WO2019058557A1

WO2019058557A1 - Game device and game control method

Info

Publication number: WO2019058557A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/034566
Authority: WO
Inventors: 襟川　恵子
Original assignee: 株式会社コーエーテクモゲームス
Priority date: 2017-09-25
Filing date: 2017-09-25
Publication date: 2019-03-28
Also published as: JPWO2019058557A1; JP7104712B2

Abstract

A game device comprises: a housing; a sensory device for creating physical sensation in a user in accordance with the progress in a game; a display device provided inside or outside the housing or on the external surface of the housing in the game device; an acquisition unit for downloading a program of the game and the advertising content of the game from a server connected to the game device; a storage unit for storing the program of the game and the advertising content of the game acquired by the acquisition unit; and a control unit that causes the advertising content of the game stored in the storage unit to be presented on the display device.

Description

Game device and game control method

The present invention relates to a game device and a game control method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technology for loading a game program into a gown on a game device (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Also, in recent years, it is a game device installed in a game center or a commercial facility, and a head mounted display (HMD, Head Mounted Display) is attached to the head of the user, and the vibration of the riding section is made according to the game situation. , A scent, and a game device for experiencing wind.

JP, 2016-066321, A JP, 2014-063206, A JP, 2009-003857, A

However, in the related art, there is a problem that when adding or replacing a game available on a game device, it is also necessary to replace a point of purchase advertising (POP) advertisement installed around the game device.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technology capable of easily performing addition and replacement of a game available on a game device.

In the game device, a case, a sensation device for giving the user a feeling according to the situation of the game, a display device provided inside, outside or the outer surface of the case of the game device, and the game device An acquisition unit for downloading the game program and content for promoting the game from a server; a storage unit for storing the game program acquired by the acquisition unit; and content for the game promotion; And a control unit that causes the display device to display the advertising content of the game stored by the storage unit.

According to the disclosed technology, addition or replacement of a game available on the game device can be performed more easily.

It is a figure showing an example of the case of the game device concerning an embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of the case of the game device concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the game system 1 which concerns on embodiment, and the example of arrangement | positioning. It is a figure explaining an example of the hardware constitutions of a control device and a server. It is a functional block diagram of a control device and a server. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in the game by the control part of a game device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process at the time of downloading the game of the game system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data for a test | inspection. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which determines the utilization availability of game software according to a test result.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

<Chassis of game device>
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are views showing an example of a case 100 of the game device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 1A shows an example of the case 100 viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 1B shows an example of the case 100 viewed from the side. The housing 100 has a front housing 100A and a rear housing 100B. The user is disposed so as to enter the inside from between the front case 100A and the rear case 100B. In the example of FIG. 1A, a display device 150 is provided on the outer surface of the front of the housing 100 for displaying contents for promoting a game to a user outside the housing 100. The display device 150 may be provided not only at the front of the housing 100 but also at the back, the side, or the like. Alternatively, the display device 150 is digital signage (electronic signboard, digital POP) that displays video or characters by a flat display, a projector, etc. For example, the user position outside the housing 100 or the user position inside the housing 100 It may be installed in the front etc. which oppose.

<Configuration of Game System 1>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration and an example of arrangement of the game system 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the game system 1 has a game device 10 and a server 20. The game device 10 and the server 20 are connected so as to be able to communicate via a network 30 such as the Internet, a mobile phone network, and a LAN (Local Area Network).

The game apparatus 10 includes a chassis 100, a display device 101A, a speaker 101B, a controller 102, a riding section 103, a sensation device 104A, a sensation device 104B, a sensation device 104C, a sensation device 104D, ... When it is not necessary, the control unit 110 is simply referred to as the “sensation sensing device 104”, the control unit 110, the display unit 150, and the like.

The case 100 is, for example, for one person, and when it is assumed to be seated on a seat and played, the height is 2 m or less, the width is about 1 m to 1.5 m, and the side wall has an entrance and The seat is placed near the center of the floor. A door may be installed at the opening.

The display device 101A is, for example, a head mounted display worn on the head of the user, and displays a three-dimensional virtual reality (VR, Virtual Reality) image according to the change of the user's viewpoint during the game.

The speaker 101 </ b> B is, for example, a headset worn on the head of the user, and outputs a game sound or the like.

The controller 102 may be, for example, a known game controller or a simplified substantially rod-like controller. The controller 102 may be capable of performing an operation by voice input or may be a touch panel. Alternatively, for example, a virtual touch panel may be displayed such that a touch panel input device is present in front of the display device 101A and the user moves a finger in the air to input to a virtual touch panel.

The riding section 103 is, for example, a seat for one or two people. When the user stands up while using the display device 101A, there is a possibility that the user may fall over or collide with a structure. For this reason, a riding portion 103 is provided which can be seated or fixed but not seated.

The bodily sensation device 104A is, for example, an actuator, and is a device that causes the user to sense swinging, vibration, and the like during a game.

The bodily sensation device 104B is a device that releases a scent, and is a device that causes the user to sense the scent during the game.

The sensation apparatus 104C is an apparatus for sending wind, warm air, cold air, a mist-mixed wind, and the like, and includes, for example, a Peltier element, a humidifier, and a blower. The bodily sensation device 104C causes the user to feel, for example, the spread of space by wind during the game. In addition, the bodily sensation device 104 </ b> C senses a change in the environment, for example, by warm air and cold air. In addition, the sensation apparatus 104C, for example, makes the weather such as rain and moisture feel by the misty wind.

For example, a plurality of films made of a soft material such as a poly tube is attached to a rod-like member (roll), and the sensation device 104D rotates the rod-like member to bring the film into contact with the user's foot. It is a device to experience contact with the creatures crawling on the ground.

The control device 110 may be configured, for example, by connecting a home-use game machine and a dedicated system board via USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The control device 110 executes a game program (game software) in response to an input from the controller 102 or the like, and outputs a video and an audio of the game to the display device 101A and the speaker 101B, respectively.

Further, the control device 110 executes a program of a game stored in advance and a program of a game downloaded from the server 20, and controls the sensation device 104 according to the situation of the game.

The control device 110 downloads a game program and promotional content for the game from the server 20. Control device 110 causes game display content downloaded from server 20 to be displayed on display device 150 provided on the inside, outside or outside of case 100 of game device 10.

The server 20 distributes a game program, promotional content for the game, and the like to the game device 10 in accordance with a request from the game device 10 or in accordance with an operation from a manager of the server 20.

<Hardware configuration of control device>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the hardware configuration of the control device 110 and the server 20 that the game apparatus 10 has will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 110 and the server 20.

The control device 110 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a drive device 111, an auxiliary storage device 112, a memory device 113, a CPU 114, an interface device 115, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus B.

A game control program for realizing the processing in the control device 110 is provided by the recording medium 111A. When the recording medium 111A recording the game control program is set in the drive device 111, the game control program is installed from the recording medium 111A to the auxiliary storage device 112 via the drive device 111. However, the game control program need not necessarily be installed from the recording medium 111A, and may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 112 stores the installed game control program and also stores necessary files and data.

The memory device 113 reads out the program from the auxiliary storage device 112 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 114 implements the function related to the control device 110 in accordance with the program stored in the memory device 113. The interface device 115 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

Note that, as an example of the recording medium 111A, a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, or a USB memory may be mentioned. Also, as an example of the auxiliary storage device 112, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory may be mentioned. The recording medium 111A and the auxiliary storage device 112 both correspond to computer readable recording media.

The hardware configuration of the server 20 may be the same as that of the control device 110 shown in FIG.

<Functional configuration>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, functional configurations of the control device 110 and the server 20 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of control device 110 and server 20.

«Game device»
The control device 110 of the game device 10 has a storage unit 11. The storage unit 11 is realized, for example, using the auxiliary storage device 112 or the like. The storage unit 11 stores game software, content for promoting a game, and the like.

The control device 110 of the game device 10 includes an acquisition unit 12 and a control unit 13. These units are realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the control device 110 cause the CPU 114 of the control device 110 to execute.

The acquisition unit 12 downloads, from the server 20, game software, data for inspecting each function of each sensation device 104 used in the game software, and content for advertising the game.

The control unit 13 executes game software stored in the storage unit 11 and controls each device included in the game apparatus 10 such as the sensation device 104 according to the situation of the game. In addition, the control unit 13 causes the display device 150 to display the advertising content of the game stored in the storage unit 11.

«Server»
The server 20 has a storage unit 21. The storage unit 21 is realized, for example, using an auxiliary storage device or the like.

The storage unit 21 stores game software to be distributed to the game device 10, contents for promoting a game, inspection data 211 for inspecting each function of each sensation device 104 of the game device 10 used in the game software, and the like.

The server 20 also includes a distribution unit 22 and a control unit 23. These units are realized by processing that one or more programs installed in the control device 110 cause the CPU of the server 20 to execute.

The distribution unit 22 distributes the game software, the advertising content, and the like stored in the storage unit 21 to the game apparatus 10.

The control unit 23 controls the entire server 20.

<Processing>
«Process in game»
Next, the in-game processing of the control unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the control unit 13 in the game apparatus 10 during the game.

First, in step S1, the control unit 13 receives a game operation using the controller 102 or the like from the user.

Subsequently, the control unit 13 determines the situation in the game (step S2).

Subsequently, the control unit 13 controls the bodily sensation device 104 according to the in-game situation (step S3), and ends the process.

Here, in the game, for example, if the user performs an operation of moving out of the house despite the fact that the outside of the house is a storm, the user feels a wind toward the user using the sensation device 104C. Spray water (water droplets).

In addition, the control unit 13 releases the scent of flowers by using the physical sensation device 104B, for example, when encountering a female character of a guiding character for the first time in a game. In addition, when the character of the enemy boss is made to appear, for example, in the game, the control unit 13 causes the user to use the wind using the sensation device 104C in order to make the user feel the style and intimidating feeling of the character. send. Further, in the game, for example, when the user's character rides a horse and chases an enemy, the control unit 13 causes the user to experience a vibration such as horse riding using the sensation apparatus 104A.

«Process of downloading the game»
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a process when the game apparatus 10 downloads a game from the server 20 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when downloading a game of the game system 1 according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of inspection data.

In step S101, the control unit 13 of the game apparatus 10 receives an operation for displaying a list of downloadable game software from the manager or the like of the game apparatus 10.

Subsequently, the acquiring unit 12 of the game device 10 transmits a request for acquiring a list of downloadable game software to the server 20 (step S102).

Subsequently, the distribution unit 22 of the server 20 transmits a list of game software that can be downloaded at present to the game device 10 (step S103).

Subsequently, control unit 13 of game device 10 displays the list acquired from server 20 (step S104).

Subsequently, the control unit 13 of the game apparatus 10 receives an operation for specifying the game software to be downloaded and added and the game software to be deleted from the administrator or the like of the game apparatus 10 (step S105). Here, the storage unit 11 of the game apparatus 10 stores, for example, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game software at the time of shipment from a factory, etc., up to a predetermined maximum number (for example, five) The game software of can be stored. Therefore, when the number of game software already stored in the game apparatus 10 is the maximum number, in order to add one game software, it is necessary to delete the one game software already stored. is there. In this case, the control unit 13 of the game apparatus 10 displays a list of game software already stored in the storage unit 11 of the game apparatus 10, and the administrator can select the game software to be deleted from the list. You may

Subsequently, the acquiring unit 12 of the game apparatus 10 transmits, to the server 20, an acquisition request for data for inspection of the physical sensation device 104 according to the game software designated by the operation (step S106).

Subsequently, the distribution unit 22 of the server 20 refers to the inspection data 211, and transmits data for inspection corresponding to the designated game software to the game apparatus 10 (step S107). Here, in the example of FIG. 7, in the inspection data 211, the name of the game (title), information indicating each function of the sensation device 104 used in the game, and the respective functions in association with the ID of the game. The importance of is recorded. In the example of FIG. 7, in the game of "name A", the function providing "flower scent" and "cold wind" is "recommended", and the function providing "vibration" is set as "essential" . This indicates that the game should not be run if the function providing the "vibration" does not work properly. In addition, with regard to the function to provide "flower scent" and "cold wind", the game is performed even if the smell is weakened, for example, because it is not important in the game or not used in the main game scenario. Indicates that you may

Subsequently, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 checks whether or not each function of each physical sensation device 104 is normal based on the received data for examination (step S108). Here, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 checks whether or not each function of each sensation device 104 indicated by the received test data is normal. In the example of the game of “name A” in FIG. 7, the vibration function of the sensation device 104A is normal, the scent function of the flower of the sensation device 104B is normal, or the cold air function of the sensation device 104C is normal. Run a program to check whether or not.

In addition, when one or more functions among the functions of each sensation device 104 indicated in the received data for examination are not normal, the control unit 13 of the game apparatus 10 displays a message notifying the function etc. not normal. It is also good.

Subsequently, the acquiring unit 12 of the game device 10 transmits, to the server 20, an acquisition request of the server 20 for the game software designated by the administrator in step S105 and the advertising content according to the game software (step S109). ).

Subsequently, the distribution unit 22 of the server 20 distributes the game software requested from the game device 10 and the advertising content according to the game software to the game device 10 (step S110).

Subsequently, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 stores the downloaded game software in the storage unit 11 (step S111).

Subsequently, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 causes the display device 150 to display the downloaded advertising content (step S112).

In addition, while the predetermined game software is being executed by the user, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 displays the advertising content of the predetermined game software on the display device 150 by, for example, repeated reproduction. May be Thereby, for example, when a person who is around the game apparatus 10 sees the happy state of the user who is playing the predetermined game software, it is known which game software the user is playing, Promotional effects can be further enhanced.

Further, for example, while the game software is not being executed by the user, the control unit 13 of the game apparatus 10 can reproduce the popular game and the reproduction frequency of advertising content such as a new game for other games. The display frequency may be higher than the reproduction frequency of the advertising content. In this case, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 stores, for example, the execution frequency of execution of each game software stored in the storage unit 11 and the date and time when the plurality of games were downloaded. Then, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 increases the reproduction frequency of the advertising content as the execution frequency increases and as the downloaded date and time is newer. The control unit 13 of the game apparatus 10 may count the execution frequency for each time zone, every weekday, every holiday, etc., and use the execution frequency for the time zone corresponding to the current date and time, for example. .

<Modification 1>
The control unit 13 of the game device 10 displays the advertising content according to the inspection result in step S108 among the advertising content of the plurality of versions that can be downloaded from the server 20 and associated with one game software. You may make it In this case, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 may, for example, perform a first version of the first content including the content related to a predetermined scent in the physical sensation device 104B and a second content of the version not including the content related to the predetermined scent If both can be downloaded from the server 20, both versions may be downloaded.

Then, when the remaining amount of the predetermined scent is smaller than the predetermined value, the control unit 13 of the game device 10 causes the first content to be displayed and the second content not to be displayed. In addition, when the cartridge of the predetermined scent or the like is replaced and the residual amount of the predetermined scent is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the second content is displayed and the first content is not displayed. As a result, when there is a possibility that the physical sensation device 104 may be upset, it is possible to prevent the user from having an excessive expectation by the advertising content.

<Modification 2>
«Determination process of game availability based on inspection result»
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, an example of processing in which the control unit 13 of the game apparatus 10 determines whether to use the game software according to the inspection result in step S108 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing to determine the availability of the game software according to the inspection result.

In step S201, the control unit 13 determines whether or not all the functions of each bodily sensation device 104 used in the downloaded game software are all normal in the examination result in step S108.

If all are normal (YES in step S201), the process proceeds to step S205 described later.

If all are not normal, that is, if there is one or more function that is not normal (YES in step S201), the control unit 13 requires one or more of the functions that are not normal by the game software. It is determined whether or not (step S202).

When it is determined that the game software is essential (YES in step S202), the control unit 13 disallows the execution of the game software (step S203), and ends the process.

When the game software is not required by the game software (NO in step S202), the control unit 13 includes, in the advertisement content of the game software, a advertisement for at least one of the functions that are not normal. It is determined whether or not (step S204).

If an advertisement for a function that is not normal is included (YES in step S204), the process proceeds to step S203.

If the advertisement of the function that is not normal is not included (NO in step S204), the control unit 13 permits execution of the game software (step S205), and ends the process. In this way, even if there is a possibility that a part of the function to be felt may be malfunctioning, for example, if the function is not very important or is not advertised, it is possible to permit the execution of the game.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims.・ Change is possible.

The control unit 13 may be realized by, for example, cloud computing configured by one or more computers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 game system 10 game apparatus 100 case 101 A display device 102 controller 103 boarding unit 104 physical sensation device 110 control device 150 display device 11 storage unit 12 acquisition unit 13 control unit 20 server 21 storage unit 211 examination data 22 distribution unit 23 control unit

Claims

A game device,
And
A bodily sensation device that gives the user the bodily sensation according to the game situation;
A display device provided on the inside, outside or outside of the case of the game apparatus;
An acquisition unit configured to acquire a program of the game and content for promoting the game from a server connected to the game apparatus;
A storage unit that stores the program of the game acquired by the acquisition unit and the advertising content of the game;
A control unit that causes the display device to display advertising content of the game stored in the storage unit;
A game device having
The game includes a plurality of games,
The control unit causes the display unit to display advertising content of the predetermined game stored in the storage unit when a program of the predetermined game is executed by the user.
The game device according to claim 1.
The game includes a plurality of games,
The control unit is configured to at least one of a frequency at which the plurality of games are used by the user, and a date and time at which the plurality of games are downloaded, content for advertising the plurality of games stored in the storage unit. Display at a frequency according to
The game device according to claim 1.
The acquisition unit downloads, from the server, data for inspecting the sensation device used in the game according to a program of the game.
The control unit inspects the sensation device using the data.
The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The control unit, among a plurality of advertising content that can be downloaded from the server and associated with one of the games, the advertising content according to a result of examining the sensory apparatus using the data. Display
The game device according to claim 4.
The control unit prohibits the execution of the game when the physical sensation device is essential according to a program of the game when the result of examining the physical sensation device using the data is not normal, and the game program Allow the execution of the game if the physical sensation device is not essential.
A game device according to claim 4 or 5.
The control unit executes the game when the advertising content of the game includes the content indicating that the sensation apparatus can be used when the result of the examination of the sensation apparatus using the data is not normal. If the content for promoting the game is not included and the content to the effect that the sensation device can be used is not included, execution of the game is permitted.
The game device according to any one of claims 4 to 6.
A game device having a case and a sensation device for giving a user a sense of sensation according to the situation of a game,
Acquiring a program of the game and contents for promoting the game from a server connected to the game device;
Storing the acquired program of the game and advertising content of the game;
Displaying the stored advertising content of the game on a display device provided inside, outside or outside of a housing of the game device;
Game control method to execute.