Game device, game device control method, information storage medium, game distribution device, and game distribution method

Abstract

To realize a music-oriented game allowing the use of a commercially available music information storage medium, such as a commercially available music CD, or a network distribution as a means for obtaining original data of game music. In a game device of which controller is operated by a player in accordance with game music, game program code and game data are stored in a CD-ROM. The game data includes operation timing data, which is necessary when using the music recorded in a predetermined commercially available music CD, as game music. The recorded content of a commercially available music CD is read using a CD-ROM reader 24. When that commercially available music CD is the predetermined commercially available music CD, music is reproduced as game music based on the recorded content of that commercially available music CD, and a guidance is shown on a monitor based on the operation timing data whereby timings at which the player is required to operate the controller in accordance with the game music is instructed to the player.

Description

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] The present invention relates to a game device, a game device control method, an information storage medium, a game distribution device, and a game distribution method. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for making a game, in which a player operates a controller in accordance with game music, more attractive.[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art[0004] Arcade game devices and game software in which game music is output and a player operates an input device in accordance with the rhythm of the output game music so that the player can enjoy the feeling of playing music or dancing, are popular. A typical example of such a device or software may include "Beat Mania.TM." and "Dance, Dance, Revolution.TM.", both manufactured and sold by Konami Corporation.[0005] In such music-oriented games, operation timing data representing timings at which a player operates an input device is prepared in accordance with the rhythm of mus...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] Also, according to a game distribution device and method of the present invention, a demander can easily obtain a game program and game data, which are necessary for the demander to enjoy a music-oriented game, using a predetermined commercially available music CD.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the commercially available music CD judgement means may include judgement data storage means for storing beforehand at least a part of the recorded content of the predetermined commercially available music CD as judgement data, and judges whether or not the commercially available music CD, of which recorded content is read by the commercially available music CD judgement means, is the predetermined commercially available music CD by comparing the judgement data and the recorded content of the commercially available music CD, read by the commercially available music CD judgement means. Here, at least a part of the recorded content of the predetermined commercially available music CD is stored beforehand as judgement data. At the commercially available music CD judgement step, the judgement data is compared with the recorded content of a commercially available music CD, read by the commercially available music CD judgement means, whereby whether or not that commercially available music CD is the predetermined commercially available music CD is judged. With this arrangement, whether or not a certain commercially available music CD is a predetermined commercially available music CD associated with game music, can be easily judged.

[0021] Therefore, according to the present invention, in the case where the commercially available music information storage medium, such as a commercially available music CD, a commercially available DVD, and so on, is a predetermined commercially available music information storage medium, music is reproduced as game music based on the recorded content of that commercially available music information storage medium, and timings at which the player is required to operate the controller in accordance with the game music reproduced based on the recorded content of that commercially available music information storage medium is guided based on the operation timing data by displaying an image, outputting audio, or the like. With this arrangement, the player can enjoy a music oriented game, using a predetermined commercially available music information storage medium.

Problems solved by technology

Despite the current popularity of the above devices, no proposal has been made for a game device which reads recorded content, including music data, from a commercially available music information storage medium (such as a commercially available CD (compact disk) or a DVD (digital video disk)), and realizes a music-oriented game using, as game music, the music based on the read content.

This may complicate issues mostly concerning a copyright.

This is one of the major obstacles hindering the development of such music-oriented games.

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