WO2000029085A1 - Amusement device and controller - Google Patents

Abstract

An amusement device for allowing the game player to play a game while enjoying it as if the player was playing a musical instrument. The amusement device which reproduces stored musical information as music, displays stored image information concerning the musical information as an image, and adds the player's scores according to the operation of a controller (2) by the player timed to the music and image, comprises a game machine body (1) having a control unit for allowing the game to move while comparing the timing stored and matching the music and the timing at which the player operates the controller (2). The controller (2) has a shape like a musical instrument having operation parts that the player can operate by hand.

Description

 Description Amusement equipment and controller Technical field

 The present invention relates to an amusement device, and more particularly to an amusement device in which a game player plays a game while operating a controller according to music. Background art

 Conventionally, as a musical amusement system that allows beginners who cannot read musical scores to easily and enjoy playing an electronic musical instrument, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 8-3055356 discloses it. Something like that has been proposed. That is, the system scrolls a note or a character corresponding to the note from top to bottom on the display screen, and when the note or the character reaches a predetermined position, depresses the corresponding key and plays the music. It's like having them play. However, such a system is intended for beginners who cannot read musical scores to play electronic musical instruments easily and enjoyably. It is hard to say that the amusement system has high performance. For those who have never played musical instruments, it is easy to find the brassice itself difficult and difficult to challenge.

 However, in recent years, scenes in which bandmen playing musical instruments on TV and the like play an active part are frequently shot, and even people who have never played musical instruments or who do not own real musical instruments, The number of people who want to play musical instruments has increased significantly, and more people have requested that others see their own playing instruments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment device that can play a game happily while receiving a feeling that a game player is playing a musical instrument in order to meet such a demand. Disclosure of the invention

 In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method of reproducing music information stored in advance as music, displaying image information stored in advance associated with the music information as an image, and matching the music and the image. An amusement device for adding points based on the operation of the operation input means performed by the game player, the timing being stored in advance corresponding to the music, and the timing of operating the operation input means by the game player. A game machine main body having a control unit that progresses the game while comparing the game device, wherein the operation input means has a shape imitating a musical instrument having a plurality of operation parts that can be manually operated by a game player. Provide a unique amusement device.

 Further, in the amusement apparatus, the operation input means has a hand operation part operated by a hand by a game player, and a foot operation part operated by a foot. The game is advanced while comparing the stored timing with the timing at which the game player operates the hand operation portion and the foot operation portion of the operation input means.

 Further, in the amusement apparatus described above, the operation input means is provided separately from a part displaying the image, and has a shape that can be held by a game player by hand. Also preferably, the operation input means has, as the plurality of operation parts, a string part operated by one hand of a game player and a picking part operated by the other hand.

 Further, in the amusement apparatus, the operation input means has a shape imitating a piano having a keyboard portion as the manual operation portion and a foot pedal portion as the foot operation portion. Alternatively, the operation input means has a shape imitating a drum having a hitting surface portion as the hand operation portion and a foot pedal portion as the foot operation portion.

Further, in the amusement apparatus described above, on a display screen that displays the image, operation information for a game player to operate the operation input unit while viewing the display screen is displayed as an image, and the image is displayed. Horizontal depending on the music to be played It is characterized by scrolling in the direction.

 Further, in the amusement apparatus described above, the game machine main body is provided with a display screen for displaying the image, and is located at a position facing the display screen and at a position where the game player operates the operation input means. A pseudo stage is formed.

 Further, in the amusement apparatus described above, the game machine main body and the operation input means are electrically connected by a cable line. Alternatively, the game machine body and the operation input means are connected by wireless communication means for performing optical communication. Alternatively, the game machine main body and the operation input means are connected by wireless communication means for performing radio communication.

 The present invention provides a music reproducing means for reproducing pre-stored music information as music, an image display means for displaying pre-stored image information related to the music information as an image, and an operation operated by a game player An input means for playing a game by playing the music information and displaying the image information, and adding a score based on the operation of the operation input means performed by the game player in accordance with the music and the image. A game device for performing a game while comparing a timing stored in advance corresponding to the music with a timing at which a game player operates the operation input means, wherein the operation input means is An AMU characterized in that it has a shape imitating a musical instrument having a plurality of operation parts that can be operated manually by a game player. To provide a Zumento apparatus.

 The present invention reproduces music information stored in advance as music, displays image information stored in advance related to the music information as an image, advances a game, and sets a game player in accordance with the music and the image. A controller used in an amusement device that adds points by performing operations. The controller inputs the timing of an operation by a game player, and includes a plurality of operation parts that can be operated by the game player by hand. The present invention provides a controller characterized by having a shape imitating a musical instrument having the following.

Further, the controller has a hand-operated part operated by a hand by the game player and a foot-operated part operated by the foot. Also, the controller is .

4 It is provided separately from the image display part of the amusement device, and has the shape of a guitar that can be held by the game player by hand. Alternatively, the controller has a shape imitating a piano having a keyboard portion as the hand operation portion and a foot pedal portion as the foot operation portion. Alternatively, the controller has a shape imitating a drum having a hitting surface portion as the manual operation portion and a foot pedal portion as the foot operation portion.

 The present invention reproduces music information stored in advance as music, displays previously stored image information related to the music information as an image, and performs an operation input performed by a game player in accordance with the music and the image. A recording medium storing a control program for an amusement device that progresses a game and adds a score while comparing a previously stored evening timing corresponding to the music with a timing operated by the game player based on an operation of the means. (Eg, CD-ROM, ROM cassette, semiconductor memory consisting of ROM, RAM, etc.). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

 FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the arcade game machine according to the present embodiment.

 FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the arcade game machine according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view showing a controller having a singular shape used in the present embodiment.

 FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of an image displayed on the CRT display 4 during the progress of the game in the present embodiment.

 FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing another style of the amusement apparatus used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an arcade game machine simulating the form of a drum. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing an arcade game machine simulating the form of a piano. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the content displayed on the CRT display of the arcade game machine. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings with an example of an arcade game machine installed at a game center as an amusement device, but the present invention is not limited to this. .

 In this arcade game machine, the game progresses while pre-stored music information is played as music from the speaker, and the pre-stored image information is displayed as an image on the display screen, and the image on the display screen and the sound from the speaker are displayed. This is when the game player operates the controller to add points to the music.

 Hereinafter, the details of the arcade game machine will be described.

 FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the arcade game machine according to the present embodiment.

 Reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the game machine, and reference numeral 2 denotes a controller corresponding to operation input means having a shape imitating a musical instrument. In the present embodiment, a guitar is used as a musical instrument.

 The game machine body 1 has a control section 3 for playing the game, a CRT display 4 corresponding to an image display means for displaying images as the game progresses, and a music playing means for playing music as the game progresses. A corresponding speaker 5 is provided. A ROM cassette 9 is detachably mounted on the main body 1 of the game machine. The ROM cassette 9 includes a game program 6, image information 7 on an image displayed on the CRT display 4, and a speaker 5. Music information 8 about the music flowing from is stored.

 Further, the controller 2 has an operation input unit 9 corresponding to a plurality of operation parts that can be operated by a game player with his / her own hands.

The game machine body 1 is provided with a comparison circuit (comparison unit) 10 for comparing the timing at which the operation information is input from the operation input unit 9 with the timing previously stored in the game program 6. . The game program 6 stores in advance which type of operation input unit 9 is required among the plurality of operation input units 9 required at the above timing, and this and the game player Is compared with the operation information input from the selected operation input unit 9 by the comparison circuit 10. As a result of comparing the timing and the type of the operation input unit 9 to be input, the game program 6 previously stores a range in which the range is OK and a range in which the range is NG. In the present embodiment, each range of 0 K and NG is further divided into a plurality of levels, and the score corresponding to each level is stored in the game program 6 in advance. The score obtained as the game progresses is stored in a form that is cumulatively added to RAM I 1 provided in the game machine main body 1.

 Further, the comparison circuit 10 compares the total score at each predetermined game break, and determines whether the game can be continued along the game program 6 each time.

 Next, the structure of the arcade game machine according to the present embodiment will be described.

 FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the arcade game machine according to the present embodiment. In this arcade game machine, two game players can play a game at the same time, and each game player holds the CGI as the controller 2 on the stage 12 while holding the CRT of the game machine 1 While watching the image displayed on the display 4, listen to the music played from the speaker 5, and operate the operation buttons (operation part) described later of the controller 2 in accordance with these. In addition, an illumination light R that emits light to the game player is provided on the stage 12 so that the brightness and color of the light can be changed or the light can be changed according to the music played during the game. It also has the function of changing the pattern projected by the player, and such a staging effect enhances the game player's mood as if they were playing in reality.

 As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 2 has a shape imitating a guitar as described above, and is provided separately from the game machine main body 1. The game machine body 1 and the controller 2 are electrically connected via a cable such as a cable (not shown). As shown in this figure, the controller 2 has an operation portion composed of five string buttons 13 and one picking button 14, and five string buttons 13 are provided at positions corresponding to the string portions. They are arranged in series in the direction shown in the figure, and one picking button 14 is arranged at a position corresponding to the picking portion. The five string buttons 13 are given symbols A to E, respectively.

Figure 4 shows the contents of the image displayed on the CRT display 4 while the game is in progress. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the method.

 In the image of this display screen, the upper part displays controller operation information 15 for the first game player, the lower part displays controller operation information 16 for the second game player, and A live image 17 of the performance of the guitar is dynamically displayed in the space between these.

 A V mark 18 scrolling from the right to the left of the screen is displayed as the images of the operation information 15 and 16 described above. There are five lines on which the V mark 18 is displayed, and each of these lines is associated with each type of string button 13 of the controller 2, and the game player has the V mark 18 Pressing the string button 1 3 (A to E) corresponding to the line is set so that points are added.

 In other words, the game player measures the timing when the scrolling V mark 18 reaches the threshold part 19, and when the string button 13 to be pressed is pressed, the score is added when the picking button 14 is pressed at the same time. The game proceeds while this is repeated.

 In this way, the V mark 18 is scrolled horizontally and the game player operates the above buttons 13 and 14 in accordance with this, so that when reading a music score, as if reading notes in the horizontal direction, This makes it possible to play the game with a sense of realism and excitement as if playing the guitar while reading the music score by yourself. The operation of the string button 13 and the picking button 14 differs depending on the content of the game. For example, it is assumed that the picking button 14 is operated, and the operation of the string button 13 is used as a version for beginners. May need to be operated, only three string buttons 13 must be operated for intermediate users, or all five string buttons 13 must be operated for professional artists. it can.

In the present embodiment, the game player has a style of playing the game with his or her back turned to the gear around the arcade game machine, but is not limited to this. The stage 20 may be configured as shown in Fig. 5 and the style of playing the game toward the gallery may be adopted. In this case, it is not only possible to play the game, but also to perform a show (attractive) performance. Can be made to stand out It can meet the needs of young people in recent years.

 Further, in the present embodiment, five string buttons 13 are linearly arranged in the direction shown in FIG. 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of string buttons 13 are arranged diagonally. In this case, the game player may operate with the fingertip. In this case, the movement of the finger can be closer to the movement of the finger when actually playing the guitar, so that the state of the game can be more realistic. The game can be played while receiving a high degree of excitement. This is not limited to the string buttons 13, and the same effect as described above can be obtained even if a plurality of picking buttons are provided instead of one as in the present embodiment.

 In addition, in the present embodiment, the operation part is an operation button pressed by a game player with a hand, but the present invention is not limited to this. The string is stretched like an actual guitar, and this string is temporarily picked and played. For example, it may be detected by a detection means such as a tension detection sensor connected to the string and then input as operation input information. In the present embodiment, the game machine body 1 and the controller 2 are electrically connected by a cable line, but the invention is not limited to this, and the game machine body 1 and the controller 2 are electrically connected by optical communication means or radio waves. May be. By connecting using such communication means using light or radio waves, signals are exchanged between the game console 1 and the controller 2 wirelessly, so that the game console 1 and the controller 2 are completely connected. Become independent. In this case, it is possible to perform the pseudo performance in a free posture without correcting the movement of the game player.

Also, the amusement device in the present embodiment has been described by taking an arcade game machine as an example, but is not limited to this, and is applicable to a home game machine. The CRT display in the form is a television, the ROM cassette as a recording medium for storing game programs, image information and music information is a CD-ROM, and the game machine body is, for example, SEGASA Yuichi (manufactured by SEGA) or PlayStation (SOGA). A commercially available home-use game machine (manufactured by 21 Computer Entertainment Inc.) may be used, and the controller may be substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment or may be slightly smaller. Further, as the recording medium, other media such as a semiconductor memory including a RAM and a ROM, and a DVD-ROM can be used. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the controller has a shape that imitates a guitar, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it emulates a stringed instrument such as a shamisen, cello, or mandolin. It may be shaped. Further, in addition to these stringed instruments, for example, a shape imitating a percussion instrument such as a drum may be used.In this case, the game player does not directly operate the operation portion with his / her hand, and holds the stick. You can play the game as if you were playing a drum by hitting the operating part with a stick. It should be noted that the stick may be provided with a means for detecting that the stick has been hit. In this case, the stick is used as a part of the controller.

 In the present embodiment, a comparison circuit 10 different from the control unit 3 is provided in the game machine main body 1. For example, without providing such a comparison circuit, the control unit 3 The comparison with the input from the unit 9 may be performed according to the game program 6.

By the way, in recent years, many music-related amusement devices have been provided, and as an example, while listening to music flowing from a speaker and watching a plurality of characters scrolled and displayed on a display screen, the music is displayed in accordance with the rhythm of the music. There are provided operation buttons as operation means equivalent to characters, and devices that push and rotate the evening table, which is often used by DJs, etc., with good timing to accumulate scores. However, in such a device, the game player merely presses the operation button or rotates the rotary table in accordance with the music being played, and merely performs what is called a simple operation. Game players are beginning to look for amusement devices that require even more difficult operations to match the music being played. Therefore, various operating means have been devised to meet such a demand. For example, it is a device that requires a game player to operate not only his hands but also his feet. As an operation means for the foot, various structures such as a foot pedal that leads to electrical connection by pushing with a foot can be used. The input operation of the foot may be performed alternately or simultaneously with the input operation of the hand. Of course, the present invention can be applied to an amusement apparatus using a controller having a shape imitating a musical instrument in the embodiment of the present invention. A foot operation input means such as a foot pedal may be provided while operating (in this case, percussion instruments such as drums may be used as musical instruments). With such a device, the operation of the game player becomes relatively difficult, and even for a game player who has been accustomed to the provided amusement device, the device can be a responsive and highly entertaining device.

 FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing an arcade game machine in a state in which the controller is incorporated in the game machine main body, and simulating a drum form. A game machine main body 31 having a display section is provided on the stage 30, and a control section corresponding to a hand-operated portion imitating a striking surface (drum pad) of a drum (snare drum, tom, etc.) is provided in the vicinity thereof. There are two lanes. At the lower part of the main body of the game machine, a foot pedal 33 corresponding to a foot operation part simulating a pedal such as a bass drum or a high hat is provided so as to protrude. In such a configuration, the operation can be complicated by the game player holding the stick with the hand and hitting the drum pad portion, or operating the foot pedal with the foot, and combining the operation of the hand and the foot, The game player can play the game as if playing a drum set.

 Also, with regard to the operation buttons, not only the game player simply presses them, but also the length of time it is required may be required to increase the difficulty of operation. It is possible to increase the difficulty of the game by changing the strength of the sound and the length of the sound to be generated depending on how long the operation button is pressed. Also, this does not limit the structure of the operation means. For example, the above-described effect can be exerted even if the timbre is changed by operating the operation means by a game player. It should be noted that a lever or the like can be used as the operating means, and the above-described effect can be obtained even if analog input can be performed. Further, in the above embodiment, the image on the display screen (CRT display) is scrolled horizontally as operation information relating to the operation of the game player, but is not limited to this. The display may be scrolled in the horizontal direction or may be displayed in a diagonal scroll.The display may not be scrolled but may gradually change from the small size of the character to the large size. .

By the way, as an amusement device using a controller imitating a musical instrument, Some models imitate a piano.

 FIG. 7 is a schematic front view showing an arcade game machine in a state in which a controller is incorporated in a game machine body and simulating a form of a piano. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the content displayed on the CRT display of the arcade game machine.

 Reference numeral 21 denotes a CRT display as a display unit. The CRT display 21 displays a pre-stored image, keyboard, and score from above, and plays the stage image like a live broadcast along with the music played from a speaker (not shown) as the game progresses. To stimulate the game player as if they were playing on the stage, blinking or changing the color of the score for the game player to operate, and scrolling the notes on the score to the left Display.

 A controller 22 imitating a piano keyboard is provided at the center of the game console. An operation button 23 is provided on the left side of the keyboard portion to start the game and to raise or lower the musical scale of the music played during the game during the game. And, two foot bars 24 are provided in a lower part of the game machine main body. Therefore, the game player can operate the keyboard and the foot bar in accordance with the music flowing from the speaker (not shown), and feel as if playing the piano in accordance with the music. The contents of the game are almost the same as those described above. According to the music played from the speaker (not shown), the timing is adjusted so that the musical note displayed in a scroll reaches a certain position on the screen. When the player operates a predetermined part of the controller simulating a keyboard. The game player advances the game by sequentially performing the above-mentioned operations in accordance with the music flowing and the display contents on the CRT display 21. Of course, game players can choose a variety of music to suit their level of operation.

In this way, since the appearance of the arcade game machine is formed by imitating the form of a piano, the game player feels as if he or she is performing on the stage, and is able to practice piano. Is a different feeling, that is, the steps displayed on the display You can play the game while operating the controller as if you were playing the piano while enjoying the atmosphere while watching the image of the dice, so there is no simulation system for piano practice that exists conventionally The game can be played while giving the game player an entertaining sensation. The above controller can be applied to other keyboard instruments such as keyboards, organs, etc., in addition to pianos. In addition, by placing a seat on which the game player sits in front of the above-described arcade-type arcade game machine, it is possible to give the game player a stronger playing atmosphere.

 As described above, according to the present invention, since the controller simulating the shape of the musical instrument is provided separately from the main body of the game machine, when the game is played by the game player, It is possible to play the game while feeling as if playing a musical instrument.

 Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to cause a game player to play a game while holding a controller in the form of a guitar in his hand while making the user feel as if he or she is playing a guitar. Is possible. In addition, by using a controller simulating a piano or a drum, it is possible to play a game while feeling as if playing a piano or a drum.

 In addition, it is possible to give the game player a high degree of excitement as if they were actually playing a musical instrument while reading the image as operation information displayed while scrolling in the horizontal direction as if it were a musical score. It is.

 In addition, by providing a pseudo stage at a position where the controller is operated at a position facing the display screen of the game console, when playing a game for a game player, it is as if playing a musical instrument on the stage and watching the appearance It is possible to give a highly inspiring sense of being seen by the elderly.

Claims

The scope of the claims 1. Playing back pre-stored music information as music, displaying pre-stored image information related to the music information as an image, and operating input means performed by a game player in accordance with the music and the image. An amusement device for adding points based on an operation,  A game machine main unit having a control unit that advances a game while comparing a timing stored in advance corresponding to the music with a timing at which a game player operates the operation input means,  An amusement device, wherein the operation input means has a shape imitating a musical instrument having a plurality of operation parts that can be operated by a game player by hand. 2. The operation input means has a hand operation part operated by a hand by a game player and a foot operation part operated by a foot,  2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit advances the game while comparing the timing stored in advance with the timing at which a game player operates a hand operation portion and a foot operation portion of the operation input means. An amusement device according to the item. 3. The amusement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation input means is provided separately from a portion displaying the image, and has a shape of a guitar that can be held by a game player by hand. apparatus. 4. The operation input device according to claim 3, wherein the operation input means includes, as the plurality of operation parts, a string part operated by one hand of a game player and a picking part operated by the other hand. An amusement device according to the item.  5. The operation input means has a shape imitating a piano having a keyboard portion as the hand operation portion and a foot pedal portion as the foot operation portion. Amusement device.  6. The operation input means has a shape imitating a drum having a hitting surface portion as the hand operation portion and a foot pedal portion as the foot operation portion. The described amusement device. 7. On the display screen displaying the image, the game player looks at the display screen. 2. The claim according to claim 1, wherein operation information for operating the operation input means is displayed as an image while the image is scrolled in a horizontal direction in accordance with the reproduced music. Use equipment.  8. The game machine body is provided with a display screen for displaying the image, and a pseudo stage is formed at a position facing the display screen and at a position where the game player operates the operation input means. 2. The amusement device according to claim 1, wherein:  9. The amusement device according to claim 1, wherein the game machine main body and the operation input means are electrically connected by a cable line. 10. The amusement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said game machine main body and said operation input means are connected by wireless communication means for performing optical communication. 11. The amusement device according to claim 1, wherein said game machine main body and said operation input means are connected by wireless communication means for performing radio wave communication. 1 2. Music reproducing means for reproducing music information stored in advance as music;  Image display means for displaying, as an image, previously stored image information related to the music information;  Operation input means operated by a game player,  An amusement apparatus for advancing a game by reproducing the music information and displaying the image information, and adding a score based on an operation of the operation input means performed by a game player in accordance with the music and the image. ,  A control unit that advances the game while comparing a timing stored in advance corresponding to the music with a timing at which the game player operates the operation input unit, wherein the operation input unit is manually operated by the game player An amusement device having a shape imitating a musical instrument having a plurality of operation parts capable of performing the operation. 1 3. Play the previously stored music information as music, display the previously stored image information related to the music information as an image and proceed with the game, and play the game in accordance with the music and the image. Is a controller used in an amusement device for adding points by performing operations. The controller is for inputting a timing of an operation by the game player, and has a shape simulating a musical instrument having a plurality of operation parts that can be operated by the game player by hand.  14. The controller according to claim 13, wherein the controller has a hand-operated part operated by a hand by a game player and a foot-operated part operated by a foot.  15. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller is provided separately from a portion of the amusement device that displays an image, and has a shape that can be held by a game player by hand. Controller according to clause 3.  16. The controller according to claim 14, wherein said controller has a shape imitating a piano having a keyboard portion as said hand operation portion and a foot pedal portion as said foot operation portion. controller.  17. The controller according to claim 14, wherein the controller has a shape imitating a drum having a hitting surface portion as the manual operation portion and a foot pedal portion as the foot operation portion. Controller.  18. Playback of pre-stored music information as music, display of pre-stored image information related to the music information as an image, and operation input means performed by a game player in accordance with the music and the image A recording medium storing a control program of an amusement device that advances a game and adds a score while comparing a timing stored in advance corresponding to the music and a timing operated by the game player based on an operation.  19. The recording medium according to claim 18, wherein the recording medium stores the music information and the image information together with the control program. 20. Playing back pre-stored music information as music, displaying pre-stored image information related to the music information as an image, and operating input means performed by a game player in accordance with the music and the image. A CD-ROM storing a control program of an amusement device that advances a game and adds a score while comparing a timing stored in advance corresponding to the music and a timing operated by the game player based on an operation. 2 1. Play music information stored in advance as music, display image information stored in advance as image information related to the music information, and execute operation input means performed by a game player in accordance with the music and the image. A ROM cassette storing a control program of an amusement device that advances a game and adds a score while comparing a timing stored in advance corresponding to the music and a timing operated by the game player based on an operation. .