WO2021059878A1

WO2021059878A1 - Game system, method of controlling same, and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2021059878A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/032946
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大樹内藤; 泰二山中; 翔太片桐
Original assignee: 株式会社コナミアミューズメント
Priority date: 2019-09-25
Filing date: 2020-08-31
Publication date: 2021-04-01
Also published as: KR20220062098A; JP6671704B1; JP2021049200A; KR102646050B1

Abstract

Provided is a game system with which the feel of operating a rotating body can be adapted to a user's intention. The game system is provided with: a turntable unit (20) including a turntable (21) serving as an object of rotating operation by a user; a magnetic fluid damper (40) for altering a rotational load of the turntable (21); and a control unit for controlling a game while referencing an operation detected by the turntable unit (20). The game system, wherein the control unit acquires a command of the user pertaining to the rotational load and controls the magnetic fluid damper (40) on the basis of the acquired command of the user.

Description

Game system, its control method and computer program

The present invention relates to a game system or the like provided with a rotating body as a target of rotation operation by a user.

As a device for changing the load of the rotating body as the operation target of the user, a brake drum is arranged on the handle shaft of an input device imitating a reel for fishing, and a friction thread is wound around the outer circumference of the brake drum to cause friction. While one end side of the thread is fixed at an appropriate position, the other end side is connected to a gear, and the gear is driven by an electric motor to change the tension of the friction thread, so that the load on the rotation of the handle is increased or decreased. Devices are known (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3893794

In a type of game that requires a rotation operation, the user may operate the rotating body in various ways. For example, which finger is used to operate the rotating body may differ depending on the user. There may be users who operate the rotating body in place of or in addition to the fingers using other body parts such as palms, arms, and elbows. Therefore, the appropriate range of the load for the rotation operation may differ depending on the operation method of the user. If the user's operation method and the load of the rotation operation do not match, the user feels dissatisfied with the operation feeling, or it becomes difficult to perform precise operations, and the game results, results, etc. are in line with the user's intention. There is a risk that it will not be there.

The device of Patent Document 1 described above changes the load for the rotation operation of the handle, but the load adjustment is controlled only according to the state of the game. The device of Patent Document 1 does not have a mechanism for changing the load of the handle according to the intention of the user. If the load is changed according to the user's intention, the original purpose of expressing the pull-in when a fish is caught by the change in the load of the handle may not be achieved, and the device of Patent Document 1 may not be able to achieve the original purpose. Cannot be adopted.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like capable of adapting the operation feeling of the rotating body to the intention of the user.

The game system according to one aspect of the present invention refers to an input means including a rotating body as a target of a rotation operation by a user, a load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the rotating body, and an operation detected by the input means. The game control means includes a game control means for controlling the game while the game is being provided, and the game control means includes a load instruction acquisition means for acquiring the user's instruction regarding the rotational load, and the load based on the acquired user's instruction. A load control means for controlling the adjusting means is provided.

In the control method of the game system according to one aspect of the present invention, the input means including the rotating body as the target of the rotation operation by the user, the load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the rotating body, and the input means have been detected. A control method for a game system including a game control means for controlling a game while referring to an operation, wherein the game control means acquires an instruction of the user regarding the rotational load, and the acquired procedure. The procedure for controlling the load adjusting means and the procedure for controlling the load adjusting means based on a user's instruction are executed.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention refers to an input means including a rotating body as a target of a rotation operation by the user, a load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the rotating body, and an operation detected by the input means. A computer program applied to a game system including a game control means for controlling a game while the game control means, the load instruction acquisition means for acquiring the user's instruction regarding the rotational load from the computer of the game control means. And, it is configured to function as a load control means for controlling the load adjusting means based on the acquired instruction of the user.

The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. Perspective view of the game device. Enlarged view of the operation part of the game device. The figure which shows an example of the game screen displayed on a game device. Top view of the turntable unit. A perspective view of the lower surface side of the turntable unit. Vertical section along the diagonal of the base in the turntable unit. The figure which shows an example of the structure about the control system of a game apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the game setting screen displayed for setting the rotation load of a turntable. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the table load setting process executed in a game apparatus.

Hereinafter, the game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 of the present embodiment is connected to a plurality of game devices 2 and a plurality of user devices 3 as clients, and the game devices 2 and the user devices 3 via a network NT (as an example, the Internet). It is configured as a client-server type system including the game server 4 to be played.

As an example, the game device 2 is configured as a business-use game machine that allows a user to play a game in exchange for payment of a play fee. This type of game device 2 is sometimes called an arcade game machine. The game device 2 is installed in a predetermined facility such as a store 5 mainly for the purpose of making a large number of users repeatedly play a game to generate profits. An appropriate number of game devices 2 may be installed in the store 5. Although one store 5 is shown in FIG. 1, there are actually a large number of stores 5, and an appropriate number of game devices 2 are installed in each store 5. The game device 2 of each store 5 is connected to the network NT via a router 6 installed in each store 5.

The game played on the game device 2 may be appropriately selected as long as it includes the content that requires the user to rotate the rotating body. For example, music that displays a musical score image instructing a series of operations to be performed by the user in time with music on at least a part of the game screen, and evaluates each operation by comparing the instructed operation with the operation performed by the user. A music game, which is a game and includes a turntable rotation operation as one of the operations to be performed by the user, may be executed on the game device 2. The turntable referred to here means a disk-shaped rotating body that rotates about an axis in the vertical direction, similar to a turntable of a music player. FIG. 1 illustrates a game device 2 that provides such a music game. In the following, the description will be continued assuming that the game device 2 provides a music game. However, the game provided by the game device 2 is not limited to a music game, and games of various genres such as a battle game, a fighting game, and a shooting game may be provided.

The user device 3 is a device used on a daily basis by a user, and is an information communication terminal device having an information communication function via a network NT. As an example, as the user device 3, a smartphone 3a, a tablet terminal 3b, or a PC (abbreviation of personal computer) 3c having a communication call function may be used as the user device 3. The user device 3 may be used as a terminal device for receiving a service associated with the game, such as a user viewing a play history, a play result, a replay image, or the like on the game device 2.

The game server 4 may be configured by appropriately combining a plurality of server units, or may be configured by a single server unit. The game server 4 may be configured as a cloud server using cloud computing technology. The game server 4 provides various services related to the game played on the game device 2 to the game device 2 and the user device 3, respectively.

Next, an example of a specific configuration of the game device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the game device 2 has a housing 10 and a stage 11 arranged in front of the housing 10. Stage 11 provides a place for the user to ride to play the game. A first monitor 12 and a second monitor 13 as an example of the display device are arranged in front of the housing 10 when viewed from the user on the stage 11. The first monitor 12 is arranged so as to face the user, and the second monitor 13 is arranged obliquely downward when viewed from the user. A control panel 14 is provided in front of the second monitor 13.

As shown enlarged in FIG. 3, the control panel 14 is provided with a pair of left and

right operating units

15L and 15R (hereinafter, may be represented by reference numeral 15). Each operation unit 15 is provided with a push button unit 16 and a turntable unit 20 as an example of the input means. The push button unit 16 includes seven push button switches 17 (only a part of which is designated by a reference reference numeral in the figure) arranged in a staggered pattern in front and rear rows as an example of an operating member. The push button switch 17 outputs an operation signal in response to a user's push operation. On the other hand, the turntable unit 20 includes a turntable 21 as an example of a rotating body that is a target of a rotation operation by a user. The turntable unit 20 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the rotation operation of the turntable 21 by the user. Details of the turntable unit 20 will be described later. The push button switch 17 and the turntable 21 are arranged symmetrically between the operation units 15. That is, in the operation unit 15L on the left side, the turntable 21 is arranged on the left side of the push button switch 17, and in the operation unit 15R on the right side, the turntable 21 is arranged on the right side of the push button switch 17. In addition to the push button switch 17 and the turntable 21, the operation unit 15 may be provided with a slider, a knob, and other appropriate operation members.

Speakers 18 for outputting music reproduction sounds, sound effects to be produced in response to operations of the operation unit 15, and the like are provided at appropriate positions above and to the side of the first monitor 12. Further, the game device 2 is provided with various accessory devices such as a card reader for authenticating the user and a coin selector for collecting the play fee.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a game screen displayed on the first monitor 12 in a music game executed by the game device 2. The game screen 100 includes a musical score image 101 for instructing each operation of the pair of operation units 15. The musical score image 101 includes a left region 102L corresponding to the left operation unit 15L and a right region 102R corresponding to the right operation unit 15R. In each of the

areas

102L and 102R, a plurality of lanes Ln1 to Ln8 associated with the push button switch 17 and the turntable 21 on a one-to-one basis extend linearly in the vertical direction and are adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction. It is provided in this way. An index 103 indicating an operation time is displayed in lanes Ln1 to Ln8. A horizontal linear reference portion 104 is displayed at the lower ends of the

regions

102L and 102R. The index 103 appears at the upper end of lanes Ln1 to Ln8 at a predetermined time in the song, for example, a certain time (for example, a time corresponding to two measures of the song) earlier than the time of the operation to be indicated by the index 103. The lanes Ln1 to Ln8 are gradually moved downward so as to reach the reference unit 104 at the operation time. In other words, the lanes Ln1 to Ln8 represent a time axis in which the reference portion 104 at the lower end is the current time in the game and the upper end is a time later than the current time by a certain time, and the index 103 is on the time axis. It is displayed at the position corresponding to the operation time of. As a result, the time when the push button switch 17 and the turntable 21 should be operated is instructed via the musical score image 101.

In the game of the game device 2, the game is played with only one of the operation units 15, for example, the left operation unit 15L as the operation target, and the single mode in which the left and

right operation units

15L and 15R are both the operation targets. Double mode is available. When the single mode is selected, the index 103 is displayed only in the left area 102L, and when the double mode is selected, the index 103 is displayed in each of the

areas

102L and 102R. The play fee may be differentiated between the single mode and the double mode. For example, the play fee in double mode may be set higher than that in single mode.

Below the reference unit 104, an operation unit image 105 imitating the push button switch 17 and the turntable 21 is displayed in order to clarify the correspondence between the lanes Ln1 to Ln8 and the push button switch 17 and the turntable 21. .. Further, on the outside of the

areas

102L and 102R, an indicator 106 indicating the position in the song displayed in the musical score image 101 is displayed. The indicator 106 is provided so as to indicate which range in the song is indicated by the musical score image 101 by the position and length of the slider 106a when the upper end is the position where the song starts and the lower end is the position where the song ends. Has been done. Therefore, the slider 106a gradually moves downward as the game progresses. Further, on the game screen 100, an evaluation information display unit 107 that displays evaluation information such as a score and a gauge amount calculated based on the evaluation of the operation of the operation unit 15, and a related information display that displays related information such as a game production image. A portion 108 is provided.

In the game of the game device 2, the user's operation is evaluated based on the comparison between the operation instructed by the musical score image 101 and the operation actually performed by the user. For example, the amount of time lag between the time when the index 103 displayed in any of the lanes Ln1 to Ln8 reaches the reference unit 104 and the time when the user operates the push button switch 17 or the turntable 21 corresponding to the same lane. Based on the above, the user's operation is evaluated in a plurality of stages. The smaller the deviation amount, the higher the evaluation of the operation. The evaluation of each operation is displayed superimposed on the musical score image 101. In the example of FIG. 5, the index 103 corresponding to the lane Ln3 of the left area 102L reaches the reference unit 104, and the operation performed by the user corresponding to this is evaluated to the level of "GREAT", and the character indicating the level is evaluated. It is shown that the evaluation information 109 including the columns is displayed in association with the index 103 to be evaluated. The number of evaluation stages, the name of each level, etc. may be appropriate. As an example, the evaluation levels may be differentiated as "JUST GREAT", "GREAT", "GOOD", "BAD" and "POOR" in descending order of evaluation. If the operation fails, an evaluation such as [MISS] may be given and displayed.

5 to 7 show the details of the turntable unit 20, FIG. 5 shows the appearance on the upper surface side, FIG. 6 shows the appearance on the lower surface side, and FIG. 7 shows a cross section along the vertical direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the turntable unit 20 includes a base 22 and an outer ring 23 and a mounter 24 attached to the base 22. As an example, the base 22 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape and is fixed to the control panel 14 (FIG. 2) of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the base 22 is provided with a substantially circular opening 22a, and the outer ring 23 is arranged on the base 22 so as to surround the outer periphery of the opening 22a. The mounter 24 is coaxially arranged on the outer ring 23 so as to cover the opening 22a of the base 22 from above. The mounter 24 and the outer ring 23 are integrally fixed to the base 22 by a fastening means such as a bolt 25.

The mounter 24 is provided with a recess 24a having a circular shape in a plan view and a relatively shallow depth, and a through hole 24b is provided at the center of the recess 24a. A sheet 26 is arranged in the recess 24a, and a turntable 21 is arranged on the sheet 26 so as to be coaxial and relative to the mounter 24 so as to be rotatable. A rotating shaft 27 is coaxially attached to the lower surface side of the turntable 21. The rotating shaft 27 passes through the through hole 24b of the mounter 24 and extends into the opening 22a of the base 22. A bearing housing 28 is provided on the lower surface side of the mounter 24, and a bearing 29 is attached to the bearing housing 28. The rotating shaft 27 is fitted to the bearing 29. As a result, the turntable 21 is rotatably supported around the axis CL of the rotating shaft 27.

A disk-shaped index plate 30 is attached to the lower part of the rotating shaft 27 so that it can rotate coaxially with the axis CL and integrally with the rotating shaft 27. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a pair of rotation sensors 31 are attached to the base 22. As an example, in the rotation sensor 31, the light emitting unit 31b and the light receiving unit 31c are arranged to face each other with the slit 31a interposed therebetween, and the light receiving intensity of the inspection light emitted from the light emitting unit 31b toward the light receiving unit 31c is adjusted to the light receiving intensity of the inspection light. It is a photo interrupter that outputs the corresponding signal. The indexing plate 30 is attached to the rotating shaft 27 so that its outer circumference enters the slit 31a. A plurality of light-shielding portions (not shown) that block the inspection light from the light-projecting portion 31b are formed on the outer periphery of the indexing plate 30 at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction. As the turntable 21 rotates, the light-shielding portion of the indexing plate 30 repeatedly blocks the inspection light from the floodlight portion 31b, so that the rotation sensor 31 outputs a pulse train signal having a period corresponding to the rotation speed of the turntable 21. Will be done. Therefore, it is possible to determine the rotation speed or the amount of rotation of the turntable 21 based on the output signal from the rotation sensor 31. Further, the rotation direction of the turntable 21 can be determined by setting the circumferential distance of the rotation sensor 31 so that the pulse train signal from the rotation sensor 31 has a phase difference.

On the lower surface side of the turntable 21, a magnetic fluid damper 40 is provided as an example of a load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the turntable 21. The magnetic fluid damper 40 is a magnetic fluid that changes the viscosity of the magnetic fluid and changes the rotational load (or rotational resistance) of the output shaft 40a by changing the strength of the magnetic field acting on the magnetic fluid sealed inside. It is a device. The magnetic fluid damper is sometimes referred to as a magnetic fluid brake, focusing on the fact that a braking action is generated with respect to the rotation of the output shaft 40a. In any case, any device that can increase or decrease the rotational load of the output shaft 40a by utilizing the change in the magnetic field acting on the magnetic fluid is included in the concept of the magnetic fluid damper 40.

A bracket 32 is attached to the lower surface side of the base 22 along the diagonal direction of the base 22, and the magnetic fluid damper 40 is attached to the bracket 32. A connecting shaft 27a is provided coaxially with the axis CL on the lower end side of the rotating shaft 27, and the connecting shaft 27a and the output shaft 40a of the magnetic fluid damper 40 are coaxially and integrally rotatable via a coupling 42. There is. Inside the magnetic fluid damper 40, an electromagnetic coil (not shown) for changing the strength of the magnetic field acting on the magnetic fluid is provided. By changing the current supplied to the electromagnetic coil, the viscosity of the magnetic fluid can be changed to change the rotational load of the turntable 21.

The rotational load of the turntable 21 can be set based on the user's instruction. One of the reasons for enabling such a setting is as follows. The game device 2 provides a game that requires the user to operate in accordance with the rhythm, and the push button switch 17 is an operation member other than the turntable 21 that requires an operation different from the rotation operation. It is provided. Therefore, regarding the operation of the turntable 21, various operation methods are assumed among users. That is, in the game device 2, a plurality of push button switches 17 and a turntable 21 are provided side by side with respect to one operation unit 15, and the user can display the rhythm of the music played during the game and the musical score image 101. It is necessary to rhythmically operate the push button switch 17 and the turntable 21 in accordance with the operation instruction via the device. There is no particular rule on how to operate the push button switch 17 and the turntable 21, and various operation methods may occur depending on the user.

Especially in music games, it is necessary to continue to operate a large number of operating members such as push button switches 17 and the turntable 21 relatively quickly and accurately. In order to perform such an operation, the user often tries various operation methods or fingering. In particular, since the turntable 21 has a wide range that the user can touch, the degree of freedom of operation is high, and there is a high possibility that the operation method will be diversified. For example, while operating the push button switch 17 with the fingers of both hands, extend the little finger to the turntable 21 to operate it, or while operating the push button switch 17 with the fingers of both hands, put the palm of the hand on the turntable 21 to operate it. Operation methods such as operation are actually being attempted. There is a possibility that the rotation operation is performed using the wrist, elbow, etc. Then, due to the difference in the operation method, the appropriate range regarding the rotational load of the turntable 21 may also differ. For example, the appropriate range of the rotational load of the turntable 21 may differ between the case of operating with the little finger and the case of operating with the palm. In consideration of these circumstances, a magnetic fluid damper 40 is provided to adjust the rotational load of the turntable 21, and the game device 2 has a mechanism for setting the rotational load generated by the magnetic fluid damper 40 based on the user's instruction. It is provided in. An example of the process for setting the rotational load will be described later.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the configuration of the control system of the game device 2 for realizing the above-mentioned game. The game device 2 is provided with a control unit 50 and a storage unit 51. The control unit 50 is configured as a computer including a CPU and an internal storage device necessary for its operation, and is a game control means for controlling a game while referring to an operation detected by a push button unit 16 as an input means and a turntable unit 20. Works as an example. The storage unit 51 is a non-volatile storage device that functions as an external storage device for the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is connected to the push button switch 17 and the rotation sensor 31 of each of the above-mentioned operation units 15 as input devices for acquiring information necessary for controlling the game, and is used for user authentication and the like. The card reader 53 is connected. Although FIG. 6 shows the push button switch 17 and the like of one operation unit 15, the same applies to the other operation unit 15.

Further, the control unit 50 is connected to the first camera 54 and the second camera 55 as a shooting means for shooting a state in which the user is playing. The first camera 54 is arranged above the operation unit 15, for example, with the shooting direction facing downward so that an image of the user operating the operation unit 15 can be acquired. The second camera 55 is arranged above the first monitor 12 so that the user can acquire an image taken from the front thereof, for example, with the shooting direction facing forward. Further, the control unit 50 is also connected to a coin selector 56 that detects the insertion of coins by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the insertion amount.

On the other hand, the control unit 50 is connected to the first monitor 12, the second monitor 13, and the speaker 18 as the devices to be controlled. Further, a magnetic fluid damper 40 corresponding to the turntable unit 20 of each operation unit 15 is also connected to the control unit 50 as a control target device. A drive circuit for controlling the energization of the magnetic fluid damper 40 to the electromagnetic coil according to the control signal from the control unit 50 is provided between the magnetic fluid damper 40 and the control unit 50, but the illustration thereof is omitted. did. Further, a communication control unit 57 for controlling communication with the game server 4 is also connected to the control unit 50.

The game program Pga, game data Dga, and user data Dpu are recorded in the storage unit 51. The game program Pga is an application program for causing the control unit 50 to execute arithmetic processing and operation control necessary for the game in cooperation with an operating system that controls the basic operations of the control unit 50. The game data Dga is data that is appropriately referred to in the control of the game by the control unit 50, and includes, for example, musical score data Dms. The musical score data Dms is data describing various operations to be instructed to the user during the game, and is referred to for displaying the musical score image 101. Musical data Dms is prepared at least for each song. A plurality of types of musical score data Dms with different difficulty levels may be prepared for one song. Further, musical score data Dms different from each other in the single mode and the double mode may be prepared. The game data Dga also includes images of various objects and the like to be displayed on the game screen 100, music data to be played during the game, sound source data such as sound effects, etc., but their illustrations are omitted. ..

The user data Dpu is data that records various information of the user associated with the game, and includes, for example, play data Dpl and setting data Dst. The play data Dpl is data that records the play of the game by the user, and for example, the evaluation for each operation indicated by the index 103, the play result, and the like are recorded in the play data Dpl. The setting data Dst is data in which the setting states of various parameters that can be set by the user regarding the game are recorded. For example, the set value of the rotational load of the turntable 21 described above is recorded in the setting data Dst. The user data Dpu may be uploaded and saved in the game server 4 at an appropriate timing. For example, when the user finishes playing the game on the game device 2, the user data Dpu is uploaded to the game server 4 in preparation for the next and subsequent plays, and is associated with the user identification information such as the user ID on the game server 4. User data Dpu may be stored in.

The control unit 50 has a musical score display unit 201, an operation evaluation unit 202, a play recording unit 203, a game setting unit 204, and a load control unit 205 as logical devices realized by combining the computer hardware and the game program Pga. Is provided. The musical score display unit 201 displays the musical score image 101 based on the musical score data Dms, and controls the display of the respective indexes 103 of the lanes Ln1 to Ln8. As a result, the musical score display unit 201 functions as an example of the operation instruction means. The operation evaluation unit 202 evaluates the user's operation based on the comparison between the user's operation detected by the push button switch 17 and the rotation sensor 31 and the operation described in the musical score data Dms. The play recording unit 203 records various data obtained by playing the game in the play data Dpl. For example, the play recording unit 203 records the evaluation of the operation evaluation unit 202 in the play data Dpl as the play history, or records the images taken by the

cameras

54 and 55 in the play data Dpl as the play video. The processing of the musical score display unit 201, the operation evaluation unit 202, and the play recording unit 203 may be performed in the same manner as in the existing music game, and the details of these processing will be omitted.

The game setting unit 204 sets various parameters that can be set by the user regarding the game based on the instruction from the user and records them in the setting data Dst. As one of the processes, the game setting unit 204 sets the rotational load of the turntable 21 based on the user's instruction, and records the set value in the setting data Dst. The load control unit 205 controls the magnetic fluid damper 40 so that the rotational load set by the game setting unit 204 is generated. Hereinafter, an example of processing related to the rotational load of the turntable 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. The processes described below may be executed separately for each of the

operation units

15L and 15R.

When the user instructs the game setting on the game device 2, the game setting unit 204 displays, for example, the game setting screen 120 shown in FIG. 9 on the first monitor 12 (or the second monitor 13). On the game setting screen 120, for example, a plurality of setting units 121 for each setting item are displayed side by side in the left-right direction, and the rotation load setting of the turntable 21 is assigned to the one setting unit 121. The setting unit 121 of the turntable 21 is provided with, for example, a gauge 122 extending in the vertical direction and a slider 123 that can move up and down along the gauge 122. The rotational load becomes lighter as the slider 123 moves downward, and the rotational load becomes heavier as the slider 123 moves upward. For example, when the minimum value of the rotational load is 0 and the maximum value is 100, the slider 123 may display a set value corresponding to the position of the slider 123. In the example of FIG. 9, the slider 123 is located at the center in the vertical direction, and "50" is displayed as a set value. The slider 123 may be made movable by an appropriate operation on the operation unit 15. Alternatively, a touch panel type input device may be arranged on the first monitor 12 or the second monitor 13 so that the user can directly touch the slider 123 to operate it in the vertical direction.

When the user instructs the setting of the rotational load of the turntable 21 while the game setting screen 120 of FIG. 9 is displayed, the control unit 50 starts the table load setting process shown in FIG. In the table load setting process, the game setting unit 204 first acquires the position of the slider 123 (step S11), and updates the rotation load setting value recorded in the setting data Dst to a value corresponding to the current position of the slider 123. (Step S12). The load control unit 205 monitors the set value of the rotational load recorded in the setting data Dst. Therefore, when the set value is updated in step S12, the load control unit 205 sets the rotational load of the magnetic fluid damper 40 so that the rotational load corresponding to the updated set value acts on the turntable 21 ( Step S13). For example, the load control unit 205 controls the magnetic fluid damper 40 so that the exciting current corresponding to the set value of the rotational load flows through the electromagnetic coil of the magnetic fluid damper 40. After that, the game setting unit 204 determines whether or not the user has instructed the end of the setting (step S14), and returns the process to step S11 if the end is not instructed. When the user instructs the end of the setting, the process of FIG. 10 ends.

The load control unit 205 controls the magnetic fluid damper 40 so that the rotational load set in the process of FIG. 10 is maintained during the play of the game. Thereby, the operation feeling of the turntable 21 can be adapted to the user's intention. Since the set value of the rotational load by the magnetic fluid damper 40 is recorded in the setting data Dst, by saving the setting data Dst in the game server 4, the setting data Dst is stored from the game server 4 when the game is played from the next time onward. Is acquired and reflected in the game, the rotational load of the turntable 21 can be set to the latest value.

In the process of FIG. 10, the set value of the rotational load of the turntable 21 is saved in association with the user ID, but for the same user, for example, a plurality of set values such as user setting 1, user setting 2, and so on. May be storable. Alternatively, by saving the rotation load setting value in association with the music identification information, the rotation load setting value may be saved for each music to be played. In addition, the set value of the rotational load may be set separately for each game device 2. In this case, it is possible to absorb the variation in the rotational load of the turntable 21 between the game devices 2 by adjusting the set value of the rotational load.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 50 functions as an example of the game control means, and the game setting unit 204 functions as an example of the load instruction acquisition means by executing the processes of steps S11 and S12 of FIG. The control unit 205 functions as an example of the load control means by setting the rotational load in step S13 of FIG. 10 and maintaining the rotational load even during the play of the game.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be carried out in a form in which appropriate modifications or changes are made. For example, in the above embodiment, the magnetic fluid damper 40 is used as the load adjusting means, but the adjustment of the rotational load is not limited to the magnetic fluid device, and for example, friction of braking members such as an electromagnetic clutch, a belt, and a brake shoe is applied. The used friction brake or the like may be appropriately used as the load adjusting means.

In the above embodiment, the user instructs the rotation load via the game device 2, but the user device 3 is used to access the setting data Dst of the game server 4, and the rotation load is applied via the user device 3. The user may instruct and save the setting value according to the instruction in the setting data Dst.

In the above embodiment, the turntable 21 of the game device 2 that provides the music game is used as a rotating body, and the rotating load thereof is changed based on the instruction of the user. However, the rotating body is not limited to such an example. As long as it is the target of the user's rotation operation during game play, the rotational load of an appropriate rotating body such as a knob, volume, and dial may be controlled according to the present invention. The game device 2 provided with the rotating body may also provide a game other than the music game, and the game is not limited to the type that requires the user to operate in accordance with the rhythm. For example, even if the load on the rotation operation is adjusted based on the user's instruction, the game may not be inconsistent with the control of the game, or the appropriate operation may be difficult unless the rotation load is adjusted according to the user. The present invention may be applied to a certain game or the like. Further, the input means is not limited to an example including a rotating body and an operating member such as a plurality of push button switches 17 as targets of operations different from the rotating operation. There may be at least one operating member as an operation target different from the rotation operation, or only a rotating body capable of the rotation operation may be provided in the input means.

In the above embodiment, the rotational load set based on the user's instruction is maintained during the game play, but for example, the load control unit 205 actively controls the rotational load during the game play. May be good. That is, even if a reference value is set for the rotational load and control for increasing or decreasing the rotational load from the reference value is introduced by the load control unit 205 according to the state of the game or the situation, the rotational load as the reference value is used. If the setting is made based on the user's instruction according to the present invention, an additional advantage is obtained such that the operation feeling is intentionally changed to enhance the game playability while achieving the object of realizing the operation feeling intended by the user. It is possible.

In the above embodiment, an arcade game machine for business use is assumed as the game device 2, but the game device 2 can be appropriately deformed as long as it is provided with, for example, a rotating body to be rotated. For example, even in a stationary game machine for home use, the present invention can be applied to the rotation operation of the dedicated controller by providing the dedicated controller provided with the turntable 21.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 50 of the game device 2 is provided with the musical score display unit 201, the operation evaluation unit 202, the play recording unit 203, the game setting unit 204, and the load control unit 205 as logical devices. By providing at least a part thereof on the game server 4, various control processes necessary for the game may be appropriately shared by the game device 2 and the game server 4. Alternatively, the game device 2 may be made to function as a remote input / output terminal for the game server 4, and all the processes may be executed by the game server 4. Alternatively, when the game device 2 is installed as an offline or stand-alone game machine that is not connected to the network, the game system may be configured by the game device 2 itself. That is, the game system in the present invention is not limited to a system using a network, and a single game machine that does not use a network is also included in the concept.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, the corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, thereby limiting the present invention to the illustrated form. It's not something.

The game system (1) according to one aspect of the present invention includes input means (16, 20) including a rotating body (21) as a target of rotation operation by a user, and load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the rotating body. (40) and a game control means (50) for controlling a game while referring to an operation detected by the input means, and the game control means is a load for acquiring an instruction of the user regarding the rotational load. The instruction acquisition means (204, S11, S12) and the load control means (205, S13) that control the load adjusting means based on the acquired instructions of the user are provided.

The game system control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes input means (16, 20) including a rotating body (21) as a target of rotation operation by the user, and load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the rotating body. A control method of a game system (1) including (40) and a game control means (50) that controls a game while referring to an operation detected by the input means. The procedure (S11, S12) for acquiring the user's instruction regarding the rotational load and the procedure (S13) for controlling the load adjusting means based on the acquired user's instruction are executed.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention includes input means (16, 20) including a rotating body (21) as a target of rotation operation by a user, and load adjusting means (40) for changing the rotational load of the rotating body. A computer program applied to a game system (1) including a game control means (50) that controls a game while referring to an operation detected by the input means, and a computer (the computer of the game control means). The load instruction acquisition means (204, S11, S12) for acquiring the user's instruction regarding the rotational load, and the load control means (205) for controlling the load adjusting means based on the acquired user's instruction. , S13), and is configured to function as.

According to the above aspect, the rotational load is set to a degree desired by the user by acquiring the user's instruction regarding the rotational load of the rotating body and controlling the load adjusting means based on the acquired user's instruction. Can be done. Thereby, the operation feeling of the rotating body can be adapted to the user's intention.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing the computer program according to the present invention on a computer, the game system of the present invention can be realized by using the computer. The storage medium for storing the computer program may be a non-transient storage medium such as a CDROM.

In the above aspect, as the load adjusting means, a magnetic fluid damper (40) that changes the rotational load by utilizing a change in the viscosity of the magnetic fluid may be connected to the rotating body. According to this, the rotational load of the rotating body can be smoothly and surely changed by utilizing the viscosity change characteristic of the magnetic fluid damper.

The game control means may be provided with an operation instruction means (201) that instructs the user to operate the input means to be performed during the game in accordance with the rhythm. In games that require operations that match the rhythm, there are various operation methods for the user regarding the operation of the rotating body, and the appropriate range of the rotational load may change according to the operation methods. By applying the rotational load setting of the above aspect to the game, it is possible to set an appropriate rotational load according to the operation method of the user and provide an operation feeling suitable for the intention of the user.

The input means further includes at least one operation member (16) as an operation target different from the rotation operation of the user, and the operation instruction means instructs each operation of the rotating body and the operation member. It may be the one to do. When other operating members are provided in addition to the rotating body, the user's operation method may be further diversified. Even in that case, by setting the rotational load according to the above embodiment, the user's intention is met. It is possible to reliably provide a feeling of operation.

Further, a turntable (21) may be provided as the rotating body. The turntable has a relatively wide range that can be touched by the user, and its operation method may be diversified. If the rotational load of such a turntable can be set according to the above aspect, it is possible to appropriately set the rotational load corresponding to various operation methods.

1 Game system 2 Game device 3 User device 4

Game server

15L, 15R Operation unit 16 Push button unit (input means)
17 Push button switch (operation member)
20 Turntable unit (input means)
21 Turntable (rotating body)
27 Rotating shaft 27a Connecting shaft 40 Magnetic fluid damper (load adjusting means)
40a Output shaft 42 Coupling 50 Control unit (game control means)
120 Game setting screen 204 Game setting section (load instruction acquisition means)
205 Load control unit (load control means)

Claims

Input means including a rotating body as a target of rotation operation by the user,
A load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the rotating body, and
A game control means for controlling a game while referring to an operation detected by the input means is provided.
The game control means includes
A load instruction acquisition means for acquiring the user's instruction regarding the rotational load, and
A game system provided with a load control means for controlling the load adjusting means based on the acquired instruction of the user.
The game system according to claim 1, wherein as the load adjusting means, a magnetic fluid damper that changes a rotational load by utilizing a change in the viscosity of the magnetic fluid is connected to the rotating body.
The game system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game control means is provided with an operation instruction means for instructing the operation of the input means to be performed during the game by the user in accordance with the rhythm.
The input means further includes at least one operating member as an object of an operation different from the rotation operation of the user.
The game system according to claim 3, wherein the operation instruction means instructs the operation of each of the rotating body and the operation member.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a turntable is provided as the rotating body.
Input means including a rotating body as a target of rotation operation by the user,
A load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the rotating body, and
A control method for a game system including a game control means for controlling a game while referring to an operation detected by the input means.
To the game control means
The procedure for acquiring the user's instruction regarding the rotational load, and
A procedure for controlling the load adjusting means based on the acquired instruction of the user, and
How to control the game system to execute.
Input means including a rotating body as a target of rotation operation by the user,
A load adjusting means for changing the rotational load of the rotating body, and
A game control means that controls the game while referring to an operation detected by the input means,
A computer program that is applied to a game system equipped with
The computer of the game control means
A computer of a game system configured to function as a load instruction acquisition means for acquiring the user's instruction regarding the rotational load and a load control means for controlling the load adjustment means based on the acquired user's instruction. program.