Game system, control method and program

Abstract

To make a game progress appropriately depending on a user's situation without requiring a progressor in an environment in which a game device is installed.SOLUTION: A game device 20 comprises: a game control unit 231 for controlling a game in which a reward having an amount depending on a used amount of a game medium by a user is given to the user depending on a result; a progress situation data generation unit 232 for generating progress situation data representing a progress situation of the game; a transmission control unit 235 for transmitting the progress situation data to a control system via a communication network by a communication device 25; and a reception control unit 236 for receiving progress indication data for indicating progress of the game from the control system via the communication network by the communication device 25. The game control unit 231 controls the game according to the progress indication data received by the reception control unit 236.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to games. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a lottery device including a field on which a lottery ball rolls and a roulette unit in which multiple pockets into which the ball can enter are provided. In the lottery device, a physical lottery is executed to determine the lottery result depending on which of the multiple pockets a ball dropped into the field enters. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-89514 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, a throw-in mechanism mounted on a lottery device automatically throws in a lottery ball at a time according to the progress of the game. On the other hand, for example, in an event held in an amusement facility, a game facilitator such as an employee of the amusement facility can progress the game at an appropriate time according to the progress of the game, thereby livening up a large number of participants. However, in order to realize the above operation, there is a problem that a facilitator must be secured for each amusement facility. Note that in the above explanation, a game including a physical lottery is conveniently exemplified, but a similar problem is assumed in any type of game. In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to progress a game appropriately according to the user's situation without requiring a facilitator in the environment where the game device is installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a game device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a game control unit that controls a game in which a user is given a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of gaming medium used by the user depending on the result, a progress data generation unit that generates progress data representing the progress of the game, a transmission control unit that transmits the progress data to a control system via a communication network using a communication device, and a reception control unit that receives progress instruction data that instructs the progress of the game from the control system via the communication network using the communication device, and the game control unit controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data received by the reception control unit.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a game system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a system comprising a game device and a control system capable of communicating with each other via a communication network, wherein the game device comprises a game control unit that controls a game in which a user is given a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of gaming medium used by the user depending on the result, a progress status data generation unit that generates progress status data representing the progress of the game, a first transmission control unit that transmits the progress status data to the control system via the communication network by a first communication device, and a first reception control unit that receives progress instruction data that instructs the progress of the game from the control system via the communication network by the first communication device, and the control system comprises a second reception control unit that receives the progress status data from the game device via the communication network by a second communication device, a progress instruction data generation unit that generates the progress instruction data, and a second transmission control unit that transmits the progress instruction data generated by the progress instruction data generation unit to the game device via the communication network by the second communication device, and the game control unit controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data received by the first reception control unit.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a method of operating a game device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a game device that controls a game in which a user is given a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of gaming medium used by the user depending on the result, generates progress status data representing the progress of the game, transmits the progress status data by a communication device to a control system via a communication network, receives progress instruction data that instructs the progress of the game from the control system via the communication network by the communication device, and controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a program according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention causes one or more processors provided in a game device to execute a game control process for controlling a game in which a user is awarded a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of gaming medium used by the user depending on the result, a progress data generation process for generating progress data representing the progress of the game, a transmission process for transmitting the progress data by a communication device to a control system via a communication network, and a reception process for receiving progress instruction data that instructs the progress of the game from the control system via the communication network by the communication device, and the game control process controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a game system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the game device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a game device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of each station. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the game device. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of a game. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of user data. [Figure 8]13 is a display example of a virtual character. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the control system. [Figure 11] 13 is a display example of a management screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of playback control data. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation procedure of a playback control unit. [Figure 14] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an overall operational procedure of the game system. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a progress instruction data generating unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of machine learning regarding a generative model. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a playback control data generating unit in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of machine learning regarding a generative model. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a game device in a third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a game device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below include various technically suitable limitations. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified below.

[0011] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a game system 1 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the game system 1 of the first embodiment includes a control system 10 and a game device 20. The control system 10 and the game device 20 can communicate with each other via a communication network 2 such as the Internet. The communication between the control system 10 or the game device 20 and the communication network 2 may be either wired communication or wireless communication. Note that in the actual game system 1, each of the multiple game devices 20 can communicate with the control system 10, but the following description focuses on one game device 20 for convenience.

[0012] The gaming device 20 is installed in, for example, a gaming facility. The gaming facility is, for example, an entertainment facility such as a game center or a casino, or a commercial facility such as a shopping center. The gaming device 20 is a computer system that provides games to users (i.e., players) Pa in the gaming facility. The gaming device 20 used in a casino is also called a gaming machine. The control system 10 is a computer system for controlling the operation of the gaming device 20. The control system 10 is installed outside the gaming facility, and is operated by an administrator Pb who manages the control system 10. The operation of the gaming device 20 is remotely controlled by the control system 10.

[0013] The user Pa plays a game on the game device 20 by using game media. The game media is a tangible or intangible value medium used in a game. The tangible game media is, for example, a token coin (medal), a coin (currency), or a ticket. The intangible game media is, for example, an electronic medal, credit, or points. The quantity of the intangible game media is stored as electronic data in a recording medium such as an IC card. When the user Pa plays a game, the user Pa is given a quantity of game media according to the result of the play as a reward. The game media used to play the game and the game media given to the user Pa as a reward may be of the same type or different types.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the game device 20. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the game device 20 of the first embodiment includes a lottery mechanism 21 and N stations S1 to SN (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 1). FIG. 2 illustrates a game device 20 including six stations S1 to S6 (N=6) for convenience. The lottery mechanism 21 is configured to be substantially circular in a plan view from the vertical direction, and is used for a physical lottery using a lottery body B. The lottery body B is a three-dimensional object such as a sphere. The N stations S1 to SN are arranged in a circumferential direction so as to surround the lottery mechanism 21. In the first embodiment, one or more users Pa play a game using different stations Sn (n=1 to N). Games progress in parallel in the N stations S1 to SN.

[0015] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lottery mechanism 21 includes a physical lottery unit 211, a lottery field 212, and a throw-in mechanism 213. The physical lottery unit 211 is a rotatably supported disk-shaped structure (roulette). The physical lottery unit 211 has a plurality of (e.g., 25) lottery holes H formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of lottery holes H is a pocket into which the lottery body B can enter. A different lottery number is assigned to each of the plurality of lottery holes H. The physical lottery unit 211 of the first embodiment rotates by being driven by a drive mechanism (not shown) such as a motor. The physical lottery unit 211 does not have to be rotated.

[0016] The lottery field 212 is a circular plate-like member surrounding the physical lottery unit 211 in a plan view from the vertical direction. The surface of the lottery field 212 is an inclined surface that descends from the outer periphery to the inner periphery (i.e., the physical lottery unit 211 side). The throw-in mechanism 213 is installed near the outer periphery of the lottery field 212, and throws the lottery body B onto the surface of the lottery field 212 one by one. The lottery body B thrown by the throw-in mechanism 213 gradually approaches the physical lottery unit 211 while rolling on the surface of the lottery field 212, and finally enters one of the multiple lottery holes H of the physical lottery unit 211. The lottery number corresponding to the lottery hole H into which the lottery body B entered is the result of the lottery. In other words, the physical lottery using the lottery mechanism 21 is an operation of randomly selecting one of multiple lottery numbers (examples of lottery elements) corresponding to different lottery holes H.

[0017] Each of the N stations S1 to SN is a unit used by each user Pa to play a game. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each station Sn is equipped with a reception mechanism 22. The reception mechanism 22 includes an insertion slot into which tangible game media such as token coins are inserted, and a payout outlet from which the tangible game media is dispensed as a bonus. However, the reception mechanism 22 may also be a read circuit that reads intangible game media such as electronic medals or credits from a recording medium such as an IC card, and a write circuit that writes the intangible game media to the recording medium.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the game device 20. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the game device 20 of the first embodiment includes a control device 23, a storage device 24, a communication device 25, an operation device 26, and a playback device 27 in addition to the lottery mechanism 21 and N stations S1 to SN described above. Note that the game device 20 may be realized as a single device, or as a set of multiple devices (i.e., a system) configured separately from each other.

[0019] The control device 23 is, for example, a single or multiple processors that control each element of the game device 20. Specifically, the control device 23 is configured by one or more types of processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0020] The storage device 24 is one or more memories that store programs executed by the control device 23 and various data used by the control device 23. For example, a well-known recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, is adopted as the storage device 24. The communication device 25 (an example of a first communication device) communicates with the control system 10 via the communication network 2 under the control of the control device 23. The operation device 26 is composed of, for example, multiple operators, and accepts operations by, for example, an employee of the amusement facility.

[0021] The playback device 27 plays back a moving image including video and audio. Specifically, the playback device 27 includes a display device 271 that displays video and an audio output device 272 that outputs audio. The display device 271 is, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display panel. The audio output device 272 is, for example, a speaker.

[0022] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the reproducing device 27 of the first embodiment is installed above the lottery mechanism 21. The reproducing device 27 is movable to a position corresponding to any one of the multiple users Pa (specifically, a position corresponding to any one of the stations Sn). That is, the reproducing device 27 is movable along a circumference centered on the central axis of the lottery mechanism 21 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, and is rotatable around a rotation axis along the vertical direction at any point on the circumference. Therefore, the reproducing device 27 is controlled to a position and angle facing a user Pa who uses any one of the N stations S1 to SN. Specifically, the display surface of the display device 271 and the sound emitting surface of the sound emitting device 272 are in a state facing a user Pa who uses a specific station Sn. That is, the reproducing device 27 is capable of reproducing an image for a specific user Pa among the multiple users Pa.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of each of N stations S1 to SN. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each station Sn includes a reproducing device 31, a recording device 32, and an operation device 33. The reproducing device 31 reproduces a moving image including video and audio. Specifically, the reproducing device 31 includes a display device 311 that displays video and a sound emitting device 312 that emits audio. The display device 311 is, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel, and the sound emitting device 312 is, for example, a speaker. As can be understood from the above description, the reproducing device 27 is shared by multiple users Pa, and the reproducing device 31 is used individually by the user Pa of each station Sn.

[0024] The recording device 32 is an image input device that records a moving image including video and audio. Specifically, the recording device 32 includes an imaging device 321 that images the user Pa and a sound collecting device 322 that collects the audio of the user Pa. The imaging device 321 includes an optical system such as a photographic lens, and an imaging element that converts incident light from the optical system into an electrical signal. The sound collecting device 322 is a microphone that generates an electrical signal according to the surrounding sound.

[0025] The operation device 33 receives operations by the user Pa. For example, the operation device 33 is a plurality of operators operated by the user Pa, or a touch panel that is integrated with the display device 311 and detects contact by the user Pa.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the game device 20. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control device 23 in the game device 20 of the first embodiment executes a program stored in the storage device 24 to realize a plurality of functions (a game control unit 231, a progress data generating unit 232, a user data generating unit 233, a reproduction control unit 234, a transmission control unit 235, and a reception control unit 236). The control device 23 may be configured by N control units corresponding to the N stations S1 to SN, respectively, and a control unit that comprehensively controls the N stations S1 to SN. That is, the plurality of functions of the game device 20 illustrated in FIG. 5 are realized by a plurality of control units. For example, the game control unit 231 and the reproduction control unit 234 may be provided for each station Sn.

[0027] The game control unit 231 controls the progress of the game. As described above, the game of the first embodiment is a lottery game in which the winning of the user Pa is determined according to the result of a physical lottery using the lottery mechanism 21. For example, a bingo game in which a winning is established when lottery numbers selected in sequence by physical lottery among a plurality of lottery numbers arranged in a matrix on a bingo card are arranged in a single row is a suitable example of the lottery game. However, the types of games executed by the game device 20 are not limited to the above examples. The game control unit 231 progresses the game using the lottery mechanism 21 in parallel at N stations S1 to SN.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a specific procedure for the progress of a game. The process illustrated in FIG. 6 is repeated. When the process starts, the game control unit 231 accepts the use (bet) of game media by each user Pa (Sa1). Each user Pa can use a desired amount of game media (hereinafter referred to as "usage amount") by operating the operation device 33. The game control unit 231 accepts instructions from multiple users Pa regarding the usage amount of game media from the users Pa during a reception period.

[0029] When the end of the reception period arrives, the game control unit 231 controls the insertion mechanism 213 to sequentially insert each of the multiple lottery objects B onto the surface of the lottery field 212 (Sa2). The game control unit 231 determines whether each user Pa has won or not according to the lottery number corresponding to the lottery hole H into which the lottery object B entered among the multiple lottery numbers (Sa3). Then, the game control unit 231 grants a reward to the user Pa who has won (Sa4). Specifically, a quantity of game media corresponding to the usage amount received from the user Pa is granted to the user Pa as a reward. As can be understood from the above example, in the game of the first embodiment, a quantity of reward corresponding to the usage amount of game media by the user Pa is granted to the user Pa according to the result of the game.

[0030] The progress data generating unit 232 in Fig. 5 generates progress data G representing the progress of the game. Specifically, the progress data generating unit 232 generates progress data G representing the current stage of the game (any of steps Sa1 to Sa4 in Fig. 6), the reward acquisition status of each user Pa, the usage status of game media by each user Pa, and the result of the physical lottery (winning number).

[0031] The user data generating unit 233 generates user data U representing the status of each user Pa. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the user data U includes video data U1 representing video captured by the imaging device 321 of each station Sn, and audio data U2 representing audio collected by the audio collecting device 322 of each station Sn. The file formats of the video data U1 and the audio data U2 are arbitrary.

[0032] The video data U1 is data representing the video of each of the multiple users Pa. The user data generating unit 233 generates the video data U1 by performing a predetermined image processing on the video signal provided from the imaging device 321 of each station Sn. The video data U1 can also be described as data representing the behavior or facial expression of each user Pa. On the other hand, the voice data U2 is data representing the voice uttered by each of the multiple users Pa. The user data generating unit 233 generates the voice data U2 by performing a predetermined voice processing on the voice signal provided from the sound collecting device 322 of each station Sn. The voice data U2 can also be described as data representing the content or intonation of the speech of the user Pa. Note that the video data U1 and the voice data U2 may be generated only for the users Pa who have allowed recording among the multiple users Pa.

[0033] The playback control unit 234 in FIG. 5 causes the playback device 27 and each playback device 31 to execute a playback operation. The playback control unit 234 in the first embodiment causes the display device 311 of each playback device 31 to display a game screen showing the progress of the game, and causes the sound emitting device 312 of each playback device 31 to emit sound corresponding to the progress of the game. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the playback control unit 234 causes the playback device 27 to play a video of a virtual character V in parallel with the control of the game by the game control unit 231. The virtual character V is an object in a virtual space representing a virtual creature that supports the play of the game by each user Pa. Specifically, the playback control unit 234 causes the display device 271 of the playback device 27 to display an image of the virtual character V, and causes the sound emitting device 272 of the playback device 27 to emit sound of the virtual character V.

[0034] The playback control unit 234 of the first embodiment can control the position and angle of the playback device 27. By causing the playback device 27 facing a specific user Pa among multiple users Pa to play back a video of the virtual character V, it is possible to make the user Pa recognize the video and audio of the virtual character V. In other words, an atmosphere is created as if the virtual character V is conversing with the user Pa.

[0035] 5 control communication with the control system 10 using the communication device 25. The transmission control unit 235 (an example of a first transmission control unit) transmits various data from the communication device 25 to the control system 10 via the communication network 2. Specifically, the transmission control unit 235 transmits progress status data G generated by the progress status data generation unit 232 and user data U generated by the user data generation unit 233 from the communication device 25 to the control system 10.

[0036] The reception control unit 236 (an example of a first reception control unit) receives various data from the control system 10 by the communication device 25 via the communication network 2. Specifically, the reception control unit 236 receives, from the control system 10 by the communication device 25, progress instruction data Q that instructs the progress of the game, and playback control data C for playing the virtual character V by the playback device 27. Details of the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C will be described later.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the control system 10. As illustrated in Fig. 9, the control system 10 of the first embodiment includes a control device 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a playback device 14, and an operation device 15. Note that the control system 10 may be realized by a single device, or may be realized by a set of multiple devices configured separately from each other.

[0038] The control device 11 is, for example, a single or multiple processors that control each element of the control system 10. Specifically, the control device 11 is configured by one or more types of processors, such as a CPU, a GPU, a DSP, an FPGA, or an ASIC. The storage device 12 is a single or multiple memories that store programs executed by the control device 11 and various data used by the control device 11. For example, a known recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium, or a combination of multiple types of recording media, is adopted as the storage device 12. The communication device 13 (an example of a second communication device) communicates with the game device 20 via the communication network 2 under the control of the control device 11.

[0039] The playback device 14 plays video including video and audio. Specifically, the playback device 14 includes a display device 141 that displays video and an audio output device 142 that outputs audio. The display device 141 is, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. The audio output device 142 is, for example, a speaker. The operation device 15 accepts operations by an administrator Pb who manages the control system 10. For example, the operation device 15 is a plurality of operators operated by the administrator Pb, or a touch panel that is configured integrally with the display device 141 and detects contact by the administrator Pb.

[0040] Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the control system 10. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the control device 11 in the control system 10 of the first embodiment executes a program stored in the storage device 12 to realize a plurality of functions (a progress instruction data generating unit 111A, a playback control data generating unit 112A, a playback control unit 113, a transmission control unit 114, and a reception control unit 115).

[0041] The transmission control unit 114 and the reception control unit 115 control communication with the game device 20 using the communication device 13. The transmission control unit 114 (an example of a second transmission control unit) transmits various data from the communication device 13 to the game device 20 via the communication network 2. Specifically, the transmission control unit 114 transmits progress instruction data Q and playback control data C from the communication device 13 to the game device 20. The reception control unit 115 (an example of a second reception control unit) receives various data from the game device 20 by the communication device 13 via the communication network 2. Specifically, the reception control unit 115 receives progress status data G and user data U from the game device 20 by the communication device 13.

[0042] The playback control unit 113 causes the playback device 14 to execute a playback operation. The playback control unit 113 of the first embodiment causes the playback device 14 to execute a playback operation according to the progress status data G and user data U received by the reception control unit 115. The playback control unit 113 of the first embodiment causes the display device 141 of the playback device 14 to display the management screen R of FIG. 11. The administrator Pb can refer to the management screen R. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the management screen R includes a first area R1, a second area R2, and a third area R3.

[0043] The playback control unit 113 displays in the first area R1 an image of each user Pa represented by the video data U1 of the user data U. Specifically, N images G1 to GN corresponding to different stations Sn are displayed in the first area R1. Any one image Gn is an image captured by the imaging device 321 of the station Sn corresponding to the image Gn. In other words, the image Gn is an image of the user Pa using the station Sn.

[0044] The administrator Pb can select one of the N images G1 to GN by operating the operation device 15. The reproduction control unit 113 enlarges one image (hereinafter referred to as the "selected image") Gn selected by the administrator Pb from the N images G1 to GN and displays it in the second area R2. The reproduction control unit 113 also causes the sound pickup device 322 of the station Sn corresponding to the selected image Gn to emit the sound from the sound emission device 142 of the reproduction device 14 using the audio data U2. That is, the sound of the user Pa using the station Sn corresponding to the selected image Gn is emitted from the sound emission device 142. As can be understood from the above description, the administrator Pb can grasp the behavior or facial expression of the user Pa using each station Sn and the content and intonation of the speech by the user Pa by listening to the sound from the sound emission device 142 while visually checking the management screen R displayed on the display device 141.

[0045] The playback control unit 113 displays in the third area R3 the progress indicated by the progress data G. Specifically, the current game stage, the reward acquisition status of each user Pa, and the result of the physical lottery (e.g., the winning number) are displayed in the third area R3. The administrator Pb can check the game progress indicated by the progress data G on the management screen R.

[0046] 10 generates progress instruction data Q that instructs the progress of the game. The progress instruction data Q in the first embodiment instructs the insertion of the lottery body B into the lottery field 212 and the end of the acceptance period for accepting the amount of game media used from the user Pa (i.e., the closing of acceptance).

[0047] The administrator Pb can select an instruction regarding the progress of the game by the game device 20 from a plurality of candidates by operating the operation device 15 while referring to the management screen R. As described above, the plurality of candidates include, for example, inserting the lottery object B and the end of the reception period. The administrator Pb selects the end of the reception period when it is confirmed that the usage amount of the game media has been accepted for all users Pa by referring to the first area R1 or the second area R2 of the management screen R. In addition, the administrator Pb selects inserting the lottery object B when it is confirmed that all users Pa are paying attention to the lottery mechanism 21 by referring to the first area R1 or the second area R2 of the management screen R. The progress instruction data generating unit 111A of the first embodiment generates the progress instruction data Q in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb to the operation device 15. Specifically, the progress instruction data Q representing the instruction selected by the administrator Pb is generated.

[0048] As illustrated above, in the first embodiment, user data U including video data U1 representing an image of user Pa and audio data U2 representing the audio of user Pa is transmitted from game device 20 to control system 10. Therefore, appropriate progress instruction data Q corresponding to the situation of user Pa can be generated in control system 10. Another advantage is that, in response to an instruction from manager Pb who has referred to the game progress status represented by progress status data G, a variety of progress instruction data Q corresponding to the implementation status can be generated.

[0049] 10 generates playback control data C for causing the playback device 27 to play back the virtual character V. As illustrated in FIG 12, the playback control data C includes motion data C1 representing the motion of the virtual character V, voice data C2 representing the voice of the virtual character V, and instruction data C3 designating one of the N stations S1 to SN.

[0050] The administrator Pb can instruct the action and sound of the virtual character V by operating the operating device 15 while referring to the management screen R. For example, the administrator Pb selects each of the action and sound of the virtual character V from a plurality of candidates. The administrator Pb also selects the station Sn of the user Pa, which is the target of reproduction of the virtual character V, from the N stations S1 to SN. The reproduction control data generating unit 112A generates the reproduction control data C in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb. Specifically, the reproduction control data generating unit 112A generates the reproduction control data C including action data C1 representing the action selected by the administrator Pb, voice data C2 representing the voice selected by the administrator Pb, and instruction data C3 designating the station Sn selected by the administrator Pb.

[0051] As illustrated above, in the first embodiment, user data U including video data U1 representing a video of user Pa and audio data U2 representing the audio of user Pa is transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 10. Therefore, it is possible to generate playback control data C in the control system 10 that can reproduce a virtual character V that performs an appropriate action or sounds according to the situation of user Pa. Another advantage is that it is possible to generate a variety of playback control data C corresponding to the situation of user Pa in response to an instruction from an administrator Pb who has referred to the situation of user Pa represented by the user data U.

[0052] The transmission control unit 114 transmits the progress instruction data Q generated by the progress instruction data generation unit 111A and the playback control data C generated by the playback control data generation unit 112A from the communication device 13 to the game device 20. As described above, the reception control unit 236 of the game device 20 receives the progress instruction data Q and playback control data C transmitted from the control system 10 by the communication device 25. The progress instruction data Q and playback control data C received by the reception control unit 236 are used to control the operation of the game device 20, as exemplified below.

[0053] The game control unit 231 controls the game according to the progress instruction data Q received by the reception control unit 236. Specifically, the game control unit 231 executes the operation indicated by the progress instruction data Q. For example, when the progress instruction data Q indicates the insertion of the lottery object B, the game control unit 231 controls the insertion mechanism 213 to insert the lottery object B into the lottery field 212 (Sa2). When the progress instruction data Q indicates the end of the acceptance period, the game control unit 231 ends the acceptance period for accepting the amount of game media used (Sa1). As can be understood from the above explanation, the progress of the game in the game device 20 is remotely controlled from the control system 10 according to an instruction from the manager Pb who can refer to the progress of the game in the game device 20 and the status of each user Pa.

[0054] Moreover, the playback control unit 234 causes the playback device 27 to play back the virtual character V in accordance with the playback control data C received by the reception control unit 236 from the control system 10. Fig. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a specific procedure of a process in which the playback control unit 234 controls the playback of the virtual character V.

[0055] The playback control unit 234 moves (Sb1) the playback device 27 to a position and angle corresponding to the station Sn indicated by the instruction data C3 of the playback control data C. That is, the playback device 27 is adjusted to a position and angle facing the user Pa of the station Sn.

[0056] The playback control unit 234 causes the display device 271 to display the virtual character V (Sb2), and causes the virtual character V to perform the action represented by the action data C1 of the playback control data C. The playback control unit 234 also causes the sound emitting device 272 to emit the sound represented by the sound data C2 of the playback control data C (Sb3). Through the above operations, it is possible for the user Pa of the station Sn to perceive the virtual character V as if it is moving and uttering sounds toward the user Pa.

[0057] As described above, in the first embodiment, the virtual character V is reproduced for a specific user Pa among a plurality of users Pa playing a game. Therefore, it is possible to effectively support the game play by the specific user Pa. In particular, in the first embodiment, the virtual character V is reproduced in a state where the reproduction device 27 is moved to a position corresponding to the specific user Pa among the plurality of users Pa, so that the effect of being able to support the specific user Pa is particularly remarkable. In addition, there is also an advantage that other users Pa can easily grasp the specific user Pa who is the target of reproduction of the virtual character V. There is also an advantage that spectators of a game played by a plurality of users Pa can easily grasp the specific user Pa who is the target of reproduction of the virtual character V.

[0058] Fig. 14 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the overall operational procedure of the game system 1. As illustrated in Fig. 14, the game control unit 231 of the game device 20 controls the progress of the game in the procedure illustrated in Fig. 6 (Sc1).

[0059] The progress data generation unit 232 generates progress data G representing the progress of the game (Sc2). Furthermore, the user data generation unit 233 generates user data U representing the status of the user Pa recorded by the recording device 32 of each station Sn (Sc3). Note that the order of generating the progress data G (Sc2) and the user data U (Sc3) may be reversed. The transmission control unit 235 transmits the progress data G and the user data U from the communication device 25 to the control system 10 (Sc4).

[0060] The reception control unit 115 of the control system 10 receives the progress status data G and the user data U transmitted from the game device 20 through the communication device 13 (Sd1). The reproduction control unit 113 causes the reproduction device 14 to execute a reproduction operation according to the progress status data G and the user data U received by the reception control unit 115 (Sd2). Specifically, the reproduction control unit 113 causes the display device 141 to display a management screen R according to the progress status data G and the video data U1 of the user data U, and causes the sound emitting device 142 to emit sound represented by the sound data U2 of the user data U. The administrator Pb operates the operation device 15 while referring to the management screen R displayed by the display device 141 and the sound emitted by the sound emitting device 142, thereby giving instructions regarding the progress of the game and the virtual character V to the control system 10.

[0061] The progress instruction data generating unit 111A generates progress instruction data Q in response to instructions from the administrator Pb (Sd3). The playback control data generating unit 112A generates playback control data C in response to instructions from the administrator Pb (Sd4). Note that the order of generating the progress instruction data Q (Sd3) and the playback control data C (Sd4) may be reversed. The transmission control unit 114 transmits the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C from the communication device 13 to the game device 20 (Sd5).

[0062] The reception control unit 236 of the game device 20 receives the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C transmitted from the control system 10 through the communication device 25 (Sc5). The game control unit 231 controls the progress of the game in accordance with the progress instruction data Q received by the reception control unit 236 (Sc6). Specifically, the game control unit 231 executes the operation indicated by the progress instruction data Q. Furthermore, the playback control unit 234 causes the playback device 27 to play the virtual character V in accordance with the playback control data C received by the reception control unit 236 (Sc7). The operation illustrated in FIG. 14 is repeated periodically.

[0063] As described above, in the first embodiment, the progress status data G is transmitted to the control system 10 by the communication device 25, and the game is controlled according to the progress instruction data Q generated by the control system 10. Therefore, even if the player who controls the progress of the game by operating the operation device 33 is not located in the vicinity of the game device 20, the progress of the game can be controlled from the control system 10. In particular, in the first embodiment, in addition to the progress status data G, user data U representing the status of the user Pa is transmitted to the control system 10 by the communication device 25, which has the advantage that the progress instruction data Q can be generated in the control system 10 according to both the progress status of the game and the status of the user Pa.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the user data U is transmitted to the control system 10 by the communication device 25, and the virtual character V is controlled according to the playback control data C generated by the control system 10. This makes it possible to effectively support the user Pa in playing the game. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide the game device 20 with a function for generating the playback control data C according to the situation of the user Pa, there is also the advantage that the configuration and processing of the game device 20 are simplified.

[0065] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that, in each of the following exemplary embodiments, for elements whose functions are similar to those of the first embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment will be used and detailed descriptions of each will be omitted as appropriate.

[0066] In the control system 10 of the second embodiment, the progress instruction data generation unit 111A of the first embodiment is replaced with a progress instruction data generation unit 111B of Fig. 15. The progress instruction data generation unit 111A of the first embodiment generates progress instruction data Q in response to instructions from the manager Pb, as described above. The progress instruction data generation unit 111B of the second embodiment generates progress instruction data Q by using a generation model M1 constructed by machine learning (Sd3).

[0067] The generation model M1 is supplied with control data X. The control data X includes progress status data G and user data U received from the game device 20. The generation model M1 is a trained model that has learned the relationship between the control data X and progress instruction data Q. For example, a statistical estimation model such as a deep neural network is suitably used as the generation model M1. Specifically, the generation model M1 is realized by a combination of a program that causes the control device 11 to execute a calculation to generate the progress instruction data Q from the control data X and a plurality of coefficients that are applied to the calculation.

[0068] Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram of machine learning regarding the generative model M1. As illustrated in Fig. 16, multiple coefficients of the generative model M1 are set by deep learning using multiple teacher data L1. Each of the multiple teacher data L1 is composed of a combination of control data X and progress instruction data Q (correct answer value).

[0069] The learning processing unit 51 in FIG. 16 sets multiple coefficients of the generative model M1. Specifically, the learning processing unit 51 iteratively updates multiple coefficients of the generative model M1 so that an error between the progress instruction data Q output by the provisional generative model M1 in response to the input of the control data X included in the teacher data L1 and the progress instruction data Q included in the teacher data L1 is reduced. The multiple coefficients set by the above deep learning are stored in the storage device 12 and applied to the generative model M1. As can be understood from the above explanation, the generative model M1 after machine learning outputs statistically appropriate progress instruction data Q for unknown control data X under a tendency latent between the control data X and the progress instruction data Q in the multiple teacher data L1.

[0070] In the control system 10 of the second embodiment, the playback control data generation unit 112A of the first embodiment is replaced with the playback control data generation unit 112B of Fig. 17. As described above, the playback control data generation unit 112A of the first embodiment generates playback control data C in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb. The playback control data generation unit 112B of the second embodiment generates playback control data C by using a generation model M2 constructed by machine learning (Sd4).

[0071] The generation model M2 is supplied with control data X. As described above, the control data X includes the progress status data G and user data U received from the game device 20. The generation model M2 is a trained model that has learned the relationship between the control data X and the playback control data C. For example, a statistical estimation model such as a deep neural network is suitably used as the generation model M2. Specifically, the generation model M2 is realized by a combination of a program that causes the control device 11 to execute a calculation to generate the playback control data C from the control data X and a plurality of coefficients that are applied to the calculation.

[0072] Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram of machine learning regarding the generative model M2. As illustrated in Fig. 18, multiple coefficients of the generative model M2 are set by deep learning using multiple pieces of teacher data L2. Each of the multiple pieces of teacher data L2 is composed of a combination of control data X and playback control data C (correct value).

[0073] The learning processing unit 52 in FIG. 18 sets multiple coefficients of the generation model M2. Specifically, the learning processing unit 52 iteratively updates multiple coefficients of the generation model M2 so that an error between the playback control data C output by the provisional generation model M2 in response to the input of the control data X included in the teacher data L2 and the playback control data C included in the teacher data L2 is reduced. The multiple coefficients set by the above deep learning are stored in the storage device 12 and applied to the generation model M2. As can be understood from the above explanation, the generation model M2 after machine learning outputs playback control data C that is statistically appropriate for unknown control data X, based on a tendency that exists between the control data X and the playback control data C in the multiple teacher data L2.

[0074] As illustrated above, in the second embodiment, the progress instruction data Q is generated by the generation model M1, and the playback control data C is generated by the generation model M2. Therefore, the configuration for generating the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb is omitted. For example, the configuration for playing back the management screen R (the playback control unit 113 and the playback device 14) may be omitted. The configuration and operation other than the generation of the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0075] As described above, in the second embodiment, the progress instruction data Q is generated using the generation model M1 that has learned the relationship between the control data X (progress status data G and user data U) and the progress instruction data Q. Therefore, it is possible to generate appropriate progress instruction data Q for the progress status data G and user data U without the need for an administrator Pb that operates the control system 10.

[0076] Moreover, in the second embodiment, the playback control data C is generated using a generation model M2 that has learned the relationship between the control data X (progress data G and user data U) and the playback control data C. Therefore, the playback control data C appropriate for the progress data G and user data U can be generated without the need for an administrator Pb that operates the control system 10.

[0077] The teacher data L1 and the teacher data L2 may be generated in response to an actual instruction from the administrator Pb. Specifically, as illustrated in the first embodiment, a plurality of teacher data L1 and a plurality of teacher data L2 are collected during the operation of generating the progress instruction data Q and the replay control data C in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb. For example, the control device 11 of the control system 10 generates teacher data L1 by associating the control data X including the progress status data G and the user data U received in step Sd1 of FIG. 14 with the progress instruction data Q generated in step Sd3 in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb. The control device 11 also generates teacher data L2 by associating the control data X including the progress status data G and the user data U received in step Sd1 with the replay control data C generated in step Sd4 in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb.

[0078] When the number of pieces of teacher data L1 required for machine learning has been collected, the learning processing unit 51 constructs a generative model M1 by machine learning using the teacher data L1 (FIG. 16). Similarly, when the number of pieces of teacher data L2 required for machine learning has been collected, the learning processing unit 52 constructs a generative model M2 by machine learning using the teacher data L2 (FIG. 18). The generative models M1 and M2 constructed in the above manner are used in the game system 1 of the second embodiment.

[0079] At any time after the construction of the generative model M1, the generative model M1 may be updated by additional machine learning using newly collected teacher data L1. Similarly, at any time after the construction of the generative model M2, the generative model M2 may be updated by additional machine learning using newly collected teacher data L2.

[0080] [Third embodiment] The game device 20 of the third embodiment operates in either a first operation mode or a second operation mode. The first operation mode is an operation mode (remote control mode) in which the game is controlled according to instructions from the control system 10. The second operation mode is an operation mode (automatic control mode) in which the game is controlled without instructions from the control system 10. A manager such as an employee of the gaming facility (hereinafter referred to as the "facility manager") operates the operation device 26 of the game device 20 to select either the first operation mode or the second operation mode.

[0081] FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the control device 23 in the game device 20 of the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the control device 23 determines whether the first operation mode or the second operation mode is selected (Se1). When the first operation mode is selected (Se1: YES), the control device 23 operates according to the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C transmitted by the control system 10, as in the first embodiment (Se2). Specifically, the control device 11 generates and transmits the progress status data G and the user data U (Sc2-Sc4), and receives the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C from the control system 10 (Sc5). In addition, the control device 11 executes the control of the game according to the progress instruction data Q (Sc6) and the display of the virtual character V according to the playback control data C (Sc7). Therefore, the same effect as in the first embodiment is realized.

[0082] On the other hand, when the second operation mode is selected (Se1: NO), the control device 23 operates without being instructed by the control system 10 (Se3). Specifically, the control device 23 does not generate and transmit (Sc2 to Sc4) the progress status data G and the user data U. Therefore, the control device 23 progresses the game by the process of FIG. 4 without depending on the progress instruction data Q, and causes the reproduction device 27 to reproduce the virtual character V by a predetermined algorithm that does not depend on the reproduction control data C. As can be understood from the above description, according to the third embodiment, in addition to controlling the game according to the progress instruction data Q received from the control system 10 in the first operation mode, the game can be controlled without depending on the progress instruction data Q in the second operation mode.

[0083] In the above description, the first operation mode in which the game is advanced according to an instruction from the control system 10 and the second operation mode in which the game is advanced automatically are exemplified. In addition to the first and second operation modes, a configuration in which a third operation mode (manual control mode) in which the game is advanced according to an instruction from a facility manager can be selected is also preferable. The facility manager instructs the game to proceed by operating the operation device 26 while checking the actual game situation and the situation of the multiple users Pa at any time. In the third operation mode, the control device 23, for example, inserts the lottery object B into the lottery field 212 in response to an instruction from the facility manager, and ends the reception period in response to an instruction from the facility manager. In addition, a configuration in which either the first operation mode or the third operation mode can be selected (a configuration in which the second operation mode is omitted) is also assumed. In the above description, a configuration based on the first embodiment is exemplified, but the third embodiment may be applied to the second embodiment.

[0084] [Fourth embodiment] The progress instruction data Q in the fourth embodiment represents an instruction to a specific user Pa among multiple users Pa. The administrator Pb operates the operation device 15 while checking the status of each user Pa and the progress of the game on the management screen R, thereby specifying one of the N stations S1 to SN and an instruction to the user Pa of the station Sn. The progress instruction data generating unit 111A generates the progress instruction data Q in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb. The progress instruction data Q is transmitted to the game device 20 together with the playback control data C, as in the first embodiment.

[0085] The playback control unit 234 causes the playback device 27 to play back the virtual character V in accordance with the playback control data C, and also causes the playback device 27 to play back the instructions indicated by the progress instruction data Q. Specifically, the playback control unit 234 moves the playback device 27 to a position and angle corresponding to the station Sn indicated by the progress instruction data Q, and then causes the playback device 27 to play back the instructions indicated by the progress instruction data Q. For example, the playback control unit 234 causes the display device 271 to display an image representing the instructions, and causes the sound emitting device 272 to emit a sound representing the instructions. In other words, the playback control unit 234 causes the playback device 27 to play back the instructions represented by the progress instruction data Q for a specific user Pa among the multiple users Pa.

[0086] The fourth embodiment also achieves the same effect as the first embodiment. Moreover, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to notify a specific user Pa of an instruction represented by the progress instruction data Q. In particular, the fourth embodiment has an advantage that an instruction can be notified to a specific user Pa among multiple users Pa by moving the reproduction device 27. Another advantage is that other users Pa can easily know the specific user Pa to whom the instruction is notified. Another advantage is that spectators of a game played by multiple users Pa can easily know the user Pa to whom the instruction is notified. The second or third embodiment may be applied to the fourth embodiment.

[0087] [Variations] Each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be modified in various ways. Specific modified embodiments that can be applied to each of the above-mentioned embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments selected from the following examples may be combined to the extent that they are not mutually contradictory.

[0088] (1) In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the progress instruction data Q instructs the insertion of the lottery object B and the end of the acceptance period, but the contents of the instruction represented by the progress instruction data Q are not limited to the above examples. For example, any one of a plurality of lottery numbers may be instructed by the progress instruction data Q. For example, the manager Pb selects a lottery number that is presumed to be desired by a large number of users Pa from among the plurality of lottery numbers by checking the management screen R. The game control unit 231 of the game device 20 proceeds with the game by regarding the lottery number instructed by the progress instruction data Q (a lottery number in which the lottery object B has not actually entered the lottery hole H) as selected by lottery. Also, in a configuration having a transport mechanism for transporting the lottery object B to an arbitrary lottery hole H, the game control unit 231 controls the transport mechanism so that the lottery object B enters the lottery number instructed by the progress instruction data Q. According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to give priority to the user Pa intended by the manager Pb to win.

[0089] (2) In each of the above-described embodiments, the action data C1 representing the action selected by the administrator Pb is generated, but the method of generating the action data C1 of the playback control data C is not limited to the above examples. For example, the action of the administrator Pb may be analyzed from an image captured by the imaging device 321, and the playback control data generating unit 112A (112A, 112B) may generate the action data C1 representing the action. With the above configuration, it is possible to cause the virtual character V to execute the action of the administrator Pb.

[0090] (3) In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the voice data C2 representing the voice selected by the administrator Pb is generated, but the method of generating the voice data C2 of the playback control data C is not limited to the above examples. For example, the playback control data generating unit 112A (112A, 112B) may generate the voice data C2 representing the voice of the administrator Pb collected using a sound collection device. According to the above configuration, it is possible to emit the voice pronounced by the administrator Pb from the sound emitting device 272 as the voice of the virtual character V. Also, the playback control data generating unit 112A may generate the voice data C2 representing the character string specified by the administrator Pb. The playback control unit 234 generates a voice signal by voice synthesis for the character string represented by the voice data C2, and supplies the voice signal to the sound emitting device 272 to emit the voice. According to the above configuration, it is possible to emit the voice corresponding to the character string specified by the administrator Pb from the sound emitting device 272 as the voice of the virtual character V.

[0091] (4) Video data representing the video and audio of the virtual character V may be used as the playback control data C. The playback control unit 234 causes the playback device 27 to play (e.g., stream) the video represented by the playback control data C. The above configuration has the advantage that image processing for controlling the virtual character V in accordance with the action data C1 is not required.

[0092] (5) In the second embodiment, one piece of progress instruction data Q is generated by the generation model M1, but the method of generating the progress instruction data Q using the generation model M1 is not limited to the above example. For example, a plurality of pieces of progress instruction data Q may be generated by the generation model M1, and one piece of progress instruction data Q selected by the administrator Pb using the operation device 15 from the plurality of pieces of progress instruction data Q may be transmitted to the game device 20. That is, the progress instruction data generator 111 (111A, 111B) generates one piece of progress instruction data Q according to the processing by the generation model M1 and the selection by the administrator Pb.

[0093] Similarly, in the second embodiment, one piece of playback control data C is generated by the generation model M2, but the method of generating the playback control data C using the generation model M2 is not limited to the above example. For example, a plurality of pieces of playback control data C may be generated by the generation model M2, and one piece of playback control data C selected by the administrator Pb from the plurality of pieces of playback control data C using the operation device 15 may be transmitted to the game device 20. That is, the playback control data generation unit 112 generates one piece of playback control data C according to the processing by the generation model M2 and the selection by the administrator Pb.

[0094] (6) In the game device 20 in each of the above-described embodiments, the display device 271 displays an image of the virtual character V and the sound emitting device 272 emits a sound. However, one of the display of the image and the sound emitting device 272 may be omitted. That is, one of the display device 271 and the sound emitting device 272 may be omitted from the reproduction device 27. Also, in the control system 10 in each of the above-described embodiments, the display device 141 displays the management screen R and the sound emitting device 142 emits the sound of the user Pa. However, one of the display of the management screen R and the sound emitting device 142 may be omitted. That is, one of the display device 141 and the sound emitting device 142 may be omitted from the reproduction device 14.

[0095] (7) In each of the above-described embodiments, the playback device 27 is moved to a position and angle corresponding to one of the N stations S1 to SN, but the method of notifying each user Pa of information using the playback device 27 is not limited to the above examples.

[0096] As illustrated in Fig. 20, a configuration is assumed in which one station S6 among the six stations S1 to S6 illustrated in Fig. 2 is omitted to secure a space O. In the space O, elements other than the station Sn, such as a transport mechanism for transporting the lottery item B, are installed.

[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 20, the reproducing device 27 is controlled to an angle where the display surface F faces the opposite side to the space O at a position close to the space O (between station S1 and station S5). In the state of FIG. 20, each of the users Pa using each of the five stations S1 to S5 can view the video displayed on the reproducing device 27. Therefore, by reproducing the virtual character V by the reproducing device 27, an atmosphere is created in which the virtual character V is interacting with all of the multiple users Pa. In addition, by causing the reproducing device 27 in the state of FIG. 20 to reproduce the instruction indicated by the progress instruction data Q (fourth embodiment), the instruction can be notified to all of the multiple users Pa. In addition, by adjusting the reproducing device 27 located close to the space O to an angle where it faces a specific user Pa, the instruction can be notified to the specific user Pa individually and immediately without moving the reproducing device 27 near the specific user Pa.

[0098] As shown in the above example, the playback position 27 can be moved between a position corresponding to the space O and a position corresponding to each station Sn. As described above, when the playback device 27 is at a position corresponding to the space O, information is notified to all of the multiple users Pa. In contrast to the above state, when the playback device 27 is at a position corresponding to one station Sn, there is an advantage in that it is possible to emphasize the atmosphere that the virtual character V is individually interacting with the user Pa of that station Sn.

[0099] (8) In each of the above-described embodiments, the progress data G and the user data U are transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 10, but the generation and transmission of the progress data G may be omitted. In other words, the progress data generation unit 232 may be omitted. The playback control unit 113 of the control system 10 plays the management screen R including the first area R1 and the second area R2 in response to the user data U. The progress instruction data generation unit 111A generates the progress instruction data Q in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb, as in the first embodiment. The progress instruction data generation unit 111B of the second embodiment generates playback control data C from the control data X including the user data U by the generation model M1.

[0100] Furthermore, the generation of the user data U and its transmission to the control system 10 may be omitted. In other words, the user data generation unit 233 may be omitted. The playback control unit 113 of the control system 10 plays the management screen R including the third area R3 in response to the progress status data G. The progress instruction data generation unit 111A generates the progress instruction data Q in response to an instruction from the administrator Pb, as in the first embodiment. The progress instruction data generation unit 111B of the second embodiment generates playback control data C from the control data X including the progress status data G using the generation model M2.

[0101] (9) In each of the above-described embodiments, the control system 10 generates both the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C, but the generation of the progress instruction data Q may be omitted. That is, the progress instruction data generator 111 (111A, 111B) may be omitted. In the above configuration, the control of the game in accordance with the progress instruction data Q (Sc6) is omitted. Also, the generation of the playback control data C may be omitted. That is, the playback control data generator 112 (112A, 112B) may be omitted. In the above configuration, the playback of the virtual character V in accordance with the playback control data C (Sc7) is omitted.

[0102] (10) In each of the above embodiments, the playback device 27 shared by multiple users Pa plays the virtual character V, but the virtual character V may be played by a playback device 31 installed in each station Sn. A common virtual character V may be played by each playback device 31 in the N stations S1 to SN, or a separate virtual character V may be played by the playback device 31 for each station Sn. Also, the virtual character V may be played only by the playback device 31 in a specific station Sn among the N stations S1 to SN.

[0103] In each of the above-described embodiments, the virtual character V is reproduced by the display device 271 and the sound emitting device 272 of the reproduction device 27, but the image of the virtual character V may be displayed on the display device 271 of the reproduction device 27, and the sound of the virtual character V may be emitted from the sound emitting device 312 of each station Sn. For example, the sound of the virtual character V is emitted from the sound emitting device 312 of the station Sn designated by the instruction data C3.

[0104] (11) In each of the above-described embodiments, the progress status data G and the user data U are transmitted from the game device 20 to the control system 10 in step Sc4 of Fig. 14, but the progress status data G and the user data U may be transmitted to the control system 10 at separate times. Also, in each of the above-described embodiments, the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C are transmitted from the control system 10 to the game device 20 in step Sd5 of Fig. 14, but the progress instruction data Q and the playback control data C may be transmitted to the game device 20 at separate times.

[0105] (12) In the second embodiment, the control data X includes the progress status data G and the user data U, but the contents of the control data X are not limited to the above example. For example, the control data X may include data generated by image processing of the video data U1 of the user data U (e.g., features of the image represented by the video data U1). The control data X may also include data generated by audio processing of the audio data U2 of the user data U (e.g., features of the audio represented by the audio data U2, or a character string representing the content of the audio). As can be understood from the above examples, the control data X is comprehensively expressed as data corresponding to the progress status data G and / or the user data U.

[0106] (13) In each of the above-described embodiments, one control system 10 controls the game device 20, but multiple control systems 10 may control the game device 20. For example, in a configuration in which the reproducing device 27 reproduces multiple virtual characters V, each virtual character V is controlled by the reproduction control data C transmitted from each of the multiple control systems 10. That is, for example, the virtual character V corresponding to each control system 10 is controlled according to an instruction from an administrator Pb who operates the control system 10. Note that one virtual character V may be controlled using the reproduction control data C transmitted from the multiple control systems 10. In addition, the control system 10 that generates the progress instruction data Q and the control system 10 that generates the reproduction control data C may be installed separately. In a configuration in which multiple control systems 10 are used, the game device 20 transmits the progress status data G and the user data U to the multiple control systems 10 (Sc4).

[0107] (14) The functions of the control system 10 according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the cooperation of one or more processors constituting the control device 11 and the program stored in the storage device 12. Similarly, the functions of the game device 20 according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the cooperation of one or more processors constituting the control device 23 and the program stored in the storage device 24. The programs according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium and installed in a computer. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, and a good example is an optical recording medium (optical disk) such as a CD-ROM, but also includes any known type of recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. Note that the non-transitory recording medium includes any recording medium except for a transient, propagating signal, and does not exclude a volatile recording medium. In addition, in a configuration in which a distribution device distributes a program via a communication network 2, a storage device that stores the program in the distribution device corresponds to the non-transitory recording medium described above.

[0108] [Note] From the above description, for example, preferred embodiments of the present invention can be understood as follows. In order to facilitate understanding of each embodiment, reference numerals in the drawings are written in parentheses for convenience, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

[0109] [Appendix A1] A game device (20) according to a preferred embodiment (Appendix A1) of the present invention comprises a game control unit (231) which controls a game in which a user (Pa) is given a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of gaming media used by the user (Pa) depending on the result, a progress data generation unit (232) which generates progress data (G) representing the progress of the game, a transmission control unit (235) which transmits the progress data (G) to a control system (10) via a communication device (25) through a communication network (2), and a reception control unit (236) which receives progress instruction data (Q) which instructs the progress of the game from the control system (10) via the communication network (2) by the communication device (25), and the game control unit (231) controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q) received by the reception control unit (236). According to the above aspect, the progress status data (G) is transmitted to the control system (10) by the communication device (25), progress instruction data (Q) generated by the control system (10) in accordance with the progress status data (G) is received by the communication device (25), and the game is controlled in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q). Therefore, even if an administrator who manually progresses the game is not located near the game device (20), the progress of the game can be controlled by the control system (10).

[0110] A typical example of a "game" is a lottery game in which a user (Pa) is awarded a reward in an amount according to the amount of gaming media used as a result of winning a lottery process (physical lottery or electronic lottery). However, the "game" in the present invention is not limited to the lottery games exemplified above. For example, a competitive game (e.g., a card game) in which multiple users (Pa) compete against a dealer is also a suitable example of a "game". In a competitive game, the progress of the game may differ for each user.

[0111] The "amount of game media used" is the quantity of game media instructed to be used by the user (Pa). For example, in a lottery game in which a reward equal to the quantity of game media instructed by the user (Pa) multiplied by a predetermined rate (odds) is awarded to a user (Pa) who wins a lottery, the quantity of game media instructed by the user (Pa) (i.e., the bet amount) corresponds to the "amount of use."

[0112] "Progress data (G)" is data that represents the progress of a game, such as data that represents the current stage in a game that is composed of multiple stages (e.g., acceptance of gaming media → lottery processing → granting of reward), the status of reward acquisition by the user (Pa), the usage status of gaming media by the user (Pa), or the result of the lottery processing.

[0113] The "progress instruction data (Q)" is data that instructs the progress of the game. For example, data instructing the insertion of the lottery object (B) used in the physical lottery, the end of the acceptance period for accepting instructions from the user (Pa) regarding the amount of game media to be used, or the selection of one of a plurality of lottery elements are exemplified as the "progress instruction data (Q)".

[0114] [Appendix A2] The game device (20) according to the preferred embodiment (Appendix A2) of Appendix A1 includes a user data generating unit (233) that generates user data (U) representing the status of the user (Pa), and the transmission control unit (235) transmits the progress data (G) and the user data (U) to the control system (10) via the communication device (25). According to the above aspect, in addition to the progress data (G), the user data (U) representing the status of the user (Pa) is transmitted to the control system (10) via the communication device (25). Therefore, by using the progress data (G) and the user data (U), it is possible to generate progress instruction data (Q) in the control system (10) according to both the progress of the game and the status of the user (Pa).

[0115] "User data (U)" is any data that represents the status of the user (Pa). For example, video data (U1) representing an image of the user (Pa) or voice data (U2) representing the voice spoken by the user (Pa) are suitable examples of the user data (U).

[0116] The time relationship between the transmission of the progress status data (G) and the transmission of the user data (U) is arbitrary. For example, the progress status data (G) and the user data (U) may be transmitted to the control system (10) together, or the progress status data (G) and the user data (U) may be transmitted to the control system (10) at mutually independent times.

[0117] [Appendix A3] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note A3) of Appendix A2, the user data (U) includes at least one of video data (U1) representing a video of the user (Pa) captured by an imaging device (321) and audio data (U2) representing the audio of the user (Pa) captured by a sound collection device (322). According to the above aspect, it is possible to generate in the control system (10) appropriate progress instruction data (Q) according to the behavior or facial expression of the user (Pa) captured by the imaging device (321) or the content or intonation of the audio of the user (Pa) captured by the sound collection device (322).

[0118] [Appendix A4] In a preferred example (Appendix A4) of any of Appendices A1 to A3, the game is a lottery game in which a user's (Pa) wins by a physical lottery in which a lottery body (B) selects one of a plurality of lottery elements, and the progress instruction data (Q) instructs at least one of inserting the lottery body (B), the end of an acceptance period for accepting instructions from the user (Pa) regarding the amount of gaming medium usage, and the selection of one of the plurality of lottery elements.

[0119] "Selection of any one of a plurality of lottery elements" means an operation of forcibly selecting a specific lottery element from a plurality of lottery elements. For example, assuming a physical lottery in which a lottery body (B) is made to enter any one of a plurality of lottery holes (H) corresponding to different lottery elements, the progress instruction data (Q) instructs an operation of forcibly entering a lottery body (B) into a lottery hole (H) corresponding to a target lottery element by mechanically blocking each lottery hole (H) among the plurality of lottery holes (H) except for the lottery hole (H) corresponding to the target lottery element. Also, the progress instruction data (Q) instructs an operation of regarding a state in which a target lottery element is selected without actually executing a physical lottery.

[0120] [Appendix A5] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note A5) of any of Supplementary Notes A1 to A4, the game control unit (231) controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q) received by the reception control unit (236) in a first operation mode, and controls the game regardless of the progress instruction data (Q) in a second operation mode. According to the above aspect, in addition to controlling the game in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q) received from the control system (10), it is also possible to control the game regardless of the progress instruction data (Q).

[0121] [Appendix A6] A game device (20) according to any of the preferred examples (Appendix A6) of Supplementary Notes A1 to A5 includes a reproduction control unit (234) that causes a reproduction device (27, 31) to reproduce the instructions represented by the progress instruction data (Q) for a specific user (Pa) of a plurality of users (Pa) playing the game. According to the above aspect, it is possible to notify the instructions represented by the progress instruction data (Q) to a specific user (Pa) of a plurality of users (Pa).

[0122] [Appendix A7] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note A7) of Appendix A6, the reproducing device (27) can be moved to a position corresponding to a specific user (Pa) among the multiple users (Pa), and the reproducing control unit (234) causes the reproducing device (27) to reproduce the instruction represented by the progress instruction data (Q) in a state in which the reproducing device (27) has been moved to the position corresponding to the specific user (Pa). According to the above aspect, by moving the reproducing device (27), it is possible to notify the instruction represented by the progress instruction data (Q) to a specific user (Pa) among the multiple users (Pa). In addition, since the reproducing device (27) moves to a position corresponding to the specific user (Pa), there is an advantage that other users (Pa) can easily know the specific user (Pa) that is the target of the reproducing device (27). There is also an advantage that a spectator of a game played by the game system (1) can easily know the specific user (Pa) that is the target of the reproducing.

[0123] [Appendix A8] A game system (1) according to a preferred embodiment (Appendix A8) of the present invention is a system including a game device (20) and a control system (10) capable of communicating with each other via a communication network (2). The game device (20) includes a game control unit (231) for controlling a game in which a user (Pa) is awarded a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of game media used by the user (Pa) depending on the result, a progress status data generation unit (232) for generating progress status data (G) representing the progress of the game, a first transmission control unit (235) for transmitting the progress status data (G) to the control system (10) via the communication network (2) by a first communication device (25), and progress instruction data (Q) for instructing the progress of the game from the control system (10) to the The control system (10) comprises a first reception control unit (236) that receives the progress status data (G) from the game device (20) by a second communication device (13) via the communication network (2), a progress instruction data generation unit (111) that generates the progress instruction data (Q), and a second transmission control unit (114) that transmits the progress instruction data (Q) generated by the progress instruction data generation unit (111) to the game device (20) via the communication network (2) by the second communication device (13), and the game control unit (231) controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q) received by the first reception control unit (236).

[0124] The specific content of the process by which the progress instruction data generating unit (111) generates the progress instruction data (Q) is arbitrary. For example, the progress instruction data generating unit (111) generates the progress instruction data (Q) in response to an instruction from an administrator (Pb) who can refer to the progress status of the game represented by the progress status data (G). In addition, the progress instruction data generating unit (111) generates the progress instruction data (Q) by using a generation model (M1) that has learned the relationship between the progress status data (G) and the progress instruction data (Q).

[0125] [Appendix A9] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note A9) of Appendix A8, the progress instruction data generation unit (111) generates the progress instruction data (Q) in response to an instruction from an administrator (Pb) who can refer to the game progress status represented by the progress status data (G). With the above configuration, it is possible to generate various progress instruction data (Q) corresponding to the progress status in response to an instruction from the administrator (Pb) who has referred to the game progress status represented by the progress status data (G).

[0126] “Generation of progress instruction data (Q) in response to instructions from an administrator (Pb)” includes not only the operation of generating progress instruction data (Q) in response only to instructions from the user (Pa), but also the operation of the administrator (Pb) selecting one of multiple candidates generated by various types of computational processing such as a machine-learned generative model.

[0127] [Appendix A10] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note A10) of Appendix A8, the progress instruction data generation unit (111) generates progress instruction data (Q) corresponding to the progress status data (G) received by the second reception control unit (115) using a generative model (M1) that has learned, by machine learning, the relationship between the control data (X) corresponding to the progress status data (G) and the progress instruction data (Q). According to the above configuration, the progress instruction data (Q) is generated using the machine learning-based generative model (M1), so that appropriate progress instruction data (Q) can be generated for the progress status data (G) without requiring an administrator (Pb) that gives various instructions to the control system (10).

[0128] [Appendix A11] In a preferred embodiment (Appendix A11) of the present invention, the operation method of a game device (20) is such that the game device (20), which controls a game in which a user (Pa) is given a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of gaming medium used by the user (Pa) depending on the result, generates progress status data (G) representing the progress of the game (Sc2), transmits the progress status data (G) to a control system (10) via a communication network (2) by a communication device (25) (Sc4), receives progress instruction data (Q) instructing the progress of the game from the control system (10) via the communication network (2) by the communication device (25) (Sc5), and controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q) (Sc1, Sc6).

[0129] [Appendix A12] A program relating to a preferred embodiment (embodiment A12) of the present invention causes one or more processors (23) provided in a game device (20) to execute a game control process (Sc1, Sc6) for controlling a game in which a user (Pa) is given a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of gaming medium used by the user (Pa) depending on the result, a progress data (G) generation process (Sc2) for generating progress data (G) representing the progress of the game, a transmission process (Sc4) for transmitting the progress data (G) to a control system (10) via a communication network (2) by a communication device (25), and a reception process (Sc5) for receiving progress instruction data (Q) that instructs the progress of the game from the control system (10) via the communication network (2) by the communication device (25), and in the game control process, the game is controlled in accordance with the progress instruction data (Q) (Sc1, Sc6).

[0130] [Appendix B1] A game device (20) according to a preferred embodiment (Appendix B1) of the present invention comprises a game control unit (231) for controlling a game, a user data generation unit (233) for generating user data (U) representing a status of a user (Pa) playing the game, a transmission control unit (235) for transmitting the user data (U) to a control system (10) via a communication network (2) using a communication device (25), a reception control unit (236) for receiving playback control data (C) for causing a playback device (27, 31) to play a virtual character (V) from the control system (10) via the communication network (2) using the communication device (25), and a playback control unit (234) for causing the playback device (27, 31) to play the virtual character (V) in accordance with the playback control data (C) in parallel with control of the game by the game control unit (231). According to the above configuration, it is possible to effectively support the user (Pa) in playing the game by reproducing the virtual character (V) according to the situation of the user (Pa) by the reproduction device (27, 31). In addition, since it is not necessary to provide the game device (20) with a function for generating the reproduction control data (C) according to the user data (U), there is an advantage that the configuration and processing of the game device (20) are simplified.

[0131] The type of "game" is arbitrary. For example, any type of game is included in the concept of "game" of the present invention, such as a lottery game in which a user (Pa) is awarded a reward in an amount corresponding to the amount of game media used as a result of winning a lottery process (physical lottery or electronic lottery), a match game in which multiple users (Pa) play against each other, or a medal game in which a user (Pa) plays alone.

[0132] A "virtual character (V)" is a virtual character that can be confirmed by the user (Pa) playing the game. For example, a living character that supports the user (Pa) in progressing through the game is an example of a "virtual character (V)".

[0133] "Playing a virtual character (V)" refers to, for example, at least one of the following operations: displaying an image of the virtual character (V) on a display device (271, 311) and emitting the sound of the virtual character (V) from a sound emitting device (272, 312).

[0134] The format of the "playback control data (C)" is arbitrary. When focusing on the display of an image of a virtual character (V), for example, the concept of "playback control data (C)" includes motion data (C1) instructing the motion of the virtual character (V) or video data (e.g., streaming data) showing an image of the virtual character (V). When the reception control unit (236) receives motion data (C1) as the playback control data (C), the playback control unit (234) generates video data showing an image of the virtual character (V) moving in accordance with the motion data (C1) and displays it on the display device (271, 311).

[0135] When focusing on the emission of the voice of the virtual character (V), for example, pronunciation data indicating the contents of the voice of the virtual character (V) (i.e., a character string), or voice data (C2) representing the voice of the virtual character (V) itself, are included in the concept of "playback control data (C)". When the reception control unit (236) receives pronunciation data as the playback control data (C), the playback control unit (234) generates voice data representing a voice corresponding to the character string of the pronunciation data, for example, by a voice synthesis process, and causes the sound emission device (272, 312) to emit the voice.

[0136] [Appendix B2] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note B2) of Appendix B1, the game is a game in which a reward is given to the user (Pa) in a quantity corresponding to the amount of game media used by the user (Pa) depending on the result.

[0137] A typical example of a "game" is a lottery game in which a user (Pa) is awarded a reward in a quantity corresponding to the amount of gaming media used as a result of winning a lottery process (physical lottery or electronic lottery). However, the "game" in the present invention is not limited to the lottery games exemplified above.

[0138] [Appendix B3] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note B3) of Appendix B2, the user data (U) includes at least one of video data (U1) representing a video of the user (Pa) captured by an imaging device (321) and audio data (U2) representing the audio of the user (Pa) captured by a sound collection device (322). According to the above aspect, it is possible to generate in the control system (10) playback control data (C) capable of playing an appropriate virtual character (V) according to the behavior or facial expression of the user (Pa) captured by the imaging device (321) or the content or intonation of the audio of the user (Pa) captured by the sound collection device (322).

[0139] [Appendix B4] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note B4) of any one of Supplementary Note B1 to Supplementary Note B3, the reproduction control unit (234) causes the reproduction device (27, 31) to reproduce the virtual character (V) for a specific user (Pa) of a plurality of users (Pa) playing the game. According to the above aspect, since a virtual character (V) is reproduced for a specific user (Pa) of a plurality of users (Pa), it is possible to effectively support the user (Pa) in playing the game.

[0140] [Appendix B5] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note B5) of Appendix B4, the reproducing device (27) can be moved to a position corresponding to any one of the users (Pa), and the reproducing control unit (234) reproduces the virtual character (V) in a state in which the reproducing device (27) is moved to a position corresponding to the specific user (Pa). According to the above aspect, by moving the reproducing device (27), it is possible to display the virtual character (V) to a specific user (Pa) among the multiple users (Pa). In addition, since the reproducing device (27) moves to a position corresponding to the specific user (Pa), there is an advantage that other users (Pa) can easily know the specific user (Pa) who is the target of the reproduction of the virtual character (V). There is also an advantage that spectators of the game played by the game system (1) can easily know the specific user (Pa) who is the target of the reproduction of the virtual character (V).

[0141] [Appendix B6] A game system (1) according to a preferred embodiment (Appendix B6) of the present invention is a system including a game device (20) and a control system (10) capable of communicating with each other via a communication network (2), the game device (20) including a game control unit (231) for controlling a game, a user data generation unit (233) for generating user data (U) representing a state of a user (Pa) playing the game, a first transmission control unit (235) for transmitting the user data (U) to the control system (10) via the communication network (2) by a first communication device (25), and a playback control unit (235) for receiving playback control data (C) for causing a playback device (27, 31) to play a virtual character (V) from the control system (10) via the communication network (2) by the first communication device (25). and a reproduction control unit (234) for causing the reproduction device (27, 31) to reproduce the virtual character (V) in accordance with the reproduction control data (C) in parallel with control of the game by the game control unit (231). The control system (10) comprises a second reception control unit (115) for receiving the user data (U) from the game device (20) by a second communication device (13) via the communication network (2), a reproduction control data generation unit (112) for generating the reproduction control data (C), and a second transmission control unit (114) for transmitting the reproduction control data (C) generated by the reproduction control data generation unit (112) to the game device (20) by the second communication device (13) via the communication network (2).

[0142] [Appendix B7] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note B7) of Appendix B6, the playback control data generating unit (112) generates the playback control data (C) in response to an instruction from an administrator (Pb) who can refer to the status of the user (Pa) represented by the user data (U). According to the above configuration, various playback control data (C) can be generated according to the status of the user (Pa) in response to an instruction from the administrator (Pb) who has referred to the status of the user (Pa) represented by the user data (U).

[0143] The method by which the administrator (Pb) refers to the status of the user (Pa) represented by the user data (U) is arbitrary. For example, if the user data (U) is video data (U1) representing the video of the user (Pa), the administrator (Pb) can visually refer to the video of the user (Pa) by displaying the image (R) represented by the video data (U1) on the display device (141). Also, for example, if the user data (U) is audio data (U2) representing the voice of the user (Pa), the administrator (Pb) can audibly refer to the voice of the user (Pa) by having the sound emitting device (142) emit the sound represented by the audio data (U2).

[0144] The specific processing contents for generating the playback control data (C) in response to an instruction from the user (Pa) are arbitrary. For example, when attention is paid to the display of an image of a virtual character (V), for example, playback control data (C) that causes the virtual character (V) to perform an action corresponding to the body action of the administrator (Pb), or playback control data (C) representing an action pattern (for example, an action pattern selected by the administrator (Pb) from a plurality of different candidates) generated in response to an instruction from the administrator (Pb) is used. Also, when attention is paid to the emission of the sound of the virtual character (V), for example, playback control data (C) representing a voice pronounced by the administrator (Pb) or a voice processed from that voice, or playback control data (C) representing a character string designated by the administrator (Pb) is used.

[0145] [Appendix B8] In a preferred example (Supplementary Note B8) of Appendix B6, the playback control data generation unit (112) generates playback control data (C) corresponding to the user data (U) received by the second reception control unit (115) using a generation model (M2) that has learned the relationship between the control data (X) corresponding to the user data (U) and the playback control data (C) through machine learning. According to the above configuration, the playback control data (C) is generated using the machine learning-based generation model (M2), so that the playback control data (C) appropriate for the user data (U) can be generated without the need for an administrator (Pb) that gives various instructions to the control system (10).

[0146] [Appendix B9] In a preferred embodiment (Appendix B9) of the present invention, the operation method of the game device (20) is such that the game device (20) controlling the game generates user data (U) representing the status of a user (Pa) playing the game, transmits the user data (U) to a control system (10) via a communication network (2) by a communication device (25), receives playback control data (C) for causing a playback device (27, 31) to play a virtual character (V) by the communication device (25) via the communication network (2) from the control system (10), and causes the playback device (27, 31) to play the virtual character (V) in accordance with the playback control data (C) in parallel with controlling the game.

[0147] [Appendix B10] A program relating to a preferred embodiment (Appendix B10) of the present invention causes one or more processors (23) provided in a game device (20) to execute a game control process (Sc1, Sc6) for controlling the game, a user data generation process (Sc3) for generating user data (U) representing the status of a user (Pa) playing the game, a transmission process (Sc4) for transmitting the user data (U) to a control system (10) via a communication network (2) by a communication device (25), a reception process (Sc5) for receiving playback control data (C) for causing a playback device (27, 31) to play a virtual character (V) from the control system (10) via the communication network (2) by the communication device (25), and a playback process (Sc7) for causing the playback device (27, 31) to play the virtual character (V) in accordance with the playback control data (C) in parallel with the game control process (Sc1, Sc6). [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1...game system, 2...communication network, 10...control system, 11...control device, 111A, 111B...progress instruction data generation unit, 112A, 112B...playback control data generation unit, 113...playback control unit, 114...transmission control unit, 115...reception control unit, 12...storage device, 13...communication device, 14...playback device, 141...display device, 142...sound emission device, 15...operation device, 20...game device, 21...lottery mechanism, 211...physical lottery unit, 212...lottery field, 213...insertion mechanism, 22...reception mechanism, 23...control device, 231...game control unit, 232...progress data generation unit, 233...user data generation unit, 234...playback control unit, 235...transmission control unit, 236...reception control unit, 24...storage device, 25...communication device, 26...operation device, 27...playback device, 271...display device, 272...sound emission device, Sn (S1 to SN)...station, 31...playback device, 311...display device, 312...sound emission device, 32...recording device, 321...imaging device, 322...sound collection device, 33...operation device, 51...learning processing unit, 52...learning processing unit.

Claims

1. A system comprising a game device installed within a facility and a control system installed outside the facility, the game device and the control system being capable of communicating with each other via a communication network, The game device comprises: A game control unit that controls a game; a progress status data generating unit that generates progress status data representing a progress status of the game; a first transmission control unit that transmits the progress status data to the control system via the communication network; a first reception control unit that receives progress instruction data that instructs the progress of the game from the control system via the communication network, The control system includes: a second reception control unit that receives the progress data from the game device via the communication network; a progress instruction data generation unit that generates progress instruction data corresponding to the progress status data received by the second reception control unit, using a generation model that has been learned by machine learning about the relationship between control data corresponding to the progress status data and progress instruction data; a second transmission control unit that transmits the progress instruction data generated by the progress instruction data generation unit to the game device via the communication network, The game control unit controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data received by the first reception control unit in a first operation mode, and controls the game in accordance with instructions from a manager in the facility in a second operation mode. Game system.

2. A computer that is incorporated into a system that includes a game device installed within a facility and a control system installed outside the facility, the game device and the control system being capable of communicating with each other via a communication network, In the game device, a game control procedure for controlling a game; a progress status data generation step for generating progress status data representing a progress status of the game; a first transmission control procedure for transmitting the progress status data to the control system via the communication network; a first reception control procedure for receiving progress instruction data instructing a progress of the game from the control system via the communication network; In the control system, a second reception control procedure for receiving the progress data from the game device via the communication network; a progress instruction data generation step of generating progress instruction data corresponding to the progress status data received in the second reception control step, using a generation model that has been learned by machine learning about a relationship between control data corresponding to the progress status data and progress instruction data; a second transmission control procedure for transmitting the progress instruction data generated by the progress instruction data generation procedure to the game device via the communication network; The game control procedure controls the game in a first operation mode in response to the progress instruction data received by the first reception control procedure, and controls the game in a second operation mode in response to an instruction from a manager in the facility. Control methods.

3. A computer that is incorporated into a system that includes a game device installed within a facility and a control system installed outside the facility, and in which the game device and the control system can communicate with each other via a communication network, In the game device, a game control means for controlling a game; a progress status data generating means for generating progress status data representing a progress status of the game; a first transmission control means for transmitting the progress status data to the control system via the communication network; a first receiving control means for receiving progress instruction data for instructing the progress of the game from the control system via the communication network; In the control system, a second reception control means for receiving the progress data from the game device via the communication network; a progress instruction data generation means for generating progress instruction data corresponding to the progress status data received by the second reception control means, using a generation model that has been learned by machine learning of a relationship between control data corresponding to the progress status data and progress instruction data; functioning as a second transmission control means for transmitting the progress instruction data generated by the progress instruction data generation means to the game device via the communication network; The game control means controls the game in accordance with the progress instruction data received by the first reception control means in a first operation mode, and controls the game in accordance with instructions from a manager in the facility in a second operation mode. program.

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