Substitute prize used for game device

Abstract

To provide a substitute prize capable of moderately reducing a risk of difficulty in grasping an arm unit by an arm and of impartation of impression that grasping is difficult.SOLUTION: In a substitute prize 20A that has at least two arms, allows the arm to be used as an object to be grasped in a game device having an arm unit operating according to a player's operation within a casing, and is disposed on a placement surface within the casing as an article in place of an article to be imparted to a player, an outer peripheral contour is set to positions that oppose each of at least three mutually different sides of a reference shape RS such that a recess 20a retreating to the center side of the reference shape RS is generated when a polygon drawn by connecting respective vertices Pv in a plan view when a state in which the substitute prize 20A is placed on a horizontal surface is observed from a vertical direction is assumed as the reference shape RS.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a substitute prize that is placed on a placement surface within a housing of a game device as an object to be grasped by an arm unit arranged within the housing. [Background technology]

[0002] As one type of game device, there is known a type of game device that includes an arm unit in a housing that operates in response to a player's operation, and has the player operate the arm unit so that an object to be acquired placed on a placement surface in the housing is grasped by the arm of the arm unit and carried to a predetermined position in the housing. In this type of game device, a substitute prize may be placed on the placement surface in the housing as an object to be awarded to the player (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-90709 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional substitute prizes have relatively simple shapes, such as a roughly rectangular parallelepiped, roughly cubic, or pillow-like shape. Therefore, the player may have the impression that it is difficult to grasp the substitute prize with the arm, or it may actually be difficult to grasp the substitute prize. As the game is played repeatedly, the substitute prize on the placement surface may assume a position that makes it difficult to grasp with the arm, and the administrator of the game device may be required to replace the substitute product, which may increase the administrator's work, or the player may lose motivation to continue playing the game.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an alternative prize that can appropriately reduce the risk of it being difficult to grasp with the arm of the arm unit or giving the impression that it is difficult to grasp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A substitute prize in one embodiment of the present invention is a substitute prize that has at least two arms and is usable as an object to be grasped by an arm unit within a housing of a game device that operates in response to a player's operation, and is placed on a supporting surface within the housing as an object to replace a prize to be given to the player, and has an outer peripheral contour that is set so that, when the reference shape is assumed to be a polygon drawn by connecting each vertex in a planar view observed vertically when placed on a horizontal plane, a recess that recedes toward the center of the reference shape is created at a position opposite each of three or more different sides of the reference shape. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a game device in which a substitute prize according to an embodiment of the present invention is used; [Diagram 2] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize of the first example when viewed in a plane. [Diagram 3] A diagram showing the alternative prize as viewed from the side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 3; [Diagram 5] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize of the second example when viewed in a plane. [Figure 6] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize in the third example when viewed in a plane. [Figure 7] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize in the fourth example when viewed in a plane. [Figure 8] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize in the fifth example when viewed in a plane. [Figure 9] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize in the sixth example when viewed in a plane. [Figure 10]A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize in the seventh example when viewed in a plane. [Figure 11] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize in the eighth example when viewed in a plane. [Figure 12] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize in the 9th example when viewed in a plane. [Figure 13] A figure showing the outer contour of the substitute prize in the 10th example when viewed in a plane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a game device in which the substitute prize of this embodiment is used. The game device 1 of FIG. 1 belongs to a so-called commercial game machine that provides a game for acquiring a prize in exchange for payment of a predetermined price. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 2 of the game device 1 is, for example, a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape having walls 3A to 3D, a bottom 4, and a ceiling 5. A roughly horizontal partition wall 6 is provided inside the housing 2, and the upper part of the partition wall 6 is set as a storage space 7 for storing items to be acquired. The range of the front wall 3A facing the storage space 7 is configured as a transparent wall 8 so that the inside of the storage space 7 can be observed. Transparent walls may also be provided on the left and right walls 3B and 3C. In FIG. 1, the internal configuration of the housing 2 that can be observed through the transparent wall 8 is shown by solid lines.

[0009] The upper surface of the partition 6 is set as a placement surface 6a, and an object to be acquired is placed on the placement surface 6a. The substitute prize in this embodiment is placed on the placement surface 6a as an object to substitute for the prize to be given to the player. A single substitute prize may be placed on the placement surface 6a, or multiple substitute prizes may be placed on the placement surface 6a. Multiple types of substitute prizes may be placed on the placement surface 6a. The multiple types of substitute prizes may be differentiated in shape or size according to the type, for example. The types of substitute prizes may be differentiated according to the monetary value of the prize to be given to the player. On the placement surface 6a, balls or other objects may be placed as objects other than the substitute prizes. For example, balls may be spread on the placement surface 6a, and substitute prizes may be placed on them. The substitute prizes may be formed by an appropriate manufacturing method. For example, the substitute prizes may be formed as a sewn product in which an interior material is wrapped in a covering material such as cloth and sewn together, a molded product using resin, or a packaged product using an empty box.

[0010] In the storage space 7, an arm unit 10 for acquiring substitute prizes is disposed. The arm unit 10 is disposed in the storage space 7 so as to be suspended from the ceiling part 5 of the housing 2, for example. The arm unit 10 moves in three-dimensional directions, i.e., in the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and vertical direction of the housing 2, in the storage space 7 in response to the operation of the player, and operates so as to open and close the multiple arms 10a. For example, the arm unit 10 operates in response to the operation of the player on the operation unit 12 on the control panel 11 provided on the front side of the housing 2. Alternatively, the arm unit 10 may be remotely operated by the player via a predetermined network. In other words, the game device 1 may be operated as a game machine played by a player at the installation location, or as an online game machine played by a player at a remote location.

[0011] In the arm unit 10, three arms 10a are provided as an example. The arms 10a open and close together in response to the player's operation. However, the number of arms 10a is not limited to three, and may be two, four or more. By the operation of the arm unit 10, it is possible to grab a substitute prize and carry it to a predetermined position in the storage space 7, at which point the substitute prize can be released. Various types of arm units 10 of this type are provided, and the arm unit 10 in the game device 1 may be configured according to a known configuration.

[0012] As an example, the multiple arms 10a are arranged so as to be aligned at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the arm unit 10. The circumferential direction corresponds to a direction that goes around the axis when an axis is assumed to be in the vertical direction. If there are three arms 10a, the angular intervals between the arms 10a are 120°. However, the arms 10a do not necessarily need to be arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The multiple arms 10a may be arranged at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0013] A part of the partition 6, in the illustrated example, the left front area of ​​the partition 6, is cut out in a generally rectangular shape. As a result, a drop space 13 is provided in the lower part of the housing 2, which communicates with the storage space 7 through a drop port 13a. The drop space 13 is set as a space to which the substitute prizes grasped by the arm 10a of the arm unit 10 should be released from the arm 10a and dropped. Therefore, the drop port 13a is a target position to which the substitute prizes should be transported by the arm unit 10. The drop space 13 also communicates with the outside of the housing through a payout port 13b that opens on the wall portion 3A on the front side of the housing 2. The substitute prizes that have fallen into the drop space 13 can be taken out of the housing through the payout port 13b. However, the target position to which the substitute prizes should be transported is not limited to the drop port 13a. For example, a target position to which the substitute prizes should be transported may be set on the placement surface 6a, and when the substitute prizes are transported to that position, it may be determined that the prizes corresponding to the substitute prizes have been won.

[0014] Next, some examples of the shape of the substitute prize will be described. Figures 2 and 3 show a substitute prize 20A as a first example. Figure 2 shows the shape of the substitute prize 20A in a plan view when the substitute prize 20A is placed on a horizontal surface and observed from the vertical direction, and Figure 3 shows the shape of the substitute prize 20A in a side view when observed from the direction of the arrow III in Figure 2. As is clear from Figure 2, the outer contour of the substitute prize 20A is set so that it has a star shape having five vertices Pv shown by black circles in a plan view. As shown by imaginary lines in Figure 2, when it is assumed that a polygon drawn by connecting each vertex Pv is the reference shape RS of the substitute prize 20A, the reference shape RS of the substitute prize 20A is a regular pentagon. The vertex Pv can be specified as the point located at the outermost position in a plan view.

[0015] The outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize 20A is set so that recesses 20a receding toward the center of the reference shape RS are generated at positions facing all the sides of the reference shape RS. The recesses 20a are equal in shape and size to each other. In addition, in the plan view of FIG. 2, the recesses 20a are equal in angular interval in the circumferential direction to each other. In other words, the recesses 20a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The circumferential direction of the substitute prize 20A corresponds to the direction of going around the center point Pc of the substitute prize 20A in the plan view of FIG. 2. In other words, it is substantially synonymous with the circumferential direction of the arm unit 10. As an example, the angular interval of the recesses 20a can be specified as the angle in the circumferential direction between the bottoms Pb of the recesses 20a when the position where the recesses 20a are furthest back toward the center point Pc is the bottom Pb of the recesses 20a (shown by a white circle). The recesses 20a are provided over the entire length between the vertices Pv, and the bottoms Pb are at equal distances from the vertices Pv at both ends of the recesses 20a.

[0016] By providing the recess 20a as described above, the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize 20A is set so as to be symmetrical with respect to a reference line RL passing through one apex Pc and a center point Pc in a plan view. The center point Pc is, for example, a point that coincides with the center of gravity of the substitute prize 20A. Note that the reference shape RS, the apex Pv, the bottom Pb, the center point Pc, and the reference line RL in FIG. 2 are shown as auxiliary indicators for understanding the shape of the substitute prize 20A, and these indicators are not actually attached to the substitute prize 20A. Also, in order to avoid complexity in the figure, the reference symbols Pv and Pb are attached to one apex and one bottom as representatives.

[0017] As is clear from FIG. 3, the substitute prize 20A is formed in a rounded shape such that the upper and lower surfaces 20b are relatively thick at the center and the thickness gradually decreases toward the apex Pv in a side view. However, the shape in the side view of FIG. 3 is only an example. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the shape of the substitute prize 20A in the side view may be set to have a constant thickness. In addition, the shape in the side view may be appropriately changed. In any case, the substitute prize 20A has a relatively thin and flat shape when viewed from the side. Therefore, the substitute prize 20A is placed on the placement surface 6a of the game device 1 with its surface 20b facing approximately vertically. The state in which the substitute prize 20A placed horizontally on the placement surface 6a with one surface 20b facing down is observed from above in the vertical direction corresponds to the state in which the substitute prize 20A is viewed in plan.

[0018] According to the above-mentioned substitute prize 20A, when the substitute prize 20A is placed on the placement surface 6a with one of the surfaces 20b facing down, the recesses 20a appear at three or more locations (five locations in the illustrated example) on the outer circumferential contour of the substitute prize 20A when viewed from the arm unit 10 side. Therefore, by operating the arm unit 10 so that the three arms 10a are inserted into the recesses 20a, the substitute prize 20A can be relatively easily grasped, and such an impression can be given to the player. Therefore, the risk that it becomes difficult to grasp with the arms 10a or that the impression that it is difficult to grasp can be given can be appropriately reduced. Even if the substitute prize 20A takes a somewhat tilted posture on the placement surface 6a due to the fact that the multiple substitute prizes 20A are partially overlapping and tilting, or tilting depending on the state of an article such as a ball other than the substitute prize 20A, the three or more recesses 20a still exist on the outer circumferential contour, and the above-mentioned action and effect can be exhibited.

[0019] While the three arms 10a in the arm unit 10 are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction, the five recesses 20a in the substitute prize 20A are arranged at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, even if any three recesses 20a are selected from the five recesses 20a as a combination of recesses 20a to be inserted into the arm 10a, the angular intervals of the recesses 20a in the combination will not match those of the arm 10a. In other words, there will be no combination of recesses 20a arranged in the circumferential direction so as to match the arrangement of the arms 10a in the circumferential direction of the arm unit 10. Therefore, in order to maintain the balance of the substitute prize 20A when it is grasped and lifted by the three arms 10a, a suitable skill is required for operating the arm unit 10. This makes it possible to appropriately ensure the difficulty of the game and reduce or eliminate the risk of losing interest in the game.

[0020] The above-mentioned action and effect regarding the difficulty level can be exerted in the same manner except when five arms 10a, the same number as the recesses 20a, are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when the arms 10a and the recesses 20a are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, the number of recesses 20a may be set so as not to be an integer multiple of the number of arms 10a. Even when the arms 10a are arranged at unequal intervals, no matter how the same number of recesses 20a as the number of arms 10a are selected, the arrangement of the selected recesses 20a in the circumferential direction does not have to match the arrangement of the arms 10a. Note that when the same number of recesses 20a as the number of arms 10a are selected as the recesses 20a to be inserted, if there is an excessive difference between the angular interval in the circumferential direction of the selected recesses 20a and the angular interval in the circumferential direction of the arms 10a, the ease of grasping the substitute prize 20A may be impaired. In the case where three arms 10a arranged at equal intervals are used, the star-shaped substitute prize 20A having five recesses 20a as shown in Fig. 2 can adequately approximate the angular intervals of the recesses 20a in the circumferential direction of the arms 10a to the angular intervals of the recesses 20a of the insertion target. This is advantageous in terms of achieving both ease of grasping the substitute prize 20A and ensuring the difficulty level.

[0021] Next, other examples of substitute prizes will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 13. Note that Figure 5 and subsequent figures all show the shape of the substitute prize in plan view, and similarly to Figure 2, the reference shape RS drawn by connecting each vertex Pv of the substitute prize in plan view is shown by imaginary lines, and the vertex Pv, bottom Pb, center point Pc, and reference line RL are appropriately shown as auxiliary indicators for understanding the shape of the substitute prize. Also similar to Figure 2, the reference symbols Pv and Pb are given to one vertex and one bottom as representatives. The shape of the substitute prize in side view in Figure 5 and subsequent figures may be appropriately set as exemplified in Figure 3 or Figure 4.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a second example of a substitute prize. The substitute prize 20B in FIG. 5 is an example in which the outer peripheral contour in a plan view is set to be a star shape having six vertices Pv. The reference shape RS drawn by connecting the six vertices Pv is a regular hexagon. The outer peripheral contour is set so that recesses 20a receding toward the center of the reference shape RS are generated at positions facing each of all sides of the reference shape RS. The recesses 20a have the same shape and size. The angular intervals of the recesses 20a in the circumferential direction are also the same. Therefore, the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize 20B is set to be line-symmetrical with respect to a reference line RL passing through one vertex Pv and the center point Pc, and point-symmetrical with the center point Pc as the reference point.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a third example of a substitute prize. The substitute prize 20C in FIG. 6 is an example in which the outer peripheral contour in a plan view is set to be a star shape with four vertices Pv. The reference shape RS drawn by connecting the four vertices Pv is a regular rectangle. The outer peripheral contour is set so that recesses 20a receding toward the center of the reference shape RS are generated at positions opposite to each of the sides of the reference shape RS. The recesses 20a are equal in shape and size to each other. Therefore, the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize 20C is set to be line-symmetrical with respect to the reference line RL that passes through the center point Pc from top to bottom, and point-symmetrical with the center point Pc as the reference point. In both of the substitute prizes 20B and 20C, the recesses 20a are provided over the entire length between the vertices Pv, and the bottoms Pb are at equal distances from the vertices Pv at both ends of the recesses 20a.

[0024] In the alternative prizes 20B and 20C shown in Figs. 5 and 6, as in the alternative prize 20A, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the risk that the arms 10a will have difficulty in grasping the alternative prizes 20B and 20C, or that the impression that the alternative prizes 20B and 20C are difficult to grasp can be given. However, in the alternative prize 20B in Fig. 5, six recesses 20a are arranged at intervals of 60° in the circumferential direction. Therefore, when every other three recesses 20a are selected as the recesses 20a to be inserted by the arms 10a, their angular intervals match the angular intervals of the three arms 10a. Therefore, when the alternative prize 20B is grasped by the three arms 10a, it is easier to maintain balance compared to the alternative prize 20A in Fig. 2. Such a form is advantageous when there is a need to reduce the difficulty of grasping by the arms 10a. On the other hand, in the alternative prize 20C of Fig. 6, the angular intervals of the recesses 20a do not match those of the arm 10a, as in the example of Fig. 2, so it is more advantageous in terms of ensuring the degree of difficulty of grasping with the arm 10a than the alternative prize 20B of Fig. 5. On the other hand, in the alternative prize 20C of Fig. 6, when three recesses 20a are selected as the insertion targets of the arm 10a, the difference between the angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the selected recesses 20a and the angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the arm 10a becomes larger than that of the alternative prize 20A of Fig. 2. Therefore, the alternative prize 20C is more advantageous in terms of ensuring the degree of difficulty than the alternative prize 20A of Fig. 2.

[0025] FIG. 7 shows a fourth example of the substitute prize. The substitute prize 20D in FIG. 7 is an example in which the outer peripheral contour in a plan view has six vertices Pv, and the reference shape RS drawn by connecting the vertices Pv is set to be a hexagon. However, the reference shape RS is not a regular hexagon, but a deformed hexagon in which long sides and short sides are arranged alternately. The outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize 20D is set so that recesses 20a receding toward the center of the reference shape RS are generated at positions opposite to three sides selected every other side of the six sides of the reference shape RS, here the three long sides. The shapes and sizes of the recesses 20a are the same. The angular intervals of the recesses 20a in the circumferential direction are also the same. Therefore, the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize 20D is set to be linearly symmetrical with respect to the reference line RL that passes through the center point Pc from top to bottom. In addition, in the substitute prize 20D, the recess 20a is provided over the entire length between the vertices Pv, and the bottom Pb is equidistant from the vertices Pv at both ends of the recess 20a.

[0026] In the alternative prize 20D of FIG. 7, as in the alternative prize 20A, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the risk that the alternative prize 20D becomes difficult to grasp by the arm 10a or gives the impression that it is difficult to grasp. In addition, since the angular intervals of the three recesses 20a match those of the three arms 10a arranged at equal intervals, when the alternative prize 20D is grasped by the three arms 10a, it is easier to maintain balance compared to the alternative prize 20A of FIG. 2. In this respect, it is similar to the alternative prize 20B of FIG. 5. As is clear from the example of FIG. 7, the recesses of the alternative prize do not necessarily need to be provided at positions facing each of all the sides of the reference shape RS. As long as the recesses 20a are provided at positions facing each of the three different sides of the reference shape RS, the above-mentioned action and effect can be achieved.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows a fifth example of the substitute prize. The substitute prize 20E in FIG. 8 has an outer peripheral contour in a plan view that has four vertices Pv, and the reference shape RS drawn by connecting the vertices Pv is set to a rectangle, and the recesses 20a are provided at positions facing all the sides of the reference shape RS, which is the same as the substitute prize 20C in FIG. 4. However, while the recesses 20a are provided over almost the entire length between the vertices Pv in the examples of FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, the recesses 20a are provided only in a part of the range between the vertices Pv in the substitute prize 20E in FIG. 8, and the range other than the recesses 20a coincides with each side of the reference shape RS. As a result, the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize 20E is pinwheel-shaped. The shape and size of the recesses 20a of the substitute prize 20E are the same as each other, and the angular intervals of the recesses 20a in the circumferential direction are also the same as each other. Therefore, the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize 20D is set to be point-symmetrical with respect to the center point Pc.

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a sixth example of the substitute prize. The substitute prize 20F in FIG. 9 is similar to the substitute prize 20C in FIG. 4 in that the outer peripheral contour in a plan view has four vertices Pv, the reference shape RS drawn by connecting the vertices Pv is set to a rectangle, and the recesses 20a are provided at positions facing all sides of the reference shape RS. In addition, the substitute prize 20F is similar to the substitute prize 20E in FIG. 8 in that the recesses 20a are provided only in a part of the range between the vertices Pv, the shape and size of the recesses 20a are the same, and the angular intervals of the recesses 20a in the circumferential direction are also set to be equal to each other, so that the outer peripheral contour is set to be point-symmetrical with respect to the center point Pc. On the other hand, the substitute prize 20F differs from the substitute prize 20E in FIG. 8 in that the outer peripheral contour within the recesses 20a is rounded so as to be recessed inward or bulged outward.

[0029] Fig. 10 shows a seventh example of the substitute prize. The substitute prize 20G in Fig. 10 is the same as the substitute prize 20C in Fig. 4 in that the outer peripheral contour in a plan view has four vertices Pv, the reference shape RS drawn by connecting the vertices Pv is set to a rectangle, and the recesses 20a are provided at positions facing all sides of the reference shape RS. In addition, the recesses 20a are provided over the entire length between the vertices Pv, the shapes and sizes of the recesses 20a are the same, and the angular intervals of the recesses 20a in the circumferential direction are also set to be equal to each other, so that the outer peripheral contour is set to be point-symmetrical with respect to the center point Pc. On the other hand, in the substitute prize 20G, the distances from the vertices Pv to the bottom Pb at both ends of the recesses 20a are different, and the bottom Pb is set at a position biased toward the vertex Pv on one side.

[0030] The substitute prizes 20E, 20F, and 20G in Figures 8 to 10 can also achieve the same effect as the substitute prize 20C in Figure 4. As is clear from the examples in Figures 8 to 10, the outer circumferential contour within the recess 20a may be set appropriately.

[0031] 11 to 13 show eighth to tenth examples of the substitute prize, respectively. The substitute prizes 20H, 20J, and 20K shown in these figures are different from the substitute prize 20A in FIG. 2, the substitute prize 20B in FIG. 5, and the substitute prize 20C in FIG. 6 in that at least the apex Pv and its vicinity are rounded as a so-called corner radius that bulges outward. Even when the rounded outer periphery is set in this way, when the reference shape RS is drawn with the most outwardly protruding position as the apex Pv, the recesses 20a are provided at positions facing each of three or more different sides of the reference shape RS, so that the same effect as the example in FIG. 2, FIG. 5, or FIG. 6 can be achieved. Furthermore, the bottom Pb of the recess 20a and its vicinity may also be rounded as a so-called corner radius.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned various forms, and may be embodied in forms that have been appropriately modified or changed. For example, in the above-mentioned forms, it is assumed that the substitute prize is flat and placed on the horizontal mounting surface of the game device with one of its surfaces facing down, and the reference shape is specified as the state in which the substitute prize placed on the horizontal surface in such a position is observed from the vertical direction as a planar view. However, the substitute prize does not necessarily have to be flat. For example, the substitute prize may be formed in a three-dimensional shape having a suitable area when observed from each of a plurality of directions. In that case, if the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize is set so that the recess of the present invention is generated in a planar view when the substitute prize is placed on the horizontal surface with at least one surface facing down, the effect of the present invention can be achieved when the substitute prize is placed on the mounting surface of the game device in approximately the same position. Alternatively, the three-dimensional shape of the substitute prize may be set so that the recess of the present invention is present in the outer peripheral contour when observed from each of a plurality of directions.

[0033] In the above embodiment, a preferred shape of the substitute prize in the case where three arms are provided at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction of the arm unit is exemplified, but the substitute prize of the present invention is not limited to being used in a game device equipped with such an arm unit. As described above, the number of arms in the arm unit of the game device is not limited to three, and may be two, four or more. Therefore, the number of recesses to be provided on the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize and their arrangement in the circumferential direction may be appropriately changed to suit the configuration of the arm unit of the game device in which the substitute prize is used. For example, if the arm unit is configured to have two arms arranged at 180° intervals in the circumferential direction, the reference shape may be a triangle, and the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize may be set so that recesses are formed at positions opposite each of the three sides. When the arm unit has four arms, the reference shape may be a pentagon, and the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize may be set so that recesses are formed at positions opposite each of at least three sides of the reference shape. In this case, even if the number of recesses is set to be less than the number of arms, the alternative prize is easier to grasp with the arms compared to an alternative prize that does not have any recesses, and it is possible to give the player that impression.

[0034] In the above examples, the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize in plan view is line symmetric or point symmetric, but the outer peripheral contour may be asymmetric. For example, when a plurality of arms are arranged at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction, the angular interval between the recesses may be appropriately changed accordingly to achieve both ease of gripping and difficulty of the game. However, when the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize in plan view is set to be line symmetric or point symmetric, the outer peripheral contour does not change even if the substitute prize is turned upside down or rotated 180° in the circumferential direction, and the positional relationship between the arm and the recess of the substitute prize is kept constant. Therefore, the restriction on the orientation of the substitute prize when placed on the placement surface of the housing is relaxed, and even if the posture of the substitute prize inside the housing changes due to contact with the arm, the effect on the ease of gripping the substitute prize by the arm can be kept relatively small.

[0035] Furthermore, when the outer contour of the alternate prize is set so that the reference shape is a regular polygon, the anisotropy of the shape of the alternate prize in plan view, i.e., the variation in the outer contour depending on the direction, can be kept relatively small, and the influence of the orientation of the alternate prize on the ease of grasping by the arm can be suppressed. However, the reference shape does not necessarily have to be a regular polygon, and the outer contour may be set so that the reference shape is various polygons such as a rectangle, a rhombus, a parallelogram, or the modified hexagon shown in FIG. 7.

[0036] Various aspects of the present invention derived from the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are written in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

[0037] A substitute prize (20A-20K) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a substitute prize having at least two arms (10a) and capable of being used as an object to be grasped by an arm unit (10) in a game device (1) having a housing (2) equipped with the arm unit that operates in response to a player's operation, and which is placed on a mounting surface (6a) in the housing as an alternative to a prize to be given to the player. When a reference shape (RS) is assumed to be a polygon drawn by connecting each vertex (Pv) in a plan view observed vertically in a state in which the substitute prize is placed on a horizontal plane, the outer peripheral contour is set so that recesses (20a) receding toward the center of the reference shape are generated at positions opposite each of three or more different sides of the reference shape.

[0038] According to the above embodiment, the substitute prize can be placed on the placement surface of the housing so that three or more recesses appear on the outer peripheral contour of the substitute prize when viewed from the arm unit side. By operating the arm unit so that the arm is inserted into those recesses, the substitute prize can be grasped relatively easily, and such an impression can be given to the player. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately reduce the risk that it becomes difficult to grasp the substitute prize with the arm, or that the impression is given that it is difficult to grasp.

[0039] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the following items can be further added. Note that the following items may be applied in appropriate combinations as long as they are not mutually contradictory.

[0040] In the above-mentioned alternate prize, the outer peripheral contour may be set to be point symmetrical with respect to a predetermined reference point (Pc) or line symmetrical with respect to a predetermined reference line (RL) in the plan view. In this way, even if the alternate prize is turned upside down or rotated 180° in the circumferential direction, the outer peripheral contour does not change, and the positional relationship between the arm and the recess of the alternate prize is kept constant. Therefore, restrictions on the orientation of the alternate prize when placed on the placement surface of the housing are relaxed, and even if the posture of the alternate prize changes inside the housing, the effect on the ease of grasping the alternate prize by the arm can be kept relatively small.

[0041] In the substitute prize of the above aspect, the outer periphery may be set so that the reference shape is a regular polygon. In this way, since recesses are provided at positions facing at least three sides of the regular polygon reference shape, the anisotropy of the shape of the substitute prize in a plan view, i.e., the variation of the outer periphery depending on the direction, can be kept relatively small, and the influence of the orientation of the substitute prize on the ease of grasping by the arm can be suppressed.

[0042] In the substitute prize of the above aspect, the outer circumferential contour may be set so that the recesses are formed at positions facing all of the sides of the reference shape, thereby ensuring a maximum number of recesses and realizing a substitute prize that is advantageous in ensuring ease of grasping by the arm.

[0043] Furthermore, the outer periphery may be set to have a star shape with five vertices in the plan view. With such a substitute prize, particularly when applied to a game device equipped with an arm unit having three arms, it is possible to achieve a good balance between the ease of grasping the substitute prize and the difficulty in terms of ensuring the balance of the substitute prize grasped and lifted by the arm. This makes it possible to ensure a moderate level of difficulty in the game and reduce or eliminate the risk of losing interest in the game.

[0044] In the substitute prize of the above embodiment, the recesses may be provided so that there is no combination of recesses arranged in the circumferential direction so as to match the arrangement of the arms in the circumferential direction of the arm unit. In this way, no matter how the recesses into which the arms are inserted are selected, the angular interval between the selected recesses will not match the angular interval of the arms. Therefore, a certain level of skill is required to ensure the balance of the substitute prizes that are grasped and lifted by the arms. Therefore, it is possible to ensure an appropriate level of difficulty in the game and reduce or eliminate the risk of losing interest in the game. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Game device 2. Chassis 6a Placement surface 10 Arm unit 10a Arm 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20F, 20G, 20H, 20J, 20K Alternative Prizes 20a Recess Pb Bottom of the recess Pc center point (reference point) Pv Vertex RL reference line RS standard shape

Claims

1. A substitute prize, which has at least two arms, can be used as an object to be grasped by an arm of a game device having an arm unit in a housing that operates in response to an operation by a player, and is placed on a placement surface in the housing as an item to substitute for a prize to be given to the player, When the reference shape is assumed to be a polygon drawn by connecting each vertex in a plan view when the substitute prize is placed on a horizontal surface and observed from a vertical direction, the outer contour is set so that a recess receding toward the center of the reference shape is formed at a position opposite each of three or more different sides of the reference shape.

2. The substitute prize according to claim 1 , wherein the outer contour is set so as to be point symmetric with respect to a predetermined reference point or line symmetric with respect to a predetermined reference line in the plan view.

3. The substitute prize according to claim 1 , wherein the outer peripheral contour is set so that the reference shape is a regular polygon.

4. The substitute prize according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outer peripheral contour is set so that the recesses are formed at positions opposite to each of all sides of the reference shape.

5. 5. The alternative prize according to claim 4, wherein the outer peripheral contour is set so as to form a star shape having five vertices when viewed in plan.

6. The alternative prize described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the recesses are arranged in such a way that no combination of recesses is arranged in the circumferential direction so as to match the arrangement of the arms in the circumferential direction of the arm unit.

Images