JP7754482B2 - Game machine, computer program used therefor, control method, external device connected thereto, and game system equipped with the external device - Google Patents

Description

Patent Act Article 30, Paragraph 2 applies 1. Disclosure via telecommunications lines Website posting date: September 29, 2020, and 9 other cases Website address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX2p1YqpFMw, and 9 other cases 2. Disclosure via telecommunications lines Website posting date: June 12, 2021, and 24 other cases Website address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKJF0KYcbEk, and 31 other cases 3. Disclosure via telecommunications lines Website posting date: August 11, 2021, and 2 other cases Website address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKJF0KYcbEk, and 31 other cases v=rKBbb-7CSJM, 2 others

The present invention relates to a game machine or the like that is equipped with an output device that provides a series of steps, including a selection step that gives the user the opportunity to make a selection, and an input device that inputs user operations to progress through each step, and that sequentially provides the series of steps as steps related to playing a game.

There are gaming machines that include an output device that provides a series of steps, including a selection step that gives the user the opportunity to make a selection, and an input device that inputs user operations to progress through each step, and that sequentially provide the series of steps as steps related to playing the game. For example, a gaming machine that provides a music game is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Other prior art documents related to the present invention include Patent Documents 2 and 3.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-96061 Patent No. 4448814 Patent No. 6576644

In music games like those described in Patent Document 1, a selection opportunity is generally given to select a song to play as preparation for starting play. A play is then provided using the song selected during that selection opportunity. In other words, a series of steps, such as the process of providing a selection opportunity and the process of executing a play using that selection, are provided in order to start play. Furthermore, although the game machine described in Patent Document 1 is a so-called arcade game machine, because it is a standalone type, it can provide a series of steps to start play without requiring communication with an external device.

On the other hand, game events using game machines may be held at event facilities. Game machines like those described in Patent Document 1 may also be used in such game events. For example, a game event may be provided in which a game machine like that described in Patent Document 1 is provided for each user, and users compete against each other by playing music games on each game machine. In game events, rules that form the basis of the competition, such as specifying the music to be played, are often set for fairness. On the other hand, the game machine described in Patent Document 1 can provide a series of processes, including music selection, without requiring collaboration with other external devices. Therefore, to ensure that an appropriate music has been selected, the event organizer or other person must confirm the selection details for each game machine in advance. As a result, the time and effort required before play can begin is likely to increase. At the very least, it takes time to coordinate conditions between players, such as selecting the same music. Furthermore, from the perspective of livening up a game event, it is often preferable for the start times of play to be the same for all players (multiple game machines), but coordinating such start times is not easy.

In the system of Patent Document 2, the game devices are divided into a parent machine and a child machine, and the child machine is not given the right to make menu selections. In some cases, the parent machine's selection results are shared with the child machine. In this case, the parent machine's selection results can be forcibly applied to the child machine, so it may be relatively easy to standardize selections (apply rules) required in game events, such as using designated music. However, forming such a hierarchy of parent machine and child machine is often undesirable. Furthermore, it is highly likely that it will be difficult to even adjust the start time.

The game system in Patent Document 3 allows for pre-settings for the purpose of saving time, etc. Specifically, in this game system, the game device may receive pre-setting data from the server system and apply that pre-setting data to the settings of the game to be played. In this case, too, it may be relatively easy to use the pre-setting data to standardize the selections required in game events (apply rules), such as using specified music. However, omitting selection opportunities using pre-setting data may reduce the sense of realism of the game event, and may be undesirable in some cases. Furthermore, it is highly likely that it will be difficult to adjust the start time.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a game machine or the like that can pause the progression of a series of processes as needed.

The gaming machine of the present invention comprises an output device that presents a series of steps including a selection step that gives the user a choice, and an input device that inputs the user's operations to progress through each step, and presents the series of steps in order as steps related to playing a game. It also comprises: a progress waiting means that, when a predetermined condition is met that requires the connection of an external device that outputs a permission signal that allows progression to a specific step that is provided after the selection step in the series of steps, causes a waiting step for waiting for the permission signal to be obtained to be added between the selection step and the specific step in the series of steps; and a provision start means that, when the permission signal is output from the external device during the waiting step, starts providing the specific step so that the waiting for progression to the specific step ends.

The computer program of the present invention is configured to cause a computer connected to the output device and the input device to function as each of the means of the game machine described above.

Similarly, the control method of the present invention includes an output device that provides a series of steps including a selection step that gives the user a choice, and an input device that inputs the user's operations to progress through each step, and the computer incorporated in a game machine that provides the series of steps in order as steps related to playing a game executes: a progress waiting procedure that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied that requires the connection of an external device that outputs a permission signal that allows progression to a specific step that is provided after the selection step in the series of steps, causes the computer to wait for progression to the specific step, so that a wait step for the permission signal is added between the selection step and the specific step in the series of steps; and a provision start procedure that, when the permission signal is output from the external device in the wait step, starts provision of the specific step, so that the wait for progression to the specific step ends.

On the other hand, the external device of the present invention is an external device connected to the above-mentioned game console, and includes result acquisition means for acquiring the selection result of the user at the selection opportunity, and signal output means for outputting the permission signal to the game console when the selection result is determined to be appropriate based on judgment data that describes judgment information for determining the appropriateness of the selection result at the selection opportunity.

Alternatively, the external device of the present invention is an external device that is connected to the above-mentioned game console, and includes result acquisition means that acquires the selection result of the user at the selection opportunity, result notification means that notifies the operator as the user of the external device of the selection result, and signal output means that outputs the permission signal to the game console based on a permission instruction from the operator.

Furthermore, the game system of the present invention is a game system equipped with the above-mentioned external device, in which a monitor connected to the game machine and displaying the selection results at the selection opportunity is provided separately from the game machine.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game event to which the game system is applied. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a guide screen for a music game. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the flow of a game event. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the main parts of a control system of the game system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of music selection data. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a selection process. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the selection process following FIG. 7 . 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a first selection process according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a second selection process. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the main parts of a control system of a game system according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a first selection process according to a second embodiment.

An example of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described. First, with reference to Figure 1, the overall configuration of the game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The game system 1 includes a backyard device 2 as an external device, and a game machine 3 as a client device connected to the backyard device 2. Note that the backyard device 2 or the game machine 3 may be appropriately connected to other devices, such as a center server that provides a data distribution service that distributes various data to them, via various networks such as the Internet.

The backyard device 2 may include various devices capable of outputting predetermined signals to the game machine 3. For example, the backyard device 2 may be a device equipped only with an operation unit such as a push button switch that outputs predetermined signals when pressed, but in the example of Figure 1, a computer device is used. The backyard device 2 as a computer device may also be equipped with appropriate output devices, but in the example of Figure 1, a monitor 20A is provided as an output device, and a keyboard 20B is provided as an input device.

One or more game machines 3 may be connected to the backyard device 2, with two game machines 3 being connected as an example. The backyard device 2 and each game machine 3 may be connected as appropriate, for example via various networks such as the Internet, but as an example they are connected via a wired connection such as a cable.

Game machine 3 is an example of a game device, and is a device that provides games as a predetermined service. Game machine 3 may provide games free of charge, but as an example, it provides games for a fee. Game machine 3 may also include various game devices (computer devices) that provide games, such as user terminal devices (computer devices) such as portable game consoles, portable tablet devices, stationary or notebook personal computers, or mobile devices such as mobile phones (including smartphones). In the example of Figure 1, however, it is configured as a commercial (business-use) game machine. A commercial game machine is a game device that allows users to play games within a range corresponding to a predetermined play fee in exchange for the payment of that play fee. This type of game machine 3 is sometimes called an arcade game machine. Game machine 3 may be installed in any suitable location, but is often installed in suitable facilities such as stores with the primary purpose of generating revenue by having many users play games repeatedly.

The game machine 3 provides games that include a series of steps related to play. Such games may include various types of games, such as action games, role-playing games, or simulation games, as appropriate, but as an example, the game machine 3 provides a timing game. A timing game is a type of game that provides guidance and evaluation of the appropriate timing to perform a play action. The game machine 3 can provide various timing games as appropriate, but the following describes the case of providing a music game as an example.

Music games are timing games that guide and evaluate the appropriate timing for play actions (operations) in sync with the rhythm of the music. Specifically, in music games, the timing for performing appropriate play actions is provided along with the music. Furthermore, in music games, the timing for execution is determined by the timing that coincides with the rhythm of the music. In other words, music games are games that guide the user to the appropriate timing for performing play actions in sync with the rhythm of the music, and evaluate the actual timing of the play action once it has been performed. For this reason, music games provide multiple songs for play, and the song selected from these is used in the actual play.

In addition, in a music game, guidance for each execution time may be provided as appropriate, for example through audio, but as an example, through a game screen displayed on a display device. Specifically, each execution time is indicated on a game screen that includes an indicator sign corresponding to each execution time and a reference sign that functions as a reference for the current time, through relative displacement between the indicator sign and the reference sign that occurs so that the position of the indicator sign and the position of the reference sign coincide at each execution time. The game screen for providing guidance for each execution time will be described later.

The game machine 3 may be configured as appropriate, but in the example of Figure 1, it has a cabinet 10 and a stage 11 located in front of the cabinet 10. The stage 11 provides a place for the user to stand on to play the game. A first monitor 12 and a second monitor 13, which serve as examples of display devices, are located on the stage 11 in front of the cabinet 10 as seen from the user. The first monitor 12 is located facing the user, and the second monitor 13 is located diagonally below the user. A control panel 14 is provided in front of the second monitor 13.

The game machine 3 may be provided with various input devices depending on the play actions (operations) required in the music game, but in the example of Figure 1, the control panel 14 functions as such an input device. The control panel 14 may also be provided with various operating members for executing operations as play actions, but in the example of Figure 1, a pair of left and right operation units 15 are provided. Each operation unit 15 may be used as appropriate, but as an example, each operation unit 15 is used by a user for play. In other words, the two operation units 15 are used respectively by two users, and the music game allows for simultaneous play by these two users.

Each operation unit 15 is provided with a push button switch 17 and a turntable 19. The turntable 19 and push button switches 17 may be provided as needed, but the example in Figure 1 shows one turntable 19 and seven push button switches 17 (only some of which are labeled with reference numbers in the figure) arranged in two staggered rows. Each push button switch 17 outputs an operation signal in response to a user's push operation. On the other hand, the turntable 19 is a rotary operation unit that rotates both clockwise (rotating clockwise) and counterclockwise (rotating counterclockwise). An example of a play action is a rotation operation of rotating the turntable 19 clockwise or counterclockwise. The turntable 19 then outputs an operation signal in response to the user's rotation operation. Note that the operation unit 15 is not limited to push button switches 17 and turntable 19, and may be provided with other appropriate operation members, such as a slider or knob (other examples of rotary operation units).

In addition, a speaker 18 is provided at an appropriate position above, to the side, or elsewhere on the first monitor 12 to output the sound of music being played or sound effects to be emitted in response to operations on the operation unit 15. The game machine 3 may also be provided with various other accessories, such as a card reader (which may be used to collect appropriate value such as electronic currency) for authenticating the user (for example, to obtain ID information recorded on an ID card) and a coin selector for collecting play fees, but these are not shown in the figures.

Next, referring to Figure 2, a game event to which the game system 1 is applied will be described. The game system 1 may be used as appropriate, but may also be used to hold a game event. For example, if the game machine 3 is installed in an event facility and a game event is held using a game provided by the game machine 3, the game system 1 will be applied to that game event. The following describes a case in which the game system 1 is applied to a game event.

Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a game event to which game system 1 is applied. The example in Figure 2 schematically illustrates the overall configuration of an event facility where a game event is held. As shown in Figure 2, a game system 1 is provided in the event facility EF. Specifically, the event facility EF is provided with an event stage ES as a venue for holding the game event, and the game system 1 is placed on the event stage ES. The game system 1 may include any number of backyard devices 2 and game machines 3, but in the example in Figure 2, it includes one backyard device 2 and two game machines 3. Note that the backyard devices 2 and each game machine 3 are connected by wire as described above, for example, but the cables used for this connection are not shown in the example in Figure 2.

Each game machine 3 may be played by multiple users, but as an example, one game machine 3 is used for play by one user U. Furthermore, each game machine 3 may provide a different music game for each game machine 3, or may provide music games that progress independently of each other, but as an example, a competitive music game that progresses commonly between two game machines 3 is provided. Meanwhile, the backyard device 2 is operated by a user OP (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the operator OP). The operator OP may be the user U of the game machine 3, but as an example, the operator OP is prepared separately from the user U of the game machine 3.

In addition, various production equipment for producing game events can be connected to the game system 1 as appropriate. In the example of Figure 2, two speakers SP and one large monitor MO are connected as such production equipment. Each speaker SP and large monitor MO is a well-known audio playback device and display device, respectively, and is used for audio-related or video-related production within the event facility EF. Such production includes various audio and video, including, as an example, audio and game screens played in a music game provided by the game console 3. In other words, the audio of music and other items used in playing the music game is played not only by the game console 3 but also through the speakers SP and shared with other users and spectators, if present, within the event facility EF. The same is true for the game screen. In other words, the game screen used in playing the music game is also displayed on the large monitor MO and shared with other users, etc. within the event facility EF. Note that, as an example, each speaker SP and large monitor MO are connected to the game system 1 via cables or the like, but the cables and other devices used for this connection are not shown in the example in Figure 2.

Next, the game screen and the music game will be further described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram that schematically shows an example of a guide screen for a music game. Guide screen 50 is a game screen that guides users as to when operations should be performed on each operation unit 15. In other words, guide screen 50 is a game screen that is displayed for playing the music game, and in the case of two-player play, it is displayed for each user U (each operation unit 15). Furthermore, the music game may require each user U to perform various operations as play actions to be performed, and the example in Figure 3 shows a guide screen 50 when such play actions require pressing the push button switch 17 and rotating the turntable 19.

As shown in FIG. 3, the guidance screen 50 includes a guidance execution area 51, three small switch images 52 (only some of which are referenced), four large switch images 53 (only some of which are referenced), and a table image 54. The guidance execution area 51 is an area for actually providing guidance on the execution times when operations should be performed on each operating unit 15. The guidance execution area 51 may be configured as appropriate to provide guidance on the execution times, but in the example of FIG. 3, it includes an instruction object 55 as an instruction sign, seven regular lanes LN1 corresponding to the seven push button switches 17, a special lane LN2 corresponding to the turntable 19, and a judgment line 57 as a reference sign.

The seven normal lanes LN1 and special lanes LN2 (hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as lanes LN) may be formed as appropriate, but in the example of Figure 3, they are all formed to extend linearly from above toward the judgment line 57 located below. Each lane LN is used as the movement path of the instruction object 55 (the path for relative displacement between the instruction mark and the reference mark) and also functions as a time axis. Furthermore, the seven normal lanes LN1 may correspond appropriately to the seven push button switches 17, but as an example, they are divided into three small lanes LNs (only some of the reference symbols are shown) corresponding to the three push button switches 17 that form the upper row, and four large lanes LNb (only some of the reference symbols are shown) corresponding to the four push button switches 17 that form the lower row.

The judgment line 57 may be formed in any suitable shape, such as a circle or star for each lane LN, but as an example, it is formed as a straight line extending across all lanes LN and is used commonly for all lanes LN. The judgment line 57 may also be positioned in any suitable position, for example, it may be positioned in a different position for each lane LN, but in the example of Figure 3, it is positioned in a common position for all lanes LN, such as at the bottom end. Therefore, in the guidance execution area 51, an appropriate number of instruction objects 55 appear at the top end of each lane LN at appropriate times and are displayed as moving toward the judgment line 57 at the bottom end over time.

The instruction objects 55 may be configured as appropriate to instruct various operations, but examples include a normal object 55A (only some of which are referenced) and a rotating object 55B (only some of which are referenced). The normal object 55A is the instruction object 55 that instructs each push button switch 17 to be pressed. The normal object 55A is placed in the normal lane LN1 of the seven normal lanes LN1 that corresponds to the push button switch 17 to guide the push button switch 17 that should be pressed. Through this normal object 55A, the user is prompted to press the push button switch 17 corresponding to the normal lane LN1 in which the normal object 55A is placed, in time with the normal object 55A reaching the judgment line 57. The shorter the time lag between the time the normal object 55A reaches the judgment line 57 and the time the push button switch 17 is pressed, the higher the evaluation (higher score) will be.

The rotation object 55B is an instruction object 55 that instructs the user to perform a rotation operation on the turntable 19. The rotation object 55B may instruct an appropriate rotation operation, such as rotating the turntable 19 clockwise or counterclockwise, and may also instruct a rotation operation that specifies the direction of rotation. However, as an example, the rotation object 55B instructs a rotation operation in any direction. In other words, the rotation object 55B does not specify a specific direction of rotation, but allows a rotation operation in any direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise. The rotation object 55B is placed in the special lane LN2 to instruct such a rotation operation. Through this rotation object 55B, the user is requested to perform a rotation operation to rotate the turntable 19 in the desired direction in accordance with the time when the rotation object 55B reaches the judgment line 57. The shorter the time lag between the time when the rotation object 55B reaches the judgment line 57 and the time when the rotation operation is performed on the turntable 19, the higher the evaluation score.

The three small switch images 52 correspond to the three push button switches 17 that form the upper row of the seven push button switches 17. Each small switch image 52 is positioned below the guidance execution area 51 in a position corresponding to each small lane LNs, showing the relationship between each normal lane LN1 and each push button switch 17. Similarly, the four large switch images 53 correspond to the four push button switches 17 that form the lower row of the seven push button switches 17. Each large switch image 53 is positioned below the guidance execution area 51 in a position corresponding to each large lane LNb, showing the relationship between each normal lane LN1 and each push button switch 17. The table image 54 corresponds to the turntable 19. The table image 54 is positioned below the guidance execution area 51 in a position corresponding to the special lane LN2, showing the relationship between the turntable 19 and the special lane LN2. As an example, a music game is played through this guidance screen 50. The outcome of the match between the players is determined based on the score obtained as a result of playing actions with each instruction object 55.

Next, the flow of a game event will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the flow of a game event. A game event may include appropriate processes depending on the match format, etc., but the example of Figure 4 shows a case where a game event is held in which players compete in a team format involving one-on-one matches. Specifically, a game event may be realized in an appropriate format, such as one-on-one or one-on-many, but one example is a many-on-many team match (team match). Furthermore, a team match may be executed so that all users compete simultaneously, but for example, each user competes one-on-one in turn. Furthermore, a one-on-one match may be implemented in a knockout format, but for example, each user competes once, with the player with the most wins being the winner. The example of Figure 4 shows the flow in such a case.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flow of game events includes a match phase (F1) and a winner announcement phase (F2). The match phase is a stage for realizing a team-style match involving one-on-one matches, and is provided repeatedly for each one-on-one match in the team match. Each team in a team match may be composed of any number of users U. For example, if a team is provided by three users U, the match phase is provided repeatedly, with the first match (vanguard match), the second match (middle match), and so on, up to the third match (captain match). The match phase may include various processes for realizing a team match as appropriate, and in the example of FIG. 4, it includes, in order, a player appearance process (S1), a music announcement process (S2), a first selection process (S3), a first progress permission process (S4), a second selection process (S5), a second progress permission process (S6), a play process (S7), and a result announcement process (S8). In the example of Figure 3, the processes performed by the backyard device 2 are indicated by a dotted pattern, and the processes performed by each game machine 3 are indicated by right-hand diagonal lines.

Specifically, the player introduction process is a process of introducing each user U (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as player U) who will compete in each match. Furthermore, each player U appears on the event stage ES during the player introduction process. The music announcement process is a process of announcing the music to be used in playing the music game in each match. In each match, music may be used as appropriate, determined based on various conditions, such as designation by the game event organizer or lottery results. In the example of FIG. 4, two pieces of music designated in advance by the two players U competing in each match are used. Therefore, each match (such as a vanguard match) includes two matches (plays) in which two pieces of music are used in each play. Then, during the match phase, the first selection process through the result announcement process are repeated twice so that two plays using these two pieces of music are realized in one match (match between the same players U), such as the first match. In other words, during the match phase, once the result announcement process corresponding to the play of the first song is completed, the process returns to the first selection process again, so that the first selection process through the result announcement process corresponding to the play of the second song are executed.

The introduction of the players in the player introduction process and the presentation of the music in the music presentation process may be implemented as appropriate, for example, as part of the performance using a large monitor MO and speakers SP. Furthermore, the control of these large monitors MO and the like may be implemented by an appropriate device, for example, a computer device separate from the backyard device 2, but is implemented by the backyard device 2 as an example.

The first selection process and the second selection process are both processes that provide selection opportunities to select various play options provided in the music game. These processes may be configured as a single process, but as an example, are provided as two separate processes. Therefore, the selection opportunities to select various play options include a first selection opportunity provided in the first selection process and a second selection opportunity provided in the second selection process. In the music game, various elements may be provided as game elements used in play; for example, such game elements include music to be played, a play mode, speed, and other options. These may be appropriately allocated and selected in the first selection opportunity and the second selection opportunity; as an example, music to be played, a play mode, and other options are selected in the first selection opportunity, and speed is selected in the second selection opportunity. In this example, the first selection process and the second selection process function as the selection processes of the present invention.

Specifically, the first selection process is a process for providing the first selection opportunity. The first selection opportunity includes a song selection opportunity, a mode selection opportunity, and an option selection opportunity. These selection opportunities may be provided as appropriate; for example, all opportunities may be provided at once, or an appropriate combination of two may be provided. As an example, the mode selection opportunity, song selection opportunity, and option selection opportunity are provided separately in order through a mode selection screen, song selection screen, and option selection screen (none of which are shown) corresponding to the mode selection opportunity, song selection opportunity, and option selection opportunity, respectively.

The mode selection opportunity is an opportunity to select a play mode from multiple options. A music game may be provided with various modes that set the play format, and the mode selection opportunity selects one of these modes. For example, a music game may be provided with modes such as a practice mode in which the music game is played for practice, a certification mode in which the music game is played to certify the user's skill level, or a normal mode in which the regular music game is played, but such modes also include an event mode for game events. In event mode, each player U scheduled to compete selects one song each and competes in real time. For this reason, each player U is required to select an event mode at the mode selection opportunity.

The event mode also functions as a predetermined condition (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a switching condition) for switching between playing the music game according to the game event flow shown in FIG. 4 and playing the music game according to the normal flow. Specifically, the game machine 3 naturally provides the music game independently under normal circumstances. Therefore, in the normal flow, the processes executed by the backyard device 2 are omitted. For example, the player introduction process and music announcement process, which are unique to game events, are naturally omitted in the normal flow. Similarly, the first progress permission process and second progress permission process executed by the backyard device 2 are also omitted. In other words, when a single game machine 3 independently provides the music game, the game machine 3 independently provides the first selection process, second selection process, play process, and result announcement process as a series of processes for starting play, without the first progress permission process or the like intervening between them. In this case, the first selection process and second selection process may be understood as a single process. In this way, in a game event, the backyard device 2 appropriately intervenes in a series of processes that would normally be provided independently, and the flow of the game event is realized as a flow separate from the normal flow.

Switching between the normal flow and the game event flow may be achieved appropriately based on various conditions, such as automatic switching when the backyard device 2 is connected, or manual switching by the event organizer or operator OP, but one example is achieved by selecting an event mode. In other words, the selection of an event mode at the mode selection opportunity functions as a switching condition for switching between these flows, and when the event mode is selected at the mode selection opportunity (condition: selection of event mode), the normal flow is switched to the game event flow. Then, in the game event flow, steps provided by the backyard device 2, such as the first progress permission step, are added as appropriate between a series of steps that the game machine 3 could originally provide on its own.

The song selection opportunity is a selection opportunity for selecting a song to play from multiple candidates. During the song selection opportunity, each player U is required to select a song that has been designated in advance as the song to play, i.e., the song that was introduced during the song introduction process. An appropriate song from the two songs to play may be selected first, but as an example, a team may be set to bat first and a team to bat second, and the song designated by the player U belonging to the team that bats first may be selected first.

The option selection opportunity allows the player to select a play option from multiple options. Music games may provide various other options, such as the placement of the music score, the amount of a specified gauge decrease, or whether or not to use assist play. The placement of the music score is an option for setting the placement of each lane LN in the guidance execution area 51. The lane LN to which each instruction object 55 should be placed is specified in advance via the sequence data described below, and the position of the lane LN to which each instruction object 55 should be placed is changed through the placement of the music score. Options for the placement of the music score include a random placement in which each lane LN is randomly arranged, a mirror placement in which each lane LN is inverted based on specified criteria, and a normal placement in which each lane LN is arranged normally. The amount of a specified gauge decrease is an option for setting how a specified gauge provided in the music game decreases. For example, the amount of a specified gauge decrease is provided with options such as large and small, in descending order of decrease, as well as normal (normal). The presence or absence of assist play is an option for setting whether or not to use appropriate assistance. These option settings may be requested as appropriate in accordance with the rules of the game event, and each player U will be requested to make settings in accordance with those rules during the option selection opportunity.

Each step, such as the first selection step, is performed through a predetermined operation on the operation unit 15, and appropriate operations may be permitted at each step. Such operations may include appropriate operations, and one example is a user authentication operation. The user authentication operation is an operation for authenticating each player U. The user authentication operation may be performed as appropriate, and for example, it may be performed by reading a user card for authentication into a card reader provided on the game machine 3. Such a user authentication operation may be permitted at appropriate steps, and is permitted, for example, in the first selection step. Furthermore, the user authentication operation may be performed at appropriate timing in the first selection step. For example, the user authentication operation may be requested first, and then mode selection opportunities, etc., are sequentially provided after the authentication. In other words, user authentication using a user card may be performed in the first selection step. In this case, after user authentication, the settings of each player U are carried over to play of the music game through play data that records the settings for each player U. Such play data may be stored in the game machine 3 in advance, or, if a separate center server is connected to the game machine 3, it is provided from the center server.

The second selection process is a process for providing a second selection opportunity. The second selection opportunity includes a speed selection opportunity. The speed selection opportunity may be provided as appropriate, and as an example, is provided through a speed selection screen (not shown) for providing speed selection opportunities. The speed selection opportunity is a selection opportunity for selecting a play speed from multiple candidates. The play speed is a setting that affects the movement speed of each instruction object 55. The play speed setting may be required as appropriate in accordance with the rules of the game event, and the speed selection opportunity requires each player U to set a speed in accordance with those rules. In this example, the speed selection opportunity functions as another selection opportunity of the present invention. Furthermore, the second selection process functions as the first specification process of the present invention.

On the other hand, the first progress permission process and the second progress permission process are both processes for determining whether or not progress to a specific process is possible. Whether or not progress is possible is determined based on the selection results in each selection process. For this reason, the first progress permission process and the second progress permission process may be integrated and provided as a single process, but as an example, they are provided separately to correspond to the first selection process and the second selection process, respectively. Furthermore, an appropriate subsequent process may function as a specific process; for example, an appropriate process may be interposed between the first selection process and the first progress permission process, but as an example, the immediately following process functions in both cases. In other words, the second selection process and the play process function as specific processes of the first progress permission process and the second progress permission process, respectively. Then, the second selection process is provided when progress is permitted in the first progress permission process, and the play process is provided when progress is permitted in the second progress permission process. In other words, the first progress permission process and the second progress permission process function as processes for causing the game machine 3 to wait for the second selection process and the provision of a play process (or a progress permission signal from the backyard device 2), respectively. In this example, both the first progress permission process and the second progress permission process function as waiting processes of the present invention.

More specifically, the first progress permission process is a process for determining whether or not to proceed to the second selection process based on the selection results at each selection opportunity provided in the first selection process. In other words, the first progress permission process is interposed between the first selection process and the second selection process, and if progress is permitted in the first progress permission process, the game event proceeds to the second selection process. For example, the song selection opportunity provided in the first selection process requires the selection of a song designated in advance, as described above. Alternatively, if the game event is a tournament-style event or a competition in which the same player U competes multiple times, the same player U is provided with multiple song selection opportunities, and it may be necessary to avoid selecting overlapping songs between those song selection opportunities. If an appropriate song is not selected in the song selection opportunity, the game event may not be completed. For this reason, the first progress permission process determines whether or not the song selection result at the song selection opportunity is acceptable. Then, if the selection result is appropriate, progress to the second selection process is permitted.

Note that the appropriateness of the selection results at selection opportunities other than song selection opportunities is also required, but as an example, the selection at other selection opportunities (excluding the selection of event mode at mode selection opportunities when the selection of event mode functions as a switching condition) is left to each player U. In other words, the appropriateness of the selection results at other selection opportunities may also be determined in the same way, but as an example, this determination is omitted.

The second progress permission process is a process for determining whether or not to proceed to the play process. As described above, the selection of speed at the speed selection opportunity is left to each player U, so the selection result at the speed selection opportunity does not depend on whether it is appropriate or not. However, in a game event, it is preferable that the start timing of the play process is consistent between competitors. On the other hand, the time required to make a selection at the selection opportunity may differ depending on the player U. For this reason, the second progress permission process determines whether or not to proceed to the play process primarily to ensure that the start timing is consistent. Furthermore, the second progress permission process also provides a countdown to ensure such timing consistency. Then, in the second progress permission process, progress to the play process is permitted upon the end of the countdown (presentation of zero).

The play process is a process for actually playing the music game. In the play process, guidance on when to perform the play action and evaluation begin via the guidance screen 50. Furthermore, in a music game, guidance on when to perform the play action is provided in time with the rhythm of the music. Therefore, the start of the play process also corresponds to the start of playback of the music. In other words, upon permission to progress in the second progress permission process, playback of the music begins and the display of the guidance screen 50 begins.

The result announcing process is a process for announcing the results of playing the music game, i.e., the match results. In a music game, the execution time of each play action is defined in advance in the sequence data QD, and the execution time of the actual play action is evaluated based on that execution time. The shorter the time difference between these execution times, the higher the score is evaluated. In each match, victory or defeat is determined based on the cumulative score, and the result of the victory or defeat is announced as the match result in the result announcing process. This announcement may be made as appropriate, but as an example, it is made through a match result screen (not shown). The match result screen is a game screen for displaying the match results. The match result screen may be displayed only on the game machine 3, but as an example, it is shared at the event facility EF through the large monitor MO and speakers SP. In other words, the match result screen is used as part of the performance. Control of the large monitor MO, etc. for sharing the match result screen may be realized through an appropriate computer device, but as an example, it is realized through the backyard device 2.

When the process from the first selection process to the result announcement process is repeated twice (two songs), one match (such as the vanguard match) ends and the game moves on to the next match (such as the middle match). Specifically, for example, in the first match, the process from the first selection process to the result announcement process is provided twice so that the two players U can play the two songs they selected, but when the second result announcement process is completed, the first match ends and the game moves on to the second match. In the second match, processes S1 to S8 are provided in the same way as in the first match, and when that is also completed, the game moves on to the third match. Then, when the third match is completed, the match phase ends and the game moves on to the winner announcement phase.

The victory/loss announcement phase is the stage for announcing the outcome of the team battles. The outcome of each battle is determined as either a win or a draw based on the results of the two songs played. The team with the most wins in these three battles is determined to be the winner of the team battle. In the victory/loss announcement phase, the winners and losers are announced. This announcement may be made as appropriate, but as an example, it is made so that it is shared throughout the event facility EF via the large monitor MO and speakers SP. Control of the large monitor MO and other devices for this announcement may be realized via an appropriate computer device, but as an example, it is realized via the backyard device 2.

Next, we will explain the main parts of the control system of the game system 1. The main parts of the control system provided in the game system 1 differ depending on the role of the backyard device 2. For example, the appropriateness of a song selected during a song selection opportunity may be determined by the backyard device 2 or by the operator OP, and the main parts of the control system provided in the game system 1 may differ depending on which of these determines the appropriateness. Furthermore, progress through the first progress permission process and the second progress permission process may be realized as appropriate. For example, they may be executed automatically based on appropriate conditions, such as when a progress condition is met, such as the end of a song selection opportunity or the end of a speed selection opportunity, or they may be executed manually by the operator OP, etc.; however, the main parts of the control system provided in the game system 1 may differ depending on whether progress is automatic or not. For this reason, below we will explain examples of each form of the control system of the game system 1 that can be configured depending on the role of the backyard device 2.

(First form)
Referring to Figure 5, the main parts of the control system of the game system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. As described above, the progress of the first progress permission process and the second progress permission process may be executed manually, but in the first embodiment, they are mainly executed automatically. Also, in the first embodiment, the suitability of the music selected in the music selection opportunity is automatically determined by the backyard device 2. The example of Figure 5 shows the main parts of the control system of the game system 1 according to the first embodiment in such a case.

As shown in FIG. 5, the backyard device 2 is provided with a control unit 21 and a memory unit 22 as storage means. The control unit 21 is configured as a computer that combines a CPU, an example of a processor that executes various arithmetic processes and operational control in accordance with a predetermined computer program, with internal memory and other peripheral devices required for its operation. The control unit 21 is also connected to the large monitor MO and speaker SP mentioned above.

The memory unit 22 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device. The memory unit 22 may be configured to store all data in a single storage unit, or may be configured to store data in a distributed manner across multiple storage units. The memory unit 22 stores program PG1 as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 21 to execute various processes necessary to provide each step of a game event.

The memory unit 22 also stores event data 23 necessary for providing each step of the game event. Such event data 23 may include various types of data as appropriate, and the example in Figure 5 shows music selection data SD as one type of such data. The music selection data SD is data for managing the music that each player U of each team has designated in advance as the music to use in play during the match. The music selection data SD is used to determine the appropriateness of the music in the first progress permission step. Details of the music selection data SD will be described later.

The control unit 21 is provided with a logical device realized by combining the control unit 21's hardware resources and the program PG1 as software resources. Any appropriate logical device can be provided as such a logical device, but the example in Figure 5 shows a device service management unit 24 and a game machine service management unit 25. The device service management unit 24 is a logical device that executes various processes to realize control over the large monitor MO and speaker SP. Such processes include the aforementioned player introduction process, music announcement process, and processes for executing various effects during the win/loss announcement phase.

The game machine service management unit 25 is a logical device that executes various processes to be executed on the game machine 3. Such processes include appropriate processes such as sending and receiving various data or signals, but also include a first selection process and a second selection process. The game machine service management unit 25 may execute these first selection process and second selection process independently, but as an example, executes them in cooperation with the game machine 3. The procedures for the first selection process and the second selection process will be described in detail below. Note that the control unit 21 may be further connected to an input device such as the above-mentioned keyboard 20B, or an output device such as the above-mentioned monitor 20A, as needed. However, these are not shown in the illustration.

On the other hand, the game machine 3 is provided with a control unit 31 as a computer and a memory unit 32 as storage means. The control unit 31 is configured as a computer that combines a CPU, an example of a processor that executes various processes according to a predetermined computer program, with internal memory and other peripheral devices required for its operation.

The memory unit 32 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device. The memory unit 32 stores a game program PG2 as an example of a computer program that causes the control unit 31 to execute various processes necessary to provide various services such as a music game. The memory unit 32 also stores game data GD necessary to provide the music game. Such game data GD appropriately includes various data for the game, and the example in Figure 5 shows music data MD and sequence data QD.

Music data MD is data for playing each piece of music used in playing the music game. Sequence data QD is data that describes the timing at which appropriate play actions should be performed in the music game. The sequence data QD is used to guide the user to each of these execution times. Furthermore, when the user actually performs a play action, that play action is evaluated based on the execution timing of the sequence data QD. In other words, the sequence data QD is used to guide and evaluate each execution time. For this reason, the sequence data QD describes each execution time and information on the appropriate play action to be performed at that execution time (information indicating an operating member such as a push button switch 17. If an operating member and a path are associated on the game screen, path information functions as such information) so that they are associated with each other. Furthermore, if a music game offers multiple songs or multiple difficulty levels, sequence data QD is prepared for each song or each difficulty level.

Various game data GD, such as sequence data QD, may be stored in the storage unit 32 by any suitable method. For example, if a center server is connected via a network, the game data GD may be provided from the center server via the center server. Alternatively, the game data GD may be pre-installed on the game console 3. The game data GD may also include various other data, such as image data, ID management data, or the aforementioned play data. The image data is data for displaying various images required for displaying the game screen. The ID management data is data for managing various IDs, such as a user ID (a unique ID for each user U to identify each user U) used to manage various information for user authentication for each user U. The play data is data containing information regarding each user's past play results. The play data is used, for example, to carry over previous play results (various past achievements, including acquired items, etc.) to subsequent play, or to carry over settings specific to each user. However, these are not shown in the figures.

Various logical devices are configured in the control unit 31 by combining the control unit 31's hardware resources with the game program PG2 as software resources. Various processes necessary to provide the game are then executed through these logical devices. In the example of Figure 5, the progress control unit 33, guidance execution unit 34, and evaluation execution unit 35 are shown as logical devices related to the music game.

The progress control unit 33 is a logical device that performs various processes to control the progress of a series of steps for playing a music game. Such processes include processes for controlling the progress in the normal flow and processes for controlling the progress in the flow of game events. These processes may be executed as separate processes, but as an example, they are configured as a single selection process. In other words, the processes executed by the progress control unit 33 include the selection process. The progress control unit 33 may execute the selection process independently, but as an example, it executes it in cooperation with the game machine service management unit 25 of the backyard device 2. Details of the selection process will be described later.

The guidance execution unit 34 is a logical device that performs various processes to provide guidance for each execution period in the music game. Because the music game may appropriately require various play actions (various operations on each operating member of the operation unit 15) at each execution period, the guidance for each execution period includes guidance for the play actions that should be performed at each execution period. In other words, the processing performed by the guidance execution unit 34 includes processing to provide guidance for each execution period and the operations that should be performed on each operating member of the operation unit 15 at each execution period.

The evaluation execution unit 35 is a logical device that performs various processes to evaluate operations (play actions) performed by the user in the music game. Through such processes, the evaluation execution unit 35 performs evaluations according to the various operations required in the music game. For this reason, the processes performed by the evaluation execution unit 35 include appropriate processes for evaluating the various operations.

The game machine 3 is also appropriately equipped with various output and input devices to function as an arcade game machine. Such output devices include, for example, the first monitor 12, second monitor 13, and speaker 18 described above. The guide screen 50, mode selection screen, song selection screen, option selection screen, and battle result screen described above may be displayed on either the first monitor 12 or the second monitor 13, but as an example, they are all displayed on the first monitor 12. In this example, the first monitor 12 functions as the output device of the present invention.

On the other hand, the game machine 3 is provided with the above-mentioned control panel 14 as an input device. The control panel 14 is provided with the operation units 15 as described above, and each operation unit 15 includes a push button switch 17 and a turntable 19 as operating members. Therefore, the control panel 14 outputs signals to the control unit 31 in response to operations on each push button switch 17 and each turntable 19. Furthermore, each operation for progressing the flow of game events, such as play operations on the guide screen 50 or selection operations on a mode selection screen, etc., is executed via the operation unit 15. In this example, the control panel 14 having such operation units 15 functions as the input device of the present invention.

In addition, various other input devices may be provided on the game machine 3 as appropriate. Such input devices include well-known card readers that correspond to the method of storing user IDs and other information on user cards, such as contactless readers using wireless communication or contact readers such as magnetic readers. However, these are not shown in the illustrations.

Next, the song selection data SD will be described in detail. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the song selection data SD. The song selection data SD may include various information necessary to determine the appropriateness of the selection result during a song selection opportunity, as appropriate, but the example in Figure 6 shows the portion related to determining appropriateness based on songs designated in advance. As shown in Figure 6, the song selection data SD includes a song selection record SDR for each player (user) U on each team, which is used to manage the songs designated in advance for that player U to use in each match. The song selection record SDR also includes information on the "team," "match," "user," and "planned song."

"Team" is information indicating a team ID uniquely assigned to each team to identify the team to which each player U belongs. "Match" is information indicating each match in a team match, such as the first match, second match, or third match. "User" is information indicating a user ID for identifying each user. "Scheduled Song" is information indicating songs designated by each player U in advance of the match as songs to be used in each match. Each song in "Scheduled Song" may be identified as appropriate, but as an example, each song is identified by a song ID uniquely assigned to it. In other words, the song ID of the song designated in advance is written in "Scheduled Song." The "Scheduled Song" information is then used to determine the appropriateness of the song selected during the song selection opportunity. The song selection record SDR records this information so that it is interrelated. In this example, the song ID information written in "Scheduled Song" functions as the discrimination information of the present invention. Furthermore, the song selection data SD containing such "Scheduled Song" information functions as the discrimination data of the present invention.

The song selection data SD is not limited to these and may include any appropriate information necessary to determine the appropriateness of the song selection. Alternatively, each of the above information may be omitted as appropriate. Specifically, for example, if the same player U plays multiple matches and the repeated use of the same song in those matches should be eliminated, the song selection record SDR may include "selected song" information. "Selected song" is information indicating the song actually selected by each player U in each match. In this case, the "planned song" information may be omitted. Then, the song ID information described in the "selected song" (information indicating an inappropriate song, while "planned song" is information indicating an appropriate song) may be used to determine the appropriateness of the song selected during the song selection opportunity, and may function as the determination information of the present invention.

Next, with reference to Figures 7 to 10, the procedures for the selection process, first selection process, and second selection process according to the first mode will be described. The selection process is a process for providing a series of processes, including a first selection step, a second selection step, and a play step. Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the selection process procedure. Specifically, the series of processes may be provided in a normal flow or in a game event flow, which is switched depending on the switching condition. The examples in Figures 7 and 8 show selection processes in which the selection of an event mode is used as the switching condition. In this case, when a predetermined provision start operation requesting the first selection step is executed, the progress control unit 33 starts the selection process of Figure 7 and first provides the first selection step (step S101). In the first selection step, the first selection opportunity is provided as described above. Therefore, in step S101, the progress control unit 33 provides the first selection opportunity, such as a mode selection opportunity, a song selection opportunity, or an option selection opportunity.

The progress control unit 33 then determines whether a switching condition for switching the flow between the normal flow and the game event flow is met (step S102). The switching condition is met when the event mode is selected at the mode selection opportunity. Therefore, in step S102, the progress control unit 33 determines whether the selection result at the mode selection opportunity corresponds to the event mode.

If the switching condition is not met (step S102: No), that is, if a mode other than event mode is selected at the mode selection opportunity, the progress control unit 33 grants a second selection process (step S103). In the second selection process, a second selection opportunity is granted as described above. Therefore, the progress control unit 33 grants a second selection opportunity, such as a speed selection opportunity, in step S103. Next, the progress control unit 33 provides a play process (step S104). As described above, the play process is a process for playing the music game, and is a process for providing guidance and evaluating each execution timing through the guidance screen 50. Therefore, in step S104, the progress control unit 33 starts displaying the guidance screen 50 and playing the music for play. Then, after starting to display the guidance screen 50, the progress control unit 33 ends this normal selection process.

On the other hand, if the switching condition is met (step S102: Yes), that is, if event mode is selected at the mode selection opportunity, the progress control unit 33 transmits the selection result at the first selection opportunity to the backyard device 2 (step S105). This selection result may include the selection result at the first selection opportunity as appropriate, but will at least include the selection result (song selection result) at the song selection opportunity. After transmitting this selection result, the progress control unit 33 waits to proceed to the next process until it receives a signal from the backyard device 2 regarding whether or not to proceed (step S106). The wait for progress may be realized as appropriate, but as an example, it is realized by continuously displaying the game screen that was displayed immediately before. In this case, information indicating the wait, such as "waiting," may be displayed as appropriate.

When a signal regarding whether or not to proceed is transmitted from the backyard device 2, the progress control unit 33 acquires the signal and determines whether or not the signal is an authorization signal, i.e., whether or not an authorization signal has been acquired (step S107). If an authorization signal has not been acquired (step S107: No), for example, if a non-authorization signal has been acquired, or if a signal regarding whether or not to proceed cannot be acquired from the backyard device 2 even after a certain period of time has elapsed, the progress control unit 33 returns to step S101 and executes the subsequent processing again.

On the other hand, if an authorization signal is obtained (step S107: Yes), the progress control unit 33 proceeds to the procedure in FIG. 8 and provides a second selection process (step S108). The provision of the second selection process is realized in the same manner as step S103. Next, the progress control unit 33 again transmits the selection result from the second selection opportunity to the backyard device 2 (step S109). After transmitting this selection result, the progress control unit 33 again waits before proceeding to the next process until it receives an authorization signal from the backyard device 2 (step S110). This wait before proceeding may be realized in the same manner as step S107.

When the permission signal is transmitted from the backyard device 2, the progress control unit 33 acquires the permission signal (step S111). The progress control unit 33 then returns to the procedure in FIG. 7 and provides a play process (step S104). The play process is provided as described above. Then, after providing the play process (after starting to display the guide screen 50, etc.), the progress control unit 33 ends this normal selection process.

The procedures in Figures 7 and 8 realize a series of steps, including a first selection step, a second selection step, and a play step. Furthermore, the flow of the series of steps is switched between a normal flow and a game event flow depending on whether or not the event mode is selected at the mode selection opportunity (whether or not the switching condition is met). If a mode other than the event mode is selected, the series of steps is provided independently by the game machine 3. In other words, the normal flow is realized. On the other hand, if the event mode is selected, a wait for progress is added between the series of steps as appropriate, waiting for instructions from the backyard device 2. Therefore, this wait allows for the inclusion of a step by the backyard device 2, such as a first progress permission step or a second progress permission step. In other words, the game event flow is realized.

The first selection process is a process for realizing the first progress permission step. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the first selection process. Specifically, the example in Figure 9 shows the first selection process when it is executed in conjunction with the procedure in Figure 7. In this case, when a selection result is transmitted from the game machine 3 in step S105 in Figure 7, the game machine service management unit 25 starts the first selection process in Figure 9 and first obtains the selection result (step S301).

The game machine service management unit 25 then determines whether or not to proceed based on the transmission result obtained in step S301 (step S302). Whether or not to proceed may be determined appropriately based on the selection result of the first selection opportunity, but as an example, it is determined based on whether or not the selection result of the song selection opportunity is appropriate. Furthermore, the appropriateness of the selection result of the song selection opportunity is determined based on whether or not the selection result corresponds to a song designated in advance. Therefore, in step S302, the game machine service management unit 25 determines whether or not the selection result of the song selection opportunity corresponds to a song designated in advance as the song to be used in play in that match. Specifically, the game machine service management unit 25 references the "match" and "scheduled song" information in the song selection data SD, and determines whether or not the song selected in the song selection opportunity corresponds to the "scheduled song" song for the corresponding match. The progress control unit 33 then determines whether progress is impossible if the selection result at the song selection opportunity is inappropriate (if the song selected at the song selection opportunity does not fall under the "scheduled songs" for the corresponding battle), and whether progress is possible if the selection result is appropriate (if the song selected at the song selection opportunity falls under the "scheduled songs" for the corresponding battle).

Next, the game machine service management unit 25 transmits the determination result of step S302 (step S303). Specifically, if the game machine service management unit 25 determines in step S302 that progress is permitted, it outputs (transmits) a permission signal. If the game machine service management unit 25 determines that progress is not permitted, it outputs (transmits) a non-permission signal as the determination result so that the game machine 3 acquires it in step S107 of the procedure in FIG. 7. After this output (transmission), the game machine service management unit 25 terminates this first selection process. As a result, whether or not to proceed to the second selection step is automatically determined based on the appropriateness of the selection result at the song selection opportunity. In other words, the first progress permission step in the flow of the game event is automatically realized. Specifically, the appropriateness of the selection result is determined based on the song selection data SD and the selection result at the song selection opportunity. If appropriate, it is determined that progress is permitted, and if inappropriate, it is determined that progress is not permitted. If progress is permitted, a permission signal is output to the game machine 3 to prompt the second selection step to be offered. If progress is not permitted, a non-permission signal is output to the game machine 3 to prevent progress to the second selection step and prompt the first selection step to be offered again.

The second selection process is a process for realizing the second progress permission step. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the second selection process. Specifically, the example in Figure 10 shows the second selection process when it is executed in conjunction with the procedure in Figure 8. In this case, when the selection result is transmitted from the game machine 3 in step S109 in Figure 8, the game machine service management unit 25 starts the second selection process in Figure 10 and first obtains the selection result (step S501).

The game machine service management unit 25 then notifies the operator OP of the selection result (step S502). This notification may be realized as appropriate, for example, through a display on the monitor 20A of the backyard device 2, but as an example, it is realized through the large monitor MO. In other words, the game machine service management unit 25 notifies the operator OP of the selection result obtained in step S501 by displaying it on the large monitor MO in step S502. In addition, the end of selection in the second selection opportunity may be separately notified to the operator OP through a gesture such as each player U raising their right hand.

Next, the game machine service management unit 25 waits for permission to proceed from the operator OP (step S503). Permission to proceed may be granted as appropriate, for example, through a predetermined permission operation (e.g., pressing the Enter button) performed on the keyboard 20B connected to the backyard device 2. During the waiting period, a countdown may be executed as appropriate to measure the timing of the permission operation. The countdown may be executed by the backyard device 2 through a countdown process executed separately to display the countdown value on the large monitor MO, or, as an example, the operator OP may execute the countdown using his or her own finger or gestures.

If a permission operation is performed while waiting for permission in step S503, the game machine service management unit 25 outputs the permission signal to the game machine 3 so that it can be acquired in step S111 of the procedure in FIG. 8 (step S504). After this output, the game machine service management unit 25 then ends the second selection process for this time. This realizes the second progress permission process in the flow of the game event. Specifically, after the second selection opportunity, the play process begins upon waiting for a permission signal from the backyard device 2, and this permission signal is output in common to all players. Therefore, the play process is provided so that the start times of the play processes are consistent between players.

As explained above, according to the first embodiment, when the event mode is selected during the mode selection opportunity (the switching condition is met), steps such as the first progress permission step and the second progress permission step, which wait for a permission signal from the backyard device 2, are added to the series of steps, and progression to a specific step such as the second selection step or play step is put on hold. The game machine 3 then waits for a permission signal from the backyard device 2 before starting to provide these specific steps. In other words, a first progress permission step, etc., is added to the original series of steps between each selection step, such as the first selection step, and the step immediately following it, and progression to the next step, such as the second selection step, is put on hold until a permission signal is received from the backyard device 2. This allows progression through a series of steps to be put on hold as necessary.

Specifically, for example, if the selection of a specific song (a pre-designated song) is requested during the song selection opportunity in the first selection step, the progression of the series of steps can be delayed until that specific song is selected through the first progress permission step. Alternatively, the progression to the play step can be delayed after the second selection step to ensure that the start times of play are consistent between the players. As a result, the selection of the specific song requested during the song selection opportunity can be encouraged, and the start time of the play step can be adjusted.

Furthermore, according to the first form, in the first progress permission process, the backyard device 2 determines the appropriateness of the song selected in the song selection opportunity based on the song selection data SD, and if the selection result is appropriate, a permission signal that permits progression to the next, second selection process is output to the game machine 3. Then, when the permission signal is acquired by the game machine 3, the waiting period for progression to the second selection process ends and progression to the second selection process begins. Therefore, a permission signal that causes the game machine 3 to begin providing the second selection process can be automatically output based on the song selection data SD.

In the first embodiment described above, the progress control unit 33 of the game machine 3 functions as the progress waiting means and provision start means of the present invention by executing the procedure in FIG. 7. Specifically, the progress control unit 33 functions as the progress waiting means by executing step S106 in FIG. 7, and as the provision start means by executing step S104 in FIG. 7 via the procedure in FIG. 8. Meanwhile, the game machine service management unit 25 of the backyard device 2 functions as the result acquisition means and signal output means of the present invention by executing the procedure in FIG. 9. Specifically, the game machine service management unit 25 functions as the result acquisition means by executing step S301 in FIG. 9, and as the signal output means by executing step S303.

(Second form)
Referring to FIG. 11 , a main part of the control system of the game system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the first progress permission process and the second progress permission process are mainly executed manually. Specifically, upon completion of the first selection process, i.e., each selection opportunity included in the first selection opportunity, each game machine 3 waits for the game machine 3 to proceed to the second selection process, which the game machine 3 should subsequently provide. In other words, the game machine 3 pauses the process for starting play after providing each selection opportunity. Meanwhile, upon completion of selection in each selection opportunity, each player U is requested to make an appropriate ending gesture (e.g., raising their right hand). Then, upon confirmation of the ending gestures made by both players U competing in the match, the operator OP determines whether to allow the game to proceed as the first progress permission process. Specifically, for example, in the first progress permission process, the operator OP of the backyard device 2 determines the appropriateness of the music selected in the music selection opportunity. The example of FIG. 11 illustrates a main part of the control system of the game system 1 according to the second embodiment in such a case. In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIGS. 11 and 12, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Figure 11 is a functional block diagram showing the main parts of the control system of the game system 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 11, in the second embodiment, storage of music selection data SD as event data 23 in the memory unit 22 is omitted compared to the first embodiment. In other words, in the second embodiment, the event data 23 does not need to include music selection data SD. Furthermore, connection of the large monitor MO and speakers SP to the backyard device 2 is also omitted, and they may be controlled by another device (e.g., the game console 3), in which case the backyard device 2 may be configured as a simple push button switch; however, in the example of Figure 11, the backyard device 2 is configured as a computer device, and a large monitor MO, etc. are also connected.

Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for the first selection process according to the second embodiment. The first selection process according to the second embodiment differs from the first selection process according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 9 in the processing of steps S312 and S313. Specifically, in the first selection process according to the second embodiment, step S302 of the first selection process according to the first embodiment is omitted, and instead steps S312 and S313 are executed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the game machine service management unit 25 starts the first selection process in the same manner as in the example of FIG. 9. After acquiring the selection result from the game machine 3 in step S301, the game machine service management unit 25 notifies the operator OP of the selection result (step S312). This notification may be realized as appropriate, for example, through display on the monitor 20A of the backyard device 2, but as an example, it is realized through the large monitor MO. That is, the game machine service management unit 25 notifies the operator OP of the selection result acquired in step S301 by displaying it on the large monitor MO in step S312. In this example, the large monitor MO functions as the monitor of the present invention. On the other hand, if the selection result acquired from the game machine 3 is displayed on the monitor 20A of the backyard device 2 instead of the large monitor MO, that monitor 20A functions as the monitor of the present invention.

The game machine service management unit 25 then waits for the result of the operator OP's determination of whether or not to proceed (step S313). For example, if the determination of whether or not to proceed is based on whether the selection made during the song selection opportunity is appropriate, a list equivalent to the song selection data SD is passed to the operator OP instead of the song selection data SD. Therefore, the operator OP determines whether or not the selection made during the song selection opportunity is appropriate based on that list. Specifically, the operator OP refers to the selection results displayed on the large monitor MO and the list equivalent to the song selection data SD to determine whether or not the song selected during the song selection opportunity corresponds to a song previously designated as the song to be used in the battle. The operator OP then determines whether or not to proceed if the selection made during the song selection opportunity is appropriate (if the song selected during the song selection opportunity corresponds to a song previously designated), and whether or not to proceed if the selection made during the song selection opportunity is inappropriate (if the song selected during the song selection opportunity does not correspond to a song previously designated).

The result of the determination as to whether or not progress can be made may be entered as appropriate. For example, a permission result indicating that progress is permitted is entered through a predetermined permission operation (e.g., pressing the Enter button) executed on the keyboard 20B connected to the backyard device 2. A denial result indicating that progress is not permitted may similarly be entered through a predetermined denial operation executed on the keyboard 20B and transmitted to the game machine 3; however, as an example, the input of the denial operation may be omitted. Specifically, the relevant player U (the player U who made the inappropriate selection) is notified by a gesture indicating denial by the operator OP. In other words, denial is notified by a signal from the operator OP to the player U, but by a signal from the operator OP to the player U, rather than by a signal from the backyard device 2 to the game machine 3. Then, upon receiving denial, the player U cancels the current selection result and is offered the first selection opportunity again, where he or she makes an appropriate selection. Furthermore, when denial is notified, the operator OP may appropriately cancel the first selection process. In this example, the predetermined permission operation executed on the keyboard 20B functions as the permission instruction of the present invention.

If a predetermined permission operation is performed while waiting for the determination result in step S313, the game machine service management unit 25 transmits the determination result to the game machine 3 (step S303). That is, the game machine service management unit 25 outputs a permission signal as the determination result, so that the game machine 3 obtains it in step S107 of the procedure in FIG. 7. After this output, the game machine service management unit 25 ends this first selection process. This allows the operator OP to manually realize the first progress permission step in the flow of the game event. Note that, for example, if the backyard device 2 is configured as a simple push button switch, or if display on a large monitor MO or the like is performed by a device separate from the backyard device 2, steps S301 to S313 may be omitted, and the first selection process may be configured as simply outputting a permission signal in response to the permission operation.

As explained above, according to the second form, similar to the first form, when the selection of a specific song (a pre-designated song) is requested during the song selection opportunity in the first selection process, the progression of the series of steps can be delayed until that specific song is selected through the first progress permission process. Alternatively, the progression to the play process can be delayed after the second selection process to ensure that the start of play is synchronized between the players. As a result, the selection of the specific song requested during the song selection opportunity can be encouraged, and the start of the play process can be adjusted.

Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the selection result during the song selection opportunity on the game machine 3 is notified to the operator OP of the backyard device 2. Then, when the operator OP performs a predetermined permission operation (permission instruction), a permission signal for starting the second selection process is output to the game machine 3. Therefore, whether or not the operator OP performs the permission operation can determine whether or not to proceed to the second selection process, or the timing of providing the second selection process, and this can be adjusted. This allows for relatively flexible realization of necessary situations, such as selecting a specific song during the song selection opportunity and adjusting the start timing of the second selection process. Furthermore, when the selection result during the song selection opportunity is notified to the operator OP through a display on the large monitor MO, the selection result is notified not only to the operator OP but also to other players U, other players U, or spectators at the event facility EF, other than the player U who selected the song, through the display on the large monitor MO. This allows others to be aware of the selection result during the song selection opportunity. As a result, it is possible to further encourage necessary situations, such as selecting a specific song during the song selection opportunity, through such others.

In the second embodiment described above, the game machine service management unit 25 of the backyard device 2 functions as the result acquisition means, result notification means, and signal output means of the present invention by executing the procedure in FIG. 12. Specifically, the game machine service management unit 25 functions as the result acquisition means by executing step S301 in FIG. 12, as the result notification means by executing step S312, and as the signal output means by executing step S303.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described form and may be implemented in a form with appropriate modifications or alterations. For example, in the above-described form, the original series of steps in the normal flow are provided solely by the game machine 3 based on game data GD pre-stored in the memory unit 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the series of steps may appropriately include steps for transmitting and receiving various data to and from other devices such as a center server. In other words, as long as a step of waiting for a permission signal is added appropriately in the flow of a game event, the series of steps is not limited to steps provided solely by the game machine 3, but may be appropriate steps including steps realized in cooperation with other devices.

In the above-described embodiment, the series of steps is primarily configured as steps for preparing to start playing. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. As long as the series of steps is related to the game provided by the game machine 3, it may be steps provided during play to continue the game, or steps provided at the end of the game.

In the above-described embodiment, the selection of the event mode is used as the switching condition for switching between the normal flow and the game event flow. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The switching condition may be any condition that requires connection to a backyard device 2 that outputs an authorization signal. For example, the switching condition may be satisfied when the organizer of the game event executes special settings to host the game event (for example, executed before the start of the game event, such as when installing game machines 3 in the event facility EF). Alternatively, the switching condition may be automatically satisfied upon connection of the backyard device 2 based on a predetermined signal output from the backyard device 2. In other words, the normal flow may be switched to the game event flow when special settings are executed or when the backyard device 2 is connected. In these cases, for example, determining the switching condition (step S102) in the example of FIG. 7 may be omitted, and the process for realizing the normal flow and the process for realizing the game event may be implemented as separate processes.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the game system 1 includes the game machine 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the game machine 3 may be connected to the game system of the present invention simply as a client device. In other words, the backyard device 2 alone may function as the game system of the present invention.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from the above-described embodiments and variations are described below. In the following description, corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are noted in parentheses to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, but this does not mean that the present invention is limited to the illustrated forms.

The game machine of the present invention comprises an output device (12) that provides a series of steps (S3, S5, S7, S8) including a selection step (S3, S5) that gives the user an opportunity to make a selection, and an input device (14) that inputs the user's operations to progress through each step. The game machine (3) provides the series of steps in order as steps related to playing a game. When a predetermined condition is met, including a requirement for connection of an external device (2) that outputs a permission signal that allows progression to a specific step (S5, S7) provided after the selection step, a waiting step (S4, S6) that waits for the acquisition of the permission signal is added between the selection step and the specific step in the series of steps. The game machine also comprises a progress waiting means (33) that starts providing the specific step when the permission signal is output from the external device during the waiting step, thereby ending the wait for progression to the specific step.

According to the present invention, when a predetermined condition is met, a waiting step for waiting for an authorization signal from an external device is added between the selection step and the specific step in the series of steps, so that progression to the specific step is delayed, and provision of the specific step is delayed until an authorization signal is received from the external device. In other words, a waiting step is added between the selection step and the specific step in the original series of steps, and progression to the specific step is delayed until an authorization signal is received from the external device. This makes it possible to delay progression of the series of steps as needed through the waiting step. As a result, it is possible, for example, to prompt a specific choice during a selection opportunity, or to adjust the start time of a specific step.

The series of steps may be any appropriate steps as long as they are related to a game. For example, the series of steps may be steps for preparing to start play, or steps that intervene during play to continue play, or steps for ending play. Furthermore, the gaming machine of the present invention may provide various games related to such a series of steps. For example, the gaming machine of the present invention may provide various games such as role-playing games, simulation games, and action games. Specifically, for example, in one example of the gaming machine of the present invention, a music game is provided as the game, in which the timing of operations to be input via the input device is guided and evaluated in accordance with the rhythm of music to be played, and the selection opportunity may include a music selection opportunity for selecting the music to be played from a plurality of candidates.

The selection process that provides the opportunity to make a selection may be provided as appropriate, for example, it may be provided once or multiple times. When the selection process is provided multiple times, multiple processes may function as the specific process, or one process (which may be standby corresponding to one of the multiple selection processes, or may be standby corresponding to two or more selection processes) may function as the specific process. Furthermore, the specific process may be an appropriate process that is provided after the selection process in a series of processes. For example, the specific process may or may not be the process immediately following the selection process in the series of processes.

Specifically, for example, in an embodiment in which a music game is provided as the game, the selection opportunity further includes another selection opportunity for selecting a game element provided separately from the play music as an element used in playing the music game, and the selection process includes two selection processes: a first selection process (S3) that provides the song selection opportunity and a second selection process (S5) that provides the other selection opportunity, such that the first selection process is provided before the second selection process in the series of processes. The specifying process includes a first specifying process (S5) and a second specifying process (S7) that are waited for corresponding to the first selection process and the second selection process, respectively. The series of processes includes a play process (S7) in which playback of the play music is started as the start of play of the music game, and the second selection process may function as the first specifying process, and the play process may function as the second specifying process. In this case, for example, it is possible to prompt the player to select a specific song in the song selection opportunity, or to adjust the start time of the play process.

Furthermore, the computer program (PG2) of the present invention is configured to cause the output device and a computer (21) connected to the input device to function as each of the means of the game machine described above.

Similarly, the control method of the present invention includes an output device (12) that provides a series of steps (S3, S5, S7, S8) including a selection step (S3, S5) that gives the user a selection opportunity, and an input device (14) that inputs the user's operations to progress through each step. The control method causes a computer (21) incorporated into a game machine (3) that sequentially provides the series of steps as steps related to game play to execute: a progress waiting procedure that, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, including the requirement of connection to an external device (2) that outputs a permission signal that allows progression to a specific step (S5, S7) that is provided after the selection step in the series of steps, waits for the acquisition of the permission signal before progressing to the specific step, so that a wait step (S4, S6) that waits for the acquisition of the permission signal is added between the selection step and the specific step; and a provision start procedure that, when the permission signal is output from the external device in the wait step, starts providing the specific step so that the wait for progression to the specific step ends. The game machine of the present invention can be realized by executing the computer program or control method of the present invention.

On the other hand, the external device of the present invention is an external device (2) connected to the above-mentioned game machine, and includes result acquisition means (25) for acquiring the user's selection result at the selection opportunity, and signal output means (25) for outputting the permission signal to the game machine when the selection result is determined to be appropriate based on judgment data (SD) describing judgment information for determining the appropriateness of the selection result at the selection opportunity.

The external device of the present invention determines the appropriateness of a selection made during a selection opportunity on a gaming machine based on the determination data, and if the selection is appropriate, outputs a permission signal to the gaming machine. Then, when the permission signal is acquired, the gaming machine ends the wait for progression to a specific step and begins providing the specific step. Therefore, the permission signal for starting the provision of the specific step can be automatically output based on the determination data.

Alternatively, the external device of the present invention is an external device (2) connected to the above-mentioned game machine, and includes result acquisition means (25) for acquiring the user's selection result at the selection opportunity, result notification means (25) for notifying the operator (OP) as the user of the external device of the selection result, and signal output means (25) for outputting the permission signal to the game machine based on a permission instruction from the operator.

The external device of the present invention notifies the operator of the external device of the selection result made during a selection opportunity on the gaming machine. Then, when the operator issues a permission instruction, a permission signal for starting a specific process is output to the gaming machine. Therefore, whether or not to proceed to a specific process, or the timing of providing a specific process, can be adjusted depending on whether or not the operator issues a permission instruction. This allows for relatively flexible realization of necessary situations, such as making a specific selection during a selection opportunity and adjusting the start timing of a specific process.

An appropriate number of game machines, such as one or more, may be connected to the external device. For example, in one aspect of the external device of the present invention, multiple game machines (3) each functioning as a game machine may be connected so that the permission signal is output simultaneously to the multiple game machines. In this case, a standby process can be initiated in common among the multiple game machines. This makes it possible, for example, to prompt a specific selection among the multiple game machines or to coordinate the start time of a specific process.

Furthermore, the game system of the present invention is a game system (1) equipped with the above-mentioned external device, in which a monitor (MO or 20A) that is connected to the game machine and displays the selection results at the selection opportunity is provided separately from the game machine.

According to the game system of the present invention, the results of selections made during selection opportunities are displayed on a monitor (which may be directly connected to the game console 3 or indirectly connected via another device, such as an external device). Therefore, the results of selections made during selection opportunities can be made known to others other than the game console user, such as the operator of the external device, through the monitor display. As a result, it is possible, for example, to encourage a specific choice during a selection opportunity or adjust the start timing of a specific process through such others.

The monitor on which the selection results are displayed during a selection opportunity may be any appropriate monitor. For example, if the external device is installed in a designated facility such as an event facility, the monitor may be a large monitor shared within the facility. Furthermore, for example, in a configuration in which the selection results are displayed on a monitor during a selection opportunity, the monitor (20A) may be provided in the external device.

1 Game system 2 Backyard device (external device)
3 Game console 12 First monitor (output device)
14. Control panel (input device)
21 Control unit 25 Game machine service management unit (result acquisition means, result notification means, signal output means)
31 Control unit (computer)
33 Progress control unit (progress waiting means, provision start means)
20A Monitor MO Large Monitor (Monitor)
PG2 Game Program (Computer Program)

Claims (12)

A game machine comprising: an output device that provides a series of steps including a selection step that gives a user a selection opportunity; and an input device that inputs an operation by the user to progress through each step, and that sequentially provides the series of steps as steps related to playing a game,
a progress waiting means for waiting for the progress to a specific step provided after the selection step in the series of steps when a predetermined condition including a requirement for connection of an external device that outputs an enabling signal for permitting the progress to the specific step provided after the selection step in the series of steps is satisfied, so that a waiting step for waiting for the acquisition of the enabling signal is added between the selection step and the specific step in the series of steps;
a provision start means for starting provision of the specific process when the permission signal is output from the external device during the waiting process, so that the waiting for proceeding to the specific process is terminated;
Equipped with
As the game, a music game of a type is provided in which the timing of performing an operation to be input via the input device is guided and evaluated in accordance with the rhythm of a piece of music to be played,
The selection opportunity includes a music selection opportunity for selecting the music to be played from a plurality of candidates. the selection opportunity further includes another selection opportunity for selecting a game element that is prepared separately from the music piece to be played as an element to be used in playing the music game;
the selection process includes two selection processes, a first selection process of providing the song selection opportunity and a second selection process of providing the other selection opportunity, such that the first selection process is provided before the second selection process in the series of processes;
the specific process includes a first specific process and a second specific process that are waited for in correspondence with the first selection process and the second selection process, respectively;
the series of steps includes a play step of starting playback of the play music piece as a start of play of the music game,
the second selection step functions as the first identification step,
The gaming machine according to claim 1 , wherein the playing step functions as the second specifying step. An external device connected to the game machine according to claim 1 or 2 ,
a result acquisition means for acquiring a selection result of the user at the selection opportunity;
a signal output means for outputting the permission signal to the game machine when the selection result is determined to be appropriate based on determination data in which determination information for determining the appropriateness of the selection result at the selection opportunity is described;
An external device comprising: A game machine comprising: an output device that provides a series of steps including a selection step that gives a user an opportunity to select various game elements for game play; and an input device that inputs operations by the user to progress through each step, and that sequentially provides the series of steps as steps related to game play,
a progress waiting means for waiting for the progress to a specific step provided after the selection step in the series of steps when a predetermined condition including a requirement for connection of an external device that outputs an enabling signal for permitting the progress to the specific step provided after the selection step in the series of steps is satisfied, so that a waiting step for waiting for the acquisition of the enabling signal is added between the selection step and the specific step in the series of steps;
a provision start means for starting provision of the specific process when the permission signal is output from the external device during the waiting process, so that the waiting for proceeding to the specific process is terminated;
An external device connected to a game machine , comprising :
a result acquisition means for acquiring a selection result of the user at the selection opportunity;
a signal output means for outputting the permission signal to the game machine when the selection result is determined to be appropriate based on determination data in which determination information for determining the appropriateness of the selection result at the selection opportunity is described;
An external device comprising: A game machine comprising: an output device that provides a series of steps including a selection step that gives a user an opportunity to select various game elements for game play; and an input device that inputs operations by the user to progress through each step, and that sequentially provides the series of steps as steps related to game play,
a progress waiting means for waiting for the progress to a specific step provided after the selection step in the series of steps when a predetermined condition including a requirement for connection of an external device that outputs an enabling signal for permitting the progress to the specific step provided after the selection step in the series of steps is satisfied, so that a waiting step for waiting for the acquisition of the enabling signal is added between the selection step and the specific step in the series of steps;
a provision start means for starting provision of the specific process when the permission signal is output from the external device during the waiting process, so that the waiting for proceeding to the specific process is terminated;
An external device connected to a game machine , comprising :
a result acquisition means for acquiring a selection result of the user at the selection opportunity;
a result notification means for notifying an operator as a user of the external device of the selection result;
a signal output means for outputting the permission signal to the game machine based on a permission instruction from the operator;
An external device comprising: 6. The external device according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of game machines each functioning as said game machine are connected so that said enabling signal is output simultaneously to said plurality of game machines. A game system comprising the external device according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
A game system in which a monitor connected to the game machine and displaying the selection results at the selection opportunity is provided separately from the game machine. The game system of claim 7, wherein the monitor is provided on the external device. 3. A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to said output device and said input device to function as each means of the game machine according to claim 1 or 2 . A computer is provided in a game machine that includes an output device that provides a series of steps including a selection step that gives a user a selection opportunity, and an input device that inputs operations by the user to progress through each step, and that provides the series of steps in order as steps related to playing a game,
a progress waiting procedure for waiting for the acquisition of a permission signal, which is provided after the selection step in the series of steps, to proceed to the specific step when a predetermined condition including a requirement for connection of an external device that outputs a permission signal permitting the progression to the specific step is satisfied, so that a waiting step for waiting for the acquisition of the permission signal is added between the selection step and the specific step in the series of steps;
a provision start procedure for starting provision of the specific process when the permission signal is output from the external device in the waiting process so that the waiting for proceeding to the specific process is ended;
Execute
As the game, a music game of a type is provided in which the timing of performing an operation to be input via the input device is guided and evaluated in accordance with the rhythm of a piece of music to be played,
A control method , wherein the selection opportunity includes a song selection opportunity for selecting a song to be played from a plurality of candidates . A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to said game machine to function as each of the means of the external device according to claim 4 or 5. A control method for causing a computer connected to said game machine to execute each procedure corresponding to each means of the external device according to claim 4 or 5.