JP2003334387A - Game distribution apparatus, program distribution apparatus and database - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a music-oriented game where a commercial music information recording medium such as a commercial music CD and network distribution can be utilized as original data of game music. <P>SOLUTION: In a game apparatus 10 in which a player operates a controller 32 corresponding to game music, a game program and game data are stored in a CD-ROM 25 in advance. This game data includes operation timing data required when using music recorded in a prescribed commercial music CD 23 as the game music. Then, a CD-ROM reader 24 reads contents recorded in the CD 23. When it is the prescribed CD 23, music based on the recorded contents is reproduced as the game music, and guide display is performed by a monitor 18 on the basis of the operation timing data, thereby the timing of the player to operate the controller 32 corresponding to the game music is shown to the player. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game distribution device, a program distribution device and a database, and more particularly to a technique for enhancing the attractiveness of a game in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An arcade game machine or game software that outputs the music of a game and operates the input device in accordance with the rhythm of the music to give the feeling of playing music or dancing. It is very popular. For example, "Beatmania (trademark)" and "Dance Dance Revolution (trademark)" manufactured and sold by Konami Co., Ltd. are examples thereof.

In such a music-oriented game, the operation timing data of the input device is created in accordance with the rhythm of music, and it is converted into data. Then, based on the operation timing data, the manner in which the operation timing gradually arrives is displayed on the display. The game player operates the input device while referring to the display screen and the rhythm of music. Then, the game score is evaluated based on the magnitude of the difference between the operation timing defined by the operation timing data and the timing of the operation actually performed by the game player using the input device.

When such a music-oriented game is realized on a home-use game machine, game music data and operation timing data corresponding thereto are usually stored in one CD-ROM together with the game program. Then, the home-use game machine uses a CD-
The game music data and the operation timing data are read from the ROM, and the game music is reproduced and the operation timing is displayed based on the data. Also in the arcade game machine, the game music data and the operation timing data corresponding thereto are stored in advance in a built-in hard disk device or the like.

[0005]

However, a commercially available music information recording medium containing music data, such as a commercially available music CD (compact disc) or a DVD (digital video disc), is read to obtain the recorded content. A game device for realizing a music-oriented game using music based on the game music has not been proposed yet.

If such a game device is proposed, the player will be able to enjoy a music-oriented game using the original song by causing the game device to read a commercially available music CD or the like owned by the player. , The appeal of the game device can be increased. On the contrary, a commercially available music CD that allows users to enjoy music-oriented games with such game devices
As for the above, since it can be used as the original data of a music-oriented game in addition to the usual music appreciation purpose, the purchaser will feel more value in such a music CD.

Further, in the prior art, when a music-oriented game is realized with the contents of a general music CD, the recorded contents of a commercially available music CD (compact disc) are converted into a CD-ROM or a hard disk device in which a game program is stored. Must be copied to. For this reason, there has been a problem that a copyright problem mainly relating to copyright is complicated, and development of this kind of music-oriented game is delayed. However, if the above-mentioned game device is proposed, such a problem can be solved.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is a music-oriented music information recording medium such as a commercially available music CD or a network distribution which can be used as original data of game music. To provide a game distribution device, a program distribution device, and a database for distributing a type game program.

[0009]

(1) In order to solve the above problems, a game device according to the present invention is a game device in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music. A commercial music CD reproducing means for reading and reproducing music based on the recorded content as game music; and reading the recorded content of the commercial music CD,
A commercial music CD discriminating means for judging whether or not the commercial music CD is a predetermined commercial music CD; and the predetermined commercial music C.
An operation timing data storage means for storing operation timing data indicating a timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the recorded contents of D, and a commercially available music CD whose recorded contents are read by the commercially available music CD discrimination means. When it is determined that the commercial CD is the predetermined commercial music CD, the commercial music CD reproducing means reproduces the music based on the recorded contents of the predetermined commercial music CD as game music, and the player plays in accordance with the game music. Music game executing means for guiding the timing of operating the controller based on the operation timing data.

Further, the information recording medium according to the present invention is such that a player has a controller equipped with a commercial music CD reproducing function for reading the recorded contents of a commercially available music CD and reproducing music based on the recorded contents. It is an information recording medium in which a game program and game data for functioning as a game device for operating a computer are recorded, and represents the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the recorded content of a predetermined commercially available music CD. A commercial music CD that records operation timing data as at least a part of the game data, reads the recorded content of the commercial music CD using the commercial music CD playback function, and reproduces music based on the recorded content as game music. Reproduction means, commercially available using the commercially available music CD reproduction function Reading the recorded contents of easy CD, the commercially available music CD judgment means for commercial music CD, it is determined whether the a predetermined commercially available music CD, and, the commercially available music CD
Commercially available music CD whose contents can be read by the discriminating means
Is determined to be the predetermined commercial music CD,
The predetermined commercial music C by the commercial music CD reproducing means.
The computer is made to function as music game execution means for playing back music based on the recorded contents of D as game music, and for guiding the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the operation timing data. Is recorded as at least a part of the game program.

A control method for a game device according to the present invention is a control method for a game device in which a player operates a controller according to game music, having a reading and reproducing function for a commercially available music CD. A commercially available music CD reproducing step of reading the recorded contents of a commercially available music CD by the reproducing function and reproducing music based on the recorded contents as game music, and reading the recorded contents of the commercially available music CD by the reading and reproducing function, Music C
A commercial music CD discriminating step of judging whether D is a predetermined commercial music CD, and an operation timing representing a timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the recorded contents of the predetermined commercial music CD. Operation timing data acquisition step of acquiring data,
When it is determined that the commercially available music CD whose recorded content is read by the commercially available music reproducing step is the predetermined commercially available music CD, the commercially available music playing step causes the game to play music based on the recorded content of the predetermined commercially available music CD. A music game executing step of playing back as music and guiding the player according to the game music when to operate the controller based on the operation timing data.

Further, the game distribution apparatus according to the present invention is such that a player controls a computer equipped with a commercial music CD reproducing function for reading the recorded content of a commercially available music CD and reproducing music based on the recorded content, in accordance with the game music. A game distribution device that distributes a game program and game data for functioning as a game device that operates a player, and represents the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the recorded content of a predetermined commercially available music CD. Commercially available music CD reproduction for distributing operation timing data as at least a part of the game data, reading recorded contents of the commercially available music CD using the commercially available music CD reproduction function, and reproducing music based on the recorded contents as game music Means, using the commercially available music CD playback function Reading the recorded contents of the music CD, a commercially available music CD judgment means for the commercial music CD, it is determined whether the a predetermined commercially available music CD, and, the commercially available music C
Commercial music C whose recorded contents are read by the D discriminating means
When it is determined that D is the predetermined commercial music CD, the commercial music CD reproducing means reproduces the music based on the recorded contents of the predetermined commercial music CD as game music, and matches the game music. A program for causing the computer to function as a music game executing means for guiding the timing at which the player should operate the controller based on the operation timing data is distributed as at least a part of the game program.

Further, the game distribution method according to the present invention is
A game program and a game for causing a computer having a commercial music CD playback function that reads the recorded content of a commercially available music CD and plays back music based on the recorded content to function as a game device in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music A game distribution method for distributing data, wherein operation timing data representing a timing at which a player should operate a controller is distributed as at least a part of the game data in accordance with game music based on the recorded content of a predetermined commercially available music CD. At the same time, a commercially available music CD reproducing means for reading the recorded contents of the commercially available music CD by using the commercially available music CD reproduction function and reproducing music based on the recorded contents as game music, the commercially available music CD
Read the recorded contents of a commercial music CD using the playback function,
The commercial music CD discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the commercial music CD is the predetermined commercial music CD, and the commercial music CD whose recorded content is read by the commercial music CD discriminating means is the predetermined commercial music CD. When it is determined that there is, the music based on the recorded contents of the predetermined commercial music CD is reproduced as game music by the commercial music CD reproducing means, and the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music is set. A program for causing the computer to function as a music game executing means for guiding based on the operation timing data is distributed as at least a part of the game program.

According to the present invention, when the commercially available music CD is a predetermined commercially available music CD, the music based on the recorded contents of the commercially available music CD is played as game music, and the recorded contents of the commercially available music CD are recorded. Based on the operation timing data, the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the game music is guided by, for example, image display or voice. By doing so, it becomes possible to enjoy a music-oriented game using a predetermined commercially available music CD.

In particular, according to the game distribution device and the game distribution method of the present invention, a consumer can easily obtain a game program and game data for enjoying a music-oriented game using a predetermined commercially available music CD. become able to.

In one aspect of the present invention, the commercial music CD discriminating means includes determination data storage means for prerecording at least a part of the recorded content of the predetermined commercial music CD as determination data, and the commercial music CD discriminating means. By comparing the recorded content of the commercial music CD read by the means with the determination data, the commercial music CD whose recorded content is read by the commercial music CD determination means is the predetermined commercial music C.
It is determined whether it is D or not. In the commercial music CD discriminating step, at least a part of the recorded contents of the predetermined commercial music CD is recorded in advance as determination data, and the recorded contents of the commercial music CD read by the commercial music CD discriminating means and the recorded contents are recorded. By comparing with the judgment data, it is judged whether the commercial music CD whose recorded contents are read by the commercial music CD judging means is the predetermined commercial music CD. This makes it possible to easily determine whether or not the commercial music CD is a predetermined commercial music CD related to game music.

(2) Further, the game device according to the present invention is
A game device in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music, the recorded content is read from a commercially available music information recording medium containing at least music data in the recorded content, and music based on the recorded content is reproduced as game music. Commercially available music reproducing means, commercially available music information recording medium discriminating means for judging whether or not the commercially available music information recording medium from which the recorded contents are read by the music reproducing means is a predetermined commercially available music information recording medium, and the predetermined commercially available music information recording medium Operation timing data storage means for storing operation timing data indicating the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the recorded contents of the music information recording medium, and commercial music whose recorded contents are read by the commercial music reproducing means. The information recording medium is the predetermined commercial music information recording medium. If it is determined, as well as play music based on the recorded content of the predetermined commercially available music information storage medium as game music by the commercially available music reproducing means,
And a music game executing means for guiding the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music, based on the operation timing data.

Further, the information storage medium according to the present invention has a commercial music information recording medium reproducing function of reading the recorded content of the commercial music information recording medium containing at least music data in the recorded content and reproducing music based on the recorded content. An information recording medium for recording a game program and game data for causing a provided computer to function as a game device in which a player operates a controller according to game music, the game being based on the recorded contents of a predetermined commercially available music information recording medium. Operation timing data representing the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with music is recorded as at least a part of the game data, and the recorded content of the commercial music information recording medium using the commercial music information recording medium reproducing function is recorded. Read and play music based on the recorded content The commercially available music information recording medium reproducing means for reproducing as a music, the recorded content of the commercially available music information recording medium is read using the commercially available music information recording medium reproducing function, and the commercially available music information recording medium is the predetermined commercially available music information recording medium. It is determined that the commercial music information recording medium discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the commercial musical information recording medium whose recording content is read by the commercial musical information recording medium discriminating means is the predetermined commercial musical information recording medium. In case of
The commercially available music information recording medium reproduction means reproduces music based on the recorded contents of the predetermined commercially available music information recording medium as game music, and the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music is the operation timing data. A program for causing the computer to function as a music game executing means for guiding based on the above is recorded as at least a part of the game program.

According to the present invention, when the commercially available music information recording medium such as a commercially available music CD or a commercially available DVD is a predetermined commercially available music information recording medium, music based on the recorded contents of the commercially available music information recording medium is generated. While being played as game music, the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the recorded contents of the commercially available music information recording medium is guided based on the operation timing data by, for example, image display or voice. It By doing so, it becomes possible to enjoy a music-oriented game using a predetermined commercially available music information recording medium.

(3) Further, the game device according to the present invention is
A game device in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music, and music data reproducing means for acquiring music data from a music data distribution server via a communication network and reproducing music based on the music data as game music. A music data discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the music data acquired by the music reproducing means is predetermined music data, and a timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the predetermined music data And an operation timing data acquisition unit that acquires operation timing data representing the operation timing data, and the music data reproduction unit determines that the music data acquired by the music data reproduction unit is the predetermined music data. Play music based on music data as game music Together, characterized in that it comprises a music game execution means for players to suit the game music is guided based on the timing for operating the controller to the operation timing data, a.

The information recording medium according to the present invention is an information recording medium for recording a game program and game data for causing a computer to function as a game device in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music. Music data reproducing means for acquiring music data from a data distribution server via a communication network and reproducing music based on the music data as game music, and whether the music data acquired by the music reproducing means is predetermined music data Music data discriminating means for judging whether or not, operation timing data acquiring means for acquiring operation timing data indicating a timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with game music based on the predetermined music data, and the music data reproducing means Music data to be acquired is before When it is determined that the music data is the predetermined music data, the music data reproducing means reproduces the music based on the predetermined music data as game music, and the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music is set. A program for causing the computer to function as music game executing means for guiding based on the operation timing data is recorded.

According to the present invention, when the music data acquired through the communication network is predetermined music data, the music based on the music data is played as the game music, and the music data is reproduced in accordance with the game music. The timing at which the player should operate the controller is guided by, for example, image display or sound based on the operation timing data. By doing this, the game music is played based on the music data acquired via the communication network,
It becomes possible to realize a music-oriented game using it.

[0023]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game apparatus 10 is configured by mounting a CD-ROM 25, which is an information storage medium, on a home-use game machine 11 connected to a monitor 18 and a speaker 22. Here, the CD-ROM 25 is used to supply the game program and the game data to the home-use game machine 11, but any other information storage medium such as a DVD or a ROM card can be used.
Further, as will be described later, the game program and the game data can be supplied to the home-use game machine 11 from a remote place via a communication network.

The home-use game machine 11 includes a CPU 14 and a GP.
U16, SPU20, CD-ROM reader 24, RA
The M26, the ROM 28, and the input / output control unit 30 are connected to each other via the bus 12 so that mutual data communication is possible, and the input / output control unit 30 is connected to the controller 32 by a cord. Each component of the home-use game machine 11 other than the controller 32 is housed in a predetermined housing. Monitor 18
Is a home-use television receiver, and the speaker 22 is a built-in speaker thereof.

The CPU 14 is constituted by including a microprocessor, and controls each part of the home-use game machine 11 based on an operating system stored in the ROM 28 and a game program read from the CD-ROM 25. The bus 12 is for exchanging addresses and data between the respective units of the home-use game machine 11. The ROM 28 stores an operating system, which is a program necessary for controlling the overall operation of the home-use game machine 11. The RAM 26 also has a CD-R.
The game program and game data read from the OM 25 are written as necessary. The GPU (graphics processing unit) 16 is configured to include a frame buffer, receives image data sent from the CPU 14, draws a game screen on the frame buffer, and converts the contents into a predetermined video signal. It is output to the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing.

The SPU (sound processing unit) 20 includes a sound buffer,
The data such as music and game sound effects read from the CD-ROM 25 and stored in the sound buffer is reproduced and output from the speaker 22. CD-ROM reader 24
Reads the game program and game data recorded in the CD-ROM 25 according to the instruction from the CPU 14. The CD-ROM reading device 24 also has a function of reading the recorded contents of the commercially available music CD 23 and reproducing and outputting music based on the recorded contents from the speaker 22 via the SPU 20. In the present embodiment, CD-
The ROM 25 stores a game program and game data for realizing a music game. The music stored in the commercial music CD 23 is used as game music.

The input / output control unit 30 is an interface for connecting one or more external input / output devices to the home-use game machine 11. Here, the controller 32 is detachably attached. In addition, an auxiliary storage device such as a memory card or an external communication device such as a modem or a terminal adapter may be connected. The controller 32 is an input means for the player to operate the game, and is provided with various buttons. The input / output control unit 30 scans the operation states of various buttons of the controller 32 at regular intervals (for example, every 1/60 seconds), and passes a signal indicating the scan result to the CPU 14 via the bus 12. CPU14
Determines the player's game operation based on the signal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the controller 32. The controller 32 shown in the figure is generally used for various games, and has a direction button 34, a start button 36, buttons 38X, 38Y, 38A, 38B on its surface.
Is equipped with. The direction button 34 has a cross shape and is usually used to specify the moving direction of the character or the cursor. The start button 36 is a small push button having a triangular shape, and is usually used for starting a game or forcibly ending a game. Button 38X, 3
8Y, 38A, and 38B are used for other game operations.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen generated on the monitor 18 based on the game program and the game data read from the CD-ROM 25. As shown in the figure, in the game screen 40, the background image 4
6 is displayed on the entire surface, and a dance gauge 50 is displayed on it.
And reference arrow marks 48X, 48A, 48Y, 48B
And timing guide arrow marks 44X, 44A, 44
Y, 44B, the score 42, and the message 52 are displayed in a superimposed manner. The score 42 is displayed on the lowermost left side of the game screen 40, and displays the accumulated points so far. The message 52 is displayed in the middle part on the left side of the screen, and displays characters having contents according to the skill of the player's operation. For example, "GREAT", "PE
Characters such as “RFECT”, “GOOD”, and “BOO” are displayed.

The dance gauge 50 is displayed on the upper left of the screen and includes a gauge bar that expands and contracts according to the superiority or inferiority of the game operation. For example, when the game operation receives a high evaluation, the gauge bar extends to the right, and conversely, when the game operation receives only a low evaluation, the gauge bar contracts to the left. When the gauge bar becomes shorter than the predetermined length, the game is over, and the player can see the dance gauge 50 to determine whether or not the game is near. Below the dance gauge 50,
Reference arrow marks 48X, 48A, 48Y, 48B are displayed in this order. Reference arrow marks 48X, 48A,
48Y and 48B are standards for the player to judge the operation timing.

That is, the arrow mark 48X corresponds to the leftward operation of the direction button 34 and the button 38X, and the arrow mark 48X.
A is a downward operation of the direction button 34 and a button 38A,
The arrow mark 48Y corresponds to the upward operation of the direction button 34 and the button 38Y, and the arrow mark 48B corresponds to the right operation of the direction button 34 and the button 38B. And the reference arrow marks 48X, 48A, 48
Timing guide arrow marks 44X, 44A, 44Y, 44B that move upward as time passes are displayed in a relatively wide screen area below Y, 48B.
This timing guide arrow mark 44X, 44A, 44
Y and 44B are reference arrow marks 48X, 48A and 48Y,
By pressing the direction button 34 or the buttons 38X, 38A, 38Y, 38B corresponding to the reference arrow marks 48X, 48A, 48Y, 48B at the timing of overlapping with 48B, the high score can be raised. There is. For example, in the figure, the timing guide arrow mark 44Y is about to overlap the reference arrow mark 48Y. Shortly after this, the player can raise the high score by pressing the button 38Y of the controller 32 or operating the direction button upward.

The timing guide arrow marks 44X, 44A, 44Y and 44B are not necessarily the reference arrow marks 48.
It does not mean that the player cannot increase the score unless the player operates the controller 32 at the timing of completely overlapping the X, 48A, 48Y, and 48B, and the score is given according to the degree of coincidence. The timing guide arrow marks 44X, 44A, 44Y, 44
B is displayed based on step data described later.

Timing guide arrow marks 44X, 44
A, 44Y, and 44B are specifically displayed as follows. When the reproduction of the game music is started, for example, when the operation timing for two measures after the present is set as the guide display range, the CPU 14 reads the operation timing included in the range from the step data. Then, based on the step data, the timing guide arrow marks 44X, 4
Image data representing 4A, 44Y, and 44B is generated. The display position of this image data is adjusted so that the ones whose operation timings are closer to each other are arranged in the downward direction in order from the closer ones.

At this time, below the reference arrow mark 48X, the corresponding left direction operation of the direction button 34 or the button 3 is performed.
A timing guide arrow mark 44X indicating the pressing timing of 8X is displayed, and below the reference arrow mark 48A,
Downward operation or button 38A of the corresponding direction button 34
Guide arrow mark 44 indicating the pressing timing of
A is displayed, below the reference arrow mark 48Y, a timing guide arrow mark 44Y indicating the upward operation of the corresponding direction button 34 or the pressing timing of the button 38Y is displayed, and below the reference arrow mark 48B, the corresponding guide arrow mark 44Y is displayed. A timing guide arrow mark 44B indicating the rightward operation of the direction button 34 or the pressing timing of the button 38B is displayed. In the same drawing, one timing guide arrow mark 44X, 44A, 44Y, 44B is displayed in each column, but a plurality of timing guide arrow marks 44X, 44A, 44Y, 44B may be displayed depending on the arrival of the operation timing. The generated image data is superimposed on the background image 46 and forms a part of the game screen 40. The above process is repeated in a predetermined cycle.

The head of the guide display range corresponds to the playing position of the game music at that time, and the guide display range is shifted backward from the head of the music by a predetermined amount for each process. Thus, the timing guide arrow marks 44X, 44A, 44
Y and 44B gradually move upward as the music progresses. In this way, the timing guide arrow mark 44X,
If 44A, 44Y, and 44B are displayed, the game screen 40
As a result, the player can easily understand the arrival of the operation timing.

Here, the data stored in the CD-ROM 25 will be described. In order to make the home-use game machine 11 function as a music game on the CD-ROM 25,
In addition to the game program, various game sound effect data, various game image data, operation timing data and background image data necessary for executing the game program are stored in association with each game music. As the game music, a part of the music stored in the commercial music CD 23 is used as described above.

FIG. 4 is stored in the CD-ROM 25,
It is a figure explaining the operation timing data and background image data linked | related with a certain game music. As shown in the figure, the operation timing data includes step data and a timing table. The step data defines a procedure to be operated by the player when the corresponding game music is played. This step data is created according to the rhythm of the corresponding game music. Note that a plurality of sets of step data may be prepared for one game music, and may be selectively used depending on the difficulty level, the play mode, and the like. The step data includes a plurality of data blocks corresponding to each bar of the corresponding game music. Each data block is configured to include information that specifies which button of the controller 32 should be operated and which beat when the measure of the corresponding game music is decomposed into a predetermined number of beats, for example, 4 beats or 8 beats. Has been done.

The timing table is prepared for adjusting the timing of the corresponding game music and the step data, and the CPU 14 refers to the timing table to obtain the step data corresponding to the current playing position of the corresponding game music. It is possible to identify.

On the other hand, the background image data is for displaying the background image 46 of the game screen 40 shown in FIG. 3, for example. The background image data may be moving image data or still image data. A background image suitable for the atmosphere is selected for each game music, and the mood of the player is visually stimulated.

In the game device 10 according to this embodiment, a predetermined commercial music CD 23 owned by the player is attached to the CD-ROM reading device 24 of the home-use game machine 11 (here, the title is "XXX"). A guide screen appears on the monitor 18 at a predetermined timing so as to set a pair of commercially available music CDs). Then, in accordance with this, the player makes a predetermined commercial music CD 2
3 is set in the CD-ROM reading device 24, the recorded contents are read, and music based on the recorded contents is reproduced and output from the speaker 22 as game music. That is, when the CD-ROM reading device 24 reads the music data from the commercially available music CD 23 according to the instruction from the CPU 14, the CD-ROM reading device 24 directly supplies the music data to the SPU 20 without passing through the bus 12. Upon receiving the data directly from the CD-ROM reading device 24, the SPU 20 D / A converts it and supplies it to the speaker 22.

Now, the processing of the game program executed by the home-use game machine 11 will be described. Figure 5 is a CD
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating main processing performed by the home-use game machine 11 that executes the game program stored in the ROM 25. Player inserts CD-ROM 25 into CD-RO
When it is set in the M reading device 24 and the power of the home-use game machine 11 is turned on, first, the operating system stored in the ROM 28 is executed and various initialization operations are performed. At this time, the portion of the game program stored in the CD-ROM 25 required for the immediate processing is the RAM 2
Loaded in 6. According to the game program, the game title and the like are displayed on the monitor 18, and thereafter,
The main menu is displayed automatically or according to the operation of the controller 32. Here, when the player selects the "commercial music CD mode", the game processing of the characteristic commercial music CD mode in the game device 10 is started.

In this process, first, the operation timing data and background image data corresponding to the music stored in the commercially available music CD 23 are read out from the CD-ROM 25 and stored in the RAM.
26. In addition, out of the game programs and game data recorded in the CD-ROM 25, all that is necessary for executing the play in which the music stored in the commercially available music CD 23 is used as the game music is read out and stored in the RAM 26 (S100). ). Next, a play condition setting menu is displayed on the monitor 18. Here, the player sets and inputs the number of players (one person or two people), the degree of difficulty, etc. (play condition) (S101). This play condition is also R
It is stored in the AM 26. Next, the CPU 14 is a commercial music C
Of the plurality of music (songs) recorded in D23, the titles that can be played on the game device 10 are displayed to prompt the player to make a selection. Then, in response thereto, the music selected by the player using the controller 32 is determined as a performance song (S102).

Next, a disk exchange process is performed (S10).
3). In this disc exchange process, first, the CD-ROM
A commercial music CD 23 in which the CD-ROM 25 is removed from the reading device 24 and the music selected by the player is recorded.
Replace the CD-ROM reader 24 with, for example, "" XXX "DISC1. , Etc. are displayed on the monitor 18. At this time, the CPU 14 causes the C
It is monitored whether or not the lid (or tray) of the D-ROM reader 24 is empty, and if it is not empty, the CD-RO in which the game program and the game data are still stored.
It is determined that M25 is set, and a guidance display saying "You can return by pressing the X button." Is added. When the button 38X is pressed in response to this guidance, for example, the state before selecting the commercial music CD mode is restored. On the other hand, CD-R
If the lid (or tray) of the OM reader 24 has already been emptied, it is determined that the CD-ROM 25 in which the game program and game data are stored has been removed, and the guidance display saying "You can return by pressing the X button." Not performed.

The CPU 14 further monitors whether the lid (or tray) of the CD-ROM reading device 24 is closed, and when the lid (or tray) of the CD-ROM reading device 24 is closed, the commercially available music CD 23 is played. It is checked whether it is set, the CD-ROM 25 is set, or nothing is set. If nothing is set, the guide display "The disc cannot be read. Please set the disc again." If the CD-ROM 25 is set,
"The disc is different. Replace it with "XXX" DISC1. ] Is displayed. On the other hand, commercial music CD
If 23 is set, the commercially available music CD23
The TOC (Title of Contents) information is read from and it is checked whether the contents (total playing time, number of songs, start time of each song) match those prepared in advance. Thus, it is determined whether the currently set one is the intended commercial music CD 23. In addition, the intended commercial music CD23 ("X
The TOC information of a pair of commercially available music CDs entitled "XX" is stored in advance in the CD-ROM 25 and transferred to the RAM 26 in S100. In this way, it is checked whether the set commercial music CD23 or the like is the predetermined (desired) commercial music CD23, and if it is not the predetermined commercial music CD23, "the disc is different. "XX
Replace with "X" DISC1. , Etc. are displayed. On the other hand, if the predetermined commercial music CD 23 is set, the player starts the reproduction output of the music selected in S102 (S104).

Next, the CPU 14 generates image data for step guidance, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, based on the step data among the data already loaded in S100,
The step guidance is updated by outputting it to the monitor 18 (S105). At this time, the CPU 14 determines the correspondence between the step data and the original music data according to the timing table. As the step data and the timing table, those corresponding to the music selected in S102 are used. In addition, the image for step guidance is in accordance with preset play conditions.

Thereafter, it is determined whether the current playing position belongs to the evaluation period based on the current playing position and the step data (S106). The evaluation period is a period in which the operation timing of the player is compared with the timing defined in the step data. When a certain moment is defined in the step data as the operation timing, a period of a predetermined time width before and after that is set as the evaluation period.

When the current playing position belongs to the evaluation period,
The operation state of the controller 32 is scanned (S10
7) Evaluate the player's game operation based on the scan result (S108). That is, according to the step data, the direction button 3 is currently in the evaluation period.
Button 38X, 38A, 3
It is possible to know which of 8Y and 38B is pressed. Therefore, here, it is determined whether or not the direction button 34 and the button 38 to be evaluated are actually operated, and it is checked how much the operation timing deviates from that defined in the step data. Then, the smaller the deviation, the higher the evaluation. For example, the highest point when the deviation is zero, the zero point when the deviation is maximum,
A negative point is given when the wrong direction button 34 or button 38 is pressed or when no operation is performed. In addition, when a plurality of operations of the direction buttons 34 and the buttons 38 are evaluated, the same evaluation is performed for each button. The evaluation result is stored in the RAM 26, and the current score is added to the previous score stored in the RAM 26 to be the total score. This total result is displayed as the score 42 (S109). At this time, the display state of the dance gauge 50 is also updated. That is, if a high evaluation is obtained, extend the gauge bar to the right,
On the contrary, if only a low evaluation is obtained, the gauge bar is contracted to the left. Further, the message 52 is displayed on the game screen 40 according to the evaluation obtained in step S108.

After that, the CPU 14 judges that the game play satisfies the ending condition (S110). For example,
If the total result is below the predetermined threshold value, or if the player continues to press the start button 36 of the controller 32 for a predetermined time, the game play ends. If the game play satisfies the ending condition, a comprehensive evaluation of the entire play is performed based on the contents of the RAM 26, and the comprehensive evaluation is displayed on the monitor 18. On the other hand, when the game play does not satisfy the ending condition, the process is returned to S105. When the game play ends, the CD-RO in which the original game program and the game data are stored is stored if necessary.
A guide is displayed on the monitor 18 so as to reset the M25 in the CD-ROM reader 24.

According to the game device 10 described above, it is possible to enjoy a music game by using the music recorded in the commercially available music CD 23 as the game music without modifying the predetermined commercially available music CD 23.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

For example, while the above description is of an example in which the present invention is carried out using the home-use game machine 11,
The present invention can be similarly applied to an arcade game machine.
In this case, it is desirable to use a higher-speed storage device instead of the CD-ROM 25 and integrally form the monitor 18 and the speaker 22.

In the above description, music which is game music is read from the commercially available music CD 23.
Music used as game music may be read from a commercially available music information storage medium such as an MD or a MD. Also, now
Various services for distributing music data to homes via a communication network such as the Internet have been studied. Even if music to be used as game music is acquired from a music data distribution server used in such a service. Good.

Further, in the above description, the CD-ROM 25 storing the game program and the game data is used in the home-use game machine 11, but the recorded contents of the commercial music CD 23 such as a personal computer having a CD player can be read. Any computer can be used as long as it has a commercial music CD reproducing function for reproducing music based on the recorded contents.

Further, in the above description, the CD-ROM 25, which is an information storage medium, stores the game program and the game data.
The game program and the game data can be delivered to the home or the like via the communication network. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a game program distribution system using a communication network. As shown in the figure, the game program distribution system 53 includes a game database 5
4, server 56, communication network 60, personal computer 6
2, home game console 64, PDA (personal digital assistant) 66
Is included. Of these, the game database 54 and the server 56 constitute a game program distribution device 58. The communication network 60 is, for example, the Internet or a cable television network. In this system, the game database 54 stores the same game program and game data as the contents stored in the CD-ROM 25. Then, when the consumer makes a game distribution request using the personal computer 62, the home-use game machine 64, the PDA 66, or the like, this is transmitted to the server 56 via the communication network 60. Then, the server 56 reads the game program and the game data from the game database 54 in response to the game distribution request, and transmits the game program and the game data to a game distribution request source such as a personal computer, a home-use game machine 64 or a PDA 66. Although the game is distributed here in response to the game distribution request, it may be unilaterally transmitted from the server 56. Further, it is not always necessary to distribute all the game programs and game data necessary for realizing the game at once, and it is also possible to distribute the necessary parts according to the aspect of the game. In this way, if the game is distributed via the communication network 60,
A consumer can easily obtain a game program and game data for playing a music game using the commercially available music CD 23.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of a controller.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a structure of operation timing data.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the game device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a game program distribution system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 game machines, 11, 64 home game machines, 12
Bus, 14 CPU, 16 graphics processing unit, 18 monitor, 20 sound processing unit, 22 speaker, 23 commercially available music C
D, 24 CD-ROM reader, 25 CD-RO
M, 26 RAM, 28 ROM, 30 input / output control unit,
32 controller, 34 direction button, 36 start button, 38A, 38B, 38X, 38Y button,
40 game screens, 44A, 44B, 44X, 44Y
Timing guide arrow mark, 46 background image, 48A,
48B, 48X, 48Y Reference arrow mark, 50 Dance gauge, 53 Game program distribution system, 54
Game database, 56 server, 58 game program distribution device, 60 communication network, 62 personal computer, 66 PDA.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kazuhiko Nobe             Stock Market Association, 1-8-10 Harumi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo             Konami Computer Entertainment Inc.             Within Tokyo (72) Inventor Hidetoshi Kuraishi             Stock Market Association, 1-8-10 Harumi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo             Konami Computer Entertainment Inc.             Within Tokyo F term (reference) 2C001 AA17 BA01 BA05 BA07 BB01                       BC02 BC09 BD01 CA02 CB01                       CB04 CB08 CC02 CC03 CC08

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A game device in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music in a computer equipped with a commercially available music information recording medium reproducing function for reading recorded contents of a commercially available music information recording medium and reproducing music based on the recorded contents. A database for storing a game program for functioning as a storage medium, and a server, wherein the database reads the recorded contents of the commercially available music information recording medium using the commercially available music information recording medium reproducing function, A commercially available music information recording medium reproducing means for reproducing music based on the game music as game music; reading the recorded contents of the commercially available music information recording medium by using the commercially available music information recording medium reproducing function; A commercially available music information recording medium discriminating means for discriminating whether or not it is a storage medium; Means for obtaining operation timing data indicating the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the stored contents of the music information recording medium, and commercially available music whose recorded contents are read by the commercially available music information recording medium discrimination means. When it is determined that the information recording medium is the predetermined commercial music information recording medium, the commercial music information recording medium reproducing means reproduces music based on the recorded content of the predetermined commercial music information recording medium as game music. At the same time, a program for causing the computer to function as a music game executing means for guiding the player according to the operation timing data when to operate the controller according to the game music is stored as at least a part of the game program. And the server is A game distribution apparatus, which reads the game program from the database in response to a game distribution request and distributes the game program via a communication network. 2. A database storing a game program for causing a computer to function as a game device in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music, and a server, wherein the database communicates from a music data distribution server. Music data reproducing means for acquiring music data via a network and reproducing music based on the music data as game music, and determining whether or not the music data acquired by the music reproducing means is predetermined music data Music data discriminating means, operation timing data acquiring means for acquiring operation timing data indicating a timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with game music based on the predetermined music data, music data acquired by the music data reproducing means Is the prescribed music When it is determined that the music data is reproduced, the music data reproducing means reproduces music based on the predetermined music data as game music, and the player operates the controller in accordance with the game music. A program for causing the computer to function as a music game executing means for guiding based on timing data is stored as at least a part of the game program, and the server stores the game program from the database in response to a game distribution request. A program distribution device, which reads out and distributes the game program through a communication network. 3. A game apparatus in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music in a computer equipped with a commercially available music information recording medium reproducing function for reading recorded contents of a commercially available music information recording medium and reproducing music based on the recorded contents. Is a database that stores a game program for functioning as a server, is connected to a server, reads the game program by the server, and distributes the game program via a communication network. A commercially available music information recording medium reproducing means for reading the recorded contents of the commercially available music information recording medium by using the recording medium reproducing function and reproducing music based on the recorded contents as game music, and commercially available by using the commercially available music information recording medium reproducing function. Read the recorded contents of the music information recording medium and A commercially available music information recording medium discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the medium is a predetermined commercially available music CD, and represents the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the stored contents of the predetermined commercially available music information recording medium. Means for acquiring operation timing data, and the commercial music information recording medium whose recorded content is read by the commercial music information recording medium discriminating means is judged to be the predetermined commercial music information recording medium, the commercial music information recording medium The information recording medium reproducing means reproduces music based on the recorded contents of the predetermined commercially available music information recording medium as game music, and the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music is based on the operation timing data. A computer functioning as a music game executing means for guiding Database program is stored as at least a part of the game program for causing. 4. A game program for causing a computer to function as a game device in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music is stored, connected to a server, and the server reads the game program, A database for distributing a game program via a communication network, wherein the music data reproducing means acquires music data from a music data distribution server via the communication network and reproduces music based on the music data as game music. Music data discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the music data acquired by the music reproducing means is predetermined music data, and operation for indicating the timing at which the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music based on the predetermined music data. Get timing data Operation timing data acquisition means, and when the music data acquired by the music data reproduction means is determined to be the predetermined music data, the music data reproduction means plays music based on the predetermined music data as game music. And a program for causing the computer to function as a music game execution means for guiding the player according to the operation timing data when the player should operate the controller in accordance with the game music. Database stored as a department.