JP4429344B2 - Game machine and computer program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine having a function of controlling the amount of game media that can be deposited as credits from a player.

Lockout time set at a time slightly earlier than the store closing time as a commercial or commercial game machine that enables game play in exchange for game value such as coins, medals, and tokens. In addition, there is a game machine that prevents the game from continuing after the closing time by making it impossible to insert game media (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3331347

  In the above-mentioned field of commercial or commercial game machines, the game medium inserted by the player is stored as credit, and a single play opportunity is provided to the player in exchange for consuming a predetermined unit amount of game medium from the credit. Game machines with functions have become widespread. In this type of game machine, it is possible to deposit an amount of game media corresponding to multiple play opportunities (an integral multiple of the unit amount) as credits in advance. For this reason, a large amount of credit may remain at the time when the store closing time is approaching, and processing of the remaining credit becomes a problem simply by making it impossible to insert a new game medium. For example, if it is possible to play until the remaining credit is exhausted, there is a high possibility that the closing time will not be observed. On the other hand, if all credits are refunded immediately before closing the store, there is a risk of waste.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game machine with improved credit processing when a time at which a certain restriction should be imposed on game play approaches, such as a closing time, and a computer program suitable for this. And

  The game machine according to the present invention stores a game medium as a credit from a player, and provides the player with one play opportunity of a new game in exchange for consuming a predetermined unit amount of the game medium from the credit (1 ), The time measuring means (10) for measuring the current time, the time limit storage means (12) for storing the time limit, the remaining time from the current time to the time limit, and the time from the current time to the time limit. Credit limit means (10) for limiting the upper limit amount (Nmax) of game media that can be deposited as the credit based on the remaining time of the game and the play time of the game in the one play opportunity. Then, the credit limit means increases the remaining time as the remaining time decreases after the remaining time decreases to a predetermined limit area. By reducing the amount stepwise, for solving the above problems.

  According to the game machine of the present invention, after the remaining time until the time limit is reduced to the limit area, the upper limit amount of game media that can be deposited as credit by the game machine is gradually reduced by the credit limit means. . Therefore, the remaining credit amount gradually decreases as the time limit approaches. As a result, it is possible to process a reasonable credit so that the credit is almost completely consumed when the time limit is reached. Therefore, the inconvenience that a large amount of game media is left as credits just before the time limit can be solved.

  In one form of the game machine of the present invention, the credit limiting means is obtained by multiplying the maximum integer value by the unit amount within a range not exceeding a value obtained by dividing the play time from the remaining time. The upper limit amount may be decreased stepwise by repeating the process of setting a value as the upper limit amount. The maximum integer value in a range not exceeding the value obtained by dividing the remaining time by the play time corresponds to the maximum value of the number of new games that can be played within the remaining time. The maximum value of the number of times of the game multiplied by the unit amount of game media consumed in exchange for one play opportunity is set as the upper limit amount, so that a new game may be continued beyond the time limit Can be eliminated.

  The game machine of the present invention may be able to provide a play opportunity of a continue game that continues to be played from the state at the end of the game in exchange for consumption of a game medium of a continuous amount equal to or less than the unit amount. In that case, the credit restriction means permits the continuation amount of the game medium to be credited when the remaining time is less than the play time and longer than a time required for one play of the continue game. It is good. Since a continuous game does not require initial settings such as difficulty settings, the time required for playing it is usually shorter than the time required for a new game. Therefore, a game medium consumed in exchange for a continue game. Is set to be equal to or less than the unit amount of game media consumed in exchange for the new game. In such a case, even if the remaining time until the time limit is insufficient and it is impossible to start a new game next time, the time remaining until the time limit is required for one play of the continue game. If it is more than a certain amount of time, it is possible to continue a limited amount of game media as credits, so that even if a new game is impossible, only the continue game can continue within the time limit. Become. Thereby, the time zone after the new game becomes impossible can be used effectively, and the operating rate of the game machine can be improved.

  In one form of the game machine of the present invention, the time limit may be set as a time at which the operation of the game machine should be terminated. Thereby, the game medium deposited as credits by the time when the operation of the game machine should be ended can be appropriately processed to smoothly end the operation of the game machine.

  The game machine of the present invention stores a game medium as a credit from a player, and in exchange for consuming a predetermined unit amount of the game medium from the credit, the game machine continues a state at the end of the game and continues. In the game machine (1) that provides the player with the opportunity to play, the time counting means (10) for timing the current time, the time limit storage means (12) for storing the time limit, and the time from the current time to the time limit Credit limiting means (10) for limiting the upper limit amount (Nmax) of game media that can be deposited as the credit based on the remaining time and the play time of the game in a single play opportunity of the continue game; And the credit restriction means includes the remaining time after the remaining time is reduced to a predetermined restricted area. By reducing the upper limit amount stepwise in accordance with time decreases, solving the above problems.

  According to the game machine of the present invention, after the remaining time until the time limit is reduced to the limit area, the upper limit amount of game media that can be deposited as credit by the game machine is gradually reduced by the credit limit means. . Therefore, the remaining credit amount gradually decreases as the time limit approaches. Since the upper limit amount of the game medium is limited based on one play opportunity of the continue game, a play opportunity can be provided to the player only for the continue game after the limit area. As a result, it is possible to process a reasonable credit so that the credit is almost completely consumed when the time limit is reached. Therefore, the inconvenience that a large amount of game media is left as credits just before the time limit can be solved.

According to the present invention, a process for depositing game media as credits from a player and providing a player with one play opportunity of a new game in exchange for consuming a predetermined unit amount of game media from the credits is performed by a computer (10). You may embody as a computer program applied to the game machine (1) to implement | achieve. The computer program includes a computer having time limit storage means for storing a time limit, the remaining time from the current time counted by the computer to the time limit, and the game play time at the one play opportunity. The credit limit means is configured to function as a credit limit means for limiting the upper limit amount of game media that can be deposited as credits, and the credit limit means has reduced the remaining time to a predetermined limit area. Thereafter, the upper limit amount may be decreased stepwise as the remaining time decreases. By reading and executing such a computer program on a computer, the game machine of the present invention can be realized.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, after the remaining time until the time limit is reduced to the limit area, the upper limit amount of game media that the game machine can deposit as credit is gradually reduced. Therefore, it is possible to gradually reduce the remaining amount of credit as the time limit approaches, and to enable rational credit processing so that the credit is almost completely consumed when the time limit is reached. Therefore, the inconvenience that a large amount of game media is left as credits just before the time limit can be solved.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of a game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention. The game machine 1 includes a start button 2 and an operation unit 3 that accept player operations, a monitor 4 that displays game content, and a coin management device 5 that manages the insertion and return of coins as game media indicating the scale of game value. And a control unit 10 for controlling the game. The start button 2, the operation unit 3, the monitor 4, the coin management device 5, and the control unit 10 are assembled in a housing (not shown) as an example. The start button 2 outputs a game start signal to the control unit 10 in response to the player's pressing operation. The operation unit 3 includes buttons, levers, and the like corresponding to the game content executed on the game machine 1, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation content of the player to the control unit 10. The monitor 4 displays a game screen or the like corresponding to the image signal output from the control unit 10. The start button 2 and the operation unit 3 may be incorporated in the monitor 4 as a touch panel. The coin management device 5 outputs a coin insertion signal to the control unit 10 each time coin insertion by the player is detected.

  When the control unit 10 receives a coin insertion signal from the coin management device 5, the control unit 10 regards the coin as a credit from the player and adds the number of inserted coins to the number of credits. When a game start signal is output from the start button 2, the control unit 10 subtracts a predetermined number of units (here, a plurality of units) from the number of credits, thereby obtaining one play opportunity for a new game. Provide to players. That is, the game machine 1 of this embodiment is configured as a commercial or commercial game machine that provides a player with a single play opportunity in exchange for consuming a predetermined unit number of coins from coins deposited as credits from the player. Is done. As game media, medals and tokens may be used in addition to coins. Alternatively, the game medium may be provided in a form that is electronically recorded on an IC card or the like.

  The control unit 10 is configured as a computer unit in which a microprocessing unit (MPU) 11 and various peripheral devices such as a main storage device 12 including a ROM and a RAM necessary for the operation of the MPU 11 are combined. The control unit 10 has a built-in clock as time measuring means. An external storage device 13 using a magnetic disk storage device or the like is connected to the control unit 10. Programs and data for controlling the game are stored in the external storage device 13, and these programs and data are appropriately read from the external storage device 13 to the main storage device 12 in accordance with instructions from the MPU 11. The control unit 10 controls the progress of the game by the MPU 11 executing various arithmetic processes and operation controls according to the program read into the main storage device 12.

  Next, a credit restriction process executed by the control unit 10 will be described. The credit restriction process is a process for gradually reducing the number of coins that the game machine 1 can deposit as credit as the closing time of the store where the game machine 1 is installed approaches. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of the credit restriction process executed by the control unit 10. The control unit 10 repeatedly executes the credit restriction process at a constant cycle. The control unit 10 first reads the current time from the clock built in step S1. In the next step S2, the control unit 10 calculates the remaining time from the current time to the closing time. The closing time is stored in advance in the external storage device 13 as a time limit, and is stored in the main storage device 12 when the credit control process of FIG. 2 is executed. The closing time may be set in the factory before the game machine 1 is shipped, or an arbitrary closing time may be set from the operation unit 3 in the store.

  In the next step S3, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the remaining time is included in the restricted area. Here, the restriction area corresponds to a time zone in which the number of credits should be restricted, and is set in a time range format based on the closing time. For example, 30 minutes before closing is set as the restricted area. The restriction area may also be set in advance before shipment from the factory, or an arbitrary restriction area may be set from the operation unit 3. If the remaining time is outside the limit area in step S3, the control unit 10 skips the subsequent processes and ends the current credit limit process. On the other hand, when the remaining time is included in the restricted area in step S3, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S4 and calculates the maximum credit number Nmax based on the remaining time and the play time per game. The maximum credit number Nmax is a value corresponding to the upper limit of the number of coins that can be deposited as credit by the game machine 1. For example, the control unit 10 exchanges a single play of the new game for the maximum integer value within a range not exceeding a value obtained by dividing the play time required to play the new game once from the remaining time. Is multiplied by the number of coins consumed (unit number) to calculate the maximum number of credits Nmax. For example, if the remaining time is 20 minutes, it takes 3 minutes to play a new game, and 3 coins are consumed for each new game, the maximum credit number Nmax is 18 cards. . Alternatively, a table in which the remaining time and the maximum number of credits Nmax are associated with each other is created in advance and stored in the external storage device 13, and the table is read out to the main storage device 12 and referred to in step S4. May be determined. An appropriate setting method is possible for the play time per game. For example, an average value of required time from the start to completion of play in a single play opportunity can be obtained in advance, and the obtained average time can be handled as play time. Details of the play time will be described later.

  In the next step S5, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the credit number N currently deposited in the game machine 1 is less than the maximum credit number Nmax. If it is less than the maximum number of credits Nmax, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S6 to allow additional coins to be inserted by the difference between the maximum number of credits Nmax and the current number of credits N, and then performs the current credit limit process. Finish. In this case, the number of coins that can be additionally inserted may be displayed on the monitor 4. When additional coins are inserted, the control unit 10 reflects the accepted number of coins in the number of credits N, outputs a coin return signal for coins exceeding the maximum number of credits Nmax, and passes through the coin management device 5. And return the coin. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may perform control to close the coin insertion slot when coins reaching the maximum number of credits Nmax are inserted.

  If the credit number N is greater than or equal to the maximum credit number Nmax in step S5, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the game is being executed. If the game is running, that is, if the player is playing the game, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the current credit number N is 0 and the current time is a time zone in which only the continue game can be permitted. Here, the continue game means a game that is continued by attracting the state of the game at the end of the game by additionally inserting coins at the end of the game. In step S7, it is determined that the game is being executed when the game is being continued, even if the game being accepted is in a suspended state. Since the continue game does not require initial setting (for example, difficulty level setting) for starting the game, the time required for the game is shorter than that of a new game provided at a single play opportunity. For this reason, when the closing time is approaching, it is impossible to newly provide a single play opportunity for a new game, but there is a time slot that can be permitted for a continue game. Therefore, in this embodiment, a time zone in which only the continue game can be permitted is set, and when the remaining time is in the time zone in which the continuation can be continued, an opportunity to play the continuation game (continue opportunity) is provided to the player. Thereby, the game machine 1 can be operated efficiently even in the time zone just before the closing time.

  In step S8, when the number of credits N is 0 and it is a continuable time zone, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S9 and permits additional insertion of coins necessary for the continue game, and thereafter Finish the credit limit process. As described above, since the time required for one continue game is shorter than that of the new game, the number of coins (continuation amount) required for the continue game is equal to the number of coins required to play the new game. The number is set to be equal to or less than the number of sheets (unit number for one play opportunity described above). For example, when the number of coins required for a new game is three, the number of coins required for a continue game is set to three, one or two. Therefore, in step S9, only the insertion of the number of coins necessary for the continue game is permitted. Then, it is impossible to start a new game next time, but a situation is set in which a continue game can be started. On the other hand, if at least one of the two conditions in step S8 is not satisfied, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S10 and prohibits additional coin insertion. In this case, even if coins are inserted, they are all paid back to the player, or coin insertion itself is blocked. You may display on the monitor 4 that coin insertion is impossible. When the process of step S10 ends, the control unit 10 ends the current credit restriction process.

  In the credit limit process described above, the control unit 10 functions as a time measuring unit and a credit limit unit, and the main storage device 12 functions as a time limit storage unit. According to the process of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the maximum credit number Nmax should be limited by calculating the remaining time from the set closing time and the current time and comparing it with the limit area (steps S3 and S4). ) After entering the restricted area, the maximum credit number Nmax decreases stepwise as the remaining time decreases. Therefore, the game machine 1 can be operated until the closing time, and the inconvenience that a large amount of coins remains as credits can be solved.

  Next, calculation of play time per game will be described. The play time per game is determined based on various conditions based on one game time required for one new game or continue game. Here, one game time means that the game corresponding to the number of coins provided for the start of the game after the start button 2 is pressed and the game start signal is output, and the control unit 10 displays the game end screen on the monitor 4. It is defined as the time until display. In general, the game can be roughly divided into two types: a game that can be continued as described above, and a game that cannot be continued and that ends after a series of flows.

  In a game that cannot be continued, the play time can be determined by averaging one game time of a game executed in a predetermined period. The play time can be determined in the same manner even in a continuable type game. In a continuable type game, when one game time differs between a new game and a continue game, the play time may be determined by averaging the new game and the continue game separately. As the predetermined period, for example, one game time of the game played immediately before may be used as the play time, or data of one game time of the game played on the previous day may be averaged as the play time. An arbitrary period may be set, and data for one game time of a game played during that period may be averaged as the play time. Moreover, you may set arbitrary time as play time for the convenience of the store side. When a continue game is being executed on a game machine of a type that can be continued, the control unit 10 determines the play time per game of the continue game and the number of coins necessary for the continue game in step S4 of the credit restriction process. The maximum credit number Nmax may be calculated based on the above.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described form and can be implemented in various forms. For example, in the present embodiment, the game machine 1 has been described as a game machine that is played alone, but, for example, a game machine that includes a plurality of stations that are provided with a plurality of coin insertion slots and can be played by a plurality of players. But you can. In this case, a time obtained by averaging the play times of all stations may be set as the play time of the entire game machine. Also, in the case of a game machine that is played alone but can be connected to a plurality of game machines of the same model, similarly, a time obtained by averaging the play time of each game machine may be set. Furthermore, in the case of a game machine capable of playing against a player in another store through a network in real time, so that play data is recorded on the IC card used by the player, it is recorded on the IC card. Alternatively, the play time may be calculated from the average of one game time based on the data of one game time. Further, based on the data of the center server connected to each game machine, the play time may be calculated by averaging one game time recorded in the server.

  Further, in the present embodiment, after the remaining time is included in the restriction area, the maximum credit number Nmax is calculated based on the remaining time and the play time per game of the new game. The maximum number of credits Nmax may be calculated based on the remaining time and the play time per game of the continue game. FIG. 3 shows a modification of the credit restriction process executed by the control unit 10. In addition, since the structure of the game machine 1 is the same as that of the form mentioned above, description is abbreviate | omitted. Steps S11 to S13 in the flowchart of the credit restriction process in FIG. 3 correspond to steps S1 to S3 in the flowchart of the credit restriction process in FIG. When the remaining time is included in the restricted area in step S13, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S14 and determines whether or not the game is being executed.

  If the game is being executed in step S14, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the control unit 10 calculates the maximum credit number Nmax based on the remaining time and the play time per game of the continue game. The maximum number of credits Nmax can be obtained in the same manner using the play time of the continue game instead of the play time of the new game in the above-described procedure. The control unit 10 proceeds to the next step S16, and determines whether or not the credit number N currently deposited in the game machine 1 is less than the maximum credit number Nmax. If it is less than the maximum number of credits Nmax, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S17 to allow additional coins to be inserted by the difference between the maximum number of credits Nmax and the current number of credits N, and then performs the current credit limit process. Finish. If the maximum credit number Nmax is greater than or equal to step S16, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S18. Alternatively, when the game is not being executed in step S14, the control unit 10 skips steps S15 to S17 and proceeds to step S18. In step S18, the control unit 10 prohibits additional coin insertion. When the process of step S18 ends, the control unit 10 ends the current credit restriction process.

  In the credit limit process described above, it is determined whether or not the maximum credit number Nmax should be limited by calculating the remaining time from the set closing time and the current time and comparing it with the limit area (steps S13 and S15). After entering the restricted area, when the game is being executed, the maximum number of credits Nmax for only the execution of the continue game is reduced step by step as the remaining time is reduced. Therefore, the game machine 1 can be operated until the closing time, and the inconvenience that a large amount of coins remains as credits can be solved.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the game machine which concerns on one form of this invention. The flowchart which shows the credit restriction | limiting process which a control unit performs. The flowchart which shows the modification of the credit restriction process which a control unit performs.

Explanation of symbols

1 game machine 10 control unit (time measuring means, credit limiting means)
12 Main storage (time limit storage means)

Claims (6)

In a gaming machine that provides a player with one play opportunity of a new game in exchange for consuming a predetermined amount of game media from the credit as a credit for the game media from the player,
A time measuring means for measuring the current time;
Time limit storage means for storing the time limit;
Credit limiting means for limiting the upper limit amount of game media that can be deposited as the credit based on the remaining time from the current time to the time limit and the play time of the game in the one play opportunity; Comprising
After the remaining time has been reduced to a predetermined restricted area, the credit restriction means reduces the upper limit stepwise as the remaining time decreases.   The credit limit means sets a value obtained by multiplying the unit amount to a maximum integer value within a range not exceeding a value obtained by dividing the play time from the remaining time as the upper limit amount. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the upper limit amount is decreased stepwise by repeating.   It is possible to provide a play opportunity of a continue game that continues to be played from the state at the end of the game in exchange for consumption of a game medium of a continuation amount equal to or less than the unit amount, and the credit limit means is configured such that the remaining time is less than the play time 3. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein when the time required for one play of the continue game is equal to or longer than, it is permitted to deposit the continuous amount of game media as credits.   The game machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the time limit is set as a time when the operation of the game machine should be ended. The game medium is credited from the player, and in exchange for consuming a predetermined unit amount of the game medium from the credit, the player is given one opportunity to play a continue game that is continued by taking over the state at the end of the game. In the game machine that
A time measuring means for measuring the current time;
Time limit storage means for storing the time limit;
A credit limit that limits the upper limit amount of game media that can be deposited as the credit based on the remaining time from the current time to the time limit and the play time of the game in a single play opportunity of the continue game Means,
After the remaining time has been reduced to a predetermined restricted area, the credit restriction means reduces the upper limit stepwise as the remaining time decreases. The game medium is applied to a game machine that realizes a process of providing a player with one play opportunity of a new game in exchange for consuming a predetermined amount of game medium from the credit as a credit from the player and consuming a predetermined unit amount of the game medium from the credit. A computer program comprising time limit storage means for storing a time limit ,
Credit that limits the upper limit amount of game media that can be deposited as the credit based on the remaining time from the current time counted by the computer to the time limit and the play time of the game in the one play opportunity Configured to function as a limiting means, and
A computer program for a game machine, wherein, after the remaining time is reduced to a predetermined restricted area, the credit restriction means gradually reduces the upper limit amount as the remaining time is reduced.

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