loop.

Specifically, the demonstration animation may include various animations, and includes the display of the game screen 40 for demonstration as described above. A display period is set for such a demo game screen 40 . This display period may be part of the display period of the demonstration moving image, but in the example of FIG. 6, it coincides with the display period of the demonstration moving image. In other words, the example of FIG. 6 shows a case where the demo video is composed only of the demo game screen 40 . The demo game screen 40 may be a still image, but as an example, it is configured as a moving image showing the transition of the game screen 40 during play. Such a demo game screen 40, as long as the viewer can grasp the development (progress), etc. of the music game, is the transition of the game screen 40 when other users play, or the virtual user ( It may be a suitable transition of the game screen 40, such as a transition of the game screen 40 during play by a computer (including a computer). Also, the demo video (demonstration game screen 40) is periodically displayed during the standby time as described above. The demonstration moving image is also displayed when the touch panel TP is touch-operated while the display is on. In other words, touch operations are allowed during the standby time, and display switching between another effect and the demonstration moving image is executed by such touch operations.

On the other hand, the operation of pressing each key portion OI is permitted while the demonstration moving image (demonstration game screen 40) is being displayed. In this case, while the demonstration video is being displayed, only the pressing operation for a specific key portion OI may be specified as the special operation, but as an example, the pressing operation for any key portion OI functions as the special operation. For example, the operation input device IP may be provided with an appropriate number of key portions OI, but in the example of FIG. 6, the operation input device IP is provided with 28 key portions OI. In this case, these key OIs (each key OI may be associated with each lane 41 as appropriate, but as an example four in the middle widest lane 41 and three in each of the other lanes 41). associated) acts as a special operation.

When a pressing operation is input to any key part OI of the operation input device IP, a trial play opportunity is provided. The play time of the trial play is limited to the remaining time of the display period of the demo moving image as described above. Specifically, the demo video (demonstration game screen 40) is originally scheduled to be displayed from the start of display to the end of display (over the display period). When the pressing operation is input, the demo video ends at that point, and the provision of play opportunities starts. In this case, the display period of the demonstration moving image has a remaining time from the point of time of the operation to the time of the original end of the display. This remaining time functions as the play time of the trial play. In other words, instead of the original demo video, a trial play is provided until the display of the demo video ends.

A trial play is provided through a trial game screen 50. - 特許庁Therefore, the trial game screen 50 is displayed during the play time of the trial play. Also, the trial play may include preparation procedures as appropriate, but as an example, the trial play is played under the same conditions as the demo game screen 40 being displayed as the demo video. Specifically, in the trial play, a music game is played with the same music and difficulty level as the demo game screen 40 . For this reason, the opportunity to select a song or the like is omitted in the trial play opportunity, and the display of the monitor MO changes from the demo video (demonstration game screen 40) to the trial game screen as the key portion OI is pressed. switch to 50. As a result, the trial game screen 50 is displayed on the monitor MO so as to interrupt the display of the demonstration video (demonstration game screen 40) in the middle of the demonstration video (during the execution of the program for the demonstration video) (in other words, (For example, another program is executed to interrupt the program for the demonstration video). In this example, the demo video (demonstration game screen 40) functions as an introductory video of the present invention. A monitor MO that displays such a demonstration moving image or a monitor MO that displays a game screen 40 in a game opportunity functions as a display device and an output device of the present invention.

The trial game screen 50 is a game screen for playing a music game under the same conditions as the demo game screen 40 as a trial play. Therefore, although it is configured basically in the same manner as the normal game screen 40 , unlike the normal game screen 40 , it includes a start touch area 51 and a stop touch area 52 . The start touch area 51 is an area where a touch operation should be performed as a start operation for starting a game opportunity. The starting touch area 51 may be appropriately distinguished from other areas, but as an example, information of "start game" is displayed to communicate its function. When a touch operation (start operation) is performed on the start touch area 51 (the start operation may appropriately include a confirmation operation or the like in addition to the touch operation), a game opportunity is provided. Specifically, the execution of this touch operation completes the “special operation”, the “trial play” and the “start operation” in the special start procedure described above. For this reason, a game opportunity (predetermined range of play corresponding to a predetermined value) is provided through "preparation" and "payment of consideration" in a special initiation procedure.

Also, the trial play may simply be provided as an opportunity to experience the charm of the music game, but as an example, it functions as an opportunity to obtain information that assists various selections (settings) in "preparation". Specifically, in the trial play, the user's play behavior is appropriately evaluated in the same way as the music game play in the game opportunity, and the evaluation result is used to determine the user's skill. That is, the skill of the user who played the trial play is determined according to the play situation of the trial play. Even if the result of the discrimination is presented as information indicating a large classification of skills such as “good”, “normal”, “not so good”, or “advanced level”, “intermediate level”, “beginner level” Alternatively, it may be appropriately presented as information indicating a specific skill such as "○○ level" (○○ is a specific number indicating the level). Alternatively, instead of such presentation, or in addition to such presentation, the user may be presented with a piece of music corresponding to the user's skill, or a difficulty level. In any case, the determination result based on the play situation of the trial play is presented to the user as a reference for various selections (settings) in the "preparation".

On the other hand, the stop touch area 52 is an area where a touch operation for stopping the trial play should be performed. The play opportunity for the trial play is when the user disappears from the front of the game machine 3 (which may be detected by a sensor such as a camera), or when the play action (operation of pressing the key part OI) continues for a certain period of time. Various stopping conditions such as when the trial play is not executed may be appropriately provided, but the stop touch area 52 is prepared as an option when the user wants to stop the trial play in the middle of the play. In other words, the touch operation on the stop touch area 52 is prepared as a kind of stop condition to reflect the user's intention. The stop touch area 52 may be distinguished from other areas as appropriate, but as an example, "stop" information is displayed to communicate its function. When a touch operation is performed on the stop touch area 52, the trial play ends even in the middle of the play time. The same is true when other cancellation conditions are met. When such a stop condition is satisfied, or when the play time ends without a touch operation being performed on the start touch area 51, the process returns to the standby time again. Then, during the standby time, the repetition of various effects including the same demonstration video is provided again.

Next, the trial play process and the game switching process will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. The trial play process is a process for providing a trial play. The example of FIG. 7 shows a case where a trial play is provided by a start operation during display of a demo video, more specifically, a case where the start operation is executed while a demo game screen 40 is displayed as a demo video. The procedure of trial play processing is shown. In this case, the demonstration control unit 37 starts the trial play process of FIG. Information about the demonstration video that was being displayed when the operation was executed is acquired (step S101). This information may include various types of information necessary for providing trial play. information, and information on the remaining time for which the game screen 40 should be displayed as a demo animation.

Subsequently, the demonstration control unit 37 determines various conditions under which the trial play should be performed based on the information acquired in step S101 (step S102). Such various conditions may include appropriate conditions that should be selected in preparation for playing the music game, and examples include music and difficulty. Therefore, the demonstration control unit 37 determines the music and difficulty level provided on the demo game screen 40 as the music and difficulty level (conditions) for play to be played in the trial play.

Next, the demonstration control unit 37 determines the remaining time of the demonstration moving image that was being displayed when the start operation was executed, based on the information acquired in step S101 (step S103). Subsequently, the demonstration control unit 37 provides trial play (step S104). This trial play is provided through the trial game screen 50 as a play opportunity to play a music game corresponding to various conditions such as music discriminated in step S102. Therefore, the demonstration control unit 37 provides such a play opportunity by displaying on the monitor MO a trial game screen 50 corresponding to the same music and difficulty level as the demo game screen 40 . In other words, the demonstration control unit 37 switches the display of the monitor MO from the demonstration video (game screen 40 for demonstration) to the trial game screen 50 .

Next, the demonstration control unit 37 determines whether or not the termination condition is satisfied (step S105). An appropriate condition for ending the trial play may be used as the termination condition, but as an example, a termination condition is adopted. That is, the termination condition is satisfied when the termination condition is satisfied (for example, when a touch operation is performed on the termination touch area 52). The end condition is also satisfied by the lapse of play time and execution of the start operation during the trial play. In other words, the end condition is also met when the play time corresponding to the remaining time determined in step S103 has arrived, or when the start touch area 51 of the trial game screen 50 is touched. Therefore, the demonstration control unit 37 determines in step S105 whether or not the cancellation condition is satisfied, whether or not the play time corresponding to the remaining time determined in step S103 has elapsed, and whether or not the start touch area 51 has been touch-operated. determine whether or not Then, if the cancellation condition is not satisfied, the play time corresponding to the remaining time determined in step S103 has not elapsed, and the touch operation to the start touch area 51 has not been executed, that is, the end condition is not satisfied. In this case, the demonstration control unit 37 returns to step S104 and continues providing the trial play (in other words, displaying the trial game screen 50).

On the other hand, if the end condition is satisfied, that is, if the stop condition is satisfied (for example, if a touch operation is performed on the stop touch area 52), or if the play time corresponding to the remaining time determined in step S103 has passed, Alternatively, when the start touch area 51 is touch-operated, the demonstration control unit 37 ends the trial play (step S106). In other words, the demonstration control section 37 ends the display of the trial game screen 50 . More specifically, the demonstration control unit 37 changes the display of the monitor MO from the trial game screen 50 to the video for various effects during the waiting time, such as a demonstration video, when the cancellation condition is satisfied or the play time has elapsed. switch to Alternatively, the demonstration control unit 37 starts the game switching process when the start touch area 51 is touch-operated. After such termination, the demonstration control unit 37 terminates the current trial play process.

According to the procedure in FIG. 7, the trial play is provided in accordance with the start operation during display of the demonstration moving image. More specifically, when the start operation is performed while the demo game screen 40 is being displayed, the trial game screen 50 corresponding to the same music and difficulty level as the game screen 40 is displayed on the monitor MO. . That is, with such a start operation, the display of the monitor MO is switched from the demo game screen 40 to the trial game screen 50, and through such a trial game screen 50, an opportunity for trial play is provided. Also, the opportunity to play through the trial game screen 50 continues until the termination condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if the end condition is met, that is, if the stop condition is met, or if the start operation is executed, the play opportunity ends. Alternatively, even if the trial play is not canceled and the start operation is not executed, the demo animation ends when the remaining time of the demonstration moving image at the time of execution of the special operation has elapsed. That is, the display period of the trial game screen 50 (play time of the play opportunity) is limited so that the remaining time functions as the play range (play time) of the play opportunity.

On the other hand, the game switching process is a process for executing switching from a trial play to a game opportunity. The example of FIG. 8 shows the procedure of the game switching process when the user's skill is determined based on the play status of the trial play. In this case, the demonstration control unit 37 starts the game switching process of FIG. is acquired (step S201). Such a play situation may include various types of information (situation) necessary for determining the user's skill, and includes information on evaluation results in trial play as an example. Also, the evaluation in the trial play may be performed by the demonstration control unit 37, but as an example, it is performed by the game control unit 36 in the same manner as the evaluation in the game opportunity. For this reason, the demonstration control unit 37 acquires the evaluation result of the well-known evaluation process executed by the game control unit 36 in the trial play as the play situation.

Subsequently, the demonstration control unit 37 determines the skill of the user based on the play situation acquired in step S201 (step S202). Such determination may be realized by an appropriate method capable of determining the user's skill. For example, when the evaluation result is calculated as a cumulative score, the total score for the full score in the play time corresponding to the evaluation result is calculated. It may be determined based on a ratio. Alternatively, when the timing of the play action for each object 42 is evaluated so as to correspond to a plurality of times, the number of evaluation results of the highest rank with respect to the total number of objects 42 to be evaluated in the play time corresponding to the evaluation result is You may discriminate|determine by the ratio which occupies.

Next, the demonstration control unit 37 determines recommended information based on the determination result of step S202 (step S203). The demonstration control unit 37 may present only the information indicating the skill of the user determined in step S202 as the recommended information, but as an example, the song and difficulty based on the skill are determined as the recommended information. This determination may be realized by an appropriate method capable of determining the music and difficulty level according to the skill of the user. It may be realized based on appropriate data such as data in which one of them is associated with each skill, or data in which songs are associated with each skill. That is, the demonstration control unit 37 identifies songs (an appropriate portion of all songs) and difficulty levels (an appropriate portion of all difficulty levels) associated with the skill of the user based on such data, and is determined as recommended information.

Subsequently, the demonstration control unit 37 provides a preparation opportunity (step S204). A preparation opportunity is an opportunity to perform a "prepare" step in a special initiation procedure. For this reason, the demonstration control unit 37 gives an opportunity to select a song and an opportunity to select a difficulty level, for example, as preparation opportunities. Also, the recommended information determined in step S203 may be presented to the user at an appropriate time such as before provision of the preparation opportunity, but as an example, it is presented at the preparation opportunity. Specifically, an opportunity to select a song may be provided as appropriate, and as an example, it is provided through a song selection screen. Then, recommended songs as recommended information are presented on the song selection screen by an appropriate method such as being selected by default. The same applies to the recommendation difficulty level as recommendation information. That is, when an opportunity to select the difficulty level is provided through the difficulty level selection screen, the difficulty level selection screen is presented to the user by, for example, default selection. For this reason, the demonstration control unit 37 provides a preparation opportunity so as to present such recommended music and recommended difficulty level information. In this example, recommended information such as recommended music functions as related information of the present invention.

Next, the demonstration control unit 37 determines whether or not the provision conditions are satisfied (step S205). The provision condition is a condition for determining whether or not to start providing the game opportunity. Since the provision of game opportunities requires payment of consideration as described above, one example of the provision condition includes the presence or absence of payment of consideration. Specifically, the demonstration control unit 37 determines whether or not payment of a predetermined price has been executed as a provision condition. If the provision condition is not satisfied, that is, if the predetermined consideration is not paid, the demonstration control unit 37 skips the subsequent processes and ends the current game switching process. In this case, the demonstration control unit 37 may resume the trial play according to the play time of the play opportunity, but as an example, the trial play is also terminated and various effects during the standby time are resumed.

On the other hand, if the provision condition is satisfied, that is, if a predetermined consideration is paid, the demonstration control unit 37 provides a game opportunity (step S206). In other words, the demonstration control unit 37 starts playing the music game so that it is played within a predetermined range corresponding to a predetermined price, as in the case of starting the game according to the normal start procedure. In the play of this music game, the sequence processing for realizing the moving display of the object 42, the evaluation processing for evaluating the play behavior, and the like may be executed by the demonstration control unit 37, but as an example, they are handed over to the game control unit 36, It is executed by the game control section 36 . Therefore, the demonstration control section 37 realizes this start by instructing the game control section 36 to start displaying the normal game screen 40 so that such sequence processing and the like are executed. After such provision (start), the demonstration control unit 37 ends the current game switching process. As a result, along with the start process in the trial play, a game opportunity similar to the normal music game play through the normal start process is provided separately from the trial play opportunity. Also, for the game opportunity, information such as recommended music corresponding to the skill of the user determined based on the play status is provided as recommended information based on the play status of the trial play. Note that, for example, if the play time of the trial play is too short and is not appropriate for judging the skill of the user, the processing of steps S202 and S203 (in other words, provision of recommended information) is appropriately skipped (or omitted). may

As described above, according to this embodiment, a special start procedure is prepared separately from the normal start procedure as the start procedure for starting play of the music game. Specifically, such a special start procedure includes a procedure of "special operation", and when the procedure is executed, a predetermined range (a range corresponding to a predetermined consideration) provided along with the normal start procedure Trial play is provided as a play opportunity to play the game on a smaller scale. For example, a special operation corresponding to the "special operation" procedure is executed while the demo game screen 40 of the demo video is being displayed. A trial play is provided in which the remaining time of the video is used as the play time. Then, when the procedure of "start operation" included in the special start procedure is executed during the provision of the trial play, the trial play ends and a predetermined range is played as in the case of the normal start procedure. game opportunities to play. In other words, when the start operation is executed, a game is provided in which a predetermined range is played as a game opportunity separate from the trial play after the "trial play" procedure. Therefore, when the special start procedure is executed, it is possible to provide a play opportunity to play a smaller range before playing the predetermined range, that is, a trial play opportunity. Thereby, it is possible to let the user decide whether or not to play a predetermined range after first trying a small range of play in the trial play.

Also, in the trial play, if the same song or the like as the song or the like used on the demo game screen 40 being displayed at the time of execution of the special operation is used for the play, the song or the like is selected for the trial play. It is possible to reduce the time and effort for In particular, in music games, interest often depends on music, and demo videos often use music that is attractive to users, such as the latest music. Also, if a special operation is performed in time with the music on the demo game screen 40, the user is likely to be attracted to the music. Therefore, by using the same music as the demo game screen 40, it is possible to improve the interest of the trial play.

In addition, when the play time of the trial play is limited to the remaining time of the demo video (demonstration game screen 40), the effect of the trial play on the time for other effects that may occur during the standby time is suppressed. be able to. Specifically, for example, if the play time for the trial play is uniformly the same regardless of the remaining time of the demo video, it is possible to prioritize securing the play time for the trial play, but only for that amount The time for other effects during the standby time is consumed. Also, the trial play can be regarded as part of the attraction (demonstration) for introducing the music game, and in that case, the purpose of the trial play is considered to be consistent with the demo video. Therefore, if the play time of the trial play is prioritized over other effects, the time of the other effects will be spent only on similar attractions, and there is room for it to be considered inappropriate. On the other hand, by limiting the play time of the trial play to the remaining time of the demo video, it is possible to fit the play time of the trial play within the originally planned display period of the demo video. As a result, it is possible to suppress the influence of the trial play on the time for other effects that may occur during the waiting time.

Similarly, if the user's skill is determined in the trial play and recommendation information is presented based on the skill, various advice regarding playing the music game can be provided through such recommendation information. More specifically, for example, when recommended music and recommended difficulty information are provided as recommended information, such information can be used to give advice on music selection or difficulty level selection. As a result, the trial play can be used as an advertisement for the game, and the threshold for playing the game can be lowered. As a result, usage of the game can be promoted.

Furthermore, when the trial play is stopped based on the cancellation conditions, the trial play can be stopped as appropriate through such cancellation conditions. As a result, the trial play time (at least the overall average) can be shortened compared to when there is no such suspension. Therefore, it is possible to increase the number of times trial play is provided compared to the case where there is no such suspension. As a result, it is possible to provide more trial plays, thereby further promoting the use of the game. Further, if the trial game screen 50 continues to be displayed even when the user is absent or the trial play is not played, for example, when the user gets tired of the trial play and leaves, the music game can be played. The time for providing various presentations such as demonstration videos to introduce (induce) is lost accordingly. In particular, if the trial play is casually played by pressing the key part OI in the demo video, there is a high possibility that such time loss will increase. loss can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the demonstration control section 37 of the game machine 3 functions as the opportunity providing means and the play stopping means of the present invention by executing the procedure of FIG. Specifically, the demonstration control unit 37 executes step S104 of the procedure in FIG. Function. Also, the demonstration control section 37 of the game machine 3 functions as the game providing means, skill determination means, and information providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of FIG. Specifically, the demonstration control unit 37 executes step S206 of the procedure in FIG. , respectively, work.

The present invention is not limited to the forms described above, and may be implemented in forms with appropriate modifications or changes. For example, in the above-described mode, trial play is provided without any particular restrictions. However, the present invention is not limited to such forms. For example, the trial play may be limited to a predetermined number of times (either consecutively or cumulatively). For example, when each user is identified with the use of an ID card, the number of times each user has played may be managed based on the user ID recorded on the ID card. Alternatively, if a sensor such as a camera that can identify each user is provided, the number of times each user has played may be managed through such a sensor. In addition, when each user has played the trial play up to a predetermined number of times, instead of such restrictions, information may be presented that encourages refraining from using, such as "Please do not try the trial play many times." .

Moreover, the game machine 3 is not limited to an arcade game machine, and a stationary type 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. In this case, the center server 2 may perform all or part of the roles (various processes, etc.) of the game machine 3 described above. As a result, one center server 2 (including cases realized by a combination of a plurality of server devices) may function as the game system of the present invention. On the other hand, the center server 2 may be omitted. In this case, one game machine 3 may function as the game system of the present invention. Furthermore, in this case, the game machine 3 does not need to be connected to the network 3 either. As a result, not only a network-connectable computer device but also various independent computer devices such as home-use game machines may appropriately function as the game machine 3 .

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

In the game system of the present invention, when a predetermined start procedure for playing a predetermined range corresponding to a predetermined consideration in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration is executed via an input device (CP), the predetermined A game system (1) for providing a game through an output device (MO) such that a range is played, wherein if a procedure other than the predetermined start procedure is executed, the Opportunity providing means (37) for providing a play opportunity to play the small range in accordance with the execution of the another procedure so that the game is played in the small range; game providing means (37) for providing the game separately from the play opportunity as a game opportunity for playing the game within the predetermined range in the case where the game is played.

According to the present invention, when a procedure different from the predetermined start procedure is executed, a play opportunity is provided to play the game within a range smaller than the predetermined range of play provided with the predetermined start procedure. . Then, after the play opportunity is provided (including both during the play opportunity and after the play opportunity ends), a game to be played within a predetermined range is provided as a game opportunity separate from the play opportunity. Therefore, when a procedure different from the predetermined start procedure is executed, it is possible to provide a play opportunity to play a smaller range before playing the predetermined range. With this, it is possible to let the user decide whether or not to play a predetermined range after trying a small range of play first. In addition, the small range of play can be used as an advertisement for the game, and the threshold for playing the game can be lowered. As a result, usage of the game can be promoted.

Other procedures may be performed at appropriate times. For example, if there is a procedure for preparing before playing the game, it may be performed as part of that procedure. Also, this preparation may be part of playing the game. That is, another procedure may be performed during (part of) the game being played. Alternatively, another procedure may be performed outside of game play. Various types of time may be included outside of game play, including, for example, waiting time that occurs between play of a predetermined range. Another procedure may be performed, for example, during such waiting times. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, after the predetermined range is played in exchange for the collection of the predetermined consideration, the next step is to play the game in exchange for the predetermined consideration. It may be configured as a procedure executed during a waiting time until the predetermined range is played, and the opportunity providing means may provide the play opportunity during the waiting time in accordance with execution of the separate procedure. .

The waiting time may be used accordingly. For example, the waiting time may be used to provide appropriate information (rendering), such as notification of game titles, notification of game developers, or presentation of various types of advertising information. Also, the advertisement information may be configured as appropriate, and may be configured as various moving images such as an introductory moving image for introducing a game, for example. Thus, various situations (time) may occur in the waiting time, such as the situation (time) in which the title of the game is announced, and other procedures may be appropriately executed in these various situations. For example, in one aspect of the present invention, when a display device (MO) that displays an introductory video (40) for introducing the game during the standby time is used as the output device, configured as a procedure executed during display of the introduction video, wherein the opportunity providing means interrupts the introduction video in the middle of the introduction video when the other procedure is executed during display of the introduction video. You can offer the opportunity.

A range smaller than the predetermined range may be set as appropriate. For example, when a plurality of items or characters are prepared in a predetermined range (a range corresponding to a predetermined consideration), only some of those items or characters may be used in a small range. That is, a partial range such as an item may be used as the small range. In addition, when a plurality of stages or various options such as deployment are prepared in a predetermined range, some of these various options may be used as an appropriately small range. Alternatively, when a plurality of items (or records) are prepared for data used in a predetermined range, only some of those items may be used in a small range. That is, a partial range of data may be used as a small range. Furthermore, for example, when play in a predetermined range can be measured by time, a time shorter than the predetermined range may be used as the small range. Various ranges may be used for such a small range. For example, in a mode in which another procedure is executed while an introductory video is being displayed, the opportunity providing means, when a display period is set for the introductory video, causes the display at the time when the another procedure is executed. The play opportunity may be provided such that the play time serves as the small range by limiting the play time to the remaining time of the period.

Various games may be provided as games. For example, suitable games such as action games, role-playing games, simulation games, shooting games, sports games, puzzle games, or timing games may be provided. Similarly, the introductory video may be appropriately configured to introduce such a variety of games. For example, the introductory video may be configured as an animation that introduces them. Alternatively, the introductory video may consist of a game screen. Also, when various options are prepared for the game, the introductory video may be configured to include any of such options. For example, when the use is limited to a small range of characters or items, the introduction video may include these characters. In this case, the characters and the like included in the introduction moving image and the characters and the like used in a small range may or may not be related. For example, a character or the like used in the introductory moving image may be used in a small range, or a character or the like to be used in a small range independently of the character or the like of the introductory moving image may be separately selected.

For example, in a mode in which another procedure is executed while an introductory video is being displayed, the opportunity providing means may be configured such that the execution timing of the play action to be input to the input device coincides with the rhythm of any one of a plurality of musical pieces. When a timing game guided together is provided as the game, and each song of the plurality of songs is used in the introduction video, it is used in the introduction video at the time when the separate procedure is executed. The timing game may be provided at the play opportunity to guide the execution time in accordance with the rhythm of music. In this case, the music used in the introductory video being displayed when another procedure is executed is also used in the play opportunity. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required to select songs for play occasions. Also, in timing games that use music, the interest often depends on the music. Therefore, if a different procedure is executed in accordance with the music of the introductory video, there is a high possibility that the user will find the music attractive. As a result, the use of such highly attractive music makes it possible to improve the interest of play opportunities.

The play status of the play opportunity may or may not be used thereafter. For example, the play status of play opportunities may be appropriately leveraged for a predetermined range of plays. Specifically, for example, as an aspect of providing the timing game of the present invention, skill determination means (37) for determining the skill of the user who has played the play opportunity based on the play situation at the play opportunity; and information providing means (37) for providing relevant information related to the skill of the user to the user based on the determination result of the means. In this case, through such related information, various auxiliary (advisory) information can be provided for a predetermined range of play.

Also, various types of information may be appropriately used as related information. For example, the relevant information may be information that simply presents skills, or may be more specific advisory information based on such skills. For example, in the aspect of providing related information of the present invention, the information providing means may provide a portion of the plurality of songs specified according to the skill of the user and a plurality of difficulty levels for the timing game. Information on at least one of the plurality of difficulty levels specified according to the skill of the user may be provided as the related information. In this case, through the related information, it is possible to give advice on selection of music or selection of difficulty level.

Further, as one aspect of the present invention, a play stop means (37) for stopping the play of the play opportunity in the middle so as to stop the provision of the play opportunity when a stop condition is satisfied in the play opportunity. A further provided aspect may be employed. In this case, since the play opportunity can be canceled through the cancellation condition, the time of the play opportunity can be shortened compared to when there is no such cancellation. As a result, this can lead to an increase in the number of times play opportunities are provided.

The play opportunity may be provided free of charge (with no consideration), or may be provided for a fee as long as the consideration is set lower than the consideration corresponding to a predetermined range of play. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the opportunity providing means may provide the play opportunity free of charge.

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

Further, in the control method of the present invention, when a predetermined start procedure for playing a predetermined range corresponding to a predetermined consideration in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration is executed via an input device (CP), When the computer (31) incorporated in the game system (1) that provides the game via the output device (MO) so that the predetermined range is played, a procedure other than the predetermined start procedure is executed. an opportunity provision procedure for providing a play opportunity to play the small range in accordance with the execution of the another procedure so that the game is played in a range smaller than the predetermined range; and a predetermined start in the play opportunity and a game provision procedure for providing the game separately from the play opportunity as a game opportunity to play the game within the predetermined range when a condition is satisfied. The game system of the present invention can be realized by executing the computer program or control method of the present invention.

1 game system 3 game machine 31 control unit (computer)
37 Demonstration control section (opportunity provision means, game provision means, skill determination means, information provision means, play stop means)
40 Game screen (demo video)
MO monitor (display device, output device)
CP control panel (input device)
PG2 game program (computer program)

Claims (9)

When a predetermined start procedure for playing a predetermined range corresponding to the predetermined consideration in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration is executed via the input device, the output device is operated so that the predetermined range is played. A game system that provides a game via
A play opportunity to play the small range along with the execution of the another procedure so that the game is played in a range smaller than the prescribed range when a procedure other than the prescribed start procedure is executed. Opportunity providing means to provide
game providing means for providing the game separately from the play opportunity as a game opportunity to play the game within the predetermined range when a predetermined start condition is satisfied in the play opportunity;
skill determination means for determining the skill of the user who has played the play opportunity based on the play situation at the play opportunity;
information providing means for providing relevant information related to the skill of the user to the user based on the determination result of the skill determination means;
with
As the game, a timing game is provided in which the execution timing of the play action to be input to the input device is guided in accordance with the rhythm of one of a plurality of songs,
The game system, wherein the information providing means provides, as the related information, information on a part of the plurality of songs specified according to the skill of the user . The another procedure is executed during a standby time between the time when the predetermined range is played in exchange for the collection of the predetermined consideration and the next time the predetermined range is played in exchange for the predetermined consideration. structured as a procedure,
2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein said opportunity providing means provides said play opportunity during said waiting time in accordance with execution of said another procedure. The other procedure is configured as a procedure executed during display of the introductory video when a display device that displays an introductory video for introducing the game during the standby time is used as the output device,
3. The game system according to claim 2, wherein said opportunity providing means provides said play opportunity so as to interrupt said introductory moving image when said another procedure is executed during display of said introductory moving image. When a display period is set for the introductory video, the opportunity providing means restricts the play time to the remaining time of the display period at the time when the another procedure is executed, thereby reducing the play time. 4. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein the play opportunity is provided to function as an area. When each piece of the plurality of pieces of music is used in the introduction video, the opportunity providing means performs the above-mentioned opportunity providing means in accordance with the rhythm of the music used in the introduction video at the timing when the different procedure is executed. 5. The game system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the timing game that guides execution time is provided at the play opportunity. 6. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising play stop means for stopping play of said play opportunity midway so that provision of said play opportunity is stopped when a stop condition is satisfied in said play opportunity. The game system as described in Clause. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein said opportunity providing means provides said play opportunity free of charge. A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to the input device and the output device to function as each means of the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . When a predetermined start procedure for playing a predetermined range corresponding to the predetermined consideration in exchange for collection of a predetermined consideration is executed via the input device, the output device is operated so that the predetermined range is played. on a computer incorporated into a gaming system that provides games via
A play opportunity to play the small range along with the execution of the another procedure so that the game is played in a range smaller than the prescribed range when a procedure other than the prescribed start procedure is executed. an opportunity provision procedure that provides
a game provision procedure for providing the game separately from the play opportunity as a game opportunity for playing the game within the predetermined range when a predetermined start condition is satisfied in the play opportunity;
a skill determination procedure for determining the skill of the user who has played the play opportunity based on the play situation at the play opportunity;
an information provision procedure for providing the user with relevant information related to the skill of the user based on the determination result of the skill determination procedure;
and
As the game, a timing game is provided in which the execution timing of the play action to be input to the input device is guided in accordance with the rhythm of one of a plurality of songs,
The control method, wherein the information provision step provides information of a part of the plurality of songs specified according to the skill of the user as the related information .

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