Game device, program and game system

Abstract

To provide a play experience with enhanced entertainment experience.SOLUTION: A game device includes: a loading unit capable of loading a game medium associated with a character; detection means for detecting operations on one or more game media loaded on the loading unit; control means for controlling the progress of a game in which a character associated with the game medium loaded on the loading unit appears on the basis of the operations on the game medium detected by the detection means; and imparting means for imparting a privilege to the character. When a predetermined operation on the game medium is detected, the control means changes a first character associated with the game medium to a second character associated with the game medium and makes the second character appear in the game, and the imparting means imparts a first privilege to at least one of the first character and the second character.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game device, a program, and a game system, and more particularly to an electronic game that progresses by manipulating game media. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a game device that provides the experience of playing an electronic game in which characters corresponding to items appear (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-041740 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in electronic games such as those in Patent Document 1, an upper limit is generally set on the number of items that can be used. Alternatively, in a mode in which the cost is determined for each item, an upper limit is set on the total cost of items that can be used in one game play. Therefore, in electronic games such as those in Patent Document 1, the number of characters that can appear in one game play is limited, and there is a possibility that the interesting experience provided to the player may be limited.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a game device, a program, and a game system that provide a playing experience with an improved entertainment experience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A game device of one embodiment of the present invention includes a placement section configured to place a game medium associated with a character, a detection means for detecting operations on one or more game media placed on the placement section, a control means for controlling the progress of a game in which a character associated with the game medium placed on the placement section appears based on the operations on the game medium detected by the detection means, and an awarding means for awarding a benefit to the character, wherein when a predetermined operation on the game medium is detected, the control means changes a first character associated with the game medium to a second character associated with the game medium and has the second character appear in the game, and the awarding means awards a first benefit to at least one of the first character and the second character. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a play experience that enhances the entertainment value. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a game device 100 according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of a game device 100 according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a game field used in a competitive game according to an embodiment and a modified example of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining SW operations according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display showing a method of operating a switch according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a competitive game process executed in the game device 100 according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention; [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating a round process executed in the gaming device 100 according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features among the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] In the embodiment described below, an example of the present invention is applied to a game device capable of executing a competitive game in which a player operates a character card associated with a character. However, the present invention can be applied to any device capable of executing a game in which a player operates a game medium in which a character is associated. In other words, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to competitive games.

[0011] Hardware configuration of the game device FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a game device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0012] The control unit 101 is a processor such as a CPU, and performs control over the operation of each piece of hardware included in the game device 100, and control over the realization of various functions including a function for providing a game play experience. Specifically, the control unit 101 performs the relevant control by, for example, reading out a necessary program stored in the storage device 102, expanding it in the memory 103, and executing it.

[0013] The storage device 102 is a device capable of permanently storing information, such as a non-volatile memory or a HDD. The storage device 102 stores an operating system for operating the game device 100 and a program related to the game that provides a play experience, as well as parameter information required to realize various controls and various data related to the game that provides a play experience. The memory 103 is a storage device used for temporary data storage, such as a volatile memory. The memory 103 may be used not only as an area for developing each program, but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data output during the operation of various hardware and various controls.

[0014] The GPU 104 is a drawing device that executes various drawing processes related to the generation of game screens and other screens and images presented during the provision of a game play experience. The GPU 104 includes a GPU memory (not shown), and develops various graphics data read from the storage device 102, and performs predetermined calculations to generate various images including screens. The screens and images generated by the GPU 104 are presented to the player by being displayed on a display device including a presentation device 110 included in the game device 100, for example.

[0015] The presentation device 110 is a device equipped with an information presentation function that is included in the game device 100. In one embodiment, the presentation device 110 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays a screen generated by the GPU 104. The means for presenting information in the game device 100 is not limited to those that realize visual information presentation such as a display device or a lighting device, and may include other types of information presentation means such as a sound output device such as a speaker that realizes auditory information presentation, and a force feedback device that realizes tactile information presentation. In this case, the information to be presented may be, for example, data read from the storage device 102 or data configured by the control unit 101 at any time.

[0016] The operation I / F 105 is a user interface provided in the game device 100 and receives an operation input. When the operation I / F 105 detects that an operation input has been made, it outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 101. In one aspect, the operation I / F 105 includes operation members such as a button for inputting a decision or a button for inputting a selection, various sensors, and the like. In an aspect in which the presentation device 110 includes a display device capable of detecting a touch input, the operation I / F 105 includes a touch input detection sensor provided on the display device.

[0017] The communication I / F 106 is a communication interface with an external device provided in the game device 100. Information communication between the communication I / F 106 and the external device may be performed via a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or via a LAN or the like. Information communication performed by the communication I / F 106 may be performed either wired or wireless, and in the latter case, may include, for example, short-range wireless communication or close-proximity wireless communication.

[0018] The payment device 120 is a device that accepts payment of the price for use of the game device 100. The price can be treated as having been paid, for example, when a predetermined amount of coins or an equivalent coin is inserted into an insertion slot (not shown), or when a payment process based on communication with a chip related to a predetermined electronic money is completed. When the payment device 120 detects that the price has been paid, it outputs a control signal indicating this to the control unit 101. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, when the game device 100 detects that a price has been paid while in a state where it is not being used by any player (standby state), it switches the state to a state where it is capable of providing a game playing experience, and starts providing a service to the player.

[0019] The reader 130 is a device that acquires information from a real object provided in the game device 100. The information acquisition method of the reader 130 can be, for example, a method of reading a code attached to the exterior of the real object using an imaging device. In another aspect, the information acquisition method of the reader 130 can be any information acquisition method, such as a method of reading information from a predetermined chip built into the real object, or a method of monitoring the input state of a predetermined switch or the conduction state of a connection terminal in the attachment part when the real object is attached to the game device 100. The information acquired by the reader 130 is transmitted to the control unit 101 and used, for example, to control the progress of the game or the content of the service provided.

[0020] The providing device 140 is a device having a function of providing real articles stored in advance. The game device 100 of this embodiment is configured such that when a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as when the service provision is started, the providing device 140 provides a prescribed number of real articles under the control of the control unit 101. In one aspect, the providing device 140 can provide the real articles stored in a built-in stocker in the order in which they were stored. In another aspect, the providing device 140 can provide the stored real articles after performing a predetermined process. In one aspect, the real articles provided by the providing device 140 can be articles to which information that can be acquired by the reader 130 is attached.

[0021] In this embodiment, the hardware configuration is described as being built into the housing of the game device 100, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the presentation device 110, the payment device 120, the reader 130, and the provision device 140 may be provided outside the housing of the game device 100 and configured to be available by being connected to the game device 100.

[0022] Details of the presentation device Presentation device 110 of this embodiment includes first display unit 111 and second display unit 112, as shown in FIG.

[0023] The first display unit 111 is a display device configured to also function as the reader 130, and is also configured as a placement unit on which an actual item for a game (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a game medium) can be placed. The first display unit 111 is a display device that presents a display screen, for example, by rear projection, and intermittently captures an image of the game medium placed on a placement surface (display surface) from behind, thereby identifying the game medium, detecting the placement position of the game medium, and acquiring information attached to the game medium. The placement surface of the first display unit 111 is not only used to acquire information from the game medium, but is also configured to enable game operation input by moving the game medium on the placement surface. Hereinafter, the placement surface of the first display unit 111 may be simply referred to as a placement unit.

[0024] The reader 130 can obtain information attached to the game medium placed on the placement unit. The game medium available on the game device 100 of this embodiment is made up of cards, and includes a character card associated with one character related to the battle game, and a player card having information about the player.

[0025] The reader 130 acquires information (character ID) for uniquely identifying a character associated with a character card from the character card placed on the placement section. The storage device 102 includes a character DB that manages various information (character information) about characters appearing in a battle game executed on the game device 100, and based on the acquired character ID, character information corresponding to the character card is acquired from the character DB and can be used in processing the battle game. That is, when playing a battle game, a player can place a character card on the placement section to make one character associated with the character card appear in the battle game as a character used by the player.

[0026] Further, the reader 130 acquires information (player ID) attached to the player card placed on the placement section, which uniquely identifies the player. Based on the player ID, the control section 101 can acquire player information including various information related to the player. The player information is managed in an external server or the like to which the game device 100 can communicate via a network (not shown), and the player information can be acquired in any game device 100 used by the player. Note that in this embodiment, the player information is acquired based on the player ID acquired from the player card in response to the player card being placed on the placement section, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this, and the player information may be acquired directly from the player card.

[0027] Furthermore, the player card may be used not only as a game medium for acquiring a player ID, but also as a character card associated with a character unique to the player that can be customized by the player. In such a case, the player information includes information such as parameters of the character unique to the player in the battle game.

[0028] In this way, the game device 100 of this embodiment is configured such that by placing a character card on the first display unit 111, which is the placement unit, a character associated with the character card can appear in the playing battle game. The reader 130 also acquires the positions on the placement unit for the game media (character card and player card) placed on the placement unit. The position information of each game media acquired by the reader 130 is detected as an operation of the player during the battle game according to the movement transition. That is, by performing an operation to move the character card on the placement unit during the execution of the battle game, the player can perform an operation input to change the position or role of a character in the battle game, or to specify a specific command.

[0029] On the other hand, the second display unit 112 provided above the first display unit 111 is a display device such as an LCD. The second display unit 112 is in an inclined state on which a real item for the game cannot be placed, and is used only for presenting information.

[0030] Overview of the match game The following describes a fighting game in which a play experience is provided on the game device 100 of this embodiment.

[0031] The competitive game in which the game device 100 provides a play experience is a competitive game in which characters used by each player compete against other players using other game devices 100 at the same time, or against an NPC (Non-Player Character). The characters used by each player are registered based on the game medium that the player places on the placement surface of the first display unit 111. The characters registered for each player are managed as a team, and the competitive game is played between the player's team and the opponent's team.

[0032] The competitive game is started when the payment device 120 detects that the payment has been made. The competitive game includes a "matching stage" in which an opponent is matched with the player, and an "execution stage" in which a play experience related to the competitive game is provided (enabling the player to experience the gameplay provided for the competitive game). In the matching stage, the player can select whether to play against another player who uses the game device 100 at the same time, or against an NPC. The former is selected when the player performs an operation related to a matching request (such as a menu selection) after paying the fee, and the latter is selected when the player does not make a matching request, or when the player makes a matching request but is not matched with an opponent player.

[0033] The battle game is played in a round system in which the game progresses over multiple rounds, and the player performs operation inputs related to the battle game for each round. Each round is composed of a strategy phase in which operations are performed to specify the actions of the characters on the player's team in that round, and an action phase in which the player and opponent resolve the actions specified for each team in the strategy phase and change the team status.

[0034] During a competitive game, in a situation where a player is required to operate a character card, a game field 300 that basically serves as a guide for the placement of the character card as shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the first display unit 111. In a strategy phase, a player can specify that a character associated with the character card will perform an attacking action against the opponent's team by placing the character card in an attack area 301 as a first area according to the present invention. In addition, a player can specify that a character associated with the character card will not participate in an attacking action against the opponent's team but will perform a recovery action by placing the character card in a support area 302 as a second area according to the present invention.

[0035] In the battle game of this embodiment, "spirit," which is a parameter for performing an attacking action, is managed for each character. Spirit can be consumed to cause the character to perform an attacking action. Here, the degree of effect of one attacking action of the character on the opponent's team (for example, the amount of damage caused by the attacking action) changes according to the amount of spirit consumed. The amount of spirit consumed for an attacking action can be specified by the position in the attack area 301 of the corresponding character card.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the attack area 301 is divided into three areas (301a, 301b, 301c). Here, the game field 300 in FIG. 3 shows the display of the first display unit 111 as seen from the position of the player using the game device 100 (left direction in the side view of FIG. 2), and the areas are arranged in the depth direction in the order of the support area 302, area 301c, area 301b, and area 301a from the front. The areas in the attack area 301 are set to have different amounts of energy consumed when performing an attacking action, and the amount is set to be larger for areas farther away from the player. In other words, the player can specify that the character associated with the character card will perform an attacking action that has a greater effect on the opponent's team as the player places a character card in an area farther away from the player in the attack area 301.

[0037] On the other hand, if a relatively strong (highly capable) character could continue to perform a powerful attack action every round, the player who owns the character card associated with that character would have an advantage, and fairness between players would not be guaranteed. Therefore, a battle game is designed so that a character with low morale is likely to become unable to act if it receives damage from an attack action by the opponent's character. Basically, each character's morale can be restored by having that character perform a recovery action during a round, and if a player wants to restore / save a character's morale, they can simply place the character card associated with that character in the support area 302 during the strategy phase.

[0038] For this reason, each player must construct a strategy for each round by making appropriate decisions as the game progresses regarding the amount of energy consumed by the characters on their team in an attacking action, or whether to place them in the support area 302 to recover their energy.

[0039] Abilities In the battle game of this embodiment, each character is set with at least one unique ability. The activation conditions and in-game effects that occur when activated differ for each ability, so each player must consider which characters to register for their team while also taking into account the abilities set for each character.

[0040] On the other hand, for example, if the service of a competitive game continues for a long time, information on character cards associated with characters having advantageous status or abilities may be shared, and the character cards used by each player in the competitive game may become limited. In addition, due to the above-mentioned problems, the characters appearing in the competitive game may become limited, and the entertainment experience provided to the player may become limited. In other words, if such a situation in which the entertainment experience is limited continues, the player's interest in the competitive game may decrease, which may result in the player abandoning the game.

[0041] For this reason, in the fighting game of this embodiment, two characters are associated with a character card, and a switch ability (hereinafter referred to as SW ability) is introduced that switches between the characters that appear in the fighting game during the playing of the fighting game. That is, by using a character card (hereinafter referred to as SW card) with a SW ability set, a player can start the fighting game with one of the two characters associated with the card (initial character) registered in the team, and then, when the SW ability is activated during the playing of the fighting game, the player can switch from that character to the other character (alternate character).

[0042] The SW ability is controlled so as to be activated when a predetermined operation (hereinafter referred to as SW operation) related to character switching is performed on the SW card during the battle game. That is, when a SW operation is detected during the battle game, the control unit 101 performs control to remove the initial character associated with the SW card that was the target of the operation from the team, and register a substitute character in the team instead to have it appear in the battle game.

[0043] In the battle game of this embodiment, the SW ability is controlled to be able to be activated on the condition that the progress of the battle game reaches a predetermined stage. Here, the predetermined stage may be determined, for example, after a fixed number of rounds, or may be determined in relation to the status of the player's team in the battle game being executed (for example, the team's total strength falls below 50% of the total strength at the start, etc.). When the SW ability becomes able to be activated, the control unit 101 controls the presentation device 110 to display, for example, a notification indicating that effect on the battle game screen, and controls the reader 130 to detect the SW operation for the corresponding SW card.

[0044] In this embodiment, the SW operation is accepted by repeatedly moving the SW card on the placement unit in a straight line in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the game device 100 (from the player's position when using the game device 100) as shown in Fig. 4. In order to properly convey the method of SW operation to the player, the notification that the SW ability can be activated also includes a display that specifically explains the method of SW operation, as shown in Fig. 5, for example. The example in Fig. 5 shows an aspect in which the display relating to the method of SW operation is a still image, but for example, a series of movements of the SW card that should actually be performed may be displayed as a moving image.

[0045] In this embodiment, the SW operation is described as being accepted as an operation of linearly moving the SW card in the left-right direction on the placement section, but it goes without saying that other operations may be adopted. For example, as an operation of linearly moving the SW card, an operation of repeatedly moving the SW card in the depth direction on the placement section may be adopted.

[0046] Furthermore, SW operations are controlled so that they can be accepted regardless of whether the position in the game field 300 where the SW card to be operated is located is in the attack area 301 or the support area 302. At this time, in order to be consistent with the progress of the battle game, the acceptance of SW operations and the activation of SW abilities are controlled so that they can be executed on the condition that the initial character associated with the SW card in question is in a state that can be operated in the battle game, for example, by not reaching an incapacitated state.

[0047] From the viewpoint of increasing the number of characters that a player can use in a battle game, the character cards used by a player in one battle game may be configured to include multiple SW cards. On the other hand, in consideration of the fact that a strategy constructed by an opponent may not function properly due to a change in the composition of characters belonging to a team, the activation of SW abilities is limited to one character (one SW card) per round.

[0048] <Benefits Granted> In order to promote the use of such SW cards and provide players with a highly entertaining playing experience, the fighting game of this embodiment is controlled so that when a SW card is used in game play, a benefit that gives an advantage in the progress of the fighting game is given. The benefit is given to at least one of the characters (initial character and replacement character) associated with the SW card. The benefit applies a specific effect during the fighting game, and includes the following two types, each of which is given at a different time.

[0049] The first benefit (first benefit) associated with the SW card is granted at the start of the battle game (at the start of the first round). The first benefit has an effect that is continuously applied for the period during which the battle game is being played, and is controlled so that it is granted only once per battle game. In this embodiment, the effect associated with the first benefit is applied to both the initial character and the replacement character associated with the SW card, and when a replacement character appears due to the activation of a SW ability, the effect is applied.

[0050] On the other hand, the second benefit (second benefit) related to the SW card is granted at the start of the action phase of each round of the battle game. That is, the second benefit is a benefit that can be granted in each round of the battle game and can be granted multiple times throughout one battle game. In the battle game of this embodiment, whether or not the second benefit is granted is controlled according to the area in the game field 300 in which the SW card is placed at the time of granting the benefit. More specifically, if the SW card is placed in the attack area 301 at the time of granting the benefit, the second benefit is granted to the character associated with the SW card. On the other hand, if the SW card is placed in the support area 302 at the time of granting the benefit, the second benefit is controlled not to be granted to the character associated with the SW card.

[0051] Here, the effect applied by the first privilege (start effect) and the effect applied by the second privilege (every round effect) are different as follows. The start effect puts the parameters that directly affect the opponent's team, such as attack power, damage increase, defense power increase, and critical hit rate increase, of the initial character and the replacement character associated with the SW card into a favorable state (the effect of the parameters that have an effect on the opponent is increased). On the other hand, the every round effect puts the parameters that do not directly affect the opponent's team, such as energy recovery, into a favorable state of the initial character and the replacement character that appear in the battle game among the initial character and the replacement character associated with the SW card (the parameter that does not have a direct effect on the opponent is made to have an advantageous value). From one aspect, the energy recovery effect allows the player to expand the range of actions and strategies in each round, so the second privilege is a privilege that makes the progress of the battle game more advantageous than the first privilege.

[0052] "Match Game Processing" A specific battle game process executed in relation to a battle game in the game device 100 of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 6. The process corresponding to the flowchart can be realized by the control unit 101 reading out a corresponding processing program stored in the storage device 102, for example, and expanding it in the memory 103 for execution.

[0053] The present competitive game processing will be described as being started, for example, when matching for the competitive game is established. In the description of the competitive game processing, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the GPU 104 executes processing to generate a screen to be displayed on the first display unit 111 and the second display unit 112 at a predetermined interval, and the control unit 101 controls to display the generated screen on the first display unit 111 or the second display unit 112. It is also assumed that, prior to the execution of the competitive game processing, the player places a character card on the placement unit, and registration of the team characters to be used in the competitive game is completed.

[0054] In S601, the control unit 101 judges whether or not the group of character cards used by the player includes a SW card. If the control unit 101 judges that the group of character cards used by the player includes a SW card, the process proceeds to S602, and if the control unit 101 judges that the group of character cards used by the player does not include a SW card, the process proceeds to S603.

[0055] In S602, the control unit 101 bestows a first benefit to the initial character and the alternative character associated with the SW card included in the character card used by the player, and activates a start-time effect related to the first benefit.

[0056] In S603, the control unit 101 executes the round process for the current round.

[0057] <Round Processing> Here, the round processing executed in this step will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0058] In S701, the control unit 101 starts processing related to the strategy phase of the current round.

[0059] In S702, the control unit 101 judges whether or not the character cards used by the player include a SW card associated with a character for which the activation condition of the SW ability is satisfied. If the control unit 101 judges that the SW card for which the activation condition of the SW ability is satisfied is included, the process proceeds to S703, and if it judges that the SW card is not included, the process proceeds to S706.

[0060] In S703, the control unit 101 causes the presentation device 110 to present a notification that the conditions for activating the SW ability have been met. At this time, the control unit 101 controls the presentation device 110 to also display a display of the operation method for the SW operation.

[0061] In S704, the control unit 101 judges whether or not a SW operation for a SW card that satisfies the activation condition of the SW ability has been detected. If the control unit 101 judges that a SW operation for the SW card has been detected, the process proceeds to S705, and if it judges that a SW operation has not been detected, the process proceeds to S706.

[0062] In S705, the control unit 101 removes the initial character associated with the SW card for which the SW operation was detected in S704 from the player's team, and registers a substitute character associated with the SW card in place of the initial character in the player's team.

[0063] In S706, the control unit 101 judges whether or not the end condition of the strategy phase has been satisfied. The end condition of the strategy phase may be determined, for example, as the elapsed time from the start of the processing related to the strategy phase in S701, and may be satisfied when the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time. If the control unit 101 judges that the end condition of the strategy phase has been satisfied, the control unit 101 shifts the processing to S707, and if it judges that the end condition has not been satisfied, the control unit 101 returns the processing to S702.

[0064] In S707, the control unit 101 determines the action of each character on the player's team in the current round based on the placement position of each character card used by the player on the placement portion.

[0065] In S708, the control unit 101 starts processing related to the action phase of the current round.

[0066] In S709, the control unit 101 judges whether or not the group of character cards used by the player includes a SW card. If the control unit 101 judges that the group of character cards used by the player includes a SW card, the process proceeds to S710, and if the control unit 101 judges that the group of character cards used by the player does not include a SW card, the process proceeds to S712.

[0067] In S710, the control unit 101 judges whether or not the position on the placement unit of the SW card used by the player is included in the attack area 301. If the control unit 101 judges that the position of the SW card is included in the attack area 301, it shifts the process to S711, and if it judges that it is not included, it shifts the process to S712.

[0068] In S711, the control unit 101 bestows a second benefit to a character associated with a SW card used by the player, and activates an effect for each round associated with the second benefit.

[0069] In S712, the control unit 101 executes a process of presenting the action results related to the current round. The process of this step includes transmitting information on the actions of each character of the player's team determined in S707 to an external server (not shown), sequentially receiving information on the processing results of the action resolution process executed by the external server based on this information and the action information of each character of the opponent's team transmitted in the same manner, and the control unit 101 controlling the information presentation based on the information on the processing results. In addition, in the process of this step, an operation input accepted by the player may be transmitted to the external server, and the operation input may be reflected in the action resolution process executed by the external server. When the presentation of the action results related to the current round is completed, the control unit 101 ends the current round process.

[0070] When the round process is completed, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a condition for ending the competitive game has been satisfied in S604 of the competitive game process. The condition for ending the competitive game may be satisfied, for example, when the total strength of one of the teams reaches 0. If the control unit 101 determines that the condition for ending the competitive game has been satisfied, it shifts the process to S606, and if it determines that the condition has not been satisfied, it shifts the process to S605.

[0071] In S605, the control unit 101 ends the current round, advances the round number to the next round, and returns the process to S603.

[0072] On the other hand, if it is determined in S604 that the conditions for ending the competitive game have been satisfied, the control unit 101 executes a process for ending the competitive game, such as presenting the results of the competitive game, in S606, and ends this competitive game process.

[0073] As described above, the game device of this embodiment can provide a play experience that enhances the entertainment value.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first benefit is granted to the initial character and the alternate character associated with the SW card at the start of the competitive game, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The first benefit may be granted to either the initial character or the alternate character.

[0075] In addition, in this embodiment, the SW ability activation condition is satisfied when the progress of the battle game reaches a fixed number of rounds, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The SW ability activation condition may be determined according to other progress of the battle game, or may be determined according to the state of the initial character associated with the SW card, for example.

[0076] [Embodiment 2] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the SW ability is activated on the condition that a SW operation is performed in the strategy phase after the SW ability activation condition has been satisfied, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the SW ability activation condition may be satisfied in the action phase, and the SW ability may be activated by requesting the player to perform a SW operation at the timing when the condition is satisfied.

[0077] On the other hand, in such an embodiment, the player needs to perform SW operation without missing the timing when the activation condition of the SW ability is satisfied, which may increase the difficulty of playing the battle game. For this reason, the battle game of this embodiment allows the player to reserve the activation of the SW ability by SW operation. Then, the SW ability is activated according to the progress of the battle game after the activation reservation is made.

[0078] For example, the control unit 101 causes the presentation device 110 to present a notification that a SW ability can be reserved for activation in the strategy phase of a specified round, and accepts a SW operation for the SW card. That is, a reservation for changing (substituting) an initial character to a substitute character for the SW card is accepted. Then, when a SW operation is detected, the control unit 101 stores information on the reservation for the activation of the SW ability in, for example, the memory 103, and thereafter controls the control unit 101 to execute processing related to the activation of the SW ability in response to the satisfaction of a condition for activating the SW ability set for the progress of the battle game.

[0079] [Variation 1] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, after the SW ability is reserved for activation, the SW ability is controlled to be activated according to the progress of the battle game, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the SW ability may be activated after a predetermined time has elapsed since the activation reservation was made.

[0080] [Variation 2] However, as described above, if the progress of the competitive game takes an unexpected turn after the player has reserved the activation of a SW ability, the reserved SW ability may be activated, which may result in an undesirable game development. In such a situation, it may be harsh for the player if the SW ability that has been reserved for activation cannot be cancelled. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which a reservation for activation once made can be made to allow cancellation of the reservation for activation, provided that the SW ability related to the reservation for activation has not been activated.

[0081] In one embodiment, the cancellation of the SW ability activation reservation may be performed on the condition that a SW operation is performed on a SW card other than the SW card for which the SW ability activation reservation was made. In this case, the control unit 101 cancels the SW ability activation reservation for the SW card for which the SW operation was detected most recently, and controls the SW ability activation reservation as if it was made on the SW card for which the last SW operation was performed.

[0082] [Variation 3] In the above-mentioned embodiment and modified example, the character card group used by the player can include multiple SW cards, and only one SW card can activate a SW ability during one round. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In order to further enhance the strategic nature of the battle game, the number of times that a SW ability can be activated per battle game may be limited to one.

[0083] That is, the control unit 101 controls so that after a SW ability is activated once during a battle game, the SW ability is not activated even if a SW operation is performed on another SW card. That is, after the control unit 101 changes a character associated with one of the SW cards in the character card group used by the player from an initial character to an alternative character, the control unit 101 controls so that characters associated with other SW cards are not changed from initial characters to alternative characters.

[0084] [Summary of the embodiment] The above-described embodiments disclose at least the following game device, program, and game system.

[0085] (1) a placement unit configured to be able to place a game medium associated with a character; A detection means for detecting an operation on one or more of the game media placed on the placement unit; a control means for controlling the progress of a game in which a character corresponding to the game medium placed on the placement section appears, based on an operation on the game medium detected by the detection means; A granting means for granting a benefit to the character; Equipped with when a predetermined operation on the game medium is detected, the control means changes a first character associated with the game medium to a second character associated with the game medium and causes the second character to appear in the game; The granting means is a game device that grants a first benefit to at least one of the first character and the second character.

[0086] (2) The placement portion includes a first area and a second area, The applying means is granting a second benefit different from the first benefit to at least one of the first character and the second character associated with the game medium placed in the first area; A game device as described in (1), in which the second benefit is not granted to the first character and the second character associated with the game medium placed in the second area.

[0087] (3) The gaming device according to (2), wherein the awarding means awards the first benefit only once for each play of the game, while awarding the second benefit a plurality of times.

[0088] (4) The gaming device according to (2) or (3), wherein the awarding means awards the first benefit at a time different from the time when the second benefit is awarded.

[0089] (5) The game is a competitive game, The gaming device according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the granting means grants the first benefit at the start of a match in the game, while granting the second benefit during the match in the game.

[0090] (6) The first benefit is a benefit that puts a parameter affecting an opponent in an advantageous state; The game device according to (5), wherein the second benefit is a benefit of putting a parameter that does not affect the opponent in an advantageous state.

[0091] (7) The gaming device according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the second benefit is a benefit that gives an advantage in the progress of the game more than the first benefit.

[0092] (8) A game device described in any one of (2) to (7), wherein the control means, when the specified operation is detected, regardless of the area in which the game medium is placed, changes the first character associated with the game medium to the second character and has the second character appear in the game.

[0093] (9) A game device described in any one of (1) to (8), wherein the control means makes a reservation for a change from the first character to the second character for the game medium, on condition that the specified operation on the game medium is detected.

[0094] (10) The game device described in (9), wherein the control means changes the first character corresponding to the game medium in question to the second character and causes the character to appear in the game in accordance with the progress of the game after the change reservation is made.

[0095] (11) The game device described in (9), wherein the control means changes the first character associated with the game medium to the second character and has the character appear in the game after a predetermined time has elapsed since the change reservation was made.

[0096] (12) A game device described in any one of (9) to (11), wherein the control means, after making the change reservation, changes the first character associated with the game medium in question to the second character and has the first character appear in the game, provided that the first character is in a predetermined state.

[0097] (13) The game device according to (12), wherein the specified state is a state in which the first character corresponding to the game medium in question is operable in the game and capable of performing a specified action.

[0098] (14) A game device described in any one of (9) to (13), wherein the control means accepts cancellation of the change reservation when a change from the first character to the second character has not been made for any of the game media.

[0099] (15) The game device described in (14), wherein the control means, when the specified operation is detected for multiple game media, cancels the change reservation for the game medium for which the specified operation was most recently detected.

[0100] (16) A game device described in any one of (1) to (15), wherein the control means controls so that after a change from the first character to the second character has been made for any of the game media, the first character is not changed to the second character for the game media on which the specified operation has been performed, even if the specified operation is detected.

[0101] (17) The game device according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of moving the game medium linearly on the placement section.

[0102] (18) The game device has a player's position determined when used, The game device according to (17), wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of moving the game medium on the placement section in the left-right direction as viewed by the player from the placement section.

[0103] (19) The game device according to (17) or (18), in which the predetermined operation is detected on condition that the movement operation is repeated a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period of time.

[0104] (20) A display control means for displaying the progress of the game on a display means, The game device according to any one of (1) to (19), wherein the display control means further causes the display means to display an operation method for the predetermined operation.

[0105] (21) The control means, on the condition that the progress of the game has reached a predetermined stage, accepts the predetermined operation for one or more of the game media placed on the placement unit; The game device according to (20), wherein the display control means causes the display means to display an operation method for the specified operation on condition that progress of the game has reached the specified stage.

[0106] (22) A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the game device described in any one of (1) to (21).

[0107] (23) A game system including a game device and a game medium to which a character is associated, The game device comprises: A placement section configured to be able to place the game medium thereon; A detection means for detecting an operation on one or more of the game media placed on the placement unit; a control means for controlling the progress of a game in which a character corresponding to the game medium placed on the placement section appears, based on an operation on the game medium detected by the detection means; A granting means for granting a benefit to the character; Equipped with when a predetermined operation on the game medium is detected, the control means changes a first character associated with the game medium to a second character associated with the game medium and causes the second character to appear in the game; The granting means is a game system that grants a first benefit to at least one of the first character and the second character.

[0108] [Other embodiments] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 100: Game device, 101: Control unit, 102: Storage device, 103: Memory, 104: GPU, 110: Presentation device, 105: Operation I / F, 106: Communication I / F, 120: Payment device, 130: Reader, 140: Provision device

Claims

1. A placement unit configured to be able to place a game medium associated with a character; A detection means for detecting an operation on one or more of the game media placed on the placement unit; a control means for controlling the progress of a game in which a character corresponding to the game medium placed on the placement section appears, based on an operation on the game medium detected by the detection means; A granting means for granting a benefit to the character; Equipped with when a predetermined operation on the game medium is detected, the control means changes a first character associated with the game medium to a second character associated with the game medium and causes the second character to appear in the game; The granting means is a game device that grants a first benefit to at least one of the first character and the second character.

2. The placement portion includes a first region and a second region, The applying means is granting a second benefit different from the first benefit to at least one of the first character and the second character associated with the game medium placed in the first area; The second benefit is not granted to the first character and the second character associated with the game medium placed in the second area.

2. The game device according to claim 1.

3. 3. The gaming device according to claim 2, wherein the awarding means awards the first benefit only once for one play of the game, while awarding the second benefit a plurality of times.

4. The gaming device according to claim 2 , wherein the awarding means awards the first benefit at a time different from the time when the second benefit is awarded.

5. The game is a competitive game, The granting means grants the first benefit at the start of a match in the game, while granting the second benefit during the match in the game.

3. The game device according to claim 2.

6. The first benefit is a benefit for making a parameter affecting an opponent advantageous, The second privilege is a privilege that puts a parameter that does not affect the opponent in an advantageous state.

6. The game device according to claim 5.

7. 3. The gaming device according to claim 2, wherein the second benefit is a benefit that gives an advantage in the progress of the game more than the first benefit.

8. The game device according to claim 2, wherein the control means, when the specified operation is detected, regardless of the area in which the game medium is placed, changes the first character associated with the game medium to the second character and has the second character appear in the game.

9. The game device according to claim 1 , wherein the control means makes a reservation for a change from the first character to the second character for the game medium on the condition that the specified operation for the game medium is detected.

10. The game device according to claim 9, wherein the control means changes the first character corresponding to the game medium to the second character and causes the second character to appear in the game in accordance with the progress of the game after the change reservation is made.

11. The game device according to claim 9, wherein the control means changes the first character associated with the game medium to the second character and has the second character appear in the game after a predetermined time has elapsed since the change reservation was made.

12. The game device according to claim 9, wherein the control means, after making the change reservation, changes the first character associated with the game medium to the second character and has the first character appear in the game, on condition that the first character is in a predetermined state.

13. The game device according to claim 12 , wherein the predetermined state is a state in which the first character corresponding to the game medium in question is operable in the game and capable of performing a predetermined action.

14. The game device according to claim 9 , wherein the control means accepts cancellation of the change reservation when a change from the first character to the second character has not been made for any of the game media.

15. The game device according to claim 14 , wherein the control means, when the specified operation is detected for a plurality of the game media, cancels the change reservation for the game media for which the specified operation was most recently detected.

16. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls so that after a change from the first character to the second character has been made for any of the game media, the first character is not changed to the second character for the game media in which the specified operation has been made, even if the specified operation is detected.

17. 2. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation is an operation of moving the game medium linearly on the placement portion.

18. The game device has a player's position determined when used, The predetermined operation is an operation of moving the game medium on the placement unit in a left-right direction as viewed from the player.

20. The game device according to claim 17.

19. 18. The game device according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined operation is detected on condition that the movement operation is repeated a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined period of time.

20. Further comprising a display control means for displaying the progress of the game on a display means, The display control means further causes the display means to display an operation method for the predetermined operation.

2. The game device according to claim 1.

21. the control means accepts the predetermined operation on one or more of the game media placed on the placement unit on the condition that the progress of the game has reached a predetermined stage; The display control means causes the display means to display an operation method for the predetermined operation on condition that the progress of the game has reached the predetermined stage.

21. The game device according to claim 20.

22. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the game device according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. A game system including a game device and a game medium to which a character is associated, The game device comprises: A placement section configured to be able to place the game medium thereon; A detection means for detecting an operation on one or more of the game media placed on the placement unit; a control means for controlling the progress of a game in which a character corresponding to the game medium placed on the placement section appears, based on an operation on the game medium detected by the detection means; A granting means for granting a benefit to the character; Equipped with when a predetermined operation on the game medium is detected, the control means changes a first character associated with the game medium to a second character associated with the game medium and causes the second character to appear in the game; The granting means is a game system that grants a first benefit to at least one of the first character and the second character.

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