TW201332622A - Game machine, control method and storage medium storing computer program used thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a game machine which can prevent effects due to lag of receiving information. A game machine 2 is applied to a game system 1 which causes a game to proceed between games 2 connected to each other through a network 5. Further, the game machine 2 includes a external storage device 20 which stores a sequence data 28 including an appearance position instructing portion 28g for associating mutually each operation timing of one's own machine during the game and a operation timing of another machine under a play. And, the game machine 2 teaches each operation timing so that a movement path W of an object 60 for instructing a operation timing of one's own machine changes according to a operation result on the object 60 associated with the operation timing of one's own machine based on the appearance position instructing portion 28g, and changes a operation information using for changing the movement path W, from an operation information based on the appearance position instructing portion 28g to an operation information corresponding to a operation timing earlier than the operation information of another machine when time lag has occurred.

Description

Game machine, memory control method used therein, and memory computer program

The present invention relates to a game system suitable for a game system in which a game is played in accordance with a play behavior by a player of each terminal between a plurality of terminals connected via a communication line, and a game machine having a function as one of a plurality of terminals, A memory medium used for its control method and memory computer program.

A game system in which a game of a battle type is played between a plurality of game machines connected via a communication line is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). On the other hand, there is also a game machine in which the play result of one of the battles affects the progress of the other game. As such a game machine, a game machine that interactively operates an operation unit in accordance with the rhythm of music is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 2).

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-087649

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-236243

In the game system of Patent Document 1, a battle with a majority of players is realized through the network. However, in this kind of game system, there are also communication obstacles. Wait, the results of the opponent's play, etc., the information received from the opponent's game console will be delayed. On the other hand, in the game machine of Patent Document 2, since the result of the game play in one of the battles affects the progress of the other game, the play result can be utilized in the relationship of the other game play. The time for the other party's game is limited. Therefore, when such a game machine is applied to the game system of Patent Document 1, there is a situation in which the progress of the game is hindered due to a communication failure or the like.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game machine, a control method therefor, and a memory medium for a computer program that can suppress the influence of delay in information reception.

The game machine of the present invention is applied to a game system (1) in which a game is played between a plurality of terminals (2) connected via a communication line (5) in accordance with a play behavior of a player of each terminal, and has A game machine capable of functioning as one of the plurality of terminals includes: a relationship information memory means (20) for storing at least one reference period for performing the aforementioned play behavior of the self-machine in the game, and executing At least one reference period of the aforementioned play behavior of the other machine having the function of the other terminal of the game system, the relationship information (28g) associated with each other; the reference period guiding means (10) is based on the relationship information The aforementioned play behavior corresponding to the reference period of the aforementioned other machine associated with the reference period of the self-machine, the manner in which the guidance state of the self-machine reference period changes, guiding each reference period; and the relationship change means ( 10), the department is satisfied In the case of changing the condition, the reference period guiding means changes the reference period of the aforementioned other game in order to change the guidance state, and changes from the reference period of the other machine based on the relationship information to the aforementioned The reference period of the machine is still an early reference period.

According to the present invention, when the predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference period of the other machine to be used to change the guidance state of the self-machine is changed from the original relationship information to a reference period earlier than this. Therefore, for example, considering the communication obstacle or the like, the correspondence relationship between the self-machine and the reference period of the other machine can be slightly deviated from the original relationship. More specifically, it is possible to delay the period of information related to the play behavior of the other machine. Thereby, since the period in which the progress of the game is affected can be delayed by the reception delay, the influence of the delay in the reception of the information can be suppressed.

In the same aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the relationship changing means satisfies the predetermined restoration after changing to a reference period earlier than the reference period of the other machine based on the reference period of the relationship information. In the case of the condition, the reference period guiding means restores the aforementioned reference period of the aforementioned play behavior to the aforementioned reference period from the earlier reference period to the aforementioned other information based on the relationship information. The base period is also available. At this time, by using the condition that the delay of the information reception can be resolved as the predetermined recovery condition, the reference period of the other machine using the play behavior can be used as the self-machine reflected by the change using the guide state. The relationship between the base period and the relationship from the deviation relationship. Thereby, since the unnecessary deviation can be suppressed, the game can be made more appropriate.

In the same manner as the game machine of the present invention, the time difference discriminating means (10) is configured to compare the predetermined time limit with the acquisition time of the information related to the play behavior of the other machine, and determine the predetermined time limit and the acquisition time. Whether or not a predetermined time difference occurs is generated; the predetermined change condition is based on the determination result of the time difference discriminating means, and the predetermined time difference may be satisfied. Further, in this aspect, the restriction time calculation means (10) may be further provided, and the predetermined time limit is calculated based on the reference time period of the self-machine. In such a situation, it is more appropriate to deviate the relationship between the reference period of the other machine using the play behavior and the reference period of the self-machine reflected by the change as the guidance mode.

As the number of base periods for self-established associations by relationship information and the number of base periods for other machines, any quantity may be applied. For example, the relationship information memory means may, as the relationship information, memorize information that associates the plurality of reference periods of the self-machine with the plurality of reference periods of the other machine.

In the same aspect of the game machine of the present invention, the relationship changing means is configured to guide the self-machine reference period to the reference period of the self-machine based on the reference period of the self-machine change. In the previous reference period before the reference period of the machine, the reference period is used as the guidance state for the previous reference period, and the reference period guidance means uses the predetermined guidance mode to make the guidance The information used for the change of the pattern may be changed from the information of the aforementioned play behavior corresponding to the operation period of the other machine to the predetermined information. Because the base period of the other machine that uses the play behavior is based on the self-machine base reflected by the change of the guide pattern. The deviation of the quasi-period may occur when the benchmark period of the aircraft is required to be more or re-used than the benchmark period of the aircraft. In addition, the reference period of the other machine that uses the play behavior is the first time, and there is also the problem of the previous reference period. At this time, the relationship between the reference period of the other machine that uses the play behavior and the reference period of the self-machine that is reflected by the change of the guide pattern is used to deviate from the information related to the previous play behavior, and the predetermined information can be utilized. Thereby, problems such as problems occurring at the first time and repeated use can be eliminated.

As a given guidance mode, any form of guidance can be used. For example, in the same state of the game machine of the present invention, as the aforementioned guidance mode, the guidance mode used when the aforementioned play behavior is not properly performed, or when the aforementioned play behavior is not performed within a predetermined time, is used. In this way, the information associated with the guidance mode is utilized as the predetermined information.

In the same manner as the game machine of the present invention, the input device (9) further includes at least one operation unit for inputting the operation as the play behavior; and the display device (8) for displaying the game screen ( 50); in the relationship information memory means, the operation information of the operating unit of the self-machine is used as the reference period of the self-machine, and the operation period of the self-machine is The sequence data (28) described in association with each other in the operation period of the operation unit of the other machine; the reference period guidance means includes a game area presentation means (10) on the game screen, and the display corresponds to the aforementioned a game area (52) disposed between the first reference portion (55A) of the operation unit of the machine and the second reference portion (55B) corresponding to the operation unit of the other machine; And the indicator display control means (10) for indicating each of the operation instruction flags (60) for each operation period along the plurality of movement paths (W) connecting the first reference portion and the second reference portion. The operation timing of the operation unit of the self-machine reaches the first reference unit, and when the operation timing of the operation unit of the other machine reaches the second reference unit, each operation instruction flag is displayed while moving in the game area. Thereby, guiding the operation period; the identifier display control means is an operation result of the operation indication flag corresponding to the operation period of the foregoing other machine associated with the operation period of the self-machine according to the relationship information, And changing a movement path of the operation indication mark corresponding to the operation timing of the self-machine, thereby changing a guidance state of the operation time of the self-machine; and the relationship changing means is to set the indication display control means The reference operation period of the aforementioned other machine corresponding to the foregoing operation indicating that the movement path is changed to use the foregoing operation result is News of the reference period preceding his relations machine, change to the aforementioned operation earlier period. At this time, in order to guide each player of the own machine and the other machine, a game along the operation instruction flag that moves between the first reference portion and the second reference portion along any of the plurality of movement paths is displayed. Can suppress the impact of delays in receiving information.

In the same state of the game machine of the present invention, the sound output device (14) is a reproduction output sound; the music data storage means (20) is a music material (25) for reproducing the music piece; and the music reproduction is performed. The means (10) is to reproduce the music from the sound output device based on the music data; and to use the respective periods in the music as the reference periods can. At this time, in the music game, the influence of the delay in receiving the information can be suppressed.

The control method of the present invention is a game system (1) suitable for playing a game between a plurality of terminals (2) connected via a communication line (5) in accordance with a play behavior caused by a player of each terminal, and having The gaming machine (2) capable of functioning as one of the plurality of terminals further has at least one reference period for memorizing the aforementioned play behavior of the self-machine in the game, and other executions having the aforementioned game system At least one reference period of the aforementioned play behavior of the terminal function, the relationship information (28g) of the relationship information memory means (20) of the game machine (10), and the following work: the reference period guide The guiding project is a manner in which the guiding behavior corresponding to the reference period of the aforementioned other machine associated with the reference period of the self-machine is based on the foregoing relationship information, and the guiding state of the reference period of the self-machine changes. Guide each reference period; and the relationship change project, in the case of satisfying the predetermined change condition, the aforementioned reference period guidance project is used to make the aforementioned guidance state change and use the aforementioned play Whom the reference period preceding his machine from the reference period preceding the aforementioned relationship based on the information of his machine, he changed to the reference period of the machine earlier than the previous reference period.

A memory medium for a computer program for a memory game machine according to the present invention, the computer program being configured to be adapted to be used by a player of each terminal between a plurality of terminals (2) connected via a communication line (5) The game system (1) in which the game behavior is performed by the game, and has a game machine (2) that can function as one of the plurality of terminals, and has a memory for At least one reference period of the aforementioned play behavior of the self-machine in the aforementioned game, and at least one reference period of the aforementioned play behavior of the other machine having the function of the other terminal of the game system, the relationship information associated with each other (28g) The computer (10) of the game machine of the relationship information memory means (20) has a function as a means for guiding the base period in association with the reference period of the self-machine based on the relationship information. In the aforementioned play behavior corresponding to the reference period of the other machine, the guidance mode of the reference period of the self-machine will change, and each reference period is guided; and the relationship change means is to satisfy the predetermined change condition. The reference period guiding means changes the reference period of the other device based on the relationship information to the reference period of the aforementioned other information in order to change the guidance state. Still early benchmark period. The gaming machine of the present invention can be realized by executing the control method or computer program of the present invention.

In addition, in the above description, in order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the reference numerals attached to the drawings are attached with parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the form of the drawings.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference period of the other machine to be used for changing the guidance state of the self-machine is changed from the original relationship information to the corresponding information. Early benchmark period. Therefore, for example, considering the communication obstacle or the like, the correspondence relationship between the self-machine and the reference period of the other machine can be slightly delayed from the original relationship. Because of this, because Since the period in which the progress of the game is affected is delayed by the reception delay, the influence of the delay in receiving the information can be suppressed.

Hereinafter, an aspect of the game machine according to the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a view showing a game system to which a game machine according to an aspect of the present invention is applied. In the game system 1, the plurality of game machines 2 and the central server 3 are connected to the network 5 via the router 4, respectively. The central server 3 is not limited to an example constituted by one physical device. For example, a central server 3 that constitutes one logic may be used as a server group of a plurality of physical mechanisms. Each of the gaming machines 2 has a function as a terminal device (or a client) of the game system 1 by being connected to the network 5. As the network 5, the Internet is used. Furthermore, the network 5 is only required to use a communication line, and is not limited to the Internet. Moreover, the communication line can be used as either wired or wireless.

Each of the game machines 2 is configured as a game machine for allowing the game of the game of the game of a predetermined range at the expense of the payment of the play fee. The gaming machine 2 is provided with a commercial facility such as a store 6 or the like. The router 4 is provided in association with each of the stores 6 and the central server 3. The gaming machine 2 of the same store is connected to the network 5 via a common router 4. Further, a regional server is provided between the game machine 2 and the router 4 of the store 6, and the game machine 2 can be communicably connected to the central server 3 via the area server.

A control unit (not shown) is provided in the central server 3. The control unit is configured to have a microprocessor, and the recording should be performed by the microprocessor A ROM of a program such as an operating system, and a computer unit that provides an internal memory device (not shown) such as a RAM in a work area of the microprocessor. Further, an external memory device (not shown) is connected to the central server 3. In the external memory device, various server programs to be executed by the control unit and various materials referred to by the program are respectively stored.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the physical configuration of the gaming machine 2. The game machine 2 includes a housing 7 and a monitor 8 as a display device that is disposed obliquely to the player P side as an upper surface of the housing 7. On the surface of the monitor 8, a transparent touch panel 9 is superposed. The touch panel 9 is a well-known input device that outputs a signal corresponding to the contact position when the player P touches with a finger or the like. In addition, in the game machine 2, various input devices and output devices provided in a normal business game machine such as a button for selection or determination, a power switch, a volume operation switch, and a power lamp are provided, but These illustrations are omitted in 2.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the gaming machine 2. As shown in FIG. 3, inside the casing 7, a control unit 10 as a computer is provided. The control unit 10 includes a game control unit 11 as a control main body, a display control unit 12 that operates in accordance with an output from the game control unit 11, and a sound output control unit 13. The game control unit 11 is configured as a unit of various peripheral devices such as an internal memory device (for example, a ROM and a RAM) required to combine a microprocessor and an operation of the microprocessor. The display control unit 12 draws an image corresponding to the image data given from the game control unit 11 to the frame buffer, and outputs a video signal corresponding to the image to be drawn to the monitor 8, thereby displaying it on the monitor 8. The portrait is fixed. Sound output control unit 13 generates a sound reproduction signal corresponding to the sound reproduction data given from the game control unit 11, and outputs it to the speaker 14 as a sound output device connected to the control unit 10, whereby the predetermined sound (including music, etc.) is reproduced from the speaker 14. .

An external memory device 20 is connected to the game control unit 11. The external memory device 20 can use a memory medium such as an optical memory medium such as a DVDROM or a CDROM or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as an EEPROM to maintain a memory even if no power is supplied.

In the external memory device 20, the game program 21 and the game material 22 are memorized. The game program 21 is a computer program required to execute the music game in accordance with the predetermined order of the game machine 2. When the game machine 2 is activated, the game control unit 11 executes various initial settings required for the game machine 2 to operate by executing the work program stored in the internal memory device, and then reads from the external memory device 20 by the external memory device 20. The game program 21 is entered and executed, and the environment for executing the music game is set in accordance with the game program 21. The display control unit 11 is a logical device realized by a combination of a computer hardware and a computer program. The game control unit 11 performs processing required to instruct the player to perform an operation in response to the reproduction of the music (music) selected by the player, or to generate a sound effect in response to the player's operation. Further, the game control unit 11 evaluates the operation of the player, and executes processing or the like for causing a change in the game in response to the result of the evaluation.

The game material 22 includes various materials that should be referred to when the music game is executed in accordance with the game program 21. As such various materials, for example, the game material 22 includes music material 25, effect sound data 26, and portrait data. 27. The music material 25 is a material required for reproducing and outputting a music piece to be played by the player 14 from the speaker 14. In Fig. 3, a type of music material 25 is disclosed, but in practice, the player can select a piece of music to be played from the plurality of pieces of music. In the game material 22, the plurality of pieces of music information 25 are recorded by adding information for identifying each piece of music. By memorizing the music material 25, the external memory device 20 has a function as a means of memorizing music data.

The effect sound material 26 is a material that responds to the player's operation and outputs a plurality of types of effect sounds to be output from the speaker 14, and records and records the code unique to each effect sound. The effect sound system contains various kinds of sounds other than the instrument. The effect sound data is also available for various classes, and it is also possible to change the interval and prepare for an octave. The image data 27 is used to cause the monitor 8 to display background images, various objects, illustrations, and the like in the game screen.

The game material 22 further includes sequence data 28. The sequence data 28 is used to indicate to the player the data of the operation period. For the piece of music information of a piece, at least one sequence data 28 is prepared. Sequence data 28 is detailed later.

Next, an outline of the music game executed on the gaming machine 2 will be described. The game machine 2 is a music game machine that is configured to perform an operation by combining two players (including a situation in which the game machine 2 has a function as a player of one player) in cooperation with music, and evaluates the operation timing of the two players to compete against each other. Further, the game machine 2 is configured such that a player who is a player of the game can compete with a player of another game machine 2 (other machine) connected via the network 5 via such a music game.

Before starting the game, from each gaming machine 2 to the central server 3, Send matching requirements for the match through the network 5. The central server 3 matches two players who are opponents of each other in accordance with the matching request from each of the gaming machines 2. When the opponent is determined according to the designation of the central server 3, the competition between the game machines 2 is started between the players.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a game screen of a music game executed in the gaming machine 2. The game screen 50 includes a game area 52 for guiding the player's operation period, and an information area 53 for displaying game information including the scores of the matched two players. The game area 52 is formed in a rectangular shape. In the vicinity of both ends 52U and 52B in the longitudinal direction of the game region 52 (the vertical direction in FIG. 4), the first reference portion 55A and the second reference portion 55B as the reference portions are disposed to face each other. Each of the reference portions 55A and 55B linearly extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the game region 52.

Each of the reference units 55A and 55B is used as a reference for the current time on the game by the two players who are matched to play the two game machines 2, respectively. Specifically, the first reference unit 55A has a function as a reference for indicating the current time of the player (hereinafter referred to as a first player), and the second reference unit 55B has a player as a player (hereinafter referred to as The function of the logo of the current time of the second player). Here, in the example of FIG. 4, the game screen 50 is drawn from the first player, and the front side is on the lower side and the deep side is on the upper side. Further, in each of the reference portions 55A and 55B, different colors are used in order to distinguish each player. In the example of FIG. 4, a red straight line is used as the first reference portion 55A, and a blue straight line is used as the second reference portion 55B. Further, the information area 53 is disposed around the game area 52. One end side of the game area 52 in the longitudinal direction is used to display the score of one player, and the other end side is used to display the score of the other player.

Each of the reference portions 55A and 55B includes a plurality of bounce points arranged at predetermined intervals. As shown by the broken line in the figure, the complex bounce point R1 included in the first reference portion 55A and the complex bounce point R2 included in the second reference portion 55B are connected to each other by the complex path W. Specifically, a complex path W from one rebound point R1 of the first reference portion 55A to a complex rebound point R2 included in the second reference portion 55B and one rebound point R2 from the second reference portion 55B are provided. The complex path W to the complex bounce point R1 of the first reference portion 55A. In addition, in FIG. 4, only some of the rebound points R1 and R2 are illustrated, but actually, many rebound points R1 and R2 exist at regular intervals along the reference portions 55A and 55B.

The plurality of paths W extending from the rebound point R1 of the first reference portion 55A extend to the upper end portion 52U on the second reference portion 55B side while passing through the rebound point R2. In addition, the plurality of paths W extending from the rebound point R2 of the second reference portion 55B extend to the lower end portion 52B on the first reference portion 55A side while passing through the rebound point R1. When one of the rebound points R1 of the first reference unit 55A is focused, the rebound point R1 is provided with three rebound points R2 included in the second reference unit 55B as the complex path W, from which the rebound point R1 is provided. The three paths W1, W2, and W3 are extended. In the execution of the music game, that is, during the reproduction of the music piece, on the path W connecting the rebound point R1 and the rebound point R2, the object 60 as the operation instruction flag indicating the operation is displayed in accordance with the sequence data 28. Again, in the picture In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, each of the paths W1, W2, and W3 is shown by a broken line. However, the actual game screen 50 does not display any of the complex paths W.

The object 60 is in the appropriate period of the song, appears at the rebound point R1 or the rebound point R2, following the progress of the music, from the respective rebound points R1, R2 appearing toward the opposite rebound points R1, R2, moving from appearing Each of the rebound points R1, R2 extends on the path W. Then, when the appropriate operation is performed in conjunction with the arrival of the object 60, the object 60 is destroyed. At the expense of the erasure of the object 60, the next object 60 appears in each of the bounce points R1, R2 of the reference portions 55A, 55B that perform the appropriate operation. That is, when the appropriate operation is performed, the position (bounce point) at which the object 60 arrives has a function as the appearance position of the next object 60. Furthermore, the object 60 moves along any of the complex paths W set for one bounce point R1 (or R2). The selection of one path W from the complex path W will be described later.

The object 60 appearing in the appearance position moves from the appearance position toward the respective rebound points R1, R2 on the opposite side. For this reason, when performing an appropriate operation, the object 60 is alternately moved between the reference portions 55A, 55B in such a manner as to rebound at the respective bounce points R1, R2. On the other hand, when the appropriate operation is not performed, the object 60 moves to the upper end portion 52U or the lower end portion 52B through the respective reference portions 55A and 55B along the respective paths W. Then, the position at which the articles 60 of the respective end portions 52U, 52B arrive has a function as the appearance position of the next object 60. For this reason, when the appropriate operation is not performed, the object 60 is directed from the respective end portions 52U, 52B toward the reference portion on the opposite side, and the moving side is changed in such a manner that the end portions 52U, 52B rebound. to. The movement path of the object 60 after the end portions 52U and 52B rebound is set to a path that does not pass through the side walls 52L and 52R and the distance from the next rebound point to be reached is the smallest.

As described above, for each player, it is required for each player to reach the respective reference portions 55A and 55B and perform a touch operation for touching the position where the objects 60 of the reference portions 55A and 55B reach. When each player performs a touch operation, the time when the object 60 coincides with each of the reference portions 55A and 55B and the time when the respective player performs the touch operation is detected. The smaller the deviation time, the higher the player's operation is evaluated. Also, the effect sound is reproduced from the speaker 14 in response to the touch operation. As a method of reproducing the effect sound, a known method may be applied. For example, as a method of reproducing the effect sound, there is a method of adding an effect sound to the music while reproducing the music, and a method of reproducing the effect sound corresponding to the error operation while muting the music at the time of the mistake. For another example, there is also a method of forming a music piece by dividing the music piece and assigning it to each operation period, and when performing the appropriate operation, the performance is assigned to the music part of the operation period (for example, by appropriate operation for each operation period) For this reason, the method of reproducing the part of the music piece assigned to the operation period is not reproduced when the error operation is performed.

In the example of FIG. 4, the object 60 is moving toward the rebound point R2 of the second reference portion 55B on the path W1. When the object 60 reaches the second reference portion 55B, the second player makes a position at which the object 60 of the second reference portion 55B of the game screen 50 displayed on the other machine (the second player sees itself) is reached. Touch operation is fine. Further, the object 60 is displayed in a color corresponding to each of the reference portions 55A and 55B to be oriented toward the present start. also That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the object 60 is displayed in blue until reaching the rebound point R2 of the second reference portion 55B, and the next object 60 appearing at the rebound point R2 is displayed in red. In the present embodiment, a plurality of operation portions are formed by the combination of the reference portions 55A and 55B on the monitor 8 and the touch panel 9 superimposed thereon. In the following, as a term representing the operation unit, the respective reference units 55A and 55B are used. Further, the second reference unit 55B is a reference unit corresponding to the operation unit of the game machine 2 (other machine) of the opponent of the opponent.

The selection of the path W for moving the object 60 is determined according to the position of the object 60 when the reference portions 55A, 55B are touch-operated. In order to facilitate the comparison of the positions, the object 60 is divided into a plurality of areas. FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a region of the article 60. The dashed lines in Fig. 5 reveal paths W1, W2, and W3, respectively, and the single-point lock lines 62 respectively reveal the borders of the respective regions.

In the example of FIG. 5, the object 60 is divided into a contact area S near the contact point where the reference portions 55A, 55B are initially in contact, a right side area R located on the left and right sides of the contact area S, the left side area L, and other areas O. 4 areas. Then, in response to whether the player performs a touch operation on any of the areas, the path W to which the object 60 should proceed is selected. That is, as the moving path that the object 60 should advance, when the contact area S or other areas O (including the areas) are touch-operated, the straight path W2 that faces the R1 with the shortest distance is selected, and the left side area L is near. When the touch operation is performed, the first right side path W3 that faces the R1 via the right side wall 52R in the longitudinal direction of the game area 52 is selected, and when the touch area is operated near the right side area R (including the area), Then select via game area 52 The left side wall 52L in the longitudinal direction faces the first left side path W1 of R1. The moving paths W1 to W3 are respectively different in distance from each other. Therefore, in response to the positional relationship between the operation position and the position of the object 60, the moving distance of the object 60 for moving to the next reference portions 55A, 55B may cause a gap. On the other hand, regardless of the movement path, the operation period of the touch-operated object 60 should be touched, that is, the period during which the object 60 should reach the respective reference portions 55A, 55B is constant. Therefore, in response to the touch operation of the player of one party, the path W and the moving speed of the object 60 moving toward the other player may change. Thereby, since the difficulty of the game changes, the operation of each player is required to be aware of the influence of the opponent player.

Furthermore, in FIG. 4, the state in which only the single object 60 is displayed in the game area 52 is disclosed. However, there is also a situation in which the game area 52 displays a plurality of objects 60 whose positions, velocities, or paths are different from each other. At this time, the control relating to the display and movement of the object 60 such as the appearance position, the movement path, and the erasing position of each object 60 is performed corresponding to each object 60 in accordance with the above-described example.

Next, the sequence data 28 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Fig. 6 is a view showing an example of the contents of the sequence data. As shown in FIG. 6, the sequence data 28 includes a condition defining unit 28a and an operation sequence unit 28b. The condition defining unit 28a describes the rhythm, beat, and track of the music, and specifies the information of the effect sound to be generated when the object 60 is touch-operated, and specifies the execution condition of the game according to each music piece. News. In addition, in FIG. 6, the condition defining unit 28a is provided only at the beginning of the sequence data 28. However, the condition defining unit may be added to an appropriate position in the middle of the operation sequence unit 28b. 28a. Thereby, it is possible to realize the processing of changing the rhythm of the song, changing the distribution of the effect sound, and the like.

On the other hand, in the operation sequence unit 28b, the period in which the object 60 is subjected to the touch operation is instructed to indicate the information of the player who should perform the touch operation (in other words, the indication of the object 60 in the reference portions 55A, 55B should be reached). The information of the reference part is described by establishing correspondence. Further, the operation sequence unit 28b also includes information for indicating the appearance position of the object 60.

In Fig. 6, as a part of the detailed disclosure, in this example, the operation sequence section 28b includes an operation period portion 28c indicating the period (operation period) of the reference period in which the operation should be performed, and indicates the display of the start object 60. The appearance of the display position instructing unit 28e of the player (in other words, the reference portion of the display of the object 60), the recording information portion 28h for distinguishing the respective records, and the relationship information of the appearance position of the pointing object 60 Position indication unit 28g. In other words, the operation sequence unit 28b is configured as a set of complex records described in such a manner that the information is associated with each other.

The operation period indicates the value of the measure number, the number of beats, and the time of the beat in the music, and is described by a comma. The time of the shot is the elapsed time from the beginning of the 1st shot, and is represented by the number of units from the beginning of the shot when the length of the 1 beat is equally divided into n unit time. For example, n=100 is the second beat of the first measure of the music, and when the time from the start of the beat is specified as the operation timing, it is described as “01, 2, 025”.

The display position instructing unit 28e describes an instruction as to which player starts displaying the object 60. Specifically, when the first reference portion 55A side corresponding to the first player is instructed, it is described as "P1", and the corresponding second player is instructed. When the second reference portion 55B is on the side, it is described as "P2". Further, since the object 60 is moved between the reference portions 55A and 55B, the instruction of the player who starts displaying is equivalent to the instruction of the reference portion for the touch operation. Specifically, when the first reference portion 55A side is instructed as the position to start the display, since the object 60 that is started to be displayed moves toward the second reference portion 55B on the opposite side, it corresponds to the instruction of the touch operation of the second reference portion 55B. . Similarly, when the position to start the display is instructed to the second reference portion 55B side, it corresponds to the opposite side, that is, the instruction of the touch operation of the second reference portion 55A in the moving direction of the object 60 to be displayed. Further, the instruction of the player who starts displaying the object 60 also corresponds to the indication of the color of the displayed object 60, and the blue object 60 is displayed at "P1", and the red object 60 is displayed at "P2".

The recording information unit 28h describes the number in the order in which each record is arranged in parallel. In other words, as the recording information, "1" is added to the first record, and then the unique number is attached to each record from the top, such as "2" or "3".

The information indicating the record number is described in the appearance position indicating unit 28g. That is, as the information indicating the appearance position, numbers such as "1", "2", and "3" are described. When "1" is described in the appearance position instructing portion 28g, the arrival position of the object 60 indicated by the record in which the "1" is added to the recording information portion 28h is indicated as the appearance position. Specifically, the position of the object 60 of the number 1 of the recording information unit 28h is appropriately touched, or the position reached by the error operation is instructed to correspond to the record in which the position indicating unit 28g describes "1". The location of the object 60. Similarly, when "2" is described in the appearance position indicating unit 28g, the information recording unit 28h is recorded. The position of the object 60 corresponding to the record of the "2" is indicated as the appearance position by the position or the position of the touch operation. When the appearance position indicating portion 28g describes "3", the "3" is added to the recording information portion 28h. The position of the corresponding object 60 that is suitable for the touch operation or the position of the arrival is indicated as the appearance position.

Further, the information described in the appearance position instructing unit 28g also corresponds to the instruction of the appearance period. Specifically, when the object 60 corresponding to the record in which the record "1" is added to the recording information portion 28h is subjected to the touch operation (or the time period at which the end portions 52U, 52B are reached), the display and the position display portion 28g are started. The object 60 corresponding to the record of "1" is described. That is, in the position indicating portion 28g, in order to perform the continuity of the object 60, at the time when the corresponding object 60 is reached (or the time during which the touch operation is appropriate), at the position of the arrival (or the appropriate position) The position of the touch operation starts to display the next object 60, and an instruction to associate one record with the record corresponding to the next object 60 is described. Further, the position of the object corresponding to the initial recording is used as the initial appearance position, and information indicating the fixed position is described. For example, as the information indicating the initial appearance position, the appearance position indicating unit 28g describes a letter such as "S".

In the example of FIG. 6, an indication is made that the red object 60 that has reached the second reference portion 55B from the start time point of the fourth beat of the first measure has reached the initial position of the first reference portion 55A. . Further, the arrival position and the time of the object 60 (or the position and time period in which the touch operation is performed) have the start time of the fourth beat of the first measure, and the time corresponding to the "016" period reaches the blue of the second reference portion. Color object 60 out The current position and the function of the period of time are indicated.

Next, the time lag control performed by the game machine 2 at the time of performing the battle with the other game machines 2 through the network 5 will be described. When the competition with the other game machines 2 is performed through the network 5, for example, due to the influence of the communication environment or the like, there is a situation in which the reception information of the second player (the operation information from the other machine) is delayed. Under such circumstances, in the gaming machine 2, time lag control is performed in order to eliminate problems caused by communication delay.

As described above, in the music game executed by the game machine 2, the first player interacts with the second player to perform an operation. Further, in response to the operation result of the second player, the appearance position, path, and speed of the object 60 to be operated by the first player change. On the other hand, the period in which the object 60 reaches the respective reference portions 55A, 55B is specified in advance by the sequence data 28 and does not change. Therefore, there is a time limit in determining the appearance position, the appearance period, and the movement path of the object 60 reaching the first reference portion 55A. Therefore, it is assumed that even if the gaming machine 2 receives the operation information of the second player after the object 60 indicating the operation information indicates the arrival time (operation period), it cannot be reflected to the object 60. Further, in this case, since there is no information on the appearance position, the appearance period, and the path of the object 60 that has been moved to the first reference portion 55A, the object 60 cannot be appropriately moved and moved. Time-delay control is performed to eliminate such problems.

Therefore, the time lag control is executed when the operation information of the second player cannot be obtained from the other machine within the time when the operation information of the second player can be reflected to the object 60. Specifically, at this time, by time delay control, it should be reflected The object 60 of the second player's operation information is applied to a predetermined position, a predetermined period, and a path. That is, by the time lag control, the appearance position, appearance period, and path of the object 60 determined according to the operation information of the second player are determined according to the predetermined period, the determined position, and the determined path, instead of the operation of the second player. News.

The time lag control will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8 . Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining time-delay control executed by the game machine 2. As described above, in each of the gaming machines 2 in the competition, the operation is performed interactively, and the operation result of the opponent opponent side (the other side) is reflected to the self-machine side. That is, the display on the self-machine side is determined based on the operation information of the opponent's opponent side. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the elements for displaying the game screen 50 are divided into the self-machine side and the opponent side, and the opponent side can be classified as information displayed on the self-machine side, and is actually executed on the opponent side. Operation. Hereinafter, the contents realized by the time lag control will be described in order.

As described above, the operation of the player on the player side and the operation on the opponent side (the other side) can be regarded as a pair by the movement of the object 60. In the pair of operations, in FIG. 7, as in "Operation 1", "Operation 2", etc., a common operation number is assigned to reveal the correspondence. That is, "Operation 1" on the opponent side is generated by "Operation 1" on the own machine side. Moreover, the operation on the next self-machine side is urged by the operation on the opponent side. Therefore, the next operation on the own machine side, that is, "Operation 2" is urged by "Operation 1" on the opponent's side. Thus, the music game is performed in a pair of operating units.

In the example of FIG. 7, first disclosed in the "operation 1" of a pair, Communication and display are appropriate. That is, the time lag control is not performed for the "Operation 1". At this time, the display on the self-machine side of the opponent's opponent side actually reflects the appropriate information of the operation information on the opponent's side (in FIG. 7, this situation is achieved by crossing the display column and the operation column on the opponent's side). The way the ellipse is configured to represent).

On the other hand, in the "operation 2" of a pair, the situation in which the operation information of the opponent side is received later than the time limit is revealed. That is, the situation of performing time-delay control is revealed. As shown in Fig. 7, at this time, the actual opponent's operation on the opponent side is separated from the display on the own player side of the corresponding opponent. That is, the object 60 for instructing the player (the first player) on the own machine side to perform the next operation does not reflect the actual operation on the opponent side. At this time, the object 60 for instructing the player on the own machine side to display the next operation appears at the predetermined position, moves to the predetermined path, and guides the operation period to the first player. The predetermined position and the predetermined route at this time are the actual "Operation 2" of the second player (the player of the other player on the opponent side). Further, the period in which the object 60 appears is, for example, a period in which the time limit is limited, and the like, and is a predetermined period.

In this way, the information of the actual "Operation 2" caused by the second player is separated, and the "Operation 3" of the next first player is guided. On the other hand, the information of the "Operation 2" of the second player is used as an object for the information reflecting the "Operation 3" of the second player even in the case where the communication is delayed in the next "Operation 3". 60 operating information. Specifically, when the operation information of the "Operation 3" of the second player cannot be received within the time limit, the operation of "Operation 2" of the operation information of the second player is used instead of the operation of "Operation 3". News. That is, in the corresponding match The display on the self-machine side of the hand side reflects the information of "Operation 2" instead of the information of "Operation 3", and the position and path are determined according to the information of "Operation 2". The same is true after "Operation 3". In this way, when the delay in the reception of the information is delayed by the time-delay control, the display information of the object 60 can be reflected on the path of the object 60 by the operation information that can be obtained by the delay. The relationship of its information deviates.

Communication delays are mainly dependent on the communication environment. Therefore, in the case of delays, most of them are cases that will not be eliminated afterwards. Therefore, until the end of the competition, the relationship between the display and the operation information is maintained, and the relationship from the predetermined interval (the one operation portion in the foregoing content) is maintained. However, if the communication delay is temporary, there will be a situation in which the communication delay in the battle will be eliminated. In this case, the relationship of the aforementioned deviation is restored by the time lag control.

Fig. 8 is a view for explaining a state in which the relationship between the operation information and the display is restored. As shown in FIG. 8, in order to eliminate the communication delay until the "operation 11", the last operation information, that is, the operation of the "operation 10" of the second player is used as the operation information to be reflected on the next object 60. News. Then, in the next "Operation 12", the communication delay is eliminated, and the operation information corresponding to the "Operation 12" of the second player is received within the time limit during which the operation information can be reflected in the next object 60. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the information of "Operation 12" of the second player is reflected on the object 60 for instructing the "operation 13" of the first player. That is, the deviation relationship to "Operation 11" is eliminated by obtaining the operation information of "Operation 12" of the second player within the time limit. In this way, the operation information of the "Operation 11" of the second player is reflected The mark disappeared and was discarded as information. In this way, when the communication delay is eliminated, the information obtained by eliminating the obtained information immediately eliminates the deviation between the display and the operation information. Thereby, the relationship between the display and the operation information is restored.

As described above, in order to eliminate the problem caused by the communication delay by the time lag control, when the communication delay occurs, in addition to the deviation of the relationship between the display of the fixed number and the operation information, when the communication delay is eliminated, the communication delay is Deviation recovery. As described above, in the game machine 2, the game with the other game machines 2 is transmitted through the network 5 while eliminating the problem of the communication delay.

Next, a configuration for realizing the time lag control will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The time delay control is executed by the game control unit 11. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the game control unit 11 for implementing time-delay control. As shown in FIG. 9, the game control unit 11 is provided with a storage unit 63, a time lag monitoring unit 64, a switching control unit 65, a position calculation unit 66, and an image generation unit 67. The operation information of the game machine (the other machine) 2 of the opponent and the opponent is memorized in the memory unit 63. The time delay monitoring unit 64 determines whether or not each operation information is operation information acquired within a predetermined time limit based on the operation information stored in the storage unit 63. The time lag monitoring unit 64 gives the determination result to the switching control unit 65.

Then, the switching control unit 65 specifies the operation information to be used for determining the position of the object 60 or the like based on the determination result of the time lag monitoring unit 64 and the operation information stored in the storage unit 63. At this time, when the time lag monitoring unit 64 determines that the time lag occurs, the switching control unit 65 specifies the mode in which the used operation information is switched from the normal time to the time lag. The switching control unit 65 gives the specific result to the position calculating unit 66. Bit The setting unit 66 calculates a position (coordinate) on the game screen 50 on which the respective objects 60 are to be placed, based on the specific result of the switching control unit 65. The result of this calculation is given to the image generating unit 67. Then, the image generation unit 67 generates and outputs image data in such a manner that the game screen 50 of each object 60 is displayed at each position to be calculated based on the calculation result of the position calculation unit 66. Thereby, when the reception of the operation information of the opponent game machine 2 is delayed, the game screen 50 including the object 60 reflecting the predetermined position or the like is displayed on the monitor 8, and then the deviation is reflected until the reception delay is eliminated. The game screen 50 of the object 60 of the determined operation information is displayed on the monitor 8. Further, when the reception delay is eliminated, the deviation of the operation information is eliminated, and the game screen 50 reflecting the operation information of the game machine 2 of the previous opponent is displayed on the monitor 8.

Next, various processes executed by the game control unit 11 for executing the time lag control will be described. The game control unit 11 executes the operation detection processing routine of FIG. 10, the sequence processing routine of FIG. 11, and the subroutine of FIGS. 12 to 14 in order to realize the time lag control. In addition, the game control unit 11 performs matching processing, processing for evaluating the operation of each player, and the like, and performs various well-known processes required for the music game, but the description is omitted.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of an operation detection processing routine executed by the game control unit 11. The game control unit 11 repeatedly executes the routine of FIG. 10 at a predetermined cycle. The routine of FIG. 10 is a process performed to acquire the contents (operation position and operation period) of the touch operation of the first player and the second player.

When starting the routine of FIG. 10, the game control unit 11 first refers to the output of the touch panel 9 in step S1, and determines whether or not the first player performs a touch operation after the end of the last routine. When there is a touch operation, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the game control unit 11 acquires the position of the first player touch operation and the time when the touch operation is performed, generates operation information for recording the operation information, and stores the operation information in the storage unit 63. In the next step S3, the game control unit 11 transmits the operation information memorized in step S2 to the game machine 2 of the opponent.

In the next step S4, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation information is received from the gaming machine 2 of the opponent in the game after the end of the last routine. When there is reception, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S5, and stores the received operation information in the storage unit 63 together with the reception time. After the processing of step S5 is completed, the game control unit 11 ends the processing of this time. On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S1 is a negative result, that is, when the touch operation is not performed, step S2 and step S3 are skipped, and the process proceeds to step S4. Further, when the determination result is negative in step S4, that is, when the operation information is not received, the game control unit 11 skips step S5 and ends the current routine. The respective operation periods of the first player and the second player included in the operation information memorized by the routine of FIG. 10 are handled as the actual operation timing of each player.

On the other hand, FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a flowchart of a sequence processing routine executed by the game control unit 11. The routine of Fig. 11 is a process performed to move the object 60 in the game area 52. The game control unit 11 repeatedly executes the routine of Fig. 11 at a predetermined cycle. The cycle The period of the game screen 50 is depicted, that is, the frame rate is equal. Furthermore, the period in which the routine of FIG. 11 is executed is equal to or longer than the period in which the routine of FIG. 10 is executed.

When the routine of Fig. 11 is started, the game control unit 11 first acquires the current time on the music in step S11. For example, the current time is based on the playback start time point of the music, and is started by the internal clock of the game control unit 11, and is obtained based on the value of the internal clock. The time on the music is specified by the elapsed time from the start of the reproduction time point, and may be specified by other values related to the elapsed time. For example, the specific time may be used by the number of beats of the music from the start of reproduction of the music, the number of frames of the game screen 50, and the like.

In the next step S12, the game control unit 11 acquires the data of the operation period existing in the time range corresponding to the display range of the game area 52 to be drawn in the next frame based on the sequence data 28, and holds it internally. Memory device. As an example, the display range is set to a time range corresponding to two bars of the music piece from the current time (however, the time when the next picture frame is drawn) toward the future. In the next step S13, a subroutine for determining each path of all the objects 60 which should be arranged in the next frame is executed. This sub-family is detailed later.

In the next step S14, the game control unit 11 calculates the coordinates of each object 60 to be drawn in the next frame. The calculation system is taken as an example and is performed as follows. First, based on the processing result of step S13, it is determined that each path W of each object 60 included in the display range is to be disposed. Then, in response to the moving direction of each object 60 (the respective reference portions 55A to be reached, 55B) and the time difference between each operation period and the current time, the position of each object 60 from the time axis direction of each of the reference portions 55A, 55B (that is, the moving direction of the object 60) is discriminated. Thereby, the coordinates of the respective objects 60 required for arranging the respective objects 60 from the respective reference portions 55A and 55B along the time axis on the respective paths W can be obtained.

In the next step S15, the game control unit 11 generates image data necessary for drawing the game area 52 based on the coordinates of the respective objects 60 calculated in step S14. Specifically, image data is generated in such a manner that each object 60 is arranged in each of the coordinates. The image of the object 60 or the like may be obtained from the image data 27. In the next step S16, the game control unit 11 outputs the image data to the display control unit 12. Thereby, the display of the game area 52 on the monitor 8 is updated. After the processing of step S16 is completed, the game control unit 11 ends the processing of this time. By repeating the above processing, each object 60 appears at a predetermined position of the game area 52, and proceeds to a path W corresponding to the operation of each player in accordance with the progress of the music to reach the respective reference portions 55A, 55B in a predetermined operation period. In that manner, the display of the object 60 is controlled.

Next, the path determination processing routine will be described with reference to Figs. 12 to 14 . 12 and 13 are diagrams showing an example of a flowchart of a path determination processing routine. This routine is a sub-family of the routine of Fig. 11 and is called for execution in step S13. The routines of Figs. 12 and 13 are for determining the process of arranging the paths of the respective objects 60 in response to the operation results of the respective players. Further, the game control unit 11 mainly executes the routine by the switching control unit 65.

When the routine of Fig. 12 is started, the game control unit 11 first determines whether or not there is an unprocessed record in step S21. The unprocessed record represents a record which is not set to the sequence data 28 acquired in step S12 of the routine of Fig. 11, that is, the record of the record processed in each operation period. That is, the operation period in which the path W of the object 60 should be disposed in the respective operation periods included in the display range has not yet been determined. When the game control unit 11 has a negative result in step S21, that is, when there is no unprocessed recording in each operation period of the display range, the game control unit 11 ends the current routine and returns to the routine of FIG.

On the other hand, when the game control unit 11 has an affirmative result in step S21, that is, if there is an unprocessed recording, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the unprocessed record to be processed is a record for the own machine. This discrimination is performed, for example, based on the display position indicating unit 28e included in the sequence data 28. Specifically, when the display position instructing unit 28e associated with the recording of the processing target, that is, the operation timing of the processing target is "P1", the game control unit 11 determines that the self-machine recording is "P2". Then it is judged as the record used for the mobile phone. When the result of the determination is an affirmative result, that is, when the recording of the processing target is a recording for the self-machine, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S23.

In the step S23, the game control unit 11 determines the operation timing of the record in which the record of the recording target of the processing target is recorded, and the operation information included in the range is stored in the memory unit 63. Information. As described above, in the sequence data 28, there is an operation period in which the position indication unit 28g is associated with each other. For example, the records indicating the location of occurrence in each of the associated records are called To indicate a record, the record indicating the location of the occurrence is referred to as the indicated record. In step S23, it is determined whether or not there is operation information in which the operation time corresponding to the instruction record of the record of the processing target is included in a certain range. Since the object 60 corresponding to the recorded object of the processing object reflects the operation result corresponding to the object 60 indicating the recording. Here, the predetermined range refers to the operation period described in the sequence data 28, and is a time range set as an allowable range for performing the appropriate operation, and for the object 60 for each reference portion 55A (or 55B). The arrival position (which should be the rebound point of the moving target) is a distance range that can be set as the allowable range in which the object 60 is touched. When the result of the determination is an affirmative result, that is, when there is operation information indicating that the operation period of the recording is within a certain range, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S24.

In step S24, the game control unit 11 determines the path W of the object 60 to be recorded corresponding to the processing target, and determines the normal path. Specifically, the normal path is determined as follows based on the operation information. First, the positional relationship between the position of the touch operation and the position of the object 60 is discriminated based on the determined operation information, and the path W is determined based on the positional relationship. The decision is as described above, and the position of the touch operation belongs to any of the four regions O, R, S, and L shown in FIG. 5, or the path is determined according to which region is closest. The relationship determined to be the path of each region O, R, S, and L is as described above. Then, the position where the normal path appears is the position indicated by the above indication record. That is, the normal path is determined based on the position of the touch operation included in the operation information and the appearance position indicated by the instruction record.

In the next step S25, the game control unit 11 sets the operation information of the recording and use of the processing target to the processed (or used), and returns to the processing of step S21. Thereby, the operation result corresponding to the object 60 indicating the record is reflected on the object 60 corresponding to the record of the processing object.

On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S23 is a negative result, that is, when the operation information indicating the recording is not included in the operation information within a certain range, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S26. In step S26, the game control unit 11 determines the path W of the object 60 to be recorded corresponding to the processing target, and determines the error path. When the operation information indicating that the recording is not included in the operation information within a certain range, it means that the appropriate operation is not performed for the object 60 corresponding to the indication record. At this time, the object 60 which is instructed to record the recording of the object to be processed reaches either of the both end portions 52U and 52B. Therefore, for example, as a path of error in such a situation, a path W extending from the position of the end portion 52U (or 52B) indicating the recorded object 60 to the opposite reference portion 55A (or 55B) is employed. Further, at this time, the position at which the end portion 52U (or 52B) of the recorded object 60 is reached is used as the appearance position of the object 60 corresponding to the recording of the processing target. When the game control unit 11 ends the process of step S30, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S25.

Further, when the result of the determination in step S22 is a negative result, that is, when the record of the processing target is a record for the mobile phone, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S27 of FIG. In step S27, the game control unit 11 executes a subroutine for monitoring the time lag. This sub-family is detailed later.

In the next step S28, the game control unit 11 uses the steps. As a result of the processing of S27, it is determined whether or not the operation information corresponding to the instruction record associated with the unprocessed record of the processing target has a time lag. When the result of this determination is a positive result, that is, when a time lag occurs, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S29.

In the next step S29, the game control unit 11 acquires the operation information of the predetermined range from the pieces of operation information stored in the storage unit 63. The predetermined range is set, for example, according to an unprocessed record of the processing target, that is, an operation period of the processing target. Specifically, for example, the predetermined range is set such that the operation information corresponding to the operation time of the other machine before the predetermined number recorded in association with the operation timing of the processing target is recorded. In other words, as the predetermined range, the range of the period before the predetermined period is earlier than the predetermined period of time before the predetermined number of records recorded in association with the unprocessed record of the processing target. Further, it is also possible to set a certain number of pieces of operation information indicating the previous period as the predetermined range based on the operation timing of the processing target.

In the next step S30, the game control unit 11 specifies the operation time of the other machine before the predetermined number from the unprocessed record of the processing target, that is, the instruction record of the operation time of the processing target. As the predetermined number, for example, "1" is employed. That is, as the operation period for the other machine before the predetermined number, for example, from the instruction record associated with the operation period of the processing target, the operation time of the previous one is specified. In the next step S31, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation information corresponding to the operation timing specified in step S30 is the operation information acquired in step S29. As the operation information corresponding to the operation period of the other machine before the fixed number, The operation information including the operation period of the machine before the predetermined number is included in a certain range. Therefore, for example, as the operation information corresponding to the operation timing of the previous one, in step S31, the operation period of the previous one is used as a reference, and the operation period is included in a certain range. Information is specified as a discriminating object. Then, in step S31, it is determined whether or not the specific operation information is included in each operation information acquired in step S29. When the result of the determination is an affirmative result, that is, when there is operation information corresponding to the operation period of the other machine before the fixed number, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S32.

In step S32, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation information specified in step S31 is the used operation information. The so-called used system represents the operational information used for the decision of the path W. That is, the representative uses the routine of FIG. 13 as the operation information used in the past to determine the operation information of the path W. When the result of the discrimination is an affirmative result, that is, when the specific operation information is already used, the process proceeds to step S33.

In step S33, the game control unit 11 determines the path W of the object 60 to be placed corresponding to the operation timing of the processing target as the predetermined path (and the predetermined appearance position). As the predetermined path and the predetermined appearance position, for example, the following path W and appearance position are employed.

As described above, in the sequence data 28, the presence position indicating unit 28g has the respective operation periods associated with each other. Therefore, there is also an instruction record with respect to the operation period of the processing object. Further, the object 60 corresponding to the instruction record has determined the path W (assuming that the path W is not determined, the process returns to step S32, and the fixed number is changed from "1" to "2". And so on, it can be changed so that the record of the determination path W can be acquired. In addition, after the change, the changed number may be used in the following routine. Then, as the predetermined path, a path W extending from the rebound point R2 (or R1) located on the path W for the indication recording to the reference portion on the opposite side at the shortest distance is employed. Further, the rebound point R2 (or R1) is applied as a predetermined appearance position at which the object 60 corresponding to the operation period of the processing target should appear. That is, in the processing of step S33, the game control unit 11 determines the rebound point R2 (or R1) applied to the path W indicating the recording as the appearance position of the object 60 corresponding to the unprocessed record, and will The path W of the shortest distance extension is determined as the determined path. In step S33, as an example, such a predetermined path (and a predetermined appearance position) is determined as a path W and an appearance position to be applied to an unprocessed record of the object. Further, the recording of the processing target at this time, that is, the operation timing of the processing target has a function as one of the previous reference periods of the present invention. Further, as the predetermined position or the like, the same path as that at the time of the error operation may be employed.

When the process of step S33 is completed, the game control unit 11 returns to step S25 of Fig. 12 . Then, the game control unit 11 executes the above-described processing in step S25.

On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S31 is a negative result, that is, when there is no specific operation information, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S34. By the processing of step S31, it is determined that there is no operation information, and for example, there is a case where the appropriate operation is not performed on the object 60 corresponding to the instruction record. Therefore, at this time, the game control unit 11 sets the object corresponding to the record to be processed in the same manner as step S26 in step S34. The path W of 60 is determined to be a fault path. Then, when the process of step S34 is completed, the game control unit 11 returns to step S25 of Fig. 12 .

Further, when the result of the determination in step S32 is a negative result, that is, when the operation information specified in step S31 is not used, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S35. In steps S30 and S31, the same number is used as the fixed number each time. Therefore, when it is determined in step S32 that the specific operation information has been used, it means that the processing of step S33 is not performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S32 that the specific operation information has not been used, the predetermined path of step S33 is used instead of the use of the operation information, that is, the time lag has occurred in the routine up to the previous time.

Therefore, in step S35, the game control unit 11 determines the path W of the object 60 to be recorded corresponding to the processing target, and determines the time lag path. Specifically, as the time lag path, the path W determined according to the operation information specified in step S31 is employed. That is, the positional relationship between the position of the touch operation and the position of the object 60 is discriminated based on the specific operation information, and the path W is determined based on the positional relationship. The decision is as described above, and the position of the touch operation belongs to any of the four regions O, R, S, and L shown in FIG. 5, or the path is determined according to which region is closest. The relationship determined to be the path of each region O, R, S, and L is as described above. Further, similarly, as the appearance position, the position at which the recorded object 60 is reached is used. That is, the decision of the route or the like is performed in the same manner as the determination of the normal path when the time lag does not occur. The operation information used for the determination of the different point system path or the like is not the corresponding instruction record (the operation time for the other machine in which the position indication unit 28g is associated), but corresponds to the other machine before the predetermined number. The operation information of the operation period. Further, the operation timing of the other machine before the predetermined number at this time has a function as an earlier reference period of the present invention. Then, when the process of step S35 is completed, the game control unit 11 returns to step S25 of Fig. 12 .

When the result of the determination in step S28 is a negative result, that is, as a result of the process of step S27, it is determined that the time lag has not occurred, the game control unit 11 returns to step S23 of Fig. 12 . When it is determined by the processing of step S27 that the time lag has not occurred, there is a situation in which the operation information can be acquired within the limited time. At this time, the same processing as the recording for the own machine can be performed. Therefore, at this time, the game control unit 11 returns to step S23 and executes the processing after step S23 described above. Further, it is determined that the state in which the time lag has not occurred has the function of the present invention satisfying the condition of the predetermined recovery condition.

Furthermore, in step S25, the game control unit 11 executes the process of setting the operation information used in the current process to be used, and eliminating the operation information corresponding to the operation time of the other machine before the predetermined number. can. Alternatively, the operation information before the operation information corresponding to the record of the specified object is uniformly eliminated. The state in which the process of step S25 is executed in step S28 of FIG. 13 includes the case where the time lag is eliminated after the occurrence of the time lag. In this case, the operation information included in the memory unit 63 remains unused operation information that should not be used. By performing the aforementioned processing, it is possible to suppress the misuse of unnecessary operation information.

By executing the routines of FIGS. 12 and 13, it is determined that the path W of each object 60 corresponding to the game machine and the opponent's game machine should be arranged. In addition, when the game machine of the opponent is used, when the time lag occurs, the predetermined route is used. The operational information to be used is not used for the decision of the path of the object 60 or the like. On the other hand, when a time lag has occurred, for example, the previous operation information or the like, the operation information deviating from the predetermined number is used for the decision of the path of the object 60 or the like. Further, when the time lag is eliminated, the operation information to be used is used, and a normal path or the like is used as the path of the object 60 or the like.

Next, the time delay monitoring processing routine will be described. Fig. 14 is a view showing an example of a flow chart of a time delay monitoring processing routine. The routine of Fig. 14 is called and executed at step S27 of Fig. 13. Further, the routine of Fig. 14 is for determining whether or not there is a problematic time lag in the use of appropriate operational information. Then, the game control unit 11 mainly executes the routine by the time lag monitoring unit 64.

When the routine of FIG. 14 is started, the game control unit 11 first acquires the operation information (of the second player) of the game machine 2 of the opponent who is memorized in the memory unit 63 in step S41. This acquisition range is also available as all operational information, and may be part of it. In some cases, the operation period including the instruction corresponding to the record of the processing target and the period of the range from the operation period are executed. In the next step S42, the game control unit 11 calculates a time limit for appropriately reflecting the operation information of the second player. This calculation is performed, for example, as described below. First, the game control unit 11 calculates a record of the processing target, that is, a difference between the operation timing of the processing target and the current time. Next, based on the calculated difference, the occurrence period in which the object 60 of the operation period corresponding to the processing target should appear in the reference portion 55A (or 55B) is calculated. Then, in the calculated occurrence period, plus a predetermined allowable time (allowable to be generated The time difference of the time difference is displayed, whereby the time limit is calculated. Furthermore, the time limit can be determined by using a predetermined time set in advance. At this time, the processing of step S42 may be omitted.

In the next step S43, the game control unit 11 determines whether or not the operation information including the operation time of the instruction record associated with the recording of the processing target in the predetermined range is within the operation information acquired in step S41. This processing is the same as step S22 and the like of FIG. Then, when the result of the determination is a positive result, the process proceeds to step S44.

In step S44, the game control unit 11 compares the calculation result of step S42 with the reception time of the reception operation information, and determines whether or not the operation information determined in step S43 is information received within the limited time. When the result of the determination is a negative result, that is, when the operation information is not received within the time limit (when a predetermined time difference is generated), the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S45. In step S45, the game control unit 11 outputs the occurrence information of the time lag, that is, the information of the time lag, and returns to step S27 of Fig. 13 .

On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S44 is an affirmative result, that is, when the operation information is received within the time limit (when a predetermined time difference is not generated), the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S46. In step S46, the game control unit 11 outputs information that the time lag has not occurred, that is, information that no time lag has occurred, and returns to step S27 of Fig. 13 .

Further, when the result of the determination in step S43 is a negative result, that is, when the operation time of the instruction record associated with the recording of the processing target is not included in the operation information within a certain range, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S47. . In step S47, the game control unit 11 is based on the present The time is determined by the time limit calculated in step S42. When the determination result is a negative result, that is, when the restriction time has not yet arrived, the recording of the processing target is returned to the step S21 of FIG. 12 in the unprocessed state, and the game control unit 11 executes the processing after step S21 again. .

On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S46 is affirmative, that is, when the time limit is reached, the game control unit 11 proceeds to step S45 and executes the above-described processing. In this case, even if the operation time information to be determined in step S44 cannot be received even if the time limit is reached, it can be determined that the time lag occurs. Further, when the second player is not operating, in step S47, an affirmative determination result is obtained, and the operation information that is not operated due to the time lag control is reflected in the next object 60.

When the process of step S45 or step S46 is completed, the game control unit 11 returns to the routine of FIG. 13 and performs the determination of step S28 by the processing result of step S47. Thereby, the determination as to whether or not the use of the appropriate operation information occurs has a problematic time lag, and the routine of FIG. 13 is executed based on the determination result.

As described above, according to this aspect, when the self-machine and the other machine compete against each other through the network 5, when there is a time lag in which the use of the operation information is problematic, the time lag control is executed. By the time lag control, when a time lag occurs, the predetermined path or the like is used instead of the operation information of the second player that should be used. That is, it is not necessary to wait for the reception of the operation information of the second player until an uncomfortable display degree is generated. Therefore, reflecting the operation information of the second player, the object 60 to be displayed on the machine can be displayed within a suitable time. By this, it can be eliminated Except for display delay due to time lag.

On the other hand, the operation information of the second player that has not been used due to the time lag is delayed by the predetermined number and reflected on the path of the object 60 or the like. That is, even if a time lag occurs, the operation information of the second player can be reflected on the display of the own machine with a predetermined delay. Thereby, since the influence due to the time lag can be suppressed, the interestingness of the competition game can be maintained.

Furthermore, as a method of eliminating the influence of the time lag, in addition to the operation information of the other machine, the method of correcting the position of the object 60 is determined. At this time, the operation information of the other machine can be used as appropriate, but depending on the acquisition period, the moving speed of the object 60 becomes faster. According to this state, this problem can also be eliminated.

Further, when the time lag is eliminated, the delay of the fixed number is also removed, and the operation information of the second player is appropriately reflected. That is, when a time lag occurs, but the time lag has been eliminated, the display reflecting the operation information can be appropriately restored. Thereby, the deviation between the display and the operation information due to the time lag can be minimized.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 transmits the function as the music reproduction means through the sound output control unit 13. Moreover, the control unit 10 executes the routine of FIG. 11 by the game control unit 11, and has a function as a game area presenting means, a mark display control means, and a reference time guiding means. Similarly, the control unit 10 executes the routines of FIGS. 12 and 13 by the game control unit 11, and also functions as a relationship changing means. Further, the control unit 10 executes the routine of FIG. 14 by the game control unit 11, and has a time difference discriminating means and a time limit calculating means. Features. On the other hand, the external memory device 20 has a function as a relational information memory means by memorizing the sequence material 28.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may be implemented in an appropriate form. In the above-described embodiment, a situation in which a time lag (a predetermined time difference) occurs is adopted as a predetermined change condition. Moreover, in this judgment, the routine of FIG. 14 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the routine of FIG. 14 is omitted, and the predetermined number in which the time lag is considered in advance may be set. That is, the predetermined change condition is satisfied by executing the predetermined settings. Further, in the above-described embodiment, in order to use the time lag control in step S30 of FIG. 13, the relationship between the used operation information and the actual display is deviated, and the predetermined number is used. Further, the predetermined number is, for example, "1" or the like is set in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the processing result of the time lag monitoring processing routine shown in FIG. 14 can be calculated based on the time required for the reception of the information of the other machine, and the predetermined number can be determined.

In the above-described form, the time lag monitoring processing routine shown in FIG. 14 is executed as the subroutine of FIG. 13 in the same cycle as that of FIG. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the time lag monitoring processing routine is a different routine from that of FIG. 13, and may be executed only at the time of transmission and reception of the first information. At this time, according to the discrimination result of the first time lag monitoring processing routine, only the predetermined path or the like shown in step S33 of FIG. 13 is used for the first time, and in the following routine of FIG. 13, the operation information for each deviation from the predetermined number is used. Also. At this time, the processing of step S28 is omitted, that is, the processing for appropriately restoring the relationship between the operation information and the display when the time lag is eliminated.

In the above form, in order to input the behavior as a player's play behavior The touch panel 9 is utilized. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, as a device for inputting a play behavior, a camera that photographs an action of a player, a detection means that detects an action of the player based on the result of the photograph, and a device that specifies a specific means of play behavior based on the detection result may be applied. Therefore, the play behavior is not limited to the behavior of the operation operation unit.

Moreover, in the game, in addition to the object 60, other operation indication labels may be displayed. As one of such operation instruction flags, for example, when a predetermined display condition is satisfied (for example, when a predetermined operation is performed, a predetermined score is obtained, and a predetermined option is obtained), a special item may be displayed. Then, when the operation information of the special object of the other machine cannot be received within the time limit, the operation information is used as the operation information of the next special item displayed on the machine, and if possible, the time is used as The next operation information displayed on the normal object 60 of the machine may also be used.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the game machine 2 constitutes a music game machine that is a reproduction music piece and moves the operation instruction mark toward the reference portion depending on the performance time of the music piece. However, the game machine 2 is not limited to such a structure. In the gaming machine 2, a game played in a plurality of terminals through a communication line can be executed, and one of the play behaviors affects various games played by the other party. As such a game, for example, a role playing game, an action game, a sports game, a shooting game, or the like may be applied. Further, the game machine of the present invention may be implemented in an appropriate form such as a business game machine installed in a commercial facility, a stationary game machine for a home, a portable game machine, or the like.

1‧‧‧Game system

2‧‧‧game machine

3‧‧‧Central Server

4‧‧‧ router

5‧‧‧Network (communication line)

6‧‧‧ shop

7‧‧‧ frame

8‧‧‧Monitor (display device)

9‧‧‧Touch panel (input device, operation unit)

10‧‧‧Control unit (computer, reference period guidance means, relationship change means, time difference discriminating means, time limit calculation means, game area prompt means, logo display control means)

11‧‧‧ Game Control Department

12‧‧‧Display Control Department

13‧‧‧Sound Output Control Department

14‧‧‧Speaker (sound output device)

20‧‧‧External memory device (relational information memory means, music data memory means)

21‧‧‧ game program

22‧‧‧Game information

25‧‧‧ music information

26‧‧‧ Effect sound data

27‧‧‧Portrait data

28‧‧‧Sequence data

28a‧‧‧ Conditional Definitions Department

28b‧‧‧Operational Sequence Department

28c‧‧‧Operational Period Department

28e‧‧‧Display position indication

28g‧‧‧ Position indication department (relationship information)

28h‧‧‧Recording Information Department

50‧‧‧ game screen

52‧‧‧ Game area

52B‧‧‧lower end

52U‧‧‧upper end

52R‧‧‧ side wall

52L‧‧‧ sidewall

53‧‧‧Information area

60‧‧‧ Objects (Operation Instructions)

63‧‧‧Memory Department

64‧‧‧ Time Lap Monitoring Department

65‧‧‧Switch Control Department

66‧‧‧Location Computing Department

67‧‧‧Portrait Generation Department

55A‧‧‧1st reference part (Operation Department)

55B‧‧‧2nd reference part (Operation Department)

R1, R2‧‧‧ rebound point

L‧‧‧left area

O‧‧‧Other areas

R‧‧‧Right area

S‧‧‧Contact area

W‧‧‧ path (moving path)

W1‧‧‧1st left path

W2‧‧‧ Straight path

W3‧‧‧1st right path

Fig. 1 is a view showing a game system to which a game machine according to an aspect of the present invention is applied.

[Fig. 2] A block diagram showing the physical structure of the gaming machine.

[Fig. 3] Functional block diagram of the game machine.

[Fig. 4] A diagram showing a game screen of a music game executed in a game machine.

[Fig. 5] A diagram for explaining an area of an object.

Fig. 6 is a view showing an example of the contents of the sequence data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining time-delay control executed by the game machine, and is a view for explaining a state in which the relationship between the operation information and the display is deviated.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining time-delay control executed by the game machine, and is a view for explaining a state in which the relationship between the operation information and the display is restored.

[Fig. 9] A functional block diagram of a game control unit for implementing time-delay control.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a flow chart of the operation detection processing routine.

Fig. 11 is a view showing an example of a flow chart of a sequence processing routine.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a path correction processing routine.

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a time delay monitoring processing routine.

Claims (11)

A game machine is applicable to a game system in which a game is played in accordance with a play behavior caused by a player of each terminal between a plurality of terminals connected through a communication line, and a game capable of functioning as one of the plurality of terminals The device is characterized in that: the relationship information memory means is configured to memorize at least one reference period for performing the aforementioned play behavior of the self-machine in the game, and the function of the other terminal having the game system to be executed. At least one reference period of the aforementioned play behavior of the machine, the relationship information associated with each other; the reference period guidance means is based on the reference period of the aforementioned other machine associated with the reference period of the self-machine based on the relationship information Corresponding to the above-mentioned play behavior, the guidance mode of the self-machine reference period changes, guiding each reference period; and the relationship change means, when the predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference period guidance means is used to make The aforementioned reference period of the above-mentioned gameplay behavior using the aforementioned game state change, from the foregoing relationship The foregoing reference period of his machine, he changed to the reference period of the machine earlier than the previous reference period. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the relationship changing means is changed to a reference period earlier than the reference period of the other machine based on the reference period of the other information based on the relationship information. When the predetermined recovery condition is satisfied, the reference period guiding means restores the reference period from the aforementioned reference period to the basis of the aforementioned reference period in order to change the guidance state. The reference period of the aforementioned other information about the relationship information. The game machine according to the first aspect of the invention, further comprising: a time difference discriminating means for comparing the predetermined time limit with the acquisition time of the information related to the play behavior of the other machine, and determining the predetermined time limit and the acquisition Whether or not a predetermined time difference occurs between the times; the predetermined change condition is satisfied based on the determination result of the time difference discriminating means, and the predetermined time difference is generated. The game machine according to claim 3, further comprising: a time limit calculation means for calculating the predetermined time limit based on the reference time period of the self machine. The game machine according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the relationship information memory means, as the relationship information, memorizes information relating to the plurality of reference periods of the self-machine and the plurality of reference periods of the other machine. . The game machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the relationship changing means is based on a reference period of the self-machine that changes the guidance state. When the reference period of the self-machine corresponds to the previous reference period before the reference period of the self-machine, the reference period is used as the guidance state for the previous reference period. In the manner of the lead state, the information used for the change of the guidance mode is changed from the information of the play behavior corresponding to the operation period of the other machine to the predetermined information. The game machine described in claim 6 of the patent application, wherein In the above-mentioned guidance mode, the information associated with the guidance mode is used in a manner in which the foregoing play behavior is not properly performed, or the guidance mode used when the foregoing play behavior is not performed within a predetermined time. It is used as the aforementioned information. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: an input device having at least one operation unit for inputting an operation as the play behavior; and a display device The game information screen is displayed; in the relationship information memory means, the operation period of the operation unit of the self-machine and the operation period of the machine is used as the reference period of the self-machine And the sequence data described in association with the operation period of the operation unit of the other machine; the reference period guidance means includes: a game area presentation means for displaying the game screen corresponding to the self-machine a game area in which the first reference unit of the operation unit is spaced apart from the second reference unit corresponding to the operation unit of the other machine; and the indicator display control means for indicating each operation indication mark along each operation period Any one of the plurality of movement paths connecting the first reference portion and the second reference portion reaches the first one in the operation timing of the operation unit of the own machine Quasi unit, the operation time for the operation of the machine the portion of his second embodiment of reference unit reaches the respective instructions within the game area The identification is displayed while moving, thereby guiding each operation period; the indication display control means is the operation instruction corresponding to the operation period of the aforementioned other machine associated with the operation time of the self-machine according to the relationship information. As a result of the operation of the identification, the movement path of the operation indication mark corresponding to the operation period of the self-machine is changed, thereby changing the guidance state of the operation period of the self-machine; the relationship changing means is as described above The mark display control means changes the reference time period of the aforementioned other machine corresponding to the operation instruction flag corresponding to the operation result by the change of the movement path to the earlier operation from the reference time of the other machine based on the relationship information. period. The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a sound output device that reproduces a sound; and a music data storage means that memorizes the music material for reproducing the music; The music reproduction means reproduces the music from the sound output device based on the music data, and uses each of the music periods as the reference period. A control method is characterized in that a game system suitable for playing a game according to a play behavior caused by a player of each terminal is provided between a plurality of terminals connected through a communication line, and has a function as one of the plurality of terminals The game machine has at least one reference period for memorizing the aforementioned play behavior of the self-machine in the aforementioned game, and should be executed. At least one reference period of the aforementioned play behavior of the other machine having the function of the other terminal of the game system, the computer of the game machine of the relationship information memory means that establishes the relationship information of each other, performs the following work: the reference period guidance project, And the navigation behavior corresponding to the reference period of the foregoing other machine associated with the reference period of the self-machine according to the foregoing relationship information, and the guiding manner of the reference period of the self-machine changes In the reference period and the relationship change project, when the predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference period in which the aforementioned play behavior is used to change the guidance state in the reference period guidance project is based on the relationship information. The reference period of the aforementioned other machine is changed to a reference period earlier than the reference period of the aforementioned other machine. A memory medium for a computer program for a memory game machine, characterized in that the computer program is configured to make a game suitable for a game played by a player of each terminal between a plurality of terminals connected through a communication line; a game system to be played, and a game machine having a function as one of the plurality of terminals; and a game machine for storing at least one reference period for performing the aforementioned play behavior of the self-machine in the game, and having the foregoing At least one reference period of the aforementioned play behavior of the other functions of the other functions of the game system, the computer of the game machine of the relationship information memory means that establishes the relationship information of each other has the function of: the reference period guidance means According to the aforementioned play behavior corresponding to the reference period of the aforementioned other machine associated with the reference period of the self-machine according to the foregoing relationship information, the guidance state of the reference period of the self-machine will change. And guiding the respective reference periods; and the relationship changing means, when the predetermined change condition is satisfied, the reference period guiding means is configured to use the reference period of the aforementioned playing machine in order to change the guiding manner. From the reference period of the aforementioned other machine based on the aforementioned relationship information, it is changed to a reference period earlier than the reference period of the aforementioned other machine.