JPH07163752A - Multi-player type game device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a multi-player type game device preferable to such a game that a plurality of players are classified in arbitrary groups to compete with respect groups or respective players compete with each other within a group. CONSTITUTION:Besides a communication line 7 to communicate game space- setting information, voice communication lines 5R-5T to communicate voice information of each player 9a-9f are installed among respective game machines 1a-1f. The game machines 1a-1f operated by players 9a-9f are classified into arbitrary groups by a group setter 120a. Voice communication line selectors 130a-130f selecting only the voice communication line to which the game machines of the same group are connected in the voice communication lines 5R-5T, are installed in respective game machines 1a-1f. Accordingly, respective players 9a-9f can talk with only the players belonging to the same group through the voice communication lines 5R-5T.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-player type game machine including a plurality of game machines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 18 shows an example of an external view of a conventional multi-player game device.

A multi-player type game realized by the game device shown in FIG. 18 includes players 509a to 509.
f is a racing car game in which the steering wheels 512a to 512f are operated to drive a predetermined racing course. The CRTs 510a to 510f include a racing car 520 operated by each player 509a to 509f.
a to 520f are displayed. Player 509a-
509f controls his racing car while watching his own racing car, racing course, opponent's racing car, computer car, etc., and competes with his opponent for ranking and lap time. And
CRT at each player's ranking and lap time
The images are displayed on 510a to 510f, which ends the game.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the structure of such a multi-player game device. As shown in FIG. 19, such a multi-player type game device includes a plurality of game machines 501a to 501f operated by players 509a to 509f, respectively, and a game communication line 507 is connected between the game machines. Has been done. The game communication line 507 is a communication line for communicating setting information of the game space formed by the conventional example device. In the conventional example device, the game communication line 507 has a ring shape in each of the game machines 501a to 501a. It is formed so as to connect between 501f. Here, the game space setting information is information for setting the game space formed by the present device, for example, each racing car 520.
It is information such as at what position and at which angle a to 520f are arranged, or in what shape and how the terrain map arranged around the racing course and the racing course is arranged. By sharing all or part of the game space setting information among the game machines 501a to 501f by communication, each player can enjoy a racing car game in the same game space. Specifically, for example, if the player 509a operates the steering wheel 512a to curve the racing car 520a, the information that the racing car 520a has curved is transmitted to the other game machines 501b to 501f via the game communication line 507. Be communicated. As a result, the CRT 510b of each game machine 501b-501f
The image displayed in ~ 510f may be changed. Alternatively, when the racing car 520a and the racing car 520b come into contact with each other by curving in this way, a process corresponding to the contact, for example, the racing car 52
Processing such as flipping 0b outside the racing course is performed.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
In the conventional multi-player game device shown in FIG. 1, the information communicated between the game machines 501a to 501f is only the game space setting information. Therefore, for example, player 5
In the case of having a conversation between 09a to 509f, it was necessary to directly speak with a real voice. However, since these game machines are usually arranged in a game center or the like, the noise around them is very high under the present circumstances, and the game sound generated from the game machines itself also interferes with the conversation. Therefore, it is difficult for the players 509a to 509f to have a normal conversation. For example, in FIG.
It was almost impossible for 509f to talk.
The conventional multi-player type device has the above-mentioned drawbacks. Therefore, when the racing car 520c overtakes the racing car 520a, for example, the player 5
09c will overtake silently. In such a case, for example, the player 509c calls out to the player 509a, "I will overtake," and the player 5
If 09a can respond to this by saying, "Are you overtaken and accumulated?", The effect effect of the game can be greatly enhanced. However, in the conventional multi-player type game device, since it is almost impossible to make a voice conversation between such players, it has not been possible to enhance the fun of the multi-player type game.

When the game device shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 is applied to a battle-type game in which a large number of people fight, for example, a tank game, a martial arts game, etc., the following problems occur. That is, in such a battle-type game, for example, if the players 509a to 509c form a group, the players 509d to 509f form another group, and a game configuration is formed in which these groups compete for victory and defeat. The fun of can be enhanced. In this case, if players in the same group can talk to each other to make an operation to attack the enemy's group, or to make an operation to defend against the attack of the enemy's group, the game It can enhance the fun. However, in the conventional multi-player game device, conversation between the players needs to be performed by the real voice. Therefore, there is a problem that a conversation cannot be conducted due to noise or the like in the same group, or a conversation in a group is heard by a player in another group and a strategy is missed. Therefore, in the conventional game device, it has not been possible to enhance the fun of a multi-player type game in which groups compete with each other.

Further, in such a multi-player type game device capable of playing a game by a large number of people, for example, 6
When there are two game machines, all six players may not gather at the start of the game. That is, for example, there is a case where only three people first gather and start the game, and then another three persons gather. In such a case, even if the game starts with the first three players and before these three games end, if the next three players start another game, The operating rate of the game console can be greatly increased. For this reason, in a multi-player game device of this type, for example, the following processing is usually performed. That is, for example, first, the player 50
It is assumed that 9a inserts a coin to start the game.
If, for example, the players 509b and 509c insert coins within 15 seconds after the coins are inserted, the players 509a to 509c are regarded as the same group, and a predetermined game is started only between the players 509a to 509c. To do. Then, 15 seconds after the player 509a inserts coins, the players 509d-50
If 9f inserts a coin, then player 50
Another game starts only between 9d and 509f.
In such a case, a group of players 509a to 509c play a game space and a player 509d.
What is the game space where groups of ~ 509f play games?
It must be another game space. And a group of players 509a-509c and a player 509d
The groups of ~ 509f will play the game while exchanging excitement with each other only within each group. However, in the conventional multi-player game device,
It was necessary for the conversations between the players to be carried out with their own voice. Therefore,
There arises a problem that a conversation in a group cannot be communicated due to noise or the like, or a conversation of a player in another group can be heard. As a result, it was difficult to communicate the excitement of each other's games within the group, and it was not possible to enhance the fun of the multi-player type game.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow a plurality of players to divide into arbitrary groups to compete with each other or compete within each group. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-player type game device suitable for a game to be played.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a multi-player game device according to the present invention includes a plurality of game machines, and a plurality of players can play a game in a predetermined game space. In the multi-player type game device that can be provided, communication means is provided for communicating the setting information of the game space and the voice information of each player between the game machines, and the plurality of game machines can be arranged in an arbitrary group. The communication means is characterized by performing communication of voice information of each player between game machines of the same group.

Further, in this case, according to the present invention, the communication means communicates the setting information of the game space between the game machines of the same group so that the game spaces formed in each group are different between the groups. May be.

The present invention also includes a plurality of game machines,
In a multi-player type game device in which a plurality of players can play a game in a predetermined game space, in addition to a game communication line for communicating setting information of the game space between the game machines, A voice communication line for communicating voice information of each player is provided, the plurality of game machines are divided into arbitrary groups by group setting of a group setting section provided in each game machine, and each game machine has: A voice communication line selection unit is provided for selecting only a voice communication line to which game machines of the same group are connected from the voice communication lines based on the group setting.

In this case, according to the present invention, in addition to the game space setting information, group setting information formed by the group setting of the group setting unit flows in the game communication line, and each game machine is Based on the group setting information, a game space setting information selection unit is provided which selects only the game space setting information of the game machines belonging to the same group among the game space setting information flowing through the game communication line, and is formed in each group. The game spaces may be different between groups. .

In this case, according to the present invention, for each of the game machines, only the game communication line to which the game machines of the same group are connected is selected from the game communication lines based on the group setting of the group setting section. A game communication line selection unit may be provided, and the game spaces formed in each group may be different between the groups.

The present invention also includes a plurality of game machines,
In a multi-player type game device in which a plurality of players can play a game in a predetermined game space, a communication information transmission / reception unit is provided in addition to each of the game machines, and each of the game machines and the communication information transmission / reception unit A game communication line for communicating the setting information of the game space and a voice communication line for communicating the voice information of each player are provided between them, and the plurality of game machines are provided in the communication information transmitting / receiving unit. According to the group setting of the group setting unit is divided into any group, the communication information transmitting and receiving unit,
The voice communication line is connected only within the same group based on the group setting by the group setting unit.

Further, in this case, according to the present invention, the communication information transmitting / receiving unit is formed in each group by connecting the game communication lines only to each other in the same group based on the group setting of the group setting unit. The game spaces to be played may be different between the groups.

The present invention also includes a plurality of game machines,
In a multi-player type game device in which a plurality of players can play a game in a predetermined game space, the plurality of game machines are divided into arbitrary groups by group setting of a group setting section provided in each game machine, A communication line for communicating between each game machine, communication information including group setting information formed by the group setting of the group setting unit, setting information of the game space, and voice information of each player. And each of the game machines is provided with a voice information selection unit that selects only voice information of players belonging to the same group among voice information flowing through the communication line based on group setting information flowing through the communication line. It is characterized by

Further, in this case, according to the present invention, each of the game machines has only the game space setting information of the game machines belonging to the same group among the game space setting information flowing through the communication line based on the group setting information. A game space setting information selection unit for selecting may be provided, and the game spaces formed in each group may be different between the groups.

In this case, according to the present invention, a game communication line is provided in addition to the communication line, the game space setting information flows through the game communication line, and each game machine has a group setting unit. A game communication line selection unit is provided for selecting only game communication lines to which game machines of the same group are connected among the game communication lines based on the group setting, and the game spaces formed in each group are different from each other. You may

The present invention also includes a plurality of game machines,
In a multi-player type game device in which a plurality of players can play a game in a predetermined game space, communication information including at least setting information of the game space and voice information of each player is provided between the game machines. A communication line for communication is provided, and the plurality of game machines are divided into arbitrary groups according to the group setting of the group setting section provided in each game machine. A communication line selection unit is provided for selecting only communication lines to which game machines of the same group are connected among the communication lines, and voice information can be communicated only within the same group, and a game space formed in each group. Is different between groups.

[0020]

According to the multi-player type game machine of the present invention, the communication means for communicating the game space setting information is provided. As a result, each player can enjoy the game in the same game space. Further, the communication means communicates not only the game space setting information but also the voice information of each player. Therefore, unlike a conventional multi-player game device, it is not a real voice,
The players can talk with each other via the communication means. Further, a plurality of game machines constituting the multi-player type game machine are divided into arbitrary groups, and the communication means communicates the voice information of each player only between the game machines of the same group. Therefore, the players belonging to the same group can have a conversation through the communication means, while the players belonging to another group cannot hear the conversation.

In this case, according to the present invention, the communication means can communicate the setting information of the game space only between the game machines of the same group. As a result, it is possible to talk only within the same group, and it is also possible to set the game spaces formed in each group to be different between the groups.

Further, according to the present invention, a game communication line is provided between the game machines to enable communication of the game space setting information. As a result, each player can enjoy the game in the same game space. A voice communication line is provided between the game machines, and a voice communication line selection unit that selects only the voice communication line to which the game machines of the same group are connected to each game machine. Is provided. Therefore, unlike the conventional multi-player type game device, the players can talk with each other via the voice communication line instead of the real voice.
In addition, players belonging to the same group can have a conversation through the voice communication line, while players belonging to another group can be prevented from hearing this conversation.

In this case, according to the present invention, each game machine can be further provided with a game communication line selection unit for selecting only a game communication line to which game machines of the same group are connected among the game communication lines. This allows
It is possible to talk only within the same group, and it is also possible to set different game spaces formed in each group.

Further, according to the present invention, the communication information transmitting / receiving unit is provided, and the game communication line and the voice communication line are provided between each game machine and the communication information transmitting / receiving unit.
Then, in the communication information transmitting / receiving unit, the voice communication line is connected only within the same group. This allows
Each player can enjoy the game in the same game space, and only the players belonging to the same group can have a conversation through the voice communication line.

In this case, according to the present invention, the communication information transmitting / receiving unit may connect the game communication line only to each other within the same group. As a result, it is possible to set different game spaces formed in each group.

Further, according to the present invention, a communication line for communicating group ID information, game space setting information, and audio information is provided between the game machines, and each game machine is based on the group ID information. An audio information selection unit is provided for selecting only audio information of players belonging to the same group. Thereby, each player can enjoy the game in the same game space, and only the players belonging to the same group can have a conversation through the communication line.

In this case, according to the present invention, each game machine is further provided with a game space setting information selecting section for selecting only the game space setting information of the game machines belonging to the same group based on the group ID information. it can. As a result, it is possible to set different game spaces formed in each group.

Further, according to the present invention, at least a communication line for communicating the game space setting information and the player's voice information is provided between the game machines, and the game machines belonging to the same group among these communication lines. A communication line selection unit is provided that selects only the communication line to which is connected. As a result, only the players belonging to the same group can have a conversation through the communication line, and the game spaces formed in each group can be set differently between the groups.

[0029]

【Example】

1. First Embodiment (1) Outline of Game First, an example of a multi-player game realized by the multi-player game device according to the first embodiment will be briefly described.

The multiplayer type game realized by the first embodiment is a future tank game spread in a near future city where various races are gathered. In this futuristic tank game, fighters gathered for huge prizes play in a death match game format in a game field surrounded by squares that cannot be escaped. Then, each fighter is divided into an arbitrary group according to his / her own selection, and a competitive game is played between the groups to compete for a win / loss between the groups.

FIG. 2 shows an external view of the present multi-player game device. As shown in the figure, the present game device is a multi-player type game device in which six players 9a to 9f can play a game.
It is configured to include a to 1f. And player 9
a to 9f are analog levers 14a to 14 which are operation units.
By operating f, the future tanks 20a to 20f displayed on the CRTs 10a to 10f will be operated. In addition, the analog levers 14a to 14f are provided with machine gun and missile triggers, which enable them to attack enemies. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The sights 40a to 40f and the enemy position detecting radars 50a to 50f are projected on the players 10a to 10f, respectively.
The a to 9f will attack the enemy using the sights 40a to 40f and the enemy position detecting radars 50a to 50f.

Now, as shown in FIG. 2, each player 9a
9f are equipped with the headphones 2a to 2f, so that the voices of other players can be heard. In this case, the headphones 2a to 2f are headphones excellent in sound insulation and airtightness, and the human voices spoken by other players are hardly heard. Further, microphones 4a to 4f are integrally provided on the headphones 2a to 2f.
The players 9a to 9f can talk to other players via a to 4f. As described above, the players 9a to 9f can speak to the other players via the microphones 4a to 4f, and the real voice cannot be heard by the other players. On the other hand, the voice input to the microphones 4a to 4f will be heard by another predetermined player via the headphones 2a to 2f.

An overall view of the game field 60 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, in the game field 60, various terrains formed in three dimensions and set by the game program are formed. That is, various three-dimensional topography such as walls 62, plateaus 76 and 78, obstacles 80 and 82 are formed in the game field 60.

In the present game device, the game machines 1a to 1f operated by the players 9a to 9f are divided into arbitrary groups. For example, now players 9a-9c
Are grouped (hereinafter referred to as group R), and the players 9d to 9f are grouped (hereinafter referred to as group S). In this case, the selection of this group is performed by the group selection button provided on each of the game machines 1a to 1f, or the player operates the analog levers 14a to 14f in accordance with the instruction from the game machine displayed on the CRTs 10a to 10f. It is done by doing. Also, grouping may be performed according to the timing when each player inserts a coin. And each future tank 20a
The body color of ~ 20f is changed to a predetermined color to identify the group to which the future tank belongs (for example, R
Group is red, S group is blue). At the start of the game, future tanks 20a belonging to the groups R and S
.About.20c and 20d to 20f face each other on the game field 60 as shown in FIG. Each group includes headphones 2a to 2f and microphones 4a to 4f.
While using each other to keep in touch with each other, make a strategy and attack the enemy group. In this case, the enemy position is detected by the above-mentioned enemy position detecting radars 50a-5
0f will be performed.

In FIG. 4A, the future tank 20a operated by the player 9a is a future tank 2 operated by the enemy player 9d.
An example of a display image displayed on the CRT 10a when approaching 0d is shown. Here, the shield display part 5
In 4a, for example, the shield amounts of the own future tank 20a and the enemy future tank 20d are displayed. In addition, the remaining number of missiles display section 43a shows the number of remaining missiles of the current aircraft. As shown in the shield display portion 54a and the missile remaining number display portion 43a, the shield amount (defense) of the own aircraft is now far larger than the shield amount of the enemy future tank 20d, and the missile is 3 It is left over. Therefore, this is an opportunity for the player 9a to attack, and conversely, the player 9 who controls the enemy future tank 20d.
The d player must avoid this critical situation and find an item that restores the shield amount.

In FIG. 4B, after such a situation, the own future tank 20a chased the enemy future tank 20d.
An example of a display image when the above situation is reversed is shown. That is, in the situation shown in FIG. 4 (B), as shown in the shield display portion 54a, the shield amount of the future tank 20a of the player's own aircraft is greatly reduced by being attacked by the enemy future tank 20d. On the other hand, the shield amount of the enemy future tank 20d has been recovered by obtaining the predetermined item, and greatly exceeds the shield amount of the own-machine future tank 20a.
Further, as shown in the missile remaining amount display portion 43a, the remaining number of missiles of the own-machine future tank 20a is "0" because the enemy chasing after the enemy has fired. Therefore, in this case, the situation reverses, and the enemy future tank 20d has an opportunity to attack, while the own future tank 20a falls into a critical situation.

In such a situation, for example, when the present game device is a two-player competitive game, there is almost no win. However, the present game device is a multi-player type game device, and in such a case, it is possible to ask the players of the ally group R for help. Then, in FIG. 4B, the player 9a asks the player 9c of the ally group R for help via the microphone 4a.

In this case, the future tank 20c operated by the ally player 9c is hidden by the obstacle 82 and cannot be seen by the player 9d. Therefore, the player 9a does not want to inform the enemy player 9d that the ally player 9c has been requested to be rescued. Therefore, in the present game device, the voice spoken by the player 9a into the microphone 4a can be heard only by the player 9c in the ally group R through the headphones 2c, and cannot be heard by the player 9d in the enemy group S. ing. Therefore, the player 9d does not notice the existence of the future tank 20c, thinks that it is an opportunity now, and turns the barrel toward the future tank 20a to mount an attack. On the other hand, the player 9a and the player 9c talk through the headphones 2a, 2c and the microphones 4a, 4c, attract the enemy future tank 20d to the future tank 20a side, and attack from the shadow of the obstacle 82 by the future tank 20c. The strategy will be set up accordingly.

In this way, by sandwiching and destroying the enemy future tank 20d, the players 9a and 9c
Can play the game while exchanging excitement with each other. On the other hand, the destruction sound of the destroyed enemy future tank 20d or the voice for the rescue is transmitted to the other players 9e and 9f belonging to the group S via the microphone 4d and the headphones 2e and 2f. And the player 9e,
The future tanks 20e and 20f controlled by 9f are player 9
Go straight to this point to defeat the enemy of d. Then, this time, the battle with the future tanks 20a, 20c will be performed 2 to 2.

As described above, according to the present game device, a plurality of players can be divided into arbitrary groups and the game can be played while the groups have conversations such as operations. Such grouping and conversation between groups are particularly effective in a three-dimensional game in which a player can freely move in an arbitrary direction in a virtual three-dimensional space and can attack from an arbitrary direction like the present game. Understood to be one. (2) Description of Each Game Machine FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the multi-player game machine according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows each game machine 1a constituting the multi-player game machine. A block diagram of ~ 1f is shown.

First, the structure of each of the game machines 1a to 1f shown in FIG. 5 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the game machines 1a to 1f has an operation unit 1 through which a player inputs an operation signal.
2. A game calculation unit 100 that calculates a game space by a predetermined game program, an image composition unit 200 that forms a pseudo three-dimensional image at the player's viewpoint position, and a CRT
0, a headphone 2, and a microphone 4 are included.

The operation unit 12 is connected with, for example, an analog lever 14 for operating a future tank, a trigger for firing a machine gun, a missile, and the like.

The game calculation section 100 includes a central processing section 10.
2, the game space setting unit 104, the movement information calculation unit 106,
The object information storage unit 108 and the sound field forming unit 110 are included. Here, the central processing unit 102 controls the entire game device, and a storage unit provided in the central processing unit 102 stores a predetermined game program for game calculation.

In the movement information calculation unit 106, according to the operation signal from the operation unit 12 and the instruction from the central processing unit 102, the movement information of the future tank, that is, 1 of the relevant frame.
The distance, the direction, etc. of the future tank moved from the previous frame to the frame are calculated.

The object information storage unit 108 stores position information of a three-dimensional object forming a virtual three-dimensional space.
The direction information and the object number of the three-dimensional object to be displayed at this position are stored (hereinafter, the stored three-dimensional position information / direction information and the object number are referred to as object information). An example of such object information is shown in FIG.

The object information stored in the object information storage unit 108 is read by the game space setting unit 104. In this case, the object information storage unit 108 stores the object information of the frame immediately preceding the frame. Then, the game space setting unit 104 obtains the object information (position information, direction information) in the frame based on the read object information and the movement information calculated by the movement information calculation unit 106. These pieces of object information are output to the image composition unit 200 as game space setting information.

In this way, the game space setting section 104
Then, the object information of all three-dimensional objects forming the virtual three-dimensional space in the frame is set. Then, the object information set in this way is written back to the object information storage unit 108.

In the sound field forming unit 110, for example, missile launch sounds, missile destruction sounds, machine gun launch sounds,
All kinds of game sounds necessary for the game, such as a sound generated by the movement of the future tank, a sound generated by the collision of the future tank, and a background sound are formed.

In the sound field forming unit 110 of the first embodiment, unlike the conventional game machine, not only the game sounds such as the missile sounds as described above but also the conversation sounds of the players 9a to 9d are predetermined. Processing is performed to form a sound field. These conversation sounds are directly input to the sound field forming unit 110 via the microphone 4 for the conversation sounds of the player. On the other hand, for the conversation sounds of the other players, the sound field forming unit 11 is transmitted via a predetermined voice communication line as described later.
It will be input to 0. The sound field forming unit 110 forms a sound field by performing a predetermined process on these game sounds and conversation sounds. Then, the output sound to the headphone 2 is calculated according to the formed sound field, and the player uses the headphone 2
This makes it possible to hear this output sound.

Further, in this game machine, the object information stored in the object information storage unit 108 is referred to when forming the above sound field. For example, in FIG.
Consider the case where the players 9a and 9c have a conversation in (B). In this case, the sound field forming unit 110 first determines that the future tank 20a for the player and the future tank 20c for the ally
Object information (position information, direction information) of. Then, the sound field forming unit 110 calculates distance information and direction information between the own tank future tank 20a and the team future tank based on these object information. Then, the volume of the conversation conducted between the players 9a and 9c is adjusted based on the calculated distance information. That is, processing such as reducing the conversation volume as the distance increases is performed. Further, in the sound field forming unit 110, the direction in which the voice of the player 9c is heard is determined by the calculated direction information, and the sound field is formed based on this. For example, in FIG. 4B, the sound field is formed so that the sound of the player 9c can be heard from the front left direction.

In the image synthesizing unit 200, a pseudo three-dimensional image seen from an arbitrary viewpoint position of the player in the virtual three-dimensional space is image-synthesized. In this image composition, the game space setting information set by the game space setting unit 104 is referred to. And the formed pseudo three-dimensional image is a CRT
An image is output according to 10. (3) Description of Whole Multi-Player Game Device Next, the whole multi-player game device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The multi-player type game machine according to the first embodiment is configured to include a plurality of game machines 1 described above, and in FIG. 1, includes six game machines 1a to 1f. . Then, the game machines 1a to 1f shown in FIG.
In addition to the game machine 1 shown in FIG. 5, group setting units 120a to 120f and a voice communication line selecting unit 130
It has a configuration including a to 130f. Further, in FIG. 1, in order to simplify the description, the game machine 1 shown in FIG.
Of the configuration, only the game space setting units 104a to 104f and the sound field forming units 110a to 110f are shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the first embodiment,
Regarding the game space setting information, the game communication line 7 is used to communicate between the game machines by the same method as the conventional example shown in FIG. Here, as the game space setting information communicated between the game machines, for example, enemy object information, enemy object position information, ally object information, ally object position information, etc. can be considered. By the way, the game communication line 7 has a ring shape in each of the game machines 1a to
1f are formed so as to be connected to each other, and the game space setting units 104a to 104a are connected via the game communication line 7.
Communication of game space setting information is performed between 4f. Then, by sharing all or part of the game space setting information among the game machines 1a to 1f by communication,
Each of the players 9a to 9f can enjoy the future tank game in the same game space. Specifically, for example, if the player 9a operates the analog lever 12a to curve the future tank 20a, the information that the future tank 20a has been curved is transmitted via the game communication line 7 to the other game machines 1b to. 1f is communicated. This allows
The images displayed on the CRTs 10b to 10f of the game machines 1b to 1f are changed.

In the first embodiment, unlike the conventional example shown in FIG. 19, the voice information of the players 9a to 9f is also communicated between the game machines. Furthermore, the players 9a to 9f are divided into a plurality of groups, and players belonging to the same group can communicate with each other by communicating the voice information. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the group setting unit 120a for performing grouping
To 120f, voice communication lines 5R, 5S, 5T, which are communication means for communicating voice information, and voice communication line selection units 130a to 130f are provided.

First, the group setting sections 120a to 120f
An example of the group setting in will be described. Book first
The group setting in this embodiment is performed as follows. That is, in the first embodiment, data in the format shown in FIG. 7 flows as communication information on the game communication line 7. This communication information, as shown in FIG.
It is configured to include group setting information including game machine ID information and group ID information, and the game space setting information described above. Here, the game machine ID information is information for specifying the game machine to which the communication information belongs, and the group ID information is information for specifying the group to which each game machine belongs. Then, the communication information of each of these game machines flows in series on the game communication line 7 as shown in FIG.

These group setting information (game machine ID
Information, group ID information) is set by the group setting unit 1
20a to 120f. For example,
Players 9a-9c are in group R, and players 9d-9
Consider the case where f is set to group S. in this case,
As described above, the player selects the group to which the player belongs by operating the group selection button, the analog lever, or the like. For example, when the player 9a selects the group R, the group setting unit 120a sets the game machine ID information to "a" and the group ID information to "R". The information of "" a "and" R "" is included in the communication information of the game machine 1a as group setting information. Similarly, the group setting units 120b and 120c set the group setting information of the game machines 1b and 1c to "" b ".
, "R"",""c","R"". Also, the group setting information of the game machines 1d, 1e, 1f is set to "" d "," S "", "" e "," S "", "" f "by the group setting units 120d, 120e, 120f.
, "S"". The group setting information set in this way flows through the game communication line 7 together with the game space setting information. Then, the group setting units 120a to 120f in each game machine will instruct the voice communication line selecting units 130a to 130f which voice communication line to select based on the group setting information flowing through the game communication line 7.

The group setting sections 120a to 120f
The method of group setting in is not limited to the above method. For example, the group setting units 120a to 120f are connected by a line different from the game communication line 7 described above.
Then, each group setting unit 120a to 120f creates a table for group setting based on the information obtained from this line. That is, a table of which game machines belong to which group is created. Then, according to the created table, the group setting units 120a to 120f
The voice communication line selection units 130a to 130f are instructed on the voice communication line to be selected. As described above, various methods can be considered as the method of group setting in the group setting units 120a to 120f.

Next, the voice communication lines 5R, 5S, 5T and the voice communication line selection units 130a to 130f, which are communication means for communicating voice information, will be described. Book first
In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG.
Separately from the above, voice communication lines 5R, 5S, 5T for communicating the voice information of the player are provided. These voice communication lines 5R, 5S, and 5T are communication lines for conversation in the group R, the group S, and the group T, respectively. It is desirable to provide these voice communication lines, for example, by the number of game machines divided by two.

Then, each of the game machines 1a to 1f is provided with voice communication line selection units 130a to 130f for selecting only the voice communication line to which the game machines belonging to the same group are connected, from these voice communication lines. ing.
In this case, the voice communication line is selected according to the instruction from the group setting units 120a to 120f as described above.

For example, taking the future tank game described with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B as an example, the players 9a to 9c belong to the group R, and the players 9d to 9f belong to the group S. Moreover, no player belongs to the group T. Therefore, in this case, the voice communication line selection unit 130a-
130c selects the voice communication line 5R, and the voice communication line selection units 130d to 130f select the voice communication line 5S. In addition, the voice communication line 5T is not selected by any of the voice communication line selection units 130a to 130f.

In this way, the voice communication line selection unit 13
Voice communication line 5R selected by 0a to 130f
5T is the voice communication line selection unit 130a to 13
It is connected to the sound field forming units 110a to 110f via 0f. Therefore, for example, the player 9a uses the microphone 4
The voice spoken using a is sent to the player 9c via the sound field forming unit 110a, the voice communication line selecting unit 130a, the voice communication line 5R, the voice communication line selecting unit 130c, the sound field forming unit 110c, and the headphone 2c. Will be told. On the other hand, the player 9d belongs to another group S,
The voice communication line selection unit 130d does not select the voice communication line 5R. Therefore, as described above, the player 9
The conversation a talks to player 9c is player 9d
Will not be heard.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
Unlike the conventional game machine, the players can talk with each other using the voice communication line instead of the real voice. Then, the players belonging to the same group can communicate with each other via the voice communication line, while the players belonging to other groups are not heard this conversation. Therefore, in a game in which a group competes with each other, the strategy within the group can be communicated only within the group, and it becomes possible to realize a multi-player type game that has never existed before. As a result, the fun of the game can be significantly enhanced. 2. Second Example In the first example described above, the game spaces formed by the game machines 1a to 1f were all the same. Then, the plays 1a to 1f play the game while viewing the game screens from different viewpoints in the same game space. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the game communication line 7 is formed so as to connect between the game machines 1a to 1f in a ring shape.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the game spaces formed between the groups are different. FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of this second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment,
Each of the game machines 1a to 1f has a game space setting information selection unit 13
6a to 136f are newly included, which is different from the first embodiment in this respect. The game space setting information selection units 136a to 136f are connected to the game communication line 7, and accordingly, the game communication line 7 is connected.
It is possible to select the communication information flowing through.

Now, in the game communication line 7, the above-mentioned FIG.
Communication information having the structure shown in FIG. Then, the group setting units 120a to 120f read the group setting information (game machine ID information, group ID information) from the flowing communication information. Then, according to the read group setting information, the game space setting information selection units 136a to 136f are instructed about the game space setting information to be selected. Specifically, for example, the player 9a
9c are set to the group R, and the players 9d to 9f are set to the group S. Then, in this case, among the communication information shown in FIG. 7, the group setting information of the game machines 1a to 1c is "" a "," R "", "" b "," respectively.
R "", "" c "," R "" are set, and the game console 1d
The group setting information of 1f is "" d ","
It means that it is set to "S"",""e","S"",""f","S"". Therefore, in this case, the group setting units 120a to 120c instruct the game space setting information selecting units 136a to 136c to select the game space setting information of the communication information whose group ID information is "R". Will be done. Similarly, the group setting units 120d to 120f include the game space setting information selecting unit 13
6d to 136f are instructed to select the game space setting information of the communication information whose group ID information is "S". Then, according to these instructions, the game space setting information selection units 136a to 136f select the game space setting information, and the selected game space setting information is sent to the game space setting units 104a to 104f. As a result, the group R to which the players 9a to 9c belong and the group S to which the players 9d to 9f belong are set so that the formed game spaces are different.

Since the second embodiment has such a configuration, it is possible to make the game spaces the same only in the same group and not to make the game spaces the same between different groups. For example, in the above example, players 9a to 9c (group R) and players 9d to 9f
It is possible to set different game spaces to be formed between (group S). Accordingly, when the second embodiment is applied to a multi-player type game in which players compete with each other, such as a racing car game, the following advantages are obtained.

That is, in a multi-player type game such as a racing car game, when there are six game machines,
In some cases, all 6 players may not meet at the start of the game. In such a case, for example, the following processing is performed to increase the operating rate of the game machine. That is, assume that the player 9a first inserts a coin to start the game. If the players 9b and 9c insert coins within 15 seconds after the coins are inserted, the players 9a to 9c are regarded as the same group, and a predetermined game is started only among the players 9a to 9c. . Then, if 15 seconds elapse after the player 9a inserts coins and the players 9d to 9f insert coins, another game starts only between the players 9d to 9f this time. In such a case, a game space in which a group of players 9a to 9c play a game and players 9d to 9f
Must be a different game space from the game space in which the group plays games. This allows group R,
The group S can play the game while exchanging excitement with each other only within each group.

However, in the conventional multi-player type game device, in such a case, the conversation in the group cannot be communicated due to noise or the like, or the conversation of the players in other groups may be heard as noise. There was a problem.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the voice communication line selection units 130a to 130f are provided so that conversation can be made only through the voice communication line between the same groups, and the conversation can be made to other groups. I try not to leak.
Further, game space setting information selection sections 136a to 136f are further provided so that the game spaces formed in each group are set to be different between the groups. This allows
The second embodiment provides a game device having an optimal configuration for a game in which the ranks of the above groups are competing for each other, for example, a racing car game, and it is possible to remarkably enhance the fun of the multi-player type game. Become.

As a method of setting the games formed in each group so as to be different between the groups, the above-mentioned game space setting information selecting section 136a ...
Various methods can be considered without being limited to the method of providing 136f. FIG. 9 shows an example of such a method.

Unlike FIG. 8, in FIG. 9, instead of providing the game space setting information selecting units 136a to 136f, game communication line selecting units 132a to 132f are newly provided. And, while the game communication line 7 is formed in a ring shape in FIG. 8, in FIG. 9, the game communication lines 7R, 7 corresponding to each group (R, S, T) are formed.
S and 7T are provided. These game communication lines 7R, 7S, and 7T are communication lines for communicating the game space setting information within the group R, the group S, and the group T, respectively. These game communication lines are preferably provided, for example, by the number of game machines divided by two.

Then, the game communication line selection section 132a
~ 132f are those game communication lines 7R, 7S,
Of the 7T, only game communication lines to which game machines belonging to the same group are connected are formed. Thus, for example, the players 9a and 9b belong to the group R, the players 9c and 9d belong to the group S,
When the players 9e and 9f belong to the group T, the following is done. That is, in this case, the game communication line selection units 132a and 132b select the game communication line 7R, and the game communication line selection units 132c and 132d.
Will select the game communication line 7S, and the game communication line selection units 132e and 132f will select the game communication line 7T.

Since the method shown in FIG. 9 has such a configuration, the game spaces are the same only within the same group, and the game spaces are not the same between different groups. As a result, the method shown in FIG. 9 can obtain at least the same effect as the method shown in FIG. 3. Third Embodiment FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the third embodiment,
A communication information transmitting / receiving unit 134 for transmitting / receiving communication information is newly provided separately from the game machines 1a to 1f. The game communication lines 7a to 7 are provided between the game machines 1a to 1f and the communication information transmitting / receiving unit 134, respectively.
f and voice communication lines 5a to 5f are provided. And these game communication lines 7a-7f are game space setting parts 104a-104f in the game machines 1a-1f.
Connected with. Also, the voice communication lines 5a to 5f
Are sound field forming units 110a to 11 in the game machines 1a to 1f.
0f is connected.

Further, the communication information transmitting / receiving unit 134 is provided with a connection switching unit 121 such as a relay for switching the connection of the game communication lines 7a to 7f and the voice communication lines 5a to 5f. Furthermore, the communication information transmitting / receiving unit 13
A group setting unit 120 is provided in the unit 4, so that any group can be set.

When the third embodiment is applied to a multi-player type game in which groups compete with each other as described in the first embodiment, connection by the connection switching unit 121 is performed. Is switched as follows.

That is, in this case, the communication information transmitting / receiving unit 1
At 34, the connection is switched so that the voice communication lines 5a to 5f are connected to each other only within the same group. The group setting in this case is performed by the group setting unit 120.
Done in. Specifically, the group setting unit 120
Thus, for example, when the players 9a to 9c are set to the group R and the players 9d to 9f are set to the group S, the sound communication lines are connected only within the sound field forming units 110a to 110c, and the sound field is also set. Forming parts 110d to 110
The voice communication line is connected only within f. Then, the sound field forming units 110a to 110c and the sound field forming unit 110.
The voice communication lines are not connected to each other from d to 110f. These connection / non-connection are performed by the group setting unit 120.
The connection switching unit 121 follows this instruction. As a result, the players 9a to 9c can have a conversation using the voice communication line only within the group and can communicate the strategy within the group only within the group. That is, by performing such connection switching, the third embodiment can obtain at least the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

When the third embodiment is applied to a multi-player type game in which the rankings are competed in a group as described in the second embodiment, the connection switching unit is used. The switching of the connection by 121 is performed as follows.

That is, in this case, the communication information transmitting / receiving unit 1
At 34, switching is performed so that the voice communication lines 5a to 5f are connected only within the same group, and switching is also performed so that the game communication lines 7a to 7f are also connected only within the same group. Is done. Specifically, for example, when the players 9a to 9c are set to the group R and the players 9d to 9f are set to the group S, the sound field forming units 110a to 110c and the game space setting units 104a to 104c make audio only within each other. Communication lines and game communication lines are connected, and sound field forming units 110d to 110f and game space setting unit 104d to.
Also in 104f, the game communication line and the voice communication line are connected only within each other. As a result, the players 9a-9
c can have a conversation using the voice communication line only between the groups, and can set such that the formed game spaces are different between the groups. Therefore, in a game where you compete for ranks in a group,
You can play games while communicating each other's excitement only within the group. That is, by performing such connection switching, the third embodiment can obtain at least the same effect as the second embodiment.

In the third embodiment, for example, by providing the communication partner selecting means, it is possible to switch the connection such that the player selects a specific partner to talk with. 4. Fourth Embodiment FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the fourth embodiment, each of the game machines 1a-1f has a group setting unit 120a-
120f and voice information selection units 138a to 138f are newly included. The communication line 8 connects between the game machines in a ring shape, and the voice information selection unit 1 can select communication information flowing through the communication line.
38 a to 138 f are connected to this communication line 8.

Now, FIG. 12 shows an example of the data format of the communication information flowing through the communication line 8.
The communication information shown in FIG. 12 has a data format that newly includes voice information in addition to the communication information shown in FIG. That is, in the fourth embodiment, not only the game space setting information but also the voice information of each player flows through the communication line 8.

The game space setting units 104a to 104f in the respective game machines 1a to 1f take out the game space setting information from the communication information flowing through the communication line 8. As a result, the game space setting units 104a to 104f can know the game space setting information of the game machines of other players, and the game spaces set in the respective game machines 1a to 1f can be made the same. .

Also, the group setting sections 120a to 120f
Reads out the group setting information (game machine ID information, group ID information) flowing through the communication line 8 and instructs the audio information selecting units 138a to 138f to make a selection. Thereby, the voice information selection units 138a to 138f
Selects only the voice information of the players belonging to the same group from the communication information flowing through the communication line 8. Then, the selected voice information is transmitted to the sound field forming units 110a to 110f.
Will be output to. Specifically, for example, the player 9
It is assumed that a to 9c are set to the group R and players 9d to 9f are set to the group S. Then, in this case,
Among the communication information shown in 2, the group setting information of the game machines 1a to 1c is "" a "," R "", and "" b ", respectively.
, "R"",""c","R"", and the group setting information of the game machines 1d to 1f is""d", respectively.
, "S"",""e","S"",""f","S"
It is set to ". Then, the voice information selection units 138a to 138c select only the voice information of the communication information whose group ID information is "R" among the respective communication information. Similarly, the voice information selection units 138d to 138f are
Only the voice information of the communication information whose group ID information is "S" is selected. As a result, the players 9a to 9c can talk only within the players 9a to 9c, and the player 9d
9f can talk only within the players 9d to 9f. Therefore, the fourth embodiment can obtain at least the same effect as the first embodiment.

In order to form the communication information having the structure shown in FIG. 12, the voice information is sampled and data compressed. That is, the voice information from the time when the voice information is sent out before to the time when it is sent next is compressed and included in the communication information. On the contrary, when the voice information is extracted from the communication information, the compressed voice information is restored to the original sampling rate and output from the headphones. Further, when there are a plurality of parties who communicate voice, the restored voice information may be mixed and output from the headphones. Further, in this case, since it is necessary to send a large amount of data in a short time, it is desirable to use an optical cable or the like for the data communication line. 5. Fifth Embodiment FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the fifth embodiment, each of the game machines 1a-1f newly includes game space setting information selection sections 136a-136f,
This point is different from the fourth embodiment.

Game space setting information selection sections 136a-13
Of the communication information flowing through the communication line 8, 6f is in accordance with instructions from the group setting units 120a to 120f.
Only the game space setting information of the players belonging to the same group is selected. Then, the selected game space setting information is output to the game space setting units 104a to 104f. Specifically, for example, it is assumed that the players 9a to 9c are set to the group R and the players 9d to 9f are set to the group S. Then, the game space setting information selection unit 136a-
136c selects only the game space setting information of the communication information whose group ID information is "R", and the game space setting information selection units 136d to 136f have the group ID information "S".
Only the game space setting information of the communication information is selected. As a result, in the group R to which the players 9a to 9c belong and the group S to which the players 9d to 9f belong,
The formed game spaces will be set differently. As described above, in the fifth embodiment, the conversation using the voice communication line can be performed only within the same group, and the game spaces to be formed can be set to be different between the groups. Therefore, in a game where players compete for rank in a group, it is possible to play the game while exchanging excitement with each other only in the group.
That is, the fifth embodiment can obtain at least the same effect as the second embodiment.

As a method of setting the games formed in each group so as to be different between the groups, the above-mentioned game space setting information selecting section 136a ...
Various methods can be considered without being limited to the method of providing 136f. For example, as described above with reference to FIG. 9, a method of newly providing the game communication line selection units 132a to 132f and providing the game communication lines 7R, 7S, 7T corresponding to each group (R, S, T) is a method. Conceivable. Further, in FIG. 13, the game space setting information selection units 136a to 136f and the voice information selection units 138a to 138 are shown.
Although a configuration is provided in which two selection units 8f are provided, this may be replaced with a single communication information selection unit (having both the functions of the game space setting information selection unit and the voice information selection unit). 6. Sixth Embodiment FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of the sixth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the sixth embodiment, each of the game machines 1a-1f has a group setting section 120a-
120f and communication line selection units 131a to 131f are newly included.

At least the game space setting information and the player's voice information flow through the communication lines 8R, 8S, 8T. The communication lines 8R, 8S, 8T are communication lines provided for the groups R, S, T, respectively. The communication line selection units 131a to 131f select only the communication line to which the game machines belonging to the same group are connected among these communication lines 8R, 8S, and 8T according to the group setting instruction of the group setting units 120a to 120f. It will be. As a result, the game space setting information and the voice information can be communicated only within the same group. This enables communication via the communication line only in the same group, makes the game spaces the same only in the same group, and prevents the game spaces from being made the same in different groups. This makes it possible to obtain the same effect as that of the second embodiment. By providing the common communication information selection unit in this manner, there is an advantage that the hardware and the like can be downsized as compared with the configuration shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

For example, in the first to sixth embodiments, the CRT 10 is used as the image display device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a head mounted display device (hereinafter,
An image display device called an HMD device) may be used.

Further, as a multi-player type game to which the present invention is applied, all kinds of games can be considered, for example, an RPG as shown in FIGS. 15 (A) and 15 (B).
It can also be applied to games and the like. FIG. 15 (A),
As shown in (B), in this RPG game, players 9a to 9f equipped with a helmet 410, a radio device 420, a ray gun 422, etc. are divided into predetermined groups (groups R, S) to defeat enemies in a maze. It is a game that you explore while defeating. As shown in FIG. 15A, a helmet 410 worn by the player is integrally provided with a headphone 2 and a microphone 4 for conversation within a group. Further, the helmet 410 is provided with an HMD device 412 so as to cover the player's visual field, and the player performs an exploration while watching the image displayed on the LCD display in the HMD device 412.
Further, the helmet 410 is provided with a space sensor 414, which detects the viewpoint position of the player, the direction of the line of sight, and the like. Then, a pseudo three-dimensional image displayed on the HMD device 412 is formed based on the detected viewpoint position information and the sight line direction information. Further, the player equips a ray gun 422, which is a weapon, to attack the enemy. It should be noted that voice information in the headphones 2 and the microphone 2, image information displayed on the HMD device 412, viewpoint position information detected by the space sensor 414, line-of-sight direction information,
The operation information of the ray gun 422 is communicated by the wireless device 420. As described above, the communication line in the present invention includes not only a wired line but also a line that communicates using a wireless device.

As shown in FIG. 15B, the player is divided into, for example, two groups and explores the maze. Dioramas such as doors 424 and elevators 426 are provided in this maze, and players 9a to 9f can open these doors 424, elevators 426, etc. with their own hands. Further, in the same group, conversation is possible via the headphones 2, the microphone 4, and the wireless device 420, and this conversation cannot be heard by other groups. If this game is a type of game in which the groups compete with each other and the points compete with each other, the game spaces formed by the group R and the group S are set to be the same. Further, if this game is a type of game in which the ranks are competed in the group, the game spaces formed by the group R and the group S are set to be different. As a result, it becomes possible to communicate the strategy only within the group, or to play the game while exchanging the excitement of each other only within the group.

In the first to sixth embodiments, the headphone 2 is used as the output sound forming device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any kind of output sound forming device can be used. For example, in FIG. 16, speakers 430 and 432 are provided above the seat 429 of the game machine 1, and speakers 434 and 436 are provided below the CRT 10 to output sound. In this case, speakers 430-4
By increasing the audio output of 36, it is possible to block noises such as the voice of other players heard from the surroundings, and it becomes possible to have a conversation only within the group.

Further, in FIG. 17, future tanks 440a to 440f made to look very similar to the real ones are shown to players 9a to 9f.
An example is shown in which the player boarded and played a game. In this example, future tanks 440a-440f have windshields 442a-4.
42f is provided, and the windshields 442a to 442f are provided.
As a result, the sound heard from the outside is blocked. With such a configuration, the speakers 430a to
Even if the voice output of 430f, 432a to 432f is not strengthened, it is possible to block the noise such as the voice of another player heard from the outside, and it becomes possible to talk through the speaker and the microphone only within the group.

Further, in the first to sixth embodiments, the communication between the players is based only on the voice information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a TV camera may be provided in each game machine to communicate with both video information and audio information. In this case, a communication monitor may be provided separately, but a window may be displayed on the game screen, for example.

Further, the present invention can be naturally applied not only to a game device for business use but also to a game device for home use.

Further, the connection of the communication line between the game machines in the present invention is not limited to the ring-shaped one, but any kind of connection can be considered.

Further, the structure of the game machine according to the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 5, and any kind of structure can be considered. For example, the movement information calculation unit 106,
Any one of the central processing unit 102, the game space setting unit 104, the sound field forming unit 110, the object information storage unit 108, the image composition unit 200, and the like may be shared by a plurality of game machines. .

[0101]

According to the multi-player type game device of the present invention, the communication means for communicating the game space setting information and the player's voice information communicates the voice information only between the game machines of the same group. Therefore, each player can enjoy the game in the same game space, and only the players belonging to the same group can have a conversation through the communication means. Therefore, in a game in which a group competes with each other, the strategy within the group can be communicated only within the group, and this strategy can be prevented from being transmitted to the players of the opponent group. As a result, an unprecedented multi-player game can be realized, and the game can be made more interesting.

In this case, according to the present invention, the communication means can communicate the game space setting information only between the game machines of the same group, whereby the conversation can be conducted only within the same group. It is possible to do so, and it is possible to set different game spaces formed in each group.
Therefore, in a game where players compete for ranks within a group, it is possible to block out noise such as conversations from other groups,
It is possible to play games while exchanging excitement with each other only within each group. This can greatly enhance the fun of the multi-player game.

Further, according to the present invention, since the game communication line and the voice communication line are provided between the game machines and the voice communication line selection section is provided in each game machine, each player is the same. It is possible to enjoy the game in the game space, and only the players belonging to the same group can have a conversation through the voice communication line. Therefore, in a game in which groups compete with each other, the operations within the group can be communicated only within the group, and the fun of the multi-player type game can be significantly enhanced.

In this case, according to the present invention, each game machine can further be provided with a game communication line selection section, whereby the game spaces formed in each group can be set differently between the groups. It will be possible. Therefore, in a game in which the ranks of the groups compete with each other, it is possible to play the game while exchanging excitement with each other only in each group, and it is possible to remarkably enhance the fun of the multi-player type game.

Further, according to the present invention, since the voice communication lines are connected only to each other in the same group in the communication information transmitting / receiving section, each player can enjoy the game in the same game space, and the same group. It becomes possible for only the players belonging to the group to have a conversation through the voice communication line. Therefore, in a game in which groups compete with each other, it is possible to communicate the operations within the group only within the group. Further, in the present invention, for example, by providing a communication partner selecting means, it becomes possible for the player to select a specific partner and have a conversation.

In this case, according to the present invention, the communication information transmitting / receiving section can connect the game communication lines only to each other within the same group, so that the game spaces formed in each group can be formed. It is also possible to set differently between groups. Therefore, in a game where players compete for rank in a group, it is possible to play the game while exchanging excitement with each other.

Further, according to the present invention, each game machine has
Since the audio information selection unit for selecting only the audio information of the players belonging to the same group based on the group ID information is provided, each player can enjoy the game in the same game space and the players belonging to the same group. It is possible to talk with each other only via the communication line. Therefore, in a game in which groups compete with each other, it is possible to communicate the operations within the group only within the group. In particular, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to newly provide a line for communication of voice information, and thereby the hardware can be downsized.

In this case, according to the present invention, each game machine is further provided with a game space setting information selecting section for selecting only the game space setting information of the game machines belonging to the same group based on the group ID information. Therefore, the game spaces formed in each group can be set differently between the groups. Therefore, in a game where players compete for rank in a group, it is possible to play the game while exchanging excitement with each other.

Further, according to the present invention, since at least the communication line for communicating the game space setting information and the voice information of the player and the communication line selecting section are provided, only the players belonging to the same group communicate with each other. It becomes possible to have a conversation through the line, and it is possible to set different game spaces formed in each group. Therefore, in a game where players compete for rank in a group, it is possible to play the game while exchanging excitement with each other. Since it is not necessary to provide a separate game communication line selection unit and separate voice communication line selection unit as the communication line selection unit, it is possible to reduce the size of hardware and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a multi-player game device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of the present multi-player game device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a game field realized by the present multi-player game device.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a display image that is image-synthesized by the present multi-player game device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of each game machine that constitutes the present multi-player game device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining object information stored in an object information storage unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data format of communication information flowing through a game communication line.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a multi-player game device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing another example of the multi-player game device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a multi-player game device according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a multi-player game device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data format of communication information flowing through a communication line.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a multi-player game device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a multi-player game device according to the sixth embodiment.

15 (A) and 15 (B) are schematic explanatory diagrams for explaining a case where the present invention is applied to an RPG game.

FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining a case where a speaker is used as an output sound forming device.

FIG. 17 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining a case where a player rides on a future tank made to look like a real thing and plays a game.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of a conventional multi-player game device.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional multi-player game device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1a to 1f Game machine 2, 2a to 2f Headphones 4, 4a to 4f Microphone 5, 5R to 5T, 5a to 5f Voice communication line 7, 7R to 7T, 7a to 7f Game communication line 8 Communication line 9, 9a ~ 9f player 10, 10a to 10f CRT 12 operation unit 20, 20a to 20f future tank 100 game calculation unit 102 central processing unit 104, 104a to 104f game space setting unit 106 movement information calculation unit 108 object information storage unit 110, 110a to 110f Sound field forming unit 120, 120a to 120f Group setting unit 121 Connection switching unit 130, 130a to 130f Voice communication line selection unit 131, 131a to 131f Communication line selection unit 132, 132a to 132f Game communication line selection unit 134 Communication information transmission / reception Part 136, 1 6a~136f game space setting information selection unit 138,138a~138f audio information selection section 200 the image combining unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A multi-player type game apparatus including a plurality of game machines, in which a plurality of players can play a game in a predetermined game space, wherein communication of setting information of the game space and voice information of each player is performed. Is provided between the game machines, the plurality of game machines are divided into arbitrary groups, and the communication means communicates voice information of each player between the game machines of the same group. A multi-player game device characterized by being executed. 2. The communication means according to claim 1, wherein the communication means communicates the setting information of the game space between game machines of the same group, and the game spaces formed in each group are different between groups. Multi-player type game device. 3. A multi-player type game device including a plurality of game machines, in which a plurality of players can play a game in a predetermined game space, wherein setting information of the game space is provided between the game machines. In addition to the game communication line for communication, a voice communication line for communicating the voice information of each player is provided, and the plurality of game machines are arbitrarily set by a group setting unit provided in each game machine. Divided into groups,
Each of the game machines is provided with a voice communication line selection unit that selects only a voice communication line to which game machines of the same group are connected among the voice communication lines based on the group setting. A multi-player game device. 4. The group setting information formed by the group setting of the group setting section flows to the game communication line in addition to the game space setting information according to claim 3. A game space setting information selection unit is provided that selects only the game space setting information of the game machines belonging to the same group among the game space setting information flowing through the game communication line based on the setting information,
A multi-player type game device characterized in that a game space formed in each group is different between the groups. 5. The game according to claim 3, wherein each game machine selects only a game communication line to which game machines of the same group are connected from among the game communication lines based on the group setting of the group setting section. A multi-player type game device, wherein a communication line selection unit is provided, and a game space formed in each group is different between the groups. 6. A multi-player type game apparatus including a plurality of game machines and allowing a plurality of players to play a game in a predetermined game space, wherein a communication information transmitting / receiving unit is provided in addition to each of the game machines. A game communication line for communicating setting information of the game space and a voice communication line for communicating voice information of each player are provided between the game machines and the communication information transmitting / receiving unit, The plurality of game machines are divided into arbitrary groups according to the group setting of the group setting unit provided in the communication information transmitting / receiving unit, and the communication information transmitting / receiving units are mutually in the same group based on the group setting by the group setting unit. A multi-player type game device, wherein only the voice communication line is connected. 7. The game according to claim 6, wherein the communication information transmitting / receiving unit connects the game communication lines only to each other within the same group based on the group setting of the group setting unit, and a game formed in each group. A multi-player game device characterized in that spaces differ between groups. 8. A multi-player type game apparatus including a plurality of game machines, in which a plurality of players can play a game in a predetermined game space, wherein the plurality of game machines are a group setting provided in each game machine. Divided into any group according to the group setting of the department,
Communication for communicating communication information including group setting information formed by group setting of the group setting unit, setting information of the game space, and voice information of each player between the game machines. A line is provided, and each of the game machines is provided with a voice information selection unit that selects only the voice information of the players belonging to the same group among the voice information flowing through the communication line based on the group setting information flowing through the communication line. A multi-player game device characterized by being provided. 9. The game space setting information according to claim 8, wherein for each of the game machines, only the game space setting information of the game machines belonging to the same group is selected from the game space setting information flowing through the communication line based on the group setting information. A multi-player type game device, wherein a game space setting information selection unit is provided, and a game space formed in each group is different between the groups. 10. A multi-player type game device including a plurality of game machines and allowing a plurality of players to play a game in a predetermined game space, wherein at least the setting information of the game space is provided between the game machines. And a communication line for communicating communication information including voice information of each player, and the plurality of game machines are divided into arbitrary groups by group settings of a group setting section provided in each game machine,
Each of the game machines is provided with a communication line selection unit that selects only a communication line to which game machines of the same group are connected among the communication lines based on the group setting, and communication of voice information is performed only within the same group. And a game space formed in each group is different between the groups.