JP2012090720A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a player from decreasing the will to continue a game in the middle of one game.SOLUTION: The game system 100 includes: a plurality of game devices 40; and a ranking server 10 connected with the plurality of game devices 40 via a network. Each game device 40 repeatedly indicates one of a plurality of prescribed courses in turn as a course on which a race vehicle of the player of the game device 40 should travel every time executing the game in an "event mode", and generates, after the game ends, trial data including the result of the game and indicating a time spent for finishing continuously traveling on the plurality of prescribed courses. When a prescribed condition is satisfied, the game device transmits the trial data generated after the end of the game to the ranking server 10. The ranking server 10 determines ordering of each player based on the trial data from each game device 40.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system.

  Conventionally, game systems using networks such as the Internet are widely known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plurality of game devices each capable of executing a driving game in which a vehicle object is operated on a game screen in accordance with a player's operation, and a server device connected to each game device via the Internet. Is disclosed.

  In the game system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a player of each game device plays a game in an “event mode” that challenges how long a predetermined course can be completed, after the game ends, The game result (data indicating the time required to complete the predetermined course) is transmitted to the server device. And a server apparatus ranks the player who played the game with the said game device based on the game result received from each game device.

JP 2000-157724 A

By the way, when a skilled player plays a game in the “event mode”, in order to update his / her past record time (maximum record), the game is played in a situation where even a slight mistake is not allowed. . For example, if a slight mistake is made immediately after the start and it is found that the record time cannot be updated even if the game is continued, the skilled player loses the willingness to continue the game and immediately stops the game.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a game system capable of preventing a player (particularly a skilled player) from losing the willingness to continue the game in the middle of one game. Let it be a solution issue.

  Means employed by the present invention to solve the above problems will be described below. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the drawings will be appended in parentheses for convenience in the following, but the present invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated forms.

  A game system (100) according to the present invention includes a plurality of game devices (40) and a first server device (10) connected to the plurality of game devices via a network, and the plurality of game devices. Each of the first communication means (75) for communicating with the first server device via a network, operation means (45, 46, 47, 48, etc.) operated by a player, and operation of the operation means. Game control means (77) for operating the vehicle operated by the player of the game device on the game screen in accordance with the operation information based on the game information and changing the game situation in accordance with the movement of the vehicle, Whenever the game control means (77) executes a game in a predetermined mode, the game operated by the player of the game device is a course to be run in the game. One of a plurality of predetermined courses is repeatedly specified in order, and after the game is completed, the result of the game is included and the time required to finish running the predetermined plurality of courses continuously is indicated. When trial data is generated and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the trial data generated after the game ends is transmitted to the first server device, and the first server device connects the plurality of game devices and the network. Via a second communication means (12) for communicating with each other via a ranking determination means (16) for determining the ranking of each player, wherein the ranking determination means (16) receives the trial received from each game device. The ranking of each player is determined based on the data.

  In the present invention, the order of the player is determined based on trial data indicating the time required for the vehicle operated by the player to finish running a predetermined plurality of courses continuously. Even if the time required to complete the specified course is not satisfactory to the player, the time required to complete another course specified in the next game can be sufficiently reduced. If possible, as a result, the time (trial data) required to complete the entire course continuously may be shorter than the record time, and the ranking may increase. In other words, even if a small mistake is made in the middle of a certain game, there is a possibility that it can recover in the next game, so that the player loses the willingness to continue the game in the middle of one game. There is an advantage that it can be prevented.

  As an aspect of the game system according to the present invention, the game control means (77), when the trial data generated immediately after the game is finished becomes the shortest data among the trial data so far. The trial data generated immediately after the game ends is transmitted to the first server device (10), and a ranking request signal for requesting ranking is transmitted to the first server device, while the shortest data is obtained. If not, only the ranking request signal is transmitted to the first server device, and the first server device further includes a storage unit (14) for storing the trial data for each player, and the ranking determination The means (16) receives the trial data and the ranking request signal from the game device. The content of the storage unit is updated by recording the received trial data in the storage unit, and based on the trial data of each player stored in the updated storage unit, the player of the game device While determining the ranking, when only the ranking request signal is received from the game device, the storage unit is not updated, but based on the trial data of each player stored in the storage unit at that time The mode of determining the ranking of the players of the game device may be employed.

  In this aspect, when the trial data generated immediately after the end of one game is the shortest data, the game control means (77) sends both the generated trial data and the ranking request signal to the first server device. On the other hand, when the generated trial data is not the shortest data, the generated trial data is not transmitted to the first server device, but only the ranking request signal is transmitted to the first server device. There is an advantage that the processing load of the game device is reduced as compared with an aspect in which trial data generated immediately after the game is finished each time the game is finished is transmitted to the first server device.

  Moreover, in this aspect, since the first server device (10) performs the update process of the storage unit when receiving the shortest trial data from the game device, the game is finished every time the game is finished. There is also an advantage that the processing load of the server device is reduced as compared with the mode in which the trial data generated immediately after is received and the storage unit is updated.

  As a specific aspect of the game system according to the present invention, a second server device (20) connected to the plurality of game devices via a network, a communicatively connected to the second server device, and A third server device (30) for storing game data including trial data for each player, and each of the plurality of game devices includes third communication means (76) for communicating with the second server device. The game control means, when executing the game, transmits a request signal requesting the game data corresponding to a player of the game device to the second server device, and sends the requested game data to the second server device. The game is started after being received from the two server devices, and when the game ends, the game result is transmitted to the second server device, The second server device includes a fourth communication means (22) for communicating with the plurality of game devices via a network, a fifth communication means (24) for communicating with the third server device, and the second server device. A control unit (26) for comprehensively controlling the request, and when the control unit (26) detects the reception of the request signal from the game device, the control unit (26) transmits the received request signal to the third server. When it is detected that the game data requested by the request signal is received from the third server device, the received game data is transmitted to the game device that has transmitted the request signal. On the other hand, when it is detected that the game result is received from the game device, the received game result is transferred to the third server device, The third server device includes sixth communication means (32) for communicating with the second server device, a database unit (34) for storing the game data for each player, and the game data stored in the database unit. And a data management unit (36) for reading and updating the data, and when the data management unit (36) detects that the request signal is received from the second server device, the requested game data is displayed. When reading from the database unit and transmitting the read game data to the second server device while detecting that the game result has been received from the second server device, the received game result is stored in the database. It may be a mode in which the contents of the database section are updated by recording in the section.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a game device. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a game device. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of a ranking server. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a front server. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a database server. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a game device. It is a figure which shows an example of an alerting | reporting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the game image | video displayed on a display part during a race. It is a figure which shows typically the result of the time attack race preserve | saved at the memory | storage part. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the specific content of trial data registration processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the specific content of a ranking process.

<A: Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 100 includes a plurality of stores (game facilities) BL, a ranking server 10 and a front server 20 that can communicate with each store BL, and a database server 30 that can communicate with the front server 20. Consists of including.

Each store BL includes a plurality of game devices 40 and a router 50, and each game device 40 in the store BL is connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network) via the router 50. A WAN that enables network communication using the TCP / IP protocol is used. Typically, the Internet is used.
The ranking server 10 is connected to the WAN via the router 60. Further, the front server 20 is connected to the WAN via the router 70. Thereby, each device (ranking server 10, front server 20, game device 40) on the network (WAN) can communicate with each other via the router (50, 60, 70). Therefore, each game device 40 can communicate with the ranking server 10, the front server 20, the other game devices 40 in the own store BL, and the game devices 40 in the other store BL.
Each server (10, 20, 30) is functionally distinct, and may be physically built in the same server.

  The game realized by the game system 100 is a type in which the game situation changes as an object assigned to the player moves on the screen of the game device 40 in accordance with an operation by the player of each game device 40. It is a game, specifically a game on the theme of car racing.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a certain game device 40. Other game apparatuses 40 have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, the game apparatus 40 includes a seat part 41 on which a player is seated, a main body part 42 disposed in front of the seat part 41, and a display part 43.

  A support base 44 is connected to the left side surface of the seat portion 41, and a shift lever 45 is operably mounted on the upper surface of the support base 44. The main body 42 is provided with various operation buttons (not shown) and a coin slot (not shown) in addition to the operation handle 46, the accelerator pedal 47, and the brake pedal 48. In the present embodiment, in order for a player to participate in a game developed on the game apparatus 40, it is required to insert coins (coins) into the coin insertion slot of the game apparatus 40. In this embodiment, one game is started in exchange for consumption of one coin (that is, on the condition of charging). The charging condition for starting the game is arbitrary. For example, one game may be started in exchange for the consumption of two or more coins.

  The display unit 43 is a means for displaying the progress and results of the game, and is provided on the upper surface of the main body unit 42 so that the display surface faces the player seated on the seat unit 41. The display unit 43 is configured by a liquid crystal display device, for example. In addition, the seat portion 41 is provided with 3D glasses 36 that are set so that the lens is positioned between the head of the player who is seated and the display portion 43, integrally with the seat portion 41. A player seated on the seat unit 41 can see the video displayed on the display unit 43 through the lens of the 3D glasses 36, and the display unit is displayed by the parallax between the video incident on the right eye and the video incident on the left eye. The image displayed on 43 can be recognized three-dimensionally. In the present embodiment, the player can switch between 2D display and 3D display by operating an operation button (not shown) provided on the main body 42.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the game apparatus 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the game apparatus 40 includes a display unit 43, an operation information generation unit 71, a reception unit 72, a coin sensor 73, a storage unit 74, a first communication unit 75, and a third communication unit. 76 and a control device 77.
The operation information generation unit 71 is means for generating operation information for specifying the content of the operation by the player. The operation information generation unit 71 is an operation operated by the player such as the shift lever 45, the operation handle 46, the accelerator pedal 47, the brake pedal 48 (see FIG. 2 above), and various operation buttons (not shown). Connected to the means. For example, when the player performs an operation of rotating the operation handle 46 by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction, the operation information generation unit 71 generates information specifying the operation content as operation information and transmits it to the control device 77. Condition.

The accepting unit 72 is means for accepting an ID input by the player and transmitting the input ID to the control device 77. In this embodiment, each player can play a game using a portable medium in which an ID that is information that can identify the player is recorded. Although a detailed description is omitted here, the player obtains an ID by performing a predetermined registration operation. The acquired ID is written on a portable medium. In this embodiment, an IC card is employed as a portable medium, and a known reader that reads the player ID recorded on the IC card is employed as the accepting unit 72.
The coin sensor 73 is a means for detecting a coin inserted into the coin insertion slot.

  The storage unit 74 is a means for storing various data, and is composed of a rewritable memory. The first communication unit 75 is a wired or wireless communication interface, and is means for communicating with the ranking server 10 according to a predetermined protocol under the control of the control device 77. The third communication unit 76 is a wired or wireless communication interface, and is a means for communicating with the front server 20 according to a predetermined protocol under the control of the control device 77. The control device 77 is a computer, and executes various control processes according to a predetermined program to control the entire game device in an integrated manner. The control device 77 includes a nonvolatile memory (ROM or flash memory) in which a program is stored, a hard disk, or the like.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the ranking server 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the ranking server 10 includes a second communication unit 12, a storage unit 14, and a control device 16. The second communication unit 12 is a wired or wireless communication interface, and is a means for communicating with the game device 40 according to a predetermined protocol under the control of the control device 16. The memory | storage part 14 is a means to memorize | store the trial data mentioned later for every player. The control device 16 is a computer and executes various control processes to control the entire ranking server as a whole.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the front server 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the front server 20 includes a fourth communication unit 22, a fifth communication unit 24, and a control device 26. The fourth communication unit 22 is a wired or wireless communication interface, and is a means for communicating with the game device 40 according to a predetermined protocol under the control of the control device 26. The fifth communication unit 24 is a wired or wireless communication interface, and is a means for communicating with the database server 30 according to a predetermined protocol under the control of the control device 26. The control device 26 is a computer and executes various control processes to control the entire front server in an integrated manner.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the database server 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the database server 30 includes a sixth communication unit 32, a database unit 34, and a control device 36. The sixth communication unit 32 is a wired or wireless communication interface, and is a means for communicating with the front server 20 according to a predetermined protocol under the control of the control device 36.
The database unit 34 stores corresponding data for each registered player. The data stored in the database unit 34 includes, for example, a player ID, a password for authentication set at the time of ID registration, and play data. The play data is a set of information indicating the results of the game played by the player so far, the number of times played, the number of points acquired so far, the number of race cars owned by the player, the type, the ability level value, and the like. . In the present embodiment, every time one game is finished, points with a value corresponding to the result are given to the player. The ability level value of the race vehicle owned by the player is set to a predetermined value in an initial state where the game has never been played on the race vehicle, and increases according to the accumulated value of points acquired by repeated play. Go. And the higher the ability level value of the race vehicle, the more advantageous in the game.
The control device 36 is a computer and executes various control processes to control the entire database server as a whole.

  Next, a procedure for a player to execute a car racing game using an IC card in which his / her ID is recorded will be described. First, the player inserts a coin into the coin insertion slot of the game apparatus 40 that he or she is going to play, and inputs the ID by holding the IC card over the reception unit 72. When the control device 77 receives a coin detection signal indicating that a coin has been inserted into the coin insertion slot from the coin sensor 73 and receives the input ID from the accepting unit 72, the control device 77 displays a screen prompting the input of a personal identification number. The display unit 43 is controlled to display. Looking at this, the player operates an operation button (not shown) provided on the main body 42 of the game apparatus 40 to input a password for authentication set in advance at the time of ID registration. At this time, the operation information generation unit 71 generates operation information indicating the personal identification number input by the player and transmits it to the control device 77.

  When the control device 77 recognizes the password input by the player, the control device 77 controls the front server 20 to transmit a password request signal indicating that a normal password corresponding to the input ID is requested. To do. The control device 16 of the front server 20 that has received the personal identification number request signal transfers the personal identification number request signal to the database server 30. The control device 26 of the database server 30 that has received the personal identification number request signal controls to read the regular personal identification number corresponding to the ID from the database unit 34 and to transmit the read regular personal identification number to the front server 20. To do. When receiving the regular password from the database server 30, the control device 16 of the front server 20 controls to transmit the received regular password as a response to the game device 40 that has requested the password.

  When receiving the normal password from the front server 20, the control device 77 determines whether or not the received normal password matches the password entered by the player. If the password entered by the player matches the regular password, the control device 77 authenticates that the player is a valid player.

  When authenticating that the player is a valid player, the control device 77 controls the front server 20 to transmit a play data request signal indicating that the play data corresponding to the ID of the player is requested. The control device 16 of the front server 20 that has received the play data request signal transfers the play data request signal to the database server 30. The control device 26 of the database server 30 that has received the play data request signal controls to read play data corresponding to the ID of the player from the database unit 34 and transmit the read play data to the front server 20. When receiving the play data corresponding to the ID of the player from the database server 30, the control device 16 of the front server 20 transmits the received play data as a response to the game device 40 that has transmitted the play data request signal. To control. When the control device 77 of the game device 40 receives the play data from the front server 20, the control device 77 stores the received play data in the storage unit 74 in association with the input player ID.

  When the player authentication and the play data reading are completed, the control device 77 controls the display unit 43 to display a screen that prompts the user to select a game mode. In this embodiment, “challenge mode” for challenging various missions such as “goal in 1st place” and “draw 20 cars during race”, “in-store battle mode” where two or more players in the same store BL play against each other. “National Battle Mode” where players with relatively close levels among players in all the stores BL compete one-on-one, run on one course selected by the players, compete for time, and rank for each course Of the five modes, “Time Attack Mode” that is displayed and “Event Mode” that performs a race (referred to as “Time Attack Race”) that challenges how long a specified course can be completed in a short time A screen that prompts the user to select one of these is displayed on the display unit 43. In the present embodiment, the “event mode” can be selected only when a predetermined event (referred to as “time attack event”) is held. Looking at the display screen of the display unit 43, the player selects any one mode by operating an operation handle 46 provided in the main body unit 42. At this time, the operation information generation unit 71 generates operation information for specifying the operation content of the player (here, information indicating which mode the player has selected) and transmits the operation information to the control device 77. Then, the control device 77 controls the progress of the game according to the mode selected by the player.

  Here, the operation of the game apparatus 40 will be described assuming that the “event mode” is selected. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the game apparatus 40 when the “event mode” is selected. Hereinafter, this will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In the first step S101, when the control device 77 detects that the player of the game device 40 has selected the “event mode”, a predetermined plurality of courses are set as courses that the race vehicle of the player should run in the current time attack race. Specify one of the courses. In the present embodiment, three types of courses (each referred to as “first course”, “second course”, and “third course”) are prepared in advance as courses used in the time attack race, Whenever the time attack race is executed, the control device 77 repeatedly designates one of the three types of courses in order as a course on which the race vehicle of the player of the game device 40 should run. More specifically, the control device 77 specifies the first course when the player performs the first time attack race, and specifies the second course when the player performs the second time attack race. When the player performs the third time attack race, the third course is designated. And the control apparatus 77 is the condition of specifying again in order from the 1st course again when the said player performs the time attack race after the 4th time.

The control device 77 controls the display unit 43 so as to display a notification screen informing the player after the race vehicle of the player of the game device 40 has designated the course to be run in the current game. FIG. 8 is an example of a notification screen displayed on the display unit 43, and the rule description of the time attack event is also displayed in addition to the designated course. As shown in FIG. 8, each of the three types of courses (designated courses) prepared in advance includes information indicating a course, information indicating a traveling direction, and information indicating a road surface state. For example, when attention is paid to “Circuit / Sequential / Dry” which is one of three types of courses, “Circuit” is information indicating the course, “Sequential” is information indicating the traveling direction, and “Dry” "Is information indicating the road surface condition. Here, “Circuit / Sequential / Dry” corresponds to the first course, “Metropolitan Expressway / Reverse / Wet” corresponds to the second course, and “Urban / Sequential / Dry” corresponds to the third course. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the first course (“circuit / forward / dry”) is designated as the course to be run in the current time attack race.
In the present embodiment, the ranking of the players is performed based on the total time of three consecutive courses (first course, second course, and third course). Furthermore, a special bonus (medal bonus) is given depending on the result of the event, and the dedicated challenge is lifted depending on the number of event participation, but detailed explanation is omitted here. The player can also skip the notification screen by operating the accelerator pedal 47.

  After step S101, the control device 77 proceeds to the next step S102, and refers to the play data stored in the storage unit 74, while referring to the play data stored in the storage device 74, the race vehicle used in the current time attack race. The display unit 43 is controlled to display a vehicle selection screen that prompts the user to select the vehicle. In the present embodiment, when a player who has registered ID plays a game for the first time (when the number of past plays is 0), he selects his favorite racing vehicle from 19 types of racing vehicles. A screen prompting that is displayed as a car selection screen. On the other hand, if the past number of plays is one or more, the car selection screen is a screen that prompts the user to select one of the race cars that he / she selected first or the race car newly obtained during the game. It is displayed. The player selects a race vehicle to be used in the current time attack race by operating an operation button (not shown) provided on the main body 42 by looking at the car select screen. At this time, the operation information generation unit 71 generates operation information for specifying the operation content of the player (in this case, information indicating the race vehicle selected by the player) and transmits the operation information to the control device 77. Based on the received operation information, the control device 77 determines a race vehicle to be used by the player in the current time attack race, and proceeds to the next step S103.

  In step S103, the control device 77 controls the display unit 43 to display an AT / MT selection screen that prompts the user to select either the automatic mode (AT) or the manual mode (MT) as the mission mode. To do. By looking at the AT / MT selection screen, the player of the game apparatus 40 operates an operation button (not shown) provided on the main body 42, so that an automatic mode (AT) or a manual mode (MT) is selected. Select either of these. At this time, the operation information generation unit 71 generates operation information (information indicating the mission mode selected by the player) for specifying the operation content of the player and transmits it to the control device 77. Based on the received operation information, the control device 77 determines the mission mode of the race vehicle used by the player in the current time attack race, and proceeds to the next step S104.

  In step S104, the control device 77 adjusts the specification of the race vehicle by allocating the ability level value of the race vehicle selected by itself to a plurality of predetermined parameters (items) to the player of the game device 40. The display unit 43 is controlled to display a setting screen that prompts the user to perform setting. In the present embodiment, two types of parameters, grip and power, are employed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the type and number of parameters are arbitrary. When the ability level value of a race vehicle is allocated more to the power than the grip, the specification is focused on power. For example, the ability level value is 50, 30 of which are allocated to power and the remaining 20 are allocated to grips. In addition, when the ability level value of a race vehicle is allocated more to the grip than the power, the specification is focused on the cornering stability on the curve. For example, the ability level value is 50, 20 of which are allocated to power and the remaining 30 are allocated to grips.

  However, in order to prevent the allocation of capability level values from being extremely biased, in this embodiment, when the amount allocated to only one (for example, only power) exceeds a predetermined amount (here, “5”), the parameter The assignment of ability level values to is temporarily prohibited, and only assignment of ability level values to the other parameter (grip) is allowed. After that, when the amount assigned to the other parameter (grip) reaches a predetermined amount (here, “5”), the ability level value for one parameter (power) that has been prohibited from being assigned to the ability level value until then. The allocation is set to be allowed again. Looking at the setting screen, the player of the game apparatus 40 operates the operation button (not shown) provided on the main body 42 to set the race vehicle selected by the player. At this time, the operation information generation unit 71 generates operation information specifying the operation content of the player (in this case, information indicating the content of the setting performed by the player) and transmits it to the control device 77. Based on the received operation information, the control device 77 determines the specifications of the race vehicle used by the player in the current time attack race.

  After step S104, the control device 77 controls to start a time attack race (step S105). Based on the operation information of the player of the game device 40, the control device 77 controls the player to operate the race vehicle on the game screen and change the game situation according to the movement of the race vehicle. . FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game image displayed on the display unit 43 during the race. As shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 43 displays a video 101 of the race vehicle, which is an object operated by the player of the game apparatus 40, superimposed on the course video 102. The course video 102 is controlled so that a certain range is drawn based on the video 101 of the race vehicle selected by the player. In addition, images of other race vehicles included in the drawing range can also be displayed in the course image 102. Note that the control of the racing vehicle in the car racing game is the same as in the well-known car racing game.

  As shown in FIG. 9, on the course video 102, a tachometer (rotometer) 103, a speedometer 104, a damage meter 105, a positional relationship display object 106, and the like are appropriately displayed. The damage meter 105 indicates damage data indicating the degree of damage received by the race vehicle of the player of the game apparatus 40 colliding with another race vehicle or the outer wall of the course. The control device 77 manages damage data indicating the degree of damage received by the race vehicle during the running of the race vehicle operated by the player of the game device 40. If the damage data exceeds a reference value, the damage meter 105 The display unit 43 is controlled so that the display of exceeds the upper limit value, and the display unit 43 is controlled so as to display an image in which the race vehicle crashes. When a race vehicle crashes, the race vehicle cannot run during the period when the crash video is displayed.

  When the time attack race is completed (when the result of step S106 in FIG. 7 is affirmative), the control device 77 refers to the play data stored in the storage unit 74 and the number of time attack races performed by the player of the game device 40. However, it is determined whether or not there are three or more times including the current time attack race (step S107).

  If the result of step S107 is affirmative, the control device 77 generates trial data indicating the time required to finish running the three types of courses continuously, including the result of the current time attack race (step S108). More specifically, it is as follows. Now, assume that the player has finished the third time attack race. When the third time attack race is completed, the control device 77 adds up the results of the third time attack race and the results of the first and second time attack races stored in the storage unit 74. Generate trial data. As described above, the first course is designated in the first time attack race, the second course is designated in the second time attack race, and the third course is designated in the third time attack race. Therefore, the result of the first time attack race is data indicating the time required to complete the first course, and the result of the second time attack race is the time required to complete the second course. The result of the third time attack race is data indicating the time required to complete the third course. Accordingly, the sum of these data is data indicating the time required to finish running the three types of courses continuously.

  Further, for example, when the player finishes the fourth time attack race, the control device 77 determines the result of the fourth time attack race, the previous time (third time) and the previous time (second time) stored in the storage unit 74. The trial data is generated by summing up the results of the time attack race of). As described above, since the first course is designated again in the fourth time attack race, the result of the fourth time attack race is data indicating the time required to complete the first course. The result of the previous (third) time attack race is data indicating the time taken to complete the third course, and the result of the second (second) time attack race is that the second course is completed. Therefore, the total of the results of the 4th, 3rd and 2nd time attack races is data indicating the time required to finish running the three courses continuously. . The same applies to the case where the fifth time attack race or later is completed. Every time the time attack race is completed, the time required to finish the three types of courses in succession is included, including the results of the completed time attack race. That is, the trial data shown is generated.

  On the other hand, when the result of step S107 is negative, that is, when the number of time attack races performed by the player of the game apparatus 40 is less than 3 times (1 time or 2 times) including the current time attack race. Since it is impossible to calculate the time required to finish running the three kinds of courses continuously (trial data cannot be generated), the process proceeds to step S113 described later.

  After step S108, the control device 77 determines whether or not the trial data generated immediately after the end of the current time attack race is the shortest data among the trial data thus far (step S109). More specifically, it is as follows. Assume that the player has finished the fourth time attack race. When the fourth time attack race is completed, the control device 77 writes the result of the time attack race that has been completed to the storage unit 74 and, based on the result of the time attack race stored in the storage unit 74, the time attack race that has ended. Including the results, trial data is generated that indicates the time required to finish running the three courses continuously.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the results of the time attack race stored in the storage unit 74. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, for convenience of explanation, data indicating the result of the first time attack race (data indicating the time required to complete the first course) is (1) and the result of the second time attack race. Data (data indicating the time required to complete the second course) (2) Data indicating the result of the third time attack race (data indicating the time required to complete the third course) (3) Data indicating the result of the fourth time attack race (data indicating the time required to complete the first course) is denoted as (4).

  As understood from FIG. 10, the trial data generated immediately after the end of the fourth time attack race is the sum of (4), (3), and (2). In the aspect of FIG. 10, the control device 77 generates the trial data ((4) + (3) + (2)) generated immediately after the end of the fourth time attack race and immediately after the end of the third time attack race. The generated trial data ((1) + (2) + (3)) is compared. When the trial data generated immediately after the end of the fourth time attack race indicates a shorter time than the trial data generated immediately after the end of the third time attack race, It is determined that the trial data generated immediately after the end of the fourth time attack race is the shortest data. On the other hand, if the trial data generated immediately after the end of the fourth time attack race indicates a longer time than the trial data generated immediately after the end of the third time attack race, the fourth time attack race That is, the trial data generated immediately after the completion of the determination is not the shortest data.

  If the result of step S109 is affirmative, that is, if it is determined that the trial data generated immediately after the end of the current time attack race is the shortest data, the control device 77 and the generated trial data and the game A ranking request signal for requesting ranking of the players of the device 40 is transmitted to the ranking server 10 (step S110). On the other hand, if the result of step S109 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the trial data generated immediately after the end of the current time attack race is not the shortest data, the control device 77 ranks the generated trial data. Only the ranking request signal is transmitted to the ranking server 10 without being transmitted to the server 10 (step S111).

  Upon receiving trial data from each game device 40, the ranking server 10 executes trial data registration processing for registering the received trial data in the storage unit 14. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of trial data registration processing executed by the ranking server 10. The specific contents of the trial data registration process will be described below with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the control device 16 of the ranking server 10 first determines whether or not trial data has been received (step S201). When the result of step S201 is affirmative, the control device 16 updates the contents of the storage unit 14 by recording the received trial data in the storage unit 14 (step S202). More specifically, the control device 16 updates the trial data corresponding to the player of the game device 40 that has transmitted the trial data among the trial data of each player stored in the storage unit 14 to the received trial data. To do. That is, the storage unit 14 stores the shortest trial data of each player. This completes one trial data registration process. The trial data registration process described above is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  In addition, when the ranking server 10 receives a ranking request signal from each game device 40, the ranking server 10 executes a ranking process for determining ranking of the players of the game device 40 that has transmitted the ranking request signal. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the ranking process executed by the ranking server 10. Hereinafter, specific contents of the ranking process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the control device 16 of the ranking server 10 first determines whether or not a ranking request signal has been received from the game device 40 (step S301). When the result of step S301 is affirmative, the control device 16 determines the rank of the player of the game device 40 that has transmitted both of the ranking request signals based on the trial data of each player stored in the storage unit 14 ( Step S302). The shorter the time indicated by the trial data (the time required to finish running the three types of courses) is, the higher the ranking of the player is.

  After step S302, the control device 16 transmits information indicating the ranking of the players determined in step S302 (referred to as “ranking result”) to the game device 40 that has transmitted the ranking request signal (step S303). This completes one ranking process. The ranking process described above is repeatedly executed at a predetermined cycle.

  Returning to FIG. 7 again, the specific operation of the game apparatus 40 will be described. The control device 77 of the game apparatus 40 transmits both the trial data and the ranking request signal to the ranking server 10 in the above-described step S110, or after transmitting only the ranking request signal to the ranking server 10 in the above-described step S111. Then, it is determined whether or not a ranking result has been received from the ranking server 10 (step S112). When the result of step S112 is affirmative, that is, when the ranking result is received from the ranking server 10, the control device 77 determines the ranking of the player of the game device 40, the number of points to be given, and the time attack time end point. The display unit 43 is controlled so as to display the ability level value of the race vehicle (step S113). In addition, the control device 77 transmits the game result to the front server 20 together with the ID of the player of the game device 40. The control device 26 of the front server 20 controls to transmit the ID and game result received from the game device 40 to the database server 30. Then, the control unit 36 of the database server 30 controls to record the ID and game result received from the front server 20 in the database unit 34. Thereby, the data in the database unit 34 is updated.

  After step S113, the control device 77 inquires of the player of the game device 40 whether or not it is desired to continue the game (step S114). More specifically, if the control device 77 desires to continue the game, the control unit 77 displays the display unit 43 so as to display a screen prompting to insert a predetermined number of coins within a predetermined period (for example, within 10 seconds). Control. Looking at this, the player performs an operation according to his / her intention. For example, when it is desired to continue the game, the player inserts one coin into the coin insertion slot. When the control device 77 receives from the coin sensor a coin detection signal indicating that one coin has been inserted into the coin insertion slot within a predetermined period, the control device 77 detects that the player desires to continue the game.

  If the result of step S114 is negative, that is, if the player does not wish to continue the game, the game ends as it is. On the other hand, if the result of step S114 is affirmative, that is, if the player wishes to continue the game, the control device 77 controls to execute the game again in the “event mode”.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the rank of the player is determined based on the trial data indicating the time required for the race vehicle operated by the player to finish running the three types of courses continuously. So, for example, even if the time taken to complete the course specified in one game (time attack race) is not satisfactory to the player, another course specified in the next game If the time required to complete the race can be shortened sufficiently, as a result, the time required to complete the entire course continuously (trial data) will be shorter than the past record time, and the ranking will rise. It is possible. In other words, even if a small mistake is made in the middle of a certain game, there is a possibility that it can recover in the next game, so that the player loses the willingness to continue the game in the middle of one game. There is an advantage that it can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, when the trial data generated immediately after the end of one time attack race is the shortest data, the control device 77 of the game apparatus 40 uses both the generated trial data and the ranking request signal. When the generated trial data is not the shortest data, the generated trial data is not transmitted to the ranking server 10 and only the ranking request signal is transmitted to the ranking server 10. Therefore, there is an advantage that the processing load of the game apparatus 40 is reduced as compared with the aspect in which the trial data generated immediately after the time attack race is finished each time the time attack race is finished, is transmitted to the ranking server 10.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the ranking server 10 performs the update process of the storage unit 14 when receiving the shortest trial data from the game device 40, so that the time attack race ends each time the time attack race ends. There is also an advantage that the processing load of the ranking server 10 is reduced as compared with the aspect in which the trial data generated immediately after is received and the storage unit 14 is updated.

<B: Modification>
Various modifications are added to the above embodiment. Specific modifications are exemplified below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be merged.

(1) Modification 1
In the above-described embodiment, data indicating the time required to complete three types of courses continuously is adopted as trial data, but not limited to this, for example, two types or four or more types of courses are continuously provided. Data indicating the time required to complete the race can be used as trial data. In short, the above-described trial data may be data indicating the time required to continuously run a predetermined plurality of courses, and the type and number of courses can be arbitrarily set.

(2) Modification 2
In the above-described embodiment, when the trial data generated immediately after the end of one time attack race is the shortest data, the control device 77 of the game apparatus 40 transmits the generated trial data to the ranking server 10. On the other hand, when the generated trial data is not the shortest data, the generated trial data is not transmitted to the ranking server 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control device 77, every time the time attack race ends, It may be an aspect (an aspect of Modification 2) in which trial data generated immediately after the end of the time attack race is transmitted to the ranking server 10. However, according to the above-described embodiment, there is an advantage that the processing load of the game apparatus 40 is reduced as compared with the aspect of the second modification.

(3) Modification 3
In the above-described embodiment, the ranking server 10 performs the update process of the storage unit 14 when receiving the shortest trial data from the game device 40. However, the ranking server 10 is not limited to this, and for example, the ranking server 10 A mode (mode of the third modification example) in which the trial data generated immediately after the time attack race is finished and the update process of the storage unit 14 is performed every time the race is finished may be used. However, according to the above-described embodiment, there is an advantage that the processing load of the ranking server 10 is reduced as compared with the aspect of the third modification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ranking server, 12 ... 2nd communication part, 14 ... Memory | storage part, 16 ... Control apparatus, 20 ... Front server, 22 ... 4th communication part, 24 ... 5th communication part, 26 ... ... Control device, 30 ... Database server, 32 ... Sixth communication unit, 34 ... Database unit, 36 ... Control device, 40 ... Game device, 41 ... Seat unit, 42 ... Main unit, 43 ... ... Display unit, 44 ... Support base, 45 ... Shift lever, 46 ... Operating handle, 47 ... Accelerator pedal, 48 ... Brake pedal, 49 ... 3D glasses, 50, 60, 70 ... Router, 71 ……
Operation information generation unit, 72... Accepting unit, 73... Coin sensor, 74... Storage unit, 75... First communication unit, 76. , 101... Race vehicle image, 102. Course image, 103. Tachometer, 104. Speedometer, 105. Damage meter, 106 a. First object, 106 b.

Claims (3)

A plurality of game devices;
A first server device connected to the plurality of game devices via a network,
Each of the plurality of game devices includes
First communication means for communicating with the first server device via a network;
Operating means operated by the player;
Game control means for operating a vehicle operated by a player of the game device on a game screen in accordance with operation information based on an operation of the operation means, and changing a game situation according to the movement of the vehicle; Prepared,
The game control means includes
Each time a game in a predetermined mode is executed, a vehicle operated by a player of the game device is repeatedly designated in order as one of a plurality of predetermined courses as a course to be run in the game. After the game is finished, trial data including the result of the game and indicating the time required to finish running the predetermined courses continuously is generated, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, Sending the trial data generated after the completion to the first server device;
The first server device
Second communication means for communicating with the plurality of game devices via a network;
Ranking determination means for determining the ranking of each player,
The ranking determining means includes
Determining the ranking of each player based on the trial data received from each game device;
A game system characterized by that. The game control means includes
When the trial data generated immediately after the game ends is the shortest data among the trial data thus far, the trial data generated immediately after the game ends is used as the first server device. And a ranking request signal for requesting ranking is transmitted to the first server device, and if the shortest data is not obtained, only the ranking request signal is transmitted to the first server device,
The first server device
A storage unit for storing the trial data for each player;
The ranking determining means includes
When the trial data and the ranking request signal are received from the game device, the received trial data is recorded in the storage unit to update the content of the storage unit and stored in the updated storage unit While determining the ranking of the players of the game device based on the trial data of each player,
When only the ranking request signal is received from the game device, the storage unit is not updated, and the player of the game device is based on the trial data of each player stored in the storage unit at that time. Determine the ranking of the
The game system according to claim 1. A second server device connected to the plurality of game devices via a network;
A third server device that is communicably connected to the second server device and that stores game data including the trial data for each player;
Each of the plurality of game devices includes
Comprising third communication means for communicating with the second server device;
The game control means includes
When the game is executed, a request signal for requesting the game data corresponding to the player of the game device is transmitted to the second server device, and after the requested game data is received from the second server device, When the game is started and the game ends, the game result is transmitted to the second server device,
The second server device is
Fourth communication means for communicating with the plurality of game devices via a network;
Fifth communication means for communicating with the third server device;
A control unit that comprehensively controls the second server device,
The controller is
When it is detected that the request signal is received from the game device, the received request signal is transferred to the third server device, and the game data requested by the request signal is received from the third server device. When it is detected that the received game data is transmitted to the game device that has transmitted the request signal,
Upon detecting that the game result has been received from the game device, the received game result is transferred to the third server device,
The third server device is
Sixth communication means for communicating with the second server device;
A database unit for storing the game data for each player;
A data management unit that reads and updates the game data stored in the database unit,
The data management unit
Upon detecting that the request signal has been received from the second server device, the requested game data is read from the database unit, and the read game data is transmitted to the second server device, 2 When it is detected that the game result is received from the server device, the received game result is recorded in the database unit, and the content of the database unit is updated.
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game system is a game system.

Images