JPH11300047A - Communication game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to display a number of movable characters at a high speed by providing such a constitution that only necessary minimum instruction information such as an ending instruction information or the like is transmitted to a game computer during playing a game and only information such as operation of a ball-shooting device, positions of balls, hitting of balls, residual number of balls, etc., is transmitted to a management server. SOLUTION: Respective data are called from a recording medium in which game programs, graphic data, and acoustic data are recorded to a game computer 20 to actuate it. A plurality of such game computers 20 are connected to a management server 40 installed in a game parlor through communication circuits 30. The game computer 20 is provided with a means transmitting information of a condition during a game to the management server at every specified interval and a means receiving instruction information from the management server. Meanwhile, a means receiving and recording information of a condition during a game transmitted from the game computer 20 is provided in the management server 40. An abnormal state of the communication game system is detected on the basis of the information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a communication game system for enjoying a game using a communication line such as a computer network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game such as a roulette or a slot machine, which requires a small amount of data for computer graphics, it is easy to distribute game software from a virtual game center using a communication line. Recently, it has become possible to distribute games with a large data capacity as the speed of communication lines increases.

For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 8-182855 discloses a communication game system in which a communication game device and a communication game management device are connected by a communication line, as shown in FIG. In this game system, a technique is disclosed in which a personal computer user operates a predetermined pachinko machine provided in a pachinko machine on a personal computer while watching a video of the pachinko machine sent via a communication line, and plays. And at the same time, sound effects can be given to the PC side,
The user can enjoy a pachinko machine that feels realistic anytime 24 hours without actually going to the pachinko parlor.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-327835 also discloses a communication game system in which a communication game device and a communication game management device are connected by a communication line, as shown in FIG. The communication game device includes a package medium storing background image data having a large amount of information. Image data of a character or the like having a small amount of information is created by the communication game management device and sent to the communication game device. The communication game device combines these image data and displays them on the screen. Therefore, the amount of information transmission is reduced by the amount of the background image data having a large amount of information, so that the game can be advanced at a high speed.

[0005]

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-1
In the technique described in Japanese Patent No. 82855, an image of a game console selected by a gamer is shot by a monitor camera and displayed on a display of a gamer's personal computer via a communication line. Since the capacity of the communication line is limited, it is not possible to monitor the rapid movement of pachinko balls in real time like a TV broadcast, and there is a time difference between the video being monitored and the game situation of the gamer, and the balls are hit. In addition, there is a drawback that equipment such as a game table, a control device for the game table, a monitor camera, a microphone, and the like and a wide space are required, resulting in a high price.

In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-327835, the movement of the character is calculated by the communication game management device, even if the amount of information transmission for the background image data is reduced. The image data is also created by the communication game management device, and if a large number of communication game devices are connected to the communication game management device, the processing speed of the communication game management device is limited, so that the pachinko balls are fast. The movement cannot be monitored in real time like a television broadcast, and similarly, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to hit a ball.

Therefore, the present invention is directed to a game player operating a ball shooting device even if the game has a large amount of graphic data and displays a fast movement of a large number of balls, such as a pachinko game. There is no time difference between the game video and the monitor video of the game situation, and a communication game system that is easy to hit balls is economical without the need for inexpensive and wide space.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication game system capable of securely monitoring illegal use of a game and managing usage fees.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a game program, graphic data, and sound data. A game computer that operates by calling a program, the graphic data and the sound data, a management server installed in a game store,
In a communication game system having a communication line connecting the game computer and a management server, the game computer receives a game initial information transmitted from the management server before starting the game; Means for transmitting state information during the game to the management server at approximately predetermined time intervals during the game, and means for receiving command information transmitted from the management server during the game. Means for generating initial information and transmitting the game initial information to the game computer; means for receiving and recording game mid-state information transmitted from the game computer;
A means for detecting an abnormality in the communication game system based on the in-game state information; and a means for transmitting command information including termination command information to the game computer when the abnormality is detected.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, claim 1
In the invention according to the above, as the game middle state information,
Operation of the ball firing device, position of each fired ball, hit of the ball,
You have selected the number of remaining balls

In the invention according to claim 3, the game program, the graphic data, and the sound data are called from the recording medium on which the game program, the graphic data, and the sound data are recorded. In a method for managing a communication game system having an operating game computer, a management server installed in a game store, and a communication line connecting the game computer and the management server, the management server is configured to execute the game before the game starts. Generating initial information and transmitting it to the game computer; receiving the game initial information by the game computer before starting the game; and providing the game computer with game status information during the game. Transmitting the game status information to the management server during the game. Recording, a step in which the management server detects an abnormality in the communication game system based on the game state information during the game, and a step in which the management server detects the abnormality during the game. And a step of transmitting command information including the end command information to the game computer, and a step of the game computer receiving the command information during the game.

In the invention according to claim 4, from the recording medium,
A communication game having a game computer that operates by calling a game program, graphic data, and sound data, a management server installed in a game store, and a communication line connecting the game computer and the management server. The game program in the system comprises the steps of: receiving, by a game computer, game initial information generated by a management server before the start of the game; and It includes a step of transmitting to the management server and a step of receiving command information transmitted from the management server during the game.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The system of the present invention differs from the prior art in that a game computer operates by loading a program and data stored in a storage medium, and a game computer operates at high speed. The position of the movable character is determined and displayed on its own, and both communicate only the minimum necessary information. The system of the present invention mainly deals with a game in which a large number of movable characters that move at high speed appear, and is particularly suitable for a pachinko game, a shooting game, and the like. Hereinafter, embodiments of the pachinko game will be described.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
The system of the present invention includes a recording medium, a CD-ROM,
It comprises a game computer 20, a communication line 30, and a management server 40 provided in a game shop. The management server 40 is composed of a network server 40A and a main server 40B. The game computer 20 is managed only by the network server 40A. The main server 40B only records information on the game read by the network server 40A in the disk array 50. To do. The management server 40 is connected to the communication line 30 via a firewall (illegal intrusion prevention device) 60 and a router 70. Each of the game computer 20, the network server 40A, the main server 40B, and the firewall 60 uses a personal computer, and includes an emergency power supply (such as a storage battery) 80. If the demands on security are not high and economics are required, the management server can be connected to one personal computer.
It may be constituted by data. The communication line 20 may be analog or digital, and depending on the regional distribution of gamers, all existing communication lines including the telephone network can be used.

As a recording medium, a CD-ROM is suitable. The content of the recording medium is composed of a data portion composed of graphics and audio and a program portion, and the ratio of the graphic data portion is the highest. On one CD-ROM,
When games of different types and contents are mixed, the choices of gamers are dramatically increased. It is not realistic to store a large-capacity game such as a pachinko game on a floppy disk. In the case of pachinko, CD-
The information recorded in the ROM is related to installers, dial-ups, logins, game store entrances, game store stores, game stands, prizes, ball purchase machines, etc., but most of them are graphic data. .

FIG. 2 shows a game computer with a C
The graphic data is read from the D-ROM and the pachinko machine is displayed on the screen. On the screen of the game computer, various parameters (for example,
Balance of membership fee, number of remaining balls, points, etc.), command icons (for example, ball firing device icon A, ball firing stop icon C,
(Ball purchase icon, in-store movement, game start, prize display, and other icons) are also displayed, but some of them are not shown.
The gamer can appropriately select a command such as watching the adjacent game situation, walking around the game store, or viewing a prize with the mouse.

The ball firing device icon A in FIG. 2 is operated with a mouse. When the gamer clicks the arrow of the ball firing device icon A with the mouse, the initial speed of the ball (the speed of the ball at the time of firing) is determined according to the size and direction of the arrow, and the ball is fired continuously. The ball initial speed at this time is
It is displayed on the ball initial speed display section B. To stop the ball firing, click the ball firing stop icon C. The ball firing speed (the number of balls fired per unit time) may also be adjustable, and the ball firing device may use a dedicated input device such as a trigger, a dial, and a keyboard.

Game computer 20 and management server 40
The information sent and received between: dial-in service, login checker, opening / closing information, use or availability information of each game console, prize information / ball purchase information, nail position information of each game console, payout rate information, each game Ball information (number of remaining balls, position / speed / acceleration of each shot ball), hit information of balls, prize information, prize order reception, game table information totalization, membership fee balance, and the like. This information is
Due to the two-way communication between the game computer and the management server, the management server 40 always keeps the game computer 2
It is possible to manage monitoring of fraudulent use, charges, etc.

FIG. 3 is a game flowchart in the game computer and a management flowchart in the management server. The game computer and the management server
As shown by the dotted line between the two flowcharts, information is transmitted to each other and operates in conjunction with each other.

First, a game flowchart in the game computer will be described.

Step 1 (S1): A player who wants to play a game calls a program from a CD-ROM, which is a recording medium, to establish a connection between the game computer 20 and a management server 40 installed in a game store. Necessary information a is exchanged to connect the two.

Step 2 (S2): Input of an ID number and a recitation number is requested. When these numbers are input, these numbers b are transmitted from the game computer 20 to the management server 40.

Step 3 (S3): If there is no error in the numbers, the play permission information and the information c indicating whether each game console is in use or empty are returned from the management server 40 to the game computer. Information and CD-ROM
Based on the graphic data called from, the inside of the game store in which various game consoles are arranged is displayed on the screen, and whether each game console is in use or empty is displayed. At the same time, a noise is generated which increases according to the number of game consoles in use. If this noise is not changed by the gamer, the noise will continue until the end of the game. As described above, since noise corresponding to the degree of congestion in the game store is also added, power and realism can be obtained.

Step 4 (S4): Here, the game player selects a vacant game platform of a desired type. Then, the game table selection information d is transmitted from the game computer to the management server. In addition, the selection of the game table is
There are cases where the game machine is selected from different types of game machines such as pachinko and roulette, and cases where a different game machine is selected from the same type of game such as pachinko.

Before selecting the type of game, a CD-ROM is recorded on the screen of the game computer operated by the gamer, showing a state of entering a game store or walking around the game room. You may make it display according to graphic data or program data. Further, when a game platform that is being played by another player is selected, the progress of the game at that game platform may be displayed on the screen. In this case, in consideration of the load on the management server, rather than reading the actual game state information on the game platform from the management server and executing it, the CD-ROM is used.
It is desirable to execute the demonstration program stored in the ROM.

Step 5 (S5): When game machine selection information d is transmitted from the game computer to the management server,
Game initial information e, for example, membership balance, number of remaining balls, prize information, nail position information, payout rate information, error information, and the like are returned from the management server, and are received. This step 5 constitutes “means for receiving the game initial information transmitted from the management server before starting the game”.

Step 6 (S6): A game table is displayed on the screen based on the game initial information and the graphic data recorded on the CD-ROM. On the game table,
Parameters required for game progress, for example, dues balance
The number of remaining balls and the like are displayed at the same time, and a game start icon, a ball purchase icon, a prize display icon, and the like are also displayed.

Step 7 (S7): Here, when the player who wants to play the game clicks the ball purchase icon to purchase a ball, and then clicks the game start icon, the game start information f is transmitted to the management server side. And the game is ready to start. That is, various icons of the ball firing device A and the like necessary for the game progress, for example,
Icons for ball initial speed adjustment, ball firing speed adjustment, ball firing, sound selection (noise, music, etc.), volume adjustment, and game end are displayed, and the process proceeds to the next step.

Step 8 (S8): The icons required for the progress of the game are in a state of waiting for clicking for a predetermined time. When the arrow of the ball launching device icon A or an icon (not shown) is clicked, initial conditions of the movement of the ball, for example, initial speed, launch speed, and the like are set. Error information is added to each of these initial conditions. In the case of a pachinko machine, the shooting direction of the ball is fixed, but an error is also added to this shooting direction. Clicking the arrow of the ball firing icon sets the firing ON, and clicking the ball firing stop icon C sets the firing information of firing OFF, and simultaneously performs the continuous firing of the ball or stopping the ball firing. The in-game status information g relating to the operation of the ball firing device for setting the initial conditions of the ball movement and the ball firing information is transmitted from the game computer to the management server.

Step 9 (S9): The position of each shot ball is obtained from the equation of motion, and each ball is displayed on the screen. Then, in-game state information g such as the motion state (position vector, velocity vector, acceleration vector) of each shot ball is fired.
Is transmitted to the management server with the identification number of the ball.

Step 10 (S10): If the ball hits the target, hit processing is performed. For example, while giving a predetermined number of balls as bonuses to the remaining balls of the game,
Sound data is called from the CD-ROM to generate sound effects and fever sounds. Then, ball hit information g, which is one of the game halfway state information, is transmitted to the management server side.

Step 11 (S11): Then, the number of remaining balls is obtained. The number of remaining balls, which is one of the game halfway state information g, is transmitted to the management server. Here, step 8-11
Thus, the "means for transmitting the in-game state information to the management server at substantially predetermined time intervals during the game" according to claim 1 is constituted.

Step 12 (S12): Receives command information h including the presence or absence of an end command sent from the management server. This step 12 constitutes "means for receiving the command information transmitted from the management server during the game".

Step 13 (S13): Next, it is determined whether a condition for ending the game is satisfied. The conditions for terminating the game include, for example, a case where both the number of remaining balls and the dues balance are exhausted, a case where an end icon is clicked, a case where an end command is received from a management server, and the like. Gay
When the system end condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the end process of step 14. If there are no remaining balls, or if the membership fee balance remains, the process may return to step 6 so that the balls can be purchased. If the game does not end,
Returning to step 8, the game is continued. In this case,
The game computer sends the game status information g to the management server at substantially predetermined time intervals from the start of the game to the end of the game.

Step 14 (S14): When the process proceeds to the end processing, game end information and game final state information i such as the number of remaining balls are transmitted from the game computer to the management server. In the game store management server, information j such as game results
Is returned to the game computer. Here, the game result refers to a fee, a score of the gamer, a ranking of a plurality of gamers, and a result of other data processing. When displaying a game result, a prize reception / award ceremony and the like can be performed on the screen while accompanied by a sound.

Next, a management flowchart in the management server will be described.

Step 1 (S'1): When the game store opens, the management server waits for a connection with the game computer. When there is a connection request from the game computer, both computers are connected.

Step 2 (S'2): When both computers are connected, the management server collates the ID number and the recitation number transmitted from the game computer, and determines play permission. When these numbers are incorrect by a predetermined number of times, the management server transmits play non-permission information to the game computer and disconnects the connection between them.

Step 3 (S'3): When the management server determines that the play is permitted, the management server sends the play permission information and the game store information c indicating whether each game console in the game store is in use or free to the game computer. Submit and proceed to the next step.

Step 4 (S'4): The management server is in a state of waiting for the game selection information d from the game computer. When the game machine selection information d is received from the game computer, the process proceeds to the next step.

Step 5 (S'5): Upon receipt of the game console selection information, game initial information e at the start of the game is generated. Then, it transmits the game initial information c to the game computer, and proceeds to the next step. The game initial information includes information that cannot be changed by the game store, such as the number of remaining balls and the balance of the membership fee, and games such as nail positions, payout rates, premium information, and bonuses to hits. -Some of them may be changed according to the skill level of the player, the use status of the game table, and the like. This step 5 constitutes "means for generating game initial information and transmitting the game initial information to the game computer".

Further, the game initial information c includes a ball initial speed
It is desirable to include error information generated by random numbers in order to give a small error to the set values of the ball firing speed, the ball firing direction, the nail position, and the like. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the gamer from remembering the habit of each game table, and also to fluctuate the initial condition of the ball movement due to temperature, humidity, and other factors like a real launch device, You can enjoy the daily fluctuation of the condition like a real machine. In this embodiment, the error information is generated on the management server side, but step 5 (S5) or step 8 on the game computer side.
Error information may be generated in (S8). When the error information is generated in step 8, since the tone of the game table fluctuates irregularly every moment, the pleasure is further increased.

Step 6 (S'6): Game Computer
Then, the game start information f sent from the server is waited for reception. When the game start information f is received, the process proceeds to the next step.

Step 7 (S'7): The game midway state information g transmitted from the game computer, for example, operation of the ball launching device, movement state of each ball, hit of the ball, number of remaining balls, and the like are received. And record the time. This step 7 constitutes "means for receiving and recording the in-game state information transmitted from the game computer" according to the first aspect.

Step 8 (S'8): Detect an abnormality in the game system. Anomaly detection refers to checking the information in the middle of the game, for example, that there is no ball firing ON within a set time,
The ball firing ON continues during the set time, the number of remaining balls does not decrease with time, the motion state of each shot ball does not follow the equation of motion, and the game in-progress state information g is set within the set time. It is to detect that no data is received. This step 8 constitutes "means for detecting an abnormality in the communication game system based on the game in-progress state information".

Step 9 (S'9): It is determined whether or not the game end condition is satisfied. The conditions for ending the game are:
For example, if both the number of remaining balls and the dues balance are gone,
For example, when end information is received from the game computer, or when an abnormality in the communication game system is detected. When the game end condition is satisfied, command information h including the end command is transmitted to the game computer, and the routine proceeds to the end processing of step 10. This step 9 constitutes "means for transmitting command information including termination command information to the game computer when an abnormality is detected".

If the game end condition is not satisfied, command information h including no end command is transmitted to the game computer. At this time, if there is enough processing capacity of the management server, the number of games in use in the game store and the game results of others are transmitted to the game computer, so that the noise can be increased or decreased, subtitles can be put on the screen, etc. Then, the motivation of the gamer may be stimulated. Then, the process returns to step 7 to receive and record the in-game state information g at substantially predetermined time intervals.

Step 10 (S'10): When the process proceeds to the end process, the game end information and the game final state information i sent from the game computer are read, and the game result is calculated. The information j such as the game result is transmitted to the game computer and the game final state information i
And the game result j are recorded.

[0048]

According to each of the first, second, third and fourth aspects of the present invention, the game computer transmits the program, graphic data and sound data stored in the storage medium to a CD-RO.
The position of a large number of movable characters that call and operate from M and move at high speed on their own is obtained and displayed on the screen, and in the middle of the game, the management server sends to the game computer the necessary minimum information such as end command information. And send only the minimum command information from the game computer to the management server, and send only the minimum necessary information such as the operation of the ball launching device, the position of the ball, the hit of the ball, and the number of remaining balls. As a result, a large number of movable characters and the like that move at high speed can be displayed on the screen without feeling uncomfortable even in a communication game system. In addition, since a part of the game initial information can be changed on the management server side, prizes and difficulty levels can be appropriately changed according to the use situation and skill level of the customer, so that games can be provided from beginners to experienced players. it can. Furthermore, because you do not need a real game platform,
It is economical without requiring a large space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a display example of a game stand.

FIG. 3 is a game flowchart in a game computer and a management flowchart in a management server.

FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional technology (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-182855).

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional technique (JP-A-6-327835).

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 game computer 30 communication line 40 management server 40A network server 40B main server 50 disk array 60 fire wall 70 router 80 emergency power supply

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04L 12/54 H04L 11/20 101B 12/58

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game program, graphics
A recording medium on which data and sound data are recorded, a game computer that calls and operates the game program, the graphic data, and the sound data from the recording medium; a management server installed in a game store; In a communication game system having a communication line connecting a game computer and a management server, the game computer receives a game initial information transmitted from the management server before the game starts, and the game A means for transmitting the game status information to the management server at substantially predetermined time intervals on the way, and a means for receiving command information transmitted from the management server during the game, the management server comprising: Means for generating information and transmitting the game initial information to the game computer; and a game in-progress state transmitted from the game computer. Means for receiving and recording information, means for detecting an abnormality in the communication game system based on the game in-progress state information, and means for transmitting command information including termination instruction information to the game computer when the abnormality is detected. A communication game system comprising: 2. The communication game system according to claim 1, wherein the in-game state information is an operation of a ball shooting device, a position of each shot ball, a hit of the ball, and the number of remaining balls. 3. A recording medium on which a game program, graphic data and sound data are recorded, a game computer which operates by calling the game program, the graphic data and sound data from the recording medium, and a game store A management method for a communication game system, comprising: a management server installed in a game server; and a communication line connecting the game computer and the management server. Transmitting the game initial information to the game computer before starting the game; and transmitting the game mid-state information to the management server during the game by the game computer during the game. Step and gay
A step in which the management server receives and records the in-game state information during the game; and a step in which the management server detects an abnormality in the communication game system based on the in-game state information during the game. Transmitting command information including end command information to the game computer when the management server detects the abnormality in the middle of the game;
Receiving the command information by a computer. 4. A game computer that operates by calling a game program, graphic data, and sound data from a recording medium, a management server installed in a game store, and connecting the game computer and the management server. The game program in a communication game system having a communication line for performing the following steps: a game computer receiving game initial information generated by a management server before the start of the game; A step of transmitting state information during the game from the game computer to the management server, and a step of receiving command information transmitted from the management server during the game.