JP3938231B2 - Computer device for executing a video game in cooperation with a digital broadcast program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for implementing a game competition in which a large number of people participate by using a large number of widely distributed computer devices.
[0002]
[Prior art]
One recently popular computer game is a “fishing game” that lets you experience fishing on a computer. In actual fishing, in addition to the technical enjoyment of how well you can manipulate the rods and reels, you can directly enjoy the nature that changes in various ways depending on the season, region, time, etc. There is fun in the outdoor aspect. In the case of simulating fishing with a computer game, the technical enjoyment of these funs can be enhanced by concentrating on the algorithms included in the game program body. Also, outdoor enjoyment can be enhanced by making the background video more realistic.
[0003]
By the way, video information such as background video has a data size larger than that of the game program main body. However, at present, computer games are often supplied to users by a portable recording medium having a limited recording capacity per unit, such as a CD-ROM or a ROM cartridge, and the number of recording media is large. In addition, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost and the transportation cost are uneconomical, and it is necessary to replace the recording medium in the middle of the game, resulting in a decrease in convenience.
[0004]
Recently, in order to solve this problem, a method of supplying video information such as background video by broadcasting means such as digital broadcasting has been proposed. According to this method, the recording capacity of the recording medium is not limited. Large-scale video can be supplied, and it is also possible to continuously supply fresh video by creating new videos one after another on the broadcast side.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in general, it is more fun to collaborate and compete with a large number of people than to enjoy computer games alone. Therefore, the present inventors can further increase the number of users if a large number of people can cooperate or compete in a computer device that progresses a game using the video information transmitted by the digital broadcasting described above. I thought I could entertain.
[0006]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for conducting a game competition with a large number of people participating in a computer device that progresses a game while using video received by broadcasting, which can be more enjoyed by users. For the purpose.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The computer device according to the present invention executes a video game in cooperation with a digital broadcast program, and, for convenience, will be specified by the following items (1) to (9).
(1) A computer device including storage means, reception means, operation input means, control means, video composition means, video output means, and sound output means. (2) The storage means is a game. (3) The receiving means receives the digital broadcast according to the control of the control means, outputs the video signal, and extracts the game additional information multiplexed in the video signal. (4) Game addition The information includes a subprogram and a parameter for assisting the game program main body. (5) The operation input means enables game operation input by the game player. (6) The control means is based on the game program main body. -Performing the third process (7) The first process allows the receiving means to receive the digital broadcast of the channel set in the game program body ( ) The second process combines the subprogram and parameters output by the receiving means into the game program main body. (9) The third process is a CG video signal and an audio signal according to the game program main body, subprogram, parameter and game operation input. , The CG video signal and the video signal output from the receiving means are combined by the video synthesizing means and displayed by the video output means, and the sound output means is caused to sound by the sound output means.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
=== Personal computer ===
A personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) used in this embodiment is a central processing unit 11 constituted by a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, an external storage device 13 such as a hard disk device, a CD-ROM device 15, and a CG according to a game program. A CG video processing device 17 for generating video is included. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a PC. Further, an operation input device 21 such as a display 19, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, and a game pad and an operation control device 23 for controlling these are connected to the PC as necessary. A speaker 27 is connected via the sound processing device 25. Various functions of the PC are centrally controlled by a personal computer OS (Windows 95 (registered trademark), Windows NT (registered trademark), etc.) running on the PC. A communication control device 29 such as a modem or TA (terminal adapter) for connecting to the public line network is connected to the PC.
[0016]
The PC has a slot for installing an expansion board that complies with ISA or PCI bus standards, and the slot is equipped with an IRD (Integrated Receiver / Decorder) function-equipped data receiver board for receiving CS data broadcasts. 31 is attached. The data receiving board 31 may be a data receiving board 31 that is not equipped with an IRD function. The CS data broadcasting here is a data broadcasting service for PCs such as Perfec PC (registered trademark), and various data such as video data are provided in the same way as CS digital broadcasting such as Perfec TV (registered trademark) already implemented. Is a service for transmitting digitally multiplexed broadcasts to the ground through the communication satellite 33. Broadcast programs broadcasted by CS data broadcasting are created by businesses, but the businesses and CS data broadcasting stations 35 are connected by a communication network such as a dedicated line, and the businesses can view the created broadcast programs. It can be transmitted directly to the broadcasting station 35 via this communication network. The broadcast station 27 broadcasts the transmitted broadcast program toward the ground via the communication satellite 33.
[0017]
An external antenna such as a parabolic antenna 37 is connected to the data receiving board 31. The data receiving board 31 is controlled by software such as a device driver or an application program. The data receiving board 31 has a function of demodulating radio waves received by the parabolic antenna 37, decoding MPEG-compressed data, and separating and reproducing multiplexed video and various types of information. An IC card in which a user ID is registered can be inserted into the data receiving board 31, and a PPV (Pay Per View) type charging system implemented in PerfecTV (registered trademark) or the like can be used.
[0018]
The video output from the data receiving board 31 and the video output from the CG video processing device 17 are combined by the video combining device 39. The video composition device 39 outputs the synthesized video to the display 19. A printer device 41 is connected to the video composition device.
[0019]
=== About fishing game ===
(1) Game program body In the present embodiment, a fishing game is performed on the PC described above. The game program body of the fishing game is supplied by a CD-ROM. The fishing game is a fishing simulation game that allows you to enjoy actual fishing on a computer. The user selects a tackle (eg, rod, gimmick, reel, etc.) and inputs the selected tackle using a keyboard or joystick. It is operated by the device 21 to perform operations such as casting, wrasse, and winding.
[0020]
(2) Information CS data broadcast included in CS data broadcast Broadcast programs for fishing games are broadcast. This broadcast program includes game additional information and additional video multiplexed. The additional video is a video of an actual fishing spot such as a video of the sea or a video of a lake, for example, and plays a role of enhancing the realism and realism of the game. The additional video received by the PC is reproduced by the data receiving board 31 described above. On the other hand, the game additional information includes subprograms, various parameters, and the like, which are combined with the game program body to define the functions of the game program body. For example, the game additional information may be consistent with the content of the additional video and the game story so that the saury can be caught well when the additional video is “Autumn Sea”. It plays a role of assisting the game program body, such as making changes to the game story as in the case of.
[0021]
The game program body creates CG images of the scenes one after another as the game progresses. If necessary, the game program body synthesizes the CG video with an additional video included in the CS data broadcast program.
[0022]
(3) Broadcast program selection function by game program There are many multiplexed channels in digital satellite broadcasting. The game program has a function of automatically setting a channel, and if the user sets a channel to be received in advance for the game program, the game program automatically becomes a broadcast program at startup. Connected.
[0023]
=== Actuality of fishing game ===
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the “fishing game”. After setting the CD-ROM in which the game program main body is recorded on the PC, the game program main body is activated by performing a predetermined operation on the operation input device (100). The game program body starts using the game additional information sent from the data receiving board 31 and taking in the additional video immediately after starting (110). Thereafter, until the game ends, the game program main body advances the game while using the game additional information and appropriately synthesizing the additional video with the CG video.
[0024]
Next, the game program proceeds with the tackle (device, reel, bag, etc.) selection process with the player (120). When the tackle is determined, the player is instructed to perform casting (an operation to throw the device into the water) using a CG image. When the player performs a predetermined operation on the keyboard or the like to give a casting instruction, a CG image showing how the device is thrown into the water is displayed on the display 19 (130). Players wait for Atari to come after casting. The game program generates an attack at an appropriate timing, displays a CG image with a bent tip, and informs the player that the attack is coming (140). The game program produces a CG image in accordance with the player's operation until the fish is completely picked up (150). At the stage when the fish is raised to the water, the PC performs services such as displaying the information of the fish caught, and then uses the latest game additional information sent from the data receiving board 31 and captures additional images. Return to the casting screen and repeat the same process as before. When the player's end instruction or a specified time elapses, the PC ends the game, and the player's fishing results are converted into points and displayed on the display (160 to 180).
[0025]
=== About the competition ===
This fishing game can be enjoyed not only in the above-described way of enjoying (hereinafter referred to as the normal mode) but also in the competition mode in which players compete for their own fishing results. The competition is managed and managed by a host device 43 operated by a business operator who provides the game program body. The host device 43 can be connected to a large number of PCs scattered over a wide area via a public line network, and can perform upstream communication for collecting information of each PC and downstream communication from the host device 43 to each PC. The host device 43 communicates with the above-described broadcasting station, and can broadcast appropriate information through CS data broadcasting.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the game in the competition mode. Prior to the start of the competition, the host device 43 included information on the competition (hereinafter referred to as competition information) such as the fact that the competition will be held through CS data broadcasting and the participation method and implementation method of the competition. A broadcast program in which game additional information or additional video is multiplexed is broadcast (310). The PC receives the broadcast program (210), informs the player of the competition information contained in the broadcast program 17 on the display 17, and inquires the player about his intention to participate in the competition (220). If the player wishes to participate in the competition, the PC connects to the host device 43 through the public network and reports to that effect to the host device 43 (240). Receiving the report, the host device 43 registers that the player participates in the database on the host device 43 (320 to 330).
[0027]
At the start time of the competition, the host device 43 broadcasts a broadcast program in which the game additional information or the additional video included in the competition start message is multiplexed by CS data broadcasting (340). When the PC receives the broadcast program (250), it starts a score totaling process for the competition (260). Scoring is performed in consideration of the number, size, type, etc. of fish caught within a predetermined time. In addition, the tackle used, the type of fish, etc. are also considered.For example, when fishing a fish that is difficult to catch with the tackle used, the higher the score, the more severe the various conditions when fishing, Consideration is given to a high score.
[0028]
When a predetermined time has elapsed, the host device 43 transmits the broadcast program in which the game additional information or the additional video including the message for reporting the end of the competition in the form of the game additional information or the additional video is multiplexed as CS data. Broadcast by broadcasting (350). The PC switches the competition mode to the normal mode and ends the score totaling process, and reports the score to the host device 43 through the public line network (270 to 280).
[0029]
The host device 43 organizes and records the game scores reported from each PC in a database, and based on the game scores, an overall score table showing the average score and the results of only the top prize winners, A personalized result table describing the scores and deviation values for each individual is created (370). The host device 43 edits the comprehensive result table into an appropriate form and broadcasts it by CS data broadcasting (380). The PC receives this and displays it on the display 17 as appropriate. Since the personalized report is expected to have a considerable amount of data if there are many participants in the competition, the CS data broadcast will not be performed like the comprehensive report, but the users are not public. It is possible to connect to the host device 43 through the line network and appropriately refer to the individual results managed in the database of the host device 43 (390).
[0030]
=== Other applications ===
In the present embodiment, the game program main body is supplied by a CD-ROM, but other portable recording media such as a ROM cartridge may of course be used. Further, the game program main body may be appropriately downloaded to a PC through digital satellite broadcasting.
[0031]
In addition, CS data broadcasting has an EPG (Eerectronic Program Guide: Electronic Program Guide) function that is automatically downloaded to the PC when the broadcast time is automatically reserved if the video to be viewed and the game program to be acquired are reserved in advance. If this is used, additional information and the main body of the game program can be obtained automatically so that the user can enjoy the desired game even if the PC cannot be operated during the broadcast time. Become.
[0032]
Further, when a tackle is selected, a help message may be displayed to provide the user with various types of advice information according to the season and location. In this case, since the consistency between the additional video and the game content is maintained by the game additional information as described above, the content of the advice information to be provided is also changed by the game additional information to match, for example, the season and place of the additional video. For example, if the season is “Autumn” and the place is “Miyakojima” and you can catch “Saury” well under this situation, "A sample of tackle suitable for fishing is provided as advice information."
[0033]
Further, if the game additional information is broadcast so that the game progresses in accordance with the actual fishing spot information of the fishing spot broadcast as the additional video, the reality can be further enhanced. In addition, since there are many actual fishing fans among users who enjoy fishing games, fishing ground information may be broadcast as additional video or game additional information for them. In this way, actual fishing information can be obtained while enjoying the fishing game.
[0034]
In addition, a personal computer communication function is provided in the game software, a personal computer communication host station is operated on the host device 43, etc., and information can be exchanged among users through forums provided by the host station, for example. If it is possible to compare the results of fishing and the catch of fish that have been caught, the enjoyment can be further increased. In this case, a function equivalent to that of the host station described above may be provided by a server on the Internet, and information exchange may be performed through the Internet. A mailing list may also be used.
[0035]
Further, the additional video can be used not only for a fishing game, but also as a screen saver, or as a background video when performing a work other than a game on a PC.
[0036]
Further, if a game controller with a sensation generating device is connected to the PC, the player can experience the feeling of atari and the force applied to the heel, and the game can be more realistic.
[0037]
Moreover, you may make it collect participation expenses from the user who participates in a competition using the charging system of a PPV (pay per view) system. When collecting the participation fee, prizes such as sending a real fish of the same type as the fish caught directly or giving a travel pack to the place of the additional video that was shed during the game are given to the top prize winners. If given to the user, the user's sense of resistance to collecting the participation fee can be reduced.
[0038]
In addition, using the Internet network instead of the public telephone network such as the telephone network or ISDN network described above, the above-mentioned personalized result table is prepared in a server on the Internet so that it can be referred to appropriately through the Internet. Also good.
[0039]
Further, if a printer device is connected to the PC so that the fish caught by the fish can be printed out, the user can be further enjoyed.
[0040]
In the present invention, a computer device including an external storage device such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and a hard disk device, an external storage device such as a hard disk device, an operation input device such as a game controller, a display device, and a CD A reading device for a recording medium such as a ROM, CG video generating means for generating a CG video such as lyrics, a digital broadcast receiving device for receiving a background video broadcast by digital broadcasting, the CG video and the background video An existing communication karaoke terminal that includes a video control device for connecting to a public communication network used for downloading music data of new music and a communication control device for connecting to a public communication network used to download new music data instead of the PC Can do.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to carry out a game competition in which a large number of people participate in a computer device that progresses a game using video received by broadcasting, thereby further enhancing the game competition. Users can be entertained. In addition, since a method of supplying by broadcasting means such as digital broadcasting is used, large-scale video can be supplied without being limited by the recording capacity of the recording medium, and new videos are created one after another on the broadcasting side. By doing so, it is possible to continuously provide the user with fresh images.
[0042]
In addition, the host device creates, as the results table, a comprehensive result table that narrows down the information to only the average score and the top prize winners, and an individual result table that describes individual scores and deviation values of each player. , Comprehensive report will be edited in an appropriate form and broadcast by digital broadcasting, and individual report will be published as a database on public networks such as personal computer communication or the Internet that can be referred to by connecting with the public communication network In this case, a user who wants to refer only to the comprehensive report table does not need to access the host device via the public communication network, so there is no problem that the access is concentrated and the line is congested.
[0043]
Further, an existing communication karaoke terminal can be used instead of the PC. Therefore, if it is a karaoke shop which has a communication karaoke terminal, this invention can be implemented easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a game device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow of a “fishing game” executed in the game apparatus in the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow of a “fishing game” in a competition mode in the game device according to the embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
11 Central control device 17 CG video processing device 19 Display 21 Operation input device 28 Video composition device 29 Communication control device 31 Data receiving board 35 Broadcasting station

Claims (1)

A computer apparatus comprising storage means, receiving means, operation input means, control means, video composition means, video output means, and sound output means,
The storage means stores the game program body,
The receiving means receives the digital broadcast according to the control of the control means, outputs a video signal, and extracts game additional information multiplexed on the video signal,
The game additional information includes a subprogram and parameters for assisting the game program body,
The operation input means enables game operation input by the game player,
The control means performs first to third processing based on the game program body ,
The first process causes the receiving means to receive a digital broadcast of a channel set in the game program body,
The second process combines the subprogram and parameters output by the receiving means into the game program body,
In the third process, a CG video signal and an audio signal are generated according to the game program main body, subprogram, parameters, and game operation input, and the CG video signal and the video signal output from the receiving means are synthesized by the video synthesizing means. A computer apparatus that displays the sound signal using the output means and causes the sound output means to generate a sound.

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