JP2011182818A - Game system and game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication game system allowing a player to switch with another player in a remote place during the play as if the players were in the same room. <P>SOLUTION: Each game machine M includes: a player function part 82 for allowing the game machine to execute a game; a viewer function part 84 for allowing the game machine only to view the progress of the game; and a switching part 86 for switching the state of the player function part 82 into an effective state or into an ineffective state. One game machine M among a plurality of game machines M is a player machine Mp in which the player function part 82 functions, and the other game machine M is a viewer machine Mv in which the viewer function part 84 functions. The switching part 86 includes: a switching processor 86a which transmits a notice of switching to a new player machine when a condition for switching is satisfied to make the own machine function as the viewer machine Mv; and a switching corresponding part 86b which makes the own machine function as the player machine Mp when the notice of switching is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system including a plurality of game machines capable of transmitting and receiving information, and a game machine.

  A communication game system in which one game is played by a player who operates each of a plurality of game machines is well known (for example, see Patent Document 1). On the other hand, game systems using home televisions and home personal computers are also well known. In a game based on a home game system, one of a plurality of users gathered in the same room plays a game as a player, and the other user observes the game as a visitor. It is routinely performed to change the player by giving it to the user.

JP 2006-263069 A

  However, there is no communication game system in which players can be changed during a game so that players in remote places are in the same room.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication game system in which players can be changed during a game so that they can be in the same room even between players at remote locations.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems by the following means. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

  The first game system (GS1) of the present invention includes a plurality of game machines (M) connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive information, and each of the game machines includes an operation input unit (74) for receiving a user operation. An image output unit for outputting a predetermined image, a storage unit (72) for storing predetermined information, and a player function unit (82) for allowing the user to play a game as a player. , A visitor function unit (84) for allowing the user of the own device to observe the progress of the game as a visitor, and a state where the function of the player function unit is valid and a state where the function is invalid A switching unit (86) for switching, wherein the storage unit of each game machine includes information relating to each of the plurality of game machines and game machine identification information for identifying each game machine And game machine information including function identification information indicating whether the player function unit is functioning effectively or a visitor machine where the player function unit is not functioning effectively A game machine list (ML) is stored, and the player function unit advances the game based on an operation by the player to the operation input unit, generates a game screen according to the progress of the game, and generates the image. A game progress part (82a) to be output to the output part and screen update information for updating the game screen displayed on the tour machine are generated and transmitted to the visitor machines in the game machine list. A screen update information processing unit (82b), and when the visitor function unit obtains the screen update information from the player machine, the image update information is obtained based on the screen update information. A screen output processing unit (84a) for updating the game screen output to the power unit, and the switching unit includes a switching processing unit (86a) for performing processing for setting another game machine as a player machine; A switching correspondence unit (86b) that performs processing for setting the player's own device as a player device, and a list updating unit (86c) that updates the game machine list in accordance with the switching of the player device. When a predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the progress of the game, one visitor machine in the game machine list is determined as a new player machine, and a switching notification for notifying the switching of the player machine is sent to the new player. A switching notification unit (86aa) for transmitting to the machine, and a function invalidating unit (86ab) for disabling the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is transmitted. When the knowledge is received, a function enabling unit (86ba) that enables the function of the player function unit, and in order to indicate that the own device functions as a player machine in place of the game machine that is the transmission notification source, A new player machine notification unit (86bb) for updating the game machine list, generating a new player machine notification indicating the update content, and transmitting the new player machine notification to all other game machines; When the new player machine notification is received from the new player machine, the player machine and the visitor machine in the game machine list of the own machine are updated based on the new player machine notification, thereby solving the above-described problem. To do.

  In the first game system of the present invention, there are a player machine in which the function of the player function unit is functioning effectively and a visitor machine in which the function of the player function unit is not functioning. In the player machine, the game can be executed by the function of the player function unit, and in the visitor machine, the game of the game being executed in the player machine based on the screen update information sent from the player machine by the visitor function unit You can only see the screen. When a predetermined switching condition is satisfied in the player machine, a new player machine is determined and a switching notification is transmitted to the new player machine. Then, in the visitor machine that has received the switching notification, the function of the player function unit of the own machine is validated. As a result, the visitor machine that has received the switching notification functions as a player machine. In addition, the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification invalidates the function of the player function unit of the own machine, so that the player machine becomes a visitor machine. In other words, by switching the game machine in which the player function unit functions effectively, it is possible to realize a change of player during the game. Furthermore, in the present invention, since the game progression unit is operated and the process related to the game is performed on the player machine on which the game is executed, the process for the player's operation can be accelerated on the player machine. And a comfortable game operation environment can be provided.

  The process of “validating the function of the player function unit” or the process of “invalidating the function of the player function unit” is a process of physically generating or deleting information necessary for the player function unit to function. Alternatively, it may be a process of permitting or prohibiting input of various information (for example, operation information from the operation input unit) to the player function unit. Whether or not the function of the player function unit is valid may be determined based on the state of the flag, and the process of the player function unit may be performed only when the function is valid.

  “Indicates that the own device functions as a new player machine in place of the game machine that is the source of the switching notification” The new player machine notification includes only information indicating the game machine list and the necessary game machine. There may be. When one player machine is set in the game system, the information indicating the necessary game machine may be only information indicating the new player machine, and a plurality of player machines are set in one game system. In this case, information indicating the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification and information indicating the new player machine.

  The “screen update information” only needs to be information for updating the game screen on the visitor machine. For example, when it is the same as the image information on the game screen displayed on the player machine, the operation information of the player operating the player machine Only the case where the operation information is combined with image information at a predetermined timing. If the screen update information is operation information, the screen output process performs a process of updating the game screen based on the acquired operation information. The game in the game system includes a case where the game is played by one player machine and a case where the game is a communication game played by a plurality of player machines. The processing of each player machine for proceeding with the communication game may adopt a conventionally known method. The communication line connecting the game machines may be a dedicated line or a communication line via an open network.

  The “predetermined switching condition” may be any condition that triggers the start of processing in the switching processing unit. For example, the predetermined switching condition may be a predetermined switching operation by a player, or may be a value of a predetermined parameter. Good. The manner in which the switching processing unit determines the new player machine may be determined based on a predetermined switching rule, or may be determined by the player's designation. In the case of causing the player to designate, the switching processing unit is configured to include a new player determining unit that determines the new player machine by causing the player to designate the new player machine. Thereby, the will of the player can be reflected in the switching of the player, and a state closer to the state where the player is changed between players in the same room can be provided.

  The storage unit of the player machine stores activation information (SI) for effectively functioning the game progression unit, and the switching unit includes the switching notification including the activation information in the switching notification unit. Is transmitted to the new player machine, the function disabling unit deletes the activation information stored in the storage unit, and the switching correspondence unit is included in the received switching notification to the function enabling unit. Activation information stored in the storage unit of the own device so that the game progression unit functions effectively, and the game progression unit is based on the user's operation and the activation information stored in the storage unit. You may progress the game.

  Thereby, only the game machine holding validation information can be set as the player machine. The activation information for effectively functioning the player function unit includes game situation information updated during the game and software for effectively connecting the operation input unit and the player function unit in addition to the situation information. is there. The game situation information includes, for example, information relating to character attributes, information relating to game stage environments, information relating to player situations, and the like. If the activation information is game situation information, the process for validating the function of the player function unit may be set to be situation information corresponding to the user of the new player machine. When the validation information is the software described above, a process for effectively operating the software may be performed as a process for validating the function of the player function unit.

  When the switching condition is satisfied, the switching unit puts the game screen output by the image output unit into a waiting state, transmits a switching start notification to each of the other game machines, and receives the switching start notification. If the game screen is output in the image output unit, and the new player machine notification is transmitted or received, a screen state control unit that releases the waiting state in the own machine ( 86d), the switching notification unit of the game machine that satisfies the switching condition transmits the switching notification to the new player machine after transmitting the switching start notification, and the function enabling unit of the new player machine When the waiting state is released, the game progress unit may output a game screen to the image output unit to start the game.

  By providing the screen state control unit, the game screen of each game machine can be put into a waiting state from the start of switching the player machine until the notification or transmission of a new player machine notification is received. In the new player machine, even if the player function unit is activated, the game screen is in a waiting state, so that the game cannot be executed. When the new player machine notification is transmitted, the waiting state is released and the game can be executed. The waiting state includes a state where the game screen is stopped, a state where a specific screen is displayed, a state where a message is displayed, and the like.

  In the new player machine in which the function of the player function unit is validated, the function validation unit causes the game progression unit to start the game, and the screen update information processing unit has the new player machine. The transmission of the screen update information is prohibited until a notification is transmitted, and when the new player machine notification is transmitted, the prohibition is canceled, and the new player machine notification unit displays a game screen in the started game. When the screen switching condition is satisfied, the new player machine notification is transmitted to the other game machines together with the switching screen information related to the game screen satisfying the screen switching condition, and the switching machine transmits the switching notification. When the switching screen information is received together with the player machine notification, the function invalidation unit invalidates the function of the player function unit, and performs the screen output process. The game screen output to the game screen based on the switching screen information, and when the switching screen information is received together with the new player machine notification in a game machine other than the player machine and the new player machine, The screen output processing unit may output a game screen based on the switching screen information.

  Thus, in the new player machine, when the player function unit is enabled, the game is started and the game can be executed. At this time, since the screen update information is not transmitted, the game content in the new player machine does not affect other game machines. The player machine that has transmitted the switching notification is effective until the player function unit receives the new player machine notification. Therefore, the game continues even after the switching notification is transmitted. When the game screen in the new player machine satisfies the screen switching condition, the switching screen information is sent to all the other game machines, and the game screens of the other game machines are switched to the game screen based on the switching screen information. As a result, if a game screen in which switching is difficult to be recognized is set as a game screen that satisfies the screen switching condition, the player machine can be switched without discomfort while the game screen remains displayed.

  In the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification, the function disabling unit restricts the operation content of the user until the function of the player function unit is disabled after transmitting the switching notification to the game progression unit. The function enabling unit in the new player machine in which the game is advanced in the restricted mode and the function of the player function unit is enabled until the notification of the new player machine is transmitted to the game progressing unit. When the game is advanced in the restricted mode and the new player machine notification is transmitted, the game may be advanced in a state in which the restricted mode is released.

  As a result, the game played on the new player machine and the game played on the player machine that sent the switching notification are played in the restricted mode. Since the restriction mode is a mode in which the user's operation content is restricted, the operation content in each player machine can be made the same. Accordingly, it is possible to make it difficult for the user of each game machine to recognize the switching of the game screen.

  The server further includes a server (Sv) capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from the plurality of game machines, the server receiving a system participation request from each of the game machines, and the system participation request. A plurality of game machines that have received the game are grouped as one group, and among the grouped game machines, a number of game machines corresponding to the game are set as player machines, and other game machines are visited. A game machine list generation unit (54b) that generates the game machine list set as a machine, and a start information transmission unit (54e) that generates start information including the game machine list and transmits the start information to each game machine. Each of the game machines includes a participation request transmission unit (88) for transmitting the system participation request to the server, and after transmitting the system participation request, When the game machine list included in the start information is acquired from the server, the game machine list is stored in the storage unit of the own device, and at least one of the player function unit or the visitor function unit of the own device according to the game machine list. May be configured to start the game after the processing by the start processing unit is performed. Thereby, an unspecified game machine can participate as a game machine of the 1st game system.

  The switching corresponding unit transmits the new player machine notification to the server, and the server acquires a server storage unit (52) for storing the generated game machine list and the new player machine notification. A server updating unit (54c) for updating the game machine list so as to indicate that the player machine has been switched from the game machine that has transmitted the switch notice to the new player machine based on the new player machine notification; May be configured. Thereby, the server can manage the game machine list.

  The server update unit updates the game machine list to add, as the visitor machine, a new game machine for which the system participation request is accepted after the game machine list is transmitted to each game machine, New game machine information, which is game machine information relating to a new game machine, is transmitted to each game machine, and the updated game machine list is transmitted to the new game machine. When new game machine information is acquired from the server, the game machine list may be updated to add the new game machine as the visitor machine. Thereby, a new game machine can participate in the game system of the present invention as a visitor machine during the game.

  The server storage unit stores the activation information, and the start information transmission unit generates and transmits the start information further including the activation information to each game machine set in the player machine, When the game machine is set as the player machine, the start processing unit of each game machine stores the validation information in the storage unit so that the player function unit of the game machine is enabled. May be configured. Thereby, the player machine can acquire the validation information from the server at the start of the game.

  The second game system (GS2) of the present invention includes a plurality of game machines (M100) and a server (Sv100) that are connected so as to be able to transmit and receive information to each other, and each game machine receives an operation of a user. An input unit (74), an image output unit (76) for outputting a predetermined image, a storage unit (72) for storing predetermined information, and the user of the own device as a player playing a game on the own device A player function unit (82) that enables the player to play, a visitor function unit (84) that allows the user of the own device to observe the progress of the game as a visitor, and the player function unit A switching unit (86) that switches between a state in which the function is valid and a state in which the function is invalid, and the server is information relating to each of the plurality of game machines, and the game machine ID for identifying each game machine. Information and game machine information including function identification information indicating whether the player function unit is functioning effectively or a visitor machine where the player function unit is not functioning effectively A game system comprising a server storage unit (52) for storing a game machine list (ML) to be played, and a server information processing unit (54d) for performing processing based on information acquired from any of the game machines The player function unit proceeds with the game based on an operation of the operation input unit by the player, generates a game screen according to the progress of the game, and outputs the game screen to the image output unit ( 82a) and screen update information for updating the game screen displayed on the visitor machine is generated and sent to the server so as to be transmitted to each visitor machine. A screen update information processing unit (82b) that, when acquiring the screen update information, the visitor function unit updates the game screen output to the image output unit based on the screen update information A screen output processing unit (84a) is provided, and the switching unit includes a switching processing unit (86a) for performing processing for setting another game machine as a player machine, and a process for setting the own machine as a player machine. A switching correspondence unit (86b) for performing, when the predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the progress of the game, one visitor machine in the game machine list is set as a new player machine. A switching notification unit (86aa) for determining and transmitting a switching notification for notifying switching of the player machine to the server so as to be transmitted to the new player machine, and the player function when the switching notification is transmitted A function disabling unit (86ab) for disabling the function of the unit, and the switching corresponding unit includes a function enabling unit (86ba) for enabling the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is received. A new player machine notification unit (86bb) for generating a new player machine notification indicating that the player machine functions as a player machine on behalf of the visitor machine and transmitting it to the server on behalf of the visitor machine that sent the switching notification. When the server information processing unit of the server acquires the screen update information, the server information processing unit refers to the game machine list and transmits the information to each visitor machine. When the switch notification is acquired, When the switching notification is transmitted to the new player machine shown and the new player machine notification is acquired, the game machine that has transmitted the new player machine notification replaces the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification. Said to be a serial player machine updates the game machine list, it allows to solve the above problems.

  Thereby, this invention is applicable to the some game machine which communicates via a server. The function and significance of each part in the game system GS2 are the same as the function and significance of each part in the game system GS1.

  As in the first game system, the storage unit of the player machine stores activation information (SI) for effectively functioning the game progression unit, and the switching processing unit is stored in the switching notification unit. , Causing the switch notification including the activation information to be transmitted to the server, causing the function disabling unit to delete the activation information stored in the storage unit, and the switching corresponding unit causing the function enabling unit to The activation information included in the received switching notification is stored in the storage unit of the own device so that the game progression unit functions effectively, and the game progression unit is stored in the user operation and the storage unit. The game may proceed based on the activated information.

  Similar to the first game system, when the switching condition is satisfied, the switching unit puts the game screen output from the image output unit in a waiting state and sends a switching start notification to other game machines. When the switch start notification is received, the game screen output from the image output unit is put on standby, and the new player machine notification is transmitted or received. Then, it further includes a screen state control unit (86d) for releasing the waiting state in its own device, and the switching processing unit of the game machine that satisfies the switching condition transmits the switching start notification to the switching notification unit. Thereafter, the switching notification is transmitted to the server, and the function enabling unit of the new player machine causes the game progress unit to output a game screen to the image output unit when the waiting state is released, thereby playing the game It may be allowed to start.

  As in the first game system, in the new player machine in which the function of the player function unit is validated, the function validation unit causes the game progress unit to start the game and the screen update information processing unit. In response to this, the transmission of the screen update information is prohibited until the new player machine notification is transmitted, and when the new player machine notification is transmitted, the prohibition is canceled. When the game screen in the started game satisfies a screen switching condition, the new player machine notification is transmitted to the server together with switching screen information regarding the game screen satisfying the screen switching condition, and the server information processing of the server When the unit receives the switching screen information together with the new player machine notification, the unit updates the game machine list based on the new player machine notification, and The switching screen information is transmitted to each of the game machines, and when the switching screen information is received in the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification, the function disabling unit disables the function of the player function unit, When the game screen output to the screen output processing unit is switched to a game screen based on the switching screen information, and the switching screen information is received in a game machine other than the player machine and the new player machine, The screen output processing unit may output a game screen based on the switching screen information.

  Further, as in the first game system, in the player machine that has transmitted the switch notification, the function invalidation unit disables the function of the player function unit after transmitting the switch notification to the game progress unit. The function enabling unit in the new player machine in which the game is progressed in a restriction mode that restricts the user's operation content and the function of the player function unit is enabled, Until the player machine notification is transmitted, the game may be advanced in the restricted mode, and when the new player machine notification is transmitted, the game may be advanced in a state in which the restricted mode is released.

  The server groups, as a group, a participation request receiving unit (54a) that receives a system participation request from each of the plurality of game machines and a plurality of game machines that have received the system participation request. Among the plurality of game machines, a number of game machines corresponding to the game are set as player machines, the game machine list in which other game machines are set as visitor machines is generated, and stored in the storage unit A machine list generation unit (54b) and a start information transmission unit (54e) for transmitting start information including function identification information of each game machine to each game machine, wherein each game machine participates in the system A participation request transmission unit (88) for transmitting a request to the server; and after transmitting the system participation request, function identification information included in the start information is transmitted to the server The start processing unit (90) for enabling at least one of the player function unit or the visitor function unit according to the function identification information of the own device, and the game progression unit includes the start process. The game may be configured to start after the processing by the unit. Thereby, an unspecified game machine can participate as a game machine of the 2nd game system.

  When the server acquires announcement information to be transmitted to any of the game machines in the group from any of the game machines, the server refers to the game machine list and transmits the announcement information to the plurality of game machines. An announcement information processing unit is further provided, and each game machine generates the announcement information and transmits the announcement information to the server while the game is in progress, and the announcement information is acquired from the server. An announcement information display unit that displays announcement information on the image display unit may be provided. Thereby, announcement information can be output to the image display part of all the game machines in a game system from one game machine.

  Further, the announcement information generation unit is configured to generate a message by an operation of a user who operates the own device, and to transmit the announcement information including the message and game machine identification information of the own device to the server. May be. Thus, for example, the server is configured to identify the user from the game machine identification information included in the announcement information, and to transmit the announcement information including the message and information identifying the user to each game machine to each game machine. Thus, messages can be exchanged between users.

  The first game machine (M) of the present invention includes a communication unit (70) capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from other game machines, an operation input unit (74) for receiving user operations, and an image for outputting a predetermined image. An output unit (76), a storage unit (72) that stores predetermined information, a player function unit (82) that allows the user of the own device to play a game as a player, A visitor function unit (84) for allowing the user of the own device to observe the progress of the game as a visitor, and a switching unit (86) for switching between a state where the function of the player function unit is valid and a state where the function is invalid. ), Wherein the storage unit is information relating to each game machine, and the game machine identification information for identifying each game machine and the player function unit function effectively. Player machine, or play A game machine list (ML) including game machine information including function identification information indicating which of the visitor machines is not functioning effectively is stored. A game progress unit (82a) that progresses the game on the basis of an operation on the operation input unit according to the above, generates a game screen according to the progress of the game, and outputs the game screen to the image output unit; A screen update information processing unit (82b) that generates screen update information for updating the game screen to be transmitted and transmits the screen update information to each visitor machine in the game machine list, and the visitor function unit includes: When the screen update information is acquired from the player machine, a screen output processing unit (84a) that updates the game screen output to the image output unit based on the screen update information is provided. The switching unit includes a switching processing unit (86a) that performs processing for setting another game machine as a player machine, a switching corresponding unit (86b) that performs processing for setting the own machine as a player machine, and a player A list updating unit (86c) for updating the game machine list in accordance with the switching of the machines, and the switching processing unit, when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the game, the game machine list A switching notification unit (86aa) for transmitting a switching notification for notifying switching of the player machine to the new player machine, and the player when the switching notification is transmitted. A function disabling unit (86ab) for disabling the function of the function unit, and the switching responding unit (86ba) that enables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is received. And the game machine list is updated to indicate that the own machine functions as a player machine in place of the game machine from which the switching notification is transmitted, and a new player machine notification indicating the updated contents is generated. A new player machine notification unit (86bb) for transmitting to all other game machines, and when the list update unit receives a new player machine notification from the new player machine, The player machine and the visitor machine in the game machine list of the own machine are updated. The first game machine of the present invention functions as a game machine of the first game system.

  The second game machine (M100) of the present invention includes a server (Sv100) and a plurality of game machines capable of transmitting and receiving information via the server, and the server is information related to each of the plurality of game machines. The game machine identification information for identifying each game machine, the player machine in which the player function unit is functioning effectively, or the visitor machine in which the player function unit is not functioning effectively. An operation input unit (74) for receiving a user operation, which is a game machine in a game system (GS2) that manages a game machine list (ML) including game machine information including function identification information indicating An image output unit (76) for outputting a predetermined image, a storage unit (72) for storing predetermined information, and a user of the own device as a player playing a game on the own device Functions of the player function unit (82) for enabling the player, a visitor function unit (84) for allowing the user of the own device to observe the progress of the game as a visitor, and functions of the player function unit A switching unit (86) for switching between a valid state and an invalid state, wherein the player function unit advances the game based on an operation to the operation input unit by the player, and the game A game progress unit (82a) for generating a game screen according to the progress of the game and outputting the game screen to the image output unit; and screen update information for updating the game screen displayed on the visitor machine, A screen update information processing unit (82b) for transmitting to the server so as to be transmitted to each visitor machine, and when the visitor function unit acquires the screen update information, the visitor function unit is based on the screen update information. A screen output processing unit (84a) for updating the game screen output to the image output unit, wherein the switching unit performs a process for setting another game machine as a player machine ( 86a) and a switching corresponding unit (86b) that performs a process for setting the player's own machine as a player machine, and the switching processing unit, when a predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the progress of the game, A switching notification unit (86aa) for determining one visitor machine in the game machine list as a new player machine and transmitting a switch notification for notifying the switch of the player machine to the server so as to be transmitted to the new player machine. And a function disabling unit (86ab) that disables the function of the player function unit when the switch notification is transmitted, and the switch corresponding unit receives the switch notification and receives the switch function unit. A function enabler (86ba) for enabling the function of the above, and generating a new player machine notification indicating that the own machine functions as a player machine on behalf of the visitor machine on behalf of the visitor machine that sent the switching notification, A new player machine notification unit (86bb) for transmitting the new player machine notification to the server so that the game machine list is updated. Thereby, the 2nd game machine of this invention functions as a game machine of a 2nd game system.

  As described above, according to the present invention, each game machine has a player function unit that enables the game to be executed by itself, and a visitor function unit that allows the game machine to observe the progress of the game. And a switching unit that switches the player function unit between an effective state and an invalid state, and in a game machine that satisfies the switching condition, the switching processing unit of the switching unit determines a new player machine and the switching notification is new. It is transmitted to the player machine. Also, the player function is disabled. On the other hand, in the game machine that has acquired the switching notification, the player function is enabled by the switching corresponding unit of the switching unit. Thereby, the player machine which performs a game switches, and even if it is between players in a remote place, the communication game system which can change a player during a game so that it may be in the same room can be provided.

The figure which shows an example of the 1st form in a 1st game system. The figure which shows the player machine of the game system shown in FIG. 1 changing. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the server in the game system shown in FIG. The figure which shows the structure of game information. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the game machine which functions as a player machine in the game system shown in FIG. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the game machine which functions as a visitor machine in the game system shown in FIG. The functional diagram of a game progress part and a screen update information processing part. The functional diagram of a screen output process part. The functional diagram of a switching process part. The functional diagram of a switching corresponding | compatible part. The functional diagram of a list update part. The functional diagram of a screen state control part. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed in a 1st game system when a game machine requests | requires participation in a server. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed with the game system shown in FIG. 1 when a player machine switches. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the game progress process performed in the game progress part shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the screen update information processing performed in the screen update information processing part shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the switching process performed in the switching process part shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the screen output process performed in the screen output process part shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the switching corresponding | compatible process performed in the switching corresponding | compatible part shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the screen state control process performed in the screen state control part shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in an update process. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in a start process. The sequence diagram which shows the process regarding message exchange. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed as a 2nd form in a 1st game system, when a player machine switches. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the switching process in the 2nd form of a 1st game system. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process in the switch corresponding | compatible process in the 2nd form of a 1st game system. The figure which shows the 1st form of a 2nd game system. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the server in the game system shown in FIG. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the game machine in the game system shown in FIG. FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram showing processing performed in the game system shown in FIG. 27 when the game machine requests participation in the server. FIG. 28 is a sequence diagram showing processing performed in the game system shown in FIG. 27 when the player machine is switched. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the server information processing in the game system shown in FIG. The sequence diagram which shows the process performed with the 2nd form of a 2nd game system, when a player machine switches.

(1) First Form of First Game System First, the outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a first game system GS1 (hereinafter referred to as “game system GS1”) of the present invention. In the game system GS1, four game machines M1 to M4 and a server Sv are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to transmit and receive information. Each game machine M1-M4 is operated by each user U1-U4. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between game machines, it is referred to as “game machine M”, and when there is no need to distinguish between users, it is referred to as “user U”.

  The game machine M of the game system GS1 includes a game machine M that functions as a player machine Mp that allows the user U to play a game as a player, and a game that functions as a visitor machine Mv that the user U only sees as a visitor. Machine M exists. In the example of FIG. 1, the game machine M1 and the game machine M2 function as the player machine Mp1 and the player machine Mp2, and the game machine M3 and the game machine M4 function as the visitor machine Mv3 and the visitor machine Mv4. Hereinafter, the user U who operates the player machine Mp is referred to as “player Up”, and the user U who operates the visitor machine Mv is referred to as “visitor Uv”.

  In the game system GS1, a battle game is executed by the user Up operating the two player machines Mp1 and Mp2. Then, when the player Up1 who operates the player machine Mp1 designates the visitor machine Mv4 as a new player machine Mp (hereinafter referred to as “new player machine Mp”) during the game, the visitor designated as the new player machine Mp. The machine Mv4 can function as the player machine Mp4, and the user U4 can execute the game as the player Up4 on the player machine Mp4. On the other hand, the game machine M1 does not function as the player machine Mp and functions as the visitor machine Mv. In other words, in the present invention, the player machine Mp capable of executing the game can be switched from the game machine M1 to the game machine M4.

  A state in which the game machine M4 becomes the player machine Mp4 is shown in FIG. The battle game that has been executed between the player machine Mp1 and the player machine Mp2 is performed between the player machine Mp4 and the player machine Mp2 after the player machine Mp is switched. That is, the player Up is changed from the user Up1 to the user Up4.

  An outline of the hardware configuration of the server Sv will be described with reference to FIG. The server Sv includes a communication unit 50 that transmits and receives information to and from the game machines M1 to M4, a server storage unit 52 that stores various types of information, and a server control unit 54 that controls the operation of the server Sv. The server storage unit 52 includes a variable storage area in which variable information is stored and an invariant storage area in which invariant information is stored. For example, the invariant storage area allows the server Sv to function as the server Sv of the present invention. Are stored, and the variable storage area stores a game machine list ML in which information on each of the game machines M1 to M4 in the game system GS1 is stored.

  The game machine list ML has game machine information 60 as information related to the game machines M1 to M4. In the game machine information 60, as shown in FIG. 4, the game machine identification information 61 which is information for identifying each game machine M1 to M4 in the game system GS1, the player machine Mp or the visitor machine Mv, the function Function identification information 62 that is information for identifying the user U and user information 63 regarding the user U to be operated. The operation recognition software RS will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the server control unit 54 will be described. The server control unit 54 is configured as a computer having a CPU and a storage area necessary for its operation. The computer program stored in the server storage unit 52 mainly functions as a participation request reception unit 54a, a game machine list generation unit 54b, a server update unit 54c, and a start information transmission unit 54e. The participation request reception unit 54a receives a participation request from the game machine M to the game system GS1. The game machine list generation unit 54b groups the game machines M that have received the participation request within a predetermined time, determines the number of player machines Mp corresponding to the game to be executed from the group, and determines and determines the participation request. Based on the above, the game machine list ML is generated. The server update unit 54c updates the game machine list ML based on information from the game machine M. The start information transmission unit 54e transmits start information including information necessary as a game machine of the game system GS1 to each game machine M.

  An outline of the hardware configuration of the game machine M will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the game machine M functioning as the player machine Mp, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the game machine M functioning as the visitor machine Mv. The game machine M includes a communication unit 70 for transmitting / receiving information to / from the server Sv and other game machines M, a game machine storage unit 72 for storing various types of information, an operation input unit 74 for receiving user U operations, An image output unit 76 that displays a game screen, various messages, and the like on a monitor, an audio output unit 78 that outputs sound such as sound effects and BGM (background music) in the game, and a game machine that controls the operation of the game machine M And a control unit 80.

  The game machine storage unit 72 includes a variable storage area in which variable information is stored and an invariant storage area in which invariant information is stored. For example, the invariant storage area includes the game machine M and the game machine M of the present invention. Is stored, and the above-described game machine list ML is stored in the variable storage area. In the variable storage area of the game machine storage unit 72 of the game machine M that functions as the player machine Mp, situation information SI and operation recognition software RS are further stored. The situation information SI is various information that is used and updated during the execution of the game, and includes, for example, a character attribute parameter, a game stage situation parameter, a parameter associated with the player Up, a game progress level, and the like. . The operation recognition software RS is software for recognizing instruction contents from an operation signal generated when a player inputs an operation to the operation input unit 74 during a game.

  The game machine control unit 80 is configured as a computer having a CPU and a storage area necessary for its operation. It functions as a player function unit 82, a visitor function unit 84, a switching unit 86, a participation request transmission unit 88, and a start processing unit 90 according to the computer program stored in the game machine storage unit 72. However, the player function unit 82 does not function effectively on the tour machine Mv. The player function unit 82 includes a game progress unit 82a and a screen update information processing unit 82b, and the visitor function unit 84 includes a screen output processing unit 84a. The switching unit 86 includes a switching processing unit 86a, a switching correspondence unit 86b, a list update unit 86c, and a screen state control unit 86d. Details of the functions of the units 82 to 90 will be described later.

  The outline of the process performed in the game progress part 82a and the screen update information processing part 82b which operate | move with the player machine Mp is demonstrated using FIG. In the game progression unit 82a, a game progression process for performing a communication-type battle game with the opponent player machine Mp (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “the battle machine Mp”) is performed. This game progress process may be a conventionally known process for playing a communication-type battle game with a plurality of game machines. For example, a process for proceeding with the game is performed based on an operation on the operation input unit 74 of the player Up, and a game screen reflecting the result of the process is generated and displayed on the image output unit 76. The sound output unit 78 also outputs sound effects and BGM according to the processing result. When performing the process for progressing the game, the situation information SI is referred to as necessary, and the situation information SI is updated according to the result of the process. Furthermore, the operation content of the player Up of the own device is transmitted as operation information to the battle machine Mp via the communication unit 70. The battle machine Mp is specified by referring to the game machine list ML. On the other hand, operation information indicating the operation content of the player Up (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “opponent Up”) of the opponent Mp sent from the opponent Mp is acquired via the communication unit 70, and the opponent Up Processing based on the operation is also performed.

  In the screen update information processing unit 82b, screen update information for generating a game screen on the visitor machine Mv is generated and transmitted to the visitor machine Mv via the communication unit 70. The screen update information is information indicating the operation content of the player Up generated every time the operation input unit 74 is operated by the player Up, and image information of the game screen generated by the game progression unit 82a. And image information generated by obtaining every predetermined time. By regularly transmitting the image information in this way, it is easy to back up the game screen when a trouble occurs with respect to the display of the game screen in the visitor machine Mv. The visitor machine Mv as the transmission destination is specified by referring to the game machine list ML. Note that the operation content of the operation signal transmitted from the operation input unit 74 in response to the operation of the player Up is recognized by the operation recognition software RS.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the screen output processing unit 84 a of the visitor function unit 84 generates a game screen based on the screen update information acquired from the player machine Mp via the communication unit 70 and sends it to the image output unit 76. Display the game screen. The sound output from the sound output unit 78 is also controlled according to the generated game screen.

  With reference to FIG. 9, an outline of processing performed in the switching processing unit 86a where processing is started when the switching condition is satisfied when a predetermined switching operation is performed on the player machine Mp will be described. The switching processing unit 86a includes a switching notification unit 86aa and a function invalidating unit 86ab. In the switching notification unit 86aa, a process for determining a new player machine Mp, generating a switching notification and transmitting it to the new player machine Mp is performed. In this embodiment, the new player machine Mp is determined by causing the player Up to select. The function disabling unit 86ab performs processing for disabling the player function after transmitting the switching notification.

  The outline of the process performed in the switch corresponding | compatible part 86b by which a process will be started if a switching notification is acquired in the tour machine Mv is demonstrated using FIG. The switching correspondence unit 86b includes a function enabling unit 86ba and a new player machine notification unit 86bb. In the function enabling unit 86ba, when the switching notification is acquired, processing for enabling the function of the player machine Mp of the own machine is performed. In the new player machine notification section 86bb, the game machine list ML of the player machine is updated to set that the player machine Mp has switched from the game machine M that is the transmission source of the switch notification to the player machine, and a new one indicating the change is displayed. A player machine notification is generated and transmitted to all other game machines M and the server Sv.

  Processing performed by the list update unit 86c will be described with reference to FIG. When the new player machine notification is received, the list update unit 86c changes the game machine M that has transmitted the switching notification to the tour machine Mv based on the new player machine notification, and the game machine M is a new player machine. Is set as the player machine Mp, the game machine list ML is updated.

  Processing performed by the screen state control unit 86d will be described with reference to FIG. In the screen state control unit 86d, in the game machine M in which the switching operation is performed on the operation input unit 74, the game screen output by the image output unit 76 is stopped, and the switching start information is set to each of the other game machines M. Send to. In the game machine M that has received the switching start information, the game screen output by the image output unit 76 is set to a stopped state. In addition, when the new player machine notification is transmitted or received, the stopped state of the game screen is released. That is, when the new player machine notification is transmitted, the stop state of the game screen is released, and when the game machine M other than the new player machine receives the new player machine notification, the game screen is stopped. Release the state. Note that the sound output from the sound output unit 78 is also stopped and released as the game screen is stopped and released.

  Processing performed in each of the server Sv and the game machine M when the game machine M participates in the game system GS1 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Processing in the server Sv is controlled by the server control unit 54, and processing in the game machine M is controlled by the game machine control unit 80. First, a participation request is transmitted from each game machine M1 to M3 to the server Sv by the operation of each user U1 to U3 (step S10). Thereby, the game machine control unit 80 functions as the participation request transmission unit 88. The participation request includes game machine identification information 61 and user information 63.

  The participation request from the game machine M is received by the server Sv, and the game machines M corresponding to the participation request received within a predetermined time are grouped (step S11). Thereby, the server control part 54 functions as the participation request reception part 54a. In this embodiment, the game machines M1 to M3 are grouped. Subsequently, in the server Sv, in the grouped game machines M1 to M3, the number of game machines M corresponding to the battle game is determined as the player machine Mp (step S12). In this embodiment, two game machines M1 and M2 are determined as player machines Mp. The determination method may be any method. For example, the first two game machines M may be determined as the player machines Mp in the order of early acceptance of the participation request.

  After the player machine Mp is determined, a game machine list ML composed of the game machine information 60 of each game machine M is generated (step S14). Thereby, the server control part 54 functions as the game machine list production | generation part 54b. Thereafter, start information including the game machine list ML is transmitted to the game machines M1 to M3 that have transmitted the participation request (step S15). Thereby, the server control part 54 functions as the start information transmission part 54e. Note that start information including operation recognition software RS as validation information is transmitted together with the game machine list ML to the game machines M1 and M2 determined as the player machine Mp. After transmitting the participation request, the game machines M1 to M3 that have received the start information perform a start process (step S16).

  In the start process, referring to the game machine list ML included in the start information, when the own machine is the player machine Mp, a process for causing the own machine to function as the player machine Mp, and when the own machine is the visitor machine Mv In this case, a process for allowing the user's own machine to function as the visitor machine Mv is performed. Specifically, in the game machines M1 and M2 set as the player machine Mp, the game machine list ML and the operation recognition software RS are stored in the game machine storage unit 72, and the operation recognition software RS is operated. And a game start screen is displayed on the game progress part 82a. Thereby, in the player machine Mp, a game according to the operation of the player Up can be executed in the game, and the player function unit 82 functions effectively, that is, functions as a player machine. In the game machine M3 set as the visitor machine Mv, the game machine list ML is stored in the game machine storage unit 72, the visitor game start screen is output by the screen output processing unit 84a, and the screen update information is waited for. become.

  As a result of the start processing, the game machine M1 and the game machine M2 are in a state where the player function of the own machine is valid, and the game machine M3 is in a state where the player function of the own machine remains invalid and only the visitor function is valid. Thereby, the game system GS1 is composed of the player machines Mp1 and Mp2 and the visitor machine Mv3. Thereafter, a battle game is started between the player machine Mp1 and the player machine Mp2 (step S18). The process when the battle game is started may be a conventionally known process for starting the battle game between the plurality of game machines M in the communication game system. After the battle game is started, the battle game progresses based on information transmitted and received between the game machines M without using the server Sv. After the battle game is started between the player machine Mp1 and the player machine Mp2, only the game screen of the battle game is displayed on the player machine Mp3.

  As shown in FIG. 13, even when the game machine M4 transmits a participation request to the server Sv after the battle game is started, the server Sv accepts the participation request (step S20). In the server Sv that has received the participation request, game machine list update processing is performed (step S22). In the game machine list update process, the game machine list ML is updated so that game machine information 60 related to the game machine M4 as the visitor machine Mv is added as new game machine information. Thereby, the server control part 54 functions as the server update part 54c.

  When the game machine list ML is updated, the updated game machine list ML (hereinafter referred to as “new game machine list ML”) is transmitted to all the game machines M1 to M4 registered in the new game machine list ML. Is done. In each of the game machines M1 to M3 that have received the new game machine list ML, the game machine list ML held by the own machine is updated by the new game machine list ML (step S24), and in the game machine M4 that has transmitted the participation request, The new game machine list ML is received as start information, and start processing is performed (step S26). In the start process of the game machine M4, since the game machine M4 is set as the visitor machine Mv in the new game machine list ML, the start process as the visitor machine Mv may be performed. The start process as the visitor machine Mv is as described above. Thereby, game machine M4 can participate in game system GS1 as visitor machine Mp4. Note that only new game machine information may be transmitted to the game machines M1 to M3 other than the added game machine M4 instead of the new game machine list ML.

  As described above, in the game system GS1, the player Up1 of the player machine Mp1 switches the player Up (or player machine Mp) by designating the next player Up (or next player machine Mp) during the game. be able to. Regarding the change (switching), with respect to the processing performed in each of the game machines M1 to M4 and the server Sv, a case where the switching operation is performed by the player Up1 in the game machine M1 as an example will be described with reference to FIG. This will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Processing in each game machine M is controlled by the game machine control unit 80, and processing in the server Sv is controlled by the server control unit 54. First, when there is a switching operation on the player machine Mp1, the game screen displayed on the monitor is put into a stopped state as a waiting state, and a switching start notification is transmitted to each of the other game machines M2, M3, and M4 ( Step S30).

  The other game machines M2 to M4 are specified by referring to the game machine list ML. In each of the game machines M2 to M4 that have received the switching start notification, the game screen displayed on the monitor is put into a stopped state as a waiting state (step S34). In the player machine Mp1, one visitor machine Mv is determined as the new player machine Mp by the player Up1 (step S36). For example, a screen that allows the player Up1 to select the visitor machine Mv as the new player machine Mp from the visitor machines Mv3 and Mv4 may be configured to be displayed on the monitor. In this embodiment, the visitor machine Mv4 is selected.

  Next, in the player machine Mp1, a switching notification is generated and transmitted to the visitor machine Mv4 determined as the new player machine Mp (step S38). The switching notification includes the game machine identification information 61 of the game machine M1 that is the transmission source of the switching notification, the operation recognition software RS as the activation information, and the situation information SI. After transmission of the switching notification, the player machine Mp1 disables the function of the player function unit 82 (hereinafter referred to as “player function disabled”) (step S40). Specifically, the situation information SI and the operation recognition software RS in the game machine storage unit 72 are deleted. Thereby, since the game machine M1 cannot recognize the operation of the player Up1 in the game, the player function becomes invalid and functions as the visitor machine Mv. On the other hand, in the visitor machine Mv4 that has received the switching notification, the function of the player function is enabled (hereinafter referred to as “player function is enabled”) (step S44). Specifically, the situation information SI is stored in the game machine storage unit 72 as the situation information SI related to the user U4. The operation recognition software RS is also stored in the game machine storage unit 72 and is operated. Thereby, the game machine M4 functions as the player machine Mp. However, the game screen displayed on the monitor remains stopped.

  Subsequently, in the game machine M4 in which the player function is enabled, the game machine list ML is updated based on the switching notification (step S46). In this embodiment, the game machine M4 (own machine) is set as the player machine Mp, and the game machine M1 that is the transmission source of the switching notification is set as the visitor machine Mv. When the game machine list ML is updated, the game machine M4 transmits a new player machine notification to the other game machines M1 to M3 and the server Sv (step S48). In the new player machine notification, the game machine M1 that is the transmission source of the switching notification is set as the old player machine Mp, and the game machine M4 (self machine) is set as the new player machine Mp.

  Further, in the game machine M4, when the new player machine notification is transmitted, the stopped state of the game screen is released, and the game is started based on the situation information SI and the operation of the player Up4 (step S50). Thereby, in game machine M4, the game based on operation of player Up4 is started. In the other game machines M1 to M3 that have received the new player machine notification, their own game machine list ML is updated based on the received new player machine notification (step S52), and the stopped state of the game screen is released. (Step S54). The game with the player machine Mp4 is continued on the player machine Mp2, and the game screen is appropriately updated on the visitor machines Mv1 and Mv3. Note that the game machine list ML is also updated on the server Sv that has received the player machine notification based on the new player machine notification.

  Hereinafter, the flow of main processes performed by the game machine control unit 80 will be described. Each process described below is described as a process when the player machine Mp is switched from the game machine M1 to the game machine M4 in the game system GS1 shown in FIG. Further, the process in the player machine Mp is described as a process performed in the player machine Mp1, and the process in the visitor machine Mv is described as a process performed in the visitor machine Mv4. First, the game progress process controlled by the game progress part 82a of the player function part 82 is demonstrated according to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S100, it is determined whether or not there is an operation input by the player Up1, and if there is an operation input, the process proceeds to step S102, the operation information is transmitted to the battle machine Mp2, and the game process is performed in step S104. . The battle machine Mp2 may be specified by referring to the game machine list ML or the situation information SI. In the game process, as described above, a process according to the input operation is performed in order to advance the battle game with the player Up2 of the battle machine Mp2 as the opponent. Further, the status information SI is referred to and updated as necessary. Subsequently, in step S106, a game screen reflecting the result of the game process is generated, and the game screen generated in step S108 is displayed on the monitor.

  In step S106, update information for updating the already displayed game screen may be generated, and in step S108, the game screen may be updated with the update information. In step S100, when there is no operation input of player Up1, it progresses to step S110 and it is judged whether operation information was received from battle machine Mp2. When the operation information is received, the process proceeds to step S104, and the game process is performed using the received operation information as the operation information of the opponent Up2. If it is not determined in step S110 that the operation information has been received, the process returns to step S100 to wait for an operation input or operation information.

  The screen update information processing controlled by the screen update information processing unit 82b in the player function unit 82 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S120, it is determined whether or not there is an operation input by the player Up1. When there is no operation input, the operation input is waited. When there is an operation input, the process proceeds to step S122, and screen update information including operation information indicating the operation content recognized by the operation recognition software RS is generated. If it is determined in step S120 that there is no operation input, the process proceeds to step S130, and it is determined whether it is the screen transmission timing. The screen transmission timing is a timing set in advance for transmitting the image information on the game screen to the visitor machines Mv3 and Mv4. The screen transmission timing in this embodiment is set every predetermined time after the game starts.

  When it is determined in step S130 that the screen transmission timing is reached, the process proceeds to step S132, and the image information of the game screen generated by the game progression unit 82a is acquired. After acquiring the image information, the process proceeds to step S122, and screen update information including the acquired image information is generated. After the screen update information is generated in step S122, the process proceeds to step S124, and the transmission destination is specified. With reference to the game machine list ML, the visitor machines Mv3 and Mv4 are specified as transmission destinations. After specifying the transmission destination, the process proceeds to step S126, and the screen update information is transmitted to the specified transmission destinations Mv3 and Mv4.

  The switching process controlled by the switching processing unit 86a in the switching unit 86 of the player machine Mp will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S140, it is determined whether or not a switching operation has been performed by the player Up1. When there is no switching operation, the switching operation is waited. In step S140, when there is a switching operation, it is determined that the switching condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S142, and a new player machine Mp is determined. As described above, in this embodiment, the player Up1 is caused to select the game machine M4 as the new player machine Mp, and the selected game machine M4 is determined as the new player machine Mp.

  After the determination of the new player machine Mp, in step S144, a switching notification including information indicating the own machine M1 is generated. The switching notification includes game machine identification information 61 indicating a caller, situation information SI, and operation recognition software RS. In step S146, the generated switching notification is transmitted to the game machine M4 determined as the new player machine Mp. Thereby, the switching processing unit 86a functions as a switching notification unit 86aa. In step S148, the player function of the own device is invalidated. In this embodiment, the situation information SI and the operation recognition software RS in the game machine storage unit 72 are deleted. Thereby, the switching processing unit 86a functions as a function invalidating unit 86ab.

  The screen output process controlled by the screen output processing unit 84a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S160, it is determined whether screen update information has been received. When screen update information has not been received, it enters a reception wait state. If it is determined in step S160 that screen update information has been received, the process advances to step S162 to determine whether the screen update information includes image information. If image information is included, the process proceeds to step S166, and a game screen based on the image information is displayed. If it is determined in step S162 that the image information is not included in the screen update information, the screen update information includes operation information. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S164, and an update process based on the operation information is performed. Done. In the update process, a process for updating the currently displayed game screen based on the operation information is performed. In step S166, the updated game screen is displayed.

  The switching handling process controlled by the switching handling unit 86b in the switching unit 86 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S170, it is determined whether a switching notification has been received. If it has not been received, it enters a waiting state for receiving a switching notification. If it is determined in step S170 that a switching notification has been received, the process proceeds to step S172 to enable the player function. In this process, as described above, the situation information SI included in the switching notification is set to be the situation information SI regarding the player Up4 instead of the player Up1, and is stored in the game machine storage unit 72. Further, the operation recognition software RS included in the switching notification is stored in the game machine storage unit 72 and operated. As a result, the switching correspondence unit 86b functions as a function enabling unit 86ba.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S174, and a game machine list stored in the game machine storage unit 72 to indicate that the player machine Mp has switched from the game machine M1 that is the transmission source of the switching notification to the game machine M4 (own machine). Update ML. Subsequently, in step S176, a new player machine notification is generated. In the new player machine notification, the game machine M1 that is the transmission source of the switching notification is set as the old player machine, and the game machine M4 (own machine) is set as the new player machine Mp. In step S178, the transmission destination of the new player machine notification is specified. The transmission destination is all the game machines M and the server Sv other than the own machine. After the transmission destination is specified, a new player machine notification is transmitted to the specified transmission destination in step S180.

  Subsequently, in step S182, the screen state control unit 86d enters a state of waiting for cancellation of the screen stop state. When the screen stop state is canceled, the process proceeds to step S184, and the game progress indicated by the situation information SI in the game progress unit 82a. Is displayed on the monitor, and a game based on the situation information SI and the operation of the player Up4 is executed.

  The screen state control process controlled by the screen state control unit 86d will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S190, it is determined whether or not a switching operation has been performed. If there is a switching operation, the process proceeds to step S191, the game screen displayed on the monitor is stopped, and a switching start notification is transmitted to the other game machines M2 to M4 in step S192. After transmitting the switching start notification, the process proceeds to step S196. If it is determined in step S190 that there is no switching operation, the process proceeds to step S193, and it is determined whether a switching start notification is received. If the switching start notification has not been received, the process returns to step S190.

  If the switching start notification is received, the process proceeds to step S194, and the game screen displayed on the monitor is stopped. After the game screen is stopped, the process proceeds to step S196. In step S196, a new player machine notification is received or transmitted. When the new player machine notification is received or transmitted, the process proceeds to step S198, and the screen stop state of the game screen is released.

  The update process controlled by the list update unit 86c will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S200, when a new player machine notification or a new game machine list ML from the server Sv is waiting to be received and a new player machine notification is received, the process proceeds to step S202, where the old player machine indicated by the new player machine notification is displayed. The game machine list ML held by the player is updated so that Mp is set as the visitor machine Mv and the new player machine Mp is set as the player machine Mp. When the new game machine list ML is received, the game machine list ML of the own machine is updated to add a new visitor machine Mv based on the new game machine list ML.

  The start process performed by the game machine M that has transmitted a participation request to the server Sv when participating in the game system GS1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The start process is controlled by the start processing unit 90. First, in step S210, a start information reception waiting state from the server Sv is entered. If it is determined in step S210 that start information has been received, the process proceeds to step S212, and it is determined whether or not the player is set as the player machine Mp with reference to the game machine list ML included in the start information. To do. When the player machine is set as the player machine Mp, the process proceeds to step S214, and a start process as the player machine Mp is performed.

  As a start process as the player machine Mp, the game machine list ML and the operation recognition software RS included in the start information are stored in the game machine storage unit 72, and the operation recognition software RS is operated. Then, a game start screen is displayed on the monitor in the game progression unit 82a, and the game can be started. When the game machine list ML is set as the visitor machine Mv, the process proceeds to step S216, and the start process as the visitor machine Mv is performed. As a start process as the visitor machine M, the game machine list ML is stored in the game machine storage unit 72, the visitor game start screen is displayed on the monitor in the screen output processing unit 84a, and the screen update information is waited for. .

  Furthermore, in the game system GS1, messages can be exchanged between the game machines M1 to M4 during the game. With regard to message exchange, processing performed in each game machine M and server S will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Processing in the game machine M is controlled by the game machine control unit 80, and processing in the server Sv is controlled by the server control unit 54. First, in the game machine M2, a message creation process is performed in step S60 (step S60). In the message creation process, a message is generated by the user U2, and the generated message and the game machine identification information 61 of the game machine M2 are transmitted as message information to the server Sv. In order to generate a message, a message screen may be displayed on the monitor and the user U2 may input the message. Thereby, the game machine control unit 80 functions as an announcement information generation unit, and the message information functions as announcement information.

  The server Sv that has received the message information performs message processing (step S62). In the message processing, the received message information is stored in the server storage unit 52, and information related to the user U2 is extracted from the user information 63 corresponding to the game machine identification information 61 by referring to the game machine list ML. Message information in which information related to the user U2 is associated with the message is generated, and the generated message information is transmitted to each game machine M. Thereby, the server control unit 54 functions as an announcement information processing unit. In each game machine M that has received the message information, a message display process is performed (step S64).

  In the message display process, the message included in the message information is displayed on the monitor as a message from the game machine M2. Thereby, the game machine control part 80 functions as an announcement information display part. In this way, in the game system GS1, by transmitting a message from each game machine M to all the game machines M, a message for one message and a message for the game situation can be displayed on the monitor together with the game screen. In addition, since the transmission origin of a message is not specified, you may comprise so that the information regarding the user U may not be included in the message information transmitted from server Sv.

(2) Second form of first game system Next, a second form for realizing the present invention in the game system GS1 will be described mainly about points different from the first form. In the second embodiment, the game screen is not stopped when the player machine Mp is switched. Therefore, the screen state control unit 86d in the hardware configuration of the game machine M is unnecessary. Further, the game in the game system GS2 of the present embodiment is not a battle game but progresses by an operation of one player Up. Therefore, in the game progress process, a process related to transmission / reception of operation information is unnecessary. In step S12 of FIG. 13, when determining the player machine Mp, the server Sv determines only one game machine M as the player machine Mp, and the start information including the game machine list ML and the operation recognition software RS is the player machine Mp. Only one game machine M determined as Mp is transmitted. The screen output processing unit 84a outputs a game screen based on switching screen information described later in addition to the screen update information.

  Processing performed in each of the game machines M1 to M4 and the server Sv when the player machine Mp is switched from the game machine M1 to the game machine M4 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. In addition, the process in the same step as a 1st form is the same process as a 1st form. When there is a switching operation by the player Up1, the game machine M1 causes the player Up1 to determine a new player machine (step S36) and transmits a switching notification (step S38). In the game machine M4, when the switching notification is received, the function of the player function unit 82 is validated (step S44a). Thereby, a game based on the operation of the player Up4 can be started instead of the player Up1.

  However, the game to be started is executed in the restriction mode and the prohibit mode. The prohibit mode is a mode in which processing related to screen update information is prohibited. Therefore, the screen update information based on the game in the game machine M4 is not distributed to other game machines M. Further, the game screen is not updated by the screen update information from the other player machines Mp. The restriction mode is a mode in which the operation content of the user U4 is restricted. For example, an obstacle is provided on a path other than the traveling direction so that the character corresponding to the user U can advance only in a certain direction, the number of items that can be used by the user is limited, the speed of the character's movement is decreased, etc. The following embodiments are possible.

  On the other hand, in the player machine Mp1, the game based on the operation of the player Up1 continues until the new player machine notification is received and the player function is disabled even after the switching notification is transmitted. However, the game after the switch notification is transmitted is executed in the above-described restriction mode (step S39). Even in the restriction mode, the screen update information is appropriately transmitted to each of the game machines M2 to M4 (step S41). As described above, the game machine M4 does not perform processing based on the screen update information. However, in the game machines M2 and M3 that have received the screen update information, the game screen is based on the screen update information received by the screen output processing unit 84a. It is updated (step S42).

  In game machine M4 in which a game based on the operation of user U4 is being executed, it is determined whether or not the displayed game screen satisfies the screen switching condition (step S47). When it is determined that the game screen satisfies the screen switching condition, switching screen information relating to the game screen satisfying the screen switching condition is generated and transmitted to the other game machines M1 to M3 together with the new player machine notification (step S48a). . When the new player machine notification is transmitted, the game prohibition mode and the restriction mode are canceled in the game machine M4, and the game in the normal mode is executed (step S51). In each of the game machines M2 and M3 that have received the new player machine notification and the switching screen information, the game machine list ML is updated based on the new player machine notification (step S52), and the game screen displayed on the monitor becomes the switching screen information. The game screen is switched to based on the screen (step S59).

  When the game machine M1 that has transmitted the switch notification receives the new player machine notification, the game machine list ML is updated based on the new player machine notification (step S52). Further, the function of the player function unit 82 is disabled and the game screen displayed on the monitor is switched to a game screen based on the switching screen information (step S58). The game machine M1 functions as a visitor machine Mv, and thereafter, the screen output processing unit 84a updates the game screen based on the received screen update information.

  As described above, in the second mode, the player machine Mp is switched while the game screen is displayed, but the game screen that satisfies the screen switching condition is switched to the game screen based on the new player machine. Therefore, by setting the screen switching condition as a screen in which switching is difficult to be recognized (for example, a screen with few images that change on the game screen), the player Up of the player U who views the game screen Does not give an uncomfortable feeling of switching. Furthermore, although the game is progressed in each of the two game machines M1 and M4, since each game is executed in the restricted mode, each user U1 can be operated even when an operation different from the user U4 user U1 is performed. The difference in the game screen displayed due to the difference in the operation of U4 can be minimized.

  The switching process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Steps S140 to S148a are similar to the switching process in the first embodiment. However, the process of step S300-step S302 is performed between step S146 and step S148. After transmitting the switching notification, in step S300, the game progression unit 82a is caused to execute the game in the restricted mode. The restriction mode is as described above. After that, in step S302, a new player machine notification and switching screen information are waited to be received. If a new player machine notification and switching screen information are received, the process proceeds to step S148a. In step S148a, the player function is disabled as in the first embodiment. Further, the screen output processing unit 84a switches the game screen displayed on the monitor to a game screen based on the switching screen information. This completes the switching process.

  The switching handling process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the same step as the step of the switching handling process in the first form, the same process as in the first form is performed. First, if it is determined in step S170 that a switching notification has been received, the process proceeds to step S172a to enable the player function. Thereby, the game screen according to the game progress degree of situation information SI is displayed on a monitor, and the game which advances by operation of user Up4 is started. However, the game to be started is a restriction mode and a prohibition mode. Each mode is as described above. After the player function is enabled, the game machine list ML is updated, and in step S310, it is determined whether or not the game screen of the started game is a game screen that satisfies the screen switching condition. The game screen that satisfies the screen switching condition is as described above.

  When the game screen waits until the screen switching condition is satisfied and it is determined that the game screen satisfies the screen switching condition, the process proceeds to step S312 to generate switching screen information related to the game screen that satisfies the screen switching condition. Further, in step S176, a new player machine notification is generated as in the first embodiment. The generated new player machine notification is transmitted to all the other game machines M1 to M3 in step S180a together with the switching screen information. After the notification of the new player machine is transmitted, the process proceeds to step S314, the game prohibition mode and the restriction mode are canceled, and the game progression unit 82a is caused to execute the game in the normal mode.

(3) First form of second game system Next, in the second game system GS2 (hereinafter referred to as "game system GS2"), the first form in the game system GS1 to realize the present invention. Differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the game system GS2, as shown in FIG. 27, four game machines M101 to M104 and a server Sv100 are connected via a network N, similarly to the game system GS1. However, in the game system GS2, transmission / reception of information performed between the game machines M in the game system GS1 is performed via the server Sv100. Therefore, transmission / reception of information between the game machines M101 to M104 is performed via the server Sv100. Each game machine M101-104 is operated by each user U101-104.

  Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the game machine, it is referred to as a game machine M100, and when it is not necessary to distinguish the user, it is referred to as a user U100. In this embodiment, the game machine M101 and the game machine M102 are set as the player machine Mp, and the game machine M103 and the game machine M104 are set as the player machine Mp. Hereinafter, a case where the player machine Mp is switched from the game machine M101 to the game machine M104 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the hardware configuration of the server Sv100 is the same as the server Sv of the game system GS1, but the server control unit 54 includes a server information processing unit 54d instead of the server update unit 54c. In the server information processing unit 54d, a process of relaying information transmitted from the game machine M100 to the predetermined game machine M100 and a process of updating the game machine list ML based on the information acquired from the game machine M100 are performed. As shown in FIG. 29, the hardware configuration of the game machine M100 is the same as the hardware configuration of the game machine M of the game system GS1, but the list update unit 86c is unnecessary.

  Further, the game machine storage unit 72 does not hold the game machine list ML. As with the game machine M, in the game machine M100 that functions as the player machine Mp, the function of the player function unit 82 is in an effective state, and the game machine storage unit 72 stores the situation information SI and the operation recognition software RS. ing. On the other hand, in the game machine M100 functioning as the visitor machine Mv, the function of the player function unit 82 is in an invalid state, and the situation information SI and the operation recognition software RS are not stored in the game machine storage unit 72.

  The processing of each unit in the game machine control unit 80 is the same as that of the game system GS1. However, as described above, in the game system GS2, transmission / reception of information between the game machines M100 is performed via the server Sv100. Accordingly, in each process in the game machine M100, all information transmitted from the communication unit 70 of the game machine M100 is transmitted to the server Sv100, and all information received by the communication unit 70 is transmitted from the server Sv100. Information.

  Specifically, the game progression unit 82a transmits operation information based on the player Up of its own device to the opponent Up through the server Sv100, and acquires operation information of the opponent Up through the server Sv100. The screen update information processing unit 82b transmits the screen update information to the visitor machine Mv via the server Sv100, and the screen output processing unit 84a of the visitor machine Mv acquires the screen update information via the server Sv100. The switching processing unit 86a transmits a switching notification to the new player machine Mp through the server Sv100, and the switching handling unit 86b of the new player machine Mp acquires the switching notification through the server Sv100. Further, the switching correspondence unit 86b transmits a new player machine notification to each game machine M100 via the server Sv100, and each game machine M100 receives the new player machine notification via the server Sv100. The screen state control unit 86d of the player machine Mp transmits a switching start notification to each game machine M100 via the server Sv100, and the other game machines M100 receive the switching start notification via the server Sv100.

  In order to realize the communication mode via the server Sv100 as described above, the game machine M100 that transmits transmission information to be transmitted to a specific transmission destination to the server Sv100 generates transmission information including information specifying the transmission destination. The server Sv100 may be configured to specify the transmission destination included in the transmission information and transmit the transmission information. The server Sv100 includes association information between the type of transmission information and the transmission destination, The transmission destination associated with the transmission information may be specified by referring to the association information based on the type of the transmission information.

  Processing performed in each of the server Sv100 and the game machine M100 when the game machine M100 participates in the game system GS2 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. The process (step S14) until a participation request is transmitted from each of the game machines M101 to M103 (step S10) and the game machine list ML is generated by the server Sv100 is the same as the process in the game system GS1. However, after generating the game machine list ML, the server Sv100 transmits function identification information as start information to the game machine M103 determined as the visitor machine Mv, and to the game machines M101 and M102 determined as the player machine Mp. The start information including the function identification information, the game machine identification information indicating the battle machine Mp101, and the operation recognition software RS is transmitted. Thereby, the server control part 54 functions as the start information transmission part 54e.

  In each of the game machines M101 to M103 that have received the start information, a start process is performed (step S16). In the start process of the present embodiment, as with the game system GS1, the start process corresponding to the function identification information 62 included in the start information is performed in each game machine M101 to M103. However, since the game machine list ML is held in the server Sv100 and is not included in the start information, it is not stored in the game machine storage unit 72. After the start process, the battle game is started between the player machine Mp101 and the player machine Mp102. As described above, transmission / reception of information between the game machines M100 in the battle game is transmitted / received via the server Sv100.

  Thereafter, when a participation request is made from a new game machine M104, the server Sv100 accepts the participation request (step S20), and updates the game machine list ML (step S22). These processes are the same as those of the game system GS1. That is, the game machine information 60 as new game machine information related to the game machine M104 in which the visitor machine Mv is set in the function identification information 62 is added to the game machine list ML. After updating the game machine list ML, the server Sv100 transmits start information including the function identification information 62 set to the visitor machine Mv only to the game machine M104. The game machine M104 that has acquired the function identification information 62 performs a start process similar to step S16 (step S26). That is, the start process as the visitor machine Mv is performed, and the screen update information wait state is entered. Thereby, game machine M104 can participate in game system GS2 as visitor machine Mv.

  Next, processing performed in each of the game machines M101 to M104 and the server Sv100 after the switching operation is performed in the game machine M101 will be described using the sequence of FIG. As described above, transmission / reception of information between the game machines M100 is performed via the server Sv100. The processing from step S30 to step S38 in the game machine M101 is the same as that of the game system GS1. However, the switching start notification in step S30 and the switching notification in step S38 are transmitted to the server Sv100. The server Sv100 transmits a switching notification to each of the server machines M102 to M104, and transmits a switching notification addressed to the game machine M104 to the game machine M104. Thereby, the server Sv100 functions as the server information processing unit 54d. The switching notification includes status information SI and operation recognition software RS.

  The game machine M104 that has received the switching notification from the server Sv100 enables the player function of the own machine (step S44). That is, the situation information SI included in the switching notification is set as the situation information SI regarding the user U104 and stored in the game machine storage unit 72, and the operation recognition software RS included in the switching notification is stored in the game machine storage unit 72. And operate. However, the game screen remains stopped and the game is not executed. Thereafter, the game machine M104 transmits a new player machine notification indicating that the own machine is the new player machine Mp to the server Sv100 (step S48b). In the new player machine notification, the game machine M101 is set as the old player machine Mp, and the game machine M104 is set as the new player machine Mp.

  The server Sv100 that has received the new player machine notification updates the game machine list ML based on the new player machine notification (step S60). Thereby, the server Sv100 functions as the server information processing unit 54d. Specifically, the game machine M101 in the game machine list ML is set as the visitor machine Mv, and the game machine M104 is set as the player machine Mp. After the game machine list ML is updated, the server Sv100 transmits an update completion notification to all the game machines M100 (step S62). In each game machine M100 that has received the update completion notification from the server Sv100, the stopped state of the screen is released (step S54a). When the stopped state of the screen is canceled, in the player machines Mp102 and Mp104, the game progress unit 82a displays a game screen based on the game progress indicated by the situation information SI, and the battle game is executed. In the visitor machines Mv101 and Mv103, the screen update information is waited.

  In the game progress process, the screen update information process, the switching process, the screen output process, and the start process in the first form of the game system GS1, information transmitted / received via the communication unit 70 is transmitted / received to / from the server Sv100. This is the same as the processing in the game system GS1. In the switching handling process, the process of step S174 (process of updating the game machine list ML) is not performed, and a new player machine notification is transmitted to the server Sv100 in step S180. In the screen state control process, the switching start notification is performed via the server Sv, and in step S196, the update completion notification transmitted from the server Sv100 is awaiting reception. The update process is not performed in the game machine M100 of the game system GS2. Note that the game system GS2 may be configured to perform the same process regarding message exchange as the game system GS1.

  Server information processing performed by the server information processing unit 54d of the server Sv100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when information is received while waiting to receive information from any one of the game machines M100 in step S400, the process proceeds to step S402, and it is determined whether the received information is information to be relayed. The information to be relayed is information for transmitting the received information as it is to the destination game machine M100, for example, a switching start notification or screen update information. If the received information is information to be relayed, the process proceeds to step S404, and the received information is transmitted to the game machine M100 that is the transmission destination. The transmission destination may be specified as described above. After that, the process returns to step S400 to enter an information reception waiting state.

  On the other hand, if the received information is not information to be relayed, the process proceeds to step S406, and it is determined whether or not the received information is a new player machine notification. If it is not a new player machine notification, the process returns to step S400 to wait for information reception, and if it is a new player machine notification, the process proceeds to step S408 to update the game machine list ML. In this embodiment, the game machine M101 set as the old player machine in the new player machine notification is set as the visitor machine Mv, and the game machine M104 set as the new player machine is set as the player machine Mp. After the game machine list ML is updated, the process proceeds to step S410, and an update completion notification is transmitted to all the game machines M101 to M104. After that, the process returns to step S400 to enter an information reception waiting state.

(4) Second form of second game system The second form for realizing the present invention in the game system GS2 will be described mainly with respect to differences from the first form. The second form of the game system GS2 corresponds to the second form of the first game system GS1, and is configured so that the game screen is not stopped when the player machine Mp is switched. Therefore, the screen state control unit 86d in the hardware configuration of the game machine M100 is unnecessary. Further, the game in the game system GS2 is not a battle game, but proceeds by an operation of one player Up. Therefore, the game progression unit 82a does not have to perform processing related to transmission / reception of operation information. In step S12 in FIG. 30, the server Sv determines only one game machine M as the player machine Mp when determining the player machine Mp.

  Processing performed in each of the game machines M101 to M104 and the server Sv100 when the player machine Mp is switched from the game machine M101 to the game machine M104 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. In addition, the process in the same step as a 1st form is the same process as a 1st form. When there is a switching operation by the player Up1, the game machine M101 causes the player Up1 to determine a new player machine (step S36) and transmits a switching notification (step S38). In the game machine M104, when the switching notification is received, the function of the player function unit 82 is validated (step S44a). In the second mode, when the function of the player function unit 82 is activated, a game screen based on the situation information SI is displayed on the monitor. Thereby, the game based on the operation of the user U104 is started in place of the user U101.

  However, the game to be started is set to a restricted mode for operation and to a prohibited mode for processing related to screen update information. The prohibit mode and the limit mode are the same as the prohibit mode and the limit mode in the first game system GS1. Since it is the prohibit mode, the screen update information is not distributed from the game machine M104 to the other game machines 100, and the game screen is not updated by the screen update information from the other game machines M100. Further, the operation content of the user U104 is restricted by the restriction mode.

  On the other hand, in the game machine Mp101, the game based on the operation of the user U101 continues until the notification of the new player machine is received and the player function is disabled even after the transmission of the switching notice. However, the game after the switch notification is transmitted is executed in the above-described restriction mode (step S39). Even in the restriction mode, the screen update information is appropriately transmitted to each of the game machines M102 to M104 via the server Sv100 (step S41). In the game machines M102 and M103 that have received the screen update information, the game screen is updated based on the screen update information (step S42).

  In game machine M104 in which a game based on the operation of user U104 is executed, it is determined whether or not the displayed game screen satisfies the screen switching condition (step S47). When it is determined that the displayed game screen satisfies the screen switching condition, switching screen information relating to the game screen satisfying the screen switching condition is generated and transmitted to the server Sv100 together with the new player machine notification (step S48c). The server Sv100 that has received the new player machine notification and the switching screen information updates the game machine list ML based on the new player machine notification (step S60), and sends an update completion notification including the switching screen information to each of the game machines M101 to M104. (Step S62). In the new player machine M104 that has received the update completion notification, the switching corresponding unit 86b releases the game prohibition mode and the restriction mode, and the normal mode game is executed (step S64).

  In the game machine M101 that has transmitted the update completion notification, the function of the player function unit 82 is disabled, and the game screen displayed on the monitor is a game based on the switching screen information by the screen output processing unit 84a of the visitor function unit 84. The screen is switched (step S58). That is, in the game machine M101, the situation information SI and the operation recognition software RS are deleted. Thereby, the game machine M101 functions as the visitor machine Mv, and thereafter, the game screen is updated by the screen output processing unit 84a based on the received screen update information. In the visitor machines Mv102 and Mv103 that have received the update completion notification, the game screen displayed on the monitor is switched to a game screen based on the switching screen information included in the update completion notification by the screen output processing unit 84a (step S40). S59).

  As described above, in the second mode, as in the second mode of the first game system GS1, the player machine Mp switches in a state where the game screen is displayed. By switching and providing a restriction mode, the switching of the game screen is not easily recognized by each user U. Note that the switching process and the switching handling process in the second mode are the same as the switching process and the switching handling process in the second mode of the first game system GS1. However, transmission / reception of information is performed via the server Sv100, and in step S302 of the switching process, reception of an update completion notification including switching screen information is awaited. Further, the server information processing is the same as the server information processing of the first embodiment, but at step S406, the switching screen information is received together with the new player machine notification, and at step S410, the update completion notification including the switching screen information is received for each update information. It transmits to game machine M101-104.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented in various forms. For example, when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the game regardless of the operation of the player Up, the switching condition may be determined to be satisfied in step S140 of the switching process. The new player machine Mp may also be determined by the switching processor 86a. Thereby, it is possible to realize a game system in which the player Up is forcibly replaced regardless of the will of the player Up.

  Further, the switching process may be forcibly performed by the player machine Mp in response to a request from the visitor machine Mv. For example, in the game system GS1, when the tourer machine Mv4 forces the player machine Mp1 to perform the switching process, when a predetermined operation is performed on the tourer machine Mv4, a switch request is transmitted to the player machine Mp1. The player machine Mp that has received the switching request may be configured to determine that the switching condition is satisfied in step S140 by the reception. In this case, the new player machine Mp is set to the visitor machine Mv4 that transmitted the switching request.

  As a mode for enabling the player function, the function of the visitor function unit 84 may be disabled when the player function is enabled. Further, the operation recognition software RS may not be included in the switching notification, and the function of the player function unit 82 may be enabled or disabled. In this case, for example, for the operation of the game such as the operation recognition software RS Necessary software is stored in advance in the game machine M in each game machine. When the function of the player function unit 82 is enabled, the software is operated, and when the function of the player function unit 82 is disabled, Stop the operation of the software. Alternatively, when the function of the player function unit 82 is validated, a signal based on the operation is transmitted from the operation input unit 74 to the player function unit 82, and when the function of the player function unit 82 is invalidated, the operation input unit A signal based on the operation from 74 may not be transmitted to the player function unit 82. Furthermore, when only the player change is realized and the game content does not need to be continued, the situation information SI is not included in the switching notification, and the function of the player function unit 82 is enabled or disabled. Also good.

  The game in the second form of each game system GS1, GS2 may be a battle game. In the second embodiment, when the opponent of the player machine Mp1 is the player machine Mp2, for example, the player machine Mp1 sends a switching notification indicating the opponent machine Mp2 and the new player machine Mp4 to the new player machine Mp4 and the opponent machine Mp2. Send. The battle machine Mp2 that has received the switching notification transmits the operation information not only to the player machine Mp1 but also to the new player machine Mp4. In the restricted mode game on the new player machine Mp4, the game progresses based on the operation information of the battle machine Mp2, but the operation information of the player machine is not transmitted to the battle machine Mp2. Thereby, in the battle machine Mp2, the game with the player machine Mp1 as an opponent is continued. When the notification of the new player machine is received in the battle machine Mp2, the game machine list is updated, and the game screen based on the switching screen information from the new player machine Mp4 is displayed on the monitor by the game progression unit 82a. The Thereafter, the operation information is transmitted only to the new player machine Mp4, and the operation information from the new player machine Mp4 is waited. In addition, after transmitting the new player machine notification, the new player machine Mp4 starts transmission of operation information to the battle machine Mp2 as a normal mode.

  A plurality of game machines constituting the game systems GS1 and GS2 may be configured as one group so that a plurality of groups can exist. In that case, group identification information for identifying each group is associated with the game machine list ML stored in the servers Sv and Sv100. In addition, when a new game machine participates in an already existing group, it may be configured such that the group identification information of the group desired to participate is included in the participation request, or any of the new game machines is selected by the servers Sv and Sv100. You may comprise so that it may be matched with this group.

  The output from the audio output unit 78 may also be configured to be temporarily stopped and canceled along with the stop and cancellation of the image accompanying switching. The number of game machines M configuring the game systems GS1 and GS2 is not limited to four. Further, the number of player machines Mp is not limited to two, and may be determined according to the type of game. As long as this invention is implement | achieved, the order of the process demonstrated according to the flowchart is not ask | required. The communication line between each game machine M and the server Sv may be a dedicated line.

  The screen update information transmitted to the visitor machine Mv may be only information indicating the operation content or only image information. Further, in a game played on a plurality of player machines Mp, when one of the plurality of player machines Mp is set to function as a game server, a game screen of a game managed by the game server Information and operation information of each player may be transmitted to the tourer machine Mv.

GS1 first game machine GS2 second game machine M, M100 game machine Mp player machine Mv visitor machine ML game machine list SI status information 54b game machine list generation unit 54c server update unit 54d server information processing unit 82 player function unit 82a Game progress section 82b Screen update information processing section 84 Visitor function section 84a Screen output processing section 86 Switching section 86a Switching processing section 86b Switching support section 86c List updating section 86d Screen state control section

Claims (20)

Including a plurality of game machines connected to each other to transmit and receive information;
Each game machine is
An operation input unit that receives a user operation, an image output unit that outputs a predetermined image, a storage unit that stores predetermined information, and a player that sets the own device in a state where the user of the own device can play a game as a player A function unit, a visitor function unit that allows the user of the own device to observe the progress of the game as a visitor, and a state in which the functions of the player function unit are enabled and disabled. A switching unit for switching,
A game system comprising:
In the storage unit of each game machine, information relating to each of the plurality of game machines, game machine identification information for identifying each game machine, and a player machine in which the player function unit functions effectively, Or a game machine list including game machine information including function identification information indicating which of the visitor machines the player function unit does not function effectively is stored;
The player function unit includes:
A game progress unit that progresses the game based on an operation of the operation input unit by the player, generates a game screen according to the progress of the game, and outputs the game screen to the image output unit;
A screen update information processing unit that generates screen update information for updating a game screen displayed on the visitor machine and transmits the screen update information to each visitor machine in the game machine list; and
The visitor function section
When the screen update information is acquired from the player machine, a screen output processing unit that updates the game screen output to the image output unit based on the screen update information is provided.
The switching unit is
A switching processing unit for performing processing for setting another game machine as a player machine, a switching corresponding unit for performing processing for setting the own machine as a player machine, and the game machine list according to switching of the player machines. A list updating unit for updating,
The switching processing unit
When a predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the progress of the game, one visitor machine in the game machine list is determined as a new player machine, and a switching notification for notifying the switching of the player machine is sent to the new player machine. A switching notification part to transmit,
A function disabling unit that disables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is transmitted;
The switching corresponding part is
A function enabling unit that enables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is received;
The game machine list is updated to indicate that the own machine functions as a player machine instead of the game machine from which the switching notification is transmitted, and a new player machine notification indicating the updated contents is generated, A new player machine notification unit for transmitting to other game machines,
The list update unit, upon receiving a new player machine notification from the new player machine, updates the player machine and the visitor machine in the game machine list of the own machine based on the new player machine notification. Feature game system. In the storage unit of the player machine,
Activation information for effectively functioning the game progression unit is stored,
The switching unit causes the switching notification unit to transmit the switching notification including the activation information to the new player machine, causes the function invalidation unit to delete the activation information stored in the storage unit,
The switching corresponding unit causes the function enabling unit to store the activation information included in the received switching notification in the storage unit of the own device so that the game progressing unit functions effectively,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game progress unit progresses a game based on the user's operation and activation information stored in the storage unit. The switching unit is
When the switching condition is satisfied, the game screen output in the image output unit is put into a waiting state, a switching start notification is transmitted to each other game machine, and when the switching start notification is received, A screen state control unit that puts the game screen output in the image output unit into a waiting state and releases the waiting state in the own device when the new player machine notification is transmitted or received;
The switching processing unit of the game machine that satisfies the switching condition causes the switching notification unit to transmit the switching notification to the new player machine after transmitting the switching start notification,
The function enabling unit of the new player machine causes the game progress unit to output a game screen to the image output unit and start a game when the waiting state is released. Or the game system of 2. In the new player machine in which the function of the player function unit is activated,
The function enabling unit causes the game progress unit to start the game and prohibits the screen update information processing unit from transmitting the screen update information until the new player machine notification is transmitted, When the new player machine notification is transmitted, the prohibition is canceled,
When the game screen in the started game satisfies a screen switching condition, the new player machine notification unit sends the new player machine notification together with the switching screen information related to the game screen that satisfies the screen switching condition, To the game console
In the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification, when the switching screen information is received together with the player machine notification, the function invalidation unit invalidates the function of the player function unit and is output to the screen output processing unit. Switch the game screen to the game screen based on the switching screen information,
In a game machine other than the player machine and the new player machine, when the switching screen information is received together with the new player machine notification, the screen output processing unit outputs a game screen based on the switching screen information.
The game system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein In the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification, the function disabling unit is
After the switch notification is transmitted to the game progression unit, the game is allowed to proceed in a restricted mode that restricts the operation content of the user until the function of the player function unit is disabled.
The function enabling section in the new player machine in which the function of the player function section is enabled causes the game to proceed in the restricted mode until the notification of the new player machine is transmitted to the game progress section, The game system according to claim 4, wherein, when the new player machine notification is transmitted, the game is advanced in a state in which the restriction mode is released. A server capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the plurality of game machines;
The server
A participation request receiving unit that receives a system participation request from each of the plurality of game machines;
A plurality of game machines that have received the system participation request are grouped as one group, and among the plurality of game machines that are grouped, a number of game machines corresponding to the game are set as player machines, and other games A game machine list generation unit for generating the game machine list set as a visitor machine;
A start information transmission unit that generates start information including the game machine list and transmits the start information to each game machine;
Each game machine is
A participation request transmitter for transmitting the system participation request to the server;
When the game machine list included in the start information is acquired from the server after transmitting the system participation request, the game machine list is stored in the storage unit of the own machine, and the player function unit of the own machine according to the game machine list. Or a start processing unit that activates at least one of the visitor function units,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game progression unit starts the game after being processed by the start processing unit. The switching corresponding unit also transmits the new player machine notification to the server,
The server includes a server storage unit that stores the generated game machine list;
When the new player machine notification is acquired, the game machine list is updated based on the new player machine notification to indicate that the player machine has been switched from the game machine that has transmitted the switch notification to the new player machine. The game system according to claim 6, further comprising a server update unit. The server update unit updates the game machine list to add, as the visitor machine, a new game machine for which the system participation request is accepted after the game machine list is transmitted to each game machine, New game machine information that is game machine information related to a new game machine is transmitted to each game machine, and the updated game machine list is transmitted to the new game machine.
The list update unit of the game machine
8. The game system according to claim 7, wherein when the new game machine information is acquired from the server, the game machine list is updated to add the new game machine as the visitor machine. The server storage unit stores the validation information,
The start information transmission unit generates and transmits the start information further including the validation information to each game machine set in the player machine,
The start processing unit of each game machine stores the validation information in the storage unit to make the player function unit of the own machine valid when the own machine is set as the player machine,
The game system according to claim 6. Including a plurality of game machines and servers connected to each other so as to be able to send and receive information;
Each game machine is
An operation input unit that accepts a user operation, an image output unit that outputs a predetermined image, a storage unit that stores predetermined information, and the user can play a game on the player's own device as a player. A player function unit that is in a state, a visitor function unit that allows the user of the own device to observe the progress of the game as a visitor, and a state in which the functions of the player function unit are valid and invalid. A switching unit for switching between certain states,
The server
Information relating to each of the plurality of game machines, game machine identification information for identifying each game machine, and a player machine in which the player function unit functions effectively, or the player function unit functions effectively. A server storage unit for storing a game machine list including game machine information including function identification information indicating which of the visitor machines is not,
A game system comprising a server information processing unit that performs processing based on information acquired from any of the game machines,
The player function unit includes:
A game progress unit that progresses the game based on an operation of the operation input unit by the player, generates a game screen according to the progress of the game, and outputs the game screen to the image output unit;
A screen update information processing unit for generating screen update information for updating a game screen displayed on the visitor machine, and transmitting to the server so as to be transmitted to each visitor machine;
The visitor function section
When the screen update information is acquired, a screen output processing unit that updates the game screen output to the image output unit based on the screen update information,
The switching unit is
A switching processing unit for setting another game machine as a player machine, and a switching corresponding unit for setting the own machine as a player machine,
The switching processing unit
When a predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the progress of the game, one visitor machine in the game machine list is determined as a new player machine, and a switching notification for notifying the switching of the player machine is sent to the new player machine. A switching notification unit for transmitting to the server to be transmitted;
A function disabling unit that disables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is transmitted;
The switching corresponding part is
A function enabling unit that enables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is received;
A new player machine notification unit that generates a new player machine notification indicating that the player machine functions as a player machine on behalf of a visitor machine, and transmits it to the server.
The server information processing unit of the server
When the screen update information is acquired, the game machine list is referred to and transmitted to each visitor machine.
Upon obtaining the switching notification, the switching notification is transmitted to the new player machine indicated in the switching notification,
When the new player machine notification is acquired, the game machine list that has transmitted the new player machine notification is updated so that the game machine becomes the player machine in place of the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification. A game system. The storage unit of the player machine stores activation information for causing the game progression unit to function effectively,
The switching processing unit causes the switching notification unit to transmit the switching notification including the activation information to the server, causes the function invalidation unit to delete the activation information stored in the storage unit,
The switching corresponding unit causes the function enabling unit to store the activation information included in the received switching notification in the storage unit of the own device so that the game progressing unit functions effectively,
The game system according to claim 10, wherein the game progress unit progresses a game based on the user's operation and activation information stored in the storage unit. The switching unit is
When the switching condition is satisfied, the game screen output from the image output unit is set in a waiting state, a switching start notification is transmitted to the other game machines so as to be transmitted to the other game machines, and the switching is started. When the notification is received, the screen state that puts the game screen output in the image output unit into a waiting state and releases the waiting state in the own device when the new player machine notification is transmitted or received A control unit;
The switching processing unit of the game machine that satisfies the switching condition causes the switching notification unit to transmit the switching notification to the server after transmitting the switching start notification,
11. The function enabling unit of the new player machine causes the game progress unit to output a game screen to the image output unit and start a game when the waiting state is released. Or the game system of 11. In the new player machine in which the function of the player function unit is activated,
The function enabling unit causes the game progress unit to start the game and prohibits the screen update information processing unit from transmitting the screen update information until the new player machine notification is transmitted, When the new player machine notification is transmitted, the prohibition is canceled,
When the game screen in the started game satisfies a screen switching condition, the new player machine notification unit transmits the new player machine notification together with switching screen information regarding the game screen satisfying the screen switching condition to the server. And
When the server information processing unit of the server receives the switching screen information together with the new player machine notification, the server information processing unit updates the game machine list based on the new player machine notification, and the switching screen information is stored in each game machine. Send to
In the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification, when the switching screen information is received, the function invalidation unit invalidates the function of the player function unit, and displays the game screen output to the screen output processing unit. Switch to the game screen based on the switching screen information,
The game screen other than the player machine and the new player machine, when the switching screen information is received, the screen output processing unit outputs a game screen based on the switching screen information. 10. The game system according to 10 or 11. In the player machine that has transmitted the switching notification, the function disabling unit is
After the switch notification is transmitted to the game progression unit, the game is allowed to proceed in a restricted mode that restricts the operation content of the user until the function of the player function unit is disabled.
The function enabling section in the new player machine in which the function of the player function section is enabled causes the game to proceed in the restricted mode until the notification of the new player machine is transmitted to the game progress section, 14. The game system according to claim 13, wherein when the new player machine notification is transmitted, the game is advanced in a state where the restriction mode is released. The server
A participation request receiving unit that receives a system participation request from each of the plurality of game machines;
A plurality of game machines that have received the system participation request are grouped as one group, and among the plurality of game machines that are grouped, a number of game machines corresponding to the game are set as player machines, and other games A game machine list generation unit for generating the game machine list set as a visitor machine and storing the machine in the server storage unit;
A start information transmission unit that generates start information including function identification information of each game machine and transmits the start information to each game machine;
Each game machine is
A participation request transmitter for transmitting the system participation request to the server;
After obtaining the start information after transmitting the system participation request, a start processing unit that activates at least one of the player function unit or the visitor function unit according to the function identification information of the own device,
The game system according to claim 10, wherein the game progression unit starts the game after the processing by the start processing unit is performed. The switching processing unit
When there is a predetermined switching operation by the user, it is determined that the predetermined switching condition is satisfied,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the new player is determined by causing the user to designate the new player machine. The server
Announcement information processing unit for transmitting the announcement information to the plurality of game machines with reference to the game machine list when the announcement information to be transmitted to all the game machines in the group is acquired from any of the game machines Further comprising
Each game machine is
An announcement information generator for generating the announcement information and transmitting it to the server during the progress of the game;
The game system according to claim 7, further comprising: an announcement information display unit that displays the announcement information on the image display unit when the announcement information is acquired from the server.   The announcement information generation unit generates a message by an operation of a user who operates the own device, and transmits the announcement information including the message and game machine identification information of the own device to the server. The game system according to claim 17. A communication unit capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from other game machines, an operation input unit for receiving user operations, an image output unit for outputting predetermined images, a storage unit for storing predetermined information, and the own device. A player function unit that allows a user of the machine to play a game as a player, a visitor function unit that allows the user of the machine to observe the progress of the game as a visitor, and the player function unit A switching unit that switches between a state in which the function is enabled and a state in which the function is disabled,
The storage unit is information related to each game machine, and game machine identification information for identifying each game machine and a player machine in which the player function unit is functioning effectively, or the player function unit is enabled. A game machine list including game machine information including function identification information indicating which of the non-functioning visitor machines is stored;
The player function unit includes:
A game progress unit that progresses the game based on an operation of the operation input unit by the player, generates a game screen according to the progress of the game, and outputs the game screen to the image output unit;
A screen update information processing unit for generating screen update information for updating a game screen displayed on the visitor machine and transmitting the screen update information to each visitor machine in the game machine list;
The visitor function section
When the screen update information is acquired from the player machine, a screen output processing unit that updates the game screen output to the image output unit based on the screen update information is provided.
The switching unit is
A switching processing unit for performing processing for setting another game machine as a player machine, a switching corresponding unit for performing processing for setting the own machine as a player machine, and the game machine list according to switching of the player machines. A list updating unit for updating,
The switching processing unit
When a predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the progress of the game, one visitor machine in the game machine list is determined as a new player machine, and a switching notification for notifying the switching of the player machine is sent to the new player machine. A switching notification part to transmit,
A function disabling unit that disables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is transmitted;
The switching corresponding part is
A function enabling unit that enables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is received;
The game machine list is updated to indicate that the own machine functions as a player machine instead of the game machine from which the switching notification is transmitted, and a new player machine notification indicating the updated contents is generated, A new player machine notification unit for transmitting to other game machines,
The list update unit, upon receiving a new player machine notification from the new player machine, updates the player machine and the visitor machine in the game machine list of the own machine based on the new player machine notification. A game machine that features. A server and a plurality of game machines capable of transmitting and receiving information via the server, wherein the server is information relating to each of the plurality of game machines, and game machine identification information for identifying each game machine; And game machine information including function identification information indicating whether the player function unit is functioning effectively or a visitor machine where the player function unit is not functioning effectively A game machine in a game system for managing a game machine list,
An operation input unit that accepts a user operation, an image output unit that outputs a predetermined image, a storage unit that stores predetermined information, and the user can play a game on the player's own device as a player. A player function unit to be in a state, a visitor function unit that allows the user of the own device to observe the progress of the game as a visitor, and a state in which the functions of the player function unit are valid and invalid A switching unit for switching between the state and
The player function unit includes:
A game progress unit that progresses the game based on an operation to the operation input unit by the player, generates a game screen according to the progress of the game, and outputs the game screen to the image output unit;
A screen update information processing unit for generating screen update information for updating a game screen displayed on the visitor machine, and transmitting to the server so as to be transmitted to each visitor machine;
The visitor function section
When the screen update information is acquired, a screen output processing unit that updates the game screen output to the image output unit based on the screen update information,
The switching unit is
A switching processing unit that performs processing for setting another game machine as a player machine, and a switching corresponding unit that performs processing for setting the own machine as a player machine,
The switching processing unit
When a predetermined switching condition is satisfied during the progress of the game, one visitor machine in the game machine list is determined as a new player machine, and a switching notification for notifying the switching of the player machine is sent to the new player machine. A switching notification unit for transmitting to the server to be transmitted;
A function disabling unit that disables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is transmitted;
The switching corresponding part is
A function enabling unit that enables the function of the player function unit when the switching notification is received;
The new player machine notification is generated so that a new player machine notification is generated indicating that the player machine functions as a player machine on behalf of the visitor machine, and the game machine list is updated on behalf of the visitor machine. A game machine comprising: a new player machine notifying unit for transmitting a message to the server.

Images