JPH105444A - Video game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more efficiently operate a game program, and perform a waging war game between guest rooms to be particularly applied to a hotel by constituting so as to specify two sets of input pads connected to a pair of game machines by a host computer. SOLUTION: A lodging guest to perform a game is recognized by poling from a host computer 2 when movement control of a character or the like is performed by optionally using pads P1 and P2 at game time. When an ordinary game is performed, the host computer always monitors it by monitoring pad data PAD from a guest room on a change in the game. When pad data PAD to the effect that the game is changed is sent from the guest room, data of a game selecting image screen is sent to a guest room control unit 10 of a corresponding guest room from a CPU 50 by command indication of a host computer 3, and is displayed on a TV monitor 11, and a game title is selected from a new game list image screen, and a game is started.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video game system in which, in response to a request from a player, a game machine placed at the center and data from an input pad on the player side are connected through a line to execute a game. Related to game systems. Especially,
The present invention relates to a video game system suitable for a hotel in which an input pad on a player side is placed in each guest room of a hotel and a competitive game can be executed between different guest rooms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of titles are stored in a large-capacity video storage device located on a server side, a title requested by a user who is a client is read, and video-on-demand (VOD) is delivered to the user. 2.) Systems are becoming popular as one application of multimedia communications.

Further, as an application of such multimedia communication, a system in which a center is located in a hotel and video image data is distributed to a guest room through a CATV line is adopted.

On the other hand, with the spread of video game devices, there has been a growing demand for enjoying video games in a guest room using a TV monitor generally provided in a hotel room.
Several systems have been proposed and are in operation.

The method of providing an independent video game apparatus in each guest room is simple. However, considering the entire system, it is inferior in cost and in effective operation of game software. In addition, it is natural that the game is executed only by the players in the guest room, and it is impossible to execute a battle game with a person in another guest room.

[0006] Conventional video-on-demand (V
OD) The system is expanded to include a video game machine in the center or central control room, and each room has an input pad, and data from the input pad of the room requested for the game is transmitted to the video game machine through the CATV line. type in,
In addition, a system (hereinafter, referred to as a game-on-demand (GOD) system) for distributing a game image from a video game machine to a TV monitor in a guest room that has requested a game has been developed.

However, even in the latter game-on-demand (GOD) system, in the conventional system, the cabin and the video game machine are connected one-to-one. Therefore, it is not a system in which a battle game can be played between guest rooms. Furthermore, since the cabin and the video game machine are connected one-to-one, there is a limit to the efficient operation of the game program software.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a video-on-demand (GOD) system in which a competitive video game can be executed between players in different places and in different guest rooms. It is to provide a system.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a video game system capable of operating a game program more efficiently,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a video game system particularly suitable for hotels.

[0010]

A first structure of a video game system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is as follows.
In a video game system having a center having a unit having a host computer and a pair of game machines, and two sets of input pads for inputting to the pair of game machines connected through a line, the host computer uses The plurality of input pads connected to the game machine are configured to be specified.

A second configuration of the video game system according to the present invention for achieving the above object further comprises a selector in the first configuration, and the selector is connected to the pair of game machines. And data from the two sets of input pads are input, and under the control of the host computer, the selector inputs data from the two sets of input pads to the pair of game machines, one set for each set. Or
Data from less than half of the input pads of each set is configured to be input to only one of the pair of gaming machines.

According to a third configuration of the video game system according to the present invention for achieving the above object, in the second configuration, a plurality of units each including the pair of game machines in the center are provided.

Further, a fourth configuration of the video game system according to the present invention for achieving the above object has first to fourth aspects.
In any one of the configurations (3) and (4), the game machine further includes a CD changer that is connected to the game machine and is capable of loading a plurality of CD-ROMs.

According to a fifth aspect of the video game system according to the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided a video game system according to the fourth aspect, wherein a plurality of Cs loaded in the CD changer are provided.
From the D-ROM, a CD-ROM having a game title program input by the input pad is selected under the control of the host computer.

Further, a video game system for a hotel according to the present invention for achieving the above object has a configuration in which a center having a unit having a host computer and a pair of game machines in a hotel is connected through a CATV line. In a hotel video game system having a plurality of input pads for inputting data to a pair of game machines in each guest room, the host computer connects input pads provided in the two guest rooms to each of the pair of game machines. Or, it is controlled so that input pads provided in two guest rooms are connected to only one of the pair of game machines.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar components will be described with the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a video game system according to the present invention, particularly a system applied to a hotel. Reference numeral 1 denotes a CATV line connecting a guest room set up in a hotel and a central management center.

R1 to Rm are a plurality of guest rooms, and a guest room control unit 10, a TV monitor 11, an infrared remote controller 12, and game input pads P1 and P2 are connected to each of the guest rooms. Have been. As an example, two input pads P1 and P2 are provided in each guest room.
More input pads can be provided if necessary.

The guest room control unit 10 receives the guest room data R including the guest room information, which is input using the infrared remote controller 12.
D, a function of sending pad data PAD input using the game input pads P1 and P2 to the CATV line 1 according to a predetermined VOD protocol.

On the other hand, a distribution control signal for the passenger's room is recognized from an address signal included in a distribution control signal HT transmitted from the center side through the CATV line 1, and control data and a video signal RF included in the signal are received. And TV
It has a function of displaying on the monitor 11.

On the other hand, the center side is an image data mixer 2,
Host computer 3, a plurality of game machine units GU1
ＧGUn. The host computer 3 and the image data mixer 2 are connected through a modulator 31 and a demodulator 30, and transmit and receive a distribution control signal and room information.

The image data mixer 2 has a VHF /
A video signal received and demodulated by the UHF / BS / CS receiver 20 is input, and a video signal read from the VTR 21 is input. Further, the game machine units GU1 to GUn
Is input during the game. These video signals are mixed as necessary and sent to the passenger rooms R1 to Rn via the CATV line 1.

The pad data PA sent from the cabin
D is distributed and output by the image data mixer 2 and demodulated by the high frequency demodulator 80. The demodulated pad data PAD is converted by the serial / parallel converter 8 into a parallel signal.

On the other hand, a plurality of game machine units GU1 to GU
Each of the Un is an RS-485 interface driver 4
Are connected to one host computer 3 in a daisy chain.

Each of the game machine units GU1 to GUn has the same structure. Therefore, in FIG. 1, only the detailed structure of the game machine unit GU1 is shown. The game machine unit GU1 is connected to the RS-485 interface driver 4 through the serial / parallel conversion circuit 5 and is connected to the CP.
U50, one set of game consoles 51 and 52, and one set of CD
-ROM changers 60 and 61 are provided.

Here, each set of CD-ROM changers 60 and 61 can be loaded with, for example, seven CD-ROMs. By installing a multiple CD changer in this manner, it is possible to provide many game software.

The outputs of the game machines 51 and 52 are superimposed on the output of the CPU 50 by the superimposing circuit 6 and input to the image data mixer 2 through the modulator 81 as described above. On the other hand, the pad data input by the pads P1 and P2 in the cabin is demodulated by the high frequency demodulator 80, then converted into a parallel signal by the serial / parallel conversion circuit 8, and guided to the pad selector 7.

The pad data input to the pad selector 7 will be described later in detail as a feature of the present invention.
Under the control of the CPU 50, switching is performed so as to be input to one of the pair of game machines 51 and 52, and output.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a signal format transmitted and received in the system to which the present invention is applied.
The data to be transmitted is transmitted in a packet format as shown in FIG. That is, one packet is configured by adding a checksum for checking the presence / absence of an error in packet data after packet data of n bytes, and further adding a packet delimiter before and after that.

The command from the transmitting side and the response from the receiving side are transmitted as shown in FIG. 2B, and the response to the command ends within a predetermined time t1. If the response does not end within the predetermined time, it is resent after a predetermined time t2.

FIG. 2C shows a transmission command CD-DA from the host computer 3 to the CD changers 60 and 61.
TA format. Destination address A, originating address B,
Command C, operand D, status E and dummy F
Consists of In FIGS. 2C to 2E, the byte length is shown in a relative height direction for convenience of illustration. The response of the CD changer is the transmission command CD-
This is a common format with DATA.

FIG. 2D shows a format of a command from the CPU 50, which similarly includes a destination address A, a transmission address B, a command C, an operand D, a status E, and a dummy F. The command C here does not have a fixed length because the number of operands is different.

FIG. 2E shows that the response format of the CPU 50 is a destination address A, a transmission address B, and a status E.
And response data G.
Depends on the command.

The details of the operation of the present invention having the above configuration will be described below. 3 and 4 show the operation flow of the present invention. First, the service selection screen image data RF of the initial menu is transmitted from the host computer 3 through the modulator 31 to all the rooms R.
1 to Rn.

In all the guest rooms R1 to Rm, the guest room control unit 10 displays the service selection screen of the initial menu on the TV.
It is displayed on the monitor 11. FIG. 8A is an example of a service selection screen of the initial menu.

In response to the service selection screen of the initial menu, the guest uses the infrared remote controller 12 to watch TV.
Alternatively, when the video watching 2 is selected, the guest room data R
D is input to the host computer 3.

Here, the guest room data RD includes an address for specifying the guest room. In addition, each guest room is sequentially polled by the distribution control signal HT from the host computer 3, and the guest room data RD is sent to the host computer 3 in a format responding to the polling.

The host computer 3 operates according to an existing communication protocol (not shown) for VHF / UHF and BS / CS.
The TV video signal received or demodulated by the receiver 20 or V
The video image signal read from the TR 21 is sent out to the CATV line 1 through the mixer 2 as an image signal RF.

At this time, the host computer 3 sends a guest room control signal HT with an address of the requested guest room so that only the requested guest room can be viewed. Note that details of such control are not directly related to the present invention, and thus further description is omitted.

Next, the guest instructs the infrared remote controller 1 on the service selection screen of the initial menu shown in FIG.
When the video game service 3 is selected by the user 2 (step S1), the selection signal of the video game service 3 includes the image data mixer 2 and the demodulator 3 as the room data RD.
0 is input to the host computer 3.

When the selection signal of the video game service 3 is received, the host computer 3 switches the game machines 51, 52 provided in the game units GU1 to GUn on the center side.
Is determined based on data in a table (not shown) provided in the host computer 3.

That is, the number of the game machines 51 and 52 is generally less than the number of guest rooms in the center in consideration of the occupancy rate. Therefore, the host computer 3 checks the above table to check for empty game machines 51 and 52. Is determined (step S2).

If none of the game machines 51, 52 provided in the game units GU1 to GUn has a free space,
For example, the message image data of “The game service is currently unavailable” is sent to the host computer 3
To the guest room that sent the game selection request from
Display is performed on the monitor 11 (step S3).

If any of the game machines 51, 52 provided in the game units GU1 to GUn has a free space,
The screen data shown in FIG. 8B is sent to the guest room to which the game selection request has been sent from the host computer 3, and the TV monitor 1
Then, an inquiry is made as to whether or not a match between rooms is desired (step S4).

When the guest having received the inquiry display selects the normal game play 1 with the infrared remote controller 12 and sends the guest room data RD to the center side, the host computer 3 instructs the CPU 50 to execute the game shown in FIG. Send a command to display a selection screen.

Upon receiving such a command, the CPU 50
Outputs the game selection screen data of FIG.

The game selection screen data of FIG. 8C input to the superimposing circuit 6 is input as a video signal RF to the corresponding guest room control circuit 10 through the modulator 81 and the mixer 2. Room control circuit 10 to which video signal RF is input
Displays the game selection screen [FIG. 8 (c)] on the TV monitor 1.
1 is displayed.

Here, the game title displayed on the game selection screen of FIG.
Identifies a vacant game machine 51 or 52 and assigns it to the CD changer 60 or 6 in the same manner.
1 is a title of a game program included in a CD-ROM mounted on the CD-ROM.

Next, when the guest selects one game from the title list displayed on the game selection screen (step S5), the game is started (step S6). That is, a game is selected and input by the infrared remote controller 12 or the input pads P1 and P2.

In the case of using the infrared remote controller 12, the room data RD is directly input to the host computer 3. When selected and input by the input pads P1 and P2, the input is input to the host computer 3 via the CPU 50.

Therefore, the host computer 3
A command signal is sent to the D changer 60 or 61 in the format described in FIG. 2 to read the game program of the selected title.

Thus, in the game machine 51 or 52 previously specified by the host computer 3,
The game program of the title is executed. The data of the screen during the execution of the game at this time is input to the superimposing circuit 6 from the game machine.

Next, video data RF is sent from the superimposing circuit 6 to the cabin control unit 10 of the guest room through the modulator 81 and the mixer 2, and, for example, as shown in FIG. The screen is displayed on the TV monitor 11.

A guest playing the game with respect to such a game screen can arbitrarily enter the input pads P1, P during the game.
2, the input of character movement control and the like is performed. This input is sent to the host computer 2 as described above.
Recognized by regular polling from.

Further, when the normal game is started in this way, during execution of the game, the host computer 3 monitors the pad data PAD from the cabin to determine whether or not to change the game, and monitors this. (Step S
7).

Put data P indicating that the game is to be changed
When the AD is sent from the cabin, as shown in FIG.
The data of the game selection screen of (c) is output from the CPU 50 according to a command instruction of the host computer 3, and
The information is sent to the guest room control unit 10 of the corresponding guest room and displayed on the TV monitor 11.

Next, a game title is selected from the new game list screen (step S5), and the game is started in the normal mode as described above.

If the game is not changed in step S7, the host computer 3 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the game and the end time has come by a timer (not shown) (step S8). .
If the end time has not been reached, the game is further continued (step S6).

When the host computer 3 detects that the predetermined end time has been reached, display data for prompting service continuation is generated from the CPU 10, superimposed on the game screen data in the superimposition circuit 6, and sent to the corresponding cabin. . As a result, the TV monitor 11 of the guest room
As shown in FIG. 10H, display data for prompting the continuation of the service is displayed on the game screen.

In response to the display, the host computer 3 determines whether a request for extending the time has been input (step S9). The request for extending the time is input as pad data PAD from the pad P1 or P2 in the passenger compartment as described above, and is input to the host computer 3 through the CPU 50.

On the other hand, if there is no request to extend the time, the normal game service ends here (step S1).
0).

If there is a request to extend the time, the process returns to step S6 to continue the game.

Here, returning to step S 4, guest room data RD or pad data PA indicating that a match between guest rooms is desired.
D is sent, the host computer 3 receives this, and instructs the CPU 50 to select a competitive game (see FIG. 9).
(2) Send a command to display ()).

Accordingly, the CPU 50 outputs the battle game selection screen data shown in FIG. 9 (2) in response to a command from the host computer 3 and requests the battle game through the superimposing circuit 6, the modulator 81 and the image data mixer 2. The video data RF is input to the guest room control unit 10 of the guest room.

The cabin control unit 10 receives the battle game selection screen data and displays the battle game selection screen shown in FIG.

When the host computer 3 receives the guest room data RD or the pad data PAD from the guest room to request the inter-room battle game in step 4, the host computer 3 refers to a table (not shown) as to whether or not there is a guest waiting for intrusion. (Step S11).

If there is no guest waiting for intrusion, it is determined whether or not there is a free game machine for competition (step S).
20). If no game machine is available for the match, the host computer 3 sends a command to the CPU 50 to display a message indicating that "No match is currently possible" (FIG. 9 (f)).
Is displayed (step S21).

If there is no room in the game machine for the battle and the battle game cannot be performed, the flow returns to the normal flow, the game selection screen [FIG. 8 (C)] is displayed, and the selection of the game title is continued (step S5: (Fig. 3).

On the other hand, in step S20 of FIG. 4, when the fighting game machine is vacant, the normal game is continued in a state of waiting for another guest to enter (step S2).
2). In this process, the host computer 3 determines whether an intruder appears (step S23).

In the process of the judgment up to the appearance of the intruder, it is determined whether or not the guest who has requested the fighting game stops requesting the fighting between the guest rooms (step S24). When stopping the battle between guest rooms, the host computer controls the CPU 50 to display a normal game selection screen.

The host computer determines whether the end time has been reached as described above (step S2).
5). If the end time has been reached, a message prompting the user to extend the time is displayed as shown in FIG. 9H as described above, and it is determined whether a request for extending the time has been made (step S2).
6). If the time has not been extended, the game service ends here (step S27).

If the end time of the game service has not been reached in steps S25 and S26, and if an extension of the time is requested, the normal game is continued with waiting for intrusion (step S22).

Returning to step S23, if it is determined that an intruder has appeared, a cabin battle game is played (step S28). At this time, the host computer 3
0 is controlled to output image data for displaying the battle game selection screen in FIG. Thereby, the selected battle game is executed by the game machine specified by the host computer 3.

During the continuation of the game between rooms, the host computer determines whether or not the intruder wants to cancel the battle (step S29). Further, when the intruder desires to stop the battle, a new waiting state for intrusion is created and the game is continued (step S22).

In the course of the battle game, the host computer 3 similarly determines whether or not it is the end time (step S30), and also determines whether or not there is a request to extend the time (step S31). If the time extension is not requested, the service ends here (step S3).
2).

Here, returning to step S11 of FIG. 4, if there is a customer who wants to enter, the host computer 3 determines whether there is a vacant game machine (step S12), and processes corresponding to the previous steps S28 to S32. That is, the room-matching game is executed (step S14). In the course of execution of the room-to-room match game, it is checked whether or not there is a request to stop the room-to-room match game (step S15), whether or not the game end time has been reached (step S16), and a further time extension request is made. It is determined whether or not there is (Step S17).

If the request for extension of time has not been made, the game service ends (step S18).

Here, in the description of the operation according to the present invention as described above, the configuration which is a feature of the present invention will be further described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a portion representing the features of the present invention in one game unit. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the guest room A and the guest room B are specified based on the control of the host computer 3 and are connected to one game unit.

Pad data PA from guest room A and guest room B
In the image data mixer 2, the pad data PAD from the cabin A and the cabin B are identified and selected so that D is connected to the pad data selector 7 and input to the pad data selector 7.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the pad data PAD (A1, A2) input by the pair of input pads P1, P2 of the passenger compartment A and the pad data PAD input by the pair of input pads P1, P2 of the passenger compartment B. (
B1 and B2) are input to the pad data selector 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, two of the four outputs of the pad data selector 7 are transmitted to one game machine 51,
The other two are connected to another game machine 52. Therefore, the pad data selector 7 is controlled by the CPU 50 based on a selector switching command from the host computer 3.
Is controlled, and the pad data selector 7 switches and connects the input and the output.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the switching connection of the pad data selector 7, in which the pad data PAD (
A1 and A2) are both input to the game machine 51, and the pad data selector 7 is controlled such that the pad data PAD (B1, B2) of the cabin B is input to the game machine 52.

Therefore, in such a connection, the input pad P
The game machines 51 and 52 in the guest rooms A and B can play a normal game independently of each other by the P1 and P2.

On the other hand, in the case of the battle game, as shown in FIG. 7, in accordance with the selector switching instruction from the host computer 3, the CPU 50 sets the pad data PAD (A) from the pad 1P of the cabin A and the pad data PAD (A) of the cabin B. Pad 1
The switching connection of the pad data selector 7 is controlled so that the pad data PAD (B1) from P is input to the game machine 51.

Thus, the guests in the guest rooms A and B can execute the battle game using the game machine 51 in common.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7, in a normal game, the game machines 51 and 52 can provide game services to different guest rooms, but in a competitive game, the game machine 52 is not used. And the room cannot be used to provide the game service.

However, since it is possible to charge the guest room A and the guest room B, which commonly use the game machine 51, for the game service, the operating efficiency of the game machine is substantially the same as in the case of the normal game.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to execute a game between rooms. Further, in the present invention, FIG.
, CD changers 60 and 61 corresponding to the game machines 51 and 52 are used. This allows many game titles to be stored on the CD changer,
Which CD-ROM is used can be selectively controlled by the host computer 3. This expands the range of game title selection from many CD-ROMs.

As described above, the present invention can execute a fighting game between different guest rooms, but the present invention is not limited to a fighting game between guest rooms. That is, multiple rooms or spaces (not limited to between hotel rooms)
It is also possible to execute one game in common.

For example, a horse racing game can be assumed as the game. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating that participants R1 to Rm in a plurality of spaces can participate in such a horse racing game.

The host computer 3 controls the start of the execution of the game program, and recognizes the selection of the game machine and the participating guest room or space (step SQ1). Next, a game start signal is sent to the selected game machine, and the corresponding game machine reads the specified game program from the CD-ROM from the CD changer (step SQ2).

As a result, a response is sent from the game machine to the host computer 3, and the normality of the system is confirmed (step SQ3).

The host computer 3 controls the CPU 50 on the basis of the normal state to display the game guidance display data, in this case, the game guidance display is guidance display characters such as a betting rate, etc., on the participating room or space side. Send to As a result, in the participating guest room or space, guidance display characters are superimposed and displayed on the game image from the game machine (step S4).

Accordingly, the participant can know the contents of the game, bet arbitrarily, and bet on the host computer 3.
Side as pad data PAD (step SQ
5). The bet notifications from a plurality of participants are managed by the host computer 3 (step SQ6).

Next, a horse racing game is started under the control of the host computer 3. When the game is finished in the game machine, the winning horse number is sent from the game machine to the host computer (step SQ7).

The host computer 3 acquires the winning horse number (step SQ8), calculates a prize (refers to a prize in a range permitted by law) based on the wager management data, and sends the result to the participating guest room or space. Notify (Step SQ
9). On the participating guest room or space side, the prize amount notified together with the winning horse number is displayed (step S1).
0).

If the player in the participating guest room or space desires to continue the game (step S11),
The host computer 3 grasps the restart of the game and returns to the previous step Q1 to restart the game.

[0099]

As described above, according to the present invention, an inter-cabinet battle game can be executed. Further, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, CD changers 60 and 61 corresponding to the game machines 51 and 52 are used. Thus, many game titles can be stored in the CD changer, and which CD-ROM is used can be selectively controlled by the host computer 3. This expands the range of game title selection from many CD-ROMs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a video game system according to the present invention, particularly a system applied for a hotel.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a signal format transmitted and received in the system to which the present invention of FIG. 1 is applied.

FIG. 3 is an operation flow of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flow of the present invention following FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a portion of one game unit that represents a feature of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example of a switching connection of a pad data selector 7;

FIG. 7 is another example of the switching connection of the pad data selector 7, and is an example of the switching connection in the case of a competitive game.

FIG. 8 is a display screen on a TV monitor such as a service selection screen.

FIG. 9 is a display screen on a TV monitor such as a battle game selection screen.

FIG. 10 is a display screen on a TV monitor such as a game screen.

FIG. 11 shows participants R1 to Rm in a plurality of spaces in a horse racing game.
It is a figure explaining that can participate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CATV line 2 Image data mixer 3 Host computer 4 RS-486 interface driver 5, 8 Serial-parallel conversion circuit 50 CPU 51, 52 Game machine 6 Superposition circuit 60, 61 CD-ROM changer 7 Pad selector 30, 80 Demodulator 31, 81 Modulator GU1 to GUn Game machine unit R1 to Rm Guest room 10 Guest room control unit 11 TV monitor 12 Infrared remote control P1, P2 Input pad

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Koizumi 1-2-1-12 Haneda, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Sega Enterprises Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A video game system comprising a center having a unit having a host computer and a pair of game machines, and two sets of input pads for inputting to the pair of game machines connected through a line. A video game system configured to specify the two sets of input pads connected to the pair of game machines. 2. The host computer according to claim 1, further comprising a selector, wherein said pair of game machines are connected and data from said two sets of input pads are input to said selector. Under control, the selector inputs data from the two sets of input pads to the pair of game machines for each set, or inputs data from less than half of the input pads of each set to the pair of game machines. A video game system configured to input to only one of the machines. 3. The video game system according to claim 2, wherein the center has a plurality of units each including the pair of game machines. 4. The video game system according to claim 1, further comprising a CD changer connected to said game machine and capable of loading a plurality of CD-ROMs. 5. The CD-ROM according to claim 4, wherein a CD-ROM having a game title program input by the input pad is selected from a plurality of CD-ROMs loaded in the CD changer. A video game system, characterized in that: 6. A center having a unit having a host computer and a pair of game machines in a hotel, and a CATV.
In a video game system for a hotel provided in each guest room with a plurality of input pads for inputting to the pair of game machines connected through a line, the host computer may connect the input pads provided in the two guest rooms to the pair of game machines. A video game system for hotels, which is controlled to be connected to each of the game machines or to connect an input pad provided in two guest rooms to only one of the pair of game machines.