JP2001187270A - Game system and storage medium capable of being read by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system enhancing a game characteristic using an image for instructing operation timing. SOLUTION: This game system is provided with operating buttons 7 that can be operated by a player; storage devices 15, 16 and 17 stored with data defining the operation timing of the operating buttons 7 during a game; an image description control device 11 for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing of the operating buttons 7 during the game, on a screen of a monitor 3; and a CPU 10 for evaluating the operation timing of the operating buttons 7 of the player. The changeover is made between a first mode of making the image description control device 11 instruct all the operation timings stored in the storage devices 15, 16 and 17 as an object to be operated by the player, and a second mode of making the image description control device 11 instruct only a part of the operation timings stored in the storage devices 15, 16 and 17 as the object to be operated by the player.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game system configured to enjoy an operation according to music or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Players have the pleasure of superimposing sound effects such as DJ (Disc Jockey) on music played as BGM (Back Ground Music) or adding an ad-lib performance to produce music. A game system is currently on the market (for example, see the product "Beatmania" manufactured and sold by Konami Corporation). In this type of game system, a plurality of operation members to be operated in accordance with music are provided, and an indicator for instructing operation timing of the operation members is displayed on a game screen.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned game system, the display of the indicator is controlled only for the purpose of precisely instructing the player on the operation timing. No attempt has been made to increase the fun or surprisingness of the game.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system that enhances game characteristics by using an image for designating operation timing.

[0005]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

The game system according to the present invention stores a display device (3) for displaying a game screen, an operation member (7) that can be operated by a player, and data defining operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game. Storage device (1
5, 16 and 17) and the operation member (7) during the game based on the data stored in the storage device (15, 16, 17).
Operation instructing means (11) for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing of the player on the screen of the display device (3), evaluation means (10) for evaluating the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7), A storage device (15, 1) is provided to the instruction means (11) as an object to be operated by the player.
A first mode for instructing all operation timings stored in (6, 17), and a storage device (15, 1) as an object to be operated by the player by the operation instruction means (11).
Mode switching means (10) for switching between the second modes for instructing only a part of the operation timings stored in (6, 17).

According to the present invention, the storage device (15, 1)
A first mode using all operation timings stored in (6, 17), and a storage device (15, 16, 17)
Can be switched to the second mode using only a part of the operation timing stored in the game device, so that the degree of difficulty of the game can be changed by switching the image displayed on the display device (3). . Therefore, by switching the mode, the difficulty of the game can be adapted to the skill of the player. In addition, the game characteristics can be enhanced by appropriately setting the mode switching conditions.

In the second mode, the operation instruction means (11)
May display some operation timings that are targeted by the player's operation and hide other operation timings that are not targeted by the player's operation.

In the second mode, the operation instruction means (11)
May be displayed so as to distinguish between some operation timings that are targeted by the player's operation and other operation timings that are not targeted by the player's operation.

The game system of the present invention stores a game screen display device (3), an operation member (7) that can be operated by a player, and data defining operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game. Storage device (1
5, 16 and 17) and the operation member (7) during the game based on the data stored in the storage device (15, 16, 17).
Operation instructing means (11) for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing of the player on the screen of the display device (3), evaluation means (10) for evaluating the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7), and evaluation The first mode in which the operation timing of the player is evaluated by the means (10) and the evaluation result is reflected in the score of the player, and the operation result of the player is considered to be correct, and the evaluation result in that case is reflected in the score. And a mode switching means (10) for switching between the second modes.

According to the present invention, it is possible to switch between the first mode in which the evaluation result of the player's operation timing is reflected in the player's score and the second mode in which the player's operation timing is regarded as correct. In the second mode, the player can pause the operation of the operation member (7). Therefore,
By switching the mode, the difficulty of the game can be adapted to the skill of the player. In addition, the game characteristics can be enhanced by appropriately setting the mode switching conditions.

The game system of the present invention stores a game screen display device (3), an operation member (7) that can be operated by a player, and data defining operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game. Storage device (1
5, 16 and 17) and the operation member (7) during the game based on the data stored in the storage device (15, 16, 17).
Operation instructing means (11) for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing of the player on the screen of the display device (3), evaluation means (10) for evaluating the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7), and evaluation The first mode in which the operation timing of the player is evaluated by the means (10) and the evaluation result is reflected in the score of the player, and a higher score than the first mode for the same evaluation result by the evaluation means (10) Mode switching means (10) for switching between a second mode for giving the player a second mode,
It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, the mode can be switched between the first mode and the second mode in which a score higher than the first mode is given to the player for the same evaluation result. This makes it possible to adapt the difficulty of the game to the skill of the player. In addition, the game characteristics can be enhanced by appropriately setting the mode switching conditions.

[0014] The game system of the present invention provides a display device for displaying a game screen having a plurality of operation members (7) that can be operated by a player and a plurality of tracks corresponding to each of the plurality of operation members (7). 3), a storage device (15, 16, 17) for storing data defining operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game, and data stored in the storage device (15, 16, 17). The operation instruction means (11) for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game on the screen of the display device (3) and the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7) are evaluated. The operation instruction means (11) includes an evaluation means (10) and a mode switching means (10) for switching a game mode between a first mode and a second mode. As an image for instructing the imaging, an index for instructing each operation of the operation member (7) is displayed on a track provided for each of the operation members (7), and the index is displayed on each track. Is moved on the screen of the display device (3) in accordance with the progress of the game so that the operation timing of the operation member corresponding to the indicator comes when the predetermined position is reached. The number of operation members (7) and tracks used in the first mode is smaller than the number of operation members (7) and tracks used in the first mode.

According to the present invention, the first mode and the second mode in which the number of operation members (7) and tracks used in the first mode are smaller than the number of operation members (7) and tracks used in the first mode. Since the mode can be switched, the difficulty level of the game can be adapted to the skill of the player by switching the mode. In addition, the game characteristics can be enhanced by appropriately setting the mode switching conditions.

The game system of the present invention stores a game screen display device (3), an operation member (7) that can be operated by a player, and data defining operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game. Storage device (1
5, 16 and 17) and the operation member (7) during the game based on the data stored in the storage device (15, 16, 17).
Operation instructing means (11) for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing on the screen of the display device (3), evaluation means (10) for evaluating the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7), and a game. Mode switching means (10) for switching the mode between the first mode and the second mode. The operation instruction means (11) includes an operation member (7) as an image for instructing operation timing. An index for instructing the operation of (3) is displayed on the screen of the display device (3), and when the index reaches a predetermined position on the screen of the display device (3), the operation timing of the operation member (7) is changed. The index is moved on the screen of the display device (3) in accordance with the progress of the game so as to arrive. In the second mode, the moving direction of the index is switched to a direction different from the first mode. To.

According to the present invention, since the moving direction of the index can be switched by switching the mode, it is possible to change the difficulty level of the game by controlling the number of times of switching and the timing, and by switching the mode. The difficulty of the game can be adapted to the skill of the player. In addition, the game characteristics can be enhanced by appropriately setting the mode switching conditions.

[0018] The game system of the present invention is a display device for displaying a game screen having a plurality of operation members (7) that can be operated by a player and a plurality of tracks corresponding to each of the plurality of operation members (7). 3), a storage device (15, 16, 17) for storing data defining operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game, and data stored in the storage device (15, 16, 17). The operation instruction means (11) for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game on the screen of the display device (3) and the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7) are evaluated. The operation instruction means (11) includes an evaluation means (10) and a mode switching means (10) for switching a game mode between a first mode and a second mode. As an image for instructing the imaging, indices for instructing each operation of the operation member (7) are displayed on a plurality of tracks provided corresponding to each of the operation members (7). The index is moved on the screen of the display device (3) in accordance with the progress of the game so that the operation timing of the operation member (7) corresponding to the index comes when the predetermined position on the track is reached. In the second mode, the interval between tracks is made larger than the interval between tracks in the first mode.

According to the present invention, it is possible to switch between the first mode and the second mode in which the interval between tracks is larger than the interval between tracks in the first mode.
By switching the mode, the difficulty of the game can be adapted to the skill of the player. In addition, the game characteristics can be enhanced by appropriately setting the mode switching conditions.

A mode switching unit (10) is provided with a determination unit (10) for determining a player's skill in the game.
The mode may be switched according to the result of the determination by the determining means (10).

In this case, the difficulty of the game can be set according to the skill of the player determined by the determining means (10), so that the player's interest in the game is not lost regardless of the skill. .

The mode switching means (10) may be provided with an instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction from the player, and switch the mode when a predetermined instruction is received by the instruction receiving means.

The game system of the present invention stores a game screen display device (3), an operation member (7) that can be operated by a player, and data defining operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game. Storage device (1
5, 16 and 17) and the operation member (7) during the game based on the data stored in the storage device (15, 16, 17).
An operation instructing means (11) for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing on the screen of the display device (3) and an evaluation means (10) for evaluating the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7). Preparation and evaluation means (10)
Different evaluations are assigned to the operation members (7) for each operation timing, and the operation instruction means (11) instructs each operation timing in such a manner that the assigned evaluation can be distinguished by the player. The image is displayed on the screen of the display device (3).

According to the present invention, a different evaluation is assigned to each operation timing of the operation member (7), and the operation timing is instructed so that the player can distinguish the evaluation assigned to the operation timing. Is displayed on the screen of the display device (3).
Therefore, the player can recognize the importance of the operation timing for operating the operation member based on the evaluation assigned to each operation timing, and can enjoy playing according to the skill of the player.

The game system of the present invention comprises a game screen display device (3), a plurality of operation members (7) that can be operated by a player, and an operation member (7) during a game.
Storage devices (15, 16, 17) for storing data defining the operation timing of the storage device, and storage devices (15, 16, 1).
Operation instruction means (11) for displaying, on the screen of the display device (3), an image for instructing the operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game, based on the data stored in 7);
Evaluation means (10) for evaluating the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7), wherein the operation instructing means (11) performs each operation of the operation member (7) as an image for instructing the operation timing. Is displayed on the screen of the display device (3) in a state where the correspondence with the operation member (7) can be distinguished, and the index reaches a predetermined position on the screen of the display device (3). The display device (3) changes the index according to the progress of the game so that the operation timing of the operation member (7) corresponding to the index comes when the game is performed.
And operating the plurality of operating members (7) with one index.

According to the present invention, the operation timing for the plurality of operation members (7) is instructed by one index displayed on the display device (3), so that the player always has a single index by one index. More attention is required for the indicator as compared with the case where the operation timing for the operation member is instructed, and the game characteristics can be improved.

[0027] A predetermined score may be given to the player only when the player simultaneously operates the plurality of operation members instructed by the index at a predetermined operation timing.

In this case, since the player needs to perform simultaneous operations on a plurality of operation members, the difficulty of the game can be set relatively high.

[0029] Even if the player performs an operation at a predetermined operation timing on any of the plurality of operation members for which an operation is instructed by the index, a predetermined score may be given to the player. Good.

In this case, since the player has only to operate any one of the plurality of operation members, the difficulty level of the game can be set relatively low.

The game system according to the present invention is a display device for displaying a game screen having a plurality of operation members (7) that can be operated by a player and a plurality of tracks respectively corresponding to the plurality of operation members (7). 3), a storage device (15, 16, 17) for storing data defining operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game, and data stored in the storage device (15, 16, 17). The operation instruction means (11) for displaying an image for instructing the operation timing of the operation member (7) during the game on the screen of the display device (3) and the operation timing of the player on the operation member (7) are evaluated. And an operation instruction means (11) for instructing each operation of the operation member (7) as an image for instructing operation timing. Causes display on a track which is provided corresponding to each of the indicators the operating member (7),
When the first index reaches a predetermined position on each track, the first index is displayed in accordance with the progress of the game so that the operation timing of the operation member (7) corresponding to the first index comes. The operation instruction means (11) moves on the screen adjacent to the track on which the first index is displayed together with the first index at the same time as the operation timing of the first index. The second index is displayed as an instruction of the operation timing of the first, and the evaluation means (10) displays the first index.
Giving a predetermined evaluation to the player when the operation members (7) corresponding to the first index and the second index are simultaneously operated at a predetermined time according to the operation timing indicated by the index and the second index. A game system characterized by the following.

According to the present invention, the player is required to simultaneously operate the two operating members (7) specified by the first index and the second index in order to obtain a predetermined evaluation. Can be set relatively high, and the game characteristics can be enhanced.

A sound effect generating means (4, 5, 10) for generating a sound effect according to an operation on the operation member (7) may be provided.

[0034]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the game system of the present invention is configured as an arcade game machine installed in a game center or the like. The game machine 1 has a vertically long casing 2, a monitor 3 attached to the upper front surface of the casing 2, an upper speaker unit 4 attached to the upper part of the monitor 3, and a lower part of the monitor 3. It has a lower speaker unit 5 and nine operation buttons 7 as operation members provided on an operation panel unit 6 protruding forward from a lower portion of the lower speaker unit 5 of the housing 2. Each of the operation buttons 7 is configured by a push button type switch that outputs a signal corresponding to a pressing operation.

The operation buttons 7 are arranged in two rows before and after the player facing the housing 2. In addition, the rear row of operation buttons 7 is disposed almost in the middle of the front row of operation buttons 7 in the left-right direction of the housing 2. To clarify the distinction between the operation buttons 7, the surfaces of the operation buttons 7 are colored with different colors. However, the operation buttons 7 do not necessarily require nine colors, and it is only necessary that the adjacent operation buttons 7 are not colored with the same color. In addition,
Although not shown in the figure, a slot (not shown) for a game coin is provided at an appropriate position of the housing 2, for example, at the operation panel section 6.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system provided in the game machine 1. The game machine 1 includes a CPU 10 that performs various calculations and operation controls necessary for the progress of the game,
A screen drawing control device 11 for drawing a desired image on the monitor 3 in accordance with a command from the CPU 10, a sound control device 12 for playing back a desired sound in stereo from the speaker units 4 and 5 in accordance with a command from the CPU 10,
An illumination control device 13 for changing the display mode of the decorative lamp 14 of the game machine 1 in accordance with an instruction from 10, a RAM 15, a ROM 16 and a storage device 17 as storage means, and a coin slot (not shown) of the housing 2. A coin management device 18 is provided for determining whether the inserted coin is appropriate, storing coins determined to be appropriate, and returning coins determined to be inappropriate. The sound control device 12 has a function of receiving PCM data or ADPCM data recorded in the storage device 17 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 10 and outputting musical tones and sound effects corresponding to the data from the speaker units 4 and 5.

Each of the control devices 11 to 13, RAM 15, RO
M16, storage device 17 and coin management device 18 are connected to bus 1
9 is connected to the CPU 10. In addition, the CPU 10
Are also connected via the bus 19 to the operation buttons 7. Although an input / output interface is provided at a connection between the bus 19 and each element, their illustration is omitted.

The ROM 16 stores programs and data necessary for controlling basic operations and the like when the game machine 1 is started. In the storage device 17, a game program and various data necessary for executing the game program are written. When a predetermined initialization operation, for example, an operation of a power switch or a reset switch (not shown) is performed, the CPU 10 of the game machine 1 executes a predetermined initialization process in accordance with a program in the ROM 16, and thereafter, is stored in the storage device 17. The program and data are read into the RAM 15 to start processing unique to the game. Then, when a signal indicating the insertion of coins necessary for starting the game is output from the coin management device 18, predetermined game processing is started. The outline of the game process is as follows. While playing a predetermined BGM from the speaker units 4 and 5, the player issues an instruction to the player via the monitor 3 to operate the operation button 7 in a procedure corresponding to the BGM. When the user operates the operation button 7, the sound effects corresponding to the operation are superimposed on the BGM and output from the speaker units 4 and 5, and the operation is determined and displayed on the monitor 3.

FIG. 3 shows a basic game screen displayed on the monitor 3 in a game executed according to the program recorded in the storage device 17. Game screen 1
At approximately the center of 00, an indicator 101 for instructing the player on the operation timing of the operation button 7 is displayed. The indicator 101 has the same number (nine) of tracks 102a to 102i as the operation buttons 7 extending in the vertical direction.
, And a timing mark 103 is displayed on each of the tracks 102a to 102i. The imaginary lines separating the tracks 102a to 102i in FIG. 3 are not displayed on the actual screen. Also, in FIG.
Are displayed one by one in the vertical direction, but this may be omitted in some cases.

During game play, the tracks 102a-1
02i is associated one-to-one with the operation buttons 7 in accordance with the arrangement order in the left-right direction. That is, the track 102a at the left end of the screen corresponds to the operation button 7 arranged at the left end of the front row of the operation panel unit 6, and the second track 102b from the left
Corresponds to the operation button 7 at the left end of the rear row of the operation panel unit 6. Hereinafter, the tracks 102c to 102i are similarly associated with the operation buttons 7. In order to clarify these correspondences, the tracks 102 a to 102 i are provided with portions expressed in the same color as the corresponding operation buttons 7. In the case of FIG. 3, each line 104 is expressed in the same color as the corresponding operation button 7 such that the line 104 of the leftmost track 102a is expressed in green when the leftmost operation button 7 is green. When the display of the line 104 is omitted as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the timing mark 103 is expressed in the same color as the operation button 7.

When the game is started, the timing mark 103 gradually moves downward under the control of the CPU 10. Then, the timing mark 103 is displayed on the track 102.
a when the lower end of the track 102 is reached
The operation timing of the operation button 7 corresponding to a to 102i comes. When the player presses down the operation button 7 in anticipation of this operation timing, the CPU 10 performs an operation based on a time lag between the operation timing indicated by the timing mark 103 and the timing at which the operation button 7 is actually operated. Pass / fail judgment is made, and the judgment result is displayed on the judgment display sections 105 arranged at the lower ends of the tracks 102a to 102i. The determination display unit 105 is arranged in two rows like the operation buttons 7. And
Each determination display unit 105 displays “GREA
T! , "GOOD!", "BAD!", Etc. are displayed. The determination result may be displayed inside the indicator 101.

At the lower left of the screen 100, a score display section 106 for displaying a game score (1234 points in the illustrated example) is provided. This score is a value calculated based on the above-described determination result for each operation timing. At the lower right of the screen 100, a title display unit 107 for displaying the contents of the stage and the title of the BGM is provided. Indicator 101
Character display units 108L, 108
R is provided. These display units 108L and 108R display animations of game characters and the like. The displayed character changes according to the background music, and the content of the animation changes according to the determination result for each operation timing. A score gauge 10 is provided below the judgment display section 105.
9 are provided. In the score gauge 109, a highlight portion 109a that expands and contracts according to the score during the game is displayed with the left end thereof as the origin of expansion and contraction.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show, among the data recorded in the storage device 17, particularly the BGM reproduction and the indicator 10 data.
2 shows a configuration of data provided in association with the display control of No. 1. In this game machine 1, a plurality of songs are prepared in advance as BGM used in the game, and each song is
The data shown in (a) is created and recorded in the storage device 17. The music X data includes waveform data, waveform table data, and performance data.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the waveform data
GM data and sound effect data are included. The BGM data is data for reproducing the music piece X, and the sound effect data is sound data generated when the operation button 7 is operated. These data are, for example, PCM data and AD
It is created and recorded as PCM data. The reason why sound effect data is included in the data for each song is to generate an appropriate sound effect according to the type of BGM.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the waveform table data includes a data table for specifying a waveform address, a waveform size, a panpot, a port number, and the like. In the table relating to the waveform address and the waveform size, information necessary for extracting desired BGM data and sound effect data from the above-described waveform data is described. In the table relating to the pan pot, information for instructing which of the left and right channels of the speaker units 4 and 5 to output the BGM data and the sound effect data (including the case of outputting from both) is described. The port number table describes information for specifying a port number for outputting BGM data and sound effect data. That is, the sound control device 12 has a plurality of channels (for example, eight channels) for generating a sound, and the port number specifies which one of the channels is used to reproduce the waveform data. Information necessary for selecting this port number is described in a port number table.

As shown in FIG. 5, the performance data includes operation timing data, automatic performance timing data, assigned waveform number data, and tempo data. The operation timing data is data that specifies the operation timing of each operation button 7 with respect to the music X in association with the elapsed time from the start of the performance of the music X. In other words, the operation timing data is data that defines which operation button 7 should be pressed after the start of the performance of the music piece X. The operation timing data forms the basis for determining the display of the indicator 101 and the operation of the operation button 7.
When the song X has a plurality of phrases, information indicating the break time of the phrase is also included in the operation timing data.

The automatic performance timing data is provided to generate a sound effect even if the operation button 7 is not operated. Is the data that defines During play of the game, the CPU 10 instructs the sound control device 12 to generate a sound effect specified at the time specified by the automatic performance timing data. The automatic performance data is not always necessary for executing the game, and can be omitted.

The assigned waveform number data is stored in the operation button 7
This is data for designating a sound effect to be generated when is pressed. The relationship between the operation button 7 and the sound effect may be constant throughout the music X, or may be changed for each appropriate segment (for example, the phrase of the music X). When the sound effect is changed in the middle of the music piece X, the relationship between the operation button 7 and the sound effect is recorded in association with the elapsed time from the start of the performance.

The tempo data is data indicating the performance tempo of the music piece X. If the tempo changes in the middle of song X, the tempo is recorded in association with the time from the start of the performance. In the present game machine 1, the display range of the indicator 101 is controlled with reference to the tempo data.

FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the read range of the operation timing data during the play of the game and the display range of the indicator 101. While playing the game,
In AM15 (see FIG. 2), a look-ahead buffer area for the operation timing data is set, and in that area, a current time tx to a time t
The operation timing data up to y is read. Of the data read into the prefetch buffer area, the operation timing data in the range from the current time tx to the time tn (<ty) is further read into the display buffer area of the RAM 15. The time from time tx to time tn is set to be equal to two measures of song X, but the time length varies according to the playing tempo of song X. Therefore, CPU1
0 determines the time tn two measures later from the current time tx with reference to the tempo data, and sets the operation timing data from the time tx to tn as the display range of the indicator 101,
Read into the display buffer area. The CPU 10 calculates the arrangement of the timing mark 103 in the indicator 101 according to the operation timing data read into the display buffer area, and creates image data for displaying the indicator 101 based on the calculation result. The screen drawing control device 11 updates the game screen 100 based on the image data, so that the current time tx
Is displayed on the game screen 100. Note that the time ty of the pre-reading range may be changed according to the tempo of the music piece X. The amount of data read into the display buffer area is not limited to two measures, and may be variously changed.

(Timing Mark Display Form) In this embodiment, various timing mark display forms are prepared as images for instructing operation timing.

First, four display modes for assisting the player in playing will be described.

In the first display mode, when a number of timing marks 103 come down, part or all of the timing marks 103 are removed for a certain period of time, whereby the button operation required by the player is simplified. Becomes The first display mode can be realized by omitting part or all of the display of the timing mark 103 defined as performance data.

Whether or not the timing mark 103 is omitted may be determined based on the skill of the player. For example, when the skill of the player does not reach a certain level, by starting the above operation, the difficulty level of the game can be reduced and the player's interest in the game can be attracted. The skill of the player can be determined based on, for example, a score during the game. Such an operation may be started based on a predetermined operation of the player.

Whether the timing mark 103 is omitted or not is determined by
A mode for displaying all of the timing marks 103,
Switching is performed by switching the display mode between a mode in which a part of the timing mark 103 is displayed. Switching of the mode can be realized by control of the screen drawing control device 11 based on a command from the CPU 10.

In the first display mode, the sound effect corresponding to the omitted timing mark 103, that is, the sound effect generated when the player operates the operation button at a predetermined timing in a normal state where the timing mark 103 is not omitted is displayed. The sound may be generated, or the generation of the sound effect may be omitted.

In the second display mode, an automatic performance using the automatic performance data is performed for a certain period of time so that the player does not need to operate the buttons. During this time, an animation is displayed on the game screen as if the character is hitting the timing mark 103 at a predetermined timing. The presence or absence of the second display mode is determined in the same manner as in the first display mode.
It may be determined based on the skill of the player. Also,
Such an operation may be started based on a predetermined operation of the player. In the second display mode,
Sound effect corresponding to the omitted timing mark 103,
That is, a sound effect generated when the player operates the operation button at a predetermined timing in a normal time when the timing mark 103 is not omitted may be generated,
The generation of sound effects may be omitted.

The appearance of the second display mode is switched by switching the display mode. Switching of the mode can be realized by control of the screen drawing control device 11 based on a command from the CPU 10.

In the third display mode, the points assigned to the timing marks 103 are increased for a certain period of time, and the extension rate of the highlight portion 109a of the score gauge 109 is increased from the normal state. During this time, for the same operation, the player can obtain a higher score than usual. The presence or absence of the third display form is determined by the first
May be determined based on the skill of the player. Such an operation may be started based on a predetermined operation of the player.

The appearance of the third display mode is switched by switching the display mode. Switching of the mode can be realized by control of the screen drawing control device 11 based on a command from the CPU 10.

In the fourth display mode, the number of tracks 102a to 102i, which are nine in total, is reduced, for example, the number of tracks is changed to four to five. This allows
Since the number (frequency) of button operations required by the player is greatly reduced, button operations are simplified. The timing mark assigned to the omitted track is not displayed, and only the timing mark assigned to the displayed track is displayed. The presence or absence of such an operation may be determined based on the skill of the player, as in the first display mode. Such an operation may be started based on a predetermined operation of the player.

The appearance of the fourth display mode is switched by switching the display mode. Switching of the mode can be realized by control of the screen drawing control device 11 based on a command from the CPU 10.

Next, another display form of the timing mark will be described. The presence or absence of the display mode described below is switched by switching the display mode. Switching of the mode can be realized by control of the screen drawing control device 11 based on a command from the CPU 10.

In this embodiment, each timing mark 10
When the importance is set to 3 and a button operation is performed at a predetermined timing, the player obtains a score corresponding to the importance of the corresponding timing mark 103. Each of the timing marks 103 is assigned a degree of importance evaluated from the entire music piece. For example, the importance of the timing mark 103 corresponding to the main melody is set high, and the importance of the timing mark 103 corresponding to the accompaniment portion is set low. The score when a predetermined button operation corresponding to each timing mark 103 is performed and the rate of increase of the score gauge 109 in that case are made dependent on this importance. The timing mark 103 with high importance is displayed as an object that is distinguished from other timing marks 103 by blinking or changing the shape, and the timing mark 1 with high importance is given to the player.
03 is recognized. Therefore, for example, a novice player can use the timing mark 10 of high importance.
By performing the button operation mainly for 3, it is possible to easily obtain a high score without corresponding to all the timing marks 103.

In this embodiment, in addition to the display in which one button is assigned to one timing mark, the display in which a plurality of buttons are assigned to one timing mark is performed. If multiple buttons are assigned to one timing mark,
As the timing mark, an object having a larger width than a normal timing mark and covering a plurality of tracks is displayed. FIG. 7A shows a state in which normal timing marks 103 are arranged in three adjacent tracks in the horizontal direction, and FIG. 7B shows timing marks 103A having a large lateral width on these tracks.

The timing marks 103A include those for which all of the operation buttons 7 corresponding to the track on which the timing mark 103A is displayed are to be operated at the same time, and those for which only one of these operation buttons 7 needs to be operated. These are distinguished by the display method of the timing mark 103A so that the player can recognize them. When a predetermined operation is performed, a predetermined sound effect is generated, and a predetermined score is given to the player.

In the present embodiment, the timing mark 103
There is provided a display mode in which the moving direction can be switched. Normally, the timing mark 103 moves from the upper side to the lower side of the game screen, but switches to this mode at the start of the game or during the game, and the timing mark 103
Moves upward from the bottom of the game screen. Since the moving direction of the timing mark 103 is reversed from that in the normal state, it is difficult for the player to grasp the timing of the button operation, and the game characteristics can be enhanced.

In this embodiment, the track 102a
A mode is provided in which the interval from to 102i is expanded right and left. In this mode, as shown in FIG.
Since the display position of the timing mark 103 expands left and right with the increase in the interval of 02a to 102i, the player needs to pay attention to both ends of the screen, and it becomes difficult to grasp the position of the timing mark 103. . Thereby, game characteristics can be improved. FIG.
Shows the intervals between the tracks 102a to 102i in the normal state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, a display is performed in which a timing mark 103B is added to a track adjacent to a track on which an original timing mark 103 defined as performance data is displayed.
In a case where one timing mark 103 is normally lowered in this mode, another timing mark 103B is added to an adjacent track in this mode, and the two timing marks 103 and 103B are displayed so as to be lowered side by side. You. In this case, unless the operation buttons 7 are simultaneously operated for both timing marks 103 and 103B, no sound effect is output and no score is given to the player.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the game processing executed by the CPU 10 when a signal instructing the start of the game is output from the coin management device 18. First, in step S1, the player is requested via the monitor 3 to select a tune to be played as BGM.
At 2, it is determined whether or not BGM has been selected. The operation buttons 7 may be used to select a song. When the player selects a song, the data relating to the song (FIG. 4 (a)) is set to R.
The data is read into the AM 15 (step S3).

Next, at step S4, the display form of the timing mark is specified. The display form of the timing mark may be predetermined in association with the selected BGM, or may be specified by the player performing a predetermined operation. In the latter case, the operation button 7
May be used as a means for receiving the operation of the player.

In the following step S5, it is determined whether or not the game preparation is completed. When the preparation is completed, the waveform data of the music is transferred to the sound control device 12 to start the reproduction (step S6). Next, time measurement for specifying the elapsed time from the start of the performance is started (step S7).

In the following step S8, the current time tx is detected. In the next step S9, the operation timing data from the current time tx to ty is read into the look-ahead buffer area in FIG. Read the timing data into the display buffer area. In the following step S10, image data for displaying the indicator 101 is created based on the data read into the display buffer area.

In the next step S11, it is determined whether or not "1" is set in a determination flag for determining whether or not to change the display form of the timing mark.

When "1" is set in the discrimination flag, the indicator 101 created in step S10 is displayed so that the timing mark is displayed in a predetermined display form.
Is processed (step S12).

If it is determined in step S11 that "1" has not been set in the determination flag, step S12 is skipped. In the following step S13, the created image data of the indicator 101 is passed to the screen drawing control device 11 to update the image of the indicator 101. Thereafter, it is determined in step S14 whether or not one song has been completed,
If not, the process returns to step S8. If one song has been completed, the processing in FIG. 10 ends.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a case where the processing in steps S8 to S14 is repeated in the processing of FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing an operation determination process executed by a PU 10 in parallel. In this process, first, it is determined whether or not the player has operated any of the operation buttons 7 (step S21), and if there is an operation, the operation time is calculated (step S22). Subsequently, sound effects assigned to the operation are generated from the speakers 4 and 5 (step S23). That is, based on the assigned waveform data in FIG. 5, the sound effect assigned to the current operation is specified, and the recording position of the assigned sound effect data is specified in the waveform data table in FIG. Then, the sound effect data at the specified position is passed to the sound control device 12, and the sound effect corresponding to the data is superimposed on the BGM and output.

In the following step S24, step S22
Of the operation time detected by the operation timing and the operation timing specified by the operation timing data, the operation timing closest to the current time tx (however, the operation button 7 that is actually operated)
(Limited to the operation timing related to the operation). Then, the quality of the operation is determined in several stages based on the detected deviation (step S25). In a succeeding step S26, the judgment result is displayed on the judgment display unit 10 of the screen 100.
5 is displayed. At this time, the determination display unit 105 connected to the track corresponding to the operation button 7 whose operation has been detected in step S21 is selected as the display position of the determination result.

In the following step S27, step S25
The score from the start of the performance to the present is calculated according to the determination result of For example, a standard position is provided in the judgment result, and points are added when the judgment result is better, and points are deducted when the judgment result is poor, so that the higher the individual operation, the higher the score. Adjust to Then, it is determined in step S28 whether the adjusted score is equal to or less than a predetermined value,
If the value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, it is determined whether or not "1" is set in the mode determination flag (step S29). If not, the mode determination flag is set to "1" (step S30). , Any one of the first to fourth modes is designated (step S3).
1). Thereby, the timing mark is displayed in a predetermined display form.

Therefore, when the skill of the player is low and does not reach the predetermined score, any one of the first to fourth display modes is selected, so that the difficulty of the game is reduced. Interest in this game. The score displayed on the score display section 106 of the screen 100 and the score gauge 1
The length of the highlight portion 109 of 09 is appropriately updated according to the score adjusted in step S28. When it is determined in step S29 that the score is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the highlight portion 109a of the score gauge 109 extends to a predetermined position 109b in the gauge or to the right thereof. As a result, a relationship is formed in which, when the highlight portion 109a shrinks from the predetermined position 109b of the score gauge 109 to the left, any of the display modes of the first to fourth modes is selected.

In the next step S32, a timer for holding the display form of the timing mark for a certain period of time is turned on. Then, in step S33, it is determined whether or not one piece of music is completed. If one song has not been completed, the process returns to step S21 and waits for the next operation. If it is determined in step S21 that there is no operation, the process proceeds to step S33.

If it is determined in step S28 that the score is less than the predetermined value, or if it is determined in step S29 that the mode determination flag is set to 1, step S28 is executed.
Proceed to 35. In step S35, it is determined whether or not the timer for measuring the duration of the display form designated in step S31 has timed out, that is, whether or not a predetermined time has been measured. And the process proceeds to step S33.
If the time is not up in step S35, that is, if the time is being measured, step S36 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S33. If it is determined in step S33 that one song has ended, the processing in FIG. 11 ends.

In the present invention, the conditions for specifying the display form of the timing mark are not limited. For example, at the start of the game, the player may select any one of a plurality of different modes, and may select the display form of the timing mark according to the mode. A plurality of stages may be prepared in the game, and the display form of the timing mark may be changed for each stage.
In this case, the genre of the music played as BGM may be changed for each stage, and the display form of the timing mark may be changed accordingly. A clock function may be added to the game system so that the predetermined display mode appears only in a specific time zone (for example, evening), or the type of the display mode changes depending on the time zone. The switching of the display form of the timing mark is kept secret from the player, and the display form is switched when the operation button 7 or the like is operated in a predetermined procedure, so that a predetermined display form appears as a so-called hidden command. May be. The display form is not limited to one applied alone, and a plurality of display forms may be combined.

[0084]

According to the present invention, the first mode using all the operation timings stored in the storage device and the second mode using only a part of the operation timings stored in the storage device are provided. Since it is possible to switch between the two modes, the degree of difficulty of the game can be changed by switching the image displayed on the display device. Therefore, by switching the mode, the difficulty of the game can be adapted to the skill of the player. In addition, the game characteristics can be enhanced by appropriately setting the mode switching conditions.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an arcade game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the game machine in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a game screen displayed on the monitor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view showing a configuration of data of a music piece X recorded on a hard disk in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of performance data of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the operation timing data of FIG. 5 is read into a RAM.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing timing marks extending over a plurality of tracks; FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of normal timing marks are arranged; FIG. The figure which shows the state after changing into the mark.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display mode in which the track interval is enlarged.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display form in which a timing mark is added to an adjacent track.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a game process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation determination process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 monitor (display device) 7 operation button (operation member) 10 CPU (evaluation means, mode switching means) 11 image drawing control device (operation instruction means) 15 RAM (storage device) 16 ROM (storage device) 17 storage device

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A display device for displaying a game screen, an operation member that can be operated by a player, a storage device that stores data defining operation timing of the operation member during a game, and a data device that stores the data. An operation instruction unit that displays an image for instructing an operation timing of the operation member during a game on a screen of the display device, an evaluation unit that evaluates an operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member, A first mode in which the operation instruction means instructs all operation timings stored in the storage device as an object to be operated by the player; and a first mode in which the operation instruction means is stored in the storage device as an object to be operated by the player. Mode switching for switching between the second modes instructing only a part of the operation timing Game system characterized in that it comprises a stage, a. 2. In the second mode, the operation instruction means displays the partial operation timing to be operated by the player and hides other operation timings not to be operated by the player. The game system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. In the second mode, the operation instructing means displays the operation timing of the part of the player as an object of operation of the player and another operation timing of the operation of the player separately. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game is performed. 4. A display device for displaying a game screen, an operation member that can be operated by a player, a storage device for storing data defining operation timing of the operation member during a game, and a data storage device for storing data stored in the storage device. An operation instruction unit that displays an image for instructing an operation timing of the operation member during a game on a screen of the display device, an evaluation unit that evaluates an operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member, The first mode in which the operation timing of the player is evaluated by the evaluation means and the evaluation result is reflected in the score of the player, and the operation result of the player is considered to be correct, and the evaluation result in that case is reflected in the score. Mode switching means for switching between the second modes to be performed. Game system. 5. A display device for displaying a game screen, an operation member operable by a player, a storage device storing data defining operation timing of the operation member during a game, and a data storage device An operation instruction unit that displays an image for instructing an operation timing of the operation member during a game on a screen of the display device, an evaluation unit that evaluates an operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member, A first mode in which the operation timing of the player is evaluated by the evaluation means and the evaluation result is reflected in the score of the player, and a higher score than the first mode is obtained for the same evaluation result by the evaluation means. Mode switching means for switching between second modes to be provided to the player. Game system according to claim. 6. A display device for displaying a game screen having a plurality of operation members operable by a player, a plurality of tracks corresponding to each of the plurality of operation members, and an operation timing of the operation members during a game A storage device for storing data defining the following, and operation instruction means for displaying, on the screen of the display device, an image for instructing the operation timing of the operation member during a game based on the data stored in the storage device Evaluation means for evaluating an operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member; and mode switching means for switching a game mode between a first mode and a second mode. As an image for instructing the operation timing, an index for instructing each operation of the operation member is displayed on the operation member. Are displayed on the tracks provided corresponding to the respective ones, and when the index reaches a predetermined position on each track, the index is set so that the operation timing of the operation member corresponding to the index comes. The number of the operation members and the number of tracks used in the first mode is reduced by moving the number of the operation members and the number of tracks used in the second mode on the screen of the display device in accordance with the progress. A game system characterized by being smaller than the game system. 7. A display device for displaying a game screen, an operation member operable by a player, a storage device storing data defining operation timing of the operation member during a game, and a data storage device An operation instructing unit that displays an image for instructing an operation timing of the operation member during a game on a screen of the display device, an evaluation unit that evaluates an operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member, Mode switching means for switching the mode between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the operation instruction means instructs the operation of the operation member as an image for instructing the operation timing. An indicator for displaying on the screen of the display device, and the indicator reaches a predetermined position on the screen of the display device. Moving the index on the screen of the display device in accordance with the progress of the game so that the operation timing of the operation member comes. A game system characterized by switching in a direction different from the mode of the game. 8. A display device for displaying a game screen having a plurality of operation members that can be operated by a player, a plurality of tracks corresponding to each of the plurality of operation members, and an operation timing of the operation members during a game A storage device for storing data defining the following, and operation instruction means for displaying, on the screen of the display device, an image for instructing the operation timing of the operation member during a game based on the data stored in the storage device Evaluation means for evaluating an operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member; and mode switching means for switching a game mode between a first mode and a second mode. As an image for instructing the operation timing, an index for instructing each operation of the operation member is displayed on the operation member. Are displayed on a plurality of tracks provided corresponding to each of the above, and when the index reaches a predetermined position on each of the tracks, the index is set so that the operation timing of the operation member corresponding to the index comes. In the second mode, the distance between the tracks is set to the first position in the second mode.
A game system wherein the interval between the tracks in the mode is expanded. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit configured to determine a skill of the player with respect to a game, wherein the mode switching unit switches a mode according to a determination result by the determination unit.
A game system according to any one of the preceding claims. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction of a player, wherein said mode switching means switches a mode when a predetermined instruction is received by said instruction receiving means. The game system according to claim 1. 11. A game screen display device, an operation member that can be operated by a player, a storage device that stores data defining operation timing of the operation member during a game, and a data device that stores the data. Operation instruction means for displaying, on the screen of the display device, an image for instructing the operation timing of the operation member during a game, and evaluation means for evaluating the operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member. As the evaluation by the evaluation means, different evaluations are assigned to each of the operation timings of the operation member, and the operation instructing means is configured so that a player can distinguish the assigned evaluations. Displaying an image indicating operation timing on the screen of the display device. Game system. 12. A display device for displaying a game screen, a plurality of operation members that can be operated by a player, a storage device for storing data defining operation timings of the operation members during a game, and the storage device stores the data. An operation instructing unit that displays an image for instructing an operation timing of the operation member during a game on a screen of the display device based on data; and an evaluation unit that evaluates an operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member. The operation instructing means displays the index for instructing each operation of the operation member as an image for instructing the operation timing in a state in which a correspondence relationship with the operation member can be distinguished. Display on the screen of the device,
When the indicator reaches a predetermined position on the screen of the display device, the indicator is moved on the screen of the display device according to the progress of the game so that the operation timing of the operation member corresponding to the indicator arrives. A game system in which an operation on a plurality of the operation members is instructed by one index. 13. A predetermined score is given to the player only when the player performs simultaneous operations at a predetermined operation timing on the plurality of operation members instructed by the index. Item 12
The game system according to 1. 14. When the player performs an operation at a predetermined operation timing on any of the plurality of operation members instructed by the index, a predetermined score is given to the player. The game system according to claim 12, wherein: 15. A display device for displaying a game screen having a plurality of operation members operable by a player, a plurality of tracks corresponding to each of the plurality of operation members, and an operation timing of the operation members during a game A storage device for storing data defining the following, and operation instruction means for displaying, on the screen of the display device, an image for instructing the operation timing of the operation member during a game based on the data stored in the storage device Evaluation means for evaluating an operation timing of the player with respect to the operation member, wherein the operation instruction means is for instructing each operation of the operation member as an image for instructing the operation timing. The first index is displayed on a track provided corresponding to each of the operation members, and the first index is displayed on the track.
When the index reaches a predetermined position on each track, the first index is displayed on the screen of the display device in accordance with the progress of the game so that the operation timing of the operation member corresponding to the first index comes. The operation instructing means, together with the first index, sets an operation timing simultaneously with an operation timing of the first index on a track adjacent to a track on which the first index is displayed. A second index is displayed as an instruction, and the evaluation unit is configured to operate the operation member corresponding to the first index and the second index based on an operation timing instructed by the first index and the second index. A predetermined evaluation is given to the player when are simultaneously operated at a predetermined time. 16. The game system according to claim 1, further comprising a sound effect generating means for generating a sound effect according to an operation on said operation member.