Game system, computer program and control method

Abstract

To allow a player to be conscious of a sense of solidarity with another player playing in another game device.SOLUTION: A game device configures a game system in which a plurality of game devices each including a lottery part are connected via a network. The game device includes: a first lottery result acquisition part for acquiring a lottery result of the lottery part included in own game devices; a second lottery result acquisition part for acquiring a lottery result of the lottery part included in another game device; a game condition determination part for determining whether predetermined game conditions are satisfied, based on a combination of the lottery result acquired by the first lottery result acquisition part and the lottery result acquired by the second lottery result acquisition part; and reward granting means for granting a predetermined reward to a player when the game condition determination part determines that the predetermined game conditions are satisfied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are some games in which rewards are determined based on the lottery results of a lottery machine in the game device that the player plays. For example, there is a game device in which multiple people can play by sharing the lottery results of a single lottery machine installed in one game device (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-088019 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the lottery game device as described above, players who play simultaneously on the same game device can be made aware of a sense of solidarity with each other, but it is not possible to make the players aware of a sense of solidarity with any player who plays on a different game device.

[0005] One object of some aspects of the present invention is to provide a game device and a program that enable players to feel a sense of solidarity with players playing on other game devices.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention has an object to provide a game device and a program that enable the effects described in the embodiments described below to be achieved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a game device in a game system in which a plurality of game devices, each having a lottery unit, are connected via a network, the game device comprising: a first lottery result acquisition unit that acquires the lottery results of the lottery units equipped in the game device itself; a second lottery result acquisition unit that acquires the lottery results of the lottery units equipped in the other game devices; a game condition determination unit that determines whether or not a predetermined game condition is met based on a combination of the lottery result acquired by the first lottery result acquisition unit and the lottery result acquired by the second lottery result acquisition unit; and a reward awarding unit that awards a predetermined reward to a player when it is determined by the game condition determination unit that the predetermined game condition is met.

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a gaming device in a gaming system in which a plurality of gaming devices, each having one or more processing devices and a lottery device, are connected via a network, and the one or more processing devices obtain the lottery results of the lottery devices equipped in the gaming device itself, obtain the lottery results of the lottery devices equipped in the other gaming devices, determine whether or not a predetermined game condition is met based on a combination of the lottery results of the lottery devices equipped in the gaming device itself and the lottery results of the lottery devices equipped in the other gaming devices, and award a predetermined reward to the player when it is determined that the predetermined game condition is met.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the game device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a game device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 shows a game screen before the start of a link lottery game. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 shows a first example of a game screen after the start of a lottery. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 shows a second example of a game screen after the start of a lottery. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of lottery probabilities for a slot lottery. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 shows a third example of a game screen after the start of a lottery. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 shows a fourth example of a game screen after the start of a lottery. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of play data stored in a station storage unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server storage unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of player data. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of play implementation status data. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of matching data. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a server control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a station control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a link lottery game process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] 11 is a flowchart showing a first example of a game progress update process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] 11 is a flowchart showing a second example of the game progress update process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a link lottery game according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] A diagram showing two bingo sheets lined up horizontally forming a horizontal bingo line. [Diagram 23]A diagram showing two bingo sheets lined up vertically forming a vertical bingo line. [Figure 24] A diagram showing two bingo sheets arranged horizontally forming a diagonal bingo line. [Diagram 25] A diagram showing vertical and horizontal bingo lines formed on four bingo sheets. [Figure 26] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a game progress update process according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. [System Configuration] First, the system configuration of the game system according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system 1 according to this embodiment. The game system 1 includes a plurality of game devices 10 (game device 10-1, game device 10-2, ..., game device 10-N (N is a natural number)) and a server device 30, which are computer devices, and these computer devices are connected via a network NW.

[0012] The network NW is an information and communication network that is configured by a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), etc. The WAN is, for example, a mobile phone network, a PHS (Personal Handyphone System), etc. System) network, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone) Network (Public Switched Telephone Network), leased line network, VPN (Virtual Private Network), etc. The network NW may be either wired or wireless.

[0013] The game devices 10 are installed, for example, in game facilities (game arcades, game corners in commercial facilities such as shopping centers, etc.). The game devices 10 may be installed in the same facility or in different facilities. The server device 30 communicates with the game devices 10 via a network NW to manage information on players playing on the game devices 10, manage play progress on each game device 10, and control the exchange of information between each game device 10.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the game device 10. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the game device 10 has eight stations ST where players can play. Since one player can play at each station ST, a maximum of eight players can play at the same time on this one game device 10. The game device 10 also has a lottery unit 14 in the center. The eight stations ST are arranged radially around the lottery unit 14, with the lottery unit 14 at the approximate center.

[0015] The lottery unit 14 is a lottery machine having a physical lottery mechanism, and selects a plurality of selection elements by lottery. For example, the lottery unit 14 is a ball lottery machine in which a discharged ball rolls in a circular orbit around the periphery of a plurality of pockets (holes) arranged in a circular shape, and the lottery result is determined by which pocket the ball finally falls into. In addition, a camera (not shown) is installed on the ceiling 10T of the game device 10. The camera photographs the lottery unit 14 from the ceiling 10T side.

[0016] The lottery unit 14 is not limited to the ball lottery machine described above, and may be, for example, a ball lottery machine of any type, a so-called roulette type lottery machine, or a lottery machine in which a specific position (for example, a position pointed to by a needle) when a disk radially divided from the center is rotated and stopped becomes the lottery result, or a dice lottery machine. The lottery unit 14 is not limited to a lottery machine having a physical lottery mechanism, and may be an internal lottery unit that generates the lottery result by software. The number of game devices 10 may be three or more, and in that case, all game devices 10 may have the same type of lottery unit (lottery units having the same lottery elements, lottery method, etc.), or some game devices 10 may have different types of lottery units (lottery units having at least some different lottery elements, lottery method, etc.).

[0017] Each station ST is provided with a display unit 18. Each display unit 18 is configured to include a touch panel display that combines a touch panel that accepts touch operations by the player's finger or the like and a flat display that displays images. In addition, each station ST is provided with a card reader that reads card data and a medal insertion slot into which medals are inserted, although not shown in FIG. 2. Information about the player is written on the card from which data is read by the card reader. Examples of the information about the player include a player ID for identifying the player, a player name, an icon image corresponding to the player, information about points and money that can be used in the game, and a game play history. Note that it is not necessary to store all the information about the player on the card, and information about the player may be stored in a device that can communicate with the game device 10 (for example, a server device that exists on the same LAN as the game device 10, or a server device 30 that is connected via a WAN such as the Internet). For example, the information about points and money and the information about the play history can be stored in a dedicated server device in association with the player ID. Information regarding the amount (number, etc.) or value of medals inserted into the medal insertion slot is stored in the game device 10. A player can participate in a game by storing information on available credits in the game device 10 by holding a card over a card reader or inserting medals into the medal insertion slot, and consuming the required amount of credits. Here, medals are used as an example of a gaming medium to be inserted, but instead of medals, money (banknotes, coins), token coins, redemption tickets, etc. may also be used.

[0018] For example, an image (video) of the lottery section 14 captured by a camera is displayed on the display section 18 of each station ST as an image of the lottery game. As shown in Fig. 2, a player P plays the lottery game by operating the display section 18 while sitting on a chair placed in front of the station ST. In other words, a player P playing the lottery game can look at the lottery section 14 beyond the display section 18 and the display surface of the display section 18 while operating the display section 18.

[0019] [Game Description] Next, the lottery game according to this embodiment will be described. In the lottery game according to the present embodiment, a reward is awarded to a player based on the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 played by the player (hereinafter also referred to as the player's own game device 10) and the lottery results of the lottery units 14 of the other game devices 10. That is, this is a lottery game in which the lottery result of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery results of the other game devices 10 are linked to determine the reward (hereinafter also referred to as a "linked lottery game"). The other game devices 10 may be in the same game facility as the player's own game device 10, or may be in a different game facility.

[0020] For example, the other game device 10 is a game device 10 on which a matching partner who has been matched with the player plays, among the multiple game devices 10. The own game device 10 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the other game device 10 (the matching partner game device 10) via the server device 30. The own game device 10 then determines whether or not a predetermined game condition has been established based on a combination of the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the own game device 10 and the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the other game device 10, and if it is determined that the predetermined game condition has been established, gives a predetermined reward to the player.

[0021] Here, with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, a specific example of the predetermined game condition and the predetermined reward will be described. 3 to 5 are explanatory diagrams for explaining an example of a linked lottery game by the ball lottery machine according to the present embodiment, and show game screens that are displayed on the display unit 18 based on the lottery status in the lottery unit 14. FIG.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a game screen before the start of the linked lottery game. The illustrated game screen RG10 displays an image of the ball lottery machine of the lottery unit 14. This image is an image (image) of the lottery unit 14 of the player's own game device 10. In the illustrated example of the ball lottery machine, 16 pockets (holes) PK1 to PK16 are arranged along the outer periphery of the circular area CR, and when the lottery starts, for example, a total of nine balls for lottery are discharged in one lottery game. Nine balls may be discharged continuously to perform the lottery, or balls may be discharged in a plurality of times such as "2 balls → 2 balls → 2 balls → 2 balls → 1 ball" to perform the lottery. The discharged balls roll in a circular orbit around the outer periphery of the pockets PK1 to PK16, and the lottery result is determined depending on which pocket the balls fall into at the end. The number of balls discharged in one lottery game (i.e., the number of lotteries) and the discharge timing can be determined arbitrarily. Also, the ball may enter the same pocket multiple times, or a pocket that has once been entered and selected may be prevented from being entered thereafter. That is, the lottery unit 14 may select the same selection element multiple times, or may prevent a selection element that has been selected once from being selected. Here, it is assumed that the ball may enter the same pocket multiple times, but an upper limit may be set for the number of times.

[0023] On the game screen RG10, an image of the ball lottery machine before the lottery starts is displayed, and inside the circular area CR, the name of the player, the name of the game facility, an icon image, etc. are displayed superimposed as information of the matched opponent. Before the lottery starts, the player can place a bet on the next lottery. When the lottery starts, the lottery results of the lottery unit 14 of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery results of the lottery unit 14 of the matched opponent game device 10 are displayed superimposed on this image.

[0024] 4 shows an example of a game screen after the start of the lottery. In the illustrated game screen RG20, the lottery starts, and the lottery results of the lottery section 14 of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery results of the lottery section 14 of the matched opponent game device 10 are displayed. An icon image of the player playing at the player's own game device 10 is displayed in the pocket PK9, indicating that the ball has entered the lottery section 14 of the player's own game device 10. On the other hand, icon images of the matched opponents are displayed in the pocket PK3 and the pocket PK13, indicating that the ball has entered the lottery section 14 of the matched opponent game device 10.

[0025] FIG. 5 is an example of a game screen after the start of the lottery, and unlike FIG. 4, shows an example in which balls are placed in the same pocket twice. In the illustrated game screen RG30, a pocket PK9 shows that balls are placed in the lottery section 14 of the player's own game device 10 twice (two balls), and points (here, "+2") are added as acquired points. A pocket PK7 shows that balls are placed in both the lottery section 14 of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery section 14 of the matched game device 10, and a higher point (here, "+3") is added as acquired points. In other words, at least one or more identical pockets are selected in the lottery of both game devices 10, and a predetermined reward is given to the player. The total value of acquired points is displayed in the place indicated by the symbol KP. A final payout is determined based on the total value of acquired points. The value of acquired WIN, which indicates the acquired payout, is displayed in the place indicated by the symbol WP.

[0026] In addition, when the balls land in both the player's game device 10 and the matched game device 10, the number of points the next time the balls land in the same pocket may be determined by a slot lottery or the like. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the lottery probability of a slot lottery. In this way, the lottery probability for each point is set, and a slot lottery or the like is performed based on this lottery probability to determine the number of points the next time the balls land in the same pocket. In this case, the points acquired when both balls land for the first time are set to an initial value (e.g., "+1"), and the acquisition of at least "+1" points may be guaranteed.

[0027] FIG. 7 is an example of a game screen after the start of the lottery, and shows an example in which all the pockets with balls in the lottery section 14 of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery section 14 of the matched game device 10 match. In this case, the order in which the balls are placed in each pocket does not matter, as long as the pockets with balls in each game device 10 match in the end. That is, there is no pocket with balls in only the player's own game device 10, and no pocket with balls in only the matched game device 10. The illustrated game screen RG40 shows that balls are placed in pockets PK2, PK4, PK6, PK7, PK10, PK11, PK14, and PK16 in both game devices 10, and that no balls are placed in the other pockets in either game device 10, that is, the pockets with balls in both game devices 10 match. In this case, a higher point may be awarded to the player than when balls are placed in one pocket more than once, and special bonus points may be added. That is, if all the pockets drawn by lottery at both game devices 10 match, a predetermined reward is given to the player.

[0028] FIG. 8 is an example of a game screen after the start of the lottery, and shows an example in which balls have entered all pockets in at least one of the game devices 10 according to the lottery results of the lottery unit 14 of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery unit 14 of the matched game device 10. The illustrated game screen RG50 shows that at least one or more balls have entered all pockets PK1 to PK16 in at least one of the game devices 10, that is, all pockets have been drawn by combining the lottery results of both game devices 10. In this way, even when balls have entered all pockets, bonus points may be added specially. Note that balls may enter the same pockets among some of the pockets PK1 to PK16 in both game devices 10. In other words, when the lottery results of both game devices 10 are combined, all pockets are selected by lottery, and a predetermined reward is given to the player.

[0029] As described above, the game device 10 according to the present embodiment determines whether a predetermined game condition is met based on a combination of the lottery results of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 itself and the lottery results of the lottery unit 14 of the other game device 10, and provides a predetermined reward when it is determined that the predetermined game condition is met. The predetermined game condition is, for example, that at least one identical pocket is selected by lottery at both game devices 10, that all pockets drawn by lottery at both game devices 10 match, that all pockets are selected by lottery when the lottery results of both game devices 10 are combined, etc. In this way, the game device 10 can make the player aware of a sense of solidarity with the players playing at the other game devices in the lottery game.

[0030] [Configuration of game device 10] Next, the hardware configuration of the game device 10 will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the game device 10 according to this embodiment. As described above, the game device 10 includes the lottery unit 14, the camera 15 capable of photographing the lottery unit 14, and eight stations ST (ST-1 to ST-8). The lottery unit 14 is, for example, a ball lottery machine having a physical lottery mechanism, but may be a lottery machine having another lottery mechanism, or may be an internal lottery unit that generates lottery results by software. The camera 15 includes a lens and an imaging element (image pickup element), and outputs a video such as a captured moving image or still image. Here, the camera 15 is installed so that the lottery unit 14 is within the imaging range, and outputs a video (image) of the lottery unit 14.

[0031] The game device 10 also includes a game device communication unit 11, a game device storage unit 12, and a game device control unit 13. The game device communication unit 11 is configured to include, for example, a plurality of Ethernet (registered trademark) ports and a plurality of digital input / output ports such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), and communicates with other devices (for example, a server device 30) via a network NW.

[0032] The game device storage unit 12 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or an electrically erasable read-only memory (EEPROM). Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access The game device storage unit 12 includes a memory (RAM) and the like, which stores various information, programs, etc. processed by the game device control unit 13. For example, the game device storage unit 12 stores information such as a game facility ID for identifying the game facility where the game device 10 is installed and a game device ID for identifying the game device 10, and also stores programs for executing processes related to control of the lottery unit 14, control of the camera 15, and control of communication with the station ST and the server device 30. The game device storage unit 12 also stores (temporarily stores) video data captured by the camera 15.

[0033] The game device control unit 13 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executes various processes by executing a program stored in the game device storage unit 12. For example, the game device control unit 13 executes a lottery start process and a lottery result detection process for the lottery unit 14. Specifically, the game device control unit 13 executes processes such as ball discharge and detection of the location of the pocket into which the ball fell in the lottery unit 14, and a photographing process for the camera 15. The location of the pocket into which the ball fell can be detected by detecting the output of a detection sensor provided in each pocket. Alternatively, it can be detected by analyzing the image of the lottery unit 14 photographed by the camera 15. In addition, the game device control unit 13 relays communication of various information between the station ST and the server device 30, and controls the exchange of various information with each of the station ST and the server device 30.

[0034] Each of the eight stations ST has the same configuration. For example, the station ST has a station control unit 16, an input unit 17, a display unit 18, and a station storage unit 19. The input unit 17 has a card reader 171 and a medal insertion slot 172. As described above, the display unit 18 is configured to include a touch panel display that combines a touch panel and a flat display. Here, the player operates the game device 10 using the touch panel, but instead of or in addition to the touch panel, the input unit 17 may be provided with mechanical operation means such as operation buttons.

[0035] The station control unit 16 includes a CPU, and executes various processes related to the game by a functional configuration realized by executing a program stored in the station storage unit 19. For example, the station control unit 16 acquires information about the player based on data of a card read by a card reader 171. The station control unit 16 also counts the number of medals inserted through a medal insertion slot 172, and acquires information about credits available for use in the game. The station control unit 16 also executes game processing based on a user's operation. The configuration related to the game processing executed by the station control unit 16 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 17.

[0036] In the illustrated example, the game device control unit 13 and the station control unit 16 of each station ST are provided separately, but they may be provided together as one unit.

[0037] The station storage unit 19 includes an HDD, SSD, EEPROM, ROM, RAM, etc., and stores various information, programs, etc. processed by the station control unit 16. For example, the station storage unit 19 stores a program for executing the processing of the lottery game. The station storage unit 19 also stores play data of players who play the lottery game at the station ST.

[0038] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of play data stored in the station storage unit 19. The play data shown in the figure includes a game facility ID for identifying the game facility and game device 10 where the player plays, the facility name, and the game device ID, a station ID for identifying the station ST where the player plays, and the player's player ID, player name, play and image, play data, etc. The player ID, player name, and player image are acquired based on data of a card read by the card reader 171. For example, when the player ID, player name, player image, etc. are stored on a card, they are read from the card by the card reader 171. On the other hand, for example, when only the player ID is stored on a card and the player name, player image, etc. are stored in the server device 30, the player name, player image, etc. may be acquired from the server device 30 based on the player ID of the card read by the card reader 171.

[0039] [Configuration of server device 30] Next, the configuration of the server device 30 will be described. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the server device 30 according to this embodiment. The server device 30 includes a server communication unit 31, a server storage unit 32, and a server control unit 33. The server communication unit 31 is configured to include, for example, a plurality of Ethernet (registered trademark) ports and a plurality of digital input / output ports such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), and communicates with other devices (for example, a plurality of game devices 10) via the network NW.

[0040] The server storage unit 32 includes an HDD, SSD, EEPROM, ROM, RAM, etc., and stores various information, programs, etc. that need to be shared among multiple game devices 10. Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server storage unit 32 according to this embodiment. The server storage unit 32 shown in the figure includes a player data storage unit 321, a play implementation status data storage unit 322, and a matching data storage unit 323.

[0041] The player data storage unit 321 stores player data related to a player. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the player data. The illustrated play data is associated with a player ID, a player name, a player image, and play history data. The play history data includes information such as the play date and time, the number of plays, the play results, and acquired items, and is updated as the player plays. When a player plays multiple games, the play history data is associated with a game ID for identifying each game.

[0042] The play status data storage unit 322 stores play status data as information related to a player currently playing on each game device 10. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of play status data. The illustrated play status data is associated with a game facility ID, a game device ID, a station ID, and a player ID playing there. When no game is being played, a value indicating "null" is stored in the player ID. In other words, by referring to this play status data, it is possible to obtain information regarding which station ST of which game device 10 is currently playing and who the player currently playing is. In other words, by referring to this play status data, it is possible to obtain information regarding which player is currently playing.

[0043] The matching data storage unit 323 stores matching data between players in a link lottery game. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of matching data. The illustrated matching data is associated with the player IDs of the two matched players "player (1)" and "player (2)," the game device IDs of the game devices 10 on which the players are playing, and information on the game facility where the game devices 10 are installed (game facility ID, game facility name, etc.). The illustrated example shows matching data for two players, but in the case of matching of three or more players, information on each of the three or more players is associated. Note that a history of matching data may be kept so that it can be referred to whether each player is a player who has been matched before. In that case, the matching data storage unit 323 may store the matching data in association with information on the date and time of matching, etc.

[0044] Returning to FIG. 11, the server control unit 33 includes a CPU, and executes various processes according to a functional configuration realized by executing a program stored in the server storage unit 32. 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server control unit 33 according to this embodiment. The server control unit 33 shown in the figure includes a player data management unit 331, a play implementation status management unit 332, a matching processing unit 333, and a lottery result distribution unit 334.

[0045] The player data management unit 331 manages the player data of the players playing on each of the multiple game devices 10. For example, the player data management unit 331 stores the player data of the players playing on each of the multiple game devices 10 in the player data storage unit 321. Specifically, the player data management unit 331 acquires the player data of each player from each of the multiple game devices 10, and newly registers and updates the player data. In addition, the player data management unit 331 transmits the player data to the game device 10 as necessary.

[0046] The play progress status management unit 332 manages information related to the player currently playing from each of the multiple game devices 10. For example, the play progress status management unit 332 acquires, from each of the multiple game devices 10, the player ID of the player currently playing, and the game facility ID, game device ID, and station ID where the player is playing, in association with each other, and stores the information in the play progress status data storage unit 322.

[0047] The matching processing unit 333 executes a matching process for determining matching between players in a link lottery game. For example, the matching processing unit 333 acquires a matching request from the game device 10 for determining another player who will be a matching partner of the player based on an operation of the player playing on the game device 10. When the matching processing unit 333 acquires the matching request, the matching processing unit 333 determines a matching partner from among players who are candidates for a matching partner based on a predetermined rule. The predetermined rule may be, for example, a random lottery among all registered players, or a random lottery among players who are registered as friends of the player in the game. In addition, the lottery is not limited to a completely random lottery, and some weighting may be applied, such as increasing the probability of each lottery depending on the number of matchings performed so far or the intimacy between the players. In addition, a matching partner may be determined based on a predetermined matching rule without using a random lottery. Candidate players for matching are at least players managed by the player data stored in the player data storage unit 321 of the server device 30, but may be limited to players currently playing on any of the game devices 10 by referring to the play progress data in the play progress data storage unit 322. Also, candidate players for matching may be players playing on a game device other than the same game device 10.

[0048] Note that matching may be performed not on a player-by-player basis but on a game device 10-by-game device. In other words, even if one's own game device 10 has multiple stations ST (i.e., multiple play sections exist), the other game device 10 that is the matched partner has only one lottery section 14. After one-to-one matching of game devices 10 is performed, players playing on each game device 10 may be matched with each other. For example, a combination of the same game device 10 may be performed, such as player A playing on one game device 10 and player C playing on another game device 10, or player B playing on the one game device 10 and player D playing on the other game device 10, or a combination of different players may be performed.

[0049] The matching processing unit 333 also manages matching data indicating the matching result. For example, the matching processing unit 333 stores the matching result (the player ID of the matched player and the game device ID of the game device 10 on which the player plays) in the matching data storage unit 323. The matching processing unit 333 also transmits the matching data to both matched game devices 10 (in the case of matching of three or more players, to the three or more matched game devices 10).

[0050] The lottery result distribution unit 334 distributes the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in each game device 10 so that it can be used by the other game devices 10. For example, the lottery result distribution unit 334 acquires information indicating the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of each matched game device 10 and transmits it to the other game device 10 so that the matched players can use the lottery results of each other's game devices 10. Note that the information indicating the lottery result may be transmitted and received between the matched game devices 10 via the network NW without going through the server device 30.

[0051] [Configuration related to lottery game processing] Next, a configuration relating to the link lottery game process executed by the station control unit 16 of the station ST in the game device 10 will be described in detail. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the station control unit 16 according to the present embodiment. The station control unit 16 shown in the figure includes a matching request unit 161, a lottery result acquisition unit 162, a lottery result transmission unit 163, another lottery result acquisition unit 164, a game condition determination unit 165, a reward granting unit 166, and a display control unit 167 as functional configurations related to the cooperation lottery game processing.

[0052] The matching request unit 161 transmits a matching request for determining a matching partner in the linkage lottery game to the server device 30 via the game device communication unit 11. For example, when a bet is placed on the linkage lottery game based on an operation of a player playing on the game device 10, the matching request unit 161 associates information about the player (e.g., a user ID, etc.) and information about the game device 10 (e.g., a game device ID, a game facility ID, etc.) with the matching request, and transmits the information to the server device 30 via the game device communication unit 11. In addition, the matching request unit 161 acquires information indicating the matching result of the matching process performed on the server device 30 in response to the transmitted matching request (e.g., the player ID, player name, game device ID, game facility ID, game facility name, etc. of the matching partner) from the server device 30 via the game device communication unit 11.

[0053] The lottery result acquisition unit 162 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the game device 10. For example, when the lottery unit 14 selects a plurality of selection elements by lottery, the lottery result acquisition unit 162 acquires information on each selection element as the lottery result from the game device control unit 13 at any time. As an example, in the case of a ball lottery machine in which the lottery unit 14 selects a plurality of pockets by lottery depending on which of the plurality of pockets the ball will land in as described above, the lottery result acquisition unit 162 acquires position information indicating the position of the pocket into which the ball has landed (for example, pocket identification information) as the lottery result from the game device control unit 13 at any time.

[0054] The lottery result transmitting unit 163 transmits the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 to the server device 30 via the game device communication unit 11 so that the lottery result can be used in the other game devices 10. For example, the lottery result transmitting unit 163 transmits, as the lottery result, position information (e.g., pocket identification information) indicating the position of the pocket into which the ball fell to the server device 30. As a result, the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 is transmitted by the server device 30 to the other game devices 10, and becomes available in the other game devices 10. Note that the lottery result transmitting unit 163 may transmit the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 to the other game devices 10 without going through the server device 30. Furthermore, the lottery result transmitting unit 163 may transmit the lottery result in multiple batches. For example, when the lottery is drawn in multiple steps, such as "2 balls → 2 balls → 2 balls → 2 balls → 1 ball," the lottery result transmission unit 163 may transmit the lottery results at the end of each lottery.

[0055] The other lottery result acquisition unit 164 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the other game device 10. For example, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 acquires, as the lottery result, position information (e.g., pocket identification information) indicating the position of the pocket into which the ball fell in the lottery unit 14 included in the other game device 10. Note that the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 itself and the lottery unit 14 of the other game device 10 (e.g., the game device 10 of the matched partner) may be the same type of lottery unit (lottery unit having the same lottery elements, lottery method, etc.), or may be different types of lottery units (lottery units having at least some of the lottery elements, lottery method, etc. different). For example, the same number of selection elements may be selected by lottery from the same population of selection elements (pockets), or either or both of the number of selection elements included in the population and the number of selection elements selected by lottery may be different.

[0056] For example, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 played by the matching partner player from among the multiple game devices 10 based on the matching result by the matching request unit 161, from the server device 30. Note that, when the game device 10 has multiple stations ST (i.e., multiple play units exist), the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 may acquire the lottery results of the lottery units 14 of the game devices 10 played by the matching partners of the players playing at each station ST, respectively. In other words, when multiple players play a link lottery game on the game device 10, the game device 10 may acquire the lottery results of the lottery units 14 of the multiple other game devices 10. Note that the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 may acquire the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 played by the matching partner player from the game device 10 via the network NW, not via the server device 30.

[0057] Furthermore, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 may acquire the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 provided in the other game device 10 on condition that a bet on the link lottery game is accepted by operation of the player of the game device 10. For example, in the case where the game device 10 has a plurality of stations ST (i.e., there are a plurality of play units), when a bet on the link lottery game is accepted at any one of the plurality of stations ST, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 of the station ST acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 provided in the other game device 10.

[0058] When the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 cannot acquire the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the other game device 10, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 acquires an alternative lottery result that substitutes for the lottery result. When the lottery result of the other game device 10 cannot be acquired, for example, due to a communication failure (disconnection of communication, slowing of communication speed, etc.) in communication via the network NW. In this case, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 may generate the alternative lottery result by an internal lottery using software. Furthermore, even when the communication between the server device 30 and the game device 10 is normal, for example, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 may acquire the alternative lottery result generated in the server device 30.

[0059] The game condition determination unit 165 determines whether or not a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of the lottery result acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 and the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164. The predetermined game condition is, for example, that the lottery result acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 (lottery result of the game device 10 itself) and the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 (lottery result of the other game device 10) have the same lottery result, for example, that in the ball lottery, at least one or more identical pockets are selected in both the lottery of the game device 10 itself and the lottery of the other game device 10 (and further, all the pockets drawn in both game devices 10 match). Another example of a specified game condition is, for example, that all selection elements (pockets) are selected based on the lottery results acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 and the lottery results acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164, in other words, that all pockets are selected (filled) when the lottery results of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery results of the other game devices 10 are combined.

[0060] The reward giving unit 166 gives a predetermined reward to the player when the game condition determination unit 165 determines that a predetermined game condition is established. For example, when the same pocket is selected in both the lottery of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery of the other game device 10, or when a predetermined number or more pockets are selected by combining the lottery results of the player's own game device 10 and the lottery results of the other game device 10 (for example, when all pockets are selected), the reward giving unit 166 may give a specific reward of a higher value (for example, a higher playing value) than that selected only in the lottery of one game device 10. Note that as the reward, credits as playing value may be given, or a game medium such as a medal may be paid out. Also, as the reward, points converted into credits may be given, or tickets exchangeable for prizes or the like may be paid out. The reward given to the player is stored as play data in association with the player ID of the player.

[0061] The display control unit 167 displays the lottery results acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 and the lottery results acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 on the display unit 18 in association with the video (image) of the lottery unit 14 included in the game device 10. The video of the lottery unit 14 is the video of the lottery unit 14 captured by the camera 15. For example, the display control unit 167 acquires the video of the lottery unit 14 captured by the camera 15 from the game device control unit 13 and displays it on the display unit 18. In addition, the display control unit 167 displays information about the matching player (user name, game facility name, etc.) superimposed on the video of the lottery unit 14 (see FIG. 3). Furthermore, the display control unit 167 displays, at positions corresponding to the selection element (pocket) selected by lottery in the game device 10 itself and the other game device 10, information indicating which game device 10 selected by lottery, information indicating that the selection was made by lottery in both game devices 10, etc., superimposed on the image of the lottery unit 14. Note that each piece of information may be displayed in association with the image of the lottery unit 14 by being displayed superimposed on the image of the lottery unit 14, or may be displayed in association with the image of the lottery unit 14 without being limited to being superimposed.

[0062] [Lottery Game Processing Operation] Next, the operation of the link lottery game process executed by the game device 10 will be described. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the link lottery game process according to the present embodiment.

[0063] The gaming device 10 accepts bets based on operations of the player of the own gaming device 10 during a bet acceptance period of the linked lottery game (step S100).

[0064] If a bet is accepted at the closing time of the bet acceptance period, the game device 10 transmits a matching request for determining a matching partner to the server device 30. Then, the game device 10 acquires information indicating the matching result of the matching process performed by the server device 30 in response to the transmitted matching request (for example, the player ID, player name, game device ID, game facility ID, game facility name, etc. of the matching partner) from the server device 30 (step S102).

[0065] Next, the game device 10 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the game device 10. For example, the game device 10 acquires position information (for example, pocket identification information) indicating the position of the pocket into which the ball fell as the lottery result at any time (step S104).

[0066] Furthermore, the game device 10 transmits the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the game device 10 itself to the matched game device 10 (step S106). Note that the game device 10 may transmit the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the game device 10 itself to the matched game device 10 via the server device 30, or may transmit the lottery result to the matched game device 10 without via the server device 30. This makes the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 itself available to the other game device 10.

[0067] Next, the game device 10 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the matched game device 10 (step S108). Note that the game device 10 may acquire the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the matched game device 10 via the server device 30, or may acquire it from the matched game device 10 without via the server device 30.

[0068] Next, the game device 10 executes a game progress update process for updating the progress of the cooperation lottery game based on the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in its own game device 10 and the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the matched-partner game device 10 (step S110). In the game progress update process, the game device 10 awards a predetermined reward to the player when a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in its own game device 10 and the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the matched-partner game device 10.

[0069] Here, a specific example of the operation of the game progress update process will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing a first example of the game progress update process according to the present embodiment. The game progress update process shown in this figure is a specific example of the process of step S110 in Fig. 18, and is an example in which the predetermined game condition is that the player's own game device 10 and another game device 10 have the same lottery result.

[0070] The game device 10 compares the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in its own game device 10 with the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the matched partner game device 10 (step S1100).

[0071] Next, the game device 10 determines, based on the result of the comparison, whether or not the same lottery result exists between the game device 10 itself and another game device 10 (step S1102).

[0072] If it is determined in step S1102 that the same lottery result exists (YES), the game device 10 adds a predetermined reward (e.g., points) (step S1104). Then, the process returns to the flowchart of Fig. 18, ends the process of step S110, and proceeds to the process of step S112. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1102 that the same lottery result does not exist (NO), the game device 10 does not add a predetermined reward (e.g., points), returns to the flowchart of Fig. 18, ends the process of step S110, and proceeds to the process of step S112.

[0073] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing a second example of the game progress update process according to the present embodiment. The game progress update process shown in this figure is a specific example of the process of step S110 in Fig. 19, and is an example in which the predetermined game condition is that the player's own game device 10 and another game device 10 have the same lottery result.

[0074] The game device 10 compares the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in its own game device 10 with the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the matched partner game device 10 (step S1110).

[0075] Next, the game device 10 determines whether or not a predetermined number or more of selection elements (pockets) have been selected (as an example, whether or not all selection elements have been selected) based on the result of the comparison (step S1112).

[0076] If it is determined in step S1112 that a predetermined number or more of selection elements (pockets) have been selected (YES), the game device 10 adds a predetermined reward (e.g., points) (step S1114). Then, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 18, ends the process of step S110, and proceeds to the process of step S112. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1112 that a predetermined number or more of selection elements (pockets) have not been selected (NO), the game device 10 does not add a predetermined reward (e.g., points), returns to the flowchart of FIG. 18, ends the process of step S110, and proceeds to the process of step S112.

[0077] Returning to Fig. 18, the game device 10 judges whether or not the lottery has ended. Specifically, the game device 10 judges whether or not one lottery game has ended based on the number of dispensed balls. For example, in the case where nine balls are dispensed in one lottery game, the game device 10 judges that the lottery has ended if the lottery for the nine balls has ended, and judges that the lottery has not ended if the lottery for the nine balls has not ended (step S112).

[0078] If it is determined in step S112 that the lottery has not ended (NO), the game device 10 returns to the process of step S104 and executes the processes of steps S104 to S110 for the next lottery. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S112 that the lottery has ended (YES), the game device 10 confirms the game results such as the added reward (e.g., points) and the acquired dividend, and ends the linked lottery game process (step S114).

[0079] [Summary of the first embodiment] As described above, the game device 10 according to the present embodiment is a game device in a game system 1 in which a plurality of game devices 10 each having a lottery unit 14 are connected via a network. For example, the game device 10 includes a lottery result acquisition unit 162 (an example of a first lottery result acquisition unit), an other lottery result acquisition unit 164 (an example of a second lottery result acquisition unit), a game condition determination unit 165, and a reward granting unit 166. The lottery result acquisition unit 162 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the game device 10 itself. Meanwhile, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 acquires the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the other game device 10. The game condition determination unit 165 determines whether or not a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of the lottery result acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 and the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164. Then, the reward granting unit 166 grants a predetermined reward to the player when the game condition determining unit 165 determines that a predetermined game condition is met.

[0080] As a result, in the ball lottery game, the game device 10 awards a reward to the player based on a combination of the lottery result of the game device 10 itself and the lottery results of the other game devices 10, thereby making the player aware of a sense of solidarity not only with the players playing on the same game device 10 but also with the players playing on the other game devices 10.

[0081] For example, the other game device 10 is a game device 10 played by a matched player who has been matched with the player of the own game device 10. Note that the lottery unit 14 of the own game device 10 and the lottery unit 14 of the other game device 10 (for example, the matched game device 10) may be the same type of lottery unit (lottery units having the same lottery elements, lottery method, etc.) or may be different types of lottery units (lottery units having at least some different lottery elements, lottery method, etc.).

[0082] The predetermined game condition is, for example, that the lottery result acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 (lottery result of the game device 10 itself) and the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 (lottery result of the other game device 10) have the same lottery result, for example, that at least one identical pocket is selected in both the lottery of the game device 10 itself and the lottery of the other game device 10 in the ball lottery (further, that all pockets drawn in both game devices 10 match). The predetermined game condition is, for example, that a predetermined number or more (for example, all) of selection elements (pockets) are selected based on the lottery result acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 and the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164, that is, that a predetermined number or more (for example, all) of pockets are selected (filled) when the lottery result of the game device 10 itself and the lottery result of the other game device 10 are combined. In this way, in this embodiment, a player is given a predetermined reward not only based on the lottery result of his / her own game device 10, but also based on a combination of the lottery result of his / her own game device 10 and the lottery results of the other game devices 10, thereby enhancing a sense of solidarity with players playing on the other game devices 10.

[0083] The predetermined reward may be a credit as a game value or a payout of a game medium such as a medal. The predetermined reward may be a point converted into credit or a ticket exchangeable for a prize. For example, when the same pocket is selected in both the lottery of the game device 10 and the lottery of the other game device 10, or when a predetermined number or more pockets are selected in the combined lottery results of the game device 10 and the lottery results of the other game device 10, the reward giving unit 166 may give a specific reward of a higher value (e.g., a higher game value) than that selected in the lottery of only one game device 10. This can further enhance the sense of solidarity with the players playing the other game devices 10.

[0084] Furthermore, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 (an example of a second lottery result acquisition unit) may acquire the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the other game device 10 on the condition that a bet on a predetermined game is accepted by an operation of the player of the game device 10. In this way, the game device 10 acquires the lottery result of the other game device 10 only when it is necessary to use it, so that unnecessary communication processing does not occur and the processing load can be reduced.

[0085] In addition, when the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 (an example of a second lottery result acquisition unit) cannot acquire the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the other game device 10, it may acquire an alternative lottery result that substitutes for the lottery result. For example, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 may generate the alternative lottery result by an internal lottery by software. This allows the game device 10 to play the linked lottery game using the alternative lottery result without falling into a state where it cannot play even when it cannot acquire the lottery result from the other game device 10 due to poor communication (disconnection of communication, slow communication speed, etc.). Note that, even when the communication between the server device 30 and the game device 10 is normal, for example, the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 may acquire the alternative lottery result generated in the server device 30 even when the communication between the server device 30 and the game device 10 is disconnected.

[0086] The game device 10 also includes a display control unit 167. The display control unit 167 displays the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 (an example of a second lottery result acquisition unit) and the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164 (an example of a second lottery result acquisition unit) on the display unit 18 in association with an image of the lottery unit 14 included in the game device 10 itself. This allows the game device 10 to make the player easily recognize both the lottery result of the game device 10 itself and the lottery results of the other game devices 10. Therefore, the player can play the game with a sense of unity and solidarity with the players of the other game devices 10. In particular, even if the players of the other game devices 10 in different game facilities play a common lottery game at the same time, a sense of unity and solidarity can be created.

[0087] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, an example of a bingo game based on the result of ball lottery will be described. The basic configurations of the game device 10 and the server device 30 included in the game system 1 according to this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate, and the characteristic processing of the lottery game according to this embodiment will be described.

[0088] The lottery game according to this embodiment is a cooperative lottery game in which a reward is awarded to a player based on the lottery results of the player's own gaming device 10 and the lottery results of the other gaming devices 10, as in the first embodiment, but a bingo game is played based on a ball lottery.

[0089] For example, the other game device 10 may be a game device 10 on which the player is matched among the multiple game devices 10, as in the first embodiment. The own game device 10 acquires information on a bingo sheet as a result of the drawing by the drawing unit 14 of the other game device 10 (the matched game device 10) via the server device 30. The own game device 10 then determines whether a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of the bingo sheet as a result of the drawing by the drawing unit 14 of the own game device 10 and the bingo sheet as a result of the drawing by the drawing unit 14 of the other game device 10, and when it is determined that the predetermined game condition is established, it awards a predetermined reward. The predetermined game condition in this embodiment is, for example, a bingo line. That is, the bingo sheet as a result of the drawing by the own game device 10 and the bingo sheet as a result of the drawing by the other game device 10 are arranged adjacent to each other, and when a bingo line is established across both bingo sheets, a predetermined reward is awarded to the player.

[0090] In addition, even for the same game device 10, different bingo sheets are assigned to each station ST, so that the selected positions on the bingo sheet are different even for the same lottery result of the same lottery unit 14, resulting in different bingo game results. Therefore, even if matching is performed on a game device 10 basis, the game results will be different on a station ST basis (player basis).

[0091] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a link lottery game using bingo according to this embodiment, and shows a game screen displayed on the display unit 18 based on the lottery status in the lottery unit 14. The illustrated game screen BG10 displays an image of a ball lottery machine in the lottery unit 14 of the player's game device 10, as in the first embodiment. Sixteen pockets (holes) PK1 to PK16 are arranged along the outer periphery of a circular area CR, and one number (number) is displayed in clockwise order from 1 to 16 in each pocket. In addition, inside the circular area CR of the game screen BG10, the player's name, the name of the game facility, an icon image, etc. are displayed superimposed on the image of the ball lottery machine as information about the matching partner, and further, the bingo sheet of the player of the player's game device 10 and the bingo sheet of the matching partner are displayed superimposed as information showing the respective lottery results. When the bingo sheet is displayed superimposed, a part or all of the information about the matching partner may not be displayed because it is obscured by the bingo sheet display.

[0092] In the illustrated example, two bingo sheets are displayed side by side. The bingo sheet BGS1 on the left side is a bingo sheet given to the player at the player's own game device 10. Meanwhile, the bingo sheet BGS2 on the right side is a bingo sheet given to the matched player at the other game device 10. The numbers in each pocket of the ball lottery correspond to the numbers in each square on the bingo sheet, and the square with the number corresponding to the pocket that the ball fell into is selected.

[0093] When the lottery is started, for example, nine balls for lottery are discharged in total in one lottery game. Nine balls may be discharged continuously to perform the lottery, or balls may be discharged in a number of separate times, such as "2 balls → 2 balls → thinking time → 2 balls → 2 balls → 1 ball" to perform the lottery. In the thinking time, the player can operate his / her bingo sheet to rearrange or shuffle the numbers in at least some of the squares of the bingo sheet according to a predetermined rule. The discharged balls roll in a circular orbit around the outer periphery of the pockets PK1 to PK16, and the lottery result is determined depending on which pocket the balls fall into at the end, and the squares on the bingo sheet corresponding to the numbers selected by the lottery are selected. The number of balls discharged in one lottery game (i.e., the number of lottery draws) and the timing of discharge can be determined arbitrarily. Also, the ball may fall into the same pocket multiple times, or a pocket selected by a ball may not be able to receive a ball thereafter.

[0094] For example, the result of the drawing by the drawing section 14 of the player's game device 10 is reflected on the bingo sheet BGS1 on the left side, and the result of the drawing by the drawing section 14 of the other game device 10 is reflected on the bingo sheet BGS2 on the right side. The two bingo sheets BGS1 and BGS2 are regarded as one connected bingo sheet, and when a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal bingo line is formed by the squares selected by ball drawing, a predetermined reward (for example, points) is awarded to the player. Note that the arrangement of the bingo sheets is not limited to the horizontal direction, but may be vertical.

[0095] 22 to 24 are diagrams for explaining examples of bingo lines when two bingo sheets are regarded as one connected bingo sheet. The selected squares are indicated by hatching. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state in which a horizontal bingo line is established on two bingo sheets arranged horizontally. It shows a state in which all squares in the second row from the top are selected, and a horizontal bingo line is established across the two bingo sheets. When all squares (four squares) in one vertical column are selected, a vertical bingo line is established as in the case of one bingo sheet. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state in which a vertical bingo line is established on two bingo sheets arranged vertically. It shows a state in which all squares in the second row from the left are selected, and a vertical bingo line is established across the two bingo sheets. It shows a state in which all squares (four squares) in one horizontal column are selected, and a horizontal bingo line is established as in the case of one bingo sheet.

[0096] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing a state where a diagonal bingo line is formed on two bingo sheets arranged horizontally. All squares diagonally extending from the third square from the right on the top row to the third square from the left on the bottom row are selected, showing a state where a diagonal bingo line is formed across the two bingo sheets. Note that a diagonal bingo line can also be formed across two bingo sheets arranged vertically as shown in Fig. 23.

[0097] In addition, in the case of matching three or more players, three or more bingo sheets may be regarded as one connected bingo sheet as a result of the lottery of the game device 10 on which each player plays. For example, in the case of matching four players, four bingo sheets are regarded as one connected bingo sheet. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a state in which vertical and horizontal bingo lines are established on four bingo sheets. In the illustrated example, four bingo sheets are arranged in a "2 sheets vertical x 2 sheets horizontal" format, and the establishment of bingo lines is determined as one bingo sheet. It shows a state in which all the squares in the third column from the right are selected, and a vertical bingo line is established across two bingo sheets at the top right and bottom right. It also shows a state in which all the squares in the third row from the top are selected, and a horizontal bingo line is established across two bingo sheets at the top right and top left. For example, if all the squares diagonally extending from the square in the top row and the rightmost column to the square in the bottom row and the leftmost column of the four bingo sheets shown in the figure are selected, a diagonal bingo line will be formed across the two bingo sheets at the top right and bottom left. Note that the arrangement (line-up) of multiple bingo sheets is not limited to the example shown in the figure, and can be determined arbitrarily.

[0098] Next, the configuration of the station control unit 16 according to this embodiment will be described. Since the basic configuration of the station control unit 16 according to this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 17, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0099] When a code such as a number (digit) is assigned to each pocket as in the present embodiment, the lottery result acquisition unit 162 may acquire information indicating the code as the lottery result instead of the position information of the pocket (e.g., pocket identification information). The lottery result transmission unit 163 transmits information indicating the code of the number (digit) corresponding to the pocket into which the ball fell and information on the bingo sheet as the lottery result to the server device 30. As a result, the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 is transmitted by the server device 30 to the other game device 10 (e.g., the game device 10 of the matched opponent), and becomes available to the other game device 10. Note that the lottery result transmission unit 163 may transmit the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the game device 10 to the other game device 10 (e.g., the game device 10 of the matched opponent) without going through the server device 30.

[0100] The other lottery result acquisition unit 164 acquires, as the lottery result, information indicating the number (number) code corresponding to the pocket into which the ball fell, and bingo sheet information, provided by the lottery unit 14 of another game device 10 (for example, the matched game device 10).

[0101] The game condition determination unit 165 determines whether or not a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of the lottery result acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 and the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164. The predetermined game condition is that a bingo line is established on the bingo sheet based on the lottery result acquired by the lottery result acquisition unit 162 and the lottery result acquired by the other lottery result acquisition unit 164. One example of the predetermined game condition is that a bingo sheet reflecting the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the own game device 10 and a bingo sheet reflecting the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the other game device 10 are placed adjacent to each other, and a bingo line is established across both sheets.

[0102] The reward giving unit 166 gives a predetermined reward to the player when it is determined by the game condition determination unit 165 that a predetermined game condition is established. For example, when a bingo line is established across multiple bingo sheets, the reward giving unit 166 may give a higher reward (e.g., a higher play value) than when a bingo line is established within a single bingo sheet.

[0103] Next, the operation of the linkage lottery game process using the bingo game according to this embodiment will be described. The linkage lottery game process according to this embodiment is the same as the linkage lottery game process of the first embodiment described with reference to Fig. 18, except for the contents of the lottery result and the display contents. Therefore, the description of the basic process flow of the linkage lottery game will be omitted, and a specific example of the game progress update process of step S110 in Fig. 18 will be described according to this embodiment.

[0104] 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a game progress update process according to the present embodiment. The game device 10 selects a game element (here, a square on a bingo sheet of a player of the game device 10) corresponding to a lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the game device 10 (step S1120).

[0105] Furthermore, the game device 10 selects a game element (here, a square on the bingo sheet of the other game device 10) corresponding to the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 included in the other game device 10 (for example, the other game device 10) (step S1122).

[0106] Then, the game device 10 judges whether or not a predetermined game condition (bingo line) is established in the selected game element (here, the squares on both bingo sheets) (step S1124). If it is judged in step S1124 that the predetermined game condition (bingo line) is established (YES), the game device 10 adds a predetermined reward (e.g., points) (step S1126). For example, when a bingo line across a plurality of bingo sheets is established, the game device 10 may add a higher reward (e.g., a higher play value) than when a bingo line is established within a single bingo sheet. Then, the game device 10 returns to the flowchart of FIG. 18, ends the process of step S110, and proceeds to the process of step S112. On the other hand, if it is judged in step S1124 that the predetermined game condition (bingo line) is not established (NO), the game device 10 does not add a predetermined reward (e.g., play value), returns to the flowchart of FIG. 18, ends the process of step S110, and proceeds to the process of step S112.

[0107] [Summary of the second embodiment] As described above, in the game device 10 according to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, in the ball lottery game, a reward is given to a player according to a combination of the lottery result of the game device 10 itself and the lottery result of another game device 10, so that a player can be made aware of a sense of solidarity not only with players playing on the same game device 10 but also with players playing on other game devices 10. Note that in this embodiment, an element of a bingo game is added to the ball lottery, and a bingo line is established by combining a bingo sheet based on the lottery result of the game device 10 itself with a bingo sheet based on the lottery result of another game device 10, whereby a predetermined reward is given to the player, so that a highly entertaining linked lottery game can be provided.

[0108] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the player's own game device 10 is reflected on the bingo sheet of the player's own game device 10, and the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the other game device 10 is reflected on the bingo sheet BGS2 of the player (e.g., the matched opponent) of the other game device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, both of the lottery results of the respective lottery units 14 may be reflected on the respective bingo sheets. In addition, the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the player's own game device 10 may be reflected on the bingo sheet of the player (e.g., the matched opponent) of the other game device 10, and the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the other game device 10 may be reflected on the bingo sheet BGS2 of the player (e.g., the matched opponent) of the other game device 10. In addition, the bingo sheet may be only the bingo sheet of the player of the own game device 10, and both the lottery results of the lottery section 14 of the own game device 10 and the lottery results of the lottery sections 14 of the other game devices 10 may be reflected on the bingo sheet of the player of the own game device 10.

[0109] [Variations] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and designs within the scope of the present invention are also included. For example, the configurations described in the first and second embodiments can be arbitrarily combined.

[0110] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which each of the game devices 10 is integrally provided with the lottery unit 14 having a physical lottery mechanism, but the game device 10 and the lottery unit 14 may be physically separated in some or all of the game devices 10. In addition, when the lottery unit 14 performs a process of generating a lottery result by software, the process may be performed inside the game device 10 or may be performed by an external server device or the like connected for communication.

[0111] Also, a portable terminal device such as a smartphone may communicate with the lottery unit 14 provided inside or outside each game device 10, and the portable terminal device may acquire the lottery result of the lottery unit 14. For example, the portable terminal device may have at least a part of the functions of the game device 10, and a lottery unit 14 corresponding to each portable terminal device may be provided so as to be communicatively connected to each portable terminal device. For example, a first portable terminal device may provide a predetermined reward to a player when a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of the first portable terminal device and the lottery result of the lottery unit 14 of a second portable terminal device (for example, a matching partner portable terminal device). In other words, a portable terminal device may be used instead of the game device 10.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the gaming device 10 installed in a gaming facility is described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to a gaming device for a casino game installed in a casino facility, not limited to a gaming facility. For example, instead of accepting the insertion of a play medal at the gaming device 10, the insertion of money such as bills and coins may be accepted, or the insertion of a medium such as a card with money data recorded in an internal storage unit or a ticket with money data recorded as a printed code, or a medium in which a medium ID and money data are associated in a medium management server may be accepted. Also, instead of paying out a play medal from the gaming device 10, bills and coins may be discharged, or a medium such as a card with money data recorded in an internal storage unit or a ticket with money data recorded as a printed code, or a medium in which a medium ID and money data are associated in a medium management server may be discharged. Then, in a gaming device for a casino game, when a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of the lottery result of the own gaming device and the lottery result of another gaming device, a predetermined reward may be given to the player, and money such as bills and coins or a medium in place of money may be discharged.

[0113] In addition, a program for realizing the functions of the game device control unit 13, the station control unit 16, or the server control unit 33 may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to perform processing as the functions of the game device control unit 13, the station control unit 16, or the server control unit 33. Here, "reading a program recorded in a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer system" may also include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, or other communication lines. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside the computer system that can be accessed from the distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. That is, the format in which the program is stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as the program can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into multiple parts, each of which may be downloaded at a different time and then combined on the terminal device, or each of the divided programs may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes a storage medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that is a server or client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may also be one that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions.Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program).

[0114] In addition, some or all of the functions of the game device control unit 13, station control unit 16, or server control unit 33 described above may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each of the above-mentioned functions may be individually processed, or some or all of them may be integrated into a processor. The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. In addition, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit based on that technology may be used.

[0115] [Note] From the above description, the present invention can be understood, for example, as follows: In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference characters in the accompanying drawings are conveniently added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

[0116] (Supplementary Note 1) A game device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a game device in a game system in which a plurality of game devices, each having a lottery unit (14), are connected via a network, and is equipped with a first lottery result acquisition unit (162, S104) that acquires the lottery results of the lottery units equipped in the game device itself, a second lottery result acquisition unit (164, S108) that acquires the lottery results of the lottery units equipped in the other game devices, a game condition determination unit (165, S1102, S1112, S1124) that determines whether or not a predetermined game condition is met based on a combination of the lottery result acquired by the first lottery result acquisition unit and the lottery result acquired by the second lottery result acquisition unit, and a reward granting unit (166, S1104, S1114, S1126) that grants a predetermined reward to a player when it is determined by the game condition determination unit that a predetermined game condition is met.

[0117] According to the configuration of Appendix 1, the game device awards rewards to players based on a combination of the lottery results of its own game device and the lottery results of the other game devices, thereby making players aware of a sense of solidarity with players playing on other game devices.

[0118] (Supplementary Note 2) Also, one aspect of the present invention is the gaming device described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the second lottery result acquisition unit acquires the lottery results of the lottery units equipped on the other gaming devices, on condition that a bet on a specified game has been accepted by operation of a player of the gaming device itself.

[0119] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 2, a gaming device obtains the lottery results of other gaming devices only when it is necessary to use them, so that unnecessary communication processing is not generated and the processing load can be reduced.

[0120] (Supplementary Note 3) Also, one aspect of the present invention is a gaming device as described in Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein when the second lottery result acquisition unit is unable to acquire the lottery result of a lottery unit provided in another gaming device, the second lottery result acquisition unit acquires an alternative lottery result that substitutes for the lottery result.

[0121] According to the configuration of Appendix 3, even if the game device is unable to obtain lottery results from other game devices due to poor communication (such as communication interruption or slow communication speed), the game device can play the linked lottery game using alternative lottery results without falling into a state where the game device is unable to play.

[0122] (Supplementary Note 4) Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a gaming device as described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, comprising a display control unit (167) that causes a display unit (18) to display the lottery result acquired by the first lottery result acquisition unit and the lottery result acquired by the second lottery result acquisition unit in association with an image of a lottery section provided in the gaming device itself.

[0123] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 4, the gaming device can allow the player to easily recognize both the lottery results of the gaming device itself and the lottery results of the other gaming devices.

[0124] (Supplementary Note 5) Furthermore, a gaming device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a gaming device in a gaming system in which a plurality of gaming devices, each having one or more processing devices (16) and a lottery device (14), are connected via a network, and the one or more processing devices acquire the lottery result of the lottery device equipped in their own gaming device (S104), acquire the lottery result of the lottery device equipped in the other gaming devices (S108), determine whether or not a predetermined game condition is met based on a combination of the lottery result of the lottery device equipped in their own gaming device and the lottery result of the lottery device equipped in the other gaming devices, and award a predetermined reward to the player when it is determined that the predetermined game condition is met.

[0125] According to the configuration of Supplementary Note 5, a game device awards a reward to a player based on a combination of the lottery results of its own game device and the lottery results of other game devices, thereby making the player aware of a sense of solidarity with players playing on other game devices.

[0126] (Supplementary Note 6) Furthermore, a program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the game device (10) according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5.

[0127] According to the configuration of Appendix 6, the program awards rewards to players based on a combination of the lottery results of the player's own game device and the lottery results of the other game devices, thereby making the player aware of a sense of solidarity with players playing on other game devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0128] 1 Game system, 10 Game device, 11 Game device communication unit, 12 Game device memory unit, 13 Game device control unit, 14 Lottery unit, 15 Camera, ST station, 16 Station control unit, 17 Input unit, 18 Display unit, 19 Station memory unit, 30 Server device, 31 Server communication unit, 32 Server memory unit, 33 Server control unit, 161 Matching request unit, 162 Lottery result acquisition unit, 163 Lottery result transmission unit, 164 Other lottery result acquisition unit, 165 Game condition determination unit, 166 Reward granting unit, 167 Display control unit, 171 Card reader, 172 Medal insertion slot, 321 Player data storage unit, 322 Play implementation status data storage unit, 323 Matching data storage unit, 331 Player data management unit, 332 Play implementation status management unit, 333 Matching processing unit, 334 Lottery Results Distribution Department

Claims

1. A first terminal device including a first lottery section that performs a lottery to select one of a plurality of selection elements; a second terminal device including a second selection unit that performs a selection process to select one of the plurality of selection elements; The first terminal device and the second terminal device are connected to each other via a network, a first acquisition means for acquiring a selection element selected by the lottery in the first selection unit as a first selection element; A second acquisition means for acquiring a selection element selected by the lottery in the second selection unit as a second selection element; each of the plurality of selection elements in the second selection section is associated with at least one of the plurality of selection elements in the first selection section; a game condition determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of a first selection element acquired by the first acquisition means and a selection element in the first lottery section associated with a second selection element acquired by the second acquisition means; a reward providing means for providing a predetermined reward to at least one of a player operating the first terminal device and a player operating the second terminal device when it is determined by the game condition determining means that a predetermined game condition is established; A game system including:

2. A first terminal device including a first lottery unit that performs a lottery to select one of a plurality of selection elements; a second terminal device including a second selection unit that performs a selection process to select one of the plurality of selection elements; A computer incorporated in a game system in which the first terminal device and the second terminal device are connected via a network, a first acquisition means for acquiring a selection element selected by the lottery in the first selection unit as a first selection element; a second acquisition means for acquiring a selection element selected by the lottery in the second selection section as a second selection element; each of the plurality of selection elements in the second selection section is associated with at least one of the plurality of selection elements in the first selection section; a game condition determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of a first selection element acquired by the first acquisition means and a selection element in the first lottery section associated with a second selection element acquired by the second acquisition means; a reward providing means for providing a predetermined reward to at least one of a player operating the first terminal device and a player operating the second terminal device when it is determined by the game condition determining means that a predetermined game condition is established; A computer program that functions as a

3. A first terminal device including a first lottery unit that performs a lottery to select one of a plurality of selection elements; a second terminal device including a second selection unit that performs a selection process to select one of the plurality of selection elements; The first terminal device and the second terminal device are connected to a computer in a game system via a network, a first acquisition step of acquiring a selection element selected by the lottery in the first selection unit as a first selection element; a second acquisition step of acquiring a selection element selected by the lottery in the second selection unit as a second selection element; each of the plurality of selection elements in the second selection section is associated with at least one of the plurality of selection elements in the first selection section; a game condition determination step of determining whether or not a predetermined game condition is established based on a combination of a first selection element acquired by the first acquisition step and a selection element in the first lottery section associated with a second selection element acquired by the second acquisition step; a reward providing step of providing a predetermined reward to at least one of a player operating the first terminal device and a player operating the second terminal device when it is determined that a predetermined game condition is established by the game condition determining step; A control method for executing the above.

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